09:28 Ukrainian General Staff: Russian Black Sea port's oil depot bombed by missiles.
Ukrainian troops assaulted an oil facility in Russia's Kavkaz Black Sea port, as per the Ukrainian military's statement. This news comes after witnesses reported explosions and massive fires in the Kavkaz port, with several videos circulating online showcasing the attack. The oil depot was badly hit by Neptune missiles, which are of Ukrainian origin. The damage's extent is still unknown. In addition, Ukrainian forces also hit two ferries near the Kerch Bridge.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg doesn't see an escalation threat from the US decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russia's targets. He made this remark on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Prague. Stoltenberg also urged Germany and other nations to permit limited attacks with their own weapons. Stoltenberg claims that Ukraine has the right to self-defense, which includes launching strikes against legitimate Russian military targets.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg published a statement where he expressed no concern about the US allowing Ukraine to target Russian military targets. This statement was made at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague. Additionally, he pushed Germany and other nations to also authorize Ukraine to use their weapons for such attacks. He emphasized the necessity of this action due to battles happening in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border.
Ukrainian air defense destroyed four Russian Shahed attack drones and one Iskander K cruise missile during the night, as stated by the Ukrainian Air Force's commander, Mykola Oleschtschuk, via Telegram. Through their missile systems and mobile artillery, the air defense units destroyed the drones and missile in the regions of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk.
A fourth victim was found in the devastated residential building in Kharkiv after a Russian rocket attack, resulting in four deaths. Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region, spoke about this incident on Telegram. There were also 25 people injured in the attack.
Within a day, 1390 Russian soldiers have been killed or lost their combat readiness according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry. Since the war began in February 2022, the total number of Russian soldiers declared dead or disabled is now 507,650. Additionally, over 18 tanks and 7728 armored vehicles have been lost by the enemy. Ukraine has also destroyed 15,000 armored vehicles and close to 10,500 drones used by the Russian army. However, these numbers cannot be independently verified.
Two people have been hurt in a Ukrainian air raid on oil facilities in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, supposedly resulting from falling debris from damaged drones. Russia's Defense Ministry indicated that their air defense eliminated five rockets and 29 drones launched by Ukraine against the Krasnodar region. Drone raids were also reported in the regions of Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov.
Temporary reports of explosions overnight came from the Russian-occupied Crimea, based on eyewitness accounts. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported that there were more than eight explosions in Port Kavkaz and residents of Kerch heard them. A fire at an oil depot in the port was said to have occurred. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that two vessels from Kerch were hit by ATACMS missiles.
A recent analysis of debris by the US military suggests that Russia is using North Korean rockets in Ukraine. According to a statement from the DIA, "The analysis confirms that Russia is using North Korean-made ballistic missiles in its war against Ukraine. North Korean missile fragments have been found throughout Ukraine."
08:54 NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg does not see the US decision to allow Ukraine to attack Russian targets as an escalation risk."Russia itself is escalating by attacking another country," Stoltenberg said on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Prague.
Stoltenberg also increased the pressure on Germany and other nations to allow such attacks using the weapons they have provided."Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and that includes the right to attack legitimate military targets in Russia," the secretary-general confirmed.
08:41 Air defense units of Ukraine shot down four Russian Shahed drones and one Iskander K cruise missile in the night, said the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleschtschuk.Accordingly, Ukrainian air defense missile systems and mobile artillery units destroyed four Shahed drones in the regions of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, as well as an Iskander K missile in the region of Kyiv.
08:09 The number of civilian casualties in Russian rocket attack on Kharkiv has increased to four, with 25 others injured.
07:31 In Kyiv, Ukraine reports that 1,390 Russian soldiers are either killed or unable to fight.The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports that since the start of the war in February 2022, a total of 507,650 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated."
07:14 Injuries reported in Russian-controlled Krasnodar from Ukrainian air strikes on oil facilities.The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the air defense had destroyed five rockets and 29 drones fired by Ukraine at the region of Krasnodar early in the morning.
06:48 Explosions reported overnight in the Russian-occupied Crimea.This was reported by the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. "There are again explosions in Port Kavkaz, residents of Kerch have heard eight to ten explosions," it says in the post.
06:17 US military claims Russian forces in Ukraine are using North Korean rockets.
"The analysis confirms that Russia is using North Korean-made ballistic missiles in its war against Ukraine. North Korean missile debris has been found throughout Ukraine," the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said in a statement.
04:34 The DIA has found that Russia is using North Korean rockets in Ukraine.
This was reported by the US military agency, confirming that North Korean-made ballistic missiles had been found in Ukraine.
The US, along with its G7 partners and European Union and NATO allies, view China's support for Russia as a threat to Europe. Deputty Spokesperson for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, stated at a press conference, "China's support for Russia not only threatens Ukraine but also European security." The US government accused the Chinese leadership of assisting Russia's war in Ukraine the previous day. In response, they threatened further sanctions. Patel warned, "If China maintains its support for the Russian arms industry, the United States will take additional steps."
02:50 Rocket strikes residential building in Kharkiv: Three civilians die
In the night, Russia launched rockets from Belgorod at Kharkiv. According to local authorities, Kharkiv experienced five hits, including one in a five-story residential building. Ukrayinska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet, reported 20 buildings were damaged. Sadly, three people lost their lives, and 16 others were injured in the rocket attack. Among the injured were two children.
01:46 SPD politician proposes allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets
Nils Schmid, the SPD's foreign policy spokesperson, suggests Ukraine is permitted to use Western weapons to strike military targets in Russia. "It makes sense to lift the restriction on targets on Russian territory," stated to the Funke Media Group. "This must be decided by NATO allies working together."
00:06 Scholz opposes German soldiers in Ukraine, rules out no-fly zone participation
Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects the idea of deploying German troops in Ukraine and rejects the notion of a no-fly zone. "We don't want to involve our soldiers," he explained at a reader's meeting with the "Thuringian" in Erfurt. "This also applies to the reckless proposition of a no-fly zone," he added. "In order to shoot down aircraft of other nations using our own aircraft, we'd be at war." The German chancellor firmly expressed, "The German chancellor is quite firm on this point."
22:25 Insider: Biden allows Ukraine to use US weapons in Russia - with conditions
The United States permits Ukraine to utilize US weapons against Russia - but only within the area of Kharkiv, as per an insider. This change in policy from US President Joe Biden comes after previously denying Ukraine the use of US weapons for operations within Russia. The US imposed a condition that Ukraine cannot use its own long-range rockets and other ammunition for offensive operations in Russia.
22:06 Ukrainian storm brigade showcases street fighting in Vovchansk
The Liut Brigade, a police unit of the Ukrainian armed forces, is now defending the city of Vovchansk with other military forces. The unit has released a video documenting soldiers of the Tsunami Storm Regiment stopping Russian soldiers from occupying a building. According to the brigade, the footage represents the Liut Brigade's soldiers preventing Russian soldiers from occupying a building in Vovchansk.
Read also:
- The Ukraine conflict escalated further with Russia as Ukrainian troops reportedly attacked Russian oil facilities in the Black Sea port of Kavkaz, causing significant damage.
- Acknowledging the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated Ukraine's right to self-defense and urged member nations to allow Ukraine to use their weapons for legitimate military targets in Russia.
- In response to the escalating conflict, Russia accused Ukraine of conducting cyberwar attacks, causing disruptions in Russian governments and critical infrastructure systems.
- The UK and several other NATO allies announced their support for Ukraine, pledging to provide military aid and training to help strengthen Ukraine's defenses against further Russian aggression.
