21:42 Zelensky views the Russian attack on Kharkiv as unsuccessful.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian forces have failed in their offensive in the Charkiv region. In his evening address, Zelenskyy said he had spoken with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi about the general situation at the front. He emphasized that the Russian troops had not carried out their operation in Charkiv. "We are doing our best to repel them and destroy any infiltrating Russian units that are terrorizing the Charkiv region," Zelenskyy added. He also mentioned that the Charkiv front has been reinforced and will be further strengthened. The situation is the most challenging in the Donetsk region.
At 21:17, a man was killed and two women were injured after a bombing attack on a village in Charkiv. The Charkiv Prosecutor's Office reported the news. The Russian air raid on the village of Khotimlia destroyed a building, according to photos released by the investigators on Telegram. The school, residential, and commercial buildings in the village were damaged during the bombing.
At 20:43, Intelligence sources in Kiev confirmed a Ukrainian drone attack on a military airfield in the Caucasus. It was a special operation by the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, HUR, stated a representative of the Ukrainian military intelligence. Earlier, the regional president of the Russian separatist republic of North Ossetia had reported that the airfield in Mosdok had been targeted by drones. The air defense had shot down three drones over the city, causing "minor damage and fires." The Russian Defense Ministry only confirmed that a drone attack had been thwarted in the region. North Ossetia is located more than 700 kilometers away from the front line in Ukraine.
At 20:07, Charkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that Russian attacks have subsided in the Charkiv region. However, he warned, "While there's a slight decline in combat activities near the front line, the Russians are still regrouping and trying to push further into the region." Fighting is ongoing in Wowtschansk, Sinkivka, and Andriivka. These towns are under constant shelling, Syniehubov said. The Russians are using the scorched earth tactic and destroying parts of Wowtschansk and other communities. They have taken control of several towns along the border with Russia. Ukrainian authorities have evacuated thousands of people from the region.
19:26 Intelligence: Ex-mayor critical after attack
The Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, reported that a former mayor of Kupiansk, Gennadiy Matsehora, is in critical condition after an attack. Hearing no involvement in the attack, HUR said Matsehora had closely collaborated with the Russian military when they entered Kupiansk in February 2022. His whereabouts since then remain unclear, but he has been accused of active cooperation with the occupying forces.
18:49 Biden pledges continued support: "Putin will not maintain control in Ukraine"
American President Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Ukraine and its allies, despite disagreements over sending military trainers to the country. He asserted that the United States would remain steadfast in its support of Ukraine and warned that Putin would not succeed in holding territory in Ukraine. "It's not just about Ukraine; all of Europe is at risk," Biden explained during his state visit to France.
18:16 Scholz opposes sending German soldiers to Ukraine
After French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send military trainers to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again refused to send German soldiers to the war zone. "We will work to prevent escalation," Scholz said at an SPD election campaign event in Duisburg. He joined Biden's statement, noting, "There will be no soldiers from our countries or NATO in Ukraine." Read more on this topic.
17:31 Governor: One rescued woman later dies in the hospital
Ukrainian reports state that two civilians have been killed due to Russian attacks. Filip Pronin, the governor of the Poltava region, said that one woman initially rescued from the rubble of a house was later found dead in the hospital. The city of Poltava was targeted by a Russian rocket on Friday, causing significant damage to a building. A 60-year-old woman died in the village of Dudchany when the Russian army fired on the village of Kherson.
The governor of Luhansk, appointed by Moscow, declared two more fatalities following a Ukrainian rocket attack. The deceased were extracted from the destruction. The death toll has now reached six. More than 60 individuals were injured during this assault on Luhansk, claims the official. Nevertheless, these details have yet to be independently verified. There isn't a statement from the Ukrainian side as of yet.
16:29 Swiss NGO attempts to aid detained employee in Russia
The humanitarian organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue based in Geneva is endeavoring to assist one of its employees who has been apprehended in Russia. Their actions consist of searching for legal counsel and engaging with Russian authorities. "As procedures continue, we are still seeking information about the incident that led to his arrest and the allegations made against him." Tass, the Russian state news agency, quotes Vinatier's lawyer saying his client confessed guilt in court, but remained unaware of the need for registration as a foreign agent. Russian officials accuse him of gathering information about Russia's "military and military-technical activities."
15:57 Ukrainian air defense: Not all drones intercepted
The Ukrainian Air Force claims they have confiscated 9 out of the 13 Russian drones that were detected over Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak reports a drone damaged commercial and residential structures at night. Earlier, Russia conveyed news that the Ukrainian army had targeted Russian forces with 25 drones. There have been no casualties reported.
15:25 Only a quarter of Ukrainian power plants remain functional
The Russian military has significantly disrupted Ukraine's energy supply by regularly attacking the nation's infrastructure. Seventy-three percent of the large power plants are nonoperational, affirmed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Ukrainian television as reported by "The New Voice of Ukraine." "Russia has razed 50% of our total electricity production capacity. In reality, we have lost 9.2 gigawatts of power from the beginning of this war due to rocket and drone attacks, which is equivalent to half of the capacity we had last winter." Over 20 hydroelectric plants are also not in service.
14:48 Report: Two Russian soldiers identified for rapes
Kyiv Independent's journalists revealed the identities of two Russian soldiers who allegedly raped two Ukrainian women. These acts allegedly transpired in 2022 during the Russian conquest of the regions of Kyiv and Kherson. According to the docudrama "He Came Back," both soldiers remain unprosecuted for their deeds. One of them purportedly resides in the Russian-occupied city of Horlivka in the Donetsk region. The other is accused of committing other war crimes, including the murder of a civilian. Kiv Independent claims that 292 instances of sexual violence carried out by the Russian military have been registered by Ukrainian law enforcement. This number is most likely just the tip of the iceberg.
13:57 London: Protection for the Crimean Bridge installed
The UK intelligence service has discovered eight boats on satellite images of the Crimean Bridge, positioned on the southern side of the bridge in the water. "These boats were set up by the Russian forces to safeguard the bridge and the shipping lane, making it more challenging for Ukrainian drones to approach," states the report. Earlier installations had been damaged by storms. The Crimean Bridge connects the Russian mainland to the Crimea and is vital for the forward lines.
13:41 Pistorius affirms: Bundeswehr needs to "be war-ready"
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius affirmed that the Bundeswehr must "go to war ready." This involves being primed for defensive warfare in the event of an assault - "readying ourselves for the worst case scenario, so that we aren't taken by surprise." Many security experts hypothesize that Russia would require about five years to build capabilities for an attack on a NATO member state. The Kremlin invested approximately 5.9% of its economic output in the military in 2023 and is presently increasing it to 7%.
13:15 Ukraine: Hostile forces relentlessly attack the southern front
Russian troops press on with their offensives on the southern front without flagging. Over the course of Friday, Ukraine registered 240 reconnaissance drones in the Southern region alone. Despite that, they wielded artillery, rockets, combat drones, tanks, and multiple launch rocket systems. The Ukrainian military reported they were successful in halting three assaults in the areas of Orichiv and Krynky.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba calls on supporters of Ukraine to make use not only of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets but also the assets themselves. He acknowledges the concerns of partners about the consequences of this move but defends Ukraine's position by stating that it is based on international law. The value of Russian central bank assets frozen in the EU amounts to over 200 billion euros. The G7 is set to discuss whether the interest as well as the actual money could be used during their upcoming summit in Italy.
11:55 In Charkiv: Russians even shoot at cows
Reporter Kavita Sharma visits Charkiv, where people have lost everything due to Russian attacks - their loved ones, their homes. At a farm, Russians even fired at cows.
11:34 Scholz: "Putin will not succeed"
Shortly before the European elections, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirms his stance against Russia's aggression on Ukraine and extends support to the country. He insists that Russia's imperialist plans will not succeed and counters Putin's efforts by urging peace policy, which includes backing Ukraine in defending its independence and sovereignty.
10:57 Ukrainian drone attacks military airport in the Caucasus
According to reports from Moscow, a Ukrainian drone has reached the Republic of North Ossetia in the Caucasus, attacking a military airport. The head of the region confirms the event, claiming that it is the first time since the start of the war that a Ukrainian drone has made its way to North Ossetia, which is over 700 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border. This airfield serves as a launchpad for combat aircraft used for attacking Ukraine, deploying glide bombs. The Ukrainian army's strategy revolves around damaging Russia's infrastructure on its territory to disrupt logistics and supply chains.
10:20 Front at Pokrovsk: Ukrainian brigade repels three Russian
The Ukrainian army continues to face Russian attacks on the eastern front. A Ukrainian tank brigade is currently holding off three Russian combat brigades in the area of Pokrovsk, the epicenter of fighting. The town lies west of Ocheretyne, which was recently captured by the Russians. "The enemy is attempting to penetrate deep into our territory," the report states, further adding that the Russians have been relentless in their efforts to gain ground and keep the fighting from ceasing.
09:48 Moscow reports Ukrainian drone attacks
Moscow claims that Ukraine attacked Russian targets overnight on Saturday using a total of 25 combat drones. The attacks took place in the border regions of Rostov, Bryansk, and Belgorod, as well as the annexed Crimean Peninsula.
09:12 Sharma: Russians striving to create a divide between Ukrainian combat positions
The situation in the Donetsk region remains uncertain. Russians are seemingly attempting to put into practice a scenario that experts have warned about, as reported by Kavita Sharma from Ukraine.
08:55 Ukrainian General Staff: 1,210 Russian casualties in the past 24 hours
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1,210 Russian soldiers either killed or wounded in the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian army has absorbed over 517,000 Russian casualties since February 2022 when the full-scale invasion began. On the previous day, the Ukrainian army destroyed nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, one multiple rocket launcher, and seven air defense systems.
08:31 Ukraine: Russians planning a 15 million euro propaganda campaign against Kiev's military leadership
Ukraine's military intelligence service HUR reports that Russia is planning a massive propaganda campaign against Ukraine's military leadership. The project involves investing 15 million euros in articles and films aimed at painting Ukrainian special units and military officials in a negative light. The plan is to spread the material in Ukrainian and Western media, with the ultimate goal of escalating tensions in Ukraine.
07:48 Security situation "tense" ahead of the EM as Ukrainian team participates
German security agencies view the security situation in anticipation of the European Football Championship as "tense." They have particular concerns about Russia's aggression against Ukraine, whose national team is a participant. The risk of massive cyber attacks is seen in the context of the Russian war on Ukraine. The protection of stadiums and event venues from drone attacks in the air is a significant challenge. Additionally, Islamic attacks on one of the 51 matches or fan festivals could pose a threat. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has announced a high police presence at stadiums and fan miles, referring to it as a "show of strength."
Yesterday night, there were reported explosions in Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, as mentioned by the Kyiv Independent and based on reports on the Telegram channel Crimean Wind. Around 1:39 local time, residents of Balaklava, a settlement in Sevastopol, claimed they heard explosions. It's said that the first explosion happened near a power plant. Crimean Wind hints at possible drone attacks due to the presence of large-caliber weapons sounds before the blast. A second explosion was also reported near the port of Sevastopol. The Kyiv Independent couldn't verify these reports yet. The Ukrainian army is targeting Russian logistics and supply lines at the front by attacking infrastructure.
6:54: Ukrainian Air Force appreciates Mirage jets, but still prefers F-16s
The Ukrainian Air Force acknowledged the Mirage combat jets given by France as modern and versatile, able to perform various combat responsibilities, according to a spokesperson. However, Ukraine has a higher preference for F-16 fighter jets. F-16 pilots' training is still ongoing, while the Mirage jets' training is expected to take up to six months. Storing foreign jets safely is also a challenging task due to the continuous Russian air raids. Mirage jets were developed in the 1970s in France and served as the main combat aircraft for the French army for about two decades.
6:30: Sumy region evacuates more settlements due to daily Russian attacks
Eight more settlements in the Ukrainian-Russian border region of the Sumy region are being evacuated due to frequent Russian attacks. The governor of the region announced this on state television. In the last 24 hours, more than 50 explosions were reported from Sumy. At the beginning of the week, three people were killed, and three others were injured by Russian artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones. The number of civilians killed in the region this year is now 50, caused by attacks with artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones.
5:45: Ukraine acquires second air defense system from France
The French arms manufacturer Thales provided a second air defense system to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense purchased the system, not disclosing any purchase details. Air defense is a significant challenge for Ukraine due to the lack of defense weapons to protect its forces and major cities.
4:48: Germany considers fourth Patriot delivery to Kiev
Reports suggest that Germany might send another Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine. If true, it would be the fourth Patriot system transferred to Ukraine. The delivery comes with Germany's decision to allow Patriots to shoot down Russian aircraft attacking Kharkiv targets using rockets or glide bombs from Russian airspace.
3:50: Zelensky dismisses Putin's validation of his presidency
In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's comments about the alleged "illegitimacy" of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency, the Ukrainian president maintains that he is chosen by the Ukrainian people. "The legitimacy of President Zelensky is only recognized by the Ukrainian people, who voted for him. We're fighting for our freedom," stated Zelensky during a press conference with French President Macron. "The Russian people are mere background players with Putin being the only actor."
02:05: Berlin conference seeks to offer Ukraine long-term prospects
The German government will aim to provide Ukraine with a long-term perspective beyond military aid through the Ukraine reconstruction conference next week. The goal is to show opportunities to civil society, the economy, municipalities, and regions, says a high-ranking German official. Other topics include reforms and employment. Ukrainian and German officials, including Chancellor Scholz and various German ministers and ministers, are scheduled to attend the conference in Berlin on Tuesday and Wednesday. It won't be a "money-gathering" conference but a "networking conference," states a German government representative.
00:45: Russian occupation declares 22 villagers killed by Ukrainians
The Russian occupation administration claims that 22 people were killed in a village in the southern region of Kherson due to Ukrainian shelling, according to Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed administrator for the area. In the village of Sadowe, a store was reportedly hit by shelling. Saldo also stated that 15 were injured. He labeled the incident a "vile murder of civilians" facilitated by Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Independent proof for this occurrence is unconfirmed.
23:45: Macron advocates for Ukraine's EU accession negotiations by the end of the month
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged for starting negotiations on Ukraine joining the European Union "by the end of the month," according to a Bloomberg report. He additionally mentioned a plan to sanction Russian banks, which were not yet released. The conference was aiming to provide Ukraine with a path ahead through economic and societal opportunities, in addition to military support.
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French president Macron urges the start of EU membership discussions with Ukraine "by the end of this month." During a press conference with Ukrainian leader Zelensky in Paris, Macron said, "France backs Ukraine across all sectors, including at the EU level, where we're trying to kickstart accession negotiations by the end of this month." According to Zelensky, certain EU decisions regarding Ukraine's integration have nearly been finalized. Prior to this statement, the EU Commission had suggested that conditions for beginning accession negotiations with Ukraine and neighboring Moldova had been met. However, Hungary, the upcoming EU Council chair, is attempting to postpone the process.
22:54: Zelensky's popular approval nears a record low
With over two years of conflict, Ukrainian President Zelensky's support has dipped to an all-time low - though he still holds the confidence of more than half the population. The KIIS Institute's latest survey reveals Zelensky's approval rating dipped below 60% for the first time. In May 2022, shortly following the start of the Russian attack, his approval stood at 90%. Zelensky's popularity has been steadily declining throughout the war. Although his term was set to end in May, he opted to remain president under martial law. Ukrainian officials have not mentioned when elections may be held, noting that 20% of the country is under Russian control and millions have fled to other countries.
22:04: US turns down Macron's offer for military trainers in Ukraine
The US government has no plans to send military trainers to Ukraine as part of French president Macron’s proposal. John Kirby, communications director of the National Security Council, stated during a visit by US president Joe Biden to France that Biden stood by Macron's stance. However, the US president has steadfastly rejected sending American troops to Ukraine, explaining, "We've never sent any soldiers there, and we're not going to." Kirby stated that Biden left it up to Macron to disclose any details he deemed necessary and to establish his preferred level of transparency. Biden's message since the onset of the Ukrainian war has centered on preventing a "third world war" and a conflict with Russia.
(For more details on previous developments, see this article.)
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Read also:
- In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy has emphasized that Ukraine is reinforcing the Charkiv front and will continue to repel Russian troops and destroy any infiltrating units.
- The Russian military is reportedly facing challenges in their offensive in the Charkiv region as per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also mentioned that military operations are particularly challenging in the Donetsk region.
- There have been reports of a military airfield in the Caucasus being targeted by Ukrainian drones, serving as a reminder of the cyberwar dimension of the Ukraine conflict involving both NATO and Russia.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, has condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and emphasized that the United States' support is vital in maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and preventing Russia from maintaining control in Ukraine.
