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Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by new massive Russian drone attack

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Russia has conducted a large-scale drone attack on the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. According to reports, 54 kamikaze drones were launched by Russia, out of which 52 were shot down by Ukraine’s Air Force. The attack resulted in the death of one person and injury to a woman when drone wreckage fell near a petrol station. Several high-rise buildings in different districts of Kyiv caught fire due to falling drone fragments, and warehouses in the Holosiyivsky district were also set ablaze.

Kyiv residents described their experiences during the attack, with one person mentioning being woken up by a drone flying close to her window and witnessing a series of bright flashes followed by loud explosions. Despite the terrifying situation, many residents expressed gratitude for the air defense and rescue services and emphasized the importance of cherishing every moment of life.

Some officials accused Russia of intentionally targeting Kyiv, particularly as the city was preparing to celebrate Kyiv Day. The attacks by Russia have been escalating, using kamikaze drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Ukraine has been preparing for a counter-offensive, and one of its senior security officials stated that the country was ready to launch such an operation.

Both Russia and Ukraine have been engaging in drone attacks, with Russia targeting critical infrastructure and military targets. Ukraine has been retaliating by targeting key locations in the occupied regions of southeastern Ukraine. The frequency of military exchanges between both sides has been increasing as Ukraine prepares for its counter-offensive.

Russia’s ambassador to the UK warned about the escalation of the war, emphasizing that the supply of weapons to Ukraine could further escalate the conflict beyond the current levels. He expressed Russia’s desire to avoid such a scenario.

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Russian rocket attack on Ukraine hospital kills two

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A missile strike on a medical clinic in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has resulted in the deaths of at least two people and left 23 others injured. Among the injured are two boys aged three and six. The regional governor, Serhiy Lysak, reported that 21 of the injured are in the hospital, with three in a serious condition. The strike is part of the escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine, which have increased in recent weeks ahead of an anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on social media showing the damaged clinic, with firefighters and smoke visible in the footage. He condemned the attack, stating that it once again highlights the inhuman and dishonest nature of the Russian terrorists. The region experienced a “mass attack” involving missiles and drones, according to Governor Lysak. Dnipro, along with the eastern city of Kharkiv, was targeted, and an oil depot in the area was hit as well.

Ukrainian authorities claimed to have successfully intercepted and shot down 17 missiles and 31 drones launched from Russia overnight. The capital city, Kyiv, was also attacked, with intercepted drone fragments falling on the roof of a shopping center. Damage was caused to a house and several cars. In Russia, a blast occurred in the city of Krasnodar, east of Crimea, damaging a residential and office building. The governor of the region, Veniamin Kondratyev, attributed the blast to two Ukrainian drones, but no casualties were reported.

Another region affected by the attacks was Russia’s Belgorod region, which experienced over 130 strikes in the village of Kozinka. The governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed that one woman was injured. The Graivoron district, where an incursion from Ukrainian territory occurred earlier in the week, was particularly targeted in the attacks.

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Ukraine war: Russia launches ninth missile attack on Kyiv this month

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Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has experienced its ninth aerial attack by Russia this month. One person has been killed and two others wounded in a missile strike on Odesa, a city located in the south-western region near the Black Sea. Explosions were also heard in other central regions, including Vinnitsa, Khmelnitsky, and Zhytomyr. Kyiv’s military administration reported that preliminary information indicated that all incoming missiles had been successfully destroyed.

This recent attack marks the ninth time Russia has launched airstrikes on Kyiv this month. On a previous occasion, Ukraine claimed to have shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in a particularly intense assault. Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, announced that a fire had broken out in a garage in the Darnitsya area, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The head of Kyiv’s civilian military administration, Serhiy Popko, stated that a significant missile attack had been initiated by Russian strategic bombers flying over the Caspian Sea. Popko suggested that the attack likely involved cruise missiles and mentioned that Russia had deployed surveillance drones over Kyiv following the wave of airstrikes.

There were reports of additional fires in the Desnyansky district, located east of Kyiv, in a non-residential building. However, no updates were provided regarding any injuries resulting from this incident.

On Wednesday, at least eight people were reportedly killed, including a five-year-old boy near Kherson, with 17 others injured due to shelling. Both sides involved in the conflict have traded accusations of targeting civilian areas.

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Ukraine war: French journalist killed near Bakhmut

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A French journalist, 32-year-old Arman Soldin, was fatally struck by rocket fire while reporting in the war-torn region of eastern Ukraine. He was working for the AFP news agency and was killed near Chasiv Yar, just west of Bakhmut.

Soldin was part of a group of journalists accompanying Ukrainian soldiers when they came under attack at around 16:30 local time. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and praised Soldin’s work on the front lines of the conflict. The chairman of AFP, Fabrice Fries, described the news agency as “devastated” by the journalist’s death, emphasizing the risks faced by journalists covering the Ukrainian conflict.

Soldin had been living in Ukraine since September, having joined the first AFP team to report from the country after Russia’s invasion in February of the previous year. Tributes were paid to Soldin in France’s National Assembly, and Ukraine’s defense ministry offered its condolences, acknowledging his dedication to uncovering the truth.

The Kremlin expressed sadness and called for an investigation into the circumstances of Soldin’s death. The White House also honored the journalist and acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists exposing the realities of Russia’s invasion.

Soldin, who was born in Bosnia, is the 15th journalist to be killed while reporting on the Ukrainian war since February 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bakhmut has been a focal point of the conflict in eastern Ukraine for several months.

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Ukraine says it downed Russian cruise missiles aimed at Kyiv

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Ukrainian officials claim that their air defences successfully shot down 15 Russian cruise missiles that were launched overnight towards the capital, Kyiv. No casualties were reported. Senior Kyiv military official, Serhiy Popko, believes that the missiles were launched by four bombers from the Caspian sea region.

The missile attack occurred just hours before Russia’s Victory Day holiday, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has compared the Ukraine war to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union.

Ukraine’s air force accused Russia of attempting to kill as many civilians as possible on Victory Day. The missile attack comes after Ukraine reported that Russia had launched its biggest drone attack of the war on Sunday night, killing one person and injuring five.

In Moscow, there is a sense of nervousness due to a series of recent explosions, drone attacks, and sabotage, including an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, for which Moscow blamed Ukrainian drones, while Kyiv denied involvement.

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Ukraine war: Twelve dead as Russian missiles hit cities

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Russia has carried out a series of airstrikes in several cities across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people, including a child. One of the attacks targeted a block of flats in Uman, where ten people were killed, and another attack in Dnipro claimed the lives of a woman and her three-year-old daughter.

The cities of Kremenchuk and Poltava also reported explosions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the attacks damaged ten residential buildings in Uman, and called for further international action against Russia, including enhanced global sanctions.

The head of the Kyiv city military administration noted that it was the first missile attack on the capital in 51 days.

No civilian casualties have been reported in the capital city as a result of the missile strikes launched by Russia. According to Ukrainian officials, 21 out of 23 missiles and two attack drones were successfully shot down by the country’s air defense system.

However, a video shared by Ukraine’s State Border Service on Telegram showed an apartment building in Uman badly damaged by the attack. Witnesses described the chaos and destruction caused by the strikes, with one resident reporting blown-out windows and an ensuing explosion.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but Russia has previously targeted civilian infrastructure. The attacks come amid reports that Ukraine is preparing for a military offensive, with support from Western allies, and as Russia has struggled to gain control of Bakhmut in a long-running winter offensive.

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Ukraine war: Kyiv sets up positions across key Dnipro River – reports

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According to reports, Ukrainian troops have established positions on the east bank of the Dnipro River in southern Kherson region, which is partially held by Russia. The crossing of the river could be significant in future offensives, and Russian military bloggers have confirmed the advance.

While Ukraine’s military has not yet confirmed the movement, BBC Ukraine’s military sources have reported a “certain movement across [the] Dnipro” near Kherson city. If the reports are true, it could help Ukraine in pushing back Russian troops and possibly cutting the land corridor to Crimea. However, military experts warn that the area’s difficult terrain could make any troop movements a tough task.

Ukraine’s advances could be hindered by Russia’s advantage in the air. Although the Ukrainian military has announced preparations for a counter-offensive, it has not specified where or when it will occur. The Kherson region on the east bank of the Dnipro has been under Russian control until now, with the river serving as a natural barrier.

The Institute for the Study of War has confirmed that Ukrainian forces are operating in areas northwest of Oleshky on the east bank of the Dnipro. However, the scale of the reported advance and the Ukrainian military’s intentions are unclear. Russia’s WarGonzo military blogger reported that Ukrainian troops were trying to gain a foothold on Bolshoi Potemkin island, located between the new and old channels of the Dnipro.

Ukrainian military spokesperson Nataliya Humenyuk did not confirm or deny the reports but stated that “difficult work is continuing” and that operational information is kept confidential until it is safe for the military.

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China disowns ambassador’s remarks questioning Ukrainian independence

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China’s Paris ambassador Lu Shaye’s recent comments questioning the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet countries have caused outrage and led to calls for Beijing to clarify its stance. However, on Monday, China’s foreign ministry stated that it respects the independence of all post-Soviet republics.

Despite being a major ally of Russia, China has not condemned President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine last year, and sees itself as a key player in efforts to bring peace to the region. However, many in the West doubt China’s impartiality on the issue due to its increasing trade ties with Russia amid Western sanctions prompted by the invasion.

Ambassador Lu was interviewed by the French LCI network, where he was asked about China’s view on Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. The interviewer argued that according to international law, the region belongs to Ukraine.

Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye’s recent remarks questioning the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet countries, including his suggestion that international law could not be relied on to defend their sovereignty, have been rejected by China’s foreign ministry. The ministry’s spokesperson affirmed Beijing’s respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all countries, and upheld the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The Chinese embassy in Paris issued a statement calling Ambassador Lu’s remarks a personal point of view and not to be over-interpreted. However, the remarks have caused concern among some countries, and the representatives of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have summoned China’s representatives to clarify the situation.

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Blinding flash over Kyiv was probably meteor, says Ukraine space agency

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There was a mysterious flash in the sky over Ukraine’s capital on Wednesday night, which led to various speculations. Initially, officials in Kyiv thought it might be a Nasa satellite falling to Earth, but Nasa denied it was still in orbit. Ukrainian space officials later speculated that it might be a meteor entering the atmosphere.

The air force ruled out a Russian air attack. The incident occurred at around 10 pm local time, and an air raid alert was activated, but no air defense measures were taken. The head of Kyiv’s military administration suggested it might be caused by a retired Nasa spacecraft that was supposed to re-enter the atmosphere that day.

According to Nasa’s Office of Communications, the RHESSI satellite, which was launched in 2002 and decommissioned in 2018, was still in orbit at the time of the flash and was expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later that night. Satellite-tracking website Satflare showed that RHESSI was not near Ukraine when the incident occurred.

Despite many theories and memes on social media, the Ukrainian air force spokesman and the country’s space agency suggested that the flash was probably caused by a cosmic body entering the atmosphere. Kyiv officials stated that the priority was the safety of the city, and it was for experts to determine the cause of the flash.

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Ukraine war: Putin visits occupied Kherson region in Ukraine

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Russian President Vladimir Putin recently made a surprise visit to the occupied regions of Kherson and Luhansk in Ukraine, attending a military meeting to hear reports from commanders. This is a rare move by the Russian leader, who made a similar visit to Mariupol in March.

Although the date of the visit to Kherson is unknown, in footage released of the trip, Putin mentions the upcoming Orthodox Easter holiday, which was last Sunday. The Kremlin stated that the visits were not pre-planned.

During his visit, Putin also enquired about the situation in the Zaporizhzhia region, which Russia has also claimed as part of its territory. The international community has condemned Putin’s visit to the occupied territories.

During the military meeting in Kherson, Putin emphasized the importance of hearing the opinions and exchanging information with the commanders while acknowledging that he did not want to distract them from their duties. Russian forces had retreated from the city of Kherson towards the end of last year, losing the only regional capital they had captured since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Nonetheless, Russia still controls some parts of the region. In a video released by the Kremlin, Putin is seen disembarking from a helicopter and being greeted by a man in military uniform, believed to be military commander Col Gen Oleg Makarevich.

Later in the video, Putin is shown sitting in a control room between Col Gen Makarevich and Col Gen Mikhail Teplinsky, the head of Russia’s airborne forces. Col Gen Teplinsky was reportedly removed in January but has now returned to the front line, as reported by American military experts and British intelligence.

“Teplinsky is likely one of the few senior Russian generals widely respected by the rank-and-file,” the UK Ministry of Defence wrote on social media on Sunday.

“His recent turbulent career suggests intense tensions between factions within the Russian General Staff about Russia’s military approach in Ukraine.”

In the video, Putin is also shown presenting what is claimed to be a copy of an icon belonging to one of the most successful defense ministers of the Russian Empire. The footage then shows a road sign with the words “see you later in the Kherson region” and aerial shots of a coastal village, followed by Putin getting off a helicopter once again.

In a subsequent scene, Putin is seen wearing different clothes as he is taken into a bunker and is shown speaking with Col Gen Alexander Lapin, chief of staff of Russia’s ground forces. The Kremlin stated that Putin also visited the Vostok headquarters, which is a part of Russia’s National Guard, in occupied Luhansk. As of now, there has been no comment from Ukrainian authorities on the footage.

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