Fierce fighting continues in Ukraine – the night update without photos Italy demands the Louvre return seven ancient amphorae

Fierce fighting against Russian invaders

Fierce fighting between Ukraine and the Russian invaders continues in the south and east of the country. More than 60 enemy attacks were repelled during the day, including in the Kupyansk and Lyman front sectors in the east, as well as Avdiivka and Mariinka near Donetsk, as well as in the city of Zaporizhia in the southeast, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said. This was reported on Facebook on Sunday evening. It was said that 82 combat operations took place at the front. “The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult.” The front is about 1000 kilometers long.

Russia reported that Ukraine had shelled inhabited areas in the internationally unrecognized “Donetsk People’s Republic” 24 times in the past 24 hours. The Russian state agency Itartass reported that a resident was injured in the town of Makiivka (Russian: Makejewka). Neither the Russian nor Ukrainian information could initially be independently verified.

Donetsk is the largest city in the region of the same name, which was declared an independent people’s republic by Moscow-backed separatists; The area was annexed by Moscow in violation of international law.

Air raid siren in Kiev

The Ukrainian General Staff also said offensive actions would be taken toward Bakhmut, Ukrinform news agency reported. The Ukrainian army is inflicting losses of personnel and equipment on Russian forces, it said, without giving figures. As a result of the Russian attacks, civilians were killed and injured and homes and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed. The rocket units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed four enemy artillery systems. This information could not initially be independently verified.

On Monday evening, air raid sirens were also sounded in the Ukrainian capital Kiev for about two hours due to the risk of Russian drone attacks. On Saturday and Sunday, Russian forces launched two drones from the north. The Ukrainian air force was unable to shoot them down, Ukrainska Pravda quoted Yuri Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian air force.

Since the start of the war of aggression on February 24, 2022, Russia has repeatedly hit Ukraine with rocket and drone attacks as well as massive artillery fire. The attacked country is using Western military aid to defend itself against the unprecedented invasion, which is repeatedly hitting civilian infrastructure.

Zelensky: “Moving forward every day”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in his evening video address that Ukraine needs results every day – that is why constant progress on the front is important. “Whether it is one kilometer, or 500 meters, but moving forward every day to improve the Ukrainian positions and put pressure on the occupiers,” Zelenskiy said. The battle for Avdiivka and Marjinka near the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk is currently particularly fierce.

This will be important on Monday

The foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries want to discuss the crisis in the Middle East and further support for Ukraine in the war against Russia this Monday in Luxembourg. As far as Ukraine is concerned, it should become clear in the coming months how the EU should participate in the West’s planned security commitments.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also traveling to Iran. The foreign ministers of Turkey, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are also expected to participate in Lavrov’s meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hussein Amirabdollahian in Tehran. (sda/dpa)