On the 400th day of the war against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky drew up a sober, but nevertheless positive assessment. “400 days of defense against widespread aggression, this is a colossal road we have traveled,” he said in his evening video address on Thursday. There was heavy fighting in some sectors of the front.
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Zelenskyy: 400 days of extensive resistance
Ukraine survived “the worst days” of the Russian attack last February. “We also survived this winter,” Zelensky recalled the massive Russian air and missile attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. “Behind these words is a huge effort.” Ukraine has shown its heroism in recent months by retaking large areas, Zelensky said. “We are preparing our next steps, our new actions, we are preparing for our imminent victory.”
Zelenskyy pointed out that Ukraine’s successes have been made possible in part with the help of Western partners. “Today, on the 400th day of resistance, of total resistance, I want to thank everyone in the world who stands with Ukraine,” he said.
Kiev: several simultaneous Russian attacks repelled
According to their own statements, the Ukrainian forces repelled several simultaneous Russian attacks on different front sectors in the east of the country. “The focus” was on the sections at Kuyansk, Limansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marjinsk, as the general staff in Kiev announced in its situation report on Thursday. “A total of 47 enemy attacks were repelled.”
Once again, the heavily contested city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine took center stage. Air warnings were issued throughout Ukraine in the evening. In Kiev, residents were asked to get to safety because of threats from so-called kamikaze drones. There were explosions in Kharkiv in the east of the country and drone flights were reported from several cities.
Poland does not supply fighter jets from GDR stocks to Ukraine
Poland initially does not want to supply Ukraine with fighter jets from former GDR stocks. The four Soviet-designed Mig-29s, whose delivery the Polish government announced two weeks ago, did not come from Germany, Polish President Andrzej Duda’s security adviser Jacek Siewiera clarified in an interview with the German news agency. “These are not German planes.” It is therefore clear that the federal government does not have to agree to the delivery. In 2002, Germany had sold 23 Mig-29 fighter jets to Poland. The Air Force still has about a dozen of them today, Siewiera told the dpa. “And they will initially remain in the service of the Polish armed forces.”
Finland’s path to NATO is clear
Finland’s path to NATO is finally clear. As the last NATO member, Turkey also voted late Thursday evening for the Nordic country to join the defense alliance – the only thing missing now are formalities before Finland can soon become the 31st NATO member. 28 of the 30 current NATO members had long ago voted for Hungary on Monday. Impressed by the Russian offensive war in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden decided to apply for NATO membership last May. Finland has a border with Russia that is about 1,340 kilometers long.
US military: More than 7,000 Ukrainians have trained in recent months
The US says it has trained more than 7,000 members of the Ukrainian armed forces since the start of Russia’s offensive war against Ukraine. The training took place at various locations at home and abroad, including in Germany, said US Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder. In recent days, 65 Ukrainians in the state of Oklahoma have completed their training on the Patriot air defense system and are now back in Europe. The Patriot system is one of the most modern anti-aircraft systems in the world. Ryder stressed that training Ukraine’s armed forces is an international effort. More than 11,000 Ukrainians are currently being trained in 26 countries.
Allegation of espionage: Russian secret service arrests American journalists
A Moscow court has issued an arrest warrant for a journalist who was also investigating Russia’s war against Ukraine for allegedly spying for the United States. The reporter of the renowned American newspaper Wall Street Journal was initially detained until May 29, the court said on Thursday. Born in 1991, Evan Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The newspaper rejected the allegations against its employee. Criminal law in Russia is considered politically controlled and most charges end in conviction.
US: Russia is trying to get new weapons from North Korea
Russia continues to search for weapons and ammunition in North Korea, according to the US government. “We have new information that Russia is actively seeking additional ammunition from North Korea,” said John Kirby, communications director for the US National Security Council. He stressed that the US will do everything possible to prevent Russia from acquiring military equipment from North Korea and any other country that supports Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Man sentenced to seven years in prison for anti-war posts in Ukraine
A Moscow court has sentenced a 63-year-old to seven years in prison for two anti-war posts on social networks. In March last year, he had condemned in two comments the attacks of the Russian army on the Ukrainian capital Kiev and the port city of Mariupol, the Latvian-based Russian medium “Meduza” reported. The court found him guilty of spreading ‘fakes’ about the Russian army.
Reports: Documents show Russian plans for cyber attacks
According to research by various international media, Russia has prepared large-scale cyber attacks with the help of private software companies. Confidential documents would show that the Moscow IT company NTC Vulkan developed tools that allow state hackers to plan cyber attacks, filter internet traffic and spread propaganda and disinformation, as the research group, among others, the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, “Der Spiegel” and reports the ZDF .
That will be important on Friday
Also on Friday, the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, which has seen fierce fighting for months, is likely to be the center of events. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
