Unclear situation at the Ukrainian border
According to officials, many residents fled their homes after gunmen entered the Russian border region of Belgorod near Ukraine. The governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, spoke of at least eight injured. There were no dead civilians. He also issued a terror alert on Monday evening.
The governor spoke of a tense situation in the evening. The border area came under fire on Monday morning. According to Gladkow, the small town of Graiworon and at least two villages were hit. Several residents were taken to hospital with injuries. There were also damaged houses.
It is unclear what exactly happened and whether the operation was still going on that night. Gladkow wrote that the army, the FSB’s domestic secret service, which is also responsible for border control, and the National Guard are being deployed. Details had yet to be communicated. Details are expected to be announced on Tuesday.
Russia began its aggressive war against Ukraine 15 months ago and repeatedly shelled towns and villages in the neighboring country. In recent months, however, Russian regions near the border have also complained about increasing shelling from the Ukrainian side. There were also explosions at military bases.
The governor said after the incident that much of the population had left the area. The town of Graivoron once had a population of 6,000 and the adjoining neighborhood more than 25,000. However, it is unclear how many residents in the border region have already left their homes in recent months because of the war.
The current developments in the live ticker:
Who is behind the shelling?
Governor Gladkov blamed a Ukrainian army sabotage group. Kiev itself denied any involvement. The “Russian Volunteer Corps” and “Legion Freedom of Russia” units, made up of Russian citizens, claimed on Telegram that their fighters were responsible. You could see how they allegedly captured military vehicles as well. In the war, both units fight on the side of Ukraine. However, the Kiev government has denied involvement in the campaign.
It was unclear how many gunmen were killed. There was talk of deaths on Russian Telegram channels. The “Legion Freedom of Russia” announced on Ukrainian television that it wanted to create a “demilitarized zone along the border”. This information has not been independently verified. The units called on the population not to resist. “We are not your enemies.” Freedom is at hand, Telegram said.
Selenskyj expects more weapons
After his return on Monday, President Zelensky expressed confidence that more arms would be delivered to his country. “There will be more weapons for our warriors,” the head of state said in a video recorded on the train. “Each time there are more results for Ukraine: more anti-aircraft, artillery, armor, ammunition, training.”
At the top of the Arab League countries, Zelensky had campaigned for support in the defensive struggle. At the G7 summit of the world’s major economies in Japan, he then received an agreement in principle from the US to supply F-16 fighter jets.
Discussion on arms deliveries in Germany
The CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter spoke out in favor of the delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. “Ukraine’s partners must now go ‘all in’ and supply Ukraine with everything Ukraine can use in combined arms combat and is permitted under international law,” he told editorial network Germany (RND/Tuesday). The Taurus missiles with a range of up to 500 kilometers could be a “very useful contribution from Germany”. The CDU chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee said the cruise missiles would bring enormous added value to Ukraine and enable “battles against Russian military infrastructure far behind the front line”.
The Russian Prime Minister is holding talks in China
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in China on Tuesday evening. This is reported by the state bureau Tass. In Shanghai, he first wants to participate in a Russian-Chinese business forum. Talks with the Chinese leadership are then planned in Beijing. China is Russia’s largest trading partner and does not participate in the sanctions imposed by the West on Moscow in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine.
BND sees no cracks in Putin’s system
Has the war against Ukraine weakened Russian President Vladimir Putin? The chairman of the Federal Intelligence Service, Bruno Kahl, sees no signs of this. There are no discernible cracks in the Putin system, the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service said Monday before the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS) in Berlin. Despite isolated criticisms – regarding ammunition deliveries, for example – there are no signs of the system shaking or imploding. However, this too cannot be ruled out.
What will be important on Tuesday
EU countries’ defense ministers discuss joint military support to Ukraine. It is expected, among other things, that the status of ammunition deliveries to the country attacked by Russia will be discussed.
The military situation around Bachmut remains unclear. Last weekend, Russia claimed to have control of the former city of 70,000. Ukrainian soldiers there continue to defend against the attacks, according to the Ukrainian government. (con/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.
