Child killed in Russian attack on Dnipro – the nightly update without photos Bunker problems enrage Zelenskyy – the nightly update (without photos)

Child dies in Russian attack

After a Russian attack in a suburb of the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, rescuers found the body of a two-year-old girl under the rubble of a house. Authorities also reported 22 injured, including five children, early Sunday morning.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Kiev on Saturday night: “Russia has once again shown that it is a terrorist state.” The head of state has released a video showing a completely destroyed two-storey building. Rescue workers were still searching for survivors. Ten private homes, a car, a shop and gas pipelines were also damaged in the area on Sunday, according to authorities.

Russian missile and drone attacks in Ukraine have repeatedly hit civilian infrastructure. According to Zelenskyj, a bullet fell between two two-story apartment buildings. There had previously been an air raid alarm in the region. It was not clear what exactly had happened there. Dnipro is located in the southeast of Ukraine.

“The Russians will bear responsibility for everything they have done to our state and the people,” Zelensky said. In his evening video message, he thanked rescuers, fighters and everyone who has done their part in the fight against the Russian invasion that has been going on for more than 15 months. Zelenskyy called on people to personally thank the soldiers and everyone who fought for Ukraine’s existence.

Zelenskyj sees Ukraine ready for a counter-offensive

In an interview, Zelenskyy said he saw the country ready for the long-awaited counter-offensive to liberate its territories from Russian occupation. “I think we’re ready for that today,” he told the Wall Street Journal. The American newspaper also posted the interview as a video on its website on Saturday. Zelenskyi stressed that Ukraine would have liked some more weapons for the offensive against the Russian invasion, but could not wait months for them to be delivered.

“We believe very much in success, I don’t know how long we need time,” he said. At the same time, he pointed out that it could take time and the price for success would be high. There has been speculation for months about the start of the offensive and in Kiev it was sometimes said that the operation was already underway.

At the same time, Zelensky again argued for significantly more American Patriot air defense systems, in the interview he mentioned the number 50. The Patriot missiles provide the best protection against Russia’s terror. “Today, the Patriot is the only weapon capable of stopping some types of missiles that the Russian Federation uses against our civilian population, schools, infrastructure and energy systems,” he told the WSJ. “50 Patriot batteries – and the majority of people will not die.” According to the American television channel CNN, Ukraine is currently using two Patriot systems.

In its war of aggression, Russia had fired more missiles and drones at Ukraine and especially Kiev in recent days than at any time since the invasion began. The Ukrainian air defense repeatedly reported that all or almost all of these flying objects were shot down thanks to the Western defense systems. Yet there were deaths and injuries. Debris from launched missiles and drones also leave massive damage to buildings, cars and roads.

Zelenskyy also released a video on Saturday of a conversation with journalists from Latin America, in which he reiterated that negotiations to end the war are not possible with the current Russian leadership. Russia’s only chance is to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, he said. The 45-year-old reiterated that he would fight differently until Ukraine wins the war and Russia is defeated. If Russia were defeated, there would be a revolution there, he said.

Russian army expands war rally points

On the other hand, according to the government, Russia is not thinking of giving up. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the number of recruitment centers for recruiting volunteers for the war effort in Ukraine has increased. There are more such points and more instructors to work with the candidates, the ministry said in Moscow on Saturday. In this way, more contracts could be concluded with civilians for military service. The number of applicants who “want to combine their lives with military service” has risen “significantly”, according to the median.

According to official figures, more than 100,000 Russian volunteers have volunteered for military service in recent months as part of a Defense Ministry advertising campaign, about a quarter of the planned number. Under the motto ‘Together to victory’, the ministry now hopes for more influx. Tens of thousands have already died in the war.

Public criticism of warfare in Russia is on the rise

In Russia, meanwhile, public criticism of its own warfare is growing because Moscow’s troops have not been able to achieve military successes against the resistance of the Ukrainian forces. Prominent MP Konstantin Zatulin of the governing United Russia party complained at a conference about “Which Ukraine do we need?” a failure and mistake by Moscow.

The “special military operation” should have been called a “war” from the start, Zatulin said. It was not just a misjudgment that the war could be won in a few days; none of the Kremlin’s war objectives had been achieved.

Such statements by MPs are unusual. However, Zatulin is in line with the Kremlin in supporting the war. The deputy answered yes to the question of whether Ukraine would survive as a state. “Because our troops are not enough to prevent that — with so much support she’s getting,” he said, referring to Western aid to Ukraine.

What will be important on Sunday

Ukraine continues to prepare for its major offensive, while regular fighting focuses on Donbass. According to the authorities, the situation also remains tense in the Russian border area, which has been under fire from the Ukrainian side for days. Entire cities had to be evacuated there because of the artillery fire and massive destruction. (con/sda/dpa)