Here are the highlights from day 1,311 of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:
Military Developments:
- A Russian assault in Ukraine’s Kherson region resulted in the death of a 74-year-old woman and injuries to two others. Approximately 70 homes and a government building sustained damage.
- Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Russia’s Afipsky oil refinery, causing a fire. The extent of the damage is under investigation.
- Russian troops have taken control of the Ukrainian village of Yunakivka in the Sumy region.
Political and Diplomatic Front:
- Russia accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of making “irresponsible” threats following his suggestion that Russian officials should be prepared for bomb shelters if the warfare continues.
- In an interview with Axios, Zelenskyy warned Russian officials they might need bomb shelters if they don’t halt the war against Ukraine.
- US President Donald Trump met with Zelenskyy and indicated a willingness to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American-made long-range weapons for strikes within Russia, though no formal commitment was made.
- Axios sources reported that Zelenskyy requested Tomahawk missiles from Trump.
International Security:
- President Zelenskyy accused Hungary of violating Ukraine’s airspace with reconnaissance drones and called for thorough inspections.
- Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto dismissed these claims as baseless, criticizing Zelenskyy’s “anti-Hungarian obsession.”
- Ukraine’s foreign minister banned three high-ranking Hungarian military officials in response to a similar ban by Hungary.
- The EU plans to establish a “drone wall” to secure airspace along its borders with Russia and Ukraine due to increased reports of Russian violations.
Election Interferences:
- moldova’s electoral commission prevented two pro-Russian parties from participating in Sunday’s parliamentary election, amid accusations of Russian meddling.
- Serbian authorities arrested two individuals for organizing combat training for protesters ahead of the Moldovan elections, following claims by Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, of Russian attempts to destabilize the vote.
Energy Developments:
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko proposed either expanding his country’s existing nuclear power plant or building a second one to supply energy to Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories.
- Lukashenko also announced an agreement with Russia for gas supply to Belarus for the next five years.
- Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya criticized the energy plans, suggesting they put all of Europe at risk and demonstrated Lukashenko’s complicity in Russian aggression.
