Under the impression of reports about the possible launch of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke of "particularly difficult battles". He held a meeting with Stavka, Ukraine's high command, on Friday, Zelensykj said in his evening video address. It was about "our defensive actions, our offensive actions, our gains on the front lines". Then Zelenskyy thanked all the soldiers "who are in particularly difficult battles these days".
Meanwhile, after the dam was destroyed in the Cherson region, the rescue work continues at full speed. And the catastrophe also triggers increased concern for the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, where the cooling pond is coming under pressure.
Putin: Ukrainian counteroffensive has begun
Earlier in the day, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine's counter-offensive began a few days ago. Some international media, citing Ukrainian military representatives, have already reported that the action to liberate occupied areas has been going on for a few days. Officially, Kiev is currently keeping a low profile, but had always emphasized in advance that it would not comment on the start of its own offensive.
"We can say with certainty that this offensive has started," Putin said, according to the Interfax agency. He also claimed that the Ukrainians had not achieved their objectives on any sector of the front. However, this could not be verified independently. Since the beginning of the war, the Russian side in particular has repeatedly made false military statements.
Russia invaded the neighboring country on February 24, 2022 and currently occupies around 20 percent of Ukrainian territory. Kiev is also planning to reconquer the occupied parts of the country with the help of Western weapons.
Zaporizhia nuclear plant: According to the IAEA, the cooling pond is under pressure
After the destruction of the dam on the Dnipro, the large cooling pond of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia has become the focus of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA in Vienna reported that the pressure on the dyke around the pond is increasing on the inside because the level of the dammed river has fallen sharply on the outside. The nuclear authority - which has stationed observers in the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant - is monitoring the situation closely, reported IAEA boss Rafael Grossi.
Although Europe's largest nuclear power plant is not threatened in the short term, the destruction of the Kachowka dam and increasing military activities would cause "significant new difficulties", said Grossi. The environmental organization Greenpeace had previously warned of a break in the cooling pond on Friday.
Southwest of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the important Kakhovka dam was destroyed in the Cherson region last Tuesday. Ukraine accuses the Russian occupiers of having blown it up. Moscow rejects this. At least 13 people died in the disaster, but the number of victims could rise further.
Another billion dollar package from the USA for Ukraine
The US government is providing Ukraine with more billions in military aid to ward off Russia's war of aggression. The US Department of Defense announced in Washington a new package of military equipment worth 2.1 billion US dollars (1.95 billion euros). According to the Pentagon, this includes ammunition for various weapon systems that the United States has already delivered to Ukraine.
Putin: Nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus from July
Putin announces that he wants to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus from July. Preparations in the relevant facilities would be completed on July 7 and 8, Putin said on Friday after a meeting with Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko, according to the state news agency TASS. Then the transfer will begin. Everything is on schedule. This would start the deployment just ahead of the NATO summit in Lithuania, a country neighboring Belarus. The summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius will take place on July 11-12.
Putin had already announced on March 25 that he would transfer Russian nuclear weapons to the former Soviet republic of Belarus. He also justified the announced stationing of the weapons with the fact that the USA had nuclear weapons in Europe, including Germany, for years. The West had heavily criticized the plans.
What will be important on Saturday
In view of the flooding, rescue and relief operations are continuing in the Cherson region. Potential further information about the Ukrainian counter-offensive is also eagerly awaited.
