Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of an imminent increase in Russian attacks. "We are now facing a new phase of the war," Zelensky said on Friday during a tribute to soldiers in the Khmelnytsky region, according to a video. He then added: "The occupiers are preparing for attempts to expand offensive operations. Together we must (...) do everything we can to thwart this Russian attack plan."
From the perspective of Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a Russian war of aggression for more than two years, the situation on the front is currently very difficult. The Ukrainian military recently confirmed a Russian breakthrough not far from the town of Ocheretyne in the eastern Donetsk region. Billions of dollars in aid from the US, its most important ally, had been blocked for months by a domestic political dispute in Washington and was only released last week. Now Kiev hopes that the US weapons will arrive quickly. In addition, the attacked country repeatedly insists on more international support for air defense systems.
Major fires in Kharkiv after Russian attacks
After nightly Russian attacks with missiles and drones, several fires broke out in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The largest fire on a total area of 3,000 square meters broke out in storage rooms, the Ukrainian civil protection agency said on Saturday. The extinguishing work continued in the morning. According to preliminary information, four people were injured in the attack, including a child.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia deployed 13 Shahed combat drones, as well as four converted S-300 anti-aircraft missiles. While the Air Force claimed to have intercepted all drones, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov admitted two drone strikes.
Government blames Russia for cyber attack
After new findings about suspected Russian cyber attacks on the SPD, among others, Germany is resorting to harsh diplomatic measures. On Friday, the Foreign Office summoned a high-ranking Russian diplomat, the acting chargé d'affaires, to head the Russian embassy in the ambassador's absence. The background is long-ago cyber attacks on the SPD and German companies in the areas of logistics, armaments, aerospace and IT services. The federal government blames a Russian military intelligence unit for this.
Russia bans sugar exports until the end of August
Russia largely bans sugar exports until the end of August. The government in Moscow said the measure was aimed at “maintaining the stability of the domestic food market”. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture proposed the ban in March. The authority explained that otherwise there could be a risk of a price increase.
What will be important on Saturday
Heavy fighting continues in Ukraine.
