- The Ukrainian anti-aircraft repels the attack of the Russian drones
- Zelensky: 21,000 Wagner fighters killed in Ukraine
- The ultranationalist party Russia wants to ban travel to hostile countries
- “Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense did its job masterfully”
Read yesterday’s live blog about Ukraine here
Belarusian Embassy vandalized and defaced
The Belarus embassy was vandalized and defaced last night. For example, windows were smashed and slogans were graffitied on the building on Groot Hertoginnelaan in The Hague. Omroep West brings it back.
The photos show that there are red and black graffiti texts, including the text: “Luka Terrorist”. This probably refers to the Prime Minister of Belarus, Lukashenko. Also, there are lyrics in Russian. You can also see that three windows have been smashed. The police have cordoned off and are investigating. The tracks have been secured by the building. As far as is known, no one has yet been arrested.
“Ukrainians made their air defense masterfully”
Ukraine is increasingly successful with its anti-aircraft defenses. More was expected of the Russian Air Force before the war started, but it remained remarkably quiet. There seems to be a balance in the air right now, says Frederik Mertens, a strategy analyst at the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague in BNR’s De Strateeg. “Ukraine delivered an absolutely masterful performance.”
According to Adriaan Batenburg, a lieutenant colonel in the Ministry of Defense and an expert in the field of land-based air defence, air defense plays a necessary “preconditional role” both offensively and defensively to protect friendly troops from attack from the air. “As soon as you start maneuvering your troops on the battlefield, you need an umbrella in the form of an umbrella to ensure protection.”
The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia is drafting a travel ban bill
The ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia is working on a bill that would temporarily ban the travel of close relatives of top officials to “hostile countries”, state news agency RIA reported. Russia considers all the countries that have hit it with sanctions because of the invasion of Ukraine “hostile”.
The restrictions may also affect law enforcement officials, judges, senior executives of state-owned companies and the board of directors of the Central Bank. A member of Russia’s lower house, Sergei Karginov, said traveling to those Western countries was “not only intolerable, but dangerous”.
Zelensky: At least 21,000 Wagner fighters have already died in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky says at least 21,000 Wagner fighters have already been killed in Ukraine. He claims, according to CNN, that another 80,000 mercenaries were injured. Zelensky speaks of “massive losses” for the Wagner group, which last week rebelled against the Russian military leadership. According to the Ukrainian president, this mutiny has serious consequences for the war in his country and his troops can benefit from it.
They are losing the war. They have no more victories on the battlefield and are looking for someone to blame.” Zelensky thinks it’s bad news for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who would be in more danger than he is. “Only in Russia there are people who want to kill me, while the whole world wants to kill Putin.”
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Russian drone strikes on Kiev appear to have been repulsed
Russia carried out a drone strike on Kiev last night, according to the Ukrainian military. It was the first nighttime drone attack in 12 days. According to a spokesman for the Ukrainian military, the anti-aircraft system destroyed all the drones. In and around the Ukrainian capital, the air raid siren sounded at 02:00 local time.
According to witnesses to the Reuters news agency, explosions could be heard in the city “similar to the sound of anti-aircraft systems hitting targets”. In his Telegram message, the army spokesman said it was not yet clear whether there were any casualties in the attack or whether any damage was caused.