This morning, Kremlin troops simultaneously attacked multiple ports of Ukraine located along the Black Sea. Meanwhile, wartime protests against Volodymyr Zelensky are not slowing down. Tensions are also lingering in the country’s Southeastern oblast of Zaporizhzhia.
Russia Ukraine War Latest News: Multiple Ukrainian Ports Targeted
According to reports, the Kremlin attacked multiple ports of Ukraine this morning including Odesa, Mykolaiv & Chornomorsk. Odesa Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said a later Russian strike hit a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel in one of the Odesa region ports, damaging the vessel, triggering a fire and injuring four of its 17 crew members. Subsequently, the entire crew had to be evacuated.
Meanwhile, an attack from Russian drones on the coastal city of Mykolaiv was also reported, with maritime authorities noting that 3 civilian foreign flagged vessels suffered from damage. The strike ended up killing 2 people, both locals. Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the attacks & claimed that it had launched successful strikes in Odesa and Chornomorsk.
All three targeted cities (Odesa, Chornomorsk, Mykolaiv) are critical ports of Ukraine along the Black Sea. They were likely targeted for attacks on Russia flagged vessels and tankers, after which shipping was temporarily suspended in the Sea of Azov. Russian media has suggested that the Kremlin is now exploring alternate routes to escape the hostilities.
Russia Ukraine War Latest News: Protests Against Zelensky Linger
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky recently terminated defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov just 6 months into his tenure. The sacking of Fedorov, who’s young & popular led to widespread backlash and caused protests in multiple parts of Ukraine. The rare wartime protests are not simmering down, despite President Zelensky’s efforts to resolve the tension.
The Ukrainian Parliament is now set to vote on his replacement by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, with no clarity as to whether Fedorov will be given another government job. Insiders have suggested that Fedorov’s initiatives to tackle the“chaotic” management system, constant rotations of commanding officers, non-transparent distribution of arms and military equipment, bureaucracy angered not only Zelensky but also the Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskii’s General Staff of Armed Forces.
Russia Ukraine War Latest News: What’s Happening in Zaporizhzhia?
Although located in Southeastern Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia has always been an oblast with heavy Russian presence. Yesterday, the Kremlin launched bomb attacks in the region, which killed 3 and injured 15.
Ivan Fedorov, the oblast’s regional governor, confirmed the attack and shared these figures. He also said that both houses & non residential buildings were damaged in a Telegram message that also included images. Rescue efforts are currently underway in the oblast.
Meanwhile Russia has claimed that Ukrainian troops deliberately attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. However, Kyiv has vehemently denied such reports. “No independent confirmation of the Russian version or evidence of Ukraine’s involvement has been presented, and information from Russian occupation authorities cannot be considered reliable” the Ukrainian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Russia Ukraine War Latest News: Putin Critic Barred From Campaigning
Boris Nazehdin, an opposition leader and vocal critic of Vladimir Putin has been barred from an upcoming parliamentary vote. Nazhedin was convicted for displaying ‘extremist symbols’ and also fined 1,000 roubles by a Moscow court. Nazhedin, who has vehemently opposed the war slammed his conviction as ‘absurd’.
Russia, Ukraine Swap Bodies of Slain Soldiers
Recently, Russia and Ukraine swapped the bodies of over 531 bodies. The Kremlin received the remains of 31 soldiers, while Ukraine received 501 bodies of their soldiers. The exchange happened near the Ukraine border.
