Ukraine, drone war resumes after Easter truce
The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russia has launched 98 drones in the last few hours. According to Moscow, 33 Ukrainian drones were shot down last night
Ukraine and Russia have resumed drone attacks, after a 32-hour Orthodox Easter truce characterised by mutual accusations of large-scale violations. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russia launched 98 drones, 87 of which were shot down by Kiev's air defence units. Russia reported that 'on 13 April, serving air defence forces intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aircraft'.
Moscow, '33 Ukrainian drones shot down last night'
The Ukrainian assessment is closely countered by the Russian Ministry of Defence, according to which 33 Ukrainian drones flying over Russian regions were shot down last night. "During the night between 24:00 and 7:00 on 13 April (Moscow time, 6:00 Italian time), on-duty air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones in the territories of Belgorod, Kursk, Rostov, Bryansk, Smolensk regions and the Republic of Crimea," the ministry reported on Telegram.
Kiev, we have missiles nobody knows about, with a range of up to 500 km
"We have missiles that hardly anyone knows about, but which are capable of striking enemy territory at a distance of up to 500 km and flying at hypersonic speeds". This was revealed in an interview with Rbc-Ukraine by MP Fedir Venislavsky, who chairs the national security subcommittee of the Ukrainian parliament's defence committee. "We are using them successfully, but their main purpose is to carry out extraordinary operations," he added.
Zelensky, 'Ready to cooperate with Budapest'
The political news of the last few hours, however, is Prime Minister Orbán's crushing electoral defeat in Hungary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the Hungarian opposition leader, Peter Magyar on yesterday's historic election victory, as Kiev aims to re-establish relations with Budapest after the 16-year Orbán rule. "I congratulate Peter Magyar and the Tisza party on their clear victory. It is important that a constructive approach prevails," Zelensky wrote on social media. "Ukraine has always sought good neighbourly relations with all European countries and we are ready to develop cooperation with Hungary," Zelensky said, adding that Kiev is ready for "meetings and joint constructive cooperation" with what will become the new Hungarian government.
