Zelensky: Putin wants truce over budget problems
The Ukrainian president has speculated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is considering a pause in the war because of rapidly growing financial problems in the Russian Federation, particularly the budget deficit. He said this during a conversation with reporters, reports a Ukrinform correspondent. "The Russians have less money," he said, "We see that there is a report from their Central Bank: more than $80 billion deficit by 2025. We record that this is in the reports, but it is actually more than 100 billion, because they have postponed part (of the payments, ed) to the following year." "That's why I think they need a break. I think Putin is thinking about a break. We believe they will have an even bigger deficit this year," the head of state said.
Drones and missiles
According to the army, the Russians attempted drone attacks throughout the night. By evening, the number of drones over Ukraine increased significantly. As of 22:33 Kiev time, the Air Force recorded groups of drones, both small and large, over the regions of Černihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Mykolaiv and Odessa. At around 02:30, approximately 200 drones were flying over Ukraine. During the night, reports also emerged that Russia deployed Kalibr missile launchers over the Black Sea and, at around 02:40, launched cruise missiles against Ukraine. At 03:13, hostile targets were registered over the Mykolaiv region, triggering a nationwide air alert. About 40 minutes later, the missiles were already over the western regions, including Khmel'nyc'kyj, followed by Ivano-Frankivsk. While tracking the Kalibr missiles towards Burshtyn, the army also reported a high-speed target moving from Odessa towards Vinnytsia, possibly a Zircon missile. The take-off of strategic bombers was also reported. After 6am, the first cruise missiles entered the Kherson region and then headed towards western Ukraine.
Energy infrastructure affected
The head of the Volinia Regional Military Administration, Roman Romanyuk, stated that in the past 24 hours, air-raid alerts were repeatedly issued in every district of the region due to Shahed drones: one of the attacks damaged a critical infrastructure in the region. At around 4 a.m. (Kiev time), a series of explosions rocked Burshtyn, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, as Kalibr missiles were heading towards the city. Almost immediately afterwards, loud explosions were reported in Vinnytsia. At 05:35 Kiev time, Burshtyn suffered its sixth explosion since the beginning of the night. At 06:55 Kiev time, explosions were reported in Rivne, following another explosion in Burshtyn. Also last night, Russia struck Kharkiv with a drone. Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that the impact was recorded in the Kholodnogirskyi district. A few minutes after the attack in Kharkiv, explosions were heard in Kropyvnytskyi.
Unidentified drone found in Moldovan territory
An unidentified drone has been found on Moldovan territory, according to The Kyiv Independent, which reports what it has learned from the Moldovan authorities. The object was found in the village of Sofia, in the Drochia district, near the border with Ukraine. Police cordoned off the area and sent the bomb squad to conduct an inspection. According to the police, it is the third discovery of a drone in the country since the beginning of the year. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns any incident that could constitute a violation of the country's airspace and a potential threat to the safety of its citizens," the Moldovan ministry said, adding that Moldova remains steadfast in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity and is closely monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant national authorities.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Reuters that Ukraine had nothing to do with the attack on General Vladimir Alekseyev, who was seriously injured in Moscow. "We don't know what happened to that particular general, maybe it was Russian infighting," Sybiha said.
