A Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the protective containment shell of the Chornobyl nuclear power reactor in the Kyiv region, raising significant security concerns. Amid these tensions, European Union’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas warned against any backdoor deals on the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that agreements made without Europe's involvement would ultimately fail. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged global leaders to remain skeptical of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s purported willingness to end the war. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed the importance of ensuring that Putin never attacks Ukraine again.
The military conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to intensify. Ukraine launched a massive offensive involving drones and missiles, with Russia claiming to have shot down 202 unmanned aerial vehicles. In a retaliatory move, Russia launched 140 drones overnight, with Ukrainian forces reportedly neutralizing 85 and over 50 drones failing to reach their targets. These exchanges underscore the ongoing volatility in the region.
The humanitarian impact of the conflict is becoming increasingly severe. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported an alarming rise in the number of documented missing persons due to the war, with figures more than doubling to 50,000 over the past year. The ICRC noted that approximately 90 percent of those missing are military personnel. In a separate development, two girls have been reunited with their family in Russia after being separated from their mother due to the war, thanks to mediation by Qatar.
The situation remains complex on the diplomatic front. Reuters reported that the United Arab Emirates has extended an offer to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized to President Zelenskyy that peace negotiations cannot proceed without Ukraine's active participation. Zelenskyy himself stated:
“We are ready for any conversations with America and our allies. If they provide us with specific answers to specific requests from us and a common understanding of the dangerous Putin, then, with our unified understanding, we will be ready to talk with the Russians,”
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In recent military developments, a Russian attack on Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region resulted in the death of a 46-year-old man and injuries to five others. Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrskii claimed his troops currently hold about 500 square kilometers of Russia’s western Kursk region. However, the Kremlin dismissed these accusations from Kyiv as mere provocations.
Adding to the escalating conflict, Ukraine’s Security Service confirmed that an attack targeted Russia’s Andreapol oil pumping station, leading to an oil leak and subsequent fire. This incident further highlights the precarious situation and ongoing hostilities between the two nations.
