On the 1497th day of war, we find out that Ukraine has the operational and strategic capacity to impose increasing costs on Russia for supporting the war. This is causing growing anxiety in the ultra-nationalist Russian information space, as highlighted by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
On the other hand, European allies continue to provide military aid to Ukraine, including by strengthening domestic defense production.
Kyiv is taking full advantage and striking inside Russia, at the Ust-Luga port on the Baltic Sea, a vital center for Moscow's oil exports. Around 50 flights were canceled at the airport in St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have attacked the city of Odesa with drones, hitting a nine-story building in the morning. One of these drones flew over the airspace of Moldova in the morning.
On the frontlines, both sides have advanced in the tactical zone of Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka. Ukrainians have also advanced near Sloviansk in the Donetsk region, while the Russians have made progress in the southern Zaporizhia region.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky has assured that Ukraine is paying salaries and pensions on time, with no risk of a financial blockade. On the other hand, the Ukrainian president stated that his tour of Middle Eastern countries was a success, with several security cooperation agreements being concluded.
Today, Kyiv is receiving important guests: the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and several EU foreign ministers have arrived in the Ukrainian capital for the commemoration of the Bucea massacre.
Ukrainian Strikes
- Drone Attack on a Port in the Baltic Sea - A drone attack targeted north-western Russia, causing damage in the Ust-Luga port on the Baltic Sea, crucial for Russian hydrocarbon exports, local authorities cited by AFP announced this morning. Alexander Drozdenko, the governor of the region with the capital in St. Petersburg, announced that 38 drones were shot down last night by air defense. "There is damage in the Ust-Luga port," he added. He specified that debris from the intercepted drones damaged three residential buildings and two classrooms at a school in the area, injuring three people, including two children. According to TASS, around 50 flights were canceled at the airport in St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city.
Russian Attacks
- Drone Attack in Odesa - Russian drones attacked the city of Odesa in the morning, hitting a nine-story building. The impact resulted in a fire, and a man was injured, Ukrainska Pravda reports. The facade, balconies, and windows from the first to the third floor were damaged, and the fire was extinguished by firefighters.
- Shahed Drone in Moldova's Airspace - A Shahed-type drone illegally flew over the airspace of the Republic of Moldova this morning, announced the Ministry of Defense in Chisinau. The National Army's Air Operations Service of the Republic of Moldova reports that at 9:05, it received notification from Ukraine's anti-aircraft defense structures about the unauthorized overflight of the Republic of Moldova's airspace, in the Transnistrian segment, by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The Shahed drone crossed the state border from the direction of the Ukrainian region of Odesa. At 9:13, the drone left the territory of the Republic of Moldova, crossing the border towards the Odesa region and heading north. The aircraft operated at an altitude of up to 500 meters.
Frontline Situation
- Advances on Both Sides - Ukrainian forces have advanced near Sloviansk in the eastern Donetsk region and in the tactical zone of Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka. Meanwhile, the Russians have advanced near Huliaipole in the Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical zone and in the western Zaporizhia region, according to ISW.
Other Important News
- Anxiety in Moscow - Ukraine's operational and strategic capacity to impose increasing costs on Russia for supporting the war is generating growing anxiety in the ultra-nationalist Russian information space - details hereICI. At the same time, Kyiv continues to offer concessions and demonstrate its willingness to negotiate with the Kremlin, even though Moscow officials reject Ukraine's attempts to establish a negotiating position that would not involve surrender, as Russia desires, notes the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
- Ukraine Has Funds for Salaries and Pensions - Volodymyr Zelensky rejected on Monday, for the time being, the risk of suspending the payment of salaries to soldiers and public officials, evoked by several media sources in the context of the blocking of a €90 billion loan from the EU, AFP reports. "Today, salaries are paid, the army is funded, pensions are paid. Everything is paid. I think we're doing quite well," he reacted.
- Important Guests in Kyiv - The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and several EU foreign ministers, including Oana Țoiu, have arrived in Kyiv. A meeting is scheduled to take place today in the Ukrainian capital. The visit coincides with the commemoration of the Bucea massacre.
- Zelensky's Achievements in the Middle East - The Ukrainian president stated that his tour of Middle Eastern countries was a success and mentioned that several security cooperation agreements have been concluded or are under discussion, Reuters reports. In his evening video address upon returning to Kyiv, Zelensky declared that "historic" security agreements have been reached with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. He said that Ukraine is also collaborating with Jordan and Kuwait, and two other countries – Bahrain and Oman – have also expressed interest.