Patriot anti-aircraft systems stand at a military training area in Poland.Image: dpa / Sebastian Kahnert
International
Almost 14 months after the start of the war in the Ukraine there is no sign of a ceasefire. Russia calls for a redistribution of international political power as a condition for negotiations. In particular, the supremacy of USA is a thorn in Russia’s side, as well as China. The G7 countries, on the other hand, warn of a power shift in the international order.
Meanwhile, bitter fighting continues in Ukraine, particularly in the east of the country.
In our news blog you can read all the important news about developments in the Ukraine war.
19. April
8.15 a.m .: Ukraine reports Russian drone attack on Odessa
According to Ukrainian sources, Russia has attacked the Odessa region on the Black Sea with drones. According to the regional administration was doing a “object of public infrastructure” damaged. Initially, nothing was known about human victims. Ukraine says the country’s air force repelled 10 drones out of a total of 12. Since the beginning of the war, Russia has primarily used it to attack energy plants.
The Ukrainian military advertises in Odessa with posters for potential recruits.Image: imago/ukrinform
6:57 a.m .: Germany has delivered the Patriot air defense system
The promised German delivery of the Patriot air defense system has arrived in Ukraine. The federal government announced this on its website for military aid to Ukraine. The German Press Agency reports that Deutschland and the US last conducted a joint exercise with Ukrainian soldiers on the premises of a NATO partner to practice operating the system.
With Patriot (“Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target”), Ukraine and its allies hope that the attacked country will be better able to defend itself against Russia’s airstrikes. It is one of the most modern anti-aircraft systems in the world and can fend off enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. At a distance of around 100 kilometers and up to an altitude of 30 kilometers, the defense missiles can hit targets in an imaginary bell around the position – depending on the guided missile used.
18. April
9.48 a.m .: Battles for Bachmut are getting even fiercer
British intelligence had previously reported partial Russian successes in Bakhmut. But the situation is opaque. One thing is clear: the fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city is continuing to intensify. Now the Ukrainian military is reporting Russian air attacks with heavy artillery. However, the commander of the land forces, Olexander Syrskyj, emphasized that the situation is under control “at the moment”. Accordingly, Russian troops also have heavy losses. Ukraine was able to significantly slow down the attacks.
Apocalyptic mood in Bakhmut: The fighting is raging in the Ukrainian city. Image: AP / Libkos
According to the latest information from Moscow, around 80 percent of the city area is occupied by Russia after months of fighting. Hundreds of civilians are said to remain in the city, which largely resembles a field of rubble and which used to have more than 70,000 inhabitants.
8.13 a.m .: According to the Kremlin, Putin traveled to the annexed areas of Cherson and Luhansk
Russian President Vladimir Putin has traveled to Ukraine again almost 14 months after the start of the invasion he ordered, according to the Kremlin. According to a statement published in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin met with Russian troops fighting in the Cherson and Luhansk regions.
In Cherson he had the situation described to him by the commander of the airborne troops, Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky. In Luhansk, the 70-year-old chief of the Kremlin met Colonel-General Alexander Lapin and other high-ranking officers. In addition, he gave the Russian soldiers an icon in view of the Orthodox Easter celebrations last weekend, the Kremlin said.
It was not announced exactly when Vladimir Putin’s visit to the war zone in Ukraine took place. Putin was in Moscow at the weekend and attended an Easter service held by Patriarch Kirill.
7.30 a.m .: The US government sharply criticizes Brazil’s President Lula
The US government has sharply criticized Brazil’s President Lula for his statements in connection with the Ukraine war. John Kirby, communications director for the National Security Council, said in Washington Monday evening: “Brazil parroted Russian and Chinese propaganda without looking at the facts.” It is enormously problematic when he claims that the USA and Europe are not interested in peace and are jointly responsible for the war.
The statements by Brazil’s President Lula were not well received, especially in the United States. Image: IMAGO/Fotoarena / imago images
During a visit to China a few days ago, the Brazilian head of state demanded that the US and Europe stop promoting the war and stop talking about peace.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked Brazil for its support. “Of course we are interested in the Ukraine conflict ending as soon as possible,” quoted the Russian state agency Tass Lavrov, who was on a visit to the Brazilian capital Brasilia on Monday.
Older news for war in Ukraine you can find here.
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(With material from dpa and AFP)
