The Russian navy says it used sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles to destroy 4 S-300 air protection missile launchers close to the town of Dnipro, simply days after Slovakia despatched Ukraine an S-300 air protection system in a deal labored out by the U.S.
About two dozen Ukrainian troops had been additionally hit by the strike, Russian Protection Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov mentioned in an announcement Monday. The assertion mentioned Ukraine had obtained the expertise from an unnamed European nation. Konashenkov’s declare couldn’t be independently verified.
Slovakia’s prime minister workplace issued an announcement calling the information that system was destroyed “disinformation.”
Slovakia was capable of present the system as a result of the U.S. was prepared to provide Slovakia a Patriot battery to exchange it, White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned Sunday.
It was unclear whether or not each side are referring to the identical airstrike. The Russians have focused missile protection programs in three places in latest days.
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VISUAL EXPLAINER: Mapping and monitoring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Newest developments:
►President Joe Biden is about to talk with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as he presses world leaders to take a tough line towards Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
►Moscow has appointed a brand new battle chief after a largely unsuccessful six weeks of battle in Ukraine, a senior U.S. official mentioned Sunday. The official, who shouldn’t be licensed to be recognized and spoke on situation of anonymity, mentioned Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, 60, has a historical past of brutality towards Syrians and different civilians.
Main Russian assault on east Ukraine seemingly inside days, EU official says
Russian is sending a big contingent of troops towards jap Ukraine and seems poised to launch a significant offensive within the Donbas area inside days, mentioned Josep Borrell, E.U. excessive consultant for overseas affairs and safety coverage. The area contains Donetsk and Luhansk, the place Moscow-backed separatists established de facto republics that even Russia solely acknowledged days earlier than the battle broke out in February.
“I’m afraid the Russian troops are massing on the east to launch an assault on the Donbas,” Borrell mentioned Monday. “I am afraid … the battle will improve on the Donbas.”
Russian forces bisected strategically essential Mariupol from the town heart to the coast on Sunday, isolating the remaining Ukrainian defenders in two places, in response to the U.S.-based Institute for the Research of Conflict.
Zelenskyy: This week essential for Ukraine’s destiny
In a nightly deal with Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned his nation that the approaching week can be as essential as any within the battle and accused Russia of making an attempt to evade accountability for battle crimes.
“When folks lack the braveness to confess their errors, apologize, adapt to actuality and be taught, they flip into monsters,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “And when the world ignores it, the monsters determine that it’s the world that has to adapt to them. Ukraine will cease all this.”
Zelenskyy referred to as on Western nations, together with Germany, to supply extra help to Ukraine. Throughout talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Zelenskyy mentioned he mentioned tips on how to strengthen sanctions towards Russia and tips on how to power Moscow to hunt peace.
“I’m glad to notice that the German place has lately modified in favor of Ukraine. I think about it completely logical,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Extra Ukraine protection from USA TODAY
Putin to satisfy with Austrian chancellor
Austria’s overseas minister says Chancellor Karl Nehammer is taking “very clear messages of a humanitarian and political variety” to a gathering with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Overseas Minister Alexander Schallenberg mentioned Monday that Nehammer determined to make the journey after assembly in Kyiv on Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and following contacts with the leaders of Turkey, Germany and the European Union.
Schallenberg mentioned forward of a gathering along with his E.U. counterparts in Luxembourg that “we don’t need to depart any alternative unused and should seize each likelihood to finish the humanitarian hell in Ukraine.”
He added that “each voice that makes clear to President (Vladimir) Putin what actuality seems like outdoors the partitions of Kremlin shouldn’t be a wasted voice.”
Schallenberg mentioned that Nehammer and Putin will meet one-on-one with out media alternatives. He insisted that Austria has performed every thing to make sure that the go to isn’t abused, “and I believe he (Putin) himself ought to have an curiosity in somebody telling him the reality and actually discovering out what’s occurring outdoors.”
– Related Press
European Union to think about Ukraine membership in weeks
Ukraine might turn into a part of the European Union in a matter of weeks, the president of the European Fee mentioned Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Ukraine’s utility to affix the EU in February, and Olga Stefanishyna, deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, mentioned she expects Ukraine to completely be part of the E.U. by June.
The method can take years, however European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Ukraine’s membership might take solely weeks to think about.
“Yesterday, anyone informed me: “You recognize, when our troopers are dying, I would like them to know that their youngsters might be free be and be a part of the European Union,” von der Leyen mentioned. “They’re in a rare scenario, the place we’ve to take uncommon steps.”
– Celina Tebor
Russia warns of ‘direct navy confrontation’ with US
Ukrainian forces are pushing again Russian troops so efficiently that the invaders have been pressured to regroup, refit and refocus, White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned Sunday.
“Russia has modified its conduct on this battle,” Sullivan mentioned on CBS Information’ Face The Nation. “They’ve retreated. They’ve pulled again from substantial territory in northern and northeastern Ukraine. Mainly the explanation they made these changes is as a result of they had been crushed by the Ukrainians.”
Sullivan credited the Ukraine navy – and the circulate of kit the U.S. and its allies have been sending the besieged nation. Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov earlier informed Newsweek the West is upsetting Russia.
“We warn that such actions are harmful,” the envoy mentioned. “They will lead the U.S. and the Russian Federation onto the trail of direct navy confrontation.”
Contributing: The Related Press
