This week, Russia has stepped up its threats of new strikes against Ukraine as its posture in the battlefield is weakening. The Kremlin has warned of systematic attacks on Kyiv, claiming a disregard of Europe’s statements that came in reaction to the threats. Russia’s threats to launch fresh strikes on Kyiv are a “sign of desperation,” said EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová on Monday, adding: “we are not going anywhere!” All embassies are staying in Kyiv.
Russia continues drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns. It launched two airstrikes on Kramatorsk, in Donetsk region, on Monday, killing two people and injuring six others. Four people were injured in a Russian missile attack on Dnipro that same day. An intense drone attack on Chernihiv on Wednesday damaged an industrial site, warehouses, country houses and vehicles. Around 15 explosions rocked the city. A Russian attack on Kherson on Wednesday, using multiple launch rocket systems, killed a father and injured his two children and their mother.
Belarus does not build up troops near the Ukrainian border, but the threat from this direction stays, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service, Andriy Demchenko said Monday. Russia could use the Belarusian territory to target the M-06 Kyiv-Chop highway with drones, the Institute for the Study of War said in a report on Tuesday. Exiled Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kyiv and spoke at the International Summit of Cities and Regions on Tuesday as the country’s representative.
Ukraine continues to carry out painful strikes deep into Russia. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet Air Force headquarters was likely targeted in an attack on Sevastopol on Wednesday. Ukraine is capable of liberating Crimea, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges said in an interview with Ukrinform published on Thursday.
G7 diplomats say they stay in Kyiv despite Russian threat of systematic strikes.
Personnel of the embassies of G7 countries are staying in Kyiv despite a Russian threat of systematic strikes against the capital. “Despite Russian threats, all G7 countries are staying in Kyiv and will continue their work to support Ukraine!” G7 ambassadors to Ukraine said in a post to X on Thursday evening.
They also said they had a meeting with the country’s international business associations earlier that day “to discuss ways to improve Ukraine’s business and investment climate.”
