Ukraine live blog: ++ Drone attack repelled in western Ukraine ++

According to Ukrainian information, several Russian drones were repelled in the Ivano-Frankivsk region in the west of the country. Russia reports Ukrainian drone attacks in Belgorod and Rostov regions. All developments in the live blog..

After the arrest of two suspected Russian secret service spies, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) reiterated German support for Ukraine. “Our security authorities prevented possible explosive attacks that were intended to target and undermine our military assistance to Ukraine,” said Faeser.

Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine launched by President Vladimir Putin, all protective measures “against hybrid threats from the Russian regime” have been ramped up. “We will continue to provide massive support to Ukraine and will not allow ourselves to be intimidated,” said the minister. The current investigation involves a particularly serious case of suspected spy activity for Russia.

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has once again appealed to partners around the world to provide Ukraine with more anti-aircraft equipment. This is urgently necessary “to protect Ukraine and to protect our own security,” said Baerbock before the start of two days of discussions between the G7 foreign ministers on the Italian Mediterranean island of Capri.

Ukrainian chief diplomat Dmytro Kuleba will also take part in the meeting. Baerbock emphasizes that at a NATO meeting two weeks ago, Kuleba “strongly appealed to all of us: We need air defense now.”

A day after the Russian attack on the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, the death toll has risen to at least 18. The Ukrainian emergency service said 77 people were injured in the attack, including four children. Rescue workers continued to work to search for survivors in the mountains of rubble.

Yesterday three Russian rockets hit the city. As the Interior Ministry announced, a 25-year-old policewoman was among the dead. According to Chernihiv Mayor Oleksandr Lomako, 16 buildings in the city were damaged in the attack.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called on European states to quickly deliver additional air defense systems for Ukraine in the war against Russia. “In the next few days, concrete decisions must be made to send more anti-aircraft defense to Ukraine,” said the Spaniard at the meeting of foreign ministers of the G7 group in Capri. “Otherwise, Ukraine’s electricity system will be destroyed.” The EU should not rely solely on the USA, warned Borrell. “We have to take responsibility ourselves.”

Germany announced the delivery of a third “Patriot” anti-aircraft missile system at the weekend. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also appealed to allies to quickly deliver systems to the country attacked by Russia. Borrell said: “We have ‘Patriots’. We have anti-missile systems. We have to take them out of our barracks, where they are, and send them to Ukraine, where the war is raging. I’m sure we will will do. But we have to act quickly.”

Russia says it intercepted 20 drones and two ballistic missiles in regions bordering Ukraine. “Several terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime were thwarted during the night,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. Accordingly, 16 of the 20 drones and two Totschka-U missiles were shot down in the Belgorod region.

According to the information, the Rostov region, where Russia’s headquarters for coordinating the offensive in Ukraine is located, was also attacked. As the Ministry of Defense announced, five balloons were also shot down to distract the anti-aircraft systems.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia attacked the western Ukrainian region of Ivano-Frankivsk with drones. The aim was critical infrastructure, regional governor Svitlana Onyschtschuk said via the short message service Telegram.

The Ukrainian air defense shot down all drones. However, debris caused fires. There were no injuries. There is no information yet about damage to critical infrastructure facilities. Russia has increased its airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy system and other infrastructure in recent weeks.

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kiev for a visit. He will be accompanied by a business delegation. The focus of the trip is Russia’s recent attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, emergency aid, strengthening the Ukrainian economy and economic relations with Germany.

During his visit, the Economics Minister also wants to prepare the Ukraine Recovery Conference for Ukraine in Berlin in June. Upon his arrival, Habeck said that the visit came at a time when Ukraine needed all support in its fight for freedom. “And it is a fight for freedom.” He added: “Yes, Ukraine is fighting for its own self-determination, for its territorial integrity against Putin’s aggression, but it is also fighting for the values ​​that unite and define Europe.”

Habeck wants to meet President Volodymyr Selenskyj, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economics Julia Svyrydenko and Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko in Kiev, among others. Habeck will then travel on to Moldova, where he wants to meet, among others, Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the Chinese government’s representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, consulted with the Ukrainian ambassador there, Pavlo Riabikin, in Beijing. The two exchanged their views on the Ukraine crisis at a meeting. Another topic was the bilateral relations between China and Ukraine. The ministry does not provide any details. Li Hui is his government’s special envoy to Ukraine and was formerly ambassador to Moscow.

In March he said that China wanted an international peace conference in which Russia and Ukraine would participate on equal terms. The Chinese government has backed the planned international peace conference in Switzerland. Switzerland is hosting this in mid-June at Ukraine’s request. Russia has said it will not take part.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has criticized the Republicans’ blocking of aid to Ukraine as “inexcusable” in Congress. After meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, Yellen said US aid to Ukraine is more important than ever. “The failure of House Republicans to support Ukraine for so long at this crucial moment in the war is inexcusable – and damaging to our national security,” Yellen said.

For his part, Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmygal emphasized the importance of US aid to his country, especially given Russia’s determination to undermine its economy. “We count on the United States to continue to support Ukraine in its fight,” he said. He hopes for the release of the aid package to Ukraine, including direct financial support.

According to local authorities, Russian air defense intercepted 14 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod border region in the evening. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on the Telegram text message service that the city of the same name, Belgorod, was in his sights. Nobody was injured. However, several houses were damaged in the Ukrainian airstrike. A single drone was also intercepted and destroyed over Voronezh Oblast, said the local governor, Alexander Gusev. A woman was injured and several buildings were damaged. Voronezh and Belgorod are located in the south of Russia and both border Ukraine. They have repeatedly been the target of Ukrainian attacks.

The leader of the US House of Representatives expects a vote on the aid package for Kiev on Saturday. The federal government is launching an initiative to provide additional anti-aircraft equipment. The developments in the live blog.