Ukraine war briefing- Russian attacks kill nine civilians across Ukraine, officials say

A series of recent attacks has prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach out once more to Kyiv’s allies, following a tragic increase in civilian casualties in Dnipro, where five people, including a child, have lost their lives due to Russian missile strikes. Reports indicate that casualties also occurred in other regions, with one person killed and three injured by a Russian glide bomb in Kostiantynivka, alongside two fatalities from shelling in a small town west of Kherson. Additionally, a Russian drone strike resulted in the death of a teenager in Kyiv after a prolonged night-time assault on the capital.

Zelenskyy’s latest remarks came during his nightly video address, where he emphasized the urgency of a stronger international response to Russia’s aggression. He expressed concerns that the ongoing assaults signal Russia’s determination to persist in its military endeavors. “These conditions demonstrate that the lack of decisive actions from our partners only emboldens Putin to deepen his strategy of terror,” he stated. “The world has the power to halt the escalation of this conflict. We need more than just rhetoric; we need concrete actions.”

In response to these developments, G7 finance ministers convened and committed on Saturday to enhancing efforts to prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. A previous agreement from December 2022 aimed to restrict Russian oil sales while avoiding steep price increases, but challenges remain, particularly with nations like China continuing to import Russian crude at prices exceeding established caps. The G7 issued a statement post-meeting, vowing their commitment to further initiatives against these violations, though specific measures were not detailed.

Moreover, Zelenskyy has raised alarms about Russia’s potential plans to deploy North Korean troops in the ongoing conflict. In a message on Telegram, he mentioned that Ukrainian intelligence has identified a timeframe—between Sunday and Monday—when North Korean military personnel may be deployed to combat zones, calling this an “obvious escalation” by Russia, yet he did not disclose specific locations for the deployment.

On the battlefield, Russia’s defense ministry announced its forces have taken control of the Oleksandropil settlement in the eastern Donetsk region, where they have seen several advances. They also reported downing 51 Ukrainian drones across four regions near the border. Nevertheless, Russia has faced challenges in expelling Ukrainian forces from its Kursk border region since an incursion three months ago.

In Georgia, the ruling party is poised for a significant win in a parliamentary election, which could steer the nation toward closer ties with Russia. This election has been viewed as crucial for Georgia’s aspirations for EU membership. The ruling Georgian Dream party’s campaign has featured controversial narratives about a supposed “global war party” controlling Western institutions and dragging Georgia into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in seven cities across Italy, including Rome, Turin, and Milan, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and other global conflicts. These peaceful rallies received support from numerous associations dedicated to promoting peace, disarmament, and human rights.