In the south of the country, the Ukrainian counterattacks are causing increasing problems for the occupiers, but the recapture of the villages and towns could bring Russian war crimes to light again: The governor of the Cherson region fears a second Bucha. Meanwhile, the Russian company Gazprom is following up on the dispute over the pipeline turbine. The 161st day of the war at a glance.
Russia wants to conquer hometown of Zelenskyy
According to Ukrainian sources, Russia is preparing a new offensive in the south of the country. This includes building up a force to prepare an attack on Kryvyi Rih - the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - the military command of southern Ukraine said. The Ukrainian-controlled city is known for its steel production and is around 50 kilometers from the southern front line. In the first phase of the war, Russia conquered large parts of southern Ukraine.
Governor: Will see more Bucha in Kherson
And similar to the early occupied areas around Kyiv, it could also happen in Cherson. The region's governor, Dmitri Butri, fears that Russian troops have also massacred the civilian population here. After the liberation, similar crimes by the Russian military as in Bucha will be seen, Butri is quoted as saying by the Interfax Ukraine agency. He therefore calls on all civilians to leave the region. After the withdrawal of Russian troops from Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv, dozens of civilian bodies were discovered in the spring.
London: Ukrainian attacks disrupt Russian routes
In Cherson, the Ukrainian counterattacks are causing increasing problems for the Russian occupiers, according to British intelligence services. A Ukrainian attack on a Russian ammunition train temporarily disrupted a supply route from the occupied Crimea peninsula, the UK Defense Ministry said in an update. Although the Russians could repair this route within a few days, it will remain a weak point.
The Antonivka Bridge, which was damaged by Ukrainian missiles, is also making it difficult for Moscow to supply its occupying army west of the Dnipro River. The Russians would almost certainly have to use a ferry route recently established for civilians to get their troops and supplies across the river.
Kyiv: Fighting for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine continues
Fighting for the town of Bakhmut continues in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The enemy is concentrating its main effort in the direction of this city, the Ukrainian General Staff said. There was artillery fire on settlements south of Bakhmut "to push back our units." Russian attacks were partially repelled, it said. This information could not be independently verified.
Grain freighter inspection completed - Ukraine raises harvest forecast
The freighter "Razoni", which is transporting grain from the Ukraine by sea for the first time since the beginning of the war at the end of February, is currently giving hope. After a three-hour inspection, it can continue its journey towards Lebanon. The ship should reach its destination late at the weekend or early next week.
Ukraine then raised its forecast for this year's grain harvest. According to Prime Minister Denys Schmygal, 65 to 67 million tons are now expected instead of 60 million tons. On Telegram, he praised farmers who would continue harvesting even in combat zones.
Schröder criticized after an interview
Cross-party criticism was received by former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder after controversial statements in an interview with RTL/ntv about Russia's alleged willingness to negotiate in the Ukraine war. Representatives of the FDP and the Union referred to statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to which Moscow wanted to bring about a change of government in Kyiv and wipe Ukraine off the map.
She "listens more to what Mr. Lavrov says, with great seriousness, than what the former Chancellor says," said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, on RTL / ntv. "If he says that Putin wants a solution, then I can already tell you today what the solution should look like: namely, Putin wants eastern Ukraine."
Gazprom: Sanctions make turbine delivery impossible
According to the Russian company Gazprom, the Siemens turbine for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline cannot be delivered to the Portovaya compressor station due to Western sanctions. According to the energy company, the background to this is punitive measures by Canada, the EU and Great Britain.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously accused Russia of blocking the supply of the important turbine in order to continue to throttle the amount of gas supplied. Germany is desperately looking for alternative energy sources to fill the gap left by reduced gas supplies from Moscow.
With the lack of the Siemens turbine, which had been serviced in Canada, the Russian energy company Gazprom had justified the reduction of gas deliveries to only 20 percent of the possible extent.
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