After the missile attack on the port city of Odessa, Ukraine once again demands heavy weapons from the United States to defend itself against Russian attacks. At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees this as proof that one cannot negotiate with Russia. But he also reports positive developments, especially on the southern front. Thousands of Ukrainian women are supporting the fighting on the front lines. An overview of the developments during the night and an outlook for the day.
Zelenskyj questions negotiations with Russia
After the rocket attacks on the port in Odessa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj questioned Russia as a negotiating party. "If anyone in the world said earlier that it is necessary to enter into dialogue with Russia, to reach agreements on a ceasefire without liberating our territory from the occupiers, then today's missiles have destroyed the possibility of such negotiations," he says in his video message, which was published in the evening. The rocket attack on the port city was condemned internationally. Selenskyj spoke of an act of "obvious Russian barbarism".
Zelenskyy: Armed forces are moving into the Cherson region
At the beginning of the 151st day of the war, the Ukrainian President also sees positive things. Heavy fighting broke out again in the Donbass and in the Kharkiv region. Nevertheless, it is also visible that Ukraine is moving towards victory. This is particularly evident in the Cherson region in the south of the country, said Selenskyj. According to him, the Ukrainian troops are gradually moving into the eastern region. "The armed forces are moving step by step in the area," said Zelenskyy.
Russia had captured the southern Ukrainian region on the Black Sea immediately after the start of the war at the end of February. Separatists there who are loyal to Moscow recently announced that they want to hold a referendum on joining Russia. Ukraine wants to prevent this and wants to retake the area with the help of heavy weapons supplied by the USA and other NATO countries.
Attacks on Odessa illustrate importance of arms deliveries
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy sees the attacks on Odessa as another reason for handing over heavy weapons to Ukraine. These are "necessary for our victory," he said. Zelenskyy accuses Russia of shelling the port of Odessa a day after the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain was signed in Istanbul. So far there has been no Russian response.
US MP promises Selenskyj up to 30 multiple rocket launchers
The US and its western allies want to increase the number of multiple rocket launchers in Ukraine to up to 30. This was announced by US politician Adam Smith after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The current goal is to provide Ukraine with 25 to 30 of the missile systems, the chairman of the Defense Committee (Armed Services Committee) in the US House of Representatives told the American broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The United States has so far delivered twelve HIMARS missile systems to Ukraine and announced delivery of four more systems. With the help of the high-precision rocket launchers, Ukraine has repeatedly successfully destroyed Russian ammunition depots and supply lines in recent days.
US blames Russia for shelling of Odessa
The US government blamed Russia for the shelling of the port city of Odessa. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia broke its commitments just a day after agreeing to export Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. "This attack raises serious doubts about the credibility of Russia's commitment to yesterday's agreement."
Blinken said the shelling was undermining the work of the United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine to get essential food products to world markets. Russia bears responsibility for worsening the global food crisis. Moscow has approved the grain export agreement and now has the duty to fully implement it.
Deputy Minister: 5000 soldiers are fighting at the front
According to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, more than 50,000 women serve in the Ukrainian army, and more than 5,000 of them are currently at the front. According to the Ukrinform news agency, the politician said this at an international summit of first ladies and gentlemen in Kyiv on Saturday. Of the 50,000 women in the Ukrainian military, a total of 38,000 served as soldiers, with the remainder doing civilian work.
What will be important on Sunday
You can read all further developments in our live ticker on the Ukraine war.
