With Ukraine’s counter-offensive having stalled, Kyiv seems to have pivoted to long-distance pinprick attacks, by which it hopes to impede Russia’s efforts in supplying its troops fighting in Southern Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has promised that Italy, “with its unique expertise in restoration,” was “ready to get involved with the reconstruction of Odesa’s cathedral and other treasures of Ukraine’s artistic heritage.”
While Russia has claimed its pre-dawn strikes were successful and destroyed the desired targets, Ukraine has insisted its air defense systems intercepted all the cruise missiles launched and the vast majority of the kamikaze drones deployed.
Until now, rather discreet on the question of France’s commitment to Ukraine, so as not to fuel the controversy over her supposed ‘Putinophilia’, Marine Le Pen has this time raised her voice and declared herself openly hostile to increasing French military support to Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have said that all 18 missiles aimed at Kyiv were successfully shot down, including the six hypersonic missiles, a claim that Kremlin officials have disputed.
MiG fighters, equipped to carry nuclear warheads, are settled in Belarus as part of the ‘regional military grouping.’ The threat this poses to Europe should be taken very seriously.
There were no casualties on either side, but the missile exchange marks a further step in the deterioration of relations between the two Koreas as the U.S. fears further nuclear tests by Pyongyang.
