As the war enters its 828th day, several significant developments have emerged:
- Ukraine’s air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 24 out of 25 attack drones launched by Russia overnight, as confirmed by the Ukrainian air forces.
- Russia launched an Iskander-K cruise missile towards Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, along with an anti-aircraft guided missile. The Russian Air Force disclosed these actions but did not provide details regarding damage or casualties.
In the same region, a Russian missile struck residential areas in Balakliya, resulting in injuries to 13 individuals, including eight children, and causing destruction to homes, according to Ukrainian prosecutors.
Kyiv retaliated by destroying the majority of approximately 100 missiles and drones in an attack targeting key energy sites across five regions. This countermeasure inflicted damage, as reported by both the air force and energy authorities.
Regarding diplomacy:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in discussions concerning Kyiv’s defense needs with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Shangri-la dialogue in Singapore.
- Zelenskyy announced that 106 countries and organizations have agreed to participate in a summit in Switzerland scheduled for mid-June, with the aim of fostering peace in Ukraine.
- Expressing disappointment, Zelenskyy noted that although some world leaders confirmed their attendance at the conference, they had not offered support to his nation.
- China’s defense minister emphasized Beijing’s commitment to peace in the conflict, stating that China has refrained from aligning with either Russia or Ukraine.
Regarding weapons and support:
- Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to countries such as the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands for their military assistance, particularly in providing air defense systems, during his participation in the Shangri-la dialogue.
- Military and weapons support for Ukraine, as well as discussions related to the country’s European Union bid, are prominent topics in the lead-up to the upcoming EU Parliament elections scheduled for June 6-9.
