Putin meets generals in southern Russia
President Vladimir Putin has met the generals in charge of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine at a meeting in Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia, the Kremlin announced on Saturday morning.
ADVERTISEMENT“Vladimir Putin held a meeting at the headquarters of the special military operation in Rostov-on-Don,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
“The head of state listened to reports from the chief of staff of the Russian armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, sector commanders and other officials”.
Ukraine says it intercepted Russian drone attack
Ukraine’s military announced on Saturday morning that it had destroyed “15 Russian drones” overnight.
Russian forces “attacked from the north” with Shahed drones, the Ukrainian army wrote on Telegram. “A total of 17 attack drones were launched from the Kursk region.” It did not specify what had happened to the two remaining drones.
Ukrainian anti-aircraft defence was activated “in the northern and central regions, as well as in the west” of the country, it added.
Both sides in the conflict, which began in February 2022, have recently reported regular drone incursions by air and sea, at a time when Ukraine is in the midst of a counter-offensive to reclaim its Russian-controlled territory.
Moscow has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea and Danube port infrastructure since the end of an agreement that allowed Ukrainian grain exports.
On Friday, Russia said it had destroyed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and its Black Sea fleet.
US greenlights Dutch and Danish F-16 transfers
The United States announced on Friday that it had given the green light for Denmark and the Netherlands to send American F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, once Ukrainian pilots have been trained – a development that the Ukrainian defence minister described as “great news”.
A spokesman for the US State Department said that Denmark and the Netherlands had received “formal assurances” on the subject.
“In this way, Ukraine will be able to take full advantage of its new capabilities as soon as the first group of pilots has completed its training. The F-16s will contribute to Ukraine’s defence and deterrence capabilities,” added the spokesman.
ADVERTISEMENTSince the start of the Russian invasion, Kyiv has been tirelessly calling for Western aircraft to fight Moscow’s forces, which are far superior at this stage.
The United States, for its part, has strict rules on the resale or transfer of American military equipment by allies.
It is not yet known when the Ukrainian pilots will complete their training.
