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Defence Minister Pistorius: "Support Ukraine with everything that is possible"
Photograph:
NADJA WOHLLEBEN / REUTERS
This article will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Pistorius warns of end of arms deliveries
09.25 a.m.: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has clearly rejected doubts about the continued arms deliveries to Ukraine. "Anyone who calls today to stop arms deliveries to Ukraine is leaving Ukraine to its fate," he told the "Augsburger Allgemeine" and the "Main-Post" on Friday. The end of arms deliveries today would be the end of Ukraine tomorrow."
Pistorius reiterated that it was a matter of "supporting Ukraine with everything we can, what we can do". In this context, he reiterated the German government's rejection of the delivery of fighter jets: "I have repeatedly said that we do not have any fighter jets that will help Ukraine immediately."
Attack on Crimean railway has consequences for Russian supplies, according to London
09.18 a.m.: According to British intelligence services, the alleged attack on an important railway line on the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea also has consequences for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. It is the only train connection to the port of Sevastopol, where the fleet is stationed, said the Ministry of Defense in London on Friday. "Russia will try to repair the track quickly, but the incident will cut off supplies and possibly weapons, such as Kalibr cruise missiles, to the fleet."
Thursday's incident, in which a freight train derailed, will also increase Russian concerns about the protection of important infrastructure in Crimea. "The peninsula continues to play an important psychological and logistical role in enabling Russia's war in Ukraine," it said in London.
Zelensky is expected in person at the G7 summit in Japan
09.12 a.m.: The G7 heads of state and government will meet today in Hiroshima, Japan, for talks. Now Ukraine has confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelensky will also personally attend the summit of the seven leading Western industrialized countries (G7). Read more about it here.
Ukraine announces repulsion from Russian airstrike
09.00 a.m.: According to its own statements, the Ukrainian air defense repelled a new Russian air strike in the morning. 19 out of 28 drones and missiles were intercepted, an air force spokesman said on Ukrainian television. These are three Kalibr cruise missiles and 16 drones. There were no reports that critical infrastructure or military installations were hit. Russia has stepped up its missile and drone strikes again this month. According to the government in Kiev, Russia wants to complicate plans for a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
An overview of the latest events from the previous evening and from the night can be found here: US miscalculates on military aid, EU wants to restrict trade in Russian diamonds
sol/dpa/Reuters