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Ukrainian soldier with camera drone: In the defensive war against Russia, Kiev uses drones of different types and sizes
Photo: Smoliyenko Dmytro / Ukrinform / ABACAPRESS / IMAGO
More than two years after the start of Russia's war of aggression, the production of drones is becoming increasingly important for Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Combat drones in particular have shown "remarkable results in destroying Russia's military potential in the hinterland," said Zelensky in his evening video address on Monday. He therefore had another meeting with representatives from the government and military. “Our defense industry must produce exactly what the war requires,” said the head of state. "Drones will obviously be one of the decisive factors in winning this war."
In recent weeks, the Ukrainian army has increasingly used its drones to attack Russian oil refineries, even far behind the front. Kiev emphasizes that these are legitimate targets from a military perspective because they are intended to slow down the supply of fuel for the Russian army. Income from fuel sales, which help finance the Russian war machine, should also be reduced.
Belarus starts training maneuvers on borders with Poland and Ukraine
Belarus says it has started a military exercise on the border with Ukraine and the NATO states Poland and Lithuania. The three-day exercise in the Gomel and Grodno regions is aimed at training troops to defend the territory, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said on X. The procedures would also be practiced in the event that martial law is imposed. Belarus is a close ally of Russia. Russia also launched its invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory in February 2022. Gomel is located in the southeast of Belarus on the border with Ukraine and is around 280 kilometers from Kiev. The Grodno region is located in western Belarus near the Lithuanian-Polish border.
US institute confirms Russian land gains in Ukraine
Experts from the US Institute for War Studies (ISW) have confirmed that Russia has gained territory in its war of aggression against Ukraine. The Russian armed forces have occupied an area of 505 square kilometers since the offensive operations began in October, the ISW reported in its analysis on Thursday (local time). This corresponds to more than twice the area of the city of Frankfurt am Main. Ukraine is still preventing Russia from making major tactical gains along the entire front line. "But a further delay in US security assistance will increase the risk of Russian operational success," it said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously warned of a possible new major Russian offensive in early summer. According to the ISW assessment, Russia will maintain its current offensive pace, regardless of the current difficult weather conditions, and will take advantage of the Ukrainian armed forces' problems in obtaining materials and personnel.
Ukraine, on the other hand, is forced to concentrate its limited resources on critical points on the front. This increases the risk that the Russian army could break through the defense line in less well-secured areas. This could lead to significant successes for the Russian side in the future.
The ISW experts underlined the importance of Western help to stop the Russian advance. They also pointed out that the Ukrainian air defense umbrella is becoming increasingly weak. Zelensky had repeatedly called for more US Patriot anti-aircraft systems in order to better protect the airspace. A further weakening of air defense would not only endanger bases and logistics facilities in the Ukrainian hinterland that are important for the war, but would also enable more Russian air strikes with glide bombs along the front, the ISW analysis said.
International Conference on War Crimes in Ukraine
A good two years after the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, European ministers and international investigators want to discuss the status of the prosecution of war crimes in The Hague on Tuesday. Ukraine, its allies and the EU Commission want to ensure that suspected criminals are brought to justice.
The question of how Russia can be prosecuted for the crime of aggression will also be discussed. A special tribunal may be set up for this purpose. The first claims from victims for compensation will also be registered at the conference.
The Netherlands is hosting the conference. Participants will include representatives from the EU Commission, Ukraine and Western allies as well as the International Criminal Court and the European judicial authority Eurojust. Shortly after the start of the war, some states agreed to cooperate with Ukraine and international judicial authorities in the investigation.
In addition to the Ukrainian justice system, the International Criminal Court based in The Hague is also investigating. Chief prosecutor Karim Khan has already issued four international arrest warrants against high-ranking Russians for suspected war crimes, including against President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine and Russia exchange soldiers' bodies
Russia and Ukraine have once again exchanged soldiers' bodies in their ongoing war. Kiev received 121 bodies, the Ukrainian coordination staff for prisoner of war issues announced on Telegram on Friday. The soldiers were killed in fighting in the Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions. The International Committee of the Red Cross, among others, mediated the return. The Russian side received 29 casualties, as MP Shamsail Saraliyev announced in Moscow.
Ukraine has been resisting the Russian invasion for more than two years. Although casualty figures on both sides are kept secret, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke in February of 31,000 of his own soldiers killed. However, Western estimates put Ukrainian losses much higher. Experts say the number of deaths on both sides is more than twice as high.
The warring parties had repeatedly exchanged prisoners in the past. These negotiations over the exchange of dead and prisoners are among the last remaining contacts between the warring neighbors. The last time casualties were exchanged was on March 15th, with Ukraine receiving 100 bodies and Russia receiving 69 soldiers killed.
Editor's note: An earlier version confused the geographical location of the Grodno and Gomel regions. Additionally, a camera drone is shown in the image instead of an FPV drone. We have corrected the errors.
aka/dpa/Reuters