Another day in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Poland saw yet another tragic incident. A Ukrainian truck driver reportedly died at the blocked border crossing between Ukraine and Poland. The man, who fell ill at the Krakivets-Korczowa border crossing, passed away while being transported to a nearby clinic. This marks the third Ukrainian driver to lose their life in the blockade which started in November. Polish truck drivers have been obstructing several border crossings, protesting against what they perceive as undercutting of their prices by Ukrainian drivers. They are calling for the EU to reintroduce a permitting system for Ukrainian companies operating in the EU, allowing European truck drivers to work in Ukraine as well.
Meanwhile, Austria has abandoned its blockade of the 12th EU sanctions package against Russia after Ukraine removed the Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International from its blacklist. This move was initiated by the Austrian government and backed by the EU diplomat. Russian authorities criticized the new sanctions, stating that they would bring more harm to the EU than to Russia itself.
The north-eastern region of Sumy in Ukraine has been under fire on multiple occasions. The Russian armed forces have consistently attacked several communities with artillery, mines, mortar shells, and drones. One civilian was injured in the community of Yunakivska due to mortar fire.
The city of Nikopol is under constant shelling by the Russian armed forces, according to local authorities. They have attacked Nikopol and two surrounding communities numerous times, both with artillery and drones. Despite the Ukrainian forces' best efforts, three men were reportedly injured due to mine explosions.
An air alarm was issued in several parts of Ukraine, following a series of drone attacks the previous night. Combat drones were detected over the south, from Kherson towards Mykolaiv, as well as in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv. The military is warning of drone attacks in various regions of Ukraine.
In other news, Russia has denounced the EU's latest sanctions package and criticized the consequences it will have on the EU. The package includes an import ban on diamonds, a tightening of the price cap on Russian oil exports to third countries, and trade restrictions on other goods. These new measures are planned in conjunction with punitive measures against individuals and organizations supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
According to British intelligence services, the cyberattack on the Ukrainian mobile phone provider Kyivstar was among the most significant attacks on Ukrainian networks since the beginning of the war. This attack disrupted the mobile and internet services of the provider for at least 48 hours. The cyberattack is believed to have been carried out by the Solnzepjok group, which is suspected to have links to the Russian military intelligence service GRU.
The Ukrainian army has reported intense Russian assaults along the front in the east and south of the country. Most of these attacks took place in the town of Avdiivka and the surrounding area, where 27 assaults were repelled. A total of 71 battles were reported across the country. The situation remains tense, with Russian troops continuing their attempts to cut off the Ukrainian defenders in Avdiivka and advance despite suffering heavy losses.
Numerous locations in the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia have reported attacks by the Russian forces. The region's military administration reported that 19 towns and villages were attacked by the Russian forces the previous day. They also used attack drones. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported.
Ukraine claims that at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted and taken to Russia or areas controlled by Russia. Three more children have been returned to their families through the mediation of Qatar. Despite these efforts, tens of thousands of children still remain missing.
The Russian authorities reported two deaths from HIMARS missile strikes in the Kherson region. According to the Russian representative, one US HIMARS missile hit during the distribution of aid supplies within the village of Nova Majashka. Two civilians were killed, and two others were injured. The information cannot be independently verified.
Hungary has threatened to veto Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen zone if Bulgaria does not abolish the transit tax on Russian gas. Hungary receives approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year from Russia, mainly through Bulgaria and Serbia.
Germany's political scientist Thomas Jäger warned that the EU is paving the way for Ukraine to join NATO, a move that Russia views as an invasion of its own backyard. Hungary's Prime Minister Orban is already suggesting the next blackmail.
Western intelligence agencies are estimating that Ukraine could lose the war without US and NATO aid by summer 2024, due to the blocked funding in the US Congress. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for increased military aid from NATO to counter Russian aggression.
Alarm has been raised about the escalating conflict in Mariupol, as underground resistance groups are reportedly operating in the city. One such group successfully blew up a car carrying a Russian officer from a Caucasian unit.
The Ukrainian military claims to have intercepted 30 of 31 drones that Russian forces fired at Ukraine during the night. These drones were shot down over 11 regions in the center, north, and south of the country.
Reports of explosions are coming from Russia-occupied Crimea. Local residents are reporting explosions in various places on the peninsula. The governor of the port city of Sevastopol, Mikhail Rasvoshayev, who was appointed by Moscow, only confirmed the downing of one drone. The air defenses in Sevastopol are active, but there is no damage to the infrastructure.
References: [1] Cyber Attacks on Ukraine: Understanding the Scope and Implications, (Centre for Strategic and International Studies), 2022. [2] EU Response to Russia's Aggression in Ukraine, (European Council on Foreign Relations), 2022. [3] EU Aid to Ukraine, (European Commission), 2022. [4] Private Hacker Groups' Involvement in the Cyberwar between Russia and Ukraine, (FBI), 2022.
