Ukraine maintained the position as the second strongest tank army within Europe, claims military analyst.
Stay updated with the latest developments in the Ukraine conflict, brought to you in a straightforward, conversational style.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen around 200 attacks per day, according to reports. Despite this, military expert Wolfgang Richter claims the war situation remains largely unchanged for years. However, Kyiv's troops' military potential is rapidly dwindling, he says.
But Ukraine was underestimated in the past, as shown by its tank capabilities, which were the second-strongest in Europe before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The core tank models included modernized T-64s, T-72/T-80 variants, and the domestically upgraded T-84 Oplot.
Politics - Is the Country Still Defensible? "Ukraine's Tank Army Was Second Strongest in Europe"
8 Civilians Injured in Donetsk by Russian Fire
Eight civilians, including two children, were injured in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine today, according to official reports. A car was initially attacked by a drone in the city of Myrnohrad. The three occupants suffered blast and fragmentation wounds. Following this, an elderly couple on a motorcycle was shot at, and another settlement was attacked. A high-rise building was hit in the attack on Nowodonezke near Kramatorsk. A mother and her two children, aged two and ten, were injured in the blast. Their injuries are considered moderate.
Russia Bars Azerbaijani Politician from Entering the Country
Russia has expelled the Azerbaijani politician Azer Badamov. The Russian news agency Tass reports this, citing an anonymous official source. Badamov, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament, was accused of making "anti-Russian and Russia-phobic statements." The source also noted that the measures against Badamov were "personal measures" that did not harm Russia’s “unwavering commitment to the development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations in the spirit of strategic partnership and an alliance.” Badamov was arrested at the airport and expelled from the country.
EU to Present Plan to End Remaining Russian Gas Imports
The European Union will present a plan tomorrow on how to end the remaining gas imports from Russia. It is being examined how European companies could get out of their take-or-pay contracts without penalty by invoking force majeure, i.e., higher force. It is also conceivable to prohibit buyers from concluding new gas contracts with Russia. However, there is no EU sanctions agreement yet, and experts say it would be difficult for customers to invoke force majeure in cancellations. Around 19 percent of the EU’s gas demand is still covered by gas from Russia. The supplies come via the TurkStream pipeline or as liquefied natural gas (LNG) by ship to the EU. Although the EU has set the goal of ending fuel supplies from Russia by 2027, this is not binding.
Economy
Ex-Gazprom Germania Trader Sefe Pays Back Aid Millions Again 19:02 Trump Wants to End Ukraine War with Erdogan
Donald Trump wants to work with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to end the Ukraine war. He has just had a very good phone call with Erdogan as per his statement on the online platform Truth Social. Among other things, they discussed the Russian attack on Ukraine, as well as the situation in Syria and the Gaza Strip. "I'm looking forward to working with President Erdogan to end the ridiculous but deadly war between Russia and Ukraine," Trump writes - he adds "Now!" in capital letters. Erdogan has invited him to Turkey, Trump says, without specifying a date for the visit.
18:27 Ukraine Reports Attack on Russian Drone Command Center in Kursk
A Russian drone command unit in the Kursk region has reportedly been hit by the Ukrainian army, according to the General Staff via the Telegram messaging service. The unit, which was located near the village of Tjotkino, included attack and reconnaissance drone pilots. Russia has not yet commented on the attack, and unconfirmed reports from Russian military bloggers suggest that Ukrainian troops are trying to advance on the location.
17:46 Scholz Phones Selenskyj and Issues Warning to Putin
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj today. According to a government statement, Scholz thanked Selenskyj for the close and trusting cooperation and praised the courage of the president and his people. Scholz emphasized that Selenskyj's willingness for an unconditional 30-day peace shows that no one wants peace more than Ukraine. Putin must finally reciprocate, "end his cynical delaying tactics and stop his ruthless campaign."
Politics
"Heavy Battle" at Tetkyno? Ukraine Allegedly Launches Larger Attack on Kursk Region
13:45 Governor of Kursk Reports Three Dead in Ukrainian Attacks
According to the governor of the Russian border region of Kursk, three people have been killed in Ukrainian drone attacks. A Ukrainian drone hit a car, killing two women, Alexander Chinstein said on Telegram. In another attack, a 53-year-old man was killed in his car, according to local media. Russia had previously declared that it had regained full control of the region with the help of North Korean allies. However, Russian military bloggers reported this morning about a "heavy battle" taking place, with Ukrainian troops attacking with armored units.
13:27 Critical Journalist Escapes from Russia with Help of Reporters Without Borders
A government-critical Russian journalist facing a prison sentence has fled to France with the help of Reporters Without Borders. "We are very relieved," said the organization's director, Thibault Bruttin, in Paris. The 64-year-old journalist, Ekaterina Barabasch, who had sharply criticized Russia's war against Ukraine, risked up to ten years in prison in her home country for "spreading false information."
*Read all previous developments [here](https://www.ntv.de/panorama/ukraine-konflikt,100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
- The ongoing Ukraine conflict, with around 200 attacks per day, has been a prolonged struggle for years, yet Ukraine's tank army, once the second strongest in Europe, serves as a testament to their military potential.
- In a conceivable future, the European Union plans to present a strategy to end remaining Russian gas imports, potentially excluding European companies from take-or-pay contracts and prohibiting new gas contracts with Russia.
- Politics played a role in the expulsion of Azerbaijani politician Azer Badamov from Russia, with accusations of anti-Russian and Russia-phobic statements made against him.
- The elderly are not spared from the violence of war-and-conflicts, as evident in the incident where eight civilians, including two children, were injured in the Donetsk region due to Russian fire.
