698 Day of Russia –Ukraine war
698 Day of Russia – Ukraine war is marked by an attack on A market on the outskirts of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk. Moscow-appointed head Denis Pushilin reported 27 killed and 25 injured, blaming Ukraine for the attack. Pushilin declared a day of mourning for the suburb of Tekstilshchik. Ukraine’s forces in the southern zone denied responsibility, stating, “Donetsk is Ukraine! Russia will have to answer for taking lives of Ukrainians.” Donetsk is one of four regions annexed by Russia illegally in 2022.
Shelled Hundred Cities:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn’t mention the attack on Donetsk in his Sunday night video. Zelenskyy revealed that Russia shelled over 100 locations in nine Ukrainian regions in a single day. He highlighted the severity of the attacks in Donetsk, describing them as “particularly severe.” Ukrainian officials reported at least two deaths in villages controlled by Ukraine west of Donetsk.
No Strategic Importance:
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed control of the village of Krokhmalne in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Ukrainian Ground Forces Command spokesperson Volodymyr Fityo stated that Kyiv had withdrawn its soldiers, noting the village’s “no strategic importance.”
Fityo emphasized that Ukrainian forces still held the front line despite the village’s capture by Russia. A fire erupted at a chemical transport terminal in Russia’s Ust-Luga Port after two explosions, reportedly caused by Ukrainian drone attacks.
The port, near St Petersburg, suffered a gas tank explosion, with no reported casualties.
Politics and diplomacy
Choe Son Hui, North Korea’s top diplomat, stated that her country is ready to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin after their recent meeting in Moscow.
Putin expressed his willingness to visit North Korea soon, according to statements from the meeting.
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk emphasized the importance of Ukrainian players winning at the Australian Open amid the ongoing conflict.
Kostyuk, after defeating a Russian opponent, declined to shake hands and will face US Open champion Coco Gauff in the quarter-final.
On Sunday, observers marked the 100th anniversary of Lenin’s death. Before the invasion of Ukraine, Putin actively criticized Lenin for what he perceived as the latter’s role in dividing the Russian Empire.
