Russia has come to the fore to deny that Ukrainian advances have taken place at various points on the frontline. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that rumors of “front breaches do not correspond to reality”.
Air raid sirens wail in Zaporizhia. According to the Ukrainian authorities, Russian troops attacked the region 70 times in 24 hours. At least eight people were injured in heavy shelling of residential buildings.
In parallel, the Russian Ministry of Defense has come to the fore refute rumors that Ukrainian troops have made advances at various points on the front.
Russia says situation in eastern and southern Ukraine is ‘under control’
In a statement, General Igor Konashenkov assured that the situation in eastern and southern Ukraine is “under control”. Konashenkov denied that an operation took place in Kharkov and stated that Russian forces repelled several Ukrainian attacks towards Donetsk.
Attacks and acts of sabotage in Russia and the occupied territories have increased in recent weeks. Only In the first nine days of May, there were 14 explosions caused by drone strikes or sabotage actions against infrastructure inside the Russian Federation such as fuel depots and railway tracks, says Ukrainian digital publication LIGA.net.
Despite these signs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured this Thursday that more time was needed for the start of the counter-offensive.
Meanwhile, the foundations of Switzerland’s neutrality are beginning to crumble. The Swiss Council’s Security Policy Commission has cleared the way for arms exports.
And in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised the US that he will investigate allegations that his country has been supplying arms to Russia. These allegations were made by the US ambassador in Pretoria, who accused the African country of supplying arms to Moscow despite its declared neutrality in the conflict.