half past twelve
Russian factory that makes missiles and drones burns
According to the Russian media Mash, which is close to Moscow's secret services, a major fire broke out at an important metallurgical plant in south-central Russia – the NLMK in Lipetsk – after several explosions. An anonymous Ukrainian source subsequently claimed that Kiev's security services were behind the attack, CNN reports: “It is one of the largest metallurgical plants in Russia,” the source said, “The plant operates in the military sector – with a large number of industrial plants. “ of orders. The raw materials are used for the production of missiles, artillery and drones: it is a legitimate target for Ukraine.”
10:33 a.m
Medvedev: “Russia will take revenge for the new sanctions”
“We have gotten used to their (the West, editor's note) endless sanctions and have learned to live with them: these restrictions are no longer directed against the country's authorities or companies, as our opponent likes to say.” You were used against the entire population of Russia. We must remember this and take revenge on them wherever possible. They are our enemies.” The former Russian president wrote it on Telegram Dmitry Medvedev comments on the recent sanctions against Russia.
10:26 a.m
Zelensky: “Russian madness will not rule Ukraine”
“Russian madness will not reign on our land, our sea, our sky. The Russians, especially Putin, will have to answer for their actions. Thanks to our struggle, the world will understand that there is no stronger force than a people who believe in themselves. “I am proud of my people.” This is what the Ukrainian President said Volodymyr Zelensky at Kiev's Antonov Airport, at the ceremony honoring the soldiers involved in the Battle of Hostomel, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the other international leaders who arrived in the capital on the second anniversary of the conflict.
“We are in this very symbolic place, here Putin wanted to win the decisive battle for Kiev, but here he failed when our defenders managed to prevent the Russian landing and prevent them from creating their platform.” “Everyone Evil can be destroyed, even Russian evil,” he added. These struggles for independence had not occurred in Europe for generations. There was fear here that Russia would advance, but our brave people began to protect themselves and their homeland. Nobody knew what would happen in the following weeks, we had few weapons, but the Ukrainians proved that they were stronger than any geopolitical situation. They showed that the courage of the people can turn the pages of history.”
10:25 a.m
Meloni: “Ukraine is part of our homeland and we will defend it”
“This country is a piece of our homeland and we will do our part to defend it.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this at the Antonov airport in Kiev at the ceremony honoring the Ukrainian soldiers who were protagonists of the Battle of Hostomel, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the other international leaders who arrived in the capital for the second anniversary of the conflict. “This place is a symbol of Moscow's failure and Ukraine's pride. He reminds us that there is something more powerful than missiles and war: it is love of country and freedom.”
10:11
Melons commemorating the Battle of Hostomel
In a hangar the charred gondola of the Antonov An-225 Mriya, the largest aircraft in the world, and in front of it the gutted control tower. The Antonov International Cargo Airport in Kiev, a symbolic site of Ukrainian resistance, is the scene of the program's first appointment of Giorgia Meloni and the other international leaders who today chose to stand alongside Volodymyr Zelensky on the second anniversary of the conflict : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, rotating EU Council President and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Zelensky arrived under the gaze of scores of soldiers and shot a video with his smartphone on the runway of the airport, 25 kilometers northwest of the capital, which was one of the first targets of the Russian offensive launched on February 24, 2022. became the scene of the Battle of Hostomel, for which some Ukrainian veterans receive military awards today. The Mriya was used in clashes between the Russians, who wanted to take the airport in order to use cargo planes to land numerous paratroopers and lightly armored vehicles, and the Ukrainian National Guard, which damaged the runway and did not allow Russian aircraft to transport forces through the airlift. destroyed. The Russians managed to occupy the airport, but did not use it and Ukrainian forces liberated it on April 2, 2022.
08:02
Meloni: “Defend Ukraine to avert war”
“Italy, Europe and the West must continue to stand with Kiev, because defending Ukraine does not mean loving war, but exactly the opposite.” It means averting war, protecting our national interests and preventing that the rules-based international system is finally falling apart. It is not comfortable for anyone, especially for us Europeans, to have a world where chaos reigns and not the force of law.” This is what Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says in an interview with “Il Giornale”.
“In Putin's plans – recalls the Prime Minister – the war would have lasted for a very short time and after the capitulation of Ukraine, attention would have turned to other neighboring states, not just European ones. This did not happen. Ukraine did not surrender within a few days, it liberated a large part of the occupied territory, made any possibility of a total invasion unimaginable and inflicted extremely heavy losses on Russia. “Strategic goals that Russian disinformation is trying to hide.”
“Our citizens' desire for peace is sacrosanct and I completely understand it. But what is happening in Ukraine is not far from us in space and time, it is much closer than one might think. Our goals are to end war and build a just and lasting peace. And we have to put all our energy in this direction. But Putin can only be convinced to sit at the negotiating table if the balance of power on the ground is guaranteed. And this can only be guaranteed if Italy, Europe and the West continue to help Ukraine. “This is a crucial factor and I am proud,” concluded Meloni, “of the contribution that this government has made in Europe to reach an agreement in the European Council on support for Ukraine for the next four years.” It wasn't a given at all.
07:54
Von der Leyen: “Today more than ever on Ukraine’s side”
“In Kiev to celebrate the anniversary of the second year of Russia's war against Ukraine. And to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people. Today, more than ever, we stand firmly with Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free. So on social media X the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenafter his arrival in the Ukrainian capital.
06:54
Meloni arrived in Kiev
The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in Kiev on the second anniversary of the war Ukraineand from here he will hold the G7 video conference, where he will also speak Volodymyr Zelensky. Meloni arrived in the capital on the same train on which the President of the European Commission traveled Ursula von der Leyen, Alexander De CrooBelgian Prime Minister and rotating EU Council President and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. For security reasons, the trip has only now become official.