Ukraine war briefing: Reboot of ‘fortress belt’ defences as Zelenskyy visits frontline
Two modern commanders appointed on Donetsk front after dismissal of ‘Soviet-era’ Oleksandr Syrskyi as head of military. What we know on day 1,645
TL;DR
- Zelenskyy appointed Andrii Biletskyi and Denys Prokopenko to strengthen defenses in Donetsk's industrial cities.
- These new groupings will embrace Nato-style doctrine and new technology.
- Russian forces are increasing pressure on Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk.
- Ukraine struck 16 sites in Russia, including oil facilities and logistics.
- A Lukoil refinery in Kstovo and a Wildberries warehouse in Tambov were reportedly set on fire by Ukrainian drones.
- A Russian bomb attack damaged a power plant in Kherson.
- Explosions occurred in Kyiv, and Russia attacked an industrial facility in Kryvyi Rih with ballistic missiles.
- Russia is considering stepping up ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv and critical infrastructure.
- Zelenskyy awarded Elon Musk Ukraine's Order of Freedom for SpaceX's Starlink support.
- Ukraine and Russia exchanged 10 prisoners of war each.
- A pro-Russian hacker group claimed responsibility for a cyber-attack on Norway's digital services agency.