In a daring operation, Ukraine brings the conflict into the invader ‘s home by setting fire to a fuel depot inside Russia. The mayor of Kiev reports “intense fighting” in the vicinity of the capital. Negotiations between the two sides are also going ahead, today held online, and telephone calls between leaders: Turkish President Erdogan foresees the announcement of a Putin-Zelensky summit as imminent. Meanwhile, the Kremlin denies the indiscretion of an independent Russian investigation site according to which Putin has thyroid cancer. And Europe, including Italy, is alarmed by the gas crisis, looking for new suppliers after the Russian diktat on payments in rubles. A day full of questions, as the sixth week of the war runs.
A Ukrainian counterattack in Russia?
Two Ukrainian helicopters reportedly entered Russian territory at dawn on Saturday, hitting eight oil tanks in Belgorod, an industrial city 40 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. It was the local governor who announced the raid, saying the fuel depot caught fire and two people were injured. Images posted on social media show thick black smoke rising from burning tanks. The Kremlin reacts by warning that the attack “will have consequences in the negotiations” with Kiev. The Ukrainian government “neither confirms nor denies” that it was its forces that carried out the dangerous action. It would be the second Ukrainian counterattack in the territory of Russia in a few days: another sign of how, with guerrilla methods, excellent knowledge of the terrain and sophisticated technological means, Ukraine has managed for now to block the Russian offensive, to regain some places. and even hit the enemy in his house.
Ukraine, 39 war crimes. Where cluster bombs, phosphorus ammunition and anti-personnel mines were used
by our correspondent Corrado Zunino
Is Phase Two of the Invasion Beginning?
The mayor of Kiev, former boxer Vitalij Klitschko, said this morning that “huge clashes” began in the north and east of the capital. The governor of the region says Russian forces are withdrawing in some areas near Kiev but are strengthening their positions in others. The base for the Moscow offensive, reveals an American source, would be in a church 22 kilometers from the city. Groupings of Russian forces, with reinforcements from Georgia and other areas, are reported in the Donbass area. The goal would always be to surround and destroy most of the Ukrainian regular forces that are deployed in this part of the country. Ukrainian sources accuse Russia of bombing a hospital in Chernihiv and only 2 thousand civilians have been evacuated from Mariupol, a city always under Russian siege.
Belgorod, the dark sides of a perfect raid
by Gianluca Di Feo
Is the date for a Putin-Zelensky summit near?
Day of teleconference talks between the delegations of the two sides. The Kremlin spokesman informs that Putin has had or is about to have phone calls with various foreign leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: who is imminent the announcement of a summit between Putin and Zelensky that he thinks could represent a turning point in the negotiation. “There is a positive approach that could lead today to the definition of a date for the meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine,” said Erdogan. “I spoke with Zelensky yesterday and today I will speak with Putin, it is time for the two leaders to talk to resolve the impasse linked to the status of Donbass and Crimea. Turkey is available to host their summit “. On the diplomatic level, the president of the European parliament Roberta Metsola intervened before the parliament in Kiev, saying: “Ukraine is ready for the next step towards the European Union”. Interesting developments also from the summit between the EU and China, at the end of which the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “We have been clear that, if Beijing does not intend to support sanctions against Moscow, it will at least not interfere”. That is, do not give Russia military and economic support to counter Western sanctions.
The appeal of the International Red Cross: “Immediately open a safe corridor for Mariupol”
by our correspondent Tonia Mastrobuoni
Would Putin be sick with cancer?
The Russian investigation site Proext has published revelations that in 2017 Putin was probably diagnosed with thyroid cancer: an oncologist specialist would have visited him only 35 times while the Russian president was in his dacha in Sochi. Rumors that Putin has thyroid cancer had already circulated in recent weeks citing the swelling of the face and neck of the Kremlin leader in his most recent appearances, arguing that a cortisone cure could be the basis of his audience and increasingly frequent outbursts of anger. His spokesperson denies everything without giving details.
The Chief Rabbi of Poland who welcomes Ukrainians to the Synagogue: “Here refugees of all religions”
by our correspondent Brunella Giovara
Where to find gas if Russian gas no longer arrives?
Italy would be close to declaring a state of alarm for the energy crisis, as a result of Moscow’s request to receive payments for gas in rubles, so far rejected by European countries. From Qatar to Algeria, our government is looking for alternative suppliers. The United States, for its part, orders it to use an “unprecedented” amount of its oil reserves to deal with rising gasoline prices. But if Moscow closes the gas taps it will also damage itself, giving up the revenues that for now come to it from a Europe that is in the process of satisfying its needs elsewhere.
Metsola in Kiev: “The resistance and courage of the Ukrainians inspired the world”
by our correspondent Tonia Mastrobuoni
