Two Russian planes are said to have been intercepted over the Baltic Sea. Zelenskyj speaks of retreating. More information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Lindner: Putin wants power over us
1:38 p.m.: Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner has warned against easing up on supporting Ukraine in its defense against the Russian war of aggression. “Our peace and our freedom are threatened. Putin is not just concerned with Ukraine, he wants to change the order of peace and freedom in Europe,” the FDP leader told the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”. “He wants power over us in order to control our way of life and our prosperity. Anyone who gets tired of supporting Ukraine because it is too strenuous or too expensive should consider the consequences. The danger of war would come closer to us. “
Lindner opposes considerations of freezing the war, as suggested by SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich. “Russia has committed war crimes. For Ukraine, it’s about existence as a state. And for the people, it’s often about survival. You can’t freeze a situation like this,” he says. Such considerations would not go down well in states that felt threatened by Putin, such as the Baltics. Lindner: “How would it affect us if the French National Assembly were to think about freezing a conflict if the enemy were in Chemnitz?” Putin is not allowed to achieve his war goals.
Ukraine reports rocket and drone attacks overnight
7:54 a.m.: According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired four missiles into the east of the country during the night. In addition, twelve Shahed drones were spotted in different regions. Nine were shot down.
Air strikes on Odessa reported
4.30 a.m.: The Ukrainian Air Force warned early Saturday morning of Russian air strikes on the Odessa region. Several missiles are heading towards Ukraine from the Black Sea. Initially there were no reports of possible damage or injuries.
Zelenskyy announces income
1:30: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj makes his income for 2022 public and reports income of 12.42 million hryvnia, almost 300,000 euros. The family’s income consists primarily of his salary, rental income and bank interest, according to the president’s website. Zelenskyi calls on all Ukrainian public servants to disclose their income to increase transparency and eliminate corruption.
Russia uses mega bomb for the first time
0.40 a.m.: Russia has apparently dropped an ODAB-1500 bomb for the first time over the small town of Velyka Pysarivka (Sumy region) in eastern Ukraine. This is a so-called aerosol bomb. Video footage shows a gigantic white-gray cloud rising into the sky after an explosion, probably up to a kilometer high.
Aerosol bombs release a flammable liquid shortly before the target, which is transformed into a cloud by the explosion and ignites within a short time. The resulting negative pressure destroys buildings and suffocates people. According to unconfirmed reports, the thermobaric bomb now used was said to have weighed 1.5 tons – heavier than previously used Russian bombs of a similar type.
Zelensky: Without US help we have to retreat
10:40 p.m.: Another blockade of US military aid in Congress will lead to a gradual withdrawal of Ukrainian forces, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “If there is no US support, that means we have no anti-aircraft defense, no Patriot missiles, no electronic warfare jammers, no 155-millimeter artillery shells,” Zelenskyy told the Washington Post. “That means we are retreating, retreating, step by step, in small steps,” he said. “We’re trying to find a way not to retreat.”
Insider: NATO intercepts Russian planes
8:27 p.m.: According to two insiders, Italian NATO planes intercepted two Russian planes over the Baltic Sea. The Italian Air Force only spoke of two unidentified aircraft that were intercepted over international waters in the Baltic Sea on Thursday and Friday morning. Two Italian Eurofighters were deployed and then returned to their station in Poland. The two Italian defense insiders said the two Russian planes were detected by radar and did not respond to attempted radio contacts.
