Russia is drafting 150,000 conscripts

Russia is said to have resorted to one of their mega bombs for the first time. For the second day in a row, the energy infrastructure is under attack. More information in the news blog.

The most important things at a glance

Russia is drafting new conscripts

9.12 a.m.: Starting this Monday (April 1st), as always in the spring, Russia will draft around 150,000 conscripts for basic military service. This emerges from a corresponding decree from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Defense Ministry had previously announced that the soldiers would be regularly called up for twelve months of basic military service, but would not be deployed in the war zone in Ukraine. According to the decree, 150,000 soldiers between the ages of 18 and 30 will be drafted by July 15. In Russia, such regular convocations take place twice a year – in spring and autumn.

The Ministry of Defense in Moscow also published the document, which also provides for the dismissal of those who have completed basic military service. The trained soldiers can also undertake military service in Ukraine. Observers assume that there is great pressure within the force to sign such a contract.

Ukraine reports shooting down of drones and missiles

8.50 a.m.: Russia attacked Ukraine with 16 missiles and eleven drones during the night, the Ukrainian Air Force said on the short message service Telegram. Nine drones and nine missiles were shot down. Russian airstrikes have been focused on energy facilities for more than a week. The energy company DTEK reported on Saturday that five of its six systems were damaged or destroyed. 80 percent of electricity production has failed and repairs could take up to 18 months.

Klitschko expects major attack on Kyiv

12:30 a.m.: According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, Kiev is preparing for another major Russian attack. “Kiev was a goal and remains a goal for Putin because the capital is the heart of the country,” Klitschko told “Bild am Sonntag.” However, they are better prepared than for the first attack attempt that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered more than two years ago. “If Putin makes such a decision, it will be a bloody decision.” However, Ukraine urgently needs more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles “and more ways to protect people.”

France supplies hundreds of vehicles and missiles

0.05 a.m.: According to information from Paris, France will deliver “hundreds” of armored personnel carriers and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia. The VAB vehicles are essential for the mobility of troops, said French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu in an interview with the newspaper “La Tribune” published on Saturday evening. “We’re talking about hundreds of them in 2024 and early 2025.”

France is currently replacing its VAB fleet, some of which are more than 40 years old, with new Griffon armored vehicles. However, the older models are still operational, said Lecornu.

In addition, Paris will reportedly also supply Kiev with additional Aster-30 anti-aircraft missiles for the SAMP/T air defense system.

Another massive power outage in large parts of Ukraine

9.30 p.m.: After massive Russian attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine, the state grid operator Ukrenergo temporarily switched off electricity in several regions on Saturday. The energy supplier DTEK announced “emergency power shutdowns” in the regions of Dnipropetrovsk in the south and Donetsk in the east of the country.

In the regions of Sumy in the northeast and Poltava in the center of the country, regional authorities announced the interruption of electricity supply. The energy supplier and the authorities did not provide any information about the number of households affected.