Day 569: Ukrainian authorities order the evacuation of settlements in Kherson. Zelenskyj wants to travel to the United Nations. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Ukrainian military reports capture of Andriivka near Bakhmut
7:15 a.m: The Ukrainian military says it has recaptured the town of Andriyivka near the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, which is controlled by Russian troops. In the course of counterattacks, Ukrainian soldiers took the village in Donetsk Oblast, the General Staff said in its morning report on Friday. Their own units had inflicted significant losses on the enemy, both in terms of soldiers and military equipment. In addition, the Ukrainian troops have fortified their own positions.
Andriivka is located south of Bakhmut. The city, which has been destroyed today, is the scene of one of the fiercest battles since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The Ukrainian General Staff reported partial success in Klishchiivka, another village south of Bakhmut.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maljar, initially announced on Thursday that Andriyivka had been brought under the control of its own armed forces. She later explained that this was not true as fighting was still raging around the village.
ISW: Russian commander apparently killed at the front
5.45 a.m.: According to the American Institute for the Study of War, the commander of an elite Russian unit was apparently killed at the front. Here you can read more about it.
Allegedly new allegations against Ukrainian billionaire
4:55 a.m.: Ukrainian businessman Ihor Kolomoisky, who has already been imprisoned for money laundering, is facing further charges, according to an adviser in the Ukrainian president’s office. As former investigative journalist Sergei Leshchenko reports on Telegram, Kolomoisky is now also accused of forging documents, illegally taking over property by an organized group and acquiring property under questionable circumstances. The new allegations are the result of an investigation by the Ukrainian Economic Security Bureau and Kolomoisky had already learned about the allegations while in custody, Leshchenko wrote.
Kim Jong Un visits Russian aircraft factory
2:55 a.m.: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in eastern Russia on Friday. As the Russian news agency Tass reports, Kim was welcomed by the region’s governor and other officials on a red carpet at the city’s train station and then accompanied to an aircraft factory. According to the agency, the factory produces modern Russian fighter jets and civil aircraft. Kim met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most modern space facility in the Amur region.
Reports: Zelensky wants to travel to Washington
2:15 a.m.: According to US media reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj also wants to visit Washington after his planned speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. A meeting with President Joe Biden in the White House and talks with members of Congress in the Capitol are planned for next week, reported the Washington Post, Bloomberg and CNN, among others.
The US media cited government sources on Thursday; there was initially no official information about the date. It also remained unclear whether Zelensky would give a speech to Congress, as he did in December. According to sources at the political website Punchbowl News, his trip to Washington is scheduled for Thursday next week.
Ukrainian army reports damage to Russian patrol boats
1.20 a.m.: As a result of attacks with water drones on Thursday night, the Ukrainian army said it damaged two Russian ships not far from the annexed Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. A total of two Russian patrol boats were attacked, the army’s strategic communications department announced on Thursday evening. “There is some damage.” This could not initially be independently verified.
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