Russia-Ukraine war: Putin threatens more attacks if Ukraine receives missiles after new bombing in kyiv

This was warned by Russian President Vladimir Putin Moscow will attack new targets if Ukraine receives long-range missiles from the West, hours after the capital Kiev was bombed for the first time in weeks.

If Ukraine receives long-range missiles, “then we will draw the appropriate conclusions and we will use our weapons (…) to attack targets that we have not yet attacked, “Putin said without specifying what types of targets he was referring to, according to an interview that will be broadcast on Sunday evening on Rossiya-1.

The Russian president’s statement comes after the United States announced it last week will provide Ukraine with an advanced missile system.

Previously, the mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko he had reported attacks early in the morning against two districts of the city, the first against the Ukrainian capital since 28 April.

The attack

Russia has indicated that, with this attack, destroyed armored vehicles delivered to Ukraine from eastern countries.

“Long-range high-precision missiles launched by Russian aerospace forces in the suburb of kyiv destroyed the T-72 tanks delivered by the countries of Eastern Europe and other armored vehicles that were in hangars, “Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

One person was injured and AFP reporters saw the windows of several buildings explode near the targets.

Leonid, a 63-year-old local resident working at one of the bombed sites, said he heard three or four blasts. “There is no military material thereYes, but they bomb everywhere, “he said.

Vasyl, 43, claims he heard five explosions. “People are scared now,” he assured him, before running back to his house.

the Ukrainian authorities they have not identified the precise locations of the explosions for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, in the heart of Severodonetsk, a strategic city in eastern Ukraine, there is “street fighting“at a time when Russian forces are exerting their full weight to control Donbas.

The Russians have lost ground in this city, the regional governor said Sunday.

“The Russians controlled about 70% of the city, but in the last two days they have been rejected. The city is divided in two, they are afraid to move freely inside it, “Sergei Gaidai, governor of the Luhansk region, partly controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, and of which Severodonetsk is the administrative capital of Ukraine, told Telegram. .

According to Gaidai, the Russian general Alexander Dvornikov “had set himself a goal: between now and 10 June take Severodonetsk completely or check the Lyssytchansk-Bajmut route “which will pave the way for Kramatorsk, the Ukrainian capital of Donetsk, the other largest region in Donbas.

“All forces, all (Russian) reserves are concentrated on these two tasks,” he said.

key battle

The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that Ukrainian military units they were retreating from Severodonetsk “have taken critical casualties during the fighting for that city (up to 90% in various units)” in Lyssytchansk, a nearby large city.

But on Saturday, Severodonetsk Mayor Olexander Striuk said street fighting continues and Ukrainian forces seek “reset full control” from the city.

The struggle continues on other fronts as well. According to the Ukrainian defense minister, “Russia continues to struggle to occupy our entire state”.

The Kremlin dreams of “harvesting the land” it considers “its”including “Poland, the Baltic countries, Slovakia and others,” said Oleksi Reznikov.

Crimea, Donbas, southern Ukraine: since the invasion, Russia has tripled the Ukrainian area under its control, with about 125,000 km², or 20% of the countryaccording to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On the southern front, in the Kherson region, Moscow “continues to bomb the occupied territories and positions of the Ukrainian army,” announced the Ukrainian presidency, which fears a humanitarian crisis in Russian-held areas.

port of Mykonos he was also hit by a missile, as well as an agricultural enterprise in the big port of Odessa, where “warehouses were damaged” and two people were killed, according to Kiev.

The war continues to weigh on grain exports, on which African countries in particular depend.

Following Friday’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Senegalese head of state and current African Union president Macky Sall announced on Saturday his intention to visit Ukraine and “to contribute to the return of peace”.

For his part, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister replied Saturday to French President Emmanuel Macron, who had reiterated that it was not necessary to “humiliate Russia” to preserve diplomatic exit doors.

“We would all do better to focus on putting Russia in its place. This will bring peace and save livesDmytro Kuleba responded, adding that Macron’s position can only “humiliate France”.

Away from the battlefield, in Cardiff, on Sunday evening the Ukrainians will try to get back on their feet with another victory against Wales, with which they would qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

AFP agency

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