Update from May 25, 12:30 p.m.: The SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, less than two miles from Robb Elementary School, has become a hub for families looking for their children. According to US television station CNN, families gathered in silence for more than 12 hours in front of the center.
At least four families told the broadcaster that parents were asked to obtain DNA swabs to confirm their relationship with their children and were asked to wait an hour for a response.
A father, who had just received the news of his child’s death, fought back his tears while several of his cousins hugged him. A few yards away, a grandmother who traveled from San Antonio said she won’t stop praying for her 10-year-old granddaughter while they wait for her DNA swab results, CNN reports.
News of Texas shooting spree: Pope shocked by bloodbath – Schulze and Silinsky spoke too
Update from May 25 11:06 am: Pope Francis was also shocked by the wave of murders in an American school that killed at least 19 children. „My heart is broken after the bloodbath at the Texas elementary school,” the head of the Catholic Church said Wednesday to the audience in St. Peter’s Square. In his short speech, the Pope demanded that the time had come to stop the „indiscriminate trade in arms”. „We all have to help ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.”
Chancellor Schultz also said on Twitter: „We have received horrific news this morning from a school in Ovaldi, Texas. Our thoughts are with the wounded and survivors of this staggering, and hard-to-find, massacre. Our condolences to you, Mr. Biden, and our American friends.”
Even Ukrainian President Zelensky was deeply saddened by „the news of the killing of innocent children in Texas.” He sends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the people of the United States, and Biden himself. The families and friends of the victims and all Americans.”
US elementary school shooting stunned in Texas: Pop singer Taylor Swift is heartbroken
Update from May 25 10:24 am: Many celebrities have also been shocked by the wave of shootings in Texas. American pop singer Taylor Swift, 32, addressed her fans with emotional words after the school massacre. “I am full of anger and sadness and I have been broken by the Ovaldi murders. Through Buffalo, Laguna Woods and many more. By the way we as a nation have adjusted to incredible and unbearable grief,” the star wrote on Twitter.
Swift Share this Video of Basketball Champion Coach Steve Kerr by Golden State Warriors. Tuesday night (local time) at a press conference before the playoff game in the Dallas Mavericks, he called for stricter gun controls in the United States on an emotional outburst. Just like President Baide before him. The 56-year-old spoke directly to 50 senators who have so far blocked stricter weapons requirements. Kerr’s words are true, Swift wrote, „and they were very profound.”
Texas elementary school shooting news: The perpetrator posted a message on Instagram
Update from May 25 9:19 am: Before the elementary school murder spree, the perpetrator apparently informed a minor on Instagram of his crime. From today’s perspective, at least, his insinuations seem obvious — once again, a gunman announced his act earlier on the Internet.
On May 22, an Instagram user posted a photo with two AR-15 rifles under the username „salv8dor_” and tagged the girl who is not from Texas. She herself made this call public and wonders if she could have prevented the murder. She wrote, „I wish I had at least tried to stop him from committing his crime.” CNN mentioned.
In the chat, the offender first asked the girl to repost the photos with his weapons. When asked what she should do with her, the gunman replied: “I am about to do it,” the minor asked her and only got the answer: “I have a little secret.” Then the chat history ended.
Texas elementary school shooting: Obama angry at gun lobby – mourning dead children
Update from May 25, 7:44 a.m.: Former US President Barack Obama expressed his condolences to the families of the massacre at an elementary school in Texas and expressed his anger at the gun lobby. „Michelle and I grieve with the families in Ovaldi,” the 60-year-old wrote on Tuesday evening (local time). Twitter. „You are suffering from pain that no one should bear,” he added. The American Democrat added he and his wife are also angry, criticizing the opposition American Republicans in this context.
„Our country is paralyzed, not because of fear, but because a gun lobby and a political party have shown no willingness to do anything to prevent these tragedies,” Obama said.
Texas school shooting news: US President Biden promotes stricter gun laws – 19 children killed
Update from May 25, 6:08 a.m.: After the attack on an elementary school in the US state of Texas, US President Joe Biden called for tougher action against the outbreak of gun violence. „When, in the name of God, are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?” Biden said Tuesday night (local time). It is time to „turn this pain into action, for every parent and every citizen of this country.”
„I feel disgusted and tired,” he added. „Don’t tell me we can’t control this carnage,” he said, addressing Republicans opposed to stricter gun laws. The flow of weapons in the country, especially assault rifles, should be more tightly regulated.
Meanwhile, the death toll has been adjusted upwards. At least 19 students are said to have been killed during the rampage – and two adults.
Update from May 24, 11:44 PM: Also the President of the United States Joe Biden He was already informed of the killing spree. Press Secretary Karen-Jean-Pierre tweeted: „His prayers are with the families affected by this horrific event and he will speak as soon as he returns to the White House tonight.” Therefore, the President’s statement should be made in the coming hours.
Update from May 24, 11:42 PM: According to the school district police chief, the 18-year-old violator acted alone. Pete Arondo emphasized out loud CNN Also, the perpetrator died.
Texas elementary school shooting news: 14 kids and one teacher killed
First report from May 24: An armed attack on an elementary school in Texas killed 14 children and a teacher. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Tuesday that the attacker was also killed. The attack took place at an elementary school in the small town of Ovaldi, 135 kilometers west of San Antonio.
US shooting: 18-year-old shoots 14 children, elementary school teacher
CNN It also reported, citing the governor, that the perpetrator is an 18-year-old resident of the small town. „It is believed that he left his car and entered Robb Elementary School in Ovaldi with a pistol and may have been in possession of a rifle, but this has not been confirmed according to my last report,” he was quoted by US media as saying.
Abbott said the 18-year-old shot and killed more than a dozen children and a teacher in a „horrific and incomprehensible manner”. Washington Post Quoted. According to the newspaper, a 66-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl are currently in critical condition.
It is not yet clear how the shooter himself died. According to Abbott, it is currently believed that officials hit him back and killed him. Abbott spoke of two officers injured but not in a critical condition. Moreover kreiszeitung.de reports on it.
Biden urges Netanyahu to provide more aid to Gaza – Hamas comments on the hostage deal
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Hostage deal and ceasefire – “hopes are relatively high”
It is possible that there will be a new hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The release of up to 33 hostages is being discussed. WELT correspondent Max Hermes reports from Tel Aviv on the status of the negotiations.
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Before negotiations on a possible ceasefire in Gaza, which began on Monday in Riyadh, US President Joe Biden telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for more aid to the Gaza Strip. Hamas also commented in advance on a possible hostage deal.
ShPresident Joe Biden called for expanding humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip before crisis talks resume. The White House said on Sunday that Biden stressed in a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that recent progress in aid delivery must continue and increase in full coordination with humanitarian organizations. Biden noted, among other things, preparations to open new border crossings in northern Israel starting this week.
Political observers rated the US President's choice of words in the conversation as less harsh than in a previous phone conversation. At the time, Biden made future US support for Israel in the Gaza war dependent on quick, measurable steps to protect civilians and aid workers.
Israel is under enormous international pressure to allow more aid into the closed area on the Mediterranean Sea, where the Israeli army has been fighting the Islamist Hamas movement since October. The country recently opened border crossings to deliver aid. The United Nations recently confirmed an increase in the number of trucks arriving, but is calling on Israel to take further steps to enable the delivery of more aid.
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At a meeting of a number of Western and Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh on Monday, there are new efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Among those expected are US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. In Cairo, a Hamas delegation also wants to deliver its response to the ceasefire proposal on Monday.
A senior Hamas representative on Sunday expressed a generally positive reaction to the latest Israeli proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza Strip. “The atmosphere is positive unless there are new Israeli obstacles,” he told AFP on Sunday. Hamas did not identify “any major problems” in the text submitted by Israel and Egypt.
She added that Biden and Netanyahu also discussed the Rafah issue during the conversation. Biden reiterated his clear position. The United States, Israel's most important ally, has repeatedly warned Netanyahu's government against launching a large-scale attack on the city of Rafah. The city on the border with Egypt is currently crowded with hundreds of thousands of refugees, but it is also the last major stronghold of Hamas.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that Israel is ready to postpone military operations in Rafah if an agreement is reached regarding the hostages. However, hopes of reaching an agreement in indirect negotiations have been dashed repeatedly so far. In the conversation with Netanyahu, Biden referred to a statement in which he and 17 other heads of state and government called on Hamas to immediately release the hostages in order to achieve a ceasefire and provide relief to the residents of Gaza.
Pressure on Netanyahu is also increasing from within his ranks
Two Israeli ministers are pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu about a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for various reasons. If Netanyahu decides to “raise the white flag” and cancel the plan for a ground attack in Rafah, “the government you lead has no right to exist,” right-wing Finance Minister Belazil Smotrich wrote on the X online service on Sunday.
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He continued: “The Egyptian deal is a humiliating surrender… It sentences the hostages to death, and above all, it constitutes an immediate existential threat to the State of Israel.”
For his part, former army commander and former Defense Minister Gantz, a member of Netanyahu's war cabinet, said that the Rafah invasion was „important in the long battle against Hamas,” but the return of the hostages was „urgent and extremely important.” “Importance.” If government ministers prevent the implementation of “a responsible plan to return the hostages, supported by the entire defense apparatus and which does not mean the end of the war,” then “the government no longer has the right to continue to exist.”
First hit by a long-range US missile in Crimea: Ukraine uses Atakm again. There is cause for celebration, but it is very restricted.
CAPE TARANKUT – “When thousands of shrapnel fall on an anti-aircraft battery, there is nothing left,” Thomas Thiner said last September. world Tell. The former Italian artilleryman commented on the potential impact of the Atakum (Army Tactical Missile Systems) missile with cluster munitions. Looks like something like this has happened again. Newsweek Reports, citing various sources, stated that Ukraine It is possible that Crimea has been attacked again with Atakum missiles, and perhaps even with cluster munitions again. Vladimir Putin An S-300 anti-aircraft battery was now lost in the final attack. There is also talk of launching a strike against Russian positions in occupied southeastern Ukraine Daily news This is done using Atacms.
Newsweek It refers to Channel Newsweek Very cheerful. As happened last fall, when Ukraine dealt a heavy blow to the Russian air force for the first time; Until the New Zurich Times The topic lit up: “Blistering flames, huge clouds of smoke, and the outline of a combat helicopter against the red night sky: video images of inferno at the military airport in the Russian-occupied city of Berdyansk on October 17, 2023.” He immediately made it clear that the Russian Air Force had suffered a serious blow. It was soon confirmed that a new weapon was being used here: Ukraine fired American Atakum missiles for the first time.
„Putin's Nightmare”: The modern Ataxus symbolizes the principle of hope in Ukraine
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden I paid for the supply of this weapon. Ukraine will be able to travel long distances because the United States has delivered the current type with a range of up to 300 kilometers. The headline read: “With this weapon, Putin’s nightmare has come true.” world In September, when the first batch of missiles, the older type with a range of less than 200 kilometers, had probably just arrived at the front. It symbolizes the principle of hope, which the defenders of Russian terrorism seem to be using at every straw they have, because the situation in Ukraine is like a nightmare. Even if a battery in the Crimea were destroyed, it would be a drop in the ocean, even though it is world “All Russian facilities are in grave danger,” she responded again animatedly, wanting to know.
Online time It is more realistic – if not quite pessimistic: in their view, it would provide the right weapon – but a year too late: “There is more promise in the missile than it can deliver,” wrote author Alexander Edlin. In fact, the number of Atacms delivered appears to be unclear. The first batch last fall described this Daily news As a “very small number”, it is now reported time according to The New York Times An additional 100 missiles were delivered – their advantage is that they can be launched from HIMARS missile launchers already in use in Ukraine.
Impact in Crimea: There is no tactical value without the use of ground forces
Meanwhile, the US has also reportedly delivered the modernized version with a range of up to 300 km and GPS, perhaps due to Russia's now significant superiority. This certainly gives Ukraine operational opportunities, but on the other hand, this is also an argument Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Caution: With Ukraine's ability to operate over longer distances, it is simply pushing Russian airfields, warehouses, or staging areas into the heart of Russia: a missile attack without follow-up ground forces will therefore not achieve long-term tactical success. .
Even the current attack on the air defenses in Crimea may be a successful event, but it is certainly unique – in contrast to the ongoing drone-assisted attack on the Black Sea Fleet, which has established Ukraine as a regional naval power. But what is more threatening is the war of attrition that Ukraine has been waging with increasing force for months, behind the lines of contact. Attrition is likely to increase with the new delivery of precision American Atakam missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers. world He was drafted blue late last year. There are still few signs of this.
Time is ticking for Russia, but the clock may be ticking for the Crimean Bridge
The big bang may already be imminent. The Crimean Bridge remains a thorn in the side of Ukraine, which would become more vulnerable again with new missiles. But it is questionable how many missiles Ukraine would have to invest in order to cut off the lifeline of Russian supplies. At least Russia had time to use the months of wrangling the United States has witnessed to prepare itself. Since the successful attack by Ukraine in October, the Russians have had the opportunity to prepare for this threat ISW He writes. The Russians could have moved their warehouses back and better protected them against air raids.
The West remains somewhat concerned about the use of the weapon and Moscow's response in the event of an ATACM strike to the heart of Russia. Weapons are expressly intended for such “use within its territory.” Daily news Quoted by Jake Sullivan, the President's National Security Advisor. Currently – on April 28 – the news agency reported Reuters Based on renewed demand from Ukraine to the USA. In his weekly video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said he recently spoke with US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and asked him to hurry up: “In my conversation with Mr. Jeffries, I stressed the need for Patriot systems, and as quickly as possible.” „.
Cutting supplies: Ukraine's chance to stabilize the front
Reuters At the same time, reports indicate that the situation on the front in Ukraine is deteriorating: since the capture of the city of Avdiivka, Moscow's forces have been advancing slowly, taking advantage of the defenders' lack of artillery and soldiers. The Kiev forces were to take up new positions west of the villages of Berdykhi and Semenivka, both north of Avdiivka, and Novomikhylivka, south near the town of Marinka. “In general, the enemy achieved certain tactical successes in these areas, but was unable to achieve operational advantages,” Laut said. Reuters Colonel-General Oleksandr Sersky, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In March, the most famous German military historian Sönke Neitzel said NDR He joked that he was almost accused of defeatism at the recent Munich security conference when he said he would be happy if at least Ukraine didn't lose. Neitzel repeatedly stresses the need to increase Ukraine's ability to attack. According to him, optimism is spread primarily by those who have no idea “how difficult it is to carry out offensive operations,” he said. Atacms can contribute to offensive capability. It seems so too MirrorAuthor Gernot Kramber said he feared the Ukrainians would not be able to withstand Russian pressure much longer.
If it now becomes possible to cut off Russian supplies and strike command structures, Russian offensive momentum will weaken. “This does not mean victory, but the Ukrainians will at least have a chance to stabilize their front.” (priest)
According to a Ukrainian military commander, the situation on the eastern front has become increasingly „difficult.” News ticker about the Ukraine war.
Updated from April 28, 1:51 p.m: The situation on the Eastern Front appears to continue to deteriorate for Ukraine: Russia says it has captured another village in eastern Ukraine. Today, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Russian army “liberated” the village of Novobashmutivka, near the city of Avdiivka.
Russia took complete control of the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region (eastern Ukraine) last February after long fighting. After that, the Russian army continued its rapid advance, while the Ukrainian army was on the defensive due to a lack of ammunition and soldiers.
The information processed here comes from international media and news agencies, but also from the warring parties Ukraine and Russia. Information related to the war in Ukraine cannot be independently verified.
Arrests in Ukraine war: Russian police arrest band members on 'propaganda' charges.
Updated from April 28, 1:09 p.m: Since the beginning of the war, Russian authorities have taken increasing action against cultural workers considered critical of the government. In western Russia, police arrested three members of a well-known metal band for displaying „Nazi symbols.” Therefore, the three members of Korrosija Metalla were arrested on charges of „propaganda”.
Great Britain Publishes data about Russia losses
Updated April 28 at 11:43 AM: Ukrainian figures regarding Russia's losses in the Ukraine war cannot be independently verified. However, new information from Great Britain supports the statements made by Kiev. Accordingly, it is estimated that Russia has lost about 450,000 soldiers since the start of the fighting. This is what British foreign policy expert Leo Docherty said now Defense Magazine UK mentioned.
Ukraine News: Iran presents a new suicide drone
Updated from April 28 at 10:25 a.mToday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard unveiled a new suicide drone. According to the news agency Tasneem The new Iranian drone is similar to the Russian Zala Lancet manufactured in 2020. Accordingly, the drone, whose name has not yet been revealed, has the same characteristics as the Zala Lancet. Tasneem It also published a video of the new drone in the report.
Iran says it has made significant progress in drone production in recent years. Iranian drones also play a central role for the Russian Armed Forces in the Ukraine war.
Updated from April 28 at 9:45 a.m: The Ukrainian General Staff announced the current figures for Russia's losses in battles. According to this, 1,096 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded within one day. The information could not be independently verified. Overview:
Soldiers: 466,150 (+1096 the previous day)
tank: 7279 (+11)
Planes: 348
Armored vehicles: 13,991 (+20)
Artillery systems: 11,948 (+43))
Drones: 9507 (+22)
Tank trucks and other vehicles: 16,065 (+46)
War news: Russia and Ukraine shoot each other with drones
Updated from April 28 at 9:14 a.m: Russia says it shot down 17 Ukrainian drones in several western regions overnight. The Russian Defense Ministry said on the Telegram application: “Air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 17 Ukrainian drones.”
New weapons for Ukraine: Poland urges Schulz to release Taurus
The first report: Kyiv – Advisor Olaf Schulz (SPD) strongly rejects the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. It is feared that Germany will be drawn into war if missiles with a range of up to 500 kilometers are provided.
After the delivery of long-range American missiles to Ukraine, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski is counting on Scholz to change his mind after all. “I hope the chancellor feels encouraged by the events of the past few days,” Sikorsky said in an interview. The photo is on Sunday.
Current situation in the Ukrainian war: Polish Foreign Minister presses for delivery of Taurus aircraft from Germany
Sikorsky described the delivery of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine as a „response to the Russian escalation” in Ukraine, to which Germany also had to respond.
Russia Clashes in the Ukraine war Eastern Front before
Meanwhile, the Russian Armed Forces stated that after seizing certain towns in the Donetsk region, they have now penetrated deeply into the Ukrainian army's defences. The information could not be verified.
However, Western military experts have recently witnessed individual tactical successes of Russian forces. Ukrainian media also reported on Saturday evening that Russia had captured the village of Berdychy and also established its presence in the town of Osherytyn.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Sirsky described the strategic operational situation on the front as difficult. The commander said via Telegram on Saturday that the situation tends to deteriorate.
Ukraine war: Interactive map from the front
From captured areas to the current path of the front: Our current maps of the front in Ukraine provide insight into the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine. (Editing with materials from news agencies)
