Foreign Policy Intern / Axel Springer Academy of Journalism and Technology
„There are fears of a larger wave of missile attacks”
Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian energy supplies primarily hit civilians. People in many parts of the country suffer from cold and darkness. WELT Program Leader Tatjana Ohm describes what this means for people in everyday life.
You can listen to WELT’s podcast here
To view the embedded content, your revocable consent to the transfer and processing of personal data is required, since the providers of the embedded content, as third-party providers, require this consent [In diesem Zusammenhang können auch Nutzungsprofile (u.a. auf Basis von Cookie-IDs) gebildet und angereichert werden, auch außerhalb des EWR]. By setting the toggle switch to ON, you agree to this (which can be revoked at any time). This also includes your consent to the transfer of certain Personal Data to other countries, including the United States of America, in accordance with Article 49(1)(a) GDPR. You can find more information on this. You can withdraw your consent at any time via the switch and the Privacy Policy at the bottom of the page.
After the Russian missile launch at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages, Kyiv is anxiously looking forward to winter. The government now demands the ability to shut down missile launch sites on Russian soil.
aIn light of the severe destruction of vital infrastructure after the Russian missile attacks on Kyiv, the Ukrainian government is calling on the West to take a tougher stance towards Russia. „Weapons that also pose a potential threat to Putin must now be handed over,” Ukrainian government circles told WELT.
For example, Kyiv needs long-range missiles that can also eliminate launch bases and ammunition depots on Russian soil. „The prospect of such a counterattack on our part will be understood in Moscow as a deterrent,” he added.
According to Kyiv, the Russian military shot down about 70 missiles and drones over Ukraine on Wednesday. An air alert was sounded across the country, and several explosions occurred in Kyiv. As a result of the bombing of the energy infrastructure in the Kyiv region, there was a complete blackout, and three nuclear power plants were closed. In the capital, temperatures have fallen below zero during the night, snow is already on the ground and roads are icy.
Read also
Attacks on energy infrastructure
A day later, more than two-thirds of the capital, Kyiv, was still without electricity. The water supply was restored on Thursday afternoon. The extent of the emergency is not yet fully understood in the West, according to Ukrainian government circles. So far, we have been able to repair damaged energy infrastructure very quickly and restore supply in a matter of days. But that won’t be the case for much longer.”
Afraid of spare parts shortage. So the Ukrainian government expects longer interruptions in December, during which „it will not be possible” to survive in Kyiv. The capital’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, also warned of the coming weeks. „This is the worst winter since World War II,” he said. newspaper „Bild”.
extortion strategy
In Kyiv, the Kremlin is suspected of having a clear strategy behind this approach. And government circles in Kyiv said: „The Russians want to force us to enter into negotiations by exhausting our population and putting pressure on the Europeans with the help of a new wave of refugees.” During a pause in the war, a new assault on the capital would then be prepared: „Putin has not yet abandoned his warlike goal of complete domination of Ukraine.” In order to be able to resist this, the country urgently needs more air defense systems.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak on Wednesday suggested that Germany supply Ukraine, and not his country, with the Patriot air defense system. After a missile hit Poland’s border with Ukraine, the German government offered to support NATO partner Poland with its Patriot missile defense system at the start of the week. „After the new Russian missile attacks, I asked the German side to transfer the Patriot battery offered to Poland to Ukraine and deploy it on the western border,” Plashczak said on Twitter.
Read also
In this way, Ukraine will be protected from new losses and power outages and the security of the common border will be strengthened. Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht responded cautiously on Thursday. Patriot systems are part of NATO’s integrated air defense system. So it is reserved for alliance territory. And if they are to be used outside of NATO, this should be discussed in advance with allies.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the UN Security Council to take action against Russia over the bombing of energy infrastructure. „This is the Russian formula for terrorism,” he said in a video message. „When our temperatures are below freezing and millions of people are without electricity, without heating and without water, this is a flagrant crime against humanity.”
Read also
Referring to the expected Russian veto, he said that it made no sense to give the party fighting this war – „this criminal war” – a right of veto. „Killing civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure are acts of terrorism,” he said on Twitter before the meeting. The international community must give a „firm answer”.
The president is ours Joe Biden It called on Egypt and Qatar to put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages within the framework of negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The presidential office called on both countries to do everything in their power to secure the release of hostages held by the terrorist organization. This is the only obstacle to an immediate ceasefire. Qatar and Egypt, along with the United States of America, are considered important mediating countries in the conflict.
According to the information, Biden spoke by phone with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi about the currently proposed proposal. Representatives of Egypt, Qatar and From Hamas It met in Cairo on Monday, and the Palestinian Islamic Organization has not yet responded to the proposal.
French news agencies and Reuters unanimously reported the delegation of the extremist Islamic organization Cairo I left for Doha, where Hamas's political office is located. Hamas must respond „as quickly as possible.”
Blinken and Cameron point to Israel's „generous” offer.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken appeared “optimistic” on Monday that Hamas would accept the ceasefire proposal Gaza strip He agrees to release the hostages. He said during a visit to Riyadh that the proposal was “very generous” from the Israeli side.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that the proposal calls for a 40-day ceasefire. Hamas makes „a very generous offer of a 40-day ceasefire” and the release of „thousands of potential Palestinian prisoners” in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. Israel It was submitted.
Negotiations regarding a ceasefire and the release of Hamas hostages have been continuing for months. As part of the only agreement reached so far between Israel and Hamas brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, about a hundred hostages were released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners during a week-long ceasefire at the end of November.
The war in the Gaza Strip broke out as a result of the unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 by the extremist Islamic movement Hamas, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States. According to Israeli information, about 1,170 people were killed and about 250 others were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. According to Israel, there are still 129 people in the Gaza Strip, and the army estimates that 34 of them have been killed.
Since then, Israel has been carrying out military operations in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack. According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, which cannot be independently verified, more than 34,400 people have been killed.
The president is ours Joe Biden It called on Egypt and Qatar to put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages within the framework of negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The presidential office called on both countries to do everything in their power to secure the release of hostages held by the terrorist organization. This is the only obstacle to an immediate ceasefire. Qatar and Egypt, along with the United States of America, are considered important mediating countries in the conflict.
According to the information, Biden spoke by phone with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi about the currently proposed proposal. Representatives of Egypt, Qatar and From Hamas It met in Cairo on Monday, and the Palestinian Islamic Organization has not yet responded to the proposal.
Update from April 29 at 10:42 p.m.: After the serious attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, the governor of the region spoke out and accused Russia of launching a deliberate attack on civilians. “The Russians fired a ballistic missile with cluster munitions at one of the most popular places for residents and visitors of Odessa, where people were walking with their children or dogs or exercising,” said Oleh Kiper from the center. Ukrainian Pravda Quoted.
Transparency Notice
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.
Such munitions “primarily pose a threat to people, not equipment and buildings,” Kiper continued. These allegations have not yet been independently verified. Among other things, the Odessa Law Academy was bombed. The number of deaths has now risen to five; A dog was also killed. According to Ukrainian information, the number of wounded now reaches dozens.
Germany supplies Ukraine with armored personnel carriers and ammunition
Update from April 29 at 10pm: Germany has delivered ten more Marder armored personnel carriers and other defense means to Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia. The federal government in Berlin announced on Monday that a second Skynex anti-aircraft system is also part of the package, along with approximately 30,000 rounds of ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft tank and ammunition for the Iris-T system. The third Patriot anti-aircraft system, promised in mid-April, was not included in the updated list of German military aid. Russia has recently intensified its air strikes with missiles, cruise missiles, drones and glide bombs.
7,500 155 mm artillery shells and ammunition for the Leopard 2 main battle tank and 3,000 hand-held anti-tank weapons were also delivered. The Ukrainian Army's engineering and transport capabilities were enhanced with another Biber bridge-laying tank, an engineering tank, nine mine-clearing plows, and nine M1070 Oshkosh heavy semi-trailers. Ukraine confronted a Russian invasion more than two years ago. In terms of size, Germany is the second most important supporter after the United States of America. However, according to studies, in terms of population and economic power, Poland, the Baltic states and the Nordic EU member states do more than Germany.
Russia Attack: Destructive Missile impact in Odessa
Update from April 29, 8:57 p.m.: At least two people were killed in the Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said via Telegram on Monday that at least 17 other people were injured. Many residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged. According to authorities, the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, just over 30 kilometers from the Russian border, had previously been attacked by slide bombs. Two civilians were injured. A multi-storey residential building was damaged.
Update from April 29, 6:57 p.m.: At least eight people were injured in a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Odessa, according to local authorities. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were bombed, a staff member says. Shortly before the collision, the Ukrainian Air Force warned of a ballistic missile attack. These are relatively difficult to intercept. There is currently no Russian statement available.
According to Ukrainian military intelligence: more than 18,000 Russian soldiers fled
Update from April 29, 4:15 p.m.: More and more soldiers of Russia's Southern Military District, whose units are stationed in Ukraine, are abandoning their positions. This was announced by the Military Intelligence Service of Ukraine (HUR). According to many observers, low morale among Russian forces fighting in Ukraine is a recurring problem.
More than 18,000 soldiers from the Southern Military District are said to have deserted, and about 12,000 of them belong to the 8th Unified Army – a unit that is often deployed in combat operations in eastern Ukraine. Military Intelligence said that among them were about 10,000 conscripts and 2,000 contract soldiers. The British Ministry of Defense said in early April that Russian forces in Ukraine mainly consist of contract soldiers and reservists who were mobilized at the end of 2022, but conscripts are often pressured to sign contracts.
Kiev has encouraged Russian army forces to flee or even defect to the Ukrainian side. Ukrainian military intelligence established a hotline in September 2022 to help Russian soldiers wishing to surrender.
Russia Takes cities in the east Ukraine a
Update from April 29, 1:25 p.m.: According to its own statements, Russia has captured another town in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday that it had “liberated” the village of Semenivka, located near the Russian-controlled city of Avdiivka. It was only on Sunday that the ministry announced the “liberation” of the village of Novopakhmutivka, located about ten kilometers northwest of Avdiivka.
Russia took complete control of the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region in 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 first report: KIEV – Ukraine says it has repelled serious Russian attacks in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military said on Monday (April 29) that “55 attacks were repelled” in several towns north and west of the village of Novopakhmutivka. Kiev said that Russian forces to the south, west of the city of Donetsk, attempted “with air force support to penetrate the defenses of our forces 15 times.”
Russia Begins Serious attacks in the east
According to Kiev, its soldiers were able to „continue repelling the enemy” in several towns west of Donetsk, including the city of Krasnogorivka. The city is located about 20 kilometers from the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, and is considered a Ukrainian fortress in the region. However, since Russian soldiers captured the neighboring towns of Marinka and Avdiivka, Krasnogorievka has become more vulnerable.
On Sunday, the Ukrainian army admitted that the situation on the front had deteriorated. Russian forces have been advancing in eastern Ukraine since February. At the end of the week, Moscow soldiers took control of the village of Novopakhmutivka. Kiev warned that Russia would seek success on the battlefield before Victory Day on May 9.
A difficult situation for Ukraine: Russia appears to be achieving “tactical successes”
The situation on the fronts in the east of the country became dangerous for the defenders of Ukraine. Army Commander Oleksandr Sirsky acknowledged the setbacks on Sunday. Russian units repelled Ukrainian units, especially west of the cities of Avdiivka and Marinka, which were abandoned after fierce fighting. The situation on site is “very dynamic”; Positions are frequently lost to the opposing side and then regained. “In general, the enemy achieved some tactical successes in these areas, but was unable to gain an operational advantage,” Sersky wrote on Telegram.
The Ukrainian leadership is adhering to the peace conference scheduled for June in Switzerland, and hopes to gain support from around the world. On Sunday, Zelensky called on the international community, above all, to encourage Russia to participate in the conference. “The path to a just peace can begin in June.”
Ukraine adheres to the peace summit: ideas differ greatly.
However, Moscow and Kiev have very different ideas about how to end the war. Russia annexed the occupied territories in Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula, and declared them its territory. The Kremlin also aims to install a Moscow-friendly government in Kiev.
Ukraine, in turn, demands the complete withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula. The Kiev peace plan also stipulates the payment of Russian compensation and the establishment of an international tribunal to punish all those responsible in Russian politics and military leadership for the war of aggression.
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 agencies)
Italy declares war on mass tourism. In order to regulate the rush of vacationers, Cinque Terre has come up with a new rule.
Monterosso – Millions of vacationers are drawn to the Italian coast every year. This is why Italy has taken measures against mass tourism for years. A day trip to Venice now costs five euros. Tourists don't stop at Cinque Terre either. Accordingly, the region issues a new rule for travelers.
Italy is once again taking action against mass tourism
The Cinque Terre region consists of five picturesque villages located on the Ligurian Riviera. Monterosso is the largest town with lemon trees and the only sandy beach. But due to the annual influx of travellers, the quality of life of the approximately 9,000 residents of the Cinque Terre is affected. how South Tyrol News It was reported that about 2.5 million people invaded small villages last year.
The region resists mass tourism and therefore takes certain measures to counter the rush of holidaymakers. This means, among other things, that train tickets are more expensive in high season. In summer, travelers pay twice as much for train trips between villages as before. On the other hand, residents should benefit from the cuts.
New restrictions on travelers to Italy in Cinque Terre
Entrance fees are also required for hiking trails. The national park is also taking countermeasures. A one-way system has now been introduced for a section of the most popular hiking trails. This applies to the “Sentiero Verde Azzurro”, also known as the Green and Blue Route, from April 25 to May 1 between 9am and 2pm. It was reported that the regulation was issued for safety reasons and to improve the use of the route Standard.
What does this mean for holidays in Italy? This restriction affects the second of the four stages of the route, which leads from Monterosso to Vernazza. high Bergwelten.com This stage, covering a distance of 3.7 km, can be completed in just under two hours.
Rule for travelers to „Cinque Terre”: You must check the entrance to the hiking trail
Access to the hiking trail at the entrance to Monterosso must be controlled. Among other things, it is checked whether visitors are wearing appropriate shoes. For the following reasons: Some parts of the road are narrow and steep. In order to avoid overloading the „Sentiero Verde Azzurro”, hikers should also be redirected to alternative routes.
Cheap air travel and large concentrations of hotel complexes are one of the reasons for mass tourism. That is why the residents of the Canary Islands are tired of the influx of tourists. while Amsterdam bans new hotels It wants to take action against tape crawls. (mg/cas)
