Russia is mired in a power struggle – and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (45) is watching it closely.
In an exclusive 50 Minutes interview with BILD, Selenskyj spoke about The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, his family and the weakness of the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.
„I think they had a big internal scandal,” Zelensky said. What is meant: the ever-escalating conflict between mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigoshine (62) and Putin’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (68).
There is a war that they call special military operations and political struggle. And a very dangerous one at that. between the different armies, government and private,” Zelensky says.
Putin knows how important that is: “I think Putin understands that this is happening. I think he understands that he has a problem.” The Ukrainian president said: “There are misunderstandings there and I’m glad about that.”
According to Zelensky, those close to Putin realized that his regime was weak. „When does this happen? When people feel something. You feel that the situation is changing. And I think his business partners have lost confidence in him. And this affects both the army and many other things. Putin has lost the power that he had.”
President of Ukraine ZelenskyThis means that the dam burst for the counterattack
Source: Image
Zelensky has kept a low profile on Russian rebel attacks on Russian soil, even though Russian fighters are backed by Ukraine. We do not fight on foreign soil. „We are only liberating our lands,” said the Ukrainian president. „We are at war with the Russian Federation on our lands, not on his lands,” he added.
As long as Russia continues to wage war, Zelensky does not believe in peace negotiations with Putin. If they „end the war without more casualties” by withdrawing, one can talk about diplomatic options. „If Russia left the lands and did not wait for us to drive them out of our borders …”
In war „there are never enough weapons”
That is why Zelensky demands more weapons for his country, regardless of the counterattack. „It’s a war. And in a war there is not enough weapon or the other, and there is not enough ammunition. Because even if you don’t counterattack, you keep fighting. Then you defend the front. Every day.”
Zelensky wants to lead his country to join NATO and demands that the alliance signal its willingness to accept Ukraine. About the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, the Ukrainian president said: „Of course, Ukraine would like to be present at the summit.” But: „If NATO does not see us as a member in the future, why should we go there?”
He wants to lead his country into NATO: Volodymyr Zelensky
Photo: Giorgos Motavis
He believes that it is possible that Berlin and Paris will change their position and agree to NATO membership in the future: „Germany and France are still hesitating on this issue. I don’t know if they are against it. They were against it in the past, but we must look to the future.”
Zelensky: Ukraine is not involved in the attacks on Nord Stream pipelines
Zelensky strongly rejected Ukraine’s participation in the attacks on Nord Stream pipelines. I am the boss and give orders accordingly. Ukraine has done nothing of the kind. I will never act this way. And more: “I didn’t know anything. 100 percent.”
Referring to US reports that the Ukrainian military was planning to destroy the pipelines in the summer of 2022, Zelensky said: “I said: Show us evidence. If our military does this, show us the evidence.”
Before the war: Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska
Photo: Image Alliance/AP Photo
BILD also spoke to Selenskyj about his family. „My children are in Ukraine,” Zelensky said of his son Kirill, „my son is 10 years old and he is in Ukraine.” „He could have been taken abroad, but neither I nor my wife thought of it.”
Because: while other children are dying, should our children “go abroad and sunbathe on the beach? That would be unfair.”
However, his family is very concerned: “Of course my children are afraid. We love each other and it is very difficult to imagine living without each other.”
That Putin’s forces want to assassinate him? Zelensky hides. „It’s better to live that simple.”
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)
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.”
