MEZIESBLOG

Earlier this week, reports suggested that Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was kept waiting for as long as eight hours by Vladimir Putin for a meeting at the Kremlin. 

Now, the US president has said that is “fake news”, without offering any proof.

Trump instead suggests that Witkoff was engaged in other meetings, while reports suggested Putin was apparently too busy meeting someone else – Belarusian leader Aleksander Lukashenko – for a hastily arranged state visit that had been announced the day before.

Air defences shoot down 47 drones

Russia’s overnight bombardment of Ukrainian cities continued overnight, with 90 drones launched according to Ukraine’s air force.

Air defences shot down 47 of the 90 drones, the force added.

The number shot down does not always include drones brought down by other means such as electronic warfare.

Damage was reported in four regions in the north, centre and south of the country, the air force said without providing details. 

Russia ‘preparing more actions’ on Ukraine’s border

Russia is “preparing for more active actions” on Ukraine’s border, a military chief has warned.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, said that Vladimir Putin is “trying to delay the ceasefire” proposed by the US.

He said on Telegram: “The Russians are really preparing for more active actions in the border region of Sumy and are accumulating forces to strike at Sumy. 

“This should not be confused with the offensive on Sumy – the enemy is operating in the border region, suffering losses from the Defence Forces, but is preparing for new strikes.

“It is important that Putin is doing these things, trying to delay the ceasefire proposed by the United States.”

What’s happening in Sumy?

There appears to be increased concern that Russian forces could strike into Ukraine’s northeast Sumy region, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy also discussing the possibility yesterday.

The Ukrainian president said Moscow was accumulating forces nearby for a separate strike. “This indicates an intention to attack our Sumy region,” he said. 

“We are aware of this and will counter it.” 

“I would like all (our) partners to understand exactly what Putin is planning, what he is preparing for, and what he will be ignoring.”