NATO Condemns Russian Drones Violating European Airspace
Two NATO countries, Latvia and Romania, reported Russian drones entering their airspace, raising concerns over safety and potential risks. On Sunday, a Russian drone flew into Romania during an attack on Ukraine, while another drone crashed in Latvia a day earlier. The Romanian government quickly responded by deploying F-16 fighter jets and sending alerts to residents. Thankfully, there were no injuries or damage reported.
Romania’s former foreign minister, Mircea Geoană, who is also NATO’s outgoing deputy secretary-general, criticized these acts as “irresponsible and potentially dangerous.” Similarly, Latvia’s military stated that there was no indication that the drones were deliberately sent into their country. Both countries have condemned the airspace violations, emphasizing the risks involved.
Pro-Putin Candidates Lead in Russian Local Elections
Meanwhile, supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin were set to win local elections across Russia, including in areas close to the Ukrainian conflict zone. The results of the elections, which concluded on Sunday, are being interpreted by some in Russia as a show of confidence in Putin’s policies, including his stance on Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Response and Casualties in Recent Attacks
Ukraine’s air force successfully shot down most of the Russian drones and missiles launched overnight. However, in a separate incident, a Russian airstrike hit the northeastern city of Sumy, causing the death of two civilians and wounding four others, including two children.
In another attack, Russian forces shelled a village in the eastern Donetsk region, killing three women. Ukraine continues to face attacks from Russian forces, especially in critical areas like Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.
More Attacks in Border Regions
Ukraine struck a fuel depot in Russia’s Belgorod region, causing fires and damaging buildings. The attack led to injuries and damage in multiple areas, adding to the rising tensions between the two countries.
Future Peace Talks
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed plans for a future peace conference to end the conflict. Scholz emphasized the need for Russia’s participation in these discussions, hoping for a resolution soon.
The situation remains tense, and the world watches closely as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to unfold.
