Did you miss the latest events on the war in Ukraine? 20 Minutes takes stock for you every evening. Between the strong declarations, the advances on the front and the results of the fighting, here is the main part of this Wednesday, the 1,001st day of war.
News of the day
The day after Russia promised to “react accordingly” to long-range American missile fire that Ukraine launched on its territory, the United States feared a “massive” response from Moscow. The American embassy, which said it had “received precise information”, warned of a “possible significant air attack” which was to take place this Wednesday. Result: it preferred to lower the curtain as a precautionary measure and called on its employees to “shelter in place”, just like its nationals. Other Western embassies have also closed temporarily. A decision that did not please kyiv.
“The threat of strikes has unfortunately been a daily reality for Ukrainians for more than 1,000 days,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling on Westerners not to fuel the current “tension.” “The terrorist country (Russia) is carrying out a massive information and psychological attack against Ukraine,” says military intelligence, citing false messages circulating on social networks attributed to it and which reported an increased risk of Russian strikes.
Sentence of the day
« If they cut the aid, I think we will lose. » »
Volodymyr Zelensky warns of the risk of Ukraine's defeat by Russia if the United States decides to no longer put its hand in the wallet or deliver weapons to kyiv. “Of course, in any case, we will stay, we will fight. We have our production. But it's not enough to win. And I think that’s not enough to survive,” added the Ukrainian president when interviewed by the Fox News channel.
The number of the day
75. Vladimir Putin wanted to give a “gift” to North Korea. The Russian president transferred 75 animals and birds to the Pyongyang zoo on Wednesday. Which once again illustrates the rapprochement between Russia and its ally. In detail, the package contained an African lioness, two brown bears, two domestic yaks, five white cockatoos, 25 pheasants and 40 mandarin ducks.
Today's trend
The United States announced Wednesday that it would provide antipersonnel mines to Ukraine to counter Russia's change in tactics on the battlefield. In recent weeks, Moscow has increasingly favored infantry on the front line, to the detriment of tanks and armored vehicles.
“They are advancing on foot in order to approach and do things to open the way for the mechanized forces,” observes Lloyd Austin, the American Secretary of Defense. The Ukrainians “need things that can help slow down this effort by the Russians,” he added. The Kremlin's reaction was immediate. The United States “is fully committed to prolonging the war and is doing everything it can to this end,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov immediately lambasted.
