The decision of the urgent meeting of the Defense Council of Kyiv to ensure security in the capital
The Defense Council convened in response to recent statements from the aggressor country's leaders indicating plans to escalate missile attacks targeting civilian areas, particularly in Kyiv.
Recent missile strikes with short arrival times and the possibility of enemy infiltration by subversive and intelligence groups, along with the involvement of hostile elements, pose significant threats to the capital's stability.
In light of this information, the Kyiv Defense Council has made the following decisions:
- Suspending large-scale events in Kyiv to minimize the risk to citizens.
- Reviewing and updating regulations concerning daily activities, including public transport, cultural, educational, and medical events, to enhance citizen safety.
- Increasing surveillance and security measures at public gathering places by law enforcement and military authorities to maintain public safety and order.
- Ensuring access to shelters and readiness of emergency facilities for citizens' use.
Additionally, social media monitoring will intensify to counter disinformation and provocations aimed at destabilizing the situation.
Residents of Kyiv are urged to remain calm and vigilant, follow safety protocols, and respond promptly to air raid signals. Your safety is our priority.
Reviewing and updating regulations concerning daily activities, including public transport and cultural, educational, and medical events, to enhance citizen safety.
New Russian offensive may come in May or June
President Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's urgent need for increased support from allies to confront an anticipated major Russian offensive, possibly in late May or June. Ukrainian military officials have warned of a potential large-scale attack, with reports suggesting that Russia is assembling a force of 100,000 troops.
Despite the challenging situation, Zelensky highlighted that the battlefield conditions have improved compared to previous months, noting stabilization and resilience in the face of Russian aggression. However, he stressed the necessity for additional arms and support to prepare for any significant escalation by Russian forces.
Zelensky specifically called for more Patriot air defense systems and artillery, as well as addressing ongoing challenges with ammunition supplies. Delays in U.S. assistance, with $60 billion stalled in Congress, have compounded these issues.
Russia's recent escalation in missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure has further strained Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Zelensky cautioned that Putin's ambitions extend beyond Ukraine and could threaten neighboring countries and even reach Europe and beyond.
He urged international solidarity and emphasized the importance of NATO members standing together to defend against Russian aggression, highlighting the potential consequences if Europe is not protected effectively.
Almost 1,800 Ukrainian children made orphans by Russia’s war
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia has left nearly 1,800 Ukrainian children orphaned. Almost 600 children have been killed and over 1,200 injured. Civilian casualties exceed 10,000, with higher figures likely in Russian-occupied territories. Russia's campaign includes mass deportations of Ukrainian children, with over 19,500 abducted and few returned. Education is disrupted, with one in seven schools damaged and 1.6 million schoolchildren out of education. Remote learning is common, with mental health risks for 1.5 million children.
Russian forces attack Nikopol district 10 times, damaging school and residential buildings
On March 28, the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast faced ten attacks from Russian artillery and drones, according to Serhii Lysak, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, speaking on Telegram. The strikes targeted settlements in the district, with five kamikaze drones and an equal number of artillery strikes launched by Russian forces. Damage was reported in various locations, including a lyceum and playground in the Marhanets hromada. Additionally, infrastructure facilities in Nikopol city were hit, along with private houses and outbuildings. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from these attacks.
Russians attempt to target energy infrastructure in Ukraine's south overnight
On the night of March 27-28, the Defence Forces of Ukraine's South successfully repelled a Russian attack that lasted over four hours, targeting critical infrastructure sites, according to Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint Press Centre of the Defence Forces of Ukraine's South, speaking during a national joint 24/7 newscast. The engagement involved multiple fronts, with the enemy deploying drones from various locations, including the Black Sea waters and temporarily occupied territories. Despite the enemy's attempts to bypass Ukrainian defenses, the efforts proved effective, resulting in the downing of close to a dozen drones. The attack focused on energy system facilities, with drones directed through residential areas, leading to a fire in one such area on the Zaporizhzhia front.
In Odesa Oblast, Russian attempts to target an energy system facility were thwarted by flawless responses from Ukrainian air defenders, who successfully shot down both drones approaching from the sea.
The Russian assault, which involved missiles and 28 Shahed drones launched from the Black Sea waters, Crimea, and Russia’s Kursk Oblast, was met with resilience from Ukraine's air defence forces, who managed to down 26 of the drones.