Zelensky warns Belarus as Ukrainian drones hit Crimea

The Independent The Independent — 1min

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian forces have struck energy and military infrastructure either side of a key bridge linking occupied Crimea and Russia.

The Russia-appointed Crimean governor Sergei Aksyonov said fuel stations across the peninsula suspended sales to the public and businesses, with supplies restricted to government agencies responsible for essential services and security.
Russian authorities said at least five people were killed and 28 injured in the attacks, adding that air defences had downed 239 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Meanwhile, Zelensky and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk voiced concern over a growing dispute between their two countries after the Polish president revoked Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honour.

The controversy stems from Zelensky's decision to rename a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, a nationalist force responsible for massacres of Poles during the war.

In protest at the revocation, three former Ukrainian presidents and several senior officials returned Polish honours they had received.

Zelensky warned of a "very dangerous escalation", while Tusk said the dispute would "harm both sides: business-wise, geopolitically, and reputationally".

Zelensky has also urged Belarus to dismantle relay stations he claims are crucial for Russian drone attacks on Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky warned that Kyiv would dismantle these four known stations by force if Belarus fails to take action.

He also highlighted Belarusian factories that are supporting Russia's war efforts, saying that Belarus “still has time to dismantle this equipment”.

Belarus is a close ally of Moscow, with President Aleksandr Lukashenko being a key supporter of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

This warning follows a recent Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian oil refinery in Siberia, located over 2,500km from the Ukrainian border.

Full article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-live-putin-zelensky-crimea-bridge-attack-b3000129.html

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