Russia also attacks Ukrainian cities and infrastructure during the Easter holidays. Chancellor Scholz reiterates his support for the kyiv government.

A Ukrainian soldier rests in a trench on the front line near Lyman Photo: Iryna Rybakova/dpa

Power outages in Kharkiv

Russia attacked Ukraine again with combat drones on Saturday night. Of a total of twelve drones, nine were repelled, the Ukrainian Air Force announced this morning on Telegram. Additionally, the Russian military deployed four S-300 and S-400 missiles. In the Poltava region of central Ukraine, the military administration reported that an infrastructure object had been attacked by drones. At first it was not known exactly what type of object it was. But there were no victims, the authority added.

After more than two years of aggressive war, the Russian military is increasingly attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure to paralyze the population's supply of electricity and heat. Power outages continue, especially in the eastern city of Kharkiv: on Saturday, state energy company Centerserho confirmed that a large power and thermal power plant was virtually destroyed in a serious attack on March 22. “The degree of destruction varies: from complete to significant,” the statement said. (dpa)

Gauck warns against excessive fear when dealing with Russia

Former federal president Joachim Gauck warned against excessive fear in relations with Russia. “Putin knows that many Germans get scared more quickly than the Poles and the French, for example. And he exploits this trend. “Fear helps the aggressor,” he told the Germany publishing network (RND/Saturday). His calling was not to be afraid too soon, even if you could stand your ground. “Limited by fear, we no longer see possible solutions.”

Gauck said he hoped that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) would reconsider his rejection of the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. “I don't see Taurus participating in war. Nor do experts in international law and military experts.” Not everyone in the government or in the SPD agrees with Chancellor Scholz. “But he has the authority to give directives.” (dpa)

Scholz: Peace without freedom means oppression

Before the Easter holidays, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) reaffirmed German support for Ukraine and justified it in the light of German security interests. Scholz said in a video message posted Saturday: “We all long for a more peaceful world.” But peace without freedom means oppression, and there is no peace without justice. “That is why we support Ukraine in its fight for a just peace, for as long as necessary. “We also do this for ourselves, for our safety.” Scholz accused Russia under President Vladimir Putin of having violated a central principle that has been in place for decades: that borders should not be moved by force. “But we have it in our hands to make this principle valid again. “Continuing to support Ukraine, with determination and prudence.” (dpa)

Habeck: Germany must protect itself from attacks

Habeck posted on Friday night an Easter video on platform X (formerly Twitter). In it he said: “We long for peace. Yes. But the honest and bitter answer is: there probably will not be a good and quick end, even if we wish otherwise.” In the face of Russian aggression, he emphasized: “We have to prepare for the threatening situation. Anything else would be naive.” Germany would therefore do well to invest more in its own security. “We, Germany, the European Union, have to protect ourselves completely, even from military attacks.”

In recent weeks there have been discussions in Germany about the type and extent of support for Ukraine, “sometimes bitter and sometimes hurtful,” Habeck said. “I spoke out from the beginning in favor of supplying weapons to Ukraine and now I also advocate that we continue to support them with more and more military equipment.” But it respects a position that is based on fundamental moral or religious reasons. Condemnations about the supply of weapons to Ukraine reach different conclusions than his. “I also understand very well that people are afraid of an escalation of the war. “I'm worried too.”

The question is what is needed to counter this threat, Habeck said. The government must continually address this. Habeck opposed “freezing the war.” “While I understand talk of freezing the war given the high number of casualties, this position ignores the fact that only Ukrainians can decide what price they are willing to pay and under what conditions they will or want to reach a ceasefire. put an end to the war,” said the vice chancellor. SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich (SPD) recently spoke of “freezing” the conflict, that is, a ceasefire to allow a negotiated solution. He received a lot of criticism for this. (dpa)

Zelenskyj makes his income public

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj makes public his income for 2022 and reports income of 12.42 million hryvnias, almost 300,000 euros. The family's income consists mainly of their salary, rental income and bank interest, according to the president's website. Zelenskyi calls on all Ukrainian public officials to disclose his income to increase transparency and eliminate corruption. (rtr)

Ukraine continues to trust in a Taurus delivery

Ukraine remains dependent on supplies of German Taurus cruise missiles, something Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects. “In Germany we see different internal debates about Taurus for Ukraine. “This is a normal discussion and I think it should continue,” said Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. Image according to a preliminary report. These are long-range weapons from different countries: “Some countries have already decided to give them to us. And the discussion continues with some countries.” (rtr)

Taurus manufacturer demands faster order decisions

MBDA, the maker of the Taurus, has called on politicians to make faster decisions on orders to the defense industry. “Here in Germany we can do it much better and faster,” said MBDA head Thomas Gottschild. General of Augsburg. “The law prohibits us from producing in stock, this requires approval from the federal government based on orders,” he continued. This has not happened in the past.

Gottschild said it would be a “challenge” for his industry if production were halted, as was the case with the Taurus cruise missile. “In these cases, our suppliers, which are usually small and medium-sized companies, have stopped production. “They often can’t afford to maintain production lines.”

For new orders, suppliers would first have to reorganize and acquire scarce raw materials, for example for explosives. MBDA will then be able to restart production at any time. “The Taurus production line, the test equipment and the corresponding ships are still available,” says Gottschild. The defense industry needs “long-term orders to be able to provide short-term capabilities in the future.”

However, the possibility of sending Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is entirely in the hands of politicians, Gottschild said. This is a political decision by the federal government on which it does not want to comment. “From the point of view of the Ukrainians, the Taurus would be an important additional component in the current situation.” (afp)

Rocket attack on Odessa

According to official reports, at least five people were injured in a Russian missile attack on the port city of Odessa in southern Ukraine. Odessa Mayor Hennadij Trukhanov said Friday that a 15-year-old teenager was among the victims. Both missiles could have been shot down by air defense. But debris fell onto streets and buildings. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj once again insisted in his afternoon video address on more international aid for air defense.

“The enemy's main target in this rocket terrorism is our energy sector,” Zelensky said, referring to attacks in recent days, which had increasingly targeted Ukrainian energy facilities. According to the power grid operator Ukrenerho, scheduled power outages are currently necessary in the eastern Kharkiv region. Power supply is also at risk in Odessa and the Khmelnytskyi region. Air defense was again active in Odessa on Saturday night. (dpa)

Drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod

Meanwhile, in the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, a man was killed and two other people were injured when a drone hit a residential building. The wife of the slain man was taken to hospital with a traumatic brain injury and burns, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on his Telegram news network channel.

Belgorod is constantly under fire. Attacks by Ukraine have increased significantly again recently. However, the number of victims and damage remains disproportionate to the devastating consequences of the Russian invasion on the Ukrainian side. (dpa)

Merz warns of Ukraine's defeat

CDU leader Friedrich Merz believes that Ukraine's defeat is increasingly likely two years into the war. “The risk of exactly that happening is increasing. “I view the developments in Ukraine with growing concern,” Merz said. world on sunday. Contrary to expectations, Russia has not yet achieved its war objectives. “But Russia has turned its entire economy into a war economy and is producing weapons and ammunition far in excess of current needs. This means that Russia is rearming massively, much more than what is used in the war against Ukraine.” Merz once again highlighted the importance of a possible supply of Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine. (dpa)

Russia insists on Ukraine's participation

Despite several confessions from the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia about the attack on a concert hall near Moscow a week ago, Russian authorities continue to insist on alleged Ukrainian involvement. The Russian Investigative Committee said the suspects said they received instructions from an unknown person via voice messages on Telegram. After the attack, this “coordinator” directed the terrorists to the Ukrainian border and promised them a reward to be received in kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, he claimed.

Independent Russian media noted that the detainees showed up in the courtroom a few days ago, some of them seriously injured and, most likely, having been tortured by Russian security forces. Russian human rights activists also expressed horror, pointing out that confessions obtained under torture have little value. (dpa)

Zelensky: Blocking US military aid means withdrawal

Another blockade of US military aid in Congress will lead to a gradual withdrawal of Ukrainian forces, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “If there is no support from the United States, it means we have no air defenses, no Patriot missiles, no electronic warfare jammers, no 155-millimeter artillery shells,” Zelensky told the Washington Post. “That means we're going backwards, backwards, step by step, in small steps,” he said. “We're trying to find a way not to go backwards.” (rtr)