Awaiting new developments in peace talks, Russia has appointed General Andrei Mordvichev to lead its ground forces, responsible for the siege of the city of Mariupol in the early weeks of the war in Ukraine. The general replaces Oleg Saliukov, who was dismissed last week.
This morning, Ukraine launched a new massive drone attack in various regions of Russia, similar to the one on Wednesday. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defenses have shot down 105 drones over several regions, with 35 of them in Moscow. The attacks temporarily forced the closure of some airports in the country.
Later in the day, the ministry provided an update, raising the number of Ukrainian drones over its territory in the last 24 hours to 317, totaling 485 drones since the night of May 20.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian Air Force has neutralized 112 Russian drones in various regions, causing material damage in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv regions.
Russia Intercepts 317 Drones in 24 Hours
Additionally, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defenses have intercepted 317 Ukrainian drones over its territory in the last 24 hours, totaling 485 drones since the night of May 20.
Russia Claims to Have Captured Another Village in Donetsk
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its forces have captured the settlement of Nova Poltavka in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.
Merz Foresees Moscow-Kiev Contacts Lasting Months, Reiterates No Troop Deployment
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Thursday that peace negotiation expectations between Moscow and Kiev foresee lasting months and reiterated that Germany is not currently considering sending peacekeeping troops but is willing to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities.
"It is a process that will last weeks and possibly many months," said Merz in Vilnius during a press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.
"There is no quick solution, let's not deceive ourselves," Merz noted, emphasizing the importance of Washington's continued mediation between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia Says EU Shooting Itself in the Foot by Raising Tariffs on Russian Fertilizers
Russia believes that the European Union is making a mistake by increasing tariffs on Russian fertilizer imports, as it will lead to higher costs and lower quality purchases.
"Europeans continue, as always, shooting themselves in the foot," stated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov during his daily press briefing, commenting on the EU Parliament's decision to raise tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, including certain fertilizers.
As a result of this decision, "the European Union will receive fertilizers at a higher price and lower quality, as our fertilizers, including nitrogen-based ones, are of superior quality," reported Efe.
Euro MPs supported the European Commission's proposal to increase tariffs by 50% on agricultural products not previously subject to additional tariffs, such as sugar, vinegar, flour, and animal feed, as announced by the European Parliament in a statement.
The EU aims to reduce Russian export revenues and limit its ability to finance the war against Ukraine.
Kremlin Denies Agreement on Venue for Next Round of Negotiations with Ukraine
The Kremlin denied having reached an agreement on the venue for the next round of negotiations with Ukraine after US media leaked that it would take place in mid-June at the Vatican.
"There is currently no specific agreement on the next meetings. There is still a need for consensus," stated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov during his daily phone press briefing.
The The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump informed European leaders last Monday that the Vatican would host the second round of direct negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians in mid-June.
"Efforts are ongoing to fulfill the agreements reached in Istanbul," Peskov added, referring to the exchange of a thousand prisoners by each side and the preparation of a memorandum with a roadmap for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Assassination of Portnov Shocks Ukraine, According to Odesa Mayor
Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov stated to EFE on Thursday that the assassination of Ukrainian lawyer and former politician Andrei Portnov in Madrid on Wednesday has had a significant impact in Ukraine.
Trukhanov, currently in Spain participating in a parliamentary forum on intelligence and security, learned about Portnov's death on Wednesday afternoon upon his arrival in Madrid.
Based on Ukrainian press reports and conversations with individuals from his country, Trukhanov stated that Ukraine is "in shock."
The Mayor of Odesa is unaware of the motives behind Portnov's assassination, as he had no personal acquaintance with him and no relationship. "I cannot comment on anything specific about that," he assured EFE.
The motivation behind the crime is still unknown but could be linked to Portnov's support for Russia, as the former politician and lawyer served as the head of the Administration under former pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted after the Maidan revolution.
Kremlin States Work Underway for Major Prisoner Exchange
The Kremlin spokesperson mentioned that work is ongoing on the agreed prisoner exchange of 1,000 captives each with Ukraine, and both sides aim to complete the swap as soon as possible.
The exchange was agreed upon during last week's talks between the two parties in Istanbul, marking the first direct discussions between Russia and Ukraine since 2022.
Russia Appoints General Who Led Siege of Mariupol to Lead Ground Forces
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that "Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belusov introduced the troops to the new Commander-in-Chief of the ground forces, General Andrei Mordvichev."
Mordvichev, aged 49, is a career military officer who led the siege of the port city of Mariupol in southern Ukraine during the early weeks of the Russian offensive that began in late February 2022. The operation resulted in an unknown number of casualties.
According to Ukrainian security services, the SBU, General Mordvichev gave the order to take Mariupol and led the siege of the Azovstal factory, where the last Ukrainian defenders barricaded themselves until surrendering.
His predecessor as the commander of Russian ground forces, Oleg Saliukov, was relieved of his duties last week. Russian media reported that he had reached the maximum age limit of 70 for such positions.
Two Russian Teenagers Arrested for Allegedly Planning Terrorist Attack
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on Thursday the arrest of two teenagers accused of planning a terrorist attack against a military facility in the Tver region, about 140 kilometers northwest of Moscow.
"The FSB, together with the Investigative Committee, prevented two acts of sabotage and terrorism against facilities of the Ministry of Defense in the Tver region," stated the official release.
The arrest took place in the city of Vishni Volochek, where "two supporters of mass murder and neo-Nazism ideology," as claimed by the FSB, were preparing to set fire to one of the Ministry of Defense buildings on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in World War II.
According to Russian intelligence services, the activities of both underage individuals, Russian nationals born in 2008 and 2011, were coordinated by a Ukrainian citizen. Homemade incendiary devices were confiscated from private homes and a hideout, they reported.
Furthermore, the teenagers' mobile phones contained correspondence with their coordinator via the Telegram messaging platform, as well as "an oath to militants of a Ukrainian terrorist organization banned in Russia, along with video reports on reconnaissance of the locations where they prepared the attacks."