Kenya has warned that over 200 citizens from their country have joined the Russian Army since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The Foreign Minister of the African country has alerted that recruitment agencies continue to offer up to $18,000 for visas, travel, and accommodation.
On the other hand, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, stated in statements disseminated by the TASS agency that he trusts that the United States will not take actions that escalate the conflict and highlighted that Donald Trump has shown willingness for dialogue.
The Russian chancellor also emphasized that Europe is trying to undermine U.S. efforts to reach a peaceful solution. "They are imposing new sanctions that further impact their own economies. They are openly preparing for a new major European war against Russia," Lavrov said, adding that Russia would be willing to resume contacts with Europe "once this Russophobic hysteria subsides."
Ukraine Claims to Have Attacked Russian Oil Facilities in Crimea and Zaporizhia
The Ukrainian army reported on Thursday that its forces attacked a Russian oil terminal in Crimea and a fuel depot in the occupied region of Zaporizhia.
The Ukrainian General Staff stated on the Telegram app that Russian oil facilities and other military targets were hit with domestically produced weapons, including Flamingo land-based cruise missiles, missiles launched from Bars drones, and attack drones. Reuters reports.
Nordic and Baltic Countries to Purchase $500 Million in U.S. Arms for Ukraine
The Nordic and Baltic countries announced on Thursday that they will finance the purchase of a package of U.S. weaponry for Ukraine worth $500 million through a new NATO program.
This military aid package is part of the allied initiative called the Ukrainian Prioritized Requirements List (PURL), which includes the acquisition of U.S.-made weapons and ammunition that Kiev considers crucial for its defense against Russian aggression.
The announcement came after a meeting of ministers from the eight Nordic and Baltic countries (the NB8 group) held in Helsinki, where they signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to providing "long-lasting, predictable, and coordinated" military support to Ukraine. Efe reports
Zelensky Approves Sanctions Against Former Partner Accused of Influencing Several Ministers
Volodymyr Zelensky has ratified sanctions previously approved by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine against his former partner and owner of 50% of the production company that the current head of state founded during his acting days, businessman Timur Mindich.
Mindich is accused by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) of being the mastermind of a scheme in which at least two ministers allegedly used their government positions to force companies with contracts with the state-owned nuclear energy company to pay them bribes.
According to NABU, the network laundered at least $100 million obtained through these means.
In addition to Mindich, Zelensky has also endorsed the sanctions imposed by the National Security and Defense Council against the businessman's finance chief, Oleksandr Tsukerman.
Kremlin Says Ukraine Will Have to Negotiate with Russia "Sooner or Later"
The Kremlin stated on Thursday that Ukraine will have to negotiate with Russia "sooner or later," and that Kiev's negotiating position is deteriorating day by day. Moscow has accused Ukraine of refusing to engage in peace talks. In response, Kiev claims that Russia's terms to end the war are unacceptable and tantamount to surrender.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia remains open to a political and diplomatic solution and desires peace. However, in the absence of that opportunity, he stated that Russia will continue to fight to protect its own security and ensure the interests of future generations.
"The Ukrainian side must know that sooner or later they will have to negotiate, but from a much weaker position. The position of the Kiev regime will deteriorate day by day," said Peskov. Reuters reports.
Zelensky Visits the Frontline in Zaporizhia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Orzhyv frontline in Zaporizhia on Thursday, after Russia took control of several localities in this region of southwestern Ukraine in one of the Kremlin's fastest advances in recent months.
"I received a report on the operational situation in this sector, enemy activity, and losses among the occupiers," Zelensky said on his social media about his visit to a command post of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade in Veliki Lug.
Russia Claims to Have Taken Two Localities in Eastern Ukraine
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that its forces had captured two Ukrainian localities: Synelnykove in the Kharkiv region and Danylivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Reuters reports
Russia Attacks Energy Infrastructure in Three Ukrainian Regions
Russia has once again targeted energy infrastructure in three Ukrainian regions in the past hours, according to the status report of the electrical system provided on Thursday by the main Ukrainian state-owned company in the sector, Ukrenergo.
"As a result of Russian drone attacks on the energy system, there have been damages to equipment and power outages for consumers in the regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia," reads the statement from Ukrenergo as reported by Efe.
"Energy infrastructure in the Odesa region was also attacked during the night," the public company's statement adds, explaining that sector professionals are working on the affected facilities in southern Ukraine to restore the normal operation of these infrastructures.
Von der Leyen: Russian Assets Most Effective Way to Finance Ukraine
The European Union has three options to meet Ukraine's financial needs, with the most effective being a reparations loan based on immobilized Russian assets, stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday.
She explained in a speech to the European Parliament that the other options are for the EU to use the "available margin" of its budget to raise capital or for member states to agree to do so individually.
"The third option is to offer a loan to Ukraine based on immobilized Russian assets -- which Ukraine would repay if Russia pays reparations," she said. "This is the most effective way to support Ukraine's defense and economy." Reuters reports.
Over 200 Kenyans Recruited by Russia
Over 200 Kenyans have joined the Russian Army since the start of the 2022 war in Ukraine, stated Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who also warned that recruitment agencies are actively working to attract more citizens to the conflict.
"Reports suggest that over 200 Kenyans may have joined the Russian Army, some of them former members of Kenya's disciplined services," Mudavadi said during a press conference, as reported by local media late on Wednesday.
The minister noted that recruitment networks are still active in both Kenya and Russia, and the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has reported injuries among its nationals.
He also stated that his Ministry continues to receive inquiries from families about relatives allegedly involved in the Ukraine war.
According to intelligence sources, Mudavadi pointed out, the victims would be signing contracts with agencies promising payments of up to $18,000 for visas, travel, and accommodation.
Russia Claims to Have Shot Down 130 Ukrainian Drones
Russian air defense units destroyed and intercepted 130 Ukrainian drones overnight in various regions of the country, as reported on Thursday by the state news agency TASS, citing daily data from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Lavrov Urges U.S. to Avoid Actions that Escalate War in Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed hope that Washington will not take actions that escalate the conflict in Ukraine. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera -- which was ultimately not published but whose excerpts were released by the Russian state news agency TASS -- Lavrov stated that U.S. President Donald Trump has shown willingness for dialogue and commitment to a peaceful solution. Reuters reports.