Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a bold move by announcing plans to establish a buffer zone in Ukraine to safeguard against potential long-range strikes and incursions. This decision comes amidst Moscow’s ongoing military intervention in the region, with Putin securing his fifth six-year term in an election that was marred by a crackdown on dissent and lacked viable opposition.
As the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues, Moscow’s troops have been making significant progress on the battlefield, while Kyiv’s forces are reportedly struggling with shortages and exhaustion after more than two years of fighting. In a bid to retaliate, Ukraine has started using long-range firepower to target Russian oil refineries and depots.
Amidst escalating tensions, Putin has issued a warning against the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, cautioning that such actions could potentially lead to World War III. In response, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has shut the door on peace talks and called for Putin to face trial at the International Criminal Court for his alleged crimes in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham recently visited Kyiv to discuss a crucial aid package for Ukraine that has been held up in Washington. The Ukrainian air force has also been actively intercepting Russian drones and missiles in various regions, with an increase in ground attacks and airstrikes.
The situation in the Sumy region has become particularly dire, with an escalation in attacks prompting the evacuation of residents from border villages. The regional government has reported over 3,000 strikes in the past two and a half months, including a tripled number of aerial bomb attacks and active Russian saboteurs in the area. The conflict shows no signs of abating, as both sides continue to escalate their military actions.
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