Putin counters the Ukrainian counter-offensive by raising the bar of the conflict. On the one hand he complains about the shortage of ammunition and drones and on the other he intensifies the bombing, hitting Ukraine in a radial pattern. The other day he signed a decree incorporating the Sea of Azov into Russian territory, threatened not to renew the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain and transferred tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. There is no talk of peace or truce even at the diplomatic level, net of the Vatican's efforts, shrouded in the strictest secrecy.
The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko he said that it was he who pressed Vladimir Putin to install tactical nuclear warheads on the territory of the country: “If a war breaks out, I won't waste time. I pick up the phone and instantly call Vladimir Putin. It's not a problem to coordinate the attack, there's nothing to talk about, we've already made arrangements. Let the enemies tremble in their boots".
In the field, the Ukrainian counter-offensive advances slowly despite Western weapons. During the night the Russians intensified their bombings and continued to undermine the fields of the various front lines which were created by the hour. Three deaths were recorded in Russian raids on Odessa, three victims in attacks on Kramatorsk and Kostyantynivka, in Donetsk, while the toll of civilians killed in Tuesday's bombing of Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky's hometown, rose.
Thus the Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak: “all of the latest missiles launched by Russia were produced in the spring of 2023. In all, without exception, we find Western-made microelectronic components supplied by private companies to Russia via third countries, bypassing sanctions restrictions".
In a post released on Telegram, the deputy defense minister of Ukraine Hanna Painter stated that the Ukrainian shares were partially successful: “In the last day, Ukrainian troops advanced 200-500 meters in various areas near the eastern city of Bakhmut and 300-350 meters in the direction of the south-eastern city of Zaporizhzhia. Our troops are moving against the backdrop of extremely fierce fighting and in the face of enemy air and artillery superiority".
NATO secretary, Jens Stoltenberg, on the watch of the Ministerial Defence, declared that “the forces Ukrainian armies are advancing and gaining ground in their counteroffensive, thanks to support provided by allies", specifying that the "Kiev counteroffensive is just beginning".
France has denounced an information manipulation campaign directed by the Kremlin which would have the aim of falsifying websites and social accounts of French media institutions to spread fake news.