Russia says the Belgorod region on the border was attacked by 35 rockets and 3 drones
Russia said its air defense systems shot down 35 rockets and three drones in the Belgorod border region at night.
“Last night, the Kiev regime’s attempt to use the ‘Vilkha’ multiple launch rocket system, the ‘Vampire’ multiple launch rocket system and an aviation-type drone to launch a terrorist attack against targets in the Russian Federation was stopped.” The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Telegram on Thursday.
On May 27, 2023, in the Russian city of Belgorod, about 25 miles from the Ukrainian border, a woman walked past the giant letter Z, which is the tactical symbol of Russian troops in Ukraine.
Olga Maltseva | AFP | Getty Images
CNBC was unable to verify the claims, but Belgorod, which borders Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region where Russian forces are launching a fierce offensive, is under daily attack by Ukrainian forces.
Russia said the offensive aimed to capture the entire Kharkiv region and establish a “buffer zone” to protect Belgorod and other Russian border areas from attacks.
— Holly Elliot
Norway to block entry of most Russian tourists
Norway will further restrict entry of Russian tourists, blocking almost all entry due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Nordic country’s justice ministry said on Thursday.
NATO member Norway, which shares a nearly 200-kilometer (124-mile) Arctic border with Russia, first imposed restrictions on Russian tourist visas in 2022.
Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said in a statement: “The decision to tighten entry rules is in line with Norway’s approach to supporting allies and partners in confronting Russia’s unlawful aggressive war in Ukraine.”
Norwegian soldier Vegard Aalbretsen looks at the Russian border in Kirkenes, northern Norway, after Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Annika Bird | AFP | Getty Images
Russian citizens traveling across external borders for the purpose of tourism and other non-essential travel will be refused entry. The ministry said exceptions may be made for situations such as visiting close relatives living in Norway.
The new policy takes effect on May 29.
“The change means police can deny entry to Russian citizens covered by the directive,” the foreign ministry said.
— Reuters
Russia’s proposal to change Baltic Sea borders removed from document portal
Russia’s official documents portal on Wednesday removed the Russian Defense Ministry’s proposal for a draft government decree to amend Russia’s borders in the Baltic Sea.
“The draft has been removed,” the website said at the address where the document had been seen earlier.
— Reuters
Germany, Lithuania and Finland seek clarification from Russia on Baltic plans
The governments of Germany, Finland and Lithuania said they were awaiting further clarification from Russia after the Russian Defense Ministry proposed changes to how their maritime borders in the Baltic Sea are determined.
“Of course, we are monitoring the situation closely,” a German government spokesman said at a regular press conference on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Reuters pointed out that Finnish Prime Minister Petri Orpo said Helsinki would pay attention to Russia’s proposal, but tried to downplay concerns, reportedly saying that any review by Moscow was likely to be routine and there was nothing to worry about.
A naval exercise led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and conducted by NATO Naval Strike and Support Forces in the Baltic Sea on June 6, 2022. .
Jonathan Nakstrand | AFP | Getty Images
Lithuania’s foreign minister said any plan to modify Lithuania’s territorial boundaries in the Baltic Sea would be an escalation against NATO and the EU.
“Another Russian hybrid operation is underway, this time trying to sow fear, uncertainty and doubt about its intentions in the Baltics,” Foreign Minister Gabriel Landsbergis said on social media platform
Russia is sending mixed messages as the Defense Ministry reportedly puts forward a proposal to change the way Russia’s maritime borders are measured. Russia’s new state agency, citing an unnamed “military-diplomatic” source, denied the report, but the Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied the move. When asked if the proposal was politically motivated.
— Holly Elliot
Novak: Russia is quickly restoring energy facilities
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak arrives at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, for expanded Russia-China talks on March 21, 2023.
Sergei Karpukhin Sputnik | Reuters
Russian deputy prime minister says Russian energy facilities are recovering quickly after drone attacks Alexander Novak says Comments on Google Translate showed he had been interviewed by Russia-1, according to state news agency TASS.
“Of course, it’s impossible to rule out (an attack) 100 percent. Sometimes what happens happens,” he noted. “Nonetheless, in order to ensure the full operation of enterprises, the resumption of work and production is still proceeding rapidly.”
Moscow is still strengthening protection of its energy infrastructure, he noted, adding that work was currently underway.
On Sunday, Moscow reported that Ukraine had launched a massive 62-drone attack on Russian regions. Reuters reports. The Interfax news agency said the Slavyansk refinery stopped working after the attack.
Russia is a major global oil and gas producer, and threats to its hydrocarbon infrastructure are adding to supply-side pressures on energy markets.
— Ruksandra Jordash
Russian troops claim to have captured village near Bakhmut
Russian troops captured the village of Krischivka in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said. said on telegram Wednesday.
Aerial view of a destroyed Ukrainian village in the Kabakhmut district of Krischivka, Ukraine on September 27, 2023.
Libkos | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The village is close to the city of Bahmut, which was a hotspot of heavy fighting before it was captured in May 2023.
— Holly Elliot
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