Ukraine updates: Russia arrives in hometown of Eurovision duo
Russia fired cruise missiles and Iranian-made kamikaze drones at Ukrainian targets overnight, triggering air strike warnings across the country, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Sunday.
The drones and missiles were launched from aircraft and warships from the Black Sea, the military said. Twenty-five drones, most of the Iranian Shahed-136/131 type, and three cruise missiles were shot down by Ukrainian defenses, he added.
The head of the Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Yermak said the country’s air defenses were hitting their targets. But he also published photos of destroyed houses in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil.
Ternopil is the hometown of Ukrainian Eurovision contenders, electro-pop duo Tvorchi. Rockets hit the city as the pair performed in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in the English city of Liverpool on Saturday night. Two people were injured in the attacks.
“Our hometown … was bombed by Russia while we sang on the Eurovision stage about our hearts of steel, indomitability and will”, Tvorchi posted on Instagram, dedicating his performance to “all cities in Ukraine that are bombed every day”. .
“Europe, unite against evil for peace!” they wrote.
The duo’s song, “Heart of Steel”, was inspired by Ukrainian attempts to resist a months-long siege of the Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol.
Russia has increased the number of missile and drone attacks this month, which Kiev attributes to Moscow’s fear of an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive.
Here are some of the other notable developments regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine on Sunday, May 14th:
Zelenskyy holds talks in Berlin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
“At the most challenging time in Ukraine’s modern history, Germany [is] proud to be our true friend and reliable ally,” Zelenskyy wrote in the German Presidency’s guestbook. “Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe.”
Scholz said that Germany will support Ukraine as long as necessary. “I have said it many times and I repeat it here today: we will support you as long as necessary,” Scholz said during a joint press conference.
It is Zelenskyy’s first visit to Germany since Russia launched its full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. On the eve of Zelenskyy’s visit, Germany pledged a new military aid package worth more than €2.7 billion ($3 billion).
The package contained 30 Leopard tanks from Germany, as well as combat vehicles, reconnaissance drones and four Iris-T air defense systems considered crucial to preventing Russian missiles from falling on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
Zelenskyy flew to Berlin aboard a German military jet from Rome, where he met Italian leaders and the pope.
Source: DW
Ashley Bailey is a talented author and journalist known for her writing on trending topics. Currently working at 247 news reel, she brings readers fresh perspectives on current issues. With her well-researched and thought-provoking articles, she captures the zeitgeist and stays ahead of the latest trends. Ashley’s writing is a must-read for anyone interested in staying up-to-date with the latest developments.