A high-ranking Ukrainian official criticized the “symbolic blow” of Russia taking over the presidency of the UN Security Council: “This is not just a shame. This is another symbolic blow to the rules-based system of international relations.” This was stated by the head of the Administration of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak.

The latest on the war in Ukraine, day 402, LIVETEXT:

08:51 The Ukrainian military says that over the past 24 hours it has repelled more than 70 Russian attacks.

Over the past day, Kyiv troops have repelled more than 70 attacks by the Russian Federation and struck 11 areas where Russian troops are concentrated, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. (Kyiv Independent)

08:33 The Wall Street Journal on Saturday called for the immediate release of Evan Hershkovich, the Moscow correspondent who was arrested by Russia’s FSB security service on espionage charges.

“Evan’s case is a malicious affront to a free press and should outrage all free people and governments around the world,” the newspaper said.

08:28 In the Russian war, 262 Ukrainian athletes died and 363 sports facilities were destroyed, the Minister of Sports of the country Vadym Gutzait said on Saturday.

During a meeting with the president of the International Gymnastics Federation, Morinari Watanabe, who visited the country, Hatzeit said that no athlete from Russia should be allowed to participate in the Olympics or other sports.

“They all support this war and participate in events organized to support this war,” he said (Reuters).

A brief summary of recent events:

• Volodymyr Zelenskyi said on Saturday that it is absurd that Russia has taken over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, adding that it shows the “complete bankruptcy of the institution.”
• Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised to increase the supply of ammunition to his troops in Ukraine during a visit to the headquarters of Moscow’s forces fighting in the country, according to images released by the Defense Ministry on Saturday.
• The International Olympic Committee criticized Kyiv’s decision not to allow Ukrainian athletes to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris if they have to compete against the Russians, saying on Saturday that it would only harm Ukrainian sports and its athletes.
• The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is not running for the position of Secretary General of NATO, the commission’s spokesman said on Saturday.
• NATO countries plan to send two battalions of German Leopard-2 battle tanks and four battalions of Leopard-1 tanks to Ukraine, the German Defense Minister said.
• A $2.6 billion U.S. military aid package, which could include aerial surveillance radars, anti-tank missiles and fuel trucks for Ukraine, is expected to be announced as early as Monday, three U.S. officials said.
• Dozens of believers gathered in front of the Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, whose monks, accused of ties to Moscow, are subject to an evacuation order, and whose head, Metropolitan Pavlo Lebid, was questioned on Saturday.
• Proposals to ban Russian companies from supplying liquefied natural gas to the countries of the European Union were welcomed on Saturday by European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.
• A geotagged video released by Wagner’s militants shows Russian mercenaries raising the group’s flag on a building near the center of Bakhmut.
• Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused Ukraine of asking for nuclear weapons, basing her claim on the country’s online petition, which has so far garnered less than 1,000 signatures.
• A Russian convicted murderer recruited by Wagner and released from prison to fight in Ukraine was arrested a few days after returning home on suspicion of murdering an elderly woman.
• Ukraine has ordered 100 Rosomak multi-purpose armored vehicles from Poland, manufactured under a Finnish license with funding from the European Union and the United States, the Polish Prime Minister announced on Saturday.
• Although Valery Gerasimov has been head of Russia’s General Staff for a decade and is loyal to Vladimir Putin, the general may be pushing the Kremlin to tolerate failure, Britain’s Ministry of Defense says.

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• Saturday’s events regarding Russian aggression were broadcast LIVE on HotNews.ro