The Russian armed forces conducted an air raid on a hotel in Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine, claiming that there were ”British mercenaries” inside. Mykolaiv Governor Vitaly Kim said Shahed-131/136 type drones were used in the attack and “severely damaged” the hotel building. “A fire broke out, which was quickly put out. There were no casualties,” Kim said.
Russian state news agency Ria Novosti, citing Russian fighters in the region, confirmed it had struck a shipbuilding plant and a hotel in Mykolaiv where, it claimed, British mercenaries fighting in Ukraine were staying.
The Ukrainian Air Force said four more Russian-launched drones were destroyed around the capital, Kiev, in the central regions of Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad, and in the western Khmelnytskyi region. According to Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, Russia launched nine drones, five of which were shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
Russia: “Village conquered in Donetsk oblast”
The Russian armed forces have taken control of the village of Novobakhmutivka, in the Donetsk oblast in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry announced, quoted by the Interfax news agency. The village is near the city of Ocheretyne, which has become a focal point of clashes in recent days.
Moscow: 17 drones launched from Kiev shot down
The Russian military also claimed to have shot down 17 drones coming from Ukraine. Among them, three were shot down near the Kaluga Oblast oil depot. Furthermore, the Moscow Ministry of Defense reports, two drones were shot down over Belgorod Oblast, 3 over Kursk Oblast and 9 over Bryansk Oblast.
Isw: Kiev counteroffensive at the end of the year or beginning of 2025
The Ukrainian armed forces could launch a limited counteroffensive against Moscow’s army at the end of the year or at the beginning of 2025. This is what analysts from the ISW, the Institute for the Study of War, write, underlining that well-equipped Ukrainian military they may be able to slow the Russians’ rapid and significant advance during their planned summer offensive.
