International-News

Putin says the crisis in Ukraine is a systemic Western mistake

Russian president blames Western countries for the war as fighting continues and new attacks are reported across Ukraine and Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the crisis in Ukraine is a systemic Western mistake, blaming Western countries for the conflict during an interview with the Russian broadcaster Vesti.

“It can be stated with certainty that everything happening now in Ukraine is, without a doubt, a mistake, primarily by Western countries. It is a systemic mistake,” the Kremlin leader said.

Putin’s remarks come as the war continues with new attacks reported across Ukraine and Russia, further intensifying the conflict that Moscow describes as proof that the crisis in Ukraine is a systemic Western mistake.

Dutch prime minister visits Kyiv

Amid the ongoing conflict, newly elected Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten arrived in Kyiv for an official visit. The trip was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his social media channels.

Earlier, Zelensky said he planned to discuss additional air defense systems and new sanctions against Russia with European partners, as Ukraine continues to push for stronger military and economic support.

Russian drones and missiles launched overnight

Ukrainian authorities reported a new wave of overnight attacks carried out by Russian forces. According to the Air Force Command of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 117 drones, including Shahed, Gerbera and Italmas models.

“According to preliminary data, by 09:00 air defenses had shot down 98 enemy Shahed, Gerbera and other types of drones in the north, south and east of the country,” the statement said on the military’s Telegram channel.

Two ballistic missiles and 19 attack drones were recorded in 11 locations. Ukrainian air defenses responded using aviation units, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare systems, unmanned systems and mobile fire groups.

Missile strike reported in Russia’s Belgorod region

Russian authorities said Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale missile attack on the Belgorod region.

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the city of Belgorod and surrounding areas were targeted, causing serious damage to energy infrastructure.

“Belgorod and its district were subjected to a large-scale missile attack by the Ukrainian armed forces,” Gladkov said, adding that emergency services were working at the scene. According to preliminary information, no injuries were reported.

Russia says it struck Ukrainian drone launch sites

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces carried out strikes on Ukrainian sites used to prepare and launch long-range drones.

“Tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile forces and artillery struck preparation and launch sites for long-range unmanned aerial vehicles,” the ministry said.

The statement added that Russian forces also targeted temporary deployment points of Ukrainian militants and foreign mercenaries in 143 districts.

Concerns over a British facility in Ukraine

Meanwhile, a top-secret British facility in Ukraine could now face a higher risk of being targeted by Russian attacks after the UK Ministry of Defence briefly published a video that may help identify its location.

The footage showed Defence Minister Luke Pollard walking inside the site while highlighting British assistance to Ukraine. The video was released alongside a Guardian article describing the facility, where British engineers help repair damaged Ukrainian military equipment, but without revealing its location.

Experts warned that the footage might still allow the site to be geolocated based on details visible through the building’s windows. Pollard also described the surrounding area in the video.

If the location were identified, Russia could potentially target the facility with drones, missiles or bombs, putting British and Ukrainian personnel at risk.

The Ministry of Defence removed the video within hours, but it reportedly received hundreds of thousands of views on X before being taken down.

During his visit, Pollard said the facility showed how Britain was doing things “that no other nation has been willing or able to do.” He added that the United Kingdom would not waver in its support for Ukraine, saying the country’s security was closely linked to Britain’s own defense.

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