A fragile settlement reached throughout the Istanbul peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is now teetering on the sting of collapse, as each side commerce blame over stalled prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of troopers’ stays.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, in a sharply worded assertion Saturday, known as on Russia to honor commitments made in Istanbul, which included the alternate of wounded, sick, and younger prisoners of battle, in addition to the return of 1000’s of fallen troopers.
“The Russian side pledged to begin exchanges from now,” Kyiv’s assertion mentioned, warning Moscow to not “create artificial obstacles or spread false narratives” to delay the method.
Tensions escalated when Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky claimed Ukraine had indefinitely postponed the swaps. But Kyiv swiftly rejected the accusation.
“Russia’s latest statements contradict reality and the agreements made,” mentioned Andriy Kovalenko from Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, accusing Moscow of “playing dirty games” and dragging its ft underneath false pretenses.
Ukraine’s Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War revealed that lists had already been shared with Russia, but the Kremlin responded with mismatched names and unilateral actions, notably on physique repatriation.
“An agreement exists,” Ukraine reiterated. “But instead of following the agreed algorithm, Russia has acted on its own, outside the joint framework.”
Missile barrage devastates Kharkiv
Even as negotiations stall, the battlefield stays ablaze. In the lifeless of evening, Russia launched a barrage of high-precision missiles and drones on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest metropolis and a frequent goal because of its proximity to the Russian border.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov described Saturday’s bombardment as “the most powerful attack since the start of the full-scale war.”
Photos from the aftermath confirmed scorched condo blocks, destroyed faculties, and rescuers pulling injured civilians from smoldering rubble.
Three have been confirmed lifeless, and a minimum of 22 have been wounded. Governor Oleh Syniehubov warned that folks may nonetheless be trapped underneath particles, after 40 drones and a number of bombs struck a civilian industrial web site.
Tensions prolong into Russian heartland
Russia was additionally hit. In the Moscow area, two civilians have been injured in a Ukrainian drone strike that compelled a quick suspension of flights at Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports. Authorities reported 9 drones intercepted and downed.
In whole, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 36 Ukrainian drones in a single day throughout a number of areas, together with Moscow.
Meanwhile, Ukraine mentioned it downed a Russian Su-35 fighter jet – a declare unconfirmed by Moscow and unverified by unbiased sources.
Strategic blow inside Russia
Adding to the high-stakes rigidity, a senior German army official revealed on Saturday {that a} current Ukrainian drone assault deep into Russian territory could have broken round 10% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet.
The strike reportedly hit plane as they have been being prepped for sorties in opposition to Ukraine.
Source: www.dailysabah.com