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Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk: "Slap in the face"
Photo: Christophe Gateau / dpa
This article will be continuously updated.
Kyiv: No Russian breakthroughs at front
7.45 a.m .:
According to Ukrainian information, it was relatively quiet at the front last night.
The Ukrainian general staff said in its situation report on Saturday that there had been storm attempts around the steelworks in Mariupol in particular.
According to the report, Russian activity on other front sections, which had been heavily contested in recent weeks, was primarily limited to military reconnaissance and artillery shelling.
In the Izyum region, for example, drones were used to reconnoitre the defensive positions.
There, Russia is apparently planning a major push towards Kramatorsk in order to encircle the Ukrainian units in the Donbass.
The city of Kharkov and the towns in front of Donetsk were targets of artillery attacks.
The Russian Air Force was also in action.
Ground attacks, however, were not reported.
This information could not be verified independently.
Melnyk criticizes the Berlin police's ban on Ukrainian flags
7.40 a.m .:
The Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk has asked the Berlin police to reverse the conditions for demonstrations and commemorative events marking the 77th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
This includes, for example, that neither Russian nor Ukrainian flags may be displayed on the premises or in the vicinity of 15 memorials and memorials.
"We are shocked that the Berlin police banned the carrying of Ukrainian-related flags on May 8 and 9," Melnyk told the editorial network Germany (RND) on Friday.
"This is a slap in the face to Ukraine and a slap in the face to the Ukrainian people." On Twitter he wrote of a "scandalous decision".
The Berlin police want to accompany the planned demonstrations and memorial events with a large contingent.
According to a spokesman, around 3,400 police officers should be on the road in the city area this Sunday and Monday.
In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, a "very sensitive risk situation" is expected.
It is important to protect a dignified commemoration at memorial sites and memorials - and at the same time to prevent an "instrumentalization of commemoration", said police chief Barbara Slowik on Friday.
One of the police requirements is that uniforms or parts of uniforms - even in modified forms - as well as marching or military songs are prohibited.
The Z symbol is also prohibited.
According to the police, however, veterans of the Second World War, diplomats and representatives and delegations of states are exempt from the regulations.
Joe Biden pledges further military support
7.35 a.m .:
US President Joe Biden has approved further military aid for Ukraine to defend against the Russian war of aggression.
An additional package will provide the country with more artillery ammunition, radars and other equipment, Biden announced.
He called on the US Congress to release further requested billions in aid (read more here).
NATO Secretary General warns Russia against using nuclear weapons
7.30 a.m .:
Jens Stoltenberg has warned Russia against using nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.
"Our message is clear: if nuclear weapons were used, there would only be losers on all sides," NATO Secretary General told Welt am Sonntag.
"You can't win a nuclear war and it should never be fought, including Russia."
Since the beginning of the war, Russia has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons, and Moscow has, among other things, tactical nuclear weapons.
According to Stoltenberg, however, NATO has no indication that Russian nuclear weapons have been raised to a higher level of readiness since the beginning of the war on February 24.
Possible connection to Putin – Italy confiscates mega yacht “Scheherazade”
6.45 a.m .:
Italy has seized the mega yacht Scheherazade docked in Tuscany.
The ship is associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The yacht is valued by the Italian authorities at around 650 million euros.
Most recently, the yacht had apparently been launched.
Crew members were seen hurrying to load the ship, and the yacht was refueled last week, the New York Times reported (read more here).
According to research by the team of Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny, who is in prison in Russia, the ship belongs to Putin.
The luxury yacht company The Italian Sea Group, which last worked on the ship, announced weeks ago that according to documents, Putin is not the owner.
Lindner criticizes planned pro-Russian demonstrations for World War II
6 a.m.:
Before commemorating the end of World War II on May 8, FDP leader and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner has criticized the announcement of pro-Russian demonstrations in Germany.
"I find it shocking that during a Russian war in Europe, on the day the Nazi regime capitulated, Putin sympathizers misused this day," Lindner told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.
»No one should declare solidarity with the criminal rule of Vladimir Putin.
These people should ask themselves whether, conversely, it would be possible in Moscow to demonstrate for Ukraine.
That shows everything,” said Lindner.
Because of the time difference, May 9th is celebrated in Russia as Victory Day over Nazi Germany.
According to the security authorities, numerous pro-Russian demonstrations and actions are also expected on that day.
slue/dpa/Reuters/AP/AFP
