Appeal to international sports and attack on plant in Iran: last night's highlights
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on international sports federations to respond to the IOC's decision to allow Russians to return to competition, and a defense company was attacked by drones in Iran. Here is what you may have missed from the previous night.
Letters to sports federations
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent letters to the presidents of leading international sports federations over the International Olympic Committee's intention to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In the letters, Zelenskyy called on international federations to decide on the IOC's decision, “which, unfortunately, wants to open sports to the propaganda influence of a terrorist state”.
Attack on a defense plant in Iran
The Iranian Ministry of Defense announced a drone attack on a defense plant in the city of Isfahan in the central part of the country.
The country's Defense Ministry claims that the attack was unsuccessful — one of the drones was shot down by an air defense system, and the other two fell into defense traps and exploded.
In addition, a fire broke out in the city of Azarshahr in northern Iran at an oil refinery and a lubricant production facility.
NATO's readiness for confrontation with Russia
The President of the NATO Military Committee Rob Bauer, Lieutenant Admiral of the Royal Netherlands Navy, said that the Alliance is ready for a direct confrontation with Russia.
He emphasized that Russia's strategic goals go beyond Ukraine, given that Moscow intends to regain the territories of the former Soviet Union.
Discussions on F-16 in the Pentagon
Politico reports that the US Department of Defense is discussing the possibility of sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian missiles and drone attacks.
Politico notes that officials are concerned that Ukraine is running out of missiles to defend its skies. Once the missile arsenal is depleted, Russian fighter jets will be able to enter Ukrainian airspace.
Sanctions against carriers
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions on 185 individuals and legal entities.
According to Zelenskyy, these people and companies are used by Russia to transport its military equipment and soldiers by rail.
Other news overnight:
- Russia has increased the number of missile-carrying vessels in the Black Sea to three: their total volley is 20 Kalibr missiles.
- 76% of Ukraine's mobile network is in operation, with communication difficulties in Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions.
- President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says that the EU will be on Ukraine's side without any ifs or buts.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to give a “strong, swift and precise” response to the attack on the synagogue in Jerusalem.
- The White House says it will take “many months” to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
- ISW analysts believe that Russian military personnel is likely replacing the depleted forces of Wagner Group mercenaries to continue the offensive on Bakhmut.
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