Damage in the Dnipropetrovsk region in south-central Ukraine from a Russian missile strike, April 19, 2024

Damage in the Dnipropetrovsk region in south-central Ukraine from a Russian missile strike, April 19, 2024

Thursday’s Coverage: US House Scheduled To Vote on Ukraine Aid on Saturday

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 1457 GMT:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has visited frontline positions in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, as Ukrainian forces try to hold back a Russian offensive.

Zelensky inspected fortifications and held meetings about the security situation and the protection of civilians and troops.

UPDATE 1254 GMT:

The toll has risen to nine killed, including three children, and 29 wounded from this morning’s Russian missile strikes on the Dnipropetrovsk region in south-central Ukraine.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has commented:

Russia must be held accountable for its terror, and all missiles and “Shahed” drones must be intercepted. The world can ensure this, and our partners possess the necessary capabilities. This has been demonstrated in the skies over the Middle East, and it should also work in Europe.

UPDATE 0943 GMT:

Poland’s authorities have arrested a local man over allegations that he assisted a plot by Russian intelligence services to assassinate Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The office of the Polish national prosecutor said “Pawel K”, arrested in Poland on Wednesday, had prepared to pass security information about Rzeszów-Jasionka airport to Russian agents.

Rzeszów-Jasionka airport is in southeast Poland near the Ukrainian border. Controlled by US troops, it is the gateway for international military and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, and a transit point for international leaders and aid workers in and out of Ukraine. Zelenskiy has frequently passed through it.

If convicted, “Pawel K” faces up to eight years in prison.

Ukraine Chief Prosecutor Andrii Kostin posted:

This case underscores the persistent threat Russia poses not only to Ukraine and Ukrainians but to the entire free world. The Kremlin’s criminal regime is constantly trying to undermine European and global security. It organizes and carries out sabotage operations on the territory of other sovereign states.

German authorities have arrested two German-Russian nationals on suspicion of plotting sabotage attacks, including on US military facilities.

“Dieter S” and “Alexander J” were apprehended in Bayreuth in southern Germany. Prosecutors said only that the men were accused of working for a foreign secret service; however, sources told German media that the two are suspected of operating as Russian spies on behalf of the Kremlin.

“Dieter S” is also charged with “conspiring to cause an explosive attack and arson, acting as an agent for sabotage purposes and security-endangering collection of intelligence on military installations”. Sources said he was in contact with a member of the Russian secret services as he developing sabotage plans since October 2023.

Der Spiegel said the US military base Grafenwöhr in Bavaria in southern Germany was the main interest. Grafenwöhr is a site for training of Ukrainian troops, especially in the operation of Abrams heavy battle tanks.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, “The suspicion that Putin is recruiting agents from us to carry out attacks on German soil is extremely serious. We will not allow Putin to bring his terror to Germany.”

Baerbock has summoned Russia Ambassador Sergey Nechayev for an explanation.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least eight people have been killed and 21 injured in the latest Russian missile strikes on the Dnipropetrovsk region in south-central Ukraine.

Six people were killed and two injured in Synelnykove. Two were slain and 16 injured in Dnipro, and three were wounded in Kryvyi Rih.

Mykola Lukashuk, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, posted images of the rescue operations: “More than a dozen private houses were damaged in the Synelnykove district. Fires broke out, which were quickly extinguished by rescuers.”

Russia has escalated missile and drone strikes trying to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and break civilian morale. Areas in Dnipropetrovsk have been hit regularly, including strikes last Thursday that cut power to many residents in the region.

In late March, Russia’s largest assault of 2024 severely damaged the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine’s largest.