A Russian facility damaged by a Ukrainian strike on the Tatarstan region, April 2, 2024 (Ostorozhno Novosti/Reuters)

Saturday’s Coverage: Zelenskiy — “Most Severe Battles” in Donetsk Region in East

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 0609 GMT:

The Ukraine General Staff said its forces struck four Russian S-400 air defense missile launchers, an S-500 air defense system, and a Kilo-class submarine in occupied Crimea on Friday.

Navy spokersperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said one of the S-400s and the S-500 were protecting the Kerch Strait Bridge, Vladimir Putin’s flagship project connecting southwest Russia with Crimea.

The submarine was reportedly sunk in the port of Sevastopol.

Regular Ukrainian attacks have destroyed or damaged around 1/3 of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and forced the Russians to withdraw most of the warships from Crimea.

UPDATE 0603 GMT:

Donald Trump has hailed his friend Vladimir Putin for Thursday’s exchange of 16 foreign nationals and Russian dissidents, held as political prisoners, for eight convicted Russians — spies, a hacker, and an assassin — in other countries.

At a rally in Georgia, Trump said, “By the way, I’d like to congratulate Vladimir Putin for having made yet another great deal.”

Trump did not thank US President Joe Biden or American allies, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, involved in the negotiations. He also did not mention any of the political prisoners who were released, including US citizens Evan Gershkovich, Almu Kurmesheva, and Paul Whelan.

UPDATE 0544 GMT:

Ukraine air defenses downed five Iran-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight.

The UAVs were intercepted over the Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

The Russians also fired two S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and two Kh-59 guided missiles.

The Ukrainian military did not mention any casualties or damage. However, State rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said railway infrastructure was damaged in the Poltava region, with a number of trains bound for Kharkiv running with delays.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeated his call for permission to strike deep inside Russia, helping defeat Moscow’s 29-month invasion of Ukraine.

In his nightly video address to the nation, Zelenskiy said:

I thank everyone…who continues to tell our partners absolutely clearly that Ukraine needs to carry out strikes — really long-range strikes against the Russian occupier. Wherever the occupier is, wherever Russia strikes Ukraine from, wherever it launches missiles, “Shahed” drones, bombs from.

We need this decision so that we can use all the weapons that can be effective. We must protect the lives of our people and end the war on Ukrainian terms, and every strike that accurately responds to Russia’s aerial bombs, that destroys Russian logistics and bases, that makes it more difficult for the occupier to stay on our land — every such strike brings the just end to the war closer.

In April, the US finally approved the delivery to Kyiv of ATACMS missiles, with a range of 300 miles. However, the Biden Administration has maintained the prohibition on their use inside Russia, although shorter-range weapons may be used on Russian positions directly supporting cross-border offensives.

Ukraine has struck up to 1,200 km (746 miles) from the frontline, damaging installations providing up to 14% of Russia’s refined oil, airbases, and supply and logistics facilities.

Drone strikes last week hit an airbase and oil depots closer to the border. Early Saturday, the UAVs hit a fuel depot, setting tanks ablaze, and the Morozovsk airbase — where guided aerial bombs are stored in the Rostov region in southwest Russia.

Russian officials did not acknowledge significant damage, but Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev declared a state of emergency in the Morozovsk district and said warehouse facilities had been struck.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 75 drones were intercepted and destroyed over regions close to the border.