A Russian drone strike damages a Red Cross vehicle in Kherson, injuring two aid workers. The European Parliament opens a permanent office in Kyiv, its president says. Poland holds major drills with Abrams tanks, F-35 and F-16 aircraft.
Russian drone strike damages Red Cross vehicle in Kherson, injuring two aid workers
A drone damaged a vehicle of the Ukrainian Red Cross in Kherson on Monday, injuring two staff workers, the organization said on Tuesday. It did not directly say that the drone was Russian but added, citing a report by local authorities, that on Monday, Russia carried out a number of attacks on the Kherson and Beryslav districts, using artillery, mortars and drones.
A car, carrying two employees returning from a mine safety class, was “clearly marked” as a Ukrainian Red Cross vehicle, the statement says. It came under fire at around 5:30 p.m. Despite the damage, the vehicle successfully reached the nearest hospital where the staff members received medical care.
“We categorically condemn the targeting of vehicles marked with the Red Cross emblem and attacks on humanitarian personnel. Such actions represent a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” the Ukrainian Red Cross said.
European Parliament opens permanent office in Kyiv, its president says
The European Parliament opens a permanent office in Kyiv, its president, Roberta Metsola said, addressing Ukrainian MPs in parliament on Wednesday. “We are opening a permanent representation office of the European Parliament here in Kyiv, so that we are present on the ground working alongside you every day. This was our commitment to you and we have kept it,” Metsola said.
The EU is preparing its 19th sanctions package against Russia. It will also accelerate in moving away from buying Russian oil and gas and will tackle the shadow fleet of oil tankers that are still operating, she added.
“The European Parliament will remain firmly by your side every step of the way until peace is secured, freedom is restored and until Ukraine takes its rightful place in our European family,” Metsola said, adding: “Europe must match the progress that you have already made with the next step of formally opening the so-called fundamentals cluster. And I am confident that we will find a way forward.”
Metsola arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday. She has been in office since 2022, succeeding David Sassoli, who passed away in January 2022. In 2024, Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament for another 2.5-year term, until 2027.
Poland holds major drills with Abrams tanks, F-35 and F-16 aircraft
Poland is holding major drills codenamed Iron Gates at a training ground in Ozysz on Wednesday, Polish media said. The training that includes armored vehicles, tanks and aircraft takes place around 100 kilometers from the strategic Suwalki gap.
The exercises will be observed by Poland’s Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Wiesław Kukuła.
The vehicles and weapons that are part of the drills include Abrams tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, WR-40 Langusta multiple launch rocket systems, Rak mortars, Rosomak armored vehicles, Piorun man-portable air defense systems and Spike systems. F-35 and F-16 aircraft as well as AH-64 Apache helicopters are providing air support for the training.
The drills are part of the Iron Defender exercise, Poland’s largest this year. The exercises are happening on land, at sea and in the air and include the participation of the country’s ground forces, air force, navy, special forces and territorial defense. There are about 30,000 soldiers in the Iron Defender exercise and 600 pieces of equipment from both Poland and NATO countries.
On Tuesday, Poland conducted a live-fire test of US-made Patriot air defense systems at a training ground in Ustka. The drills will continue in Poland’s Nowa Dęba on Thursday.
