Former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuczma said that President Zelensky’s decisions did not align with Putin’s expectations, explaining why Russia launched its invasion, and he voiced hope and anxiety about the war’s future.
Kuczma Blames Zelensky’s Actions for Russian Invasion
Leonid Kuczma, who served two terms, stated that what Zelensky did was “not what Putin expected,” and therefore Russia attacked. He said if the actions had matched Putin’s expectations, an invasion would not have happened.
Kuczma Expresses Hope and Anxiety
He said the most important words for him are “hope” and “anxiety.” Hope because the many signals point to the war ending, and anxiety because the conflict still seems far from finished and unity is broken.
Night Attack Claims Six Killed
At night between Saturday and Sunday, at least six people were killed by Russian drone and missile strikes on the Dnipro, Petrovske, and Odesa regions. The casualties included two teenage children.
Power Outage in Zaporizhzhia Region
Following the attack, roughly 58,000 residents in the Zaporizhzhia region were left without electricity as power facilities were damaged.
Damage in Tuapse Oil Port
In Russia’s Black Sea port town of Tuapse, drones launched by Ukraine caused a fire that damaged an oil tank and port infrastructure. Local authorities said emergency services contained the blaze and secured the area.
Ukrainian Special Forces Raid Pokrovsk
Ukrainian intelligence reported that special forces entered Pokrovsk to clear Russian troops from the city. The operation used aviation equipment and is considered very difficult; a presidential adviser described the situation as “challenging but not hopeless.”
Russian Claims of Encirclement
For several days Moscow has claimed it has surrounded Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, inviting foreign journalists to witness its successes. The cities are strategically important for supplying forces operating in Donbas.
