First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, attended the launch of the Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi, a new anti-submarine warship built for Ukraine in Turkey. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov highlighted that the Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi and its predecessor, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa, both constructed in Turkey due to Russian aggression, are equipped with advanced weaponry and will significantly enhance Ukraine’s naval capabilities. Umerov stated, “Ukraine has already challenged the Russian fleet’s dominance, sinking numerous ships, and we are expanding our naval strength in the Black and Azov seas.” However, the timing of when these warships will reach Ukraine remains uncertain due to the Montreux Convention, which restricts the movement of warships through the Bosphorus Strait controlled by Turkey.
On Friday morning, Russian-occupied Crimea faced missile and drone strikes. Sevastopol’s Russian-appointed governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported debris falling on the city. Explosions were heard in Saki, which hosts an airbase, and in Yevpatoria, as reported by Crimean Wind, a Telegram channel known for reliable military updates. Additionally, Kursk oblast in Russia was also targeted in an air attack, according to Governor Alexey Smirnov.
In Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, a mother and daughter were killed by Russian shelling, with the city being hit by a dozen shells, damaging private homes, a fire station, a college, a school, and buses, according to Governor Serhiy Lysak.
According to Federico Borsari from the Center for European Policy Analysis, f-16 fighter jets arriving in Ukraine are expected to perform three primary missions. These missions include intercepting Russian missiles and drones, suppressing Russian air defenses, and bombing Russian troop positions and ammunition depots. Borsari notes that these jets will influence the war’s dynamics, despite facing Russia’s advanced S-300 and S-400 missile systems and a substantial fleet of operational fighter jets and surveillance radars.
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Exiled Russian lawmaker Ilya Ponomaryov was injured in a Shahed drone attack near Kyiv. Ponomaryov, who fled to Ukraine and became a citizen after opposing Crimea’s annexation, described the attack as violent, with shrapnel injuring him. He recently led the political wing of the Freedom of Russia Legion, which announced its separation from him and the dissolution of its political wing.
The Estonian government announced on Thursday that it will implement full customs controls on its border with Russia to prevent sanctions evasion. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized the need to stop goods that support Russia’s war efforts from entering. Finance Minister Jurgen Ligi added that goods intended for Russia often bypass their declared destinations, including military and dual-use items and large sums of cash, which are being smuggled through Estonia.
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko arrived in Turkey on Thursday to discuss ratifying a free trade agreement and expanding economic cooperation. Turkey is one of Ukraine’s top five trading partners, and the agreement will eliminate duties on many Ukrainian goods. The Ukrainian parliament has yet to set a date for ratification.
