Berlin, Germany – Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, who has been imprisoned since 2021, has publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sparking anti-war protests across the country. His outspoken criticism of the war punctuates a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia amid ongoing conflict.
The war in Ukraine has seen continued attacks, with at least five people killed and five injured in Russian attacks in various regions of the country within the past 24 hours. Additionally, Ukraine’s Third Separate Assault Brigade reported that at least 15,000 enemy troops are engaged in frontline battle in the town of Avdiivka, located in the eastern Donetsk region. The ongoing conflict has led to a dire shortage of critical supplies, particularly ammunition, for Ukrainian forces fighting in Avdiivka.
As the conflict continues, a senior US defense official issued a stark warning on Friday that without additional funding for security assistance to Ukraine, the country will not be able to receive more air defenses, leading to further bombardment of cities and increased civilian casualties.
The US estimates that the war in Ukraine has cost Russia up to $211 billion in operational efforts and an expected $1.3 trillion in lost economic growth. Personnel losses for Russian forces are estimated at 315,000, with at least 20 “medium-to-large Russian Federation Navy vessels” and one Russian tanker in the Black Sea being sunk, destroyed, or damaged by Ukrainian forces.
On the diplomatic front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky secured new military aid and signed a long-term security agreement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. The 10-year security agreement commits Germany to supporting Ukraine with military aid and implementing sanctions and export controls against Russia, while also ensuring that Russian assets remain frozen.
The developments in the ongoing conflict highlight the escalating tensions and human cost associated with the war in Ukraine, as well as the diplomatic efforts to provide support and aid to the country.