Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has initiated a series of dismissals within his administration, including the removal of a top aide and several advisers, amidst the backdrop of intensified Russian aggression. The latest reshuffle saw the departure of first assistant Serhiy Shefir, who had been in the role since 2019, along with three advisers and two presidential representatives overseeing volunteer activities and soldiers’ rights.
The reasons behind these personnel changes were not immediately disclosed, adding to the broader restructuring that has been unfolding in recent months. Notable dismissals in the recent past include Oleksii Danilov, the former secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who was relieved of his duties as head of the armed forces and appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
On the military front, Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 12 Shahed drones overnight, with nine being successfully intercepted. Additionally, four missiles were fired into eastern Ukraine as part of the ongoing hostilities.
The impact of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure has been severe, with the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant in the eastern Kharkiv region being completely destroyed by Russian shelling. This has led to power outages affecting approximately 120,000 residents, following an initial blackout that affected 700,000 people after the plant was targeted on March 22.
Furthermore, Russia has intensified its assault on Ukrainian energy facilities in recent days, causing significant damage across multiple regions. In the Poltava region, officials reported damage to an infrastructure facility, though specifics regarding the nature of the target were not provided.
The toll of the recent wave of attacks became evident as local officials in the Kherson region confirmed the death of one civilian following Friday’s barrage of 99 drones and missiles. Additionally, a resident of the Dnipropetrovsk region succumbed to injuries sustained from shelling, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
As the situation continues to evolve, Ukraine remains under immense pressure from Russian forces, with the conflict showing no signs of abating. Stay updated on the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war at AP’s dedicated coverage page.
