Ukraine's military has struck a Russian Karakurt-class small missile carrier on the Caspian Sea off the coast of Dagestan, the Ukrainian general staff announced on Thursday. The ship was reportedly located at the port of Kaspiysk, more than 1,500km from Kyiv and closer to Tehran. The extent of the damage is being assessed. The Karakurt class can fire Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia has used to hit civilian targets in Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed satisfaction with the long-range attack and a second assault on a Lukoil-owned refinery in Perm, near the Ural Mountains, within eight days. 'In a mirror response to Russian strikes, we will continue our long-range sanctions,' he said.
Ukraine's defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said a deal to purchase Saab-made Gripen fighter jets could be signed within months. Sweden and Ukraine signed a letter of intent last year for up to 150 Gripens, with first deliveries estimated three years after a final deal. Swedish defence minister Pal Jonson said a deal for older-model Gripens, to be delivered faster, was progressing well.
As Russia's Victory Day parade approaches on Saturday, Moscow has issued threats against diplomats in Kyiv, urging them to evacuate. Britain's Foreign Office called the threats 'unwarranted, irresponsible and completely unjustified.' Germany's foreign minister said Berlin would not pull its embassy staff from Kyiv. Zelenskyy said Russia wanted a 'permit' to hold its parade safely before continuing its attacks.
Ukrainian drones have regularly harassed Moscow, and on Thursday morning, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed air defence units intercepted over 50 drones in 15 hours. Zelenskyy said Russia had flouted a ceasefire he proposed for Victory Day, responding with strikes and threats.
Russia complained to Armenia for hosting Zelenskyy at a European Political Community summit. Armenia's prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, stated that Armenia is not an ally of Russia regarding Ukraine. Ukraine's top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, arrived in Miami for talks with US officials on a peace accord.
