War in Ukraine: Russian drone hits buses in Nikopol, 5 dead. Italian fighter planes shoot down drone in Lithuania

A Russian drone hit a bus in Nikopol, causing 5 deaths and 7 injuries. The Ukrainian media reported this, also reporting a Russian attack on energy infrastructure in the Ukrainian region of Poltava. Zelensky denounced "attempts to attack" his plane by Moscow. While high NATO-Russia tension continues: 2 Italian fighters shot down a drone that had violated Lithuania's airspace. "Probably he was Russian", confirms Crosetto on a visit to Vilnius.

"Ukrainians are fighting for something. They are fighting for the survival of their state, their identity and their freedom. And they are also fighting for our freedom and our self-determination. Our task remains to support Ukraine in this effort with all our strength." The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said this in the European Parliament. “We intend to jointly develop a cost-effective and modular missile defense system, the focus of this collaboration is Freyja: we will combine the combat experience and innovative strength of the Ukrainians with European technological leadership.”

The Supreme Court of the Komi Republic in northern Russia sentenced Nikolai Zyuzev, a Russian and Canadian citizen, to seven years in prison on charges of "high treason in the form of 'assistance' provided to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation." This was announced by the press office of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), quoted by the Tass agency.

Russia is ready to face any "Western provocations" ahead of the elections to the State Duma. This was stated by the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, speaking on Radio Sputnik.

"The diplomats are receiving even more preparation. We are absolutely ready," Zakharova said, explaining that Moscow was preparing for possible "Western provocations" during the elections.

Russian Army Major General Anton Grunis, commander of the 4 Motorized Infantry Brigade, was killed in Ukraine, according to a source within the same brigade relaunched by the Moscow Times.

Ukrainian armed forces used a drone to attack a vehicle in the village of Krasnaya Yaruga, Belgorod region, injuring two men. Tass reports it, citing the 'Max' channel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has complained that Russia has targeted his plane with drones twice in recent weeks, describing the incidents as part of an attempt to intimidate him and other foreign officials who support Ukraine.