"Famous, historic monasteries have been shut down or seized by authorities, monks expelled, and churches have been raided by far-right nationalist militant groups. As for the other side, Russian aerial raids have often devastated whole Ukrainian neighborhoods, includingdestruction of local churches.
In a fresh incident, Russian government and media sources say a Ukrainian drone was sent across the border and struck an iconic, historic church in Belgorord region, which set the church on fire.
Local Belgorod governor Vyacheslav issued a statement on Telegram Saturday saying "the enemy is striking our holy sites again – an enemy drone has attacked Saint George Church in the village of Tolokonnoye."
Emergency crews were able to extinguish the blaze, but not before the church's domes caught on fire." ZH
"253 combat clashes between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded.
Russian airstrikes targeted the following settlementss: Mkhy in Chernihiv region, Myropilske, Krasnopillia, Chernatske in Sumy region, Shevchenko Pershe, Zelene Pole, Novopil, Komyshuvakha in Donetsk region, Temyrivka, Novodarivka, Huliaipole, Malynivka, Novoandriivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, five clashes occurred near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, six enemy attacks were repelled near Zahryzove and toward Novoosynove and Hlushkivka.In the Lyman sector, the Russians carried out 16 attacks attempting to advance near Ridkodub, Lypove, Yampolivka, Kolodiazi, Torske, and toward Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, Russian forces attacked three times toward Ivano-Dariivka and Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled six enemy assaults near Chasiv Yar and toward Maiske, Predtechyne, Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian forces carried out seven attacks near Toretsk, Krymske, and Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian forces halted 113 enemy attacks near Stara Mykolaivka, Zelene Pole, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Promin, Shevchenko, Oleksandropil, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Novooleksandrivka, Kotliarivka, Troitske, Andriivka, and toward Romanivka, Malynivka, Nova Poltavka, Myroliubivka, Oleksiivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 66 Russian assaults were repelled near Kostiantynopil, Burlatske, Novosilka, Rivnopil, Pryvilne, and toward Odradne, Zelene Pole, Novopil, Shevchenko, and Bahatyr.
In the Huliaipole sector, no combat clashes were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, three unsuccessful enemy attacks occurred near Novodanylivka, Novopokrovka, and Kamianske.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one failed Russian attempt to approach Ukrainian defenses was recorded.
In the Kursk sector, there were 23 clashes; Russian forces launched 256 artillery strikes (10 from MLRS), and seven airstrikes with 15 guided bombs." Ukrin
"Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) equipped with R-73 air-to-air missiles are reported to have hit a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near the port of Novorossiysk. A historic strike has been carried out by soldiers from Group 13, a special DIU unit, using a missile from a Magura uncrewed surface platform. A multi-purpose fighter jet belonging to the aggressor state of Russia, with an estimated cost of about US$50 million, burst into flames in the air and eventually crashed into the sea, to the bottom of the ruthless Neptune's domain." Ukrin
"The right-wing Reform UK party has won 677 out of more than 1,600 seats in England’s local elections, while the Labour and the Conservative parties suffered heavy defeats across the country.As results began to trickle in on Friday, the party led by firebrand and Brexit proponent Nigel Farage emerged as the strongest performer in contests held in 23 local authorities across England, winning control of ten councils. These included eight taken from the Conservatives – Derbyshire, Kent, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and West Northamptonshire — along with Doncaster from Labour and Durham, where no party previously had a majority.
Reform also won hard-fought parliamentary by-elections in Runcorn and Helsby, snatching victory from Labour by just six votes after a recount. As a result, the party now controls five seats in the UK Parliament.
According to a BBC projection, if a general election were held today, Reform UK would receive 30% of the vote, ahead of Labour at 20% and the Conservatives at 15%. However, the next general election is not due until May 2029." RT
"Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has claimed that US President Donald Trump adjustedhis view of the Russia-Ukraine conflict following their brief, impromptu meeting at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican last week. According to him, the discussion stood in sharp contrast to the heated argument the two had in the White House in February. “I think the conversation I had with Trump was the best we’ve had so far. It was possibly the shortest, but also the most substantive. With all due respect to our teams, I believe the tête-à-tête format worked well. The discussion had the right atmosphere,” Zelensky told reporters." RT
"Both Israel and Turkey have long been the major regional players with a "hidden hand" inSyria - with both at times covertly leading the drive to weaken and overthrow the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad.
Israeli tanks and ground units have moved up toward Damascus from the South, and Turkey 's "Syrian National Army" proxy fighters have been active in Aleppo province and in northern Syria.
Turkey has also reportedly been involved with the new Syrian government under al-Qaeda linked Jolani (Sharaa), establishing anti-air defense infrastructure at Syrian bases, particularly near Palmyra in the center of the country." ZeroHedge
