Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv (23:48 UTC): Reports the number of injured in the Kharkiv drone attack has risen to SEVEN.
Assessment: This FURTHER INCREASES the HUMANITARIAN IMPACT of the ONGOING RUSSIAN DRONE ATTACK ON KHARKIV. The RISING CASUALTY COUNT highlights the DANGER TO CIVILIANS.
WHITE HOUSE: TRUMP NOT INTERESTED IN UKRAINE MINERAL DEAL (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED, MULTIPLE SOURCES):
TASS (23:48 UTC) reports the White House stating Trump is NOT CURRENTLY INTERESTED in a mineral deal with Ukraine, citing Reuters.
Assessment: This is a MAJOR DEVELOPMENT with POTENTIALLY SEVERE CONSEQUENCES for Ukraine. It CONTRADICTS PREVIOUS REPORTS of a potential deal and suggests a FURTHER DETERIORATION in US-UKRAINE RELATIONS under the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. This SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE RISK of REDUCED OR TERMINATED US SUPPORT. The reliance on a REUTERS REPORT adds CREDIBILITY, although DIRECT CONFIRMATION from the White House would be ideal.
ZELENSKY'S FOX NEWS INTERVIEW CONTINUED (HIGH PRIORITY, CONFIRMED, MULTIPLE SOURCES):
Multiple sources (various timestamps) continued reporting on Zelensky's interview, covering similar themes as before:
Zelensky expresses openness to verifying how US funds are spent.
Zelensky states he wants Trump to be "more on our side."
Zelensky reiterates Ukraine's need for US support and security guarantees.
Zelensky refuses to apologize to Trump, stating he did nothing wrong.
Zelensky states that his relations with Trump can be saved.
Zelensky explains the dispute with Trump was caused by narratives of a ruined Ukraine, millions dead, and a dictator president.
Ukrainian sources summarize the main points of the interview.
ASTRA posts a summary and interpretation of the Fox News interview.
Assessment: These reports REINFORCE previous assessments. Zelensky is CONTINUING HIS EFFORTS to MAINTAIN US SUPPORT while STANDING FIRM AGAINST PRESSURE to CONCEDE TO UNFAVORABLE TERMS. His REFUSAL TO APOLOGIZE and his EXPLANATION OF THE DISPUTE show DETERMINATION. The UNCERTAINTY surrounding the MINERAL DEAL adds COMPLEXITY.
FURTHER DRONE ACTIVITY (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED, UKRAINIAN SOURCES):
Air Force of Ukraine (22:57, 23:04, 23:16, 23:19, 23:43) posts various updates about drone activity:
Drones on the move in Kherson and Mykolaiv.
Drones are moving towards Kyiv.
Drones on the move in Vinnytsia.
Drones are in Poltava.
ZHITOMYR is under threat.
Assessment: The drone activity is SPREADING.
OTHER REPORTS:
Operativnyi ZSU: (23:24) Quotes Zelensky about the situation. COVERED.
TASS (23:08): Report about Nicaragua leaving the International Labor Organization. IRRELEVANT.
Colonelcassad (23:28 UTC): Summarizes Zelensky's statements from the Fox News interview from a PRO-RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE, emphasizing Zelensky's refusal to apologize or make concessions.
STERNENKO (23:24, 23:27): Quotes from Zelensky's interview. COVERED.
KYIV UNDER DIRECT ATTACK; AIR DEFENSES ENGAGED (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED): Remains CRITICAL.
CONTINUED INTENSE DRONE ATTACK ON KHARKIV (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED):CASUALTY COUNT RISES TO SEVEN.
WHITE HOUSE: TRUMP NOT INTERESTED IN UKRAINE MINERAL DEAL (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED): This MAJOR DEVELOPMENT significantly increases the risk of reduced or terminated US support.
EXTREME PRESSURE ON ZELENSKY TO ACCEPT RUSSIAN TERMS (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED): Remains a MAJOR CONCERN.
ZELENSKY WALKS A TIGHTROPE (HIGH PRIORITY, CONFIRMED):CONTINUES TO SEEK US SUPPORT while RESISTING PRESSURE to concede.
NEW BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT IN DNIPROPETROVSK REGION (HIGH PRIORITY, CONFIRMED). Remains a MAJOR CONCERN.
POTENTIAL CUT-OFF OF US MILITARY AID (EXTREME PRIORITY, REPORTED).
ALL PREVIOUS KEY DEVELOPMENTS REMAIN RELEVANT (ADJUSTED PRIORITIES).
Updated Recommendations
RESPOND TO ATTACK ON KYIV (EXTREME PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE ACTION): No change from previous recommendations.
CONTINUE RESPONSE TO KHARKIV ATTACKS (EXTREME PRIORITY, ONGOING ACTION):INCREASED EMPHASIS on PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE and SUPPORT to the GROWING NUMBER OF INJURED.
ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF US SUPPORT AND THE REJECTION OF THE MINERAL DEAL (EXTREME PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE AND URGENT ACTION):
Urgently and immediately engage with European allies, Canada, and other potential partners to secure IMMEDIATE MILITARY AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE to COMPENSATE FOR THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF US SUPPORT. This is now MISSION-CRITICAL.
Develop detailed contingency plans for operating WITHOUT US MILITARY ASSISTANCE. This should include:
Re-evaluating military strategy and IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL PRIORITIES.
Prioritizing resource allocation to MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT of REMAINING RESOURCES.
Considering potential operational cutbacks or ADJUSTMENTS to MISSION OBJECTIVES.
Assess and Prepare for a shift in strategy.
Seek direct clarification from the White House regarding the reported rejection of the mineral deal. EXPLORE ANY REMAINING AVENUES FOR DIALOGUE OR NEGOTIATION, while PREPARING FOR THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO.
Continue to communicate with the US public.
MAINTAIN ALL OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS (ADJUSTED PRIORITIES): All other recommendations remain in effect, with priorities adjusted as indicated.
The situation has become EVEN MORE CRITICAL with the REPORTED REJECTION OF THE MINERAL DEAL by the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. This, combined with the ONGOING ATTACKS and the CONTINUED PRESSURE ON ZELENSKY, creates an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND RAPIDLY DETERIORATING SITUATION. IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE ACTION is required to ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF US SUPPORT, PROTECT AGAINST ONGOING ATTACKS, and MAINTAIN UKRAINE'S DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES. The RISK TO UKRAINE IS NOW AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL.
