Ukraine launched a significant drone attack on St Petersburg, targeting the city's oil terminal and surrounding port infrastructure. Meanwhile, protests erupted in Germany against the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, coinciding with their national conference. In a separate event, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of welcoming migrants in the United States, while in Iran, mourners called for revenge against Donald Trump during the funeral of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Ukraine's Drone Attack on St Petersburg

In the early hours of the morning, Ukraine executed a large-scale drone attack on St Petersburg, hitting the city’s oil terminal and affecting nearby port facilities. Governor Alexander Beglov reported that the attack caused no casualties and that local authorities managed the aftermath effectively. Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region, confirmed that a drone struck Vysotsk port, located about 170 kilometers northwest of St Petersburg, which handles various essential goods including oil and grain. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strikes as part of Ukraine's "long-range sanctions" against Russia, aimed at crippling its war funding. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin downplayed the significance of the attacks on energy infrastructure.

Clashes in Germany Over AfD Conference

In Erfurt, Germany, riot police clashed with approximately 20,000 protesters opposing the far-right AfD party's national conference. The protests aimed to block delegates from attending the event where co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were expected to be re-elected. Demonstrators employed various tactics, including sit-ins and gluing themselves to tram tracks, to disrupt the conference. Despite the protests, the AfD reported that a significant number of delegates reached the venue on time. The timing of the conference, coinciding with the centennial of a Nazi party gathering, has sparked outrage and accusations of provocation. Protesters included prominent politicians who condemned the AfD's policies as anti-democratic and harmful.

Pope Leo's Address on Migration

Pope Leo delivered a poignant address from the Vatican, praising the United States for its historical role in welcoming migrants. He called upon Americans to uphold the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and reflect on the nation's founding principles as it approaches its 250th anniversary. The pope's remarks served as an implicit critique of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies. During his visit to Lampedusa, a key entry point for migrants from North Africa, the pope emphasized the need for comprehensive migration strategies and urged leaders to improve conditions in migrants' home countries to reduce the need for migration.

Mourners in Iran Demand Revenge for Khamenei's Death

In Tehran, mourners gathered for the funeral of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the US and Israeli war. The ceremony turned into a political spectacle, with attendees expressing their grief while also calling for revenge against Donald Trump. Prominent figures at the funeral included Ayatollah Ja’far Sobhani, who led the prayers, and various members of the Iranian government. The event underscored the social resilience in Iran amid ongoing tensions with the West. The absence of Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader and son of Ali Khamenei, raised questions about the leadership's stability and future direction.

Wrap-up

The international landscape remains tense as Ukraine escalates its drone attacks on Russian infrastructure, while protests in Germany reflect growing resistance against far-right ideologies. Pope Leo's call for compassion towards migrants contrasts sharply with the political climate in the US, and in Iran, the mourning of a former leader has transformed into calls for vengeance, highlighting the complex interplay of grief and political sentiment in the region.

Sources
theguardian.com
newsis.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team