“They will question its legitimacy”

The most important events of the last 24 hours:

• Russian missile attack in Odesa, resulting in at least four dead and 28 injured
• The first visit to Ukraine by a member of the British royal family since the beginning of the war
• A group of Ukrainians over 60 years old is fighting the Russians on the front with weapons refurbished by themselves
• More than 30 men died while trying to cross the border illegally to escape the mobilization

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the people of Ukraine will question the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying his fate “is sealed” and reiterated Moscow’s intentions to fulfill its war aims.

Both government and opposition politicians in Ukraine have expressed doubts about the viability of holding an election. In addition to the millions of displaced voters and the fact that Moscow controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, other obstacles include damaged infrastructure, an outdated electoral register and a lack of funds.

But during an interview with pro-Kremlin journalist Pavel Zarubin, Peskov said Ukrainian voters would be unhappy with the lack of elections, saying “it seems to me that Zelensky’s fate is sealed.

Zelenskiy was elected in 2019, and some US lawmakers have called for wartime elections in Ukraine.

The first visit to Ukraine by a member of the British royal family since the beginning of the war

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, visited Ukraine, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, in the first trip to the country by a member of the British royal family since the conflict with Russia began, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.

Sophie, 59, the wife of King Charles’ younger brother Prince Edward, made the surprise visit on behalf of the British Foreign Office to show solidarity with those affected by the armed conflict and as part of her work to to support victims of sexual violence in the war, notes Reuters.

She met with victims of conflict-related sexual violence and survivors of torture, as well as children who were returned to Ukraine after being separated from their families and taken to Russia. She also met with women volunteers who helped their communities deal with the aftermath of the attacks through mental health work for children.

Sophie’s trip to Ukraine follows visits to Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia to hear from victims of conflict-related sexual violence.

War in Ukraine, April 29, 2024 | ISW: Russia does not have the forces to capture the city of Kharkiv

War in Ukraine, April 28, 2024 | A hotel in Nikolaiev was hit by a drone launched by the Russians

War in Ukraine, April 27, 2024 | Ukraine says it shot down 21 of 34 missiles fired by Russia overnight

War in Ukraine, April 26, 2024 | Ukraine withdraws American Abrams tanks from the front line

War in Ukraine, April 25, 2024 | The United States sent long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine