Russia Blames Draft Arson On Ukraine, Claims Command Post Hit; Kyiv's Counteroffensive Sobers West?

Ukraine has said it shot down one of Russia's Ka-52 "Alligator" helicopters using a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS). Ukraine’s military said that it downed the Russian chopper near the southern frontlines. Kyiv said it has continued offensive operations near the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian officials said the hotel hit by Russian missile strikes in Pokrovsk was closed and had been empty for five weeks. The attack is being described as a “double-tap” strike of two separate attacks on the same target, with a brief interval in between. A pro-Russian official said three people have been injured after coming under fire from Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region. Russia said shrapnel from downed Ukrainian drones has damaged buildings in the Belgorod region. The Wagner group is reportedly building a tent city near the Ukrainian border. The Russian mercenary group is building the tent city for around 1,000 fighters at the Zyabrovka airfield. The US has praised China’s participation in the Saudi-led talks on the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart that Beijing remains “impartial” on the war in Ukraine.