Qatar prime minister's blunt message to Iran as he says country has 'betrayed us'

 Russian troops face unexpected "double surprise" in Donetsk

Ukrainian defense forces delivered a powerful strike on the occupied Donetsk airport, destroying enemy equipment and foiling Russia's plans for another assault, OSINT project CyberBoroshno reports.

Operation details

Media reports indicate that a combined attack against the strategic target was carried out using Western weapons, including ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles.

Analysis of footage from the scene suggests that the strike was extremely well-timed.

"New footage confirms that the attack occurred during preparations for the next strike. A large number of drones were observed on the territory," the report notes.

Reconnaissance and fire correction in the airport zone were provided directly by the Buntar-3 drone.

Strike's aftermath

Thanks to the precise hits, Ukrainian forces were able to neutralize a significant cluster of drones that Russian troops were preparing for launch.

The full scale of enemy personnel and equipment losses is still being assessed.

Deep strikes by Ukraine

Ukrainian defense forces continue to target Russian logistics and weaponry. Recently, the Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed 54 enemy air defense units.

Previously, Ukraine's drones successfully "blinded" enemy air defenses by striking key radar stations and attacked a fuel pumping station, disrupting supplies to Russian forces.

A separate achievement included hitting a Russian minesweeper and other equipment, significantly weakening the Russian naval capabilities in the Black Sea.

Though allies with Iran, Qatar's relationship with the country is being tested amid repeated missile and drone attacks.

One barrage on Thursday lasted around an hour and a half with all projectiles blocked by the country's air defences.

And Qatar's PM - who often plays the role of one of the key interlocutors in the region - unleashed a strong criticism of Iran's actions.

Speaking for the first time since the conflict erupted, he told Sky News: 'Of course it is a big sense of betrayal. And it's the second time - that's why, for us, it has been something really significant.

'To see the attack which had been pre-planned...once the war started, just an hour after the start of the war, Qatar and other Gulf countries were attacked right away.

'We've repeatedly been saying we are not going to take part in any attacks or wars against our neighbours. We would like to see a peaceful neighbourhood, we are helping Iran and the United States to reach diplomatic solutions.

'But this miscalculation by the Iranians to attack the Gulf countries has destroyed everything.'

His words were a departure from the neutral approach which has become Qatar's trademark in recent years, and will ramp up the pressure on Iran.

It comes as the war's toll on civilian targets grew with Bahrain accusing Iran of striking a desalination plant vital to drinking water supplies.

In a sign of rising regional anger, the Arab League chief lashed out at Iran for its 'reckless policy' of attacking neighbours, including ones that host US forces. 

Gulf countries have been struck by hundreds of missiles and drones since the war started on February 28.

Saudi Arabia reported its first deaths, saying a military projectile fell onto a residential area and killed two people.

Qatar's PM directly addressed the Iranian public - many of whom celebrated the killing of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week - as he urged for an end to the conflict.

'Our message to the Iranian nation: they have to stop the attacks right away, instantly,' he said. 'What happened is really a huge hiccup for the relationship we had with Iran.

'We will continue talking to the Iranians, we will continue trying to seek the de-escalation. At the end of the day, they are our neighbours.

'My message to them is you shouldn't include any of the other countries in this war. If these attacks are ongoing, there will be no-one able to help them or to start voicing some reason because everyone is busy engaging and defending their countries.'