Newest information on Russia and the struggle in Ukraine

Ukraine’s first girl Olena Zelenska met with representatives from HP and the International Enterprise Coalition for Training this week to just accept a donation of computer systems for youngsters, college students and healthcare suppliers in Ukraine.

“We’re very grateful for HP’s and the International Enterprise Coalition for Training’s help,” Zelenska wrote in a press release concerning the $30 million HP initiative. “Their efforts and contribution will assist college students in Ukraine and past proceed studying and put together for the longer term, like some other youth on the planet,” she added.

Enrique Lores, CEO of HP, stated that the Palo Alto-based firm would proceed to mobilize tech assets for Ukraine.

“Via our partnership with the International Enterprise Coalition for Training, we are going to put private computer systems within the fingers of scholars and households who’ve been displaced from their houses and lecture rooms,” Lores wrote in a press release.

 — Amanda Macias

Spanish superstar chef and restaurateur Jose Andres shared a video through Twitter of what he says was a Russian assault on humanitarian warehouses storing meals and provides for Ukrainians in want.

“This are warehouses for feeding youngsters, aged, ladies! Are humanitarian warehouses! I do know as a result of I have been there. Our groups know them,” wrote Andres, referencing warehouses utilized by the World Central Kitchen, his humanitarian group devoted to feeding susceptible communities.

The 2-star Michelin chef introduced the World Central Kitchen to Ukraine so as to deal with the mounting meals disaster triggered by Russia’s struggle.

— Amanda Macias

Belgium introduced that it has finalized Sweden and Finland’s NATO bids.

“It’s official! Belgium has accomplished the ratification process for the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO,” wrote Hadja Lahbib, Belgium’s minister of International Affairs, in a tweet.

“Our nation respects its worldwide commitments to make sure our #safety, defend our #freedom and #democracy,” she added.

All 30 NATO members should approve a rustic’s bid for it to be accepted into the alliance.

Each Finland and Sweden already meet most of the necessities to be NATO members. A number of the necessities embody having a functioning democratic political system, a willingness to offer financial transparency and the flexibility to make navy contributions to alliance missions.

In Might, each nations started the formal strategy of making use of to the navy alliance.

— Amanda Macias

Greater than 9.5 million individuals have fled throughout Ukraine’s borders since Russia invaded its neighbor in late February, the UN Refugee Company estimates.

Of these, 5.9 million individuals have been recorded as refugees from Ukraine and have settled someplace in Europe. One other 3.7 million refugees from Ukraine have registered for non permanent safety or related nationwide safety schemes in Europe, in response to knowledge collected by the UN Refugee Company.

“The escalation of the worldwide armed battle in Ukraine has induced civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure, forcing individuals to flee their houses in search of security, safety and help,” the company wrote.

“Tens of millions of refugees from Ukraine have crossed borders into neighboring nations and plenty of extra have been compelled to maneuver contained in the nation,” the company added.

— Amanda Macias

The British authorities will provide scores of artillery, weapons, drones and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine within the coming weeks, the UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated in an replace to Parliament.

“The size and vary of kit we’re offering demonstrates the energy of our resolve. Along with our worldwide companions, we are going to guarantee Ukraine has the instruments to defend their nation from Putin’s unlawful invasion,” Wallace stated.

The extra weapons come as British troops present navy coaching to Ukrainian forces on U.Ok. territory.

— Amanda Macias

Valodya, a 49-year-old man, volunteers as a cook dinner for Ukrainian troopers in Kherson. Many Ukrainian residents, who volunteered on the entrance traces of the struggle, quickly put their professions apart to help their nation in varied positions as official members of the military. 

— Metin Aktas | Anadolu Company | Getty Pictures

The pinnacle of the regional navy administration in Vinnytsia stated that yet one more particular person has died following the cruise missile assault within the central Ukrainian metropolis.

“20-year-old Olga Lysenko died within the hospital with 98% of her physique burns,” in response to an replace offered by Serhiy Borzov.

He added that the loss of life toll from the July 14 assault is now 26 individuals.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has beforehand described the cruise missile assault on the group amenities and medical middle as an “act of Russian terror.”

— Amanda Macias

The pinnacle of the regional navy in Luhansk stated that there’s “in all probability not a single sq. meter of land left untouched by the Russian artillery” within the japanese Ukrainian area.

“The Russian military makes use of its standard ways of large artillery shelling and air strikes, makes use of of all accessible kinds of weapons to advance,” in response to an replace from Serhiy Haidai.

“Over the previous 24 hours the Russian military tried to rearrange a number of assault makes an attempt from totally different instructions of the occupied territories,” he added.

Earlier this week, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters on the White Home that the U.S. has intelligence that signifies Russian forces will quickly attempt to annex a part of Ukraine, specifically Luhansk.

— Amanda Macias

Emergency crews reply at Bakhmut Market, within the Donetsk Oblast, after it was shelled by the Russian military.

— Diego Herrera Carcedo | Anadolu Company | Getty Pictures

Russian forces have moved navy gear, explosives and weapons to the engine room of energy unit No.1 on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Energy Plant creating the danger of a nuclear catastrophe on par with the Chernobyl catastrophe, in response to Ukraine’s nuclear energy plant operator Energoatom.

Energoatom stated in a Telegram publish on Thursday that the Russian navy had “introduced at the very least 14 items of heavy navy gear with ammunition, weapons and explosives to the engine room of energy unit No. 1 on the Zaporizhia NPP.”

“The complete arsenal of heavy gear with all ammunition is presently positioned very near the gear that ensures the operation of the turbo generator. Specifically, within the instant neighborhood of the principle oil tank, which comprises flammable oil that cools the steam turbine. There’s additionally explosive hydrogen, which is used to chill the generator,” the publish stated.

Energoatom stated the navy gear had prevented the entry of specialised fireplace engines and different autos to the management room of energy unit No. 1 and that there was the potential for a catastrophic accident.

“Due to this fact, the danger of fireplace will increase many occasions, and its extinguishing turns into extraordinarily problematic. If a hearth happens, for instance, because of the unintentional detonation of ammunition, then its scale might be equal to the one which occurred throughout the accident on the Chernobyl nuclear energy plant,” the publish stated.

Energoatom added that Russian forces “proceed to violate all norms and necessities concerning fireplace, nuclear and radiation security at nuclear energy crops, holding heavy navy gear, ammunition, weapons and explosives within the engine room of the ability unit of the biggest nuclear energy plant in Europe.”

Russian forces seized the nuclear energy plant — which can also be among the many largest on the planet — that is positioned in southeastern Ukraine, again in March.

It stated there was an pressing must liberate the Zaporizhzhia NPP as quickly as doable and appealed to the worldwide group for assist “as a result of solely Ukraine will be capable of assure the graceful and protected operation” of the nuclear energy plant.

Energoatom printed an announcement yesterday, Wednesday, saying that the Russian navy had demanded that the engine rooms on the 1st, 2nd and third energy models on the plant have been opened so as to place their whole navy arsenal there.”

— Holly Ellyatt

Ukraine might disappear from the map “because of unfolding occasions,” the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Safety Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel on Thursday.

“After the 2014 coup, Ukraine misplaced its state independence and fell beneath direct management of the collective West in addition to started to imagine that NATO would assure its safety,” he famous as he blamed the West for the fallout from the Ukrainian struggle, corresponding to power shortages and excessive meals costs.

“Because of all the present occasions Ukraine might lose what’s left of its state sovereignty and disappear from the world map,” Medvedev added.

The feedback from Medvedev, a detailed ally and colleague of President Putin, are the newest in a collection of bellicose, aggressive posts from the previous Russian president and prime minister.

Medvedev additionally asserted that “Ukrainian criminals will certainly be prosecuted for atrocities dedicated towards the individuals of Ukraine and Russia.”

Russian officers insist that Russia just isn’t chargeable for quite a few struggle crimes in Ukraine that are being investigated because the battle continues. Russia has additionally stated it doesn’t goal civilians regardless of a number of situations of civilian infrastructure, like colleges, retailers and hospitals, being hit by missile strikes.

— Holly Ellyatt

The Kremlin has insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in good well being, rebuffing rumors that he’s unwell.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters Thursday that stories Putin is in poor health are “nothing however fakes,” Reuters reported.

The feedback come after CIA Director William Burns informed the Aspen Safety Discussion board on Wednesday that there was no proof that Putin was unwell, regardless of months of rumors speculating that the Russian chief may need been receiving most cancers remedy.

“There are many rumors about President Putin’s well being and so far as we are able to inform, he is completely too wholesome,” he stated, though he added that was “not a proper intelligence judgment.”

— Holly Ellyatt

Russian and separatist forces proceed to try small scale assaults alongside the Donbas entrance line with the invading forces probably closing in on Ukraine’s second largest energy plant at Vuhlehirska, 50 kilometers (31 miles) north-east of town of Donetsk, in response to the newest intelligence replace by the U.Ok.’s Ministry of Defence.

“Russia is prioritising the seize of essential nationwide infrastructure, corresponding to energy crops,” it stated on Twitter Thursday.

“Nonetheless, it’s in all probability additionally trying to interrupt by at Vuhlehirska, as a part of its efforts to regain momentum on the southern pincer of its advance in the direction of the important thing cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk,” the ministry stated.

— Holly Ellyatt

Russian forces are shelling Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest metropolis, with residents being requested to not go exterior.

Oleh Syniehubov, the pinnacle of the Kharkiv Regional Army Administration, stated in a Telegram publish Thursday that “Russians are shelling Kharkiv. Consideration residents: keep in shelters, don’t go exterior with out an pressing want, don’t ignore air raid alerts.”

He stated 19 individuals had been injured within the shelling, together with a baby, and that 4 have been in a severe situation. Two civilians had died within the shelling, Syniehubov stated.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov additionally urged individuals to remain in protected locations, Ukraine’s state information company reported, including that Terekhov stated that one of many metropolis’s most densely populated districts is beneath fireplace.

4 civilians have been killed throughout shelling of town on Wednesday and 11 injured. An assault on a bus cease within the metropolis killed three individuals, together with a 13 12 months outdated boy.

— Holly Ellyatt

CIA Director William Burns stated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s view that Western resolve in Ukraine will regularly weaken is fallacious.

“Putin’s view of Individuals is we at all times undergo from consideration deficit dysfunction and, , we’ll get distracted by one thing else,” Burns stated on the Aspen Safety Discussion board. “I feel my very own robust view is that Putin was fallacious in his assumptions about breaking the alliance and breaking Ukrainian will earlier than the struggle started. And I feel he’s simply as fallacious now.”

He emphasised that America’s consideration won’t be diverted elsewhere regardless of Russia’s “grinding struggle of attrition.”

Burns stated U.S. intelligence estimates Russia has suffered “one thing within the neighborhood of 15,000 killed and perhaps 3 times that wounded.” Whereas the Ukrainians have probably seen barely much less by way of losses, he stated they have been nonetheless “important.”

— Natalie Tham

Kyiv has known as for extra air protection techniques as its forces battle on in japanese and southern Ukraine.

Combating is concentrated across the cities of Kramatorsk, Sloviansk and Bakhmut, and Ukrainian forces are determined to carry the road to forestall Russian advances in Donetsk.

The newest replace Thursday morning from the overall employees of the Ukrainian armed forces stated these cities and the settlements round them continued to be attacked by Russian artillery. Individually, Kharkiv to the north and Mykolaiv to the south are additionally coming beneath assault, with highly effective explosions rocking the port metropolis of Mykolaiv throughout the evening.

“In [the] Donetsk area, the invaders are in search of to advance to the Debaltseve-Sloviansk freeway, whereas Ukraine’s forces are holding them again,” the armed forces stated in its replace.

Within the meantime, Ukraine has repeated its name for extra air protection techniques to it fend off Russian plane and missile assaults. First Woman Olena Zelenska, who has been in Washington this week, repeated these calls to America Wednesday when she addressed the U.S. Congress. As she spoke, a presentation confirmed graphic pictures of Ukrainian youngsters killed by Russian missile strikes and shelling.

“I am asking for air protection techniques to ensure that rockets to not kill,” Zelenska stated earlier than a backdrop of graphic and disturbing pictures from devastated Ukrainian streets.

Again dwelling, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated these requires extra air protection techniques.

“I am certain you’ve got seen how efficient the weapons offered by the companions are, particularly trendy MLRS. The identify HIMARS has grow to be nearly native to our individuals – identical to Javelin or NLAW, like “Stugna” or “Neptune” earlier,” he famous in his nightly deal with.

“It’s apparent that the following equally vital identify will seem from trendy air protection techniques, which we’re requesting from companions. The representatives of our state didn’t cease working for a single day to acquire an efficient air protection system.”

Whereas Ukrainian forces had skilled some success in destroying Russian missiles
“a totally totally different pace and scale of safety is required,” Zelenskyy stated.

— Holly Ellyatt

There was hypothesis for months that Russian President Vladimir Putin could possibly be affected by poor bodily or psychological well being, together with unsubstantiated rumors that he might have undergone most cancers remedy.

The claims have been denied by the Kremlin, and CIA Director William Burns additionally appeared to pour chilly water on these rumors on Wednesday, telling the Aspen Safety Discussion board that the CIA is conscious of no proof that Putin is debilitated mentally or bodily.

“There are many rumors about President Putin’s well being and so far as we are able to inform, he is completely too wholesome,” he stated, though he added that was “not a proper intelligence judgment.”

Followers of Russian geopolitics preserve a detailed eye on Putin’s public appearances for indicators of in poor health well being and for perception into his rationale for invading neighboring Ukraine.

In fact, nonetheless, Putin has given clues about his intentions in the case of Ukraine for years, incessantly deploring the collapse of the Soviet union, extolling the unity of Russians and Ukrainians and dismissing the notion of Ukraine as an impartial territory.

— Holly Ellyatt

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched from Kyiv as his spouse delivered remarks to the U.S. Congress.

Olena Zelenska, the primary spouse of a overseas chief to talk within the U.S. Capitol, urged lawmakers to offer extra U.S.-made arms to Ukraine.

Zelenska started her 15-minute deal with with a photograph presentation of Ukrainian youngsters killed by Russian missile strikes and shelling throughout the nation.

“I am asking for air protection techniques to ensure that rockets to not kill,” Zelenska stated earlier than a backdrop of graphic and disturbing pictures from devastated Ukrainian streets.

“The First Woman famous the contribution of each American household, Congress, and President Joseph Biden to Ukraine’s potential to withstand the enemy and shield the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian residents,” according to a press release from Zelenskyy’s workplace.

— Amanda Macias

The Pentagon stated Wednesday that Ukraine has not but misplaced the Donbas to Russia after weeks of intense combating.

“It is very intense,” U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees, informed reporters on the Pentagon. “Lots of violence, tens of hundreds of artillery rounds each 24-hour interval and many casualties on either side, a lot of destruction of villages,” he added.

Milley stated that Russia has solely superior about 10 miles prior to now three months.

“It is not misplaced but. Ukrainians are making the Russians pay for each inch of territory that they acquire,” he added.

— Amanda Macias

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s dismissal of senior officers is casting an inconvenient gentle on a difficulty that the Biden administration has largely ignored because the outbreak of struggle with Russia: Ukraine’s historical past of rampant corruption and shaky governance.

Because it presses forward with offering tens of billions of {dollars} in navy, financial and direct monetary help support to Ukraine and encourages its allies to do the identical, the Biden administration is now as soon as once more grappling with longstanding worries about Ukraine’s suitability as a recipient of large infusions of American support.

These points, which date again many years and weren’t an insignificant a part of former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, had been largely pushed to the again burner within the instant run-up to Russia’s invasion and throughout the first months of the battle because the U.S. and its companions rallied to Ukraine’s protection.

However Zelenskyy’s weekend firings of his high prosecutor, intelligence chief and different senior officers have resurfaced these considerations and should have inadvertently given contemporary consideration to allegations of high-level corruption in Kyiv made by one outspoken U.S. lawmaker.

It is a delicate difficulty for the Biden administration. With billions in support flowing to Ukraine, the White Home continues to make the case for supporting Zelenskyy’s authorities to an American public more and more centered on home points like excessive fuel costs and inflation. Excessive-profile supporters of Ukraine in each events additionally wish to keep away from a backlash that would make it tougher to move future support packages.

— Related Press

If Ukraine receives long-range weapons from Western nations, Moscow might increase the geography and scope of its “particular navy operation,” Russia’s International Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Wednesday.

Chatting with Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russia’s English-language information service RT, Lavrov stated that Moscow’s goals in Ukraine have been nonetheless the identical as President Vladimir Putin had introduced at the beginning of Russia’s invasion — or “particular navy operation” because it calls the invasion — however he steered it might increase.

“The President stated very clearly, as you quoted him – denazification, demilitarization within the sense that there are not any threats to our safety, navy threats from the territory of Ukraine, this job stays,” the minister stated, state information company RIA Novosti reported.

President Putin initially claimed — falsely — that Moscow’s mission in Ukraine was to “denazify” the federal government in Kyiv, a declare extensively rebuffed by the worldwide group, however then Russia modified tack, saying its primary goal was to “liberate” the Donbas, the place two pro-Russian, self-proclaimed “republics” — generally known as the Donetsk and Luhansk Individuals’s Republics (DPR and LPR) — are positioned.

Lavrov stated that if the West saved pumping Ukraine with arms, just like the U.S.-made Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket Methods (HIMARS), then “which means the geographical duties will prolong nonetheless farther from the present line,” in Donbas, referencing Russian-occupied Kherson within the south, and Zaporizhzhia, each of which lie past the Donbas territory in japanese Ukraine.

“Now the geography is totally different. That is removed from being solely the DPR and LPR, additionally it is the Kherson area, the Zaporizhzhia area and a lot of different territories, and this course of continues, and continues constantly and persistently,” Lavrov stated.

“We can not enable the a part of Ukraine that Zelenskyy will management or whoever replaces him to have weapons that can pose a direct risk to our territory and the territory of these republics which have declared their independence, those that need their future determine for your self,” he concluded.

— Holly Ellyatt