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Tag: ukraine war update

  • Russia says it destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over Crimea, Black Sea

    Russian anti-aircraft models destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea and the annexed Crimean peninsula and three extra over different components of Russia, the Defence Ministry mentioned early on Thursday.

    “In the night from September 20 to 21, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to commit a terrorist attack with lethal drones on sites in the Russian Federation was intercepted,” the ministry mentioned on the Telegram messaging app.

    The ministry mentioned the three different drones had been downed over Kursk, Belgorod and Orlov areas in central and southern Russia. It gave no particulars on casualties or injury.

    Ukrainian forces had been launching assaults with growing frequency on targets in Crimea, seized and annexed by Russia in 2014.

    Ukraine usually doesn’t declare accountability for such assaults. But on Wednesday, the Ukrainian navy mentioned its forces struck a Russian Black Sea fleet command put up close to Sevastopol in Crimea.

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    Edited By:

    Prateek Chakraborty

    Published On:

    Sep 21, 2023

  • Habitat in danger as Ukrainians crowd river to seek out respite amid conflict

    By Reuters: Kite surfers bounce alongside the light waves. A speedboat pulls youngsters on an inflatable raft. Families absorb sunshine on a slim seaside.

    With most of Ukraine’s Black Sea Coast both occupied by Russian troops or of their line of fireside, households looking for respite from life in a conflict zone are flocking to the inland shores of the Tylihul, a river that widens right into a broad estuary bordered by grassland.

    In the summer time sunshine, you would virtually neglect that the entrance line is a couple of hours drive away. Visitors say the respite is a desperately wanted reduction. But authorities and a few residents fear that the crowds might harm an necessary and delicate pure habitat.

    “There are two sides of a coin. On one hand, we understand that there is no access to the sea and people still want to relax somewhere. On the other hand, we know that estuary will not survive such amount of people,” mentioned Petro Kalinchuk, on a sandy spit dotted with seaside umbrellas and tents.

    ALSO READ | ‘Russians had been ready for us’: Ukraine troops describe harder combat than anticipated

    Inna Tymchenko, deputy head of the Mykolaiv regional division of the National Institute of Ecology, mentioned the issue was not a lot the folks as their tents and vehicles.

    “They are placed in chaotic order. Tourists don’t know where it is alright to leave a car and where it is not, so they park wherever they want. That’s how vegetation cover is being destroyed,” she mentioned.

    “Noise affects the birds. They partially got used to the noise but loud noises are unusual for them this year. It will lead to grave consequences in this area.”

    There was hope that birds might discover refuge right here from the Kinburn Spit, an enormous Black Sea nature protect destroyed by flooding after the Kakhovska Dam on the Dnipro River was blown up practically two months in the past. More birds might die if there isn’t any hospitable sanctuary for them right here.

    Kalinchuk mentioned his household had been coming to the river for practically 50 years. They used to see birds nesting and brooding eggs on the seaside. Now, with the bigger crowds, all of the birds had been gone and there have been fewer fish, too.

    But so long as the conflict goes on and there are few different locations to relaxation, households say they may maintain coming.

    “Access to the rivers and the sea is closed. So this is the only place where we can relax after two years of war against Russia,” mentioned resident Viacheslav Natalenko.

    ALSO READ | Russia’s Prigozhin says Wagner shouldn’t be recruiting now, might achieve this in future

  • Russian troops endure radiation sickness after digging trenches near Chernobyl nuclear plant 

    By India Today World Desk: Several Russian troops are down with radiation sickness after they dug trenches inside the Chernobyl forest, near the nuclear vitality station which exploded 37 years up to now, authorities talked about.

    Ukrainians residing near the nuclear station warned the Russian troops, who had occupied the realm remaining 12 months, in the direction of organising a camp inside the forest, a report by The Independent talked about.

    In what was considered to be the world’s worst nuclear disaster, Reactor No 4 exploded on April 26, 1986, killing scores of people and leaving numerous scarred by radiation.

    Following the Chernobyl disaster, teams of chemical specialists have been despatched to dig up the contaminated topsoil and bury it beneath the underside inside the Red Forest — which was named after the colour the bushes turned inside the aftermath of the accident.

    Quoting The Times, a resident who warned the Russian forces talked about they “understood the risks”, nevertheless “were just thick”. The resident talked about they dug trenches six miles (9 kilometres) from the power plant, inserted the reactor’s cooling channel — flush with catfish — and shot ineffective animals.

    ALSO READ | Ukraine shoots down 15 out of 18 Russian missiles in early morning assault

    Russian forces crossed into Chernobyl on February 24 remaining 12 months, the day when the invasion began. They remained there for five weeks sooner than their withdrawal from the realm.

    Recalling a confrontation with the Russian forces, 90-year-old Baba Hana suggested The Times, “I started yelling at them.”

    “I tried to give them political information, explaining what was happening in their country… I am a Russian speaker, I asked what they were doing there, who they thought they were liberating,” Hana talked about.

    ALSO READ | We regretâ€æ: Ukraine apologizes for Kali tweet, says nation respects Indian custom

  • Russian troops bear radiation sickness after digging trenches near Chernobyl nuclear plant 

    By India Today World Desk: Several Russian troops are down with radiation sickness after they dug trenches inside the Chernobyl forest, near the nuclear vitality station which exploded 37 years prior to now, authorities talked about.

    Ukrainians residing near the nuclear station warned the Russian troops, who had occupied the realm remaining 12 months, in direction of organising a camp inside the forest, a report by The Independent talked about.

    In what was considered to be the world’s worst nuclear disaster, Reactor No 4 exploded on April 26, 1986, killing scores of people and leaving numerous scarred by radiation.

    Following the Chernobyl disaster, teams of chemical specialists have been despatched to dig up the contaminated topsoil and bury it beneath the underside inside the Red Forest — which was named after the colour the bushes turned inside the aftermath of the accident.

    Quoting The Times, a resident who warned the Russian forces talked about they “understood the risks”, nevertheless “were just thick”. The resident talked about they dug trenches six miles (9 kilometres) from the power plant, inserted the reactor’s cooling channel — flush with catfish — and shot ineffective animals.

    ALSO READ | Ukraine shoots down 15 out of 18 Russian missiles in early morning assault

    Russian forces crossed into Chernobyl on February 24 remaining 12 months, the day when the invasion began. They remained there for five weeks sooner than their withdrawal from the realm.

    Recalling a confrontation with the Russian forces, 90-year-old Baba Hana suggested The Times, “I started yelling at them.”

    “I tried to give them political information, explaining what was happening in their country… I am a Russian speaker, I asked what they were doing there, who they thought they were liberating,” Hana talked about.

    ALSO READ | We regretâ€æ: Ukraine apologizes for Kali tweet, says nation respects Indian custom

  • I carry a pistol, would have fought to lack of life if Russians stormed my office: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy

    By India Today World Desk: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday (native time) revealed that he carries a pistol with him and acknowledged he would have fought to the lack of life if the Russians had mounted an assault on his office in Kyiv firstly of the warfare.

    In an interview with 1+1 television channel, Zelenskyy acknowledged he knew the fitting technique to shoot and asserted it is going to be a disgrace if the Russians captured him.

    “I know how to shoot. Can you imagine (a headline like) ‘The President of Ukraine is taken captive by Russians?’ This is a disgrace. I believe this would be a disgrace,” Reuters quoted Zelenskyy as saying to the TV channel.

    ALSO READ | Chinese President Xi speaks to Ukrainian counterpart, affords to mediate to complete warfare with Russia

    During the preliminary ranges of the warfare, Russian intelligence objects had tried to assault Kyiv, nevertheless Ukrainian forces defeated them following their failure to advance to Bankova Street, dwelling to the presidential workplaces, acknowledged Ukrainian officers.

    While completely different Russian objects mounted an assault on the outskirts of Kyiv, that they had been, nonetheless, unable to proceed inside the coronary coronary heart of the city. According to officers, there have been a lot of unsuccessful sabotage makes an try inside Kyiv.

    “I think if they had gone inside, into the administration, we would not be here,” Zelenskyy acknowledged. He, nonetheless, did not specify which Russian objects he was talking about.

    “No one would have been taken prisoner because we had a very seriously prepared defence of Bankova Street. We would have been there to the last,” he acknowledged.

    ALSO READ | India ‘vishwaguru’, ought to make use of G20 presidency to deal with Ukraine catastrophe: Ukrainian minister

    The Ukrainian President moreover rejected a suggestion that he most popular taking his life comparatively than being captured by Russian forces.

    “No, no, no. It’s not (to shoot) myself. To shoot back, surely,” he acknowledged.

    Zelenskyy’s interview obtained right here a day after Russian forces launched the first large-scale air strikes in Ukraine in virtually two months, killing 25 people, along with 4 children.

    On February 24 closing yr, Russia invaded Ukraine, claiming the Zelenskyy authorities in Kyiv posed a menace. Ukraine has condemned the invasion and termed it an unprovoked warfare of conquest.

  • Belarus able to wage battle alongside Russia in Ukraine if attacked, says President

    Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko insisted that he’s “ready to wage war” alongside Russia if Ukraine enters his nation.

    New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 17, 2023 14:35 IST

    Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a gathering with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Minsk, Belarus, January 19, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)

    By India Today Web Desk: President Alexander Lukashenko mentioned that Belarus would be part of the offensives in Ukraine “only if attacked” first by Kyiv’s military.

    “I’m ready to wage war, alongside the Russians, from the territory of Belarus. But only if someone – even a single soldier – enters our territory from there (Ukraine) with weapons to kill my people,” he was quoted by The Independent as saying. “If they commit aggression against Belarus, the response will be the most severe, and the war will take on a completely different nature.”

    Minsk allowed the Kremlin to make use of the nation as a launching pad for its army operation in opposition to Kyiv final February.

    READ | Speed is of essence: Zelenskyy appeals fast assist from allies as Russia kilos Ukraine

    Military cooperation between the 2 nations has been on the rise in current months, with plenty of air drive drills and the formation of a joint army group. It has raised fears in Kyiv that Minsk might be making ready to play a extra energetic function within the battle.

    However, Lukashenko has repeatedly denied such claims, saying that his nation is not going to be dragged into the battle by Moscow. He mentioned that he’s as a consequence of meet the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on Friday.

    Lukashenko additionally blamed Western governments for fuelling the battle, echoing Putin’s claims that Nato is “escalating” the battle. “If you continue this escalation, you will get nuclear weapons and Russia has more than anyone,” he was quoted by The Independent as saying.

    READ | Shelling in Bakhmut intensifies, its seize would give Russia new foothold in Donetsk | Top factors

    The Belarusian president additionally mentioned that he may assist play peace-broker. He mentioned if a nuclear battle begins, Belarus will stop to exist and it’ll wipe out the USA too. “No one needs this. We need to sit down at the negotiating table,” he mentioned.

    Lukashenko’s assertion got here after Russia launched a complete of 36 air and sea-based cruise missiles, guided air-to-surface missiles and anti-ship missiles at Ukraine in a single day into Thursday. About 16 missiles had been shot down by the Ukraine.

    Russian forces are repeatedly hanging elements of japanese Ukraine with heavy shelling, because the battle for management of the Donetsk area intensifies in a grinding battle of attrition. Bakhmut is a chief goal for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and its seize would give Russia a brand new foothold within the Donetsk area and a uncommon victory after months of setbacks.

    READ | Can’t declare victory after fast restore of energy techniques: Zelenskyy warns of extra Russian assaults

    Published On:

    Feb 17, 2023

  • Threat of nuclear warfare rising, says Putin as Kyiv prepares for ‘apocalypse scenario’ | 5 factors

    Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the specter of a nuclear warfare is rising at the same time as Kyiv’s mayor warned of an “apocalypse” situation if the assaults on the infrastructure proceed.

    New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 8, 2022 11:50 IST

    Ukrainian servicemen hearth a mortar on a entrance line, as Russia’s assault on Ukraine continues, in Donetsk area, Ukraine. (Reuters photograph)

    By India Today Web Desk: While speaking to Russia’s Human Rights Council, president Vladimir Putin confirmed on Wednesday that the specter of a nuclear warfare is rising. He added that he nonetheless views nuclear weapons as a deterrent measure.

    “This is a deterrent factor that does not provoke the expansion of conflicts, but a deterrent, and I hope everyone understands this,” mentioned Putin.

    Meanwhile, in Ukraine, Kyiv’s mayor warned of an “apocalypse” situation within the winter if Russian air strikes on the infrastructure situated within the capital metropolis proceed.

    Here are the newest updates:

    Russian President Vladimir Putin in a gathering with the nation’s Human Rights Council mentioned the specter of a nuclear warfare is rising. He added that Russia has a technique of “when we are struck, we strike in response” and mentioned the deployment of weapons of mass destruction – nuclear weapons – is “all based around the so-called retaliatory strike”.

    According to CNN, Putin additionally mentioned he views nuclear weapons as a deterrent measure. “We are aware of what nuclear weapons are. We have these means, they are in a more advanced and modern form than those of any other nuclear country, this is obvious,” he added.

    In a uncommon admission of the lengthy period of the warfare, Putin advised his loyalists in a televised assembly that the Russian military could possibly be preventing in Ukraine for a very long time. However, he added that there isn’t a plan for a second call-up of troopers in the mean time.

    Russian forces entered Ukraine in February in what it referred to as its “special military operation”.

    In Ukraine, the mayor of the capital metropolis Kyiv advised Reuters that if Russian air strikes on infrastructure proceed, Kyiv would possibly face an “apocalypse” situation. Mayor Vitali Klitschko additional mentioned that there isn’t a want for folks to evacuate now however they need to be prepared to take action.

    “Kyiv might lose power, water, and heat supply. The apocalypse might happen, like in Hollywood films, when it’s not possible to live in homes considering the low temperature,” mentioned Klitschko. According to him, 152 civilian residents of Kyiv have been killed and 678 buildings destroyed since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine in February this yr.

    A senior Ukrainian official advised information company Interfax Ukraine that Russian forces have fired greater than 1,000 rockets and missiles at energy grids. However, the facility grid continues to be working regardless of the injury.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video deal with mentioned the electrical energy provide within the nation is being elevated each day however confirmed that there are issues in Kyiv and several other different areas. “We should not forget that it is impossible to restore 100% of the energy system, as it was before the beginning of the Russian energy terror,” mentioned Zelenskyy.

    However, the Russian aspect appears to be weakening, because it struggles to take care of a gentle provide of arms for the warfare. According to AP information, Russia is as soon as once more seeking to Iran to resupply the Russian army with drones and surface-to-surface missiles.

    A UN diplomat additionally mentioned Iran has plans to promote Russia tons of of missiles and drones in violation of a 2015 Security Council decision.

    Edited By:

    chingkheinganbi mayengbam

    Published On:

    Dec 8, 2022

  • Russia shelled Kherson 258 occasions final week, says Zelensky, US to assist Ukraine restore energy | Top factors

    Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russian forces shelled 30 settlements in Kherson 258 occasions previously week. Meanwhile, the United States will announce new assist for the war-hit nation to assist the nation to revive energy because the vitality disaster looms.

    New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 29, 2022 14:21 IST

    A girl walks previous particles of the destroyed home after current Russian air strike in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine (Photo: AP)

    By India Today Web Desk: As Russian forces proceed to shell residential infrastructure and housing within the just lately liberated metropolis of Kherson, there was no breakthrough between each international locations after months of combating. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russian forces shelled numerous settlements in Kherson 258 occasions previously week, information company Reuters reported.

    As the assaults on Ukrainian cities proceed, the United States will announce new help for the war-torn nation to assist Ukraine to revive electrical energy, Reuters stated in a report.

    Here are the highest developments of the story

    In a video deal with on late Monday, President Zelenskyy accused Russia of attacking 30 settlements in southern Kherson 258 occasions previously week.”Today, as every single day, the occupiers again shelled Kherson and the region’s communities. In just one week, the enemy struck 30 settlements, settlements of our Kherson region, 258 times. The Russian army damaged the pumping station, which supplies water to Mykolaiv,” he stated.

    Russia attacking Kherson. So in Kremlinworld, Russia is attacking Russians. Yet the Russian media usually are not very outraged about this. 🤨 pic.twitter.com/kWnJPMsnbq
    — Dr. Ian Garner (@irgarner) November 27, 2022

    -As Ukrainians stare at every week of brutal chilly and darkness after Russian strikes on its energy grid triggered blackouts, the United States will announce new help on Tuesday to assist Ukraine restore electrical energy. Since early October, Russian missiles have focused Ukraine’s energy technology websites, transmission and distribution services and water pumping stations. The US can be mulling a Boeing proposal to produce Ukraine with low cost, small precision bombs because the US and allied army inventories are shrinking, Ukraine’s armed normal workers stated.

    We met Maxim immediately in Kherson, who has been residing with out electrical energy and water within the metropolis for 2 weeks, as a result of a vengeful Russian blew up every part earlier than escaping. He is aware of for certain that Ukraine will win, and nothing will occur in Russia.

    Unbreakable, invincible pic.twitter.com/E3Bh5jUHjA
    — 🇺🇦 C.A. Tim Gravett 🇨🇦 🍁🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@TimGravett) November 28, 2022

    A communications line created between the militaries of the US and Russia firstly of Russia’s conflict in opposition to Ukraine has been used solely as soon as, Reuters reported quoting a supply. The United States initiated a name by means of the “deconfliction” line to speak its issues about Russian army operations close to important infrastructure in Ukraine, an official stated, who didn’t want to be named.

    Talks between Russia and the United States relating to nuclear disarmament which had been set to happen this week have been postponed, Russia’s overseas ministry and the U.S. Embassy stated. The talks had been scheduled to start tomorrow however have been postponed as of now.

    Ukraine has been bracing for one more chilly week amid vitality disaster as Zelensky expects that Russia would proceed the strike. Amid this, Kyiv has deliberate to erect Chritmas tree, in a powerful show of vacation spirit, officers instructed Reuters. “No one is going to cancel the New Year and Christmas, and the atmosphere of the New Year should be there,” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko instructed the RBC-Ukraine information company in an interview. “We can not enable Putin to steal our Christmas.

    The combating round the important thing jap Ukraine city of Bakhmut continued as photographs of troopers in flooded, muddy trenches emerged. Ukraine’s presidential workplace stated on Monday that not less than 4 civilians had been killed and 11 others wounded within the newest Russian assaults, the Guardian reported.

    Published On:

    Nov 29, 2022

  • Waves of suicide drones strike Ukraine’s capital; 4 killed

    Waves of explosives-laden suicide drones struck Ukraine’s capital Monday, setting buildings ablaze and tearing a gap in one in every of them. People scurried for shelter or tried to shoot down the kamikazes.

    The concentrated use of the drones was the second barrage in as many weeks — after months during which air assaults had change into a rarity in central Kyiv. The assault sowed terror and frayed nerves as blasts rocked town. Energy amenities had been struck and one drone largely collapsed a residential constructing, killing 4 folks, authorities mentioned.

    Intense, sustained bursts of gunfire rang out because the Iranian-made Shahed drones buzzed overhead, apparently from troopers making an attempt to destroy them. Others headed for shelter, nervously scanning the skies. But Ukraine has change into grimly accustomed to assaults almost eight months into the Russian invasion, and metropolis life resumed as rescuers picked via particles.

    Previous Russian airstrikes on Kyiv had been principally with missiles. Analysts imagine the slower-moving Shahed drones might be programmed to precisely hit sure targets utilizing GPS until the system fails.

    Also on Monday, a Russian warplane crashed in a residential space within the Russian port of Yeysk on the Sea of Azov, after an engine caught hearth throughout takeoff, the Defense Ministry in Moscow mentioned. Both crewmembers bailed out of the Su-34 safely, however native authorities mentioned a number of flooring of an condominium constructing had been engulfed in flames. There was no speedy phrase on casualties.

    In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko mentioned Monday’s barrage got here in successive waves of 28 drones — in what many concern may change into a extra frequent mode of assault as Russia seeks to keep away from depleting its stockpiles of long-range precision missiles.

    Five drones plunged into Kyiv itself, mentioned Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. In the Kyiv area, at the least 13 had been shot down, all flying in from the south, mentioned Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for Ukraine’s air drive.

    One strike appeared to focus on town’s heating community, hitting an operations middle. Another slammed right into a four-story residential constructing, ripping open a gaping gap and collapsing at the least three residences. Four our bodies had been recovered, together with these of a lady who was 6 months pregnant and her husband, Klitschko mentioned. An older girl and one other man additionally had been killed there.

    An Associated Press photographer caught one of many drones on digicam, its triangle-shaped wing and pointed warhead clearly seen towards the blue sky.

    “The whole night, and the whole morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned in a social media publish. “Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine.” “The enemy can attack our cities, but it won’t be able to break us,” he wrote.

    Andrii Yermak, head of the presidential workplace, posted on social media that Shahed drones had been used.

    Zelenskyy, citing Ukrainian intelligence companies, has alleged Russia ordered 2,400 drones from Iran. Russia has rebranded them as Geran-2 drones — “geranium” in Russian. A photograph of particles from one in every of Monday’s strikes, posted by Klitschko, confirmed “Geran-2” marked on a mangled tail fin.

    Iran has beforehand denied offering Russia with weapons, though its Revolutionary Guard chief has boasted of offering arms to the world’s high powers, with out elaborating.

    The drones pack an explosive cost and might linger over targets earlier than nosediving into them. Their blasts jolted folks awake, together with Snizhana Kutrakova, 42, who lives close to one of many strikes.

    “I’m full of rage,” she mentioned. “Full of rage and hate.” The Russian navy mentioned it used “long-range air- and sea-based high-precision weapons” to strike Ukrainian navy and power amenities. They hit “all assigned targets,” Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov mentioned.

    Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba known as for European Union sanctions on Iran for offering drones to Russia and reiterated Ukraine’s want for air defenses and ammunition.

    EU overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned the 27-nation bloc is gathering proof about Iran’s drone gross sales to Russia, and if the allegations are true, “we will be ready to react with the tools at our disposal.” The EU additionally permitted a navy coaching program in Europe for 1000’s of Ukrainian troops and plans for about 500 million euros ($486 million) in additional funds to purchase weapons for Ukraine.

    Iranian-made drones have been used elsewhere in Ukraine in current weeks towards city facilities and infrastructure, together with energy stations. At simply $20,000 apiece, the Shahed is barely a fraction of the price of higher-tech missiles and standard plane. The Kalibr cruise missile that Russia has used extensively in Ukraine prices the navy about $1 million every.

    Drone swarms additionally problem Ukrainian air defenses. Western nations have promised programs that may shoot down drones however a lot of that weaponry has but to reach and, in some instances, could also be months away.

    “The challenges are serious because the air defense forces and means are the same as they were at the beginning of the war,” mentioned Ihnat, the air drive spokesman. Some Western-supplied air protection weaponry can solely be used throughout daytime when targets are seen, he added.

    Russia forces additionally struck power infrastructure elsewhere Monday, apparently looking for to compound stress on Kyiv’s authorities after earlier assaults knocked out energy provides.

    Shmyhal, the prime minister, mentioned a whole bunch of settlements had been with out energy after missile assaults within the Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy areas.

    Ukraine’s nuclear operator mentioned Russian shelling lower energy once more to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of the worrying flashpoints of the Russian invasion. The nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, wants energy for important security programs. When shelling severs its energy provide strains, the plant is compelled to depend on diesel mills -– a brief stopgap.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin had mentioned Friday that there was no want for extra widespread assaults towards Ukraine — after an earlier barrage of strikes that he mentioned had been retaliation for the bombing of a bridge connecting Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula with Russia.

    However, Putin additionally mentioned that seven of 29 targets designated after the bridge assault weren’t hit “the way the Defense Ministry had planned,” so Moscow’s forces would proceed to focus on them. He didn’t elaborate.

    After months throughout which strikes in central Kyiv had been uncommon, final week’s assaults put the nation and its capital again on edge.

    Monday’s strike on Kyiv got here amid intensified combating within the jap areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, in addition to a continued Ukrainian counteroffensive within the south close to Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy mentioned Sunday there was heavy combating across the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar within the Donetsk area.

    The Donetsk and Luhansk areas make up the commercial east generally known as the Donbas, and had been two of 4 areas annexed by Russia in September in defiance of worldwide legislation.

    In the south, Ukrainian air forces reported capturing down 9 drones over the Mykolaiv area and 6 over the Odesa area. The governor of the jap Kharkiv area mentioned in a single day assaults on a metropolis and villages killed one girl and injured 4 extra folks.

    Russia and Ukraine additionally accomplished a prisoner swap Monday, in line with the Russian Defense Ministry. It mentioned 110 Russians who had been freed included 72 seamen from business vessels held since February, whereas 108 feminine Ukrainian POWs had been handed over to Kyiv authorities, with two saying they wished to remain in Russia. The Ukrainian facet confirmed the alternate however not that two Ukrainians determined to remain in Russia.

  • Ukraine tries to make the case that it may well win, citing latest strikes

    Just weeks in the past, Ukraine’s navy was being pummeled relentlessly within the east, taking heavy casualties because it slowly gave floor to the Russian advance. Western assist seemed to be softening, amid scepticism that Ukraine may win a conflict of attrition, or that an inflow of subtle weapons would flip the tide.

    Through all of it, the Ukrainians’ message to the world didn’t change: We can win. Our technique is working, if slowly. Just hold the weapons coming.

    No one can say but whether or not Ukraine may prevail in opposition to an invading Russian navy with superior numbers and weaponry. And Ukraine’s pleas for weapons have change into such a continuing chorus that some within the West have tuned it out as background noise.

    But this week, because it employs new long-range rocket programs to destroy Russian infrastructure, Ukraine is once more making an attempt to make its case to the world that it may well defeat the Russians. And it’s citing proof.

    Officials are pointing to successes like a latest strike within the city of Nova Kakhovka, on the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine, when Western-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, hit a Russian ammunition depot, sending glowing munitions flying in all instructions like a deadly fireworks show.

    A video revealed by President’s Office Head Andriy Yermak reveals the U.S.-made HIMARS rocket launcher destroying a goal in Ukraine’s south.

    “Another Russian arms depot destroyed,” Yermak wrote.

    Video: Andriy Yermak / Telegram pic.twitter.com/EsnH16E6Vg

    — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 17, 2022

    Several days in the past, a Ukrainian artillery volley struck a key bridge on the Dnieper that was a important crossing level for Russian provides. Analysts say the strike augurs the beginning of a counteroffensive within the south, with an eye fixed towards recapturing the important thing metropolis of Kherson.

    On Thursday, Ukrainian officers mentioned their forces had attacked greater than 200 targets within the south utilizing long-range missiles and artillery.

    A Ukrainian soldier masses ammunition right into a tank within the Kharkiv area on July 19, 2022. (Emile Ducke/The New York Times)

    “Russia can definitely be defeated, and Ukraine has already shown how,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov mentioned in a speech to the Atlantic Council on Tuesday.

    Despite the Ukrainians’ renewed optimism, navy analysts and Western officers say that it’s far too quickly to forecast a flip in fortunes and {that a} lengthy slog appears doubtless. They warning in opposition to hanging too many hopes on explicit weapons amid the chaos and fluidity of the entrance line.

    “We are now achieving what we have not achieved before,” mentioned Taras Chmut, director of a nongovernmental group aiding Ukrainian troopers. “But there was no breakthrough at the front. There is no panacea, no magic wand, that will lead to victory tomorrow.”