Displaying items by tag: Ukraine

France, Germany, and the UK have introduced new sanctions on Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, which US secretary of state Antony Blinken said  will be used against Ukraine. The sanctions include restrictions on Iran Air and travel bans on military officials. UK foreign secretary David Lammy described Iran's actions as ‘a dangerous escalation’. Several individuals and organisations involved in the supply of the missiles face sanctions, and Russian cargo ships transporting these supplies have also been targeted. The Western nations have demanded that Iran halt its missile deliveries, citing security threats to Europe. Blinken and Lammy also flew to Ukraine to ‘hear directly from the leadership’ about their objectives. Volodymyr Zelensky has asked for authorisation to use Western-supplied missiles to strike targets inside Russia - a move the USA has so far resisted. Russia continues to make advances in eastern Ukraine.

This week has seen intensified Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and steady Russian advances in the Donbas region, balanced by Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. Diplomatically, both sides continue to show a lack of willingness to compromise. China has reaffirmed its support for Russia through a high-profile visit by premier Li Qiang and a military delegation to Moscow. Meanwhile, India's prime minister Narendra Modi has made a significant visit to Kyiv, signalling India's complex position between its historical ties with Russia and growing relationships with Western nations. Although India has not condemned Russia's actions, Modi's visit to Ukraine and his emphasis on dialogue indicate a potential shift in India's stance. The USA also announced a new military aid package and additional sanctions targeting entities supporting Russia. The diplomatic landscape remains fluid, with all parties manoeuvring for strategic advantage on the global stage.

Volodymyr Zelensky says that his troops are still advancing into Russian territory, in a bold and surprising incursion. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj627x96gxxo This development marks a significant challenge to Vladimir Putin’s authority: the offensive, which has now lasted over a week, threatens his image as ‘Mr Security’. Despite initiating the ‘special military operation’ to enhance Russia's safety, the nation now faces an expanded NATO presence on its borders, frequent Ukrainian drone attacks, and territorial breaches. Putin minimises the situation through cautious language, referring to it as ‘the situation in the border area’ or ‘a provocation’, avoiding terms like ‘invasion’. He has dismissed the idea of peace talks, stating that his goal is ‘to force the enemy from Russian territory’. Despite these challenges, Putin shows no remorse for his decisions and remains convinced of Russia's eventual victory in the conflict.

Russia has reported ongoing fighting in the Kursk border region following a Ukrainian incursion. Its troops claim they have prevented pro-Kyiv forces from advancing deep into Russia, repelling aerial attacks overnight and destroying fifty armoured vehicles, including seven tanks. Ukraine has not confirmed the assault. Reports suggest Ukrainians occupied several settlements in Kursk. The incursion involved about 300 soldiers, eleven tanks, and over twenty armoured vehicles. Pro-Kyiv forces have made brief incursions into Russia since February 2022. A Russianspokeswoman has labelled Ukraine’s attack on Kursk a ‘terrorist act ‘against civilians. Five people were killed and 28 wounded, including six children. Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed a Russian missile, two drones, and a helicopter. Intense battles continue, with suggestions of a new front opening. Meanwhile, Mali has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine: see world article below.

Ukraine has criticised Mali's decision to sever diplomatic ties, calling it short-sighted and hasty. This decision followed comments from Ukraine's military spy agency about the recent clashes in northern Mali, where Tuareg rebels claimed responsibility for killing 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. This was Wagner's most significant defeat since assisting Mali's military against insurgent groups two years ago. Ukraine denied involvement, stating no evidence was provided. After the spy agency mentioned that rebels had received ‘necessary’ information for the attack, Mali interpreted this as an admission of Ukraine's involvement, condemning it as a violation of sovereignty and support for terrorism. Senegal summoned Ukraine’s ambassador over related accusations. These events occur amid deteriorating relations between the West and Sahel nations, which have expelled French and US forces and turned to Russian mercenaries for security following recent military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

On 31 July Ukraine repelled one of Russia's most massive attacks since the war began, shooting down 89 Iranian-designed explosive drones and a missile, primarily targeting Kyiv. Despite debris damage to buildings, there were no casualties. This attack comes 29 months into Russia's invasion, with daily bombardments straining Ukraine's air defences. Russia claims it only targets military and energy sites, but residential areas are frequently hit. Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need for sufficient air defence supplies to protect against Russian strikes and called for faster deliveries of systems like the US-made Patriots. Meanwhile, Ukraine struck a weapons depot in Russia's Kursk region, causing a fire. Russia's slow advance continues, with small gains reported in July, capturing eight villages in north-east, eastern, and southern Ukraine.

Keir Starmer marked a significant milestone Wednesday with his first PMQs as Prime Minister, and the first for a Labour leader in over a decade. Here are some key takeaways: - The tone was notably more amicable than in past sessions. The leader of the opposition, Rishi Sunak, even made a self-deprecating joke, saying Team GB wouldn't want his advice on "how to win." - Sunak focused his questions on national security, an area where both Conservatives and Labour show strong support, particularly for Ukraine. - When Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for more support for carers, Starmer commended Davey as a "tireless campaigner" for carers' rights. - The SNP's Stephen Flynn adopted a more confrontational approach, criticizing the prime minister over the two-child benefit cap. - Several new faces appeared in the Commons. Questions came from Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay and Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, while Reform leader Nigel Farage observed the proceedings. This PMQs session highlighted a mix of unity and contention as new leaders and members engaged in the debate.

Recent Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea have compelled the Russian navy to rebase its ships, according to the Ukrainian navy. Dmytro Pletenchuk, a Ukrainian navy spokesman, confirmed that no Russian naval vessels remain in the Sea of Azov. Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kharkiv on Wednesday damaged the office of a Swiss mine-clearing NGO, injuring six people. Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that an industrial area was targeted. Kharkiv police head Volodymyr Tymoshko described a "double-tap" attack aimed at rescuers, who fortunately evacuated just before the second strike. Heavy Russian attacks have intensified around Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, making conditions "tense" and difficult. Ukrainian forces continue to defend the area. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted marginal Russian advances near Kharkiv and confirmed progress in Donetsk oblast. The ISW highlighted Russia's significant challenges in maintaining troop numbers and replacing heavy losses of equipment. Ukrainian authorities noted that Russia's current production is insufficient to cover these losses, with a British assessment indicating that Russia can only sustain operations until 2026-2027 by refurbishing Soviet-era stocks.

The Balkans, along with much of Europe, are enduring a prolonged heatwave, which has led to the unprecedented drying up of Serbia's Rusanda salt lake. An expert has warned that such heatwaves could become more frequent due to climate change. Temperatures in the Balkans have soared to 39°C (102°F), and the Adriatic Sea reached a record-high temperature of 29.5°C in Croatian coastal resorts. North Macedonia and Albania have deployed resources to combat forest fires, with North Macedonia declaring a state of emergency. The World Bank has highlighted the need for significant investment to mitigate the impact of climate change. Other European countries, including Italy, Greece, and France, are also experiencing extreme heat. In Ukraine, rain is forecast on 18 July, to break the pattern of several weeks of abnormally high temperatures; the country’s grain harvest is likely to be significantly reduced.

In Washington, Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning to Vladimir Putin, asserting that NATO's resolve is stronger than ever in the face of Russian aggression. After meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Starmer reaffirmed the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasising NATO's unity and determination to counter the Russian threat. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in significant casualties and territorial losses, prompting the West to supply long-range missiles to aid Ukraine's defence efforts. Starmer's visit also involved discussions on enhancing European defence cooperation and addressing the challenges posed by China, reflecting a comprehensive approach to current global security issues. His statements underline a continued commitment to international alliances and a robust stance against any attempts to undermine global stability. This visit marks a significant moment in reinforcing diplomatic ties and strategic partnerships - essential for confronting evolving global threats.