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Ukraine claims arms depot attack in occupied Kherson with Himars rockets

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In an apparent operation using missiles supplied by the US, the Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed a Russian ammo stockpile in the southern city of Nova Kakhovka, killing scores of soldiers. However, according to Russian occupation authorities, residences and warehouses were damaged, resulting in five fatalities and up to 80 injuries.

The number of casualties or the level of damage could not be confirmed. On social media, unconfirmed video of numerous large explosions was posted.

The strike was traced to the US-provided Himars multiple rocket launcher, according to Ukrainian presidential advisor Mikhaylo Podolyak, who also warned of a “reality collision” for the “second army” of the globe. Himars is credited with a number of recent attacks that went extremely deep into Russian-held territory and is much more accurate than Russia’s equivalent weaponry.

Russian soldiers conquered sizable portions of the southern Kherson region in the early weeks of the invasion, but Ukrainian forces started a counteroffensive while Russia concentrated on its military advance into eastern Ukrainian territory. In order to avoid the counterattack, Kyiv has asked the locals to flee the area. Both parties appeared to concur that a Himars launcher had been used in the strike, despite the fact that Russian claims of damage to civilian buildings could not be verified. As soon as the first M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars) touched down in Ukraine at the end of June, explosions at Russian ammo depots and command centres, some 70 kilometres from the front lines, were connected to them.

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Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow politician gets 7 years for denouncing war

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In what is reportedly the first complete jail term under new legislation targeting dissent, a Moscow councillor has been sentenced to seven years in prison for speaking out against Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.

After being caught on camera criticising the invasion during a city council meeting in April, Alexei Gorinov, 60, was taken into custody. Anyone who promotes “false news” about the military could spend up to 15 years in prison under the post-invasion rule. It is forbidden for Russians to refer to the invasion as a war.

However, in speeches to legislative leaders on Thursday, President Vladimir Putin mentioned the “war in the Donbas.” He has since devised the term “special military operation.” The first prison sentence under the new law, according to human rights campaigner Pavel Chikov, was given to Gorinov. Judges have only imposed fines or deferred sentences thus far.

The court found that he had committed his crime “based on political animosity” and had deceived the Russian people in order to make them “feel anxious and fearful” about the military operation.

When Gorinov appeared in court in northern Moscow, he held out a piece of paper with the words “Do you still need this war?” scribbled in ink. A security guard raised his hands in an effort to mask the message.

In late April, more than a month after giving a speech at a district meeting in Moscow’s Krasnoselsky neighbourhood, the opposition councillor was taken into custody.

When children were dying in Ukraine, Gorinov objected to the concept of holding a children’s drawing competition. He had also attempted to call for a moment of silence to honour the victims before the council meeting began.

A second opposition council member who agreed with him has subsequently left Russia. They two allegedly planned their conspiracy to tarnish the Russian military, according to the prosecution.

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Nato summit: Turkey pushes Finland and Sweden on extradition after deal

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According to a deal that removed Ankara’s objections to the two Nordic countries’ Nato membership ambitions, Turkey said it would now demand for the extradition of 33 “terror” suspects from Finland and Sweden.

The justice minister stated that Turkey would ask them to “fulfil their promises”. Both Finland and Sweden have been charged by Ankara with harbouring extremist Kurds. Late on Tuesday night, the Nordic countries decided to “handle Turkey’s pending deportation or extradition demands of terror suspects swiftly.”

In May, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden expressed their intention to join the 30-member Western defence alliance.

At first, Turkey threatened to veto their application, but following four hours of negotiations at the NATO summit in Madrid, the three nations came to an agreement. Before the meeting is through, Nato officials are anticipated to formally invite Finland and Sweden to join.

The NATO expansion was denounced by Russia as a “strictly destabilising element.” According to the Interfax news agency, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, “the Madrid summit reinforces the bloc’s aim towards aggressive containment of Russia.”

Terrorists’ extradition would be sought, according to Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag. He urged Finland to extradite six PKK members and another six members of the Fethullah Gulen organisation, an exiled Turkish cleric. Additionally, Turkey is requesting the extradition of 10 Gulenists and 11 PKK members from Sweden.

The PKK, which was founded in the late 1970s and demanded an autonomous Kurdish state within Turkey, started an armed uprising against the Turkish government in 1984. Turkey, meanwhile, holds the Gulenists accountable for the 2016 failed coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.While the EU, US, and UK label the PKK as a terrorist organisation, they do not do the same for the Gulen movement. Sweden and Finland have not yet responded publicly to the Turkish request.

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Nato plans huge upgrade in rapid reaction force

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NATO has stated that it intends to significantly raise the number of troops in its high-readiness status to over 300,000. 40,000 troops are presently available to the bloc’s rapid reaction force, with many of them stationed near the alliance’s eastern flank.

The increase, according to Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, came after Russia directly threatened the security of Europe. The eastern defences of the alliance would be “dramatically upgraded,” he had earlier claimed, according to “the new military strategy.”

In order to convey a clear message of deterrence to Russia, Mr. Stoltenberg said that certain Nato battlegroups in eastern Europe will be strengthened to “brigade level” — tactical forces of several thousand troops.

At a news conference in Brussels, Mr. Stoltenberg told reporters, “I’m certain that Moscow, President Putin, knows our collective security guarantees, understands the cost of invading a Nato-allied country.” “It will result in a reaction from the entire Alliance. And we are boosting NATO presence to support that message.”

A combination of land, sea, and air assets make up NATO’s rapid reaction force, which is intended to be quickly deployed in the event of an assault. Since 2014, it has progressively increased in size from 13,000 troops to 40,000.

Many of these units were first placed at “high readiness” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Battlegroups from several nations are now operating in a number of nations bordering Russia, including Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland.

Other plans include for the deployment of additional battlegroups in Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.

The G7 summit of industrial democracies, which is presently taking place in Germany, will be followed by this week’s NATO summit in Madrid, where it is anticipated that the measures suggested by Mr. Stoltenberg will be accepted.

The alliance’s official position on Russia, which was adopted in 2010 and referred to Moscow as a “strategic partner,” is also anticipated to change.

According to Mr. Stoltenberg, “that will not be the case under the strategic framework that we will agree upon in Madrid.” “I anticipate friends will make it abundantly clear that Russia directly threatens our security, our values, and the rules-based international system.”

New, “strong” language will be used toward China, according to US officials who have briefed the media.

According to reports, the US and the UK have both urged for a tougher approach to counter what they perceive as Beijing’s growing threat to attack the democratic island of Taiwan.

But according to Nato diplomats who spoke to the Reuters news agency, France and Germany wish to take more measured action against China.

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G7 face battle for unity as cost of Ukraine war mounts

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The G7 conference in Bavaria will unavoidably centre on Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. Also facing a challenging situation are the leaders of the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan. They want to project a sense of cohesion and resolve in the face of the conflict. The Western alliance has exhibited indications of strain and weariness recently.

Some people, namely in France, Germany, and Italy, have questioned whether it wouldn’t be better for the war to stop even if it meant that Ukraine would have to relinquish some of its land. According to a new study conducted across Europe, some people prioritise the cost-of-living crisis over punishing Russia. Others debate whether it will be necessary to have a connection with Russia in the future.

These arguments have been resisted by nations like the UK, Poland, and the three Baltic States, who claim that any peace agreement with Moscow that is not on Ukraine’s terms will result in future Russian aggression. When he addresses the summit remotely on Monday, President Zelensky is likely to support this claim.

The G7 leaders will likely promise Ukraine more weapons and harsher sanctions against Russia in an effort to clear up these murky seas during the conference. The goal is to demonstrate to Russian President Vladimir Putin that, despite domestic political pressure from citizens worried about rising prices, the West has the patience to continue supporting Ukraine.

The challenge for the G7 leaders is that they are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that they are responding to the financial crisis. Hunger and unrest are being caused by the rising cost of food and fuel worldwide. And some nations blame the West for their problems.

The concerns that the West has about Russian aggression are not shared by many nations in the developing world. They regard the battle as a war of Europe, and they don’t seem to care about the claims made by the West that Vladimir Putin is waging a colonial war. As much as the Russian invasion, they attribute the rising price of gas and oil as well as the severe lack of wheat and fertiliser to Western sanctions.

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Some Russians’ songs will be banned in Ukraine’s media and public venues

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The Ukrainian parliament has approved a ban on some Russian music in the media and public venues. The prohibition will not apply to all Russian music; rather, it will apply to music made or performed by Russian residents or those who lived in Russia after 1991.

Artists who have spoken out against Russia’s war in Ukraine may be excluded from the ban. The Act also makes it illegal to import books from Russia and Belarus. Many people in eastern and southern Ukraine have long felt a deep bond with Russia, and many of them speak Russian as their first tongue.

However, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians have expressed a desire to distance themselves from Russian culture.

Some Russian music is prohibited from being aired or performed on television, radio, schools, public transportation, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, and other public venues, according to a measure voted by MPs on Sunday. It received 303 of the 450 lawmakers in the Ukrainian parliament’s approval.

According to BBC Monitoring, the paper claims that the ban will “minimise the risks of possible hostile propaganda through music in Ukraine” and “raise the volume of national music products in the cultural arena.” Except for individuals who are Ukrainian nationals or were at the time of their death, the prohibition will apply to musicians who have or had Russian citizenship at any time after 1991, the year Ukraine declared independence.

By submitting an application to Ukraine’s security service, Russian artists who oppose the war in Ukraine might request an exemption for their songs. According to the BBC’s Ukrainian Service, they must affirm that they support Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity, call on Russia to immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine, and promise not to take any actions that contradict these written remarks.

According to Ukraine’s official broadcaster (Suspilne), the document also includes legislation to boost the share of Ukrainian music aired on the radio to 40% and to expand the use of Ukrainian in daily programmes to 75%.In a bill that runs concurrently with the one regulating music, books imported from Russia, Belarus, and the occupied Ukrainian territory, as well as Russian-language material imported from other nations, will be prohibited.

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Russia introduces a ‘delicious’ McDonald’s alternative

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McDonald’s withdrew from Russia in protest of the invasion of Ukraine, selling more than 800 of its restaurants to Russian businessman Alexander Govor. The first rebranded restaurants in Moscow are reopening today. “Vkusno I Tochka,” which means “tasty and that’s it,” is the new name. The Golden Arches have been replaced with a stylized letter M made of two French fries and a dot (or perhaps a burger?) The Big Mac and McFlurry are no longer available.

Customers, on the other hand, should not notice too many differences, according to the new owners. They held a press conference in the flagship restaurant on Pushkin Square, which opened 32 years ago as the first McDonald’s in Moscow. “Our goal is for our guests to notice no difference in quality or ambience,” said Vkusno I Tochka CEO Oleg Paroyev. One male protester, however, disrupted the event by shouting, “Bring back Big Mac!” I was in the long line in 1990, and it took me three hours to get in and be served. I recall being ecstatic. McDonald’s’ arrival was a symbol of Soviet Russia’s embrace of Western ideas, culture, and cuisine.

McDonald’s announced last month that it would leave Russia due to the war’s “humanitarian crisis” and “unpredictable operating environment.” Last year, Russia and Ukraine accounted for about 9% of McDonald’s global sales.

Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, international brands such as Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Levi’s, and Apple have left or suspended sales in Russia. Wide-ranging international sanctions have been imposed on Russia, disrupting its supply chains and raising unemployment.

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WTO chief warns of global food crisis in wake of Ukraine conflict

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According to the head of the World Trade Organization, a food crisis sparked by the Ukraine war could last for years if no action is taken. Wheat and fertiliser shortages could be particularly damaging to African countries, according to WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Because of the war, millions of tonnes of grain are sitting in warehouses and Ukrainian ports, unable to be exported. As grain prices rise, she described it as “really sad.” Ukraine is a major global wheat exporter, accounting for 9% of the global market. It also controls 42 percent of the global sunflower oil market and 16 percent of the global maize market.

Between 20 and 25 million tonnes of wheat are stuck in Ukraine due to gridlock caused by a Russian blockade of Black Sea ports and Russian and Ukrainian mines along the coast, while global grain prices continue to rise. Wheat prices were up 59 percent from last year, sunflower oil was up 30%, and maize was up 23 percent, according to Ms Okonjo-Iweala.

The UN is leading efforts to establish a “grain corridor” for tankers leaving Odessa and other Ukrainian ports, with a Turkish naval escort. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the other hand, has stated that Ukraine must clear mines from its Black Sea ports.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has stated that it requires “effective security guarantees” before it can begin shipments, citing concerns that Moscow could use the potential corridor to launch a sea attack on Odessa. Ukraine produces enough food to feed 400 million people on a regular basis, but Russia is accused of turning it into a stealth missile, with blockaded ports reducing exports to a trickle.

Several countries in the Middle East and Africa, in particular, will be affected by supply shortages. Libya and Eritrea import more than 40% of their wheat from Ukraine, while Lebanon imports more than 60%.

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Volunteers deliver emergency contraception pills during the Ukraine conflict

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As reports of rape rise, charities are working to get emergency contraception into Ukrainian hospitals.

Nearly 3,000 packets of morning-after pills have been delivered to areas of the country hardest hit by the Russian invasion. The pills were provided by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and volunteers are delivering them.

Caroline Hickson, a member of the group, says that when it comes to distribution, timing is crucial. “[The morning-after pill] is effective in preventing pregnancy for a window of five days,” she told.

“If you’ve been a victim of gender-based violence, it’s critical that you get help as soon as possible, because becoming pregnant as a result of rape is extremely traumatic.”

Medical abortion pills, which can be used up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, have also been sent by the organisation.

Ms Hickson explained that the pills are available to assist women in a variety of situations, including those who are having consensual sex but believe it is not the right time to start a family.
“Emergency contraception was available in Ukraine prior to the war, but supply chains have been disrupted, and it’s critical for women to have access to this,” she said.

Because there are so many people displaced across Ukraine, it’s difficult for aid workers to determine how many supplies are needed in which areas.

Last week, Ukrainian troops pleaded for food and medicine for Mariupol, which has been cut off from humanitarian aid by Russian troops.

The IPPF has been collaborating with the UN Population Fund and the International Medical Corps to bring tablets into Ukraine.

“The UN agencies, civil society organisations, and the Ministry of Health have come together to identify the needs, and they’ve been communicated to all of us working in support,” Ms Hickson said.

Emergency contraception is included in UN kits sent to women and girls involved in conflicts around the world.

In Ukraine, they’ve done the same thing, as well as sending supplies for family planning and childbirth.

The BBC has discovered evidence of Ukrainian women being raped by invading soldiers in villages just outside of Kyiv during the war.

Similar stories have been reported by other media outlets from Bucha, a city north-west of Kyiv.

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Zhirinovsky, Putin’s ultranationalist ally and clown, has died at the age of 75

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Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a Russian ultranationalist politician, died at the age of 75, after a career marked by fiery remarks and absurd antics.

He ran for president six times and was a member of the official opposition that President Vladimir Putin tolerated. He appeared to predict Russia’s attack on Ukraine in December. He claimed to have received eight doses of Covid-19 vaccine. After being admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, he contracted coronavirus and died a few weeks later.

After two earlier reports had been discounted, parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin finally confirmed his death on Wednesday.

“A man who deeply understood how the world works and foresaw a lot,” he said of Zhirinovsky, who was always in the thick of things. During his more than 30-year political career, Zhirinovsky’s brand of clownish ultranationalism shocked and entertained Russians.

He claimed in the early 1990s that he fantasised about the day “when Russian soldiers will be able to wash their boots in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.” In one of his final appearances before MPs, he predicted that Russia would invade Ukraine and predicted the date almost to the minute.

From the Baltics and Germany to Japan and the Middle East, he faced similar threats throughout his career. When he threw juice in the face of a political rival, Boris Nemtsov, during a TV debate, he became famous around the world.

He ran a Soviet state-approved Jewish cultural organisation before entering politics. His Liberal Democratic Party of Russia was the country’s first official post-communist political party, and he was widely regarded as a Soviet stooge at the time. When his party won Russia’s first democratic elections in 1993, Russians and the rest of the world were stunned.

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