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Ukraine war: Missiles fired at Russian city Belgorod and occupied Crimea

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Russian authorities claim to have thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to attack a border city as the ongoing aerial conflict between the two nations escalates. They reported intercepting a dozen missiles targeting Belgorod, where 25 people lost their lives on Saturday. Ukraine has not provided a response.

This development follows Russia’s largest aerial bombardment on Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Russia deployed around 300 missiles and 200 drones over five days. The renewed attacks began last week, prompting a Ukrainian counterattack on Belgorod that resulted in over 100 injuries.

Zelensky revealed in a broadcast that Russia fired nearly 100 strategically chosen missiles on Tuesday, and Ukrainian forces successfully shot down 10 hypersonic ballistic missiles on that day alone. Ukrainian officials reported over 130 casualties from Tuesday’s attacks, including major cities like Kharkiv and Kyiv.

In response, Russia’s air defense system intercepted 12 missiles targeting Belgorod overnight, causing one fatality and five injuries in the region. Explosions were also heard in Sevastopol, the largest city in Russian-occupied Crimea, where a missile was shot down over the port with no reported casualties or damage.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, expressed that Ukraine anticipated Russia’s recent bombardment but stressed the need for more weapons to effectively respond and send a clear message to Russia to halt its actions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to increase strikes in retaliation for Ukraine’s recent attacks on Belgorod.

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Russia-Ukraine war: Putin tells Russia his war objectives are unchanged

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his first major news conference since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, stated that peace with Ukraine would only happen when Russia achieves its objectives.

He combined the event with his annual “direct line” phone-in and discussed the “special military operation in Ukraine,” emphasizing Russian sovereignty and a strong economy despite the war. Putin listed the objectives as “denazification, demilitarization, and its neutral status” for Ukraine. He revealed that Russia has 617,000 troops in Ukraine, with additional voluntary recruits, and mentioned losses without providing specific numbers.

Putin addressed Ukraine’s recent military success near the Dnipro River, attributing it to a last-ditch attempt to reach Crimea. He suggested Russian forces withdrew to wooded areas to protect soldiers and claimed Ukraine’s motives were politically driven to seek more military funding from the West. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, further aggression might follow.

Putin asserted that Russian forces have the upper hand on the front line in Ukraine, despite economic sanctions and political isolation. He expressed confidence in Russia’s ability to “move forward” despite these challenges.

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Gaza Hospital Overwhelmed as Israel’s Retaliation Inflicts Hundreds of Casualties

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On Saturday morning, there were celebrations in Gaza as Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel and carried out deadly cross-border attacks. However, the situation took a grim turn the following day. Israeli shelling continued relentlessly throughout the night and into Sunday morning, driving people indoors as explosions rocked the area. Gaza was shrouded in clouds of black smoke as Israeli strikes hit 150 targets, including military positions, Hamas leaders’ homes, and banks. Among the significant targets was the Watan Tower, a vital hub for internet providers in Gaza.

The retaliatory Israeli air strikes have resulted in more than 400 casualties, severely straining Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation. Power and water supplies have been disrupted, leaving most areas without electricity. Rubble obstructed roads in Gaza City, where shops were shuttered, except for a few bakeries with long queues.

Gaza’s hospitals, ill-equipped even in peaceful times, are overwhelmed, with desperate appeals for blood donors. According to Mahmoud Shalabi of the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, the main hospital resembled a “slaughterhouse,” with an influx of casualties and overwhelmed medical staff.

Later on Sunday, the Israeli army sent SMS messages to Gaza City residents, advising them to seek shelter ahead of strikes. Over 20,000 people headed to United Nations sites in the area.

Hamas, in control of Gaza for 17 years, was seemingly prepared for such massive retaliation, having declared readiness for war with Israel. Despite the blockade, the group claims to have smuggled weapons and developed its arsenal. While some Gazans celebrated Hamas’ rocket attacks, many are apprehensive about the prolonged violence and uncertain future.

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Nerves and patriotism in Moscow after 18 months of war

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Moscow’s atmosphere is heavily influenced by Russia’s imperial history. The imposing Kremlin walls and towers create a sense of insignificance among visitors on Red Square.

A similar feeling arises five miles away at Victory Park, a vast complex of museums and memorials honoring the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany. Its centerpiece, a colossal square with a 141.8-meter obelisk, pays tribute to each day of World War Two.

During my visit, the National Day of the Russian Flag is celebrated, marked by the unfolding of a massive tricolor flag, reportedly the nation’s largest. Ringed by Russian soldiers, the flag unfurls to the tune of patriotic music. The museum director’s speech underscores the unifying power of such events.

In the wake of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has actively promoted such patriotic gatherings.

Inside the Victory Museum, an exhibition glorifies the “heroes” of the “special military operation,” likening Russian involvement in Ukraine to the Soviet efforts in WW2.

Andrei Afanasiev, a pro-Kremlin blogger and academic, believes that patriotism gains importance during wartime, asserting that Russia is facing a Western-led conflict that necessitates self-reliance and unity. He maintains that patriotism has surged and that the Russian people are mobilized and united by the war.

Russian state TV portrays “successes” and “progress,” but the actual situation contrasts starkly. A military analyst reveals that the Russian military acknowledges being in a tough spot, having lost territory and with morale low due to their unpreparedness for modern warfare.

The analyst indicates that information about the battlefield situation is distorted as it moves up the chain of command, including to the president.

The overall atmosphere in Moscow exudes apprehension. Recent events, such as Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mutiny and the devaluation of the ruble, contribute to a sense of unease. The city’s skyline is juxtaposed with an anti-aircraft system atop the Russian Defence Ministry, symbolizing the coexistence of beauty and apprehension.

While individuals might not be perturbed by individual occurrences, there’s a prevailing sentiment of concern about the present and fear for the future.

In Gorky Park, a picturesque scene unfolds, with families enjoying the surroundings. Nearby, the Russian Defence Ministry stands, topped by an anti-aircraft system. This contrast doesn’t alarm locals, with some expressing approval for the military stance.

Fear has taken root in Moscow. Opposition activists convene in inconspicuous spaces, with Yulia Galyamina leading the meeting. She laments the frequent arrests of activists but remains committed to her cause. Other activists, using pseudonyms due to fear, underscore the presence of anti-war sentiment in Russia and their dedication to the cause.

Despite the challenges, they believe in humanity’s ultimate triumph and vow to persevere.

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Ukraine war causes birth rate to slump

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According to official statistics, the war in Ukraine has led to a significant decline in the country’s birth rate, with a decrease of 28%. In the first six months of 2023, only 96,755 children were born, compared to 135,079 in the same period in 2021. This drop is the most substantial decrease in birth rates since Ukraine gained independence in 1991.

Even before the conflict, Ukraine’s birth rate had been steadily declining over the past decade. However, the war has exacerbated the situation, resulting in the largest decline in births on record. The ongoing conflict has also had a severe impact on the country’s population, with nearly six million people fleeing, according to the United Nations.

Data collected by the Ukrainian data analytics website Opendatabot aligns with the observations of demographic experts, who have noticed similar declines in birth rates during previous wars. The US-based Population Reference Bureau states that fertility rates typically drop by up to one-third during civil conflicts but tend to rebound quickly after the fighting ends.

Before the invasion by Russia, Ukraine used to witness around 23,000 monthly births, but this number has now fallen to approximately 16,000. However, the decline in birth rates has not caused a significant imbalance between male and female births. In the first half of 2023, the number of boys born was 49,626, while girls accounted for 47,129.

The last time Ukraine experienced such a significant drop in birth rates was in 2014 when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea. During that period, the number of babies born decreased by 12%.

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Prigozhin: Wagner Shifts Focus to Africa and Belarus, Pauses Fighter Recruitment

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Head of Wagner Mercenary Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced in an audio message released by a Wagner-linked Telegram account that the group will continue its operations in Africa and Belarus but is currently not actively recruiting new fighters. Prigozhin stated that the majority of Wagner fighters are currently on leave due to a period of intense work. The group is in the process of determining its future objectives, which will be undertaken for the benefit of Russia.

While the group remains operational in Africa and maintains training centers in Belarus, Prigozhin did not provide specific details. Wagner is known for its presence in various African regions and its involvement in training Belarusian territorial defense forces. However, he emphasized that they do not plan to recruit new personnel at present. Nonetheless, if the country requires a new group to safeguard its interests, Wagner will initiate recruitment.

Prigozhin also mentioned that some fighters from the group have opted to transfer to other Russian power structures, a move that the group does not restrict. In June, Wagner fighters participated in a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s military leadership, and in the aftermath of the failed mutiny, President Vladimir Putin invited non-participating Wagner fighters to sign contracts with the Russian defense ministry.

In recent developments, on Monday morning, four people were killed in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, following Russian missile strikes. A drone attack was also reported in Russia’s border region of Bryansk, with a police station being hit. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin accused Ukraine of the drone attack on the Russian capital, resulting in damage to two office blocks. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that war was returning to Russia, and attacks on Russian territory were a natural consequence of the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

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Prisoners of war from Ukraine’s ‘Azov regiment’ are on trial in Russia.

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Eight women are among the 22 Ukrainian POWs accused by Russia of belonging to a “terrorist group.”

More than 20 Ukrainian troops who were captured during the months-long fight to protect Mariupol from Moscow’s forces have gone on trial in southern Russia.

The kidnapped soldiers were members of the Azov regiment, an elite Ukrainian armed forces unit that fought Russian troops for months in Mariupol, a seaport on the Sea of Azov.

After a three-month war in which much of Mariupol was destroyed, the surviving Ukrainian troops, who had bunkered within a massive steel plant, surrendered to Russian forces in May 2022.

The court in Russia’s southern Rostov-on-Don began hearing cases against Azov members on Wednesday, a military force that Russia has branded as a “terrorist group.”

The Azov Regiment, a former volunteer unit with far-right roots that was officially incorporated into Ukraine’s army, was declared a “terrorist” group by Russia’s Supreme Court in August of last year.

The verdict by Russia’s Supreme Court allows for lengthy jail sentences for Azov members who have been charged by Russian authorities of harbouring neo-Nazi and white supremacist beliefs.

Eight of the 22 defendants on trial are women. Photographs obtained inside the courthouse on Wednesday showed the Ukrainian troops, who were pale and emaciated, with their heads shaved close, sat behind a glass panel.

The defendants are accused of being members of a terrorist group and participating in actions to destabilise the Russia-backed authorities in the Donetsk area. If convicted, they risk jail terms ranging from 15 years to life.

According to the Red Cross, it has visited 1,500 prisoners of war on both sides of the conflict.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), such visits are critical for inspecting custody facilities, passing information between inmates and loved ones, and distributing sanitary products.

So far, the ICRC and its allies have carried around 2,500 personal letters between POWs and their families in the Ukraine crisis and assisted approximately 5,500 families in obtaining information on the fate of their loved ones in the fight.

“The impact is… immeasurable for the prisoners of war and their families who have been able to share news,” Ariane Bauer, ICRC’s regional director for Europe and Central Asia, told reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused the Red Cross of failing to exert sufficient pressure on Russian soldiers to provide access to Ukrainian servicemen seized by Russian forces.

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Syrians used as mercenaries in Nagorno-Karabakh war

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In a shocking report, it is revealed that Syrians were used in the Nagorno-Karabakh war by the European country of Azerbaijan as mercenaries.

The report says that the Syrian mercenaries were recruited at the behest of Turkey. While speaking to media personals, one of those who has been recruited for the war from Syria has reveled that they were cheated by promising lucrative jobs in Azerbaijan. He has alleged that he was promised the job of guard.

There are reports that Armenia also recruited Syrian mercenaries like Azerbaijan. As per the reports, the recruitment process was handled by Russia.

Unsurprisingly, both Russia and Turkey have denounced the reports suggesting their involvement in the recruitment activity.

Likewise, both Azerbaijan and Armenia have declined to accept that they used Syrian mercenaries in the battle for the disputed territory situated between them.

Notably, earlier, there were allegations that Syrians were used in the Libyan civil war.

As per a latest report, at present a recruitment program is going on in Syria for Venezuela.

It is unfortunate that the people of Syrian who were devastated by the Civil War are being exploited.

It is high time to find a solution to the issue.        

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