Russia-Ukraine War: 323 children killed and over 500 injured by Russia, Kyiv claims

Holed up in a bombed-out house in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian troops keep a careful accounting of their ammunition, using a door as a sort of ledger. Scrawled in chalk on the door are figures for mortar shells, smoke shells, shrapnel shells, flares.

Despite the heavy influx of weapons from the West, Ukrainian forces are outgunned by the Russians in the battle for the eastern Donbas region, where the fighting is largely being carried out by way of artillery exchanges.

While the Russians can keep up the heavy, continuous fire for hours at a time, the defenders can’t match the enemy in either weapons or ammunition and must use their ammo more judiciously.

At the outpost in eastern Ukraine, dozens and dozens of mortar shells are stacked up. But the troops’ commander, Mykhailo Strebizh, who goes by the nom de guerre Gaiduk, lamented that if his fighters were to come under an intense artillery barrage, their cache would, at best, amount to only about four hours’ worth of return fire. 

Ukrainian authorities say the West’s much-ballyhooed support for the country is not sufficient and is not arriving on the battlefield fast enough for this grinding and highly lethal phase of the war.

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As the Russian offensive against Ukraine continues, Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister, Iryna Vereshchuk claimed that 75 Snake Island defenders remain in Russian captivity. Notably, Snake Island in the Black Sea has been under temporary Russian occupation since the Russian attack in the early days of the full-scale war. According to the Russian defence ministry, some of the soldiers defending Snake Island from the Russian army were taken, prisoner. However, some were reportedly released during the exchange. 

The European Union is expected to finalise the $9.5 billion financial package for Ukraine in the coming days to help the war-ravaged nation. According to the EU officials, the proposal is likely to be ready by this week. According to media reports, the new macro-financial assistance program would consist of 25-year loans, with a 10-year grace period to reimburse the principal.

As three US military veterans from Alabama went missing from Ukraine and were later found in Russia, Kremlin Press Secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said all of them allegedly indulged in illegal activities in the war-torn nation. According to Peskov, they will be held accountable for crimes. On Thursday, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price, while speaking to reporters, confirmed the missing of three US military veterans. According to Price, two people were identified as-- Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh-- and both were military veterans from Alabama. They went to Ukraine to support the Ukrainian military in deterring Russian forces.

 Russia’s military kept on grinding down Ukraine’s defenses Monday, with combat in eastern areas said to be entering a “decisive” phase, as the war’s consequences for food and fuel supplies increasingly weighed on minds around the globe.

In Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, which in recent weeks has become the focal point of Moscow’s attempt to impose its will on its neighbor, battles raged for the control of multiple villages, the local governor said.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the Kremlin had ordered the Russian military to overrun the entire Luhansk region by next Sunday. Currently, Moscow’s forces control about 95% of the region.

Maliar said in televised remarks that “without exaggeration, decisive battles are taking place” in the area, where Ukrainian forces are desperately trying to avoid being encircled.

“We must understand that the enemy has an advantage both in terms of personnel and weapons, so the situation is extremely difficult. And at this very minute these decisive battles are ongoing at the maximum intensity,” Maliar added.

“We need your support, we need weaponry, weapons that will have better capabilities than the Russian weapons,” he told a forum in Milan that was organized by the ISPI geo-political think tank. He spoke by video link.

Zelenskyy added: “This is a matter of life or death.”

The villages where combat is fierce are around Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk, two cities in the Luhansk region yet to be captured by the Russians, according to Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai.

Russian shelling and airstrikes on the industrial outskirts of Sievierodonetsk have intensified, he said.

Haidai told The Associated Press on Monday that the situation in Sievierodonetsk was “very difficult,” with the Ukrainian forces maintaining control over just one area — the Azot chemical plant, where a number of Ukrainian fighters, along with about 500 civilians, are taking shelter.

The Russians keep deploying additional troops and equipment in the area, he said.

AP

Lithuania defended its decision to bar rail transit from Russia to a Russian Baltic Sea exclave of goods hit by European Union sanctions, in a move that drew Moscow’s strong anger amid high tensions in the region. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said his country was simply implementing sanctions imposed by the EU, of which it is a member. He said the measures implemented Saturday were taken after “consultation with the European Commission and under its guidelines.” “Sanctioned goods (will) no longer be allowed to transit Lithuanian territory,” Landsbergis added.

Lithuania defended its decision to bar rail transit from Russia to a Russian Baltic Sea exclave of goods hit by European Union sanctions, in a move that drew Moscow’s strong anger amid high tensions in the region. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said his country was simply implementing sanctions imposed by the EU, of which it is a member. He said the measures implemented Saturday were taken after “consultation with the European Commission and under its guidelines.” “Sanctioned goods (will) no longer be allowed to transit Lithuanian territory,” Landsbergis added.

Ukraine does not meet the conditions for membership in the European Union, Russia's State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin claimed in a Telegram post on June 20. In his post, Volodin justified his statement by citing absolute corruption, rampant crime, and the rule of oligarchs in Ukraine, as well as the country's ruined economy. "Ukraine meets no criteria for either joining the European community or being granted (EU) candidacy. Europe realises that only too well, too, but the desire to weaken Russia is stronger," Volodin wrote in his post.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the African Union (AU) on Monday, blaming Russia for "catastrophic" rising food prices. "If it was not for the Russian war, people in Africa, people in Asia and anywhere else in the world would not suffer from the catastrophic rise in food prices," Zelenskyy said in a speech via video link. He also condemned the Russian blockade of Ukraine's ports as weeks of negotiations on safe corridors to get grain out have made little progress, with urgency rising as the summer harvest season arrives. "The food crisis in the world will continue as long as this colonizing war continues, Russia's war against our state, and as long as our ports are blocked," he said.

Hollywood star Ben Stiller met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday. Stiller arrived in Ukraine on Sunday as a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) goodwill ambassador. "You are my hero," Stiller said as he greeted Zelenskyy. Stiller also visited the town of Irpin on Monday and talked to people directly affected by the war.
"You see it on TV, you see it on social media, it is something else to actually see it and feel it and then talk to people," Stiller told Zelenskyy.

The European Union’s top diplomat said on Monday he has written to all African foreign ministers to explain that the bloc’s sanctions on Russia are not responsible for the looming global food crisis, and pledged to work out ways for exports of food and fertilizers to reach their continent. The EU has not banned exports of Russian food or fertilizers to non-EU nations as part of its sanctions package. Earlier this month, the chairman of the African Union, Senegal’s President Macky Sall, told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the fighting in Ukraine and Western sanctions had worsened food shortages, and appealed to other countries to ensure grain and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine aren’t blocked. “Russia is blockading Ukrainian exports,” Josep Borrell said after a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs ministers. “Not us. Russia is destroying ports, and destroying food stocks, destroying transport infrastructure.”

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Ukraine on Monday, June 20, claimed that 33,800 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the onset of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces stated that in the 117 days of military aggression on the territory of Ukraine, the Russian Army has lost 1,477 tanks, 3,588 armoured combat vehicles, 749 artillery systems, 238 multiple rocket launchers, 98 anti-aircraft warfare systems, 216 aircraft, 181 helicopters. In addition, Russian troops have lost 14 boats, 2,527 vehicles and fuel tanks, 55 special equipment, 130 cruise missiles and 601 unmanned aerial vehicles.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has welcomed the support of the European Commission in designating EU candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova. She labelled it a "logically complicated process" and stressed that taking action based on formula is 'unacceptable', TASS reported. Speaking in Luxembourg, Baerbock called Ukraine a "long-standing candidate" to become a part of Europe despite the "goals of the process being enormous". Read more.

Russia has accounted for an estimated 19% of all exports of major arms globally during the period between 2017 and 2021, and its defeat in the war with Ukraine will lead to the demise of its arms industry, ex-UK Naval attache to Moscow, John Dobson, said in a Sunday Guardian piece. Dobson opined that the countries that trade in arms, as well as purchase weapons from Russia, would in turn question the credibility of the future delivery and weaponry reliance should Moscow get defeated in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

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As many as 323 children have lost their lives since the onset of the military conflict, said the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office. It further said that another 586 have been wounded in the war-torn nation since the Russian invasion began on February 24. Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said that an 8-year-old girl was injured in Donetsk and two children aged 12 and 14 were injured due to Russian shelling in Kharkiv. Tap here to read more. 

The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell on Monday, June 20, labelled the blockade of Ukrainian grain a "real war crime." Josep Borrell, the EU's Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that millions of tons of wheat have been blocked in Ukraine and people continue to face hunger across the world. Speaking to reporters ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers meeting, Borrell called on Russia to end the blockade of ports and allow the export of Ukrainian grain.

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Ukraine has lost control over Metolkino village near Sievierodonetsk, said Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai. In a Telegram message, he added, Russia has increased shelling and air strikes on Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk Oblast Governor Serhiy Haidai reported on June 20, saying the “Luhansk region is being destroyed with all possible weapons.”

The Security Service of Ukraine on its official  Facebook page reported that it has gathered evidence of Russian President Vladimir Putin permitted Russian troops to carry out robberies and loot in Ukraine. "That is, in short, it is not criminally punishable that we loot. This is allowed. Putin allowed it. The decree stated that looting was allowed… ," an unnamed official reportedly told his wife during a phone call, as cited by Ukrinform.

The Foreign Policy chief of the European Union, Josep Borrell on Monday labelled the Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports as a "war crime." Speaking at a presser ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg, the Borrell stated:

 "The problems stem from Russia's blockade of Ukrainian grain. Millions of tons of wheat have been blocked and millions of people will not be able to consume this wheat. So this war will have dramatic consequences for the world. We call on Russia to unblock ports and allow the export of this food, "Borrel said Ukrinform reported. 

Russian invaders on the 117th day of war shelled at least 10 settlements in Donetsk, National Police of Ukraine announced this on its Facebook page.

[IMAGE: NationalPoliceofUkraine/Facebook]

Australia on Monday morning delivered four armoured personnel vehicles out of 14 promised under a $285 million aid package to Ukraine. “We will continue to look at ways we can best help the people of Ukraine. Australia stands with Ukraine and again calls on Russia to cease its unprovoked, unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Australian defense minister Richard Marles said, as quoted by The Guardian. The M113AS4s were loaded into Ukrainian aircraft last week. 

In a Telegram post, the governor of Kharkiv Oleh Synyehubov on Monday appealed to the residents to not ignore alarms and stay in shelters. "I appeal to Kharkiv residents: do not ignore alarms, stay in the shelters. Do not be unnecessarily in the fields, on the roadsides, do not visit the forest belts," Synehubov wrote in a message. 

"During the past 24 hours in Kharkiv, the enemy was beating on the outskirts of the city and in the Kholodnohirsky district. According to preliminary information, no one was injured. The Russians continue to terrorise the civilian population," he said, adding that Ukrainian defenders have held strong positions along the line of contact. 

Russia's oil exports to China have soared by 55% compared to last year, The Guardian reported. Chinese firms like Sinopec and state-run Zhenhua Oil have ramped up purchases lured by a steep rebate of 30%. Shipments in April were around 2 million barrels per day. This comes amid Beijing repeated neutrality over the ongoing war in Ukraine, and claims that it is not helping Moscow to evade the West-led sanctions. 

[IMAGE: Unsplash]

Russian ground and tactical air operations have remained focused on the central Donbas sector over the weekend, the Uk Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in its latest intelligence report.

Key updates: 

• In the conflict to date, Russia’s air force has underperformed. Its failure to consistently deliver air power is likely one of the most important factors behind Russia’s very limited campaign success.
• It cannot gain full air superiority and has operated in a risk-averse style, rarely penetrating deep behind Ukrainian lines. Some of the underlying causes of its difficulties echo those of Russian ground forces.
• For years, much of Russia’s air combat training has highly likely been heavily scripted and designed to impress senior officials, rather than to develop dynamic initiative amongst aircrews.

On Monday, Russian Orthodox Church head clergy Patriarch Kirill asserted that Russian troops killed in "military operation in Ukraine's Donbass region are examples of immense courage and sacrifice. "it came from inner moral sense..." Patriarch Kirill claimed, as quoted by NEXTA. 

In its latest update on combat losses, the Ukraine Armed Forces on Monday reported that they have eliminated as many as 33,800 Russian soldiers since February 24. In addition, they also claimed to have destroyed nearly 1,477 tanks and over 600 tactical UAVs. 

In its latest update amid the ongoing war, the Ukraine’s military stated that Russian troops have reinforced Black Sea fleet. Ukraine’s Operational Command “South” said there are currently three surface ships and three submarines with a total arsenal of 36 missiles and three airborne corps.

The current global economic and geopolitical situation has not changed the principles of the Russian economy, said Russian Accounts Chamber chairman Alexey Kudrin, as quoted by TASS. 

"I remain on absolutely the same positions as before. The current situation has not changed the basic, fundamental principles of the Russian economy. We remain a market economy, we retain our private sector. Moreover, it was underscored during the Sberbank breakfast that it is the private sector that reacts faster to the current events, adapts faster and acts as a factor of more rapid recovery, because it makes decisions here and now, instead of complicated bureaucratic procedures of state bodies or a state-owned corporation. Everyone knows that both the Western economy and the new economy are more efficient when they are more flexible and adaptable, which means the private sector," Kudrin said at the 25th St. Petersburg Economic Forum (SPIEF). 

In a retaliatory move, Kazakhstan on Sunday blocked 1,700 Russian rail cars on its territory. The rail cars were carrying Russian coal through Kazakhstan. This came in response to Moscow blocking Kazak oil exports.

Despite Ukraine's strong defence, Russia's war in Kyiv is far from over, satated Secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

"They [Russian forces] have an advantage in artillery and heavy equipment. That doesn't scare our warriors. We are holding our positions. From time to time we are delivering counterattacks. But the war is still ongoing, and we are far from its end, "Danilov said.

He added that the situation on the front line is "tense and complicated."

Russian occupiers in Kherson have decided to erect a monument in memory of German-born Russian empress Catherine II. 

Russian forces are likely conducting false-flag artillery attacks against Russian-held territory to dissuade Ukrainian sentiment and encourage the mobilization of proxy forces, ISW says.

The Institute for Study of War (ISW) said, Russian authorities likely seek to use war crimes trials against captured Ukrainian servicemen, particularly troops that defended Mariupol, to advance its narratives around the war. Russian sources reported that the authorities of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) plan to hold war crimes tribunals until the end of August 2022 and that at least one of these tribunals will be held in Mariupol. These tribunals will reportedly be judged in accordance with DNR legislation (which notably allows capital punishment, unlike Russian law) and be modeled on the Nuremberg format for war crimes trials.

Ukraine plans to organize exhibitions of destroyed Russian military equipment, starting in Warsaw, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, and Lisbon, according to Reznikov.

In a move to cut cultural ties with Moscow, the Ukraine parliament on Sunday introduced two legislations in order to restrict Russian music and books import. The draft bill endorsed by Kyiv lawmakers approved a ban on book printing by Russian citizens unless they give up their native passports and adopt Ukrainian citizenship. Reportedly, the ban applies to authors who hold Russian citizenship after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Ukrainian Parliament Verkhovna Rada on Sunday approved Kyiv's exit from a range of agreements within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The agreements were deemed "useless or obsolete" by Ukrainian parliamentarian Taras Melnichuk, as quoted by Tass News Agency. He added that the implementation of the decrees also partially threatened the national security of Ukraine. 

"A bill on the withdrawal from the CIS Agreement on Cooperation in the Development and Use of Mobile Cellular Communications Systems, a bill on the withdrawal from the CIS Agreement on and Interstate Reserve of Bio Preparations and Other Means of Animal Protection, a bill on the withdrawal from the CIS Agreement on the Support and Development of Small Businesses have been approved in general," Melnichuk wrote on his Telegram channel.

The lawmakers also endorsed the bill on the withdrawal from the amendments to the agreement on Interstate Courier Communication.

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As the Russia-Ukraine war continues unabated for day 117, European Union (EU) foreign ministers are set to discuss ways to free millions of tonnes of Ukrainian grain stuck in the war-torn nation due to Russia’s Black sea port blockade at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, June 20. While Ukraine is one of the top wheat suppliers in the world, its grain shipments have been stalled and over 20 million tonnes have been trapped in silos since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the “special” military operation in the neighbouring country. 

Even though Moscow has denied the responsibility for the food crisis in the region and instead put blame on the Western sanctions, just earlier this month, EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell  had said that Moscow was “directly responsible” for the "any shortages in international trade in grains." According to Russia, the sanctions imposed by the West led to the increase in global food prices and further, prompted warnings from the United Nations (UN) of hunger in poorer nations that are heavily dependent on imported grain. 

Meanwhile, the 27-nation-bloc has been supporting the efforts by the UN to reach a deal and resume Ukraine's sea exports in exchange for facilitating Russian food and fertiliser exports. However, brokerage of any kind of agreement would require Moscow’s go-ahead. 

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In the latest development of Western nations extending assistance to Ukrainians fleeing home amid war with Russia, the UK will change its visa rules to allow unaccompanied Ukrainian minors to enter the country, stated The Times. The existing rules bar children below the age of 18 and those unaccompanied by a parent or a guardian from travelling to the UK. It is to note that the change would allow hundreds of stranded children and teenage refugees to enter Britain. 

The report had noted that the present UK Home Office rules left “more than 500 Ukrainian children-some still in their homeland and others who fled across Europe-in limbo for more than two months as the Home Office has failed to decide how to deal with them”. The Times said that several of these stranded Ukrainian children have been told that their cases are “on hold” which left them with the hope that they will be processed at some point. 

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues unabated and more and more people are forced to leave their homes, it was reportedly UK refugees minister Lord Harrington of Watford who has been pushing for relaxation in the rigid visa rules. The report cited a senior British government source saying that Harrington had won the battle with the UK Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up. 

Moreover, UK Foreign Secretary Priti Patel and Secretary of State for Housing, Michael Gove, who are responsible for visa rules, will sign off the fresh rules “within next week”. 

It is to mention here that the UK has already granted visas to 88,000 refugees under the ‘Homes for Ukraine scheme’. Out of those, at least 52,000 have arrived in Britain. Still, around 20,000 visa applications under the scheme remain outstanding. 

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As Russia started cutting gas supplies to several countries amid western sanctions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Italian also reported receiving gas in low volumes. According to the Russian news agency, TASS, Italy's major gas distribution company said it has received smaller than requested volumes of gas, ranging from 50 to 65%. "Gazprom announced that today it will deliver volumes of gas in line with the quantities delivered in the last days," the company said in a statement.

EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, who landed in Ukraine to take a closer look at Russian brutality, visited the Kyiv suburbs of Irpin and Bucha on Sunday. He was accompanied by Kyiv Police Chief Andriy Niebytov, who has assisted and explained to him about the brutal aggression of Russian forces, Ukrainian Police said in a statement. 
"The whole world was shocked by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the brutality of these crimes and the European Union now supports Ukraine. We will make every effort to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice. Ukraine is part of the European family. Ukraine belongs to the European Union," said Gilmore.

As the brutal war concluded 117 days on Monday, the Ukrainian military claimed it has killed at least 28 Russian soldiers in the southern region of the country. Besides, the military claimed it has destroyed a Russian tank, two military vehicles, and 152-mm howitzers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Sunday, said that the upcoming EU decision of whether to grant Ukraine candidate status is among the most "fateful" decisions in the country's history. “It’s obvious that we should expect Russia to step up its hostile activity demonstratively this very week,” he said. The European Commission recommended giving candidate status to Ukraine on June 17," he said.

As the Russian offensive continues even after four months, Ukraine’s military killed at least 14 Russian forces on Sunday. According to Ukraine’s Operational Command “East”, the forces also destroyed at least four Russian artillery tractors and one self-propelled artillery vehicle.

Watch: Latest visuals from Severodonetsk battlefield here:

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Sunday, voiced altering the admission process of the European Union. According to Scholz, the current process is too complicated and is nearly impossible for a new candidate to get the membership.
He said, "It is not always possible to reach a decision unanimously, even if today the procedure provides for unanimity."

As Ukraine hoped to get the European Union membership, former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said he believes it would take more than half a century for the war-torn nation to get the EU membership. According to Medvedev, Ukraine may get the 27-member bloc membership by the 2050s and "the economic and political bloc could break up before then".His "speculative" comment came nearly two days after the European Commission recommended designating Ukraine as a candidate for European Union. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy applied for the EU membership just four days after his Russian counterpart started a "special military operation" against Kyiv. 

One photograph shows a kneeling soldier kissing a child inside a subway station, where Ukraine families shelter from Russian airstrikes. In another, an infant and a woman who appears on the brink of tears look out from a departing train car as a man peers inside, his hand spread across the window in a gesture of goodbye. In an uplifting Father’s Day message Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted 10 photos of parents and children set against the grim backdrop of war, praising fathers who “protect and defend the most precious.”

There are scenes of childbirth, as a man and woman look toward a swaddled baby in what appears to be a hospital room where the spackled walls show scars of fighting. In another, a man lifts a child over a fence toward a woman with outstretched arms on a train platform. “Being a father is a great responsibility and a great happiness,” Zelenskyy wrote in English text that followed the Ukrainian on Instagram. “It is strength, wisdom, motivation to go forward and not to give up.”

AP

Nearly a month after Russia claimed that more than 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers, who were defending Mariupol, surrendered, a Russian media report claimed some of the detained commanders were taken to the detention centres. According to the sources of the Russian news agency, TASS, several commanders of the Azov nationalist battalion have been taken to Moscow’s Lefortovo detention centre. The law enforcement agencies claimed that the transfer of the top Ukrainian officers was carried out to initiate an investigation. "Several commanders of Ukraine’s Azov nationalist battalion, who surrendered in Mariupol, have been taken to Moscow’s Lefortovo detention centre," said the source who did not wish to be named. 

As Russian forces continue to ravage Ukraine even after four months, Australia sent at least four M113AS4 armoured personnel to Kyiv. According to the reports, the newly formed Australian government has vowed to send additional weapons, including anti-armour weapons, unmanned aerial systems and ammunition to Ukraine. As of now, it has sent military aid worth $285 million to Kyiv.
 

As Russia started cutting gas supplies to several countries, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that the Russian government assured Budapest to continue the unhindered supply of gas shipments to the landlocked nation. While speaking to a public service radio on Sunday, Szijjarto said the Russian major energy giant, Gazprom assured Budapest to supply gas as per the contract, irrespective of so-called "gas constraints" and technical issues. The major development came amid multiple media reports claiming Russia may also cut the gas supply after Gazprom reported "technical issues" in the turbines. Last week, the Russian gas agency cut the supply to Denmark’s Orsted and to Shell Energy for its contract to supply gas to Germany. Apart from Denmark, it has cut supplies to Dutch gas trader GasTerra as it supplies gas to Poland and Finland, saying these countries refused to pay gas prices in Russian currency i.e in roubles.  

British troops must prepare “to fight in Europe once again” as the battle in Ukraine rages on and intensifies, General Sir Patrick Sanders who succeeded General Sir Mark Carleton Smith said. “There is now a burning imperative to forge an army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating Russia in battle,” Sir Patrick wrote to his charges, according to the British press. The new professional head of the British Army said that his “singular duty” would be to “make our Army as lethal and effective as it can be.”

He wrote to UK’s Royal Army in a message: “We are the generation that must prepare the Army to fight in Europe once again. There is now a burning imperative to forge an army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating Russia in battle.” 

Amid facing backlash for Germany's dependence on Russian energy, it will restart coal-fired power plants and offer incentives for companies to curb natural gas consumption, Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. According to the report, the major development came after Moscow cut gas supplies to Europe last week as it punched back against European sanctions and military support for Ukraine.

Amid facing backlash for importing Russian gas, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Sunday, criticised his predecessor, Angela Merkel for the current position and said the earlier government did not work enough to minimise its dependence on Moscow. According to a report by DW News, the incumbent Chancellor lamented the country's economic policies during Markel's regime and said the previous coalition government could have worked on infrastructure to minimise its dependence on Russian gas. "A mistake in the German economic policy was that we focused excessively on energy supplies from Russia, without creating the necessary infrastructure to be able to quickly change course in the event of sudden events," he said.

Amid facing backlash for importing Russian gas, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Sunday, criticised his predecessor, Angela Merkel for the current position and said the earlier government did not work enough to minimise its dependence on Moscow. According to a report by DW News, the incumbent Chancellor lamented the country's economic policies during Markel's regime and said the previous coalition government could have worked on infrastructure to minimise its dependence on Russian gas. "A mistake in the German economic policy was that we focused excessively on energy supplies from Russia, without creating the necessary infrastructure to be able to quickly change course in the event of sudden events," he said.

Four months of the war in Ukraine appear to be straining the morale of troops on both sides, prompting desertions and rebellion against officers’ orders, British defence officials said Sunday. NATO’s chief warned the fighting could drag on for “years.”

“Combat units from both sides are committed to intense combat in the Donbas and are likely experiencing variable morale,” Britain’s defence ministry said in its daily assessment of the war.

“Ukrainian forces have likely suffered desertions in recent weeks,” the assessment said, but added that “Russian morale highly likely remains especially troubled.”

It said, “cases of whole Russian units refusing orders and armed stand-offs between officers and their troops continue to occur.”

Separately, the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate released what it said were intercepted phone calls in which Russian soldiers complained about front-line conditions, poor equipment, and overall lack of personnel, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War.

AP

As many as 50 Ukrainian armed force officers and generals were killed after Russia launched Kalibr missiles to destroy Western-supplied M777 howitzers and armoured vehicles.

“More than 50 generals and officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were killed,” a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry read on June 19.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine Operational and Tactical Group (UTG) "East" stated that they had killed nearly 90 Russian occupiers in one day, in addition to damaging a large number of Russian military equipment as intense fighting continues in the contentious Donbass region. 

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Ukrainian Parliament has banned Russian music in media and public spaces. In addition, the Parliament banned the public performance of artists who support Russia's war against Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent reported. The Parliament will remove the restrictions after Ukraine gets all its territories back. 
 

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Siyarto said that Russia has committed to ensuring the export of gas supply to Hungary. Siyarto stressed that the energy supply of Hungary is "fully secured" and added that natural gas and crude oil will continue to arrive in Hungary without disruption, EuroIntegration reported citing Radio Kossuth. Siyarto stated that Gazprom and the Russian government have assured of continuous export of energy to Hungary.  

Ukraine’s armed forces launched United States-manufactured Harpoon anti-ship missile that destroyed the Russian Black sea Navy SAR ship"Vasily Bekh" near Zmiinyi [Snake] Island which was loaded with the TOR anti-aircraft missile system. “The big Russian tugboat Vasylyi Bekh, which was carrying the Tor-1 SAM on board, ammunition and personnel for the occupation garrison of Snake Island was destroyed. The tugboat was hit by a Harpoon missile,” Ukraine's Armed Forces Strategic Communications Directorate's informed on Telegram.

It also shared a footage purporting to show the anti-ship missile blowing up the war vessel. No official confirmation or information on damages of the vessel was received from Russia’s side. Harpoon's active radar guidance, warhead design, low-level cruise trajectory, and terminal mode sea-skim manoeuvers assure high survivability and effectiveness in attacking long-range targets and challenging enemy's naval movements.

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The Ukrainian Parliament, Verkhovna Rada has voted for a ban on importing books from Russia, Nexta reported. In addition, the Parliament of Ukraine voted for ban on distribution of books and publishing products from Russia.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova has accused Ukraine and its "Western patrons" of  "disinformation campaign" against Russia. She pointed out Ukraine on June 13 attempted to accuse Russia of shelling Donetsk with NATO-made ammunition.

The space sector of Western nations is "heading towards a war", warned Russian State Space Corporation "Roscosmos" Director General Dmitry Rogozin on Saturday. In a televised interview with Rossiya-24 channel, he even referred to the intelligence information collected for the Ukrainian armed forces by Lockheed Martin, Boeing and other private companies including SpaceX. Rogozin stated that the mentioned companies are gathering visuals and radar intelligence in real time. 

"We can see where actually the Western space world is heading. It is heading for war," Rogozin said in the interview. He added that private companies are collecting intelligence in a bid to “provide the opportunity for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use this data cloud for designated targets, to guide their ballistic missiles or to operate a multiple launch rocket system."

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Germany will supply new howitzers to Ukraine in the coming weeks. German Ambassador to Ukraine, Anka Feldhusen said that the Ukrainian forces will also get HIMARS systems which Berlin plans to supply with UK and US, Ukrinform reported citing zn.ua. Anka Feldhusen said that modern anti-ballistic air defence systems are expected to arrive in Ukraine in October. 

The Spanish clothing manufacturer Mango has decided to stop direct sales in Russia, Nexta reported. The stores of the clothing manufacturer will be now sold and it will now function as franchise.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Russia must end the blockade at the key ports in the Black Sea impacting Ukrainian grain exports.  "You have to hope for the world that an agreement will be reached," the German Chancellor said in an interview with the German Press Agency. He also underscored that there have been negotiations ongoing to establish a safe corridor for the passage of stranded grain from the Black Sea. 

"Russia must enable safe transport and at the same time give credible assurances that it will not use such a corridor for an invasion," said Scholz. 

Scholz condemned Russia for blocking Ukrainian ports that has sparked the global food crisis. He blamed Moscow for preventing the export of grain, emphasising that Germany supports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' efforts to establish an export corridor.

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Valentyn Reznichenko, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, on Telegram, said that a fuel tank exploded in Novomoskovsk. Reznichenko informed that one rescuer has died while 13 others have been injured with burns. As per the Ukrinform report, the fuel tank exploded as Russian forces continue to target the Dnipropetrovsk region. 

"A fuel tank has just exploded in the Novomoskovsk district. Rescuers there are fighting for 14 hours with a fire caused by a rocket enemy attack," Valentyn Reznichenko said on Telegram. 

The Ukrainian Governor has accused Russian forces of firing mortars on the Sumy region in past 24 hours, The Kyiv Independent reported. Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said that Russian troops conducted mortars firing at residential buildings in the Seredyno-Budska in Sumy. At least 10 houses and buildings have been damaged due to firing in the Sumy region. 

Ukraine has claimed that 323 children have lost their lives, while another 583 have been wounded in the war-torn nation since the onset of the war on February 24. Taking to Facebook, Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office said that the children have been most affected in Donetsk. According to Ukraine, more than 906 children have been affected in Ukraine due to the Russian military offensive. 

The Russia-Ukraine war “could take years”, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a German weekly newspaper while noting that the supply of state-of-the-art weaponry to Ukrainian troops would increase the chances of Kyiv conquering Donbas region away from Moscow’s forces. 

Earlier this week, the NATO chief said that the alliance’s summit in Madrid is expected to agree on an assistance package for Ukraine which would help the war-ravaged nation to move away from Soviet-era weapons to NATO standard gear. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Ukraine pledged to prevail against Moscow as it repelled Russian assaults near a key eastern city along with several other locations. 

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Actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller has arrived in the Lviv region of Ukraine, Nexta reported. He also met families who fled the war in Ukraine at the Medyka border in Poland. Taking to his Twitter handle, Stiller shared pictures with refugees and lauded the efforts of refugee representatives who continue to work for people.  

Ukraine has claimed that around 33,600 Russian troops have lost their lives since the onset of the invasion on February 24. Taking to Facebook, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said that Russian troops have lost 1468 tanks, 3577 armoured combat machines, 235 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and 745 artillery systems. In addition, Moscow's forces also lost as many as 2523 vehicles and fuel tanks, 598 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), 55 special equipment and 14 boats. 

The Russian language will be restricted in the schools of the southern Ukrainian city of Nikolayev, stated City Council Executive Committee member Ekaterina Stokolias.

In a Facebook post on , she stated that the decision was made by the committee on Friday.

“From September 1, no clubs, courses, junior classes or educational designs with the Russian language. Finally! Thank you to all my colleagues!” Stokolias wrote.

She added a drawing depicting a cat holding a heart in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The captions to the picture are “Language matters” and “Everything matters.”

Hundreds of people attend the funeral of activist and soldier Roman Ratushnyi in Kyiv. Ratushnyi died near Izium where forces of Russia and Ukraine were involved in combat.

Images Credit: AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Mykolaiv and Odesa regions on 18 June. During his visit, he held meeting with regional officials to discuss the security situation in Mykolaiv. He visited a hospital in Odesa, where he talked to injured service personnel who were undergoing treatment. He presented state awards and conferred honorary and military titles to medical personnel. 

Images Credit: Official Website of Ukraine's President 

European Parliament Vice-President Katarina Barley recently stated that the European Union (EU) must not make Ukraine a member state in a rushed manner.

“There must be no hasty accessions,” Barley told the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung on Saturday as per RT. “Once you’re in the EU, you can’t be excluded.”

“It’s all the more important that the criteria for accession, such as institutional stability, a functioning market economy and the rule of law, are fully met,” she added.

In its latest intelligence update, the UK defence ministry said that in recent days, both Russia and Ukraine have continued to conduct heavy artillery bombardments on axes to the north, east and south of the Sieverodonetsk pocket, but with little change in the front line.

"Combat units from both sides are committed to intense combat in the Donbas and are likely experiencing variable morale," it added.

The Ukrainian troops forced the enemy to retreat near the village of Toshkivka and repulsed an assault toward Orikhove - Zolote and Pervomaisk - Zolote.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in its latest update published on Facebook.

Poland has provided modern 155mm AHS Krab self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, as per the Operational Command East.

The command informed that the deployment of these howitzers takes about 30 seconds, the main weapon is a 155mm/52-caliber gun, and the maximum firing range is 40 kilometers.

It is to mention that Krab is a Polish-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer compatible with NATO ammunition.

In late May, Poland had already given Ukraine 18 Krab self-propelled howitzers (three batteries) and trained 100 Ukrainian gunners to work with them.

As many as 11 people were injured after Russian invasion forces fired missiles at the oil depot in Novomoskovsk district, Dnipropetrovsk region, according to the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Valentyn Reznichenko, who broke the news on Telegram.

“We have ‘arrivals,’ again. It’s the Novomoskovsk district. Three missiles destroyed an oil depot," Reznichenko wrote.

Ukraine's Armed Forces have killed 87 invaders and destroyed two ammunition depots in the east of the country on June 18, saod the Operational and Tactical Group East.

According to the statement, Ukrainian defenders destroyed 87 personnel, a tank, five mortars, 52 artillery towing vehicles, a piece of special equipment, a UAV, and two ammunition depots.

During his visit to the southern part of the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky adressed local authorities, defenders, medics, National Guard soldiers and police. He said that the defenders of the south have a confident mood and there is no doubt in their eyes that Ukraine will win the war with the Russian invaders.

"We will not give away the south to anyone, we will return everything that's ours and the sea will be Ukrainian and safe," Zelensky said.

He presented awards to the best fighters, including the Order of the Golden Star to the Hero of Ukraine Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky, commander of the 59th separate motorized infantry brigade.

The head of state said that in Mykolaiv and Odesa, he held meetings with the military and officials responsible for the defense of the two regions.

Kharkiv region governor Oleh Synehubov said on Saturday that multiple Russian missiles hit the gasworks in eastern Ukraine's Izium district. “A large-scale fire broke out, rescuers localised the fire,” he wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

According to Nexta Tv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy at a meeting of the rate of the commander-in-chief instructed to check the readiness in four regions of Ukraine for a possible new invasion by #Belarus, states Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov.

The Ukrainian military has said that Russia has reinforced the Black sea fleet. Ukraine’s Operational Command “South,” said that 28 Kalibr missiles are ready for combat, placed upon two surface ships and three submarines. Meanwhile, around 20 missiles were reported on June 17.
 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the G7 members will reiterate their support for Ukraine at the upcoming summit. “We want to make sure that Russian President [Vladimir Putin’s] calculations do not work out,” he said.

US Department of Defence or Pentagon is considering the possibility of sending additional MLRS to Ukraine amid war with Russia, reported to Politico citing an official from the DefenceMinistry who said that the decision is not yet final. It is to note that the transfer of the first 4 MLRS is already underway.

The embattled Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently traveled outside the nation's capital Kyiv to the front-line southern cities of Mykolaiv and Odesa. According to a BBC report, Russian forces have been attempting to seize the Black Sea coast and have identified both cities as major targets. As per the President's office, Zelenskyy examined damaged structures and talked with soldiers, authorities, and health personnel. 

During a visit to Odesa on Saturday, June 18, the Ukrainian President inspected a building destroyed by a Russian missile attack. He was escorted by Odesa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov, who showed him around a residential building that was struck on April 23, Associated Press reported. Following that, the Ukrainian president said on his Telegram channel that eight people have lost their lives in the Russian strikes, including a three-month-old infant. He added that attack was "a terrible crime for which there are no excuses." 

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Poppies, the blood-red flowers that cover the battlefields of Europe's two world wars, were lain in mourning Saturday on the coffin of yet another dead soldier, this one killed in yet another European war, in Ukraine .

The hundreds of mourners for Roman Ratushnyi, 24, included friends who had protested with him during months of demonstrations that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russia leader in 2014 and who, like him, took up arms when Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor this February.

The arc of his shortened life symbolized that of Ukraine's post-independence generations that are sacrificing their best years in the cause of freedom. First, with defiance and dozens of lives against brutal riot police during Ukraine's Maidan protests of 2013-2014 and now with weapons and even more lives against Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops.

“Heroes never die!” friends, family and admirers shouted in Ukrainian as Ratushnyi's coffin was loaded aboard a hearse on a square in the Ukrainian capital now decorated with destroyed Russian tanks and vehicles. Their charred hulks contrasted with the shiny gold domes of an adjacent cathedral where priests had earlier sung prayers for Ratushnyi, who was well-known in Kyiv for his civic and environmental activism.

From the square, the mourners then walked in a long silent column behind his coffin to Maidan Nezalezhnosti , or Independence Square. The vast plaza in central Kyiv gave its name to the three months of protests that overthrew then President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014 and which helped fuel the political and patriotic awakening of Ukrainians born after independence in 1991.

(AP)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that Ukraine "can and should" host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, insisting the situation would be "fine" by next year.

Speaking at the RAF Brize Norton air base after a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital, Johnson said "Kyiv or any other safe Ukrainian city would be a fantastic place" to host the contest, because the Ukrainian people "deserve it."

He said Kyiv was "far more lively" than it had been a few weeks ago and that people were returning to  streets and cafes.

The European Broadcasting Union has said it will start talks with the BBC on possibly holding next year’s event in the U.K. after concluding it can’t be held in Ukraine, despite them winning the public vote. The event is usually hosting by the previous year's winner.

(AP)

Five civilians were killed and 12 injured in a Ukrainian bombardment of the eastern separatist city of Donetsk, local authorities said on Saturday. They wrote on Telegram, "As a result of the bombardment by Ukrainian forces, five people were killed and 12 others were wounded in the Donetsk People's Republic".

Hollywood star and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller met with Ukrainian families afflicted by Russia’s war as he visited the Ukrainian border. He was reportedly also spotted in Lviv. The UN agency said on Twitter, "UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller is at the Ukraine border today to meet families whose lives have been torn apart by war and violence, to share stories of the human impact of war, and to amplify calls for solidarity. Everyone has the right to seek safety.

Ukraine's military said Saturday that Russian forces were actively on the offensive across Kharkiv, Sloviansk and Sievierodonetsk.

The spokesman of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Shtupun, said that the Russian military had used artillery shelling across various settlements towards Kharkiv.

He added that Russians used mortars, artillery and rocket-propelled grenade launchers against various settlements towards the direction of Sloviansk.

According to him Russian forces were aiming to continue their push towards Izium and Sloviansk.

Shtupun also acknowledged that during the Russian advance towards the city of Sieverodonetsk the village of Met'olkine, located outside the city, was partially captured.

However, he said that Ukrainian forces had stopped the advance near Syrotyne.

(AP)

Russian state-controlled media TASS reported that the Azov Battalion commanders that surrendered in Mariupol were transferred to Russia for Kremlin to take 'investigative actions', according to Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine’s Operational Command “South” reported on June 18 that it carried out four air raids in southern Ukraine and struck a cluster of Russian forces in Kherson Oblast.

US Think Tank, Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Russia has made ‘marginal gains’ near Sievierodonetsk and stalled offensives elsewhere. It further said Russian forces are likely dealing with “mounting losses and troop and equipment degradation." This may slow down progress in other axes of advance.

Russian forces threaten resistance with the death penalty in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, said Governor Oleksandr Starukh, according to Kyiv Independent. He said that Russian forces are attempting to suppress local resistance with the introduction of the death penalty. “Ukrainian guerillas will continue to resist,” he said.

German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen reportedly said in a televised address on June 18 that MLR systems are also on their way as Berlin readies to send additional howitzers to Ukraine in coming weeks.

Russia’s war in Ukraine could take years, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said. “We must prepare for the fact that it could take years. We must not let up in supporting Ukraine,” he said. “Even if the costs are high, not only for military support, also because of rising energy and food prices.”

Odesa Oblast Governor Maksym Marchenko has said that civilian vessels from 14 countries remain at ports in Odesa Oblast. He said 39 civilian vessels remain moored due to ongoing Russian aggression.

Following the decision of the European Commission to support Ukraine's application for European Union (EU) membership, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he had no issues with Ukraine joining the bloc. According to a TRT world report, the Russian President said, “We have nothing against it. It is not a military bloc. It's the right of any country to join economic unions". Putin made these remarks when he was questioned about Ukraine's chances of entering the EU.  

However, besides this, it is worth noting that for years, Russia has raged against Ukraine's ambitions to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the subject had become a key point of disagreement between Moscow and the West. 

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According to local reports, Russian forces blocked 39 civil ships flying the flags of 14 countries in Odesa ports, said the head of regional military administration, Maxim Marchenko, during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Odesa.

Ukrainian chief negotiator, David Arakhamiya, has said that Ukraine might resume talks with Russia at the end of August. Arakhamiya said that Ukraine might resume talks with Moscow after conducting counterattacks. He claimed that Ukraine will have strengthened its position by the end of August, Ukrinform reported citing Voice of America The statement of Arakhamiya comes as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues for more than 110 days.

David Arakhamiya highlighted that Ukraine will carry out the operation with counterattacks in different places and did not reveal details. He said that the agreement with Russia can be considered if Ukrainian forces move the Russian troops out of Ukraine.

Earlier on June 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were not taking place due to Russia's position, as per the news report. The negotiations between Russia and Ukraine started shortly after Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine. Notably, the last face-to-face meeting between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul in March.

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