The army says the Ukrainian counter-offensive is progressing. Ukraine reported partial successes in the south of the country on Friday, and Washington’s Institute for War Studies (ISW) also saw troops advance toward Bakhmut in the east.
In an interview with the “Washington Post”, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valeriy Saluschnyj called for patience for the ongoing counter-offensive: “This is not a show that the whole world is watching and betting,” he told the newspaper. . Every day and every meter would be fought with blood.
Due to speculation about Russian Wagner mercenaries in Belarus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has ordered General Saluschnyj and Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, who is responsible for the border section, to reinforce his country’s northern border.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a war of aggression from neighboring Russia for more than 16 months.
Ukraine reports “partial successes” in offensive in south
As part of its counter-offensive, the Ukrainian army claims further “partial successes” in the southern region of Zaporizhia. The troops are currently in the newly reached positions south of Orikhiw, the General Staff said on Facebook on Friday. Russian troops are said to have been pushed back in other parts of the area as well.
According to its own statements, the Ukrainian army also shelled the occupied port city of Berdyansk in southern Ukraine on Friday morning. The army command claims to have hit the staff of a Russian officer and a fuel depot. Meanwhile, the Russian occupiers talked about launching several “Storm Shadow” missiles.
Eastern Ukraine: Kiev moves on towards Bakhmut
According to the General Staff, the Ukrainian army has also taken the “strategic initiative” towards Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, the US ISW writes in its daily report on Thursday (local time). After the city was captured by Moscow in May, there are now signs that Ukraine is expanding its offensive there despite heavy fighting.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russian army continues its attacks in other parts of eastern Ukraine: clashes are said to have broken out in the towns of Marjinka and Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, as well as in Rosdolivka and Bilohorivka in neighboring Lugansk Oblast. Artillery fire and attacks from the Russian Air Force continued along the front line. The Ukrainian army did not provide specific information about the liberated cities. The information could not be independently verified.
Commander-in-Chief Zalushnyj: Ukrainian counter-offensive does not show up
The Russian airstrikes also occupied the Ukrainian commander in chief Zalushny. In an interview, he complained about the lack of Western fighter jets, which is slowing down Ukraine’s advance. “Many people die every day – a lot. It’s just because no decision has been made,” the general told the Washington Post. At the same time, he urged patience in the ongoing counteroffensive. This is not a show to watch and bet on, the commander-in-chief said. advances steadily, but every meter is wetted with blood.
The revolt of Russian Wagner mercenaries, on the other hand, had no effect on what happened at the front, as they had not been on the front lines since early June. “We didn’t feel that their defense was weakening anywhere or in any way,” Zalushnyj underlined.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the mercenary uprising as a “mess”. “Russia has emerged stronger and more stable from all kinds of mess – and it is difficult to call this more than a mess – stronger and more stable,” Lavrov said on Friday, according to Russian media. He urged the West to stay out of domestic affairs.
Ukraine strengthens border security with Belarus because of Wagner mercenaries
The Wagner mercenaries nevertheless continue to play a role in the course of the Ukrainian war. Due to speculation about its presence in Belarus, Ukraine is said to have started strengthening border security in the north. Commander-in-Chief Saluschnyj and Lieutenant General Nayev, who is responsible for the northern sector, have been instructed to do so, President Zelenskyj announced on Telegram on Friday.
Earlier, NATO country Poland had also announced that it would tighten protection measures at the EU’s external border with Belarus, which was already secured with a fence. According to unconfirmed information, some of the thousands of mercenaries would remain in Belarus over the weekend after the failed mutiny. By June, the Wagner mercenaries had fought in eastern Ukraine, capturing the cities of Soledar and Bakhmut for Moscow.
Polish secret service arrests Russian ice hockey player
The Polish secret service has arrested a Russian ice hockey player on suspicion of espionage. “The Russian spies are being caught one after the other,” Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said on Twitter on Friday. The professional athlete is the 14th member of a Russian spy gang to be arrested by the Polish secret service. The ice hockey professional was arrested on June 11 in Silesia, according to the responsible prosecutor of the PAP news agency. According to the investigators, the athlete has been in Poland since October 2021 and was regularly paid for his espionage activities.
The prosecution is investigating membership in a criminal organization and activities for a foreign secret service to the detriment of Poland – the espionage network is said to have spied in particular on the Polish railway network.
EU countries are demanding a turnaround in China’s Russia policy
EU countries are demanding a clear commitment from China to end the war in Ukraine. “We call on China to urge Russia to cease its war of aggression and withdraw its troops from Ukraine immediately, completely and unconditionally,” said a statement by the heads of state and government published in Brussels on Friday. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the country bears special responsibility for upholding the rules-based international order, the UN Charter and international law. So far, China has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but has supported President Vladimir Putin.
Already on the first day of the EU summit in Brussels, EU countries pledged their continued support to Ukraine. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
