Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has tempered expectations about the ongoing offensive in Kiev. “We must understand very clearly – as clearly as possible – that the Russian forces in our southern and eastern areas will do everything possible to stop our soldiers,” Zelenskyy said in his evening video address on Friday. Therefore, one should be grateful for every kilometer that one’s own troops advance and for every success in battle, he said. The statement is indicative of the difficulties facing the Ukrainian army in its offensive.
After the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Zelenskyj returned with promises from the G7 about a security partnership instead of an invitation to join NATO, the head of state’s attention now turned more to current events at the front. During a meeting with the military leadership, combat operations, the supply of troops and coordination with partners in the supply of weapons and ammunition were discussed, said the 45-year-old. He also announced an upcoming military training reform.
In early June, Ukrainian forces in the south launched their offensive to recapture areas occupied by Russia at the start of its more than 16-month offensive war. So far, the Ukrainians’ gains in territory have been small. Both sides report heavy fighting.
Ukraine: more reconstruction money from abroad needed before 2023
Ukraine complained about insufficient international funding for the “rapid reconstruction” projects planned for this year. Of the expected equivalent of about EUR 12.5 billion, only nearly EUR 3.5 billion has been made available, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said in a statement on Friday. Priority is given to “rapid reconstruction” because it ensures safe living conditions for Ukrainians and economic recovery. Important areas are vital infrastructure and the energy sector, home repair and mine clearance.
Abbot of Kiev Cave Monastery now in custody
The abbot of the world-famous Kiev cave monastery, Pavlo, who was previously under house arrest, has now been taken into custody by a court in the Ukrainian capital. The metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is accused of justifying Russia’s war of aggression and nationwide hate speech, national radio Suspilne Media reported on Friday. The detention is valid until September 14.
The Ukrainian authorities have been campaigning for months against the monks of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Selenskyj sees the church as littered with spies loyal to Moscow. In fact, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was closely associated with the Moscow Patriarchate until the beginning of the war. Only then did she break away from Moscow. Despite this, she is considered politically unreliable in Kiev. The political leadership therefore wants to transfer the Kiev Cave Monastery to the still young Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Estonia extradites suspected Russian arms smuggler to US
Estonia has extradited a Russian national with suspected ties to the Russian secret service FSB to the United States. He would have helped to circumvent sanctions. The charges against Wadim K. would be read on Friday, according to the American judiciary. The suspect is suspected of helping the domestic secret service FSB smuggle both military and civilian technologies and large amounts of munitions from US companies to Russia in support of the “Russian war machine”. In doing so, he violated US export controls and economic sanctions. If K. is convicted, he risks a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
The 48-year-old used front companies to cover up his criminal activities, the statement said. Estonia is said to have served as a transshipment point for smuggling goods from the US to Russia. Estonian authorities arrested K. at the request of the United States on October 27, 2022, when he attempted to bring to Russia about 35 different types of semiconductors and electronic components, several of which came from the United States and were subject to export controls. He was extradited to the United States on Thursday.
Minsk: Wagner fighters now in Belarus, training troops
Mercenaries from Wagner’s Russian private army have now arrived in Belarus after weeks of speculation about their whereabouts, according to information from Minsk. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that the men had started working as trainers for a number of military disciplines. The camp is located in Ossipowhi, about 100 kilometers southeast of the capital Minsk. A moderator in a ministry video said that the Wagner mercenaries shared their combat experience with the Belarusian armed forces. Soldiers in the country, which is a close ally of Russia under ruler Alexander Lukashenko and also gives up its territory for attacks on Ukraine, expressed gratitude for the instructions in the clip.
What will be important on Saturday
With the arrival of cluster munitions, Ukraine hopes to accelerate its major offensive to recapture its own areas in the east and south. The Russian troops continue to resist along the fortified defense lines. (saw/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.
