Putin wants to replace Ukrainian grain – the night update without photos Conservatives win Spanish elections – government formation likely to be difficult

A few days after Moscow dropped the grain deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready to replace Ukraine’s grain supplies. “I would like to assure that our country is able to replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial and non-commercial basis, especially as we expect another record harvest this year,” Putin wrote in an article published Monday night on the Kremlin website for African media on the occasion of an upcoming Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, starting Thursday.

Despite the sanctions imposed by the West, Russia will continue to work “vigorously” to supply grain, food, fertilizer and other supplies to African countries, it said. In 2022, Russia exported 11.5 million tons of grain to Africa, almost 10 million tons in the first six months of this year. “And this despite the sanctions introduced against our exports, which make it significantly more difficult to export Russian food to developing countries,” Putin continued.

Regarding the grain deal blocked by Moscow, which allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported across the Black Sea for about a year, Putin wrote that the export corridor had lost its humanitarian significance. Of the nearly 33 million tons of grain exported under the agreement, the majority went to high- and upper-middle-income countries. In reality, the grain deal was “shamelessly used exclusively to enrich major American and European companies that exported and resold grain from Ukraine,” Putin claimed.

Russia, which has been waging an offensive war against the neighboring country since February 2022, let the international grain agreement expire a week ago despite many international calls. The United Nations has repeatedly campaigned for the deal to be reinstated, and China has also called on both sides to quickly resume exports. It is feared that famines in poorer countries will otherwise become even worse.

Heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine

According to the General Staff, the Ukrainian army encountered heavy Russian resistance in the east of the country during its counter-offensive. The General Staff’s situation report on Sunday spoke of continued Russian attacks between Donetsk in the east and Kuyansk in the northeastern region of Kharkov. According to these, 27 battles have taken place in the past 24 hours along a front length of about 230 kilometers. The Russian side used more artillery and air power, it said. More than 60 towns in the forward part were reported to have come under Russian rocket and artillery fire. The information could not be independently verified.

Russia has been waging an offensive war against its neighbor for 17 months. A Ukrainian counter-offensive to retake occupied territories has been underway for several weeks, but is not progressing as quickly as many had hoped.

Russia reports drone attack on Moscow – no injuries

According to Russian information, Moscow was attacked by two drones on Monday evening. No one was injured and there was no major damage, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said, according to the state news agency TASS. Russia’s defense ministry said Ukraine’s attempt to carry out a terrorist attack in Moscow with two drones has been thwarted.

A drone was spotted in the center of the capital and another hit an office building in the south of the city, an emergency services official said. An explosion was heard. Sobyanin spoke of two buildings that had been hit.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, drones had already been shot down over the Moscow area in early July. At the time, the Defense Ministry blamed Ukraine for the drone strikes. Attacks have also been increasing in Russia for weeks, especially in the immediate border region with Ukraine.

After the attack on Odessa: Selenskyj thanks rescuers and supporters

Following the recent Russian attack on the port city of Odessa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to his own people and international allies. “Thank you to everyone who is in Odessa,” he wrote on Telegram on Sunday evening, praising the work of the volunteer rescuers, doctors and local authorities.

At least one person was killed and 22 others injured in an attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea city on Sunday night, authorities said. The Old Town, a World Heritage Site, and the Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration were also targeted by the Russian shelling.

The attack provoked numerous international reactions. The EU condemned him as yet another Russian war crime. Pope Francis included Odessa in his prayers for peace. Moldovan President Maia Sandu tweeted that it was heartbreaking to see the devastation in Odessa. Representatives from the US, Britain, Italy and France also expressed their condolences in view of the destruction. President Zelenskyy expressly thanked everyone who condemned Russian crimes on Telegram.

Zelenskyj also praised NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the swift response of the new NATO-Ukraine Council on Sunday evening. The NATO-Ukraine Council established at the NATO summit in Vilnius aims to improve cooperation between the defense alliance and Ukraine. At the request of the Ukraine, Stoltenberg called the first council meeting for Wednesday.

Monday will be important

Putin wants to continue the meeting with allied Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko on Monday. (saw/sda/dpa)