Because the conflict enters its 844th day, these are the principle developments.
Right here is the state of affairs on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Combating
- At the very least 22 individuals, together with three youngsters, have been injured in a Russian missile assault on Ukraine’s east-central Poltava area. Poltava Governor Filip Pronin posted footage of himself on the scene of the assault, which he mentioned precipitated main harm to residential buildings and reduce energy provides to 1000’s of individuals.
- Regional authorities within the southern area of Kherson, which is partially occupied by Russia, mentioned a 50-year-old civilian was killed in a Russian drone assault.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned Kyiv’s forces have been pushing Russian troops out of the northeastern Kharkiv area the place Moscow seized a number of villages close to the border final month. Vitaly Ganchev, a Russia-appointed official in occupied areas of the Kharkiv area, mentioned Ukraine’s army was pouring males and gear into the world and that the “fiercest clashes” have been in Vovchansk, 5km (three miles) contained in the border, and close to Lyptsy.
Politics and diplomacy
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Pyongyang on Tuesday for a two-day go to as the 2 nations deepen their relationship. In a letter revealed in North Korea’s ruling Staff’ Celebration’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper, Putin thanked the nation for supporting the conflict in Ukraine and promised help for Pyongyang’s efforts to defend its pursuits regardless of what he referred to as “US stress, blackmail and army threats”.
- US Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will go on trial on June 26 within the metropolis of Yekaterinburg. The Sverdlovsk Regional Courtroom mentioned the trial can be held “behind closed doorways”. Gershkovich, who has been jailed since his arrest in March final yr, is accused of spying. He and the Wall Avenue Journal deny the fees. Washington has designated the reporter as “arbitrarily detained”. The Kremlin mentioned that contacts had taken place with the US over a potential prisoner change involving Gershkovich.
- NATO Secretary Normal Jens Stoltenberg accused China of “fuelling the biggest armed battle in Europe since World Battle II” even because it seeks to take care of good relations with the West, arguing that the safety alliance wanted to impose prices on China over its help for Russia. The US final week imposed sanctions on a number of Chinese language corporations it mentioned have been concerned within the sale of dual-use applied sciences to Russia. Beijing says it’s impartial within the conflict, however has not condemned Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
- Putin sacked 4 deputy defence ministers in a seamless reshuffle that started final month when he unexpectedly eliminated longstanding defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Anna Tsivileva, the daughter of Putin’s late cousin, was amongst these appointed to interchange them. Her tasks will embody bettering social and housing help for army personnel. She beforehand headed a state fund to help these concerned within the conflict in Ukraine.
- A fleet of Russian vessels, together with a nuclear-powered submarine, left Havana’s port after a five-day go to to Cuba following army drills within the Atlantic Ocean. Their subsequent vacation spot was unclear, though US officers have mentioned that they might probably additionally cease in Venezuela.
Weapons
- One soldier was killed and eight different individuals injured in an explosion at a Czech army base the place Ukrainian troops have been coaching since late 2022. Army police spokeswoman Katerina Mlynkova informed the AFP information company the troopers concerned “weren’t foreigners”.