Ukraine Invasion: Part 49

[MagicFox]

Welcome to our 49th thread with the usual thanks to all regular contributors and lurkers 🇺🇦

**
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https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-19-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in Pyongyang on June 19, likely aimed in part to use military-technical cooperation with North Korea as a threat against the West to discourage further support for Ukraine. Russian and North Korea largely framed the agreement as evidence of their mutual support as part of a common struggle against the West and signaled that they share a goal to challenge the West and current world order.
• Putin is pursuing a coalition of friendly states with historically warm ties to the Soviet Union to act as an alternative to the West and current world order.
• Russian government officials announced their intention on June 19 to suspend Russia's participation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).
• The Russian military command continues to endorse a culture of permissiveness towards war crimes perpetrated by subordinates on the battlefield in Ukraine.
• The Russian government is attempting to deflect responsibility for well-documented Russian violations of international law regarding Russia's treatment of Ukrainian children by accusing the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other security structures of committing "crimes" against children.
• Air traffic control (ATC) communications from international airspace over the northeastern Atlantic Ocean appear to show the first confirmed instance of GPS jamming on commercial trans-Atlantic routes.
• Ukrainian forces recaptured positions near Starytsya and Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar and Donetsk City and in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast.
• Finnish outlet Yle, citing satellite imagery and Finnish intelligence sources, reported on June 19 that the Russian military has deployed roughly 80 percent of its equipment and personnel based near the Russian-Finnish border to support its invasion of Ukraine.

Air traffic control (ATC) communications from international airspace over the northeastern Atlantic Ocean appear to show the first confirmed instance of GPS jamming on commercial trans-Atlantic routes

Only seen reference to this via LinkedIn, but it would complicates matters if it becomes frequent - spacing between aircraft on some the main Atlantic routes was tightened up a few years back back on the basis of better accuracy with GPS. Having to open spacing up again on all routes wouldn’t be the end of the world but it might mean less flights being able to slot onto the most fuel efficient routes.

That said the report mentions the incident being quoted may have been the result of an aircraft experiencing jamming over somewhere like Baltic and then being unable to regain GPS capability for the Atlantic crossing..so possibly a niche case.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/jamming-impacts-transatlantic-air-traffic-dana-a-goward-frin-xinde

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️EU, Ukraine finalize https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-sign-security-agreement-with-eu-in-near-future-presidential-office-says/ text of security deal. The EU is expected to join 16 countries, including the U.S., Japan, U.K., Germany, and France, that have signed similar bilateral treaties to help Kyiv repel Russia's aggression.

How Mark Rutte became NATO Secretary General and what it means for Ukraine? https://kyivindependent.com/how-mark-rutte-became-nato-secretary-general-and-what-it-means-for-ukraine/
Due to the nature of the Dutch parliamentary system, Mark Rutte is used to working in complex coalitions. He is widely regarded as a stable, consensus-building politician, a feature that helped him secure the support of over 30 heads of state in his most recent top post bid.

⚡️Romania to send Patriot defense https://kyivindependent.com/romania-to-send-patriot-defense-system-to-ukraine/ system to Ukraine.

⚡️Targeting loopholes and LNG, EU ambassadors agree on 14th package of sanctions https://kyivindependent.com/eu-ambassadors-agree-on-14th-package-of-sanctions-against-russia/ against Russia.

⚡️Investigators uncover https://kyivindependent.com/anticorruption-agencies-uncover-ukraines-tax-service-ex-heads-scheme-for-legalizing-over-22-5-million-of-illegal-benefit/ alleged scheme to launder $22.5 million bribe for former top tax official.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said on June 19 that it had exposed an alleged criminal scheme to launder the 21 million euros ($22.5 million) allegedly received as a bribe by Roman Nasirov, then head of the State Fiscal Service, in 2015-2016.

⚡️EU to reinstate tariffs https://kyivindependent.com/eu-to-reinstate-tariffs-on-ukraines-oats-eggs-eyeing-sugar-next-euronews-reports/ on Ukraine's oats, eggs, eyeing sugar next, Euronews reports.
The EU is expected to further curtail imports of key food commodities from war-torn Ukraine, just two weeks after implementing a controversial new preferential trade scheme. [huh?]

⚡️Moscow, Hanoi sign over 10 documents https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-hanoi-sign-over-10-documents-during-putins-vietnam-visit/ during Putin's Vietnam visit, including a memorandum on the schedule for establishing a nuclear technology center in Vietnam, Kremlin-controlled state news agencies claimed..

⚡️FT: US to redirect https://kyivindependent.com/ft-4/ Patriot air defense orders for other countries to Ukraine.
Washington is planning to suspend all open orders for Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles until Ukraine receives enough to defend itself from Russian attacks, the Financial Times reported on June 20, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The reports came after President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. had acquired commitments from five countries to supply Patriot batteries and other air defense systems to Kyiv.

⚡️South Korea to reconsider https://kyivindependent.com/south-korea-to-reconsider-ukraine-weapons-supplies-in-response-to-russia-north-korea-pact/ Ukraine weapons supplies in response to Russia-North Korea pact, the country's president's office said on June 20

⚡️Ferry service between Ukraine and Georgia restored https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-restores-ferry-service-with-georgia/

⚡️Energy Supervision Agency: Electricity supply https://kyivindependent.com/energy-supervision-agency-electricity-supply-to-improve-in-august/ to improve in August following the completion of scheduled repairs at a number of power units, the head of Ukraine's Energy Supervision Inspectorate, Ruslan Slobodyan, announced on June 19.

⚡️ Reporters Without Borders signal https://kyivindependent.com/reporters-without-borders-signal-shrinking-press-freedom-in-ukraine/ 'shrinking' press freedom in Ukraine.
Reporters Without Borders has indicated the "shrinking" of press freedom in Ukraine and called on the authorities to take measures to counteract it, according to a statement published on June 19.

⚡️Source: Investigators preparing https://kyivindependent.com/shabunin/ to charge anti-corruption activist Shabunin. He is expected to be charged with evading military service and illegally using a car acquired by volunteers for the army.
Shabunin, who joined the army as a volunteer at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and has served since then, denied the accusations and said the cases were fabricated. Shabunin, one of Ukraine's most influential anti-corruption crusaders, believes the cases to be a political vendetta against him by the President's Office, including President Volodymyr Zelensky's deputy chief of staff Oleh Tatarov, who was charged with bribery in 2020.

⚡️Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Bureau launches https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-anti-corruption-bureau-launches-investigation-into-deputy-prosecutor-general/ investigation into Deputy Prosecutor General, Dmytro Verbytskyi.

⚡️Man with Ukrainian documents detained https://kyivindependent.com/man-with-ukrainian-documents-detained-in-bulgaria-for-espionage/ in Bulgaria for espionage.

⚡️Fire at oil depots in 2 Russian regions https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-fire-at-2-oil-depots-after-drone-attacks-in-adygea-republic-tambov-oblast/ after overnight drone attacks.

⚡️Source: Drone attacks on Russian oil depots in Adygea, Tambov Oblast were SBU operation. https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-drones/

⚡️Russia’s attack hits critical infrastructure facility in Vinnytsia Oblast. https://kyivindependent.com/russias-drone-attack-damages-energy-infrastructure-in-4-oblasts-injures-civilians/

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 4, injure 14 over past day.
⚡️Russian attack on civilian car kills 1 in Kherson Oblast.
⚡️Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast kill 4, injure 4, including child.

‘Night Train to Odesa’ is a remedy for reading about wartime despair https://kyivindependent.com/night-train-to-odesa-is-a-remedy-for-reading-about-wartime-despair/
“Night Train to Odesa,” a new book by Scottish reporter Jen Stout, not only paints a nuanced picture of Ukrainian society at a pivotal moment in the country’s history but also offers a realistic portrayal of the demands of on the ground wartime reporting.
At its core, the book is a heartfelt tribute to those who embody the best of humanity, even amid the horrors of all-out war surrounding them, writes Kate Tsurkan.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

• JUN 20, 2024

■ Most engagements since March 2023, casualties slightly above average
■ Drone, vehicle & artillery losses above average
■ 22 🇺🇦 strikes, good strike ratio two days in a row

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The European Commission has presented the draft budget for 2025, which includes 15.2 billion euros of support for Ukraine.
Out of this, €4.3 billion will be available as grants under the Ukraine Facility program, and €10.9 billion will be provided in the form of loans.
The total budget of 199.7 billion euros is expected to be approved by the end of this year.

Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser to the President of the United States, stated in an interview with PBS News that Ukraine can use air defense systems provided by the United States to shoot down Russian planes over Russian territory.
Sullivan also clarified that the F-16 aircraft provided to Ukraine will be stationed within Ukraine itself, not in neighboring NATO member states.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, the construction of underground schools has commenced to ensure a safe and continuous educational process for children in areas close to the front line.
According to the head of the Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, these schools will allow for a full-fledged offline educational experience. Each school will be able to accommodate up to 500 people, including 460 children and 40 adults, with the possibility of increasing capacity to 1,000 students by holding classes in two shifts. The construction of the first five schools is expected to be completed by October.

❗️The Russian Federation launched a massive overnight attack on critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, according to a report by Ukrenergo. The attack resulted in damage to equipment in the Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Donetsk, and Kyiv regions. The full extent of the consequences is still being assessed.

The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions that will include measures targeting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).
According to sources, the sanctions package will also encompass restrictions on the export of helium, access to dual-use technologies, and limitations on the oil tanker fleet. Additionally, 22 companies and 20 individuals are set to be sanctioned
Among those to be sanctioned is Taimuraz Bolloev, the president of "Baltika," who seized Carlsberg's breweries in Russia last year. Hungary has already agreed to support the sanctions package, and Germany is seeking amendments to reinforce regulations for EU subsidiaries operating in Russia.

EU countries have failed to reach an agreement on the 14th package of anti-Russian sanctions, according to Reuters. The proposed sanctions include a ban on the transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and holding EU operators accountable for sanctions violations by their subsidiaries and partners in third countries.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed its support for the construction of new power units at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Ukraine.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted the timeliness of Ukraine's plans and confirmed ongoing discussions with Ukrainian officials, including Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko and Energoatom's director Petro Kotin, regarding how the Agency can assist in these efforts.

Ukrainian fencer Daria Mironiuk won a silver medal in rapier at the European Championships in Basel, Switzerland

For the first time in history, Ukraine has secured a gold medal at the European Aquatics Championship in the 200-meter backstroke.
This remarkable achievement was accomplished by 18-year-old Oleksandr Zheltiakov from Dnipro.

Live: Ukraine Telegram

⚡️The Organization of American States, which unites the countries of South and North America, also joined the Peace Summit communiqué, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

🇿🇲 Zambia has joined the Peace Summit communiqué, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. In total, 79 states and six organizations have signed the document

A North Korean official kicked out Russian ministers who entered the meeting room before Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Lavrov, Defense Minister Belousov, Health Minister Murashko, Roscosmos head Borisov, First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov and Deputy Prime Minister Savelyev were expelled from the hall.
— Go out into the hall.
— Why did we come here? You should have warned me right away...
— Our leader will come in first.
https://t.me/liveukraine_media/21967

At night, Ukrainian air defense shot down 5/9 missiles and all 27 drones

️A 49-year-old woman was killed in a shelling in Kharkiv oblast

Here's a bit of good news. South Korea may start exporting arms to Ukraine, thanks to the deal between Russia and North Korea.

South Korea will consider supplying arms to Ukraine after Russia and North Korea sign strategic pact

The South Koreans make some outstanding weapons, particularly tanks, armored vehicles and artillery systems. They already have a big export business, and the products are world-class, way better than the Russian kit. I think Poland has ordered 1000 of their tanks. They also produce a lot of NATO standard ammunition.

Should we be genuinely worried about Putin and Kim Jong Un? If North Kora supply Russia with more weapons , what will they get in return ?

there's a good overview later on in this podcast: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rest-is-politics/id1611374685?i=1000659633545

If the Russian soldiers are to be believed, more North Korean weapons mean more Russian soldiers being maimed while trying to use seriously defective and sub-standard explosive devices of one sort and another.

A North Korean official kicked out Russian ministers who entered the meeting room before Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Lavrov, Defense Minister Belousov, Health Minister Murashko, Roscosmos head Borisov, First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov and Deputy Prime Minister Savelyev were expelled from the hall.
— Go out into the hall.
— Why did we come here? You should have warned me right away...
— Our leader will come in first.
t.me/liveukraine_media/21967

How humiliating for Russia. First having to kowtow to China, now North Korea.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-20-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major information operation during his recent visit to North Korea and Vietnam on June 18 and 19 aimed at sabotaging efforts by Ukraine's partners to clearly define a common strategic objective and strategy to decisively defeat Russia’s illegal war of conquest in Ukraine.
• Putin implicitly threatened to use nuclear weapons if the West enables Ukraine to decisively defeat Russia in order to undermine the international community's cohering strategic vision of support for Ukraine.
• Putin’s nuclear threat is part of an ongoing Kremlin nuclear blackmail campaign aimed at dissuading Ukraine’s allies from decisively committing to defeating Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and is therefore highly unlikely to result in actual nuclear escalation.
• South Korea responded to the Russian-North Korean comprehensive strategic partnership agreement on June 20 and stated that it will reconsider its previous ban on sending lethal military assistance to Ukraine.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin simultaneously attempted to downplay aspects of the Russia-North Korea agreement potentially in response to South Korea's concerns during a June 20 press conference in Vietnam.
• Putin also met with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and General Secretary of the Central Committee of Vietnam’s Community Party Nguyễn Phú Trọng during his visit and discussed bilateral relations and the Soviet Union's and Russia's support of Vietnam during the 20th and 21st centuries.
• Russian forces used the new FAB-3000 M-54 bomb with a unified planning and correction module (UMPC) to strike Ukrainian positions in Kharkiv Oblast for the first time, representing a new Russian capability with a high potential for destruction if Russian forces continue to be able to use such weapons uninhibited.
• The United States made a policy change to prioritize delivering Patriot air defense interceptors to Ukraine against the backdrop of the increasing threat of Russian guided glide bomb use in Ukraine.
• US policy still prohibits Ukrainian forces from striking military targets with US-provided weapons in the operational and deep rear of Russian territory.
• The Russian military's increased over-reliance on infantry-heavy frontal assault tactics has greatly degraded the distinctions between various Russian combat services on the battlefield in Ukraine, minimizing the operational efficacy of frontline troops.
• Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov used a working visit to the Eastern Military District in Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai to create the appearance of a strict but engaged defense minister.
• Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes against at least two oil facilities in Russia on the night of June 19 to 20.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Vovchansk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City.
• Russian milbloggers complained that the Russian military command is failing to properly incentivize Russian servicemen to fight and explain the purpose of the Russian full-scale invasion to its troops.

I'm late to the party, but am I right in thinking Russia has just got itself into a proxy war between North and South Korea?

Bearing in mind that South Korea is the world's 8th largest arms exporter, and it's limited its direct help to humanitarian assistance up until now?

I thought my irony meter exploded last year when Putin managed to enlarge NATO and accelerate Europe's net-zero plans.

North and South Korea’s war has never formally ended and tensions ratchet up and down from time to time. Nothing there will massively change I suspect but it’s certainly angered South Korea to the point they might change their policy on arming Ukraine.

One of the finance people I follow on Twitter has noted that the Russian bond market is struggling thanks to sanctions and the high inflation rate. It feels good to the populace for now, but it's storing up debt problems for Russia in the future.

The longer the war goes on, the harder the crash will be in the future.

https://www.intellinews.com/russian-bond-investors-increasingly-unwilling-to-buy-ofz-treasury-bills-as-macroeconomic-concerns-rise-327630/

Spot on.

See link which MissConductUS signposted yesterday.

South Korea will consider supplying arms to Ukraine after Russia and North Korea sign strategic pact

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Kyiv can strike inside https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-can-strike-inside-russia-beyond-kharkiv-area-if-necessary-us-says/ Russia beyond Kharkiv area if necessary, US says.

⚡️Russian forces claim to have deployed FAB-3000 https://kyivindependent.com/russian-forces-claim-to-have-deployed-fab-3000-glide-bomb-for-first-time/ glide bomb for first time.
A video shared by a pro-Kremlin blogger purports to show Russian bombers striking a Ukrainian military target in the village of Liptsy in Kharkiv Oblast.

⚡️ Media: South Korea https://kyivindependent.com/media-south-koreas-arms-supplies-level-to-ukraine-depends-on-russias-actions-official-says/ level of arms supplies to Ukraine will depend on Russia's actions, Yonhap reported, citing an unnamed presidential official on June 21.

⚡️ EU Council confirms accession talks https://kyivindependent.com/eu-confirms-accession-talks-with-ukraine-moldova-to-start-on-june-25/ with Ukraine, Moldova to start on June 25.

⚡️ Russia, China found workarounds for payments https://kyivindependent.com/russia-china-found-workarounds-for-payment-system-despite-sanctions-reuters-reports/ despite sanctions, Reuters reported on June 21, citing three undisclosed sources.

⚡️Ukraine's 24th brigade bolsters defense of Chasiv Yar, says fighting 'extremely difficult.' https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-24th-brigade-bolsters-defense-of-chasiv-yar-says-fighting-extremely-difficult/

⚡️ Japan sanctions China-based companies https://kyivindependent.com/japan-sanctions-china-based-companies-other-entities-over-support-for-russias-war/ other entities over support for Russia's aggression. The new measures also targeted companies based in India, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Russian entities and officials.

⚡️Russia claims more than 100 drones https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-several-casualties-after-reporting-mass-drone-attack-on-crimea-krasnodar/ used in attack on Crimea, Krasnodar Krai.

⚡️ Ukraine may consider participating in China-led peace summit, ambassador says https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-consider-participating-in-china-led-peace-summit-ambassador-says/

⚡️Zelensky appointed Oleksii Morozov as the new head of Ukraine's State Security Administration (UDO), the Presidential Office announced on June 21. https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-appoints-new-state-security-administration-head/ Serhii Rud, Morozov's predecessor in office, was dismissed on May 9, shortly after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed to have uncovered a network of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) agents who were plotting to assassinate Zelensky and other high-ranking officials in Ukraine.

Ukraine requires $9.5 billion for rapid recovery this year, namely in the defense industry, energy, housing, agriculture, natural resources, and the IT sector, the Finance Ministry said on June 20. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-needs-9-5-billion-for-rapid-recovery-in-2024/

⚡️ Putin threatens https://kyivindependent.com/putin-threatens-a-response-if-south-korea-sends-arms-to-ukraine/ a response if South Korea sends arms to Ukraine. Putin said he did not exclude the possibility of sending arms to North Korea based on the recently signed strategic partnership agreement but claimed that South Korea has nothing to worry about as Moscow will arm Pyongyang only if it is attacked. [oh, Russia has weopons to spare?]

⚡️ Strategic battlefield defeat would be end of Russia's statehood https://kyivindependent.com/battlefield-defeat-would-be-end-of-russias-statehood-putin-says/ , Putin claims. [grandiose, much?]

⚡️Ukrainian hackers claim responsibility for cyberattack https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-it-army-hack-bank-russia/ on Russian banks, payment system. [this was apparently massive]

⚡️ Norway's defense company Kongsberg opens new missile factory (https://kyivindependent.com/norway-opens-new-missile-factory-as-global-tensions-soar/) as global tensions soar. The $61 million facility in the town with which the company shares its name will produce the company's Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and Joint Strike Missile (JSM).

⚡️ Rheinmetall receives order for 155 mm shells https://kyivindependent.com/rheinmetall-receives-order-for-155-mm-shells-says-its-largest-in-company-history/ calls it 'largest in company history.'

⚡️US to ban https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-kaspersky-ban/ sales of Kaspersky antivirus software, Reuters reports.

Prices of basic goods like groceries may increase by up to 15% due to frequent blackouts, which are causing an increase in the costs faced by food producers, Forbes Ukraine reported on June 20. https://kyivindependent.com/grocery-prices-ukraine-forbes/

Dozens of people try to illegally cross Ukraine's border into the EU every day, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) published on June 20. "This includes not only those who try to swim across the Tysa River or go through the forest or the mountains but also those who try to use fake documents at checkpoints," Klymenko said. https://kyivindependent.com/dozens-try-to-illegally-cross-border-every-day-interior-minister-says/

⚡️Russian attacks on infrastructure increasing risk of infectious diseases like hepatitis, as water supply often stops when electricity is cut off, health minister warns https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-health-minister/

A single Ukrainian kamikaze naval drone destroyed or damaged four Russian patrol boats in an operation last month, Kyiv's military intelligence (HUR) said on June 20. https://kyivindependent.com/1-ukrainian-magura-drone-blew-up-4-russian-patrol-boats-kyiv-claims/

Russia is considering changes to its nuclear doctrine due to developments "related to lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons," Putin claimed while speaking on June 20 in Vietnam, a day after he visited North Korea. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-considering-changes-to-nuclear-doctrine-putin-claims/ [where's the toilet paper again]

⚡️Trump implies Biden's alleged support for Ukraine's NATO accession led https://kyivindependent.com/trump-implies-bidens-alleged-support-for-ukraines-nato-accession-led-to-full-scale-invasion/ to full-scale invasion.

⚡️Saint Petersburg woman sentenced https://kyivindependent.com/saint-petersburg-woman-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison-for-setting-fire-to-military-enlistment-office/ to 10 years in prison for allegedly setting fire to military enlistment office.

⚡️Fire breaks out at Russian oil refinery https://kyivindependent.com/fire-breaks-out-at-russian-oil-refinery-after-drone-strike-media-reports/ after drone strike, media reports

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 6, injure 13 over past day. Russia targeted a total of 10 Ukrainian oblasts — Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in the latter three regions.

⚡️ Russian guided bomb attack on Donetsk Oblast town kills 2, injures 3.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

• JUN 21, 2024

■ Engagements stay on a high level, casualties close to 1.1k ■ Equipment losses well above 7-day average including big armor & artillery losses ■ 19 🇺🇦 strikes reported; ratio close to average

Jakub Janovsky

The number of visually confirmed Russian BMP losses since the start of their 2022 invasion of Ukraine has exceeded 3000!

Photos of Putin in NK ... He doesn't look either well or happy, does he?

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan will build a railway to Europe bypassing Russia.
The agreement on the project, which Beijing, Bishkek, and Tashkent have been discussing for 27 years, was signed by the parties on June 6 in Beijing, and construction is scheduled to begin in October. The railway line, with a length of 450-500 km, will be part of China's global initiative "One Belt, One Road."

Putin said that he will not withdraw troops from Ukraine for negotiations.
The leader of the Kremlin stated, "if Kyiv associates negotiations with Moscow with the withdrawal of Russian troops, then this will never happen."

🇩🇪 A new batch of special equipment transferred by Germany for the restoration of energy infrastructure has arrived in Ukraine—two Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks with manipulator cranes for work on power grids.

Finland will not restore relations with Russia until the aggression against Ukraine stops, said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, during the presentation of the government's report on the country's foreign and security policy.

Perhaps the largest DDoS attack in history: Ukrainian hackers took down the banking system of the Russian Federation.
"When we promised to bring down the entire banking system of the enemy yesterday, those were not empty words. Today, even more banks are disconnected, along with the 'Mir' card payment system and all card payments. VTB, Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank, Beeline, MTS, Rostelecom, Gazprombank, Megafon, SBP, NSPK, EIRC, and many smaller services are currently not functioning," stated the IT Army of Ukraine.

Ukrainian defense forces carried out strikes on storage and preparation sites for Russian "Shahed" drones in the Krasnodar region overnight, as reported by the General Staff of Ukraine. The attack resulted in a series of explosions and a subsequent fire, which led to further detonations.

Romania will not simply give Ukraine a Patriot battery. The country is equipped with the latest modifications of the air defense system called MIM-104F PAC-3, featuring PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles and AN/MPQ-65 radar.
The Patriot PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3) is one of the latest versions of the air defense system modernization. It is designed to intercept warheads of tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, including those made using stealth technology.
Romania purchased these systems in 2020. Now, Bucharest will receive the same or an equivalent complex in return.

📦 "Nova Post" was recognized as the world's best postal operator of the year by the World Post and Parcel Awards.
Last year, they expanded their network in Ukraine by 20%, opened 2,242 branches, and installed 1,853 post machines in more than 10,000 settlements across Ukraine.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

In the Russian city of Yeysk (Krasnodar Krai), a fire broke out on the territory of the 726th Air Defense Training Center. It was probably attacked by drones at night. OSINT analyst AvScanNZ reports https://x.com/NZ_Trav/status/1803955845233021099 that NASA satellites have recorded at least three fires there

🔥A Russian brigade command post in occupied Vasylivka, Zaporizhzhia oblast, was destroyed along with everyone present after being hit by guided bombs launched by a Ukrainian Mig-29

⚽️ The second match of the Ukrainian national team at Euro 2024 started in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Ukrainian team plays against the Slovak national team.
▪️Serhiy Rebrov's team lost the first match against Romania 3-0. In Group E, the Ukrainian team is now in last place and has 0 points. [Oh dear!]

Kim Jong-un presented Putin with a portrait on a granite slab [Jokes are being made that it looks like his gravestone]

Body language when you go from one day believing you’re the 2nd strongest military in the world to begging the obese dictator of one of the poorest countries in the world for some artillery so that you can supply your troops for day 849 of the 3 day special military operation

Comrade Putin isn't happy about South Korea's possible policy change on lethal aid to Ukraine, so he's making hand-waving, vague, blustery threats against them.

South Korean Arms For Ukraine Would Be A Huge Deal And Putin Knows It - There are signs that South Korea might overturn its ban on weapons deliveries to Ukraine, which has prompted a dark warning from Putin.

He doesn't seem to realize that publicly threatening South Korea is likely to have the opposite effect than what he intended. It is another own goal, just like NATO.

S Korea is saying that the amount they will possibly send will depend on exactly what Russia and N Korea do. Might hold both the rogue states back a bit.

tbh Im finding it hard to hope for much unless we actually see some firm promises.

One which deliberately breaks international laws and policies and is considered to be a threat to the world's peace, is the usual definition, I believe.

https://usykfoundation.org/

Think it’s time I gave a little 💰