Ukraine Invasion: Part 50

[MagicFox]

Welcome, with love and thanks to all contributors and lurkers. Unbelievably, we’re on thread 50. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Happy Independence Day @MissConductUS

and oh, thank God for the end of the Tories (we hope!)

OMG, don't jinx it!

I'll believe it when I see it.

It’s pretty much certain, the question is whether they’ll even have enough seats to form the opposition.

Thank you all for the happy Independence Day wishes! Much of the war was fought in the Hudson Highlands, where I live, so this area is full of Revolutionary War history.

One turning point was blocking the river with iron chains at West Point, where the US Military Academy now stands.

West Point: The Gibraltar of the Hudson

You can tour the redoubts (defensive fortifications) that remain there from its days spent fighting the British.

Exactly this

Happy Independence Day @MissConductUS

@MissConductUS

A belated Happy Independence Day from me as well..

Thanks, notim, but it's not belated at all. Today is the holiday.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Ukraine withdraws https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-withdraws-from-eastern-chasiv-yar-neighborhood-military-says/ from eastern Chasiv Yar neighborhood, military says.

⚡️ 14 brigades underarmed https://kyivindependent.com/14-brigades-underarmed-aid-arriving-too-slowly-zelensky-comments-on-battlefield-situation/ aid arriving too slowly, Zelensky comments on battlefield situation. "We have 14 brigades who do not have the necessary weapons that have already been approved and discussed," Zelensky said.

⚡️Relations between Russia, China are 'at their best https://kyivindependent.com/relations-between-russia-china-are-at-their-best-in-history-xi-putin-say/ in history,' Xi, Putin say. Xi indicated his support for Russia on the subject of its full-scale war on Ukraine, saying on the sidelines of the summit that China "has always stood on the right side of history." [I can't help wondering if that's a mistranslation somewhere]

⚡️ Belarus joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization https://kyivindependent.com/belarus-joins-shanghai-cooperation-organization-led-by-russia-china/ led by Russia, China.

⚡️ Putin claims Istanbul peace plan https://kyivindependent.com/putin-claims/ draft from 2022 still 'on table' for talks between Russia and Ukraine.

⚡️All Russian Kinzhal missiles downed https://kyivindependent.com/kinzhal-missile-downed-kyiv-patriot-may-2023/ over Kyiv since arrival of Patriot systems, Ukrainian Air Force says.

⚡️ Destruction of Russian bombers https://kyivindependent.com/russian-bombers-destruction-can-change-situation-on-battlefield-kuleba-says/ halt Russia's advance on battlefield, Kuleba says.
The destruction of Russian fighter bombers and the replenishment of ammunition stocks will help Ukraine halt Russia's advance on the battlefield, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the LRT media outlet.

⚡️ Russia claims strike on Ukrainian Air Force https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-destruction-of-ukrainian-mig-29/ base in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Kyiv hasn't confirmed.
The Russian military destroyed a Ukrainian Mig-29 fighter jet that was stationed on the Dovhyntseve airfield in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on July 4.

⚡️Ukraine to submit https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-submit-draft-resolution-on-nuclear-safety-to-u-n-general-assembly/ draft resolution on nuclear safety to UN General Assembly. The document will be mainly focused on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear power station in Europe which has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.

⚡️ IAEA informed of alleged drone strike https://kyivindependent.com/zaporizhzhia-plant-alleged-drone-strike/ on occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant area, one substation out of service.

⚡️Zelensky reportedly considering dismissing https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-reportedly-considering-dismissing-pm-shmyhal/ PM Shmyhal.

⚡️UN General Assembly president says election outcomes will not alter its support https://kyivindependent.com/un-general-assembly-president-says-election-outcomes-will-not-alter-its-support-for-ukraine/ for Ukraine.

⚡️France sends https://kyivindependent.com/france-sends-41-power-generators-to-kharkiv-and-chernihiv-amidst-energy-infrastructure-damage/ 41 power generators to Kharkiv and Chernihiv amidst energy infrastructure damage.

⚡️ 97% of Russian missiles, drones, bombs hit civilian infrastructure, diplomat says https://kyivindependent.com/97-of-russian-missiles-drones-bombs-hit-civilian-infrastructure/
Only 3% of Russian missiles, drones, and guided bombs hit military targets in Ukraine, while 97% have struck civilian infrastructure, Danylo Kubai, Ukraine's envoy to international organizations in Vienna, said on July 3, according to Ukrinform.

⚡️At least 9 of 33 'neutral' Russian athletes allowed to participate in Olympics visited occupied Crimea, allegedly support https://kyivindependent.com/at-least-9-of-33-neutral-russian-athletes-allowed-to-participate-in-olympics-visited-occupied-crimea-allegedly-support-war/ war.

Pressure on journalists, press freedom limitations https://kyivindependent.com/pressure-on-journalists-press-freedom-limitations-continue-in-wartime-ukraine/ continue in wartime Ukraine
Ukrainian journalists and media watchdogs are continuing to voice concerns over declining press freedoms as their country’s army fights on more than two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion to protect the future of the democracy.

⚡️Russia issues arrest warrants for exiled journalists https://kyivindependent.com/russia-issues-arrest-warrants-for-exiled-journalists-due-to-war-coverage/ due to war coverage.
Russian courts issued arrest warrants last month for three exiled journalists, a move analysts interpret as an attempt to harass critics beyond the country's borders.

⚡️Missing Ukrainian journalist found dead https://kyivindependent.com/missing-ukrainian-journalist-found-dead-in-kharkiv/ in Kharkiv.

Ukraine war latest: Russian attack on Dnipro shopping center kills 6, injures 53
⚡️ Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 10 injure almost 100 over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

• JUL 4, 2024

■ Combat engagements & casualties above 7-day average ■ Equipment losses above average as well; 7-day artillery losses reach new heights ■ Increased strikes on both sides, improved ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Reuters reports that Russia's revenue from oil and gas exports grew by 41% in the first half of the year. The federal budget received 5.698 trillion rubles ($65.12 billion) from these sales in the first six months of 2024. This increase in revenue is attributed to higher oil prices and a weaker ruble.

NATO will offer Ukraine "specific paths" to membership in the Alliance, according to the US State Department. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Douglas Jones mentioned that NATO member countries will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member, though the exact wording is still being finalized.

The National Guard of Ukraine has received a batch of the latest "Novator-2" anti-aircraft guns. These vehicles are equipped with a rotating turret featuring a 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that Germany will not support a ceasefire in Ukraine if it involves the surrender of Kyiv.

Russians attacked evacuation vehicle of police paramedics

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia published a tweet supporting Marine Le Pen, which she did not appreciate, calling it interference in the French elections.

The European Union is exploring the possibility of establishing a new contract with Gazprom after 2024, as reported by the German newspaper Handelsblatt. Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic have expressed concerns about the necessity of such an agreement. The existing contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe between Gazprom and Naftogaz is set to expire at the end of this year. Naftogaz has indicated that it does not plan to renew the contract, despite not terminating it earlier to accommodate European partners.
The proposed scheme under EU consideration involves an agreement with a European energy company that would purchase gas at the Russian-Ukrainian border, transport it to the EU, and compensate Ukraine for transit. This arrangement would require Ukraine's approval. An alternative being considered is sourcing gas supplies from Azerbaijan.

Russia is ready to supply gas through Ukraine after 2024, when the relevant contract expires, — Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
The issue of extending Russian gas supplies to the EU depends primarily on Ukraine's desire to continue transit, he said.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

One of the most modern missile ships of the Russian navy was set on fire from the inside, and secret documents were stolen: a Russian military officer voluntarily defected to the Ukrainian side
A Russian citizen with the call sign "Goga" served in the Russian Baltic Fleet and allegedly wanted to quit because of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. In 2023, he turned to the DIU's I Want to Live project. Since then, he helped Ukrainian intelligence agencies and organized a sabotage on the Serpukhov ship. Together with the secret documents, "Goga" was taken out of the territory of the Russian Federation by the Ukrainian intelligence agencies, the DIU said.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have 14 brigades without weapons, as they have not yet received them from their Western partners, Zelensky said.
At the same time, the president denied the stalemate on the battlefield, calling it problematic. Zelensky emphasized that it is not yet possible to talk about counteroffensive actions, as Ukraine needs to protect what it has.
In June, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged that the delay in supporting Ukraine had "serious consequences."

Russia is ready to supply gas through Ukraine after 2024, when the relevant contract expires, — Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
The issue of extending Russian gas supplies to the EU depends primarily on Ukraine's desire to continue transit, he said.

Is he taking the piss?🎪I couldn't find the clown so went for the whole damn circus

I guess that if the West pressures Zelensky he might have to allow it :/

@DucklingSwimmingInstructress, better get your go bag ready. The Russian ambassador to the Netherlands has announced that they will attack the Dutch airbase set to transfer their F16s to the Ukrainian AF.

/s

x.com/igorsushko/status/1808562853227679978

Exit polls in the UK looking fantastic for labour!

Yes it looks like 1997 levels! Shame about reform though.

I’ve said on another thread, hoping they have just enough seats to show them for the useless bigots they are!

How to make friends and influence people eh? Not that the Dutch have forgiven MH17.

Feels like a new dawn in the UK 🇬🇧❤️

Absolutely. Exit polls were amazingly accurate

Get ready: Sunak is about to come out. Au revoir!

Except in how many seats Reform won and I’ll take that!

Absolutely!

It's a nice speech. I think he's relieved!

I must be one of the few that is less than enthusiastic about the new PM

Howso, @WinterMorn ? though I didnt like his lack of support for women in one particular issue.

Almost anything is better than the dreadful corruption of the Tories though. The Covid mess, and the 1.6 billion masks etc that were destroyed! Only Farage would have been worse.