Ukraine Invasion: Part 50

[MagicFox]

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

Well it is indeed, though this morning the debate has already moved on to how to make sure Melenchon doesn’t become PM and in general how to reduce his influence on policy.

What’s your take? Who do you think will be PM?

TBH no idea.

There’s already been plenty of comment from some quite senior people in the centre and on the centre left saying that it simply cannot be Melenchon, (he is an extremely polarizing character).

I suspect it’ll end up being someone on the centre left but can’t come up with a possible name ATM.

Reported just now by Sky News:

At least seven people killed in Kyiv | Russia uses hypersonic missiles in attack
At least seven people have been killed and others are injured after a daylight Russian missile attack on Kyiv this morning, according to local authorities.
Ukraine's air force reported that Russian forces launched multiple ballistic and cruise missiles at Ukraine earlier, with explosions heard and felt across the capital.
The attack included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which fly at 10 times the speed of sound, the air force said.
The Kyiv military administration said on Telegramm* that at least seven people have been killed in the city and a further nine people are injured.
Children's medical centre hit
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said a children's medical centre had been hit, but did not say whether there were any casualties there.
Voloydmyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, accused Russia in a post to social media of "deliberately targeting" children. Russia claims it does not target civilians.
People have been urged to stay in shelters across the city.

Good news that France have held off the far Right.
It's so much easier to criticise from the side lines than actually be in power though, I'm sure we'll see a lot of that from Farage and his 4 cronies. And as others have said I fear for the next round of elections. The Right is definitely on the rise across Europe over 4 million votes for Reform UK in this country is very worrying.

Interesting that France went from 4 million votes at the last election for the far right to 11 million votes at this one, and this journalist is predicting a Right Wing government in the next few years if their concerns aren't addressed.

I feel quite sick seeing the pictures out of Kyiv this morning. Putin is a fucking war criminal, evil bastard! Who uses the killing of babies to send a message to a democratic alliance 😡 Well I hope NATO well and truly got the message, that Putin and his fuckwit cronies understand nothing but brutality and force and must be defeated.

There have also been Chinese soldiers sent to Belarus, another message - not just from Russia but China too.

@velinatchakarova

Chinese military personnel will start joint “anti-terrorist training” with their counterparts in Belarus, close to the border with Poland. The “Eagle Assault” exercises by the two Russian allies amid the war in Ukraine will be held over 11 days in the border city of Brest, Belarus, and will involve tasks such as hostage rescue and anti-terrorism operations, China’s Ministry of National Defence said. It comes days after Belarus officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by China and Russia, deepening their coordination on military, economic and political matters.

Meanwhile, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is making a surprise visit to China on Monday after similar trips to Russia and Ukraine to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. On July 1 began the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU, but Orban is acting on his own without the approval of EU institutions or members

https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1810258543552942240

Good!

When the fuck is the EU going to suspend Hungary.

At this point, whatever happens is the EU's collective responsibility because they haven't done anything to neutralize the effects of this traitor.

All of this, absolutely horrific! And Starmer is already getting the whataboutery tweets re Gaza (which I know is equally horrific but not the point of this particular tweet)

I have no words. He will not stop at anything.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Orban arrives in China https://kyivindependent.com/orban-arrives-in-china-to-discuss-ukraine-russia-war/ to discuss Ukraine-Russia war.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will meet with Zelensky on July 10 during the NATO Summit in Washington, Reuters reported on July 7. https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-house-speaker-to-meet-with-zelensky-this-week/

⚡️Investigation finds EU shell production capacity far below https://kyivindependent.com/rfe-investigation-finds-eu-shells-capacity-below/ official statements.
The EU's promises to deliver 155 mm artillery shells to Ukraine were not met due to "wishful thinking" and the fact that existing stocks may be "at least twice as modest as stated by high-ranking EU officials," RFE/RL Schemes investigative project reported on July 8.

⚡️ No indication of foreign funds misuse https://kyivindependent.com/eu-delegation-says-no-indication-of-misuse-of-foreign-funds-by-ukraines-infrastructure-agency/ by Ukraine’s infrastructure agency, EU Delegation says. Ukraine's Finance Ministry accused the State Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure of misusing Western funds in a comment to the Ukrainian online newspaper Ekonomichna Pravda on July 5.

⚡️Russia hits Okhmatdyt children's hospital https://kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-attack-hits-okhmatdyt-children-hospital-casualties-reported/ casualties reported.

⚡️ Repeated Russian attack on Kyiv damages maternity hospital https://kyivindependent.com/latest-russian-attack-on-kyiv-hits-maternity-hospital-4-killed/ 7 killed.

⚡️ Ukraine intercepted 30 of 38 Russian missiles https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-intercepted-30-of-38-russian-missiles-during-mass-attack-air-force-says/ during mass attack, Air Force says.
In total, Russian forces launched one Kinzhal ballistic missile, four Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one 3M22 Zirkon hypersonic cruise missile, 13 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 14 Kalibr cruise missiles, two Kh-22 cruise missiles, and three Kh-59/69 guided aerial missiles, according to the statement.

⚡️Zelensky arrives https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-warsaw-begins-meeting-with-polish-pm-tusk/ in Warsaw, begins meeting with Polish PM Tusk.

⚡️Poland, Ukraine sign https://kyivindependent.com/poland-ukraine-sign-security-agreement/ security agreement.

⚡️Orban says https://kyivindependent.com/orban-says-putin-has-low-expectations-for-a-ceasefire-before-serious-peace-talks/ Putin has low expectations for ceasefire before serious peace talks.

⚡️ Military: Another Russian Su-25 downed https://kyivindependent.com/military-another-russian-su-25-down-in-donetsk-oblast/ in Donetsk Oblast.

⚡️UK Defense Minister announces https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-minister-announces-new-ukraine-defense-package-during-odesa-trip/ new Ukraine defense package during Odesa trip. The new aid announced includes more artillery guns, a quarter of a million ammunition rounds and nearly 100 precision Brimstone missiles. [also speeding up of aid announced in April that isn't there yet]

⚡️New Dutch foreign and defense ministers announce more aid during first visit to Ukraine for Ukraine human rights investigations and missing persons forensics on July 7..

Ukrainian billionaire Hennadii Boholiubov, who formerly owned Ukrainian bank PrivatBank alongside oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, recently left Ukraine under forged documents, anonymous sources at the Prosecutor General's Office told the Ukrainska Pravda media outlet. https://kyivindependent.com/media-kolomoiskys-associate-boholiubov-left-ukraine-under-forged-documents/

⚡️ Ukrainian high jumper sets new world record https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-high-jumper-sets-new-world-record-at-paris-diamond-league/ at Paris Diamond League.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones attack https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukrainian-drones-attack-ammunition-oil-depots-in-russia-source-says/ a large ammunition depot in Voronezh Oblast, and two oil deports in Krasnodar Krai region over the past two days. Drone attacks were reported in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region overnight on July 6, causing large fires at two oil depots.

⚡️ Update: Over 20 killed, 50 injured https://kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-second-aerial-missile-attack-against-ukraine-in-a-day/ in Russian mass attack against Ukraine. [today]
⚡️4 killed https://kyivindependent.com/four-killed-including-child-when-family-car-hits-a-russian-mine-in-kharkiv-oblast/ including child after car hit Russian mine in Kharkiv Oblast.
⚡️4 injured including child by Russian attacks in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
⚡️ Pregnant woman hospitalized after Russian attack on Kherson.
⚡️ Russian attacks kill 2, injure 14 over past day.
⚡️ Update: 15 killed, 37 injured in Russian attack on Kyiv. [Kyiv alone, today]
⚡️Update: Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 10 kyivindependent.com/latest-russian-attack-on-kyiv-hits-maternity-hospital-4-killed/ injures 47.
⚡️ 2 killed, 16 injured https://kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-attack-hits-okhmatdyt-children-hospital-casualties-reported/ in children's hospital after Russian attack. [so far]
⚡️Update: Maternity hospital damaged in separate attack on Kyiv, 7 killed, https://kyivindependent.com/latest-russian-attack-on-kyiv-hits-maternity-hospital-4-killed/ 3 injured.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

• JUL 8, 2024

■ Casualties above 7-day average in spite of fewer combat engagements ■ Big armor losses (tanks+APV) & 1st plane of July (Su-25) ■ 🇺🇦 strikes slightly above average but ratio could be better

That isn't small, that EU shell stocks are half what has been claimed.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Ukraine is initiating the convening of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council due to today’s massive Russian missile attacks, — President Zelenskyy

❗️The consequences of the morning missile attack as of 13:45:
▪️Kyiv: 15 killed and 38 injured.
▪️Krivyi Rih: 10 killed and 47 injured, 9 in serious condition.
▪️Dnipro: 1 killed and 12 injured.
▪️Pokrovsk: 3 killed.

New British Defense Secretary John Healy promised to increase support for Ukraine during a visit to Odesa, less than 48 hours after his appointment.
Healy also announced that Great Britain will provide Ukraine with a new support package, which includes:
▫️ A quarter of a million 50-caliber rounds
▫️ 90 Brimstone anti-tank missiles
▫️ 50 small military boats to support river and coastal operations
▫️ 40 demining machines
▫️ 10 AS-90 artillery guns
▫️ 61 bulldozers for the construction of defensive positions
▫️ Support for previously donated AS-90s, including 32 new barrels and critical spare parts that will help Ukraine produce 60,000 more 155mm rounds
John Healy also instructed government officials to ensure that the military aid package promised in April is accelerated and delivered to Ukraine in full within the next 100 days.

On Sunday, explosions were reported in the occupied Melitopol area of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Two children were killed in Kyiv: they were pulled out from under the rubble of an apartment building

In the private maternity home "Isida" in Kyiv (the photo), seven people were killed.

Deliberate direct hit into the children’s hospital Okhmatdyt in Kyiv. Russians already claim it was a military hospital.

The Security Service of Ukraine investigators have established that the Russian Federation hit the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv with an Kh-101 missile. Fragments of the missile, including the rear part with a serial number and part of the steering wheel, were found at the site. [as of 15:42]

❗️ The strike on "Okhmadit" hit the building where children were receiving dialysis, according to Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko.
Intensive care, operating, and oncology departments were damaged.
The primary task is to transport patients to a location with ventilators and oxygen.

https://t.me/United24media/23407 The proof it was a deliberate attack.

In Okhmatdyt, 16 people were injured, including seven children, according to the mayor. Critically ill children with oncology were evacuated from the affected ward and transferred to other hospitals.

There was a surgery going on when the Russians deliberately struck children's hospital in Kyiv. https://t.me/United24media/23396

A pediatric nephrologist, 30-year-old Svitlana Lukianchuk, was killed in the Russian attack on Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital.

People are bringing water and food to children’s hospital. https://t.me/United24media/23390

There are also children under the rubble.

As a result of the Russian attack, the Okhmadyt Children's Hospital was rendered almost 80% inoperative. All communications are destroyed, leaving the facility without electricity and water, according to Oleksandr Lysytsia, head of the bone marrow transplantation department, who spoke to the Ukrainian BBC.
There are 20 critically ill patients and more than 30 less critically ill patients in its department, all of whom are children. They are currently being relocated.
The exact number of dead and injured remains unknown as the rubble of the destroyed building is still being sorted. [as of 16:22 CET, 15:22 UK time, think it's about 10:22 East Coast time]

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Russian state propagandist Sergei Mardan said that Russia is waging war in order to plunder captured territories

🇷🇺 The Russian Defense Ministry says today's strikes on Ukraine are a response to attacks on Russian energy facilities. The ministry claims that the missiles hit the military industry and air bases.
The Ministry of Defense called the destruction of the Okhmatdyt hospital and residential high-rise buildings "hysteria of the Kyiv regime on the eve of the NATO patronage summit."

Satellite images have been released showing the aftermath of the fire at an ammunition depot near the villages of Pogorelivka and Serhiivka in the Pidhorenskyi district of Voronezh oblast, Russia. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/22456

🇭🇺 Zelensky said he was not aware of Orbán's plans to meet with Putin after his visit to Kyiv.

🇦🇹 Austrian Ambassador Arad Benkö is shocked by the Russian shelling of the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv
"Austria has supported this center and many of its departments for many years. This is a facility that cares for babies and children. This Russian attack is pure terror," he wrote.

For anyone who wants to contact their head of state:

For anyone who wants to contact their head of state:

Head of NATO: Mark Rutte -
@MarkRutte
Contact: https://nato.int/cps/en/natohq/econtact.htm
United States: President Joe Biden -
@POTUS
Contact: https://whitehouse.gov/contact/ United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer -
@Keir_Starmer
Contact: [email protected] Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -
@JustinTrudeau
Contact: justin[email protected]c.ca France: President Emmanuel Macron -
@EmmanuelMacron
Contact: [email protected] Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz -
@Bundeskanzler
Contact: [email protected] Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni -
@GiorgiaMeloni
Contact: https://governo.it/en/contactsTurkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan -
@RTErdogan
Contact: co[email protected]r Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez -
@sanchezcastejon
Contact: [email protected] Poland: President Andrzej Duda -
@AndrzejDuda
Contact: [email protected] Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte -
@MinPres
Contact: https://government.nl/contact/contact-form Belgium: Prime Minister Alexander De Croo -
@alexanderdecroo
Contact: in[email protected]

Norway: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre -
@jonasgahrstore
Contact: [email protected] Denmark: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen -
@Statsmin
Contact: [email protected] Sweden: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson -
@SwedishPM
Contact: [email protected] Finland: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo -
@PetteriOrpo
Contact: [email protected]

hm. some of them dont work. sorry, didnt check it.

I know Russia's horrific barrage of Ukraine today was to try to put off the countries attending the NATO conference tomorrow from giving Ukraine more support, but won't it have the opposite effect?

I certainly hope so.

Bastards

I hope NATO countries decide to lift the ban on striking military targets in russia. Putin should understand that actions have consequences.

The EU are toothless and pointless.

Putin has China, Belarus, Hungary and Iran backing him. Appalling. The West are worried about escalation and nuclear weapons.

Ukraine hasn't attacked Russia. Russia is on a land grab a bit like with the crimea

Couldn't agree more.

In fairness Ukraine would have been conquered further by now if not for Western aid. But the West has not wanted Ukraine to win, or it would have provided what Ukraine needed in sufficient quantities at a reasonable speed. Only half the military aid gets there on time and of that, not all is in a good enough condition to use.

The EU has allowed a traitor to take the helm. Surprise, the traitor is steering towards the EU's enemies.

China can only see the West's wishywashyness as encouragement.