Displaying items by tag: Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed optimism that the current battlefield dynamics could create a chance to end Russia’s invasion by 2025. Speaking at a summit meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, he highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s allies, particularly the USA, in achieving peace and long-term stability. He noted that October, November, and December present ‘a real chance’ for decisive action, but did not explain how that would happen. Russian forces now hold nearly 20% of Ukraine's territory, and are closing in on another key town, Toretsk. Zelensky also called for Ukraine’s integration into NATO as a means to strengthen its position in any potential negotiations with Russia. At the time of writing he is in London, to meet Keir Starmer and Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary general, and will then fly to Rome to meet Pope Francis.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has sharply criticised Hungary's foreign policies, accusing Viktor Orban of endangering European security. In a speech to the European parliament, she took aim at Hungary's reluctance to support Ukraine in its war with Russia and its growing relationships with Russia and China. She said that Orban's government is weakening EU unity by easing visa restrictions for Russians and Belarusians, and allowing Chinese police to operate in Hungary. Von der Leyen also stressed the dangers of Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian energy and its failure to align with EU energy security measures. Orban, in response, defended his policies, calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine and rejecting any comparison between Ukraine's current situation and Hungary’s 1956 uprising against Soviet rule.

Russia has captured the strategic eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, a significant blow to Ukraine as it faces its third wartime winter. Russian soldiers have raised their flag over the devastated town, once home to 14,000 people but now reduced to just over a hundred. Ukraine’s military confirmed their withdrawal, citing the threat of encirclement as Russian reinforcements arrived: their manpower advantage had finally broken Ukraine’s fierce resistance.The town sits at a crucial junction of Ukraine’s eastern and southern fronts: Ukraine now has to fight to stop the Russians advancing further west, making the prospect of retaking territory even more remote. This comes just after Volodymyr Zelensky's return from the USA, where he secured aid but not the security guarantees he sought. With Ukraine’s energy infrastructure still under attack, the coming winter will test its resilience even further.

Four Russian journalists have gone on trial in Moscow, accused of involvement in an ‘extremist’ group linked to FBK, an organisation set up by the late dissident Alexei Navalny. The defendants face up to six years in prison if convicted. The trial, which closed to the public after a brief open session, underscores the worsening climate for press freedom in Russia. The prosecutors allege that the journalist contributed to content for the YouTube channel run by FBK, which has been labelled an extremist organisation.  As Russia tightens its grip on the media, 34 journalists and six other media workers are currently in detention, according to Reporters without Borders. Russia has intensified pressure on both domestic and foreign reporters since the start of its war in Ukraine.

France, Germany, and the UK have introduced new sanctions on Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, which US secretary of state Antony Blinken said  will be used against Ukraine. The sanctions include restrictions on Iran Air and travel bans on military officials. UK foreign secretary David Lammy described Iran's actions as ‘a dangerous escalation’. Several individuals and organisations involved in the supply of the missiles face sanctions, and Russian cargo ships transporting these supplies have also been targeted. The Western nations have demanded that Iran halt its missile deliveries, citing security threats to Europe. Blinken and Lammy also flew to Ukraine to ‘hear directly from the leadership’ about their objectives. Volodymyr Zelensky has asked for authorisation to use Western-supplied missiles to strike targets inside Russia - a move the USA has so far resisted. Russia continues to make advances in eastern Ukraine.

This week has seen intensified Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and steady Russian advances in the Donbas region, balanced by Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. Diplomatically, both sides continue to show a lack of willingness to compromise. China has reaffirmed its support for Russia through a high-profile visit by premier Li Qiang and a military delegation to Moscow. Meanwhile, India's prime minister Narendra Modi has made a significant visit to Kyiv, signalling India's complex position between its historical ties with Russia and growing relationships with Western nations. Although India has not condemned Russia's actions, Modi's visit to Ukraine and his emphasis on dialogue indicate a potential shift in India's stance. The USA also announced a new military aid package and additional sanctions targeting entities supporting Russia. The diplomatic landscape remains fluid, with all parties manoeuvring for strategic advantage on the global stage.

Volodymyr Zelensky says that his troops are still advancing into Russian territory, in a bold and surprising incursion. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj627x96gxxo This development marks a significant challenge to Vladimir Putin’s authority: the offensive, which has now lasted over a week, threatens his image as ‘Mr Security’. Despite initiating the ‘special military operation’ to enhance Russia's safety, the nation now faces an expanded NATO presence on its borders, frequent Ukrainian drone attacks, and territorial breaches. Putin minimises the situation through cautious language, referring to it as ‘the situation in the border area’ or ‘a provocation’, avoiding terms like ‘invasion’. He has dismissed the idea of peace talks, stating that his goal is ‘to force the enemy from Russian territory’. Despite these challenges, Putin shows no remorse for his decisions and remains convinced of Russia's eventual victory in the conflict.

Russia has reported ongoing fighting in the Kursk border region following a Ukrainian incursion. Its troops claim they have prevented pro-Kyiv forces from advancing deep into Russia, repelling aerial attacks overnight and destroying fifty armoured vehicles, including seven tanks. Ukraine has not confirmed the assault. Reports suggest Ukrainians occupied several settlements in Kursk. The incursion involved about 300 soldiers, eleven tanks, and over twenty armoured vehicles. Pro-Kyiv forces have made brief incursions into Russia since February 2022. A Russianspokeswoman has labelled Ukraine’s attack on Kursk a ‘terrorist act ‘against civilians. Five people were killed and 28 wounded, including six children. Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed a Russian missile, two drones, and a helicopter. Intense battles continue, with suggestions of a new front opening. Meanwhile, Mali has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine: see world article below.

Journalist Evan Gershkovich and US marine Paul Whelan have been released from Russian jails in the largest prisoner swap with the West since the Cold War. The exchange, the result of months of complex negotiations, also freed British-Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, who had been sentenced to 25 years for opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Others released include Radio Free Europe editor Alsu Kurmasheva, anti-war artist Aleksandra Skochilenko, dissident politician Ilya Yashin, two former staffers for Alexei Navalny, and Russian-German dual citizen Kevin Lik. The swap, conducted in Turkey, involved the US, Russia, Germany, and other nations, led by Joe Biden and his national security team. Biden, speaking from the White House with the families of the released, called it ‘a very good afternoon’ and praised the diplomacy involved. He acknowledged Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey for their roles in the negotiation and logistical support.

On 31 July Ukraine repelled one of Russia's most massive attacks since the war began, shooting down 89 Iranian-designed explosive drones and a missile, primarily targeting Kyiv. Despite debris damage to buildings, there were no casualties. This attack comes 29 months into Russia's invasion, with daily bombardments straining Ukraine's air defences. Russia claims it only targets military and energy sites, but residential areas are frequently hit. Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need for sufficient air defence supplies to protect against Russian strikes and called for faster deliveries of systems like the US-made Patriots. Meanwhile, Ukraine struck a weapons depot in Russia's Kursk region, causing a fire. Russia's slow advance continues, with small gains reported in July, capturing eight villages in north-east, eastern, and southern Ukraine.