Zelensky says China is trying to sabotage Ukraine peace summit
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Ukrainian authorities and the Kiev military announced that they had launched “large-scale” drone attacks on Russian infrastructure and military targets in the Black Sea, Crimea and southern Russia.
The Ukrainian military said its drones hit four Russian oil refineries, a radar station and other military facilities on Friday morning. Russian officials reported a “major” drone attack in the Krasnodar region and claimed to have shot down 70 drones over the Black Sea and Crimea.
The announcement came after South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to discuss the new agreement signed by Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin during his visit to North Korea this week, which the Russian president said included a mutual defence clause.
Leaving Pyongyang, Putin argued that Russia's supplies of weapons to nuclear-armed North Korea mirrored the West's supplies of arms to Ukraine.
However, the move angered South Korea, with Putin also warning of “painful” responses, saying South Korea would be making a “big mistake” if it decided to provide weapons to Ukraine.
Key Point
Ukraine may launch US-supplied missiles deeper into Russia in self-defense, Pentagon says
The Pentagon said that if Kiev acts in self-defense, Ukrainian forces are authorized to use long-range missiles provided by the United States to strike targets inside Russia, as well as on the front line near Kharkiv.
President Joe Biden initially eased restrictions on how Ukraine could use U.S.-supplied weapons, giving it new options to more effectively defend the eastern city of Kharkiv against a relentless barrage of Russian missiles.
Since the start of Russia's 2022 invasion, the United States has maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to attack targets inside Russia, fearing a further escalation of the war.
Alexander ButlerJune 21, 2024 17:00
Russian politician says law needed to protect society from prisoners who fought in Ukraine
A Russian lawmaker said law enforcement authorities needed to do more to protect civilians from ex-prisoners returning from fighting in Ukraine.
Nina Ostanina, a Communist Party lawmaker from Russia, which is under Western sanctions over Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, said in an interview with Gazeta.ru that violent crimes committed by veterans “will increase even more” if authorities do not act.
Widespread reports of Russian soldiers committing serious crimes, including murder and rape, after returning from Ukraine have posed a problem for the Kremlin, which portrays those who served in the “special military operation” as heroes.
Alexander ButlerJune 21, 2024 16:00
Putin says Russia is developing nuclear weapons to “maintain the balance of power in the world”
President Vladimir Putin said Russia would continue developing the world's largest nuclear arsenal as a deterrent and would supply modern weaponry and drones to forces fighting in Ukraine.
Putin spoke at a ceremony in the Kremlin attended by graduates of military, police and intelligence academies.
“We intend to further develop the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and to maintain the balance of power in the world,” Putin said.
Alexander ButlerJune 21, 2024 15:29
Russian-American ballerina arrested for treason after donating $51 to Ukraine faces closed trial
Tom Watling21 June 2024 15:00
Russian glide bombs are devastating Ukrainian frontline towns, and more to come
Tom Watling21 June 2024 14:30
Ukrainian fans watch their country play
Ukrainian fans wearing floral headbands and Ukrainian flags pose for a photo before the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Slovakia and Ukraine in Düsseldorf (Getty Images)
Ukrainian fans watch the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E football match between Slovakia and Ukraine at the Dusseldorf Arena in Dusseldorf (AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Watling21 June 2024 14:00
Ukraine prepare for Euro 2020 match in Düsseldorf
Ukrainian players, including Ukrainian forward Vladislav Vanat, warm up before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Ukraine at the Dusseldorf Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany (AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Watling21 Jun 2024 13:33
Ukrainian author and former soldier issues stern warning to the West: 'Prepare for war with Russia'
Tom Watling21 June 2024 13:00
Ukraine captures Russian 'Barn' tank modified to counter drone threat
Ukrainians are calling it a “barn” tank. The strange-looking Russian tank captured by Kiev's military shows how the military is trying to adapt to the constant threat of drone attacks.
After its capture this week, soldiers told Reuters the vehicle was made from a battered, rusted T-62 tank and had been modified to include a boxy metal shell on the outside, a cage at the back and an electronic warfare kit.
The plane was reportedly used to transport food, ammunition and troops. The plane's canopy appears to be intended as protection against drone attacks, particularly cheaply made FPV (first-person view) drones, which carry fixed ammunition and are flown to targets by a pilot monitoring them on a screen.
“It was created to protect against FPV drones and (drone bomb) drops. It is an air taxi with personnel on board, whose only means of protection is electronic warfare,” Lt. Col. Serhiy Mysiura told the official Ukrainian Armed Forces TV channel.
Nearly 28 months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, the use of drones by both sides on the battlefield has become commonplace, making it difficult to advance and operate safely.
“They clearly didn't work hard, they rushed to install it and sent the tank to the front,” said Dmytro, a Ukrainian soldier who spoke to Reuters about the vehicle in Donetsk region.
The vehicle was reportedly captured near the village of Kryshtiivka, near the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut, where fighting has been ongoing for months.
Dmytro said it was difficult to get equipment in and out of the tiny hatch, visibility was very limited and the stench inside was strong.
Drone footage taken by the Ukrainian military and released on June 17 shows the tank being captured in a wooded area with a Russian crew, after which Kiev forces planted a Ukrainian flag on top of the tank.
A soldier from the Ukrainian Army's 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade stands next to a Russian T-62 Soviet main battle tank with anti-drone protection that the unit recently captured at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region (Reuters).
Tom WatlingJune 21, 2024 12:45
Russian guided bomb kills two in eastern Ukraine, prosecutor says
A Russian guided bomb exploded on Friday in a residential area of ​​the eastern Ukrainian city of Seridove, killing two people and wounding three, local prosecutors said.
The Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office said on the messaging app Telegram that a UMPB D-30 bomb had damaged five five-story buildings and six houses in Seridove, about 14 kilometers from the front line.
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, has dropped more than 10,000 guided bombs so far this year, including more than 3,200 in May alone, Ukrainian military spokesman Nazar Voloshin said.
Tom Watling2024-06-21 12:30
