Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The Russian mercenary group Wagner, which conducted a brief but dramatic rebellion against the Kremlin last month, is now training troops in neighboring Belarus, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said Friday.
- Putin said he laid out options for the Wagner Group’s future five days after the rebellion, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported.
- A suspected Russian spy has been extradited to the United States from Estonia to face charges of providing American-made electronics and ammunition to the Russian military.
- Zelensky infuriated U.S. officials with a tweet challenging NATO leaders on the pace of his war-torn country’s admission into the alliance, roiling the White House, The Post reported.
- Russia says its unfair that its athletes will not be invited to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
More live updates here.
- The Russian mercenary group Wagner, which conducted a brief but dramatic rebellion against the Kremlin last month, is now training troops in neighboring Belarus, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said Friday.
- Putin said he laid out options for the Wagner Group’s future five days after the rebellion, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported.
- A suspected Russian spy has been extradited to the United States from Estonia to face charges of providing American-made electronics and ammunition to the Russian military.
- Zelensky infuriated U.S. officials with a tweet challenging NATO leaders on the pace of his war-torn country’s admission into the alliance, roiling the White House, The Post reported.
- Russia says its unfair that its athletes will not be invited to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The United Nations said that, since June 27, no new ships have been allowed into the Black Sea corridor protected by the expiring grain deal, a vital passageway for grain from Ukraine to make its way to vulnerable parts of the world.
- Putin said that he offered Wagner fighters a chance to stay together under the command of a different leader, in his interview with Kommersant.
- The Wagner Group is now reportedly training troops in neighboring Belarus, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Friday, describing the Wagner fighters as “instructors in a number of military disciplines.”
- Zelensky said Friday that he partook in the Allen & Co. Sun Valley Conference, which is sometimes called “summer camp for billionaires.”
- Russia is “investing everything they can” to stop Ukraine from reclaiming territory in the east and south, Zelensky said in his nightly address.
More live updates here.
- The United Nations said that, since June 27, no new ships have been allowed into the Black Sea corridor protected by the expiring grain deal, a vital passageway for grain from Ukraine to make its way to vulnerable parts of the world.
- Putin said that he offered Wagner fighters a chance to stay together under the command of a different leader, in his interview with Kommersant.
- The Wagner Group is now reportedly training troops in neighboring Belarus, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Friday, describing the Wagner fighters as “instructors in a number of military disciplines.”
- Zelensky said Friday that he partook in the Allen & Co. Sun Valley Conference, which is sometimes called “summer camp for billionaires.”
- Russia is “investing everything they can” to stop Ukraine from reclaiming territory in the east and south, Zelensky said in his nightly address.
More live updates here.
Pentagon may activate up to 3,000 reservists for Russia deterrence
President Biden on Thursday authorized the Pentagon to mobilize up to 3,000 military reservists for duty in Europe, signaling the toll that ongoing efforts to deter Russia and reassure NATO allies is taking on a force deployed across the continent since war erupted in Ukraine early last year.
It was not immediately clear when the Defense Department will send additional reservists to Europe under the new authority, which Biden announced Thursday in a statement.
Pentagon officials said the move would not increase the overall level of U.S. troops in Europe, which now stands at about 80,000, but would potentially alter its makeup by allowing commanders to deploy additional reservists. Units that will be deployed had not yet been identified, the officials said.
Read the full story here.
President Biden on Thursday authorized the Pentagon to mobilize up to 3,000 military reservists for duty in Europe, signaling the toll that ongoing efforts to deter Russia and reassure NATO allies is taking on a force deployed across the continent since war erupted in Ukraine early last year.
It was not immediately clear when the Defense Department will send additional reservists to Europe under the new authority, which Biden announced Thursday in a statement.
Pentagon officials said the move would not increase the overall level of U.S. troops in Europe, which now stands at about 80,000, but would potentially alter its makeup by allowing commanders to deploy additional reservists. Units that will be deployed had not yet been identified, the officials said.
Read the full story here.
To defeat Russia, Ukraine’s top commander pushes to fight on his terms
KYIV, Ukraine — A career military man, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny long ago confronted three questions: Am I ready to die? Am I ready to kill? Am I willing to send people to die and kill?
Now, Ukraine’s top commander in a war with a Russian force larger and better-equipped than his own is asking himself a new question: How can I reduce the loss of life? He starts each morning by learning how many soldiers were killed or wounded following his orders the day before. Sometimes he stumbles across a contact in his cellphone who is dead. He refuses to delete them.
Zaluzhny said he’s saving the grieving for later. Mourning now would distract him from his important work as the man Ukrainians trust to keep them safe and Western partners trust with billions in security assistance. Both expect him to re-create Ukraine’s earlier underdog success on the battlefield.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — A career military man, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny long ago confronted three questions: Am I ready to die? Am I ready to kill? Am I willing to send people to die and kill?
Now, Ukraine’s top commander in a war with a Russian force larger and better-equipped than his own is asking himself a new question: How can I reduce the loss of life? He starts each morning by learning how many soldiers were killed or wounded following his orders the day before. Sometimes he stumbles across a contact in his cellphone who is dead. He refuses to delete them.
Zaluzhny said he’s saving the grieving for later. Mourning now would distract him from his important work as the man Ukrainians trust to keep them safe and Western partners trust with billions in security assistance. Both expect him to re-create Ukraine’s earlier underdog success on the battlefield.
Read the full story here.
Wagner fighters are in Belarus and training Belarusian troops
The Belarusian defense ministry released video of Wagner Group mercenaries training the country’s conscripts on Friday, the first official confirmation that the group is present on its territory following last month.
Wagner mercenaries, who have fought alongside regular Russian troops in Ukraine, turned against their former comrades June 23 as their chief, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, sought to topple Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov. They marched toward Moscow, occupied military facilities, shot down Russian aircraft and killed Russian service members in the greatest challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s 23-year rule.
Putin agreed to drop insurgency charges in exchange for Prigozhin calling off the rebellion. The Russian president said the mercenaries could either sign contracts with the Russian military to keep fighting in Ukraine, move to Belarus or go home.
Read more here.
The Belarusian defense ministry released video of Wagner Group mercenaries training the country’s conscripts on Friday, the first official confirmation that the group is present on its territory following last month.
Wagner mercenaries, who have fought alongside regular Russian troops in Ukraine, turned against their former comrades June 23 as their chief, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, sought to topple Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov. They marched toward Moscow, occupied military facilities, shot down Russian aircraft and killed Russian service members in the greatest challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s 23-year rule.
Putin agreed to drop insurgency charges in exchange for Prigozhin calling off the rebellion. The Russian president said the mercenaries could either sign contracts with the Russian military to keep fighting in Ukraine, move to Belarus or go home.
Read more here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- British Defense Minister Ben Wallace plans to resign “at the next cabinet reshuffle." He announced his exit during a war that has put Europe on edge.
- The British minister pushed European nations to strengthen NATO funding, according to the Times: “You can’t take for granted your allies and partners,” Wallace said in the interview. “You have to contribute.”
- The United Nations said no new vessels had been allowed to join the Black Sea initiative since June 27, despite applications for 29 ships to join.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin told his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, that pledges to remove obstacles to Russian food and fertilizer exports had not been fulfilled, according to the Kremlin.
Follow more live updates here.
- British Defense Minister Ben Wallace plans to resign “at the next cabinet reshuffle." He announced his exit during a war that has put Europe on edge.
- The British minister pushed European nations to strengthen NATO funding, according to the Times: “You can’t take for granted your allies and partners,” Wallace said in the interview. “You have to contribute.”
- The United Nations said no new vessels had been allowed to join the Black Sea initiative since June 27, despite applications for 29 ships to join.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin told his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, that pledges to remove obstacles to Russian food and fertilizer exports had not been fulfilled, according to the Kremlin.
Follow more live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- In his interview, Wallace warned of a dangerous future and said his greatest concern was the possibility of military conflict with Russia.
- He also expressed concerns about China and terrorist groups around the world. “Towards the end of the decade, the world is going to be much more unsafe, more insecure. I think we will find ourselves in a conflict,” he said.
- Wallace, who helped lead the U.K.’s response to the Russian war on Ukraine, has served as Britain’s defense secretary for four years, supporting military aid for Kyiv while pushing European nations to strengthen NATO funding.
- The United Nations said no new vessels have been authorized to join the Black Sea Grain Initiative since June 27, which has added to concerns that Moscow may not renew the deal.
More live updates here.
- In his interview, Wallace warned of a dangerous future and said his greatest concern was the possibility of military conflict with Russia.
- He also expressed concerns about China and terrorist groups around the world. “Towards the end of the decade, the world is going to be much more unsafe, more insecure. I think we will find ourselves in a conflict,” he said.
- Wallace, who helped lead the U.K.’s response to the Russian war on Ukraine, has served as Britain’s defense secretary for four years, supporting military aid for Kyiv while pushing European nations to strengthen NATO funding.
- The United Nations said no new vessels have been authorized to join the Black Sea Grain Initiative since June 27, which has added to concerns that Moscow may not renew the deal.
More live updates here.
Enemies duel with drones as Ukraine faces dug-in Russian forces
MALA TOKMACHKA, Ukraine — Just half a mile from the enemy’s deeply fortified trench, a reconnaissance team hunted the Russian positions by drone last week, live-streaming video for Ukrainian gun crews and their commanders.
U.S.-provided M777 howitzers boomed far behind them. Shells whistled overhead, and the spotters watched them hit Russian positions on the ridge through the video screens of their controllers. The blast wave rolled in a moment later, as smoke boiled up. Then more artillery fired, this time at the enemy flank, in a coordinated effort to take back Russian-occupied territory, one bite at a time.
The unit of mostly young soldiers with the 78th Regiment had been flying drones since sunup on this area of the southern front, key players in the painstakingly slow counteroffensive that has become an artillery duel guided by drones.
Read the full story here.
MALA TOKMACHKA, Ukraine — Just half a mile from the enemy’s deeply fortified trench, a reconnaissance team hunted the Russian positions by drone last week, live-streaming video for Ukrainian gun crews and their commanders.
U.S.-provided M777 howitzers boomed far behind them. Shells whistled overhead, and the spotters watched them hit Russian positions on the ridge through the video screens of their controllers. The blast wave rolled in a moment later, as smoke boiled up. Then more artillery fired, this time at the enemy flank, in a coordinated effort to take back Russian-occupied territory, one bite at a time.
The unit of mostly young soldiers with the 78th Regiment had been flying drones since sunup on this area of the southern front, key players in the painstakingly slow counteroffensive that has become an artillery duel guided by drones.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s war might have a new casualty: The Putin-Erdogan bond
As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lifted a veto this week on Sweden joining NATO, Russian hard-liners, stung by a flurry of recent Turkish gestures of support for Ukraine, demanded that Turkey be designated an “unfriendly” country.
The pro-Western moves by Turkey, including Erdogan’s warm welcome of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Friday, led to speculation that Turkey was pivoting to restore warmer relations with Europe and the United States after several years of close cooperation with Moscow.
In Russia, where President Vladimir Putin’s good relationship with Erdogan is valuable geopolitical currency, the sense that Erdogan may be flipping to a closer, more cooperative relationship with Western leaders seemed to provoke almost as much anxiety as the idea of Sweden joining NATO, raising questions about whether Russia’s war has undermined one of Moscow’s most valued relationships.
Read the full story here.
As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lifted a veto this week on Sweden joining NATO, Russian hard-liners, stung by a flurry of recent Turkish gestures of support for Ukraine, demanded that Turkey be designated an “unfriendly” country.
The pro-Western moves by Turkey, including Erdogan’s warm welcome of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Friday, led to speculation that Turkey was pivoting to restore warmer relations with Europe and the United States after several years of close cooperation with Moscow.
In Russia, where President Vladimir Putin’s good relationship with Erdogan is valuable geopolitical currency, the sense that Erdogan may be flipping to a closer, more cooperative relationship with Western leaders seemed to provoke almost as much anxiety as the idea of Sweden joining NATO, raising questions about whether Russia’s war has undermined one of Moscow’s most valued relationships.
Read the full story here.
The biggest obstacle to Ukraine’s counteroffensive? Minefields.
ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, Ukraine — In a painstakingly slow process that has come to define the speed of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, small groups of sappers on the front lines are crawling across minefields — sometimes literally on their stomachs — to detonate Russia’s defenses and clear a path for troops to advance.
The long buildup to the counteroffensive, which began about a month ago across multiple segments of the battlefield in the country’s east and south, gave the Russians time to prepare, soldiers said. Areas between 3 and 10 miles deep in front of the Russians’ main strongholds have been densely mined with antitank and antipersonnel mines and trip wires. These defenses have been successful in stalling the Ukrainian advance, they said.
As a result, Kyiv’s forces have changed strategy, Ukrainian military personnel said.
Read the full story here.
ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, Ukraine — In a painstakingly slow process that has come to define the speed of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, small groups of sappers on the front lines are crawling across minefields — sometimes literally on their stomachs — to detonate Russia’s defenses and clear a path for troops to advance.
The long buildup to the counteroffensive, which began about a month ago across multiple segments of the battlefield in the country’s east and south, gave the Russians time to prepare, soldiers said. Areas between 3 and 10 miles deep in front of the Russians’ main strongholds have been densely mined with antitank and antipersonnel mines and trip wires. These defenses have been successful in stalling the Ukrainian advance, they said.
As a result, Kyiv’s forces have changed strategy, Ukrainian military personnel said.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine attacked Crimean bridge, official says
Ukraine’s military and security services were responsible for the attack on a key bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula to the Russian region of Krasnodar, a Ukrainian official said. Ukraine used water surface drones in the attack, the official said, speaking under condition of anonymity due to sensitive military operations.
Ukraine’s military and security services were responsible for the attack on a key bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula to the Russian region of Krasnodar, a Ukrainian official said. Ukraine used water surface drones in the attack, the official said, speaking under condition of anonymity due to sensitive military operations.
More live updates here.
Ukraine’s military and security services were responsible for the attack on a key bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula to the Russian region of Krasnodar, a Ukrainian official said. Ukraine used water surface drones in the attack, the official said, speaking under condition of anonymity due to sensitive military operations.
Ukraine’s military and security services were responsible for the attack on a key bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula to the Russian region of Krasnodar, a Ukrainian official said. Ukraine used water surface drones in the attack, the official said, speaking under condition of anonymity due to sensitive military operations.
More live updates here.
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Ukraine hits Crimean Bridge, but railway undamaged; Russia halts grain deal
Ukraine attacked the Crimean Bridge, a key link from Russia to the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula, killing two people and disrupting vehicle traffic early Monday, Russian and Ukrainian officials said. A railroad line over the bridge — which is a vital artery for Russian troops and military supplies — escaped damage and quickly resumed service.
The strike on the bridge occurred hours before the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, announced that Russia would resume its military blockade of Ukrainian grain, canceling a deal that has allowed shipments from ports on the Black Sea despite wartime hostilities. The agreement, brokered by Turkey and backed by the United Nations, enabled crucial food supplies to reach developing countries, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine attacked the Crimean Bridge, a key link from Russia to the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula, killing two people and disrupting vehicle traffic early Monday, Russian and Ukrainian officials said. A railroad line over the bridge — which is a vital artery for Russian troops and military supplies — escaped damage and quickly resumed service.
The strike on the bridge occurred hours before the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, announced that Russia would resume its military blockade of Ukrainian grain, canceling a deal that has allowed shipments from ports on the Black Sea despite wartime hostilities. The agreement, brokered by Turkey and backed by the United Nations, enabled crucial food supplies to reach developing countries, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
Read the full story here.
An Arctic ‘Great Game’ as NATO allies and Russia face off in far north
VARDO, Norway — The officers in tracksuits looked a little nervous as they rapped on the window of the rental car.
They wondered what we were doing here, on an island high above the Arctic Circle, some 4,000 miles from Washington and not far from where Russia bases some of its most sophisticated submarines. Was there a reason we were taking pictures of the hulking white radar stations that look out from Norway to Russia’s Kola Peninsula?
“Because of the political situation, we are checking everything,” one officer said.
For several years now, European and U.S. security and intelligence officials have been keeping a closer eye on the world above the Arctic Circle, knowing that melting polar ice will open new trade routes, propel a race for natural resources and reshape global security. Western officials watched as Russia revived Soviet-era military sites and while China planned a “Polar Silk Road.”
Read the full story here.
VARDO, Norway — The officers in tracksuits looked a little nervous as they rapped on the window of the rental car.
They wondered what we were doing here, on an island high above the Arctic Circle, some 4,000 miles from Washington and not far from where Russia bases some of its most sophisticated submarines. Was there a reason we were taking pictures of the hulking white radar stations that look out from Norway to Russia’s Kola Peninsula?
“Because of the political situation, we are checking everything,” one officer said.
For several years now, European and U.S. security and intelligence officials have been keeping a closer eye on the world above the Arctic Circle, knowing that melting polar ice will open new trade routes, propel a race for natural resources and reshape global security. Western officials watched as Russia revived Soviet-era military sites and while China planned a “Polar Silk Road.”
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine’s military and security services carried out a deadly attack on a key bridge that connects the Crimean Peninsula to the Russian region of Krasnodar, a Ukrainian official said Monday.
- The attack occurred at the height of Russia’s summer season. Crimea, which Moscow invaded and illegally annexed in 2014, has been a favorite holiday destination for Russians.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin held an emergency meeting with government officials about the Crimean Bridge attack, urging a quick investigation and restoration and promising a Russian response.
- On Monday, Russia said it would resume its military blockade on Ukrainian grain, suspending a United Nations-backed deal that allowed shipments from Black Sea ports despite wartime hostilities.
- Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Monday that Kyiv’s forces had taken back some 81 square miles of territory during their counteroffensive against invading Russian forces.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine’s military and security services carried out a deadly attack on a key bridge that connects the Crimean Peninsula to the Russian region of Krasnodar, a Ukrainian official said Monday.
- The attack occurred at the height of Russia’s summer season. Crimea, which Moscow invaded and illegally annexed in 2014, has been a favorite holiday destination for Russians.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin held an emergency meeting with government officials about the Crimean Bridge attack, urging a quick investigation and restoration and promising a Russian response.
- On Monday, Russia said it would resume its military blockade on Ukrainian grain, suspending a United Nations-backed deal that allowed shipments from Black Sea ports despite wartime hostilities.
- Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Monday that Kyiv’s forces had taken back some 81 square miles of territory during their counteroffensive against invading Russian forces.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia on Monday said it would resume its blockade on Ukrainian grain, terminating the U.N.-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative that had helped sustain critical food supplies and temper rising food prices around the world.
- After Ukraine’s pre-dawn attack Monday on a crucial bridge connecting mainland Russia and Crimea, which killed two people, a Kremlin official wrote early Tuesday on Telegram that part of the transit way had been reopened and posted videos of cars passing over it.
- An air attack rattled the Black Sea port city of Odessa early Tuesday, local officials wrote on Telegram, about 24 hours after the bridge attack.
- Ukraine is “not afraid” to continue shipping grain from its ports, despite Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea initiative, President Volodymyr Zelensky said while speaking to African media.
- Russia has positioned more than 100,000 troops and more than 900 tanks near Kupyansk, Ukrainian media reported on Monday.
More live updates here.
- Russia on Monday said it would resume its blockade on Ukrainian grain, terminating the U.N.-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative that had helped sustain critical food supplies and temper rising food prices around the world.
- After Ukraine’s pre-dawn attack Monday on a crucial bridge connecting mainland Russia and Crimea, which killed two people, a Kremlin official wrote early Tuesday on Telegram that part of the transit way had been reopened and posted videos of cars passing over it.
- An air attack rattled the Black Sea port city of Odessa early Tuesday, local officials wrote on Telegram, about 24 hours after the bridge attack.
- Ukraine is “not afraid” to continue shipping grain from its ports, despite Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea initiative, President Volodymyr Zelensky said while speaking to African media.
- Russia has positioned more than 100,000 troops and more than 900 tanks near Kupyansk, Ukrainian media reported on Monday.
More live updates here.
Ukraine aims to sap Russia’s defenses, as U.S. urges a decisive breakthrough
Ukraine is making limited advances in its counteroffensive against Russian forces but has yet to employ the kind of larger-scale operations that American officials believe could enable a breakthrough, officials and analysts say, deepening questions among some of Ukraine’s chief backers about whether Kyiv can move fast enough to match a finite supply of munitions and arms.
Five weeks into the highly anticipated operation, Ukrainian forces are attempting to weaken Russian defenses by firing fusillades of artillery and missiles and sending small teams of sappers into the sprawling minefields that constitute their adversary’s outermost ring of defense. But the pace of progress, in three main areas along a vast 600-mile front line, has generated concerns in the West that the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky may not deliver as powerful a blow as it could.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine is making limited advances in its counteroffensive against Russian forces but has yet to employ the kind of larger-scale operations that American officials believe could enable a breakthrough, officials and analysts say, deepening questions among some of Ukraine’s chief backers about whether Kyiv can move fast enough to match a finite supply of munitions and arms.
Five weeks into the highly anticipated operation, Ukrainian forces are attempting to weaken Russian defenses by firing fusillades of artillery and missiles and sending small teams of sappers into the sprawling minefields that constitute their adversary’s outermost ring of defense. But the pace of progress, in three main areas along a vast 600-mile front line, has generated concerns in the West that the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky may not deliver as powerful a blow as it could.
Read the full story here.