Updates on the 482nd day of the war: Military developments, diplomatic efforts, and weapon updates

Title: Latest Developments in the Ongoing War in Ukraine

Date: June 20, 2023

As the war in Ukraine enters its 482nd day, here are the main developments:

Fighting:
– Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar announced that the country’s armed forces have successfully liberated eight settlements in the past two weeks, including Piatykhatky in the southern Zaporizhia region. She described the situation in the east as “difficult” with ongoing “hot battles.”
– Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported repelling 10 Ukrainian assaults in eastern Ukraine.
– The Ukrainian air force claimed to have shot down four Shahed drones and four Kaliber cruise missiles.
– The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence observed Russian troops relocating from the eastern banks of the Dnipro River to reinforce defenses around Bakhmut and Zaporizhia, possibly due to the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam, which made a Ukrainian attack across the river less likely.
– Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that United Nations aid workers cannot visit Russian-occupied areas affected by the dam collapse due to the ongoing fighting. Russia had previously declined UN assistance.
– Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed governor of the occupied Donetsk region, accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the town of Volnovakha, resulting in 20 injuries and the death of a six-year-old due to a mine explosion.
– Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, reported that seven civilians, including a child, were injured in Ukrainian shelling of the Valuyki town.
– Kyiv accused Hungary of denying access to 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war handed over by Russia. Despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Hungary, as an EU member, has maintained ties with the Kremlin.

Diplomacy:
– South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed an African mission to broker peace in Ukraine as “historic” following talks in Kyiv and St Petersburg. The Kremlin expressed its intention to continue discussions with the delegation of African countries seeking to mediate in the conflict at a Russia-Africa summit next month.
– Ukraine is seeking up to $40 billion to fund the initial phase of a “Green Marshall Plan” aimed at rebuilding its economy, according to Rostyslav Shurma, a senior Ukrainian official.
– The UK’s foreign ministry introduced legislation to maintain Russian sanctions until Moscow compensates Ukraine.
– NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that members of the military alliance will not formally invite Ukraine to join their summit in Lithuania in mid-July.
– An EU report, expected to be released this week, will state that Ukraine has met two out of seven conditions required to start membership negotiations, according to two EU sources.

Weapons:
– During a visit to Beijing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that China had renewed its commitment not to send arms to Russia for use in Ukraine. Washington has urged the Chinese government to remain vigilant about Chinese firms potentially providing technology to Russia.
– Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed Kyiv’s defense needs and further cooperation with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
– Denmark’s military support for Ukraine will be increased to 21.9 billion Danish kroner ($3.21 billion) from 2023 to 2028, delivered through a Ukraine fund established in March. Denmark aims to be among the most significant supporters of Ukraine.
– Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that there is no time limit to Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, citing Alexei Polishchuk, director of the Russian foreign ministry’s department of former Soviet states.

These developments highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict in Ukraine and the diplomatic efforts being made to find a resolution. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides engaged in active combat and international actors playing significant roles in the conflict.

What are some significant military developments in the ongoing war in Ukraine?

The ongoing war in Ukraine has seen several significant developments. Ukrainian armed forces have successfully liberated eight settlements in the past two weeks, including Piatykhatky in the southern Zaporizhia region. Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar described the situation in the east as difficult, with ongoing hot battles.

On the other side, Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported repelling 10 Ukrainian assaults in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force claimed to have shot down four Shahed drones and four Kaliber cruise missiles. The UK’s Ministry of Defence observed Russian troops relocating from the eastern banks of the Dnipro River to reinforce defenses around Bakhmut and Zaporizhia, possibly due to the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam, making a Ukrainian attack across the river less likely.

There have been diplomatic developments as well. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed an African mission to broker peace in Ukraine as historic. Talks have taken place in Kyiv and St Petersburg, and the Kremlin expressed its intention to continue discussions with the delegation of African countries seeking to mediate in the conflict.

In terms of casualties and civilian impact, there have been reports of shelling and injuries. Russian-installed governor Denis Pushilin accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the town of Volnovakha, resulting in 20 injuries and the death of a six-year-old due to a mine explosion. The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported that seven civilians, including a child, were injured in Ukrainian shelling of the Valuyki town.

It is important to note that tensions between Russia and Ukraine have increased, with the United States supporting Kyiv through aid and sanctions on Moscow. However, these specific developments focus on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and do not provide an overall picture of the war or its broader context.