The Kyiv Independent News 29th Jume 2022
June 29, 2022
Wednesday, June 29
7:58 am
Governor: 2 killed, 3 injured after Russian attack on Mykolaiv high-rise.
Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych reported early on June 29 that a high-rise in the city has been hit – presumably by a Russian missile. Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitaliy Kim added that two people were killed and three injured, including a rescue worker, in the attack. The rescue operation is underway. The air raid alert began sounding in the city at 3 a.m. local time and was out by 7 a.m.
6:45 am
The U.S. think tank said in its latest assessment that the next part of Russia’s offensive will likely depend on its ability to transfer its units used in the battle of Sievierodonetsk to the rest of the offensive. The main factor is the units ability to cross the Siverskyi Donets River as all bridges were destroyed. If Russian forces threaten to complete the encirclement by pushing from the north and southwest of Lysychansk, then Ukrainian forces will likely abandon Lysychansk as well and conduct a fighting withdrawal to more defensible positions, the experts predict.
6:08 am
Canada’s Justin Trudeau announces additional aid for Ukraine.
As the G7 meeting concluded on June 28 in Elmau, Germany, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $118 million in new humanitarian, development, and peace and security support for Ukraine. Canada will also provide $155 million through the International Monetary Fund to help Ukraine with liquidity issues.
5:15 am
Ukrainian military destroys Russian Grad missile launcher, field ammunition depots.
Ukraine’s Operational Command “South” reports on June 28 that fighting continues in southern Ukraine with Russia continuing long range artillery and air strikes on military and civilian targets. Over the past 24 hours, Russia has lost at least 22 soldiers on the southern frontlines, two field ammunition depots, three armored vehicles and five other military vehicles.
3:26 am
Russia attacks Sumy Oblast with missiles, artillery, killing 2.
Early on June 28, Russian forces launched a massive missile attack firing close to 20 missiles from helicopters that targeted Kransopillia and Myropillia communities, Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi reported. Later, they reportedly fired from Grad multiple rocket launcher at various settlements in the region. Two people were killed and three wounded in the attack.
2:43 am
The Guardian: Wimbledon reportedly eases dress code to allow players show solidarity with Ukraine.
The tennis tournament has very strict rules on uniforms which states “competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white,” but it seems to have made exceptions for players that want to show support for Ukraine. On June 28, Poland’s Iga Świątek, the women’s world No. 1, wore a blue and yellow ribbon on her cap, meanwhile Ukrainian players Lesia Tsurenko and Anhelina Kalinina are likely to wear similar ribbons in their match on June 29. Belarussian and Russian players are banned from competing in the tournament due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
2:01 am
1:54 am
SBU arrests man suspected of providing Russia with coordinates for Yavoriv military base.
The suspect, who was previously part of the KGB, sent maps with marked locations to the Russian military, which were used to fire on the site. Russia’s attack on Yavoriv military base in Lviv Oblast resulted in 50 Ukrainian soldiers killed and 150 more injured. According to Ukraine’s State Security Service (SBU), the man is being held in custody without bail. He could be charged with treason.
1:36 am
Zelensky shows video of deadly missile strike on Kremenchuk shopping mall.
In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelensky showed a video of a Russian missile strike on a crowded shopping mall in Ukraine’s central city of Kremenchuk. At least 20 people were killed and 59 injured as a result of attack. “They wanted to kill as many people as possible in a peaceful city, in a regular shopping mall.”
1:03 am
Zelensky: Russia has fired over 2,800 missiles at Ukraine’s cities since start of war.
In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “As of this evening, a total number of Russian missiles that have hit our cities is already 2,811. And how many more air bombs (they have dropped), how many artillery shells (have been fired)? The UN Security Council today stood up (in a moment of silence) to honor the memory of all Ukrainians killed by the Russian army on our land. The members of the Russian delegation looked back at everyone present in the hall and also decided to stand up – just so they do not look like outright murderers. However, everyone knows that it is Russian terror, it is Russia that is killing innocent people in this war.”
12:50 am
Zelensky calls on UN to recognize Russia as terrorist state.
President Volodymyr Zelensky in an address to the UN Security Council said that the organization should adopt the legal definition of a terrorist state. He also asked to recognize the Russian missile strike on Kremenchuk shopping mall, which killed at least 20 people, as a terrorist act. Although the UN Charter should maintain peace globally, “Russia has not been punished on an international level yet,” he said.
12:18 am
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko makes plea for more weapons for Ukraine: ‘Wake up, you will be next.’
“You are going to be next, this is going to be knocking on your door just in the blink of an eye,” Klitschko said, addressing reporters in Madrid on June 28. Klitschko and his brother, former boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, were in Madrid to attend a defense think tank forum ahead of the 2-day NATO summit.
12:02 am
2 people killed, 6 injured by Russian shelling in Kharkiv Oblast in 1 day.
Two civilians were killed and one injured by shelling of the village of Tsyrkuny, northeast of Kharkiv, on June 28. Five people were injured by shelling in the southeastern part of Kharkiv, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Avian influenza H5N1
June 27, 2022
The Kyiv Independent News, 27th June 2022
June 27, 2022
Monday, June 27
11:32 am
Russian airstrike kills 2, wounds 5 in Kharkiv Oblast.
A 21-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman were killed by Russian shelling, Oleh Syniehubov, the head of Kharkiv Regional Administration reported.
10:10 am
UK defense update: Russia likely to rely on reserve forces in coming weeks.
Russians are likely using volunteers to fill out some battalions, U.K. Defense Ministry reported on June 27. Despite a shortfall of reservists, the Kremlin is still reluctant to order a general mobilization.
9:48 am
General Staff: Russia has lost 35,000 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24.
Ukraine’s General Staff reported on June 27 that Russia had also lost 1,552 tanks, 3,687 armored fighting vehicles, 771 artillery pieces, 243 multiple launch rocket systems, 9,139 surface-to-air missiles, 184 helicopters, 217 airplanes, 636 drones, and 14 boats.
8:53 am
General Staff: Russian troops push to block off Lysychansk from south.
Ukraine’s military reports on June 27 that Russian troops supported by artillery are trying to block off Lysychansk, the last major city still held by Ukrainian troops in Luhansk Oblast, from the south. Luhansk Oblast Governor Serhiy Haidai said there is “a lot of damage” in the city as Russian artillery keeps hitting Lysychansk, damaging civilian infrastructure.
7:43 am
Japan announces additional sanctions on Russia.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on June 26 announced additional sanctions against Russia, including a ban on imports of Russian gold. Japan will also expand its asset freeze measures to cover an additional 70 Russian individuals and organizations and will implement a ban on exports to 90 military-related entities.
7:04 am
Bloomberg: Sanctions push Russia to first foreign default since 1918.
Russia has defaulted on its foreign-currency sovereign debt for the first time in a century due to punitive Western sanctions imposed for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. June 26 marked the expiry of a 30-day grace period for the payment of around $100 million to investors.
6:44 am
CNN: US to announce purchase of surface-to-air missile defense system for Ukraine.
U.S. President Joe Biden plans to announce the purchase of an advanced, surface-to-air missile defense system for Ukraine as early as this week, reports CNN, citing a source familiar with the announcement. The missile defense system, or NASAMS system, can strike targets over 100 miles (170 km) away, according to the source.
5:45 am
Russian shelling leaves 84 communities without electricity, 108 without gas in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
According to the Zaporizhzhia regional military administration, 23,641 customers are without electricity and 80,985 customers are without gas due to damaged power and gas supply lines.
5:02 am
Russia launches missile strike on Odesa Oblast, casualties reported.
Six people, including one child, were injured in a missile strike launched from a Tu-22M Russian aircraft, according to Odesa City Council, citing Ukraine’s Operational Command “South.” Several residential buildings have reportedly been destroyed or set on fire. More information to come.
4:08 am
The U.S. think tank said on June 26 that the Russian attack on Kyiv is “likely to coincide” with ongoing talks by Western leaders at the summit about aid to Ukraine, reminiscent of when airstrikes were conducted during UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to Kyiv on April 29. The ISW also reported that Russian forces are continuing to consolidate control of Sievierodonetsk and attack the outskirts of Lysychansk, as well as to intensify shelling of Ukrainian positions along the southern Axis.
3:06 am
Ukraine’s military destroys Russian tanks, ammunition depots in southern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Operational Command “South” reported on June 26 that it killed 39 Russian troops and destroyed a Russian T-72 tank, four armored vehicles, and three military vehicles. Two Russian ammunition depots in Mykolaiv Oblast and one in Kherson Oblast were also destroyed.
2:12 am
Russian media: Putin to make first trip abroad since start of Russia’s full-scale war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Tajikistan and Turkmenistan this week, reports Reuters, citing Russian state-controlled television Rossiya 1. Putin will also reportedly visit Grodno, Belarus, on June 30 and July 1 to participate in a forum with Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.
1:11 am
Governor: Russian forces kill 1, wound 8 people in Donetsk Oblast.
Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported that the individual killed on June 26 was in Novoluhanske.
12:40 am
Governor: Russian forces fire on Sumy Oblast 150 times, launch unguided missiles from helicopters.
Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky reported that one person was killed and another injured due to Russian attacks on the communities of Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, and Shalyhine.
Sunday, June 26
The Kyiv Independent News, 26th June 2022
June 26, 2022
Sunday, June 26
8:44 pm
Official: Russian invaders making ‘business on blood’ in occupied Enerhodar.
According to Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov, Russian occupying forces are demanding a ransom of $1,700 for the release of the hostages. Hundreds of citizens are currently being held captive, including skilled workers from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and some have been beaten or electrocuted, Orlov said in a Telegram post on June 26.
8:32 pm
G7 leaders to pledge indefinite support to Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes.’
According to a draft statement seen by Bloomberg during the G7 summit, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S. and the U.K., are set to announce that their countries “will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the text says.
8:26 pm
Media: Ukraine purchases 2,900 anti-tank missile systems from German company.
Germany’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper, citing unnamed Ukrainian sources, reported that Ukraine received in two batches the RGW 90 Matador complexes with an effective range of up to 500 meters it purchased from the German defense company Dynamit Nobel.
8:14 pm
General Staff: Ukraine’s military inflicts heavy losses on Russian forces near Bakhmut.
Russian troops withdrew after an unsuccessful assault near the village of Pavlivka, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported. Russian forces are also trying to block Lysychansk from the south with the help of heavy artillery, the report said.
7:10 pm
Agriculture Ministry: Russia has stolen at least 400,000 tons of grain since Feb. 24.
Before the current Russian invasion, there were 1.5 million tons of grain in the territories that are currently occupied by Russia, according to Taras Vysotsky, the first deputy agriculture minister.
6:08 pm
UK, France agree to provide more support for Ukraine.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron met on the sidelines of the G7 summit at Germany’s Elmau Castle to discuss further support on June 26. A French official said France backs banning Russian gold exports and is not opposed to a cap on Russian oil prices.
5:15 pm
Biden condemns Russian missile attack on Kyiv.
U.S. President Joe Biden called Russia’s June 26 missile attack on central Kyiv “barbarism.” Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the West to maintain a united front against Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Earlier on June 26, a Russian missile hit a residential building in Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring at least six.
4:24 pm
Ukrainian officials: G7 should react to Kyiv missile strike with more sanctions, arms supplies.
“The G7 summit must respond with more sanctions on Russia and more heavy arms for Ukraine,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted. “Russia’s sick imperialism must be defeated.” Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak said that sanctions against Russia should include a gas embargo. Yermak also asked for military convoys to unblock Ukraine’s ports and for Russia to be recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism. Earlier on June 26, a Russian missile hit a residential building in Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring at least five.
4:05 pm
Russian airstrike kills 1, wounds 5 near Cherkasy.
Two missiles hit an infrastructure facility, Cherkasy Oblast Governor Ihor Taburets said on June 26.
3:03 pm
Ukrainian troops destroy Russian column, 2 command posts with US rocket launchers.
Ukraine’s 72nd mechanized brigade released footage showing a ruined command post. InformNapalm, an open-source intelligence outfit, said that it used to be the Russian 20th Army’s command post, which was destroyed with U.S.-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers near Izyum, Kharkiv Oblast. Ukraine’s military also reportedly destroyed several Uragan multiple rocket launchers.
2:47 pmKyiv attack
Russian missiles strike Kyiv apartment building, kindergarden (PHOTOS)
2:03 pm
Intelligence: Russia increasing its military presence in Belarus.
According to the Defense Ministry’s Intelligence Directorate, Russia plans to increase the number of operational and tactical aircraft in Belarus, claiming it’s needed to conduct a joint airspace patrol during drills. “A flight of 10 planes to Baranovichi airfield (Brest region, Belarus) is planned,” the intelligence said.
1:44 pm
UK ready to be guarantor for $525 million loan to Ukraine.
The U.K. government said on June 26 that it’s ready to provide $525 million in guarantees for the World Bank lending to Ukraine. “The U.K. will continue to back Ukraine every step of the way because we know that their security is our security, and their freedom is our freedom,” U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. The lending will cover costs such as the salaries in the public sector and the running of schools and hospitals, the statement said.
12:45 pm
Intelligence chief: Russia conducting covert mobilization campaign.
Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of the Defense Ministry’s Intelligence Directorate, told Reuters that Russia is conducting a covert mobilization to replenish its ranks in the east of Ukraine, which is why there is no point in waiting until Russia exhausts its resources. He added that Ukraine could only achieve a victory against Russia through military force.
12:19 pm
Russian attack on residential building in Kyiv also hit kindergarten.
Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko reported that the Russian missile strike on Kyiv damaged not only a nine-story building in Shevchenkivskyi District but also a kindergarten nearby on June 26. No casualties have been reported from the kindergarten. According to the State Emergency Service, the attack on the residential building killed at least one person, and four were hospitalized.
11:48 am
Prosecutors: Russia’s war has injured at least 613 children since Feb. 24
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, 339 children have been killed as of June 26. The figures are expected to be higher since they do not include casualties in areas where hostilities are ongoing and in the Russian-occupied areas, the prosecutors said.
11:41 am
Russian Defense Ministry says Shoigu visited Russian troops in Ukraine.
The ministry didn’t specify the location or the date of the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu’s visit. Some Russian media reported that Shoigu went to the occupied territories in Donbas.
10:57 am
Governor: 24 explosions reported in Sumy Oblast on June 26.
Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said that Russian forces fired mortars on the oblast’s Shalyhinska and Yunakivska communities on the morning of June 26. According to the preliminary data, there were no casualties.
10:40 am
Biden confirms G7 to impose ban on Russian gold imports.
U.S. President Joe Biden said on June 26 that the G7 countries will ban imports of Russian gold, which is “a major export that rakes in tens of billions of dollars for Russia.” Gold is a crucial asset for Russia’s central bank, which has restricted access to some of its assets abroad because of the Western sanctions.
10:17 am
Energoatom: Russian missile passed ‘critically low’ over nuclear power plant.
Ukraine’s state-run nuclear company Energoatom accused Russia of committing “another act of nuclear terrorism,” saying in the early morning of June 26 that a Russian missile passed critically low over the South Ukraine nuclear power plant. “Any damage to the existing power unit will lead to severe consequences and could threaten the world with a terrible nuclear catastrophe,” the company said. It added that the missile likely flew in the direction of Kyiv, where on the same morning, a Russian strike hit a residential building, killing at least one person.
10:04 am
State Emergency Service: Russian strike on Kyiv kills at least 1 person.
Rescuers continue to work at the site, reporting that there is a woman trapped under the rubble of a nine-story building in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi District that was hit by a Russian missile early on June 26. One of the building’s residents confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that it’s the same building that was previously attacked in late April, killing RFE/RL journalist Vira Hyrych and injuring 10 people.
9:46 am
UK Intelligence: Capturing Sievierodonetsk is a significant achievement of Russian forces.
According to the recent intelligence update by the U.K. Defense Ministry, Russia’s capture of the city is a significant achievement within the reduced objective of the invasion, which in April shifted from aiming to occupy the majority of Ukraine to a more focused offensive in the Donbas. “However, it is only one of several challenging objectives Russia will need to achieve to occupy the whole of the Donbas region,” the ministry said. Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast fell to Russia on June 25, bringing Moscow closer to taking full control of the oblast, 95% of which is already under the control of Russian forces.
9:35 am
General Staff: Russia has lost 34,850 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24.
Ukraine’s General Staff reported on June 26 that Russia has also lost 1,532 tanks, 3,659 armored fighting vehicles, 2,564 vehicles and fuel tanks, 764 artillery systems, 243 multiple launch rocket systems, 99 anti-aircraft systems, 184 helicopters, 217 airplanes, 630 drones, and 14 boats.
8:44 am
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reports that there are people trapped under rubble of a nine-story Kyiv building that was hit by a Russian missile early on June 26. State Emergency Service said in a statement that a building caught fire and three upper floors have been partially destroyed. Some of the residents have been evacuated, two people were hospitalized.
8:35 am
Russian military shell Ukrainian positions in Sumy, Chernihiv regions.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reports that defensive positions in the Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts were fired upon from Russian territory. Russian troops are also trying to encircle the Ukrainian army positions in Lysychansk.
8:18 am
Official: Air defense downed a missile in Kyiv Oblast, no casualties reported.
Kyiv Oblast Governor Oleksiy Kuleba reported that air defense system in Kyiv Oblast downed a Russian missile early on June 26. Missile fragments fell in the outskirts of one of the region’s villages. There has been no reported damage or casualties thus far.
7:44 am
The U.S. think tank said in its June 25 report that Russian forces are fighting within Lysychansk and reportedly have reached a mine and a gelatin factory on the outskirts of the city. These reports are confirmed by NASA FIRMS data of heat anomalies in the Lysychansk area. Citing Rapid Response Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, the experts said that Ukrainian positions in Lysychansk are more strategically valuable than previously held positions in Sievierodonetsk. The insititute predicts that Ukrainian forces may seek to launch counterattacks from within Lysychansk, though “their ability to do so successfully is likely limited by continued Russian encroachment.”
7:10 am
CNN: Biden visits Europe to rally support for Ukraine as international attention fades.
U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Germany late on June 25 and will also visit Spain for meetings with European allies to announce new sanctions on Russia and military assistance for Ukraine.
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