Russo-Ukrainian War, Day 850. Belgium uncovers years of Russian naval espionage in the North Sea

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Military

According to reports, the Russian Pantsir-S air defense system was hit in Belgorod Oblast. Several sources, including local media and the governor of the region, reported a hit on Russian military equipment

Frontline Report: Ukraine thwarts Russian covert operation via water pipes, recaptures positions in Khasiv Yar Innovative drone surveillance by Ukrainian defenders uncovered Russian troops hiding in local water pipes, leading to a decisive battle in which Kyiv forces recaptured key areas in the contested area of ​​Khasiv Yar.

Russia is moving its missile launches to the Sea of ​​Azov to avoid naval drones. Russia has moved its Kalibr carriers out of the Black Sea to avoid the range of Ukrainian naval drones. They can run, but they can’t hide.

The Ukrainian military reports an intensified Russian offensive near Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian military spokesman Nazar Voloshin confirms ongoing fighting as Ukrainian forces resist the Russian advance near Toretsk.

Intelligence and technology

British intelligence: Russian nationalist movement urges tougher approach to Ukraine war. Konstantin Malofeev, owner of a Russian nationalist TV channel, is sponsoring a university movement that seeks global ideological dominance for Russia.

Belgium reveals that Russian civilian ships have been spying on North Sea infrastructure for years. The operations, which targeted pipelines and cables, were on a much larger scale than previously known, revealed the newspaper De Tijd and the platform Follow the Money.

FT: Ammunition worth €800 million from Serbia reached Ukraine via third parties. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić downplayed his country’s role in supplying ammunition that ultimately ended up in Ukraine, insisting in an interview that Serbia was selling the ammunition legally and what the buyers did with it was “their job”.

Ukraine signs seven defense contracts at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris. Ukraine signed an agreement with Arquus for maintenance and modernization of armored vehicles.

The Washington Post: Ukrainian troops are turning to buggies because they face a constant threat from drones on the battlefield. While buggies are useful because of their mobility, they lack the firepower, capacity and armor needed to transport larger troops and supplies or provide protection.

Washington Post: US allows Ukraine to attack Russian territory, but with restrictions. Ukrainian officials say US arms restrictions continue to give Russia a military advantage, the WP reported.

Netherlands to supply Patriot air defense system to Ukraine The Dutch Ministry of Defense has refused to disclose the exact schedule for the delivery of the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine in order to keep the information secret from Russia.

International

Two more countries sign Ukraine’s Global Peace Summit communiqué. Barbados and the Marshall Islands become the fifth and sixth countries to sign the final document following the conclusion of the conference, as Ukraine continues to try to woo the Global South.

German Vice Chancellor warns China of economic consequences due to Russian support. German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck pointed out during talks in Beijing on June 22 that China’s support for Russia was associated with possible economic consequences.

Humanitarian and social impacts

Russian missile attack hits Ukraine’s only oil and gas university. Naftogaz Group, Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, has pledged to finance the reconstruction of the National Technical University of Oil and Gas in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Russia attacks Kharkiv with guided bombs, killing three people and injuring 32.

Spanish authorities dismantle criminal group involved in sexual exploitation of Ukrainian women. Spanish police have arrested five people accused of trafficking and sexually exploiting Ukrainian and Belarusian women under the pretext of offering refugee aid.

IAEA confirms destruction of key electrical substation in occupied Enerhodar. The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported the destruction of a key electrical substation in occupied Enerhodar, raising concerns about regional power supply stability.

Russia attacked energy infrastructure in southern and western Ukraine overnight, injuring two workers. Two energy workers were injured in the Russian attack in Zaporizhia. Attacks hit energy infrastructure in Lviv and an educational institution in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Political and legal developments

Expert: Russia’s information attacks target EU elections and world peace summit Russians have focused 60% of their efforts on convincing Europeans of their views, a Ukrainian expert said.

ISW: Russia is pushing for a new Eurasian security architecture as an alternative to NATO. The Eurasian security structure proposed by Russia could include Southeast Asian countries and go beyond traditional geopolitical boundaries.

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