War briefing on Ukraine: “Occupiers’ ship badly damaged” in Kavkas opposite Crimea | Ukraine

Ukraine said its drones attacked a Russian ship carrying military cargo moored at Kavkaz in the Russian Krasnodar regionopposite illegally occupied Crimea, across the Kerch Strait. Ukrainian forces said “the occupiers’ ship lies in the port of Caucasus heavily damaged” and released an image of black smoke rising from a burning vessel. Russia “used this ship to transport railway wagons, vehicles and containers for military purposes,” Ukraine said. Russian authorities said one person was killed and four injured in the attack on the alleged cargo ship. According to global tracking service MarineTraffic, Slavyanin is a Russian-flagged railway and vehicle transporter that sailed from a port in Bulgaria in May.

Ukraine has again asked the Pentagon Lifting restrictions on the firing of American weapons at military targets on Russian soil. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin held their first talks on Tuesday since Joe Biden announced he was ending his presidential re-election bid. “During the phone call, the minister reiterated the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression,” said Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder. In a statement from Umerov, he said: “I once again reiterated the Importance and urgency of lifting the long-range fire ban.”

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Volodymyr Zelensky, spoke to Phil Gordon on the phone. National Security Advisor to Kamala Harristhe likely Democratic presidential candidate of the United States. The Ukrainian president’s office said they discussed the situation on the front lines and Russia’s air strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Zelensky stressed in his evening video address that Harris represented the United States at the peace summit in Switzerland in June.

Selenskyj praised the Vatican’s efforts for peace and to secure the release of prisoners of war after Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin visited four cities in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said the talks with the Pope’s deputy focused on “what can be done this year to bring Ukraine closer to a just peace.”

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, said after his arrival in Beijing that it was “important” for Ukraine and China – an ally of Russia – “direct dialogue and exchange of positions” about plans to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. “We have extensive, detailed and factual discussions with (my) Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the way to a just peace,” said Kuleba.

A Spanish court has sentenced a pensioner to 18 years in prison for Letter bombs In 2022, they were sent to the Spanish Prime Minister, the US and Ukrainian embassies, and a weapons manufacturer. Pompeyo Gonzalez Pascual – who opposed Western support for Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February 2022 – was found guilty of terrorism and the manufacture of explosives before Spain’s highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional.

A court in Moscow said it had found The Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar found guilty in absentia of knowingly spreading false information and sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Zygar had War crimes committed by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Buchanear Kiev.

Hungary said it is Blocking of funding for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility until the government in Kiev allows Russian oil to flow through their territory again. Slovakia and Hungary said this month they had stopped Lukoil’s oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline after Ukraine imposed a ban. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said only that Moscow was working to maintain Russian oil deliveries through Ukraine, but declined to comment on supply disruptions.

Estonia’s future Prime Minister Kirsten Michalhas promised to continue to support Ukraine until it “wins” against Russia. Michal, 49, has replaced Kaja Kallaswho resigned to become EU foreign policy chief. Michal said Estonia would also increase its own defense spending: “The message to our enemies is that Estonia is well defended.”