Russian-Ukrainian war, day 858: Zelensky says Ukraine expects strong defense commitments from NATO at Washington summit

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Military

Ukrainian drones attack Russian steel plant NovolipetskRussian media reported that seven drones were involved in the attack.

Forbes: Ukraine awaits green light to attack Russian Voronezh-Malshevo airbase with ATACMSDespite the ability to use attack drones and other tactics, Ukraine faces the challenge of attacking the heavily defended base.

Ukrainian forces destroy 19 Russian armored vehicles and 53 artillery systems in a single day – General StaffOver the past 24 hours, Ukrainian troops have neutralized 1,140 Russian soldiers.

Away June 30, 2024the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian armed forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 542700 (+1140)
• Tanks: 8080 (+7)
• APV: 15524 (+19)
• Artillery systems: 14533 (+53)
• MLRS: 1110 (+1)
• Air defence systems: 873 (+2)
• Airplanes: 360
• Helicopters: 326
• UAVs: 11584 (+46)
• Cruise missiles: 2331
• Warships/Boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 19643 (+75)

Intelligence and technology

The Telegraph: Russia’s GPS jamming disrupts hundreds of RAF flights. Analysis shows that Russian GPS jammers disrupted 142 of 504 RAF flights in Eastern Europe between January and April 2024.

AP: Putin calls for resumption of production of medium-range missiles after suspension of contract with the USAHis claims sparked fears about arms control in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

International

Zelenskyy: Ukraine expects strong defence commitments from NATO at upcoming summit in WashingtonIf the alliance does not invite Ukraine to join, it must supply the country with the weapons it needs to defend itself against Russia.

Yonhap: South Korea’s arms shipments to Ukraine are legal, unlike North Korea’s aid to Russia, Stoltenberg says. As part of a strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea, South Korea is considering supplying weapons to Ukraine. NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg supports this move and stresses that helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion is legitimate.

Media: Rasmussen says Russia’s war in Ukraine will last at least until the end of 2024Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen argues that even the complete occupation of Ukraine will not fulfill Vladimir Putin’s broader territorial ambitions.

Johnson and Pence speak at first national prayer breakfast at the highest level in Ukraine. Ukraine’s first National Prayer Breakfast under the patronage of President Zelensky brought together a diverse group of 836 participants from 15 countries and 12 faiths, with senior politicians such as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson and former Vice President Mike Pence praying for peace in Ukraine.

Image: Swedish Defense Minister warns of growing Russian threat and calls for strengthening NATO. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson warned that the Kremlin is actively working to sow political discord within the European Union and NATO, stressing the importance of investing in armed forces to maintain NATO’s ability to defend its territory, while Ukraine currently acts as a “shield” for other European countries.

Humanitarian and social impacts

Ukrainian intelligence service: Kidnapping of civilians is proof that Russia is waging a genocidal war against UkraineSince the beginning of the war, Ukraine has returned 3,310 citizens from Russian captivity.

Number of injured after Russian attack on Vilnius rises to 31, day of mourning declared for 7 deadIn response to the Russian attack on Vilnius, President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that partners urgently need to provide additional modern air defence systems to protect Ukrainian cities.

Political and legal developments

ISW: Ethnic and religious tensions in Russia rise after Russian official criticises ‘Islamic terrorism’The June 23 terrorist attacks in Dagestan have reignited debates about Russia’s migration policy. Russian ultranationalists are calling for tougher measures to deal with “Islamic terrorism,” while others, including Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, are warning of Islamophobia.

OSCE declares Russia’s actions in Ukraine genocide and calls for decolonizationThe Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) described the decolonization of Russia as a necessary condition for a lasting peace in Ukraine. It called for support for the Peace Formula and the Crimea Platform and urged member states to establish a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable for its atrocities in Ukraine.

New developments

Western media are criticized for exaggerating Russian accounts of the Crimean attackThe Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed the attack on a key Russian space surveillance facility in Crimea that was used to attack civilians in Ukraine. However, leading Western media reported mainly Russian civilian casualties, relying on unrelated Russian statements.

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