Wednesday, June 21

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Doctors operate a wounded Ukrainian soldier in the ICU section of Dnipro hospital as they receive emergency medical care amid Russia-Ukraine war in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, on June 20. (Photo by Narciso Contreras/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Ukraine’s intelligence chief says Russia hasn’t yet delivered any nukes to Belarus, contrary to Putin’s claim. Ukraine’s military intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov said on June 20 that Russia hasn’t yet delivered “a single nuclear warhead” from those tactical weapons to be stationed in Belarus.

Ukraine’s military reports making advances on southern front line. Ukraine’s forces are advancing on the southern front line, having destroyed or damaged 46 units of Russian military equipment just over the past day, the commander for Tavriia military sector said on June 20.

Foreign Ministry: 3 out of 11 Ukrainian POWs transferred to Hungary return home. Ukraine managed to return three out of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war that were earlier transferred from Russia to Hungary without Kyiv’s agreement, Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson reported on June 20.

Hungary denies involvement in Ukrainian POW transfer, Ukraine’s intelligence says otherwise. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó denied his government’s involvement in the transfer of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia to Hungary, the Index news website reported on June 20.

Intelligence chief: Russia additionally mined Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. According to Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, there is a threat of an explosion or accident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as the Russian forces have additionally mined the plant’s cooler.

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Media: 370 pro-Russian disinformation sites discovered in Bulgaria.

An analysis by the Sofia-based Human and Social Studies Foundation identified 370 websites spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation, Euractiv wrote on June 20.

ISW: Kremlin continues to lower requirements for Russian military service to increase recruitment. Analysts at Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War say that the Kremlin continues to lower eligibility requirements for Russian military service in an effort to increase its recruitment pool.

UK Defense Ministry: Prigozhin ‘raises stakes’ with Russia’s Defense Ministry over new contract policy.

The Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said he is expecting a response from Russia’s Defense Ministry to the submitted contract between the mercenary group and the state, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on June 20.

State Emergency Service: Main evacuation work in Kherson Oblast finished. The main part of the evacuation efforts in flood-affected Kherson Oblast has finished, Ukrinfrom reported citing the spokesperson of the State Emergency Service, Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, on June 20.

Read our exclusives

Inside Ukraine’s costly mission to grind down Russia near Bakhmut

After months of being on the defensive, Ukrainian forces are taking the initiative and conducting localized counterattacks on the flanks near Bakhmut. Though Bakhmut had fallen to Russia in May, Ukrainian soldiers believe the city served its goal – grinding down Russia’s offensive capability that it could otherwise use elsewhere.

Photo: Asami Terajima/The Kyiv Independent

Ukraine war latest: Military reports advance in the south, says ‘biggest strike still ahead’

Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the Tavria military sector commander, reported that Russian forces had lost up to five companies of killed and wounded troops in action and 46 hardware units over the past day on the southern front line.

Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Human cost of war

Interior Minister: Death toll of Kakhovka dam disaster rises to 21. The death toll of the Kakhovka dam disaster has risen to 21, including five people killed by Russian attacks during evacuation or other emergency measures, Interior Minister reported on June 20.

Russian forces attack 11 regions over past day, killing 2 people. Over the past day, Russian forces targeted 11 oblasts across Ukraine. Two people were killed and at least 17 were wounded due to shelling and mines.

Governor: Russian forces hit Nikopol, injuring civilian. Russian troops struck the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast four times on June 20, wounding a 74-year-old man, said Governor Serhii Lysak.

Opinions and insights

Kate Tsurkan: Elizabeth Gilbert’s Russia novel and the boundaries of art in wartime

American author Elizabeth Gilbert ignited a heated online debate when she decided to postpone the release of her new novel, “The Snow Forest,” which is set in Russia. 

Photo: Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images

International response

EU proposes $55 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. The European Union has proposed a four-year financial assistance package for Ukraine worth 50 billion euros ($55 billion), EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on June 20.

Norway to allocate $23 million for Ukraine’s nuclear safety. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry announced on June 20 that Oslo will provide 250 million Norwegian kroner ($23 million) for Ukraine’s nuclear safety and security.

Blinken: US to announce ’robust’ aid package for Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he would announce a new “robust” assistance package for Ukraine on June 21, as reported by Reuters.

EU to train 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers in 2023. Defense Ministry announced on June 20 that up to 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained under the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine.

Slovakia recognizes Holodomor as genocide against Ukrainians. Slovak parliament recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide against the Ukrainian people, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on June 20. “Timely decision, significant contribution to restoring historical justice and honoring millions of innocent victims,” he wrote.

Denmark announces $3.2 billion in military aid to Ukraine. Dernmark’s Defense Ministry announced on June 19 another package of military aid for Ukraine worth around $3.2 billion to be delivered in the period from 2023-2028.

In other news

Ukraine joins Council of Europe Development Bank. Ukraine officially completes the process of joining the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), Ukraine’s Finance Ministry reported on June 20. Ukraine became Development Bank’s 43rd member.

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