Month: June 2022

Latest Developments in Ukraine: June 4

For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT. 4:20 a.m.: The Washington Post reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an appearance on Russian TV, blamed Western sanctions for world food problems. Ukraine is a major producer of wheat and corn. The Associated Press reports that African countries imported 44% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine between 2018 and 2020. The AP reports that Ukraine and its allies have blamed Russia for blocking Ukraine’s grain exports. 3:14 a.m.: Al Jazeera reports that Japan’s prime …

READ MORE

Влада: російська авіація обстріляла Сумщину, попередньо – без жертв

Удосвіта 4 червня російська авіація обстріляла територію Сумської області, повідомив голова тамтешньої військової адміністрації Дмитро Живицький «Подробиці нічних вибухів. Після 4-ї ранку на території Сумської області працював ворожий літак. Чотири вибухи на території Сумського району. Жертв серед цивільного населення немає. Руйнування уточнюються», – повідомив Живицький. Напередодні Живицький в інтерв’ю Радіо Свобода розповів, що останні три тижні щільність обстрілів армією РФ посилилась. За півтора місяця щоденних обстрілів суттєво пошкоджено соціальну інфраструктуру – школи, дитсадочки, заклади інтернатного типу для людей з інвалідністю. Останнім часом фактично щодня надходять повідомлення про обстріл армією РФ прикордоння, зокрема на Сумщині та Чернігівщині. …

READ MORE

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Sends Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth on Jubilee

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a message of congratulations to Queen Elizabeth, the reclusive state’s foreign ministry said, as Britain celebrates her Platinum Jubilee. Friday marked the second of four days of pomp, parties and parades to celebrate the 96-year-old monarch’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne. “I extend my congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the National Day of your country, the official birthday of Your Majesty,” Kim said in a message dated June 2. Britain and North Korea established diplomatic relations in 2000. North Korea is one of the few countries …

READ MORE

Two Reuters Journalists Injured, Driver Killed in Eastern Ukraine

Two Reuters journalists were injured and a driver was killed on Friday after the vehicle they were in came under fire while heading to the eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk, the latest battle line in Russia’s assault on its neighbor. Photographer Alexander Ermochenko and cameraman Pavel Klimov were traveling in a car provided by Russia-backed forces on the Russian-held part of the road between Sievierodonetsk and the town of Rubizhne, 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the north. Reuters could not immediately establish the identity of the driver, who had been assigned to Reuters by the separatists for the reporting trip. …

READ MORE

Fighting Rages in Eastern Ukraine on 100th Day of War

Fighting raged in two key eastern Ukrainian cities on the 100th day of Russia’s war, with both Moscow and Kyiv claiming progress on the battlefront.  Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that Russian troops had succeeded in their main stated task of “protecting civilians” in the separatist-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine.  He added that Russian forces had “liberated” parts of Ukraine and that “this work will continue until all the goals of the special military operation are achieved.” Russian forces have been trying to encircle the cities of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk in Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk province.  The Ukrainian head of …

READ MORE

Security Concerns Leave Afghan Evacuees Stuck in Balkan Camp

For some Afghans who were evacuated as their country fell to the Taliban last summer, the journey to the United States has stalled, and perhaps ended, at a sun-baked cluster of tents and temporary housing on an American base in the Balkans.  While more than 78,000 Afghans have arrived in the U.S. for resettlement since August, the future for those who have been flagged for additional security vetting and diverted to Camp Bondsteel, in the small nation of Kosovo, remains up in the air. The U.S. won’t force the dozens there to return to Afghanistan, where they could face reprisals.  …

READ MORE

African Union Chair Meets Putin to Discuss Food Insecurity

The top African Union official met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine and its effects on Africa. A cutoff in grain exports has heightened food insecurity in many African countries, leaving millions of Africans hungry. Senegalese President Macky Sall met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian city of Sochi Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine and the effect it’s having on Africa’s 1.3 billion people. Before the war, the continent annually imported about 30 million tons of wheat and maize from Russia and Ukraine. The war has greatly reduced the exports …

READ MORE

Queen Elizabeth Thanked for Being ‘Still in the Saddle’ After 70 Years

Horse-loving Queen Elizabeth was thanked for being “in the saddle” for 70 years as head of state at a service on Friday to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, an event she missed due to her “mobility issues.” Other senior members of the royal family joined a congregation of politicians, charity figures and groups the queen has supported for the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London to pay tribute to the sovereign’s record-breaking reign. Four days of celebrations began on Thursday when a beaming Elizabeth waved to crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after a military parade …

READ MORE

Latest Developments in Ukraine: June 3

For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT. 3:08 a.m.: The latest intelligence update from the U.K. defense ministry says that after failure to seize Kyiv and Ukrainian centers of government at the beginning of the invasion, Russia is now seeing some success in the Donbas. “Russian forces have generated and maintained momentum and currently appear to hold the initiative over Ukrainian opposition,” the update notes. However, the update says, this success had a “significant resource cost” and has not been replicated in other areas …

READ MORE