Ukrainian air force says it shot down 16 Russian drones
Russian forces have launched 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones since Thursday night, 16 of which were shot down, the Ukrainian air force said on Friday. Google Translate Comments on Telegram.
The Air Force added that the drones came from a southeast direction.
The Russian military has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine in recent days, including targeting the capital Kiev. The offensive coincided with a summit of the NATO military alliance in Vilnius, Lithuania, which focused on aid to Ukraine.
CNBC was unable to independently verify developments on the ground.
— Ruksandra Yodash
Pentagon: Wagner no longer fighting in Ukraine in any significant capacity
Members of Wagner’s team prepare to leave the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023.
Stringer | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
A representative said the Pentagon does not believe the Wagner Group, a private Russian mercenary, is currently involved in the fighting in Ukraine in any significant way.
“At this stage, we do not see any significant involvement of Wagner forces in support of Ukrainian combat operations,” Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder said at the briefing. He said that, based on the Pentagon’s assessment, “most” of the Wagner fighter jets were in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
The comments came about three weeks after a short-lived defection attempt led by the group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
— Natasha Turak
Putin says Western pledges to give Ukraine more arms will only intensify conflict
Wagner fighters launched an insurgency, the biggest threat to Putin’s 25-year rule, as Russian President Vladimir Putin made a statement in Moscow on June 24, 2023.
Pavel Bednyakov | AFP | Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that new international commitments after the NATO summit to provide Ukraine with additional weapons and a security assistance program would only escalate the current conflict.
In particular, Putin said the Russian military would make tanks supplied to Ukraine for battlefield use a “priority target,” according to Reuters. Putin made the remarks after a summit of NATO leaders in the Lithuanian capital.
The Russian leader reiterated the Kremlin’s position that Kiev, which has been part of the NATO alliance since 2002, would also pose a risk to Russia’s security.
—Amanda Macias
Russia says IOC discriminated against Russian athletes ahead of 2024 Games
A supporter waves a Russian flag in front of the logo of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Puli, near Lausanne, Switzerland, December 5, 2017.
Fabrice Coverini | AFP | Getty Images
Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said on Telegram that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) discriminates against Russian athletes, Translated by NBC News.
Earlier on Thursday, the International Olympic Committee said Russia and Belarus would not receive official invitations to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris later this month, as other countries have.
The IOC wrote in a statement: “We still face two irreconcilable positions. The Russian side wants the IOC to ignore the war. The Ukrainian side wants the IOC to completely isolate anyone holding Russia and Belarus. passport holders.” Still deciding whether to send out invitations.
Matychin called the IOC’s “regulations for the admission of Russian athletes” “discriminatory”.
“Of course, it is very difficult for athletes who dream of participating in the Olympics. In my opinion, this is a serious violation of the principles of the Olympic Charter and the unified approach of all countries,” Matychin added.
—Amanda Macias
Putin says Moscow considering pulling out of Black Sea food deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Forum on Strong Ideas for a New Era in Moscow, Russia, June 29, 2023. President Putin visited the annual forum hosted by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI).
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow may withdraw from the Black Sea food pact, saying the agricultural deal has so far only benefited Ukraine.
Moscow insists that the current agreement does not support Russian fertilizer exports, while Ukrainian agricultural products are free to travel through humanitarian sea corridors.
Speaking on state television, Putin also said he had not yet received a letter from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on possible ways to salvage and renew the agreement, according to Reuters.
—Amanda Macias