Russia says it foiled ‘Ukrainian terror plot’ against Russian-backed officials
A police car drives past the headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Alexander Nemenov | AFP | Getty Images
Russia’s FSB security service said on Monday it had foiled a series of Ukrainian “sabotage and terror plots” against Russian-backed officials on Russian-controlled Ukrainian territory and arrested a woman as part of its investigation.
The FSB said in a statement that the attacks targeted Russian law enforcement officials and government officials installed by Russia in the southern Zaporozhye region, one of four regions in Ukraine that Moscow said came from what it called a “special military operation.” “One of the four regions that have been annexed to Ukraine since the start of the operation. “
Kiev is currently conducting a counteroffensive to retake territory it and the West say is illegally occupied. Ukraine had no immediate comment on the Russian allegations.
The FSB said it had opened criminal proceedings against an unnamed woman it described as an “accomplice” on charges related to terrorism and illegal possession of explosives.
— Reuters
Britain says Russia may redeploy troops to support war hotspot
Over the past 10 days, Russia has most likely started mobilizing parts of its Dnipro Force (DGF) from the east bank of the Dnieper River to reinforce the Zaporozhye and Bahmut regions, the UK Ministry of Defense said on Monday.
“This could involve thousands of soldiers from the 49th Army, including its 34th Independent Motorized Brigade, as well as the VDV and Naval Infantry,” the ministry said in its latest intelligence update on Twitter.
“The DGF’s redeployment may reflect Russia’s view that, following the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam and the resulting flooding, a major Ukrainian attack on the Dnieper is now unlikely,” Britain said.
Residents carry items from boats as they evacuate flooded areas in the Nikolaev region after the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam burst on June 10, 2023.
Oleksi Filipov | AFP | Getty Images
Ukraine accused Russia of blowing up the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam in early June, saying it was doing so to thwart a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the southern Kherson region. Russia denies any involvement in the incident, Although preliminary evidence suggests it was involved in the destruction of the dam.
Floodwaters in the Kherson region are receding, but thousands are still unable to return to their homes, and those still without power.
— Holly Elliott
Zelensky says Ukrainian army is advancing ‘step by step’
“Our armies are advancing, one by one, step by step, we are advancing,” Zelensky said in an evening address on Sunday.
Brendan Smiarowski | AFP | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the counteroffensive by the country’s armed forces was making progress.
“Our troops are advancing, one by one, step by step, we are advancing,” he said in Sunday evening remarks.
Zelensky’s comments come as Ukraine’s counteroffensive continues into its third week. Unlike previous counteroffensives, in which Ukraine recaptured a significant amount of territory relatively quickly, this time Ukraine recaptured only a handful of settlements, with progress expected to be limited by Russia’s defense in depth.
Ukraine met with its international allies last week to discuss Kiev’s military progress and ongoing needs, but Zelensky said on Sunday that “the main issue is” after a series of delays in weapons decisions and their supplies to Ukraine The “supply speed” of weaponry.
“Next week, we will have important new communications with our partners, for our sport, for our weapons, for our fighters to have everything they need,” he said Sunday.
— Holly Elliott