Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine

Over the weekend, Ukraine marked 500 days of fighting since Russia’s devastating, all-out invasion on February 24, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s presidential office released a video shot on Black Sea Serpent Island to mark the occasion — a minor incident in which the outpost entered the war’s turbulent history as a sign of defiance against the Kremlin. , when the Kremlin refused to surrender to Russian forces at the start of the invasion.

Snake Island was captured by Moscow forces shortly after, before being retaken by Ukraine last June.

“While this is only a small piece of land in the middle of our Black Sea, it is strong evidence that Ukraine will reclaim every piece of its territory.” Zelensky sayscommemorating the sacrifice of fallen Ukrainian troops.

“From here, from this place of victory, I want to thank each and every one of our soldiers for what they have done in these 500 days.”

— Ruksandra Yodash

U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in London on Sunday and will meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Ukrainian counteroffensive is expected to be discussed.

National Security Council senior director Amanda Sloat said it was Biden’s fifth visit with Sunak in as many months and “it will be an exchange of our support for Ukraine and their continued efforts on the battlefield.” Opportunity for opinion”. friday says.

The meeting came days after the US made the controversial decision to fire cluster bombs – a deadly weapon banned under the Cluster Munitions Convention, to which Britain is a signatory – to Ukraine.

Biden will attend the NATO summit in Vilnius after a stop in London.

— Ruksandra Yodash

CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick reports from Vilnius, Lithuania, that the war in Ukraine and Sweden’s accession will be key issues at the NATO summit that begins Tuesday.

The discussions will reportedly involve whether Ukraine could adopt a security assistance model based on U.S.-Israel relations.

Ukrainian troops have made “clear progress” on the southern flank of the long-troubled strategic eastern city of Bakhmut, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister Hannah Malyar said. Sunday on Telegram saysaccording to Google Translate.

She added that Russian forces were “on the defensive” on the ground, with no change in positions north of the city.

General Alexander Silsky, who commands the Ukrainian ground forces, said: “Bakhmut direction. We are making progress, the Wehrmacht continues to advance, the enemy is trapped in some places.” Sunday on Telegram saysaccording to google translated reviews.

Malial said Ukrainian troops were engaged in “heavy fighting” in the Melitopol and Berdyansk regions, both in the Zaporozhye region of southeastern Ukraine.

Russian paramilitary group Wagner claimed control of Bakhmut in late May.

CNBC could not independently verify what happened on the ground.

— Ruksandra Yodash

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said most of the deaths and injuries in Ukraine were caused by explosive weapons with wide-ranging effects.

An estimated 7,653 people were killed and 15,131 injured by explosive weapons, OHCHR said.

Some 300 people were killed by landmines and other ERW, and some 600 were injured by such weapons.

United Nations agencies estimate that more than 9,000 civilians have been killed and nearly 16,000 injured since the war began.

—Amanda Macias

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday there was still a “gap” that needed to be bridged before Turkey would agree to Sweden joining the military alliance, Reuters reported.

Stoltenberg, whose term was extended by another year earlier this week, said at a news conference that he would meet the two leaders on Monday, ahead of plans for a NATO meeting next week in Vilnius, Lithuania. summit.

— Karen Gilchrist