Ukraine is edging closer to becoming a NATO member, according to the secretary general of the organization. This comes as Russia launches massive naval drills involving a significant portion of its fleet and personnel. The exercises involve over 300 vessels and around 20,000 navy personnel.
Recent Ukrainian strikes have forced Russia to withdraw its Black Sea Fleet warships from occupied Crimea and the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the frontline in Kharkiv to pay tribute to Kyiv’s special forces engaged in fighting with Putin’s forces.
In response to Putin’s warning of a potential Cold War-style missile crisis in Europe, Germany stated that it would not be intimidated. Additionally, a significant blow was dealt to Russia’s Wagner group in Mali, where approximately 50 mercenaries were killed in an ambush.
In Italy, assets worth around 41 million euros were seized from a Russian businessman under investigation in Ukraine for corruption, fraud, and money laundering. Moreover, a fire at an oil depot in Russia’s Kursk region, reportedly caused by a Ukrainian drone attack, has been extinguished after two days.
Australia’s foreign minister condemned the recent defense deal between North Korea and Russia as destabilizing and risky for the world. A diplomatic spat also erupted between Poland and Hungary over Russia’s war with Ukraine, with accusations of hypocrisy and moral lecturing. Lastly, the United States announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine valued at up to $200 million, including air defenses and anti-tank weapons.
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