The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has now surpassed 500 days, with no clear end in sight. While the frequency of fighting has decreased in recent months, Kyiv remains determined to reclaim areas occupied by Russia. This tragic conflict has already claimed the lives of over 9,000 civilians, including 500 children, and displaced thousands more. As the crisis continues, the toll on innocent lives is likely to rise even further.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine with drone strikes, which have caused heavy casualties and damaged civilian infrastructure. In response, Kyiv has initiated a counteroffensive, attacking Russian troops on the ground and in the air, particularly in Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut regions in eastern Ukraine.
Here are the five top points of the latest developments of the Russia-Ukraine war:
The US has announced that it would give cluster bombs to Ukraine in its fight against Russia amid fears that it could cause further civilian casualties. The bombs are part of an $800 million security package that brings total US military aid to more than $40 billion since the war broke out.
The Joe Biden administration authorised the transfer of US-made cluster bombs and contended that they are safer to use than the ones Russia had deployed.
The US said that Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia was progressing more slowly than expected but asserted that it was too early to comment on Kyiv’s prospective gains in the war.
Colin Kahl, the Pentagon’s top policy advisor, said Ukrainian forces were doing their best in a “difficult fight”. He said the Russians were more successful digging in “than perhaps was fully appreciated”.
“It’s too early to judge how the counteroffensive is going one way or the other because we’re at the beginning of the middle,” Kahl said at the Pentagon.
“They are still probing advisor, said Ukrainian forces were doing their best in a “difficult fight”. He said the Russians were more successful digging in “than perhaps was fully appreciated”.
“It’s too early to judge how the counteroffensive is going one way or the other because we’re at the beginning of the middle,” Kahl said at the Pentagon.
“They are still probing Russian lines (and) Russian areas for weak spots. And the real test will be when they identify those, how rapidly they’re able to exploit those weak spots,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Turkey, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to drum up support for Ukraine’s Nato membership amid the war.
The crucial visits by the Ukrainian President came days before the Nato summit is set to be held on July 11 and 12 in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan backed Ukraine would obtain Nato membership and announced that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would visit Turkey in August.
Erdogan made the remarks during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy.
According to the Turkish President, work was on to extend the Black Sea grain deal beyond July 17 and for subsequent longer periods.
The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help tackle a global food crisis worsened by Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour and blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces advanced by over a kilometre near Bakhmut. According to a spokesperson for the armed forces general staff, troops achieved “partial success” near the village of Klishchiivka, southwest of Bakhmut.
“The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks,” Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the eastern military command, told Ukrainian television.
Bakhmut was captured in May by Russian troops after months of deadly fighting.
