Dispatch: Multitudes of Russian Deserters Transform Captured Ukrainian Territory into "Unlawful Domains"
Tens of thousands of armed Russian soldiers have reportedly deserted, contributing to a deteriorating security situation in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. The Center for National Resistance, a Ukrainian organization, said in a report on Telegram that more than 49,000 Russian servicemen have voluntarily left their service since the beginning of the invasion.
Sweden is stepping up its efforts to combat Russia's 'shadow fleet' of tankers by strengthening controls of foreign ships in the Baltic Sea starting July 1. The Swedish government announced this, citing the use of the tankers to bypass sanctions on oil trade as well as their alleged damaging of undersea cables and threatening the maritime environment.
Russia's defense policy has been deemed an "immediate and acute threat" by Britain in a new review. Three advisors to Prime Minister Keir Starmer made this statement, placing Russia and China in the category of complex and persistent challenges to defense. Increasing ties between Beijing and Moscow were also noted in the report.
Ukrainian troops reported a series of air strikes with drones and missiles carried out by Russia on Ukraine overnight. At least ten people were killed and 33 others injured as a result of the attacks, according to local and regional authorities. The main targets of the attacks were Kharkiv, Sumy, and Donetsk regions, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Ukrainian forces again captured Russian soldiers on Russian territory, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine's air assault troops. The captives received medical and psychological assistance. In total, Ukrainian soldiers have captured 971 Russian soldiers during the Kursk operation, which could potentially lead to an exchange for Ukrainian military personnel from Russian captivity.
Eleven villages in the Ukrainian region of Sumy have been ordered to evacuate due to the threat of a potential large-scale Russian offensive. Authorities of the Sumy region stated that "the constant danger to the lives of the civilian population due to the shelling of border communities" was a significant factor in the decision.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha has accused Russia of arrogance in response to the Russian UN representative's speech in the UN Security Council. Sybiha stated that Russia has been using the highest forums to spread bellicose rhetoric, adding that more pressure is needed on Russia.
Chancellor's Chief of Staff Thorsten Frei has called for a thorough examination of whether frozen Russian state assets in the EU should be seized for Ukraine's benefit. "Every sense of justice tells us that this is necessary in the face of the immense damage and human suffering that Russia is inflicting in Ukraine," said Frei. Given the strongest Russian bombardments since the start of the war, it is "only fair that Russian money be used to do what is necessary for defense."
Russia took control of two settlements in eastern Ukraine: Nowopil in the Donetsk region and Vodyane in the Sumy region according to the state-owned Russian news agency RIA Novosti, citing the Ministry of Defense. In recent days, Russian troops have also advanced in areas around Torez, capturing the settlement of Troyitske near the village of Novopavlivka, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Eleven locations in the Ukrainian region of Sumy are to be evacuated and at least one person was injured in Russian rocket strikes on a residential area in the border region overnight. The number of injuries from Ukrainian drone attacks in the Russian region of Kursk has risen to 14, with several residential buildings reportedly damaged there.
Several explosions were reported overnight in Ukrainian regions Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Sumy, despite plans for a second round of talks to end the Russian invasion.
Ukraine sentenced a 21-year-old man to 15 years in prison for controlling rocket attacks for Russia. The man, acting under orders from a Russian intelligence officer, secretly photographed the locations of Ukrainian troops and prepared attacks on behalf of Russia, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Pro-Kremlin websites and accounts are engaging in a targeted disinformation campaign against Ukrainian refugees in Poland ahead of the country's presidential elections. The campaign's aim is to stir up resentment and fear among the Polish population and demonize refugees through the use of AI-generated content and slurs.
Ukraine will have to suspend a $665 million government debt payment as it failed to agree on restructuring terms with creditors, according to a report by Bloomberg. The finance ministry said Ukraine remained committed to implementing a comprehensive, fair, and equitable restructuring of the GDP-linked securities.
Claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin's helicopter was targeted by Ukrainian drones during a visit to the Kursk region were likely fabricated by the Kremlin, according to Russian government sources.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend negotiations with Russia in Istanbul on Monday. Erdogan emphasized the importance of strong delegations from both sides and suggested a potential meeting between the heads of state after negotiations. Ukraine has not yet confirmed whether it will send a delegation to Istanbul.
The Ukrainian government may consider implementing a community policy that addresses the influx of refugee citizens from neighboring regions, given the increasing number of individuals seeking sanctuary within the country.
Employment policies in Sweden, considering the growing need for maritime security, might prioritize investigating suspicious ships and ensuring compliance with international sanctions, particularly those related to oil trade, following the Swedish government's recent announcement.
