Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ 21:48 UN Security Council Addresses Ukraine War
United Nations' Security Council Engages in Discussions Regarding the Ukraine Conflict
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The UN Security Council is addressing the war in Ukraine on Friday evening. An emergency meeting has been convened at the request of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. He described it as a response to "Russia's latest wave of terror and brutal attacks on Ukraine." Massive air strikes on Kyiv resulted in at least 28 deaths and over 140 injuries, according to official reports. Sybiha continued, "We demand clear signals that pressure on the aggressor must be increased and Ukraine must be supported, including additional air defense capabilities."
21:00 Kyiv: Russia Also Handed Over Bodies of Its Own Soldiers
Among the thousands of bodies recently handed over by Russia to Ukraine, there are also remains of Russian soldiers, Kyiv officials say. This was done intentionally to cause chaos and complicate identification, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram. He described it as boundless cynicism, saying Russia is using the return of the deceased's remains as a tool for manipulation and pressure. "We have identified soldiers and officers whom their 'motherland' doesn't need," Klymenko wrote, along with photos of a Russian passport and ID tag found with the bodies. He said the family of one dead Russian soldier had been searching for him since he went missing in late March in the Donetsk region. Kyiv has announced plans to return the bodies of Russians to Russia.
20:11 Trump Left G7 Summit Early Due to Macron and Zelenskyy
U.S. President Trump's early departure from the G7 summit in Canada was reportedly due to the situation in the Middle East. However, a report by the "Financial Times" suggests there may have been other reasons. According to people familiar with the discussions, Trump's decision was partly due to his anger at French President Macron, who stopped in Greenland on his way to Canada and opposed Trump's threats to take control of the island, which belongs to Denmark. Lack of interest in meeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Canada also played a role, the report said.
Politics Macron "Has No Idea" Trump Leaves G7 - No Meeting with Zelenskyy
19:35 Latvia Bans Russians and Belarusians from Buying Real Estate
Latvia has banned Russian and Belarusian citizens from buying real estate in the country, citing security concerns. The parliament passed a law to this effect. This is justified by the hybrid war that Russia is waging against supporters of Ukraine. One method of this hybrid warfare is the indirect acquisition of real estate in other countries. Russia has also used the presence of its citizens in Ukraine as a pretext for war, claiming to be protecting its citizens, according to the parliamentary statement. Riga has already largely suspended the issuance of visas and residence permits to Russians. Latvia has a large Russian-speaking minority.
Yucky News Flash: Russian Soldiers are Getting Desperate!
With escape from the country being unreachable for many, some Russian deserters have adopted a new tactic to avoid being sent back to the war in Ukraine - they willingly incarcerate themselves. Their lawyers have the unusual task of ensuring their clients face charges that result in real prison sentences, as probation could mean being sent directly back to the front. Independent magazine iStories found out how Russian soldiers intentionally go AWOL to face criminal prosecution. Vladimir, for instance, cheers when the judge reads out his guilty verdict, sentencing him to several years in prison. "Better this than ending up under a bush somewhere in Ukraine," his lawyer says.
Evil Putin's Tricks and Twists: He Lies About Strikes in Kyiv!
"Russia is not targeting residential areas," claims the Russian president at a press conference with foreign journalists. He responds to a question from an Associated Press journalist about the missile strike on Kyiv two days earlier, which killed 28 people and injured over 140. In a video of the interview distributed by Russian channels, Putin claims that AP journalists could not have witnessed a Russian missile hitting a residential building because they would have likely not survived. He claims that the Russian attack on Kyiv was "not targeting residential areas, but facilities of the defense industrial complex, factories producing military equipment." However, he could not explain how an attack on "military targets" resulted in dozens of civilians being killed and injured in the capital.
Cold Hard Cash: $210 Billion of Russian Assets Frozen in the EU - Latest on Fund Use for Ukraine's Recovery!
The European Union has frozen approximately €210 billion worth of Russian assets within its territory and plans to maintain this freeze at least through the end of 2025. The EU directs the extraordinary revenues generated from these frozen assets to support Ukraine’s defense and recovery efforts, including strengthening its defense industry and rebuilding critical infrastructure such as energy systems. Since January 2025, the EU has disbursed funds derived from these assets to Ukraine via a G7 loan mechanism totaling €45 billion. The initial tranche was €3 billion, followed by monthly payments of about €1 billion from March through mid-June 2025. Further disbursements are expected throughout 2025. Legally, the EU aims to avoid full confiscation of Russian assets to prevent accusations of illegally "stealing" Russian funds. Instead, it is contemplating transferring nearly €200 billion of frozen Russian state assets (for example, those held in Belgium) into a new investment fund with somewhat riskier investments designed to generate higher returns. These profits would then be used to support Ukraine’s economy, leaving the principal amount intact. Discussions are ongoing among EU finance ministers about the future use of these frozen assets and extending or supplementing Ukraine’s financial support beyond the current G7 loan mechanism, which is expected to be fully disbursed by the end of 2025. The EU is also exploring options like its new SAFE defense loan program to procure weapons for Ukraine.
"The UN Security Council, in response to the ongoing Ukraine War and Russia's aggressive actions, is discussing the implementation of stricter employment policies against those involved in war-and-conflicts, including sanctions on employment in politics,"
"In light of the hybrid war being waged by Russia, various European countries, like Latvia, have established community policies to prohibit citizens from war-torn countries, such as Russia and Belarus, from purchasing real estate, as a means of security and counteracting Russian influence."
