As the war in Ukraine continues into its 853rd day, there have been several key developments on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited soldiers in Donetsk and introduced Brigadier-General Andriy Hnatov as the new joint forces commander. The situation remains volatile in regions like Vovchansk and Odesa, with Russian forces continuing to attack Ukrainian territory. Five Lithuanians delivering aid to troops in Pokrovsk were injured in an attack, with one volunteer having to undergo an amputation.
In terms of politics and diplomacy, a Wall Street Journal correspondent, Evan Gershkovich, is on trial in Russia on charges of espionage, which the US has denounced as wrongful detention. Russia has ordered the chief correspondent for Austrian broadcaster ORF to leave the country in a retaliatory move.
The European Union has announced sanctions against Belarus to further target Russia, while the US Justice Department has charged a Russian individual with conspiring to hack computer systems in Ukraine and allied countries. NATO has selected Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next secretary-general, and Russian pranksters have released footage of a video call with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron after tricking him into believing he was speaking to a former Ukrainian president.
On the weapons front, the EU is expected to sign a security agreement with President Zelenskyy, outlining support in areas like arms deliveries and military training. Overall, the situation in Ukraine remains tense and complex as the conflict continues to unfold.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
