NATO is “ready for any eventuality,” Stoltenberg says
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference on the second and final day of the 2022 NATO summit.
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the military alliance is ready for “any eventuality” when it comes to Russia’s potential response to its imminent enlargement when Finland and Sweden join.
President Putin on Wednesday suggested that if NATO infrastructure and troops were deployed in Sweden and Finland, with whom Russia shares an 830-mile border, it would respond in the same way.
“Of course, we are ready for any eventuality, but I think what we see now in Ukraine is that Russia has completely focused on that,” Stoltenberg told CNBC’s Hadley Gamble in Madrid when the NATO summit went finish.
When asked to respond to comments by President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, who suggested that Ukraine should surrender and that all Russia wants is to “liberate” the Donbas in the east of the country, Stoltenberg said:
“President Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable … so it is President Putin who should withdraw his forces and end this war immediately while he stops attacking a democratic and sovereign nation and causing so much suffering in Ukraine “.
The head of NATO has congratulated the conclusion of a “transformative” summit in Madrid in which the alliance has taken several decisions, including inviting Finland and Sweden to unite and strengthen their defenses and deterrence in Europe .
“Holly Ellyatt.”
89% of Ukrainians refuse to cede land to Russia for peace, according to poll
A large majority of Ukrainians have said it would be unacceptable to cede any territory occupied by Russian forces during their invasion to reach a peace deal with Moscow, according to a new poll.
The Wall Street Journal-NORC survey found that 89% of the 1,005 Ukrainian adults surveyed said this scenario would be unacceptable.
The poll, conducted with a Ukrainian polling company, also found that 78% of Ukrainians approve of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s response to the Russian invasion, and only 7% believe he has mishandled the war.
A grain silo destroyed by Russian airstrikes on the Donbas.
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The survey used live interviewers to survey 1,005 adults using a mobile phone with the service of one of Ukraine’s mobile phone providers, which essentially cover areas controlled by the Kyiv government, as well as some Ukrainians who moved abroad but they maintained the Ukrainian mobile service, said the WSJ.
The poll also ruled out Russian-controlled Crimea and separatist-controlled parts of the Donbass in eastern Ukraine, as no mobile phone providers are used there.
“Holly Ellyatt.”
Russian troops have withdrawn from Snake Island
Ukrainian officials said Russian troops have evacuated Snake Island, a remote island in southern Ukraine that was occupied by Russian forces on the first day of the invasion.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also confirmed that the withdrawal has taken place from the island, which is known locally as Zmiinyi Island, and described it as an act of “goodwill”.
Andriy Yermak, President Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, tweeted this morning that there were no longer any Russian troops on Snake Island, while an official message from the operational command of southern Ukraine said that Russian forces had “evacuated hastily “the island, which is a strategic outpost in the Black Sea. .
“During the night, as a result of the subsequent success of the military operation with attacks from our missile and artillery units on Snake Island, the enemy hastily evacuated the remnants of the garrison with two speed ships and, presumably, he left the island, “the operational command said on Facebook.
He added that currently, Snake Island “is covered in fire, explosions are heard” and the final outcome of the operation is still being investigated.
In an information session of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Thursday, he confirmed the withdrawal, stating:
“On June 30, as a step of goodwill, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation completed the fulfillment of their tasks on the island of Zmeiny and withdrew the garrison stationed there.”
He said the measure “demonstrated to the world community that the Russian Federation is not hindering UN efforts to organize a humanitarian corridor for the export of agricultural products from the territory of Ukraine.”
Russia said the decision “will not allow Kyiv to speculate on the impending food crisis, referring to the impossibility of exporting grain due to Russia’s full control of the northwestern part of the Black Sea.”
He said that “now it is up to the Ukrainian side” to clean up mines on the Black Sea coast, which both sides have accused each other of planting in the sea and blaming them for hindering exports of vital products.
“Holly Ellyatt.”
Ukrainian forces must avoid being surrounded by the Russians, the UK says
The British Ministry of Defense has given its latest intelligence update on the state of fighting in Ukraine, noting that the country’s armed forces continue to maintain their positions in the city of Lysychansk after its withdrawal from Severodonetsk.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to pursue a “rampant wrap” approach from the direction of Popasna, south of Lysychansk, eliminating the need to force a major new crossing of the Siverskyi Donets River (which separates Severodonetsk from Lysychansk). point to the UK. in his Twitter update on Thursday.
Garbage and cars destroyed along a street in Lysychansk.
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The ministry said it is very likely that “the ability of Ukrainian forces to continue fighting in retarded battles and then withdraw troops in good order before they are surrounded will continue to be a key factor in the outcome of the campaign.”
The current ground combat is likely centered around the Lyschansk oil refinery, 10 kilometers southwest of the city center, the UK added, backing similar information from the Ukrainian armed forces this morning.
“At the operational level, Russian forces continue to make limited progress as they try to encircle Ukrainian defenders in northern Donetsk province through advances from Izium.”
“Holly Ellyatt.”
The city of Lysychansk is under “constant hype” as the battle pits over control of a wider region
Ukrainian soldiers in the eastern Luhansk region on June 23, 2022. On Wednesday, Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region where fighting is most severe, said the city of Lysychansk is under “constant hype.” .
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While global attention has been at the NATO summit taking place this week in Spain, Ukraine, the battle for control of the Donbas in the east continues to rage.
On Wednesday, Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, where fighting is most severe, said the city of Lysychansk is under “constant hype.”
“Orcs are constantly trying to storm Lysychansk, fighting continues on the outskirts, the city itself is under constant fire,” Haidai said in a Facebook post last night. Ukrainian officials regularly describe Russian fighters as “orcs” after the brutal characters in JRR Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”
Lysychansk is the twin city across the Siverskyi Donets River from Severodonetsk, which was taken by Russian forces last weekend after a tactical withdrawal from Ukrainian fighters. Haidai said about 15,000 civilians remain in Lysychansk even though a “quiet” and discreet evacuation is taking place.
In its latest military update on the Russian invasion this Thursday morning, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said Thursday that Russian troops are carrying out attacks and “battles continue” in the area. the Lysychansk oil refinery.
“Towards Donetsk, the enemy, with the support of artillery, is trying to blockade the city of Lysychansk and take control of a section of the Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway,” Ukraine said, adding that Russian forces were firing on the civilian infrastructure of nearby settlements. .
Russian forces are very focused on gaining territory in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions that are part of the wider Donbass in eastern Ukraine. Russia’s stated goal is to control the territory, where two pro-Russian separatist “republics” are located.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated on Wednesday that the so-called “liberation” of the Donbas was its main goal, as well as “the protection of these people.” [in the pro-Russian areas]and the creation of conditions that guarantee the security of Russia itself. “
“Everything was going well between us”: Putin expresses his dismay at the expansion of NATO
“There is nothing to worry about for Finland and Sweden to become members of NATO. If they want to, please go ahead,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
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President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will “respond in kind” if NATO infrastructure and troops are deployed to Sweden and Finland when they join the alliance.
“There is nothing to worry about for Finland and Sweden to become members of NATO. If they want to, please go ahead,” he said Wednesday.
“But they should clearly understand that they did not face any threat before that. Now, if NATO infrastructure and troops are deployed, we will be forced to respond in kind and create the same threats to the territories. where threats to us are created. ” added.
“Obviously, don’t you understand? Everything was going well between us, but now there will be tensions. This is obvious and inevitable.”
Putin’s comments came when NATO leaders and their allies met in Madrid on Wednesday. At the summit, the alliance pledged to strengthen its support for Ukraine and called Russia a “direct threat” to its security. He also formally welcomed Sweden and Finland – historically non-aligned countries – to join the alliance.
The leaders of the two Nordic countries said that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia changed their dial when deciding to apply to join NATO …