The Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The Kiev army liberated the Storozheve village: “The national flag is flying over Storozhevoe again, and this will be the case for every settlement until we liberate the entire Ukrainian land,” wrote the deputy defense minister, Hanna Malar, on Telegram after announcing its release. “We thank the 35th Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrogradskyi,” reads a statement from the Eastern Military Command (Tauria) of the Ukrainian Army. It's about the fourth village reconquered from the beginning of the counter-offensive after those of Blagodatnoye, Neskuchne and Makarovka.
Wagner - Ukrainians advanced 6-7 km. No direct control of Putin
“The Ukrainians they managed to advance 6-7 kilometers in recent days. At the moment, the settlements of Neskuchne and Blagodatnoye are firmly under their control in the Vremiavsky outpost. The village of Storozhevoye is also allegedly occupied by Kiev, and from there the enemy pushed under the village of Makarovka. On the other bank of the Mokry Yaly river, the enemy is attacking our troops in the village of Urozhaynoye,” he writes on Gray Zone, the semi-official Telegram channel of the Wagner militia.
Wagner what should he do in the meantime accounts with Moscow who moves to take direct control of the mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. After months of clashes between Russian Defense Ministry officials and militia leader, Russian Defense Minister Sergey shoigu, Has signed a decree which sorts to all Russian voluntary formations to sign contracts with the ministry by 1 July. This was reported by the minister's deputy, Nikolai Pankov. This move would give the formations legal status and allow them to enjoy the same state benefits as contract soldiers but according to observers, it would be a decision aimed primarily at Wagner. Yevgeny Prigozhin stated that the group will not sign these contracts, stating that "Shoigu cannot handle military formations normally".
The Russians blow up another dam
A spokesman for the Ukrainian forces informed that i Russians have blown up another dam right in Donetsk. The Russian military allegedly destroyed the infrastructure on the Mokry Yaly River, in the Donetsk region, causing floods on both banks of the river, the spokesman of the Tavria division of the Ukrainian forces Valery Hershen told Ukrainska Pravda. “On the Mokry Yaly River the occupiers blew a dam, which led to floods on both sides of the river. However, this does not affect offensive operations in the direction of Tavriyske, Kherson oblast”.
IAEA requests broad access to the Zaporizhzhia plant
THEInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requested a wider access around the nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine due to a significant discrepancy in water level data at the Kakhovka damused for reactor cooling. According to the director general of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, the experts “need access to a nearby site to clarify the reason for a significant discrepancy between the different measurements of the level of the reservoir that supplies the water to cool the six reactors and the facility's spent fuel repository,” the director wrote in the note. The IAEA has raised concerns over the safety of bomb shelters in Kiev, saying more than 30% of them are unfit for use, raising questions about the city's ability to deal with any emergencies.
Il collapse of the Kakhovka dam, meanwhile, could have a significant impact on the main source of fresh water for the Crimea busy. The British Ministry of Defense writes it in its daily intelligence update. The North Crimean Canal (NCC), which draws water from the Kakhovka reservoir, could experience a severe reduction in water flow leading to a decrease in fresh water supply in the south of Kherson region and north of Crimea. It is possible that the Russian authorities are taking steps to meet the immediate water needs of the population through the use of tanks, water rationing and other measures.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (CPI) has launched an investigation into the explosion of the hydroelectric power plant and dam. As requested by Ukraine, representatives of the ICC visited Kherson province to begin investigations, as requested by Ukraine. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening address to the nation, “Work has already begun”, added the head of the Ukrainian state.
392 children missing
They are 392 missing children in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. The Office of the Ombudsman writes it on Facebook, reports Ukrinform. “According to data from the state-run Children of War portal, as of June 12, 2023, 392 children are believed to be missing in Ukraine, while 13.529 children have been found,” the report reads. To date, more than 1.502 children have been injured in the war.
Exchange of prisoners between Kiev and Moscow
Un new prisoner exchange it happened between Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian presidential office announced the release of 95 Ukrainian soldiers of the Armed Forces, National Guard and border guards. At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the release of 94 Russian soldiers held as prisoners. The news was reported by the Tass news agency.
Kim writes to Putin: "full support and solidarity"
On the occasion of Russia Day, the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a congratulatory message to President Putin, expressing his “full support and solidarity” and expressing the will to strengthen the strategic ties between the two countries. Kim stressed that friendly relations between North Korea and Russia are a highly valuable strategic asset and pledged to further develop them through intensive cooperation. According to state news agency KCNA, Kim's message also confirmed the North's support for Russia in its war with Ukraine, viewing the conflict as a US proxy war aimed at destroying Moscow and condemning Western military aid to Kiev.
