The Latest Update on the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine - July 18, 2024
The situation in Ukraine and Russia remains tense as both countries continue to engage in military confrontations and diplomatic maneuvers. In the capital Kyiv, explosions were heard as air defenses successfully downed a Russian drone, although no damage was reported. Tragically, Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks in the Russian-occupied Kherson region resulted in one fatality and eight injuries according to the Moscow-backed governor. Similarly, in Russia's Belgorod region, a Ukrainian drone strike on a car caused the death of a young couple. Despite the ongoing violence, both nations conducted a prisoner exchange, releasing a total of 190 captured soldiers as part of their third such swap in the last seven weeks. Moreover, in response to frequent Russian attacks on the city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials announced plans to construct underground schools to ensure the safety of children. Meanwhile, the Kremlin denied reports of a failed ground offensive in Kharkiv and announced the sealing off of Russian border villages to protect civilians.
In terms of military aid, Germany is reportedly set to reduce its assistance to Ukraine by half in the next year, citing a draft of the country's 2025 budget. This decrease comes amidst concerns that support from the United States may also diminish if a Republican candidate like Donald Trump returns to the White House. On the political front, the European Parliament criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, stating that he did not represent the European Union on the trip. Contrarily, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed willingness to collaborate with any US leader for a respectful dialogue and welcomed the stance on Ukraine of US Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. Furthermore, NATO appointed British official Patrick Turner as its senior representative in Ukraine, showcasing a continued commitment to the region. Finally, Estonia and Lithuania announced the prohibition of Belarus-registered cars from entering through their borders with Russia or Belarus in alignment with EU sanctions against the country.
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