Ukraine Briefly

June 23, 2023

Ukraine, Briefly

RussiaUkraine

Listen to Today's Edition

This week, Ukraine reportedly launched an attack on a bridge connecting southern Ukraine to the Crimean Peninsula using long-range British-supplied missiles, according to Russian officials, the BBC said. The attack damaged the Chonhar bridge, which is crucial for transportation between Crimea and the front line in the south. The Russian-installed governor in occupied Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, accused the United Kingdom of ordering the attack, adding that it was likely carried out with British Storm Shadow missiles. The bridge serves as a vital land route for Russia to access Crimea, and the city of Melitopol is considered a target in Ukraine’s counteroffensive. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has since expanded its military presence in southern coastal regions.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces have retaken a village in the Zaporizhzhia region, marking a significant gain in their counteroffensive against Russian occupation, NBC News reported. Despite suffering losses, Ukrainian troops launched successful waves of attacks, liberating the village of Piatykhatky. Both sides endured heavy casualties, and the region is seen as a key battleground. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges, while Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Ukraine’s efforts.

Also this week:

• Drone photos and information obtained by the Associated Press suggested that Russia had the means, motive, and opportunity to destroy the Ukrainian dam that collapsed while under Russian control. Russian troops were reportedly stationed in a crucial area inside the Kakhovka Dam where the explosion occurred, and drone images show a car on top of the dam with what appears to be explosives. While it is unclear if the car bomb was detonated, Ukrainian officials argue that the photos demonstrate Russia’s intent to rig the dam. The destruction of the dam led to deadly flooding, crop damage, water supply threats, and an environmental catastrophe. Both sides have accused each other of destroying the dam. Russia has benefited from the flooding, and Ukrainian commanders claim it disrupted their counteroffensive plans.

• African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, met with President Putin in St. Petersburg in an effort to persuade him to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, according to the Washington Post. The visit came after the African leaders met with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv as the capital was hit by a Russian attack. Ramaphosa called for an end to the war in Ukraine through negotiations and diplomatic means, emphasizing the economic consequences of the conflict on commodities and fuel prices.

• Meanwhile, Cuba and Russia reached a series of agreements to strengthen economic ties and bypass US sanctions as Cuban officials concluded an 11-day visit to Russia this week, Reuters noted. The visit builds on trade agreements signed in May and focuses on boosting Cuba’s exports, ensuring vital supplies of wheat and crude oil, and improving tourist facilities. Cuba aims to diversify its economic relations beyond the US dollar and seeks closer ties with China, India, and Russia. Russia has pledged to supply Cuba with 1.8 million tons of oil annually. The economic crisis in Cuba, worsened by US sanctions, has led to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.

• The European Union agreed to implement new sanctions aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported. The measures include export bans on third countries aiding Russia in bypassing Western restrictions. However, the bloc did not enact a proposed trade ban on all eight Chinese companies supplying military-use goods to Russia, with only three firms being blacklisted. These actions form part of the EU’s eleventh package of sanctions against Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The EU seeks to prevent Russia from importing Western dual-use goods that could be used in the war with Ukraine. Additional measures include banning vessels involved in transferring Russian oil and expanding the blacklist of individuals and entities. The decision to not sanction Chinese firms follows discussions between the EU and China.

• Meanwhile, the United States and European countries have pledged billions of dollars in recovery assistance to Ukraine during a gathering of world leaders in London, the Washington Post added. The EU committed $54.5 billion in aid for the next few years, while the US announced an additional $1.3 billion in near-term assistance. The United Kingdom also offered guarantees for $3 billion of World Bank loans. However, the pledged amounts are only a fraction of what is estimated to be needed for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Western countries expressed their commitment to holding Russia accountable for the destruction caused by its invasion, and there are discussions about exploring lawful routes to seize Russian assets.

• Russian authorities declared the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as an “undesirable” organization this week, making all its activities illegal within Russia, according to the Moscow Times. The move is based on accusations by the Prosecutor General’s Office that the WWF threatens Russia’s economy, interferes with internal affairs, and financially supports Russian organizations designated as “foreign agents.” The WWF’s focus on environmental issues, particularly related to energy, oil, gas, and mineral industries, is seen as collecting information that hinders Russia’s economic development. This action follows a pattern of tightening restrictions on environmental groups, with Greenpeace Russia and other organizations previously facing similar bans.

This story originally appeared in the June 23, 2023 newsletter, The Fix Is In.