Friday, July 14

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A Ukrainian marine from the 37th Brigade walks past a M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer at a position in the Donetsk region on July 10, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Anatoli Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images)

IOC not to formally invite Russia, Belarus to 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will not extend a formal invitation to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris for the national teams of Russia and Belarus, the IOC informed on July 13.

Putin claims no Russian conditions for extending grain deal met.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin named several conditions for extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative, claiming that none of them have been met, the Interfax news agency reported on July 13.

Parliament passes first reading of bill on medical cannabis legalization.

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, has approved the draft law on legalizing medical cannabis in the first reading, lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko said on July 13.

Military confirms strike on Russian base in occupied Berdiansk, reportedly killing Russian lieutenant general.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces has confirmed the July 11 strike on a local hotel turned into Russian military barracks in occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Biden: No real prospect of Putin using nuclear weapons.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on July 13 that there is no real prospect of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons against Ukraine or the West.

Media: Hungary, Russian church plan another Ukrainian POW transfer.

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) plans to facilitate another transfer of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) to Hungary, RBC Ukraine reported on July 13, citing sources in Ukrainian security services.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

State approves plans to replace Soviet emblem on Motherland Monument with Ukrainian trident.

The State Inspection of Architecture and Urban Planning announced on July 13 that it issued a permit to replace the Soviet emblem on the Motherland Monument, one of Kyiv’s most significant landmarks, with the Ukrainian trident.

Reuters: UN asks Putin to extend Black Sea grain deal in exchange for SWIFT access.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has offered Russian dictator Vladimir Putin that he extends the Black Sea grain deal in exchange for connecting a subsidiary of Russian sanctioned bank to the SWIFT international payment system, Reuters reported on July 13, citing its sources.

Commander: Ukraine receives cluster munitions from US.

Ukraine has already received cluster munitions pledged by the U.S. as part of its latest aid package, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander for Tavriia military sector, told CNN on July 13.

ISW: Vilnius NATO summit demonstrates how Russia’s claimed war goals have failed, but Russian response remains muted.

The Vilnius NATO summit demonstrated the extent to which Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has impeded the goals for which the Kremlin says it launched the war, such as to prevent NATO expansion, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on July 12.

Military: Cluster munitions only for ‘de-occupation of territory.’

U.S.-provided cluster munitions will be used strictly for the de-occupation of territory against concentrated Russian defensive positions, spokesperson of the Tavria operational-strategic group Valerii Shershen told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on July 13.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Biden says Putin won’t use nukes; US cluster munitions already in Ukraine

The U.S. has already delivered the cluster munitions it had pledged as part of the latest $800-million aid package to Ukraine just a week ago, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander for Tavria military sector confirmed to CNN on July 13.

Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Russia after Wagner revolt: Will Putin stay afloat or face more turmoil?

The Wagner group’s rebellion, and the ensuing deal with Prigozhin that let him get away with it unpunished, demonstrates that anyone, provided they have enough armed men at their disposal, can rebel against Putin and face no consequences.

Photo: Roman Romokhov/AFP via Getty Images

Human cost of war

Governor: Russian shelling of Kherson Oblast village kills 1.

Russian forces shelled the village of Mykilske in Kherson Oblast on July 13, killing an 85-year-old woman, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

Russian attacks kill 2, injure 37 over past day.

Russian attacks in five Ukrainian oblasts killed two civilians and wounded 37 over the past 24 hours, according to the regional authorities.

General Staff: Russia has lost 236,040 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

Ukraine’s General Staff reported on July 13 that Russia had also lost 4,092 tanks, 7,999 armored fighting vehicles, 6,995 vehicles and fuel tanks, 4,425 artillery systems, 678 multiple launch rocket systems, 421 air defense systems, 315 airplanes, 310 helicopters, 3,752 drones, and 18 boats.

International response

Minister comments on revised NATO membership progress program.

The government held consultations on the adapted Annual National Program, which became the new measure of progress toward NATO membership after the Vilnius summit, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said on July 13.

PM Shmyhal: EU provides almost $450 million for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

The European Investment Bank and the EU member states are providing over 400 million euros ($449 million) for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on July 13.

French Parliament approves significant boost to military budget, including Ukraine aid.

The French Parliament approved a bill on July 13 on a significant boost in defense spending for the rest of the decade, spurred by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Bulgarian MP: Bulgaria can send 100 armored vehicles to Ukraine.

Bulgaria could provide 100 armored vehicles from the storage of the Interior Ministry, member of the parliament Ivaylo Mirchev said on July 13, as cited by Euronews Bulgaria.

Sweden, Ukraine agree to share intelligence, speed up aid delivery.

The Swedish Defense Ministry announced on July 13 new agreements with Ukraine on sharing mutual intelligence sharing and speeding up military equipment delivery.

European Parliament adopts plan to increase ammunition production for Ukraine.

Following negotiations with the Council of the EU, the European Parliament adopted the plans on July 13 to increase the EU ammunition and missile production to tackle Ukraine’s shortages, allocating 500 million euros ($560 million).

Spain to donate mobile hospital, armored vehicles to Ukrainian State Border Guard Service.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine announced on July 13 it will receive a mobile hospital and vehicles for the evacuation of the wounded as part of an aid package from Spain.

Germany hands over Gepards, munitions to Ukraine in latest aid package.

The German government announced on July 12 the transfer of the latest military aid package to Ukraine, including Gepard anti-air guns, various munitions, and other support.

Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: kyivindependent.com.

Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Dinara Khalilova, Oleksiy Sorokin, Martin Fornusek,  Toma Istomina, and Rachel Amran.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.