Stanisland Magazine

Kyiv’s centre of activity remains in Bakhmut, though its importance remains more symbolic.

Braving its front line, despite enormous casualties, Ukraine’s army maintains a necessary grip on a city that has been within the control of Russian forces, specifically mercenaries such as the Wagner group, whose experience traverses a wide expanse of global territory.

Kyiv confirms its advance on the east, with Wagner group corroborating Ukraine’s activity which bares all the hallmarks of a promised counter-offensive. Though the government remained silent regarding its strategy and objectives.

A nation strengthened by Russia

Having been gifted an array of multi-weaponry defensive technology which includes units of drones, NLAWs, and Leopard tank vehicles, years on from 2014’s separatist movement have yielded Ukraine’s army enough time to muster enough training to repel any advancements from Russia.

One year on from an anticipated invasion from the north into Kyiv, Kharkiv, and from the east, Russia’s troops lamented the time given to Ukraine to build up its defenses to repulse invading forces.

Prior to the invasion, a 2019 presidential election created division amongst the public, with many hoping to reelect President Poroshenko, the majority of Ukrainians including elder citizens, opted to select a younger President Zelensky without the foresight of an impending invasion. Worries regarding defence of the country, including the danger of a fleeing president were quickly averted when he chose to stay and fight an occupying force. Ukraine knew this invasion was coming, and had the allies to prepare well.

Latest Ukrainian military aid deal risks deadly fighting

A deal worth $300 million of military aid was struck late May for, among other items, anti-aircraft, patriot defence missile systems and mine clearing equipment and demolition munitions, on the proviso it not be used cross-border into Russia.

This element of the deal was raised to prevent an escalation of hostilities, something that was both celebrated and condemned on Capitol Hill prior to its latest release of stock. Though the latest US/Ukraine deal perhaps relents on the fact Kyiv will use it.

Despite this, Washington continues to laud Ukraine’s efforts of a counteroffensive, despite the possibility of it spilling into mainland Russia.

Land mines left behind by Russia cause of Nova Kakhovskaya dam explosions, Ukraine says

Land mines left behind by Russia are responsible for large explosions along the Dnipro river according to Ukraine’s government.

“Everything is already in the house, you can fish,” says one of the local residents.

However, Russia is also pointing the finger at Ukraine for the damage. In a Telegram post, national broadcaster Unian quoted Natalya Humenyuk, head of the United Coordination Press Center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine:

“The point is that not the whole dam was destroyed, but a certain part of it was destroyed. Because technologically, it was built in such a way that it could withstand even a nuclear attack,” Humenyuk said before adding: “… in all probability, the force of the explosion became uncontrollable for the invaders, because the structure of the dam itself had certain changes due to the recent flood, due to the fact that it was technologically damaged until now.”

The Nova Kakhovka (Nova Kakhovskaya) dam is responsible for supplying water to Crimea and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The Russian mayor has labelled it a “terrorist act”. The dam is important as it holds 18 cubic kilometres of water following its installation in 1956. Destroying the dam would increase problems for both Ukraine and Russian occupied Crimea, as it controls the canal process accountable for irrigating much of the region.

Ukraine’s government has told locals to prepare to evacuate as soon as possible.

Photo credit: Manhhai