Monthly Archives: June 2022

Smoke rises from a burning house following shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, on Friday. Alexei Alexandrov/AP hide caption

Smoke rises from a burning house following shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, on Friday.

As Friday draws to a close in Kyiv and in Moscow, here are the key developments of the day:

Ukraine's bid to join the European Union came one step closer as the EU's executive arm recommended giving Ukraine official candidate status. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission head, tweeted: "Ukraine has clearly shown commitment to live up to European values and standards." EU leaders will take up the recommendation later this month, but membership in the bloc can take years to formalize.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a scathing critique of the United States, saying the U.S. was to blame for a crisis in global relations, food security, inflation and trade. In his speech at Russia's annual economic forum, Putin presented his country as part of a new global order willing to challenge an America clinging to its past status as the world's lone superpower. He also said he had no objection to Ukraine's bid for EU membership because it isn't a military organization.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and offered "major" military training and continued aid. It was Johnson's second visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country.

Ukraine won this year's Eurovision song contest, but won't be hosting the competition next year due to the war. The European Broadcasting Union, which operates Eurovision, announced "with deep regret" that hosting next year's contest in Ukraine is not a viable option. Britain, this year's runner-up, is now the possible 2023 host. Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said on Twitter that his country didn't agree with the EBU's decision and posted a statement saying, "We demand additional negotiations on hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine."

U.S. ambassador to Ukraine: "It's going to be a long, grinding, tough war."

From Kigoma to Kyiv, refugees everywhere deserve quality health care.

What's motivating the foreigners who have gone to Ukraine to fight against Russia.

Russia's war in Ukraine is changing the world: See its ripple effects in all corners of the globe.

You can read more daily recaps here. For context and more in-depth stories, you can find more of NPR's coverage here. Also, listen and subscribe to NPR's State of Ukraine podcast for updates throughout the day.

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Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (June 17) : NPR

Last updated on April 18th, 2022

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. Kiev is its capital and largest city. It has a total area of 603,550 square km. Ukrainian is its official language. Its official currency is Ukrainian hryvnia () (UAH). Its seven land bordering countries are Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Russia, and Belarus. However, it is not completely landlocked with coastlines along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south. The religion plays a strong influential role in shaping Ukrainian music, literature, and architecture. With these interesting facts about Ukraine, lets learn more about its history, culture, people, food, and more.

1. According to Ukrainian folk tales, Kiev boasts up to three official witch gathering places. They share the name Lysa Hora (Bold Mountain).

2. Weaving with handmade looms is still used in some parts of the country, including Krupove, located in Rivne Oblast.

3. Unlike many cultures around the world, Ukrainians wear wedding rings on the right hand not the left.

4. O Sole Mio the world-famous song was composed in the country.

5. Ukrainian romanticism started developing in the 1830s. Romanticist poet-painter Taras Shevchenko played a central role in this regard. He is widely regarded as the father of national revival.

6. Commemorated on June, the 23rd, Ivana Kupala Day is one of Ukraines most fun traditional celebrations. Boys and girls join hands in pairs and jump over a fire in a purification ritual. Locals believe that when a couple skip the fire without losing grip of each other, their love is destined to last a lifetime.

7. Vyshyvanka is the Ukrainian national costume. It is decorated with ornamental hand woven embroidery featuring floral detail. Both women and men wear the costume on various occasions.

8. Kiev is widely regarded as the countrys spiritual capital. Pilgrims regularly travel long distances to visit the Sofia Kyivska church and St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery.

9. The popular Easter egg tradition originated in Ukraine. Originally, the eggs were patterned using wax and dye. The wax was eventually removed leaving an impressive pattern with dashing colors.

10. The worlds longest musical instrument also originates from Ukraine. The pipe piece is aptly named Trembita.

11. Orthodox Christianity dominates Ukraine and has a big influence on culture. According to a 2021 study by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 82% of the population identify as religious, 7% were atheists, and 11% did not have a definite answer.

12. Artisan textile is used in traditional Ukranian weddings. The embroidery depends on the region where the textile came from. Buyers can also choose from different historical motifs, stitching methods, and a wide variety of colors.

13. Battleship Potemkin, widely regarded as one of the best films of all time, is about a 1905 mutiny in Ukraine. Other notable films about the country are Mr Jones, which tackles the Holodomor famine, and Everything is Illuminated, which revisits the Holocaust.

14. The Kyiv cake is another edible symbol of the city. It features two layers of meringue, buttercream filling, chocolate glaze, and hazelnuts. It was an accidental discovery after a confectioner messed up a biscuit and colleagues made the most of the situation.

15. Several Hollywood stars were born in Ukraine including Milla Jovovich who had leading roles in The Fifth Element and Resident Evil. Another is Mila Kunis who is known for films like Gia and Black Swan, as well as the sitcom That 70s Show.

16. Among the former Soviet States, Ukraine is considered as having one of the freest press and Internet. Leading newspapers publish articles mainly in Ukrainian but translate some of these to Russian and English.

17. The internationally famous dish, Chicken Kiev, is said to have been popularized in the Continental Hotel located in the Ukrainian capital. It was their restaurants signature dish consisting of boned and skinned chicken breast stuffed with butter and fried until golden.

18. Ukrainian civilizations date back to 4800 B.C. The country is located in an area where Trypillian and Scythian civilizations thrived.

19. Thousands of Jews were offered protection by Ukrainian religious leaders during the World War II. One of the leaders, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky was honored in 2013 by the Anti-Defamation League for his humanitarian role. The Jews found refuge in monasteries and Ukrainian homes.

20. Ukraine is home to several archaeological sites that were previously Neanderthal settlements. The settlements feature a mammoth bone dwelling and is viewed as a possible location for the domestication of horses. The Molodova sites date back to 43,00045,000 BC.

21. The worlds first constitution was drafted and introduced in 1710 by Ukrainian Hetman Pylyp Orlyk. The document was aimed at introducing the separation of powers. It outlined the responsibilities and rights of both citizens and government.

22. Russia and Austria showed very little interest in Ukraine in the 19th century. The country was predominantly rural. The situation changed as Ukrainian modernization and urbanization expanded.

23. Catherine the Great and some of her successors advocated increasing German immigration into Ukraine following the Russo-Turkish War in the late 1700s. The primary objective was to dilute the countrys demographic, which was characterized by a dominant Turk population.

24. Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met at the Yalta Conference in 1945, which was hosted by Ukraine. The meeting was aimed at charting the way forward in relation to the organization of post-war Europe. The venue, Livadia Palace is now a museum.

25. In 1986, Ukraine witnessed the worlds worst nuclear power plant disaster. The tragedy occurred at the Chernobyl plant located in the northern part of the country. The area has since been declared an exclusion zone. The disaster and declaration led to the emergence of several ghost towns. The area attracts multitudes of tourists despite the high levels of radiation. The UN created the Chernobyl Trust Fund to help the victims.

26. Kiev boasts the Hero City status, which was conferred by the Soviet Union in honor of its fierce resistance to the Nazis in 1941. The Germans surrounded the city in what became known as the Battle of Kiev.

27. The country shares ties with Western Europe that go back 1,000 years. Anna, the daughter of Grand Prince Yaroslav helped pave the way for strengthening of relationships when she became the Queen Consort of France in 1051. She played a huge role in exposing French people to Eastern culture.

28. As for modern humans, there are 32,000-year-old fossils in the Crimean Mountains discovered in 1991. Beside the bones were ivory ornaments that indicate ties to the Gravettian culture that spread across the continent of Europe.

29. Researchers from the University of Cambridge attempted to find the origin of the domestication of horses. They used different modelling techniques using a genetic database of horses and traced everything back to the western Eurasian Steppe consisting of Ukraine, West Kazakhstan, and Southwest Russia.

30. The land of the present-day Ukraine was part of the Scythian Kingdom from 700 BC to 200 BC. Scythia is the name given by the Greeks but they called themselves Scoloti. They used to be nomadic with a culture that centered around horseback riding.

31. Kievan Rus became the most powerful European state from the 10th to 11th century, and at its center was Kyiv. The Golden Age began with Vladimir the Great who converted from paganism to Christianity. The kingdom followed his lead.

32. The Mongols invaded in the 13th century and destroyed Kyiv. They occupied much of Eastern Europe and pushed westward towards the Atlantic Ocean. When Ogedei Khan, son of Genghis Khan died, they returned to their homeland and spared the rest of the continent.

33. From 1657 to 1686, Russia, the Cossacks, Poland, the Ottoman Empire, and the Crimean Khanate fought each other for dominance over Ukraine. The period known as The Ruin ended with the Treaty of Perpetual Peace between Russia and Poland.

34. The Russian Empire collapsed after World War I and was replaced by the Russian Republic under the Bolsheviks. Ukraine became one of the founders of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1922.

35. Ukraines independence was officially declared on August 24, 1991. Its parliament proclaimed that the country would stop following the laws of the USSR, instead abiding by its own laws. In December of that year, voters overwhelmingly approved the referendum on independence.

36. One of Ukraines most popular traditional dishes is varenyky which are boiled dumplings with potatoes, sauerkraut, mushrooms, cottage cheese, or berries. Another is borscht which is a soup with meat, mushrooms, cabbage, and beets.

37. Lviv is home to the highest number of cafes per capita in the world. It boasts up to 1,500 establishments.

38. McDonalds in Kiev is reportedly one of the busiest in the world.

39. Ukrainians love drinking horilka, which is a local variant of the famed vodka. Locals often flavor this national drink with chilli pepper to give it a bit more punch.

40. Locals also enjoy drinking stewed fruit (Kompot), which is a non-alcoholic sweet beverage. It is prepared by cooking different types of fruits, such as gooseberries, rhubarb, strawberries, apples and sour berries among others. The drink is often flavored using spices, particularly in winter months when it is served hot.

Geography

41. It has one of the lowest population densities with only 73 individuals per square kilometer.

42. The capital, Kyiv, is also the largest city in the nation with almost 3 million people. It can be found in the North Central Ukraine on both sides of the Dnipro River. Other major cities include Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnipro, and Donetsk.

43. There are two different biomes in Ukraine. The northern and western regions are a mixed forest with temperate climate and broadleaf trees. Meanwhile, the southern and eastern regions are steppes with grassland plains and few trees.

44. The highest point is at the summit of Mount Hoverla. It rises to a height of 2,061 meters above sea level or 6,762 feet. This is part of the Carpathian Mountains and has been a prominent tourist destination since the late 19th century.

45. The seven major rivers in Ukraine are the Danube, Dnipro, Desna, Prypiat, Southern Buh, and Siverian Donets. Around 95% of the countrys rivers are part of the drainage basins of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

46. Rain is much more frequent in the west and the north of the country. The Carpathian Mountains receive about 1,200 mm of annual precipitation. Meanwhile, Crimea to the south only gets 400 mm every year.

47. The temperature in Kyiv ranges from 61 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in July and falls to 21 to 30 degrees in January. It is hotter for the southeastern city of Dnipro at 65 to 83 degrees in July and 21 to 32 degrees in January.

48. Aside from Ukraine, the Black Sea is bordered by Russia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, and Romania. It drains into the Turkish Straits consisting of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles. There is a deep layer of water that doesnt mix or drain, allowing the preservation of ancient shipwrecks.

49. The countrys name is widely thought to come from the ancient Slavic term for borderland. It was referred to as The Ukraine until independence was declared in 1991. The article was officially dropped in favor of the politically correct Ukraine.

Economy

50. Around two-thirds of Ukraines land is covered in black earth, a nutrient-rich soil that makes the country one of the most fertile in the world. It is considered as the breadbasket of Europe because of its massive agricultural exports.

51. Ukraine leads in the world in the production of sunflower oil. It is also among the largest producers of corn, wheat, potato, sugar beet, barley, tomatoes, apples, pumpkins, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, rye, walnuts, buckwheat, dry peas, and honey.

52. Ukraine has one of the highest numbers of IT-certified professionals behind the US, India, and Russia. This makes it a top outsourcing destination for companies all over the globe. In 2019, it became the biggest IT services exporter in Europe.

53. The country has large mineral reserves and half of the known deposits are now being exploited. According to 2019 USGS statistics, Ukraine is included in the Top 10 producers for iron ore, manganese, titanium, graphite, and uranium.

54. Although Ukraine produces gas, it still needs to import most of its fuel needs from Russia and Turkmenistan. Ukraines pipelines transport Russias gas to the EU. This has major consequences for the economy and foreign policy.

55. Ukraine maintains independence when it comes to the supply of electricity. This is thanks to its hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. In fact, it has excess capacity that is exported to Russia and other Eastern European countries.

56. The country has a space rocket industry under the management of the State Space Agency of Ukraine. The Yuzhnoye Design Office created the Zenit-3SL carrier rocket and the first stage core of the Antares rocket.

57. During the Soviet era, shipbuilding companies in Ukraine built warships for the USSR. After independence, the focus shifted to bulk tankers, whaling bases, dry cargo vessels, fishing trawlers, and the like. Companies also offer ship repair services.

58. Ukraine is a popular tourist destination in Eastern Europe with over 10 million visitors each year, most coming from nearby countries. The Carpathian Mountains are suitable for adventures while the Black Sea coastline offers long sandy beaches. It also has ancient castles, vineyards, impressive churches, and other attractions.

. . . continue reading on the next page

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50+ Interesting Facts About Ukraine - The Fact File

Western leaders ended the three-day G7 summit in Germany promising to increase the economic and political costs to Vladimir Putin and his regime of Russias war in Ukraine.

The German chancellor and chair of the G7, Olaf Scholz, made the vow at a closing press conference in which he said the group were united and unbreakable, adding: It is important to stand together for this over the long distance, which will certainly be necessary.

With the summit taking place at the same time as an attack on a kindergarten in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and a missile strike on a shopping centre in Kremenchuk that killed at least 18 people, the leaders will hope the summit demonstrated the resolve, unity and practicality required to weaken the Russian presidents war machine. Scholz said the rest of the world was watching Putins brutal assault on the civilian population of Ukraine.

However, disagreements at the summit continued right until the end on the issue of finding a way to reduce the flow of cash into the Kremlin from western consumption of Russian energy. Germany fears that a cap on the price of oil or gas would lead to a complete cut-off of Russian energy supplies and European industrial meltdown. Others, especially the Americans, say the plan is workable.

The G7 said it would take immediate action to secure energy supply and reduce price surges driven by extraordinary market conditions, including by exploring additional measures such as price caps.

The wording allows further work to be undertaken on complementary US ideas for an oil price cap and an Italian plan for a gas price cap. Russia has already warned of retaliation if the west tries to manipulate energy prices to below the market level.

The G7 leaders said they were moved by the video discussion with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in which he called on the group to help end the war by the winter, reflecting the attrition that Ukrainian soldiers are facing and a belief that heavier weaponry can help regain the ground that is steadily being lost in the Donbas. One G7 leader said: Zelenskiy showed courage and realism about what lies ahead.

Boris Johnson, who entered the summit warning that Russia is poised to annex more Ukrainian land if the status quo in the balance of forces continues, emerged slightly more optimistic that those who had been calling for an early settlement have been quietened, and that it has been accepted a sustained battle lies ahead.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron sometimes seen as the man most committed to a future long-term relationship with Russia said the G7 would support Ukraine for as long as necessary. He was unconstrained in his criticism of Russian attacks on civilians, saying the strike on the Kremenchuk shopping centre was a war crime and that Russia must not win the war.

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The final communique said: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, providing the needed financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support in its courageous defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It also stressed that the G7 has pledged and given $29.5bn (24.1bn) in budget aid this year.

The confirmation that the US will provide a state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile defence system was probably the single biggest tangible development in terms of practical help.

At a summit normally dominated by the topics of the climate crisis, food security, global debt and pandemics, it was striking how little of the top-line discussion focused on these issues, even if the 28-page communique did address Scholzs personal project of forming a climate club by the end of the year dedicated to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

The other stated climate goals were a highly decarbonised road sector by 2030, a fully or predominantly decarbonised power sector by 2035, and prioritising concrete and timely steps towards the goal of accelerating the phase-out of domestic unabated coal power.

The wording gives Japan wriggle room regarding the date by which it reaches the emission-free vehicles target, and also allows some flexibility for overseas investment in fossil fuels.

On food security, the G7 offered an additional $4.5bn (3.7bn) way short of the UN World Food Programme target.

Max Lawson, the head of inequality policy at Oxfam, said the funding was a fraction of the necessary minimum of $28.5bn (23.3bn) extra: Faced with the worst hunger crisis in a generation, the G7 have simply failed to take the action that is needed. Many millions will face terrible hunger and starvation as a result.

Instead of doing what is needed, the G7 are leaving millions to starve and cooking the planet.

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Response to Russias war in Ukraine dominates G7 summit - The Guardian

World leaders are gathering in Madrid today for the Nato conference, and one issue will loom above all else: the war in Ukraine. The conflict has been described as the biggest security challenge to the west since 9/11 and, alongside practical considerations of military aid, leaders are desperate to project an image of unity.

The Guardians Dan Sabbagh, who is in Madrid for the conference, has just returned from eastern Ukraine, where he witnessed the relentless shelling of Ukrainian troops. He talks to Michael Safi about a frontline that has come to resemble the battlefields of the first world war.

Yesterday, world leaders at the G7 summit strongly condemned Russias attack on a shopping centre that Ukraine says has killed at least 20 civilians.

But amid the statements of western unity, there lies a nagging fear: will it endure? As the conflict enters a phase of attrition with both sides digging in, the conflict shows no signs of coming to a conclusion this year. And with the global food and cost of living crises hitting voters, will the worlds richest democracies stay the course as they are promising to do?

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Ukraine: counting the cost of a long war podcast - The Guardian

Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he was a woman and believes that the war is a perfect example of toxic masculinity.

In an interview with German media following the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, the prime minister cited the Russian presidents gender as a contributory factor to the conflict.

Johnson told broadcaster ZDF: If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isnt, if he were, I really dont think he would have embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion and violence in the way that he has.

If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, its what he is doing in Ukraine.

It comes after western leaders ended the three-day G7 summit in southern Germany promising to increase the economic and political costs to Putin and his regime of Russias war in Ukraine.

Johnson has since travelled to Madrid for a Nato summit along with the foreign secretary, Liz Truss.

The British military presence in Estonia will be bolstered as Nato dramatically escalates its ability to respond to Russia. Leaders from the 30-member alliance will agree to cooperate more closely and significantly increase the number of troops held at high readiness.

The UK already has a significant military presence in Estonia and the prime minister will use the meeting to expand its headquarters in the Baltic nation.

Officials said it would ensure the UK could provide rapid reinforcements if needed and deploy artillery, air defence and helicopters.

The alliance plans to have 300,000 troops at high readiness up from the current 40,000 and the UK will commit capabilities in land, air and sea to the new force model.

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Boris Johnson claims Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he was a woman - The Guardian

For months a narrative has built - and been fed by Western intelligence - that Russia is struggling to achieve its primary objectives in Ukraine.

We saw a complete withdrawal from the north and west after a failed push on Kyiv, and a refocusing on the Donbas in the east, where fighting has at times resembled a stalemate.

But now momentum, at least in the short term, appears to be with Vladimir Putin's forces, according to analysts.

So is the war now heading in Russia's favour?

Sir Richard Barrons, a former head of Joint Forces Command, told Sky News: "I think in the short term that is so.

"Russia will feel it's sitting on now just a bit less than a quarter of Ukraine. It knows that Ukraine does not have the military capability to throw them out, and it will sense that there is some weariness in the world at bearing the consequences of this war."

Over the last week, Ukrainian forces have retreated from Severodonetsk - the largest remaining part of the Luhansk region that was under Kyiv's control. Luhansk is part of the Donbas.

Territory in the southern belt has also been consolidated - but while militarily there has been progress, Moscow is aware that "strategically" it will lose that war, says Sir Richard.

"It's been isolated from the international community," he said.

"It's a pariah state. Its economy will shrink by maybe 15% this year. And if Ukraine is enabled to re-equip and re-arm, then Ukraine will reverse the military tide in due course, and start to throw the Russians out.

"And so for Russia, probably timing is everything here."

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He said the Russian capture of Severodonetsk is a "tangible victory" but a stiff fight awaits in nearby Lysychansk, the last major Luhansk city still held by Ukrainian troops.

"Russians should in no way think they're going to advance further into the Donbas without paying a really heavy price in terms of the young people that they lose and the equipment that gets destroyed," Sir Richard said.

"And they'll know that their capacity to take all of the Donbas is going to be limited just because of the quality of the Ukrainian resistance."

The importance of capturing Severodonetsk

Defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke also said the Russian capture of Severodonetsk is "symbolically significant".

"It's the city that gives Russia the northern part of the Donbas," he said.

War at a 'critical point'

Former chief of the general staff General Lord Richard Dannatt also appeared on Sky News to offer his analysis of the war in Ukraine.

Asked about an attack on a shopping centre in Kremenchuk, which has killed at least 18 people, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin was a "terrorist".

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"This is a crucially critical point," he said.

"There will come a time in the not too distant future when the Russians will have got control of those two Donbas provinces, which is what their strategic game currently is.

"Now, the West can tell the Russians they've got to go. The Russians will not go voluntarily and who is going to make them go?

"NATO is not going to launch an operation to throw them out. So there may be a new reality whereby part of sovereign Ukraine territory remains occupied by Russians for quite some time."

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Is Russia now winning the war in Ukraine? Experts have their say - Sky News

In early June, as the U.S. was rushing to provide financial and military support for Ukraine, reports said that four American-made Gray Eagle drones would be part of the package. These are armed drones that are larger than the well-known Predator drone, which became a symbol of the global war on terror. However, the planned sale of these few expensive, complex drones has run into some hurdles because of concern that they might get shot down and their sophisticated systems could fall into Russian hands.

While the Pentagon isnt elaborating on the status of the Gray Eagle sales, the overall challenge that Ukraine faces in using drones against Russia illustrates the limits of drone warfare. Over the past few decades, there have been many prophecies about how drones will transform our lives, from stories about drones making pizza deliveries to discussions about drone swarms that could be used to overwhelm enemies in combat.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, it put a renewed spotlight on the use of armed drones in conventional wars: The world saw how armed drones might work when both countries have them and both have air defenses that can shoot them down. Previously, countries that had a plethora of drones generally were fighting wars against insurgents or groups/countries that didnt have drones. This was the case with the U.S. experience in Afghanistan, for example.

Early reports from Ukraine said that Ukraines two dozen Turkish Bayraktar drones, a UAV that is smaller than the Predator, were able to take out Russian forces. One report praised these drones for changing the nature of warfare. However, now reports about the success of the Bayraktar in Ukraine have slackened. Its unclear whether the drones are simply not operating near the new front lines in the Donbas, or whether they are running low on the missiles they use.

The nature of drone warfare is that it is clandestine; militaries dont acknowledge that their drones may not be working well. In a conflict where everyone has smartphones, if drones are being used someone probably will take videos of them. This is because drones tend to be loud, like a flying lawnmower, and you can often see or hear them from the ground. The Associated Press reported that a video posted online on June 22 showed an alleged Ukrainian kamikaze drone flying into a Russian refinery.

Western countries want to supply Ukraine with armaments and a variety of drones are on the shopping list, including kamikaze drones such as the small Switchblade made in the U.S. These wont turn the tide anytime soon. In eastern Ukraine, where fighters in Kyiv face a tough battle with Russian troops, the limits of drone warfare appear to be on display. Conventional weapons, such as masses of artillery, are wreaking havoc. With only a few complex armed drones, Ukraine cant afford to use or lose its drones.

The era of the drone hasnt arrived because countries that use them often dont deploy enough of them, or are afraid to lose them in battle. In conflicts where they have been used, such as in Libya, they didnt turn the tide. Despite widespread employment, drones didnt stop the Taliban in Afghanistan. One can blame wider political policies for this result, asserting that countries simply havent given drone operators free rein to use them successfully.

Nevertheless, the current limitations on use of drones in war is related to the supply of drones and operating guidelines for their use. To wage a large-scale drone war, the countries that use them need more than a few armed drones and they need to not fear losing some of them. The whole point of unmanned aerial vehicles is that they can be used for dull, dirty, dangerous missions, especially those in which a country doesnt want to risk sacrificing pilots.

Seth J. Frantzman is executive director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis. A former assistant professor of American Studies at Al-Quds University, he covers the Middle East for The Jerusalem Post and is a Ginsburg/Milstein writing fellow at the Middle East Forum. He is the author of Drone Wars. Follow him on Twitter @sfrantzman.

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Ukraine war shows limits of drone warfare - The Hill

Today, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and Moldovan authorities brought together European and international partners to discuss the changing situation at the borders following the outbreak of Russias unjustified invasion of Ukraine.

In the aftermath, more than 6 million Ukrainian nationals have entered the EU since Russias unprovoked invasion in February. Countries neighbouring Ukraine are particularly affected by the those fleeing the war and crossing the border.

We are bringing together relevant authorities of the EU, Ukraine and Moldova to discuss challenges posed by the war and the strengthening of border management amid the unprecedented security crisis, said Frontex Deputy Executive Director Lars Gerdes.

Together we protect Europe, shoulder to shoulder, on the spot, he added.

Opening the conference, Moldova's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ana Revenco, underlined the need to consolidate the extended border of the European Union and anticipate threats to security: We have to build a trustworthy, resilient and sustainable ecosystem together to respond to the current challenges. Cooperation between the judiciary and law enforcement is key to protect people in need and ensure security.

Deputy Director-General of the European Commssion, Olivier Onidi, added: This conference is very timely, a few days after the EU formally recognised Ukraine and Moldova as candidate countries for the European Union.

Amid the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine, EU Member States and institutions are doing their utmost to quickly and efficiently support refugees, but also the affected neighbouring countries.

Organised in Chisinau, Moldova, the conference gathered representatives from law enforcement and border authorities of the Member States, EU institutions, and international organisations. Representatives of Ukraine also took part in the event, including General Serhii Deineko, Head of Border Guard Service of Ukraine, who told the audience how the Ukrainian border guards were helping defend the country.

During the event, the participants shared lessons learned from their respective operational responses to the war in Ukraine, including how to protect fundamental rights of those fleeing the war, as well as discussed the impact of the war on cross-border crime. Majority of the people fleeing Ukraine are women and children. This poses an increased risk of trafficking in human beings and the participants gathered during the event spoke about measures undertaken by EU and national authorities to counter this and other types of cross-border crime.

The measures undertaken by European Member States and institutions include operational support by Frontex, the introduction of the temporary protection mechanism by the European Commission and relocations of asylum seekers from Moldova to EU Member States.

Frontex launched its first operation in Moldova in March this year, following the signing of a status agreement between the EU and Moldovan authorities. The agency currently has 59 standing corps officers deployed to Moldova, who have helped the national authorities process the flow of refugees from Ukraine. Frontex has also deployed officers to other countries neighbouring Ukraine to support them with responding to the crisis.

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Frontex and Moldova host international conference on Ukraine and border security - Ukraine - ReliefWeb

The leaders of the world's wealthiest democracies, meeting in the Bavarian Alps, ended their annual summit on Tuesday vowing to do everything in their power to stop Russia from using energy as a weapon to profit from its invasion of Ukraine.

The G7 condemned Russia's missile strike on a crowded shopping mall in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday, which killed as many as 18 people, as a war crime.

Canada stepped forward with a $200-million loan through the International Monetary Fund to help the government in Kyiv "meet its urgent liquidity needs."

Since the start of Russia's military action against Ukraine, Canada has committed $1.6 billion in loans and $1.3 billion in direct support to Ukraine, including $320 million in humanitarian assistance.

"It's important that the world doesn't lose its attention and focus over what's happening in Ukraine," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "We must and we will remain committed until Ukraine and democracy prevail."

The leaders of the G7 have spent the last three days at a resort in the Alps south of Munich assessing the impact of the war in Ukraine on the world economy, including rising inflation, food and fuel prices.

They will reconvene on Wednesday in Madrid, Spain, under the NATO banner, where the Western military alliance is planning a significant increase in the number of troops it has on high readiness a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It will also expand existing battle groups in eastern Europe, which were originally established five years ago to reassure Baltic allies in the wake of the Russian annexation of Crimea.

The decisions have the potential to be costly for NATO countries whose finances are reeling from inflation and energy shock.

Canada leads one of the existing battle groups in Latvia. Trudeau was non-committal when asked if the NATO decision means more troops.

"We, like others, are developing plans to be able to scale up rapidly, and those are conversations that I very much look forward to having over the next couple of days in NATO," he said.

WATCH | Trudeau discusses Canada's evolving NATO presence:

In their final communiqu, G7 leaders said they are "working to make sure Russia does not exploit its position as an energy producer to profit from its aggression at the expense of vulnerable countries."

They will continue to discuss ways to impose a price cap on Russian oil, an effort to starve the Kremlin's war machine.

India, whose prime minister attended the summit as an observer, has been buying discounted Russian oil since the invasion of Ukraine. Trudeau met with Indian Prime Minister Nerendra Modi, but neither side has said what was discussed.

Energy security in Europe, which is trying to end its dependency on Russian oil and natural gas, was a major topic in bilateral conversations.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi signaled his interest in speaking with Trudeau about it.

"Canada is a big producer, and so the perspective of Prime Minister Trudeau is important," Draghi said, going into the meeting. "We're going to talk about this."

As they wrapped up, G7 leaders said that while they're taking action to address the current energy crisis, they have not given up on their "climate and biodiversity goals, including the energy transition" away from fossil fuels.

Originally posted here:

As war in Ukraine grinds on, G7 vows to reduce Russia's energy leverage - CBC News

For some Florida Guardsmen, leaving the troops they were training with in Yavoriv, Ukraine, was of one of the toughest moments of their military careers.

"Walking over to the Ukrainians and telling them we were leaving was painful," Army Col. Blake Glass, commander of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Florida National Guard, said. "We are personally invested; these are our friends and partners."

But as Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, saw during a recent visit here the Soldiers of the 53rd IBCT found renewed purpose after reuniting with their Ukrainian partners in Germany.

"Training with them again is a great way for us to stay involved," Glass said.

The 53rd IBCT deployed about 150 Soldiers last November for what they thought would be a longer rotation training with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

For four months, the Florida Guardsmen worked alongside AFU members to build defense capacity. But in February, as an unprovoked Russian invasion loomed, the soldiers were ordered to evacuate.

Among the last U.S. service members to leave, the soldiers of the 53rd IBCT shared hugs and sorrowful goodbyes with their Ukrainian counterparts.

Now, the 53rd IBCT known as Task Force Gator is assisting Ukraine troops who have come to Grafenwoehr, Germany, to train. Many of whom have since returned to the fight.

Grafenwoehr is the largest overseas U.S. military installation and home to 7th Army Training Command. There, the 53rd IBCT is working to provide continued logistics and training support as part of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.

"You are here to provide the support and training they need to continue fighting for their independence and their country's sovereignty," Hokanson told a formation of Task Force Gator soldiers. "I can't thank you enough for providing that enduring support."

Assistance begins with providing immediate support to AFU members fresh off the frontlines: addressing medical issues, and providing clean beds and linens, boots and clothing. A Florida Guard chaplain and mental health counselor are also available to provide support to AFU members who have experienced trauma and lost family members and friends.

A larger part of U.S. support enhances AFU lethality by increasing its soldiers' familiarity with the weapons being delivered to Ukraine.

The Florida Guard and the 7th ATC, among others, have trained about 1,000 AFU members on weapon systems, including artillery such as the 155mm Howitzer, Glass said.

"We know when Ukrainian soldiers come through here they have a responsibility to train and get back as soon as they can," Glass said. "We want to take care of every one of their needs to ensure they can do just that."

Hokanson met with AFU members as a multi-component, multinational mix of personnel had just returned from live-fire training and were reorganizing for the next iteration of drills.

"I was impressed with the urgency of their training," Hokanson said. "It is highly focused. The Ukrainians are adept, capable and motivated."

He noted a potential challenge for Ukrainian soldiers: reading dials, instrument panels and digital screens featuring English text. While some AFU soldiers know the language, others do not. But that hasn't been a roadblock, Glass said.

"The help and training we're providing are a direct correlation to the success they're having," he said. "They have our numbers on speed dial. We can hear the guns firing while we're working through issues with them on the phone."

Many states' National Guards have built a close connection with Ukraine through the Defense Department's National Guard State Partnership Program. This Florida Guard unit is the eleventh National Guard element to rotate through JMTG-U since it was established in 2015. Soon, another unit will replace them.

"The National Guard and its State Partnership Program has been instrumental by providing that connective tissue throughout Europe to build and enable partner capacity, readiness and interoperability," said Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commanding general of the 7th ATC.

The National Guard has been building security partnerships for almost 30 years through the SPP, and the program now includes 93 nations around the globe. The SPP's value cannot be overstated, Hokanson said.

Germany was Hokanson's second stop on a five-nation trip to recognize and strengthen National Guard relationships with NATO allies and European partners.

"When Russia invaded, Ukraine's military leaders reached out to people they trusted people they had known for years and those were members of the National Guard," he said. "Ukrainians' first text messages were, 'We're being invaded.' Their second messages said, Here's what we need. '"

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Hokanson Visits Guardsmen Training With Ukraine Troops > US Department of Defense > Defense Department News - Department of Defense