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According to Ukrainian information, Russian supplies for the embattled city of Avdiivka are stalling. The UN warns that if further attacks occur, Ukraine will not be able to meet global wheat needs. All developments in the live blog.
According to the military, Ukrainian air defense shot down a total of 14 drones belonging to the Russian armed forces during the night. The attack took place between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. over the center of the country, in the southeast and in the west. The Russian military also launched an “X-22” cruise missile from the southeast. However, the bullet did not reach its target and fell on a field.
There are no reports of casualties or damage. Russia’s Defense Ministry, in turn, reports that its air defenses shot down three Ukrainian drones over Crimea. Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014.
Conflict parties as a source
In the current situation, information on the course of the war, shelling and casualties provided by official bodies of the Russian and Ukrainian parties to the conflict cannot be directly verified by an independent body.
The chairwoman of the Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, has warned against cutting spending on the Bundeswehr and aid to Ukraine after the Karlsruhe budget ruling. “The Bundeswehr special fund of 100 billion euros remains in place because it is anchored in the Basic Law. There are no effects of the judgment here,” said the FDP politician.
“The eight billion euros for Ukraine, on the other hand, are not certain as of now. They must be justified separately. We are working on that as well as on further securing the Bundeswehr’s equipment,” she said. Because of the security policy situation, financing must be secured.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) warns that if Russian attacks continue, Ukrainian wheat production may be unable to meet domestic and export demand in the coming years. WFP Ukraine director Matthew Hollingworth said a forthcoming report from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) will show that there have been 31 documented attacks on Ukrainian grain production and export facilities since mid-July.
“If attacks on food infrastructure and the blockage of sea export routes continue, this will dramatically impact the outlook for agricultural production in the coming years and, in the worst case scenario, may result in wheat production becoming unable to meet domestic needs – and meet export demand,” added Hollingworth.
According to Ukrainian information, Russia is apparently sending fewer supplies to the embattled city of Avdiivka. There are fewer ground and air attacks on the city, says Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Stupun on state television. “But they are still violating the rules of war by shooting at medical teams and evacuation vehicles.” Russia denies the allegations. “However, the attackers are not abandoning their plan to encircle Avdiivka. Eight attacks were repulsed today.”
The head of Avdiivka’s military administration, Vitaly Barabash, said the fighting was concentrated in an industrial area and that Ukrainian forces were holding their positions. “The enemy continues to put pressure on our boys,” he told radio station NV. “They’re primarily focused on using drones. Drones over and over again.”
Conflict parties as a source
In the current situation, information on the course of the war, shelling and casualties provided by official bodies of the Russian and Ukrainian parties to the conflict cannot be directly verified by an independent body.
Despite cautious statements, Ukraine continues to hope for a quick decision in favor of starting EU accession negotiations. According to the UN, more than 10,000 civilians have died in Russia’s war of aggression so far. Tuesday’s developments can be read in the live blog.