Dateline Moscow and Kyiv: Ukraine’s Independence Day marks six months of war.
Ukraine at D+181: Independence Day and six months of war. (CyberWire) Ukraine braces for Russian attacks to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, and in retaliation for the assassination of Daria Dugina. Russia attributes that killing to Ukraine and its British and Baltic allies, but the circumstances of the car-bombing remain murky. An assessment of overt and covert influence operations suggests the advantage lies with the overt.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 182 (AL Jazeera) As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its 182nd day, we take a look at the main developments.
Ukraine marks Independence Day six months after start of war (AP NEWS) Residents of Kyiv woke up to air raid sirens as Ukraine observed its Independence Day on Wednesday, which also marked exactly six months since the start of Russia’s military invasion.
Ukraine’s independence day was always important. Now it is a matter of life and death | Nataliya Gumenyuk (the Guardian) In Kyiv, we are marking the day under the constant threat of Russian attack, says Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk
An interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Washington Post) Over the past six months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has become an inspiring wartime leader and champion of his country. During an hour-long, wide-ranging interview with The Washington Post at the presidential office, where hallways are kept dark and are lined with sandbags to protect against Russian attack, Zelensky discussed U.S. warnings about Russia preparing to launch a full-scale invasion — and if he believed them.
Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine braced for ‘brutal strikes’ as it marks independence day – live (the Guardian) Ukraine expecting attacks as it marks its independence from Soviet rule and six months of war with Russia
After Six Months of War in Ukraine, Momentum Tilts Against Russia (Wall Street Journal) Moscow retains a firepower advantage, but Kyiv is starting to take the initiative, while Western support for Ukraine is holding firm despite economic pain.
Ukraine marks six months of war with Russia (Axios) Ukraine and its western backers are contemplating how long the fighting could go on.
Six months of Russia’s war in Ukraine, explained in maps (Al Jazeera) Using maps and satellite imagery, Al Jazeera breaks down some of the key events of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Russia-Ukraine war: We will fight ‘until the end’, Zelensky declares on Independence Day (The Telegraph) "We will fight until the end," President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared in an emotional speech to mark 31 years of Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union on Wednesday.
Daria Dugina funeral: Moscow car bomb ‘martyr’ lies in open casket (The Telegraph) At her funeral, her father and Putin ally Alexander Dugin said she ‘died for Russia’ and ‘victory’ over Ukraine would avenge her death
Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine braced for ‘brutal strikes’ as it marks independence day – live (the Guardian) Ukraine expecting attacks as it marks its independence from Soviet rule and six months of war with Russia
Russia Planning Attacks On Ukrainian Government Facilities, U.S. Warns Ahead Of Independence Day (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty) A U.S. official has warned that Russia is planning to soon launch fresh attacks against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities as Kyiv banned public Independence Day celebrations this week, citing a heightened threat of attack as Moscow’s invasion reaches the six-month mark.
Ukraine fears stepped-up attacks around national holiday (AP NEWS) The sense of dread deepened Tuesday in Ukraine because of warnings that Russia may try to spoil the country’s Independence Day holiday and mark the war’s six-month point with intensified attacks.
Ukraine Braces for an Explosive Independence Day (Foreign Policy) A signal date—six months into the war, just after the death of a Putin propagandist—has everyone in Kyiv on edge.
Odesa Is Defiant. It’s Also Putin’s Ultimate Target. (New York Times) President Vladimir V. Putin knows that Ukraine’s fate, its access to the sea and its grain exports hinge on Odesa. Without it, the country shrivels to a landlocked rump state.
What is blowing up those Russian bases in Crimea? (Breaking Defense) Ukraine appears to have struck Russia in Crimea twice this month. But how they actually pulled it off is a mystery worth unraveling, writes Mark Cancian of CSIS.
‘The biggest movement in the history’ — Ukraine evacuates the front line (POLITICO) Under criticism from rights groups, Kyiv hopes to relocate 750,000 people away from the fighting.
Ukraine nuclear plant worker killed by Russian mortar as tensions rise (Washington Post) An employee at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and his driver were killed in a mortar explosion outside the facility, underscoring the perilous situation at Europe’s largest nuclear plant, the president of Ukraine’s nuclear power company said Tuesday.
In Ukraine, a Nuclear Plant Held Hostage (New York Times) Five months after Russian forces took over the Zaporizhzhia plant, all that stands between the world and nuclear disaster are dedicated Ukrainian operators working at gunpoint.
U.N. Security Council Meeting Focuses on Threat to Nuclear Plant (New York Times) Fighting around the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility poses one of the gravest risks as the war nears the six-month mark.
6 Months Into War, Ukraine and Russia Are Both Reshaped (New York Times) It has been six months since Russian forces swept into Ukraine. This is what the conflict looks like for the combatants, and to a worried continent trying to maintain solidarity.
Ukrainian President Seeks ‘Clear, Effective’ Support In Face Of Russian Actions (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Kyiv expects “clear” signs of support and action from its allies and not just words as his country faces the threat of invasion from Russia.
EU feared to be losing the will to back Ukraine (The Telegraph) UK diplomats urge European leaders to keep up support as cost of living crisis bites
After six months of war in Ukraine, here’s what could come next (The Telegraph) From the economy, to the EU response and the future of Putin, Telegraph experts reveal how the conflict could develop in the months ahead
Germany, Slovakia sign tank swap deal to arm Ukraine (Defense News) Older Leopard 2 tanks will backfill a batch of Soviet infantry fighting vehicles that Slovakia is sending to Ukraine.
Polish President Duda in Kyiv to discuss more aid for Ukraine (Reuters) Polish President Andrzej Duda offered more support for Ukraine and called for an end to the Russian occupation of Crimea during his visit to Kyiv on Tuesday as Russia’s invasion of the country approached the six-month mark.
Ukraine needs more US support to win its fight for freedom (Atlantic Council) Ukraine’s resilient response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion has inspired the world but the country is now in need of increased US military, economic, and diplomatic support in order to secure an historic victory over Russia.
Ukraine Latest: US Warns of Russian Strikes Against Civilians (Bloomberg) The U.S. will announce $3 billion more in arms for Ukraine on Wednesday, when the country will mark a tense Independence Day and six months since Russia’s invasion, according to a US official.
US to send Ukraine $3 billion in aid as war hits 6 months (Military Times) The aid is expected to be announced Wednesday, the day the war hits the six-month mark and Ukraine celebrates its independence day.
7 in 10 Americans Want To Send More Weapons To Ukraine, Poll Finds (Defense One) Survey shows Americans want to keep supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes despite inflation concerns at home.
What Ukraine needs to win the war (Atlantic Council) Ukraine can win the war against Vladimir Putin’s Russia and secure an extended peace in Europe but victory depends on receiving Western support that goes well beyond the current level, writes Richard D. Hooker Jr.
Russia’s war in Ukraine: Six surprises six months in (Atlantic Council) The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world and transformed the geopolitical climate. Melinda Haring looks back at the first six months of the invasion and reflects on the six most surprising developments.
A strong Ukraine is the best solution to Europe’s Russia problem (Atlantic Council) Ukraine’s courageous response to Putin’s invasion has inspired the world but some Western leaders remain in denial over the threat posed by a hostile Russia, writes Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Six months, twenty-three lessons: What the world has learned from Russia’s war in Ukraine (Atlantic Council) Our experts break down how this conflict has transformed not only military operations and strategy, but also diplomacy, intelligence, national security, energy security, economic statecraft, and much more.
Opinion: 6 lessons the West has learned in the 6 months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (CNN) Six months after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine, it’s still not clear how this war will end. Ukraine, which has signaled its intent to launch a new counteroffensive, could retake the Russian-occupied city of Kherson and other parts of the south. But it’s also possible that a reinvigorated Russian force will break through to Odesa, closing off Ukraine from the sea. Or the front line might stabilize roughly where it is.
Kremlin’s pro-war propaganda is so boring a quarter of Russian TV viewers are switching off (The Telegraph) New survey finds TV audience is plummeting as Moscow continues to push out a barrage of pro-war reports
Six months into the war, how have Ukraine and its Western allies resisted Russia’s digital tactics? (Fast Company) Practice. Ukrainian defenders have had years of experience mitigating…
