International inspectors have begun inspecting the first freighter loaded with Ukrainian grain since the start of Russia's war of aggression. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, experts from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations boarded the "Razoni" in Istanbul in the morning and began their work. They are to ensure that no unauthorized cargo is loaded. According to the broadcaster CNN Türk, the team consists of 20 people. The inspection takes about an hour.
The ship, loaded with around 26,000 tons of corn from Ukraine, arrived on Tuesday evening at the Black Sea entrance to the Bosphorus Strait, which runs through Istanbul, and is anchored there. The experts were brought to the freighter in two boats, as TV images showed. After the release, the freighter is to pass the Bosphorus and continue across the Mediterranean to Lebanon.
The destination of the "Razoni" is Tripoli
War opponents Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement separately with Turkey on July 22, through UN mediation, to allow grain exports from Ukraine from three ports.
The destination of the "Razoni", which sails under the flag of the West African state of Sierra Leone, is the Lebanese port of Tripoli. With the deliveries from the Ukraine, millions of tons of grain should once again be available for the world market. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian agriculture had to earn enough from exports to be able to ensure sowing next spring.
Zelenskyi: battlefields in Donbass "hell"
The Ukrainian army needs more weapons to defeat the Russian superiority in the Donbass, Zelenskyy said in his video address. He thanked the US for continuing to provide military aid. His army could inflict casualties on the attackers with Himar's multiple rocket launchers. Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov confirmed on Tuesday the arrival of four more Himars units from the US and the German Mars multiple rocket launcher.
"In fact, we still cannot completely break the advantage of the Russian army in terms of artillery and manpower," said Zelenskyy. This was felt in the battles for Avdiivka, Pisky and other places. "It's just hell."
In western Ukraine on the border with Poland, a Russian missile hit a military facility in the Chervonohrad district on Tuesday evening, according to the administration of the Lviv (Lemberg) region. Explosions were also reported from the city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine.
Russia: nuclear war cannot be won
In view of the Ukraine war, Russia has again stressed that the nuclear powers should "behave cautiously and responsibly". "The Russian Federation firmly believes that a nuclear war is unwinnable. And it must never be fought," Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Arms Control Director Igor Vishnevetsky said at the UN Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. in New York according to the text of the speech.
Concern about the situation at Zaporizhia power plant
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has described the situation at the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia as extremely unstable and fragile. "All the principles of nuclear safety have been violated in one way or another," said Rafael Grossi at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York.
With six blocks and an output of 6000 megawatts, the plant in the city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhia Oblast is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. An IAEA inspection to check technical safety is urgently needed, said Grossi. But it is currently very difficult for the IAEA to even get into the war zone in Zaporizhia. For the IAEA not only needs the approval of Ukraine and the support of the United Nations. One must also come to an agreement with Russia as the occupier of the place.
Ukrainian attacks disrupt Russian routes
According to British secret services, Ukrainian counter-attacks in the Cherson region in south-eastern Ukraine are causing increasing problems for the Russian occupiers. A Ukrainian attack on a Russian ammunition train temporarily disrupted a supply route from the occupied Crimea peninsula, the UK Defense Ministry said in an update. Although the Russians could repair this route within a few days, it will remain a weak point.
The Antonivka Bridge, which was damaged by Ukrainian missiles, is also making it difficult for Moscow to supply its occupying army west of the Dnipro River. The Russians would almost certainly have to use a ferry route recently established for civilians to get their troops and supplies across the river.
According to Western security circles, the Ukrainian counter-offensive in Cherson has recently picked up speed. In particular, the US-supplied Himar multiple rocket launchers are intended to inflict casualties on the attackers and cause logistical problems.
As the fierce fighting continues, the British secret services are assuming that more and more people will flee the Kherson region in the near future. This is expected to increase the pressure on traffic and transport routes and possibly lead to restrictions.
Ukraine accuses Germany of blocking financial aid
Because of the war that has been going on for more than five months, Ukraine is dependent on foreign financial aid. The leadership in Kyiv accused Germany of blocking the payment of EU aid. "We expect eight billion euros. Unfortunately, some EU countries, including Germany, are blocking the examination of this question," said Deputy President Ihor Zhovka, according to local media.
Zhovka explained that Kyiv has already received one billion euros of the nine billion euros in macro financial aid promised in May. According to information from the EU Commission, guarantees from member states may be necessary for the outstanding sum because a guarantee via the EU budget is not possible due to a lack of funds. A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Finance rejected the statement: The federal government is not hindering any aid for Ukraine.
EU Commissioner: Ukrainians get protection as often as necessary
EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson has promised refugees who want to return from Ukraine that they can return to the EU at any time during the war. "You are always welcome back in the EU," said the Swede on Tuesday during a visit to Kyiv. Shortly after the start of the Ukraine war in early March, the 27 EU countries decided to offer all Ukrainians protection quickly and unbureaucratically. They are allowed to move and work freely in the EU.
According to the UN refugee agency, more than 3.7 million Ukrainians have already applied for this status. In total, more than six million people have fled Ukraine to other European countries. But many have already returned to their homeland.
Former gymnast Kabaeva on the US sanctions list
Because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the US government is imposing new sanctions on oligarchs close to the Kremlin. Former gymnast Alina Kabaeva was also put on the criminal list. The 2004 Olympic champion now runs the large Russian media company NMG.
The EU sees her "in close contact" with President Vladimir Putin. In the tabloids there is talk of a relationship between the two. Also on the list were three Ukrainians working for the Russian occupation.
That's going to be important today
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will travel to Myanmar in Southeast Asia this Wednesday. Because of the war, Russia is isolated from most Western countries, but continues to pursue contacts in regions.
