Russo-Ukrainian war, day 854: Ukraine’s EU accession talks begin as international support continues
Ukraine has officially started its EU accession talks, with Foreign Minister Kuleba outlining the remaining steps towards full membership.
Exclusive
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Kyiv Arsenal Book Fair 2024 draws 35,000 despite war. PHOTO REPORT. At Kyiv Arsenal 2024, charred books from a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv stood alongside works by soldier-authors, illustrating Ukrainian literature’s endurance under fire. |
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Ukraine’s Euro 2024 football hopes hinge on clash with Belgium. Ukraine faces Belgium on Wednesday, 26 June, in a must-win Euro 2024 qualifier. Victory advances them, but anything less puts their qualification at risk. |
Military
Russian ammo depot on fire in Voronezh Oblast. Ukrainian military intelligence struck an army ammunition depot in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast, resulting in extensive fire, long-lasting secondary ammunition detonations.
ISW: Ukrainian forces counterattack in Vovchansk and Starytsia. Russian military bloggers dispute Ukrainian gains north of Kharkiv City, while geolocated footage shows Russian advances near Siversk and Toretsk, says the ISW.
Russia claims downing 30 drones from Ukraine in attack, targeting Belgorod Oblast. Russia reports a large-scale drone attack on its Belgorod Oblast, allegedly intercepting 30 UAVs, with one civilian ostensibly killed, 15 injured.
As of 24 Jun 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
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- Personnel: 535660 (+1300)
- Tanks: 8031 (+12)
- APV: 15413 (+15)
- Artillery systems: 14246 (+51)
- MLRS: 1108
- Anti-aircraft systems: 863
- Aircraft: 359
- Helicopters: 326
- UAV: 11382 (+27)
- Cruise missiles : 2323 (+2)
- Warships/boats: 28
- Submarines: 1
- Vehicles and fuel tanks: 19304 (+56)
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Intelligence and technology
Zelenskyy: SBU managed to hit over 30 Russian refineries, terminals, and oil depots with drones. Ukraine’s special operations forces have targeted Russian oil refineries and depots, with President Zelenskyy praising their impact on strategic battles.
Denmark to stop training Ukrainian F-16 pilots after 2024. Denmark’s transition to F-35 fighters will halt its F-16 training program for Ukrainian pilots by the end of 2024, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced Monday.
Sea Breeze 2024: Ukraine, US, and allies unite for maritime security during drills in Glasgow. This year, the drills are focused on the Ukrainian Naval Forces’ mine action training.
International
Macron ready to “continue dialogue” with Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated he would continue dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing his belief in diplomacy.
Türkiye confirms possible Erdogan-Putin meeting on 3-4 July. After a 10-month hiatus, Presidents Erdogan and Putin may resume face-to-face talks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in early July.
Trump reviews plan to halt US military aid to Ukraine unless it negotiates peace with Moscow. A new plan reviewed by Donald Trump would pressure Ukraine to negotiate with Russia by threatening to cut off US weapons support, according to former Trump officials.
Pentagon on strikes on Crimea: If Russia is concerned about its losses, it should stop the war. The Pentagon has rebuffed Russian accusations of US involvement in recent strikes on Crimea, stating that Ukraine independently selects its targets.
Hungary “furious” as EU approves $ 1,5 bn Ukraine aid from frozen Russian assets. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell announced that €1.4 billion ($1.50 billion) in profits from frozen Russian assets would be made available to support Ukraine’s air defense, ammunition, and industry needs, effectively sidestepping Hungary’s opposition as it has warmer ties with Russia.
Reuters: US official says China fears provocations from North Korea after Putin’s visit. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell suggests that China is apprehensive about possible provocative actions by North Korea following Putin’s visit, which could potentially lead to crisis in Northeast Asia.
Hungary won’t block EU-Ukraine talks despite disagreement. Putin’s ally, Hungarian PM Orbán, promises not to block Ukraine’s EU accession talks despite criticizing the process and claiming that Ukrainian borders “have not been clarified in practice.”
Political and legal developments
“Crimes against humanity”: International Court issues arrest warrants for Russia’s Shoigu and Gerasimov . The International Criminal Court (ICC) found reasonable grounds to believe that Russia’s former Defense Minister Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov intentionally caused great suffering and serious injury to Ukrainian civilians by directing a series of missile strikes against Ukraine’s electric infrastructure.
US urges Ukraine to strengthen prosecution and conviction of human traffickers, report says. The US State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report on Ukraine emphasizes the need for vigorous prosecution and conviction of human traffickers and complicit officials to combat the persistent issue of human trafficking in Ukraine, especially exacerbated after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s EU accession talks start today, three steps to remain for membership after their conclusion. Ukraine starts EU accession talks, marking a historic milestone. Foreign Minister Kuleba outlines three remaining steps to full membership after the talks: European Commission conclusion, accession agreement signing, and ratification by EU member states.
Read our earlier daily review here
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