In a recent address, President Zelenskyy announced Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines, due to Russia’s continued use of these weapons. The President emphasized the necessity of these mines for defense purposes, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia. This decision serves as a strategic move to focus on essential defense needs and signals a call to action for all partners along Russia’s borders. Zelenskyy also highlighted the complexities of the withdrawal process during wartime while condemning Russia’s use of these deadly weapons.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi refuted Russian justifications for the war in Ukraine, highlighting that the claims of NATO expansion being a threat contradict President Putin’s own statements from 2004. At that time, Putin welcomed NATO enlargement and expressed hope it would strengthen trust. Tykhyi accuses Putin of rewriting history to justify his aggression. He emphasized that NATO expansion has never threatened Russia; instead, it has denied Moscow the ability to conquer sovereign European nations.
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Following a significant overnight attack on Ukraine, NATO scrambled fighter jets as reported by Poland’s Operational Command. The Ukrainian military reported a large-scale Russian air assault involving numerous missiles and drones, marking the largest in over three years of conflict, targeting critical infrastructure. While no Russian projectiles entered Polish airspace, air alerts were issued in Ukrainian regions bordering Poland. President Zelensky confirmed casualties and damage, while Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted military-industrial facilities and refineries, and that a Ukrainian F-16 pilot was killed.
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President Zelenskyy has signed a decree for Ukraine to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a treaty prohibiting the use of anti-personnel landmines. The decree, which also mandates immediate action to implement the decision, originates from the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. Notably, this move follows similar actions by Poland, Lithuania, and Finland, and does not mention the Verkhovna Rada’s involvement, although a vote may be required. Ukraine joined the convention in 1999, with ratification occurring in 2005.
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Russia unleashed its largest aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, firing a total of 537 aerial weapons, including drones and missiles, targeting multiple regions. The attacks resulted in casualties across several regions, including the deaths of three people in Kherson, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and one in Kostyantynivka. Simultaneously, Russian forces claimed control of a village in the Donetsk region, while Ukraine withdrew from an anti-personnel landmine pact. This escalation follows recent comments from Putin, expressing a willingness for peace talks.
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Pope Leo XIV, speaking at the Vatican, expressed solidarity with Ukrainian Greek Catholic pilgrims, acknowledging their country’s suffering due to the ongoing war with Russia. The pope, who met with Ukrainian President Zelensky at his inauguration, offered prayers for the victims, prisoners, and families impacted by the conflict. He also offered a special blessing to mothers of soldiers killed in the war and called for a just and lasting peace, even offering the Vatican as a venue for peace talks. This stance, in contrast to some past remarks from his predecessor, has been welcomed by Ukraine.
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Poland responded to attacks in neighboring Ukraine by scrambling jets and activating its air defense systems. Ukraine utilized its full defense capabilities, including F-16 fighter jets, to counter the Russian assault. President Zelenskyy announced the death of an F-16 pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, who had downed seven aerial targets before his jet was damaged. The attacks, consisting of missiles, drones, and bombs, have increased significantly, prompting renewed calls for international support to protect Ukraine and pressure Russia to end the war.
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King Charles is preparing to host Donald Trump for an unprecedented second state visit in September, despite some tension between the palace and Downing Street regarding the visit’s timing. The King and Prince William plan to utilize private meetings to discuss key issues such as climate change and Trump’s stance on Canada. David Lammy is lobbying for JD Vance to join the trip, breaking with tradition. Although the King’s role is largely ceremonial, he will likely attempt to use his diplomatic experience to advocate for Britain’s interests.
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On June 28, Ukrainian Defense Forces, in collaboration with other units, struck Russian ammunition depots in the Bryansk region. The targeted facility was the 1060th Material and Technical Support Center, formerly the 120th Arsenal. Confirmed damage and fire at the site were reported by the General Staff, with results still being assessed. This attack followed a previous strike on June 26 by Ukrainian drones, hitting fuel and lubricant storage depots of the 1061st Material and Technical Support Center in Bryansk, resulting in multiple explosions and a fire.
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During a meeting with Ukrainian Greek Catholic pilgrims in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV expressed his sorrow for the “martyred” Ukraine and the victims of the ongoing war, instigated by Russia’s invasion in 2022, and annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Pope emphasized the importance of faith during these difficult times and has consistently expressed support for Ukraine, even appealing to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict. This stance marks a notable shift from his predecessor, with Ukrainian officials appreciating his solidarity. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly thanked the Pope for his prayers and compassion, calling for an end to the aggression and a return of those held captive.
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John Q. Hosedrinker