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Ukraine: Another Russian ship sunk after attack

A Russian ship en route to deliver weapons to the strategically located Snake Island sank Friday after it was hit by Ukrainian missiles, a Ukrainian military official reported.

The tug, named Vasili Bech, was hit earlier in the day by missiles supplied by Denmark to Ukraine and was seriously damaged. “Later in the day it became clear that the ship has sunk,” Odessa military governor Maksym Marchenko said in a video message to Telegram. The German news agency DPA could not independently confirm Marchenko’s claim. Russia has not yet responded to the attack.

The ship is said to have been en route to Snake Island, about 35 kilometers south of the Ukrainian coast. The island is important for access to the Black Sea. From there, Russians can block shipping traffic to and from southern Ukraine. Russia took control of the island at the beginning of the war, but has no real control over it. There is a lot of fighting around the island.

The Vasili Bech is not the first Russian ship to be lost since the war with Ukraine. Russia has previously confirmed the loss of the flagship of the Black Sea fleet, the Moskva.

10.10 Ukraine wants to resume negotiations with Russia in August

Kiev does not want to resume peace negotiations with Moscow until the end of August, Ukrainian chief negotiator David Aratsjamia told US broadcaster Voice of America on Saturday. According to Archamia, Ukraine will carry out counter-attacks on the Russians before then, which will give the country a better negotiating position.

“I think we will conduct an operation with counter-attacks in several places,” the chief negotiator said, without giving details.

Peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow began shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the talks soon ended. Representatives of both governments have not seen each other since late April and remote negotiations have also stalled.

Both countries blame each other for the lack of a breakthrough. Both Russia and Ukraine are now trying to improve their negotiating position through military successes.

US drone sales to Ukraine may be in jeopardy

A U.S. government plan to supply Ukraine with four large drones that can be armed with missiles is in doubt, according to insiders. Within the Pentagon, there are concerns that the advanced equipment could fall into Russian hands.

It concerns four MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones. The plan to sell it to Ukraine has previously been approved by the White House, Reuters news agency reported.

However, a Pentagon subdivision responsible for securing high-tech technology now fears the drones could pose a security risk if Russian forces get their hands on them. In particular, the radar and surveillance equipment on the drones should under no circumstances come into hostile possession.

Whether the deal can still go through is currently being discussed within the top of the US Department of Defense. However, one person involved tells Reuters that it is not yet clear when a decision will be made about this. According to government documents, the drones in question cost about ten million dollars (more than 9.5 million euros) each.

Ukraine recently appealed to its allies to provide more heavy military equipment for the war with Russia. Kiev says it will need 1,000 howitzers, 300 missile launchers, 500 tanks, 2,000 armored vehicles and 1,000 drones to defeat the Russians.

05.56 Zelensky: Ukraine is a valuable member for the EU

According to President Volodimir Zelensky, Ukraine’s accession to the European Union would be of great value not only to Kiev, but also to Brussels and the member states themselves. “This is the biggest contribution to the future of Europe in many years,” Zelenski said in a video message on Friday.

The European Commission on Friday recommended that Ukraine and Moldova be designated as candidate members of the EU. It will then take years before both countries can actually become members. For example, Ukraine still needs to do a lot to reduce corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law. The stamp of candidate for membership has been a fervent wish of the Kiev government, especially since Russia invaded the country.

According to Zelensky, the EU needs Ukraine to ensure its power and independence. The president also states that European integration will have positive consequences for Ukrainians. “The closer we are to other European countries, the more opportunities we will have to guarantee a modern and safe life for all Ukrainians.”

07.25 Russia continues to attack Severodonetsk

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