MISSILE STRIKE INJURES NINE IN DNIPRO, UKRAINE
July 29, 2023
Late last night, a missile strike in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro resulted in the injury of nine people, including two teenagers. The regional governor, Serhiy Lysak, stated that this Russian missile attack was the first on the city center in months and targeted a high-rise building as well as a building belonging to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
The incident highlights the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the war’s ripple effects being felt across the globe. In Brazil, justice officials announced that they could not approve the U.S.’s request to extradite Sergey Cherkasov, accused of being a Russian spy, due to their ongoing processing of Moscow’s request for him on drug trafficking allegations.
Furthermore, in a show of solidarity with Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee has invited Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan to compete at next year’s Paris Games. Kharlan was disqualified from the Fencing World Championships in Milan after refusing a mandatory handshake with her Russian opponent. The committee has assured Kharlan that she will be granted an additional quota place if she fails to qualify on her own merit.
In a move aimed at distancing Ukraine from Russian heritage, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law to move the date of Christmas from January 7 to December 25. The Ukrainian government argues that Christmas is a Christian holiday integral to Ukraine, and the observance of the Julian calendar has long been imposed on its people.
Meanwhile, fighting has escalated in southern Ukraine, particularly near the village of Robotyne. Ukrainian officials report some gains in their counteroffensive push against Russian defenses. Russia, on the other hand, claims to have intercepted two Ukrainian missiles, including one that allegedly landed in a Russian town, injuring nine people.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Russia’s defense minister of visiting North Korea to secure weapons. Blinken stated that Russia is desperately seeking support and weapons wherever it can find them, further highlighting concerns about Russia’s military activities.
Global aid needs have skyrocketed due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The World Food Program reports that the United Nations has been forced to cut food, cash payments, and assistance to millions of people in countries such as Afghanistan and Yemen due to a crippling funding crisis.
Lastly, repeated bombing attacks on Odessa by Russia have intensified the economic war on Ukraine. The termination of the U.N.-brokered grain deal by Russia has led to significant damage to Odessa’s grain industry, with at least 60,000 tons of grain being destroyed. This loss equates to enough food to feed over 270,000 people for a year, underscoring the devastating consequences of the conflict.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing hostilities and the international community closely monitoring the developments.