"With traffic jams building up, officials proposed that tourists drive 400km (250 miles) through territories held by the Russian army, some seriously affected by fighting, AFP reports." #UkraineWar

Russian officials on Monday encouraged holidaymakers stranded in #Crimea to drive home through occupied #Ukraine after explosions damaged the #KerchBridge, connecting the Crimean peninsula to #Russia, halting traffic.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/17/russia-ukraine-war-live-crimean-bridge-emergency-traffic-stops-explosion?page=with:block-64b534638f08742a26fe8d86#block-64b534638f08742a26fe8d86

"In a statement, the #UN secretary general, #AntónioGuterres expressed his 'deeply regret' at the #RussianFederation’s decision to withdraw from the #BlackSea grain deal, saying hundreds of millions of people facing a global cost-of-living crisis 'will pay the price' . " #UkraineWar #Russia

Hundreds of millions 'will pay the price' of Russia's withdrawal from Black Sea grain deal, UN says
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/17/russia-ukraine-war-live-crimean-bridge-emergency-traffic-stops-explosion?page=with:block-64b559038f08742a26fe8fa6#block-64b559038f08742a26fe8fa6

"As these losses have piled up — and as it lacks the capacity to refurbish more modern #tanks at the rates needed — #Moscow has increasingly brought outdated Soviet-era #T54, #T55 and #T62 tanks out of storage and to the frontline, even as #Ukraine receives increasingly advanced artillery from its Western allies." #UkraineWar

#Russia Sends Obsolete Tanks to Battle in Ukraine Amid Staggering #Artillery Losses
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/17/russia-sends-obsolete-tanks-to-battle-in-ukraine-amid-staggering-artillery-losses-a81862

Russia really doesn't want the Black Sea grain exports to continue.

"#Russia aimed several waves of #ShahedDrones and six #Kalibr cruise missiles at the #BlackSea port city of #Odesa overnight, #Ukraine’s Operational Command South has said, with all shot down by air defences." #UkraineWar

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/18/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-airstrikes-crimea-kerch-bridge-explosions-reopens-latest-news?page=with:block-64b624588f0820b061204ed7#block-64b624588f0820b061204ed7

"The so-called #SolidarityLanes" are designed to provide alternative land routes for the exportation of Ukrainian #grain after #Moscow blockaded docks in the #BlackSea region.

The measures include new border posts, flexible customs checks, logistics support, prioritization of Ukrainian agricultural exports and new storage facilities on the #EU’s side of the border." #UkraineWar

EU will expand solidarity lanes after #Russia's withdrawal of Ukraine #GrainDeal
https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-07-18-23/h_691ed27f343d2528ab857b45015dd596

"Despite their mutual fury toward #Putin, Ukrainian activists and Russian dissidents are largely avoiding each other. There’s little cooperation and no serious coalition building. Instead, there’s tremendous suspicion on the Ukrainian side and defensiveness from the Russians." #UkraineWar #Russia #Ukraine

They oppose Putin. But Ukrainians won’t work with them
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/18/ukrainian-activists-russian-dissidents-00106679?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social

"#Russia’s withdrawal on Monday, which included revoking its guarantees for safe navigation, also ended a pact between the #UnitedNations and #Moscow in which U.N. officials agreed to help Russian food and fertilizer exports reach world markets." #BlackSea #UkraineWar

UN says ideas 'floated' on how to get Ukraine, Russia grain to world | Inquirer Business
https://business.inquirer.net/410984/un-says-ideas-floated-on-how-to-get-ukraine-russia-grain-to-world

It just might work 🤔

"Suspilne reports that #Ukraine is considering the possibility of a #GrainCorridor through the territorial waters of #Romania and #Bulgaria, after #Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal. It cited Ukraine’s ambassador to #Turkey" #UkraineWar

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/19/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-moscow-attacks-odesa-crimea-military-base-fire-evacuation-kirovske-tavrida-highway?page=with:block-64b79ea88f08ed3a541d254c#block-64b79ea88f08ed3a541d254c

"Warning comes after #Moscow says all ships sailing to Ukrainian ports could be seen as ‘involved’ in conflict after it pulled out of the #UN-backed grain deal" #GrainCorridor #UkraineWar

#Russia may attack civilian #ships in #BlackSea and blame #Ukraine, US warns
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/20/russia-may-attack-civilian-ships-in-black-sea-and-blame-ukraine-us-warns

"Not only they withdraw from the grain agreement in order to export grain from #Ukraine, but they are burning the grain,” Borrell said.
“What we already know is that this is going to create a big, a huge #FoodCrisis in the world,” he continued. #UkraineWar

"A barbarian attitude:" Russian attack on #Odesa causing “destruction of grain storage," #EU says
https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-07-20-23/h_a8233b228c78f365a8206f51fc8800e5

"The number of #ATACMS in American stockpiles is fixed, awaiting replacement with the next generation, longer-range Precision Strike Missile, called the Prism, for PrSM, which is expected to enter service by the end of this year, officials said. #LockheedMartin Martin still manufactures 500 ATACMS each year, but all of that production is destined for sale to other countries." #UkraineWar

#US 'holds firm on refusal' to provide & #Ukraine with long-range missiles
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/23/russia-ukraine-war-live-one-killed-in-odesa-as-moscow-launches-fresh-strikes-putin-and-lukashenko-set-to-meet?page=with:block-64bcf9058f08ff360bcb32e2#block-64bcf9058f08ff360bcb32e2

"The flight of $239 billion from #Russia last year, including $13 billion in the pre-invasion month of January, was four times the amount that was pulled out of the country in 2021, according to the analysis." #UkraineWar

Russia Loses Record $253Bln in Wartime #CapitalFlight
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/24/russia-loses-record-253bln-in-wartime-capital-flight-a81948

"Wojciechowski said 60% of #Ukraine’s exports were shipped via #SolidarityLanes and 40% went via the #BlackSea while the #UN backed grain deal was in operation.

The collapse of the deal is expected to take a particularly heavy toll on countries in #Africa that depended on deliveries by sea." #UkraineWar #Russia #BlackSea

EU ready to move almost all of Ukraine’s grain exports via solidarity lanes
https://www.rappler.com/world/europe/european-union-ready-move-almost-all-ukraine-grain-exports-solidarity-lanes/

This is a great video showing the evolution and capabilites of the Black Hornet drones soon heading to Ukraine.
----
"The PD-100 #BlackHornet is a nano UAV developed by Prox Dynamics. The Black Hornet offers intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to armed forces in mission critical operations. The UAV gives access to remote locations and provides situational awareness on the battle field." #Ukraine #UkraineWar

Nano UAV - Black Hornet - PD-100 PRS
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4o7mRg74qcY

This is definitely aimed at #Turkey.

"#Sweden's government has accused #Russia of running a disinformation campaign around the recent #QuranBurning protests, saying that it was intended to make it more difficult for the country to join the #Nato alliance." #Ukraine #UkraineWar

Sweden accuses Russia of inflaming Quran-burning crisis
https://www.thelocal.com/20230726/sweden-accuses-russia-of-inflaming-quran-burning-crisis/

"The New York Times cited unnamed #Pentagon officials as saying the 'main thrust' of the counteroffensive had now begun, with the Ukrainian army pouring thousands of western-trained and equipped reinforcements into a perceived weak spot in Russian defences in the #Zaporizhzhia region. " #CounterOffensive

#Ukraine steps up counteroffensive with new push south and around #Bakhmut | #UkraineWar | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/26/ukrainian-forces-appear-to-advance-closer-to-bakhmut

Erik Tollefsen, head of the committee's weapon contamination unit, said, "In one day, the flying machine can do the work of a dog in six months."

"While a #deminer will identify mines over an area of around 50 square meters in one day, the #drone will be able to do it in four flights and will have done the same work over 100,000 sq meters," Tollefsen said. #UkraineWar

#RedCross seeking to use #Japan #AI to detect #landmines in #Ukraine
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230727/p2g/00m/0sc/008000c

“If they are granted, we are going to face some days where there is a clear risk of something serious happening,” he said. “I am extremely worried about what it could lead to.”

#Sweden’s embassy in #Baghdad was stormed and set on fire on 20 July by protesters angered by a planned #QuranBurning. #Russia #NATO #Ukraine

Swedish PM ‘extremely worried’ as more apply to burn #Quran https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/27/swedish-pm-extremely-worried-about-quran-burning-protests

"The latest sanctions follow similar embargoes announced by the #UnitedStates and #EU, Kuroda said.

Other items added to the export ban list include #steel, #plastic products, and #ElectronicParts 'that can be diverted to military use,' he added." #UkraineWar

#Japan on Friday announced an expanded list of $sanctions against #Russia that includes an export ban on hybrid and #ElectricVehicles.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/28/japan-expands-sanctions-on-russia-over-ukraine-invasion-a81988

"#Russia's #WarInUkraine has disrupted the global supply of parts and raw materials needed to complete a variety of products - from #cars to #ComputerChips." #UkraineWar

#India and #Japan look to collaborate in building #semiconductors and resilient #SupplyChains
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/28/japan-expands-sanctions-on-russia-over-ukraine-invasion-a81988

"Those taking part in the summit will include #Ukraine, as well as #Brazil, #India, #SouthAfrica and several other countries, the official said. A high-level official from #JoeBiden’s administration also is expected to attend, the official said." #UkraineWar

The Associated Press is reporting that #SaudiArabia will host a Ukrainian-organised #PeaceSummit in early August seeking to find a way to start negotiations
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/30/russia-ukraine-war-live-drones-damage-moscow-buildings-in-early-morning-attack-putin-says-he-does-not-reject-peace-talks?page=with:block-64c5e8d38f085120bb1d979a#block-64c5e8d38f085120bb1d979a

"The Swedish government said this month that it would examine whether it could change #Sweden's Public Order Act to give police the possibility to stop demonstrations that threatened Sweden's security." #NATO #Quran #QuranBurning

#Turkey urges Sweden to take steps to stop #KoranBurnings
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/turkey-urges-sweden-to-take-steps-to-stop-koran-burnings/ar-AA1eyNMx

"The towers, often unoccupied at night, are located further from the #Kremlin than other highly-defended government targets like the #MinistryOfDefence, where #Russia had stationed a Pantsir S-1 air defence system on the roof last year, and present a large, tall target." #UkraineWar #Ukraine

#Moscow tower hit for second time in fresh #DroneStrike, says mayor
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/01/moscow-hit-by-fresh-drone-strike-says-mayor

"A flock of #NATO aircraft carefully monitored the ships as they sailed toward #Izmail, a small Ukrainian port just across from #Romania on the #DanubeRiver. The vessels presumably will load grain in Izmail then sail back into the #BlackSea and onward to foreign ports." #UkraineWar

NATO Planes Watched As Three Civilian Ships Ran #Russia’s #NavalBlockade Of #Ukraine

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/07/31/nato-planes-watched-as-three-civilian-ships-ran-russias-naval-blockade-of-ukraine/?sh=31453e2c1b72

"People living around the eastern Polish village of #Białowieża, close to the #Belarus border, shared accounts on social media of what they said were border violations before the defence ministry issued its statement." #Poland #NATO #Wagner

#Warsaw sends troops to border, accusing Belarus of violating its airspace
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/01/warsaw-sends-troops-to-border-accusing-belarus-of-violating-its-airspace

Izmail port was hit again.

"In late July, Russian drones targeted the #Izmail, destroying a grain warehouses. And on Sunday, Ukrainian media reported several foreign cargo ships had arrived at the port from the #BlackSea for the first time since the expiration of the grain deal." #UkraineWar #Russia

Russian drones hit port, grain storage in #Ukraine’s #Odesa region – official
https://www.rappler.com/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crisis-updates-august-2-2023/

"This isn’t the first time an ally has insinuated #Ukraine needed to be more grateful to its allies.

Speaking to reporters at the #NATO summit in #Vilnius earlier this summer, British Defense Secretary #BenWallace said Ukraine must show 'gratitude' to its allies in order to maintain long-term Western public and political support." #Poland #UkraineWar

Ukraine summons Polish ambassador over ‘unacceptable’ comments about gratitude https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-summons-polish-ambassador-bartosz-cichocki-kyiv-over-unacceptable-comments/

“The summoning of the Polish ambassador — a representative of the country that was the only one left in #Kyiv on the day of #Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine — to the Ukrainian foreign ministry should never have happened,” Morawiecki said. #UkraineWar

#Zelenskyy urges cool heads as #Poland lashes out at Ukraine in gratitude spat
https://www.politico.eu/article/zelenskyy-restraint-poland-ukraine-agriculture-gratitude-spat/

The detailed training syllabus still has to be finalized and approved by the #US and it isn't clear yet which countries will actually transfer fighter jets to #Ukraine. #UkraineWar

#F16 questions remain as Ukrainian pilots set to start training this month
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/f-16-questions-remain-as-ukrainian-pilots-set-to-start-training-this-month/ar-AA1eDN4z

"In 2023, #Ukraine supplied 80% of the wheat procured to support humanitarian operations in the most #FoodInsecure countries such as #Afghanistan, #Djibouti, #Ethiopia, #Kenya, #Somalia, #Sudan and #Yemen." #UkraineWar #BSGI #GrainCorridor #BlackSea

#Putin is using food as a weapon – but his cynical attempts to drum up forced allies will fail | Joseph Borrell
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/03/russia-food-vladimir-putin-black-sea-grain-initiative-eu-aid

"Experts given access to two units at Russian-held site one month after #Ukraine claimed there were devices on roofs" #IAEA #NuclearPlant #UkraineWar

#UN nuclear watchdog finds no explosives at #Zaporizhzhia plant
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/04/un-nuclear-watchdog-searches-for-explosives-at-zaporizhzhia-plant

"#JPMorgan had handled some Russian #GrainExport payments for the past few months with reassurances from #Washington. However, that cooperation stopped this week, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday." #Ukraine

#Russia says JPMorgan Stopped Processing Its Grain Payments https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-says-jpmorgan-stopped-processing-its-grain-payments-/7212697.html

#BlackSea is becoming a decisive frontline after #Moscow pulled out of the UN grain deal and bombarded #Ukraine’s ports. #UkraineWar

Drone attack on tanker shows #Kyiv’s intent to hit Russian energy shipments https://www.politico.eu/article/drone-attack-russia-tanker-kyiv-hit-energy-shipment-naval-base-crimea-black-sea-ukraine-war/