STRAIGHT. War in Ukraine: Ukrainian troops “advance” south of Bakhmut, said in Kyiv

Vladimir Putin in an “embarrassing position”

The decision not to disband or prosecute the Wagnerian militias after an apparent mutiny they led in late June “puts Vladimir Putin and the Russian authorities in an awkward position,” says the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), USA. based think tank, in its latest report. “Wagner will continue to recruit fighters from Russia, while the Russian government will hold a competition for the recruitment of militia fighters, forcing them to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense,” the institute notes.

Belarusian Azarenka booed at Wimbledon

Ukrainian Elina Svitolina won on Sunday against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in the 1/8 finals in London. But this match was also marked by whistles against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka. The audience did not understand her attitude after the match: instead of shaking hands with her opponent, she limited herself to a small gesture, which the audience perceived as a lack of fair play. In fact, it was a desire to respect the position of Svitolina, as a Ukrainian, not to shake hands with any Russian or Belarusian opponent. Read our article on this topic.

Ukrainian forces “advance” south of Bakhmut

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar says Ukrainian soldiers are “clearly advancing” on the southern flank of the town of Bakhmut. Earlier, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Colonel-General Alexander Syrsky, in turn, said that Ukrainian forces were “advancing” around the eastern city of Donbass.

Zelensky hopes for ‘better outcome’ at NATO summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he was looking forward to the “best possible outcome” of the NATO summit in Vilnius, during which Kyiv hopes to see its aspirations to join the Alliance come true.

Ukraine should receive “security guarantees” from the West at this summit in the absence of an accelerated entry into the Alliance, as it had hoped.

Joe Biden arrives in the UK

US President Joe Biden landed in London on Sunday evening, where he is due to meet with King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before heading to the NATO summit in Vilnius on Tuesday and Wednesday. This summit promises to be the centerpiece of the US head of state’s tour of Europe, where members of the Alliance should discuss their support for Ukraine.

Good morning !

And welcome to this direct, dedicated to the war in Ukraine.