Ukraine Overview – What you need to know about the current war situation

Russian nationalist Girkin arrested in Moscow
Ex-secret service officer and ultra-nationalist Igor Girkin has been arrested in Moscow, according to his wife. Although he is seen as a clear supporter of Russia’s offensive war against Ukraine, he has become increasingly critical of Russia’s conduct of the war. He accused the military leadership of incompetence and corruption.

Wagner soon releases the last of the convicted recruits
According to information from British intelligence, the last convicted recruits will be released from the Wagner Group mandate in the coming days. However, a “significant number” of those pardoned will accept the offer to remain employed by Wagner as professional contractors.

Critical statement: Selenskyj recalls ambassador in London
Shortly after a critical statement about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian ambassador to Great Britain Vadym Prystaiko was recalled. He accused the head of state on British television of “unhealthy sarcasm”.

Attack and naval exercise: damage in coastal cities
Following the termination of the international grain deal on Thursday, Russia launched airstrikes against several Black Sea cities.

China has now confirmed that its consulate general there has been damaged after a Russian attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa. According to the state news agency Xinhua, parts of the building were damaged by an explosion near the diplomatic mission, but no one was injured.

At least two people were injured in a new Russian attack on the grain terminal in the Odessa region. According to Ukrainian authorities, the Russians fired missiles at dawn from a missile cruiser they had sent to patrol the Black Sea at night. In addition, 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley were destroyed by the shelling.

Russia also held a naval exercise with live ammunition. All ships destined for Ukraine would now be classified as “potentially carrying military cargo”.

Ukraine uses US cluster munitions
The United States is now reporting the use of the cluster munitions it had shipped to Ukraine. While Russia has reportedly long been using cluster munitions in Ukraine, which have been banned by many states, those who were attacked are now likely to fight back with the same weapons. According to one report, Ukraine apparently wanted to “break open” Russian positions.

Poland moves troops because of the Wagner group
Wagner mercenaries are now stationed at a military site near the border with Poland to train special military units. Due to a possible threat from the Russian Wagner mercenaries, Poland is now moving troops from the west to the east.

Ukrainian culture minister resigns
Ukraine’s culture minister Oleksandr Tkachenko has resigned after a dispute with President Zelensky over state funding. In a war “as much state attention as possible and thus state resources should flow into defense”.

Russia wants to make conscripts conscript up to 30 years in the future
Russia is now raising the maximum conscription age by three years. In the future, men up to the age of 30 should be able to be drafted into the army. However, the minimum age must remain at 18 years.

IAEA awaits access to Zaporizhia NPP
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are still waiting for access to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is currently occupied by Russian troops. Specialists have so far been unable to find any visible traces of explosives or mines.

According to IAEA director Rafael Grossi, access to the roofs of the reactors and their turbine halls is still required. A week ago, Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia’s nuclear agency, had dismissed allegations that Moscow was planning to blow up the nuclear power plant.