06:29 Estonia aids children living in conflict zones

6:29 Estonia aids children in conflict zones

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will allocate approximately 650,000 euros in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This assistance will primarily support the education system in conflict zones and help children affected by the war. A portion of the aid will be distributed by the Estonian non-profit organization Eesti Pagulasabi, which focuses on enhancing living conditions in vulnerable areas and supporting Ukrainian refugees in Georgia. Moreover, the non-profit organization Mondo will utilize some of the funds to organize summer camps and offer psychological support to children in Zaporizhzhya.

Russian MP Viktor Vodolatsky stated that Russian forces intend to capture Vovchansk, a border town in the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, and then target Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and Pokrovsk. TASS, a Russian news agency, shared this information, citing Vodolatsky's statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Belarus for discussions with his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. Topics on the agenda included security matters and joint military exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons. Belarus will participate in these exercises, during which preparations for the launch of small nuclear warheads will simulate.

South Korea enforced sanctions against seven North Korean individuals and two Russian ships amidst accusations of arms trade between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The USA is preparing to provide $275 million in military aid to Ukraine, including artillery shells, precision-guided bombs, and vehicles. This assistance will be authorized under President Joe Biden's Presidential Drawdown Authority, enabling him to act without Congressional approval in emergencies.

Brazil and China, who have not been invited to the international peace conference on Ukraine in Switzerland, are distancing themselves by calling for Russia and Ukraine to partake in direct peace talks. In a joint declaration, Brazil and China emphasized the need for an international peace conference with equal involvement from all parties.

A Moscow military court sentenced 36-year-old Vladimir Malina to 25 years in prison for terrorism, high treason, and sabotage. Malina, a Moscow barman, was a member of the "Legion for the Freedom of Russia," a group of Russians fighting for Ukraine. He was convicted for setting fire to a railroad control box and devising sabotage plans. Malina was arrested in June.

Poland and Greece urged the EU to establish an air defense shield to safeguard European countries amidst the Russian war. In a letter addressed to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis asserted that Europe's safety would rely on securing its skies.

A video surfaced of suspected explosions in Russian-occupied Crimea, with suspicions that Ukraine employed ATACMS missiles provided by the USA to target Crimean targets. The Russian air defense system has also been observed to be active in the area. However, Moscow typically downplays Ukrainian attacks or asserts it has shot down all missiles and drones. Recently, Ukraine has more frequently targeted Russian military installations and radar systems. Some sources speculate that the same might have occurred this time. https://i.redd.it/ix4vy8z3rtt91.gif

A video purportedly shows explosions in the Russian-controlled Crimea. It is believed Ukraine is striking targets on the peninsula with ATACMS missiles provided by the US a few weeks ago. This footage, taken in the Crimean village of Alushta, seemingly depicts at least one detonation. However, confirmation is lacking. The Russian air defense system also seems to be active, as per the video. Crimea's governor, Sergei Aksyonov, accepted responsibility for deaths in Simferopol and Alushta on his Telegram channel. Reports mention two fatalities and a commercial building being hit. Nevertheless, Russia often underplays Ukrainian attacks or claims to down all missiles and drones. Kiev frequently attacks Russian military installations and radars. Some speculate the same is happening in this incident. https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/uyky2z/russian_warship_rams_reckless_ukrainian_fishing/

10:00 pm: Could another arrest be in the works? Possibly, Putin's military clean-up might still be in progress.

According to pro-Russian news outlets, Vladimir Verteletsky, the head of the Russian Ministry of Defense's department for maintaining the state defense order, is now under arrest. It is alleged that he is involved in massive-scale fraud. Recently, Vadim Shamarin, who served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, was also taken into custody. Shamarin marks the fourth top-ranking military official who has been arrested since April.

To find more about the earlier events, click here.