The essentials in brief:
- UNESCO protection for Ukrainian cultural assets
- Another new US military package
- Russian border region reports drone attack on industrial plant
The UN cultural organization UNESCO has placed 20 cultural assets in Ukraine under enhanced temporary protection. These include, among others, the historic center of Lviv, St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev and the residence of the Metropolitans of Bukovina and Dalmatia in Chernivtsi. The special protection status allows the alleged perpetrators of the destruction of these cultural assets to be prosecuted or extradited.
The Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflicts condemned at a special meeting the “severe damage caused by Russian missile attacks on historical buildings of cultural significance in Lviv, Odessa and Chernihiv.” The Ukrainian security forces and judicial staff are to be trained in the protection of cultural heritage, UNESCO announced in Paris.
Blinken speaks about Russian drone in Romania
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu about the debris of a Russian drone on Romanian territory. According to the US State Department, the call was about Romania’s investigation into drone debris found on the border with Ukraine.
Blinken and Odobescu also discussed continuing to maintain airspace security. The Romanian minister on Thursday rejected the Ukrainian claim that Russian drones had landed and exploded in the NATO member country.
Baerbock understands the desire for cruise missiles
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has shown understanding that Ukraine is demanding long-range Taurus cruise missiles. In the newspapers of the Funke media group, the Green politician pointed out the huge minefields that were laid by the Russian army between the occupied territories and the rest of Ukraine.
“In order to free the people in eastern Ukraine, in order to hit Russian supply lines behind the defense line, the mine belt must be overcome,” said Baerbock. “In this respect, the Ukrainian request for a device with a longer range is more than understandable.” Nevertheless, the Foreign Minister spoke out in favor of careful examination.
New US military package worth $600 million for Ukraine
The USA is providing further military aid to Ukraine. The US Department of Defense announced on Thursday in Washington that the new package was worth around 600 million US dollars (around 560.9 million euros). It includes, among other things, ammunition for the HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, artillery ammunition and mine clearing equipment. According to the information, the equipment is procured from the industry.
The day before, the USA had already announced military aid worth 175 million dollars (around 163 million euros) – parallel to the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kiev. According to ministry information, the USA has provided or promised military aid worth more than $43.7 billion (around €40.9 billion) for Kiev since the war began at the end of February 2022.
Russian border region reports drone attack on industrial plant
According to official information, an industrial facility in the Russian border region of Bryansk was attacked by drones and set on fire. An administrative building caught fire, wrote Governor Alexander Bogomas on Telegram.
Bogomas blames Ukraine for the drone attack, in which no one was injured. The Russian Defense Ministry said shortly afterwards that air defense in Bryansk had repelled two drones.
Ukraine reports progress near Bakhmut
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports a “partial success” near the eastern city of Bakhmut. There is also progress in the advance of Ukrainian troops south to the Sea of Azov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address that he thanked and awarded military units in the east and south of the country for their actions against Russian troops. Ukraine’s counteroffensive, which began in June, initially focused on recapturing Bakhmut, which had been captured by Russian troops in May.
rb/fab (AFP, AP, dpa, epd, KNA, Reuters)
This article will be continually updated on the day it is published. Reports from combat zones cannot be independently verified.
Source: DW
