Attacks on Mykolaiv – at least 18 injured
Thursday, July 20, 7:53 a.m.: At least 18 people, including at least five children, were injured in attacks on the center of the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. This was announced by the governor of Mykolayiv region Vitaly Kim on Telegram on Thursday. According to the information, a three-story building and several garages caught fire in the city. Two people were rescued from the rubble, which is like a miracle, Kim continued.
Russia considers ships in the Black Sea as opponents from midnight
5:29 p.m.: After the end of the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain, Russia wants to classify ships in the affected areas of the Black Sea as possible opponents. From Thursday at midnight (Wednesday, 11:00 p.m. German time), the ships would be classified as “potential carriers of military cargo”, the Ministry of Defense in Moscow announced on Wednesday.
A warning to shipping had been issued in connection with the end of the Black Sea Initiative. According to Moscow, areas in the north-west and south-east of the international waters of the Black Sea have been classified as dangerous for shipping.
Accompanied by great international criticism, the Kremlin did not extend the grain agreement on Monday after about a year. With the help of the agreement, which came about in July 2022 with the mediation of the United Nations and Turkey, almost 33 million tons of grain have been exported abroad by sea in recent months, despite the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia justified its actions with its own demands, which allegedly had not been met.
The expiration of the agreement was internationally lamented. It is reviving fears of rising grain and food prices. Poorer countries in Africa in particular are dependent on Ukrainian grain.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj recently called for exports to continue without Russian consent in cooperation with the United Nations and Turkey.
Moscow: Russian troops advanced 1km in northeast Ukraine
4:24 p.m.: According to Moscow, Russian forces have advanced more than a kilometer on the front in north-eastern Ukraine. “The advancing units captured the Molchanovo train station in the Kharkiv region,” the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. The advance of the Russian soldiers happened on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow, there was a fire at a military site. According to official information, Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed of the situation on the ground. “Emergency measures are being taken. The situation is being clarified,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea ordered the evacuation of more than 2,000 residents from areas near the military compound in Kirovsky district. Initially, the Russian authorities did not provide any information about the cause of the fire.
Since the beginning of the offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, the Crimean Peninsula has been the target of attacks on a regular basis. On Monday there was an attack on the symbolically and strategically important bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula. This is the second time the bridge has been damaged in ten months.
Five wounded in attack in Donetsk region – two children
03:53: Five people, including two children, were injured in a Russian attack on a village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The two boys, aged one and 13, were playing in the yard of a residential building, the Ukrajinska Pravda internet portal reported late Tuesday evening, citing local authorities.
Odessa under fire again
Wednesday, July 19, 2:55 a.m.: The southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa has come under fire again. According to local media reports, explosions were heard in the city on Wednesday night. The air defense was active. Russia had already launched airstrikes in the Odessa region on the Black Sea on Tuesday night. The Defense Ministry in Moscow later confirmed the attacks.
