Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commemorated the 500th day of the war by expressing his gratitude to the country’s soldiers in a video message from Snake Island, which has become a symbol of Ukraine’s resilience against the Russian invasion. Zelenskyy paid tribute to the soldiers who fought for the island and all defenders of Ukraine, stating that regaining control of Snake Island demonstrates Ukraine’s determination to reclaim every inch of its territory. The exact date of the video’s filming is unknown, as Zelenskyy was in Turkey at the time. Snake Island was captured by Russian forces on February 24, 2022, the day the invasion began. The island was seen as a potential launching pad for an attack on Odesa, Ukraine’s largest port and naval headquarters. Ukrainian troops stationed on the island reportedly responded to a demand to surrender with a resolute refusal. The Ukrainian defenders of Snake Island were initially captured by the Russians but were later released in a prisoner exchange. Following the Russian occupation, the Ukrainian military launched an extensive bombardment, leading to the Russians’ retreat on June 30, 2022. This retreat diminished the threat of a Russian naval assault on Odesa and facilitated a deal to resume the export of Ukrainian grains. Zelenskyy urged all those fighting for Ukraine to draw inspiration from the freedom sought by previous Ukrainian heroes who sacrificed their lives, declaring that victory was certain. In the ongoing conflict, intense battles continue to take place in eastern and southern Ukraine as Ukrainian forces persist in their efforts to penetrate Russian defenses. The Ukrainian interior ministry reported that a Russian rocket strike on the town of Lyman resulted in the death of eight civilians and the injury of 13 others. The governor of the Donetsk region, Pavlo Kyrylenko, shared images illustrating the aftermath of the attack, condemning the targeting of civilians. The town of Bakhmut, captured by Russian forces in May, has been the site of exceptionally fierce fighting along the front lines in recent weeks, according to the UK Ministry of Defense. Ukrainian forces have made steady progress in the Donetsk region, maneuvering both to the north and south of Bakhmut. The ministry suggested that the Russian defenders might be grappling with low morale, a mix of disparate units, and limited ability to locate and strike Ukrainian artillery. Accusations between Russia and Ukraine concerning plans to disrupt the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have raised fears of a potential radiation disaster. Ukrainian military intelligence claimed that Russian troops planted additional mines around the plant, although this assertion could not be independently verified. United Nations nuclear agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that International Atomic Energy Agency experts had gained access to more sections of the site and found no evidence of mines. However, access to the rooftops of the reactors, where explosives were allegedly planted by Russia, remains a point of contention. The Russian military maintains that it has successfully repelled Ukrainian attacks on various fronts. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited firing ranges where volunteer soldiers received training, following the failed mutiny led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin agreed to end the mutiny in exchange for amnesty for himself and his troops, as well as permission to relocate to Belarus. One of Wagner’s commanders, Anton Yelizarov, stated that the mercenaries had taken leave but would eventually be deployed to Belarus. As the clashes escalate, NATO leaders are preparing to convene in Vilnius for a two-day summit to offer additional assistance in modernizing Ukraine’s armed forces, create a new high-level consultation forum, and reiterate the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine’s eventual membership. In advance of the summit, the United States has announced its decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, a move described by President Joe Biden as challenging. While two-thirds of NATO members have banned the use of cluster munitions due to their history of causing civilian casualties, the United States sees their delivery as a means to bolster Ukraine’s offensive capabilities and break through Russian front lines. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov praised the US decision, stating that the cluster munitions would aid in liberating Ukrainian territories while safeguarding the lives of soldiers. Reznikov assured that Ukraine would only employ the munitions for de-occupying its own territory and not target Russian territory. He emphasized that the Ukrainian military would refrain from using cluster munitions in urban areas to avoid harm to civilians, deploying them solely in the field to minimize risks to the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.
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