The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to take a toll as the conflict enters its 860th day. Recent developments on Thursday, July 4, 2024, include multiple attacks by Russian forces resulting in casualties in various regions of Ukraine. The United Nations human rights office reported that Russian air-dropped bombs have led to a significant number of civilian casualties in the country.
In the political arena, a military court in Moscow sentenced three brothers for treason for attempting to join a Russian unit fighting on Ukraine’s side. Additionally, a 19-year-old man was found guilty of treason in Rostov-on-Don for allegedly donating money to Kyiv’s military, while a court in Saint Petersburg increased the sentence of an activist and filmmaker for criticizing the Russian offensive against Ukraine.
On the diplomatic front, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed Ukraine during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, emphasizing the need for peace talks involving Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to help end the conflict, but was told by Putin’s spokesman that he could not play a role as an intermediary.
In terms of military assistance, the United States announced $150 million in new aid for Ukraine, including missiles and artillery rounds. NATO allies are also set to provide significant funding for military aid to Ukraine next year. The Czech Ministry of Defence revealed that the country had donated equipment worth millions of dollars to Ukraine by the end of May.
Despite the ongoing violence and political tensions, countries like the Netherlands and Israel have reiterated their support for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for cooperation in facing regional and global threats posed by countries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
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