New verbal attack. The leader of the paramilitary group Wagner, Evguéni Prigojine, on Wednesday (June 21) accused the Russian military hierarchy of “hide” the difficulties encountered by its army in the face of the Ukrainian counter-offensive. “The enemy is occupying Piatykhaty, northern Robotyne, and Urojaine, which means that large swaths of territory have been losts [au profit de] the enemy”, he accused on Telegram. Follow our live.
The counter-offensive not as fast as hoped. According to the Institute for the study of war, the slower-than-expected overall pace of the Ukrainian counteroffensive “is not representative of Ukraine’s wider attacking potential”, specify the center on Twitter. “Ukrainian forces are likely setting the conditions for a major future effort, despite initial setbacks.”
New financial aid for Kyiv. EU countries will donate another 3.5 billion euros to the fund for the European Peace Facility, used to finance their arms supplies to Ukraine and military missions abroad. The initial endowment of 5.7 billion, allocated for 7 years, melted in just one year.
New sanctions for Russia. EU member states also agreed on an eleventh package of restrictive measures against Russia, intended in particular to avoid the circumvention of the sanctions already in place. “This package includes measures aimed at combating the circumvention of sanctions and individual sanctions”, declared Sweden, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.
Large-scale operation for mine clearance in Ukraine. Ukraine’s mine clearance will be comparable to that put in place in Europe after World War II to remove explosive devices, the UN said. It will take some 274 million euros per year for five years to clear Ukrainian territory. So far only $35 million has been received this year to fund this program.