By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Major Developments on the 844th Day of the Russia Ukraine War
Fighting
In a significant escalation of hostilities, a Russian missile attack on Ukraine's east central Poltava region injured at least 22 people, including three children. Poltava Governor Filip Pronin reported substantial damage to residential buildings and widespread power outages affecting thousands of residents.
In the southern Kherson region, partially occupied by Russian forces, a 50 year old civilian was killed in a Russian drone attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces are successfully pushing Russian troops out of the northeastern Kharkiv region. Last month, Moscow had seized several villages near the border. Vitaly Ganchev, a Russian appointed official in the occupied areas of Kharkiv, noted that Ukrainian forces are concentrating significant manpower and equipment in the area. He described Vovchansk, located 5 km (3 miles) inside the border, and near Lyptsy as sites of the "fiercest clashes."
Politics and Diplomacy
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang for a two day visit, marking a deepening of relations between Russia and North Korea. In a letter published in North Korea's ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, Putin expressed gratitude for North Korea's support for the war in Ukraine and pledged to support Pyongyang against "US pressure, blackmail, and military threats."
Evan Gershkovich, a US Wall Street Journal reporter detained since March of last year, will face trial on June 26 in Yekaterinburg. The Sverdlovsk Regional Court announced that the trial would be conducted "behind closed doors." Gershkovich, accused of espionage, denies the charges, and the Wall Street Journal, along with the US government, has labeled his detention as arbitrary. The Kremlin confirmed ongoing contacts with the United States regarding a potential prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accused China of "fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II" while attempting to maintain favorable relations with the West. He emphasized the need for the security alliance to impose costs on China for its support of Russia. The US recently imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies involved in the sale of dual use technologies to Russia. Although Beijing claims neutrality in the conflict, it has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In a continuing reshuffle that began with the unexpected removal of long standing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu last month, Putin dismissed four deputy defense ministers. Anna Tsivileva, the daughter of Putin’s late cousin, was appointed to one of the vacant positions, tasked with improving social and housing support for military personnel. Tsivileva previously led a state fund supporting those involved in the Ukraine conflict.
A fleet of Russian vessels, including a nuclear powered submarine, departed Havana's port following a five day visit to Cuba and military drills in the Atlantic Ocean. Their next destination remains unclear, though US officials speculate they may stop in Venezuela.
Weapons
An explosion at a Czech military base, where Ukrainian troops have been training since late 2022, resulted in the death of one soldier and injured eight others. Military police spokeswoman Katerina Mlynkova confirmed that the soldiers involved were not foreigners.