Prince Harry meets war victims in unannounced visit to Ukraine
AP —
Prince Harry met with war victims on Thursday in an unannounced visit to Ukraine as part of his ongoing work with wounded veterans, a spokesperson said.
Harry visited the Superhumans Center, an orthopedic clinic in Lviv that treats and rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians, to see top-notch services provided in a country in the midst of war. The center provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help free of charge.
The Duke of Sussex, who served 10 years in the British Army, has made helping injured soldiers one of his most prominent causes. He founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to offer wounded veterans the challenge of competing in sports events similar to the Paralympics.
Harry was accompanied by a contingent from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who have been through similar rehabilitation experiences.
The visit to the area in western Ukraine was not announced until after he was out of the country.
He traveled to Ukraine after spending two days in a London court where he is appealing the British government's decision to strip him of his government-funded protection after he quit working as a member of the royal family in 2020 and moved his family to California.
The prince is no stranger to war, having served two tours in Afghanistan, where he flew missions as an Apache helicopter copilot gunner.
Harry, 40, the younger son of King Charles III, is the second member of the royal family to visit Ukraine. His aunt, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, became the first British royal to travel to the country since Russia's 2022 invasion when she made an unannounced visit to Kyiv last year.
The royal family has been outspoken in their support for Ukraine. King Charles warmly greeted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of support at his estate on the North Sea coast just two days after his extraordinary dressing down by US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Harry's older brother, Prince William, met with Ukrainian refugees during a two day visit to Estonia last month.
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Egypt Independent
2 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Russia welcomes Trump's cut to Ukraine's military aid but it could be deadly for Kyiv
CNN — The reactions to the Trump administration's decision to The reactions to the Trump administration's decision to pause some weapons shipments to Ukraine couldn't be more illustrative of the conflict: welcomed by the Kremlin, branded 'inhumane' by Kyiv. The Pentagon said on Wednesday that it was pausing some aid because it needs to review whether the assistance that is provided to Ukraine is aligned with US President Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda. But the move could have deadly consequences for Ukraine as the halt on shipments includes missiles for Patriots, the US-made air defense systems that are currently protecting millions of Ukrainian civilians from Russia's increasingly massive daily aerial attacks. Kyiv endured the biggest ever attack overnight into Friday, with 13 dreadful hours of explosions and buzzing overhead as Russia launched a record 539 drones towards the Ukrainian capital and 11 cruise and ballistic missiles, according to the country's air force. As the smoke began to clear over the city, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the military for shooting down or jamming the majority of the Russian drones and missiles. 'It is critically important that our partners continue to support us in defending against ballistic missiles. Patriots and the missiles for them are true protectors of life,' he said – a remark clearly aimed at trying to persuade Trump to reconsider the pause. Zelensky got a chance to make the case directly to Trump when the two spoke by phone on Friday. A readout of the call from Zelensky's office said the two leaders 'agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies.' 'We are ready for direct projects with the United States and believe this is critically important for security, especially when it comes to drones and related technologies,' the readout said. No other air defense system can match the Patriots in its effectiveness – but their power comes at a huge cost, their production is limited and the demand for them is growing rapidly around the world, especially in areas deemed by the Trump administration to be more strategically important – such as the Middle East or, southwest Asia and South Korea. A Patriot system received by Ukraine is seen on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024. Vitalii Nosach/Global'Inhumane' decision The announcement by the US sent shockwaves through Ukraine, with presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak saying it would be 'very strange' and 'inhumane' to stop supplying missiles that are used to protect civilians. But despite the panicked reaction, the move was not entirely unexpected. Trump has threatened to withdraw Ukraine's support in a bid to force Kyiv to the negotiating table, and he has previously briefly paused shipments of aid. While the US was for a long time Ukraine's biggest supporter, singlehandedly covering about 40 percent of Ukraine's military needs, it has not announced any new aid to Ukraine since early January, when Trump returned to power. Meanwhile, European countries have stepped up their support of Ukraine. According to the German Kiel Institute, which monitors aid to Ukraine, Europe has now surpassed the US as the biggest donor – having supported Ukraine to the tune of 72 billion euro ($85 billion) in total military aid since the start of the full-scale invasion to the end of April, compared to 65 billion euro ($76.6 billion) from the US. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. 'Ukraine has a lot of different needs, and some of them can be filled by other suppliers, but some can only be filled by the United States,' Daniel Byman, director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told CNN. 'For ballistic missiles in particular, only the US can provide this. A cut off in those leaves a huge gap in Ukraine and air defenses. And given the kind of daily and horrible Russian attacks, that's very consequential.' Russia has ramped up its airborne attacks against Ukraine in recent weeks. Ballistic missiles pose the deadliest threat and, according to Ukrainian officials, Russia fired as many as 80 of these in June alone. Rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike on a residential building during an attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 23. Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto/Getty Images While Ukraine managed to shoot some of them down, likely with the Patriot system, the ones that slipped through caused unimaginable suffering. One ballistic missile strike killed 21 people in Dnipro last week. The week before that, 21 people were killed when a ballistic missile hit an apartment building in Kyiv. Deadly attacks like this will become more frequent if Ukraine loses access to the Patriots, which are widely considered to be among the best air defense systems available. They are capable of bringing down cruise and hypersonic missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft. According to analysts, the Ukrainian military has been using them in an extremely effective way, shooting down missiles that Moscow claimed were impossible to intercept, such as the Kinzhal ballistic missiles. At an estimated cost of about $1.1 billion for each system, the Patriots are by far the most expensive piece of equipment sent by allies to Ukraine. According to the CSIS, missile rounds for the Patriot come in at roughly $4 million each – an incredibly high price tag. But even if Ukraine had the cash to purchase these systems, which it doesn't, it would find it difficult to source them. 'The production pace of Patriot missiles is low. Not because the US doesn't want to produce more, but because it's very sophisticated – you can't produce thousands a year, you can produce hundreds and you have allies all over the world who need them,' Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, said Thursday during a discussion at the NEST Center, a think tank. Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the Patriot missiles for the US Army, has been ramping up production to record levels – but even so, it is only able to make just over 500 per year, with a plan to increase production to 650 a year by 2027. A major $5.5 billion deal between US and German companies to begin manufacturing the Patriot missiles outside of the US for the first time was approved last year following a NATO order of up to 1,000 rounds – but the first deliveries are not expected until several years from now. President Volodymyr Zelensky finds out about the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system at an undisclosed location in Germany, on June 11, 2024. Jens Buttner/Reuters Germany, which has donated several of its Patriot systems to Ukraine in the past, is looking into the option of purchasing some missiles for Ukraine from the US, the spokesperson for the German government said in a news conference on Friday. Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK-based defense think tank, said that while global stockpiles of Patriot missiles are not 'critically low,' there are some grounds for concern about shortages. 'The requirement for Patriots, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, is growing significantly,' he said. He said that given that some of the missiles initially meant for Ukraine were diverted to other allies, including Israel, it was likely that the US wanted to – or even had contractual obligations to – deliver interceptors to countries who are, in some cases, located within range of Iranian missiles. Still, Kaushal said the US itself is highly unlikely to face any kind of urgent shortage of missiles. 'While the US has sent a considerable number of Patriot interceptors to Ukraine it has replenished stocks through buy-back schemes from Japan and more recent shipments were diverted from export customers rather than the US' own inventory,' he said in a note emailed to CNN. Boost for Ukraine Zelensky said previously that Ukraine would need some 25 Patriot batteries to defend its airspace effectively. It has roughly half a dozen at the moment, although the exact numbers and their locations are closely guarded secrets. What is known, though, is that the Ukrainians are very worried about running out of the munitions – especially because the latest US pause doesn't concern future aid but impacts deliveries that have been approved and funded and were on their way to Ukraine, where the military was counting on receiving them in the very near future. 'One thing is not having future sales approved; another is stopping what is already in the pipeline. And so that's a very negative shift that is harmful for the future defense of Ukraine and the effect is going to be pretty quick. The Russian attacks are happening daily, and Ukraine relies on these systems to counter them,' Byman said. The pause in shipments is likely to give yet another boost to Russia. 'It's part of (the Russians') strategy. They believe that without the US support, Ukraine is more likely to collapse or at least make concessions… so it certainly increases the incentives for Russia to keep military pressure on Ukraine,' Byman said. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based conflict monitor, said that previous delays in deliveries of aid to Ukraine have invariably accelerated Russian gains on the battlefield. When the US dragged its feet on military aid in late 2023 and early 2024, Russia pushed forward in Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. When the US paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine in March, Russian forces advanced in Kursk. 'The suspension of US aid to Ukraine will reinforce Russian President Vladimir Putin's theory of victory that posits that Russia can win the war of attrition by making slow, creeping advances and outlasting Western support for Ukraine,' the ISW said. The pause in shipments will likely reinforce Putin's belief that time is on Russia's side – and that if he can delay negotiations for long enough, his troops will eventually outlast Western assistance to Ukraine. For Ukrainians, who have sacrificed so much trying to defend their country against a bigger, stronger aggressor, the absence of US military aid is not just yet another setback – it's potentially a disaster.
Egypt Independent
5 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
China tells EU it can't accept Russia losing its war against Ukraine, official says
CNN — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union's top diplomat that Beijing can't accept Russia losing its war against Ukraine as this could allow the United States to turn its full attention to China, an official briefed on the talks said, contradicting Beijing's public position of neutrality in the conflict. The admission came during what the official said was a four-hour meeting with EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas on Wednesday in Brussels that 'featured tough but respectful exchanges, covering a broad range of issues from cyber security, rare earths to trade imbalances, Taiwan and Middle East.' The official said Wang's private remarks suggested Beijing might prefer a protracted war in Ukraine that keeps the United States from focusing on its rivalry with China. They echo concerns of critics of China's policy that Beijing has geopolitically much more at stake in the Ukrainian conflict than its admitted position of neutrality. On Friday, at a regular Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing, spokeswoman Mao Ning was asked about the exchange, which was first reported in the South China Morning Post, and re-affirmed Beijing's long-standing position on the three-year war. 'China is not a party to the Ukraine issue,' Mao said. 'China's position on the Ukraine crisis is objective and consistent, that is, negotiation, ceasefire and peace. A prolonged Ukraine crisis serves no one's interests.' She added that China wanted a political settlement as quickly as possible: 'Together with the international community and in light of the will of the parties concerned, we will continue playing a constructive role towards this end.' China's public statements on the Ukraine war mask a more complex picture. Just weeks before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared a 'no limits' partnership with Moscow and since then political and economic ties have strengthened. China has put itself forward as a possible peacemaker, but as CNN has previously reported the stakes are high for Beijing, not least potentially losing a major partner in Russia. China has also rejected growing accusations it is providing near-military support to Russia. Ukraine has sanctioned several Chinese companies for providing Russia drone components and technology for use in missile production. Smoke is seen from outskirts of Kyiv after a Russian drone and missile strike in Ukraine on July 4. Alina Smutko/Reuters After a record assault on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, posted pictures he said were the fragments of a Geran 2 combat drone launched by Russia. One image displayed part of the drone's alleged fuselage which said the device was made in China on June 20. Sybiha added that night the 'Chinese Consulate General's building in Odesa suffered minor damage as a result of Russian strikes on the city. There is no better metaphor for how Putin continues to escalate his war and terror while involving others, including North Korean troops, Iranian weapons, and some Chinese manufacturers. Security in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific is inextricably linked.' This year also saw allegations that Chinese nationals have been fighting with Russia in Ukraine. Beijing denied any involvement and repeated previous calls for Chinese citizens to 'refrain from participating in military actions of any party.'
Egypt Independent
6 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Russia launches record number of drones at Ukraine after latest Trump-Putin phone call
Kyiv, Ukraine CNN — The smell of smoke and explosives saturated the air in Kyiv on Friday as residents emerged from shelters across the city following a record Russian drone attack that came just hours after US President Donald Trump said he had made 'no progress' towards a ceasefire in a call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The massive aerial assault stuck multiple buildings and residential areas in the capital in what has been described by Ukrainian officials as one of the worst attacks of the three-year conflict. At least one person died in the overnight attack, according to local Kyiv emergency services. Earlier Friday, city and military authorities said at least 23 people were wounded in the attack, which lasted 13 hours. Ukraine intercepted 476 out of a record 539 Russian drones, according to the country's air force. It said Russia also launched 11 cruise and ballistic missiles. Sixty Russian drones were taken down by Ukraine's new interceptor drones, regional officials said. Thousands of residents spent the night in shelters, including in subway stations or underground parking lots, as explosions and the sound of drones echoed through the city in the early hours of Friday morning. 'Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv. One of the worst so far,' said Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it 'one of the most large-scale air attacks' the country had seen. 'Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,' Zelensky said. 'Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror.' Initially, the sound of the city's air defenses and its new drone-to-drone interceptors could be heard working to thwart the Russian attack. But as the hours passed by, the relentless buzz of drones in the air continued and, later, the sounds of impacts could be heard. The strikes sparked fires in buildings and structures across several city districts, and partially destroying multi-story buildings, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. They also destroyed part of Kyiv's railway, and damaged five ambulances that were responding to calls from those wounded. The Polish consulate was also damaged during the attack, according to Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who called on the US to 'restore supplies of anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine and impose tough new sanctions on the aggressor.' Firefighters work at the site of a Russian drone and missile strike in the Ukrainian capital on Friday. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Reuters Residents in Kyiv have described growing accustomed to almost nightly aerial assaults from Moscow. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Anadolu/Getty Images In recent weeks, Russia has launched near-nightly air attacks on Ukraine involving hundreds of missiles and drones. The last record-setting night of attacks came just five days ago – when Russia fired 537 drones and missiles at Ukraine. On Thursday, Trump held a nearly hour-long call with Putin and voiced frustration afterward about the stalled ceasefire negotiations. 'We had a call. It was a pretty long call. We talked about a lot of things, including Iran and we also talked about, as you know, the war with Ukraine,' Trump said. 'I'm not happy about that.' Asked if he felt he made progress with Putin on a deal with Ukraine, Trump said firmly: 'No.' He added that he was 'very disappointed' with the conversation with the Russian president, whom he believes is 'not looking to stop' the war. In a phone call with reporters on Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia pays 'close attention' to all statements from Trump. Peskov said that during the call, Putin had 'reiterated that we are interested in achieving our goals in the course of the special military operation and preferably doing so by political and diplomatic means.' Trump spoke to Zelensky on Friday morning. The Ukrainian leader said discussed air defense opportunities and 'agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,' before adding that their teams would hold a meeting in the future. He also said in a post on social media that Kyiv was ready for 'direct projects with the United States and believe this is critically important for security, especially when it comes to drones and related technologies.' Nights of Russian attacks pummeling Ukraine have become the new normal for Kyiv residents. On Friday, air pollution levels in the city were 'high' after the overnight attack, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources. Civilians were warned to stay indoors, not to ventilate rooms and use air purifiers at maximum if possible, while people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases were asked to take particular care until the situation had stabilized. Once air raid warnings had ceased, residents expressed their frustration at what they described as Trump's tolerance of Russia's aggression. 'This attack happened immediately after Putin's conversation with Trump, and it confirms that Trump is a scoundrel, just like the fact that the US wants to stop aid deliveries and he is not helping in any way during his presidency,' said one Kyiv resident, Yuriy, told CNN. People gather near a building damaged following Russian drone and missile strikes in Kyiv. Alina Smutko/Reuters Another Kyiv resident, Yulia Ryzhkova, felt there was 'a connection between calls such as yesterday's between Putin and Trump and attacks like these.' She said, 'Everyone knows that Putin has the mentality of a thug. He only understands power, and unfortunately, Trump is not demonstrating that power. Russia feels it can act with impunity and knows that it will not suffer any consequences for its actions. This is terror, pure and simple.' The strikes come as the Trump administration pauses some weapons shipments to Ukraine, including air defense missiles, following a review of military spending and American support to foreign countries. Trump acknowledged said that the decision had been made to protect US stockpiles. The move has caused concern for many in Ukraine. On Friday, the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces warned that the number of long-range drones used by Russia to attack Ukraine could reach 1,000 or even more per day, citing intelligence data. The US has been the biggest single donor of military aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, supplying Ukraine with air defense systems, drones, rocket launchers, radars, tanks and anti-armor weapons, leading to concerns over dwindling US stockpiles. But the balance of aid to Ukraine has changed significantly since Trump returned to power, casting doubt over the future of US support for Kyiv.
