'No grounds for evacuation' from Sumy, official says amid Russian offensive into region
"There are currently no grounds for evacuation from the city of Sumy. The situation along the Sumy Oblast border is tense but under control of the Defense Forces," Hryhorov said on social media, referencing concerns on social media from residents.
Sumy Oblast has seen escalating attacks in recent weeks as Russia intensifies cross-border operations. Russian advances into Sumy have gained momentum since Ukrainian forces withdrew from most of their foothold in Russia's Kursk Oblast in March.
Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia to the north, has been a repeated target of Russian incursions and shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Sumy has repeatedly suffered from Russian strikes on the city. On June 3, Russian on the city killed four people and injured 28 others, including three children.
On May 31, Hryhorov announced mandatory evacuation orders for 11 more villages due to intensifying attacks, bringing the total number of evacuated settlements in Sumy Oblast to 213.
The open-source battlefield monitoring group DeepState reported on June 8 that Russian forces have occupied the village of Loknia in Sumy Oblast, as the advances on small settlements along the border continues. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the reported advance, and the Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the reporting.
In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to create a so-called "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine, while President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 28 that Moscow had massed 50,000 troops near Sumy.
Read also: As 50,000 Russian troops amass, Ukraine's Sumy Oblast braces for potential large-scale offensiveWe've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
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Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Zelenskyy touts 'fruitful' Trump call after US president was 'disappointed' by Putin talk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that he had a "very important and productive" phone call with President Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed how Ukrainian air defenses might be strengthened, possible joint weapons production between the U.S. and Ukraine, and broader U.S-led efforts to end the war with Russia, according to a statement by Zelenskyy. "I had a very important and fruitful conversation with @POTUS," Zelenskyy wrote on X. "I congratulated President Trump and the entire American people on the US Independence Day. We - in Ukraine - are grateful for all the support provided. It helps us protect lives, safeguard our freedom and independence. We have achieved a lot together with America and we support all efforts to stop the killings and restore just, lasting, and dignified peace. A noble agreement for peace is needed." Zelenskyy said he and Trump "discussed the current situation, including Russian airstrikes and the broader frontline developments." "President Trump is very well informed, and I thank him for his attention to Ukraine," he continued. "We spoke about opportunities in air defense and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies. We have also agreed to a meeting between our teams. We had a detailed conversation about defense industry capabilities and joint production. 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. We also touched on mutual procurement and investment. Finally, we exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and joint work with the U.S. and other partners." Asked by reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday, Trump said he and Zelenskyy had "a very good call, I think a very strategic call." "Well, we've been helping them, and we'll continue to help them," Trump said of the Ukrainians. "It's a pretty tough situation. We'll see what happens. I told you I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. And it just seems like he wants to go all the way and just keep killing people. No good. It's not good. I was unhappy with him." When asked if the U.S. would sell more Patriot missiles to Ukraine, Trump said, "Yeah, we might. We're looking at it." "They need them for defense. I don't want to see people killed. They're going to need them for defense. They're amazingly effective," Trump said. "They're going to need something because they're being hit pretty hard." Asked if he threatened Putin with sanctions personally, Trump said, "We talk about sanctions a lot, yeah." "I would say he's not thrilled with it," Trump said. "He's been able to handle sanctions, but these are pretty biting sanctions. No, we talk about sanctions a lot. And he understands that it may be coming, and, you, know, he's a professional." The U.S. has paused some shipments of military aid to Ukraine, including crucial air defense missiles, out of concern for U.S. stockpiles following the Israel-Iran conflict. Ukraine's main European backers are considering how they can help pick up the slack. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to build up Ukraine's domestic arms industry, but scaling up will take time. Trump said he had also discussed Ukraine's request for Patriot missiles with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, but they have not yet made a decision. "No, we did talk about it, though, and he feels, you know, they have to be protected. He's a strong guy, and smart, very smart man," Trump said of Merz. Trump had said early Friday that he was "very disappointed" by his phone call with Putin, adding: "I don't think he's looking to stop, and that's too bad." Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov, released a summary of what he said was a nearly hour-long conversation between Trump and Russia's leader. It said Putin told Trump that Russia would "not back down from its goals" regarding the Ukraine war. "Naturally, the issues surrounding Ukraine were also discussed. Donald Trump has once again raised the issue of ending the hostilities as soon as possible. In turn, Vladimir Putin noted that we still continued the search for a political, negotiated solution to the conflict," Moscow's readout said. "He also noted Russia was willing to pursue negotiations. Additionally, the President of Russia said that Russia would strive to achieve its goals, namely the elimination of the well-known root causes that led to the current state of affairs, the bitter confrontation that we are seeing now. Russia will not back down from these goals." Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Ukraine. Waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv overnight Thursday into Friday in the largest aerial assault since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began. Ukraine said it struck a Russian air base on Saturday, while Russia's stepped-up bombing campaign has dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than three-year-old war. Ukraine's military General Staff said that Ukrainian forces had struck the Borisoglebsk air base in Russia's Voronezh region, describing it as the home base of Russia's Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
How Trump Can Help Ukraine Win The War And Make Russia Pay For It
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 24: Anti-war demonstrators and Ukrainians living in the U.S. protest ... More against Russia's military operation in Ukraine in Lafayette Park on February 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. (Photo by) Three years into Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and other Western countries (especially the EU) are providing tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine with no end in sight. In Trump's most recent call with Putin, the Russian president showed no interest in peace and later again publicly stated he wants all of Ukraine. Putin resumed bombing Ukraine moments after the presidential call. According to a CBC news report, in June 2025 alone, Russia sent nearly 5500 rockets and missiles into Ukraine. Another report indicates Russia plans to attack Ukraine with 1000 drones a day in August. Western aid has not stopped the Russians. But is there a way that Trump can make Russia pay and change all this? Let's take a sober look at how Russia is currently funding the war. The Numbers Don't Lie: Russia's Theft And Destruction Russia's war has resulted in over $552 billion in estimated theft and damage to Ukraine's economy and infrastructure. The breakdown is staggering: An estimated total of $552 billion in theft and damage—and counting. Oil and Gas: Why Are We Still Funding Putin? KYIV, UKRAINE - JULY 4: A woman with a small dog in district damaged by a Russian airstrike on July ... More 4, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Ivan Antypenko/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) While U.S. taxpayers send aid to Ukraine, Western countries continue to buy Russian oil and gas, funnelling money directly into Putin's war effort. Since February 2022, Western purchases of Russian energy have exceeded three times the aid sent to Ukraine. In short, while Russia wages war on Ukraine, stealing and destroying its assets, America and its allies have been covertly funding Russia while defending Ukraine in slow motion. Continuation of this practice and introducing pauses of U.S. support for Ukraine are heading us to Russia's victory and a shameful retreat for America. How To Help Ukraine Win The War In the spirit of full disclosure, I need to indicate I was the former President of the Canada Ukraine Foundation and am a senior advisor to the Centre for Eastern European Democracy in Toronto. That said, according to prominent author and historian Timothy Ash, supporting Ukraine to win the war effort would cost about $150 billion annually. Pricey? Sure. But compare that to the $4.5 trillion NATO will need to spend over the next decade if Ukraine loses. Consider: if Ukraine loses, millions of refugees will likely flood into Europe—headed westward, including to North America. A destabilized global economy will likely ensue. As a stronger, more defiant Russia likely could confront NATO and massive defence spending increases would result. China, seeing the withdrawal of European interest in the East, will be emboldened to strike at Taiwan. North Korea will exert greater assertiveness and power. Let's face it, the Russian menace is immediate and real, posing a threat not only to Ukraine but to all of us. The reality is China is a long-term adversary we could face one day, but it knows that a Russian defeat will weaken China. This is not an argument for charity or endless American support for foreign wars. It's about clear thinking and how to weaken America's most dangerous enemy now while keeping U.S. troops out of harm's way. In short, it's about getting Russia out of all of Ukraine, period. Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. (Photo by MIKHAIL METZEL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ... More MIKHAIL METZEL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) How To Make Russia Pay For It Firstly, the latest statistics show that the total U.S. aid to Ukraine since 2022 is about $185 billion. Europe has contributed slightly more. Meanwhile, $330 billion of frozen Russian sovereign assets remain untouched in Western banks. According to Timothy Ash, that money could fund Ukraine's defence and rebuilding for the next three years alone. America has previously seized Iraqi and Afghan funds for similar reasons. The law can—and should—be updated to seize Russian assets now. And America must take the lead. If the U.S. acts quickly and decisively, its allies like Canada, the U.K., and Europe will likely follow suit. That's real leadership. That's putting America First. Secondly, it's time for better thinking in Washington. Europe and others should not be buying energy from Russia but from America, Canada, and our other allies. Let's remember that America is a net energy exporter, and Canada has great potential to be equally strong. A shift in this thinking would keep Western money in safe hands, create jobs domestically, and cut off the Kremlin's cash flow. Any country still purchasing Russian oil and gas, such as China, India, Turkey, Brazil, and certain EU member states, should face strict U.S. sanctions. Instead of Russia earning three times as much income from selling oil and gas to Western nations as Ukraine has received in aid since February 2022, let's ensure America and its allies keep those profits, removing them from Russia's reach. We cannot afford to fund both sides of this war. In short, assisting Ukraine now by funding it with Russian frozen assets and cutting off Russia's energy income and diverting that income to the West, strengthens America, prevents U.S. troops from entering war zones, safeguards our borders, and saves U.S. taxpayers and other countries trillions of dollars in the future. Why Should We Support Ukraine? For over 30 years, Ukraine has been a vital ally of the United States. From Iraq to Afghanistan and beyond, they have fought alongside American forces in every major conflict since 1991. Ukraine's dedication to freedom, sovereignty, and partnership has been demonstrated repeatedly on the battlefield and a model for us to follow. Russia, on the other hand, has taken a very different route. The facts are that Putin's Russia has been relentlessly trying to weaken the United States. Russia has attempted to interfere in our elections, launched cyberattacks on our energy infrastructure, and supplied arms and funded hostile regimes from Iran to North Korea. These are not the actions of a rival — they are the actions of an enemy. Meanwhile, for a small part of America's defence budget, Ukraine has significantly weakened Russia's military forces. Over 1 million Russian soldiers have been either killed or wounded. The once-powerful Black Sea Fleet has been decimated. Russian oil, gas, and weapons facilities are under relentless attack. Russia has become so desperate that it has sent prisoners and North Korean soldiers to reinforce its front lines. All of this is happening because of Ukraine, and without a single American soldier on the ground. Supporting Ukraine isn't about charity. Let's not forget the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, when Ukraine relinquished the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., U.K., and Russia. Turning our backs now sends a dangerous message: America's word means nothing. Instead, we must be clear that while it's about defending Ukraine, it is also about safeguarding our security, promoting global stability, and strongly supporting those who share our values. Trump's Next Steps Forward President Donald Trump. (Photo by) The only way to safeguard Americans, their jobs, security, and wallets is evident:
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Afghanistan: Russia recognizes the Taliban government
"This brave decision will be an example for others." With these words, Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister in Afghanistan's Taliban government, welcomed the announcement by Russia that it was officially recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The Afghan Foreign Ministry wrote on X that this would be the start of "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement." It also posted a video of the meeting in Kabul between Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, and Muttaqi, in which Muttaqi declares: "Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone." The Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dmitry Zhirnov, called on IEA-Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan the meeting, the Ambassador of Russian Federation officially conveyed his government's decision to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) July 3, 2025 The radical Islamist Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of international troops. The government is not democratically elected, and enforces a severe interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Girls and women are banned from attending school after the age of 12. Until now, no country in the world has recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. Afghanistan expert Conrad Schetter, the director of the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (bicc), commented that Russia may have very specific reasons for recognizing the Taliban. It may, he told DW, have considerable interests in establishing economic ties with Afghanistan, not least as a potential hub for trade with Asia. Russia has been under international sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine. The Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace drew the same conclusion in a study published in 2024. "Russian officials have again begun speaking about using Afghanistan as a transit hub — for exporting Russian natural gas to India, and other goods to ports in Pakistan," it said. "However, this requires a gas pipeline to be built through the mountains, and a railroad, which currently ends at Mazar-i-Sharif at the Uzbek border, to be extended." Until now, the construction of a railroad from Russia to Pakistan via the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan has been nothing more than a pipe dream. If it were built, it would give Russia direct access to the Indian Ocean. According to a study by the consultancy SpecialEurasia published on Friday, Moscow is hoping that its formal recognition of Afghanistan means it will become a major supplier and economic partner for the country "by expanding trade in oil, gas, and wheat, and by collaborating on infrastructure, energy, and agriculture projects." Schetter believes that Moscow wants to be the trendsetter in establishing a new way of dealing with Afghanistan, and that this is probably also a major factor in the decision. "They're now hoping that other countries under authoritarian rule will follow suit," he says. "With this step, they want to assume a leading role among the autocratic states. This too is probably a significant motivation behind this decision." While Russia is the first country to recognize the Taliban officially, others, mostly countries under authoritarian rule, have maintained relations with the Taliban for some time. The Chinese embassy in Kabul is still open, for example, and meetings between the two countries have taken place at ministerial level. Iran also maintains diplomatic contacts with the Taliban, and it too has an embassy in Kabul. Pakistan has a close relationship with Afghanistan, despite political tensions caused by the activities of Sunni extremists along the border between the two countries. The region is seen as a breeding ground for extremist and terrorist activity around the world. The forced mass exodus of ethnic Afghans from Pakistan to Afghanistan shows the extent to which the two countries actually cooperate. Qatar is acting as an intermediary between the Taliban government and the West, and the 2020 Agreement between the US and Taliban governments that regulated the withdrawal of US troops was signed in Doha. Schetter comments that if these countries were to follow the Russian example, it would put considerable political pressure on Western states to do the same. "These states would then have to consider their attitude toward the Taliban. And this is precisely what could create a diplomatic dynamic that the Taliban now, because of this latest move by Russia, are more hopeful for." Afghan women's rights activists fear that Russia's recognition of the Taliban bodes ill for people in Afghanistan, especially women and girls. Shaharzad Akbar, the former chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, says the decision did not come as a surprise, but that it is very worrying, as it normalizes the Taliban's extensive crimes against their own people, especially women. "This recognition sends a signal to all countries that work against women and human rights, that oppress women, and base their politics on religion, repression, and ethnic affiliation," she says. Schetter is also concerned. "This step indicates that the international community prioritizes recognition of the Taliban over the observance of human rights," he says. "This is about sheer power politics, in which the question of human or women's rights really plays a very subordinate role." He believes there is reason to hope that the Taliban might grant women more rights again one day. "But this will have to happen according to the Taliban's rules. The current logic of the Islamist group in Afghanistan consists of depriving women of all their rights in order to reinstate them at some later stage. But this will happen based on a decision that the Taliban will make themselves, not as a result of international pressure. For now, though, the Taliban may feel that the recognition by Russia validates the domestic policy they're pursuing." This article has been translated from German.
