
Russian forces claim new victory in war in Ukraine
Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say.
There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry.
Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months.
As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May.
The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28.
Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia.
Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine.
The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say.
There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry.
Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months.
As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May.
The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28.
Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia.
Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine.
The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say.
There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry.
Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months.
As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May.
The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28.
Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia.
Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine.
The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say.
There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry.
Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months.
As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May.
The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28.
Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia.
Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine.
The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
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Russian forces claim new victory in war in Ukraine
Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say. There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry. Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months. As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May. The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28. Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region. Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia. Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine. The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say. There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry. Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months. As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May. The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28. Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region. Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia. Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine. The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say. There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry. Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months. As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May. The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28. Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region. Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia. Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine. The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Russian forces have taken control of the first village in the east-central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Russian state media and war bloggers say. There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources or from the Russian Defence Ministry. Russia has taken 950 square kilometres of territory in Ukraine in two months. As Moscow and Kyiv talk of possible peace, the war has intensified with Russian forces carving out a 200 sq km chunk of Ukraine's Sumy region and entering the Dnipropetrovsk region in May. The authoritative Ukrainian Deep State map shows Russia now controls 113,588 sq km of Ukrainian territory, up 943 sq km over the two months to June 28. Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a pro-Russian official, Vladimir Rogov, as saying that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Dachnoye just inside the Dnipropetrovsk region. Russia has said it is willing to make peace but Ukraine must withdraw from the entirety of four regions which Russia mostly controls and which President Vladimir Putin says are now legally part of Russia. Ukraine and its European backers say those terms are tantamount to capitulation, Russia is not interested in peace and they will never accept Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine. The areas under Russian control include Crimea, more than 99 per cent of the Luhansk region, over 70 per cent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, all in the east or southeast, and fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions.


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Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said.