Latvia to hand over its largest batch of drones to Ukraine
Latvia has prepared 1,400 drones for shipment to Ukraine. This is the largest single delivery of drones from the Baltic country.
This delivery will be the final one – the Latvian Ministry of Defense has completed the previously announced purchase of more than 2,500 drones from local manufacturers for Ukraine.
Latvia’s Defense Minister Andris Sprūds noted that the country has transferred a total of 3,000 combat drones of various types and characteristics to Ukraine as part of the Drone Coalition it leads.
Indian Prime Minister Modi arrives in Kyiv
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ukraine on August 23.
During his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he is expected to share his vision and prospects for a peaceful settlement of the “conflict” with Russia.
It also became known that the Indian side has ruled out any direct mediation role between Ukraine and Russia. But India can transmit messages between the two sides.
Ukrainian troops control over 1250 km² of Kursk region
As of August 20, the Armed Forces of Ukraine control over 1,250 km² of the territory of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, according to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Overall, this operation has become our largest investment in the process of liberating Ukrainians from Russian captivity. We have already captured the largest number of Russian prisoners in one operation, and this is a significant result, and this is one of our goals, and our actions continue, – Zelenskyy emphasized.
It is known that Ukrainian troops already control 92 settlements in the Kursk region.
Ukraine ratifies the Rome Statute
On August 21, Ukraine ratified the Rome Statute. Members of the Verkhovna Rada voted by 281 votes to ratify the Rome Statute.
The Rome Statute is an international treaty that became the basis for the creation of the ICC and defined the list of crimes that the court has the right to investigate – war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes of aggression.
It is known that ratification of the Rome Statute was one of the conditions for Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Germany handed over a new military aid package to Ukraine
Germany has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine.
Here is what it includes:
- one IRIS-T SLS short-range air defense missile system (2 units were previously transferred)
- 14 thousand rounds of 155 mm ammunition (previously 166 thousand);
- 10 ground drones (previously 40 units);
- 26 Vector UAVs with spare parts (previously 262 units);
- one Bergepanzer 2 armored evacuation vehicle with spare parts (previously 21 units);
- 6 military engineering vehicles;
- 55 thousand first aid kits (previously: 600 thousand);
- 700 MK 556 assault rifles (previously 2,425 units);
- 10 HLR 338 high-precision sniper rifles with 240 thousand rounds of ammunition (previously: 240 units);
- 50 CR 308 rifles (previously 481 units).
- The package also included materials for the disposal of explosive ordnance.
Switzerland will support the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia
The Swiss government has taken further steps to support the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
The Federal Council decided to adopt further measures of the 14th EU sanctions package against Russia. They include clarification of the bans on Russian diamonds, making them internationally consistent, – the Federal Council said in a statement.
The German government’s press service also emphasized the importance of effective implementation of sanctions against Russia.
Putin accuses Ukraine of attempting to attack Kursk NPP
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the Ukrainian military of attempting to attack the Kursk nuclear power plant on the night of August 22.
At the same time, the head of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, said at a meeting that the situation at the Kursk NPP was calm and everything was working as usual.
Earlier, it was reported that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi plans to visit the Kursk NPP in the coming days and then meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
Czech President believes that Ukraine can join NATO despite the occupation of part of its territory
Czech President Petr Pavel believes that Ukraine’s accession to NATO should not depend on whether it fully controls all of its territory, and recalls a precedent in history.
He said he expects that in the coming years Ukraine will be able to reach a peace agreement with Russia, an agreement that could mean that Moscow occupies part of its territory for a long time, but without the approval of democratic states to change its borders.
The Czech president sees a precedent for such a step in history. Petr Pavel recalled Germany, which was admitted to NATO in 1955, despite the fact that part of the country was occupied by the Soviet Union.
Kateryna Yashchuk
