Here is the situation on Friday, June 28, 2024.

Fighting

• Ukraine’s military reported driving Russian soldiers out of a district in Chasiv Yar on the war’s eastern front. Russia claimed to have destroyed a communications tower in the same area and made progress.
• Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, stated that about 10,000 naturalized citizens were sent to fight in Ukraine. Russia is also taking action against naturalized citizens not registering with military authorities.
• Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced missile strikes on Ukrainian airfields designated for Western military aircraft, citing success without providing specifics.

Politics and diplomacy

• Ukraine and the EU signed a security pact to provide sustained support to Kyiv. President Zelenskyy urged the EU to fulfill its commitments of military aid, including air defence systems.
• Lithuania and Estonia inked security agreements with Ukraine as well.
• Jordan Bardella, a potential French prime minister, denounced Russian imperialism and vowed to resist letting Ukraine be absorbed. He opposed sending missiles that could hit Russia, potentially involving France in the conflict.
• Sri Lanka appealed to Russia to allow its former soldiers to return home voluntarily. They also sought compensation for Sri Lankans killed in combat against Ukraine.
• A man in Crimea was sentenced to 12 years for “high treason” after filming Russian military sites to aid Ukraine, as reported by Russian news agencies.
• South Korea imposed sanctions on entities involved in illicit military dealings with North Korea.

Weapons

• The Czech Republic urged more donors to contribute to supplying ammunition to Ukraine, stating the need for additional support to meet their targets. Eighteen countries are currently part of the initiative, with the first shipment of 155mm shells reaching Ukraine.