Russia vs Ukraine Conflict: Major Developments on Day 561 (Video)

 

As the conflict enters its 561st day, here are the significant developments:

In the eastern city of Kostiantynivka, Russia's attack on a market resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 16 individuals, including some children, and left several others wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced this assault as an act of "utter inhumanity."

The White House and the European Union joined in condemning the attack, with the EU's Baerbock expressing on X (formerly known as Twitter), "This brutal attack on innocent shoppers at a market underscores that Russia's aggressive war is a violation of international law and an affront to humanity."

Russia continued its offensive on the Izmail port along the Danube in Ukraine's Odesa region, leading to the loss of one life during the three-hour attack.

Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted a barrage of Russian missiles aimed at targets in the capital, Kyiv.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, emphasized the ongoing challenges along the eastern front lines. He stressed that their primary mission remains ensuring robust defense and preventing the loss of established strongholds.

Yevgeny Balitsky, the top Moscow-appointed official in Ukraine's Zaporizhia region, reported that Russian forces had withdrawn from Robotyne for "tactical reasons," one week after Ukraine's liberation announcement.

Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar disclosed that parts of a possible Russian drone fell on Romanian territory, currently under analysis. NATO allies expressed "strong solidarity" with Romania after being briefed on the incident.

Ukraine's parliament approved Rustem Umerov as the new defense minister for Kyiv following the departure of Oleksii Reznikov. Umerov is a member of Crimea's Tatar Muslim community, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who defected to Ukraine in an Mi-8 helicopter, is set to receive a substantial reward of half a million dollars for changing allegiance and bringing military equipment.

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defense reported that Russia has introduced a new curriculum in schools, incorporating military skills, including weapons training, and the Kremlin's perspective on Ukraine's history.

Diplomacy:

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv for a two-day visit to reaffirm US support for Ukraine during its ongoing counteroffensive. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the backing of the US and other allies, emphasizing that they are not alone in facing the challenges ahead.

Zelenskyy welcomed Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to Kyiv, expressing gratitude for Denmark's military aid, particularly the F-16s.

A US congressional delegation is scheduled to meet with the International Criminal Court's top prosecutor, Karim Khan, in The Hague on Thursday to discuss allegations of war crimes against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, will lead the delegation, highlighting the plight of 30,000 children separated from their families and indoctrinated in Russia.

Officials from the US, UK, and EU are visiting the United Arab Emirates to discuss sanctions on Russia concerning concerns over the shipment of goods, including computer chips.

Britain plans to designate Russia's Wagner mercenary group as a "terrorist" organization due to its perceived threat to global security. In response, the Kremlin disputes the group's legal existence, with the UK designation set to take effect on September 13.

Weapons:

The Pentagon announced a new military aid package valued at up to $175 million for Ukraine, including depleted uranium ammunition for US Abrams tanks, HIMARS missile launch systems, Javelin antitank weapons, and other weapon systems.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that a British Challenger 2 tank, one of 14 donated to Ukraine, was destroyed. Thankfully, the crew survived the incident.

Germany is currently in negotiations with the Netherlands and Denmark for joint procurement of ammunition, as Western countries seek to replenish depleted stocks due to donations to Ukraine.

(Source: Theguardian, Al Jazeera And News Agencies)