Cleverly condemns Putin as Russia pulls out of Ukraine grain deal
Evening Standard
David Hughes
7-17-2023
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/russia-james-cleverly-vladimir-putin-ukraine-moscow-b1094896.html
Russia has halted a deal that allows vital grain exports from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Vladimir Putin is using food supplies “as a weapon” by pulling out of an agreement to allow grain exports from Ukraine, James Cleverly said.
The Foreign Secretary condemned the Russian leader’s actions, pointing to United Nations (UN) estimates that it could condemn millions more people to hunger.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) deal would be halted, adding that Russia will return to the previous arrangements after its demands are met.
Moscow has claimed that restrictions on shipping and insurance have hampered its own exports of food and fertilizer – which it argues are also critical to the global food chain.
ARTICLE
War update: Heavy battles ongoing on five sections of front
Ukrinform.net
18.07.2023 20:38
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3737491-war-update-heavy-battles-ongoing-on-five-sections-of-front.html
Heavy battles are ongoing in Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka directions. Eighteen combat engagements took place there during the day.
This is stated in the report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on Tuesday, July 18, published on Facebook.
According to the General Staff, the Russian invaders continue to focus their main efforts on these sections of the front.
Meanwhile, in Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to carry out an offensive operation, gain a foothold on the reached frontiers, inflict fire damage from artillery, and carry out counter-battery fight.
During the day, Ukrainian aviation launched 11 strikes on enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment clusters, and three more on its anti-aircraft missile systems.
Missile and artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit an enemy command post, eight artillery pieces on firing positions, two ammunition depots, and three electronic warfare stations.
Ukrainian defenders also destroyed two Russian reconnaissance drones of operational-tactical level.
Today, the Russian army launched a missile and air strike on Ukraine. According to detailed information, the enemy used six Kalibr cruise missiles and 35 Iranian-made Shahed-136 combat drones.
In addition, the invaders launched 70 airstrikes and 53 MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated settlements. As a result of enemy attacks, civilians were killed and injured, industrial facilities, residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure objects were destroyed.
In VOLYN and POLISSIA directions, the operational situation has not changed significantly. There were no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groups.
The Russian Federation maintains its military presence in SIVERSHCHYNA and SLOBOZHANSHCHYNA directions. More than 20 settlements were hit with enemy mortar and artillery. In particular, Seredyna-Buda, Iskryskivshchyna, Stepne in Sumy region; Hlyboke, Vovchanski Khutory, Volokhivka in Kharkiv region were affected.
In KUPYANSK direction, the Ukrainian defenders firmly hold the defense. In the area of Kyslivka, the Russians launched an airstrike and shelled Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Petropavlivka, Holubivka, Kupyansk in Kharkiv region with artillery and mortars.
In LYMAN direction, the invaders attacked the areas of Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Spirne and Siversk in Donetsk region. Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Torske, Verkhniokamyanske, Berestove, and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region were hit with enemy artillery.
In BAKHMUT direction, under heavy Russian aircraft and artillery fire, the Defense Forces of Ukraine successfully repelled enemy attacks near Bohdanivka in Donetsk region.
The Russian army launched airstrikes near Kurdiumivka, Ozarianivka, Druzhba, Bila Hora, and Oleksandro-Shultyne in Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements, including Vasiukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka, Chasiv Yar, Markove in Donetsk region came under enemy artillery fire.
In AVDIYIVKA direction, the Russian army launched an air strike in the area of Avdiyivka and fired artillery at more than 10 settlements, including Avdiyivka, Vodiane, Pervomayske, Orlivka, Berdychi in Donetsk region.
In MARYINKA direction, the defense forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops near Maryinka and Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Heorhiyivka, and Maksymilyanivka, were hit.
In SHAKHTARSKE direction, Russian invaders made unsuccessful attempts to restore their lost positions in the areas of Rivnopol in Donetsk region; Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
The Russians launched airstrikes in the areas of Velyka Novosilka, Makarivka, Rivnopil in Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements came under enemy fire in this direction, including Vuhledar, Storozheve, Blahodatne in Donetsk region.
In ZAPORIZHZHIA and KHERSON directions, the Russian troops focus their main efforts on preventing the further advance of the Ukrainian troops. The invaders hit the districts of Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Orikhiv, and Pyatykhatky in Zaporizhzhia region from the air.
More than 20 settlements were hit with enemy artillery, including Vilne Pole and Vremivka in Donetsk region; Zaliznychne, Lobkove, Kamyanske in Zaporizhzhia region; Synelnykove and Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk region; Kherson, Burhunka, Sadove, Berehove, Rozlyv in Kherson region; Ochakiv in Mykolayiv region.