The Pentagon confirms Iranian involvement in Russian drone operations in Ukraine, despite Iran’s denials. The drones serve as psychological weapons, but do not change the strategic situation. The U.S. continues to support Ukraine with security assistance and air defense capabilities.
Senior Indonesian officials have urged Western leaders to show flexibility in how far they go in criticising Russia over the war in Ukraine, in a last-ditch bid to avoid ending the G20 summit in Bali without a joint declaration, Politico reports, citing diplomatic sources.
International trade with Russia boomed in 2022 even as Western countries imposed sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, with China, Turkey and others deepening ties, a New York Times analysis finds, though Russia’s trade and war chest could dwindle as sanctions bite.
Russia has suspended its participation in the UN- and Turkish-brokered Black Sea grain deal hours after accusing Ukraine of a massive drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, while Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Moscow was using a false pretext.
Defence ministers from 14 NATO allies and Finland signed a letter of intent to develop the European Sky Shield Initiative, a German-led project to create a European air and missile defence system through joint purchases of air defence equipment and missiles.
The US Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act has come into force, meaning more and better weapons for Ukraine to liberate all of its occupied territories, according to Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk. The law aims to speed up deliveries of arms to Kyiv.
Russian air operations in Syria have become more aggressive since the invasion of Ukraine, said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of US Air Forces Central, suggesting Russian commanders who served in Ukraine may be trying to rebuild reputations after poor performance.
The UN Human Rights Council opened a four-week session in Geneva on September 12, 2022, with Russia’s war against Ukraine among the major crises on its agenda, UN News reported.
NORAD detected, tracked and identified Russian surveillance aircraft entering and operating within Alaska’s Air Defence Identification Zone on two separate occasions over the preceding two days, Ukrinform reported on August 11, 2022, citing the command.
Germany’s government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, remains resolute in not utilizing the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, even amid gas shortages. Despite reduced Russian gas supplies, measures are in place to mitigate impacts, with gas storage over 70% full from alternative sources.
Russia appeared to be testing a route for crude exports through Egypt’s El Hamra oil terminal, Bloomberg reported on August 3, 2022. The report was republished by maritime news outlet gCaptain.
The US House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting Finland and Sweden’s applications to join NATO by 394 votes to 18 on July 18, Yle reported on July 19, 2022. All votes against came from Republican lawmakers.
