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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• Ukrainian Drones Struck Russian Oil Facility, Igniting Major Fire, Source Tells RFE/RL RFE/RL 18 Jun 2024 -- Ukraine's main security and counterintelligence agency was behind an overnight drone attack that ignited a major fire at an oil depot in the southern Russian city of Azov, a reliable source in the Ukrainian security forces told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on June 18.
• Russian oil tanks burn after drone attack VOA 18 Jun 2024 -- Russian oil storage tanks were ablaze overnight after being hit in a drone attack, according to Russian officials, and Ukrainian forces reportedly shot down 10 drones that Russia launched overnight.

• Ukraine Loses Up to 455 Soldiers in Clashes With Russia's Western Group - MoD Sputnik 18 Jun 2024 -- The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 455 servicepeople in clashes with Russia's Battlegroup Zapad in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
• 'RaHDit' Hackers Release Data of Ukrainian Drone Operators Sputnik 18 Jun 2024 -- The hacker group RaHDit has published the data of more than 1,200 Ukrainian drone operators.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Russia Takes Responsible Approach to Nuclear Deterrence - Deputy Foreign Minister Sputnik 18 Jun 2024 -- Russia takes a very responsible approach to the nuclear deterrence issues, and it is necessary to clarify some parameters for the situations described in the nuclear doctrine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
• After start of bilateral operational exercise, Pacific Fleet carries out enhanced security of strongholds in Primorsky region Russia MoD 18 Jun 2024 -- After the start of the Pacific Fleet bilateral operational exercise, the anti-submarine sabotage units and anti-submarine units of the Primorsky Flotilla of Joint Forces began reinforced guarding of the ships' bases in the area of responsibility of the formation.
• Corvette Boykiy performs anti-submarine tasks and artillery live fires at sea Russia MoD 18 Jun 2024 -- As part of elements of the K-2 course task, the corvette crew performed anti-submarine tasks and artillery live fires in the Baltic Sea waters.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on June 10-16, 2024 Lithuania MND 18 Jun 2024
• Statement on summoning of Russian Ambassador to express stance against Russia's violation of Swedish airspace Government Offices of Sweden 18 Jun 2024 -- Today, Tuesday 18 June, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has summoned the Russian Ambassador to express its stance against Russia's violation of Swedish airspace that took place on Friday 14 June.

Foreign Policy

• Putin in North Korea, with new treaty in focus VOA 18 Jun 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived early Wednesday in North Korea, where he is expected to sign a treaty outlining Moscow's expanded cooperation with Pyongyang.
• Russia's Putin Hails Growing Ties As He Arrives In North Korea RFE/RL 18 Jun 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea early on June 19 at the start of a visit set to boost defense ties between the two countries as Moscow pursues its war in Ukraine.
• Putin starts visits to North Korea, Vietnam amid West's attention Global Times 18 Jun 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin started his visits to two Asian countries on Tuesday, which according to analysts will attract intensive attention from the US and the West as they may potentially impact the regional geopolitical landscape.
• Russian President's Visit to DPRK Welcomed: Newspapers of DPRK KCNA 18 Jun 2024 -- At the invitation of Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, will pay a visit to the DPRK.
• Russian People Will Surely Win Victory of Justice KCNA 18 Jun 2024 -- The anti-imperialist independent forces are working hard to defend the sovereignty and security of their countries and build an independent multi-polar world. On the contrary, the hegemony-seeking forces insist on a uni-polar world. Their fierce confrontation is mirrored in the on-going Russia's special military operations against Ukraine, showing apparent contradiction between justice and injustice.
• Russia and Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Tradition of Friendship and Cooperation Lasts Decade after Decade KCNA 18 Jun 2024 -- V. Putin, president of the Russian Federation, released an article titled "Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Tradition of friendship and cooperation lasts decade after decade".
• Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang President of Russia 18 Jun 2024 -- Vladimir Putin arrived on a friendly state visit in the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Pyongyang.
• Putin arrives in North Korea, vows to boost cooperation and fight sanctions Radio Free Asia 18 Jun 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea in the wee hours Wednesday for a meeting with counterpart Kim Jong Un, promising hours before the visit that the two nations will develop an "alternative settlement system" to facilitate commercial cooperation outside the control of the West and fight its sanctions.
• Russia and Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Tradition of Friendship and Cooperation Lasts Decade after Decade KCNA 18 Jun 2024 -- V. Putin, president of the Russian Federation, released an article titled "Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Tradition of friendship and cooperation lasts decade after decade".
• Article by Vladimir Putin in Rodong Sinmun newspaper, Russia and the DPRK: Traditions of Friendship and Cooperation Through the Years President of Russia 18 Jun 2024
• Putin's visit puts Vietnam in 'difficult position' with 'no breakthrough,' experts say VOA 18 Jun 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to Vietnam will put the Southeast Asian country in a difficult position and could even be seen as risky for Hanoi, according to three international relations experts who spoke on Monday to VOA. They expected no breakthrough from the visit.
• China, Iran, North Korea 'Countries Of Concern' For Russia Support, Blinken Says RFE/RL 18 Jun 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described China, Iran, and North Korea as "countries of concern" for their involvement in Russia's war economy at a June 18 joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
• Mali Seeks to Boost Military Capabilities With Russia's Assistance - Foreign Minister Sputnik 18 Jun 2024 -- Mali's aim is to promptly bolster its military capabilities with Russia's assistance, and both countries are discussing a military equipment procurement program, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop told Sputnik.
• Canada announces additional sanctions against Russian government for its responsibility in death of Alexei Navalny Canada 18 Jun 2024 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions on 13 individuals under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.
• Backgrounder - Russia sanctions Canada 18 Jun 2024 -- Canada is imposing sanctions against Russian officials in response to gross and systematic human rights violations that have been committed in Russia.

News Reports

• Russian involvement in China's moon exploration divides space research camps VOA 18 Jun 2024 -- China aims to mark a new milestone in space exploration next week when its Chang'e-6 probe is expected to return to Earth from the far side of the moon with rock and soil samples.
• Russian Law On 'Undesirable Organizations' Violates Rights Convention, European Court Says RFE/RL 18 Jun 2024 -- The European Court of Human Rights on June 18 ruled unanimously that Russia violated the European Convention on Human Rights when it labeled several foreign organizations operating in Russia as "undesirable" and when it prosecuted Russians for being involved with those organizations.
• The oligarch, Russia and the West: The battle for Georgia's future VOA 18 Jun 2024 -- On top of a steep hill overlooking Tbilisi, tucked behind the city's ancient fortress, sits a sprawling, futuristic $50 million mansion that locals call "the glass palace." A shark tank, private zoo and helipad lie within the heavily guarded compound. Its owner, Bidzina Ivanishvili, reportedly calls it his "James Bond" house.