Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, 14th package of sanctions against Russia, and Kharkiv being targeted with guided air bombs: Ukraine’s weekly news digest

While Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine is entering its third year, the situation is still intense, with regular updates on attacks on civilians, offensive and defensive operations, and responses from the international community.

Here is what you may have missed on the news from Ukraine from June 18 to June 25.

Russian massive air attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure

At night on June 20, Russian forces targeted a number of energy facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Vinnytsia, and Kyiv regions with missiles and UAVs. As a result, there was destruction to the critical infrastructure objects, including one of the DTEK thermal power plants (TPP), the largest private energy investor in Ukraine.

As the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reported, seven energy workers were injured due to the enemy attacks.

The civilian infrastructure also suffered from Russian shellings. In particular, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, due to the fallen debris, private houses, outbuildings, cars, and power lines were affected, with three civilians receiving injuries.

In total, Ukrainian defenders shot down 27 out of 27 Shahed-136/131 drones, 4 out of 4 cruise missiles Kh-101/Kh-555, and one out of two guided air missiles Kh-59 used by Russian troops to attack different regions of Ukraine, according to Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

40 samples of engineering weapons approved to be used in the Armed Forces

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war, approximately 40 samples of engineering weapons have been approved to be used in the Armed Forces, informed the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. More than 20 samples are products of Ukrainian enterprises, while other military items are of foreign production.

Thus, among the approved military samples are such Ukrainian-made developments as metal detectors, measuring devices, smoke grenades, devices for remote smoke release, dismountable fortification structures, field “power banks” of large capacity and reliability, etc. As for military items of foreign production, there are modern models of mobile generators, heavy engineering equipment, as well as mechanisms for performing repair works and guiding bridge crossings.

EU adopted the 14th package of sanctions against Russia

On June 24, the European Council adopted the 14th package of economic and individual restrictive measures against Russia due to its ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.

Among the key points of the 14th package of sanctions are:

• Ban on reloading services of Russian liquified natural gas in EU territory for transhipment operations to third countries;
• Implementing due diligence mechanisms for the EU operators to lower the risks of supplying battlefield goods to Russia through third countries;   
• Forbidding media providers in the EU to accept funding coming from the Russian state and its proxies;
• Further travelling restrictions, including the EU flight ban for Russian natural or legal persons, as well as the prohibition on the transport of goods by road for EU operators owned 25% or more by a Russian natural or legal person;
• Restrictive measures on additional 116 individuals and entities, both from Russia and the third countries, supporting the aggressor state. Sanctioned sides will be subject to tighter export restrictions concerning dual-use goods and technologies, which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and security sector.

“Our sanctions have already significantly weakened the Russian economy and prevented Putin from accomplishing his plans to destroy Ukraine, although he still continues the illegal aggression targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The 14th package of sanctions demonstrates our unity in supporting Ukraine and seeking to limit Russia’s criminal activities against Ukrainians (…), “ stated Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union.

Russian shelling of Kharkiv with guided air-bombs and missile strike on Pokrovsk

In the afternoon of June 22, Russian troops hit Kharkiv with the universal interspecific glide munitions (UMPB D-30). Due to enemy shelling, local residential buildings, shops, office premises, cafes, cars, and a transport stop were affected.

As the Prosecutor’s General Office of Ukraine reported, at least three Ukrainian citizens were killed and fifty-two more were injured.

A few days later, on June 24, Russian forces committed another terrorist act against Ukrainian civilians: this time, the enemy launched two missile strikes on Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. In particular, the city was attacked with Iskander-M missiles. As a result, one private house was destroyed and sixteen more were damaged.

A total of four Ukrainian citizens were killed and forty more were injured due to Russian shelling, informed the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office. There are three children among the wounded victims.

Stats of the week

Since February 2022, Ukrainian law enforcement officers have recorded more than 300 cases of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian women, men, and children.
Source: Viktoriia Litvinova, Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
Date: June 19, 2024.

Since the beginning of June 2024, Russia has used more than 2,400 guided aerial bombs to attack Ukrainian territories. The enemy used approximately 700 such bombs, targeting the Kharkiv region. 
Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
Date: June 22, 2024. 

In May 2024, the Ukrainian military confirmed approximately 715 cases of Russian troops using ammunition containing dangerous chemical compounds.
Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Date: June 24, 2024.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Russian shellings have completely or partially destroyed approximately 796 educational institutions, 271 cultural facilities, and 52 sports establishments in Kharkiv. 
Source: Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv
Date: June 24, 2024.