Latest news about Russia and the war in Ukraine

On the 100th day of the Russian war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin still calls its “special military operation”, Russian forces made significant territorial gains in eastern Donbass, which now control more than 90% of Luhansk.

The British Ministry of Defense wrote in its daily intelligence update on Twitter: “Russia is now achieving tactical success in Donbass. Russian forces have generated and maintained momentum and now appear to be taking the lead in confronting the Ukrainian opposition.”

This came at a significant cost in terms of resources, as its forces were largely focused on one part of the campaign, the publication said.

“Russia was not able to make a maneuver or move on other fronts or axes, all of which turned into a defensive position,” the ministry wrote, adding that “in comparison with Russia’s original plan, none of the strategic goals were achieved.” Among those goals was the goal of capturing Kyiv and Ukrainian government centers.

“For Russia to achieve any form of success, it will require a massive ongoing investment in manpower and equipment, and is likely to take much longer,” the publication added.

– Natasha Turak

OPEC + agreed to Oil production increased by 648,000 barrels per day in July and August Bigger than expected rise as Ukraine war wreaks havoc on global energy markets.

The increase would push forward the end of the historic production cuts the coalition has managed during the pandemic.

Governments around the world, including the Biden administration, have called on producers to increase production to lower oil prices. However, while production will theoretically be higher in the future, OPEC+ is struggling to meet production quotas.

The additional barrels will not make up for the potential loss of more than 1 million barrels per day from Russia as the country faces mounting global sanctions in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

– Chelsea Ong, Wiesen Tan, Peppa Stevens

According to a Reuters report, quoting Russian news agencies, Russia is conducting a week-long series of exercises in the Pacific Ocean involving more than 40 ships and up to 20 aircraft.

Reuters quoted a Defense Ministry statement that the exercises, which start on Friday and end on June 10, will include “groups of ships and naval aviation participating in the search for (enemy) submarines.”

Ukraine is located thousands of kilometers from where the exercises were held in the Pacific Ocean.

– Chelsea Ong

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator is scheduled to meet with Russian officials as part of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts to enable Ukrainian and Russian agricultural exports through the Black Sea amid the global food crisis.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths met with the officials on Wednesday and will continue his meetings on Thursday.

Guterres said that no decision had been reached as of Wednesday, but that the United Nations was engaged in serious dialogue with all parties involved “in order to reach a comprehensive agreement.”

Dujarric noted that Griffith’s visit to Moscow came on the heels of a visit to the Russian capital on Monday by Rebecca Greenspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development known as UNCTAD. Grynspan focuses on getting Russian grain to world markets. Then I went to Washington.

“We’ve seen a lot of positive statements coming from different capitals,” Dujarric said. “We greatly appreciate the role Turkey plays in all of this. If we have something concrete to announce, we will.”

– News agency

Russia’s Commerce Ministry said sanctions-hit Russia has limited its exports of noble gases such as neon, a key component for making chips, until the end of 2022 to bolster its market position.

– Reuters