Fierce clashes on five sides, Kiev receives cluster bombs

Ukraine's ambassador to London reacts unexpectedly to Mr. Zelensky, the Pentagon talks about Wagner are some notable news about the situation in Ukraine.

(07.14) Binh sĩ Ukraine triển khai một đợt tấn công tên lửa gần khu vực Zaporizhzhia. (Nguồn: Reuters)

Ukrainian soldiers launch a missile attack on Russian troops near the Zaporizhzhia region. (Source: Reuters)

* Fierce clashes in five directions: On July 13, information about the situation in Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) said that in the past 24 hours, the Russian Armed Forces (VS RF) carried out attacks with 2 Kalibr ballistic missiles, 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile and 20 Shahed-136/131 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of Iran. The Ukrainian air defense forces successfully prevented these attacks.

In addition, VS RF carried out 46 airstrikes and 40 artillery strikes with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), causing casualties to both civilians and civilian infrastructure.

VSU said VS RF is also continuing attacks in Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka with more than 20 clashes.

Ukraine continues to hold its position in Kupiansk against continued Russian attacks on Kyslivka as well as Stroivka, Krasne Pershe, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne and Kupiansk.

In the Lyman direction, the VS RF launched an unsuccessful attack north of Nevske, Lugansk and Terny, Donetsk. In Bakhmut, facing air and artillery fire, the Ukrainians repelled attacks near Berkhivka.

In the Marinka direction, the VSU continues to hold its positions against the VS RF's advances while in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the Russians are actively blocking the Ukrainian advance, with air strikes in Pryiutne, Zaporizhzhia and Kozatske, Kherson.

* Ukraine has received cluster bombs, what does Russia say? On July 13, the spokesman for the Tavria military command in southern Ukraine, Valeryi Shershen, confirmed the news of CNN (USA), according to which Ukraine had received cluster bombs and munitions less than a week after the official announcement of the United States. Speaking to the country's television station, Mr. Shershen affirmed that cluster bombs and munitions are "in the hands of our defense forces".

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a senior representative of the US Department of Defense as also confirming this information.

Earlier, on July 7, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced a new military aid package to Ukraine worth $800 million, including cluster bombs. Mr. Sullivan also noted that Kiev had committed to Washington in writing that they would minimize the risk to civilians when using this type of bomb.

For his part, on July 14, in response to the International Life magazine (Russia), the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman stated: “Russia is well aware of the danger that cluster bombs and munitions pose to civilians. That is why we never use these weapons in military operations.

However, if the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) decide to use them, (Russia) will be forced to respond appropriately,” she pointed out that even the US and its Western allies have criticized the use of cluster bombs in Ukraine.

* Ukrainian Ambassador makes “strange” comments about Mr. Zelensky’s statement: On July 14, commenting on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement about British Defense Minister Ben Wallace’s statement, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Vadim Pristayko said: “I don’t believe that such sarcasm will be beneficial…We should not show…the Russians that…there is something between us. They must understand that we are working together…If anything happens, Mr. Ben (Wallace) can absolutely call me and share what he needs.”

Earlier, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Kiev should express gratitude for the military aid provided by the UK, the US and the West. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that the country “has always been grateful” and called on Mr Wallace to “show me how to express that gratitude” in a way that Mr Pristayko described as “sarcastic”.

* Pentagon: Wagner is not currently involved in the Ukraine conflict: On July 13, US Department of Defense spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said: "At this time, we do not see Wagner forces significantly participating in supporting Russian military activities in Ukraine."

On the same day, the Russian Defense Ministry said that this force had handed over all its weapons to the regular Russian army. Some sources said that after this process, they discovered Wagner soldiers moving towards Moscow in vehicles with Belarusian license plates. However, there is currently no further information about this operation.

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