Number of Russian troops decreases in Belarus, Metropolitan Pavlo is taken into custody: highlights of July 14
The Ukrainian Border Guard Service says Russia is partially withdrawing its troops from Belarus. Metropolitan Pavlo of the UOC—MP has his preventive measure changed from round—the—clock house arrest to detention. Bulgaria will transfer 100 armored personnel carriers that it does not use. We have collected the key news for July 14.
Almost all Russian troops have left Belarus
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said that as of now, Russia has withdrawn almost all of its soldiers from Belarus.
“Fortunately, the situation on the border with Belarus remains fully controlled. On the other side of the border, we don't see the enemy having any necessary grouping that could invade the territory of Ukraine. Nevertheless, we have to be prepared for any situation,” said Andrii Demchenko, a spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service.
In addition, the border guards have not observed any organized infiltration of Russian mercenaries from private military companies into the territory of Belarus, as previously reported.
On July 14, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that “taking into account intelligence data and the measures taken, there is no threat of invasion from Belarus”. This was reported to him by the head of military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov during the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.
Metropolitan Pavlo is taken into custody
The Solomyanskyi District Court of Kyiv has changed the measure of restraint for Metropolitan Pavlo Lebed of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) from round-the-clock house arrest to detention until August 14 with the possibility of bail in excess of 33 million hryvnias.
Prosecutor Yevhen Zavistovskyi claims that the Metropolitan communicated with one of the witnesses in the criminal case, although he knew about the ban because he was familiar with the protocols.
The abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra of the UOC-MP said he had not yet met the witness.
Bulgaria to provide 100 armored personnel carriers
During the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov agreed to provide Ukraine with about 100 armored personnel carriers from the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs' stocks.
He explained that the vehicles had never been used in Bulgaria, as the country's military had not even undergone relevant training. According to him, the armored personnel carriers are “just kept in warehouses” and are a “burden” for Bulgaria.
In addition, according to The Sofia Globe, Bulgaria will join the joint purchase of ammunition for Ukraine as part of a European Defense Agency project involving 24 EU member states and Norway.
Zabuzhko and Sentsov received France's highest honor
Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko and filmmaker and soldier Oleg Sentsov have been awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest honor in France, which is bestowed by the president of the republic for military or civilian services.
“Their names are well known in France and in Europe, they are now both fighting for the freedom and independence of Ukraine: Ms. Oksana Zabuzhko on the literary front, and Mr. Oleg Sentsov on the battlefield,” said French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins.
Markus was dismissed from his post
The Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has granted the report of Valerii Markus, chief sergeant of the 47th separate mechanized brigade "Magura".
Vitalii Averin (call sign “Aver”) was appointed in his place. He went to war in 2014 as part of the Donbas battalion. He participated in the battles for Ilovaisk, Shyrokyne, and Popasna. He is a recipient of the Order “For Courage” of the III degree.
On July 11, the chief sergeant of the 47th Brigade “Mahura” Valerii Markus wrote a report in which he asked to be transferred to a lower position.
He explained this decision, among other things, by the fact that the brigade's leadership does not allow the military unit to be built in accordance with the values declared by the soldiers, as well as by “systematic humiliation of the sergeant corps”, “the brigade command's lack of understanding of the importance of the morale of the soldiers”, and “the incompetence of the officer corps”.
Other news of the day:
- Ukraine returned the bodies of 62 more fallen defenders.
- In Zhytomyr Oblast, more than 70% of the facilities damaged by Russian shelling have been restored.
- An international cocaine smuggling channel from Ecuador was eliminated in Lviv.
- The Verkhovna Rada approved the creation of a monument park in Mezhyhirya, where Yanukovych's residence was located.
- Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the central government “continues to look for reasons to manipulate and discredit” the capital's authorities. Now, according to him, bridges have become the topic.
- India sends a mission to the moon in an attempt to consolidate its position as a space power.