African states' "peacekeeping mission", new attacks on Ukraine: highlights of the day

African states' "peacekeeping mission"

On June 16, leaders from several African countries paid an official visit to Ukraine to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The mission included the leaders of South Africa, Zambia, Comoros, Congo, Egypt, Senegal, and Uganda.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa named 10 main components of the African Union's position on the Russo-Ukrainian war. In particular, he said that the sovereignty of states and peoples must be respected, and the war must be ended diplomatically.

The delegation of African leaders will then travel to St. Petersburg, Russia, to meet with President Vladimir Putin on June 17.

New strikes on Ukraine

Russian occupation forces attacked Kyiv Oblast on the afternoon of June 16. The command of the Ukrainian Air Force reported that, according to preliminary data, six Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, six Kalibr cruise missiles and two reconnaissance UAVs were destroyed.

Seven people, including two children, were injured by falling debris in Kyiv Oblast. Russians also attacked other regions throughout the day. In Kherson Oblast alone, 25 people were injured and two killed by Russian strikes on June 16. There is also a dead and wounded people in Nikopol.

Situation at the frontline

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that in the south, Ukrainian troops are conducting active offensives in several areas at once.

According to her, in almost all areas and axes where Ukrainian units are advancing in the south, they are tactically successful, although they are operating in conditions of air and artillery superiority of the Russian occupiers. As of now, there is up to 2 kilometers of advance on each axis.

Valeriy Shershen, spokesman for the Joint Press Center of the Tauride Defense Forces, clarified that Ukrainian troops are advancing on the Melitopol, Berdyansk and Mariupol axes. He said that Ukrainian counterattacks are taking place there and that they are working on the flanks of counterattacks in certain areas of the front.

Help for flood victims

The Government of Ukraine will provide one-time state aid to victims of the floods caused by the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in the amount of 5,000 hryvnias ($136) per person. The Cabinet of Ministers has allocated UAH 560 million ($15.2 million) for this purpose. Compensation will also be paid for damaged and destroyed houses.

In addition, under a joint agreement with partners, all victims will receive additional financial assistance from the UN International Organization for Migration. It will amount to UAH 6,600 ($179) per person.

Other important news

• The Office of the Commissioner for Missing Persons found out that 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war, whom Russia had allegedly sent to Hungary, are now in Hungary.
• An Austrian court ruled in favor of Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash, suspending his extradition to the United States on corruption charges. The case was remanded to the first instance in light of new evidence and facts provided by the parties.
• The former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine and former head of the Defense Ministry's Public Procurement Department was charged in the case of purchasing low-quality ammunition for the Armed Forces worth more than UAH 1 billion ($27.1 million).
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law allowing for the nationalization of banks owned by sanctioned persons.
• Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced plans to send 20 armored personnel carriers, four Leopard main battle tanks, and a field hospital to Ukraine.