WAR IN UKRAINE: July 17, 2023
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 509
Two people have died in an attack on the bridge linking the occupied Crimean peninsula to Russia. Explosions were reported - the Russian-installed head of Crimea's parliament blames Ukraine's "terrorist regime” A source in Ukraine's security service tells BBC Russian it was behind the attack, and that surface drones were used. The road section of the bridge is closed but trains are running on the railway section. The bridge was opened in 2018 and enables road and rail travel between Russia and Crimea. In October last year, it was partially closed following a major explosion, before fully reopening in February - BBC
Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces continues to make headway, according to Kyiv. Ukraine's forces have retaken 18 square km (seven square miles) in the east and south of the country over the past week in their counteroffensive against Russian troops, Ukraine’s deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said on messaging app Telegram. The recent gains take the total area of reclaimed land to 210 square km since the counter offensive began - that's around 81 square miles - BBC
At night, the Russian army once again shelled Kramatorsk. There are injuries and destruction in the multi-dwelling sector - Suspilne
Nine years ago Monday. 298 souls tragically lost over E. Ukraine due to a Russian BUK missile. It was the biggest single loss of foreign lives from Mr. Putin’s aggression that started in 2014. We will always remember July 17, 2014. Malaysia Airlines MH 17. Downed exactly 17 years after the The Boeing Company 777 went into service. May the passengers and crew rest in peace. May the wheels of justice move at a more rapid pace. May the grieving countries and families find solace.
The last ship to sail under a deal allowing Ukraine to export its grain has left the country's Black Sea port of Odesa, a day before an extension deadline, MarineTraffic data site says. Russia has not agreed to extend the UN-brokered deal unless its demands on its own grain and fertilisers are met. On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said commitments to remove obstacles to Moscow's own food exports and other key provisions had not been met, signalling that Moscow could suspend its participation in the agreement. Moscow also wants its Rosselkhozbank - a bank that handles agricultural payments - to be reconnected to the global Swift payment network - BBC
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged "reciprocal action" if Ukraine uses controversial cluster munitions against Russian forces invading Ukraine - RFE/RL