WAR IN UKRAINE: July 28, 2023
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 520
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent conflict, which is now in its 520th day, dominated nominations in several categories at the 44th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. By our count, 35 nominations - including two Spanish language - were for content related to the war. CNN leads the way overall, with a commanding 45 nominations - including two for ‘Outstanding Breaking News Coverage’ and several others - for Ukraine war content. It was followed by Vice (30) and ABC and PBS (26 each). In the ‘Investigative News Coverage (Short Form) category, CNN’s Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer was nominated for the film, Russia Plunders Sudan’s Gold to Boost Putin’s War in Ukraine, and Erin Burnett Outfront for Fleeing Ukraine in the ‘Outstanding Edited Breaking News Coverage’ category. Other nominations related to the conflict went to: ABC News 20/20, Vice News Tonight, BBC World News North America, CBS News 60 Minutes, ABC News Live Prime, Frontline, ITV, MSNBC’s On Assignment With Richard Engel, The New York Times, NBC News Now, PBS and the Associated Press and Univision.
My take: That the war in Ukraine dominated the News Emmys shows what a consequential news story this is - not only for Ukraine but for the globe, especially in terms of the rippling economic effect related to food. News organizations should be congratulating for devoting substantial resources to the coverage - and journalists and news staff for their bravery. Dozens paid the ultimate price covering this violent conflict
Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan refused to shake the hand of her Russian rival Anna Smirnova. Harlan defeated Smirnova at the world championship with a score of 15:7. According to FIE rules, the athlete could be disqualified for refusing to shake hands. But the judges did not change their decision and the Ukrainian fencer advanced to the next round.
Ukrainian troops have been engaged in heavy fighting in several areas of the front as Kyiv's counteroffensive appears to be ramping up in the southern region of Zaporizhzhya after months of slow progress, military officials say - RFE/RL
Russia's Ministry of Defense said Friday it destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle that Ukraine had launched overnight to attack the Moscow region. An attempt by Kyiv "to carry out a terrorist attack by unmanned aerial vehicle on facilities in the Moscow region has been foiled. The UAV was destroyed by means of air defense," the ministry said in a statement on Telegram. There were no casualties or damage, it added. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin also confirmed the attack. CNN is not able to independently verify the reports - CNN
Wagner chief Evgeniy Prigozhin has appeared in St. Petersburg alongside the African leaders summit hosted by President Putin. He was pictured shaking hands with an unidentified African official. Prigozhin has also reportedly told a French-language radio station in Africa that his mercenary group remains active with its security and commercial activities on the continent.
North Korea’s “firm support” for Russia’s war in Ukraine emboldens the two countries’ determination to cope with Western nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech to North Korean officials on Thursday, according to a report in North Korean state media. Putin did not go into detail of the nature of Pyongyang’s support in what he called Russia’s “special military operation.” But US officials said last year that North Korea was selling millions of rockets and artillery shells to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine. “Solidarity with Russia on key international issues highlight our common interests,” Putin said in the speech, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) - CNN