WAR IN UKRAINE: June 26, 2023
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 488
In late breaking developments, for the first time since the advance by the Wagner Group ended, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday thanked the Wagner fighters who made the "right decision" and halted their advance. "I thank those soldiers and commanders of the Wagner Group who made the only right decision — they did not go for fratricidal bloodshed, they stopped at the last line," Putin said in an address to the nation. He also said those fighters would have the "opportunity to continue serving Russia by entering into a contract with the Ministry of Defense or other law enforcement agencies, or to return to your family and friends. Whoever wants to can go to Belarus." During the address to the nation, Putin did not mention Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin by name - CNN
The pre-recorded, 5-minute speech (which is short for Putin) mostly repeated what he said over the weekend and claimed that Russian society had rallied around his leadership, choosing him over the Wagner Group. He accused the West of fomenting the "mutiny" that took place at the weekend and praised Russia for its "unity”. He also said he would keep his promise to allow Wagner troops to go to Belarus, adding that "the overwhelming majority" of the mercenaries in Wagner were Russian patriots - BBC
Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin broke his silence earlier Monday in an audio message — his first since allegedly agreeing to leave Russia for Belarus in a deal to end the insurrection. Belarusian officials said they cannot confirm if Prigozhin arrived in the country. Prigozhin said he called off the march on Moscow because he wanted to avoid Russian bloodshedand claimed it was a demonstration of protest rather than an attempt to overturn power. He remains under investigation after the revolt, a source at Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office said - CNN
Despite the unrest in Russia, the Kremlin hasn’t ceased its use of deadly missiles and drones against Ukraine. Overnight two Kalibr missiles and four kamikaze drones were shot down over Odesa. A rocket hit a warehouse. Some residential property damage due to falling drone bits, local media reported. Rockets and drones were also targeted at other locations in Ukraine
The Ukrainian army has advanced from 600 to 1,000 meters in the southern and northern directions around the strategic city of Bakhmut as of June 25, military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi reported - Kyiv Independent
The Bulgarian government has approved a new military aid package for Ukraine, the press service of the Council of Ministers announced on June 26.
Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attempts to advance in the eastern region of Donetsk, fighting off 36 assaults in the Lyman, Bakhmut, and Maryinka areas over the past day, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on June 26.
The United States has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth up to $500 million. Separately, the Australian government will provide a new $73.5 million package to Ukraine, including 70 military vehicles to defend against Russia's invasion - RFE/RL