Ukraine | June 26, 2024, 5:05 p.m.
"Putin's Forces Unleash 100 Deadly Glide Bombs and Drones in Russia-Ukraine Conflict"
Vladimir Putin's military has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, launching around 100 deadly glide bombs and numerous drones across the border in the past day. The Ukrainian army reported that Russia had unleashed a barrage of 96 glide bombs, missile strikes, shells, and kamikaze drones, causing widespread destruction. These actions have led to allegations of war crimes, prompting the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Russia's former defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, and General Valery Gerasimov. The ICC accused them of directing attacks on civilian targets, including the Ukrainian electric infrastructure. As tensions escalate, Ukrainian President Zelensky has accused China of trying to undermine a peace summit, further complicating efforts to end the conflict. The situation remains tense as both military and diplomatic strategies are deployed in the region.
"Belgium Secures Spot in Euro 2024 Last 16 with Draw, Ukraine Bows Out"
Belgium secured a spot in the last 16 of the European Championship with a 0-0 draw against Ukraine, who became the first team with four points in a group to be eliminated. Belgium will now face France and Kylian Mbappe in the next round. The Ukrainian team put up a fight and almost advanced, showing resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the disappointment, Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov expressed pride in his players' efforts. Belgium struggled to find their offensive rhythm, with Romelu Lukaku missing key opportunities. Fans on both sides showed their support, with Belgian fans booing their team and Ukrainian supporters holding up a banner honoring a fallen soldier. Belgium will need to step up their game against France in the next round, while both Romania and Slovakia also advanced in the tournament.
"Ukraine vs Belgium Soccer Match (Jun 26, 2024): Complete Game Breakdown and Analysis"
Julien Laurens raises doubts about Belgium's ability to make a deep run in the tournament following their lackluster draw against Ukraine, despite securing a spot in the round of 16. The Belgians were held to a goalless draw by a resilient Ukrainian side, finishing second in Group E behind Romania on goal difference. Slovakia also advanced as one of the best third-place finishers. Both Belgium and Ukraine had chances to score, with Lukaku missing a golden opportunity early on. Despite late efforts from both teams, the match ended in a stalemate. Belgium's performance left much to be desired, with fans expressing disappointment and frustration. The pressure is now on Belgium to improve as they face France in the next round, while Ukraine exits the tournament after an impressive but ultimately unsuccessful campaign.
US Warns North Korea Against Sending Troops to Ukraine Amid Ukraine-Russia Conflict, NATO Names New Chief: Latest Updates
Russian pranksters released footage showing David Cameron mistakenly speaking with someone pretending to be former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. In the video call, Cameron discusses UK politics, Trump, and Putin's actions in Ukraine. Despite the deception, Cameron expresses confidence that both Labour and Conservatives support Ukraine equally. He also shares insights on interactions with Trump, noting the challenge of predicting his actions. The pranksters also discuss NATO relations and Putin's ambitions in Kazakhstan. The UK government disclosed the call to prevent potential manipulation. The Foreign Office attributed the prank to a Russian information operation aimed at diverting attention from Moscow's actions in Ukraine. This incident emphasizes the ongoing threat of disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign entities.
"Ukraine's Military Shifts Leadership Amidst Challenges and Criticisms"
Amid Russia's advances on the battlefield, a notable Ukrainian officer within the military publicly criticized a top commander, attributing "thousands" of casualties to his incompetence. Maj. Bohdan Krotevych of the Azov Brigade accused Gen. Sodol of leading to the death of more Ukrainian soldiers than any Russian general. President Zelensky promptly replaced Sodol as the Joint Forces' commander and is expected to remove him from his role in charge of the ground forces across critical regions. This incident highlights growing discontent within the Ukrainian command, echoing soldiers' grievances over unreasonable orders leading to casualties. The shake-up in military leadership reflects the challenges Ukraine faces along its 600-mile front line, which has seen setbacks and territorial losses against Russia. Criticism of commanders is rare in Ukraine, making Krotevych's public stand against Sodol a significant development amid the ongoing conflict.
"Belgium vs Ukraine: Belgium Secures Advancement with Draw, Ukraine Eliminated – Match Highlights"
In the Group E finale at Euro 2024, Belgium and Ukraine battled to a draw, with Belgium advancing and Ukraine being eliminated. Despite both teams giving it their all, neither was able to secure a victory. Throughout the match, there were close calls and missed opportunities on both sides. Belgium's Lukaku struggled to find the back of the net, while Ukraine came close to taking the lead. As the game ended in a draw, Belgium secured their spot in the next round, while Ukraine's journey in the tournament came to an end. The intense showdown kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blew. This result further solidifies Belgium's position as a strong contender in the competition.
"Ukraine to Use US Missiles in Self-Defense Against Russian Attacks, Pentagon Confirms"
The Pentagon has granted Ukraine the authority to use longer-range missiles provided by the U.S. to strike targets inside Russia if acting in self-defense, not limited to just the front lines near Kharkiv. President Biden initially eased restrictions to help defend Kharkiv from Russian missiles. The U.S. had previously prohibited Ukraine from using these weapons inside Russia to avoid escalating the conflict. Russia has been attacking Ukraine from its borders, considering it a “safe zone.” The Pentagon emphasizes that Ukraine has the right to retaliate against attacks originating from Russian territory. In addition, Ukraine can use U.S.-supplied air defense systems to target Russian planes, even when in Russian airspace. The White House is expediting air defense interceptor missile deliveries to counter increased Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The move includes diverting shipments planned for other allies to provide more interceptors for Ukraine's defense systems.
"Live Updates: Ukraine vs Belgium Match ends in 0-0 Draw, Belgium Advances Despite Lukaku's goal drought"
As Euro 2024 nears the end of the group stage, Portugal has secured their spot as group winners, leaving the battle for the remaining three spots intense. The upcoming matches between Portugal and Georgia, as well as Czech Republic and Turkey, are set to determine the fate of the teams vying for advancement. The live coverage of these crucial games will showcase the determination and skill of the players as they fight for a place in the knockout stage. With only two games left in the group stage, the pressure is on for teams to secure their spot and continue their journey in the competition. Stay tuned to witness the excitement and drama as these teams give their all to advance to the next round of Euro 2024.
Indictment of Russian Citizen for Involvement in Cyberattacks on Ukraine
A Russian national, Amin Timovich Stigal, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland for his alleged involvement in cyberattacks on Ukrainian military and civilian targets in preparation for Russia's 2022 invasion. Stigal is accused of using malware disguised as ransomware, known as "WhisperGate," to carry out destructive attacks. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged him with conspiracy to hack into government systems, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information on Stigal. The WhisperGate campaign, attributed to the Russian government, targeted various entities, including a satellite communications company and Ukrainian civilian data. Microsoft identified the group behind the attacks as "Cadet Blizzard," known for engaging in destructive attacks and espionage since 2020 in Ukraine, Europe, and Latin America.
"Ukraine Eliminated from Euro 2024 Following Draw with Belgium in Group E Standoff"
Belgium narrowly secured a spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after a goalless draw with Ukraine, finishing second behind Romania in Group E. Romania's draw with Slovakia allowed both teams to advance, with Ukraine unfortunately finishing at the bottom of the group despite earning more points than some third-place qualifiers. This tournament marked the first time a team with four points finished last. Belgium's inability to top the group sets up a daunting match against France next. Despite dominant possession, Belgium failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Ukraine showed promise midway through the game but ultimately fell short. The final minutes saw both teams pushing for a goal, but Ukraine's Euro 2024 journey ended disappointingly. The tournament continues to provide surprises and challenges for the remaining teams, with France looming as a formidable opponent for Belgium.