Ukraine War Update: Russian Villages Locked Down, Czech Ammo Factory, Baltic States Cut Ties
Russia has locked down 14 border villages in Belgorod due to Ukrainian counterattacks on Kharkiv. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced the restrictions starting July 23, following continued shelling and drone attacks. Meanwhile, Russia claimed the capture of Urozhaine in Donetsk, although Ukraine has not confirmed this. The European Council president, Charles Michel, rebuked Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán for his pro-Russian stance and unauthorized diplomatic actions.
In other developments, Hungary’s Orbán claimed Donald Trump has detailed peace plans for Ukraine, despite the EU’s support for Ukraine. On the tenth anniversary of MH17’s downing by a Russian missile, Ukraine’s Ukroboronservice and Czech gunmaker Sellier & Bellot announced plans for an ammunition factory in Ukraine. Ukraine’s parliament voted to scrap taxes on energy equipment imports amidst ongoing blackouts from Russian attacks.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania plan to cut their electrical grid ties with Russia and Belarus by next February, transitioning to the European grid. Lastly, an IMF team began talks with Ukrainian officials to discuss the $15.6bn extended fund facility, aiming to unlock the next $1.1bn tranche amid Ukraine’s significant budget gap.
