Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,254

On Friday, August 1, 2018, the situation is as follows:

Fighting

More than 100 people were hurt and killed when Russia launched missiles and drones at Kyiv on Thursday morning, according to Ukrainian authorities, who were in charge of the city. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, it attacked and targeted Ukrainian military installations, ammunition depots, and businesses connected to Kyiv’s military-industrial complex.
• After nearly 16 months of fighting, Russia asserted that it had taken control of Chasiv Yar, a destroyed town in eastern Ukraine, calling the claim “propaganda” by Kyiv.
• In Penza, in western Russia, Ukrainian drones were flown in by the state security agency SBU, which makes combat control systems for the Russian military.

military assistance

• Despite US President Donald Trump’s administration’s request in its budget request, a powerful US Senate committee has approved a military spending bill that includes about $1 billion for Ukraine.

Ceasefire

• According to President Trump, Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, will travel to Russia after his most recent trip to Israel. Witkoff, who has previously had long-running ceasefire discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was not given an itinerary by Trump.
• Trump has harshly criticized Russia’s “disgusting” attitude toward Ukraine and declared he will impose sanctions on Moscow if no ceasefire agreement is reached. Putin has until August 8 to reach a resolution to put an end to the fighting, according to the US president.
• Senior US diplomat John Kelley told the 15-member council that “both Russia and Ukraine must negotiate a ceasefire and durable peace,” as the US once again reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Security Council. “It’s time to make a deal,” Kelly said. This must be accomplished by August 8 as President Trump has stated. The United States is prepared to take additional steps to bring about peace.
• After the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council declared that Washington’s threats to impose sanctions on Moscow and oil producers were “a game of ultimatums” and “a step closer to a war between Russia and the US,” Trump also told Dmitry Medvedev to “watch his words.”
• The former Russian president responded by reminding Trump to keep in mind that Moscow had the last resort of Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities.

Ukrainian affairs

The parliament of Ukraine resolved to end Russia’s biggest political crisis since Russia’s invasion by restoring the independence of two significant anticorruption organizations.
• The bill was approved by the legislature last week after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was under pressure from thousands of protesters and senior European officials. It was defeated by a vote of 331 to 0 in favor.

regional changes

• In advance of joint drills scheduled for August 1 through August 5, Chinese naval vessels have steamed into Vladivostok, Russia’s far eastern port.