The UK’s defense secretary has revealed intelligence showing evidence of China supplying or preparing to supply lethal aid to Russia, urging the world to “wake up” to this threat. Despite China’s official declaration of neutrality, closer ties between Beijing and Moscow suggest otherwise. The US and UK have previously warned China against supporting Russia militarily, but Shapps’ latest comments indicate that these warnings have not been heeded. The increase in trade between China and Russia also serves as a confirmation of a deeper relationship between the two countries.
Sweden has announced plans to allocate $7 billion in military aid to Ukraine between 2024-2026, bringing the total support to over $9 billion since the start of the war. The proposed framework includes financial support for defense procurement and equipment donations to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The Swedish defense minister stated that it could take up to two years for Sweden to increase its capacity to provide more aid to Ukraine, as Russia has recovered faster than the Euro-Atlantic community.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has upgraded its Sea Baby naval drones with the ability to launch salvos of Grad rockets, enhancing their effectiveness in attacking Russian positions. These drones have been used against Russian warships, with the latest weapons system already showing positive results. The SBU spokesperson emphasized the continuous improvement of the Sea Baby platform, enabling it to carry up to a ton of explosives and target locations over 1,000 kilometers away.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has raised concerns about Russia conducting a “shadow war” on the West, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response. Incidents of sabotage and arrests related to Russian security services across the EU have caused alarm, with Kallas calling for a serious discussion on countering the Russian threat. The shift in tactics by Russia, including the use of spies posing as diplomats, is aimed at instilling fear in Europe and disrupting support for Ukraine.
In Vovchansk, Ukrainian police have reported Russian forces shooting civilians attempting to flee the fighting, with incidents under investigation. Russian troops have prevented around 100 civilians from leaving the town and have threatened to shoot them if they try to escape. Ukrainian forces control a significant portion of Vovchansk amid continuous Russian assaults, with the town described as almost destroyed. The ongoing conflict has resulted in civilian casualties and raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in the region.
