Victorious news of 852nd day of war: Ukrainian forces strike Russian space communications center, Ukraine to receive €2.5 billion from Russian assets in July

EU announces 14th package of sanctions against 116 Russian individuals and entities

On Monday, June 24, the EU Council approved the 14th sanctions package targeting Russia's energy, finance, and trade sectors, aimed at tougher enforcement

The institution's website reported the information.

“The 14th package of sanctions demonstrates our unity in supporting Ukraine and seeking to limit Russia’s criminal activities against Ukrainians, including efforts to circumvent EU measures,” Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated.

The restrictions will apply to an additional 116 individuals and legal entities, “responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”.

Under the new package of sanctions, the EU will ban re-export services for Russian LNG within the EU for transportation to third countries. 

In addition, the EU will ban new investments, as well as the provision of goods, technology and services for the completion of LNG projects such as Arctic LNG 2 and Murmansk LNG. 

The EU also imposes a ban on the use of the ‘System for Transfer of Financial Messages’ (SPFS), a specialized financial messaging service developed by the Central Bank of Russia to neutralize the effect of restrictive measures. EU entities operating outside of Russia will be forbidden from connecting to the SPFS or equivalent specialized financial messaging services.

And the EU media, political parties and analytical organizations are prohibited from accepting funds from Russian sources.

A ban was also imposed on access to ports and the provision of services to ships "contributing to Russia’s warfare against Ukraine." These are vessels that transport weapons for Moscow, stolen Ukrainian grain, or components for the development of energy facilities. It also includes 27 tankers from Putin's so-called shadow fleet.

Ukraine to receive first batch of ammunition under Czech initiative by late June

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová says that Ukrainian defenders will receive the first batch of ammunition under the Czech initiative by the end of June

CNN Prima NEWS reported the information.

"I can say that the first batch will indeed be delivered or is being delivered to be there by the end of June, as we promised," Černochová said.

According to her, she cannot release accurate information in accordance with agreements with partners. In addition, Russia can take advantage of this.

"We are keeping our word to our partners with whom we have been cooperating throughout the munitions initiative project," she said.

Russia loses 1,300 soldiers in one day of war in Ukraine

Over the past day, the occupying Russian army lost at least 1,300 soldiers and dozens of pieces of its military equipment in the war in Ukraine. The Khortytsia operational-strategic group of troops reported the information

Additionally, in the east direction, the Defense Forces destroyed 11 tanks, 15 armored combat vehicles, 38 artillery pieces and mortars, 36 vehicles, 13 pieces of special equipment, three electronic warfare systems, a UAV control center, and 715 drones. The Ukrainian forces also demolished 48 shelters and 7 ammunition depots of the invaders.

Ukrainian Armed Forces hit Russian long-range space communications center in Crimea

On June 23, at least eight explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Yevpatoria and nearby settlements, including Zaozerne, Yevpatoria, and Donuzlav. Local residents reported hearing the explosions, and ambulances were later dispatched to Yevpatoria.

According to Defense Express, the long-range space communications center was hit. This is the second strike by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on Russian space infrastructure in occupied Crimea. The center, located near Yevpatoria in the village of Vitino, sustained significant damage.

This is confirmed by multiple videos filmed by locals who reported powerful explosions and a large-scale fire. Additionally, NASA's satellite fire monitoring data indicates the presence of fire centers at the space communications center."

Ukraine may receive €2.5 billion in profits from Russian assets

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell says the first tranche of proceeds from frozen Russian assets will arrive in July, and Ukraine may receive €2.5 billion

He said this before the meeting in Luxembourg, Radio Liberty reports.

On June 24, the heads of the EU foreign ministers will discuss the European Commission's proposal to channel the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to weapons for Ukraine, bypassing Hungary, which is against it.

Borrell mentioned that they have income from frozen assets and need to find a way to use it while avoiding any blockages. He stated that there is a process in place to make it work quickly.

Borrell also noted that Ukraine would receive one part of the 2.5 billion next week, with the other part coming a little later.

According to him, there is a legal procedure that allows for the allocation of funds from Russian assets to Ukraine despite Hungary's opposition, but its application needs to be discussed with ministers.

He explained that since Hungary was not involved in the decision to accumulate the proceeds of frozen Russian assets, it does not need to participate in implementing the decision.

At the same time, the head of European diplomacy emphasized that the decision should be made “immediately.”