Summary: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visits troops near the frontline as part of the summer offensive . Russian trenches near the city of Bakhmut targeted in the offensive. The enemy fiercely defends every centimeter of territory. President Zelenskyy awards gallantry medals to special forces engaged in the war. Russia intensifies missile strikes , hitting civilian areas as well. Accusations of war crimes do not deter Putin from hosting African leaders . African countries offered weapons and military training by Russia. Coup in Niger presents opportunities for Russia to extend influence. Vardner mercenary leader seeks f...

Ukraine War: What are the two likely strategic aims for Ukraine? The next few days and weeks in Ukraine are likely to be a picture of confusion with different messaging about who's advancing where. Now, there are two likely strategic aims for Ukraine. Firstly, to reclaim the Donbas. The Russians said that that's what they wanted to take, so obviously the Ukrainians will want to throw the Russians out of the Donbas if they can. But the second aim is really to break the land bridge, this bridge between the Donbas and Crimea. That land bridge is really important to the Russians, but it's pretty important to the Ukrainians, because if they can drive south from Zaporizhia, the area that includes Zaporizhia nuclear power station, to Militopol on the coast, then they'll break that land bridge clean apart. And so that sort of area presents lots of challenges to the Ukrainians,...