What to remember from Thursday, July 6

A deadly strike in western Ukraine marked the start of the day on Thursday, July 6, before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy traveled to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic to seek arms and support for their bid to join NATO. Here’s what to remember from the news about the conflict over the past few hours.

Strike in Lviv kills at least five, UNESCO condemns

The night from Wednesday to Thursday was marked by a Russian strike on Lviv, a major western city. “This is the most destructive attack against the civilians of the Lviv region since the beginning of the war”, noted Maksim Kositsky, head of the regional military administration, in Telegram. At least five people were killed and 37 injured, according to the Interior Ministry.

“This is the first attack on an area protected by a World Heritage Convention since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, in violation of this Convention” UNESCO, the Paris-based UN body, reacted. A historic building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was attacked. According to local authorities, more than 30 apartment buildings and other buildings were damaged after Russian missiles hit Lviv overnight. The Russian military said it targeted “temporary deployment” of Ukrainian soldiers. “All designated facilities affected”said the Ministry of Defense in Moscow.

Ukrainian army “advances”, assures Kiev

President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had been slow, but assured that Kyiv troops were advancing. “Crime ain’t fast, that’s a fact”He agreed. “However, we are moving forward, we are not retreating like the Russians. Now we have the initiative.” Almost a month after the start of the operation to expel Russian forces from the national territory, Ukrainian civil servants have made progress. “in some places” Around the ruined city of Bagmouth.

At the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, “Tensions will ease”, the Ukrainian military said. kyiv sees it As a result “great job” Ukrainian military and diplomats and its foreign partners “Who Pushed” On Russia. Both countries For days they accused themselves of imminent provocation at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

Zelensky visits Bulgaria and the Czech Republic

Volodymyr Zelensky is in Bulgaria to discuss Ukraine’s accession to NATO and has argued that the major munitions-producing country should speed up arms deliveries. The Ukrainian president said he came to fill Sofia “Lack of Weapons”Repeatedly, the slow deliveries delayed Kyiv’s counteroffensive, allowing Moscow to strengthen its defenses in occupied territories. “The motivation of our partners must remain the same.”, he emphasized. Otherwise “We will lose the initiative on the battlefield”. In Sofia, A “Joint Statement” Signed between Ukraine and Bulgaria in favor of Kiev joining NATO.

Then the head of government went to Prague. From the Czech Republic, less than a week before an important NATO summit in Lithuania, he was in his home country. “To Be Honest” In its relations with the Atlantic Alliance. It’s time to prove it “The courage and strength of this alliance”He started, hoping to get a Ukraine “The Call” Join NATO. Volodymyr Zelensky is expected in Istanbul on Friday as Moscow threatens to pull out of a Turkish-backed Ukrainian grain export deal.

According to Lukashenko, Prigozhin is still in Russia

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko assured that Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was still in Russia, helping him to exile in Belarus. “As for Prigozhin, he is in St. Petersburg. Where is he this morning? Maybe he went to Moscow or somewhere else, but he is not in Belarusian territory.”He declared. “I’m sure he’s free”Said that there was “yesterday” According to a telephone conversation with the mercenary leader, Alexander Lukashenko, he promised to continue working for Russia. Wagner’s fighters find themselves “In their permanent camps” Not in Belarus, from eastern Ukraine. “for now”According to the Belarusian leader.