Ukraine is edging ever closer to becoming a member of NATO, according to the secretary general of the alliance. The country recently launched a missile strike on a Russian military airfield in Crimea, an action that marks the latest in a series of attacks on the peninsula.
The Ukrainian military’s general staff stated that the Saky airfield in western Crimea was targeted, an airfield that Russia uses for controlling airspace in the Black Sea and launching airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. This strike comes on the heels of Romania reporting that fragments of a Russian drone fell on its territory, following a Russian drone attack on Ukraine.
NATO has ruled out the incident as a deliberate act of aggression by Vladimir Putin but has condemned Russia’s actions as “irresponsible”. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces successfully shot down four attack drones and a missile fired by Russia during an overnight attack.
On the diplomatic front, US secretary of state Antony Blinken has warned China about Chinese firms aiding Russia in its war on Ukraine. Meanwhile, the G7 is making progress towards reaching a deal on a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, to be backed by Russian assets, which could potentially be finalized by October.
As tensions continue to escalate, the situation in Ukraine remains fluid, with Russian forces claiming control of settlements and casualties mounting on both sides. The world is closely watching as Ukraine navigates these turbulent waters on its path towards potentially joining NATO. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
