What has happened in the last hours
On day 541 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this is what happened at 8:00 p.m. this Friday, August 18:
The war in Ukraine has already caused 500,000 casualties, between dead and wounded, according to The New York Times. The number of casualties that have occurred in the 18 months that have passed since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine is close to 500,000, between dead and wounded, according to The New York Times, citing US government sources. On the Russian side, the dead soldiers reached the figure of 120,000, while the number of wounded would be between 170,000 and 180,000.
The first ship from Ukraine arrives in Turkey after Russia’s withdrawal from the grain agreement. The Joseph Schulte, a Hong Kong-flagged ship with 30,000 tons of cargo in more than 2,000 containers, has arrived in Turkey after crossing the Black Sea waters, circumventing the Russian blockade. She is the first cargo ship to leave Ukrainian ports in this sea after the grain agreement broke down last July, following Russia’s refusal to renew it.
The Russian justice decrees the dissolution of the Sakharov Center for Human Rights. A municipal court in Moscow has ordered the dissolution of the Sakharov Center, which was one of the last pillars of the defense of human rights in Russia, in a context of repression of critical voices since the offensive in Ukraine.
Russia formally charges American John Spektor, imprisoned for two years, with espionage. Russia has accused a jailed American of espionage, state news agencies have reported, adding to the pressure on US President Joe Biden’s administration, which has been trying to find a way to bring Russia back home from Russia. Several citizens arrested.
Latvia arrests a taxi driver accused of spying for Russia. The Latvian Security Service (VDD) has announced the arrest of an individual linked to the Baltic Anti-Fascists group, on suspicion of having carried out espionage activities for the benefit of Russia.
Russia bans entry to several Moldovan officials. Russia has barred entry to several unidentified Moldovan officials, Russian state news agency RIA reported, citing the Foreign Ministry. Relations between Russia and Moldova, which has a pro-European government, have worsened sharply since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Moldova, a small former Soviet republic, shares a border with Ukraine and also with NATO member Romania.
Japan sends fighter jets to the area where Russia and China are practicing military exercises. Japan said Friday it has deployed fighter jets after two Russian IL-38 intelligence-gathering aircraft were spotted flying between the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, where Russia is conducting military exercises with China. .
Ukrainian forces, ready to assault the second line of Russian defense in the south. Despite the need for more artillery shells and mine clearance equipment, the liberation of Uroyaine and the advances near Robotyne show the Ukrainian army’s ability to overcome Russian defenses in the south. Ukrainian military analysts believe the Ukrainian chances of success are significant and that the fighting may be entering its “critical phase” now that both sides have drawn on all their reserves in the area.
