Ukraine Watch

⚡️ Almost half of the ammunition bought for the AFU under the Czech initiative in Asia and Africa has turned out to be of poor quality, Financial Times reported. The Czech company CSG said some of the ammunition had to be reworked before it could be delivered to Kiev. It will not be sent as quickly as planned because of rising prices and problems with components, the article said. Earlier, the Czech president said Ukraine could receive 180,000 artillery shells under the initiative. They were to be purchased in third countries at the expense of Western countries. t.me/ukraine_watch

🔥 Footage of fighting for Volchansk, which is half liberated by the Russian army. t.me/ukraine_watch

❗️Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov told Pentagon chief Austin about 'positive trends in the mobilisation and dynamics of recovery of combat brigades'. This is reported by Chief Syrsky after a conversation with three officials. Other news at this hour: ⬜️ The AFU attacked the village of Gruzskoye in the Belgorod region with drones, one civilian was injured, - said Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov; ⬜️ Ukraine is ready for EU accession talks, German European Affairs Minister Anna Luhrmann said - DW reports; ⬜️ Moldova has revoked the licences of three TV stations that gave the floor to the opposition. t.me/ukraine_watch

💸 The Pentagon is opening an ammunition plant in Texas to supply weapons to Ukraine, The New York Times has reported. The plant is expected to produce 30,000 artillery rounds per month for 155 mm howitzers, about twice the current production volume in the US. At the same time, the newspaper, quoting the NATO Secretary General, recalled that in 2023 the AFU used 4,000-7,000 such shells a day for several months. t.me/ukraine_watch

🇦🇲 The situation in Yerevan: Police have already arrested nine protesters. Demonstrators and riot police have gathered in front of the government building, where the Cabinet is meeting. People are protesting against the unilateral delimitation of the border with Azerbaijan and calling for Pashinyan's resignation. t.me/ukraine_watch

💥 Russian paratroopers and artillerymen destroy an AFU self-propelled artillery near Verbovoye in the Zaporozhye region. t.me/ukraine_watch

❗️The US is allowing Ukraine to use its transferred air defence systems in Russia, The Washington Post quotes its sources as saying. The Americans are not opposed to shooting down Russian missiles and fighter jets in Russian skies 'if they pose a threat to Ukraine'. However, there have been times when American officials have expressed concern about attacks against Russia and even cancelled such plans. In particular, a planned GSD attack on Moscow was cancelled. The Americans feared an aggressive response from the Kremlin. The Americans were also against strikes on oil refineries on the territory of the Russian Federation. Even though the strikes were carried out with Ukrainian weapons. Earlier it was reported that the AFU had used the US Patriot air defence system at least once for strikes on Russia. However, this was a system transferred from Germany. Berlin and Washington reacted negatively. t.me/ukraine_watch

A Ukrainian man comes to the Belen Palace during Zelensky's official visit to Portugal. The man voices his displeasure, saying that Zelensky is a liar, corrupt and a traitor, and it's because of him that the war continues. t.me/ukraine_watch

⚡️ Swedish police set dogs on students from the Royal Institute of Technology during a pro-Gaza demonstration in Stockholm. t.me/ukraine_watch

👀 The EU plans to ‘punish’ Hungary for its stance on anti-Russian sanctions and assistance to Kiev, Politico reported. According to the publication's sources, a number of EU member states are planning to prevent Hungarian representatives from holding senior ministerial posts in the next European Commission. European leaders are increasingly irritated by Orbán's delay in imposing sanctions on Russia and his resistance to providing aid to Ukraine. t.me/ukraine_watch