Ukrainian Forces withdrew from Vuhledar, UN Chief declared persona non grata - Wednesday brief

Israeli Foreign Minister declares UN Secretary General persona non grata

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, his post on X, has declared UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a persona non grata in Israel. He is banned from entering the country.

"Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General António Guterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country," he wrote.

"This is a Secretary-General who has yet to denounce the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas murderers on October 7, nor has he led any efforts to declare them a terrorist organization. A Secretary-General who gives backing to terrorists, rapists, and murderers from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and now Iran - the mothership of global terror - will be remembered as a stain on the history of the UN," the head of the department stated.

Ukraine's defense forces confirm withdrawal from Vuhledar

Ukraine's Defense Forces have withdrawn from Vuhledar, Donetsk region, in order to preserve personnel and military equipment, according to the operational-strategic group of forces Khortytsia.

According to the Khortytsia operational-strategic group, despite suffering significant losses during prolonged battles, the enemy continued attempts to capture Vuhledar.

To save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and preserve equipment, the command authorized the withdrawal from Vuhledar.

'Preparing results for fall.' Zelenskyy discusses reports from Intelligence Chief and Commander-in-Chief

Ukraine's military and political leadership at all directions and levels is preparing maximum results for the country in the fall, according to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Right now, on all fronts and at all levels, we are preparing maximum results for the state this fall. All necessary content for Ramstein - military, the Presidential Office, diplomats - everything Ukraine needs to provide to partners to better understand our capabilities, we will provide," the President said.

Cyberattack on Russian financial sector: Banks and telecom hit

The Cyber Corps of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense carried out a cyberattack on Russia's financial sector, disrupting the operation of banks and more, according to RBC-Ukraine's sources in Ukrainian intelligence.

According to the agency’s sources, Alfa-Bank, Otkritie Bank, and the telecommunications operator Rostelecom were among those affected by the cyber strike.

This attack caused a global disruption in the fast payment system, halted the operation of banking mobile apps and online banking, and affected the internal systems of financial institutions.

Putin legalizes amnesty of all defendants who went to war

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law exempting defendants serving in the military from criminal liability. Earlier, it was reported that Russia may send defendants to the war in Ukraine, according to RIA Novosti.

As the news agency writes, the law supplements provisions of the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of the Russian Federation. In particular, it mandates the exemption from criminal liability during judicial proceedings for defendants serving in the military during the mobilization period or signing a contract for military service.

Russia abducted over 20.000 Ukrainian children, another 1.5 million may be deported

Russia has illegally abducted more than 20,000 Ukrainian children. There is also a risk of deportation of another 1.5 million Ukrainian children, Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets says.

The Commissioner spoke at the third plenary event of the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children.

According to Lubinets, Ukrainian children are sent to so-called re-education camps where they are zombified with Russian propaganda.