Weekend update: Spanish Prime Minister visits Kyiv, water tariffs increase in Ukraine
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Water tariffs have increased in Ukraine, resulting in a big scandal. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, visited Kyiv on a working visit.
More on the weekend events of July 1st and 2nd in the RBC-Ukraine article below.
War in Ukraine
- Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, said that Russia is currently not launching mass strikes and is likely accumulating missiles for some covert intentions.
- According to British intelligence, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are attempting to consolidate their positions on the eastern shore of the Kherson region.
- General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be very challenging and achieving success will take a considerable amount of time.
- British intelligence believes that the cancellation of the international aviation show MAKS in Russia was due to the threat of drone attacks and international isolation resulting from the war in Ukraine.
- Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Hanna Maliar, reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have made some limited advancements. The soldiers have achieved partial success, pushing back the enemy and stabilizing the front line.
Zelenskyy dismisses four heads of district administrations in Kyiv
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the heads of four district administrations in Kyiv, including Podilsky, Dniprovsky, Sviatoshynsky, and Desniansky district administrations.
Georgian Airways and more face sanctions by Zelenskyy's National Security and Defense Council
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has implemented the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) regarding new personal sanctions against 190 individuals and 290 legal entities. The list of sanctions includes Georgian Airways, which recently resumed flights to Russia.
Quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19 officially over in Ukraine
On July 1st, quarantine measures and the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic officially ended in Ukraine. The quarantine lasted for over three years, totaling 1,193 days. COVID-19 will now be considered as part of the cases of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) registered every year during the autumn-winter period.
Water tariffs increase in Ukraine
Starting from July 1st, Ukrainians will have to pay more for water. The National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities (NERC) has established new tariffs for almost all water utilities in the country. The amounts on the bills will increase by one-third.
However, National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities did not agree with the government on the increase in water tariffs. As a result, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal instructed the Minister of Energy and the Ministry of Infrastructure to hold additional consultations with NERC regarding the possibility of reviewing the decisions.
Zelenskyy said that he considers NERC's decision to raise water supply tariffs disgraceful and unprofessional.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visits Kyiv
During his speech at the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament), Sanchez announced that Spain would provide a new assistance package to Ukraine worth 55 million euros.
The Spanish Prime Minister also mentioned that Madrid would supply Ukraine with additional Leopard tanks and armored carriers.
In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would not compromise its territorial integrity for the sake of NATO membership.
US considers supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, General Mark Milley, said that the US is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine "over an extended period.
Ukraine and Slovakia agree on joint development of 155mm howitzer
Ukraine and Slovakia have reached an agreement to jointly develop a 155mm self-propelled howitzer. The collaboration aims to adapt the Eva self-propelled howitzer to Ukrainian requirements and integrate technical solutions from Ukrainian partners.
The state-owned company Konstrukta Defence is the partner on the Slovak side, while the Ukrainian partner is the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Building Plant, which manufactures its own howitzers.
Brazil investigates if Russia uses the country as an incubator for agents - WSJ
According to the publication, there have been at least three recent cases of Russian spies being detained in European countries with Brazilian passports. Brazil is investigating whether Russia is using the country as a breeding ground for agents.
Vatican mission in Russia did not discuss a peaceful plan for Ukraine, says representative of the Pope
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, representative of the Pope, said that his mission to Moscow regarding the war in Ukraine focused on humanitarian issues and did not include discussions on a peaceful plan.
Berlin and Warsaw unable to find common ground on the location of Leopard repair center - Spiegel
The agreement to open the center was announced on April 21 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. At that time, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius estimated the approximate cost of the repair hub at 150 million euros.
According to sources in the defense industry, the project to open the center has not made any progress. Instead, Berlin and Warsaw are engaged in heated disputes over the details of the joint venture's structure.
