
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson light … [+] candles as they visit St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, June 17, 2022. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP
Dispatches from Ukraine, provided by Forbes Ukraine’s editorial team.
As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues and the war rages on, reliable sources of information are critical. Forbes Ukraine’s reporters gather information and provide updates on the situation.
Friday, June 17. Day 114. By Daryna Antoniuk
UK prime minister Boris Johnson visited Ukraine on Friday. It was his second visit to the country since the start of the Russian invasion.
During the unannounced visit, he discussed weapons and air defence systems supplies, economic support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
Zelensky and Johnson took a walk through the center of Kyiv. Johnson said that Kyiv now is much “livelier” than a few weeks ago. Johnson has also offered battlefield training for 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
The European Commission has said that Ukraine should be given candidate status to join the EU.
“It’s the first step on the EU membership path that will certainly bring our victory closer,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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The final decision to grant Ukraine EU status must be approved by all 27 member states.
Ukraine has already liberated 1,023 settlements from Russian invaders, according to the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Tymoshenko
Ukraine will end visa-free travel with Russia starting on July 1. It will help the country to fight “unprecedented threats” to national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The European Broadcasting Union said that Ukraine cannot host next year’s Eurovision song contest for safety reasons. The EBU has asked the U.K. to host the competition because it won second place thanks to votes from viewers.
Mykolaiv. Two people have been killed and 20 injured in a Russian missile attack on Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine. The attack also damaged four residential buildings and an infrastructure facility.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has killed at least 322 children and injured over 581 others since Feb. 24. The figures do not include casualties in the occupied territories and areas with active hostilities.
Nearly 4,509 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, according to the UN.
Hundreds of Ukrainians are still trapped in Azot chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk. According to Luhansk Oblast Governor Serhiy Haidai, the evacuation from Azot chemical plant is currently impossible due to shelling and heavy fighting.