"Belarus' exiled opposition has handed President Volodymyr Zelensky a list of warning signs that Minsk soon plans to enter Russia's war against Ukraine.
The document, created by the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus and handed to Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha on June 22, outlines clear policy areas pointing to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's domestic shift towards a wartime posture.The points that the exiled cabinet drew attention to included constitutional changes cancelling Belarus' status as a neutral, non-nuclear state, a two-fold increase in the recruiting of new contract soldiers, a five-fold increase in military spending in the state budget, and the militarization of society, including children.
"Belarus has ceased to be a neutral and non-nuclear country," the report says.
The report notes that Belarus adopted a new military doctrine in 2024 that officially allows pre-emptive strikes in response to an "imminent threat."
On June 18, President Zelensky gave a public ultimatum to Lukashenko, giving his Belarusian counterpart a week to remove signal repeator equipment on Belarusian territory used to help guide Russian drone strikes.
Russia's Shahed-type long-range strike drones are known to use mesh radio stations to navigate, communicating both with each other and ground stations on their way to Ukrainian citiies." KI
"Keir Starmer announced on June 22 that he would resign as the U.K. prime minister and Labour Party leader, a step that follows months of mounting internal pressure.
The departure is likely to trigger a leadership contest and deepen political uncertainty in one of Ukraine's most vital allies.
Andy Burnham, Starmer's Labour Party rival, has been discussed as the likely next prime minister after securing a seat in parliament in last week's by-election.
During his resignation speech, Starmer listed "standing with Ukraine" and rebuilding relations with European allies as one of his government's main achievements.
"Keir, thank you for all our cooperation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that the outgoing prime minister would always be a "welcome guest in Ukraine." KI
"U.S. troops have deployed to an air base in Kenya to help with the construction and set up of a planned Ebola quarantine facility meant to house Americans. That planned site has sparked ongoing protests in Kenya, with multiple people killed by police." msn
"The United Kingdom is set to see its seventh prime minister in the past ten years, and it appears that man will be Andy Burnham, a veteran Labour Party Westminster insider who has sought to cast himself as a “socialist” working-class hero.
Andy Burnham will return to the House of Commons after having spent the past ten years outside of the London political bubble as Mayor of Greater Manchester. Previously serving as the MP for Leigh from 2001 until 2017, his return was orchestrated over the past year as it became clear that outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was unable to inspire public confidence." Breitbart
"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea 336 km (209 mi) from Micronesia in the morning at 11.56 am local time (GMT +10). The quake had a shallow depth of 44 km (27 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD
"Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly won Colombia’s presidential election, according to an initial vote count, as voters bet on his promise of a crackdown on crime and a stronger economy.
De La Espriella had 49.66 per cent of the vote while his rival, Senator Ivan Cepeda, trailed by some 250,000 votes at 48.70 per cent, according to the national registrar’s tally of just under 100 per cent of ballots in the runoff election." msn
"In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, there were two clashes. The enemy carried out 69 strikes on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including two using MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, the Russian army attacked Ukrainian Defense Forces positions 12 times toward the settlements of Vylcha, Kozacha Lopan, Symynivka, Pokaliane, Bochkove, Koloziazne, and near the settlement of Starytsia.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attacked twice toward Kucherivka and Hlushkivka.
In the Lyman direction, the invaders attempted 20 times to break through Ukrainian defenses, attacking in the areas of Novoselivka, Novomykhailivka, Kopanky, and toward Borova, Drobysheve, Ozerne, Lyman, and Dibrova.In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy stormed 16 times near Riznykivka, Kalenyky, and Zakitne, and toward the settlements of Rai-Oleksandrivka and Kryva Luka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces attacked once near the settlement of Nykyforivka.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy carried out 14 attacks near the settlements of Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped 28 assault actions by the Russian army in the areas of Rodynske, Vasylivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Dorozhnie, and toward Serhiivka, Muravka, Shevchenko, Vilne, and Matiyasheve.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the invaders carried out three assault actions in the areas of Sichenve, Verbove, and Nove Zaporizhzhia, where they were repelled.
In the Huliaipole direction, Russian forces carried out 22 attacks in the areas of Dobropillia, Zlahoda, Olenokostiantynivka, and toward Huliaipilske, Hirske, Vozdvyzhivka, Tsvitkove, Staroukrainka, and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped a Russian attempt to advance near Stepove.: Ukrin
