Explosions in Kiev
07:30 | Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reports that there have been several explosions in the center of his city. “Emergency services on the way,” he writes on Telegram. According to Ukrainian media reports, Russian forces have carried out drone strikes on Kiev. Kiev’s air defenses shot down 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to the mayor.
The cities of Zhitomyr and Vinnitsha, both within a radius of 200 kilometers west of Kiev, were also reportedly attacked. Nothing is known yet about possible damage and casualties.
Ukraine dissolves the Kiev court for corruption
03:00 | Ukraine is dissolving the Kyiv District Administrative Court on the recommendation of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which likens the court to a “criminal organization”. On Tuesday, President Volodimir Zelensky signed the law approved by the parliament. “This story has come to an end,” he said in his late night video message about the breakup. “But reforms continue, even in times of war.”
The reforms Zelensky referred to are partly necessary because Ukraine wants to become a member of the European Union. In June, the European Union gave its blessing to Ukraine and neighboring Moldova to join the bloc. To this end, both countries need to undertake comprehensive reforms in areas ranging from justice policy to food security. In particular, Ukraine faces widespread corruption.
Pavlo Vovk, the president of the dissolved court, called the decision to eliminate the court “purely political and hasty,” he wrote on Facebook. “Those who applaud him today will soon regret it.”
Zelenskyj calls for international help to de-mine Ukraine
02:00 | Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has called on the international community to help his country clear mines and other unexploded explosives, which he says are spread over an area comparable in size to Cambodia or Uruguay.
Zelenski presented his plea for help in a video address to the New Zealand parliament. He asked the New Zealand military, which he said has experience in demining, to lead the effort.
According to Zelensky, the Black and Azov Seas are also contaminated with mines floating in the water. He accused Russia of committing “ecocide” in his country.