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Russian Army Intensifies Pressure on Ukrainian Hub Amid Drone Attacks

The Russian military has ramped up its efforts against the strategic Ukrainian transport hub of Pokrovsk, with no casualties reported thus far.
On Saturday, Russian officials announced that Ukrainian forces had launched a massive overnight drone barrage targeting multiple Russian regions. According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, air defense systems “intercepted and destroyed” a total of 75 drones across various regions bordering or near Ukraine. These regions include Belgorod, Krasnodar, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Voronezh, and the Ryazan region deeper inside Russia.
The Defence Ministry also noted that one drone was shot down over the Azov Sea, and 36 drones were destroyed over the Rostov region. Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev stated online that a total of 55 drones had attacked the region, causing damage to “warehouse facilities” in the Morozovsk and Kamensky districts. He did not specify how many drones were intercepted versus how many hit their targets.
In response, Ukraine’s General Staff announced on Facebook that its forces had struck an airfield in Morozovsk, hitting ammunition depots with guided air bombs. They also targeted fuel depots in the Belgorod, Kursk, and Rostov regions.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed an oil depot was hit in his region, resulting in an explosion and fire that were quickly extinguished. In the Oryol region, two drones crashed into a residential high-rise building, causing a brief fire and one person seeking medical assistance, according to Governor Andrei Klychkov.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Air Forces reported that Russia had attacked Ukraine overnight with 29 Shahed drones and four missiles.
These developments come amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The intensified Russian military actions against key Ukrainian locations and the subsequent Ukrainian drone barrage reflect the continuing hostilities and complex dynamics of the war. Both sides have been engaging in relentless attacks, aiming to undermine each other’s strategic positions and resources.
As the conflict persists, the international community watches closely, with significant concern over the humanitarian impact and the potential for broader regional destabilization. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict remain crucial, yet the current actions on both sides indicate a continuing cycle of aggression and retaliation.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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