Our live coverage of Russia's war in Ukraine has moved here.
August 14, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news
By Kathleen Magramo, Sana Noor Haq, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Aditi Sangal, Mike Hayes, Elise Hammond and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN
Updated 12:01 a.m. ET, August 15, 2023
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Tensions flare over trade routes in the Black Sea. Here are the latest headlines from the war in Ukraine
From CNN staff
Russia fired warning shots at a Turkish-owned cargo vessel in the Black Sea as tensions flare over trade routes.
On the front lines, Kyiv is continuing to push back on criticism that its troops are not advancing fast enough, saying that it is focused on destroying Russia's capabilities and disrupting its logistics.
Here are the top headlines to know:
- On the battlefield: Russia is continuing its offensive in the east and intensifying its activity near Kupiansk and Lyman, Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said, adding that its fighters are preventing Russia's advances. Heavy fighting also continues near Bakhmut where Ukraine has liberated 3 more square kilometers, Maliar said. Meantime, two people were injured by Russian shelling in Kharkiv, according to police. In the port city of Odesa, three supermarket workers were injured after Ukrainian air defenses repelled a series of Russian airstrikes overnight, the Ukrainian air defense forces said.
- Ukraine on the offensive: In the south, Ukrainian forces are conducting offensive operations in the areas of Melitopol and Berdiansk, Maliar said. At least six people were injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling in Russian-occupied areas of the Donetsk region, a Russian-appointed official said.
- Attacks across the border: The Russian defense ministry said its air defense systems detected and destroyed multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, over the territory of the Belgorod region which sits near the Russia-Ukraine border. In recent months, drone attacks or attempted drone attacks on Belgorod have become an almost daily occurrence.
- Tensions in the Black Sea: Ukraine's foreign ministry condemned Moscow after a Russian vessel fired warning shots and boarded a Turkish-owned cargo vessel in the Black Sea. Russia said it stopped the Sukru Okan on Sunday to ensure it was not carrying "prohibited goods" to Ukraine, as tensions flare over the sea's shipping lane. The general dry cargo ship was empty at the time of the incident and was on the way to pick up grain from Danube ports, according to the official of the shipping company.
- Aid for Ukraine: The United States' newest $200 million package of security assistance for Ukraine will include air defense munitions, artillery rounds, anti-armor capabilities, and additional mine-clearing equipment, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Looking ahead, the White House is optimistic that Congress will pass supplemental aid for Ukraine on a bipartisan basis, even as Republicans in the House have voiced opposition to additional money for Ukraine.
White House confident Congress will pass bipartisan supplemental funding for Ukraine
From CNN's DJ Judd
The White House is optimistic that Congress will pass supplemental aid for Ukraine on a bipartisan basis, even as Republicans in the House have voiced opposition to additional money for Ukraine.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration is grateful for the bipartisan support for Ukraine thus far, adding, that the president is "confident that that support is going to continue as we work together to make sure that the Ukrainian people have everything that they need to continue to fight bravely for their freedom."
In a letter to Congress Thursday, the Biden administration requested more than $24 billion in supplemental funding, including more than $13 billion in security assistance and $7.3 billion for economic and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.
Jean-Pierre said Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young and members of the president’s legislative affairs team “have had, numerous, numerous conversations, numerous calls with lawmakers on the ground, with both parties to explain exactly the need and the highlight for... and highlight the emergency nature of this request.”
She said the administration will continue to engage with Congress and that they believe "this will continue in a bipartisan way."
Russian shelling wounds 2 people in Kharkiv region, police say
From CNN's Svitlana Vlasova
At least two people were wounded as a result of Russian shelling in a village in the northeastern Kharkiv region Monday, according to police.
A 62-year-old woman and a 14-year-old were injured in the village of Buhaivk and were taken to the hospital, according to police.
6 wounded in Ukrainian shelling of Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk region, Russia-appointed official says
From CNN's Josh Pennington
At least six people, including a 6-year-old-boy, have been injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling in Russian-occupied areas of the Donetsk region, the head of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin said Monday.
Pushilin said the boy was injured in a village in the south of the region, while the rest of the others were injured in eastern parts of the city of Donetsk.
He also said there was damage to infrastructure.
US secretary of state announces new $200 million in security assistance for Ukraine
From CNN's Jennifer Hansler and Victoria Butenko
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine, including air defense munitions, artillery rounds, anti-armor capabilities, and additional mine-clearing equipment.
The package is worth $200 million, and comes from “previously authorized Presidential Drawdown Authority” — money that remained after the Defense Department’s accounting error.
“Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks. Until it does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes,” Blinken said in a statement Monday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the US and President Joe Biden on Monday for the latest package of security assistance for Ukraine.
"Air defense missiles, artillery ammo, mine clearing systems, and anti-tank weapons will add strength to our Defense Forces. Another step toward our joint victory," Zelensky tweeted.
US ambassador to Russia visited Evan Gershkovich
From Jennifer Hansler
US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy visited Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich at Lefortovo Prison in Moscow on Monday, the spokesperson for the US Embassy told CNN.
The US State Department officially designated Gershkovich as wrongfully detained by Russia in early April.
"Ambassador Tracy reported that Evan continues to appear in good health and remains strong, despite the circumstances," spokesperson Jenny Palmer said.
British air force jets intercept Russian bombers flying north of Scotland
From CNN’s Eve Brennan and Radina Gigova in London
British Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon jets were launched to intercept two Russian long-range maritime patrol bombers as they transited north of Scotland within NATO’s northern air policing area on Monday morning, the UK Ministry of Defense said in a press release.
A Voyager tanker was also scrambled "and remained airborne for the duration of the mission to offer air-to-air refueling, ensuring the Typhoons could remain in the air for the extended period necessary to complete their mission," the ministry said.
“Pilots launched in their Typhoon jets to intercept two Russian long-range bombers this morning, monitoring them as they passed north of the Shetland Islands, ready to counter any potential threat to UK territory," Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said.
The Russian Tu-142 Bear-F and Tu-142 Bear-J maritime patrol aircraft, used for reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare, were monitored by RAF Typhoons in international airspace as they passed north of the UK, according to the ministry.
The ministry went on to say that Russian military aircraft entering the UK Flight Information Region, the UK’s controlled zone of international airspace, can pose a hazard to other aircraft as these Russian aircraft often do not talk to air traffic control or ‘squawk’ (broadcasting a code ensuring they are visible to other air users and air traffic controllers on the ground).
The Typhoons and Voyager have returned to their base, the ministry said, adding that the aircraft has been refueled to remain ready to respond to any future potential threats.
Putin says Russia is open to military cooperation with other countries
From CNN's Katharina Krebs and Radina Gigova in London
Russia is open to military cooperation with other countries, including taking part in joint military training and exercises, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
"We propose to develop cooperation in a variety of areas, including in personnel training, in training foreign military personnel and improving their qualifications, in conducting joint command-staff and other exercises. And we expect that, as before, important agreements and export contracts will be signed on the sidelines of the forum," Putin said in a video greeting to the participants of the Army-2023 forum near Moscow.
Russia is "open to deepening" equal technological partnerships and military-technical cooperation with other countries "who defend their national interests, their independent path of development and consider it fundamentally important to build together an equal indivisible security system that would reliably protect each state," Putin added.
"We are also pleased that more and more foreign defense companies are joining the forum," Putin said. "Last year, 32 foreign participants exhibited their products here. This year, their number has grown to 82."
The annual International Military-Technical Forum is a platform where prominent Russian military companies present their products. About 1,500 leading Russian defense enterprises are taking part in this year's forum exhibition and business programs. They will be discussing projects with the Russian Defense Ministry as well as cooperation with other countries, according to state news agency TASS.
About 80 foreign companies and organizations from seven countries plan to participate in the forum, which is organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, according to TASS. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is also attending the forum.
