News And Information From Ukraine

Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 505.

As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues and the war rages on, reliable sources of information are critical. Forbes gathers information and provides updates on the situation.

As the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, wrapped up yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to Ukraine with powerful but rather mixed signals. Members of the Alliance, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg announced, have drafted a three-element package to bring Ukraine closer to NATO. Firstly, Ukraine will receive a multi-year assistance program to transform its armed forces to required NATO standards and craft a responsive security system. Secondly, a NATO-Ukraine Council will serve as a platform for effective multilateral communication and coordination among Ukraine and allies. And thirdly, members agreed to relieve Ukraine of the requirement for a Membership Action Plan, a NATO advisory program designed to deliver practical support for states wishing to become part of the Alliance. “This is a strong package for Ukraine, and a clear path towards its membership in NATO,” Stoltenberg said.

In addition, NATO promised Ukraine concrete security guarantees supported by each G7 country. These bilateral security agreements include measures to help Ukraine defend itself, prevent new aggression and provide support in bringing Russia to justice for its invasion. “We will be equal among equals,” President Zelenskyy announced in the final outline.

Asked when Ukraine can expect an invitation for membership in the Alliance, Stoltenberg said NATO will open its doors for the country once “all the conditions are met.” For his part, President Zelenskyy told the press that he anticipates receiving an official invitation once hostilities cease and the war is over.

Furthermore, a solid coalition finally was assembled at the summit for F-16 training. Eleven countries, including Denmark and the Netherlands, joined Ukraine in its ambition to build an international network of partners ready to train Ukrainian pilots to fly America’s supersonic war craft.

The Vilnius Summit was highlighted by President Zelenskyy’s bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. “Ukrainians have inspired the world with their courage,” President Biden said as their talks ended. “The United States will continue doing everything we can to get Ukraine what it needs in the face of Putin’s brutal war as rapidly as possible”.

Several countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Norway, and Australia, also have announced their intention to deliver new assistance packages to Ukraine.

On The Culture Front

“The Hedgehog Temple,” a giant sculpture constructed from anti-tank “hedgehog” barriers made of crossed metal beams, will represent Ukraine at this year’s Burning Man immersive music and arts festival in the Nevada desert. The art-installation is a 7-meter-high (23-foot) structure containing 100 anti-tank barriers in its belly, wrapped in metallic mesh to form the shape of a unique, giant hedgehog. “The Hedgehog Temple,” containing the stories of victims of the war, serves as a war memorial honoring the Ukrainians who have lost their lives during the invasion.

Odesa City Letters, an exhibition highlighting Ukrainian design and language, is on view at the 41 Cooper Gallery, New York, N.Y., through July 27. It features two dozens of Ukrainian posters with traditional Ukrainian graphics and typography, but with modern messages. The exhibit has been open for public viewing in conjunction with another show, the Ukrainian Letters (temporary) Museum. This show features the Ukrainian alphabet, presented as an array of historical book covers and pages, many of them created by Ukrainians forced to flee the country over the past century. The alphabet artwork had been displayed in the windows of the Cooper Union Foundation building, and the installation was originally created by Ukrainian graphic designer Kateryna Korolevtseva. The exhibitions draw on the same historic material, according to Alexander Tochilovsky, curator of Cooper Union’s Herb Lubalin Study Center of Design and Typography: the visual aesthetics of Ukrainian letters, some of which were banned by Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin.

A charity event in New York on July 22 will highlight a book titled “Top 100 USA Entrepreneurs with Ukrainian Origins,” featuring the most successful businesses with connections to Ukraine. Besides the stories of entrepreneurs affected by the war and their survival, the event will feature a cultural presentation of musical performance and authentic Ukrainian cuisine. As Ukrainians have been dispersed all over the world, the U.S. serves as one of the main places for businesses with connections to Ukraine, helping the fight against Russia’s war in Ukraine. Half of the ticket sales will go to Cash For Refugees, a non-profit founded by Natasha and Semyon Dukach for relief in Ukraine.

Regional

Kyiv. Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 20 Iranian Shahed 136/131 drones and Kalibr missiles last night. Ukrainian air defenses shot down most of the targets near Kyiv. The debris, however, resulted in damage to several high-rise buildings in the Podil, Obolon and Shevchenkivskyy districts and wounded two civilians.

Zaporizhzhia region. Russian forces shelled the southern city of Zaporizhzhia yesterday, wounding more than 20 civilians, including eight children.

Kherson region. Shelling of private homes by Russian forces in Kherson ignited a fire that took the life of an 81-year-old resident.

By Daria Dzysiuk, Alan Sacks