Russian troops are intensifying their offensive in Luhansk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, aiming for full control, while the Ukrainian side appears to have turned to counterattack in parts of southern Kherson Oblast.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken over the phone with Turkish President Erdogan, who is mediating the ceasefire, but it is unclear whether the ceasefire negotiations that have hit the deadlock will resume.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 30th that missiles and other attacks destroyed arsenal and ammunition depots in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, and attacked shipyard facilities in southern Mikolaiu Province, destroying armored vehicles. Did.
Russian troops are also stepping up their offensive to siege Severodonetsk, the last base on the Ukrainian side, in eastern Luhansk, which seeks full control.
In response, Ukrainian President Zelensky said on the 29th, "We are trying to get more modern weapons. In the end, we will regain peace." He emphasized his determination to fight thoroughly.
The American think tank "War Institute" pointed out in an analysis on the 29th that "Russian troops' operations in eastern Ukraine are almost entirely concentrated in Severodonetsk."
On the other hand, regarding the southern state of Kherson, which claims that Russia has taken control of the whole area and is advancing the establishment of Russian rule, "Ukrainian troops succeeded in a limited counterattack near the border between Kherson and Mykolaiv, and the Russian army The Russian army may be confused and forced to reinforce Kherson. "
Under these circumstances, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkish President Erdogan on the telephone on the 30th, and according to the Russian Presidential Office, "President Putin, in cooperation with Turkey, is in the Black Sea and Azov Sea facing southern Ukraine. We are ready to promote maritime transport, including the export of grains from the port. "
Russia has suggested lifting the blockade of the Black Sea amid growing concerns about the global food crisis, but on the other hand, "if sanctions on Russia are lifted, many agricultural products and fertilizers could be exported. It is possible, "he emphasized, and it seems that he requested the lifting of sanctions again.
According to the Turkish Presidential Office, President Erdogan said, "We are ready to meet in Istanbul with the United Nations in Russia and Ukraine," and expressed his desire to promote dialogue as an intermediary between the two.
However, President Putin's reaction has not been reported, and it is unclear whether the ceasefire negotiations that are on the reef will resume.