Photo : Ukrainian State Emergency Service
Photo : Ukrainian State Emergency Service
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 29 June, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, banning anti-personnel mines. This was also done by the Baltic states, recently by Finland. This withdrawal was done to boost their defence for their war with Russia. The 1997 treaty had 160 countries that ban the use, production and stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, to protect civilians from scattered explosives. Many of the European countries, such as the Baltic states, are withdrawing from the treaty to create a shift in the defence policy, as they prepare for a “potential war” in Europe. Zelenskyy said that Russia was not a part of the convention and used land mines in a very suspicious manner, and commented that for Russians to destroy the link, they will use all methods that they can.
On 29 June, The Guardian reported that Russia launched more than 500 aerial weapons across Mykolaiv, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia, Cherkasy Oblast, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv. Ukraine’s air force said that Russia had launched 477 drones, 60 missiles. Of the 477, 475 were destroyed at the atmosphere. The attack targeted several regions in the front lines, as well as western Ukraine. The Russian army said that the attack destroyed Ukrainian military industrial sites, oil refineries. Zelenskyy commented that Putin’s readiness for another round of peace talks, and said that Moscow will not stop, as long as it can launch massive strikes. He added that the war must come to an end, and the defence sector must be strengthened to protect the lives of the people.
On 28 June, Reuters reported that Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that the Ukrainian forces faced a new attack on the eastern front, while as Moscoe was making their progress into the southwest of Ukraine. Russian troops have captured all of Donetsk and the city of Kostiantynivka, which is the major target. He added that the area around Kostiantynivka was under heavy fire.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 29 June, RT reported that Russia conducted large-scale overnight strikes on Ukraine’s industrial facilities, using long-range weapons and drones. Russia’s Defence Ministry said that the Russian forces conducted massive strikes that included high precision long-range air, sea, and land-based weapons, aero ballistic hypersonic Kinzhal missile systems and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) targeting Ukraine’s military industrial and oil processing facilities. They did not provide further details, except that the mission was successful.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from Europe and the US
On 29 June, according to Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, following Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, the threat to Germany must not be underestimated. He added that Russia’s aggression goes beyond Ukraine, and it will be a huge threat to Europe, especially to Germany's foreign policy. Wadephul in the Jagel Air Force base near Flensburg for Bundeswehr day, expressed his gratitude to the German military for their service. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz also warned against the false sense of security, and Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine must not be taken for granted; and must do everything to ensure peace and security in Germany.
References
“Vladimir Putin says Moscow is ready for new round of peace talks with Ukraine,” Euronews, 27 June 2025
“Russian missile strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast city kills 5, injures 25,” The Kyiv Independent, 27 June 2025
“Moscow Summons German Ambassador Over Alleged ‘Persecution’ of Journalists,” The Moscow Times, 27 June 2025
“Putin respects US once again – Trump,” RT, 28 June 2025
“Germany rejects Russian allegations of journalist harassment,” Reuters, 27 June 2025
“Ukraine conflict settlement, future of US-Russia relations, NATO’s ‘lies’: Highlights from Putin’s Q&A,” RT, 27 June 2025
“Russian involvement suspected in German military truck arson,” Novaya Gazeta, 27 June 2025