Russia attacks Kherson in false flag, U.S. Senate introduced Russian terrorism bill, and Hungary no longer a democracy
The attack took place in the Tavriysky neighborhood, according to Kherson Regional Council deputy chair Yuri Sobolevsky. He said that there may have been casualties as a result of the shelling and denied Ukrainian involvement. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine did not engage with that area of the city during this period of time! In addition, the analysis of the location of the events and the speed with which their propagandists arrived at the scene of the tragedy speak of a provocation,” he said.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Republican Lindsey Graham, the co-sponsors of the bill, say adoption of the bill will be convincing evidence of the support of the United States and other U.S. allies for Kyiv. However, U.S. President Joe Biden has said that his administration is against such a designation for Russia, as it may have unintended consequences for U.S. allies.
• Russia’s financial sector has been devastated by sanctions.
At least hundreds of billions of dollars have already been forfeited in “direct losses” from the sanctions regime, reported Bloomberg, referring to an estimate presented in an internal Russian Finance Ministry document. The estimate – which notes there have been significant hits to the stock market, bank capital as well as $300 billion in foreign-exchange reserves being frozen by the restrictions – was included in a presentation for a top-level meeting of Russian officials on responding to sanctions held last month.
• Meanwhile, Sergey Aleksashenko, former Russian Deputy Finance Minister and former First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Russian Central Bank, told NV that Russia will not be able to sell gas intended for sale to Europe to other consumers – worsening Russia’s economic woes.
• President Zelenskyy has been involved in a car accident in Kyiv.
The President is said to have been uninjured in the accident, while the driver who hit the President’s vehicle was treated on-site by medical personnel and transferred to an ambulance.
According to the Financial Times, The United States and EU are increasing pressure on Turkey over concerns that the country's banking sector is a potential loophole through which Russia can evade sanctions. In total, five large Turkish banks are connected to Russia’s Mir payment system– Vakıfbank, Ziraat Bank, İş Bank, DenizBank and Halkbank.
• The Ukrainian government has provided tips for a avoiding forced mobilization in occupied territory.
First of all, Ukrainians are urged, if possible, to inform the National Information Bureau about cases of forced mobilization in the temporarily occupied territories. This can be done by calling the hotline 1648 or +38 (044) 287 81 65 for calls from abroad. It is also possible to use the agency’s website and chatbots on Viber and Telegram.
• The European Parliament calls Hungary an ‘electoral autocracy’.
In a statement, the EP condemned "the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine European values,” singling out the actions of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Additionally, the lack of decisive action by the EU contributed to the emergence of a "hybrid regime of electoral autocracy" in Hungary, the EP affirmed.
• The day’s long read: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on today’s fractured world.
In a speech at UN headquarters, the Secretary-General lays out his perspective of a world unable and unwilling to rise the global challenges faced by all.
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
