Russia's lower parliament approves bill expanding military draft age to include citizens from 18 to 30 years
From CNN’s Anna Chernova
An advertisement promoting contract military service in the Russian army is seen in a Moscow metro station on July 19. Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images
The Russian state Duma has passed an amendment extending the military call-up age to include citizens from 18 to 30 years.
“Starting January 1, 2024, citizens aged 18 to 30 will be called up for military service. The bill has been adopted today in the third reading,” an official statement on the State Duma on Telegram reads.
Previously, military service was compulsory for Russian citizens aged 18 to 27 years.
The new bill will now be forwarded to the Federation Council for further consideration before the law can be signed by President Vladimir Putin.
The senators of the Federation Council will support the law, said Valentina Matvienko, the speaker of the upper house, adding that there is “no reason for excessive resonance” regarding these changes, according to state news RIA Novosti.
8:37 a.m. ET, July 25, 2023
Moscow declares it is "impossible" to re-join grain deal until all conditions are met
From CNN’s Anna Chernova
A pile of grain is seen at the Izmail Sea Port in Ukraine's Odesa region, on July 22. Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
The Kremlin said it is “impossible” for Russia to return to the expired Black Sea Grain Initiative until all conditions are met, snubbing suggestions by UN Secretary General António Guterres to rejoin the crucial deal.
“Mr. Guterres' letter [to Russian President Vladimir Putin] once again outlined a certain plan of action and a promise that one day it would be possible to fulfil the Russian part of these agreements,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, at the moment it is impossible to return to this deal because it is not being implemented. “At the same time, President Putin conveyed clearly Russia's willingness to swiftly reinstate the agreement once the conditions are fulfilled,” he added.
Moscow has repeatedly insisted that the agreement in place does not allow for Russia to adequately export its own foodstuffs.
Commenting on the Kremlin’s attitude to the proposal of the Kyiv authorities to export grain through the ports of the Baltic, Peskov said: “It is the sovereign right of these states."
Moscow will fight attempts to use any supply channels of Ukrainian grain for “military purposes and terrorist attacks” against Russia, Peskov added.
Some background: The Black Sea grain deal, first brokered last summer, allowed for the safe export of Ukrainian wheat from ports after Russia initially barricaded docks in the southern region and exacerbated a global food crisis.
Western allies of Kyiv have accused Russia of weaponizing the deal, the collapse of which prompted a rapid increase in global wheat prices and threatened food security in Global South countries that rely on Ukrainian grain.
8:26 a.m. ET, July 25, 2023
Brutal life for Russian convicts fighting in Ukraine revealed in rare testimony
From CNN's Nick Paton Walsh, Darya Tarasova, Julie Zink and Muhammad Darwish
Sergei, not his real name, is seen in an image supplied by him. He says many from his unit were killed and injured fighting in Ukraine. Obtained by CNN
One fighter was shot twice, sent from the hospital back to the front, where he drank melted snow to live. Forced to assault Ukrainian positions repeatedly, until a grenade blinded him. Saved from the trenches by a doctor who made him a hospital orderly.
Another was jailed at 20 for minor drugs charges, sent to the front aged 23. Given almost no training, he was dead three weeks later — among likely 60 Russians killed in an assault on the very day Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated the defeat of the Nazis in Red Square.
These two stories, of remarkable survival and premature death, epitomize the squalid and exhausting loss of life in Russia’s trenches. Yet there is one distinction: the dead are prisoners, promised respite from their jail terms if they join so-called Storm-Z battalions run by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Life expectancy is short, conditions themselves tough to survive, and convicts describe being used as cannon fodder. Tens of thousands of convicts have been recruited to serve at the front line, at first by the mercenary group Wagner — a scheme then taken over by the defense ministry.
CNN spoke to the mother of one convict, Andrei, who was jailed aged 20 on drug charges and sent to the front line as part of the Russian military’s recruitment program. The mother provided extensive video, documentation and chat messages to verify her son’s story, and his early death, just three weeks after deployment.
CNN also spoke to a rare survivor of the Storm-Z units, Sergei — who was first interviewed by phone in a military hospital months earlier and last week recounted the savage and deteriorating life in the Russian trenches.
While the appalling fighting conditions are well known, much Russian testimony is from prisoners of war, and provided through Ukrainian facilitators. These two stories represent rare testimony delivered directly from Russians. CNN has changed the names and removed key details from these two accounts for the safety of the interviewees.
It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know
From CNN staff
Kyiv reported new advances in the south, as Ukrainian forces struggle to puncture Moscow's tight defense lines amid a sweeping counteroffensive operation focusing on the southeastern regions.
Here are the latest developments:
Battlefield reports: The Ukrainian military said it made gains along the southern front "in the direction of Staromaiorske,” in the Berdiansk front, near Velyka Novosilka. However, Russian troops continued to focus on preventing Kyiv's advances in the region, indicating firm resistance from Moscow. Further east, Ukrainian forces drove back Russian forces near Andriivka, just south of Bakhmut.
Wagner military group: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko discussed Wagner at their recent talks in St. Petersburg, according to the Kremlin. Wagner troops were stationed in Belarus after Lukashenko helped negotiate a deal to end the group's failed mutiny against Moscow. As many as 5,000 troops are already in Belarus, according to Ukraine.
Zelensky-Sunak call: President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his plea for resources so Ukraine can "strengthen its air defense" in a call with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday, as the military struggles to repel renewed Russian strikes. He also discussed Ukraine's NATO membership bid, echoing calls from other senior officials in Kyiv to speed up the country's accession into the bloc.
Russia-North Korea relations: A Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will begin a three-day visit to North Korea on Tuesday, according to the Russian defense ministry and North Korean state media. North Korea is one of only a handful of countries to show outright support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has blamed the United States and the West for the war.
ZNPP mines: Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered mines at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), agency chief Rafael Grossi said Monday. It follows previous claims Kyiv that the site had been mined. Grossi called having explosives on the site “inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance.”
7:57 a.m. ET, July 25, 2023
Ukraine claims advances along the southern front
From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio and Olga Voitovych
Soldiers and mechanics from Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade work on the tracks of a US Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Region, on July 13. Ed Ram/For The Washington Post/Getty Images
Ukrainian forces have made gains along the southern front, according to Kyiv military officials and battlefield reports.
Andrii Kovalov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's general staff said Tuesday that Kyiv's forces “had success in the direction of Staromaiorske,” in the Berdiansk front, south of Velyka Novosilka.
Ukrainian forces are "entrenching themselves in the reached positions,” he said, adding that Russian troops were "resisting strongly."
In an update Tuesday, the general staff said Russian forces continued to focus on preventing Ukraine’s advances along the southern front, indicating stiff resistance.
“At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation, on Melitopol and Berdiansk axes, consolidating their positions,” it added.
Some of those offensive operations toward Melitopol are taking place just south of the town of Orikhiv, with some advances reported over the past 24 hours.
Battlefield reports: The Institute for the Study of War said Ukraine was reportedly able to advance 1.7 kilometers (just over a mile) toward the northeastern outskirts of the village of Robotyne.
The advancement was documented by several Russian military bloggers.
Some reported Ukraine had shifted the vector of its attack in the area by going around Russian fortifications with the support of its artillery, driving Moscow’s troops back.
“They managed to force units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation to retreat to more advantageous positions,” Russian military blogger War Gonzo said.
The Melitopol axis was one of the main thrusts of the early stages of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, where Kyiv first employed some of the Western equipment it received specifically for the push forward — meeting with notorious Russian resistance.
In the east: Ukrainian forces drove back the Russians near Andriivka, just south of the embattled city of Bakhmut, spokesperson Kovalov also claimed. The advance comes as Ukrainian troops continue offensive operations north and south of Bakhmut, he said.
Ukrainian advances near Andriivka are part of a plan to encircle Bakhmut and drive out Russian forces, the spokesperson for the eastern grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhii Cherevatyi, said on Tuesday.
Cherevatyi acknowledged the situation was more difficult north of the city.
“The enemy is better prepared there (north of Bakhmut). There are also certain natural obstacles there, including water obstacles,” he explained. “But the work there is also ongoing and will be visible over time, despite the fact that the enemy is preparing everything to complicate our movement.”
“It is happening. Certain preparatory measures are underway that will make themselves felt a little later,” he added.
A Ukrainian soldier fires artillery in the direction of Bakhmut, Ukraine, on July 22. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
9:58 a.m. ET, July 25, 2023
Putin and Lukashenko discussed Wagner during meeting, Kremlin says
From CNN's Anna Chernova
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Strelna, outside Saint Petersburg, Russia, on July 23. Alexandr Demyanchuk/Sputnik/AFP/Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko spoke about the Wagner private military company — which led a failed mutiny against Moscow last month — at their recent talks in St. Petersburg, according to the Kremlin.
“The topic of the Wagner group was also raised there, the topic of trade and economic cooperation, as well as the Union State, and the external threat along the perimeter of our countries -- all this, of course, was on the agenda," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
Peskov did not provide any additional detail on what both leaders discussed regarding Wagner, but added that the meeting served to align positions and share views on multiple issues.
“There were no goals to reach any agreements,” Peskov continued.
Lukashenko arrived in Russia last Saturday and held meetings with Putin in St. Petersburg on Sunday and Monday, according to both presidential press services.
Some background: Lukashenko has remained Putin's closest ally since he allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory to launch its invasion of Ukraine.
Wagner forces were stationed in Belarus after Lukashenko helped negotiate a deal to end the group's short-lived insurrection against the Kremlin.
As many as 5,000 fighters are already in the country, according to Ukraine.
Last week, Belarus' defense ministry said it would hold join military sessions with Wagner troops after the failed rebellion.
5:20 a.m. ET, July 25, 2023
Zelensky discusses Ukrainian counteroffensive with British prime minister
From CNN's Olga Voitovych
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are pictured speaking during the NATO-Ukraine meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance/Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his plea for resources to bolster Kyiv's air defense system in a call with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday.
“[We] spoke about Russia's daily attempts to destroy Odesa's historic center and port infrastructure. We must defend Odesa. Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its air defense to protect its historical heritage and continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative,” Zelensky said of the call between the two leaders on Tuesday.
“We discussed our further defense cooperation, the course of Ukrainian offensive operations. I outlined the current defense needs of [Ukraine]."
The southern port city of Odesa has been hit with a barrage of Russian strikes in recent days, damaging architectural sites and targeting grain stocks -- days after Moscow withdrew from a deal that allowed for the safe passage of Ukrainian wheat from ports in the region.
Zelensky also said he discussed Ukraine's bid for NATO membership, echoing calls from other senior officials in Kyiv to speed up the country's accession into the bloc.
“[We] noted the adoption by the G7 of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine at the NATO Summit in Vilnius and the subsequent accession of other countries to it,” he added. “We also coordinated future steps to fill it with concrete security guarantees on a bilateral basis.”
The UK has remained a staunch ally of Kyiv since Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022, donating billions of dollars' worth of military aid to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia in an attempt to squeeze its economy.
4:46 a.m. ET, July 25, 2023
Russian Defense Minister leads delegation to North Korea, state media says
From CNN’s Gawon Bae and Anna Chernova
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, attends a meeting as part of the inspection of defence industry enterprises, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, in an image released on July 11. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout/Reuters
A Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will begin a three-day visit to North Korea on Tuesday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and North Korean state media.
North Korea is one of only a handful of countries to show outright support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has blamed the United States and the West for the war.
The visit, to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, "will help strengthen Russian-North Korean military ties and will be an important stage in the development of cooperation between the two countries," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
North Korean state newspaper KCNA confirmed the visit.
Meanwhile, a high-level Chinese government delegation is headed to North Korea this week, believed to be the highest-level representatives from Beijing to visit Pyongyang since the isolated country closed its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It's early morning in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know
From CNN staff
Ukrainian forces use a searchlight to scan the sky during a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 25. Gleb Garanich/Reuters
Ukrainian air defenses repelled a Russian drone attack on the Kyiv region in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said.
Kyiv city military administration head Serhiy Popko said in a Telegram post that Russia used Iran-made Shahed drones in the sixth attack on the capital this month.
No casualties or damage was reported, he said.
Here are the top headlines:
Slow progress: Ukraine’s defense minister Oleksii Reznikov acknowledged that Kyiv's counteroffensive is behind schedule but insisted it is still going according to plan. “Our generals, our commanders, they see the real situation on the battlefield. And again, I have to repeat the main value for us is life of our soldiers,” he told CNN. Separately, Ukraine's military said Russia has been able to jam Ukrainian drones, impeding progress.
Crimea attacks:Ukraine will continue carrying out attacks on Russian-occupied Crimea and the Kerch Bridge that connects it to Russia, Reznikov told CNN. “All these targets are official targets because it will reduce their capacity to fight against us (and) will help to save the lives of Ukrainians,” he said.
Nuclear plant: Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency discovered mines at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, agency chief Rafael Grossi said Monday — after previous claims by Kyiv that the site had been mined. Having explosives on the site is “inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance,” he said.
Moscow drone attack: Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, an arm of the Ministry of Defense, says it carried out a drone attack on Moscow early Monday, a Defense Intelligence official told CNN. The Kremlin said all the drones targeting the Russian capital had been neutralized, in what Russian authorities described as a "thwarted" attack. The Russian foreign ministry urged international organizations to condemn the attack and recent Ukrainian strikes on Crimea.
Odesa attacks: Authorities in the southern Ukrainian city say part of its historic cathedral is structurally unsound after it was hit Sunday by a Russian missile. The Odesa strikes killed at least one person and injured several others, Ukrainian officials said, the latest in a wave of attacks on the port city. The attacks also destroyed other historic buildings, Ukraine’s culture ministry said.
