Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 484.

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.

Russian forces launched at least 32 Iranian Shahed drones against Ukraine overnight on June 20. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted all of the drones, aimed primarily at military and infrastructure facilities in the Kyiv region. At the same time, Russian Iskander and S-300 missiles struck the Zaporizhzhia region.

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Sumy region. Russian artillery fire directed at communities in the northern Sumy region of Ukraine on June 19 killed a 70-year-old woman and wounded three other civilians.

Kherson region. The latest heavy Russian attacks on the southern city of Kherson on June 20 struck a rescue team clearing silt formed after the Nova Kakhovka dam explosion, killing one member and wounding eight others. Private homes, a kindergarten, a gas station and an ambulance also were hit.

Attended by representatives from more than 60 nations, international financial institutions and other delegates, the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) began its first session yesterday in London. The main objective of the two-day URC is to mobilize support from international donors for the swift economic and social recovery of Ukraine from Russia's invasion. At the opening ceremony, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his country would grant Ukraine loan guarantees worth $3 billion over the next three years. “We are also launching a new UK-Ukraine tech bridge to foster investment and talent along with support for green energy and more,” said Sunak. In addition, the British Foreign Office announced that the UK has pledged to provide Ukraine an additional £240 million ($305 million) to support its humanitarian efforts, specifically for the victims of the Nova Kakhovka dam explosion and rebuilding the energy infrastructure. This aid will cover a wide range of initiatives, starting with the provision of emergency generators and solar equipment, and the reconstruction of more robust and “green” energy systems.

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is optimistic about the future reconstruction of Ukraine, considering it to be the most prominent recovery project since World War II. Along with representatives from the European Commission, Switzerland, Norway and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Shmyhal yesterday signed a statement of intent aimed at bolstering the private insurance market to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience. “This initiative would encourage businesses to obtain insurance coverage against military risks,” Shmyhal explained. “By obtaining assistance from donors, both Ukrainian and international insurance and reinsurance companies can be attracted once again. This crucial step will play a key role in attracting foreign investment to Ukraine, leading to economic recovery, job creation, and increased tax revenue to support the country’s army.”

The World Bank is set to deliver a further package of financial assistance worth $1.75 billion to Ukraine. The funding consists of a $500 million loan guaranteed by the United Kingdom, a $1.25 billion grant from the United States and a $15 million grant from the Finland. “This steady international support is essential to helping Ukraine meet its staggering financing needs in 2023,” Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director, stated. “Now in its second year, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to cause immense human and economic suffering. Together with our partners, we will continue to stand by the Ukrainian people, supporting them with all our financial instruments and advice.”

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In a video-address today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that Russia is considering carrying out a terrorist attack, resulting in radiation leakage, at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. Zaporizhzhia, the largest nuclear facility in Europe, has been under the control of Russian occupation forces since early in the war. In the hope of averting a tragedy, Zelenskyy said, Ukraine is providing its partners the evidence gathered by its intelligence services. “There should never be any terrorist attacks on nuclear power plants anywhere,” he added. “This time it should not be like with Kakhovka – the world has been warned, so the world can and must act.” Ukraine's chief of military intelligence contends that Russia has mined the plant's cooling systems, but Zelenskyy otherwise did not reveal any specific information supporting his claim, and Russia has called the accusation a “lie.”

By Daria Dzysiuk, Alan Sacks