⚡️US targets around 400 individuals, entities in Russia, third countries in new sanctions package.

"Russia has turned its economy into a tool in service of the Kremlin’s military industrial complex... Companies, financial institutions, and governments around the world need to ensure they are not supporting Russia’s military-industrial supply chains," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said.

⚡️South Africa blocks artillery shell delivery to Poland due to fear of them being transferred to Ukraine, media says.

Warsaw ordered 50,000 155-millimeter shells from the South African company Denel Munition, a subsidiary of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, in which it holds a 51% stake.

The Polish Defense Ministry, in response to a request from Rzeczpospolita, said that the agreement was terminated on Aug. 20, 2023, due to "problems with the subcontractor's execution."

⚡️Russia attacks 8 communities in Sumy Oblast.

The communities of Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Yunakivka, Khotin, Shalyhyne, Seredyna-Buda, Esman, and Velyka Pysarivka came under fire. No casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure were reported.

⚡️Russian authorities confirm detainment of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna.

Roshchyna disappeared on Aug. 3, 2023 while reporting in Russian-occupied territory. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed her detainment in a letter dated April 2024.

⚡️Zelensky to visit Belgium, sign bilateral security agreement.

Belgium will become the 11th country to sign such an accord with Ukraine, following Spain, the U.K., Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Canada,the Netherlands, Finland, and Latvia.

*⚡️*⚡️Ukraine’s Navy says it destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight.**
The report refutes Moscow’s earlier claims of having repelled all strikes on occupied Crimea overnight.

*⚡️Air Force: All 37 Russian attack drones targeting Ukraine overnight shot down.*
Russian forces targeted eight regions across Ukraine overnight, Kyiv, Odesa, and Vinnytsia oblasts, according to the Air Force’s report.

*⚡️Moscow claims it repelled Kyiv’s ‘attempts’ to strike occupied Crimea, bordering Russian regions.*
Moscow claims that it had shot down 9 U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles over Crimea, as locals report explosions.

*⚡Moldova expels Russian diplomat after Russian election held in Transnistria.*
Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi announced on March 19 that a Russian diplomat had been expelled from the country after Russian presidential elections were held in Transnistria, a region internationally recognized as part of Moldova.