Ukraine war live updates: Controversial U.S.-made cluster bombs arrive in Ukraine; Russia protests Olympics 'discrimination'

The Ukrainian Air Force said on Friday it had shot down 16 of the 17 Iranian-made Shahid drones launched by Russian forces since Thursday night. Google translated comments on Telegram.

The Air Force added that the drone came from a southeast direction.

Russia’s military has stepped up its offensive against Ukraine in recent days, including targeting the capital Kiev. The attack coincided with a NATO military alliance summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, which focused on aid to Ukraine.

CNBC was unable to independently verify the deployment on the ground.

— Luxandra Iordake

The Pentagon does not see the Wagner Group, a Russian private mercenary unit, currently taking any significant part in the fighting in Ukraine, one of its representatives said.

“At this stage, we do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in supporting combat operations in Ukraine,” Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said at a news conference. He said a Pentagon assessment put the “large majority” of Wagner fighters in the Russian-occupied area of ​​Ukraine.

The comments came about three weeks after the group’s brief mutiny attempt, led by leader Evgeny Prigozhin.

— Natasha Turak

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that new international commitments to supply Ukraine with additional arms and security assistance packages after the NATO summit would only intensify the ongoing conflict. said.

Putin said, among other things, that the Russian military intended to make tanks donated to Ukraine for use on the battlefield a “priority target,” according to a Reuters report. Putin’s comments were made following the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital.

Russian leaders reiterated the Kremlin’s position that Kiev’s NATO membership, which has continued since 2002, also poses risks to Russia’s security.

— Amanda Macias

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matitsyn said in a telegram that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is discriminating against Russian athletes. According to NBC News translation.

The IOC announced earlier Thursday that Russia and Belarus will not receive official invitations to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris later this month like other countries.

“We are still facing two irreconcilable positions. The Russian side wants the IOC to ignore the war, and the Ukrainian side wants the IOC to completely exclude those with Russian and Belarusian passports,” the IOC said in a statement. I want to isolate myself,” he added. Whether to extend the invitation is still under consideration.

Matitsyn called the IOC’s “regulations on admission of Russian athletes” “discriminatory”.

“Of course, for athletes whose dream is to participate in the Olympics, this is difficult, and from my point of view, this is a serious violation of both the Olympic Charter and the principle of a uniform approach to all nations.” Matisin added Mr.

— Amanda Macias

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia could withdraw from the Black Sea Grains Agreement, saying the agricultural deal has so far only benefited Ukraine.

The Russian government argues that while Ukrainian agricultural products pass freely through the Humanitarian Sea Corridor, the current deal does not support Russian fertilizer exports.

Putin also said on state television that he had not received a letter from UN Secretary-General António Guterres about the bailout and possible renewal of the pact, Reuters reported.

— Amanda Macias