Ukraine remains in control of Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk, where hundreds of civilians are sheltering. In his nightly address Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “while fierce street fights continue in Severodonetsk, Ukrainian military is gradually liberating the territory of Kherson Region and has some success in Zaporizhia too”.
The Governor of Luhansk region Serhiy Haidai said Russian shelling of the plant had ignited a big fire after an oil break. In his words, fighting continues and Russian forces control most of the city. Rodion Miroshnik, a Russian-backed representative of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, said that some civilians had started to leave. In his words, 300 to 400 Ukrainian fighters were blockaded on the grounds of the plant together with civilians.
According to data of the United Nations, nearly 5 million Ukrainian refugees went to EU countries and more than 3 million have received temporary protection status. Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany have received the most refugees.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says member states face a "historic decision" at a June 23-24 summit on whether to grant Ukraine membership status. Ursula Von der Leyen is paying a visit to Ukraine to discuss with President Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine’s candidacy for EU membership, BTA reports. Ukraine has achieved a lot in strengthening the rule of law, but there is still a need for reforms to be implemented, Ursula Von der Leyen said. Ukraine applied for EU membership shortly after the Russian invasion on 28 February, 2022.
There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Bulgaria during the year, reads the US Department of State’s 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices. ''Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: torture or..
There is systematic racial and ethnic violence and discrimination against Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia. This is stated in the State Department's report on human rights in 2023, BGNES reported . The document refers to the beatings..
The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Solid State Physics is officially celebrating 50 years since the invention of the copper bromide vapor laser today. This laser is a Bulgarian invention, launched for the first time by Academician..
The Bulgarian Parliament has finally postponed the liberalisation of the energy market for one year, starting from 1 July. The decision was taken with..
The National Assembly removed its chairman Rosen Zhelyazkov from office. His dismissal was proposed by We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria,..
Hail storm caused huge damage in the regions of Plovdiv, Haskovo, Stara Zagora and Sliven. No people were injured but crops in many..
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