The latest Ukraine news focuses on the conflict in the country. It features a former pro-Russian university director who has been fired from a prominent position for her pro-Russian views. It also discusses the increased danger of human trafficking for children fleeing the war. The article also looks at the situation of Ukrainian refugees.
Tomlin is a former director of the Mishukov Academic Lyceum at Kherson State University – a position she was fired from some time ago for her pro-Russian positions
Her comments have shocked many, but her words have also enraged many more. The statement signed by dozens of Russian rectors, praising Putin’s military invasion of Ukraine and parroting the Kremlin’s justification, shocked even the most dovish voices in Europe. The European University Association (EUA) slammed the statement, saying it is diametrically opposed to European values.
The “rector” of Kherson State University was recently attacked, with her bodyguard reportedly killed. The attack occurred near a dormitory of the university. Eyewitnesses say that Tomlin led the assault and directed armed men to arrest Maksym Vinnyk, a disabled student who needed regular medical assistance. The incident took place on June 14, 2022.
The Kremlin has said that the meeting between Putin and Xi is significant. “The stakes are very high,” Putin’s adviser said, adding that the two leaders would discuss regional issues and bilateral cooperation.
Bekmurzaev is accused of misusing state funds by using them for personal trips in 2021-22 and during the renovation of a spa complex. Although Bekmurzaev has yet to comment on the charges, his position is under pressure from the Prime Minister and lawmakers.
Tomlin has also slammed Germany for refusing to provide Ukraine with Leopard tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles. Ukraine is currently pushing Russian forces from its eastern and southern fronts. The statement is an unusually blunt tweet from the foreign minister.
Tomlin’s pro-Russian stance has been widely criticized. She was recently fired from her position as director of the Mishukov Academic Lyceum at Kherson State University – despite her pro-Russian views.
In addition to Tomilina’s pro-Russian views, she has also been a longtime critic of Russia. Her pro-Russian views have prompted many to call for the end of the war in Ukraine. The move is unlikely to sway Kirill’s pro-Russian stance.
Russia abandoned northeastern Kharkiv region in a “regrouping”
Hundreds of people have fled the Russian-held areas in eastern Ukraine, including the northeastern Kharkiv region. The Russian-installed head of Moscow’s occupation administration, Vitaly Ganchev, ordered a mass evacuation of civilians from the area. He told state-owned Rossiya-24 TV that about 5,000 people have fled to Russia. “It’s getting worse by the hour,” Ganchev said. Meanwhile, thousands of Russian soldiers and other military personnel have fled their positions. A blackout has caused power and water outages in the region.
In a statement released on the Russian Defense Ministry’s Telegram account, the Russian General Staff said that withdrawn Russian troops had retreated from several strongholds in the northeastern Kharkiv region, leaving behind ammunition and equipment. As the Ukrainian military counterattacked, Russian troops fled the area, abandoning large armor. As a result, Russian military officers lack command over their forces.
In response, Russian nationalists have urged the Russian president to take immediate action to protect their country’s interests and to ensure victory in the Ukraine war. But the Russian leader’s stance has been criticized from several angles, including the Kremlin. The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told Russian media that Putin’s government had made “no plans” to mobilize the country’s military nationwide. But Peskov stressed that the Russian people still supported President Vladimir Putin regardless of the outcome of the conflict.
The Russian withdrawal from Kharkiv is the result of an offensive launched by Kyiv forces, which has pushed Moscow back across its border. Kiev has been advancing through the eastern part of the region to cut off Russian supply lines to the Donbas. Meanwhile, the Russians have withdrawn to the border region between the regions of Kharkiv and Luhansk, and have set up defensive positions around 10 kilometers east of the Oskil River.
A Kremlin war council briefed President Vladimir Putin, the “supreme commander in chief,” on the dramatic events that have occurred in the Ukraine conflict. It referred to recent events as a “regrouping” after the Kyiv counter-offensive, and Russian officials tried to downplay the significance of battlefield reports, but nonetheless tacitly acknowledged that Ukrainian forces had gained territory.
Meanwhile, military analysts believe that Russian troops have been moving reinforcements to the region, and they will soon launch a new offensive against the Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk. A resident of Zaliznychne said Russian tanks and armored vehicles suddenly rushed away.
Russian state TV’s flagship weekly news program usually trumpets Kremlin victories. Still, on Sunday’s edition, Dmitry Kiselev admitted that the Russian military had lost a large portion of the north-east Kharkiv region. While Kremlin officials are trying to put a brave face on the situation, some Russian journalists are accusing them of abandoning their troops.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has reportedly negotiated with Ukrainian authorities for the evacuation of injured Ukrainian servicemen from the Azovstal Steel Plant, north of Kharkiv City. Despite the fact that the Ukrainians have advanced to the Russian border, Russian forces have continued unsuccessful ground operations in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Though the Kremlin has not yet announced any further advances, they continue to fortify its positions in Zaporizhia Oblast and other areas of Ukraine.
Children fleeing war in Ukraine at increased risk of human trafficking and exploitation
As the war in Ukraine continues, the number of children fleeing that conflict will rise. Currently, more than 1.5 million children have fled the war in Ukraine, making them particularly vulnerable to traffickers. These individuals and organized criminal groups exploit the chaos of large-scale population movements.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has increased the number of cases of human trafficking. Criminals pose as labor recruiters and lure vulnerable Ukrainian citizens into false promises of safety, money, and hope. These false promises lead to various forms of human trafficking and exploitation. These traffickers also seek to take advantage of large-scale population movements, like those that have displaced millions of people from their homes in Ukraine since February.
Increasing numbers of refugees are finding themselves at increased risk of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and forced labor. Some of them are not aware that they are at risk. As refugees in Europe, many are in need of permanent housing and work. This has created a situation in which children are exposed to increased risks of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Some refugees post requests for housing and work on social media, which may alert traffickers to potential victims. Others are relying on the generosity of volunteer drivers.
The EU has stepped in to help those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. It activated the Temporary Protection Directive and launched emergency assistance programs to cover basic needs and offer assistance at the EU’s borders. The Commission also put forward operational guidelines to apply the EU’s Directive on Human Trafficking and Exploitation (2001/55/EC) to refugees in Ukraine. The EU encourages all Member States to take steps to protect the rights of refugees.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF have teamed up with local groups and governments to establish ‘Blue Dots’ to protect children from trafficking and exploitation. These safe spaces are designed to provide assistance and support for children fleeing the war in Ukraine.
In order to protect these children, governments must take steps to implement measures that protect their rights as refugees. These measures include improving child protection screenings at border crossings, improving cross-border collaboration, and developing reunification procedures for children whose parents are not able to care for them. Further, law enforcement agencies and refugee shelters should monitor the movement of refugees.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for swift action to protect these vulnerable children. He said the international community must support these efforts by establishing a safe zone in Ukraine. He also called for swift and thorough investigations of sexual violence.
In addition to providing free housing, transport, and food, nongovernmental organizations and activists are also providing assistance to refugees. But lack of central government coordination hampers their safety and the ability to provide necessary services. In Poland, at the Medyka border crossing, volunteers are providing almost all of the goods and services to those seeking refuge. The volunteers are also providing hygiene products at the reception centers in Rzeszow and Przemysl.
