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Ukraine and Russia carried out another prisoner exchange, with 22 Ukrainian soldiers returning home. Among the released servicemen were two officers, sergeants, and privates who fought on different fronts, with some of them being wounded. A video posted on Telegram showed the soldiers wrapped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags, celebrating their return. Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its forces advanced three kilometers into Ukraine’s defenses over the past three days in northern Ukraine. The ministry added that its positions along the front line had “improved,” but these details could not be verified. Meanwhile, it was reported that Western microchips used to power smartphones and laptops continue to enter Russia, fueling its military arsenal. Russia imported $2.5 billion worth of semiconductor technologies in 2022, up from $1.8 billion in 2021. In an effort to support German companies investing in Ukraine, Germany announced an expansion of its guarantees to cover conversion and transfer risks for interest payments on quasi-equity loans. Talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at finding a peaceful settlement for Russia’s war in Ukraine were said to have helped “consolidate international consensus.” However, Russia’s behavior and aggression suggest that a peaceful conclusion to the war may not be on the horizon. The total cost of repairing the damage done by Russia in Ukraine amounts to around $1 trillion. President Putin is scheduled to visit Turkey in late August to discuss a grain deal, bilateral ties, and the situation in Syria. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy praised the air defense systems provided by the US and Germany as “very effective.” He also mentioned that Russia used 65 different missiles in drone attacks against Ukraine. Talks in Jeddah were described as “productive” by Ukrainian officials but dismissed as “doomed to failure” by Russia’s deputy foreign minister. One person was killed in an overnight airstrike over Kherson, and Ukrainian forces reportedly blew up a Russian oil tanker transporting fuel for Russian troops.
