Russia’s war against Ukraine: Day 135, July 8 – Update No. 2

– Lavrov storms out of G20 talks –

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stormed out of talks with other G20 foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia as Western powers criticised Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.  At the meeting on the resort island of Bali, the US and Western allies toldl Moscow the conflict with Ukraine must end through negotiations.

But Lavrov walked out of a morning session as German counterpart Annalena Baerbock criticises Moscow over its invasion, and he also left an afternoon session before Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the ministers virtually.  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier shunned a meeting with Lavrov, instead accusing Russia of triggering a global food crisis and demanding Moscow allow grain shipments out of Ukraine.

– Kramatorsk under fire –

A Russian air strike in the eastern Ukrainian industrial city left at least one dead and several others wounded as Russia seeks to push deeper into the Donbas region.  The explosion left a gaping crater next to a hotel and residential buildings and several cars ablaze, AFP journalists say.

Before the strike, the head of the Donetsk region, Pavlo Kyrylenko, announced that Russian bombardments had killed at least seven people over the past 24 hours.

– Kyiv-Ankara tensions –

A diplomatic crisis flared between Ukraine and Turkey with Kyiv accusing Ankara of ignoring its calls to impound a Russian-flagged ship carrying grain allegedly stolen from Ukraine.  Kyiv alleges that the Zhibek Zholy, which arrived at Turkey’s Black Sea port of Karasu a week ago, slipped out of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian port of Berdyansk with wheat stolen from Ukrainian territory.  Russia denies stealing grain.

Other Topics of Interest

N. Korean Troops Massed in Russia to Enter Ukraine War ’Soon’: Pentagon Chief

Austin said he had "not seen significant reporting" of North Korean troops being "actively engaged in combat" to date.

After being submitted to Turkish checks, the vessel returned to Russian territorial waters on Thursday, Turkish sources said.  Ukraine said it was “deeply disappointed” Turkey has not impounded the ship and handed back the grain.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry summoned Turkey’s ambassador to demand an explanation.