At least 358 children have been killed during Russia’s war of aggression, according to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office. The value has therefore not increased for twelve days. According to unconfirmed data, at least 693 children were physically injured.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accuses Russia of using the occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant as a nuclear shield. He explains that Russian troops have set up positions in the immediate vicinity of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and will open fire on Ukrainian troops from there. “Of course the Ukrainians can’t shoot back to avoid a terrible accident at the nuclear power plant.” (Reuters)
The US government has announced further arms deliveries to Ukraine in the amount of 550 million dollars. This includes, among other things, ammunition for the Himar multiple rocket launcher system and 75,000 artillery shells, the US Department of Defense announced on Monday. Overall, since US President Joe Biden took office a good year and a half ago, the United States has pledged weapons and equipment to Ukraine worth around $8.8 billion. The US would continue to work with its allies and partners to help Ukraine fight the invading Russian army, it said. (dpa)
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) made a jump in profits in the first half of the year, also thanks to the sale of its Bulgarian subsidiary. The group result has more than doubled to 1.71 billion euros after 612 million euros, as the bank, which operates in many countries in Eastern Europe as well as in Russia and Ukraine, announced on Monday evening. This also includes a gain of 453 million euros from the sale of the Bulgarian unit. The bank is thus above the expectations of analysts, who had expected an average net profit of 854 million euros in the second quarter. The bank named a consolidated profit of 1.27 billion euros for the months of April to June.
The bank has not yet made a decision regarding its Russian subsidiary. The different options for Russia and Belarus would be evaluated, it said. The bank is under a lot of pressure because of its activities in Russia. All options up to and including an exit would be examined. Bank boss Johann Strobl has already announced that the test will take a long time. (Reuters)