July 22, 2023 - Your Evening Digest

Tensions rise between Poland and Russia, a journalist killed on the battlefield, and North Korea increases its nuclear rhetoric (again)

While domestic news was slow, international news is heating up. Here is all of the news you missed from today. If you enjoyed this content and want more, exclusive content, or just want to support my work, please consider a monthly subscription:

1) Tensions Continue to Rise Between Russia and Poland

Poland has summoned Russia’s ambassador as tensions continue to rise fast between the two countries. This morning, Poland deported Vera Zvonareva, a Russian tennis player who was expected to play at a tournament in Warsaw. Zvonareva was denied entry into the country at an airport in Warsaw. According to the Polish Interior Ministry, Zvonareva was denied entry “for reasons of state security and protection of public safety.” The tennis player was traveling on a French visa from Belgrade to Warsaw and has since been deported. The WTA issued this statement in response:

Meanwhile, the Wagner Group has begun military exercises along the Polish/Belarusian border, increasing the likelihood of a potential incursion on Poland’s land. Learn more about these military exercises here. This situation is becoming increasingly more concerning, and is one that I will update you on as we learn more information.

2) Ukraine Calls for Emergency NATO Meeting

Ukraine has called for an emergency meeting between Ukraine and NATO members. In a phone call with NATO Secretary General Jens Toltenberg, President Zelensky asked to “urgently convene” a meeting due to Russia’s “aggressive steps” in the Black Sea. Earlier this week, Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Deal, which would have allowed for safe passage of Ukrainian grain exports, despite the war. Russia’s decision has since thrown the global food market into questionable territory.

3) Ukraine Hits Ammunition Dump

Ukraine is stepping up its attacks on Russian critical infrastructure. Earlier today, Ukrainian forces hit an ammunition dump in Russian occupied Crimea, forcing an evacuation of the area. This is now the second time Ukraine has hit an ammunition dump in Crimea in the past week. This latest strike also forced train services to be cancelled. The leader of the Crimean Tatar national movement confirmed the strikes and the evacuations. President Zelensky has called for a stronger effort in the counteroffensive and promised increase progress in the coming weeks and months.

4) North Korea Escalates Rhetoric

Just days after a United States solider crossed into North Korea, the hermit country is now increasing its nuclear rhetoric. The country’s defense minister made a public statement claiming he would approve the use of nuclear weapons "in case nuclear attack is launched against it or it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent," according to the state-run KCNA news agency. Overnight, North Korea proceeded to launch another ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. However, despite much of this public rhetoric, the country has been silent concerning the whereabouts of the United States solider it currently has in its custody. Stay tuned for more.

5) Journalist Killed on Battlefield

A Russian journalist was killed, and three others were wounded, on the battlefield today, marking yet another grim development in the war. The journalist was killed in the area of Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, which is currently occupied by Russian forces. Moreover, a cameraman for Deutsche Well, a German public broadcaster, was wounded by shrapnel from the use of Russian cluster munitions.

6) Build Up of Military Equipment in Belarus

Latest satellite imagery shows that Belarus continues to ramp up its movement of military equipment. The Tsel military garrison, located in central Belarus, has seen a significant build-up of vehicles and other military equipment. For comparison, one week ago, only about 10 cargo trucks and five buses were located in the same storage area. This military build-up occurs as Belarus has announced joint military exercises with Wagner forces on the Polish border. It remains to be seen whether Belarus will enter Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.