Russia mines more facilities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ukraine\u2019s intelligence chief says. Ukrainian troops slowly advance. NATO chief praises Ukraine\u2019s \u201cright operational decisions\u201d. The EU readies 50 billion euros for Ukraine aid package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russia has mined the pond used to keep reactors cool at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Head of the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine\u2019s Defense Ministry Major General Kyrylo Budanov said on television Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Answering a question on whether there are threats to the plant, Budanov said that \u201cthere is some threat\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains under the actual control of [Russian] occupying troops. The truth is that having blown up the [Kakhovka] dam, they disrupted a regular flow of water to the cooling systems at the plant. The second most terrifying thing is that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was additionally mined during that time, namely the cooling pond was mined. If they disable it [blow this up], there\u2019s a high probability we\u2019ll suffer heavy consequences,\u201d Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence chief said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi earlier said that there is a risk the facility could be left without essential water needed to cool its six reactors \u201cperhaps in a few weeks or a month\u201d, following the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and dam. The situation around the plant was \u201cserious\u201d but being \u201cstabilized\u201d after the blast at the dam, Grossi said after visiting the plant on June 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enerhoatom, Ukraine\u2019s nuclear energy company, said that the situation around the Zaporozhzhia nuclear power plant was controlled and that the water was high enough to meet the station\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukrainian troops are making gains in the counteroffensive on the southern Melitopol and Berdyansk axes, spokesperson for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Andriy Kovalyov said. \u201cIn the past day, Ukrainian troops had achieved partial success in the directions Novodarivka \u2013 Pryiutne [in Polohy district in central Zaporizhzhia region], Makarivka \u2013 Rivnopil [in Volnovakha district in western Donetsk region], and Novodanylivka \u2013 Robotyne [in Polohy district]. They are strengthening positions on the recently gained ground,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukrainian forces may be temporarily pausing counteroffensive operations to reevaluate their tactics for future operations, the Institute for the Study of War said on June 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ukrainian military command is making the right operational decisions as Ukrainian troops are gaining ground, NATO Secretary General told a joint news conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the Jagel Air Base in Germany. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russian forces intensified operations on the Lyman-Kupyansk axis, at the administrative border between Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, spokesperson the Eastern Military Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Colonel Serhiy Cherevatyi said. They are taking heavy losses, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Union is ready to propose a financial aid package of around EUR 50 billion (USD 55 billion) to support Ukraine, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the plan. The cash will be disbursed provided Ukraine fulfills reforms to improve the rule of law and address corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposal from the European Commission, the EU\u2019s executive arm, will help finance the Ukrainian government\u2019s current expenditures and pay for urgent reconstruction priorities, according to people familiar with the plan. The reforms aim to put Ukraine on a path to become an EU member with leaders to decide whether to open negotiations by the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commission wants to avoid a burdensome reconstruction instrument for a country at war and will offer the aid in the form of grants, concessional loans and guarantees, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. In contrast with previous financial packages for Ukraine, the plan will be financed via contributions from member states instead of borrowing from the markets, one of the people said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The package, still subject to changes before it\u2019s made public, will be announced Tuesday ahead of a conference this week in London, where donors will discuss how to rebuild the country and Ukrainian officials will seek private sector involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n