Monthly Archives: July 2022

National, Russia-Ukraine War

Russia fires missiles from Belarus on Kyiv and Chernihiv – July 28, 2022 Ukraine update

Updated 10:10 AM – There are reports of fatalities at Kanatove Air Base.

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,073 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update.

Kyiv – At least three Iskander-M missiles fired from Belarus struck an industrial facility in Vyshorod, northwest of Kyiv. Two large plumes of smoke were visible over the settlement. The missiles were fired from the Gomel area of Belarus. There were no casualties reported.

Luhansk – Fighting continued along the administrative border of the Luhansk. Russian forces attempted to advance on Verkhnokamyanske from Bilohorivka [Luhansk] and were unsuccessful. Russian forces remained stuck at the Verkhnokamyanka oil refinery and did not attempt any advances.

Northeast Donetsk – Russian and Ukrainian forces fought only skirmishes in Spirne and Ivano-Darivka with no change in territorial control. Ukrainian forces maintained control of Berestove.

Bakhmut – East of Soledar, fighting to control Stryapivka continued and was limited to small arms fire without armor support. Fighting within Pokrovske continued.

The fiercest fighting continues to be west of the Svitlodarsk bulge. Terrorists with the Imperial Legion fighting with the Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group attempted to advance on Kodema and Semyhrija but were unsuccessful.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia – Russian troops and the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) separatist militia heavily shelled Avdiivka, Pisky, and Marinka. Avdiivka was continuously shelled for five hours. Self-declared Luhansk People’s Republic Interior Minister Vitaly Kiselev claimed in Telegram that this was part of a larger offensive and a direct assault on Avdiivka. He labeled the activity as “preparation work” but was non-specific on the target of a ground offensive.

It was reported that Russian forces attacked in the direction of Hulyaipole, but the origination point was unspecified. The attempted advance was unsuccessful.

Kherson – Russian barracks in Chornyanka were struck in a rocket attack fired by HIMARS. Russian forces staying at the football stadium (soccer for Americans) and the buildings across the street practiced inadequate Operational Security (OPSEC) in mid-July, sharing pictures of the base.

In Kherson, Ukrainian forces disabled the Antonovskiyy bridge, Antonivskyy Zaliznychnyy Mist Railroad bridge, and the Nova Kakhovka bridge that goes over the Kahhovka Hydro Electric Dam. The Antonovskiyy and Antonivskyy Zaliznychnyy Mist Railroad bridges are irreparable until after the war.

Additionally, Russian forces built a pontoon bridge over the Inhulets River at Darivka and have attempted to camouflage it with foliage. To bypass the Antonovskiyy Bridge, A ferry was established using a bridging tug to tow four pontoon bridge sections. The “ferry” is hugging the damaged bridge as a shield and combines civilian and military traffic.

Russian forces attempted to advance on Andriivka [Kherson] from Novohrednjeve and were unsuccessful. Russian forces attempted to advance on Bilohirka from Bruskynske and were also unsuccessful.

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Mykolaiv – S-300 antiaircraft missiles hit the city of Mykolaiv in a ground-to-ground capacity. A school was virtually destroyed, and the ship-building university was damaged. A security guard was injured in the attack.

Kharkiv – Neither belligerent launched any ground offensives. There were positional battles and reconnaissance in force near Sonivka-Kozacha Lopan, Dementiivka, and Tsupivka. The line of conflict remains frozen with Russian artillery, rockets from MLRS, cruise missiles, and SRBMs prioritizing civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Two S-300 antiaircraft missiles used in a ground-to-ground role struck the center of Kharkiv. There wasn’t any significant damage, but a police officer was killed when one of the missile landed near a power plant.

The city of Chuhuiv, 65 kilometers southeast of Kharkiv, was shelled, with Russian forces targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Izyum – South of Izyum, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that Ukrainian troops had advanced to Pasika and attacked a Russian reconnaissance unit in the area. The settlement is 6 kilometers north of the previously known line of conflict. The General Staff also reported that Russian forces attempted to advance on Bohorodychne, were unsuccessful, and retreated.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also reported that the settlement of Brazhvivka had been shelled. The exiled City Council of Borova reported that almost all Russian troops had left the settlement, with only a small security force remaining. The council claims that Borova came under artillery fire from the south, suggesting it came from Pidlyman, which we believe is still under Russian control. One civilian was killed.

Sumy – Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, Head of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, reported mortars and artillery struck the settlements of Esman and Seredyna-Buda. There was no damage and no casualties.

Chernihiv – Operational Command North reported that up to 20 Iskander-M missiles were fired from Belarus into Ukraine, with nine landing near Honcharivs’ke in the Chernihiv Oblast. The missiles landed in the forest west of the settlement.

Kirovohrad – The Kanatove air force base on the outskirts of Kropyvnytskyi was attacked again on Wednesday morning with reports of significant damage, aircraft losses and many causalities. An updated report stated 5 were killed and 25 wounded, including 13 military personnel. Missiles hit two hangars for training aircraft and there were cadets on the base.

Daily Assessment

  1. Ukraine has effectively severed all the Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC – supply lines) into the western part of the Kherson oblast and the eastern regions of the Mykolaiv oblast still occupied by Russian forces.
  2. Russian forces appear to be continuing the operational pause in Izyum and could be redeploying troops to other axes.
  3. We maintain that Russian forces cannot assemble adequate combat strength to launch significant offensive operations in Ukraine.

To read the rest of our report, become a Patreon! For as little as $5 a month, you get access to the daily Russia-Ukraine War Situation Report. The report provides analysis, maps, detailed information about all the axes in Ukraine, international developments, information about war crimes and human rights, and economic news. As an added benefit, you get access to flash reports, breaking news, and our Discord server.

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BIPOC, Five Facts, LGBTQIA, Local, National

Washington 3rd Congressional District primary candidate has alleged ties to white nationalism

Five Fast Facts

  1. Primary candidate Joe Kent (R-WA) who is challenging current Washington 3rd District congressperson Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) has the support of the former President Donald Trump and connections to right-wing extremists and white nationalists
  2. Kent is a close political ally of Joey Gibson, founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer
  3. Kent has spoken at extreme-right-wing events including the “Justice For J6” rally held near the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021.
  4. Nick Fuentes, neo-Nazi, pro-Putin, white nationalist, and white supremacist activist who gained a following after his involvement in the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, has said he and Joe Kent discussed working together last year
  5. A strategist for the Kent campaign released the statement: “Joe Kent’s platform of inclusive populism rejects racism and bigotry and invites all Americans to support his aggressive America First agenda”

WASHINGTON — A congressional candidate whose compelling personal story of military valor and unfathomable loss helped him win former President Donald Trump’s support has connections to right-wing extremists, including a campaign consultant who was a member of the Proud Boys.

Republican Joe Kent, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler in Washington state in the Aug. 2 primary, has also courted prominent white nationalists and posed recently for a photograph with a media personality who has previously described Adolf Hitler as a “complicated historical figure” who “many people misunderstand.”

You read more from the Kitsap Sun via MSN.

Health and Lifestyle, Local

Juanita Beach closed due to elevated bacteria levels

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – MTN Juanita Beach is closed for at least one week due to elevated bacteria levels.

Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water on Monday, July 25, and found that the levels of bacteria at the beach exceeded the thresholds for bacteria based on the average of the last three tests. King County crews will return to the beach next week to collect further samples. The beach at Juanita Beach Park will reopen when bacterialevels return to a safe range.

People and pets should not swim, drink lake water, or engage in other water activities at Juanita Beach.

Signs have been positioned to indicate that the beach is closed. City lifeguards will be onsite during the closure to communicate with beachgoers and provide information.

For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.

National, Russia-Ukraine War

Kherson Cut Off – July 27, 2022 Ukraine update

[KYIV, Ukraine] – MTN It has been 22 weeks since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War and 3,072 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update.

Luhansk – Russian forces remain blocked at the Verkhnokamyanka oil refinery. Another attempt to advance on Verkhnokamyanske was made, and it was unsuccessful. Russian forces also attacked Hryhorivka, supported by airstrikes, but could not break through Ukrainian defenses.

Northeast Donetsk – Positional battles continued in Spirne and Ivano-Darivka with no change in territorial control. On the morning of July 25, Ukrainian forces reported they had liberated Berestove. Late on July 25, it appeared Russian forces had recaptured the settlement for the second time Early on the morning of July 27, Ukrainian forces recaptured the town. The village is completely destroyed from months of fighting, and the T-1302 Highway is badly damaged.

Bakhmut – East of Soledar, Russian forces occupied Stryapivka temporarily. They likely attempted to extend too far into Soledar and were pushed back by Ukrainian forces. Fighting for control of the village continued.

Terrorists with the Imperial Legion affiliated with the Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group claimed to have fully secured Pokrovske, east of Bakhmut. Reports of continued fighting, artillery, and airstrikes indicate that gains have likely been overstated.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, Ukrainian forces withdrew from the Vuhlehirskaya Power Plant and Luhanske on the evening of July 25. Ukrainian forces also withdrew from Novoluhanske to avoid becoming encircled. Terrorists with the Imperial Legion fighting with the Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group were confirmed to be on the power plant grounds. Russian forces attempted to advance from Roty to Semyirya to seal off retreating Ukrainian troops and were unsuccessful. Russian forces needed 62 days to advance 5.5 kilometers and secure the power plant.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia – Russian forces attempted to advance on Pavlivka and were unsuccessful. Otherwise, there were artillery exchanges from Hulyaipole to Orikhiv in the Zaporizhia Oblast.

Kherson – Ukrainian forces using High Mobility Rocket Artillery System (HIMARS) attacked the Antonovskiyy Bridge for the third time and the Antonivskyy Zaliznychnyy Mist Railroad Bridge. The Antonovskiyy Bridge is severely damaged with significant structural damage. Russian state media reported the Antonivskyy Zaliznychnyy Mist Railroad Bridge was damaged but did not provide further details. Russian forces in Kherson are now cut off from road and rail lines on the west side of the Dnipro River.

Russian forces have completed construction of a pontoon bridge adjacent to the destroyed Darivika Bridge over the Inhulets River. Due to poor operational security, it is likely the bridge will be a priority target in the coming days.

Operational Command South reported that Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in Bilohirka, indicating the settlement is still under Russian control. It was also reported that Andriivka [Kherson] and Lozove are liberated.

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The Malcontent News Russia-Ukraine War Map is updated as events occur. Map not appearing in your RSS Feed or Google News App? You can review the most up-to-date information by visiting our custom Google Map.

Mykolaiv – Russian forces fired S-300 antiaircraft missiles in a ground-to-ground role and Kh-59 cruise missiles at Mykolaiv. Up to eight missiles struck an already destroyed railroad bridge over the Inhulets River,  one missile hit the port, and another hit a thermal plant.

Kharkiv – Neither belligerent launched any ground offensives from July 25 to July 26 north or northeast of Kharkiv. Both sides fired artillery rockets from Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), and fired from tanks.

Ukrainian forces used a Switchblade 300 kamikaze drone to attack a car at the Russian border checkpoint in Troebortnoe, north of Kharkiv. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims one person was killed, a Moldovian citizen, and two were wounded. Ukraine claims that two FSB agents were killed.

Izyum – Russian forces attempted to advance on Bohorodychne, were unsuccessful, and retreated. With reconnaissance in force, Russian forces attempted to advance on Chepil and suffered heavy losses.

There are unconfirmed reports that Russian forces withdrew from Yatskivka and Studenok. We had previously reported that Russian troops had been pushed entirely out of Bohorodychne. Additionally, between July 21 and July 25, the bridge between Russian-controlled Yarmivka and Studenok was destroyed. In Russian-controlled Borova, a HIMARS strike hit the railroad yard, where Russian military equipment was staged for transport.

The Exiled Borova City Council reported that Russian troops have been withdrawing from the Izyum axis since July 22. Troops are reportedly moving north, and the field hospital for wounded Russian soldiers in Borova was closed.

Sumy – Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, Head of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, reported mortars and rockets fired by MLRS struck the settlements of Esman, Krasnopillya, and Seredyna-Buda.

Chernihiv – Viacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv Oblast State and Military Administration, reported that Russian forces shelled the settlements of Leonivka and Hirsk.

Odesa – The Russian air force launched a massive attack on the village of Zatoka and the already destroyed Zatoka bridge. Up to 13 cruise missiles hit the village and the disabled span. The missile attack damaged or destroyed 155 buildings in the restive seaside resort town.

Daily Assessment

  1. Ukraine has effectively severed all the Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC – supply lines) into the western part of the Kherson oblast and the eastern regions of the Mykolaiv oblast still occupied by Russian forces.
  2. Russian forces appear to be continuing the operational pause in Izyum and could be redeploying troops to other axes.
  3. We maintain that Russian forces cannot assemble adequate combat strength to launch significant offensive operations in Ukraine.

To read the rest of our report, become a Patreon! For as little as $5 a month, you get access to the daily Russia-Ukraine War Situation Report. The report provides analysis, maps, detailed information about all the axes in Ukraine, international developments, information about war crimes and human rights, and economic news. As an added benefit, you get access to flash reports, breaking news, and our Discord server.

Become a Patreon today!

Breaking News, French Toast Emergency, Local, Weather

Excessive Heat Warning for Western Washington as potential record-tying heatwave begins

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Western Washington from noon Tuesday to 9 PM Friday for high temperatures over 90 degrees and lows in the mid-60s.

A thermal trough, high pressure, and light winds have come together to send temperatures west of the Cascades into the 90s and over 100 degrees in the eastern part of the state. Temperatures aren’t being pushed up from an on-shore flow off the east slopes, so humidity will be high in Puget Sound, with dew points in the mid-60s through Friday, making it feel hotter than it is.

Tuesday

Clear sunny skies with a light wind from the north and northeast will send temperatures soaring. The high will reach 92 to 96 degrees through the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area. Downtown Bellevue and Totem Lake will be the hot spots, while higher spots like Finn Hill and Houghton, as well as along the water, will be a touch cooler. The dew point will be in the mid-60s, making it feel like it is 94 to 99 degrees.

Tuesday Night

Temperatures will stay above 80 until 11 PM to midnight and won’t drop below 70 until close to dawn. Lows for the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area will be 63 to 66.

Wednesday

Hump day looks to be almost identical to Tuesday, with clear skies and little wind. High temperatures will be 93 to 97 degrees. The humidity will make it feel like it is 94 to 99 degrees. There is a small chance for a slight onshore flow to form late in the day. That will drop the dew point. However, it will also hold the temperatures higher later in the day.

Wednesday Night

Temperatures will hold above 70 degrees well into the night, dropping below 70 between 2 AM and 4 AM. Lows will be 63 to 65 around sunrise.

Thursday

The cooler start means a slightly cooler day ahead, but it won’t be much of an improvement. High temperatures will reach 92 to 96 degrees, with the dew point still holding in the mid-60s. It will feel like 93 to 98.

Thursday Night

Right now, this appears to be the most uncomfortable night of the week. Lows will be 64 to 67, with humidity between 80% to 90%. Temperatures won’t drop below 70 degrees until 2 AM to 4 AM.

Friday

On Friday, the thermal trough will start to move, and the high-pressure area will slide a bit more to the east. High temperatures will reach 92 to 95 degrees. It will still feel like it is 94 to 97 degrees, but the shifting weather pattern will cause the humidity level to decrease by sunset.

Friday Night

Temperatures will moderate slightly, but it still won’t fall below 70 degrees until 1 AM to 3 AM. There will be little wind, and the humidity will still be high, with lows falling to 63 to 65 degrees.

Saturday

Saturday could be the day we tie a weather record of five days in a row over 90 degrees. High temperatures will be 89 to 93 degrees under clear skies. The dew point will be between 58 and 61 degrees, given the area the only day that will feel like a “normal” 90-degree day in Western Washington.

The Week Ahead

Sunday looks cooler, but temperatures will still reach 84 to 87, and the overnight lows will still be above 60. By the start of next week, it appears we’ll return to a normal weather pattern of daytime temperatures in the 70s and nighttime temperatures in the high 50s.

Due to our unseasonably cold spring and deep snowpack, area rivers, streams, and lakes remain very cold. It is possible to get hypothermia, even on a 90-degree day. Stream flow is also high, so tubers and kayakers should use caution. Currents are faster than usual. Never swim, tube, or boat near downed trees or low head dams, it is very dangerous.

Do not leave pets or children in your car, even for “just a minute.” Temperatures can soar to over 110 degrees in less than 10 minutes, leading to heat stroke or worse.

Regrettably, due to the current COVID BA.5 surge and community spread of monkeypox, people seeking cooler indoor spaces should consider wearing a tight fighting N-95 mask.

BIPOC, LGBTQIA, National

Congress moves to protect gay and interracial marriage post-Roe v. Wade decision

[Washington, D.C.] – MTN Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would codify both same-sex and interracial marriage in a surprising bipartisan effort. If passed in the Senate, the bill would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The 1996 Clinton-age law defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v Jackson and overturning Roe v Wade, critics have admonished the Biden Administration and the Democratic Party for their failure to codify Roe in the past 50 years. And many are wondering if the overturning of Roe will be the wake-up call the party needs.

How Did We Get Here?

After Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas released an independent concurring opinion where he suggested the court “reconsider” and “correct the errors” in Obergefell, Griswold, and Lawrence, House Democrats reintroduced the Respect for Marriage Act. Despite most viewing interracial and same-sex marriage as settled laws, some Republicans expressed an interest in not codifying the recognition of same-sex and interracial marriage.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) went on the record to say that while he feels the bill is unnecessary, but “…should it come to the Senate, I see no reason to oppose it.” The Supreme Court’s majority draft opinion on Dobbs leaked shortly before it overturned Roe v. Wade. In that month’s time, many were expecting the Biden Administration to step in with a solution. The White House elected to take no action. President Biden issued an executive order for abortion access and expansion under the protection of the 1987 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) two weeks after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Vice President Kamala Harris’s comments after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade didn’t help the situation.

In a recent interview, Vice President Harris was asked if Democrats failed by not codifying Roe in the past 50 years.

“We should have rightly believed, but we certainly believed that certain issues are just settled,” she responded. While some legal issues are “settled,” as Ms. Harris puts it, strengthening those institutions by making them laws could have prevented the Supreme Court from even considering Roe v. Wade.

Overturning Roe and limiting abortion access has been a leading cause for the Republican Party for the past 50 years. The threat of a post-Roe world was a reality that lawmakers should have considered.

Will They Wake Up in Time?

The Democratic Party is a house divided against itself that struggles in deciding how to tackle its core issues: abortion, police reform, gun reform, minimum wage, and other core planks of the current platform. For example, the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill that would codify the protections granted in Roe v Wade and Cassey, passed in the House in 2021, The bill failed to pass in the Senate when it was put to a vote after the Politico leak. The final vote, 49 -51, drew lines in the sand, especially with Senator Joe Manchin (D.W.V.), who joined Republicans in voted against passing the bill, despite previous claims that he would support a woman’s right to choose.

Senators Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema (R-AZ) have made a name for themselves in opposing much of Biden’s legislative agenda. Both senators are opposed to ending the filibuster, the one thing many people on both sides of the debate see as preventing the codification of Roe. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) endorsement of pro-abortion Democratic candidate Henry Cullelar, added to the mixed messages from Washington.

There is a considerable rift between the younger and older members of the Democratic Party. Studies show the younger generation tends to be more progressive while the older generation is more moderate. Progressives such as Congressperson Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have proposed expanding the Supreme Court and for Congress to repeal the Hyde Amendment. Biden is against expanding the Court but formed a bipartisan commission to study potential changes to the Court when he was elected. Even if Democrats could do away with the filibuster, the Biden Administration is concerned that the Supreme Court would overturn any legislation passed in Congress.

French Toast Emergency, Local, Weather

Sizzling summer temperatures will broil Western Washington during the work week

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – MTN The average summer Western Washington has been enjoying is about to heat up, with a four-day streak of 90-plus degree weather ahead. A thermal trough, high pressure, and light winds will combine to create a classic Washington summer heat wave.

After 2021, the words “heat wave” may bring back bad memories of three days in a row over 100 degrees – it won’t be that hot. Daytime temperatures will cross 90 degrees Tuesday through Friday, while lows will likely stay in the high 60s. Temperatures won’t drop below 70 until close to sunrise, so there won’t be much overnight relief from the heat.

Sunday

A perfect late-July day awaits the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area. Skies will be mostly sunny with high temperatures between 80 to 84. Some clouds will start to roll in close to sunset.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy skies with a light breeze from the northeast with a low of 58 to 61 degrees – perfect sleeping weather.

Monday

It warms up a little more, but the area isn’t roasting yet. Morning clouds will burn off, and the high temperatures will reach 84 to 88 degrees.

Monday Night

High pressure will slide down from British Columbia to our north, and a thermal trough will form overnight. Overnight temperatures will fall to 62 to 64 degrees. On Tuesday, things start to heat up.

Tuesday

Clear sunny skies with a light wind from the north and northeast will send temperatures soaring. The high will reach 90 to 93 degrees through the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area. Downtown Bellevue and Totem Lake will be the hot spots, while Finn Hill and right along the water might not quite get to 90.

Tuesday Night

Temperatures will stay well into the 70s past midnight before falling to 65 to 67 degrees close to sunrise. Thee won’t be much of a breeze to offer any relief.

Wednesday

The week’s hottest day will get even warmer thanks to a weak easterly flow off the Cascades. High temperatures will be 92 to 96 under clear skies.

Wednesday Night

Temperatures once again will stay well past 70 overnight, falling to 65 to 68 degrees close to sunrise. It will be almost windless, so make sure those fans are ready.

Rest of the Week

On Thursday and Friday, the high-pressure center starts to drift slowly, moderating temperatures a little bit. it is too far out to make an accurate forecast, but models support temperatures reaching 90 to 94 on both days, with lows at night falling to 64 to 67. Friday night might be a little cooler as the high-pressure area starts to move out of our region and the thermal trough breaks up.

Due to our unseasonably cold spring and deep snowpack, area rivers, streams, and lakes remain very cold. It is possible to get hypothermia, even on a 90-degree day. Stream flow is also high, so tubers and kayakers should use caution. Currents are faster than usual. Never swim, tube, or boat near downed trees or low head dams, it is very dangerous.

Do not leave pets or children in your car, even for “just a minute.” Temperatures can soar to over 110 degrees in less than 10 minutes, leading to heat stroke or worse.

If local and county officials believe that there is a heat emergency, cooling centers will be opened. King County, Woodinville, and Kirkland opened cooling centers last year, while Bellevue partnered with area businesses.

Regrettably, due to the current COVID BA.5 surge and community spread of monkeypox, people seeking cooler indoor spaces should consider wearing a tight fighting N-95 mask.

Breaking News, National, Russia-Ukraine War

Port of Odesa hit by cruise missiles – Russia negotiated grain deal in bad faith – July 23, 2022 Ukraine update

[KYIV, Ukraine] – MTN It has been 3,068 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update.

Less than 24 hours after Russia and Ukraine signed agreements with Turkey and the United Nations to permit grain exports from the Ukrainian Black Sea Port, Port of Odesa, and Pivdennyi [South] Port, Kalibr cruise missiles launched by the Russian Black Sea fleet slammed into the Port of Odesa.

Russia and Ukraine did not sign an agreement between the two nations, instead signing separate agreements with Turkey and the United Nations, which would permit Ukraine to export up to 20 million tons of grain over the next 120 days. The agreement did not specify that Russia could not attack Ukrainian ports explicitly. However, with continued attacks, civilian port operations with cargo ships entering and exiting will be impossible.

Insurance rates for cargo vessels operating in the Black Sea have already skyrocketed, with over a dozen commercial vessels seized, bombed, or hit by Russian missiles since February 25 and one bulk carrier striking a mine.

Luhansk – The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russian troops tried to advance from the Verkhnokamyanka oil refinery toward Verkhnokamyanske and were unsuccessful. Serhiy Haidai, Luhansk Regional State Administrative and Military head, reported that Ukraine still controls two settlements in the Luhansk Oblast.

Northeast Donetsk – Under-powered Russian units attempted to advance on Ivano-Daryivka through Spirne and were unsuccessful.

Russian forces fired artillery at civilians, civilian infrastructure, and Ukrainian military positions in Siversk, Hryhorivka, Ivano-Daryivka, Vyimka, and Spirne. The Russian air force also attacked Sprine.

Russian forces fired artillery at Ukrainian positions in Berestove. Also, they launched an air strike, indicating that elements of the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) were pushed out of the settlement or never captured it as claimed on July 21.

Bakhmut – Terrorists with the Imperial Legion affiliated with the Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group made small advances into the southern part of Pokrovske. Limited fighting occurred near the Vuhlehirskaya Power Plant.

Artillery was fired on Bakhmut, Berestove, Bilohorivka [Donetsk], Pokrovske, and Vesela Dolyna.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia – Near Donetsk, elements of the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) attempted to advance on Vodyane from Vesele.

HIMARS rockets struck an ammunition depot within the machinery plant in Russian-controlled Horlivka, northeast of Donetsk. Secondary explosions thundered across the city as the ammunition stored in the factory started to cook off.

In the south Donbas, there were artillery exchanges from Donetsk city to Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk Oblast and Hulyaipole to Orikhiv in the Zaporizhia Oblast.

Kherson – Russian state media claims Ukraine attacked the Antonovskiy Bridge for the third time, but there are no photos or videos to support the reports. Russian officials report they will not attempt to repair the bridge. Instead, they plan to build a pontoon bridge to the south. The bridge is reported to be severely damaged and will take too long to repair.

Ukraine, likely using HIMARS rockets, moderately damaged the Russian-controlled Darivka Bridge over the Inhulets River. The bridge is a critical water crossing on the 140-kilometer detour route for Russian armor and military supplies after the Antonovskiy Bridge was damaged in attacks earlier this week. Without the crossing, a large region of Russia-controlled Kherson will be cutoff from overland supply routes

Multiple reports are quoting different sources that up to 2,000 Russian troops are partially encircled in Vysokopillya.

Presidential advisor Aleksey Arestovych provided additional details during a television interview, which clarified the situation more. Arestovych reported that Russian forces are 75% encircled in Vysokopillya. On July 21, Russian forces attempted a breakout by heading south through the opening in the salient but were pushed back by Ukrainian artillery fire.

Arestovuch reported they are two Battalion Tactical Groups (BTG) trapped, with an estimated 1,000 troops blocked from leaving the town. He said that Ukraine would not offer a green corridor for evacuation but would likely demand their surrender.

Russian forces captured Oleksandrivka [Kherson] on the banks of the Dnipro River.

There are reports that Ukrainian forces have severed the T-2207 Ground Line of Communication (GLOC – aka supply line) south of Davydiv Brid.

Visit our Russia-Ukraine War Map

The Malcontent News Russia-Ukraine War Map is updated as events occur. Map not appearing in your RSS Feed or Google News App? You can review the most up-to-date information by visiting our custom Google Map.

Zaporizhia – A video showed Russian tent barracks on the grounds of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar being attacked by kamikaze drones. The tents were located about 300 meters from the reactor blocks. Using a nuclear power plant for barracks and as a firebase to launch artillery and rockets represents a break from accepted military protocol, which considers nuclear power plants “no go” zones. Three Russian soldiers were killed and nine wounded in the attack. Additionally, a Grad Mulitple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), which was parked between two cooling towers for the plant, was damaged in the attack. The video and pictures published after the strike show that no part of the nuclear power plant was damaged.

Kharkiv – North of Kharkiv city, Russian forces attempted a ground assault on Udy and there were skirmishes in Tsupivka and Dementiivka.

Oleh Syniehubov, head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, reported that Russian forces fired Urgan rockets from Multiple Launch Rocket systems into the Saltivka district of Kharkiv again, killing two.

Southeast of Kharkiv, the settlements of Chuhuiv, Stara Hnylytsia, Rtishchivka, Pushkarne, and Lebyazhe were shelled.

Izyum – For the second day in a row, Russian forces did not launch any offensive operations along the Izyum axis. In Prydonetske, Ukrainian artillery destroyed an entire artillery company, including eight 152mm towed howitzers, ammunition, and command and control. Prydonetske is located east of Izyum in the area Russians call “Sherwood forest.”

Sumy – Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, head of the Sumy Military Administration, reported that Shalyginsk and Krasnopil were shelled.

Odesa – Four Kalibr cruise missiles fired by the Russian Black Sea Fleet targeted the Port of Odesa, with two striking the facility. Serhii Bratchuk, an Odesa Military administration spokesperson, said two missiles hit the port, and Ukraine’s air defense shot down two. The port suffered moderate damage, and a fire broke out, but the missiles missed the grain silos. The attack came less than 24 hours after Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement with Turkey and the United Nations to provide safe corridors for grain exports. The reaction from officials was swift and furious.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres “unequivocally” condemned the attack through a spokesperson.

“Yesterday, all parties made clear commitments on the global stage to ensure the safe movement of Ukrainian grain and related products to global markets. These products are desperately needed to address the global food crisis and ease the suffering of millions of people in need around the globe. Full implementation by the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Türkiye is imperative.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “This indicates only one thing: no matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways how not to fulfill it. Geopolitically, with weapons, bloody or not, but it has several vectors, [this is] how it always acts.”

“That’s all you need to know about deals with Russia,” Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas added on Twitter. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said the bloc “strongly condemns” the attack.

People’s Deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko wrote on Telegram, “There is a fire in the port of Odesa. Here is a grain corridor for you. These bastards are signing contracts with one hand and sending missiles with the other.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oleh Nikolenko wrote, “It took less than 24 hours for the Russian Federation to launch a missile strike on the territory of the city of Odesa to question the agreement, and the promises it made to the UN and Turkey in the document signed yesterday in Istanbul.”

“The Russian missile is Vladimir Putin spitting in the face of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Erdoğan, who made a huge effort to reach the deal, and to whom Ukraine is grateful.”

The US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget A. Brink, called the Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa “outrageous,” writing, “Russia strikes the port city of Odesa less than 24 hours after signing an agreement to allow shipments of agricultural exports. The Kremlin continues to weaponize food. Russia must be held to account.”.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Saturday that Russia claimed it had “nothing to do” with the strikes.

“It really concerned us that such an event happened after we signed the deal on grain shipments. We are disturbed as well. But we continue to fulfill our responsibilities about this agreement, and we also expressed in our meetings that we are in favor of the parties to continue their cooperation here calmly and patiently,” said Akar.

Kirovohrad – The Kanatove air force base on the outskirts of Kropyvnytskyi was hit with up to 13 Russian cruise missiles, causing significant damage, killing three and wounding nine. The attack was a joint operation between the Russian air force and navy, with five Kh-22 cruise missiles launched by Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and eight Kalibr cruise missiles fired by the Black Sea Fleet hitting the region. Cruise missiles also slammed into the railroad facilities at Ukrzaliznytsia. An electrical substation was also targeted, knocking out electrical power in parts of the oblast capital of Kropyvnytskyi.

Daily Assessment

  1. Russian forces cannot assemble adequate combat strength to launch significant offensive operations in Ukraine.
  2. Ground offensives by Russian forces have become fewer and smaller a week after the “operational pause” was declared over.
  3. It is unlikely that Russian forces will be capable of taking the initiative in the next three to six weeks anywhere in Ukraine.

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Local

Kirkland holding the annual ‘Think Green Recycling Event’ on Saturday

[Kirkland, Wash.] – MTN – Kirkland will be holding its annual household item recycling event on July 23, Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Lake Washington Institute for Technology, 11605 132nd Ave NE.

The annual event enables Kirkland residents to clear their garages and closets of unwanted items in a sustainable way. Items that will be accepted this year include:

  • Clothing and linens in any condition except wet
  • Electronics including LCD and plasma TVs and monitors, computers, laptops, printers, cell phones, keyboards, mice, microwaves, audio/visual equipment such as cameras, DVD players and satellite receivers, holiday lights, wires, and cables
  • Paper for shredding with a limit of one medium size box per household

Recycling material will be accepted until 3 PM or until the collection vehicles become full. In previous years, demand for recycling filled up the trucks before the planned end time, so residents are advised to come in the morning.

Some household items accepted in previous years won’t be accepted this year.

Not Accepted

  • Styrofoam – residents can throw it out with weekly trash collection or bring it to the Shoreline or Kent transfer stations
  • Older style CRT computer monitors and TVs
  • No appliances expect microwaves
  • No paint or other hazardous materials
  • No batteries, fluorescent bulbs, or individual light bulbs (holiday lights will be accepted)

Data experts recommend removing the hard drives before donating if you plan to drop off computers or laptops for recycling. Reformatting a hard drive doesn’t “wipe” it clean, the old data is still accessible and easily recovered. Instructions on how to remove a hard drive from your computer can be found on YouTube and other social media sites by searching for the computer maker and model number.

To properly dispose of a hard drive, it is recommended to drill multiple holes through the drive itself or smash it until the platters are physically broken inside. Solid state hard drives can be drilled through, broken into pieces, and disposed of over several trash collections.

Cell phones should be factory reset and the SIM and external memory cards removed.

Residents are encouraged to bring shredding material even if they have a home shredder. Shredded paper is no longer accepted by home recycling and must be put in the trash.

Five Facts, National

Hyundai subsidiary under investigation for using child labor in Alabama

Five Fast Facts

  • SMART Alabama LLC, a majority-owned unit of Hyundai, supplies parts for the Elantra and Sonata sedans and Santa Fe SUV
  • The metal stamping plant in Luverne, Alabama, has a history of OSHA workplace safety violations
  • Current and former employees spoke with Reuters on condition of anonymity and reported working with obvious minors
  • A set of siblings aged 12, 13, and 15 are verified to have worked in the manufacturing plant where a minimum age of 18 is required for employment by federal law
  • The local police do not have jurisdiction to investigate labor-law violations and have reported their findings to the Alabama attorney general’s office
  • The Hyundai subsidiary released a statement saying it did not knowingly violate any laws and relies on temporary work agencies to fill jobs

[LUVERNE, Al,] — A subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co has used child labor at a plant that supplies parts for the Korean carmaker’s assembly line in nearby Montgomery, Alabama, according to area police, the family of three underage workers, and eight former and current employees of the factory.

Underage workers, in some cases as young as 12, have recently worked at a metal stamping plant operated by SMART Alabama LLC, these people said. SMART, listed by Hyundai in corporate filings as a majority-owned unit, supplies parts for some of the most popular cars and SUVs built by the automaker in Montgomery, its flagship U.S. assembly plant…

You can read more at Reuters.