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July 31, 2024

Institute for the Study of War: Russian troops advance on six fronts in eastern Ukraine

Institute for the Study of War

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Israel conducted an airstrike killing Hamas Political Bureau Chairperson Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran to derail attempts to establish peace in the Middle East. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) also responded to Haniyeh’s death, stating that it “strongly condemned” Haniyeh’s assassination and emphasized that Haniyeh’s assassination occurred during his visit to Tehran for Masoud Pezeshkian’s presidential inauguration. The Russian MFA did not explicitly implicate Israel but claimed that the “organizers of this political assassination” were aware of the “dangerous consequences” Haniyeh’s death would have on the entire region. Russia’s decision to publicly blame Israel for destabilizing peace prospects in the Middle East and indirectly threaten Israel with “dangerous consequences” demonstrates Russia’s increasing willingness to publicly align with Iran amid deepening Russian-Iranian military cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has increasingly expressed anti-Israel positions since the start of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023 and notably amplified information operations designed to justify Iranian aggression against Israel, including the April 13 large-scale missile and drone strikes against Israel.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Israel conducted an airstrike killing Hamas Political Bureau Chairperson Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran to derail attempts to establish peace in the Middle East. 
  • The Russian State Duma revised some aspects of a recent bill criminalizing Russian soldiers’ use of personal devices on the battlefield following outcry in the Russian ultranationalist community.
  • Russian officials may be taking steps to address domestic security issues following the March 2024 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack and June 2024 shootings in the Republic of Dagestan.
  • Ukrainian forces struck a weapons and equipment warehouse in Kursk City on the night of July 30 to 31.
  • Russian border guards withdrew from Armenia’s main international airport.
  • Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, Svatove, Chasiv Yar, Torestsk, and Donetsk City and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on July 31 increasing financial incentives for signing a Russian military service contract, likely to support ongoing crypto-mobilization efforts.

For full report:  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-31-2024 

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

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International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
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