Day 198: Reports of Ukrainian Gains Continue as EU Suspends Visa Facilitation with Russia

Facts

• Ukraine's counteroffensive in the north-eastern Kharkiv region is reportedly continuing to make advances, with visual reports seemingly confirming that Ukrainian forces have retaken the city of Balakliya, 55 mi (90 km) south-east of the city of Kharkiv. Imagery also confirmed the presence of Ukrainian troops on the outskirts of Kupiansk, reportedly a key logistical hub for Russian forces in the region.
• According to a statement released on Fri. by the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, troops advanced roughly 30 mi (50 km) in three days, and more than 20 settlements were liberated from Russia. The statement also claimed Ukraine had made advances in the region of Donetsk, namely in the directions of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, though the claims could not be independently verified at this stage.
• Meanwhile, Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region has killed four civilians and injured 10 others in the past day, according to Ukrainian officials. Russian shelling also continued in the region of Sumy, reportedly striking a hospital and causing a number of casualties, and Donetsk, where Ukrainian officials reported nine civilians had been killed and 23 more were injured. Separatist officials from the Donetsk People's Republic reported that one civilian was killed and four injured in Ukrainian shelling.
• Elsewhere, the EU Council on Fri. announced it is suspending a visa-facilitation agreement with Russia, making it more difficult for Russian travelers to enter the bloc. However, exceptions for journalists and members of civil society organizations will be clarified in the coming days, the body said in a statement.
• The announcement came after Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania announced on Thurs. that they had agreed a regional approach to limit EU visas granted to Russians in spite of requirements for members of the EU's Schengen Area to have uniform travel rules.
• Meanwhile, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki became the latest head of state to visit Kyiv on Friday. "Important things related to the geopolitical situation and the energy market, as well as energy and military security, will be discussed," a spokesman for his office said in a statement.

Sources: Ukrinform, Pravda, and Associated Press.

Narratives

• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by PBS NewsHour. This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by NS Archive. NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.

Predictions