"Ukraine's Defense Strategies Tested as Tensions Escalate with Russian Mercenaries"

Tensions are rising between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Wagner Group, Russia's highest-profile mercenary organization. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its allies are meeting to discuss Kyiv's ongoing military needs and requirements, with strengthening air defense, artillery, and counter-battery capabilities identified as important objectives. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the country has received some of Russia's tactical nuclear weapons and warned he wouldn't hesitate to use them if Belarus faced an act of aggression. The Kremlin said it could withdraw from the grain export deal with Ukraine when the current agreement expires in mid-July. Ukrainian forces are facing "extremely fierce" battles as their counteroffensive experiences "partial success," according to Ukraine's deputy defense minister.