"Turkey brokers extension of Ukraine-Russia grain export deal amid ongoing conflict"

Ukraine denies Russian claim that a US-made Patriot defence system was destroyed, while Russia claims a UK-made L-119 howitzer used in Ukraine had been destroyed by Russian troops. Ukraine’s military said it made new advances amid heavy fighting near the eastern city of Bakhmut and that Russia was continuing to send in new units including paratroopers. Diplomatic efforts continue, with UN Secretary-General welcoming the extension of the Ukraine Black Sea grain deal for two more months, while Ukraine’s foreign minister told China’s visiting envoy that Kyiv would not accept any proposals to end the war with Russia that involved it losing territories. Hungary will block the next tranche of EU military support for Ukraine and any new sanctions package against Russia unless Kyiv removes Hungarian bank OTP from its list of war sponsors.