War in Ukraine, day 796. Zelensky, a new call to the international community for official talks on Ukraine’s entry into the EU

UPDATE 12.30 Ukraine says it has recaptured an island at the mouth of the Dnieper River

According to the commander-in-chief, Russian troops continue to try to expel Ukrainian forces from Krynky, on the left bank of the Kherson region, writes RBC.

“The enemy is not succeeding in either direction. Moreover, in the Kherson sector, our units managed to advance in the Veletenske area and establish control over the Nestryha island,” said Syrskyi.

UPDATE 9:20 Russian troops are slowly but surely advancing into Ukrainian territories

Recent Russian advances northwest of Avdiivka have prompted Ukrainian forces to withdraw from other limited tactical positions along the front line west of Avdiivka, although these withdrawals have not yet facilitated rapid Russian tactical gains, the Institute says for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest assessment.

“Russian forces are unlikely to make a deeper and operationally significant advance in the area in the near term.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a new call to the international community to hurry up and provide more air defense systems, start formal talks for his country to enter the European Union and invite Ukraine to join NATO, Reuters reports.

“We are still waiting for the promised deliveries to Ukraine,” he said in his video speech on Sunday. “We expect those quantities and scope that can change the situation on the battlefield in the interest of Ukraine.”

He said he had just spoken with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and thanked Congress for passing the aid package, but added that Ukraine was working with all partners to achieve a speed of deliveries that would allow Ukraine to maintain positions and destroy Russia’s war plans.

He added, “In my conversation with Mr. Jeffries, I emphasized that the Patriot systems are needed and as quickly as possible.”