Ukraine has begun its long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia’s invasion forces. Kyiv is conducting attacks in Ukraine’s south and east to reclaim occupied territory.

Meanwhile, conditions on the ground have only worsened with the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in a Russian-occupied area of Ukraine, which has led to the evacuation of thousands of people.

Note: Nikkei Asia decided in March 2022 to suspend its reporting from Russia until further information becomes available regarding the scope of the revised criminal code. Entries include material from wire services and other sources.

Here are the latest developments:

Sunday, June 18 (Tokyo time)

5:25 a.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin cuts off African leaders seeking to mediate in the war in Ukraine, telling them why he believed many of their proposals were misguided and pouring cold water on a plan already largely dismissed by Kyiv.

The African leaders traveled to Russia and Ukraine seeking agreement on a series of “confidence building measures.” Putin opened the talks with representatives of Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, Uganda, Congo Republic, Comoros and South Africa in a palace near St. Petersburg by stressing Russia’s commitment to the continent.

But after presentations from the Comoran, Senegalese and South African presidents, he stepped in to challenge the assumptions of the plan — predicated on acceptance of internationally recognized borders — before the round of statements could go any further.

1:55 a.m. Exports of Ukrainian grain under a U.N. deal are not helping to resolve Africa’s problems with high global food prices as only 3% have gone to the poorest countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin tells a visiting delegation of African leaders.

Putin blames the food crisis on actions of Western countries, not on the war, which Russia calls a “special military operation.”

1:20 a.m. African leaders tell Russian President Vladimir Putin it is time to negotiate an end to fighting, which they say was harming the entire world.

The delegation, which includes presidents from Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, and Comoros, as well as the prime minister of Egypt, is in St. Petersburg, Russia, seeking to mediate the conflict.

The delegation met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a day earlier in Kyiv.

Saturday, June 17

5:30 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says after meeting with African leaders in Kyivthat peace talks with Russia would be possible only after Moscow withdraws its forces from occupied Ukrainian territory.

He also tells reporters that he fails to understand what could be gained from the African leaders meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin the following day.

“This is their decision, how logical it is, I don’t really understand,” he says.

4:00 a.m. The first Russian tactical nuclear weapons have been delivered to Belarus, President Vladimir Putin says, saying deployment is expected to be completed this year.

Putin touts the delivery of battlefield nuclear weapons to Russia’s ally in remarks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. In March, the Russian leader revealed plans for the move — the first transfer of Russian nuclear weapons outside of the country since the breakup of the Soviet Union.