Russia and Ukraine both claimed to hit each other's key military targets on Friday, including military enterprises, energy infrastructure and command posts, as the conflict between them continues.
The Russian defense ministry on Friday said that in the past week, Russian forces gained control of six settlements and targeted Ukrainian military industrial facilities, energy infrastructure, and air defense radar stations.
Russian air defense units intercepted and shot down Ukrainian aerial bombs, HIMARS rockets, and over 1,000 fixed-wing drones.
On the same day, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported that more than 170 battles took place in the frontline areas over the past day.
The Ukrainian forces targeted Russian command posts, as well as missile and artillery facilities, according to the report.
Russia and Ukraine carried out another prisoner swap on Friday, said the Russian defense ministry.
In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, a group of Russian military personnel was returned from the territory controlled by Ukraine on June 20, the ministry said, not giving the number of released prisoners.
In return, a group of prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was transferred, it added.
All Russian military personnel will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Russian defense ministry, it added.
Ukraine's Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said that the returned captives include sergeants and soldiers from the Ukrainian Navy, Land Forces, Territorial Defense, Airborne Forces and other units.
All released servicemen will receive medical examination, treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities, the headquarters said.
During their latest round of talks in Türkiye's Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange involving seriously ill and wounded prisoners, as well as soldiers under the age of 25.
Russia, Ukraine continue to exchange attacks
The statement of U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted the urgency for reforming global governance, according to a poll from China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Friday.
"I don't need international law," said Trump during an with The New York Times this week, days after the U.S. attack on Venezuela and the forcible seizure of President Nicolas Maduro. This statement perfectly captures Washington's unilateral and hegemonic trajectory. The New York Times observed that Trump's assessment of his own freedom to use any instrument of military, economic or political power to cement American supremacy was the most blunt acknowledgment yet of his world-view.
In a global public opinion poll conducted by CGTN, 93.5 percent of respondents expressed belief that the U.S., by pursuing unilateralism, has placed itself in opposition to the international community. Also, 91.7 percent think that reforming the global governance system is an urgent priority.
On Wednesday the U.S. announced its withdrawal from 66 international organizations, setting a new record for its retreat from multilateral commitments. These organizations span climate, energy, and global governance, among other fields. Trump argues that their operations run counter to U.S. national interests, sovereignty, and economic prosperity.
In response, 84.1 percent of respondents were not surprised by the U.S. move. Meanwhile, 88.9 percent viewed it as another radical step under the "America First" doctrine. In addition, 93 percent believed the U.S. approach of using international systems when beneficial and abandoning them when not severely undermines the existing international order and global fairness and justice. Also, 88.3 percent noted that the U.S. withdrawals once again expose it as an irresponsible major power, dealing a significant blow to its international reputation. Furthermore, 88.5 percent believe the U.S. withdrawals reflect its negative attitude toward global governance.
The recent episode of unilateral and bullying actions by the U.S. government has sparked widespread alarm and discontent within the international community. Washington's adherence to the law of the jungle where "might is right" is severely undermining the global governance system. In the poll, 89.9 percent of respondents agreed that multilateralism, based on coordination and cooperation, remains key to addressing current global governance challenges. Meanwhile, 94.4 percent believe it is crucial to advance the reform of the global governance system, uphold international rule of law, and enhance the effectiveness of multilateral mechanisms. Moreover, 90 percent think major powers should shoulder greater responsibility and play a more constructive role in promoting global governance reform.
The poll was conducted across CGTN platforms in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian languages, attracting 24,000 responses within 24 hours.
Trump says 'I don't need international law,' highlighting urgency for reforming global governance: CGTN poll
