Day 162 Roundup: UN to Investigate Blast That Killed Ukrainian POWs; US Senate Backs Finland and Sweden's NATO Bids

The Facts

• Following requests from both Russia and Ukraine, the UN has confirmed it will conduct a 'fact-finding mission' into the deaths of Ukrainian POWs killed at the Olenivko prison barracks in territory controlled by pro-Russia separatists in Donetsk on Jul. 29. The UN's António Guterres said the agency didn't have the authority to conduct a criminal investigation, but that it was currently agreeing the terms of reference for a probe with both countries.

• Russia alleges the attack – in which 53 prisoners were killed and 75 more were injured – was a result of Ukraine's deployment of US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Meanwhile, Ukraine alleges that Donetsk separatists collaborated with Russian intelligence, and mercenary group Wagner, to mine the prison before "using a flammable substance, which led to the rapid spread of fire in the room."