commonwealth essay competition winning essays 2021

Winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021

Heartiest congratulations for the winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition – the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, established in 1883.

Gold Award Winners 

• Senugi Wijesinghe –   Senior Category (Year 11 Com)
• Binuthi Sithumya Gangodagedara –  Senior Category (Year 11 Sc2)
• Chanumi Nanayakkara – Junior Category

Silver Award Winners

• Thirani Perera –- Senior Category (Year11 Sc2)
• Kavya Sammodini Weerasuriya  – Senior Category (Year12 Sc1)
• Liana Perera    – ( Year10 Com 1)

Bronze award winner

• Danel Silva –- Junior Category

You are winner today because you seized the opportunity when it was opened up for you and you were determined to do your best in what you do.

For that we are proud of you!

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Two Singaporeans receive The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition awards in Buckingham Palace

LONDON - Gauri Kumar, 14, lived in London for three years until she moved home to Singapore last year.

While she was here, she had only seen Buckingham Palace from the outside. On Wednesday (Oct 26), she and fellow Singaporean Tan Wan Gee, 14, were escorted into the palace, put through a rehearsal and taught how to curtsy.

It was to get them ready to meet Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess was presenting certificates to the two teenagers: Gauri came in tops in the junior category of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition, while Wan Gee was the runner-up. The senior category was won by Inessa Rajah from South Africa and the runner-up was Esther Mungalaba from Zambia.

They beat 13,500 others from nearly all the Commonwealth countries, earning themselves a "Winners Week" in London which includes cultural and educational activities such as visits to Cambridge University, Houses of Parliament, The London Evening Standard newspaper, British Library and an award ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

Gauri said she was "extremely nervous" about the royal experience. "I haven't processed it yet. Hopefully, I'll be able to understand in a few days. But I'm still really confused about what's been happening," she said after receiving her award from the Duchess.

Wan Gee described the Duchess as "incredibly nice". She had asked the girls about the inspiration behind their winning essays, which had to reflect on the theme of the competition: An Inclusive Commonwealth.

Founded in 1883, The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world's oldest international schools writing competition. This year drew the most number of entries. Singapore alone sent in 4,585 entries - more than any other country.

The last Singaporean winner was Selina Xu from Nanyang Girls High School, who was senior runner-up in 2014.

The entries were judged by a pan-Commonwealth body of judges from more than 30 countries, who have described the entries as "inspirational", "imaginative" and "moving".

For her winning essay "Tales Of An Insider/Outsider", Gauri, who attends Tanglin Trust School, wrote about her experience of feeling disconnected from her relatives and culture because she does not speak Hindi well.

Wan Gee, who is studying in Temasek Junior College, wrote a poem "Are We Really So Different? Dear Santa", in which she advocated the importance of equality.

The two are voracious readers, with Gauri enjoying dystopian novels and authors like J K Rowling and George Orwell, and Wan Gee finding inspiration in Charles Bukowski and Sylvia Plath.

"There's something about their poetry that resonates with me," said Wan Gee, who confessed to hating poetry before she took a module in school last year.

"I bought a book by Charles Bukowski the other day. It's the way he makes something very ordinary feel very relatable. I really like that kind of expression."

Mr Michael Lake, director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, which organises the competition, said the four winners represent the "very best and brightest that the Commonwealth has to offer".

"Their essays and poems explore contemporary themes with maturity, intelligence and depth beyond their years."

About 70 guests were at the ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to celebrate the young writers' achievements. They included Mr Chia Wei Wen, Deputy High Commissioner for Singapore, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey and Ms Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former prime minister of Denmark and now CEO of Save the Children International.

Watching on proudly were Gauri's parents and younger sister, and Wan Gee's mother.

The girls are only too aware that when they go back to Singapore, their friends will ask them if they met the Queen. They had words of encouragement for aspiring young writers who might now be inspired to join the competition.

"There's no harm in entering the competition and if you do well, that's the most amazing thing," said Gauri.

Added Wan Gee: "Never give up on your writing. You never know where it'll take you, for example, here."

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Cambridge University Library Special Collections

Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition: write around the world

The RCS Library is delighted to announce that a significant recent deposit of essays from The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition has been added to its on-line catalogue (ARCS 20). The competition, originally established in 1883 by the Royal Commonwealth Society, and now run in partnership with Cambridge University Press, is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing contest. It reflects the society’s enduring aim to foster the creative talent of young people throughout the Commonwealth by encouraging literacy, self-expression and imagination.  Last year’s competition, which attracted almost 13,500 entries from primary to Sixth Form students from virtually every Commonwealth country, emphasises its continuing success. The theme of the 2017 competition is ‘A Commonwealth for Peace.’ The library already holds essays from 1922 to 1985 (with some gaps), and all surviving prize winning entries from these years have been digitised and are freely available on the Apollo digital repository .

The latest deposit includes prize winners from the years 1991 to 2009, and a very large collection of commended and other essays for the years 2002-09, totalling more than 20,000. The essays represent an excellent resource for many fields of research relating to education, and for assessing the opinions of intelligent, articulate and engaged young adults throughout the Commonwealth on a host of contemporary political, social and cultural issues. It is impossible here to list all the topics for each year, which range from the light-hearted to the serious, or to single out individual essays. The essays are occasionally accompanied by examiners’ reports, which contain insightful comparative analysis of entries, as an example from 2009 illustrates. One examiner of essays written by thirteen to sixteen year olds (Class B) commented upon the originality, insight and eloquence with which many responded to the themes ‘Tracks’ and ‘The Long Way Home.’  Many reflected upon the theme of war: its aftermath, consequences and the return to a home country after fighting abroad, while others addressed concerns of especial relevance to young adults such as unwanted pregnancies, abortion and abusive relationships.  The examiner concluded, ‘It is remarkable to see such young writers master such sophisticated themes and topics spurred by such vague titles.’

A dedicated and conscientious team of Reader Services Assistants in the Rare Books Department have listed each essay, recording name of author, age, school, country, gender and essay topic. Thanks to their hard work, it will be easy for researchers to quickly sort through the essays, identifying for example, how many students from a particular country or gender answered individual questions, whether they lived in the developed or developing worlds, or studied in state or private schools. In the Class B examiner’s group discussed above, for example, 62 of 150 writers (almost half), were inspired by the theme ‘The Long Way Home.’  They represented thirty different countries, with the three largest numbers of entries drawn from Singapore, Pakistan and India.  Many of the essays are illustrated, especially by younger authors, accompanied by beautiful original art work or photographs, which reinforce their themes. The three examples shown here were the work of eleven and twelve year olds from Class D 2009.

Researchers wishing to view these recently-acquired essays and their listings, and to request reproductions, must first consult staff in the Royal Commonwealth Society Department.

A catalogue of the full collection may be found here .

10 comments

Hi there.. I received a highly commended for Category D (?) in 1997 and was wondering if there are any records of it in the archives? I remember the RCS had a physical book listing all names of prize winners, and my name was in it at the local library many years ago. I would like to know if there is any formal record as such and if the essays are still available?

Hi there, I’d like to know if there were entries from Nigeria between 1984 and 1986. Would also like to know the year Nigeria began to participate in the Queen’s commonwealth essays.

The University Library is currently closed as part of the COVID-19 lockdown, but I will reply as soon as I have access to the essay competition archives.

All the best, John

Thank you so very much!

Hello, I would like to know if we can type the essays, or have to write them.

If you are thinking about participating in the current competition, information about submitting essays may be found here, https://www.royalcwsociety.org/essay-competition .

Hello John, Thank you.

Hello, I would like to know where can I see the winners’ written essays? Are they published?

The entries from 1922-1985 have been scanned and are available in our Apollo repository: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/225222 Copyright in the essays resides with the Royal Commonwealth Society. If you wish to re-publish the essays in any format you will need to seek permission from the Society. The most recent winning entries are available on the RCS website: https://www.royalcwsociety.org/essay-competition

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Outram wins at the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021

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In June, the EL department entered 11 entries at the annual Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, established since 1883. For 2021, the Competition theme was Community in the Commonwealth, and the essay topics were centered around the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are pleased to announce the following good results. Bravo, Outram writers!

  Congratulations!

Camilla praises Commonwealth during award ceremony for essayists

The Duchess of Cornwall has paid tribute to the “unity, purpose and friendship” of the Commonwealth saying those who belong to it are “incredibly privileged”.

The duchess, delivering a speech at the prize-giving ceremony for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC), said the 2.4 billion members of the Commonwealth “beautify life for one another”.

Camilla vice-patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society, hosted the awards for this year’s essay prize, welcoming young winners to London for a reception at St James’s Palace.

Geri Horner, the former Spice Girl, also attended the ceremony to read one of the winning essays, while singer Alexandra Burke accompanied Cassandra Nguyen, the 2020 Junior Winner from Canada, who met the duchess ahead of the ceremony.

When Horner asked after the Prince of Wales who was famously photographed with a lipstick kiss mark on his cheek after receiving a peck from the singer, the duchess told her he was “fine”, if a “complete workaholic”.

When the celebrity told the duchess about a book she had read which claimed working is the key to a long life, the duchess agreed “Don’t retire!” before joking “that’s not my problem.”

In a speech to guests, Camilla wondered aloud about what she would have written if she had entered the prize as a child, under the topic “Community in the Commonwealth”.

“I think it might go something like this,” she said.

“Those of us who are part of the Commonwealth of Nations are incredibly privileged to belong to this wonderful community of 54 countries, sharing a spirit of unity, purpose and friendship.

“To quote the famous Canadian literary character, Anne of Green Gables, ‘I’m so thankful for friendship: it beautifies life so much’.

“Our Commonwealth community gives each of us 2.4 billion friends.

“And I believe the 2.4 billion of us do much to beautify life for one another: rejoicing in each other’s successes, benefiting from each other’s wisdom, and supporting and sustaining one another through difficult times.”

Saying she had already witnessed the power of the prize in her travels around the world, she added: “I am determined to visit more Commonwealth countries as soon as I can, and I promise you that I will always seek out the QCEC wherever I go.”

Founded in 1883, it is believed to be the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools and aims to promote literacy, expression, and creativity among young people throughout the Commonwealth.

This year, nearly 26,000 children entered on the theme “Community in the Commonwealth”, with 130 judges whittling entries down to a final four winners.

The winners were Kayla Bosire, aged 16 from Nairobi, Kenya who flew to London to be presented with her award, and 13-year-old Ethan Charles Mufuma, who had a Zoom call with the duchess from the British High Commission in Uganda.

Runners-up, who also visited St James’s Palace, were Aditi Nair aged 15 from New Delhi, India, and Raisa Gulati aged 14 from Amritsar, India.

Judges included bestselling author Dame Susan Hill, author Hiya Chowdhury, head of research for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Dr Paul Edmondson, poet, painter and writer Sia Figiel, theatre maker Femi Elufowoju Jr, and Emeritus Professor Satendra Nandan from Fiji.

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Winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition announced

Four young writers have been named as the Winners and Runners-Up of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2017. The winning essays were selected from approximately 12,300 entries spanning the five regions of the Commonwealth. The competition is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing competition and sponsored by Cambridge University Press.

Representing nearly every Commonwealth country, entrants wrote about topical issues including social cohesion, finding peace in places of conflict, and peace-building on an individual, national and international level.

Senior Winner Annika Turon-Semmens, 16, is from Adelaide, Australia. Senior Runner-up Hiya Chowdhury, 15, comes from Uttar Pradesh, India.

The Junior Winner Ariadna Sullivan, 13, is from British Colombia, Canada, and Junior Runner-up Ry Galloway, 10, is from London, United Kingdom.

Entries were assessed by a pan-Commonwealth body of judges, drawn from more than 30 different countries across the globe. Judges described the entries as ‘diverse’, ‘creative’, ‘hopeful’, and added that ‘the Commonwealth will be in good hands as these young people grow up’.

The four pan-Commonwealth Winners and Runners-up will attend the traditional ‘Winners Week’ in London in November of this year. Winners’ Week is a special programme consisting of cultural and educational activities. The week includes an Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace where HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will present the Winners and Runners-up with their certificates on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. This will be the fourth time that the Duchess of Cornwall has taken part in the Awards Ceremony.

Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Michael Lake CBE, said: ‘The winners’ pieces are creative and dynamic, using rich and colourful language to explore the broadest interpretations of peace. This year’s theme of A Commonwealth for Peace could not have come at a more pertinent time and The Royal Commonwealth Society is inspired by the thousands of entries received this year. The competition proves that the young Commonwealth is ready and able to build a peaceful future together.’

Rod Smith, Managing Director of Education, Cambridge University Press: ‘We’re delighted to be sponsoring The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition again this year. The Royal Commonwealth Society shares our vision of empowerment through education, and it’s an honour to be involved in this celebration of talented young writers from all over the world. We were astounded by the exceptional standard of the entries, and all of us at Cambridge University Press would like to extend our congratulations to the winners.’ 

Anne Fine OBE FRSL, author and former British Children’s Laureate, said: ‘It’s fascinating to see the sheer range of response to any competition theme, but what varied pieces we have here!  The entries come from places in the world that could not be more different – or more colourfully described. But all our young winners show boundless imagination, along with impressive control. It was a pleasure to read these poems and stories, and my warmest congratulations go to all.’

NOTES TO EDITORS:

More information about the Competition, including the Winners and Runners-up, can be found here: https://thercs.org/youth-and-education/the-queens-commonwealth-essay-competition/   

Senior Winner:  Annika Turon-Semmens, 16, Australia

Senior Runner-up:  Hiya Chowdhury, 15, India

Junior Winner:  Ariadna Sullivan, 13, Canada

Junior Runner-up:  Ry Galloway, 10, United Kingdom

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition was founded in 1883 and is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing contest. The competition is sponsored by Cambridge University Press and received approximately 12,300 entries from almost across the Commonwealth.

The Junior category is open to entrants aged 13 years and under and the Senior category is open to entrants aged 14-18.

The overarching theme for 2017 was ‘A Commonwealth for Peace’, which mirrors the 2017 Commonwealth Year theme of ‘A Peace-building Commonwealth’, and an important theme for today’s youth. Both Senior and Junior topics gave young people the opportunity to think about aspects of the theme such as: the means and costs of achieving peace; the link between education and peace; the role of young people in promoting peace; and peace and conflict in the world today. The topics provided an opportunity to develop critical thinking and to express views on difficult issues in a creative manner.

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) , founded in 1868, is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Through youth empowerment, education and advocacy, the RCS promotes the value and values of the Commonwealth. www.thercs.org

Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world’s oldest publishing house and the second-largest university press in the world. Cambridge University Press has been a sponsor of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition since 2013. www.cambridge.org

Media enquiries:

Anja Nielsen, Manager of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, Programmes Officer (Youth and Education), the Royal Commonwealth Society

T: +447718 476 232| E: [email protected]

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 27, 2024

Angelica Evans, Christina Harward, Riley Bailey, Nicole Wolkov, and Frederick W. Kagan

July 27, 2024, 3:00pm ET  

Click here to see ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.

Click here to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.

Click here to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.

Note: The data cut-off for this product was 11:30pm ET on July 27. ISW will cover subsequent reports in the July 28 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.

Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful drone strikes against an oil refinery and Russian military airfields in Saratov, Ryazan, and Murmansk oblasts on the night of July 26 to 27.  Sources with Ukrainian special services told Ukrainian media   that Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) struck Russian military airfields in Engles, Saratov Oblast; the Dyaghilev Airfield and an oil refinery in Ryazan Oblast; and the Olenya Airfield in Murmansk Oblast with drones.[1]  Suspilne ' s  sources reported that Russian forces base an unspecified number of Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-134, and Il-78 (tanker) aircraft at the Dyaghilev Airfield and that the GUR drones damaged a TU-22M3 strategic bomber at the Olenya Airfield. Russian officials, including the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), claimed that Russian air defenses destroyed an unspecified number of drones over Saratov and Ryazan oblasts, although Russian sources published footage of Ukrainian drones operating over Ryazan City.[2] Additional sources told  Suspilne  that GUR "sabotage activities" damaged an Mi-28 and a Ka-226 helicopter at an aircraft construction enterprise in Moscow Oblast on July 21 and destroyed another Mi-8 helicopter at the Kryazh Airfield in Samara Oblast on July 24.[3] Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated during an interview with UK outlet  The Guardian  published on July 24 that Ukrainian drones had targeted around 200 critical infrastructure sites connected to military logistics in rear areas of Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.[4]

Russia continues to deepen bilateral relations with Iran and North Korea in exchange for the provision of lethal aid to the Russian military for use in Ukraine.  Iranian state-affiliated media outlet  Mehr News Agency  reported on July 23 that Iran will launch its "Hod Hod" and "Kosar" satellites into low earth orbit from an unspecified Russian station in October 2024.[5]  Bloomberg  reported on July 25 that South Korea's Bank of Korea estimated that North Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 3.1 percent in 2023 compared to 2022 after annual contractions since 2019.[6] The Bank of Korea estimated that North Korea's heavy and chemical industries, particularly the production of iron, steel, copper, nickel, and aluminum, grew the most in 2023 by 8.1 percent. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik previously stated that Russia's provision of food to North Korea in exchange for weapons helped North Korea stabilize prices and likely boosted North Korean domestic manufacturing.[7] North Korea has reportedly transferred as many as 4.8 million artillery shells to Russia, and Iran has supplied Shahed-136/131 drones and components to Russia.[8]

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful drone strikes against an oil refinery and Russian military airfields in Saratov, Ryazan, and Murmansk oblasts on the night of July 26 to 27.
• Russia continues to deepen bilateral relations with Iran and North Korea in exchange for the provision of lethal aid to the Russian military for use in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces recently regained positions near Toretsk, and Russian forces recently advanced west and southwest of Donetsk City, and Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Vovchansk.
• The Russian government continues efforts to use the "Time of Heroes" program to integrate Russian veterans into society.

We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.

• Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine (comprised of three subordinate main efforts)
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Push Ukrainian forces back from the international border with Belgorod Oblast and approach to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #3 – Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast
• Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis
• Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign
• Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts
• Russian Technological Adaptations
• Activities in Russian-occupied areas
• Ukrainian Defense Industrial Base Efforts

Russian Information Operations and Narratives

• Significant Activity in Belarus

Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Kharkiv Oblast   ( Russian objective: Push Ukrainian forces back from the international border with Belgorod Oblast and approach to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City)

Ukrainian forces recently advanced within Vovchansk (northeast of Kharkiv City) amid continued Russian ground attacks in northern Kharkiv Oblast on July 27. Geolocated footage published on July 26 and 27 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced further along Soborna Street in central Vovchansk and Stepova Street in northeastern Vovchansk.[9] A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Starytsya (northeast of Kharkiv City).[10] Russian forces continued assaults north of Kharkiv City near Hlyboke and Slobozhanske and northeast of Kharkiv City near Vovchansk and Tykhe.[11] The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that Russian forces transferred several groups from the Sotnytskyi Kozachok area to forward positions, likely in another area of frontline in the Kharkiv direction.[12]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Luhansk Oblast  (Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)

Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on July 27, but there were no changes to the frontline. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced southeast of Kupyansk near Hlushkivka and north of Pishchane and in the forest area west of Kreminna, but ISW has not observed confirmation of these claims.[13] Russian forces continued assaults northeast of Kupyansk near Synkivka; southeast of Kupyansk near Tabaivka, Novoselivske, and Stelmakhivka; southwest of Svatove near Novoyehorivka, Makiivka, Nevske, and Novoserhiivka; west of Kreminna near Terny; and southwest of Kreminna near the Serebryanske forest area.[14]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #3 – Donetsk Oblast  (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Siversk direction on July 27 but did not make confirmed gains in the area. Russian forces continued offensive operations east of Siversk near Verkhnokamyanske and southeast of Siversk near Spirne and Ivano-Dariivka on July 26 and 27.[15] A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the Russian 106th Airborne (VDV) Division are consolidating positions on the outskirts of Pereizne (south of Siversk).[16] Elements of the Russian 1st Detachment of the “Wolves” Sabotage and Reconnaissance Brigade are reportedly operating near Soledar (south of Siversk), and elements of the 2nd Artillery Brigade (2nd Luhansk People's Republic Army Corps [LNR AC]) are reportedly continuing to operate in the Siversk direction.[17]

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Chasiv Yar on July 27, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces continue to advance west of Kalynivka (north of Chasiv Yar), although ISW has yet to observe confirmation of Russian forces operating west of the Siverskyi-Donets Donbas Canal within the settlement or the nearby area.[18] Russian forces continued offensive operations near Chasiv Yar, north of Chasiv Yar near Hryhorivka, and southeast of Chasiv Yar near Andriivka on July 26 and 27.[19]

Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Toretsk amid continued Russian offensive operations in the area on July 27. Geolocated footage published on July 27 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions in northern Pivdenne (southeast of Toretsk).[20] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced further within central Zalizne (southeast of Toretsk) and in Pivnichne (east of Toretsk), but ISW has not observed confirmation of these claims.[21] Russian forces continued offensive operations near Toretsk, Pivnichne, Zalizne, and south of Toretsk near Niu York on July 26 and 27.[22]

Russian forces reportedly advanced northwest of Avdiivka on July 27, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in the area. The Russian MoD claimed that elements of the Russian Central Grouping of Forces seized Lozuvatske (northwest of Avdiivka), consistent with ISW's assessment of Russian advances in the area.[23] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced to the eastern outskirts of Vesele (northwest of Avdiivka), entered the settlement, and seized up to roughly a third of Vesele, although ISW has not observed confirmation of these claims.[24] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces northwest of Avdiivka also advanced near Vovche and Prohres and in the direction of Ivanivka.[25] Russian forces continued offensive operations north of Avdiivka near Kalynove; northwest of Avdiivka near Vozdvyzhenka, Novooleksandrivka, Vesele, Serhiivka, Tymofiivka, Novoselivka Persha, Vovche, Zhelanne, Mezhove, and Lysychne; west of Avdiivka near Yasnobrodivka; and southwest of Avdiivka near Karlivka and Netaylove on July 26 and 27.[26] Elements of the 41st Combined Arms Army [CAA] (Central Military District [CMD]) are reportedly operating within Lozuvatske.[27]

Russian forces recently advanced west and southwest of Donetsk City amid continued offensive operations in the area on July 27. Geolocated footage published on July 26 showing Russian forces raising a Russian flag in northern Krasnohorivka (west of Donetsk City) indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in the settlement, and Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces also advanced in western Krasnohorivka.[28] Geolocated published on July 27 indicates that Russian forces advanced further south of Kostyantynivka (southwest of Donetsk City) during the roughly reinforced battalion-size mechanized assault that Russian forces conducted in the area on July 24.[29] Russian forces continued offensive operations west of Donetsk City near Heorhiivka and Krasnohorivka and southwest of Donetsk City near Kostyantynivka, Paraskoviivka, and Vodyane on July 26 and 27.[30] Elements of the Russian 242nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (20th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Division, 8th CAA, Southern Military District [SMD]) are reportedly operating near Kostyantynivka, and elements of the Russian 5th and 110th motorized rifle brigades (1st Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] AC) are reportedly operating within Krasnohorivka.[31]

Positional fighting continued south of Velyka Novosilka, including near Urozhaine, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on July 26 and 27.[32] Elements of the Russian 40th Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet) are reportedly operating in the south Donetsk direction and elements of the Russian 5th Tank Brigade (36th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly operating in the Vremivka direction.[33]

Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis  (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)

Fighting continued in western Zaporizhia Oblast on July 27 but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Fighting continued near Robotyne, east of Robotyne near Verbove, northeast of Robotyne near Mala Tokmachka, and northwest of Robotyne near Novoandriivka on July 26 and 27.[34] Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Spokesperson Captain Dmytro Lykhovyi stated on July 26 that Russian forces are conducting small infantry-led assaults on Ukrainian positions near Mala Tokmachka.[35] Lykhovyi also reiterated that Ukrainian forces have not observed Russian forces transferring reserves to Zaporizhia Oblast or concentrating forces for an offensive operation in the Zaporizhia direction. Elements of the Russian 64th Motorized Rifle Brigade (35th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) and "Valkyria" detachment (4th Military Base, 58th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Southern Military District [SMD]) drone operators are reportedly operating in the Zaporizhia direction.[36]

The Ukrainian General Staff reported on July 27 that Russian forces conducted one unsuccessful assault in an unspecified area in the Dnipro direction (Kherson Oblast).[37] A Russian milblogger claimed that the Russian military is struggling to supply newly created units operating in the Kherson direction with first-person view (FPV) drones and thermal imagers.[38] Elements of the Russian 25th Spetsnaz Regiment (Russian General Staff Main Directorate [GRU]) reportedly continue operating in the Kherson direction.[39]

Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign  (Russian Objective: Target Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure in the rear and on the frontline)

Russian forces launched limited missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of July 26 to 27. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk reported that Russian forces launched a Kh-59/69 cruise missile from occupied Zaporizhia Oblast and four Shahed-136/131 drones from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai and that Ukrainian forces shot down the missile and drones over Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Kharkiv, and Kyiv oblasts.[40] Poltava Oblast Military Administration Head Filip Pronin stated that a Russian drone damaged an industrial facility in Poltava Oblast.[41]

Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Spokesperson Andriy Chernyak told  Reuters  in a July 26 article that Russian forces have launched cheap drones made of Styrofoam and plywood in the last two-to-three weeks as a part of five long-range strike series.[42] Chernyak stated that two of these cheap Russian drones had cameras and SIM cards that transmitted data to Russian forces. Chernyak reported that Russian forces are attempting to locate Ukrainian mobile fire groups and air defense systems with these new drones.

Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts  (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)

The Russian government continues efforts to use the "Time of Heroes" program to integrate Russian veterans into society. Kursk Oblast Acting Governor Alexei Smirnov nominated Russian servicemember Colonel Alexei Kondratyev to run for Kursk Oblast senator in the Russian Federation Council.[43] Kondratyev is the commander of the "St. Prince Vladimir" Brigade (Russian Volunteer Corps) and a participant in the "Time of Heroes" program. The Kremlin is reportedly concerned about the long-term social and political implications of Russian veterans returning from the war in Ukraine and trying to use the "Time of Heroes" program to provide a "buffer" between civilians and returning servicemembers.[44]

Ukrainian outlet  Suspilne  reported on July 27 that it viewed an internal Russian Investigative Committee resolution that found that commanders and deputy commanders of the Russian 6th Motorized Rifle Division (3rd Army Corps, Moscow Military District [MMD]) ordered Russian servicemembers to imprison, torture, and kill other servicemembers in Ukraine in 2023.[45]  Suspilne  reported that representatives of the Russian MoD inspected the division, after which the division's commanders and deputy commanders continued and tried to conceal these practices.

Russian Technological Adaptations  (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine)

Nothing significant to report.

Ukrainian Defense Industrial Efforts  (Ukrainian objective: Develop its defense industrial base to become more self-sufficient in cooperation with US, European, and international partners)

ISW is not publishing coverage of Ukrainian defense industrial efforts today.

Activities in Russian-occupied areas  (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)

ISW is not publishing coverage of Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine today.

Significant activity in Belarus  (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)

Note: ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.

[1] https://suspiln dot media/800159-droni-gur-atakuvali-npz-vijskovi-aerodromi-rf-i-poskodili-nadzvukovij-bombarduvalnik-dzerela/ ; https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/07/27/chorni-dni-rosijskoyi-aviacziyi-detali-atak-na-obyekty-v-tylu-rf/

[2] https://t.me/mod_russia/41433 ; https://t.me/mod_russia/41436 ;https://t.me/mod_russia/41434 ; https://t.me/mod_russia/41436 ; https://t.me/tass_agency/262783 ; https://t.me/pavelmalkov_official/3137 ; https://t.me/breakingmash/56167 ; https://x.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1817089065742725188 ; https://x.com/99Dominik_/status/1817107072372068378

[3] https://suspilne dot media/800219-gur-urazilo-tri-vertoloti-na-teritorii-rosii-dzerela/ ; https://gur dot gov.ua/content/odyn-u-samari-dva-pid-moskvoiu-na-rosii-zghorilo-try-helikoptery.html

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/24/i-know-we-will-win-and-how-ukraines-top-general-on-turning-the-tables-against-russia

[5] https://en.mehrnews dot com/news/218238/Iran-s-Hod-Hod-Kosar-satellites-to-be-launched-into-LEO

[6] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-26/north-korea-s-economy-rebounds-as-kim-putin-ties-fuel-arms-trade

[7] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-30/north-korea-fires-missile-in-show-of-force-after-putin-visit; https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-26/north-korea-s-economy-rebounds-as-kim-putin-ties-fuel-arms-trade

[8] https://isw.pub/UkrWar062324; https://isw.pub/UkrWar080123 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar081723; https://isw.pub/UkrWar110623

[9] https://t.me/URUKHAIFPV/63 ; https://x.com/Bielitzling/status/1816930805509488678 ; https://x.com/foosint/status/1817242724736618846 ; https://t.me/ZA_FROHT/31534

[10] https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[11] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/otukharkiv/399 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[12] https://t.me/otukharkiv/399

[13] https://t.me/motopatriot/25469 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73344

[14] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl  ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ;

[15] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql

[16] https://t.me/rusich_army/16067

[17] https://t.me/sons_fatherland/15835 ; https://t.me/philologist_zov/1159

[18] https://t.me/dva_majors/48211 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/21227

[19] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql

[20] https://t.me/operativnoZSU/152618; https://x.com/moklasen/status/1817240782958403609

[21] https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13132 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[22] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql

[23] https://t.me/mod_russia/41442

[24] https://t.me/motopatriot/25462; https://t.me/z_arhiv/27405; https://t.me/NgP_raZVedka/18485

[25] https://t.me/z_arhiv/27405 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13133 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73326

[26] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/21227 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73326 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13138

[27] https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73363 

[28] https://t.me/creamy_caprice/6173; https://t.me/filatovcorr/3622 ; https://x.com/Bielitzling/status/1817171227976343884; https://t.me/z_arhiv/27409; https://t.me/motopatriot/25458; https://t.me/z_arhiv/27407   

[29] https://x.com/Ukraine_Twi/status/1817165586297757910; https://x.com/klinger66/status/1817179436954914849; https://t.me/opforukraine/18; https://t.me/opforukraine/18

[30] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ; https://t.me/motopatriot/25458 ;

[31] https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73353 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73325

[32] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl

[33] https://t.me/milinfolive/126894 (south Donetsk); https://t.me/voin_dv/9959 (Vremivka)

[34] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/wargonzo/21227 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13136

[35] https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/07/26/v-sylah-oborony-rozpovily-pro-taktyku-malyh-ukusiv-rf-na-pivdni/

[36] https://t.me/voin_dv/9957 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73371

[37] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl

[38] https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[39] https://t.me/dva_majors/48206

[40] https://t.me/ComAFUA/358

[41] https://t.me/poltavskaOVA/16340

[42] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-deploys-cheap-drones-locate-ukraines-air-defences-2024-07-26/

[43] https://t.me/rusich_army/16057 ; https://kpravda dot ru/2024/07/24/senatorom-ot-kurskoj-oblasti-mozhet-stat-byvshij-specznazovecz/ ; https://riakursk dot ru/stali-izvestny-imena-vozmozhnykh-senatorov-ot-kurskoy-oblasti/

[44] https://isw.pub/UkrWar071924

[45] https://suspilne dot media/800213-to-blow-shoot-burn-russians-kill-fellow-servicemen-front-ukraine/

QCEC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can enter.

The competition is open to nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories, as well as residents of Hong Kong, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. Residents of non-Commonwealth countries where there is an operating RCS branch or affiliated/partner organisation are also eligible; however, entries must be submitted via the local RCS branch or affiliated/partner organisation.

Tips from the Judges

The following guidelines provide some useful insights from previous judges who have had experience recognising what makes a good piece of writing, and may help you get started on your submission:  

Choose to answer one of the topics, and you are encouraged to interpret this in any way you wish. 

Think carefully about the form of writing you use to answer the topic. There are a variety of forms and styles to play with.

Make sure to use your own voice and your own words. Judges are very good at spotting work that is not original.

We understand that English is a diverse language and there are different and innovative ways of using it around the Commonwealth. We encourage diversity and creativity of language in submissions.

Ensure you take into account grammar and punctuation whilst writing your piece. Do not submit an entry without proof-reading.

Presentation is important: think about the visual appearance of the entry as well as the quality of the content.

Guidance Notes

Participants are expected to show originality and flair, linked to sound academic standards and competent use of English as a written language. This includes a good standard of spelling and punctuation, neat presentation and clear hand-writing or word-processing.

Entries must respond to the topic. Each year a number of good entrants must be disregarded because they do not fully answer/reflect on what the topic has asked them to do.

Entrants are encouraged to be creative in their response to a topic. Entries can be submitted in a number of different formats: for example, a poem, letter, article, story, essay or a short play/script.

Illustrations are welcomed, particularly in Junior entries, but they must enhance the written text and add to the overall quality of the entry.

Winning Categories

Junior Awards Categories (Under 14s)

Junior Winner

Junior Runner-up

Gold Awards

Silver Awards

Bronze Awards

Certificate of Participation

Senior Awards Categories (Under 14-18)

Senior Winner

Senior Runner-up

What if I'm too old to participate?

If you're over 18 by the deadline, you'll still be eligible to compete for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize .

Are there prizes for the winners?

One Winner and Runner Up will be chosen from each category. Winners and Runners Up (accompanied by one adult/guardian) will be brought to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony. A number of Gold Finalist, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be given in both the Senior and Junior categories, rewarding excellence in writing. All successful entries will receive a Certificate of Participation. Local RCS branches often hold local and regional ceremonies or offer prizes so if you were made aware of the competition by your local RCS branch, please contact them after the competition closes on 15 May to inquire about any activities they might have planned.

Is there a word limit?

Yes, different word count rules apply to Junior and Senior categories. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.

Can I write on more than one topic?

No, students may only submit one essay each, which means that you have to choose one of the four topics in your relevant category.

Where can I find the topics for the 2024 competition?

Topics for The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 can be read online or downloaded.

How do I know if my entry was successfully submitted?

At the end of the online submission process, you will receive a notice that your entry has been successfully submitted. This notice will contain a unique identification number, which will also be emailed to your nominated email address. If you are encountering difficulties, please email [email protected] for assistance.

How do I download my certificate?

Certificates are no longer able to be downloaded by entrants. Entrants to the QCEC 2024 will have their certificates sent to their nominated email address at the end of the judging process in September 2024.

How do I submit my essay online?

Please click here to submit your entry online. Please note that we do not accept entries sent by email.