Friday, 31 May 2024

Berlin joins U.S. in allowing Ukraine to fire German weapons at targets in Russia — ground.news: 179 media reports — 31 May 2024 (LINK)

Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Guardian on Ukraine: Macron, Scholz agree Kyiv should use allies' weapons against launchers in Russia: Nato secretary general says alliance members should allow deep strikes, which White House says it doesn't 'encourage or enable'. What we know on day 826 — The Guardian UK ● — 29 May 2024 (LINK)

Tuesday, 28 May 2024

The first deliveries of 155mm artillery shells under a Czech-led initiative should arrive in Ukraine within days, the Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala, said while hosting Ukraine's prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, and leaders of some EU allies in Prague. The initiative had so far raised €1.6bn, Fiala said.

EU officials have said an estimated €6.5bn for Ukraine remains stalled by the Hungarian government of Viktor Orbán, considered Russia's staunchest ally in the union. "Thats the sad thing that we have the cash, we have the capacity, but we are still pending decisions to implement" aid decisions for Ukraine, said the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. Single member states have wide veto powers — though these powers can be suspended where a member is deemed to be working against the EU's principles and interests.

Belgium on Tuesday made a €1bn aid pledge to Ukraine and a commitment to give Ukraine 30 F-16 fighter jets in the next four years.

Russian guided bombs killed two civilians in the eastern Ukrainian city of Toretsk on Tuesday and heavily damaged two multi-storey apartment buildings, said the Donetsk regional governor, Vadym Filashkin. — The Guardian UK ● — 28 May 2024 (LINK)

Monday, 27 May 2024

Ukraine war briefing: Death toll from Russian strikes on Kharkiv DIY store rises to 16: More than 40 people were wounded in the attack, while several more are still missing. What we know on day 824 — The Guardian UK ● — 27 May 2024 (LINK)

Under new Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov, FSB is tackling corruption aggressively with serious implications for Ukraine — The Guardian UK ● — 27 May 2024 (LINK)

Sunday, 26 May 2024

Zelenskiy calls on world leaders to attend Ukraine 'peace summit' in Switzerland after deadly Kharkiv strike: Ukraine president urges Joe Biden and Xi Jinping to 'show your leadership' and send message to Moscow — The Guardian UK ● — 26 May 2024 (LINK)

Saturday, 25 May 2024

Russian attacks on Kharkiv kill six, injure dozens — Reuters ● — 25 May 2024 (LINK)

Friday, 24 May 2024

Zelenskiy says Ukrainian forces now control area where Russia pushed into Kharkiv region — Reuters ● — 24 May 2024 (LINK)

Thursday, 23 May 2024

Russia will identify U.S. property, including securities, that could be used as compensation for losses sustained as a result of any seizure of frozen Russian assets in the United States, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin — Reuters ● — 23 May 2024 (LINK)

Wednesday, 22 May 2024

Russian drones struck energy sites early on Wednesday and knocked out power to some parts of Ukraine's northern Sumy region, regional officials said. Ukraine says last Russian cruise missile ship in Crimea destroyed on 19 May; give us Russia's frozen assets, not just the interest, says Kuleba. What we know on day 819 — The Guardian UK ● — 22 May 2024 (LINK)

Tuesday, 21 May 2024

EU countries have formally adopted a plan to fund Ukraine's defence using profits from $300bn in Russian central bank assets frozen in the EU. Under the agreement, 90% of the proceeds will go into an EU-run fund for military aid for Ukraine against Russia's invasion, with the other 10% going to support the Ukrainians in other ways. The EU expects the assets to yield about €15bn–€20bn in profits by 2027. Ukraine is expected to receive the first tranche in July, EU diplomats have said. The US treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, is meanwhile pushing fellow G7 nations this week to agree a plan to use Russian assets frozen abroad to back a larger loan to help Ukraine. Yellen has said it could be worth up to $50bn to Ukraine. — The Guardian UK ● — 21 May 2024 (LINK)

— Russian forces have started military drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Vladimir Putin ordered the drills after the French president, Emmanuel Macron, floated the possibility ofThe former commander of Russia's 58th army, Ivan Popov, was arrested on suspicion of "large scale fraud", state-run Tass news agency reported. Popov, military call sign "Spartacus", commanded Russian units in southern Ukraine. He criticised his superiors about the deaths of Russian soldiers. sending European troops into Ukraine, and the UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, said Ukraine had the right to use weapons supplied by Britain to target sites in Russia.

— The former commander of Russia's 58th army, Ivan Popov, was arrested on suspicion of "large scale fraud", state-run Tass news agency reported. Popov, military call sign "Spartacus", commanded Russian units in southern Ukraine. He criticised his superiors about the deaths of Russian soldiers.

Monday, 20 May 2024

Ukrainian president calls for Nato states to help intercept Russian missiles and to allow Kyiv to use weapons against Russian military equipment on border. Says Western allies are taking too long to make key decisions on military support for Ukraine as Russia is expected to step up its offensive in the north-east. — The Guardian UK ● — 20 May 2024 (LINK)

Zelensky's presidential term expires, but Ukrainian leader to remain in power amid war — CNN — 20 May 2024 (LINK)

Sunday, 19 May 2024

Kyiv accuses Russia of targeting civilians in Kharkiv region Ukrainian prosecutors investigating possible war crimes in Kharkiv and Vovchansk as Zelenskiy says his troops are fighting back: What we know on day 816 — The Guardian UK ● — 19 May 2024 (LINK)

Saturday, 18 May 2024

A divisive mobilization law in Ukraine came into force on Saturday, as Kyiv struggles to boost troop numbers. The legislation, which was watered down from its original draft, will make it easier to identify every conscript in the country. It also provides incentives to soldiers, such as cash bonuses or money toward buying a house or car. Zelenskiy also signed two other laws Friday, allowing prisoners to join the army and increasing fines for draft dodgers fivefold. — The Guardian UK ● — 18 May 2024 (LINK)

Zelenskiy says situation in Kharkiv under control but he fears second Russian attack: Ukraine's president says air defences must quadruple to halt Russian advance as morale falls among troops — AFP — (LINK)

Friday, 17 May 2024

Kim's sister denies North Korea has supplied weapons to Russia — ground.news: 48 media reports — 17 May 2024 (LINK)

Wednesday, 15 May 2024

Blinken says U.S. will give Ukraine another $2 billion in military financing — ground.news: 24 media reports — 15 May 2024 (LINK)

Tuesday, 14 May 2024

To Minimize Losses: Russia's New Defense Minister lists priorities for Ukraine invasion: arms procurement for frontline troops, modern technology development, staffing issues and resource optimizations — kyivpost — 14 May 2024 (LINK)

Monday, 13 May 2024

Blinken visits Kyiv on unannounced visit by train as Ukrainians struggle amid intense Russian attacks — The Guardian UK ● — 13 May 2024 (LINK)

Sunday, 12 May 2024

Russian defence minister and long-time Putin ally Sergei Shoigu replaced: Putin names civilian Andrei Belousov, cites rising military spending and the need for innovation — ground.news: 300 media reports — 12 May 2024 (LINK)

Saturday, 11 May 2024

Putin's surprise attack leaves Ukraine in 'incredibly difficult' position — thedailybeast — 11 May 2024 (LINK)

Wednesday, 8 May 2024

EU reaches deal on using profits from Russia's frozen assets for Ukraine: 10% of the windfall profits will fund non-lethal aid to assuage EU member states that do not wish to fund arms — The Guardian UK ● — 8 May 2024 (LINK)

Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Two Ukrainians detained over alleged plot to assassinate Volodymyr Zelenskyy — AP, euronews — 7 May 2024 (LINK)

India arrests four for duping young men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine — ground.news: 41 media reports — 7 May 2024 (LINK)

Monday, 6 May 2024

Russian attacks kill three during Orthodox Easter: Volodymyr Zelenskiy urges prayers for soldiers on frontline amid attacks in Kharkiv and Sumy regions; Xi Jinping arrives in Paris under pressure to harden stance on Russia. What we know on day 803 — The Guardian UK ● — 6 May 2024 (LINK)

Friday, 3 May 2024

Ukrainians 'have the right to strike inside Russia', says David Cameron. France's Macron stands firm on potentially sending troops; sanctions on Russian gas leave Gazprom with record annual loss. What we know on day 800 — The Guardian UK ● — 3 May 2024 (LINK)

Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Ukraine unveils AI-generated foreign ministry spokesperson — The Guardian UK ● — 1 May 2024 (LINK)

— The foreign ministry's press service said that the statements given by Victoria Shi would not be generated by AI but "written and verified by real people". "It's only the visual part that the AI helps us to generate," Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, said, adding that the new spokesperson was a "technological leap that no diplomatic service in the world has yet made". The main reason for creating her was "saving time and resources" for diplomats, he said. Shi's creators are a team called the Game Changers who have also made virtual-reality content related to the war in Ukraine.