Newsletter 07/06/2024
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Ukraine has fulfilled all conditions for start of EU accession talks - European Commission
The European Commission today briefed the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (Coreper) on the progress that Ukraine and Moldova have made in fulfilling the conditions for the start of interstate negotiations on EU accession and concluded that both countries have taken all the necessary steps.
Arms and power grid reconstruction: Biden announces $225M aid package for Ukraine
The new aid package also includes missiles for the HAWK air defense system, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, 155mm Howitzers, armored vehicles, trailers, patrol boats, demolition materials and a wide range of other spare parts and equipment.
Eight countries to help Ukrainian forces defend against Russia’s chemical attacks
The participant countries of the Ukraine chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) Information Sharing Initiative (ISI) have committed to provide training and equipment to protect the personnel of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces.
The authors of the document noted that Russia's words and actions during the full-scale war against Ukraine, in particular Russia's seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, created a serious threat to the safety of nuclear and other radioactive materials and facilities in Ukraine. The participant countries also expressed deep concerns by reports that the frequency of Russia’s chemical attacks against Ukrainian forces is increasing, as is the variety of chemical munitions that Russian forces are using on the battlefield.
Zelensky to Biden: It is important to accelerate delivery of American weapons
“In Paris, I met with U.S. President Joe Bide. We discussed Ukraine's defense capabilities, the battlefield situation, and our preparations to sign a bilateral security agreement. To ensure effective protection against daily Russian terror, Ukraine must be able to strike military targets on Russian territory,” noted President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
Netherlands investing EUR 400M in production of combat vehicles for Ukraine
The Netherlands is investing 400 million euros in a Swedish fund to produce infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine. The production of the vehicles must take place 'largely' in the Netherlands.
Air reconnaissance of the DPSU hit enemy video surveillance complexes "Murom" and "Pergam"
Source: Facebook page of the State Border Service of Ukraine
Struck by the air reconnaissance of the DPSU: the latest enemy video surveillance complexes "Murom", "Pergam", the repeater-amplifier of the signal for enemy drones "Incubator", as well as means of radio-electronic intelligence.
The equipment allowed the enemy to identify the positions of the Ukrainian military and adjust artillery strikes on our border.
War
Ukraine's air defense units down 48 enemy drones, 5 cruise missiles overnight
On the night of June 7, the enemy attacked Ukraine's critical infrastructure with Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the airspace of the Saratov region and Shahed-131/136 UAVs from the area of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Yeisk and Kursk, Russia, and Cape Chauda, Crimea
In the morning, the enemy launched an airstrike on Kostyantynivka. One person was saved, 5 buildings were damaged
Source: telegram page of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine
One person was saved, 5 buildings were damaged - these are the consequences of the enemy aircraft attack in Donetsk region
In the morning, the enemy again carried out an airstrike on Kostyantynivka, two fires broke out at different addresses. Outbuildings and a balcony on the 3rd floor of a three-story building caught fire.
A man with reduced mobility was staying in one of the apartments. Firefighters freed access to his home and took the victim to a safe place. Rescuers extinguished the fire with a total area of 200 square meters. In general, as a result of shelling, 4 high-rise buildings and an administrative building were damaged. Fortunately, no one died
Defense
NATO to expand defense technology, intelligence sharing with Ukraine
An agreement that introduces new frameworks for sharing information, including on supply chains for drones, will be finalized in time for the NATO summit in Washington in July, according to Van Weel.
One goal of the program is to help make Ukraine a large-scale tech provider once the war ends. NATO also wants to replicate some of the rapid tech adoption and deployment seen in Ukraine since the war started, Van Weel said.
Netherlands to allocate EUR 54M for drone production, including for Ukraine
The Dutch Defense Ministry is investing EUR 54 million to boost its military drones production capacity to help Ukraine.
Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren emphasized that it is about accelerating the production of military equipment for Ukraine and for its own needs. To this end, the Netherlands is seeking cooperation with other European partners.
Politics
Klympush-Tsintsadze: Only Hungary does not support opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU
"Why is it important (to approve the negotiation framework with the European Union) by the end of June? Because Hungary will preside over the European Union next after Belgium, and unfortunately, Hungary has already made it clear that it will not prioritise Ukraine's European integration. It has already announced its priorities for the presidency, and we are not on them. Therefore, it is important not to lose momentum and time, which is critical for the country's transformation," Klympush-said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union.
Energy
Government approves resolution to reduce power consumption - Shmyhal
"All public authorities are tasked with reducing electricity consumption. Today we are adopting a relevant government resolution. Ministries, central executive bodies, and regional state administrations should stop using air conditioners and external lighting of buildings and nearby areas," said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
According to him, law enforcement bodies, judicial bodies, and other government agencies should take similar steps, and local authorities should limit street lighting.
Society
A performance was held in Warsaw to mark the anniversary of the Russian occupiers blowing up the Kakhovskaya HPP
Within the framework of the performance, peaceful Ukrainian cities and villages that were flooded as a result of Russia's detonation of the Kakhovskaya HPP dam are symbolically depicted. During the action, its participants held placards with information about the crimes of undermining the Kakhovskaya HPP and the damage it caused to the residents and the ecosystem of the region.
Exclusion zone will receive funds for restoration from EBRD
"The agreement with the EBRD is a chance to restore the Exclusion Zone after the barbarism of the Russian occupiers: purchase of lost equipment, purchase of the latest firefighting equipment, updating the fire prevention and response system. All that will make the working conditions of more than 2,300 Chornobyl workers better," commented Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strelets.
Ukrhydroenergo preparing lawsuit with international arbitration over destruction of Kakhovka HPP
Ukrhydroenergo PrJSC is planning to file a lawsuit with the International Court of Arbitration against Russia with a demand for compensation for the damages caused by the destruction of Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP).
Ukrhydroenergo has already filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights against Russia to receive compensation for the damages caused by Russia’s unprovoked armed aggression against Ukraine. This lawsuit is related not only to Russia’s blowing up of Kakhovka HPP, but also an unfinished wind farm construction project on Snake [Zmiinyi] Island. The total amount of damages under the lawsuit is UAH 17 billion.
“Unfortunately, we did not receive an adequate response from the global community to the terrorist attack committed by Russians. Ukrhydroenergo has repeatedly called in public and continues to draw the attention of the international community to the need to take quick and decisive actions aimed at preventing the new man-made disasters at critical infrastructure facilities. However, the reaction of the world is insufficient,” said Ukrhydroenergo PrJSC CEO Ihor Syrota.
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