Newsletter 13/05/2024
Daily news digest
More than 1,700 civilians evacuated from three communities in Kharkiv region
Police officers have already evacuated more than 1,700 civilians from the Tsyrkuny, Lyptsi, and Vovchansk territorial communities of the Kharkiv region, which are currently under Russian shelling.
Top
Ukraine takes down Russia’s Alligator helicopter
The 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine’s Armed Forces shot down a famed Russian attack helicopter, the Ka-52 Alligator.
Russia’s defense minister replacement suggests Kremlin preparing for protracted war in Ukraine - ISW
Andrei Belousov's appointment to the position of Russian Defense Minister is linked to corruption levels in the Russian Defense Ministry and suggests that the Kremlin continues to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine.
Belousov has no military experience and is an economist by trade. Several Russian insider sources similarly responded to Belousov's new position and claimed that it shows that Putin has serious concerns over corruption levels and misuse of funds within the Russian military, conflicts between the military and the Russian DIB, and the perceived inefficacy of the Russian MoD as a whole.
EU extends trade support for Ukraine for one more year
The Council of the EU has finally approved the extension of Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) with Ukraine, which suspends the application of customs duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU.
Russian air defense base in Crimea comes under attack - media
On May 13, at around 06:00, several missiles attacked military unit 85683 on Mount Ai-Petri in southern Crimea. The military unit's territory was damaged. The commander of military unit 85683 Alexander Kulakov and another invader were killed. There are wounded, their number is still unknown.
War
More than 1,700 civilians evacuated from three communities in Kharkiv region
Russian military captures civilians from Vovchansk community
Russian forces launched artillery and air strikes on Vovchansk on May 13, wounding four men and a woman.
Russians strike at farm in Kharkiv region - one killed, three injured
Two civilians killed in Russian shelling of Kherson region
Enemy shells village in Kherson region, injuring civilian man
Russian troops hit Selydove with missiles, damage houses, educational institution
British intel comments on Russian forces using light "all-terrain vehicles"
British intelligence has noted the increasing use of light all-terrain vehicles and motorbikes by the Russian army, noting that this has both certain edges and disadvantages.
Analysts recalled how in November 2023, Putin personally inspected newly acquired Chinese Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles. Reports suggested Russia had purchased over 2,100 of these vehicles.
SBU thwarts four terror attacks in Kyiv
Counter-intelligence operatives with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) prevented at least four terrorist attacks that Russian intelligence assets had plotted to commit on May 9 in shopping centers and outside a city café.
Politics
Zelensky signs law to ensure transparency of local self-government
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved amendments to the Law "On Local Self-Government in Ukraine," which provide for the broadcasting of meetings of local councils after the war.
Austria backs idea to send Ukraine proceeds from immobilized Russian assets
Austria supports the development within the EU of a plan for the use for Ukraine’s needs of windfall profits off the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank, and will not prevent the EU from financing the nation’s defense needs.
Economy
Naftogaz, Swedfund sign memorandum to modernize CHPPs, develop renewable energy
Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC and Swedfund International AB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish cooperation in projects on the modernization of combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) and renewable energy development in Ukraine.
Publications
Russian propaganda creates video fakes about May 9 symbols in Berlin and New York
Russian and Belarusian media outlets, including those that cater to foreign audiences, Spanish- and Turkish-language news sites, and numerous Russian bots on Telegram, YouTube, and X, as well as some Ukrainian media outlets, are spreading a video that they claim is from the center of Berlin.The video shows one of Germany’s best-known landmarks, the Brandenburg Gate, which is allegedly illuminated by the Soviet Union flag. In the posts, propagandists claim that Russian hackers hacked the projection on the Brandenburg Gate.