Newsletter 14/05/2024
Daily news digest
Top
Blinken in Kyiv: U.S. determined to ensure Ukraine’s battlefield success
A strong, successful, prosperous, free Ukraine is the best possible rebuke to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, and the United States, along with many other partners, is determined to ensure Ukraine's battlefield success.
Source: Official channel of the President of Ukraine - Zelenskiy / Official/Telegram
Zelensky to Blinken: Ukraine needs two Patriot systems to protect Kharkiv region
"I want to discuss with you today about some — I think –– very important issues. The first: the decision on the package was crucial. For us very important to get it as quick as possible. The second point is air defense – the biggest deficit for us. I think that the biggest problem," said President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.
According to Zelensky, two Patriots are needed today for Kharkiv, Kharkiv region. "Because the people are under attack. Civilians, everybody worries that they are under Russian attacks," Zelenskyi reports.
Shmyhal, Blinken discuss another military aid package for Ukraine worth $400M
"I had a meeting with Antony Blinken. The U.S. Secretary of State and I discussed another military aid package totaling $400 million. I stressed the need to strengthen air defense in Ukraine, particularly for the protection of energy facilities. I received an assurance that the United States is working in this area," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
Russia to go on offensive toward Sumy next, Ukraine’s top spy predicts
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the HUR, Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency, believes Russian assaults in Kharkiv region will continue for another three to four days, after which the invasion forces troops are expected to make a decisive offensive toward the city of Sumy.
Russian attack on Kharkiv: 20 people injured, among them three children
"During ground battles in the Kharkiv sector, the enemy does not stop his attempts to terrorize the civilian population of the regional center. Today, in daylight, the enemy carried out seven airstrikes on a residential area in Kharkiv," - said head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.
War
Drone hits freight train carrying fuel in Russia’s Volgograd region
At least one unmanned aerial vehicle attacked a cargo train carrying fuel in Russia’s Volgograd region overnight Tuesday.
The incident occurred at around 1:00 near the Kotluban rail station. No casualties have been reported.
As a result of the drone attack, two fuel tanks caught fire. According to tentative reports, one tank exploded, which led to a fuel spill.
Russian shelling kills two people in Vovchansk community
As a result of hostilities, two locals were killed in the Vovchansk community of the Chuhuiv district on May 14. An 80-year-old woman was killed in enemy shelling that occurred in the town of Vovchansk at 11:55. A private house caught fire. In the village of Hatyshche, an 83-year-old civilian died after suffering a shrapnel wound
Two volunteers missing in Vovchansk as reports say they were “shot at” by Russian troops
Two volunteers went missing in the town of Vovchansk, Kharkiv region. According to witnesses, they were shot atby the Russian military.
"These same days, while the fighting was going on for the town, two volunteers drove to Vovchansk in their own car to evacuate a local family. But they never reached the address as they went missing. We are already investigating the case, but unfortunately, according to tentative reports and data we have from witnesses, both were shot at by the Russian military. One of them is likely wounded and the other did not survive," - That’s according to Serhiy Bolvinov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Police Investigative Department, announced this on Facebook.
Russians installed barriers across Sevastopol Bay for anti-drone protection
The Russian invasion forces installed floating barriers across the Sevastopol Bay to protect the remaining fleet against Ukrainian sea drones.
HUR unveils list of over 30 Russian war criminals attacking Ukraine with cruise missiles
Operatives and analysts with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) have identified the personnel of the management and command of the units of the 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division of the Russian Aerospace Forces (military unit 06987, Engels airfield, Saratov region) involved in launching missile strikes on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure.
Politics
U.S. preparing another defense aid package for Ukraine - Sullivan
Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, says Washington is preparing a new defense assistance package for Ukraine, which will be announced in the coming days.
Economy
EU extends duty-free trade with Ukraine for another year - Ministry of Agrarian Policy
The European Union has approved the decision to extend autonomous trade measures for Ukraine for another year, until June 5, 2025. For some types of agricultural products, separate requirements have been introduced, based on average export volumes for the second half of 2021-2023.
Defense
Croatia to help Ukraine clear mines
Croatia and Ukraine have signed a memorandum on cooperation between the two countries' mine action centers.
The memorandum provides for the exchange of experience in the field of humanitarian demining; cooperation in implementing innovative projects in the field of technologies and techniques for detecting explosive items; the development of joint training programs and initiatives to improve the skills of specialists in humanitarian demining; as well as strengthening advocacy and public awareness of international standards and best practices in the field of humanitarian demining.
Publications
Explaining complex things in simple words
Fighting in Kharkiv region;
U.S. aid;
coalition strengthening.
The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.