Newsletter 16/05/2024
Daily news digest
On Ukrainian Embroidery Day, Ukrainians stitch victory
This year, on Ukrainian Embroidery Day, the theme is "Embroidering Victory." On May 16th, a presentation of the embroidered shirt "Combat Drone" took place at the Kiev Center for Psychological Recovery "Values." This shirt was created by the public organization "World Embroidery Day" in collaboration with the project "Embroidery in the Clothing of Prominent Ukrainians" specifically for Embroidery Day 2024. The main goal of the "Combat Drone" shirt is to raise funds for drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To see what the drone-shirt looks like and how to participate in this public initiative, check out the report by Ukrinform.
Top
Yermak-McFaul Group presents new action plan for economic pressure on Russia
The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions, headed by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Ambassador Michael McFaul, has presented a new action plan to further tighten sanctions pressure on Russia, Action Plan 3.0.
Zelensky: Russia won’t occupy Kharkiv if Ukraine gets two Patriot systems
President of Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine says several additional Patriot air defense systems are needed to protect Kharkiv from Russian attacks.
One of Russia’s targets now is gas infrastructure in western Ukraine – Zelensky
“One of Russia’s targets right now is our gas infrastructure in the west of Ukraine. Russia’s success in targeting it can put Europe’s entire energy security under threat. We must find a way to counter this challenge together,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a phone call with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
During the phone call, the Ukrainian President also informed Tusk about his trip to Kharkiv and the situation there. In particular, about Ukraine's urgent need for air defense to protect Kharkiv and other regions.
Attempt on Fico: Russian propaganda desperately trying to put blame on Ukraine
"The key threat to Ukraine now in the context of the attempt on Fico is Russian propaganda and disinformation. The Russians are trying to tie Ukraine and pro-Ukrainian forces to the tragedy in the media space as much as possible. That is, it is no longer a ‘head-on’ tactic (…). But the Russians are methodically working to tie Ukraine thematically to the tragedy, which caused shock and a negative reaction around the world", - said Dmytro Tuzhanskyi, chief of the Institute of Central European Strategy.
Russians' plans to gain foothold in Vovchansk thwarted
Since the beginning of the enemy's offensive on 10 May in the Kharkiv sector, the Defence Forces have used decisive actions to significantly reduce the activity of the Russian invaders. The enemy's plans to penetrate deeper into the urban area of Vovchansk and gain a foothold there have been thwarted. Since the beginning of the day, Ukrainian troops have continued to perform combat missions within the city limits of Vovchansk in the northern part of the city, keeping the enemy under fire control. The situation is under control.
Russia’s combat losses in Ukraine up by 1,520 in past 24 hours
Ukraine’s Defense Forces destroyed:
7,529 Russian tanks (+19 in the past day);
14,538 (+30) armored combat vehicles;
12,565 (+27) artillery systems;
1,070 MLR systems;
798 anti-aircraft warfare systems;
351 warplanes;
325 helicopters;
2,200 (+1) UAVs;
26 warships/cutters, a submarine;
17,048 (+93) vehicles and fuel tankers;
2,062 (+1) units of specialized equipment.
War
IM: Russians take local residents prisoner and shoot them dead in north of Vovchansk
In the northern part of Vovchansk, where active hostilities are taking place, the Russian military is taking civilians prisoner. Evacuations have also continued in that area until today, as the National Police of Ukraine has continued to evacuate people despite all the threats and under fire.
As of now, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, the Russian military, who were trying to gain a foothold in the city, did not allow local residents to evacuate: they started abducting people and driving them to basements, Klymenko said.
Russian troops advanced no more than eight kilometers in northern Kharkiv region - ISW
Russian forces have advanced no more than eight kilometers from the international border in the northern Kharkiv region and currently appear to be prioritizing the creation of a "buffer zone".
Enemy strikes damage 23 houses, kindergarten, medical facility in Kherson region
In the Kherson region, 12 apartment blocks and 11 private buildings, a medical facility, a kindergarten, and civilian cars were damaged by enemy shelling over the past day. As many as 19 people were injured.
Politics
At UN, Ukraine shares experience of strengthening resilience in face of cyberattacks
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization of Ukraine Anton Demiokhin spoke at the UN of Ukraine’s experience in cyber diplomacy and strengthening cyber resilience in the face of Russian aggression.
Economy
China’s nitrocellulose exports to Russia soar since invasion of Ukraine - media
China's exports to Russia of nitrocellulose, a dual-use component that can be used in munitions production, have skyrocketed since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, China sold Russia slightly over 700 tons of nitrocellulose while in 2023, that volume almost doubled, exceeding 1,300 tons.
From January to March 2024, about 110 tons worth of the compound was exported.
Defense
Denmark announces new military aid package for Ukraine worth EUR 750M
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced on Thursday a new package of military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 750 million.
Law and Order
Members of Putin ally’s propaganda ring nabbed in Kyiv
The Security Service of Ukraine exposed a Kyiv-based underground cell of the pro-Kremlin organization "Another Ukraine", run from Russia by Viktor Medvedchuk, an ex-MP accused of high treason.
Publications
Save Mariupol Defenders: Stories about Organized Struggle Pursued by POW’s Families
The Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families is the most renowned and currently most active NGO that is addressing challenges faced by Ukrainian veterans and prisoners of war. In the spring of 2022, the Association was founded by families of the Mariupol defenders in captivity, who were heroically defending the city at its last remaining bridgehead of defense - the Azovstal steel mill, and were forced to surrender to Russian captivity against Russia’s safety guarantees, following an order from President Zelensky. The initiative was launched with a mission to publicize the problems facing the Azovstal defenders still remaining in captivity, as well as organize events to facilitate rehabilitation of those released from Russian captivity. The Association is growing in renown, with the number of its followers amounting to over 75,000 on Instagram and approximately 42,000 on Facebook.
Photo
In Vinnytsia, a flashmob was held with an embroidered "declaration of love" from the Armed Forces of Ukraine
