Newsletter 20/03/2024
Daily news digest
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Body of fifth person killed in Russian strike on Kharkiv recovered from rubble
An explosion occurred in Kharkiv at around 13:00. The Russians hit a printing house, a workshop for the production of furniture and paint products. A large-scale fire is being extinguished.
Ukraine to start using Ukraine Facility funds today – PM Shmyhal
Ukraine will start using funds received from its European partners under the Ukraine Facility programme to pay pensions, salaries, and other state needs from today.
Shmyhal, European Council president discuss use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with President of the European Council Charles Michel to discuss the importance of legal and practical solutions to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs.
Ukraine receives EUR 4.5B within Ukraine Facility - Shmyhal
Ukraine has received EUR 4.5 billion as part of transitional financing envisaged by the Ukraine Facility, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.
Ammo for Ukraine: Lithuania donates EUR 35M to Czechia’s initiative
Lithuania has allocated EUR 35 million for the initiative put forward by the Czech Republic for the purchase of artillery rounds for Ukraine from third countries.
Humeniuk: Russian railway, ‘alternative’ to Kerch Bridge - legitimate target for AFU
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's statement about the construction of a railway to occupied Crimea through Donbas shows that Russians are no longer confident about the Kerch Bridge. That railway will be a legitimate target for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
War
Ukrainian drones attack Russia's Engels Air Base - source
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) attacked the Engels Air Base in Russia's Saratov region with drones on the night of March 19-20.
Southern war zone: Russia suffers 140 casualties, loses 12 artillery systems in past day
Defense Forces South left 140 invaders wounded or killed, as well as destroyed 12 artillery systems, 10 armored vehicles, and a field supply point in the past 24 hours.
Russians strike village in Donetsk region, killing two civilians
"Two people were killed and one wounded in an air strike on Maksymivka in the Vuhledar community," said the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration.
Economy
Ukraine together with UN developing new routes for Grain from Ukraine programme – Zelensky
“Our humanitarian food programme ‘Grain from Ukraine’ is also working and has delivered dozen thousands of tons of grain and wheat to Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia… And I am grateful to all contributing donor countries. Now together with the UN World Food Programme we are planning new routes for the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ to tackle famine in Gaza and Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other nations,” Zelensky said.
Politics
Trump's statements forcing EU countries, Turkiye explore "defense autonomy" - media
U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's statement that the U.S. will not protect Allies from Russian aggression if they fail to achieve defense spending at the level of 2% of GDP forces Europe and Türkiye to seriously consider "defense autonomy".
Defense
Umerov, Austin discuss planning of Ukraine's defense needs
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have discussed in detail the planning of Ukraine's defense needs.
Czech FM: First 300,000 shells for Ukraine will provide 'few months' breathing space' on frontline
Lipavsky said the Czech Republic hopes to deliver the shells "within months" to help "contain Russia's imperialistic ambitions," increasing speculation Ukraine could have boosted stocks from June.
Exclusive
Explaining complex things in simple words:
provision of ammunition;
situation in Sumy Oblast;
access to Russian assets.