Weekly newsletter
This is a newsletter of exclusive materials of "Ukrinform" for a week
Photo of the week:
Photojournalists of Ukrinform record life during the war.
Мaterials:
Politics
Zelensky's visit to Turkey: Formula for peace and cooperation
At the end of last week, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky paid a visit to Turkey. The delegation included the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Strategic Industries.
The visit was planned earlier, but the President's busy international schedule prevented it. The visit to Turkey took place in a "lightning round" format: the delegation visited the corvettes that Turkey is building for the Ukrainian Navy at a shipyard near Istanbul, arrived at the talks between the presidents and delegations at the Dolmabahce Palace, and immediately after the talks, late in the evening, left for Ukraine.
Obviously, this was also a sign of respect for Turkish believers, as the visit took place on the last working day before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, when (especially in the first week) they prefer to focus on the spiritual rather than the mundane.
Another lie
‘Useful expert' from US invents Pentagon's plan to evacuate Zelensky to Lviv
The Hong Kong-based Asia Times and leading Russian media outlets spreading information that "the Pentagon is undoubtedly developing plans to rescue President Zelensky" in the event of a "collapse of his government". The article’s author, Stephen Bryen, is a former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (1981-1988) who now positions himself as a "leading expert in security strategy and technology". The article contains an unjustified analogy between this “plan” and the liberation of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from prison by German special forces in 1943. Additionally, it claims that Lviv is the most likely place where the Pentagon could take Zelensky. The article was originally published on the Substack platform and includes many Russian narratives.
Factcheck
Russia propaganda continues to spread fake photos with German tractors
Farmers' protests ended a long time ago, but propagandists keep fabricating anti-Ukrainian posters
Current Events
Explaining complex things in simple words:
anti-putin resistance movement in russia;
prospects for engaging foreign troops;
"transport visa-free regime" with the EU.
Economy
Outflow of money from bank deposits: will trend last?
Along with insignificant amounts of international aid in January and February, another unpleasant news for the financial sector at the beginning of the year was the record outflow of deposits from the banking system during the war. As with any negative news, the media and social media immediately spread the news. However, the National Bank reassures us that there was indeed a slight decrease, but Ukrainians still have much more money on their bank deposits than before the war. But there is no smoke without fire. Let's look at the reasons and factors.
Top Videos:
War
Modern fortifications are being built in the Zaporizhzhia region
Along the Zaporizhzhia frontline, construction of modern fortification structures continues. One of the defense lines was shown to Ukrinform correspondents by military personnel providing consultations to contractors responsible for the construction.
"Builders adhere to all standards, construction progresses according to approved plans. Everything is being built with maximum quality to ensure all structures perform their tasks effectively," says a military member with the call sign "Zhuravel."
Construction proceeds both day and night. The defense line is brought close to NATO standards. Military personnel emphasize that all infrastructure along the frontline must be protected. For instance, firing positions are clad with anti-cumulative lattice, providing additional protection, and gabions are installed nearby.
Contractors are currently assembling concrete "capsules" for personnel, erecting firing positions for shooters, constructing communication trenches, anti-tank ditches, and installing so-called "dragon's teeth."
Previously reported, Zaporizhzhia region received 1.3 billion hryvnias for fortification construction. The quality of the work is monitored by the Ministry of Defense and military brigades.
Art during the war
About the war and victory of Ukraine: the works of Ukrainian artists were presented at an art exhibition in Turkey
The Ukrainian stand was presented at the ARTAnkara Contemporary Art Fair, which is one of the main annual art events in Turkey.
This year, Ukrainian artists - representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora from Ankara and Istanbul - presented their works.
Women's rights protection
"Rebell, love, don't give up your rights!" An action for women's rights was held in the center of Kyiv
Activists staged an action for women's rights near the Department of Education and Science of the Kyiv region. The participants of the action called for a fight against sexism in education, the army and in the professional environment.
News that may affect events in the country:
Demining
About 330,000 ha of agricultural lands cleared of mines across Ukraine in 2023
Last year about 330,000 hectares of agricultural lands were cleared of mines across Ukraine, and they will be used as crop areas in 2024.
War
Ukrainian drones attack three Russian refineries overnight Wednesday - source
Ukrainian drones, launched by Security Service (SBU) operators, attacked three oil refineries in Russia’s Riazan, Kstovo (Nizhniy Novgorod region), and Kirisha (Leningrad region) in the early hours of Wednesday.
Compensation for damages
War Damage Register to be open for applications from victims starting April - Justice Ministry
Starting from April, the international register of damages caused to Ukraine by the Russian war will be open for applications from victims.
According to the official, the secretariat "will collect, process, systematize, group, and file applications in the appropriate sections."
See you next Friday!