Weekly newsletter
This is a newsletter of exclusive materials of Ukrinform for a week
Photo of the week:
Employees of the Limited Liability Agricultural Society "Start" during cleanup operations from the effects of Russian shelling on fields intended for sowing, Kharkiv region, April 20, 2024.
Мaterials and Interviews:
International relations
Denys Maslov, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy
The Ukrainian authorities and the democratic world as a whole are working hard creating a specialized tribunal that would have a mandate to prosecute the crime of aggression committed by the leadership of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Denys Maslov, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy, a member of the working group on the creation of the special tribunal, in an interview to Ukrinform, was speaking about the progress achieved in this regard and about an international compensation mechanism for damages arising out of Russia’s invasion. The interview additionally touched on staffing issues in Ukraine’s judicial system, and on the parliamentary work in this area.
Defending Ukraine's Borders
Andrii Demchenko, Spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine
April 30 marks Ukrainian Border Guards Day. This is another such day celebrated amid ongoing Russia’s war in Ukraine, and it’s only reasonable that some topics of significance have to remain under the seal of secrecy. On the eve of the Border Guards Day celebrations Ukrinform managed to meet and talk with Andrii Demchenko, an aide to the chief of the State Border Service of Ukraine - press secretary of the Service, about issues related to border security, detection and defeat of hostile subversion and recon groups (SRGs), detention of persons liable for compulsory military service during attempted escape from the country, as well as the border guards’ heroic service at the Front.
Diaspora
Marta Barandiy, Belgian-Ukrainian, Flanders’ Nominee for European Parliament for June Election
When there’s talk about Ukrainians most recognisable in Brussels, Marta Barandiy, the founder of NGO “Promote Ukraine,” is certainly among these people. She can be met at rallies and demonstrations under Ukrainian flags, at the points of humanitarian aid collection for Ukraine, at official events in European institutions, among volunteers, and also during communication with Ukrainians whom Russia’s war has torn from their homes and who were have been forced to seek refuge in Belgium.
It happened that Marta Barandiy first studied abroad, interned at the European Parliament, started a family and adopted Belgian citizenship. But she did not lose contact with her Motherland. She created the Belgium-based NGO “Promote Ukraine,” which, especially after the full-scale Russian aggression broke out, turned into Ukraine’s public voice in Brussels and other Belgian cities.
Marta Barandiy has stopped social activities, for the time being, while she continues to be engaged in political activities. This Ukrainian woman, perhaps, for the first time in history, became number one on the party list of the Flemish party in the European Parliament elections, which will be held this June. Marta Barandiy tells Ukrinform how it happened, what ideas she is going to the elections with, how she assesses her chances and whether she will continue to defend Ukraine.
Security
Second Wind for Ramstein. Focus on Speedy Decision-Making and Implementation
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (known as Ramstein Group) on this April 22 turned two years old. It is symbolic that these days our allies, heads of defense departments from 50 countries from across the world gathered for a new meeting - the twenty-first in a row, which was held online.
For the modern world and a modern a war especially, two years is a distance of cosmic scale. We pay tribute and are very grateful to Ramstein for the vital assistance they are providing to Ukraine amid war. But now it is becoming obvious that the format needs to be updated and upgraded with improvements fed in from the acquired experience. This is, first and foremost, about the speed of work by analytical teams, and therefore the speed of decision making and implementation processes.
Fact check
Bombs and disinformation: Russia’s campaign to depopulate Kharkiv
Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv, is currently the Kremlin’s number one target. Since the start of 2024, Kharkiv has been the primary focus of a Russian bombing campaign that has sought to capitalize of Ukraine’s dwindling supplies of air defense ammunition in order to terrorize the civilian population and destroy vital infrastructure.
The Kremlin’s goal is to make Kharkiv “unlivable” and force a large percentage of its approximately 1.3 million residents to flee. Moscow hopes this will demoralize Ukraine and pave the way for the city’s capture by Russian forces during a widely anticipated summer offensive in the coming months.
Energy-independent
Solar Power Generation Unit on Top of Irpin Lyceum: Not Only About Energy Efficiency
German philanthropists will help hundreds of Ukrainian schools become energy independent
On April 18, the results of a fundamentally new reconstruction effort for local educational facilities damaged at the outset of the large-scale invasion two years ago were solemnly presented in Irpin, Kyiv region. A solar power generation unit with an energy storage system was installed on the roof of the reconstructed Irpin Lyceum No. 1. The plant will allow reducing the school’s annual electricity consumption by 30-40% and, in case of blackouts, keeping the educational process running.
Top Videos:
Defenders of the sky
Mobile fire groups of Odesa showed how they protect the sky from enemy UAVs
Mobile fire teams are trained crews of military personnel who protect the sky from enemy UAVs. After the appropriate signal, the group urgently sets off in the specified direction on an all-terrain vehicle. A powerful searchlight helps detect drones at night. With the help of its illumination, fighters can aim and shoot.
Unbreakable warriors
At the competition in Kyiv, the fighters of the Special Forces Brigade " Liut" (Rage) showed their strength of spirit, will and thirst for victory
This Sunday, April 28, Kyiv hosted the Kyiv Unbreakable sports and recreation event with the participation of the Liut (Rage) Specialized Training Center. It was a competition in sports and rehabilitation adaptive sports such as archery, bench press, rowing on a simulator and Strongman. In 2024, the event was attended by about 200 veterans from 10 regions of Ukraine and more than 150 soldiers and cadets.
Terrorist strike
Consequences of the missile attack on Odesa on April 29
News that may affect events in the country:
War
24th Brigade's UAV battalion destroys 30 enemy tanks, over 90 combat vehicles since 2024
In the first four months of 2024, fighters with the drone strike battalion of the 24th Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo destroyed 30 tanks and more than 90 infantry fighting vehicles of the Russians.
Law
Tribunal for Russian criminals will not be like previous ones - Head of VR Committee
"The tribunal for Russian criminals definitely cannot be a compilation of the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals for several reasons. Firstly, the previous tribunals were established only after the defeat of the aggressor country and the detention of its leadership," Maslov noted.
Resonance
Murder of Ukrainian soldiers in Bavaria: Munich prosecutors do not rule out political motive
The public prosecutor general’s office in Munich has taken over the investigation into the murder of Ukrainian soldiers in Bavaria, as a political motivation for the crime cannot be ruled out.
Understanding
Ambassador Zvarych hopes that the blockade of the border between Ukraine and Poland will end
The complete cessation of the blockade of the border with Ukraine by Polish farmers is the result of a consistent dialogue between Kyiv and Warsaw at the highest and highest levels, as well as the involvement of farmers' associations of both countries.
The only position
No talks possible with Russia on Crimea
There can be no negotiations with Russia regarding Crimea so Ukraine continues to work within the framework of the Crimea Platform so that the problem of the temporary occupation of the peninsula remains on the radar of the international community.
Integration
Economy ministry expects to sign ACAA Agreement with EU as soon as possible
“In October 2020, the European Union launched a preliminary assessment mission to determine the readiness of Ukraine’s quality infrastructure for the conclusion of the ACAA Agreement. The inspection ended in July 2023. The findings indicate progress in bringing the Ukrainian legislation in all areas of quality infrastructure closer to the core provisions of the EU. Following the mission, we received a number of recommendations, and are actively implementing them now,” Kindrativ told.
See you next Friday!