Weekly newsletter
This is a newsletter of exclusive materials of Ukrinform for a week
Photo of the week:
A woman sits on a children's carousel in front of a high-rise residential building damaged by Russian military shelling, which is being demolished, Kharkiv, April 13, 2024.
Мaterials and Interviews:
Help to Ukraine
Long-awaited legislation heading to Senate for final passage
After the House votes, the Senate Majority Leader vowed to take the next step on Tuesday
The US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a major package of foreign aid bills containing funds for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with a response to America's other national security challenges. This vote, without exaggeration, became historic for our country, because it has finally put an end to the multi-month struggle against populism and apparently Kremlin-friendly rhetoric that penetrated Washington's Capitol Hill. This is how the Republican Congressmen, who have become tired of manipulations by their far-right colleagues from the MAGA faction, assess the situation. The package is expected to pass through the Senate vote and be signed into law by the US President within a few days’ time. Apparently, numbered days are left until the first shipment of desperately needed weapons and defense equipment is sent to Ukraine.
US defense aid:
The consequences of this seemingly endless, 7-month delay in aid and what we can achieve with new supplies
Not only did the delay in US aid drive some Ukrainians, especially civilians, into despair and apathy, it also cost our country dearly on the battlefield.
“Did the delay affect that much? Yes it did, and very much so. By blocking the aid, Trump and his supporters have done Ukraine the most damage of all, except, of course, Putin personally. They gave him such a gift that he could never hope for. According to the most optimistic Russian plans, Trump would first become president, and only then block aid for us. Trump, however, has managed to do it exactly one year earlier. And this blocking lasted for seven months. As a matter of fact, it’s Trump who is responsible for deaths of more than one thousand our soldiers, let alone the loss of Avdos," former platoon commander of the "Aidar" battalion, soldier Yevhen Dykiy, comments to Ukrinform.
Environment
Energy independence of Ukrainian business: path toward success and environmental protection
For the third year in a row, Ukraine celebrates the All-Ukrainian Day of the Environment in conditions of full-scale war. The Russians are purposefully destroying the energy infrastructure and causing irreparable damage to Ukraine's ecology. Meanwhile, responsible attitude toward the environment and introduction of green technology are among the requirements for Ukraine’s European integration. This is also about new prospects for improving and developing entrepreneurship, increasing exports in general, and, in general, this is a step toward future.
In such conditions, raising the level of awareness of Ukrainians regarding the preservation of environmental safety is of particular importance.
Fact Check
Russian propaganda produces fake about military summons in utility bills
Pro-Kremlin media outlets and pro-war Telegram channels are distributing a video that was allegedly filmed in the city of Smila in Ukraine's central Cherkasy region. In the video, a man shows a utility for natural gas consumption. A summons to the local military recruitment center was allegedly on the reverse side of the "document."
Fake
Russian propaganda passes off railway accident in Kazakhstan as ‘pro-Russian partisans’ actions in Ukraine
Russia is using fake news to promote a narrative about alleged support for Russian occupation in Ukraine
Pro-Kremlin media outlets, z-Telegram channels and Russian bots on the social media platform X, are spreading photos of a train that has derailed. The propagandists claim that the photo was taken in the Odesa region and that the derailment was allegedly caused by "pro-Russian Ukrainian partisans."
Top Videos:
Destruction from shelling
Consequences of falling rocket fragments in Odesa
As a result of the attack, fires broke out in the private sector. Residential buildings were destroyed. A woman and a child were in one of the buildings. They were successfully rescued.
Rescue workers and municipal services are engaged in dealing with the aftermath of the shelling.
Farewell
In the rain at Maidan, a farewell ceremony was held for a fallen medic from the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade.
Nazarii Lavrovskyi was 31 years old. He served as a medic with the 112th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. In 2022, Nazarii voluntarily enlisted in the military and evacuated our defenders from the "frontline." Before the full-scale war, he worked at the Center for Public Health in the area of rational use of antimicrobial drugs. He was the author of the first standards for medical assistance in the rational use of antibacterial and antifungal medications for both therapeutic and preventive purposes.
Nazarii Lavrovskyi will be buried in the Alley of Heroes at the Lisove Cemetery.
Russian terrorism
Missile strike on a residential building in Dnipro: many dead and injured, including children.
News that may affect events in the country:
Economy
Economy ministry expects to sign ACAA Agreement with EU as soon as possible
The Ukrainian Economy Ministry is working to accelerate the signing of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) with the European Union.
Missile Aid
German lawmaker: Scholz to keep seeking excuses against Taurus supplies to Ukraine
Washington's decision to provide Ukraine with longer-range cruise missiles should increase pressure on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz over the approval of Taurus missile supply to Ukraine but the head of government will continue to look for excuses.
International Diplomacy
After U.S. House vote, synchronization being observed in int’l arena - MP Mezentseva
"Now, after the decision of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress on the provision of aid to Ukraine, we are observing full synchronization of actions in the international diplomatic arena – on the provision of aid, weapons, anti-aircraft defense, and frozen assets," said Maria Mezentseva.
NATO's Security Challenge
NATO should shoot down missiles flying towards Poland or Romania – general
"NATO's narrative should be as follows: we warn Putin that any missile flying in our direction will be shot down. We say we are defending ourselves, and as part of that defense, we shoot down missiles flying in the direction of, for example, Poland or Romania,” said Waldemar Skrzypczak, a Polish expert and ex-commander of the Land Forces.
He explained that NATO should not say that it is helping Ukraine shoot down missiles in order to avoid engaging in a discussion with Russia about the West's alleged involvement in World War III, but rather emphasize the defense of the Alliance's territory.
Support for Ukraine
MFA finalizing strategy of creating global Ukrainian space - ambassador
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, together with other agencies, is finalizing the strategy of creating a global Ukrainian space, where every Ukrainian would feel apart of the global Ukrainian family and will help their home country on the path to Victory and recovery, and will also be willing to eventually return home at some point.
Economy
Banks overcome consequences of Russian missile attacks this spring – expert’s opinion
The banking system proved to be quite prepared, having endured Russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in March-April 2024. However, some difficulties were observed in the operation of bank offices in the most affected settlements.
See you next Friday!