Lithuania's incumbent president declares victory in runoff vote
Lithuania's incumbent President Gitanas Nauseda on May 26 declared a landslide victory in the presidential runoff vote, securing his second term in office.
Martin Fornusek
Articles
NYT: Russia steps up sabotage operations in Europe to undermine Ukraine aid, intelligence officials say
U.S. and allied intelligence officials have noted a growing number of low-level sabotage operations in Europe that seem to be a part of Russia's effort to undermine assistance for Ukraine, the New York Times (NYT) reported on May 26.
Dragon Capital firm complains about pressure from authorities, Bureau of Economic Security denies
The Dragon Capital investment group has come under undue pressure by the Bureau of Economic Security over activities of one of the company's key assets, the company said on May 24.
NABU first deputy director suspended amid leak investigation
Gizo Uglava, the first deputy director of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), was suspended amid an ongoing investigation into a possible leak from the agency, NABU said on May 24.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 10, injure 48 over past day
Russian attacks against Ukraine killed at least 10 people and injured at least 48 over the past day, the vast majority of them in Kharkiv Oblast, regional officials reported early on May 24.
US imposes travel restrictions on politicians 'undermining democracy in Georgia'
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said he is launching a review of U.S.-Georgian relations and voiced hope that Georgia's leaders will reconsider the law.
Polish Senate chair arrives in Kyiv on official visit
"This is an important visit for the development of interparliamentary cooperation and strengthening of Ukrainian-Polish relations," said Ukranie's parliament deputy chair, Olena Kondratiuk.
Conscript deemed fit for service dies in enlistment office due to 'rapid health deterioration'
The person's health "rapidly deteriorated" on May 23, upon which he was given first aid and medics were summoned, who could only declare him dead upon their arrival, the statement read.
Putin wants to involve Belarus in nuclear drills
During his visit to Belarus, Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to discuss the participation of the Belarusian military in Russia's non-strategic nuclear drills, the Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reported on May 24.
First group of Ukrainian pilots passes F-16 training in US
The aviators will now move to Europe for additional training, Politico wrote, citing an undisclosed source.
Kuleba calls for additional Patriots in wake of 'heinous attack' on Kharkiv
"This heinous attack must remind everyone around the world that Ukraine still urgently needs seven 'Patriot' systems," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on X, thanking Germany for pledging an additional system last month.
Russian attack on Kharkiv kills 7, injures 21
Russian forces launched attacks against Kharkiv Oblast on May 23, killing at least seven people in Kharkiv and injuring at least 20, as well as at least 11 elsewhere in the oblast, as reported by local officials and a Kyiv Independent reporter.
Russian media: Gerasimov's deputy detained over suspected bribery
Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, the deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff and head of the Main Directorate of Communications, was detained for allegedly receiving a large bribe, the Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reported on May 23, citing a court statement.
NYT: Blinken favors lifting ban on Ukrainian strikes inside Russia with US arms
After his "sobering visit" to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wants the White House to allow Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory with American-supplied arms, The New York Times (NYT) reported on May 22, citing undisclosed official sources.
Baltic countries to push for 2.5% of GDP defense spending minimum during NATO summit
The defense ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia met in the Lithuanian town of Palanga on May 22 and agreed on their key goals ahead of the upcoming NATO summit, including an allied commitment to invest at least 2.5% of GDP in defense.
On a knife-edge: Slovak PM shooting widens societal rift, feeds disinformation
In an unprecedented and shocking event, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was grievously injured when an attacker fired several shots at him in the town of Handlova after a government meeting on May 15. Fico remains hospitalized in "serious condition," and the motive of the detained suspected attacker, identified by
Minister: Russian drone attacks police car near Vovchansk, kills officer
Russian forces launched a drone at a police car during evacuation efforts near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, killing one officer and injuring another, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on May 22.
Ukrainians have purchased $25 billion in domestic government bonds since start of full-scale war
"Thanks to the funds raised from domestic government bonds, we were able to finance more than 200 days of our security and defense, which is equivalent to 15% of Ukraine's GDP (gross domestic product) in 2023. Investments in government bonds have become the second largest source of financing for the State Budget after international aid," Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said.
Ex-deputy head of Presidential Office Smyrnov charged with illicit enrichment
While Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) did not say the name of the suspect, Ukrainska Pravda reported earlier in the day, citing undisclosed law enforcement sources, that it was Andrii Smyrnov.
Parliament votes to create temporary commission for fortifications
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted on May 22 to create a special temporary commission on fortifications, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said.
Sweden plans to allocate $7 billion in military aid to Ukraine between 2024-2026
"Sweden will increase the support, as the framework amounts to 75 billion Swedish krona in military support for the years 2024–2026, which is 25 billion Swedish krona ($2.3 billion) per year," according to the statement.
Updated: Russian attack on Chuhuiv in Kharkiv Oblast injures 7
Russian forces attacked the central part of the Chuhuiv town in Kharkiv Oblast in the morning on May 22, damaging a kindergarten and injuring at least seven people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.
Politico: US Republicans slam Biden's military assistance to Haiti, claim it undermines Ukraine aid
Some senior U.S. Republicans criticized the presidential administration's decision to direct military aid to Haiti from Pentagon stocks, claiming it could have otherwise been sent to Ukraine, Politico reported on May 21.
Reuters: India's Russian oil imports in April highest in 9 months
India's imports of Russian oil rose to a nine-month high after shipments from non-sanctioned tankers of the Russian Sovcomflot company resumed, Reuters reported on May 21, citing data from shipping and trade sources.
EU Council approves using Russian assets revenue to fund Ukraine
"Up to 3 billion euros ($3.26 billion) (could be raised) only this year, 90% goes for Ukraine's military. Russia must pay for its war damages," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said.
Law enforcement agencies search State Judicial Administration premises
Officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) are carrying out searches at the premises of the State Judicial Administration, the judicial body announced on May 21.
Bloomberg: Germany ready to back US plan to tap Russian assets revenue for funding Ukraine
Washington's proposal envisions borrowing against future profits from the frozen assets and transferring the money to Kyiv upfront from a Group of Seven (G7) loan.
German FM in Kyiv: Germany's air defense initiative collects close to 1 billion euros
Upon her arrival, Baerbock underscored Ukraine's need for air defenses to help repel Russian aerial attacks. "That's why, together with Defense Minister (Boris) Pistorius, I launched a global initiative for more air defense. Almost a billion euros have now been raised to provide additional support for the Ukrainian air defense forces, and we are working intensively to ensure that there is even more," she said.
Governor: Ukraine strikes Russian base in occupied Luhansk's suburb
A Ukrainian rocket attack targeted a Russian military base in occupied Luhansk's suburb of Yuvileine on May 20, said the governor of Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast, Artem Lysohor, citing local residents.
Russian media: Oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai damaged after drone attack
A unit of an oil refinery in the Russian town of Slavyansk-on-Kuban was damaged in a drone attack, the Russian state-owned media RIA Novosti claimed on May 20, citing a source in the operating company.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 12, injure 55 over past day
The vast majority of the civilian casualties were reported in Kharkiv Oblast, where 12 people were killed and 40 injured, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Ukraine to introduce power outages across country late on May 20
Ukraine will introduce hourly energy shutdowns for industrial and household consumers in all oblasts from 6:00 p.m. local time on May 20 until midnight.
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