The new tranche brings total recent EU defense support for Ukraine to 3.3 billion euros ($3.6 billion), marking a significant expansion of European efforts to boost Kyiv's defense industry.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
Both men face charges related to terrorism and espionage. Daniil B. was detained in Lithuania, where he is in temporary custody, while Oleksandr V. remains at large in Russia.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
"We are ready for all options. But of course, we are separately waiting for a response on the ceasefire," a source close to President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Kyiv Independent.
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity.
Polish truckers plan to restrict freight traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's State Border Guard said on May 12.
"If the Russians are using this level of specialists in urban combat, they are probably facing some difficulties," Ivan Petrychak, spokesperson for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said.
Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a May 2024 arson attack on the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw.
"Perhaps in some areas, the intensity decreased slightly to create an image of compliance with their own announcement. But in reality, (Russia) continued attacks every day, using all available weapons — including aircraft to drop guided bombs on Ukraine," Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, said.
Beijing supports all efforts toward achieving peace in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on May 12 when asked about Kyiv and Europe's proposal for a 30-day truce.
"I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people," Zelensky said.
Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak voiced doubt about leading negotiations with anyone from Russia except President Vladimir Putin, implying only the Russian leader can make real decisions.
Ukrainian soldiers fire artillery on Russian positions on the front line in the city of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on July 27, 2023. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Russian troops are reportedly adapting their tactics by digging tunnels to launch assaults from closer to Ukrainian positions and using unmanned ground vehicles, Anton Kotsukon, the 110th Separate Mechanized brigade's spokesperson, said on air on Oct. 21.
Ukraine's reconnaissance units reportedly witnessed Russians using remote-controlled vehicles the size of cars to deliver ammunition, Kotsukon said.
The battle to defend Avdiivka is fierce because Russians keep bringing new resources into the fight, he continued.
"They have enough resources, very fierce battles continue every day, every day they throw new and new forces into the assaults - both personnel and armored vehicles, aviation, artillery," he said.
Russian troops continue to suffer losses in manpower and equipment during their attacks against Avdiivka, as seen in a video shared on social media by Ukraine's Special Operations Forces on Oct. 20.
The Ukrainian military reported earlier on Oct. 20 that Russia had renewed its attacks around Avdiivka, a heavily fortified Ukrainian-held town lying a few kilometers north of occupied Donetsk.
"However, our defenders are firmly holding the defenses and inflict considerable losses on the enemy," the Special Operations Forces reported.
During one of the recent skirmishes, the soldiers of the 3rd Separate Special Purpose Regiment detected a group of Russian armored vehicles moving toward Avdiivka.
Ukrainian defenders targeted the enemy force with drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, and mortars, halting their advance, the military reported.
Russian losses in this clash included four armored personnel carriers, two tanks, and dozens of soldiers. A drone footage published in the video captures several Russian vehicles sustaining what appear to be direct hits, in some instances followed by secondary explosions.
Moscow's troops intensified their attacks at Donetsk Oblast's Avdiivka last week in an effort to encircle the town.
Kyiv reported that Russian forces have suffered heavy casualties in both manpower and equipment during these attacks.
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
Francis Farrell
