Belgium to provide Ukraine with 30 F-16 aircraft by 2028, first to arrive in 2024
The announcement accompanies news that President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Belgium on May 28 to sign a bilateral security agreement.
Western aid
Latvia to allocate $22 million for drone coalition for Ukraine in 2024
The Latvian government will invest around 20 million euros ($22 million) in the drone coalition for Ukraine this year, the public broadcaster LSM reported on May 27, citing the country's defense minister, Andris Spruds.
Russia making gains due to Western restrictions on where Ukraine can strike, Latvian president says
Russia's recent gains in Kharkiv Oblast are a direct consequence of Kyiv's partners not allowing strikes on military targets inside Russia with Western-supplied arms, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics told CNN on May 27.
Ukraine war latest: Kyiv strikes early-warning radar system 1,800 kilometers deep inside Russia
Key developments on May 27: * Ukrainian drone strikes Russian early-warning radar 1,800 kilometers away * France to send instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian soldiers, Syrskyi says * NATO Parliamentary Assembly supports Ukraine's right to hit targets inside Russia using Western arms * Ukraine, Spain sign bilateral security agreement * Russia claims capture
Ukraine, Spain sign bilateral security agreement
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez signed a bilateral security agreement between the two countries on May 27.
Swedish minister on Kyiv striking Russian soil with Western arms: 'Ukraine has right to defend itself'
"Ukraine has the right to defend itself through military actions aimed at the enemy's territory as long as the military actions comply with the laws of war," Jonson said.
Zelensky calls on allies to allow Ukraine to strike military targets on Russian soil with Western arms
President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Ukraine's partners to allow Kyiv to use Western weapons to strike military targets in Russia on May 26.
Stoltenberg joins growing calls to lift restrictions on Ukraine's ability to use Western weapons to strike Russia
"The time has come for allies to consider whether they should lift some of the restrictions they have put on the use of weapons they have donated to Ukraine," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
German defense minister: Ukraine receives another Iris-T air defense system from Germany
"We have once again delivered Iris-T SLM and Iris-T SLS combined fire unit to Ukraine – a highly modern and well-proven medium and short-range air defense system, directly from German industry production," Boris Pistorius said.
US announces new military package for Ukraine, including HIMARS rockets, artillery shells
The United States announced a new military package on May 24 worth $275 million, the U.S. Defense Department reported.
Germany delivers Leopard 1 tanks, drones, ammunition, other aid to Ukraine
Berlin has handed over 10 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, four Wisent 1 demining tanks, 1.8 million rounds of small arms ammunition, a Dachs armored engineer vehicle, and other aid in its latest delivery of military aid to Ukraine, the German government said on May 22.
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.
Ukraine to receive additional $4.5 billion from IMF's Extended Fund Facility in 2024
Ukraine is set to receive three additional tranches totaling $4.5 billion from the IMF's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) in 2024, according to the Ukrainian Finance Ministry.
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.
European Commission says Ukraine will receive first payment of revenue from frozen Russian assets in July
The European Commission said that the "resources will be available to support Ukraine starting from July 2024, with bi-annual payments."
Ukraine war latest: Russian missile ship Tsiklon struck in occupied Crimea, Ukraine's military says
Key developments on May 21: * General Staff confirms Russian missile ship Tsiklon struck in occupied Crimea * EU Council approves using Russian assets revenue to fund Ukraine * Politico: US may announce new military aid package for Ukraine this week * Reuters: Germany plans to up Ukraine military aid by 3.8 billion
Reuters: Germany plans to up Ukraine military aid by 3.8 billion euros
Initially criticized for its sluggish delivery of military aid to Ukraine following the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Germany has become the second-largest provider of military equipment after the U.S.
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.
Politico: US may announce new military aid package for Ukraine this week
The U.S. may announce a new military aid package for Ukraine later this week, Politico reported on May 20, citing two unnamed American officials.
Netherlands to supply Ukraine with additional YPR-765 armored vehicles
The Dutch government has sent Ukraine 207 YPRs of different types so far. The number of YPRs in the future batch has not been unveiled.
Every Western decision is late by a year, says Zelensky
Western partners have been deliberating key decisions on military assistance for Ukraine for "too long," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 20 in an interview with Reuters. The president described the delivery of aid, particularly badly needed air defense, as "one big step forward, but before that, two steps back."
Spain announces aid package for Ukraine containing Leopard tanks, Patriot missiles
The new package will contain the second batch of Leopard tanks, 155mm artillery shells, a new shipment of Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, anti-drone, optronic surveillance and tracking systems, and remote weapon turrets.
Austria to allocate nearly $5.4 million for Ukraine's energy infrastructure restoration
The allocated funds will be spent on urgently needed spare parts, generators, and repair lines, according to Der Standard.
Ukraine to receive 100 missiles from UK in May, UK defense secretary says
London also sent Kyiv more than 30 pallets of parts, including anti-mine equipment, over a million rounds of small arms ammunition, 20 Viking armored amphibious vehicles, and over 4,000 items of military clothing.
West's stance on Ukraine war 'completely nonsensical,' says UK defense secretary
The West's current stance on the war in Ukraine and delays in military aid are "completely nonsensical," the U.K's defense secretary said on May 19.
Lithuania to supply Ukraine with 6 radars within German-led air defense initiative
The approximate date of the radars' arrival in Ukraine, as well as the amount of Lithuanian contribution, were not specified.
Pentagon: Washington has not changed position on Ukrainian strikes in Russia with US arms
Washington has not changed its position on potential Ukrainian strikes with U.S.-supplied weapons on Russian territory, even after Russia had launched its offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said at a press briefing on May 16.
Ukraine asks US to lift ban on using American arms to strike at Russian territory
Ukrainian lawmakers are trying to convince Washington to allow Kyiv to strike at Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons, saying the ban prevented them from attacking Russian troops amassing near Kharkiv Oblast, Politico reported on May 14.
Bloomberg: US considers sending additional Patriot battery to Ukraine, sources say
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is working to supply Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery to help the country repel Russian aerial attacks, Bloomberg reported on May 15, citing undisclosed sources.
Latvia to allocate additional $11 million for Czech-led initiative to buy artillery shells for Ukraine
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said additional funds would allow the allies to buy over 3,000 rounds of 155 mm shells.
Zelensky to Blinken: Ukraine needs 2 Patriots to protect Kharkiv Oblast
Ukraine's head of state said that Ukrainian defenders went through a "tough period" in the east of the country, stressing that Kyiv hopes to see the U.S. assistance arriving as soon as possible, Ukrinform reported.
WSJ: Ukrainian air interception rates decline amidst heightened Russian attacks
Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian missile attacks has declined, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on May 13.
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Kremlin finds new enemies to target — Russians without kids
With Scholz's government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russia’s war rages on
