Artillery Rocket-Firing Ukrainian Drone Boat Shown During Testing (www.twz.com)
Ukrainian officials claim that the drone boat, fitted with Grad artillery rockets, has already been used in combat.
Prosecutor's Office: Over 2,500 gambling websites blocked in Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
More than 2,500 gambling websites that had operated without a license were blocked in Ukraine as of April 27, the Prosecutor General's Office reported.
As Russian casualties surge, Kremlin's new defense minister says he wants 'minimal losses' (kyivindependent.com)
According to Ukraine's figures, Moscow lost the most number of soldiers in a single day since the start of the full-scale invasion – 1,740 – on May 12.
Eagles shifting flight paths to avoid Ukraine conflict, scientists find (www.theguardian.com)
Vulnerable birds deviating from migratory routes by up to 155 miles, which could affect breeding
French parliament calls for "lifting taboo" on Kyiv's ban on strikes against Russia (www.ukrinform.net)
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, Jean-Louis Bourlanges, calls on his country to change its doctrine and no longer prohibit Ukraine from striking Russian territory. — Ukrinform.
Russian media: Oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai damaged after drone attack (kyivindependent.com)
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.
Estonian PM: NATO training soldiers in Ukraine won't escalate war (kyivindependent.com)
The NATO allies' fears that sending troops to Ukraine to train the country's soldiers could draw them into war with Russia "are not well-founded," Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in an interview with the Financial Times published on May 20.
Governor: Ukraine strikes Russian base in occupied Luhansk's suburb (kyivindependent.com)
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.
Austin at Ramstein: US has 'already delivered many of Ukraine's top priority requirements' (kyivindependent.com)
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described the ongoing defense against the Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast as a "hard and dangerous fight."
Modi confirms India's participation in Ukraine's Global Peace Summit (kyivindependent.com)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet confirmed his own attendance. “The level of participation will depend on timing, logistics, and parallel commitments,” Modi said.
Austria to allocate nearly $5.4 million for Ukraine's energy infrastructure restoration (kyivindependent.com)
The allocated funds will be spent on urgently needed spare parts, generators, and repair lines, according to Der Standard.
New Zealand announces new sanctions over Russia's war against Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
The restrictions target actors purportedly involved in the transfer of North Korean arms to Russia for use against Ukraine and Iranian actors providing military aid to Moscow.
Source: Ukrainian drones attack Russian defense manufacturer's facilities in Tula (kyivindependent.com)
Drones operated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) hit production facilities of the state-owned Russian weapons manufacturing company "Basalt" in the city of Tula overnight on May 16, a military intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent.
Netherlands' incoming coalition government reaffirms support for Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
Under outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the Netherlands has been a staunch ally of Ukraine, being one of the few partners to pledge F-16 fighter jets.
New York Times: NATO member states considering sending military instructors to Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
Some NATO member states are discussing the possibility of sending military instructors or contractors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops and assist with equipment repairs, the New York Times reported on May 16.
UK Defense Ministry: Ukraine's economy to grow by 3% in 2024 (kyivindependent.com)
"Despite attacks by Russia on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, it is likely that Ukraine will see real economic growth of around 3 percent in 2024," the ministry said.
US imposes sanctions on Russians who helped transport weapons from North Korea to Russia (kyivindependent.com)
With Russia's military stocks running low and domestic production capacity simultaneously hampered by Western sanctions, North Korea has been shaping up as Russia's leading weapons supplier, reportedly providing Moscow with extensive military packages, including ballistic missiles and over 3 million artillery shells.
Reuters: G7 will support using frozen Russian assets revenue to fund Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
The G7 finance ministers are set to meet on May 24, where they will work out the details to come to a final decision before a summit in Italy in June.
Ukraine war briefing: Kharkiv campaign won’t deliver major Russian breakthrough – Nato general (www.theguardian.com)
Ukraine accuses invaders of killing civilians and setting up human shields; sanctions over North Korean arms supply to Russia. What we know on day 814
Denmark announces more than $815 million in new military assistance for Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
"With today's donation, we meet Ukraine's urgent need for more air defense, artillery, and ammunition," said Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
Glide bombs help Russia gain land in Ukraine. What makes them so effective? (kyivindependent.com)
One critical factor in Russia's recent battlefield successes in Ukraine is its extensive use of glide bombs. Every week, hundreds of these large, deadly weapons rain down on Ukraine, creating 20-meter-wide craters and obliterating military positions and entire settlements. Russia has heavily relied on glide bombs in its new...
WSJ: Russia tested space-based anti-satellite weapon with potential nuclear capabilities in 2022 (kyivindependent.com)
The officials said that Russia had launched a satellite into space in February 2022 to test components for a potential anti-satellite weapon that would carry a nuclear device. However, the satellite that was launched doesn’t carry a nuclear weapon, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Reuters: Sri Lanka to send delegation to return mercenaries fighting on behalf of Russia (kyivindependent.com)
According to reports, a top official in the Sri Lankan government stated that the government will send a delegation to Russia to investigate the fate of hundreds of nationals reportedly fighting in the war in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry declares British defense attaché persona non grata (kyivindependent.com)
The Russian Foreign Ministry has declared Adrian Coghill, the military attaché of the British Embassy in Moscow, persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within a week.