KHARKIV – The first signs that something ominous is happening in Kharkiv come as soon as the train from Kyiv reaches the suburbs of the city – as two pillars of smoke appear in the distance, every single phone in the carriage erupts with a piercing electronic squawking. "I guess we've arrived,
Ukraine's state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo said it had to introduce additional restrictions due to the damage from the recent Russian strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the increase in electricity consumption after the temperature drop.
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on May 12 that Andrei Belousov, a former aide and Russia's economy minister from 2012-2013, should replace Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in a surprise reshuffle of Russia's security and defense apparatus.
France will deliver an unspecified number of air defense missiles, as well as additional military aid, over the coming days and weeks, Reuters reported on May 14.
Explosions were heard in the city and fires are still burning near the Belbek military airfield after an alleged missile attack against occupied Crimea on May 15.
President Joe Biden on May 13 signed a bipartisan bill that bans Russian imports of enriched uranium, the primary fuel used in nuclear power plants. The move aims to sever one of the remaining major financial channels from the United States to Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Several cars of a freight train in Russia's Volgograd Oblast were derailed due to "interference by unauthorized persons," the Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported on May 14, citing a statement from the Russian railway services.
Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the main personnel directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry, was detained on May 13 on criminal charges, the state-owned news agency TASS reported, citing undisclosed law enforcement sources.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China on May 16-17 to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, RIA Novosti reported on May 14, citing the Kremlin press service.
The approval of the plan will allow the European Commission to disburse up to 1.89 billion euros ($2 billion) in an additional pre-financing tranche until the start of regular payments tied to the implementation of the reforms.
Losses caused by the Polish blockade of the Ukrainian border amounted to $500 million in lost imports and $160 million in exports in its first month, the National Bank of Ukraine said on May 14.
Integrating the military with Russia's economy is a key task for its Defense Ministry, soon-to-be-appointed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov told the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, on May 14.
The comments came after the head of Estonia's Armed Forces, General Martin Herem, said earlier in May that there had been talks about the possibility of sending Estonian soldiers to western Ukraine.
The Guardian view on Russia’s new offensive: Ukraine’s allies must renew their focus | Editorial (www.theguardian.com)
Editorial: Significant advances by Vladimir Putin’s forces in the Kharkiv region must concentrate minds in the west at a critical moment
Blinken delivers message of US support to Kyiv as thousands flee Kharkiv region (www.theguardian.com)
US secretary of state promises long-awaited $60bn Ukraine aid package will make ‘real difference on battlefield’
Blinken sings, plays guitar with local band in Kyiv (kyivindependent.com)
Videos circulated on Instagram showed U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken singing and playing guitar along with other musicians onstage.
48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraine's most-bombed major city (kyivindependent.com)
KHARKIV – The first signs that something ominous is happening in Kharkiv come as soon as the train from Kyiv reaches the suburbs of the city – as two pillars of smoke appear in the distance, every single phone in the carriage erupts with a piercing electronic squawking. "I guess we've arrived,
Ukraine introduces emergency power cuts throughout country amid 'significant' shortage (kyivindependent.com)
Ukraine's state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo said it had to introduce additional restrictions due to the damage from the recent Russian strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the increase in electricity consumption after the temperature drop.
Putin signs decree officially appointing Belousov as new Russian defense minister (kyivindependent.com)
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on May 12 that Andrei Belousov, a former aide and Russia's economy minister from 2012-2013, should replace Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in a surprise reshuffle of Russia's security and defense apparatus.
Latvia to allocate additional $11 million for Czech-led initiative to buy artillery shells for Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said additional funds would allow the allies to buy over 3,000 rounds of 155 mm shells.
Reuters: France to deliver additional air defense missiles, military aid shortly (kyivindependent.com)
France will deliver an unspecified number of air defense missiles, as well as additional military aid, over the coming days and weeks, Reuters reported on May 14.
Russian proxy: Missile attack causes fires, explosions in occupied Sevastopol (kyivindependent.com)
Explosions were heard in the city and fires are still burning near the Belbek military airfield after an alleged missile attack against occupied Crimea on May 15.
Biden signs bipartisan bill prohibiting Russian imports of enriched uranium (kyivindependent.com)
President Joe Biden on May 13 signed a bipartisan bill that bans Russian imports of enriched uranium, the primary fuel used in nuclear power plants. The move aims to sever one of the remaining major financial channels from the United States to Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Freight train derailed in Russia's Volgograd Oblast due to alleged 'interference' (kyivindependent.com)
Several cars of a freight train in Russia's Volgograd Oblast were derailed due to "interference by unauthorized persons," the Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported on May 14, citing a statement from the Russian railway services.
Russian media: Russian Defense Ministry personnel chief Kuznetsov detained (kyivindependent.com)
Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the main personnel directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry, was detained on May 13 on criminal charges, the state-owned news agency TASS reported, citing undisclosed law enforcement sources.
Russia-Ukraine war: Blinken says US arms will make real difference as Russia claims advances in northern Kharkiv region – as it happened (www.theguardian.com)
Mission to Kyiv by US secretary of state comes after Congress approved long-delayed $60bn aid package; Russia claims to have captured Buhruvatka
Putin to visit China on May 16-17, meet Xi (kyivindependent.com)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China on May 16-17 to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, RIA Novosti reported on May 14, citing the Kremlin press service.
EU Council approves Ukraine Plan needed for $54 billion support program (kyivindependent.com)
The approval of the plan will allow the European Commission to disburse up to 1.89 billion euros ($2 billion) in an additional pre-financing tranche until the start of regular payments tied to the implementation of the reforms.
Over 7,500 civilians evacuated from northern Kharkiv Oblast (kyivindependent.com)
Of the 7,531 people who have been evacuated so far, 568 are children, and 201 are people with disabilities, Syniehubov said.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy calls for air defence boost during Antony Blinken visit to Ukraine – video (www.theguardian.com)
Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv has become the focus of Russian attacks in recent weeks
National Bank: Ukraine's losses from Polish blockade partially offset by maritime trade (kyivindependent.com)
Losses caused by the Polish blockade of the Ukrainian border amounted to $500 million in lost imports and $160 million in exports in its first month, the National Bank of Ukraine said on May 14.
Russia directing hackers to attack UK and west, says director of GCHQ (www.theguardian.com)
Anne Keast-Butler ‘increasingly concerned’ by growing links between Russia and proxy hacker groups that pose risk to UK
Designated Russian defense minister vows to further integrate economy, military (kyivindependent.com)
Integrating the military with Russia's economy is a key task for its Defense Ministry, soon-to-be-appointed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov told the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, on May 14.
Russians having ‘tactical success’ in advance on Kharkiv, Ukraine says (www.theguardian.com)
Kyiv replaces commander overseeing north-eastern Kharkiv frontline in effort to turn the tide as fighting continues
Governor: Russian ammunition depot explodes in occupied Luhansk Oblast (kyivindependent.com)
A Russian ammunition depot exploded in the occupied town of Sorokyne (Krasnodon) in Luhansk Oblast, on May 13, Governor Artem Lysohor said.
Civilians evacuated from Kharkiv region amid Russian 'tactical success' – video (www.theguardian.com)
Kyiv replaces commander overseeing north-eastern Kharkiv frontline in effort to turn the tide as fighting continues
Estonian official says Tallinn ‘seriously’ discussing sending troops to Ukraine for non-combat roles (kyivindependent.com)
The comments came after the head of Estonia's Armed Forces, General Martin Herem, said earlier in May that there had been talks about the possibility of sending Estonian soldiers to western Ukraine.
Ukraine downs second Russian aircraft over past day (kyivindependent.com)
Ukraine's 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down another Russian Su-25 fighter jet, the unit said on May 13.