Last news • War in Ukraine
Produces batteries for "Iskander-M" and cruise missiles: the Common Employees confirmed the destruction of the "Energiya" plant within the Russian Federation
The Protection Forces of Ukraine hit PJSC "Energiya" within the Lipetsk area. The corporate gives batteries for the OTRK "Iskander-M", cruise missiles and different particular gear of the occupiers.
Finland is "carefully monitoring and assessing Russia’s actions and intentions" close to the Finnish border, the nation's Protection Minister Antti Hakkanen advised AFP on Might 22.
The feedback come after experiences that Finland expects a Russian army build-up on its borders after the battle in Ukraine ends.
For the reason that begin of Russia's full-scale invasion, NATO officers have more and more warned Moscow might assault the alliance's members within the coming years.
Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023.
"Now we have glorious capabilities to watch Russian operations. As a member of the alliance, Finland holds a powerful safety place," Hakkanen stated.
He additionally added that Russia’s actions aimed to strengthen its armed forces "haven’t come as a shock to Finland," however, on the identical time, Finnish society "has invested broadly in preparedness for every type of disruptions and crises."
Main Normal Sami Nurmi, the top of technique of the Finnish protection forces, stated in an interview on Might 21 that the Russian army has begun "reasonable preparations relating to constructing infrastructure" near Finnish borders.
Beforehand, on Might 19, the New York Instances printed satellite tv for pc pictures which appear to point an growth of army amenities close to the Finnish border.
The Finnish Border Guard introduced the completion of the primary 35 km (22 miles) of a deliberate 200 km fence alongside its japanese border with Russia on Might 21.
The border has been closed for over a yr after Helsinki accused Moscow of orchestrating a "hybrid operation" by directing asylum seekers towards Finland.
Finnish authorities declare that these hybrid ways have intensified for the reason that nation joined NATO in 2023.
U.S. President Donald Trump, when requested about Russia’s latest actions on Might 20, stated that he had "no considerations," assuring that Finland and Norway would stay "very protected."
"It doesn’t concern me in any respect. They’re completely protected. These are two international locations that can be very protected," Trump stated.
Russian Protection Minister Andrei Belousov stated final December that Russia have to be prepared for a possible battle with NATO within the subsequent 10 years.
Moscow has additionally issued quite a few veiled and overt threats to the West over its assist for Kyiv, together with warnings of a attainable nuclear response.
NATO international locations in Russia's neighborhood have intensified their preparations for a attainable battle. Poland and the Baltic international locations moved to desert a treaty banning land mines and are strengthening the borders shared with Russia and its ally Belarus whereas urging greater protection spending throughout the alliance.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Repelling the air assault of the occupiers: 150 enemy UAVs neutralized by Ukrainian air protection
On the night time of Could 23, Russia attacked Ukraine with a ballistic missile and 175 strike UAVs. Ukrainian air protection forces shot down 150 Shahed-type drones in varied instructions.
Russian assaults in opposition to Ukraine killed seven individuals and injured 20 others over the previous day, regional authorities stated on Could 23.
A Russian mass drone strike in Poltava Oblast destroyed the constructing of a enterprise enterprise close to Kremenchuk, injuring one particular person, Governor Volodymyr Kohut stated. The assault additionally broken energy traces, leaving round 2,000 prospects with out energy.
Two individuals have been injured on account of the Russian drone assault in Odesa Oblast, Governor Oleh Kiper reported.
Three individuals have been killed in Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk and Raihorodok in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin stated. 4 extra individuals have been injured within the area over the previous day.
A Russian guided bomb assault on Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblastinjured two 60-year-old workers of an area utility firm,Governor Oleh Syniehubov stated. One of many males later died in hospital from accidents.
One other 66-year-old man suffered accidents within the village of Pechenihy, Syniehubov stated.
Two males and a lady have been injured close to Vasylivka and Polohy in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in accordance with Governor Ivan Fedorov. Russian shelling of an agricultural enterprise close to Huliaipole additionally injured a lady and a person, aged 52 and 63, on the morning of Could 23.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces focused 43 settlements, together with the regional heart of Kherson. Three individuals have been killed, and 6 others have been injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.
The Kyiv IndependentKyiv Independent
Trade with Russia below the "1000 for 1000" system will happen in a number of phases – sources
The trade of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia within the format of "1000 for 1000" will happen in a number of phases over a number of days, in line with UNN sources.
Ukrainian drones attacked an industrial zone within the metropolis of Yelets in Russia's Lipetsk Oblast in a single day on Might 23, inflicting a fireplace, Governor Igor Artamonov mentioned.
The drones attacked the Vitality (Energia) plant in Yelets, Russian Telegram-channel Astra reported, citing native residents. Movies on social media purported to point out blasts and fires following the strikes.
The Vitality plant, Russia’s largest producer of chemical energy sources, is underneath U.S. and EU sanctions.
Artamonov mentioned that drone particles fell on a residential constructing in Yelets, injuring eight folks.
The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t confirm the reviews.
Ukraine frequently launches drone assaults towards Russian army and industrial services within the rear to undermine Russia's capacity to wage its all-out struggle.
In latest weeks, Kyiv has stepped up its drone assaults on Russia, sending lots of of drones flying towards Moscow. Whereas no direct hits have been reported, the assaults have brought on momentary closures of a number of airports.
In keeping with Russia's Protection Ministry, Russian air defenses have downed 112 Ukrainian drones in a single day on Might 23, together with 24 over Moscow and one over Lipetsk oblasts.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Virtually a 3rd of the battles are within the Pokrovsk course: map from the Normal Workers
Over the previous day, 141 fight clashes had been recorded on the entrance, nearly a 3rd of them within the Pokrovsk course. Ukrainian defenders are holding again the enemy's onslaught, inflicting vital losses.
The Group of Seven (G7) issued a joint assertion on Might 22, pledging to maintain Russian belongings frozen till the top of the battle and to assist Ukraine's restoration.
Canada, which holds the G7 presidency in 2025, launched the assertion on behalf of the group.
"We reaffirm that… Russia’s sovereign belongings… will stay immobilized till Russia ends its aggression and pays for the injury it has brought about to Ukraine," the assertion learn.
The group condemned "Russia’s continued brutal battle in opposition to Ukraine" and recommended "the immense resilience from the Ukrainian individuals and economic system."
The assertion additionally reaffirmed that "the G7 stays dedicated to unwavering assist for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and proper to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence towards a simply and sturdy peace."
Furthermore, the G7 leaders welcomed "ongoing efforts to attain a ceasefire," and promised to discover choices "to maximise stress corresponding to additional ramping up sanctions" on Russia if a ceasefire will not be agreed.
Recognizing the substantial prices related to Ukraine's restoration, estimated at $524 billion over the subsequent decade by the World Financial institution Group, the G7 dedicated to "assist construct investor confidence by way of bilateral and multilateral initiatives" and to proceed coordinating assist for Ukraine's restoration and reconstruction.
Moreover, the G7 agreed to work with Ukraine "to make sure that no international locations or entities, or entities from these international locations that financed or provided the Russian battle machine will likely be eligible to revenue from Ukraine’s reconstruction."
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the G7 international locations have collectively supported Kyiv, together with by way of the Extraordinary Income Acceleration program, which goals to supply Ukraine with $50 billion in loans utilizing frozen Russian assets.
The G7 at the moment consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the USA. The European Union can be represented within the group.
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
The Presidents of Cyprus and Finland mentioned the Russian struggle in Ukraine within the context of European safety
Alexander Stubb said that the way forward for Ukraine is vital to the safety of Europe and stability within the Center East. This situation was mentioned throughout a gathering with the President of Cyprus.
A whole bunch of Ukrainian kamikaze drones have flown in the direction of Moscow in latest weeks.
None seem to have even reached the Russian capital, but the impact on town — and the broader nation — has been massively important.
Ukrainian drones have compelled no less than 217 non permanent airport closures throughout Russia since Jan. 1, impartial Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported on Might 14, citing knowledge from Russia's state aviation company Rosaviatsia.
The determine already surpasses the mixed whole for all of 2023 and 2024, underscoring Kyiv's rising means to place stress on Russia, even in areas removed from the border with Ukraine.
In response to Serhii Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Protection Military's Southern Division, the surge in disruptions displays a strategic shift in Ukraine's drone marketing campaign.
"Moscow is the most important aviation hub within the Russian Federation — flights go in all places, not solely throughout Russia, however worldwide," he advised the Kyiv Impartial.
"That is concerning the potential disintegration of Russian areas and the weakening of inner management."
Surge in drones focusing on MoscowThree nights of Ukrainian drone raids earlier than Russia's Victory Day on Might 9 compelled Rosaviatsia to order non permanent flight restrictions that disrupted journey plans for no less than 60,000 passengers, based on the Affiliation of Tour Operators of Russia.
Simply shy of two weeks of calm have been adopted by one other wave. The Russian Protection Ministry claimed that 485 Ukrainian drones had been downed over the previous three days, from Might 20 to Might 22, together with 63 over Moscow Oblast.
"Aviation isn’t an inexpensive trade, and losses are incurred — by airports, by airways — and it additionally has a psychological impact on passengers and cargo purchasers."
"The precedence course is evident — Moscow and the encircling areas," Bratchuk mentioned.
Bratchuk highlights that on account of Russia's huge geography, air journey is crucial for sustaining connectivity, and disruptions in aviation may enhance the danger of regional disintegration and public unrest.
"These disruptions usually are not unintended. They’re a part of a stress marketing campaign in opposition to logistics, air protection techniques, and public morale," he mentioned.
"The Russian inhabitants has to pay for this battle. Sleeping in tents on the airport isn’t the very best worth, nevertheless it does have an effect on morale."
Bratchuk additionally claims there may be an financial value to Russia in having to always shut its airports.
"Aviation isn’t an inexpensive trade, and losses are incurred by airports, by airways — nevertheless it additionally has a psychological impact on passengers and cargo purchasers," he mentioned.
The financial harmHowever specialists who spoke to the Kyiv Impartial mentioned the rapid financial prices for Russia possible stay manageable, suggesting the marketing campaign's major goal is to not disrupt the economic system.
"The financial affect is seen on the degree of particular person airways… however the losses are minor," Sergei Aleksashenko, a U.S.-based Russian economist, mentioned.
Fellow economist Andrei Movchan was much more skeptical of the monetary affect of the marketing campaign
"I don't assume there are any financial concerns in any respect," he mentioned.
Whereas the financial fallout could also be restricted for now, Ukraine's drone marketing campaign can be supposed to serve a army objective past monetary disruption, Bratchuk mentioned, saying the tactic additionally forces Russian air protection techniques into a continuing state of alert.
"Even the smallest aerial goal should set off a full air protection response," Bratchuk mentioned. "That's how the system works — for us, for Russia, and for any nation."
Russia's layered protection community is already beneath seen pressure from Ukraine's now years-long marketing campaign focusing on Russian oil manufacturing in an try and deprive the Kremlin of cash to fund its full-scale invasion, in addition to army targets like ammunition dumps.
Concentrating on Moscow and the encircling oblast with rising numbers of drones may unfold Russia’s air defenses even thinner.
With Russia's air protection models compelled to react to each aerial menace, Kyiv seems to be testing the bounds of the Kremlin's means to guard its personal territory — a tactic that might lay the groundwork for future strikes with better precision and deeper penetration.
"Perhaps that is one ingredient that will allow our fight drones to strike extra successfully at army targets," Bratchuk mentioned. "As for army targets, strikes will proceed to hit military-industrial websites in Russia.
That's the one technique. However the priorities now are considerably totally different," Bratchuk concluded.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
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The Kyiv IndependentKyiv Independent