Last news • War in Ukraine
Since 2018, 1.9 thousand communities of the UOC (MP) have moved to the OCU – professional
Since 2018, greater than 1.9 thousand spiritual communities have moved from the UOC MP to the OCU. In keeping with Yelensky, communities can not belong to a church that acts in opposition to Ukraine.
Floor Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi ordered an inspection of the scandal-hit Ukrainian one hundred and fifty fifth "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade following misconduct allegations throughout the brigade's command, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Could 19.
Drapatyi mentioned this in a written assertion to Ukrainska Pravda after the outlet revealed an investigation right into a attainable involvement of the brigade's commander, Colonel Taras Maksimov, in handing out falsified bonus funds and demanding bribes.
The investigation additionally famous over 1,200 circumstances of personnel going absent with out official depart (AWOL) since 2025 and failure to sufficiently provide the unit.
The Western-trained brigade had beforehand confronted a scandal in 2024, the place a media investigation uncovered rampant mismanagement and desertion among the many personnel, resulting in an inspection and a command change.
In early Could, a brand new controversy arose after regulation enforcement officers detained the appearing commander of the unmanned techniques battalion of the one hundred and fifty fifth Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Sviatoslav Shumsky.
In accordance with investigators, the officer demanded bribes from his subordinates to grant them falsified bonuses for allegedly collaborating in fight on the entrance line.
Ukrainska Pravda's sources within the brigade mentioned that Shumsky was merely an middleman between service members and the command, and that related schemes seemingly function in different battalions.
Maksimov's attainable involvement within the scheme is underneath investigation, the outlet mentioned, citing regulation enforcement sources.
In response to Ukrainska Pravda's inquiry, Drapatyi emphasised that he devoted a lot time to establishing the one hundred and fifty fifth Separate Mechanized Brigade, discovering a succesful command, increase its fight functionality, and offering it with drones.
The commander added that Maksimov's candidacy for the one hundred and fifty fifth Brigade commander place was additionally chosen by Volodymyr Shvediuk, the chief of the Western Operational Command.
Drapatyi mentioned that when on the lookout for a candidate, he thought-about private expertise, suggestions from his comrades, and the outcomes of Maksimov's earlier service. Drapatyi added that different candidates have been additionally thought-about, however some had a decrease skilled stage, and a few refused due to different provides.
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The commander talked about that the brigade was uncoordinated and poorly ready on the time of the change of command. In Drapatyi's opinion, Maksimov's appointment considerably improved the brigade's situation and fight functionality.
"Regardless of the achievements, I cannot cowl for anybody — there are not any untouchables for me. I'm ready for the outcomes of all of the inspections and what the investigation will discover," Drapatyi mentioned, including that the investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) remains to be ongoing.
"The command… is totally dedicated to exposing all these concerned within the extortion. I need to emphasize to everybody who organizes such schemes: robbing their very own brigade, mocking their comrades, benefiting from blood. The punishment might be extreme," he added.
The brigade, initially supposed as a flagship undertaking for Ukrainian navy modernization, was educated and geared up with help from France and different international companions.
The brigade, which has roughly 5,800 troops, confronted challenges from its inception. In accordance with an investigation by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Censor.internet, 2,500 service members have been reassigned to different items earlier than coaching started, depleting its skilled personnel.
Between March and November 2024, over 1,700 troopers reportedly deserted their posts, with an extra 50 deserting whereas coaching in France.
Of the 1,924 troopers despatched to France for coaching, solely 51 had greater than a yr of navy service, whereas 1,414 had served fewer than two months. Replenishment efforts introduced in new recruits, however Butusov claimed correct choice processes have been typically uncared for, exacerbating the unit's operational challenges.
The media investigation prompted a high-level inquiry and led to the dismissal and detention of its then-commander, Colonel Dmytro Riumshyn. Maksimov was appointed to take his place.
The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell
Zelensky introduced a sequence of negotiations with companions: with the President of Finland, he mentioned the dialog with Trump and strain on Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with Alexander Stubb about contacts with companions and particulars of the dialog with Trump. They mentioned growing strain on Russia for actual negotiations.
Russian assaults throughout Ukrainian areas killed not less than one civilian and injured not less than 13 over the previous day, regional authorities reported on Could 20.
Moscow's forces launch air strikes, drone assaults, and artillery strikes towards Ukrainian cities and villages every day, commonly inflicting civilian casualties.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 93 of the 108 Shahed-type assault drones and decoy drones launched by Russia in a single day, the Air Pressure mentioned. Thirty-five of them have been shot down, whereas 58 have been neutralized by digital warfare methods, in keeping with the assertion.
In Donetsk Oblast, Russian forces killed one individual in Siversk, and injured three in Kramatorsk, two in Lyman, and one in Kostiantynivka, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.
In Kharkiv Oblast, two girls aged 45 and 73 have been injured throughout a Russian assault towards the village of Starovirivka, in keeping with Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
5 civilians have been injured throughout Russian strikes in Kherson Oblast, mentioned the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin. A high-rise constructing, seven homes, a cell tower, garages, automobiles, and equipment have been broken.
Russian drones attacked border areas of Sumy Oblast in a single day, damaging a civilian facility within the Bilopillia neighborhood and beginning a fireplace, the regional army administration mentioned. No casualties have been reported.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
Variety of injured within the Russian drone strike on a minibus in Kherson has elevated
5 individuals had been injured within the Russian drone strike on a minibus in Kherson. Three adults with explosive accidents and contusions sought medical consideration.
Russia has misplaced 975,800 troops in Ukraine for the reason that starting of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the Basic Employees of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Might 20.
The quantity consists of 1,030 casualties Russian forces suffered simply over the previous day.
In keeping with the report, Russia has additionally misplaced 10,834 tanks, 22,567 armored combating automobiles, 49,093 automobiles and gas tanks, 28,067 artillery techniques, 1,388 a number of launch rocket techniques, 1,167 air protection techniques, 372 airplanes, 336 helicopters, 36,621 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
Enemy losses: in a day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed greater than a thousand occupiers and 58 artillery techniques
In line with the Common Employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Could 19, Russian troops misplaced 1,030 troopers and 58 artillery techniques. For the reason that starting of the full-scale invasion, 975,800 occupiers have been eradicated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Might 19 stated that Kyiv is exploring the opportunity of a gathering with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the US, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland, he introduced at a press briefing attended by the Kyiv Impartial.
"We’re contemplating a gathering of all of the groups. We need to arrange it at a excessive degree. The US, Ukraine, Russia, some EU representatives, and the UK," he stated.
"Such a gathering may happen in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland. We’re contemplating these three venues. The query just isn’t about consolation, however who will be capable of arrange a gathering with an applicable consequence."
The assertion comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin held a cellphone name with U.S. President Donald Trump, throughout which he continued to refuse to conform to a full ceasefire, as a substitute stating he’s ready to barter a "memorandum concerning a possible future peace treaty."
The decision follows days of largely inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul on Might 16, the place Russia despatched a delegation of low-level officers and reiterated sweeping territorial calls for, together with that Ukraine settle for the lack of Crimea and 4 jap areas.
The Russian delegation on the peace talks consisted solely of lower-ranking officers, elevating doubts about Moscow's dedication to ending the battle, regardless of the Kremlin proposing the discussions.
After the Might 19 dialog, Trump stated on Reality Social that Russia and Ukraine will "instantly begin" negotiations towards a ceasefire and an finish to the battle.
"The situations for that might be negotiated between the 2 events, as it could solely be, as a result of they know particulars of a negotiation that no one else would concentrate on," Trump stated.
A supply within the President's Workplace informed the Kyiv Impartial that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on Might 19 — as soon as earlier than the scheduled name with Putin and once more afterward.
In line with Zelensky, throughout his cellphone name with the U.S. president, he advocated for a ceasefire, the chance to specific views on the memorandum, and for choices concerning Ukraine to not be made with out Kyiv's involvement.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
ISW: Peace talks and not using a ceasefire will enable the Kremlin to proceed advancing in Ukraine
The US, Ukraine and Europe are calling for a ceasefire earlier than negotiations to finish the conflict. The ISW believes that Russia is solely searching for to proceed its offensive on the battlefield.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been clear that he goals to see direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Might 19 throughout a press briefing in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian and Russian delegations held direct talks for the primary time since 2022 on Might 16. They concluded with out a breakthrough.
Through the talks, Moscow demanded that Kyiv withdraw its troops from 4 partially occupied Ukrainian oblasts that Russia illegally claims as its personal — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
"For Trump, crucial factor is direct talks between Ukraine and Russia," Zelensky stated, including that Protection Minister Rustem Umerov and Russian President Vladimir Putin's adviser, Vladimir Medinsky, held a name on Might 19 and mentioned a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner trade.
The trade will occur "within the subsequent days or even weeks," and civilians is not going to be included within the listing, in keeping with Zelensky.
Within the meantime, Ukraine additionally needs to debate with Russia the discharge of Ukrainian political prisoners and journalists, the president added.
Talking a few potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, Zelensky stated Russia will ship a memorandum with its proposals.
Zelensky added that in a name with U.S. President Donald Trump on Might 19, he requested for 3 issues: a ceasefire, the agility to current the Ukrainian view on the memorandum and for selections "to be agreed on Ukraine with out Ukraine."
Zelensky had a name with Trump earlier than the latter was to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After talking with Trump, Putin once more refused to simply accept a complete ceasefire and stated that Russia's place within the negotiations stays unchanged and requires "eliminating the foundation causes" of the battle.
Reacting to the Putin-Trump name, Zelensky harassed that Ukraine is not going to withdraw its troops from the partially Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, because the Russian delegation beforehand demanded in Istanbul.
Ukraine's president added that Kyiv can be exploring the potential for a gathering with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the USA, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak