Category: World

An operation to grab Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards and belongings belonging to Oschadbank on 5 March was deliberate by Hungarian intelligence providers to impress a confrontation with Ukraine forward of Hungary's parliamentary elections.

Supply: investigative journalists from VSquare, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: In line with 4 sources acquainted with the main points of the operation to detain the Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards and seize Oschadbank's belongings, the raid was led by Örs Farkas, the state secretary accountable for civilian intelligence providers.

It’s claimed that Hungarian intelligence providers had been monitoring common shipments of financial institution cargo from Austria to Ukraine since at the very least early January 2026. Surveillance was performed overseas: operatives recognized the lodge in Vienna the place the Ukrainian guards had been staying and mapped out the routes they used.

Hungary's preliminary plan was to catch the Ukrainians with weapons, which might have allowed the authorities to advertise a story about terrorism or unlawful arms trafficking.

Because of this, the Counterterrorism Centre (TEK) was tasked with finishing up the raid, which was personally overseen by State Secretary Farkas from the TEK command centre.

Nonetheless, the raid didn’t go as deliberate, because the paperwork, money transfers and the cash-in-transit operation turned out to be solely authorized, and the Ukrainians weren’t carrying any weapons.

In consequence, Hungarian authorities swiftly devised a "Plan B", accusing the cash-in-transit guards of cash laundering. Hungary's tax authority (the NAV) was instructed to launch an investigation to create the looks of legality.

The truth that the operation was improvised can also be evidenced by the absence of any notification to the Hungarian navy intelligence concerning the raid, regardless of the narrative a few "struggle mafia".

Furthermore, Hungary's Ministry of Defence was knowledgeable solely after TEK operatives realised they lacked enough autos to move the seized cash-in-transit autos and needed to request navy transport.

In line with the sources, the operation is being thought of successful in Hungary as a result of information of it reached Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy forward of a press convention. They counsel this will likely relate to the second when Zelenskyy threatened to present the deal with of "a sure individual" blocking the EU's €90 billion mortgage for Ukraine (alluding to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán) to "the fellows from the Armed Forces of Ukraine". Nonetheless, journalists can’t verify that these remarks had been instantly linked to the raid involving Oschadbank.

Background: On 9 March, Hungarian authorities urgently adopted laws to create a authorized framework for the confiscation of funds that ended up within the palms of the Hungarian intelligence providers after the seizure of two Oschadbank cash-in-transit autos. This additionally required a separate specifically adopted determination by Viktor Orbán's authorities.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has reported the detention within the Mediterranean Sea of the vessel Deyna belonging to Russia's shadow fleet, which Moscow has used to avoid Western restrictions on its power sector imposed for the reason that full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Supply: Macron on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: That is the second tanker from Russia's shadow fleet detained by the French army.

In accordance with France's maritime prefecture, the tanker was crusing beneath the flag of Mozambique and was travelling from Russia's Murmansk.

The operation was carried out beneath Article 110 of the United Nations Conference on the Legislation of the Sea. The vessel is suspected of utilizing a false flag.

The prefecture stated that the operation was performed collectively with the UK. The army is presently escorting the tanker to a holding location, the place it would endure extra inspections.

Macron confused in his submit that this demonstrates that the conflict in Iran shouldn’t be distracting Paris from supporting Ukraine.

Quote from Macron: "These vessels, which evade worldwide sanctions and violate the legislation of the ocean, are profiteers of conflict. They line their pockets whereas serving to finance Russia's conflict effort."

Background:

• On 22 January, France, with the help of the UK, detained the tanker Grinch close to the Spanish coast after inspecting paperwork that confirmed suspicions the vessel was crusing beneath a false flag. The tanker is a part of Russia's shadow fleet and is beneath EU and UK sanctions.
• Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Macron had instructed him about plans to launch the tanker attributable to authorized necessities.
• Zelenskyy has additionally stated that it might be acceptable to modernise European laws in order that tankers transporting Russian oil cannot solely be detained but in addition confiscated.
• In February, Bloomberg reported that European international locations have been discussing the potential of seizing tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has mentioned Ukrainian troops are holding positions which are virtually the identical as these they held final yr.

Supply: Zelenskyy in a remark to Max Klymenko, a blogger of Ukrainian origin, throughout a go to to the UK

Particulars: Zelenskyy identified that the Russians haven’t achieved any of the objectives set on the outset: they haven’t absolutely occupied the Donbas or captured the capital of Ukraine. Each month, the Russians lose 30,000-35,000 troops, he mentioned.

The president famous that persons are the best worth, adopted by the difficulty of territories. Zelenskyy additionally answered a query from Klymenko about how the deployment of forces on the entrance strains has modified over the previous one to 2 years.

Quote: "We’re virtually on the similar positions, solely the losses are rising. The Russians can't break our defence strains, and so they attempt every day to do it. That's why, this place on the battlefield doesn't give them victory, so they’re making an attempt to create chaos with missile strikes on vitality and civilian infrastructure."

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EU leaders have condemned Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure that resulted in air pollution of the Dnister River.

Supply: Conclusions adopted after a European Council assembly on 19 March, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: The doc states that the European Council strongly condemns Russia's assaults on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, which have led to air pollution of the Dnister River – the primary supply of recent water for Moldova.

EU leaders stated the European Union is keen to help Moldova in coping with the environmental aftermath, together with by the EU Civil Safety Mechanism.

"On this context, the European Council welcomes the quick help offered by Member States," the conclusions say.

Background:

• On 15 March, the Moldovan authorities declared an environmental alert within the Dnister River basin for 15 days because of harmful ranges of water air pollution.
• Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated the air pollution was brought on by a Russian strike on a hydroelectric energy plant within the Ukrainian metropolis of Novodnistrovsk on 7 March, blaming Russia for the incident.
• The Russian ambassador was summoned to Moldova's Overseas Ministry and handed a bottle of polluted water from the river.
• On 19 March, the centralised water provide started to be step by step restored in a number of cities in Moldova's north, together with the nation's third-largest metropolis, Bălți, after being disrupted for a number of days because of the river's contamination.

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Two civilian business vessels crusing beneath the flags of Palau and Barbados have been broken and two individuals have been injured in a Russian drone assault on the night time of 19-20 March.

Supply: Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Improvement, on Telegram

Quote: "Two civilian business vessels beneath the flags of Palau and Barbados have been broken in an in a single day drone assault on Odesa Oblast. Two individuals have been injured and obtained medical remedy."

Particulars: Kuleba mentioned the vessels had been moored at berths and loaded with grain on the time of the strike. Regardless of the assault, each ships stay afloat.

"Workplace buildings have been additionally broken. A hearth broke out on the scene, which was rapidly contained by firefighters. Work to take care of the aftermath is ongoing," he added.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has introduced that the Ukrainian negotiating group is heading to the US, the place a gathering is scheduled for Saturday.

Supply: Zelenskyy's deal with on 19 March

Particulars: The president stated there are indications from the American aspect concerning readiness to proceed work in present negotiation codecs to finish Russia's warfare in opposition to Ukraine.

Quote: "There was a pause within the talks, and it’s time to resume them. We’re doing all the pieces to make sure that the negotiations are genuinely substantive. The Ukrainian group – the political members of the negotiating group – is already on the best way, and we count on a gathering this Saturday in the USA.

Right now we spoke intimately about negotiations with [negotiators Rustem] Umierov, Kyrylo Budanov and Davyd Arakhamia. Serhii Kyslytsia will even participate in conferences. Our precedence is to do all the pieces doable to create the circumstances for a dignified peace. I thank everybody who helps with this."

Particulars: Zelenskyy added that Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the Nationwide Safety and Defence Council, visited nations within the Center East and has an understanding of what safety agreements will be concluded with them.

Quote: "This week Rustem Umierov was in the important thing capitals of the Gulf area and has already reported on the outcomes at present. For now, by telephone. Tomorrow there can be a extra substantive report on-line. There may be an understanding of what new safety agreements will be reached with nations on this area.

There are concrete areas during which they’ll help us, Ukraine, and help our defence – above all air defence – and there are areas during which we are able to help them and are already doing so. Ukrainian professional teams for cover in opposition to Shahed drones are already within the related nations and there are each day stories on the progress of their missions."

Background:

• On 13 March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Ukraine was prepared for a brand new spherical of negotiations on ending the warfare, however the venue and timing had not but been agreed due to differing positions between the US and Russia.
• Zelenskyy has additionally insisted on the necessity to meet US President Donald Trump, saying that some points stay at a standstill.
• In the meantime, media stories have urged that Trump is dropping curiosity within the peace negotiations on settling Russia's warfare in opposition to Ukraine as he has shifted his focus to Iran.
• On 3 March, Peskov stated there was no readability on the timing or venue of the following spherical of peace talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine.

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has damaged ranks with most EU leaders by expressing understanding for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has blocked a €90 billion mortgage to Ukraine.

Supply: European Pravda, citing Politico

Particulars: Throughout a closed-door session at an EU leaders' summit, Meloni advised her counterparts she understands why Orbán broke his promise and blocked the €90 billion mortgage to Ukraine after approving it in December, in response to 5 diplomats accustomed to the confidential discussions.

The report notes that Meloni and Orbán are each right-wing politicians, however the Italian chief usually follows the EU's principal coverage line, whereas the Hungarian authorities is seen as obstructing its implementation.

5 diplomats representing 4 totally different European international locations stated that through the assembly, Meloni burdened she nonetheless personally helps instantly granting the mortgage to Ukraine however stated she understands Orbán's place forward of subsequent month's elections.

One of many diplomats quoted Meloni as saying Orbán's stance is "regular" as a result of "issues change" and "if I had been in the identical scenario, I’d perceive it".

In accordance with the diplomats, Meloni additionally famous that the Hungarian prime minister had beforehand taken a constructive stance and could possibly be anticipated to carry his veto if the Druzhba oil pipeline resumes operations.

On the identical time, the Italian authorities denied these experiences.

"The sentence attributed to the prime minister is completely baseless," an official from Meloni's workplace in Rome stated.

In the meantime, sources say most different EU leaders reacted with outrage on Thursday morning when it turned clear Orbán had no intention of backing down.

European Council President António Costa criticised the transfer as "unacceptable" and an unprecedented breach of a "pink line" in Orbán's behaviour.

Background:

• EU leaders held a dialogue on 19 March on offering Ukraine with a €90 billion mortgage, however they failed to steer Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán to carry his veto. Individually, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was criticised for making inappropriate remarks addressed to Orbán.
• Orbán stated on the sidelines of a European Council assembly in Brussels that Hungary wouldn’t unblock any determination beneficial to Ukraine till the Druzhba oil pipeline resumes transporting Russian oil.
• On Thursday 19 March, following its dialogue of the Ukraine subject, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine which had been signed by 25 EU leaders, except Hungary and Slovakia.

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Russian forces struck a highway close to the village of Preobrazhenka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 19 March, killing a girl. A person was additionally killed within the city of Vilniansk.

Supply: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Navy Administration

Quote: "A 44-year-old lady was killed on account of an enemy assault on the Polohy district.

Russians struck a highway close to Preobrazhenka with an FPV drone. A lady was killed on the spot."

Particulars: Earlier, it was reported {that a} 78-year-old man was killed on account of the Russian assault on Vilniansk. There, a Russian drone attacked an infrastructure facility.

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The third Spartan Operational Brigade of the Nationwide Guard, along with adjoining models, has repelled a Russian assault on the Pokrovsk entrance, wiping out 120 troops.

Supply: Spartan on social media

Particulars: The Spartan Brigade reported that the Russian command deployed vital forces to the assault on the Pokrovsk entrance. The Russians had been relying on making the most of wet climate. Their squaddies tried to advance in vehicles, on bikes and on quad bikes.

Nevertheless, the Spartan Brigade, along with adjoining models, stopped the offensive. Over 48 hours, Russian troops suffered vital losses: 120 assault troops had been worn out and 6 had been wounded.

The Russians additionally misplaced tools: seven quad bikes, 4 bikes and three autos.

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