As the conflict stretches into its 823rd day, here are the key updates from the frontlines.
Providing an update on the situation on Tuesday, May 28, 2024:
Fighting
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In a tragic turn of events, three individuals lost their lives and six others were injured after a Russian missile targeted the town of Snihurivka in Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv region. The emergency services and local governor confirmed the incident.
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Reports from the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office revealed that a Russian guided bomb struck a sweet factory in Kharkiv, claiming the life of at least one woman and leaving 11 others wounded.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the dire situation as Russian forces unleashed approximately 3,200 guided aerial bombs on Ukraine during the month. He expressed concerns over the insufficient air defence missiles in Kyiv to counter such massive attacks.
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According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, their forces successfully captured two villages, Ivanivka in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and Netailove in eastern Donetsk. Ukraine refrained from providing any official statement regarding these claims.
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Ukraine launched two attacks on the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk, causing a fire as acknowledged by Russian-appointed officials. Reports suggested that one of the targets was an airfield, although Ukraine remained silent on the matter.
- Russia and Belarus are set to conduct joint air force and air defence ministry drills from May 27-31, as announced by the Belarusian Ministry of Defence.
Politics and Diplomacy
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Zelenskyy excluded Russia’s involvement in an upcoming peace summit in Switzerland, citing concerns that Russia’s presence would hinder progress towards peace. He condemned Moscow’s intentions, stating that Russia aims to dismantle Ukraine rather than seek reconciliation.
- The European Union imposed sanctions against the media outlet Voice of Europe, its funder Viktor Medvedchuk, and “covert head” Artem Marchevskyi. The move follows claims that the Prague-based platform acts as a Russian propaganda tool to destabilize Ukraine’s sovereignty. Medvedchuk, a pro-Kremlin figure, was deported to Russia in 2022 and stripped of Ukrainian citizenship.
- A German court sentenced a former army captain, Thomas H, to three and a half years in prison for espionage on behalf of Russia. The 54-year-old officer was found guilty of passing internal documents to Russia’s consulate in Bonn and offering further classified information.
Weapons
- Spain pledged 1 billion euros in military aid, including Patriot missiles and Leopard tanks, to support Ukraine. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and President Zelenskyy signed a security agreement in Madrid, aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, particularly in air defence.
- President Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Belgium to sign a security pact with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The agreement, part of a series with European allies, assures long-term security assistance through arms supplies and training for Ukrainian forces.
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Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskii, confirmed arrangements for French military instructors to visit Ukrainian training facilities soon. He expressed hope for additional international support, describing the initiative as an ambitious project. Discussions with France and other nations on utilizing foreign instructors are ongoing, as per Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence.