Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 05-22-2024

Russian media reported that Moscow does not intend to revise its Baltic Sea border, despite a published Defense Ministry document suggesting possible changes.

Russian authorities decided to expand the country’s territorial waters in the Baltic Sea near the state border with Lithuania and Finland, according to a report by the Moscow Times, which cites a draft resolution from the Russian government.

Kyiv Post wasn’t able to access the link cited by the Moscow Times media outlet.

Col. Gen. Gennadiy Anashkin, who commands all Russian forces on the southern front in Ukraine, was reported to have been wounded in a long-range missile attack on a staff meeting in Luhansk.

A long-range strike by French SCALP cruise missiles on Monday struck and devastated an office building used by Russian army leadership in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk. According to unconfirmed reports, the top commander of all Kremlin forces on the Russo-Ukrainian War’s southern front was wounded in the attack.

Andrey Kozyrev, Russia’s top diplomat right after the fall of the USSR, told Kyiv Post in an exclusive interview that Putin’s claims about assurances not to expand NATO were false.

Andrey Kozyrev, who rose through the diplomatic ranks in the Soviet Union and then Russia to become appointed as Russian Foreign Minister, served as President Boris Yeltsin’s Foreign Minister between 1992 and 1996.

Today, living outside Russia, he publicly gives the lie to Kremlin propaganda that says there was a promise made to Moscow that NATO would not expand East to former Warsaw pact countries or the former Soviet Republish. Kozyrev knows of no such agreement.

The Ukrainian president told The New York Times that shooting down missiles over Ukraine is both defensive and doesn't involve taking any lives, so is an obvious step for Ukraine's allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that NATO should shoot down Russian missiles flying over Ukraine without aircraft flying into Ukrainian airspace.

This will be a purely defensive tactic and will not create a risk of direct combat with Russian troops, he said in an interview with The New York Times published on Tuesday.

A popular Russian TV anchor said the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi could be a “political murder,” citing a “report” that his helicopter was piloted by a Mossad agent.

Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov hosted his late-night Rossiya 1 program on Monday, which was intended as a tribute to the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, following his death in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Partway through Solovyov went into one of his usual rants, raging against those who celebrated the death of Raisi – which he said should be viewed as a “political murder,” ordered and carried out by Israel.

Russian troops initially captured Klishchiivka in January 2023, but Ukraine reclaimed it in September during a largely unsuccessful counteroffensive.

Russia announced on Wednesday, May 22, that its forces had retaken Klishchiivka, a village in eastern Ukraine that Kyiv had recaptured during its 2023 counteroffensive.

The Ukrainian army is currently under heavy pressure, grappling with a fresh Russian offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region and facing severe ammunition shortages across the front lines.

Ukrainian appeals to the Biden administration to lift the ban on using US-provided weapons on targets inside Russia has now been reinforced by a written appeal from US lawmakers.

A bipartisan group within the US House of Representatives – seven Democrats and six Republicans – wrote to the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, on Monday, May 20, asking for him to authorize Ukraine to strike the territory of Russia with US long-range weapons such as ATACMS. The request comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly appealed to loosen the White House restrictions placed on the use of US weapons, with Ukraine under pressure from further Russian gains on the front line.

Several US and international news outlets questioned the logic of supplying long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, with the condition that they would not be used to strike targets in Russia. In addition to the request to remove the restriction, Kyiv reportedly also asked the US to provide detailed intelligence on troops, military units, and factories deep in Russia so they could be targeted by Ukrainian-made weapons.

Critical calibers are still in short supply and it looks like the Ukrainian army has nowhere near sufficient shell for major bombardments. Western ammo resupply is still en route, mostly.

Ukrainian gunners for the first time in months appear to have had enough artillery shells to take on big Russian ground attacks, but supplies are still limited and long-promised Western ammunition deliveries are only just starting to show up at the front.

Russian armored columns attacking during May struck Ukrainian defenses supported by gunners with shells available to shoot back – as had widely not been the case for some time – on battlefields across the front, a Kyiv Post review of open-source combat data found.

The Russian "counter-space weapon" launched on May 16 was deployed "into the same orbit as a US government satellite," Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Pat Ryder told a press briefing.

Russia has launched a likely space weapon and deployed it in the same orbit as a US government satellite, the Pentagon said.

"Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter-space weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit," Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Pat Ryder told a press briefing late Tuesday.

The overnight drone strike targeted energy infrastructure in the region and cut off power to the regional capital, where many are speculating the Russians are planning a new offensive.

Russia launched drones against energy infrastructure in Shostka and Konotop in Ukraine’s northeast Sumy region bordering Russia, cutting off electricity to the regional capital amidst speculations of a renewed Russian offensive in the area.

“Due to the enemy attack, the city of Sumy does not receive electrical energy. We are waiting for recovery and, first of all, we are providing critical infrastructure,” announced Oleksiy Drozdenko, head of the City Military Administration, close to 4 a.m. on Wednesday.

Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) calls upon the UN, the EU and states supporting Ukraine to fund Ukrainian NGOs rescuing at high risks Ukrainian children deported by and to Russia

Since the beginning of the year, it was publicly reported by Kyiv that several Ukrainian non-governmental organizations had rescued more than a hundred Ukrainian children deported by and to Russia.

Only NGOs can put words into action with concrete rescue operations, not international institutions or states. In exchange, they would expect that the United Nations, the European Union and governmental institutions of various countries supporting Ukraine against Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine would spontaneously and generously fund their activities, but this is not the case.

Ukraine’s SBU says it used Sea Baby maritime drones equipped with Grad MLRS to successfully attack Russian troops positioned on the Kinburn Spit.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) says its latest modification to its Sea Baby unmanned surface vessels (USV maritime drones) by equipping them with BM-21 “Grad” 122mm multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS).

 Kyiv Post sources in the intelligence services says that in a combined operation with its navy, the SBU used the modified drones to successfully attack land-based positions of the Russian army on the Kinburn Spit in the Mykolaiv region from the sea overnight on Monday, May 21.

But to formally begin the negotiations, EU member states still have to sign off on a formal negotiating framework for the process, proposed by the European Commission in March.

Several EU member states called on Tuesday (21 May) for the bloc to start membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova by the end of June, but several technical and political obstacles remain for the decision to be taken.

After the EU took the political decision to open accession talks with both Ukraine and Moldova in December, both countries started their respective screening processes to assess which national laws need to be aligned with the bloc’s current legislation, the so-called acquis.

Media in Russia and Ukraine announced the launch of the US political commentator’s show on Russian state television on Monday, but Carlson denies involvement.

An episode of American journalist Tucker Carlson’s show appeared on the Russian State TV channel Rossiya 24 on Monday, May 21. The appearance was categorized by several Russian and Ukrainian mainstream and social media as the launch of a regular program to be hosted by the controversial political commentator.

The “Tucker: Rossiya 24” show was said to be a new joint project between Carlson’s existing YouTube channel and the state broadcaster. In the first episode, the journalist spoke with an expert about the problem of ticks and Lyme disease.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC has requested arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as well as three Hamas leaders.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as well as three Hamas leaders. The main charges against the Israeli politicians are starvation of civilians, attacks on a civilian population, extermination and murder. The ICC accuses Hamas leaders of hostage-taking, rape, torture, extermination and murder. Israel and the US have reacted with outrage.

Treat Israel like any other country

Like Norway and Spain, Ireland will recognise a Palestinian state from May 28, added Foreign Minister Micheal Martin.

Ireland will recognise a Palestinian state, its Prime Minister Simon Harris said on Wednesday, in a joint announcement with Oslo and Madrid.

"Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine," Harris said outside government buildings in Dublin.

As Ukrainians battle fiercely to hold an outsized opponent at bay, the analogies with Oleksandr Usyk’s victory to become undisputed heavyweight champ are hard to miss.

Many people in Ukraine stayed up late into early hours of May 19, 2024, not seeking shelter from incoming Russian missiles, but to rejoice over the news that Oleksandr Usyk had defeated Tyson Fury to become the heavyweight champion of the world. The headline story gave war-torn Ukrainians a rare and most welcome moment of pride and celebration.

The Ukrainian military is currently engrossed in vicious fighting to stop Russia’s crushing advance along the war’s frontlines amid serious concerns that some key positions may fall. Russian forces have recently advanced into eastern and southern regions in addition to areas near Ukraine’s second largest city of Kharkiv.

The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.

Ukraine's navy claims it has likely destroyed the last of Russia's cruise missile carriers operating out of the crucial Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. In remarks made to Radio Free Europe, Ukraine's navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said the navy was currently trying to verify whether or not it had destroyed the small missile carrier "Tsiklon" on Saturday. If confirmed, it would mean there is no longer a Russian missile carrier based out of the key peninsula, he told the outlet. Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and it is home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters at Sevastopol. According to KCHF.ru, a Russian site that closely follows news of the Black Sea Fleet, the Tsiklon only entered into service in July. The vessel's launcher enables cruise missile strikes against ground targets at a distance of up to 1,500 miles, it said. Pletenchuk, in his interview with Radio Free Europe, said that the Tsiklon may have been hit in addition to the Russian minesweeper "Kovrovets." - RFE/RL

Food and medicine for Palestinians in Gaza are piling up in Egypt because the Rafah crossing remains closed and there has been no aid delivered to a U.N. warehouse from a U.S.-built pier for two days, U.N. officials warned on Monday. Senior U.N. aid official Edem Wosornu said there were insufficient supplies and fuel to provide any meaningful level of support to the people of Gaza as they endure Israel's military onslaught against Hamas militants. “We are running out of words to describe what is happening in Gaza. We have described it as a catastrophe, a nightmare, as hell on earth. It is all of these, and worse," she said. She told the U.N. Security Council that the closure of Rafah crossing from Egypt had stopped the delivery of at least 82,000 metric tonnes of supplies, while access at Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing was limited due to "hostilities, challenging logistical conditions, and complex coordination procedures." - Reuters

The crime of the epoch, which has lasted more than 33 years, was revealed. The robbery of Ukrainians and the destruction of statehood as a result of the application of the principles of Stalinism

Part 1.

Some of Ukraine's problems are constantly in the center of attention. These are, first of all, the problems of the paralysis of the principles of the rule of law and the existential corruption of the authorities - including the courts.

The veteran who lost both legs fighting in the Kharkiv region, but has since learned to walk again using prosthetics, will be the new hero of the Ukrainian version of “The Bachelor.”

The Ukrainian version of “The Bachelor” is set to return after a two-year hiatus, caused by the war in Ukraine, with, appropriately, a 28-year-old war veteran, Oleksandr Budko, as the lead.

Now a YouTube blogger and influencer, he is set to win the hearts of Ukrainian women, both on the program and at home.

Throughout its two-year offensive on Ukraine, Moscow has repeatedly talked-up its arsenal of nuclear weapons and its readiness to deploy them if it senses an existential threat.

Russia on Tuesday announced the start of tactical nuclear weapons drills close to Ukraine, in what it said was a response to Western "threats".

Throughout its two-year offensive on Ukraine, Moscow has repeatedly talked-up its arsenal of nuclear weapons and its readiness to deploy them if it senses an existential threat.

Russia launched a fresh assault on Kharkiv on May 10 and has since captured several small settlements in its biggest advance in 18 months.

Ukrainian troops are achieving "tangible" results against Russian forces in the hotspot northeastern Kharkiv region but the frontline situation is "extremely difficult" elsewhere, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday, May 21.

Russia launched a fresh assault on Kharkiv on May 10 and has since captured several small settlements in its biggest advance in 18 months.

Among those who donate, Collins will raffle an autographed trench coat and ties, like those worn by his character, Castiel, from the Supernatural TV series.

The American actor, who saw the work of Ukrainian deminers with his own eyes during visits to Kyiv and Chernihiv Oblasts, is raising $450,000 for a humanitarian demining vehicle. Among those who make a donation, Collins will raffle off an autographed trench coat and ties - the same as those worn by his character, Castiel, from the Supernatural TV series. 

Running out of ethnic minorities to push into its army and to avoid the politically dangerous mobilization of “real” Russians, Moscow is now taking aim at its German speaking citizens.

Recent analysis of those who have fought and died during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s so-called special military operation show that the Russian Federation’s ethnic minorities have carried more than their fair share of the Kremlin’s need to boost troop numbers on the battlefield, relative to their numbers.

These often, raw recruits have served as little more than cannon fodder sent into the meat grinder against Ukraine’s forces. Russia has now launched a fresh propaganda drive aimed at drawing members of its ethnic German communities into its army and mercenary forces.

Russian journalists said Moscow’s newly appointed defense minister was close to Wagner PMC’s late founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and involved in overseeing his activities.

Andrey Belousov, Russia’s newly appointed defense minister, was close with private military company (PMC) Wagner’s late founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and supervised his activities, reported Russian news outlet Dossier Center.

The two were close, an unnamed source close to Russia’s defense ministry told Dossier Center, where the news outlet said it confirmed through Prigozhin’s personal calendar and, allegedly, Belousov’s mail archives in its possession.

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

• The Kremlin continues to time its nuclear saber-rattling to coincide with major policy discussions in the West as part of a Kremlin reflexive control campaign to influence Western decision-makers.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the limited Russian offensive in northern Ukraine is achieving its goal of drawing attention away from intense Russian offensive operations in eastern Ukraine.
• The Russian military command reportedly initially planned that Russian forces would quickly make significant advances in northern Kharkiv Oblast, but the limited force grouping deployed to the area suggests that the Russian military command likely changed these plans in the lead up to offensive operations in Kharkiv Oblast.
• Russian authorities recently arrested the former commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA), Major General Ivan Popov, on fraud charges.
• The Kremlin is likely using the pattern of recent arrests of high-ranking officials on corruption charges in the Russian MoD to conceal the real reasons for Popov's punishment almost 10 months after his conflict with the Russian military command and subsequent dismissal from his command position.
• Satellite imagery indicates that Ukrainian forces likely damaged the Russian Black Sea Fleet's (BSF) Tsyklon small missile ship in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea on May 19.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Vovchansk, Kreminna, Chasiv Yar, and Donetsk City.
• A Russian milblogger claimed that frequent Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian vehicles that lack electronic warfare (EW) systems along the frontline have created an "urgent" shortage of off-road vehicles.
• Russian authorities continue to illegally and forcibly deport Ukrainian citizens, including children, to Russia and to forcibly remove Ukrainian citizens deeper into occupied Ukraine.