Russian invasion
War against Ukraine: That’s the situation
Ukrainian soldiers walk past badly damaged buildings in Bakhmut. photo
© Iryna Rybakova/AP/dpa
Selenskyj wants to bundle all resources for the upcoming counter-offensive. Thanks go to the western partners who pledge further help at the US base in Ramstein. The news at a glance.
Against the background of the expected counter-offensive by Kiev, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj reported on the creation of new military units. “We are also actively preparing new brigades and units that will prove themselves at the front,” said the 45-year-old in his daily video address yesterday. His meetings with the General Staff are about providing all means to liberate Ukraine from Russian occupation.
“All of us in Ukraine must understand that the main task of the state is to liberate our territories, to bring back our earth and our people from Russian captivity.” The state resources would be used primarily for this, said the head of state. The front has top priority, he emphasized.
He also thanked the Western partners who are helping Ukraine to defend itself as part of the Ramstein format. “Your determination fully reflects the actual situation and needs on the battlefield,” said Zelenskyy.
Pistorius: Leopard tank repair center in Poland
From Ramstein there were some new commitments to Kiev: Leopard tanks from Germany that were damaged in the Ukraine war are to be repaired in Poland in the future and thus be able to return to the front more quickly. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) agreed yesterday in Ramstein with his colleagues from Warsaw and Kiev to set up a corresponding repair center. A fund solution was agreed for the “fair distribution” of the costs of 150 to 200 million euros per year.
The center will probably start work at the end of May and will also show the determination of Ukraine’s partners to continue supporting the country in its war against Russia, Pistorius said on the sidelines of the Ukraine contact group meeting at the US military base in Ramstein. Next week there will be a first working session. Pistorius also announced that more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers would be trained on the Leopard 1 main battle tank from (today) Saturday.
Latvia wants to give up all Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
Latvia, meanwhile, has announced it will supply arms to the country under Russian attack, following talks in Ramstein over further western military aid to Ukraine. According to the Defense Ministry of the Baltic EU and NATO country, all of the Stinger anti-aircraft missiles still in stock by the Latvian armed forces are to be handed over to Kiev.
Spain wants to deliver tanks in the next few days
According to Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, Spain wants to deliver six Leopard tanks out of a total of ten promised to Ukraine in the coming days. “After that there will be a second package with four more tanks,” Albares told the newspapers of the Funke media group. These are older Type 2A4 Leopard tanks.
“We will support Ukraine for as long as it needs,” Albares said, referring to Russia’s war of aggression. “This includes humanitarian aid, taking in refugees and supplying defensive weapons.” These were used for self-defense and to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity. “And within the internationally recognized borders, including Crimea. But the ultimate decision rests with the Ukrainian government,” Albares added.
Stoltenberg wants further talks about fighter jets for Ukraine
Most European heads of state remain reserved on the question of supplying Western fighter jets to Ukraine. However, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has spoken out in favor of continuing talks about handing over Western fighter jets to Ukraine. Deliveries by alliance partners must be discussed further, Stoltenberg said yesterday on the sidelines of the Ramstein meeting.
IAEA warns of escalation around Zaporizhia nuclear plant
While military preparations for the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive are underway, fears about possible consequences are being expressed. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for example, has warned of a nuclear accident as a result of the increasing hostilities surrounding the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.
“I saw clear signs of military preparations in the area when I visited Zaporizhia NPP three weeks ago,” IAEA Director Rafael Grossi said yesterday, according to a statement from the agency. Since then, the nuclear experts stationed on site have repeatedly registered explosions in the immediate vicinity of the plant.
He was “deeply concerned” about the current situation. The precarious situation requires further pressure so that the facility is neither shot at nor used as a starting point for attacks. He will continue to negotiate with Russians and Ukrainians in this regard, said Grossi.
What is important today
While the Ukrainian counter-offensive is expected shortly, Russia is still attacking targets in the Donbass region. The situation has escalated especially around the city of Bachmut, which has been under siege for months. The Russian attackers are trying to cut off the supply routes of the Ukrainian garrison in the city.