War

The European Union should more deeply integrate Ukraine’s domestic defense production into the ecosystem of the European defense industry, which would allow the EU to procure military equipment directly from Ukrainian manufacturers, thus directly financing Ukrainian defense. This was stated by EU High Representative Josep Borrell in Brussels during a press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council (Defense) on Tuesday, reports an Ukrinform correspondent. "We discussed about the European Defense Industrial Strategy. We took stock of the result of the last EU-Ukraine Defense Industries Forum, with more than 400 participants. It is clear that we need to anchor the Ukrainian…

First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha during a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Simonas Satunas, emphasized the need to increase defense assistance for Ukraine. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ukrinform saw. "Andrii Sybiha expressed gratitude to the Lithuanian side for the political support and multidimensional practical assistance provided to Ukraine to counteract the full-scale Russian aggression. He also emphasized the need to increase the volume of defense assistance to our country," the Foreign Ministry noted. The interlocutors discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the…

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine during a meeting in Kyiv with Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock discussed the latter’s joint initiative with the German defense chief to find additional Patriot systems and other air defense capabilities for Ukraine. The head of state reported this via X, Ukrinform saw. "I welcomed German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on her seventh visit to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began. I spoke about the frontline situation and Ukraine’s key defense needs. We discussed the joint initiative of German foreign and defense ministers to find additional Patriot and other air defense systems for…

More than 3,000 convicts have already applied for parole in order to join the Army ranks in Ukraine. That’s according to Deputy Minister of Justice Olena Vysotska, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "This is more than 3,000 people. This is what we foresaw before the law passed parliament. It cannot be said that all 20,000 people we had in our outlook as the entire potential will ultimately join. During the previous polls, about 4,500 expressed such will. Now these numbers will fluctuate..." Vysotska said, answering the question of how many applications for…

Ten Ukrainian servicemen underwent F-16 fighter jet maintenance training in the Netherlands. This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the Dutch Ministry of Defense. "Ten Ukrainian servicemen have undergone training in the Netherlands in the maintenance of F-16 fighters. The Netherlands agreed to provide Ukraine with at least 24 F-16s. They also need to be maintained and serviced," the report reads. It is noted that the Ukrainians were trained in the maintenance of all parts critical for a fighter pilot. It is about the helmet, oxygen systems, and parachutes. Read also: New satellite imagery shows two MiG-31s, one Su-27…

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group have allocated a total of $95 billion in military support to Ukraine, and promised that the United States, for its part, will continue to provide regular aid packages to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He stated this in his opening remarks at the beginning of the Ramstein meeting on Monday, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports. "Our fellow Contact group members continue to step up to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs. Together they have now committed more than $95 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start a Putin…

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday, May 20, launched the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, delivering a traditional opening speech. This is already the 22nd meeting in the so-called Ramstein format, this time is being held in video conference mode, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports. "We’re meeting at a moment of challenge. Putin's invaders have launched another offensive onto sovereign Ukraine territory. And the Kremlin's forces will try to make further advances in the weeks ahead and try to carve out a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border," the head of the Pentagon noted. Read also: Ukraine's…

British Defense Minister Grant Shapps has published a list of weapons and equipment that the country has donated to Ukraine as military aid over the past three weeks. Shapps reported this on X, Ukrinform saw. "The world cannot wait, Ukraine needs us to step up so they have what they need to push Putin back," the head of the British defense ministry emphasized. In the list of aid he published, he recalled 80 missiles for air defense already transferred to Ukraine, out of the 100 set to arrive by the end of May; more than 20 demining systems; 30 pallets…

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced on Thursday a new package of military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 750 million. That’s according to MFA Denmark’s press service, Ukrinform reports. "Pleased to announce a new military support package to Ukraine worth 750 million EUR bolstering their air defense and artillery. Denmark also looking into opportunities for investing in Ukraine’s defense industry," Rasmussen said. He noted that Denmark “stands firmly” with Ukraine and its people. Read also: Head of Zelensky’s Office, Denmark’s PM talk defense aid to Ukraine As Ukrinform reported earlier, the chief of the Ukrainian President's…

President of Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine says several additional Patriot air defense systems are needed to protect Kharkiv from Russian attacks. He said this in an interview with the ABC News, whose crew accompanied the Ukrainian head of state during a visit to one of the hospitals in Kharkiv, Ukrinform reports. “The situation is very serious. We cannot afford to lose Kharkiv. (..). All we need are two Patriot systems. Russia will not be able to occupy Kharkiv if we have those," Zelensky emphasized. According to the president, over the past few days, hundreds have died or been injured amid…