Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 08.05 – 14.05

UK hands over long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine

The UK authorities have officially confirmed the transfer of long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine.

This was announced by British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace during a meeting of the British Parliament.

The minister noted that these missiles will complement other Western weapons that Ukraine has, including the HIMARS and Harpoon systems, as well as Ukrainian-made Neptune missiles.

He added that Storm Shadow will allow Ukraine to defend itself against targeted Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

«The use of Storm Shadow will allow Ukraine to push Russian forces off Ukrainian sovereign territory,» Wallace emphasized.

 

Ukrainian Armed Forces make progress in liberating territories in Bakhmut

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW)  report that, according to their data, the Ukrainian military has recently liberated 16.85 square kilometers in the Bakhmut area in a counteroffensive.

The commander of the Ukrainian Land Forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky, said on May 13 that Ukrainian troops were advancing in unspecified areas of the front, and the General Staff of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian troops were currently conducting active operations in the Bakhmut area.

According to ISW estimates, as of May 13, Ukrainian forces liberated 16.85 square kilometers in the Bakhmut area during recent counterattacks.

 

Prime Minister of Italy: I am convinced of Ukraine's victory

After talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed confidence in Ukraine's victory in the war against Russia.

«I am convinced that Ukraine will win, that it will recover even stronger, more prosperous. The future of Ukraine is the future of peace and freedom, and it is the European future. And there are no other possible solutions,» Maloney said.

She noted that Rome will continue to work with its allies to provide military support to Ukraine.

«Peace cannot be achieved with defeat, with the surrender of Ukraine's territories, it would be very dangerous for peace in Europe and would be a precedent for all the nations of the world. We will come to peace only when Russia stops waging war and attacking civilian targets. We will continue to call on Moscow to stop the fighting and withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine,» Maloney added.

 

Germany announces new €2.7 billion military aid package for Ukraine

The German Ministry of Defense on Saturday officially announced a €2.7 billion military aid package for Ukraine, the largest since the Russian invasion.

The aid package includes 18 wheeled howitzers, artillery ammunition, guided missiles for air defense systems, 4 IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft missile systems for air defense, and 12 IRIS-T SLS launchers.

The package also includes 30 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks and 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, more than 100 armored combat vehicles, and more than 200 reconnaissance drones.

 

Rheinmetall and Ukroboronprom agree to repair tanks in Ukraine

The German arms concern Rheinmetall has signed an agreement with Ukroboronprom to set up a joint venture to repair tanks in Ukraine.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said this in an interview with Handelsblatt.

According to the newspaper, Papperger discussed the details of the deal with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Ukraine.

«The contracts have already been signed,» he said.

According to the agreement, Rheinmetall and Ukroboronprom are establishing a joint venture in which the German side will hold 51% of the shares and management. The cooperation will focus on the maintenance and repair of armored vehicles in Ukraine, while preparations for the construction of tanks will be made.

 

The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» and the charity organization Global Empowerment Mission in English for readers from other countries to tell the stories of people who survived the horrors of the Russian occupation.

Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» та благодійною організацією Global Empowerment Mission на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти історії людей, які пережили жахи російської окупації.