Bloomberg: Russia uses TikTok content to undermine Ukrainian leadership

The campaign of Russian influencers and bots is to target on the date of May 20, a day when Zelensky's five-year term would have ended if not for the full-scale war. Ukraine's Constitution prohibits holding elections under martial law.

"Russia is dominating us on #TikTok due to the scale" of its operation, said Andrii Kovalenko, the head of an anti-disinformation department at the National Security and Defense Council.

https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-russia-uses-tiktok-content-to-undermine-ukrainian-leadership-kyiv-says/

#disinformation #propaganda #RussiaInvadedUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Bloomberg: Russia uses TikTok content to undermine Ukrainian leadership, Kyiv says

"Russia is dominating us on TikTok due to the scale" of its operation, said Andrii Kovalenko, the head of a department countering disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council.

Ukraine constantly inventing new ways to sink Russian ships

The spokesperson did not elaborate on the new methods, but on the same day that the Mangust-class patrol boat was sunk, Russia's Defense Ministry published a video of what appeared to be a Magura equipped with an anti-aircraft missile.

Ukraine previously destroyed several Russian ships with a Magura V5 multi-purpose sea drone, including a landing ship Caesar Kunikov, a Sergei Kotov patrol ship, high-speed Serna and Akula landing crafts, and a Tarantul-class Ivanovets missile corvette.

Ukrainian forces also partially damaged the Russian military ship Ivan Khurs using a Magura V5 drone.

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-constantly-inventing-new-ways-to-sink-russian-ships-says-military-intelligence/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #drones #SeaDrones #StandWithUkraine

Military intelligence: Ukraine constantly inventing new ways to sink Russian ships

Andriy Yusov said Russia has been taking steps to counter the attacks including trying to hide ships and build protective barriers, but said HUR was "finding new ways to show that HUR and Magura work extremely efficiently."

Military intelligence confirms car bomb attack killing Russian organizer of torture chambers in Berdiansk

A car bomb explosion in occupied Berdiansk killed a Russian official allegedly responsible for setting up torture chambers in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Ukraine has registered pre-trial information on over 128,000 victims of alleged Russian war crimes, the Prosecutor General's Office in mid-March. These include deliberate attacks on civilians, attacks on cultural sites or medical institutions, torture, and deportations.

https://kyivindependent.com/military-intel-confirms-car-bomb-attack-killed-russian-official-supervising-torture-chambers-in-berdiansk/

#RussianWarCrimes #torture #civilians #StandWithUkraine

Military intelligence confirms car bomb attack killing Russian organizer of torture chambers in Berdiansk

Russian officials, their proxies, and collaborators have been routinely targeted in both occupied parts of Ukraine and inside Russia.

#Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia

Russia's #invasion of #Ukraine has sparked concerns that the Baltic states, which are among Moscow's biggest critics and Kyiv's staunchest allies since day one of the all-out war, could become the next target of Russia's aggression.

These fears are reinforced by Russian President Vladimir Putin's repeated threats to #NATO countries.

A chain of strongholds will be set up along Latvia's border with Russia and Belarus, including defensive #fortifications, various obstacles, and ammunition depots, according to LSM.

https://kyivindependent.com/media-latvia-starts-digging-anti-tank-ditch-near-border-with-russia/

#RussianAggression #Imperialism #anti-tank #StandWithUkraine

Media: Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia

The Latvian army has started to dig an anti-tank ditch as part of its first defensive line near the border with Russia, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported on May 2.

Gazprom reports nearly $6.9 billion in net losses in 2023

#Gazprom's 2023 losses represent the company's first report of annual net loss since 1999, according to Bloomberg.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the European Union has set the goal of weaning itself off from Russian gas supplies

https://kyivindependent.com/gazprom-reports-nearly-6-9-billion-in-net-losses-in-2023/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #OilRefineries #drones #StandWithUkraine

Gazprom reports nearly $6.9 billion in net losses in 2023

The state-owned Russian energy giant Gazprom reported a net loss of 629 billion rubles (nearly $6.9 billion) in 2023, the company's largest profit downturn in decades amidst falling gas prices and a limited European market.

NATO accuses Russia of conducting hybrid attacks inside alliance territory

"These incidents are part of an intensifying campaign of activities which Russia continues to carry out across the Euro-Atlantic area, including on Alliance territory and through proxies," the statement reads. "This includes sabotage, acts of violence, cyber and electronic interference, disinformation campaigns, and other hybrid operations. #NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's #hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security."

https://kyivindependent.com/nato-accuses-russia-of-conducting-hybrid-attacks-inside-alliance-territory/

#RussianAggression #StopRussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

NATO accuses Russia of conducting hybrid attacks inside alliance territory

NATO released a statement condemning Russian "hybrid actions" after multiple individuals were accused of working on behalf of Russia from within NATO territory.

2 Russians running GRU safe house in Greece outed as spies

Two Russian-born #Czech citizens ran a #hotel in northern #Greece that doubled as a #SafeHouse for an infamous unit of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) as it carried out #bombings and #poisonings across Europe, an investigation by The Insider has found.

Husband and wife Nikolay and Elena #Saposnikov ran the Villa Elena, a three-story hotel in #Frama, Halkidiki, which, according to the report, hosted members of the #Kremlin's "most grimly accomplished #assassination and #sabotage squad," Unit #29155, on a regular basis for the last 15 years.

https://kyivindependent.com/the-insider-2-czechs-outed-as-russian-spies-running-greek-hotel-safe-house/

#RussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

The Insider: 2 Russians running GRU safe house in Greece outed as spies

Two Russian-born Czech citizens ran a hotel in northern Greece that doubled as a safe house for an infamous unit of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) as it carried out bombings and poisonings across Europe, an investigation by The...

Russian politician's wife planned to adopt #kidnapped Ukrainian boy, abandoned him due to sickness

Wife of Russian politician Sergey #Mironov forcibly took a Ukrainian girl and boy from occupied #Kherson to adopt them

Both children were taken to #Moscow in September 2022, but Varlamova abandoned the boy in October 2022 when it became clear he had health issues, TSN reported.

The Ukrainian authorities have no information about where the boy is now

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-mp-wife-planned-to-adopt-ukrainian-child/

#Kidnappers #RussiaInvadedUkraine #HumanRights #StandWithUkraine

Media: Russian politician's wife planned to adopt kidnapped Ukrainian boy, abandoned him due to sickness

The wife of Russian politician Sergey Mironov forcibly took a Ukrainian girl and boy from occupied Kherson to adopt them, but abandoned the boy after it became clear he had ill health, Ukrainian news outlet TSN reported on April 28.

Over 18,000 Russian troops of Southern Military District have #deserted

According to many observers, low morale has been a recurring problem for the #Russian Armed Forces fighting in Ukraine.

Over 18,000 #soldiers of the Southern Military District have allegedly deserted in total, with around 12,000 of them belonging to the 8th Combined Arms Army – a unit often deployed in hostilities in eastern Ukraine.

Of this number, around 10,000 are mobilized conscripts and 2,000 contract soldiers

https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-over-18-000-russian-troops-of-southern-military-district-have-deserted/

#RussianAggression #RussiaInvadedUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Military intelligence: Over 18,000 Russian troops of Southern Military District have deserted

Over 18,000 soldiers of the district have allegedly deserted, with around 12,000 of them belonging to the 8th Combined Arms Army – a unit often deployed in hostilities in eastern Ukraine.

Trump is Putin's only hope now

Putin's one hope will remain. The #Kremlin will desperately await its savior from Mar-a-Lago – who one #Republican reportedly called “Orange Jesus.”

Whether #Trump’s return to the Oval Office really would end the ordeal that Putin created for himself is another story. For now, Russia is once again heading for failure in Ukraine.

https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-trump-is-putins-only-hope-now/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #RussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

Opinion: Trump is Putin's only hope now

The news this past week was undoubtedly met with relief in Kyiv and with grief in the Kremlin. The U.S. Congress finally broke its six-month logjam and approved a new package of military aid for Ukraine (as well as for Israel and Taiwan). And the...

Russia planning to disrupt #GlobalPeaceSummit in Switzerland

We have precise intelligence information, specific data that Russia not only wants to disrupt the peace summit, but also has a specific plan how to do it, how to reduce the number of participating countries, how to act to ensure that there is no peace for even longer,"

Kyiv will share Russia's plans with diplomats and intelligence agencies of allied countries, according to Zelensky.

"And together we must counteract this, we must work in unity for a just #peace,”

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-russia-planning-to-disrupt-global-peace-summit-in-switzerland/

#RussianAggression #RussiaInvadedUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Zelensky: Russia planning to disrupt global peace summit in Switzerland

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 24 that Ukraine has precise intelligence information that Russia is preparing to disrupt a global peace summit set to take place in Switzerland in June.

Russia’s energy infrastructure attacks are depopulating Ukraine

International human rights groups have decried Russia’s most recent attacks, calling them a violation of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Russia’s indiscriminate attacks on Ukraine’s #energy infrastructure throughout the war may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In addition to the military advantages afforded by decimating Ukraine’s power systems, Russia is using these attacks to de-populate Ukraine

https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-russias-energy-infrastructure-attacks-are-depopulating-ukraine/

#WarCrimes #RussiaInvadedUkraine #ScorchedEarth #StandWithUkraine

Opinion: Russia’s energy infrastructure attacks are depopulating Ukraine

The collapse of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure last year due to Russia’s war brought the entire country to its knees. And while Ukraine was, for the most part, spared from widespread blackouts this winter, Russian forces are once again targeting...

Half of British military defense fund for Ukraine remains unused

More than half of the U.K.'s 900 million pound (over $1 billion) military fund for Ukraine remains unused due to bureaucratic delays in handing out contracts, the Guardian reports.

The #British Ministry of Defense manages a coalition of about nine countries called the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). The IFU is a funding mechanism that was created in August 2022 and uses financial contributions from nine other countries to procure military equipment for Ukraine. Some of the other countries in the initiative include Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland, and Lithuania.

The IFU has been criticized for its slow provision of weapons to the frontlines. Of the more than $1 billion that's been donated by Western countries over the last two years, of which $600 million came from the U.K., only about $500 million has been committed or spent.

Some British officials even admitted that some of the materials that were purchased would not reach Ukraine until Spring 2025.

https://kyivindependent.com/guardian-half-of-british-military-defense-fund-for-ukraine-remains-unused/

#MilitaryAid #StopRussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

Guardian: Half of British military defense fund for Ukraine remains unused

More than half of the U.K.'s 900 million pound (over $1 billion) military fund for Ukraine remains unused due to bureaucratic delays in handing out contracts, the Guardian reports.

Slovak citizens raise $1.6 million for Czech ammunition initiative after government refuses to contribute

The organizers of the Slovak fundraising campaign said that they "refuse to accept" that their government did not join the initiative.

"Let's show that it's not just them who decide. We are convinced that the attitude of the government does not represent the majority of citizens. We are sure that we, the inhabitants of #Slovakia, want and know how to help," the #fundraising campaign's website says.

https://kyivindependent.com/slovak-citizens-raise-1-6-million-for-czech-ammunition-initiative/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #ammunition #StandWithUkraine

Slovak citizens raise $1.6 million for Czech ammunition initiative after government refuses to contribute

Slovak citizens have raised over $1.6 million in three days for the Czech ammunition initiative after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico refused to contribute to the campaign to aid Ukraine.

Ukraine destroys missile launchers, radar stations at Russian military airfield in Crimea

Ukraine's military intelligence on April 18 said that Ukrainian forces had destroyed four #S-400 launchers, three radar stations, a command post for #AirDefense operations, and air space #surveillance equipment #Fundament-M in the attack.

The total number of Russian military equipment, aircraft, and military personnel losses is still being determined, Ukraine's military intelligence said in its statement.

https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-ukraine-destroys-missile-launchers-radar-stations-at-russian-military-airfield-in-crimea/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #Imperialism #StandWithUkraine #Crimea

Military intelligence: Ukraine destroys missile launchers, radar stations at Russian military airfield in Crimea

Ukraine destroyed several units of military equipment in an attack on a Russian military airfield in Dzhankoi in occupied Crimea on April 17, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported.

Russia destroyed Kyiv Oblast power plant after Ukraine ran out of air defense missiles

#Trypillia TPP was completely destroyed in a Russian strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on April 11, leading to the 100% loss of #Centrenergo's generating capacity.

Russia launched 11 missiles in the direction of the plant, according to Zelensky. Ukraine was able to shoot down the first seven, and four "destroyed Trypillia."

"Why? Because there were zero #missiles. We ran out of all the missiles that protected the Trypillia TPP,"

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-april-16/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #electricity #AirDefense #StandWithUkraine

Ukraine war latest: Russia destroyed Kyiv Oblast power plant after Ukraine ran out of air defense missiles, Zelensky says

Key developments on April 16: * Zelensky: Russia destroyed key power plant near Kyiv since Ukraine 'ran out of missiles' for its defense * Source: Ukraine strikes Russian modernized long-range radar system in Bryansk Oblast * Bloomberg: Russia...

#DoubleTap attack. Understanding one of Russia’s cruelest tactics in Ukraine

Hitting a building, waiting for first responders and the media to arrive, and hitting the same place again to target those who came to put out the fire, help the victims, or document a potential war crime is a well-honed tool of Russia in its wars.

This ruthless and illegal military tactic is called a "double-tap" attack.

Having used #Syria as a "testing ground" since 2015, Russia started #terrorizing Ukraine with "double-tap" attacks following the full-scale invasion. Those attacks have grown more frequent in recent weeks.

https://kyivindependent.com/double-tap-attack-understanding-one-of-russias-cruelest-tactics-in-ukraine/

#WarCrimes #RussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

‘Double-tap’ attack. Understanding one of Russia’s cruelest tactics in Ukraine

Hitting a building, waiting for first responders and the media to arrive, and hitting the same place again to target those who came to put out the fire, help the victims, or document a potential war crime is a well-honed tool of Russia in its...

Ukrainian survivor of Russian torture files legal complaint in #Argentina

A Ukrainian man has filed a criminal complaint to Argentina's Federal Judiciary against the Russian occupying forces who tortured him, The Reckoning Project (TRP), an international NGO that works to bring war crime cases to court, announced on April 16.

Argentina's constitution allows for trials on "international crimes, including crimes against humanity and #WarCrimes, irrespective of where they took place," on the basis of universal jurisdiction, TRP said in a press release.

Though this case is the first time a #Ukrainian #torture complaint has been filed in Argentina, Mr M said that he is "one of so many cases."

https://kyivindependent.com/argentina-court-case-russian-torture-ukraine/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #RussianTorture #StandWithUkraine

Ukrainian survivor of Russian torture files legal complaint in Argentina

Argentina's constitution allows for trials on "international crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes, irrespective of where they took place," on the basis of universal jurisdiction, TRP said in a press release.

Russia fires 10 times more shells, uses 300 aircraft than Ukraine

Delays in U.S. assistance to Ukraine have already had a direct impact on the battlefield, contributing to the loss of the key front-line city of #Avdiivka. Amid the escalating situation on the eastern front, Zelensky said that "Ukraine will lose the war" if the U.S. Congress fails to approve military aid.

As Moscow intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the spring, the shortage of air defense systems in Ukrainian cities and villages is being felt more acutely.

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-14/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #RussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

Zelensky: Russia fires 10 times more shells, uses 300 aircraft in Ukraine only

Russia is firing shells at a ratio of around 10:1 to those of Ukraine and has 30 times more aircraft, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with PBS NewsHour published on April 16.

Rebuilding Kyiv Oblast power plant possible but 'futile' without air defense

The Trypillia Thermal Power Plant was completely destroyed in a Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on April 11, leading to the total loss of #Centrenergo's generating capacity.

The Russian strike led to a large-scale fire in the turbine house of the plant. All of the plant's workers who were on the shift during the attack survived.

"We can restore everything," Hota said, but this will require the help of international partners, as equipment like turbines or transformers come from European countries.

"But without a sufficient number of missiles for anti-aircraft defense, it will, to put it mildly, be a futile affair," Hota added.

https://kyivindependent.com/trypillia-kyiv-oblast-rebuilding-futile/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #RussianAggression #electricity #AirDefense #StandWithUkraine

Rebuilding Kyiv Oblast power plant possible but 'futile' without air defense, Centerenergo says

The Trypillia Thermal Power Plant in Kyiv Oblast can be restored with international help but this will be "futile" without more air defense, Andrii Hota, the chair of Ukraine's state energy company Centerenergo's supervisory board, told Voice of...