Odesa Gunfight Between SBU and Corrupt Military? – Ukraine Latest, April 21

Fallout from the weekend’s Kyiv shooting continues to hang over the capital.

Police chiefs have been dismissed over what officials called an inadequate response, and the government has ordered retraining for officers. The patrol police chief resigned, only to be appointed as an adviser – a move that raised some eyebrows.

Another shooting in Odesa has also sparked reports of a corrupt scheme, after local media said officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confronted corrupt military and police personnel in a gunfight and chase.

Ukraine may also soon receive the vital €90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan. With the Druzhba pipeline reportedly set to reopen, the EU’s top diplomat and other officials have hinted that the funding freeze could soon be lifted. Alongside that, Budapest’s new administration is reportedly reversing Hungary’s exit from the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he sets foot in the country.

Regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, Kyiv’s UN envoy said Moscow would need another million troops to seize the territory it seeks. European commentators have also suggested the tide may be turning against Moscow, while a leaked call on Russian drone production claimed 90% of the chips used come from China.

Other Topics of Interest

Putin Responds to Zelensky’s Letter, Says Meeting Would Be Pointless

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 5, Vladimir Putin said he had read Zelensky’s open letter that morning. He addressed comments about his age and time in office, criticized Ukraine’s election policy, and claimed Zelensky had requested a meeting through a Russian businessman. Putin said he had never refused talks but questioned the purpose of such a meeting and argued it would primarily benefit Ukraine.

As to why Russia is invading Ukraine, Moscow’s plans to launch a major manganese extraction project in occupied Zaporizhzhia might provide an answer.

Kyiv is also hitting Russian oil hard. The Tuapse refinery was struck again, while the Samara linear production and dispatch station – a key site for Urals crude – was also hit overnight.

Across Europe, concerns over possible Russian escalation are also growing. Germany is considering raising the reserve service age limit to 70, while Denmark has dismissed an F-16 technician over his Russian wife. Days after Norway reported intercepting Russian spy aircraft, Sweden also said it intercepted two bombers, fueling speculation over whether something more serious may be brewing beyond routine air policing missions.

On a lighter note, military sources told us that singer Dua Lipa helped finance a pickup truck for the Ukrainian military.

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