Militarily, today is what might be considered a good day – or at least one filled with mostly good news.
The defense ministry announced new training simulators for Ukraine’s F-16 jets before hinting at a major reform, boosting pay and introducing new contracts – including the possibility of demobilization, a long-debated issue in Ukraine as the war passed its four-year mark and troop fatigue became a real concern.
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Russia’s Tuapse refinery was also struck again – the fourth time in two weeks – while President Volodymyr Zelensky said all the oil facility strikes this year have amounted to $7 billion in losses for Moscow’s budget. Bloomberg also reported that Russia’s oil processing has dipped to its lowest level since 2009, with Moscow scrambling to implement damage-control measures.
Many suspect these setbacks are also behind Russia’s move to ban imports of Starlink, as part of a broader effort to tighten control over communications.
In what’s considered a rarity, Russia’s elusive Su-57 stealth fighters were also hit deep behind the front a few days ago, according to Ukraine’s General Staff, while Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) said a covert operation hit Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov’s Akhmat unit hard near Sumy.
Zelensky Says Putin Rejected G7 Peace Talks Offer
We also had an interview with Canada’s top general – the first woman to lead Canada’s Armed Forces – on Ottawa’s support for Ukraine and outlook for future security.
Some bad news – record drone strikes, uncertain US support
But it is far from what one can call a perfect day – western Ukraine’s Ternopil was hit hard in a rare daytime attack, with houses in Odesa and fuel stations in Kharkiv hit just hours earlier, as Russia’s drones launched against Ukraine reached record numbers in April based on AFP tallies.
US President Donald Trump also blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for helping Ukraine, claiming it is why the war continues; Moscow, on the other hand, said it needs no input from Ukraine on its proposed V-Day ceasefire, which ironically is not how a ceasefire works.
As Israel delivers 6,500 tons of weapons to Israel within 24 hours, the Iran war is also accelerating concerns of the US’s ability to defend itself – this time concerning threats from North Korea, as analysts suggest Pyongyang’s missile programs might be outpacing Washington’s means to defend against them.
Kyiv’s dispute with Hungary’s incoming prime minister also continues to brew, with the latter now saying he won’t back Kyiv’s EU accession unless Kyiv grants more rights to its Hungarian minority.
We are also keeping an eye on the Russian deputy minister who reportedly fled to the US and the latest Mindich scandal, which now implicates the manufacturer of Ukraine’s Flamingo missile.
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