U. S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba have lunch at a pizzeria run by Ukrainian army veterans in central Kyiv during Blinken's unannounced visit to discuss defense cooperation and preparations for the Peace Summit.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has established the Strategic Investment Council to form a unified project portfolio of public investments and coordinate reform efforts with the support of partners.
The government has amended the procedure to allow the reservation of employees at companies involved in the restoration of critical infrastructure damaged by Russian aggression.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution that simplifies the construction and placement of gas piston and gas turbine units, cogeneration units, boiler houses, generators and related networks during martial law to ensure sustainable heat and power supply in the 2024/25 heating season in the face of Russian aggression.
Ukraine is working to restore and reconstruct the energy sector, develop decentralized generation and minimize risks before the start of the next heating season.
On May 16-17, 2024, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to China to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss partnership and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Kyivteploenergo has localized the damage to the 800 mm diameter heating network on Antonovycha Street in Kyiv, which occurred during hydraulic testing and caused traffic disruptions and delays in the operation of public transport routes.
Russia has openly launched a campaign of terror against Western countries aimed at undermining unity through subversion, support for radical movements, and attempts to influence political decisions.
The situation in Chasovyi Yar has not changed, with active fighting continuing day and night. The enemy has not made any territorial gains in recent days.
The situation in the JFO area on Khortytsia remains difficult, with fierce defensive battles continuing, Russian troops trying to break through the Ukrainian defense, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are controlling the situation, preventing breakthroughs and inflicting losses on the enemy, while the situation is changing dynamically and Ukraine is regaining ground in certain areas.
In the area of responsibility of the operational and tactical group "South", there are no signs of the creation of offensive groups of Russian occupants, and the enemy's tactics remain unchanged without any fundamental changes in the location and nature of actions.
This morning, Russian occupants intensified their activities in the areas of Staromayorske, Krynky and Robotyne, but Ukrainian troops did not lose ground.
Ukrainian troops repel russian attempts to seize Vovchansk, killing more than 1,000 occupants since the start of hostilities, while the russians change tactics and advance in small groups.
Serbia and Ukraine agree to improve bilateral relations: the Serbian ambassador will soon return to Kyiv, and an economic forum between the two countries is planned.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had phone conversations with the Prime Ministers of Sweden and Luxembourg and the Prime Minister of Canada. The parties discussed the production of more weapons, defense support, and participation in the Global Peace Summit
The Ukrainian military is thwarting Russia's attempts to expand the war by conducting counterattacks in Kharkiv region, destroying Russian infantry and equipment, and responding to enemy activity such as sabotage groups and shelling in Sumy and Chernihiv regions.
In the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian counterattacks continue, reinforcing areas such as Vovchansk and the border areas under the command of Brigadier General Mykhailo Drapaty, destroying Russian infantry and equipment.
Russian snipers fired at an armored police car that was evacuating people from Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, but the car saved the lives of three law enforcement officers, no one was injured.
Russians are holding civilians in the basements of Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, threatening them with execution and forced labor, which constitutes war crimes and a violation of the Geneva Convention, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights reports.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Andriy Alekseenko from the post of First Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine and appointed Oleg Lugovskyi to the post.
Ukrainian military shoots down a Russian Su-25 fighter jet in Donetsk region.
Ukrainian troops have pushed back Russian forces and are clearing the northern outskirts of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv sector amid ongoing fighting.
Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region is turning into Bakhmut or Marinka due to intense Russian shelling and a large number of guided aerial bombs dropped on the city, destroying buildings and causing significant damage.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and return it to pre-war levels.
Ukrainian soldiers from the 60th and 63rd Brigades destroyed 10 pieces of occupiers' equipment on the move.
Oil depot in Belgorod region and power substation in Lipetsk region: a source reports the results of a successful hunting operation by SBU drones in Russia.
Ukraine is discussing a possible increase in electricity tariffs within a month due to the need for funds to prepare for the fall-winter period and repair energy facilities damaged by shelling.
Ukraine's energy system will face difficulties in the summer, as it did in the winter, due to possible shelling and damage, leading to restrictions and economical use of electricity.
Russia is using the African mercenary corps, which is suffering huge losses, in its offensive against the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.
Scholz hopes that Arab countries, India, South Africa, Brazil, and China will take part in the Peace Summit in Switzerland, which could be an important step toward resolving the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.
