Ukraine

Ukraine is implementing the principles of gender equality in its army using Western and NATO experience, including the introduction of gender-sensitive language, creating conditions for women in leadership and combat positions, and conducting gender equality training for all personnel.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has developed a new methodology for assessing the effectiveness of scientific and technical activities of scientific institutions and higher education institutions, which will allow evaluating scientific work according to new criteria, including research that contributes to the development of Ukraine, with the mandatory participation of international experts and transparency through a digital system.

Next week, the European Commission will start discussing the 14th package of sanctions against russia and potential new restrictions against belarus. The decision to approve the sanctions is expected in May.

The European Council strongly condemned Russia's air and missile attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, emphasized the urgent need to ensure Ukraine's air defense, and called for the accelerated and intensified provision of all necessary military assistance, including artillery ammunition and missiles.

This week, border guards have not yet recorded any attempts by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups to enter Ukraine, nor have they detected any build-up of Russian troops on the border.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is convinced that if Kyiv loses the war with russia, it could lead to World War III, as russia will not stop in Ukraine.

Polish farmers continue to block the Yagodyn and Rava-Ruska checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border, effectively making it impossible for trucks to travel from Ukraine to Poland.

The SBU detained an "assistant" of MP Nestor Shufrych, he faces up to 8 years in prison.

Two Russian spies who were planning to sabotage Germany's military aid to Ukraine were detained in Bavaria.

The head of Ukrainian intelligence, Budanov, predicts that the war will continue as long as the current political regime is in place in russia.

President Zelenskiy announces an increase in domestic military production in Ukraine, including 10 Bogdanas aircraft this month, and long-term contracts with companies.

Russian diesel exports have been falling for several weeks, by an average of 25%, following recent drone attacks on the country's refineries.

The Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine met with the Director of NATO Defense and Security Cooperation to discuss the transfer of non-lethal assistance to Kyiv for the development of the Defense Forces.

Financial monitoring blocked VBet and Pin-UP accounts for over UAH 2. 8 billion.

Germany's Diehl Defense will provide Ukraine with another IRIS-T missile defense system to strengthen its air defense, in addition to the three systems already delivered. The new system is expected to arrive in a few weeks.

Ukraine may receive the first batches of ammunition under the Czech ammunition initiative as early as June, with contracts signed for about 500,000 large-caliber rounds.

Ukraine urgently needs additional Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems to defend against Russian terror and protect Ukrainians from Russian missiles and drones.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister met with Blinken to discuss the urgent need for additional U. S. military assistance, as well as Patriot air defense systems and missiles.

Over the past 45 days, Russian cyber groups have stepped up efforts to spread disinformation and controversial content aimed at influencing the upcoming US presidential election, Microsoft reports.

A 59-year-old school bus driver from the Kharkiv region collaborated with the Russian occupiers by transporting their troops and weapons on a repainted school bus between the front line and the Russian city of Belgorod.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson strongly supports the provision of lethal aid to Ukraine, considering it critical.

On Thursday, April 18, a russian missile strike in the Dnipro region wounded two men aged 30 and 35, who were hospitalized in moderate condition, and started several fires, according to the head of the Dnipro regional military administration.

Borrell discussed with Cameron the intensification of efforts to urgently provide Ukraine with air defense equipment.

Ukraine's Ambassador to China met with China's Special Representative to discuss Ukraine-China relations. The diplomat also confirmed China's invitation to participate in the Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland in June 2024.

Due to Russian attacks and cold weather, Ukraine is facing electricity shortages, which have resulted in consumption restrictions for business and industry from 6 to 10 pm, with the exception of critical infrastructure and defense enterprises, while households in Kharkiv region continue to experience power outages.

The state logistics operator has announced the first tenders for the purchase of 12 types of winter clothing for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including winter pants, jackets, suits, gloves and socks, with defined quality requirements.

The G7 countries do not plan to unfreeze russian assets and are working on how to use them to help Ukraine. A plan to compensate Kyiv with frozen russian funds will be presented at the summit in Italy in June.

Germany detained two Russian agents of German-Russian origin who were planning sabotage operations against military infrastructure to undermine support for Ukraine.

Kuleba met with the Japanese Foreign Minister to discuss the development of a global partnership aimed at economic recovery, energy stability and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Blinken will attend a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Capri to discuss support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's war, the crisis in the Middle East, and deepening global partnership.