Ukrainian drones strike key Russian semiconductor plant supplying defense industry
In the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, the city of Bolkhov in Russia's Oryol region witnessed tremendous explosions and a fire near a semiconductor plant. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed an assault by ten Ukrainian drones on the facility. This plant is a leading producer of semiconductor components in Russia, supplying to 19 defense industry enterprises that manufacture, among others, "Kinzhal" and "Iskander" missiles, as well as aircraft for Russia's Sukhoi company. …
Russian missile strike hits Ukrainian training ground: command ignored air raid warnings
Military personnel at a base housing a training ground in the Sumy region stated that command intentionally ignored air raid warnings.
A Russian missile strike on a training facility in Shostka, Sumy region, resulted in the deaths of six servicemen and injured over 10, according to the National Guard of Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense previously released a video supposedly showing the attack on a Ukrainian Armed Forces camp, while state news agency TASS reported an unverified death …
Putin makes landmark visit to Kursk region after Russian Defense Ministry declares area secure
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region for the first time since the Russian Defense Ministry announced it was free from the Ukrainian armed forces, the Kremlin press service reported on Wednesday, May 21. The Kremlin clarified that the visit took place "the day before." During his trip, Putin met with "representatives of volunteer organizations" and the acting governor of Kursk region, Alexander Khinshtein, according to the Kremlin.
In addition, Putin held a meeting with …
Russia's ambitious plan to capture four Ukrainian regions by year's end met with skepticism
Bloomberg reported that Russia aims to capture four Ukrainian regions by the end of the year. Speaking with the Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, Ukrainian Armed Forces reserve colonel and military expert Serhiy Hrabskiy expressed skepticism about Russia's ability to achieve this plan within the stated timeline.
On May 19, Bloomberg reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes he has the upper hand on the front lines and thinks he can fully capture four Ukrainian regions by the year's …
Belgium to speed up delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine, says defense minister
Belgium is planning to expedite the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, moving up the timeline originally set, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken announced ahead of a ministers' meeting in Brussels on May 20, according to Radio Svoboda.
“Regarding the F-16s, we are part of the F-16 coalition and will remain so, and we're trying to deliver the aircraft even earlier than the set deadline. I think this is good news," he stated, though he provided no further details.
Earlier, in March, …