Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 08.04 – 14.04
Kuleba: If we had enough Patriots, we wouldn't have lost the Trypilska Power Plant
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that the lack of deliveries of modern Patriot air defense systems allowed the Russians to destroy the Trypilska Power Plant near Kyiv.
Kuleba, in response to a question about whether he discussed the destruction of the Trypilska Power Plant with European colleagues, said: "We raise this issue... What is there to raise? The issue is one - give us Patriots! If we had Patriots, we wouldn't have lost all of this today."
According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ukrainian side will discuss with foreign partners in this vein - "maximizing the acceleration of air defense system deliveries."
Germany will urgently transfer Patriot missile system to Ukraine
Germany has announced that it will urgently transfer one Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine. Germany will urgently transfer another Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine for defense against Russian air attacks, the Ministry of Defense stated.
"It will be provided in addition to those air defense systems that are already delivered and those planned to be transferred."
According to the head of the agency, Boris Pistorius, Berlin is doing everything possible to support Kyiv in terms of German operational readiness.
«Russian terror against cities and infrastructure in Ukraine is causing immeasurable suffering. It also threatens the energy supply to the population and destroys industrial facilities that are important for the operational readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces,” he emphasized.
Britain will consider providing its latest laser weaponry to Ukraine
Defense Minister Grant Shapps suggested that prototypes of the newest laser weapons being developed in the United Kingdom could be provided to Ukraine to enhance its air defense at the prototype stage. However, this is likely to occur no sooner than a few years from now.
Shapps suggested that prototypes of the advanced Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system, DragonFire, which were first tested in January 2024, could potentially be transferred to Ukraine in the future for application and testing in real conditions, without waiting for the system's refinement to reach its final version.
Initially slated for production in 2032, DragonFire is now expected to be operational earlier, with the British Ministry of Defense aiming for 2027.
Netherlands allocates a billion euros for military aid to Ukraine
During a phone call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received confirmation that the Netherlands had allocated an additional billion euros for military aid to Ukraine and 400 million euros for reconstruction. Zelensky noted that these funds were allocated in addition to the commitments under the bilateral security agreement.
"Just now, in a phone conversation, Prime Minister Mark Rutte informed me that the Netherlands allocated another billion euros for military aid to Ukraine and 400 million for reconstruction... Thank you, Mark, thank you, Dutch people! This is an exemplary demonstration of support for Ukraine," Zelensky said.
The conversation also touched upon collaborative efforts with partners to expedite the delivery of artillery shells, ammunition, and air defense systems, added the head of state.
Media: China sharply increases sales of technologies to Russia aiding in war efforts
US data indicates that China has significantly increased sales of machinery, microelectronics, and other technologies to Russia, which Moscow utilizes in the production of missiles, tanks, aircraft, and other weaponry for the war against Ukraine. Two US officials speaking on condition of anonymity revealed this information to several media outlets, including the Associated Press and Reuters .
According to sources cited by the media, in 2023, approximately 90% of Russia's microelectronics imports came from China. Additionally, nearly 70% of Russia's machinery imports, totaling around $900 million in the last quarter of 2023, were also of Chinese origin.
Moreover, Chinese and Russian companies are collaborating on drone production within Russia, and Chinese firms are likely supplying Russia with nitrocellulose, necessary for rocket fuel manufacturing.
The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» in English for readers from other countries to tell to tell about current news and events in Ukraine.
Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти про актуальні новини та події в Україні.
