Circulation of rubles in Kherson Oblast, UK revealed Russian troll factory (LAST NIGHT'S HIGHLIGHTS)

Ukraine will complete the second part of the EU membership questionnaire next week. The UK accused Russia of using a troll factory to spread misinformation. Ukrainian military brought losses to enemy equipment in Donbas, Kherson Oblast and Snake Island. Here's what you may have missed from the night of May 1.

Ukraine will complete the second part of the EU membership questionnaire by the end of next week

The EU praised the first part of the Ukrainian questionnaire, which is a necessary step in granting EU candidate status. The first part describes the reforms the Ukrainian government has implemented together with its partners in recent years.

Ukraine plans to complete the second part of the questionnaire by the end of next week. It should contain an assessment of the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law.

The questionnaire is aimed at helping the EU to decide whether Ukraine should be a candidate. Ukraine hopes to gain candidate status in June 2022 at the EU leaders summit.

Ukraine repulsed 9 Russian attacks in Donbas and brought losses to enemy equipment

On April 30, the Ukrainian service members successfully repulsed 9 Russian attacks and destroyed more than 30 units of equipment in Donbas. Ukrainian Air Force hit nine enemy air targets: two attack aircraft and seven drones.

In Kherson Oblast, the Russian radio-electronic warfare station Repellent-1 used to suppress drones was destroyed. Ukraine also attacked enemy targets on Snake Island, destroying three Russian anti-aircraft weapons, Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system, and a server with telecommunications equipment.

Russia uses a troll factory to spread misinformation about the war

The British Foreign Office said that Russia is using a troll factory to spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine on social networks.

Trolls leave comments in support of Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine under social media posts by British ministers and other world officials. Troll factory traces were spotted on eight social networks, including Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

The UK has shared this information with partners and will continue to oppose Russia's disinformation campaign.

Ukraine to close seaports in Mariupol, Berdiansk, Skadovsk and Kherson

The Ministry of Infrastructure has decided to close the seaports of Mariupol, Berdyansk, Skadovsk, and Kherson. As a result of the Russian invasion, it is impossible to serve ships and passengers and transport cargo. Also, Ukraine cannot guarantee the required level of shipping safety.

These ports must be reopened after deoccupation.

Circulation of rubles in Kherson Oblast

In the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson Oblast, Russia will put rubles into circulation on May 1. The occupiers announced a 4-month transition period, during which both hryvnias and rubles will be in circulation; after the end of the period, rubles will be the only currency.

The International Settlement Bank (rus. Международный расчетный банк), a bank from the Russian-occupied Georgian territory of South Ossetia, will organize cash and non-cash payments. This bank operates on the territory of the self-proclaimed "L/DNR."

Ukraine presents suspicion to the mayor-collaborator

The mayor of Buryn in Sumy Oblast, Viktor Ladus, was presented with suspicion of cooperation with the occupiers and material support of enemy troops. His deputy and one of the city council deputies also received suspicions.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, they agreed to cooperate with the Russians, including providing the occupiers with housing, fuel, and food.

If found guilty, collaborators face a prison sentence of up to 12 years.

Kidnapping of the village headman in the Kherson Oblast

Kherson regional council deputy Ihor Yosypenko said that the Russians had abducted the headman of Zmiivka village Mykola Kurivchak. Earlier, social media reported that on the morning of April 30, a column of Russians drove into the village and began searching private estates. The occupiers tried to knock the Ukrainian flag off the flagpole, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Turkish delegation in Kyiv

On April 30, Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesman and adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, visited Kyiv. He met with President Zelensky and held talks with the Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.

They discussed the development of effective international guarantees for Ukraine, as the authorities are interested in making Turkey one of the guarantors of security for Ukraine.