Defense Ministry dismissals, breach of Russian defense line, possible suicide of ex-Kherson Oblast governor: highlights
The government dismissed Hanna Malyar and other deputy defense ministers, Ukraine filed lawsuits against three countries over agricultural restrictions, and the body of former Kherson Oblast Military Administration head Hennadiy Lahuta was found near garages, suspected of suicide. Here are the highlights for September 18, 2023.
Lawsuit over grain exports
The Ministry of Economy announced that Ukraine will sue Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over their refusal to lift the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products.
In response, the three countries said they would no longer participate in the European Commission's coordination platform on Ukrainian grain.
In the end, Ukraine filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) demanding consultations with Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary.
Government dismisses deputy defense ministers
At its meeting today, September 18, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a decree to dismiss all deputy ministers of defense of Ukraine, as well as the state secretary of the same department:
Hanna Malyar from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense;
Volodymyr Havrylov from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense;
Rostyslav Zamlynskyi from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense;
Denys Sharapov from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense;
Andriy Shevchenko from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration;
Vitaliy Deynega from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization;
Kostiantyn Vashchenko from the post of State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
News outlet Ukrainska Pravda, citing government sources, writes that all the deputies resigned voluntarily after Rustem Umerov's request and will not return to these positions. Consultations on new candidates are currently underway.
Ex-head of Kherson Oblast may have committed suicide
The body of the former head of the Kherson regional military administration, Hennadiy Lahuta, was found in Kyiv near garages, and police suspect suicide. This was preceded by his wife's report of his disappearance.
Earlier, the Kherson-based outlet Most wrote that Lahuta died in a Kyiv hospital during the night of September 17. The regional authorities noted that he died "prematurely" without specifying the cause of death.
Breaking through the Russian defense line in the east
Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that as a result of successful actions, the Ukrainian military broke through the Russian defense line near Bakhmut. The occupiers tried to close it, throwing all available reserves into the battle.
According to him, in the battles in the Bakhmut sector, some of the best trained and best units of the Russian army - 72nd separate motorized rifle brigade, 31st and 83rd separate air assault brigades - were defeated and completely lost their combat capability.
Fierce fighting continues near Bakhmut. After losing the settlements of Andriyivka and Klishchiyivka, the Russians have been launching numerous counterattacks from different directions, trying to regain their lost positions without success.
New assistance from Germany
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced another military aid package for Ukraine worth 400 million euros. First of all, the Ukrainian military will receive ammunition. However, the aid does not include new weapons, including Taurus missiles.
Georgia reports preparation of a "coup d'etat"
The State Security Service of Georgia has announced that it has uncovered a plan to prepare a "coup d'état" in the country according to the "Euromaidan scenario." It was allegedly being prepared by Ukrainian officials of Georgian origin.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine responded that this is not true: "The current Georgian authorities are once again trying to demonize Ukraine in order to solve their internal political issues. The Ukrainian state has not interfered, does not interfere, and does not plan to interfere in the internal affairs of Georgia."
Other news
- Ukraine will be represented at the Oscars by Mstyslav Chernov's documentary "20 Days in Mariupol".
- The bill on automatic granting of the status of combatant was registered in the Verkhovna Rada.
- Explosions occurred in the "administrative building" of "DPR" leader Denis Pushilin in Donetsk.
- In Bulgaria, a drone wreckage with explosives attached was found off the Black Sea coast.
- UN court in The Hague began hearing Ukraine's genocide case against Russia.
- Polish Defense Minister accused the opposition of being ready to give up half the country in case of war back in 2011.
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