Operation in Belgorod region, downing of a Russian helicopter, and F-16 pilot training: highlights of May 22

Operation in the Belgorod region

On the morning of May 22, fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion, who are fighting on the side of Ukraine, announced the “beginning of the liberation of Russia” from Putin's regime. They launched an operation in the Belgorod region.

Russian volunteers from the Freedom of Russia Legion and the RVC claimed to have completely liberated the village of Kozinka in the Belgorod region. They reported that they had entered the town of Graivoron. According to the volunteers, they also passed the village of Gora Podol.

A representative of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, Andrii Yusov, confirmed to us in a commentary that Russian volunteers are conducting an operation in the Belgorod region of Russia.

He said that the operation by Russian guerrillas will contribute to the creation of a demilitarized zone – “a certain security zone in the regions of Russia bordering Ukraine”. He added that after the victory, Ukraine would insist on the continuation of this demilitarized security zone.

In the evening, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that most residents had left the city of Graivoron and the border villages of the Graivoron district, where Russian volunteers are conducting the operation.

Downing of a Russian helicopter

In Donetsk Oblast, a soldier of the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Danylo destroyed a Russian Mi-24 attack helicopter by hitting it with an Igla portable air defense missile system.

The brigade noted that the Russian helicopter tried to carry out a fire attack on the village of New York in Donetsk Oblast. However, it was stopped by an accurate shot of an anti-aircraft gunner of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery battalion of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo.

“After being hit, the enemy helicopter crashed on the enemy-controlled territory near the temporarily occupied Horlivka. Glory to the anti-aircraft warriors of the Royal Brigade!” the statement reads.

Training of Ukrainian pilots

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said that training of the Ukrainian military on F-16 fighters has already begun.

“It's a good thing coming from the G7 [summit] that finally, they decided to prepare the ground in order to provide Ukraine with the jet fighters they need. So training with the pilots has already started. This is the first thing to do. And I hope that soon we could provide Ukraine with this kind of arms,” he said.

Recognition of the regime in Russia as rashism

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has unanimously recognized Russia's crimes against Ukraine as genocide, and the regime in Russia as rashism. This was announced by the Head of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Yehor Cherniev.

The Assembly also called on the governments of their countries to openly announce at the summit in Vilnius that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and to agree on the next concrete steps for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.

According to Cherniev, the adopted declaration includes “support for the international tribunal, assistance to Ukraine before and after the victory, condemnation of the ideology of rashism, restoration of territorial integrity, sanctions, reparations, the Marshall Plan, and much more.”

Other news

• A child was injured in Kharkiv Oblast as a result of a nighttime missile attack.
• A year ago, the Russians hit the base of the Safari police regiment with missiles. Now 23 police officers have been confirmed dead.
• The IAEA is preparing a security plan for the ZNPP in anticipation of Ukraine's counteroffensive, the Washington Post reports.
• Former law enforcement officers stole almost UAH 70 million worth of valuables from the State Special Communications Service's storage facility.
• Russia seems to be creating a new elite air force group to strike Ukraine, British intelligence reported.