Syrsky's interview, a new diplomatic post and another Bihus.Info case: highlights for February 13

The case of surveillance of Bihus.Info journalists

Law enforcement officers have opened another criminal investigation into the illegal surveillance of Bihus.Info employees. These charges involve obstruction of journalistic activity committed by an official or by prior conspiracy.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation. Law enforcement officers are currently establishing the circle of people involved in the crime.

New diplomatic position

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a special envoy for the implementation of international security guarantees and the development of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Yevhen Moysiuk has taken this position.

"We are creating for Ukraine a fundamentally new system of security relations with the world's leading powers, and every element of such relations must be fully implemented. There should be no declarative statements," the head of state said.

Syrskyi and Umerov visited all the hot spots of the frontline

The newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov spent a day at the front, visiting all the hotspots.

They are solving existing problems, including manning units, strengthening, and management. Officials also promise to reinforce with drones, electronic warfare, and strengthen command positions.

Blockade on the border with Poland

Polish farmers started a protest at the Korczowa-Krakivets checkpoint around 2:00 p.m. This is the sixth checkpoint on the border with Poland where traffic has been restricted.

Ukrainian border guards received information from their Polish colleagues that the strikers intend to block the movement of trucks heading to Ukraine for one hour.

In addition, Polish farmers said they would block all checkpoints on the border between Poland and Ukraine on February 20.

Syrskyi's interview a few days before his appointment as commander-in-chief

A few days before his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi gave an interview in which he emphasized that the main task and value now is to save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers performing combat missions.

"We can't afford the same attitude as the Russian invaders when they use the practice of 'meat assaults'. I would rather leave some position, but I will not allow the deaths of all personnel," the general said.

He also commented on the Russian offensive, the situation with weapons, and foreign aid.

Senate approves aid to Ukraine

The U.S. Senate has finally approved a package bill to provide financial assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan worth $95 billion, of which more than $60 billion is to help Ukraine. However, a vote in the House of Representatives is still pending.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden called on the lower house of the U.S. Congress, the House of Representatives, to immediately support the bill.

Pre-trial restraint for Judge Tandyr

The Sviatoshynskyi District Court of Kyiv has extended the pre-trial restraint for Judge Oleksiy Tandyr, who is accused of an accident at a checkpoint that led to the death of a National Guard member.

He will remain in custody without bail until April 12, 2024.

Other news

• Russians buy Starlink terminals via Arab countries - intelligence.
• The seizure of the Hrynkevychs' property has not yet appeared in the register, despite the statements of the SBI.
• The Cabinet of Ministers is merging popular universities and research institutions. This should give them more resources.
• Ukraine still considers the people from the "Il-76 list", whom Russia declared dead, to be prisoners of war, says Defense Intelligence.
• MP Hryshchuk says contract graduate students should retain the deferral from mobilization.