Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive, Patriot systems in Ukraine and new military aid: highlights of April 19

When will Ukraine launch a counteroffensive?

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are already taking certain counteroffensive actions, and no one will warn about the “beginning of a counteroffensive”.

She emphasized that the counteroffensive is not only active offensive actions but a huge range of different actions and measures: preparation of equipment, training of people (both for defensive and offensive actions), active preparation of reserves, formation of certain tactics — plans “A”, “B”, “C”.

Zelenskyy arrived at the state border with Belarus

During a working trip to Volyn Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the border area where the borders of three countries converge: Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus. There, the President was shown the scope of work that has been done since the beginning of 2022 to strengthen the border with Belarus.

Zelenskyy held a meeting to hear reports on the situation in the area of responsibility of the Volyn operational group of troops, the readiness of military units, and the strengthening of the state border within Volyn Oblast. He also presented awards to border guards.

Military assistance

Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems delivered by the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands have arrived in Ukraine. Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that the air defense forces had mastered the Patriot systems as quickly as possible.

The United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth up to $325 million. It includes ammunition for HIMARS systems, missile, and anti-tank systems, and additional artillery shells.

Export of Ukrainian agricultural products

Bulgaria has decided to temporarily ban food imports from Ukraine. The exception is the transit of goods. It is not known how long the ban will last. Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have already imposed similar restrictions.

Romanian Agriculture Minister Petre Dea said that his country does not question the transit of Ukrainian products to Romanian ports. However, Romania will be sealing and controlling Ukrainian grain cargoes in transit. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine said that negotiations are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen sent a letter to five countries — Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary — with proposals to solve the problems of Ukrainian grain imports. In particular, the European Commission will allocate an additional 100 million euros to help farmers who have suffered losses.

General Staff reacts to the return of 30 thousand UAH of additional payments

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has called on the authorities to “stop engaging in populism” and “focus on the defense of the state” after MPs decided to return 30 thousand hryvnias in additional payments to the military, regardless of what tasks they are assigned and in which areas they serve.

The General Staff emphasized that the additional remuneration is now calculated depending on the areas of combat operations and the complexity of the tasks performed by the soldiers. A soldier who performs tasks in extremely difficult conditions must be highly motivated.

“We are convinced that the Armed Forces should have a fair system of payments that will not create prerequisites for social tension in combat units and will respect those soldiers who risk their lives and health,” the General Staff noted.

Other news:

• Ukraine proposes to switch schools to a 12-year education system starting in 2024.
• In Volyn, an officer beat a soldier, who was seriously injured. The State Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation.
• A court overturns a fine imposed on Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov for violating language laws by posting on social media in Russian.
• Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador from Belarus for consultations over Lukashenko's meeting with DPR leader Pushilin.
• Clashes erupted on the territory of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra after the Ministry of Culture Commission finished its work.
• Investigative journalists from the Scandinavian countries discovered that Russia was preparing sabotage at facilities in the North Sea in case of a conflict with NATO.
• A pensioner is fined in Moscow for complimenting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• Odesa police opened an investigation over a video by bloggers who were in a hotel room with fur seals.