Kharkiv shelling, aid from the US and Russia's Maidan-3: May 23 highlights
Russian occupiers launch a missile attack on Kharkiv and hit one of the largest Ukrainian printing houses. The United States is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine. The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said that the Russian operation of the Maidan-3 disinformation campaign is still ongoing. We collected the main news for May 23.
Shelling of Kharkiv
On the afternoon of May 23, Russian troops launched several attacks on Kharkiv. As a result of the attack, 7 people were killed and 21 others were injured.
Russian troops fired missiles at the Factor-Druk printing house, one of the largest full-cycle printing complexes in Europe, where books are printed by most Ukrainian publishers.
In addition, there are reports of attacks on Kharkiv's transport infrastructure and one of the divisions of the city's utility company.
The Russian occupiers also struck Derhachi in the Kharkiv region with anti-aircraft guns. There are 13 wounded there.
Military aid from the USA
On May 24, the United States will announce a new military aid package for Ukraine worth almost $275 million.
It is noted that Ukraine will receive a new military aid package as Kyiv is currently trying to repel the Russian offensive in the north of Kharkiv region. In the new package, the Defense Forces will receive HIMARS systems, artillery, and 155 mm and 105 mm caliber shells.
“Maidan-3” continues
The representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Andrii Yusov, said that the Russian plan for the Maidan-3 disinformation campaign inside Ukraine is still ongoing.
At the same time, Yusov emphasized that Russia did not achieve the effect it had hoped for. In addition, according to the representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Russian propaganda will try to insist on Ukraine's involvement in the terrorist attack in the Russian music center Crocus City Hall. Russia also plans to undermine the legitimacy of the current government within Ukraine.
Rada approves draft law on non-disclosure of data in court decisions
The Verkhovna Rada passed in the first reading a bill to prevent the disclosure of certain information in the texts of court decisions. Dozens of human rights organizations called for the document to be rejected because of its harmfulness to the justice system and freedom of speech.
Human rights activists note that this draft law restricts access to information and decisions of the court register that are of significant public interest. Therefore, it will limit the public's right to follow court cases.
According to human rights organizations, the proposed changes also contradict the principles of a democratic society and Ukraine's European integration commitments.
ECHR considers Saakashvili's imprisonment fair
The European Court of Human Rights has stated that there is no reason to doubt the fairness of the criminal proceedings against former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
The ECHR unanimously ruled that there were no violations of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights in terms of the consideration by national courts of evidence against Saakashvili or the alleged bias of the judge who considered the second criminal case against him.
The Court also found no violation of Article 7 in the actions of the Georgian authorities and dismissed Saakashvili's complaints under Article 18 of the Convention. The former Georgian president did not substantiate his claim that there was an ulterior motive behind his persecution — to prevent him from participating in Georgian politics, the ECHR said.
Power outages on May 24
Schedules of hourly outages throughout May 24 will be in effect for industrial and household consumers throughout Ukraine from 00:00 to 24:00, Ukrenergo reported .
Ukrenergo cites rainy weather and dense cloudiness in most regions of Ukraine as the reason for the outages, which prevents solar power plants from operating at maximum capacity. Accordingly, there will be a shortage of electricity in the power system during daytime hours as well.
Power outages on May 24
On May 24, hourly blackout schedules will be in effect for industrial and residential consumers throughout Ukraine from 00:00 to 24:00, Ukrenergo reported.
The reason for the outages is rainy weather and dense cloud cover in most regions of Ukraine, which prevents solar power plants from operating at maximum capacity. Accordingly, the power grid will face a shortage of electricity during the daytime.
Pre-trial restraint for judge Tandir extended
Judge Oleksii Tandyr, who in May 2023 ran over a National Guard serviceman to death at a checkpoint, has had his preventive measure extended.
The suspect will be held in custody until July 21 without the possibility of bail.
Other important news
- Anti-aircraft gunners of the 110th Marko Bezruchko Brigade destroyed a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft in Donetsk region.
- China launched new “punitive” military exercises around Taiwan almost immediately after the inauguration of new President Lai Ching-te.
- Ukrainian law enforcement officers notified the former commander of the Berkut motor transport platoon in Sevastopol and three other members of the special forces of suspicion of treason.
- Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba once again appealed to Ukraine's international partners to transfer Patriot air defense systems amid recent Russian shelling of Kharkiv region.
- The National Bank of Ukraine is preparing a draft decision to restrict card transfers and introduce card-to-card money transfer limits.
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