Fighting in Kharkiv Oblast, detention of Russian agents and "duty-free trade" with EU: May 13 highlights

Fighting continues in Kharkiv Oblast

As of 8 p.m., the number of combat clashes in Kharkiv Oblast increased to 13, the General Staff said. They note that Ukrainian units are inflicting fire damage on the Russian units, entrenching themselves in occupied positions and equipping reserve positions.

According to Oleg Synegubov, head of the regional military administration, the Defense Forces are holding back the enemy on all approaches to Vovchansk. The entire town is under fire from the Russians, who are destroying its civilian infrastructure. About 200 residents remain in the town.

As a result of Russian shelling, among the civilian population there are dead and wounded.

The Center for Combating Disinformation stated that the Russians are spreading false information about the lack of fortifications in Kharkiv Oblast. The Kharkiv regional authorities will gather all those involved in the construction of fortifications in the region for public reporting on the completed works.

Agents of the Russian Federation planned terrorist attacks

Law enforcement officers detained a group of agents of the Russian special services who were planning a series of terrorist attacks and sabotage in Kyiv and Lviv.

The explosions were planned to be carried out during the peak hours of visits to construction hypermarkets of a well-known chain in order to cause maximum damage to the civilian population. To make it more difficult to extinguish a fire caused by explosions, they wanted to place the explosives among flammable materials.

Germany will provide another IRIS-T system

Germany will provide another IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine in May.

German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger said that Ukraine already has several such systems. Germany has committed to providing several more IRIS-Ts this year, as well as in 2025 and 2026, he said.

Estonia may send troops to Ukraine

National Security Adviser to the President of Estonia, Madis Roll, said that his country's government is "seriously" discussing the possibility of sending troops to the western regions of Ukraine to replace the Ukrainian military, who will instead be able to go to the front.

At the same time, the German government rejected the proposal of some members of the Bundestag to involve NATO air defense systems on the territory of Poland and Romania in the defense of the sky over western Ukraine.

EU approved "trade duty-free" regime

The EU Council finally approved the extension of the duty-free trade regime for Ukraine for another 12 months. The regime started in June 2022 and will now apply until June 2025.

However, although the EU agreed to suspend import duties and quotas for another year, they introduced restrictions to protect European farmers. If significant violations occur on the EU market or on the markets of one or more countries due to Ukrainian imports, the European Commission "may apply any quick measures it deems necessary."

The Ministry of Energy warned of a "difficult winter"

The Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Halushchenko advised all consumers to prepare for a difficult winter, although the energy industry is doing everything possible to ensure that it passes stably.

He emphasized that in recent months, the Ukrainian energy system has suffered the most damage since the beginning of the full-scale war with Russia.

Other news

• SBU drones hit an oil depot and an electrical substation in Russia in an overnight attack.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the deputy head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.
• The redeployment of military units is proposed to be carried out faster: a corresponding draft law has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada.
• European journalists called to review the format of the national telethon so that Ukrainians do not read anonymous Telegram channels.
• The state services platform Diia is testing the veteran's electronic ID.