Portnov murder case classified, Putin plans border buffer zone: May 22 highlights
Spain classified the investigation into the murder of former Yanukovych aide Andriy Portnov. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans for a “buffer zone” along Ukraine’s border. Ukraine’s Culture Ministry sacked the head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reserve. Here’s a roundup of the top news for May 22.
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reserve director fired
Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications dismissed Maksym Ostapenko as general director of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Historical and Cultural Reserve.
The ministry cited Ostapenko’s “weak stance” in enforcing a ban on religious organizations tied to Russia, specifically the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). Additional reasons included an unauthorized café in the Abbot’s House, unapproved renovations, and “Yevhen Klopotenko’s borshch” events.
Svitlana Kotliarevska was appointed acting director.
U.S. senators: Sanctions bill has strong support
A bill proposing tough new U.S. sanctions on Russia has the support of 81 out of 100 senators, according to its sponsors, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.
The sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to engage in good-faith negotiations for a long-term peace with Ukraine, signaling bipartisan pressure on Moscow.
Spain classifies Portnov murder case
A Spanish judge declared the investigation into the May 21 murder of Andriy Portnov, former deputy head of Viktor Yanukovych’s Presidential Administration, a classified matter, limiting public access to details.
Ukraine’s Embassy in Spain said it is in constant contact with Spanish law enforcement and awaits further information. Portnov was shot dead in Madrid’s Pozuelo de Alarcón district while dropping his children at school, with Spanish police exploring a “settling of scores” motive.
Putin announced the creation of a "buffer zone" along the border
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared intentions to create a “buffer zone” along the Russia-Ukraine border, mentioning Russia’s Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk oblasts but not specifying the exact area.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responded that any buffer zone should be on Russian territory, citing Ukraine’s ongoing Kursk operation as a defensive measure to secure its border.
Magyar: One of the Ukrainian "spies" is connected to Orbán's party
Péter Magyar, leader of Hungary’s Tisza party, which Budapest accused of colluding with Ukraine, claimed one of the detained “Ukrainian spies,” István Holló, has ties to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party.
Magyar said Holló had business interests in Steriflow Kft., a company that secured a state contract for COVID-19 rapid tests, contradicting Hungary’s narrative of Ukrainian espionage.
Intelligence: Car bomb kills Kadyrov’s fighters
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (DIU) reported that a car carrying fighters loyal to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov exploded between Skadovsk and Antonivka in occupied Kherson Oblast. No one survived the blast.
Large-scale illegal amber mining scheme exposed
Law enforcement exposed an illegal amber mining operation in Rivne Oblast, extracting over 5 tons of amber from June 2022 to May 2024.
The environmental damage is estimated at 354 million hryvnias ($8.5 million), with investigations ongoing.
Former judge complains about colleague: she insulted him because he is an IDP
Former Zalishchyky District Court judge Vitaliy Vasylyshyn filed a complaint against a colleague who allegedly mocked him as a “tenant” and “easterner” for being an internally displaced person from eastern Ukraine.
A volunteer who was transferred to the military recruitment center was beaten in Lviv Oblast
In Novyi Rozdil, Lviv Oblast, a group of men attacked Nestor Dydyk, a Territorial Recruitment Center serviceman and former frontline volunteer, leaving him hospitalized with facial hematomas and a broken rib.
The TRC noted Dydyk’s participation in the 2014 Revolution of Dignity and his voluntary enlistment in 2022 to fight Russian forces.
Other news
- Ukraine and Russia exchanged lists for a proposed prisoner swap of 1,000 captives each.
- Drones struck Moscow and other Russian regions, temporarily halting airport operations.
- Assets worth 500 million hryvnias ($12 million) belonging to the son of Motor Sich’s ex-president were seized.
- Romania’s Constitutional Court rejected George Simion’s request to annul the presidential election.
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