Victory Chronicles-DAY 1183

A Russian missile strike on May 20 targeted a military firing range in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, killing six Ukrainian military personnel and injuring more than 10 others, according to the National Guard of Ukraine.

The  strike occurred during a scheduled training session involving t a National Guard unit. Following the attack, the the unit’s commander was suspended, and an investigation has commenced. Authorities say law enforcement agencies have been given all necessary information and will assess the actions of those in charge.

“The command of the National Guard and law enforcement will provide a strict legal assessment of the actions of all officials based on the results of the investigation,” the National Guard said in a statement.

The Sumy region, which straddles the Russian border, has frequently been targeted by cross-border  shelling and drone strikes since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. 

This attack highlights the vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s interior defense zones even as much as of the fighting remains concentrated in the country’s eastern and southern fronts

Trump’s administration plans to spend $250 million to fund return of refugees, including Ukrainians – media

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to allocate up to $250 million from foreign aid funds to support the voluntary return of refugees to their home countries, including Ukraine, according to The Washington Post newspaper.

During the Biden administration, Ukrainians and Haitians were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows them to remain in the U.S. when conditions at home are deemed unsafe. The documents reviewed by The Washington Post estimate that more than 200,000 Ukrainians and 500,000 Haitians could be eligible for the voluntary return program.

The outlet cites internal documents indicating that the initiative would redirect funds originally designated for overseas assistance toward repatriating migrants, including those from Ukraine and Haiti, who fled to the U.S. due to instability in their home countries.

This initiative is part of a broader immigration policy shift aimed at reducing the number of migrants in the U.S. by encouraging self-deportation.

France-funded robotic mine removal vehicles to be delivered to Ukraine. Estonian robotics developer Milrem Robotics has sold six THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to the French company CNIM Systèmes Industriels, which will equip them for mine clearance  operations before delivering them to Ukraine.

According to Estonia’s ERR media outlet, citing Milrem’s press office, the modified UGVs will be provided to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service under the name ROCUS. The transaction is financed by the French government.

CNIM will integrate its mine removal technology and obstacle clearance systems into the THeMIS platforms, allowing Ukrainian sappers to remotely detect and neutralize ground explosive devices and clear debris in high-risk areas.

“This agreement with CNIM enables us to continue supporting Ukraine. Our partnership demonstrates the strength of European defense cooperation and the shared commitment to provide Ukraine with critical capabilities,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

Ukrainian defense intelligence trooper  recovers disabled armored vehicle under enemy fire. A logistics specialist assigned to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence successfully conducted a high-risk vehicle recovery operation under fire, extracting / exfiltrating a disabled M1224 MaxxPro mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle near the front line of Kupiansk in the northeastern region of Kharkiv.

According to Ukraine’s defense intelligence (HUR) – the MaxxPro – assigned to the “Timur” special operations detachment – was struck during a combat mission by Russian enemy forces. Although the vehicle sustained damage, it remained mostly operational. 

The crew dismounted and continued the mission on foot, leaving the MaxxPro behind in the strike zone.

Demonstrating initiative and tactical bravery, a logistics soldier maneuvered to the site, assessed the MaxxPro’s condition, and determined the powertrain was still operational. Despite significant damage, including a missing wheel, he successfully drove the MRAP out of the hot zone, navigating on three wheels and grinding metal, producing a trail of sparks. 

Footage released by the unit’s aerial reconnaissance team captures the dramatic extraction, underscoring both the resilience and resourcefulness required on the modern battlefield.

Key Takeaways:

• Senior Russian officials continue to deny the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president, government, and constitution and Ukraine’s sovereignty despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent efforts to feign interest in peace negotiations to end the war.
• Medvedev also reiterated long-standing Russian demands tantamount to Ukraine’s complete capitulation.
• Ukraine’s Western allies continue to provide military aid to Ukraine and support Ukraine’s defense industry.
• The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced several sanctions packages against Russia on May 20.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed Colonel General Valery Solodchuk’s recent appointment as Central Military District (CMD) commander on May 20.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, near Chasiv Yar and Toretsk, and in the Zaporizhia direction.

In memoriam: Ukrainian soldier Yevhen Khrystych, a hero of Ukraine’s defense forces

Pvt. Yevhen Khrystych, known by the call sign “Zheka,” was killed in action on Feb. 4, 2024, near the settlement of Stepove in Donetsk region. He died from fatal injuries sustained during combined artillery and mortar shelling. He was 44.

Khrystych was born and lived in Rivne. He graduated from Lyceum No. 15 and later from a local radio engineering college, where he trained as a radio equipment technician. He completed his mandatory military service and, in 2015–2016, served in the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone, defending Ukraine’s sovereignty.

In civilian life, he worked in furniture manufacturing and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. After Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Khrystych once again took up arms to defend his country. He served as a gunner in the 31st Mechanized Brigade. “He was always kind and compassionate — a true professional and a man of great character. He was a hero who never hesitated to help others,” said his wife, Nataliia.

For his bravery, Khrystych was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class. He was laid to rest at the “Nove” cemetery in his hometown of Rivne. He is survived by his parents, sister, wife and children.

*Khrystych’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

• Ukraine pitches tougher Russia sanctions plan to EU as US wavers
• Politico: Trump team opposed to pledging support for Ukraine or condemning Russia’s war in G7 statement
• German defence minister says that Trump misjudged his influence on Putin
• Zelenskyy: Norway ready to allocate more funds for drone production in Ukraine
• NYT: Trump’s new position on the war in Ukraine: Not my problem
• Lithuania urges EU to impose sanctions that truly hurt Russia
• Axios: Trump asked Putin to make proposal Ukraine and Europe can agree to
• Group of US senators urges return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia as part of any peace deal
• US state secretary: US working with allies on deliveries of new Patriot systems to Ukraine