Victory Chronicles-DAY 825

Members of the Baltic state parliaments have cautioned German officials that they are ready to deploy troops to Ukraine if Russia makes significant advances in the ongoing conflict. During discussions with Berlin representatives at a conference in Tallinn, Estonia, these officials voiced their concerns about German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s approach to the war. 

Scholz has adhered to the US stance, refusing to allow Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory, maintaining that Ukraine should not attack beyond its own borders. However, Baltic officials worry that this policy might give Russia a strategic advantage in Ukraine. 

They argue that should Moscow progress in eastern Ukraine, their countries, along with Poland, might intervene militarily before Russia reaches their borders. The officials believe that excessive restraint in dealing with Russia could backfire and exacerbate the war.

During a meeting in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Kroo signed a bilateral security agreement. The agreement includes the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Zelenskyy announced on social media that the deal entails a minimum of €977 million in Belgian military assistance to Ukraine for this year alone. Additionally, Belgium has committed to supporting Ukraine throughout the ten-year agreement term. This security pact significantly boosts Ukraine’s defense capabilities and highlights the close relationship between Ukraine and Belgium.

Ukrainian officials have confirmed that the Zaporizhzhia International Airport was hit by a Russian missile on May 26, destroying the terminal building. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine has initiated an investigation into the incident, with criminal proceedings being opened for violating laws and customs of war. The missile attack was carried out using an X-59 cruise missile, according to Operational Command “South.” Thankfully, no casualties or injuries were reported due to the attack. 

The Grifon UAV unit of the 501st Separate Marine Battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces released a video of the destroyed city of Vovchansk, located in the northern Kharkiv region of Ukraine. Heavy fighting is taking place there between Ukrainian defenders and Russian occupiers.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on May 27 that he signed documents allowing French military instructors to visit training centers in Ukraine.

Syrskyi stated that he and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had a video call with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Syrskyi welcomed France’s initiative to send French military instructors to Ukraine. Syrskyi also expressed optimism that France’s determination would encourage other Ukrainian partners to join this “ambitious project.” 

The French Defense Ministry told French outlet Agence France-Presse (AFP) on May 27 that France has been discussing sending French military instructors to Ukraine since French President Emmanuel Macron met with European leaders on February 26 to discuss European support for Ukraine. However, the ministry did not explicitly confirm that France would send French military instructors to Ukraine.

21-year-old fighter Mykhailo Ivas, with the call sign Michael, died on May 11, 2023, near the village of Bilohorivka, Donetsk Oblast. The fighter’s life was cut short by an enemy mortar attack.

Mykhailo Ivas was from the city of Ternopil. After school, he studied at the Ternopil Center for Vocational Education. He received the profession of a mechanic, electric welder, and driver. In his youth, he was engaged in cattail weaving. He loved to travel and visit different cities of Ukraine. He worked abroad for some time. Then, he returned home and got a job at TDK.

In 2023, he signed a contract and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 10th separate mountain assault brigade “Edelweiss.” He was the driver of a grenade launcher unit of a fire support platoon of the mountain assault company of the 8th battalion.

“He never looked for easy ways. He was always kind, cheerful, funny and joking, came to the rescue and was ready to stand up for himself at any time. He was always confident in his endeavors and saw everything through to the end. He appreciated every minute of his life and had many friends. He was the best brother in the world,” said Maria Malinovska, the deceased’s sister.

The defender was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree. Mykhailo was buried at the Mykulynets Cemetery in Ternopil. The fighter is survived by his parents, wife, son, sister, and grandparents. 

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

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• Ukraine and Belgium sign security agreement
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• Dutch Defence Ministry: Ukraine has the right to strike Russian territory, it’s self-defense
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