Boris Pistorius has promised Ukraine a 500 million euro weapons package. US President Joe Biden has partially approved the use of American weapons on Russian soil. All news about the war against Ukraine in the news ticker.

10:10 p.m.: According to US officials, US President Joe Biden has partially lifted the ban on Ukraine using American weapons in attacks on Russian territory. This is reported by “Sky News”. The change will only apply to the defense of the area around Kharkiv. However, the requirements that Ukraine should not use long-range missiles provided by the USA in Russia will not change.

“The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use US-supplied weapons to counterattack in the Kharkiv region,” said a US official who asked not to be identified. Ukraine should be able to “strike back against Russian forces that attack it or are preparing to attack it.”

However, nothing has changed in the ban on the use of ATACMS missiles or long-range missiles inside Russia, the official said, referring to the missiles that Washington recently delivered to Kyiv. A second US official confirmed the information. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously indicated that Biden could change course on the issue.

7:06 p.m.: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced a new German weapons package to support Ukraine worth half a billion euros. “We will continue to support you in this defensive battle,” said the SPD politician on Thursday evening at a meeting with his colleague Rustem Umjerow in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa. Some materials are already about to be delivered, Pistorius added.

The package includes a large number of medium-range Iris-T SLM air defence missiles and a smaller number of shorter-range SLS missiles, said Pistorius. It also includes drones for reconnaissance and combat in the Black Sea, as well as urgently needed spare parts such as replacement barrels for the artillery systems supplied by Germany and replacement engines for Leopard battle tanks. One million rounds of ammunition for small arms will also be made available. From 2025 onwards, the delivery of 18 new wheeled howitzers of the latest design will follow, added the German Defence Minister.

According to Pistorius, Germany will also finance industrial training courses for Ukrainian technicians. The package also includes funds for interference-proof satellite communications. From the commitments made so far, further Leopard A1 and Leopard II A4 battle tanks will be delivered from Spain this year. 19 tanks will be made available to Ukraine from Spain, and Germany will contribute one million euros to their restoration, maintenance and repair. Germany will also provide additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles, armoured combat vehicles, anti-aircraft tanks and equipment for command and control of electronic warfare.

Pistorius said he was listing the details to “underline that we are not just currently delivering what is available”. Rather, particular emphasis was placed on sustainability by placing orders that would only become a reality in the next few years. This is because “we believe that it is important to set the course now as a precautionary measure in order to ensure that this war lasts even longer and that we want and will continue to provide support”.

4.46 p.m.: In view of Western support for Ukraine, Russia has reiterated its criticism of the planned deliveries of F-16 fighter jets. F-16 aircraft are also known from NATO’s concept of so-called nuclear sharing, where they are intended as a means of transport, said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview published by the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti on Thursday. “That is why we cannot help but view the delivery of these systems to the Kiev regime as a deliberate signal action by NATO in the nuclear field.”

Russian propaganda has repeatedly portrayed the F-16 deliveries to Ukraine as a potential nuclear threat. However, there is no debate at all that Ukraine could equip the aircraft with nuclear weapons.

Instead, Kiev says it urgently needs the aircraft in order to be able to turn the current difficult situation at the front around. Ukrainian pilots have completed training for this type of aircraft. According to unofficial information, the first F-16s, which countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark have promised, are expected in Ukraine in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov also used the interview to praise the role of his own ally China. If there were ever to be a peace conference in which both Russia and Ukraine participated, then that would also be a result of Chinese efforts “to find a solution to the Ukraine crisis,” said Lavrov.

The background to the statements is a Ukraine peace summit that is due to begin in Switzerland in just over two weeks and is currently causing great discontent in Moscow. Russia has not been invited to the meeting, which is intended to develop peace prospects as a first step. However, Moscow also rejects the peace plan discussed there by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj as unrealistic. Ukraine hopes to convince not only supporting countries but also neutral or even friendly states of Russia of its position. China in particular is being courted.

Thursday, May 30, 10:34 a.m.: Special forces of the Ukrainian military intelligence service are said to have hit two Russian KC-701 Tuna-class boats on Thursday morning. This was reported by intelligence sources to the “Kyiv Post”. According to them, Ukraine is said to have used unmanned surface vehicles or naval drones.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the boats were unmanned and heading towards the Crimean peninsula. They were “destroyed by regular firepower in the Black Sea,” the ministry said.

The boats are used by Russian security forces for operations. Depending on the modification, they can be used for travel, patrol and leisure purposes. Putin’s oligarchs also use them for fishing, which is why they are also called “Putin boats”.

2.11 p.m.: Sweden has promised Ukraine its largest military aid package to date, amounting to 13.3 billion Swedish kronor (around 1.16 billion euros). This is intended in particular to strengthen Ukraine’s entire air defense, the Swedish government announced on Wednesday. The package includes aircraft and armored personnel carriers, among other things.

“Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its air defense,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said at a press conference. The package is the 16th from Sweden and about twice the size of the last one. As part of the package, Sweden will provide two ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and command aircraft. According to Defense Minister Jonson, these have “the greatest impact on Ukrainian air defense” at present, as they will complement and reinforce the promised donations of US F-16 fighter jets. The aircraft will be gradually introduced once Ukraine also receives F-16 fighter jets.

In addition, among other things, the entire Swedish stock of armored personnel carriers 302 (APC 302) is to be made available to support the construction of new Ukrainian army brigades. Since the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden has provided 43.5 billion Swedish kronor (about 3.78 billion euros) in military aid, according to government figures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Sweden on X, saying the support was crucial for Ukraine’s defense and resilience. “It is also important that Swedish assistance not only saves Ukrainian lives, but also helps ensure long-term peace and security in Europe,” he wrote. “Together we will defend our shared values ​​and ensure that the attacker is held accountable.”

Wednesday, May 29, 05:40: Amid efforts to raise additional revenue to finance the offensive in Ukraine, Russia plans to raise taxes on top earners and companies. The Finance Ministry’s plans on Tuesday include raising the corporate tax rate from 20 to 25 percent and increasing tax rates for top earners.

The increases would bring in around 27 billion euros per year, reported the news agency Interfax, citing calculations by the Finance Ministry. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the changes were aimed at a “fair and balanced tax system.”

According to the Finance Ministry, exceptions are planned for soldiers fighting in Ukraine. The changes could be passed by parliament this year and come into force next year.

Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, government spending has significantly exceeded revenue. Russia recorded a budget deficit of the equivalent of about 68 billion euros in 2022 and 2023. A deficit of the equivalent of about 17 billion euros is expected for the current year, which corresponds to about 0.9 percent of Russian gross domestic product.

7.20 p.m.: Germany and the USA are demanding that Ukraine not use its weapons against targets on Russian territory. According to Bild, however, Ukraine has not adhered to this agreement on at least one occasion. For example, a German Patriot system was used against attacking Russian aircraft.

This resulted in “angry calls” from Berlin and Washington. The threat was made that if the incident were repeated, no more anti-aircraft missiles would be delivered to Ukraine. According to the pro-Ukrainian military blog Tendar, the incident occurred on May 13, 2023. Within a few minutes, Ukraine shot down two Mi-8 helicopters, a Su-34 fighter-bomber and a Su-35 fighter jet over the Russian region of Bryansk.

Several heads of state have declared in recent days that their weapons could be used against Russian targets with immediate effect. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine must be able to “neutralize” bases in Russia.

4.41 p.m.: Vladimir Putin has warned NATO countries against allowing Ukraine to attack targets in Russia with Western weapons. “This constant escalation can lead to serious consequences,” warned the Russian president in Uzbekistan. “In Europe, especially in the small states, they should be aware of what they are playing with.”

11.46 a.m.: According to its Defense Ministry, Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, is still negotiating with France and other countries about sending foreign military instructors to its country. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov thus corrected statements by Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Olexander Syrskyj on Monday evening that a mission of French instructors had already been decided.

Since February, Kiev has been proposing that Ukrainian soldiers should no longer be sent abroad for training, but should be trained in their own country, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said. “We are currently still in talks with France and other countries on this issue.”

Regarding the documents that were allegedly already signed, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said that they were being prepared: “The Ministry of Defense, together with the General Staff, has begun internal preparation of the relevant documents in order not to waste time coordinating bureaucratic issues once a decision has been made.”

04.45 a.m.: Russia says it has shot down a drone near the capital Moscow. The drone was shot down by air defenses on Monday evening in the town of Balashikha, east of Moscow, regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said via Telegram. The debris fell on a private house, and the people inside the house were brought to safety in time. No one was injured.

Tuesday, May 28, 12:50 a.m.: Following countries such as Germany, Great Britain, France and Spain, Belgium also wants to conclude an agreement on bilateral security cooperation with Ukraine this Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky is expected to meet with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo this morning to sign the document, the government in Brussels announced. A visit to the Melsbroek military airport is then planned for around midday, where Selensky is to be informed about the preparations for the delivery of the promised F-16 fighter jets.

The agreement on security agreements is based on an initiative by members of the G7 group of western economic powers. On the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania last year, they agreed that individual states should conclude bilateral agreements with Ukraine in order to guarantee its long-term security. Countries such as Great Britain, Germany and France made a start in January and February. Spain followed suit on Monday.

The agreements guarantee Ukraine arms deliveries, financial aid and political cooperation, among other things. They are intended to help bridge the period until the country’s desired accession to NATO. Germany has, for example, promised Ukraine to continue and expand its military support – including through further arms deliveries and the training of Ukrainian soldiers.

11:21 p.m.: According to official reports, at least one person was killed in recent Russian attacks on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Another eleven residents of the metropolis were injured in the shelling on Monday, Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the devastating Russian attack on a Kharkiv hardware store last Saturday has risen to 18. Authorities are now also reporting at least 48 injured. The bombing of the busy hardware store was the second disaster in Kharkiv within a few days: shortly before, Russian missiles had destroyed one of the country’s largest printing plants in Kharkiv, killing seven people.

09.26: Ukrainian troops are still under pressure in Donbass. Now, proposals are apparently being discussed as to how NATO can better and more directly support Kiev. In future, Ukrainian soldiers will be trained by NATO instructors directly in Ukraine, reports Bild.

In addition, weapons and ammunition could no longer be transported only to the Ukrainian border, but also into the country’s interior. Great Britain, Canada and Estonia are said to be prepared to do this. Air defence of the western part of Ukraine from NATO territory is also being discussed. According to “Bild”, Poland is looking for partners for an “extended air defence”.

However, none of these plans have been decided yet, and they would also need the approval of the USA. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) currently sees no reason to expand the area of ​​operations in the Ukraine war.

Monday, May 27, 2024, 6:54 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Spain on Monday. Zelensky will be received by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchéz at 12:00 p.m., the Spanish government in Madrid announced on Sunday. There will be a press conference afterwards, it said.

Selenskyj had originally planned his visit to Spain for May 17. However, due to the situation in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian president cancelled the visit at short notice.

On May 10, the Russian army launched a ground offensive in the Kharkiv region, making the largest territorial advances in 18 months. According to regional governor Oleh Synegubov, more than 11,000 people in the region had to leave their homes as a result of the fighting.

Zelensky is likely to seek further support in the war against Russia in Madrid. Spain is one of the countries that has the Patriot air defense system.

7.43 p.m.: Russia’s former President Dmitri Medvedev has threatened Poland with “radioactive ash” following comments by Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. The Pole Sikorski had spoken to the British newspaper “The Guardian” about how the USA would presumably react to a Russian use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

“The Americans told the Russians that if you detonate a nuclear bomb, even if it doesn’t kill anyone, we will hit all your targets in Ukraine with conventional weapons, we will destroy them all,” Sikorski told the paper. Poland is one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters.

The US did not say anything like that “because they are more cautious,” Medvedev wrote on the social network X. “If Americans hit our targets, it means a world war, and a foreign minister, even of a country like Poland, should understand that,” the deputy head of the Russian Security Council wrote on Sunday.

Polish President Andrzej Duda had asked for tactical nuclear weapons from the US to be stationed in Poland, he claimed. “Warsaw will not be left out and will certainly get its share of radioactive ash. Is that what you want?” Medvedev added. Duda said in April that Poland was ready to accept NATO nuclear weapons as a counterweight to the stationing of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

More on the Ukraine conflict on the next page.