Another week has passed of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people against the Russian invaders. This week was very eventful, and the most interesting ICTV Facts will be collected in your final digest.
The SBU detained two UGO colonels who were preparing the murder of Zelensky. Why did the French ambassador arrive at the inauguration of the Russian dictator? Zaluzhny nevertheless became the British ambassador. And also how the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding back the offensive of the invaders in the Kharkov region. About this and more — read our material.
Attempted murder of Zelensky
The situation in Krasnogorovka
The offensive of the invaders in the Kharkov region
Meeting between Xi and Macron
Strike on Gazprom neftekhim Salavat
Mobilization of convicts
Putin’s inauguration
Zaluzhny – British Ambassador
Parade in Moscow
Britain expels Russian attache
Attempted murder of Zelensky
The SBU detained FSB agents who were preparing an assassination attempt on Zelensky, Malyuk and Budanov. Among them — two UGO colonels.
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One of the tasks of Russian agents was to search for executors among the military close to the president’s security, who could take him hostage, and subsequently — kill.
In addition to President Zelensky, the FSB planned to eliminate the head of the SBU Vasily Malyuk, the head of the GUR Kirill Budanov and other high-ranking officials. For this they wanted to stage a terrorist attack.
One of the UGO colonels personally brought FPV drones, RPG charges and anti-personnel mines to Kyiv. The terrorists were caught red-handed — when transporting weapons. For carrying out a terrorist attack they were promised from $50 to $80 thousand.
The operation was led by employees of the 9th Directorate of the Operational Information Department of the 5th FSB Service, namely — Maxim Mishustin, Dmitry Perlin and Alexey Kornev.
Photo: SBU
The terrorist attack, which was supposed to be a gift to Putin for his inauguration, was in fact a failure of the Russian intelligence services.
The situation in Krasnogorovka
The other day, Russian invaders broke into Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region. They hid on the territory of a fireproof plant. However, this led to the Ukrainian military blocking them at this facility. The occupiers are sitting at the factory without supplies.
Krasnogorivka on the battle map
According to military expert Pyotr Chernik, the Russian offensive in the Donetsk region has been on the decline for a long time.
– Indeed, now there is an endless counter-artillery confrontation, but it has never stopped. I emphasize that in the summer of 2022 in the same Krasnogorovka, precisely in that location, the barrage of fire amounted to 45-80 thousand shells per day – this is something fantastic, this is something incredible, but now they have dropped to 15-20 thousand This is a pretty serious indicator. This is despite the fact that they still increased the production of shells,” he said.
The offensive of the invaders in the Kharkov region
Russia launched a new wave of offensive in the Kharkov direction, however, as of the morning of May 10, the Defense Forces stopped it with artillery fire.
According to Chernik, the Russian Federation does not have enough resources for a large-scale offensive. And the Armed Forces of Ukraine are holding back the invaders, who make periodic forays in small groups.
“In my opinion, they are now carrying out so-called sortie operations on a walk-in, walk-out basis. We went several kilometers, which is what we did now. They entered into battle with us, but I am firmly convinced that they do not have much breakthrough potential to cover 40 kilometers. Well, 40 kilometers is an incredible amount,” said the expert.
– They (the occupiers, — Ed.) passed through small Avdiivka with a diameter of 5-8 kilometers for 10 years, and the active phase the last one lasted more than 4 months. In those 4 months they lost more than 15 thousand killed. Calmly multiply by 3 – and we see what a huge building this is. Almost 50 thousand. 748 armored vehicles, if divided by 102, because this is how a regular regiment is staffed, is more than 7 regiments, and 364 tanks, and if divided by 94, because this is a regular tank regiment, then we have almost 4 regiments. So we can say that they lost two divisions there, two full-fledged large divisions. “And we couldn’t advance further,” noted the reserve colonel.
Meeting between Xi and Macron
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The French president said he would urge Xi to influence Putin to end the war.
However, this is simply not profitable for China, says political scientist, head of the Penta Center for Applied Political Research Vladimir Fesenko.
– Of course, Macron, like other leaders, calls on China to influence Putin about ending the war. But I am absolutely convinced that in Paris, in Berlin and in Brussels there are no illusions,” he said.
Xi can restrain Putin on some issues, such as the use of nuclear weapons, he said. But business is business. And China seeks to maintain economic relations with the Kremlin.
– Firstly, Xi Jinping will not do this because he does not need it. He, in principle, chose for China the role of a mediator, a peace broker. But, for example, one must understand that it is not beneficial for the PRC if Ukraine wins this war, because it will consider this a victory for the United States. This is unacceptable for Xi, but a complete victory for Russia, just a complete one, is also not very beneficial for Beijing. Because then Russia will become a full-fledged competitor for China. And he wants Russia to remain dependent on China, economic dependence first of all, political dependence. And therefore he will continue to pursue such a double policy,” added Fesenko.
Strike on Gazprom neftekhim Salavat
One of the largest oil refineries in Russia was on fire — Gazprom neftekhim Salavat. It was hit by a Ukrainian drone.
According to our sources in the intelligence services, it was a SBU drone. Having covered a distance of 1500 km, the UAV set a historical record.
– The SBU has once again proven that it has powerful technological solutions that help inflict painful blows on the enemy. This means that Russian refineries and oil depots that operate in the military-industrial complex cannot feel safe even in the rear,” the source noted.
This is a big breakthrough for the Ukrainian Defense Forces, says military expert Peter Chernik. He emphasized that Ukraine has moved to a new level of striking behind enemy lines.
– If a drone flew such a huge distance and, most importantly, hit it accurately, it means that we, Ukrainians, have the first precedent for a technological breakthrough. In building just such systems. And there is another factor of purely military growth. The entire air defense system of the Russian Federation is being audited. Their glorious S-300, S-350 and S-400 systems cannot compete with small, cheap unmanned systems, said military expert Pyotr Chernik.
Salavatnefteorgsintez on the map
Mobilization of convicts
On May 8, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill that will allow certain categories of prisoners to mobilize.
Those convicted of grave premeditated murder, rape and sexual violence will not be able to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to a military expert, Ukrainian units formed from convicts will be radically different from the Russian PMC Wagner.
– Wagner is a private military entity. There is a completely different philosophy and ideology of relations between them. Everything rested on the personal authority of the dead Prigozhin. There were not only prisoners there, there were various criminals from very different social strata. In our case, the legislator clearly stated that serious criminals will not be admitted. That is, murderers and rapists, and everything that is sexually motivated, especially with the overtones of pedophilia. And the rest – why not, I support it and consider it the right step of the state in that direction,” said Chernik.
The expert noted that in this way Ukraine will be able to mobilize up to 20 thousand people, which will significantly help the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
– Is this the right step forward on our part, and why not? People who committed minor crimes, especially of an economic nature, who were given huge sentences. In my opinion, it will be possible to put into operation in the range from 15 to 20 thousand. This is quite a lot, these are four full-fledged mechanized brigades.
Putin’s inauguration
7 May Putin’s inauguration took place in Russia. Only 6 countries attended the ceremony.
It was a boycott, says political scientist, head of the Penta Center for Applied Political Research Vladimir Fesenko.
– It was such a gesture – a political, moral, ethical act. This was a manifestation of criticism and non-recognition of Putin by most countries of the European Union. And, in particular, the non-recognition of these elections as a democratic procedure. But 6 countries were present. For four countries this was expected and did not come as a surprise, these are, first of all, Hungary and Slovakia, which do not hide their sympathy and advocate maintaining relations with Putin,” he said.
However, the biggest surprise for everyone was the visit of the French Ambassador. While Macron declares his readiness to send his military to Ukraine, the ambassador expresses his confidence in the self-elected president of the Russian Federation.
– Greece and Cyprus are Orthodox countries. They also have a long-standing relationship with Russia, so that’s not surprising either. Malta is a small and not very influential country in the European Union. I think either Russian diplomats or Russian money did a very good job here. Everyone was surprised by the participation of the French ambassador. After Macron’s loud, harsh statements, in particular, about the possibility of the presence of Russian troops in Ukraine.
The sending of NATO troops to Ukraine – and here is such a gesture. I was not surprised, because this is a continuation of the confirmation of France's dual policy. Therefore, words are words, but actions such as participation in Putin’s inauguration, I believe, were big mistakes of French diplomacy — and this canceled out Macron’s sharp, loud and, in principle, correct statements. This is such a paradoxical situation,” the expert added.
Zaluzhny – British Ambassador
Meanwhile, ex-commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny became the ambassador of Ukraine to Britain.
Zelensky signed a decree on May 9, having previously dismissed Zaluzhny from military service for health reasons, but with the right to wear a uniform.
– Great Britain considers it an honor that such a person will be an ambassador to their country, but he needs to be helped purely diplomatically. I think that the work of ambassador will be very useful for Valery Zaluzhny in the future, if he someday decides to go into politics, then diplomatic political experience and work abroad will be useful to him,” noted the political expert.
Parade in Moscow
On May 9, during a parade in Moscow, Putin again threatened the West with nuclear weapons over aid to Ukraine.
According to Bloomberg, this year 9 thousand military personnel and weapons were presented on Red Square.
In particular, air defense systems and intercontinental nuclear missiles, but only one tank — T-34 from World War II.
– If I can characterize this parade in one sentence, it is a very pale semblance of the old greatness. The Russian Empire is on the verge of collapse. And it will inevitably collapse, no matter how much they try to maintain their ideological uniqueness with these rituals, or as Putin himself says: “God created Russia so that it would look after the world”. The world has long accepted the truth that this state is heading towards disaster, Chernik said.
Britain expels Russian attache
Britain is expelling the Russian military attache, and also plans to deprive some Russian real estate of diplomatic status.
According to Sky News, this is due to the reckless and dangerous activities of the Russian government throughout Europe.
– As a rule, this happens when the military attache is exposed. Not as a diplomat, but as a representative of the intelligence services who carries out intelligence operations, or even facilitates sabotage operations on the territory of the host country. In this case, the reason is exactly this, and I think that this is due to the worsening relations between Great Britain and Russia,” Fesenko said.
– After David Cameron said that Great Britain recognizes the legality of using British long-range weapons against Russia, that Ukraine has the right to do so. Russia has stated that they will destroy British military facilities in Ukraine (meaning military equipment located on the territory of Ukraine). They have been doing this for a long time, but there was a hint that they could do it outside of Ukraine. This is a hint, I don’t think Russia will agree to this, because it is almost a declaration of war. However, this was an aggressive gesture on the part of Russia, and the British made their own gesture, the expert added.
