Latest news with #DefenceofUkraine
News24
24-04-2025
- Politics
- News24
Zelensky cuts SA visit short after Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Union Buildings on Thursday. But, due to developments in his home country, he will be "cancelling part of the programme for this visit and will return to Ukraine immediately". This after an overnight attack in his home country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will cut short his working visit to South Africa and will return home due to an overnight attack in his country. Zelensky took to X and said he would inform President Cyril Ramaphosa about the situation in his home country and the need to intensify global diplomatic efforts. "I am cancelling part of the programme for this visit and will return to Ukraine immediately after the meeting with the president of South Africa. "The foreign minister of Ukraine will hold all the necessary meetings in South Africa to fully inform the country's political and civil society leaders about the situation. I am grateful to everyone around the world who stands with Ukraine and supports our people." Earlier, News24 reported that the engagement proceeded without the traditional pomp and pageantry accompanying a state visit, such as the ceremonial 21-gun salute by the South African National Defence Force and an inspection of the guard of honour by a visiting head of state. Instead, the leaders prioritised the substantive matters on their agenda. News24 reliably learnt early on Thursday that Zelensky's team had asked for the programme to be shortened significantly due to the developments in that country. In his post at 09:26, Zelensky said that it had been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes. "This was a proposal from the United States. And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions. "It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening. Nearly 70 missiles, including ballistic ones. And about 150 attack drones. Unfortunately, there is significant destruction. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the rubble of residential buildings is being cleared. As of this moment, over 80 people have been injured across Ukraine." It has been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes. This was a proposal from the United States. And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its is extremely… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / ????????? ?????????? (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2025 Zelensky said nine people had been killed in Russian drone and missile attacks in Kyiv. "My condolences go out to their families and loved ones. There was a report from the military command. I instructed the Minister of Defence of Ukraine to immediately contact our partners regarding our requests to strengthen air defences." Today, I will brief President Ramaphosa of South Africa, who currently holds the G20 Presidency, on the situation and our need to intensify global diplomatic efforts. The strikes must be stopped immediately and unconditionally. We also count on support in humanitarian matters — in the return of our prisoners and Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelensky arrived in South Africa three days after Ramaphosa and Russia's Vladimir Putin discussed working together toward a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IT coalition donates equipment worth almost €2 million to Ukraine
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has received another supply of equipment from the IT coalition funded by Luxembourg and Iceland, with a total value of almost €2 million. Source: Ministry of Defence on 21 April Details: The partners handed over a total of 3,288 wireless access points of various models, 500 routers, 460 charging stations with solar panels, and 872 phones. "I thank the IT coalition countries for strengthening the technological resilience of our forces. With this equipment, we will increase the capacity for high-quality and reliable communication in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is crucial in the combat zone," said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digitalisation. This is the third delivery from the IT coalition in 2025. In January, Estonia, the Netherlands and Luxembourg delivered equipment worth €3.3 million to Ukraine as part of the initiative, and in February, equipment worth €7.5 million. Background: The IT coalition was formed within the framework of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which provides defence support to Ukraine. Estonia and Luxembourg joined it as the leading countries, as well as Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Drone coalition allocates €20 million for purchase of reconnaissance UAVs
The drone coalition has allocated €20 million from a joint fund to purchase Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) drones for the Ukrainian defence forces. Source: Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Defence Ministry reported that the delivery of the equipment is expected within three months. Chernohorenko said that thanks to these drones, the military can reconnoitre an area and increase the combat situation awareness of their units. Background: The coalition of drones was formed in February 2024 during the 19th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format), an idea proposed by Latvia. Latvia coordinates the initiative together with the UK. It currently includes 18 countries: Latvia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, Sweden and Ukraine. In July 2024, the countries participating in the drone coalition signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which they created a joint fund worth €45 million. Since the beginning of this year, it has been expected that the members of the drone coalition would begin massive supplies of various types of drones to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kyiv spent US$57 million on shelters in 2024
Kyiv allocated UAH 2.4 billion (US$57.5 million) in 2024 to set up bomb shelters, enhance fire safety in schools, prepare them for winter, and establish learning hubs for the Defence of Ukraine course. Source: Valentyn Mondryivskyi, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration These efforts have created 34,000 new shelter spaces, allowing more children to attend in-person classes. Quote: "Right now, 37 dual-purpose facilities are under construction in the capital. In case of danger, they will serve as shelters for students, teachers, and residents." Kyiv's 2025 budget includes UAH 1.8 billion (US$43.2 million) for building and upgrading shelters. Once completed, these projects will provide an additional 22,500 safe spaces for students and teachers. Background: Analysts from the Territorial Office of the Bureau of Economic Security in the Kyiv region prevented the misappropriation of nearly UAH 3.5 million (US$83,842) during a shelter construction tender. Support UP or become our patron!
