Romania confirms debris from Russian Shahed drones has landed on its territory. The Czech Republic prepares for the second round of the initiative to supply Ukraine with artillery shells in 2025. Ukraine will get 14 more Leopard tanks from the Netherlands and Denmark this summer.
Romania confirms debris from Russian Shahed drones has landed on its territory
Debris from Russian drones landed in a rural area of Romania, the country’s Defense Ministry said Thursday.
“More heinous attacks have been perpetrated by Russia against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Debris has been found on Romanian territory. We have informed and are coordinating with our Allies on this matter. Romania strongly condemns these irresponsible actions,” Romanian Foreign Minister Luminiţa Odobescu said in a post on X.
Two Finnish F-18 fighter jets, part of NATO air policing missions in Romania, were scrambled to monitor the attack as the Russian Shahed drones were attacking ports in Odesa region. Romania’s defense ministry said it had found fragments of a Russian Geran-type drone in an uninhabited area near the village of Plauru across the Danube River from Ukraine’s southern port town of Izmail that came under attack the second night in a row.
Russia launched 38 Shahed drones into Ukraine overnight on Thursday. Ukraine’s air defenses destroyed 25 drones, Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram. Three drones “were lost after crossing the state border with Romania,” he added.
Czech Republic prepares for second round of initiative to supply Ukraine with artillery shells in 2025
The Czech Defense Ministry prepares to launch the second round of the initiative to supply Ukraine with artillery shells in 2025. Czech weapons manufacturers will participate in it, the Czech Defense Ministry, Jana Černochová told Deník N in an interview, according to Ukrainian media outlet European Pravda.
Under the “Initiative 2025” project, five Czech weapons companies funded by European donors will produce ammunition for Ukraine.
Černochová said it is seen as a natural extension of the existing mechanism. She added that the sooner donors allocate their money, the sooner the companies will sign long-term contracts.
According to the interview, the companies that will take part in the initiative include Czechoslovak Group, STV Group, Omnipol with Ompo Holding, Colt CZ Group SE, owned by Česká zbrojovka, and DSS.
The Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation Agency under the Czech Ministry of Defense has asked the companies what they can send to Ukraine next year. Prague will mediate between the donors — European countries, and Czech arms manufacturers.
Ukraine to get 14 more Leopard tanks from the Netherlands, Denmark this summer
The Netherlands and Denmark will send 14 more refitted Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine this summer, the Dutch defense ministry said on Thursday.
Both countries in April last year said they would buy the tanks from a third party and get them ready for battle in Ukraine. The tanks have been completely revised by German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.
In a statement announcing the donation, the Dutch government said that 12 of the tanks have already been refitted and verified by Germany’s Rheinmetall with the final two about to go through final testing. “All 14 tanks will be delivered simultaneously before the end of the summer,” the Netherlands’ Defense Ministry said.
“Ukraine urgently needs more military support, given the heavy fighting on the battlefield. These tanks can play an important role for the Ukrainian army to defend itself against Russian troops,” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said. The Netherlands will support Ukraine as long as it takes, he added.
Religious beliefs in the face of modern challenges during the war. Ukraine in Flames #642
Representatives of most religions in Ukraine serve in the Armed Forces. These include Christians (Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants of various denominations), Jews, and Muslims. The Institute of Military Chaplains was established in the Armed Forces to meet the religious needs of servicemen. However, there are religions whose teachings prohibit believers from harming or killing other beings. In the context of the army, this means not taking up arms. These include Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Krishnaism. Watch Ukraine in flames #642 to find out about the meaning of religious identity in the context of the war and the participation of representatives of religious minorities, particularly Krishnaites, in the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Guests:
- Oksana Horkusha, Senior Researcher at the department of religious studies at the Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy
- Mykhailo Tashkov, Officer of the assault aviation brigade, Head of the preaching and volunteer project “Spiritual Matter”
- Mykolai Karpitsky, Professor of the Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University