Ukraine exchanged prisoners, Italy seized a yacht suspected of being related to Putin

In a message on the messaging app Telegram on May 6, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said: “Another prisoner exchange has taken place: 41 people, including 11 women, have been brought back. home”.

According to Reuters, among the newly released Ukrainians by Russian forces were 28 soldiers and 13 civilians, one of whom was a cleric from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Ms. Vereshchuk did not disclose how many Russians were released under the prisoner exchange agreement this time.

Many prisoner exchanges between the two countries have been held since Moscow launched a military offensive into Ukraine on February 24. The most recent event took place on April 30, when the Russian side handed over 14 people Ukraineincluding a pregnant woman.

Italy seizes yacht suspected of connection with Putin

The Italian government on May 6 ordered the police to seize a luxury yacht, estimated to be worth up to $ 700 million, related to the Russian government.

According to Reuters, the Scheherazade yacht has been under repair at the Italian port of Marina di Carrara since September last year, but recent activities at the dock hint that the crew may be preparing to set sail.

A source close to the weeks-long investigation by Italian authorities said that Italian police believe the owner of the yacht is Eduard Khudainatov, the former head of Russian energy giant Rosneft, who is not currently on the list. sanctions of the European Union (EU).

However, the Guardian newspaper, citing other sources, revealed that Italian authorities suspected the yacht belonged to the Russian President. Vladimir Putin.

In a statement about the arrest, the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance did not name the owner of the Scheherazade yacht, but only mentioned that he had ties to “prominent elements of the Russian government”.

The statement explains that the yacht was detained under the provisions of “acts that destroy or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”.

The move comes after a $300 million yacht belonging to another Russian tycoon was seized by Fijian authorities at the request of the US Department of Justice.

The US announced a new security aid package for Kiev

U.S. president Joe Biden on May 6 announced a new security aid package for Ukraine but did not specify the value. CNN quoted a US official as saying that this support package, estimated at about $ 150 million, will provide the Eastern European country with 25,000 additional 155mm artillery shells, radars, jammers and other equipment.

According to President Biden, his administration has almost run out of funds that can be used to fund Kiev. The White House leader urged the US Congress to approve the $33 billion aid package he proposed last week, more than double the $13.6 billion package in March.

In recent aid packages, Washington has agreed to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine, including howitzers, missile defense systems and armored vehicles.

According to US Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby, more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers have completed training in the use of M777 howitzers provided by Washington. In addition, 15 Ukrainian soldiers also completed training in the use of the Q-64 mobile air defense system, while another 60 soldiers received training to operate the M-113 armored infantry vehicle (APC) vehicle.

Mr. Biden is scheduled to meet online with the leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized economies (G7) on May 8, a day before Russia holds the ceremony. Victory Day parade (May 9) at Red Square in Moscow.

Tuan Anh

Putin launched retaliation against the West, Britain added military aid to UkraineThe Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin on May 3 signed a decree of economic sanctions in retaliation for “unfriendly actions” of a number of foreign governments and international organizations.