Russia sends an antique T-62 tank to the battlefield, Ukraine warns Hungary

In a statement issued today (May 27), the British Ministry of Defense, citing the latest intelligence, said that Russian ground forces were continuing their efforts to encircle the cities of Sievierodonetsk. and Lyschansk in the east Ukraineand has recently taken control of several more villages northwest of Popasna.

According to the announcement, Russian forces are putting pressure on Sievierodonetsk, although Ukrainian forces still retain control of many defensive areas in the city, in order to prevent Russia from having full control of the Donbass region.

In addition, Russia’s Southern Forces (SGF) may still be tasked with controlling territories in southern Ukraine. Even in recent days, T-62 tanks over 50 years old have been taken from storage in Russia to be transported to the areas where this group is engaged in combat.

The T-62 tank was officially used by the Soviet Union in the 60s of the last century, but later was no longer put into service by both the Russian and Ukrainian armies. Russian generals have said that the remaining T-62 tanks in the service of the country’s army will soon be replaced by more modern T-14 or T-90 versions.

A deeply improved version of the main battle tank T-55, the T-62 tank had a “trendy” design at the time of its launch, with a low center of gravity, small size and superior firepower. However, compared with current standards, the T-62 tank with its 115mm gun fire system is no longer capable of fighting with modern armor, equipped with explosive reactive armor or other protection systems. Active protection is very popular nowadays.

Belarus establishes more military command near the border with Ukraine

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on May 26 ordered the creation of the Southern Regional Operations Command, with the task of protecting the country’s southern border with Ukraine.

“A new front has opened up and we can’t help but notice it. Even before the Southern Regional Operations Command is officially established, we have a responsibility to strengthen our defenses. the southern border area quickly. That task must be carried out today,” President Lukashenko stressed during a meeting with Belarusian defense officials.

The 67-year-old leader also requested that “the army, special forces and battalion-level combat groups need to be rotated to the southern border to coordinate defense with border forces”.

Also during the meeting, President Lukashenko mentioned the deployment of Russian-made missiles in the south of the country to strengthen defense capabilities.

According to Reuters news agency, the above decision of the Belarusian leader shows the risk of an armed conflict on the border between this country and Ukraine.

Ukrainian minister uses oil pipeline to pressure Hungary

Ukraine’s Energy Minister Lana Zerkal warned on May 26 that the country could use the Druzhba pipeline to put pressure on Hungary if it tried to thwart the EU’s ban on oil imports from Russia.

“Ukraine has in its hand the lever of strong pressure, which is the Druzhba pipeline,” Zerkal said, adding that it would be understandable if “something happened” to the Druzhba pipeline. to Hungary, but did not say specifically.

“Government and President of Ukraine will decide if we really want to talk to Hungarian President Viktor Orban in a way that he can understand and is imposing on the EU,” Zerkal added.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister also criticized the Hungarian government for preventing the EU from passing a 6th round of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on oil imports from Russia. According to her, such action by Budapest is only “for its own purposes”, so that Hungary now “can ask for anything” from the EU.

The Druzhba Oil Pipeline, also known as the Friendship Pipeline or Comecon Pipeline, is the world’s largest oil pipeline with a length of up to 4,000km, stretching from the western part of Russia to the countries of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and Germany. The southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline runs through Ukraine and delivers oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

Korean soldiers who volunteered to go to Ukraine faced the risk of being investigated

Rhee Keun, a Korean volunteer soldier in Ukraine who was just repatriated today (May 27), said he is in the process of recovering from his injuries and is ready to face the risk of being investigated by the police. , for allegedly violating the Seoul Government’s law banning travel to Ukraine.

According to Yonhap news agency, Rhee Keun, also known as Ken Rhee, is a former member of the South Korean Navy’s special forces. He landed at Incheon International Airport at around 7:30 am on May 27 (local time), after about 3 months of volunteering in Ukraine.

“I didn’t leave the battlefield completely, I just returned to recover from my injuries. I want to come back because the war is not over. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Rhee said at the airport, revealing that he had injured ligaments in both legs, but was still able to walk.

Rhee also said that he was waited by about 10 policemen as he stepped off the plane, and was asked by them to quarantine for a week before being summoned for questioning.

In March, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry accused Rhee of violating a ban on citizens traveling to Ukraine, which the government enacted in February. Individuals who violate this ban can be jailed for up to a year or fined 10 million won (about 8,000 USD).

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