Victorious news of 393rd day of war: MiGs from Slovakia, resistance movement in occupied Crimea

Espreso has compiled a selection of news that brings Ukraine closer to victory.

Invading Russian forces have significantly reduced the frequency of missile attacks

Russian troops are unable to conduct massive missile attacks on Ukraine more often than twice a month. This was stated by Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate. By the end of the year, the Russians could produce 20-30 Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles per month, and the situation with Iskanders is much worse. Russia is reducing the use of high-precision missiles in its strikes and is also increasing the interval between strikes.

“Initially, in October last year, the Russian troops launched massive attacks once a week, then once every 10-14 days, and now they cannot unleash them more than twice a month because they need to have certain supplies,” Skibitskyi noted. 

The General Staff added that the Defense Forces' aviation launched 11 strikes on the invading Russian troops' military positions. 

Slovakia gives Ukraine fighter jets, Finland is likely to follow

Ukraine has submitted a request to Finland for the possibility of transferring F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets. Kyiv has requested a trilateral discussion of the issue between Finland, Ukraine, and the United States. The delivery of combat aircraft will be possible only after the White House approves the process, as the F/A-18 Hornet is manufactured by an American defense company. Ukraine's request for discussion is a reaction to the words of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. During her visit to Kyiv in March, she said that Finland, together with other allies, could consider providing Ukraine with F/A-18 fighter jets.

It should be added that, according to Defense Express CEO Serhiy Zgurets, Ukrainian pilots can master the F-16 in three to six months, so it is necessary to intensify the discussion about providing Ukraine with these aircraft.

“The pilots were tested in Arizona, USA, to see if they could master the F-16. It was determined that even an intermediate-level pilot, who was trained, needs up to six months, which is two to three times less than previously estimated by the United States and NATO. This means that Ukrainian pilots can master the F-16 in 3-6 months. This is an important indicator to accelerate and intensify the discussion on providing us with F-16s,” Zgurets emphasized. 

It has also become known that Slovakia has handed over the first 4 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, according to Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď.

“The government will continue to help save innocent human lives,” Naď assured. The minister promised that the remaining aircraft would be handed over to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Unwavering faith in victory

Despite the incessant Russian attacks, according to a poll, 97% of Ukrainians are convinced of Ukraine's victory, and 82% support the country's accession to NATO. This was reported by the International Republican Institute (IRI).

“Not only has Vladimir Putin failed to shake their resolve, he has strengthened support for Ukrainians in their quest to win the war without any territorial concessions,” Stephen Nix, IRI Senior Director for Eurasia, explained. 

The poll also showed that support for joining NATO has increased. 82% would support joining NATO if the referendum was held today.

It is noted that this is a 10 percentage point increase compared to the June 2022 survey and a 23 percentage point increase compared to April 2022.

97% believe that Ukraine will win the war with Russia, and 74% believe that Ukraine will retain all territories within its internationally recognized borders defined in 1991.

Ukrainian underground in Crimea

Pro-Ukrainian leaflets, graffiti, and ribbons have appeared in the temporarily occupied cities of Simferopol and Sevastopol. Activists of the Yellow Ribbon continue to build a resistance movement, and it is getting stronger every day, despite all the challenges. Postcards, graffiti and ribbons appear in the cities of the temporarily occupied Crimea, which once again proves to the occupiers that they do not belong here, the activists say.

Icelanders recognize the Holodomor as genocide

Iceland has recognized the man-made famine or Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people. On March 23, the Icelandic Parliament adopted the relevant decision.

“We are looking forward to the Council of Europe Summit in May in Reykjavik, where the heads of government of 46 countries will discuss the future Special Tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression and the compensation mechanism for the damage caused by Russia,” MP Maria Mezentseva wrote. 

The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal emphasized that millions of victims of the totalitarian Moscow regime should not be forgotten.

The Holodomor of 1932-1933 was recognized as genocide of Ukrainians by Australia, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Georgia, the Czech Republic, the United States, and many other countries.