Victorious news of 448th day of war: Ukrainian forces neutralize more than 200,000 Russian troops, Poland sends almost all its MiG fighters to Ukraine

Ukraine will receive loans of up to $8 billion from South Korea

The funds will be attracted for a long-term period at minimal interest: the loan term can be up to 40 years at 0.15% per annum with a 10-year grace period for repayment of the loan principal.

This was reported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy.

Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko noted that Ukraine will be able to use Korean capacities and experience to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, industrial and civilian facilities.

Ukrainian Artem Ivanov wins Draughts World Championship Blitz

Artem Ivanov from Ivano-Frankivsk won first place at the Draughts World Championship Blitz.

This was reported by the Department of Youth Policy and Sports of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council.

In the final, Artem Ivanov beat multiple world champion Alexander Schwartzman, who represented Israel. The game ended with a score of 5:3. 

Results:

• 1st place - Artem Ivanov (Ukraine)
• 2nd place - Alexander Shvartsman (Israel)
• 3rd place - Alexey Domchev (Lithuania).

Poland has sent almost all of its MiG fighters to Ukraine

Poland has handed over almost all of its Soviet MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, but is not ready to give even some of its modern F-16 aircraft, as it does not have enough of them.

This was stated by Polish President Andrzej Duda at the Reykjavik summit.

Duda noted that Poland has donated "many weapons worth billions of dollars" to Ukraine.

"It was we who handed over unprecedented amounts of weapons for the EU, we handed over more than 300 tanks to Ukraine, we handed over almost all of our MiG-29s, which Ukraine has been asking us for since the beginning of the conflict," the Polish president said.

Russia's losses in Ukraine exceed 200,000 troops

As of the morning of Wednesday, May 17, the Ukrainian military neutralised 610 Russian soldiers overnight, bringing the total number of Russian army losses since the beginning of the invasion to 200,590 soldiers. In addition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces targeted nine tanks and 16 UAVs.

Estonian Parliament supports Ukraine's NATO membership

The Estonian parliament has adopted a statement in support of Ukraine's accession to NATO, with 92 out of 101 deputies voting in favour.

"The Riigikogu believes that it is necessary to use the opportunity of the NATO Vilnius Summit to formulate concrete and unambiguous steps necessary for Ukraine's rapid integration into NATO; to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance," the statement reads.

Estonian lawmakers note that Ukraine's victory over the Russian Federation, which is waging a war of aggression, and Ukraine's subsequent accession to NATO is "the only way to ensure a rules-based world order, lasting peace and security for democratic countries in Europe."

Ukrainian aviation carries out 14 strikes against the enemy

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces carried out 14 strikes on the areas of concentration of enemy personnel and military equipment, 5 of which were on the occupiers' anti-aircraft missile systems. In addition, during this day, our defenders destroyed 2 reconnaissance UAVs of the Orlan-10 type.

Missile and artillery units hit 1 control centre, 6 areas of manpower concentration, 2 ammunition depots, 2 fuel and lubricant depots, 1 artillery unit at a firing position, 2 air defence facilities and 2 other important enemy targets.