Daily Flyer - August 5, 2024
A voice of Ukraine to the West
Russian Reaction to F-16s
Russian pro-war bloggers have attempted to minimize the significance of the recent delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. They are portraying the arrival of these aircraft and other Western weaponry as a mere "red line" for the Kremlin.
According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Kyiv had just confirmed the receipt of the first batch of American-made F-16s the day before. On August 4, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had received an unspecified number of F-16s from Western countries, specifically thanking Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States.
The Economist reported that Ukraine has received 10 of the 79 promised F-16s, with expectations that Ukrainian forces will have 20 operational by the end of 2024.
ISW highlighted that Ukraine will need a significant number of F-16s to fully integrate them into its air defense strategy. The country also needs to continue efforts to counter Russian air defenses in the rear and occupied territories using long-range Western weapons to maximize the effectiveness of the F-16s.
Meanwhile, Russian reaction to the F-16s has been described as a typical defensive reflex. Some pro-Kremlin bloggers claimed that Western and Ukrainian media are exaggerating the impact of the F-16s to distract from failures on the battlefield. Many quickly shifted focus to how the Russian military might target and destroy these new aircraft.
ISW noted that Russian officials and commentators often use the concept of "red lines" to deter Western military support to Ukraine. Russia's past responses to supposed "red lines" have generally been limited, suggesting that the reaction to the F-16s will follow a similar pattern.
EU should reconsider Hungary's Schengen over easing visa rules for Russia - MEPs
A group of 69 European parliamentarians has called for "urgent measures" in response to Hungary's recent decision to relax visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens. This appeal, published on August 3, highlights concerns about security risks posed by Hungary's new policy.
In early July, Hungary amended its National Card program to facilitate easier entry for Russian and Belarusian "guest workers," eliminating enhanced security checks and other restrictions. This move has been criticized by the parliamentarians, led by Lithuania's Petras Austrevicius and Czechia's Danuse Nerudova, who argue that it presents a significant security threat to all EU member states and citizens.
The letter urges the European Commission and EU representatives to reconsider Hungary’s place in the Schengen Area if the policy is not revised. It suggests implementing new measures, including tighter controls at Hungarian borders, to protect European security.
The signatories warn that allowing Russian and Belarusian workers to move freely within the Schengen Area could potentially bolster Russian espionage activities within the EU. Other European leaders have also expressed concerns that the relaxed visa rules could heighten espionage risks and undermine national security.
We want to share the article by the Kyiv Post to have a complete picture of the f-16s arrival to Ukraine.
Kyiv Post
Children will be forcibly evacuated from part of Donetsk Oblast
In response to increasing dangers from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters has decided to forcibly evacuate children from several towns and villages in Donetsk Oblast.
The decision was made during a meeting led by Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, and involves mandatory evacuation under martial law. According to Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, children will be evacuated along with their parents or legal guardians from the Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk districts to safer regions.
The evacuation will include children from Myrnohrad, Marynivka, Mykhailivka, Lysivka, Hovohrodivka, Promin, Moskovske, Balahan, Mykolaivka, Myroliubivka, Malynivka, Novoekonomichne, Kostiantynopolske, Ostrviske, and Selydove.
Additionally, children will be evacuated from settlements within 10 kilometers of the demarcation line, as decided by the Regional Commission for Technogenic and Ecological Security and Emergencies of Donetsk Oblast.
The evacuation process will extend over 60 days. A reception center has been established to support the process. Evacuated children and their caretakers will receive free shelter, humanitarian aid, and psychological support in the safer regions.