Explaining complex things in simple words: Attack on Odesa, Ukraine-NATO relations, Russian subversive activities in Europe

The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.     

ATTACK ON ODESA

On April 29, the enemy struck with an "Iskander" missile in the area of the seaside park in the center of Odessa.

  • 5 people were killed as a result of another missile attack on Odesa. 23 victims are still in medical facilities. 8 people are in serious condition, 4 of them are in extremely serious condition, including a four-year-old girl.
  • The target of the attack was a popular vacation spot for Odessans. The Russians used a combat unit with cluster munition to increase the number of victims.
  • Moscow has been terrorizing Odesa since 2022: attacking residential buildings, recreation parks, the historic centre of the city, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Russia takes revenge on the Odessans, who destroyed its imperial dreams of ‘’Novorossiya.’’ With terror, the enemy seeks to sow fear and despair among people.
  • When, on May 2, Russian propaganda will once again shout about ‘’Odesa's Khatyn’’, Russians should be reminded of their own bloody crimes against Odesa.

UKRAINE-NATO RELATIONS

On April 29, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Ukraine.

  • The NATO Secretary General discussed with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the initiative to establish a special Alliance Contributions Fund for Ukraine in the amount of $100 billion for 5 years.
  • In the meantime, U.S. aid within the framework of funding approved by Congress is already arriving in Ukraine.
  • The struggle of Ukrainians is of great importance for the West, as it is a struggle not only for the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but also for the defence of common values of the democratic world against the onslaught of the Kremlin dictatorship. Partners’ support of Kyiv will cost much less than the potential consequences of Putin's success.
  • Ukraine has the full right to become a member of NATO, and that it will happen, assured Jens Stoltenberg.
  • Mister Stoltenberg has invited the President of Ukraine to the NATO jubilee summit in Washington in July 2024.

RUSSIAN SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES IN EUROPE

According to the results of the investigation, the Czech police came to the conclusion that Russian intelligence was involved in the sabotage of ammunition warehouses in the city of Vrbice in 2014.

  • Czech investigators proved that the explosions were organized by Russian military intelligence, and the executors were agents Anatoly Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin, who also carried out the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal in the British city of Salisbury in 2018.
  • Moscow openly declares that the West is its enemy, and it is waging a hybrid war with them.
  • Moscow uses an extensive agent network, which relies on numerous Russian communities in host countries, for planning and carrying out sabotage, assassination attempts and terrorist attacks in Europe.
  • Russians in Europe conduct pro-Kremlin propaganda, provoke conflicts with Ukrainians, spy and lobby for the interests of the Kremlin.
  • Today, the control and supervision of immigrants from the Russian Federation is a matter of national security for European countries.

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