Stoltenberg's visit to Kyiv, Russia's missile strike on Odesa - Monday brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest

• Russian army may try to stretch Ukrainian forces before offensive by threatening Kharkiv
• Russia's losses in Ukraine as of April 29: 1,320 troops and 37 artillery systems
• Ukrainian military destroy Russian ammunition depot and more with drones

European banks paid 800 million euros in taxes to Kremlin

The top seven European banks by asset size in the country forked over more than 800 billion euros in taxes to the Kremlin last year, quadrupling pre-war levels, despite pledges to minimize their presence in Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

These banks - Raiffeisen Bank International, UniCredit, ING, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, and OTP - reported a combined profit of over 3 billion euros in 2023. This profit was three times higher than in 2021 and partly accrued from funds that banks cannot repatriate, leading to increased tax payments.

The taxes paid by European banks, amounting to around 0.4% of all expected non-energy revenues in Russia's 2024 budget, exemplify how foreign companies remaining in the country are aiding the Kremlin in maintaining financial stability despite Western sanctions.

Stoltenberg visits Kyiv: Key statements and Ukraine's NATO membership

Yesterday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Kyiv on a working visit. He has already met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

During a joint press conference, President Zelenskyy said that the power of the Defense Forces depends on three main points: seizing the initiative over the enemy and launching offensive actions.

At the same time, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine's place is rightfully in NATO, so all relevant measures are being taken to support and raise its standards to speed up its accession to the Alliance.

For more details about Stoltenberg's visit and key statements, see RBC-Ukraine's report.

Explosions in Odesa: Consequences of attack, casualties

On the evening of April 29, the Russians launched a missile attack on Odesa. According to reports, 4 civilians were killed in Odesa - three women and one man. There is also information about 32 wounded.

All the details of the new terrorist attack by the Russian occupiers can be found in the RBC-Ukraine article.

Later it became known that the Russians used a missile with shrapnel to strike Odesa. It is designed to eliminate manpower.

Marder infantry fighting vehicle and more: Germany updates list of military assistance to Ukraine

Germany has provided new military assistance to Ukraine. Specifically, Ukrainian soldiers have received 10 Marder infantry fighting vehicles and anti-aircraft ammunition.

As noted by the German government, Ukraine has recently received:

• 10 Marder infantry fighting vehicles (along with ammunition and spare parts) (total: 100);
• Ammunition for Leopard 2 tanks;
• 1 Skynex air defense system (total: 2);
• 30,000 rounds for the Gepard anti-aircraft gun (total: 146,000);
• IRIS-T SLM missiles;
• 1 TRML-4D radar (total: 9);
• 7,500 rounds of 155mm caliber ammunition (total: 81,500);
• BEAVER bridge layer with spare parts (total: 18);
• 1 DACHS engineering vehicle (total: 8);
• 9 mine-clearing devices (total: 55);
• 1 AMPS helicopter protection system (total: 5);
• 60 suspension engines (total: 84);
• 600 LED lamps (total: 1,600);
• 6 Oshkosh M1070 tank transporters (total: 18);
• 18,000 rounds of 40mm caliber ammunition (total: 282,000);
• 3,000 RGW 90 anti-tank rocket launchers (total: 13,000);
• 120mm mortar shells;
• 2,000 camouflage nets (total: 6,000);
• 2,000 ponchos (total: 6,000);
• 100,000 first aid kits (total: 600,000).

Additionally, the future assistance list includes the Patriot air defense system.

Airfield in Belgorod: Russians build new facility near border with Ukraine

Russians are constructing a new airbase in the Belgorod region, 75 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. This is evidenced by satellite imagery published by OSINT researcher RedIntel Panda. It is a new airfield about 9 km west of the center of Oleksiyivka, a military logistics center in the Belgorod region.

As of April 27, 2024, the base layer, or pavement, is still being laid on the runway.