Sweden becomes 32nd member of NATO, Zelenskyy approves Zaluzhnyi as ambassador to Britain - Thursday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Yesterday, on March 7, 2024, the candidacy of former Armed Forces chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi was approved for the post of ambassador to the UK. Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Alliance, becoming the 32nd member of NATO.
RBC-Ukraine collected the main news for March 7.
Russia's war against Ukraine: The latest news
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US launches investigation against SpaceX over use of Starlink by Russian military
- Russian Ministry of Defense activated air defense systems in response to drone attacks in 3 regions
Zelenskyy approves Zaluzhnyi as ambassador to Britain
It is noted that on Thursday, March 7, 2024, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the candidacy of Valerii Zaluzhnyi for the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has sent a corresponding request for agrément to the British side," the statement says.
In July 2023, Zelenskyy dismissed Vadym Prystaiko from the position of Ukrainian Ambassador to Britain.
Sweden becomes 32nd member of NATO
Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Alliance yesterday, March 7. It became the 32nd member of NATOю
The protocol for the country's accession to the alliance has come into force, as reported by the US State Department.
The flag-raising ceremony of Sweden over the NATO headquarters in Brussels is scheduled for Monday, March 11, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will participate in it.
Lithuania supplies Ukraine with 155mm artillery ammunition
Lithuania has delivered another batch of military aid to Ukraine. The Armed Forces received new artillery ammunition, reports Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas.
The minister writes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine received another batch of 155mm artillery shells.
FPV and more: Britain announces delivery of 10,000 drones to Ukraine
Britain has allocated an additional £125 million (approximately $160 million) to finance over 10,000 drones for Ukraine, announces British Defense Minister Grant Shapps.
These include FPV drones, 1000 drones for one-sided attacks, as well as surveillance and maritime drones.
This step followed last month's announcement that the United Kingdom would lead an international coalition to supply drones to Ukraine.
Defense Minister Grant Shapps has said that Britain is reinforcing its commitment to arming Ukraine with state-of-the-art drones, which are sourced directly from leading British defense enterprises and transported directly from the factories to the front lines.
Explosion at one of largest steel plants in Russia: Russians claim drone attack
An explosion occurred near a metallurgical plant in Cherepovets, Vologda region of the Russian Federation. Russians claim that the purported cause was a drone attack, according to Russian Telegram channels.
Georgiy Filimonov, the Acting Governor of the Vologda region, said that a drone attack allegedly targeted one of Russia's largest metallurgical plants.
According to Russian media reports, the explosion occurred at the Severstal plant.
Earlier, the plant's CEO mentioned a "technological incident" this morning.
Russian forces previously reported destroying a drone near the Bronka port near St. Petersburg. It was shot down over the Gulf of Finland. According to the Russian Ministry, around 7:30 PM, there was an attempted drone attack on Russian objects.
"The unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed using air defense means over the territory of the Leningrad region," the statement said.
US Congress may start collecting signatures this week to consider Ukraine aid
The US Congress may start collecting signatures this week to consider a bill to fund aid to Ukraine and other countries, bypassing the Speaker Mike Johnson, according to Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
He says this is a pressure point, an attempt to apply pressure to force something to the voting floor.
The congressman emphasizes that if the House of Representatives cannot reach a consensus on the bill, the alternative should not be Ukraine's defeat in the war and an open US border.
The Republican adds that he is working with Johnson's office to bring the package to the House through regular channels. If Johnson refuses, congressmen will begin collecting signatures for a petition on Friday to bring the bill to the floor, bypassing the House Speaker.
Fitzpatrick is confident that the petition will get the necessary 218 votes.
