Zelenskyy orders to speed up ballistic missile production, Ukrainian forces capture Togolese citizens - Friday brief
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered to speed up the production of ballistic missiles as much as possible. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defenders captured Togolese citizens who fought on the side of Russia.
Read more about what happened on Friday, May 2.
Zelenskyy urges to speed up ballistic missile development
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Among other topics, the creation of Ukrainian ballistic missiles was discussed.
According to Zelenskyy, the meeting included reports on equipping Ukrainian brigades and staffing military units. The Ukrainian missile program was discussed in detail.
"The task is to accelerate the development of Ukrainian ballistic missiles as much as possible. Our long-range capabilities are a clear and effective security guarantee for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.
Togolese citizens captured by Ukrainian forces: Deceived into fighting for Russia
Ukrainian defenders captured citizens of Togo who fought on the side of Russia. Among them are young men whom the Russians lured with deception.
"The government of Togo recently received information about the capture and detention of Togolese citizens by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This occurred during their participation in military actions on the side of the Russian Armed Forces as part of the ongoing conflict," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry added that most of the Togolese who were captured had traveled to Russia through scholarship programs offered by Russian institutions.
PM Shmyhal: Minerals deal will provide Ukraine with American air defense systems
The agreement with the US on natural resources will help protect Ukraine now and establish a long-term partnership with the world’s largest economy in the future.
"For Ukraine, it is important not just to end this war, but to achieve a just peace that will follow. This means large-scale recovery based on the principle of ‘better than it was.’ It also means EU membership," said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
He also noted that signing the agreement is the best guarantee of Ukraine’s security, as it is signed with a country that has a strong economy.
According to him, it is now crucial to continue legal and diplomatic work and sign technical agreements that will provide concrete tools for implementing the partnership with the US.
"But there’s something even more important: this agreement will allow us to better defend the country here and now. To better protect our skies, thanks to American air defense systems. To better protect our land, thanks to modern weaponry," the prime minister stated.
Drones strike airfields in Crimea
On the night of May 2, drones attacked several airfields in Crimea. In particular, a strike was carried out on the Kacha airfield.
"The Ukrainian Defense Forces have successfully struck the Kacha airfield in Crimea," the ATESH report says.
The movement's agent reported operational information that right now a fire is visible at the Kacha military airfield, and explosions are heard, and probably ammunition is detonating.
"Thus, we can speak of the success of the Ukrainian Defense Forces' strike on Russian military facilities in Crimea tonight. And, according to our insider information, this is far from all that the Russians have prepared. We expect more to come," the partisans note.
Kharkiv under massive drone attack: Dozens of strikes, fires, at least 47 injured
On the evening of Friday, May 2, the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv came under attack by Russian Shahed-type drones.
Read more in the RBC-Ukraine report.
