In recent days the Ukrainians have intensified the pressure along the front with Russia. It is believed that this is how the long-awaited Ukrainian offensive began. According to the authoritative American think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Ukrainian counteroffensive is unfolding in at least four areas. President Volodimir Zelensky confirmed yesterday during a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that a Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russian troops is underway, but declined to give details.
Ukraine’s economy shrinks less than feared
Ukraine’s economy contracted 10.5% in the first quarter from a year earlier, partly due to the Russian invasion of the country. This means that the contraction is less sharp than previously feared, according to Ukrainian Minister of Economic Affairs Yulia Sviridenko. The Ukrainian economy suffers from the destruction of important infrastructure and power grids, unusable agricultural land and men sent to the front.
German justice is investigating Poland’s involvement in the Nord Stream attack
Poland may have been used as a base for the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, reports The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper writes that the German judiciary is investigating this. Earlier, another American newspaper had written that Ukraine was behind the sabotage action. President Zelensky denies it.
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