Slovakia supplies fighter jets to Ukraine

Day 417 since the beginning of the war: Slovakia has delivered 13 fighter jets. London warns of increasing risks from mines in Ukraine. All information in the news blog.

3:28 p.m.: According to its human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine already has “dozens” of videos of executions of its citizens in Russian captivity. In an interview published on Monday by the Ukrayinska Pravda Internet portal, Lubinets said: “These are decapitations, cutting off of genitals, cutting off of ears, noses, limbs and fingers”. Several perpetrators have been identified. At least one has already been killed in fighting. Lubinets accused the Russian side of systematically violating the Geneva Conventions for the Protection of Prisoners of War.

Despite Kiev’s allegations, Russia and Ukraine keep exchanging prisoners of war. According to information from Kiev, more than 2,200 Ukrainians have returned since the Russian invasion almost 14 months ago.

A video circulating on social media last week showed a man in a Russian uniform apparently beheading a suspected Ukrainian prisoner of war. Several similar clips showing executions and mistreatment of Russian prisoners of war had already been circulated on the Internet beforehand. The UN has documented violations of international conventions on both sides.

12.50 p.m.: The European Commission has criticized the import ban on grain from Ukraine imposed by Poland and Hungary. Trade policy is one of the “exclusive competences of the EU” and “unilateral action is unacceptable,” said a Commission spokeswoman on Monday. In such challenging times, it is “crucial” to coordinate all decisions within the EU.

Budapest and Warsaw announced on Saturday that they would no longer import grain and other food from Ukraine until the end of June. As a result of the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine exports fewer agricultural products by sea, for example to Africa, and instead uses the land route through the EU. Agricultural goods often remain in neighboring countries such as Poland and Hungary. That means there are full silos and significant pressure on prices.

11 clock: Slovakia has now handed over all 13 Soviet MiG-29 fighter jets it had promised to Ukraine. This was announced by Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad on Monday. He wrote on Twitter: “We are proud to be on the right side and doing the right thing to protect lives. We stand with Ukraine.”

For security reasons, nine of the 13 fighter jets were transported overland, Nad explained in a Facebook post. In addition, Ukraine can maintain and repair the aircraft independently, the minister emphasized. There had previously been speculation as to whether the jets would be usable or whether they might have been sabotaged by Russian technicians. They had carried out maintenance on the jets until last summer.

9.30 a.m.: With milder temperatures and more farm work in Ukraine, Britain warns of mine risks to civilians. Incidents are reported daily, the Ministry of Defense said in London on Monday. The areas of Cherson in the south and Kharkiv in the east are particularly affected. These were temporarily occupied by Russian troops. Since the war began in February 2022, more than 750 civilians have been killed or injured by mines. In every eighth case, a child is the victim. “It will probably take at least a decade to clear Ukraine of mines,” it said.

The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.