On 21 May 2024, the EU Council approved the allocation of unexpected and extraordinary revenues generated from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. These funds, earned from EU sanctions against Russia, would be directed toward bolstering Ukraine’s armed forces, strengthening its defence industry, and facilitating the country’s reconstruction. The payments would be channelled through the European Peace Facility and other EU programs.

Russian troops continued their intensive attacks on Ukrainian territories, targeting various regions, including Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Lyman, Seversk, and Kramatorsk. In 24 hours, they carried out four missile attacks, 55 airstrikes, 900 drone strikes, and 89 shellings on civilian areas, resulting in further destruction of infrastructure and civilian casualties.

In Vovchansk, where fierce fighting was ongoing, Russian forces refused to allow the evacuation of about 100 remaining civilians, threatening to shoot anyone attempting to leave the city. These actions, which intentionally endanger and detain civilians in a conflict zone, amount to acts of genocide and grave violations of human rights.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence informed that 10 Ukrainian soldiers had completed F-16 fighter jet training in the Netherlands, to bolster Ukraine’s combat capabilities against Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Defence Minister, Pål Jonson, revealed plans to increase ammunition production and strengthen the country’s armed forces, a process expected to take approximately two years.

In the United States, congressmen from both parties urged the expedited delivery of arms to Ukraine and called for authorization to use American equipment in strikes on Russian territory. Despite the political pressure, the U.S. administration continued to oppose this proposal.

Ukraine’s Deputy Justice Minister, Olena Vysotskaya, announced that over 3,000 convicted individuals had applied for parole in order to join the Ukrainian armed forces. The list excluded those convicted of the most serious crimes, with each application reviewed individually to assess suitability for military service.

At the same time, Russia announced plans to expand its territorial waters into areas belonging to Lithuania and Finland – NATO and EU members. Politicians from these countries viewed the move as a form of hybrid warfare.

On 22 May, Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which included supplying Ukraine with 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks (together with Denmark), ammunition for Leopard 2 tanks, 8,500 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, 20 Vector reconnaissance drones, and 34 RQ-35 Heidrun drones. Moreover, the package included Wisent 1 mine-clearing tanks, a Dachs armoured engineering vehicle, a Beaver bridge-laying tank, a Bergepanzer 2 armoured rescue vehicle, and 16 Zetros tanks. In addition, Germany provided 1.8 million rounds of ammunition for small arms and various types of assault rifles and knives.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, accused China of planning to supply “lethal aid” to Russia, pointing to evidence of cooperation between Russia and China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied these accusations, calling them baseless slander.

On 23 May, Norway announced a new $190 million military aid package for Ukraine, including support for air defence, naval capabilities, and the provision of radars, anti-drone systems, and boats. Captain Erin Hannigan of the U.S. Air National Guard announced that the first group of Ukrainian pilots had completed training on F-16 fighter jets at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona. Further training was to be continued in Europe, marking a significant step in preparing the Ukrainian Air Force to bolster the country’s defence.

Russia issued a warning to the UK, threatening potential strikes on British targets both within and beyond Ukraine if weapons supplied to Ukraine were used against targets in Russia.

Security policy experts Gustav Gressel and Jana Puglierin from the ECFR expressed concerns that European arms stockpiles for Ukraine may be running out, and that the EU lacked uniform plans and commitments on long-term arms production and financing.

Russian forces intensified their offensive in Ukraine, particularly in the Vovchansk region, deploying the Storm-Z units and Africa Corps, which consisted of over 2,000 soldiers, including former Wagner Group mercenaries. The Africa Corps, which was established in December 2023, originally operated in Africa, where Wagnerists advanced Russian interests in the region. In April 2024, these units were redeployed to Ukraine in preparation for intensified military operations.

The Wagner Group, known for its brutal actions in Ukraine and other conflicts around the world, played a key role in the Russian aggression, and after the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, some of its mercenaries were absorbed into regular Russian army units such as the Africa Corps.

Illustrative photo. Generated by AI