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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• Russia, Ukraine Swap 75-for-75 POWs in UAE-Brokered Deal Sputnik 31 May 2024 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that thanks to negotiations, 75 Russian servicemen have been returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime.
• Ukraine Gets U.S. OK To Hit Targets Inside Russia. Now What? RFE/RL 31 May 2024 -- Earlier this week, a Russian early warning radar installation was hit by unidentified projectiles; Ukrainian drones, Ukraine's military intelligence agency claimed.
• US Weapons Already Used in Attempts to Strike Russian Territory - Kremlin Sputnik 31 May 2024 -- Attempts to strike Russian territory with US weapons are already being made, clearly indicating Washington's involvement in the Ukraine conflict, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian president, said on Friday.
• Ukrainian Military Loses Over 35,000 Troops in May - Russian Defense Minister Sputnik 31 May 2024 -- Ukraine's armed forces lost more than 35,000 servicemen and over 290 tanks in May this year, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Medvedev cautions West not to underestimate Russia's willingness to use tactical nukes TASS 31 May 2024 -- The senior Russian official believes it is possible that the conflict between Russia and the West has already entered its final stage
• Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov holds working meeting with Tajikistan Defence Minister Sherali Mirzo Russia MoD 31 May 2024
• Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov participates in CSTO Council of Ministers of Defence meeting Russia MoD 31 May 2024 -- 'The U.S. and its allies' destructive activities have had a major negative impact on the situation,' said Andrei Belousov, speaking at the CSTO Council of Ministers of Defence meeting in Almaty on Friday.
• Russia, Belarus Display Air Power Striking Targets in Joint Drills Sputnik 31 May 2024 -- On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian and Belarusian air forces had carried out airstrikes on targets as part of a joint flight-tactical exercise.

Foreign Policy

• Telephone conversation with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 31 May 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks during Business Council meeting on BRICS issues, Moscow, May 31, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31 May 2024
• Telephone conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev President of Russia 31 May 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
• Joint Statement on DPRK-Russia US Dept. of State 31 May 2024 -- The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, the High Representative of the European Union, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America affirm that the recent sanctions designations by each of our governments represent a coordinated effort to hold the DPRK and Russia to account and to impose costs on actors and entities involved in the unlawful transfer of arms from the DPRK to Russia for use in attacking Ukraine.
• DPRK: EU sanctions nine additional individuals and entities involved in the country's activities related to illegal weapons programmes and supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine EC/CEU 31 May 2024 -- The Council today sanctioned a further six individuals and three entities in view of sanctions evasion activities carried out by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) that could generate funds for its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, in violation of and with flagrant disregard for the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and in view of the military support given by the DPRK to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
• New US sanctions target Iran drone production VOA 31 May 2024 -- The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions Friday aimed at disrupting Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, program, which has been providing deadly UAVs to Russia for use in attacks against Ukraine.
• US imposes more sanctions on enablers of Iran's Drone production IRNA 31 May 2024 -- The US on Friday issued sanctions targeting entities for enabling Iran's drone program, in Washington's latest action seeking to disrupt the production and proliferation of UAVs.
• Treasury Targets Enablers of Iran's UAV Production US Treasury 31 May 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting four entities associated with OFAC-designated Rayan Roshd Afzar Company (RRA) that have procured critical parts for Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. Additionally, OFAC is targeting an Iranian executive of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), a subsidiary of Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) that oversees UAV manufacturers Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) and Qods Aviation Industries (QAI).
• EU Expands Sanctions On Iran Over Drone Transfers To Russia, Proxies RFE/RL 31 May 2024 -- The Council of the European Union on May 31 placed sanctions on three Iranian entities and six individuals over their involvement in the transfer of drones to Russia and Tehran's regional allies.
• Iran: EU lists more individuals and entities for the transfer of drones for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and for the transfer of drones and missiles in the Middle East and Red Sea region EC/CEU 31 May 2024 -- The Council today adopted restrictive measures against six individuals and three entities for their role in the transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine;the transfer of UAVs or missiles to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region; or for being involved in Iran's UAV programme.
• EU sanctions Iran's defense minister; US targets Iran Aviation Industries Press TV 31 May 2024 -- The European Union has imposed new sanctions on a number of Iranian individuals and entities for their alleged role in the "transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia."

News Reports

• Russia Declares Barred Presidential Candidate, Soldiers' Wives Group 'Foreign Agents' RFE/RL 31 May 2024 -- The Russian Justice Ministry on May 31 added Yekaterina Duntsova, who last year filed documents to register to run for president, to its list of so-called "foreign agents."
• The Week In Russia: Lies And Legitimacy RFE/RL 31 May 2024 -- The Kremlin sought to undermine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's legitimacy. Moscow mounted more strikes on Kharkiv, killing more civilians. And the White House reportedly gave Kyiv the green light for limited attacks on targets inside Russia.
• Thai police crack down on Russian investors on holiday island of Phuket Radio Free Asia 31 May 2024 -- Police on the Thai holiday island of Phuket have charged more than 100 people, including 67 Russians, suspected of breaking business laws in a crackdown on the multi-million dollar property sector that has seen a surge in prices since Russians flocked in after their government's invasion of Ukraine.