Evacuation of civilians from Azovstal and destroyed Russian ship: Highlights on war in Ukraine as of May 7-9

Author

Yulia Ustymovych

The 75th day of the war against the Russian occupiers continues in Ukraine. On May 7-9, 2022, the civilians were evacuated from the territory of Azovstal, the Ukrainian military destroyed another Russian ship, and at the same time, Ukraine filled in the second part of the questionnaire to obtain the status of a candidate for EU membership. has compiled business, political and economic news that will help you learn more about the situation in the country that has been fighting for its right to exist for more than two months.

Top news on the war as of May 7 to 9:

All women, children, and the elderly were rescued from Azovstal in Mariupol, this part of the Mariupol humanitarian operation is completed, Deputy Prime Minister — Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk reported.
A Ukrainian drone Bayraktar TB2 destroyed another Russian ship near the coast of the occupied Zmiinyi Island. The Ministry of Defense claims that the Project Serna landing craft was attacked.
As a result of an enemy strike on a school in the village of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, according to preliminary information, about 60 people were killed, the head of the Regional Military Administration Serhiy Haidai reports. At the time of the airstrike, about 90 people were in the school, 30 people were evacuated.

Top news on politics as of May 7 to 9

EU countries should consider seizing the frozen foreign exchange reserves of the Russian Federation in order to use them to rebuild Ukraine. This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The head of European diplomacy noted that earlier the United States similarly had taken control of assets belonging to the Central Bank of Afghanistan. This was done, in particular, for potential compensation to victims of terrorism and humanitarian assistance to the country. It would be possible to consider similar steps with the reserves of the Russian Federation.
Ukraine filled in the second part of the questionnaire for obtaining the candidate status for membership in the European Union. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported this in his Telegram channel. Subsequently, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanyshyna announced that Ukraine had submitted to the European Union the completed second part of the questionnaire to obtain the status of a candidate for EU membership.
Canada will provide Ukraine with NLAW and other anti-tank weapons, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. "We will provide everything that is needed, as well as fund demining efforts," Trudeau said at a press conference following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The head of the Canadian government noted that Canada has already provided assistance to Ukraine with a variety of military weapons. The head of the Canadian government noted that Canada had already provided assistance to Ukraine with a variety of military weapons.

Top news on economy as of May 7 to 9

Ukraine, in terms of the total sown area this season, lags behind last year's figures, depending on the crop, from 20 to 30%, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solsky said at a briefing on May 9. In particular, the shortage of Ukrainian grain on the world market, caused by the blockade of Ukraine's maritime logistics infrastructure by the Russian troops, will have a global impact on the world's food security. And in the coming months a food panic and a rise in food prices by 20–30% may begin.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the fundraising up to $1.6 billion from international financial institutions, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said following a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. In particular, it approved the fundraising from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which is part of the World Bank Group, and the International Development Association (IDA) for a total amount of up to $1.5 billion. In addition, by decision of the government, an Agreement with Japan on raising a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency was approved. As part of it, Ukraine will be able to raise up to $100 million, which will be used to ensure priority expenditures of the state budget.
U.S. President Joseph Biden announced a new $150 million military aid package for Ukraine. It will include artillery rounds, radars and other equipment. Biden's statement, published on the White House website, notes that there are almost no funds left to send aid to Ukraine and prompt approval of new funding by Congress is needed. "My administration has almost run out of funding that can be used to provide security assistance to Ukraine," Biden said.

Top news on business as of May 7 to 9

The Kyiv cinema Zhovten (literally: October), which suspended its work with the imposition of martial law on February 24, resumes screenings from Thursday, May 12. "Friends, we would like to tell you good news — on May 12, the Zhovten cinema is reopening! And there will be our victory soon. Tickets will go on sale in the next two days, stay tuned to the website for updates," the report on the cinema’s Facebook page reads.
SEC Lavina Mall resumes its work from May 10, the director of the Mandarin Plaza group Oleksandr Chernytskyi told the Interfax-Ukraine agency. The mall will be open from 10 am to 7 pm, almost all stores will open, except for LPP, Inditex, H&M, and IKEA.

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