Evacuation from Mariupol and nuclear fuel of Ukraine's own production: Highlights on war in Ukraine as of April 20

Author

Yulia Ustymovych

The 56th day of the war against the Russian invaders continues in Ukraine. 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 a month.

The major developments of the day are:

The Russian invaders have almost completely destroyed the Azovstal metallurgical plant located in Mariupol, said the deputy commander of the Azov regiment Sviatoslav Palamar, call sign Kalyna. In a commentary to Radio Svoboda on Tuesday, he said that the invaders were dropping super-powerful bombs on the plant.
President of the European Council Charles Michel visited Borodianka. "In Borodianka. Like Bucha and too many other towns in Ukraine. History will not forget the war crimes that have been committed here. There can be no peace without justice," Michel tweeted.
On April 20, a humanitarian corridor will work to evacuate the civilians from Mariupol besieged by Russian troops, said Iryna Vereshchuk, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories. She clarified that "given the very difficult security situation, changes may occur during the work of the corridor."

Politics

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill "On the extension of martial law in Ukraine". According to the presidential decree, martial law is proposed to be extended for 30 days — until May 25, 2022.
Norway has decided to send about 100 Mistral anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, the country's defense ministry reported. The Mistral air defense missile system is a portable anti-aircraft missile system intended to destroy low-flying enemy helicopters and aircraft. They were developed in France by MBDA.
The UK plans to hand over to Ukraine high-tech Brimstone missiles used by British troops in Libya and Syria. Usually they were launched from jet planes. This was stated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Economy

Gross public debt of Ukraine in 2022 over the war unleashed by Russia will increase to 86.2% of GDP after decreasing from 61% of GDP to 49% of GDP last year, the International Monetary Fund predicts. In particular, by the end of 2023, the IMF expects Ukraine's public debt at the level of 78% of GDP. The state budget deficit of Ukraine will increase to 17.8% of GDP from 4% of GDP in 2021.
The Ministry of Finance assumes a decline in Ukraine's GDP in 2022 ranging from 35% to 50%, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko reported. "A decline from 35% to 50% is possible this year — if we take an annual perspective. The National Bank voiced 41%," Marchenko noted.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the procedure for using official accounts for donations in support of Ukraine as part of the project United24, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported. According to him, the document clearly determines what official accounts and what public authorities can spend these funds. Such a mechanism will make it possible to quickly raise funds to meet the needs of our Armed Forces, health care, as well as priority measures for economic recovery and damaged infrastructure, in order to quickly restore life in the occupied territories.

Business

Kronospan resumes implementing an investment project to create a woodworking plant in Horodok (Rivne region), according to the Facebook page of the company Kronospan Rivne. The construction of a plant in the Rivne region is one of the largest investment projects in Ukraine in recent years. Kronospan has planned to invest more than 400 million euros in the construction of two production lines.
The Board of Directors of the agro-industrial group Kernel approved the resignation of Serhiy Shybaiev from the position of non-executive director, appointing Andrii Miski-Oglu, a native of Ukraine, who works as a senior assurance manager at the American branch of the international audit corporation Ernst&Yung. Relevant information about changes in the composition of the agrarian group’s Board of Directors was published by the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
AeroVironment will donate 100 Quantix Recon reconnaissance drones to Ukraine."AeroVironment is honored to support the people of Ukraine," said President Wahid Nawabi.
Energoatom announced launching a nuclear fuel assembly line of its own production in Ukraine using Westinghouse technology. Before the war started, a fuel supply agreement was signed with Westinghouse and Russian fuel company TVEL. The supply shares of the two companies were approximately 50/50. But when the war had started, it was decided to refuse the supply of Russian nuclear fuel.
Context. We have already reported about the updates in the chronicle of the world’s economic war against Russia as of April 20th.
In addition, covered the combat losses of the Russian invaders as of April 20, 2022.