Ukraine Ticker: Lithuania summons representatives of the Russian embassy

Lithuania summons representatives of the Russian embassy

19:18: Lithuania has deployed a representative of the Russian embassy in Vilnius because of the heavy Russian air strikes on Ukraine. In the conversation on Wednesday, the diplomat was told that he expressed his strong protest against the increased shelling of civilian targets in Ukraine, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said. According to the statement, the rockets and bombs hitting educational institutions, hospitals and residential areas show Russia's desperation and its complete disregard for human life and international humanitarian law.

At least seven people were killed and at least 38 injured in Russian air strikes on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, more than 50 people were killed and around 270 injured in an attack on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava. Russia has been waging war on Ukraine for two and a half years.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba likely to resign

07.59 am: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, a prominent political face since the beginning of the war, who has repeatedly seen the war in Germany, has apparently submitted his resignation. Parliament speaker Ruslan Stafenchuk posted a photo on social media showing the alleged resignation request.

Already on Tuesday, several Ukrainian ministers and high-ranking officials had submitted their resignations as part of a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle. The parliamentary group leader of President Volodymyr Zelensky's party, David Arachamia, is expected to replace around 50 percent of the government members this week.

At least two dead in Russian air strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv

06.58 am: According to Ukrainian sources, at least two people were killed in renewed nighttime Russian air strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. At least 23 people were also injured in the attacks, regional governor Maksym Kosytskyi announced on the online service Telegram on Wednesday. According to Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy, the two victims are a man and a woman.

In one of the most devastating Russian attacks since the start of the war, at least 51 people were killed on Tuesday in the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, according to Ukrainian sources, and another 271 were injured, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russian missiles hit a military training center and a hospital.

After the attack, Zelensky reiterated his demand that Western allies quickly supply his country with new air defense systems and allow long-range weapons already delivered to be used for attacks on Russian territory.

Trip to Kyiv: Ireland’s government announces millions in aid

Wednesday, 04 September, 03.02 am: Two and a half years after the start of the war, Ireland's head of government has assured Ukraine of further support. Prime Minister Simon Harris will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj in Kiev today, the government in Dublin announced in advance. Ireland will also provide a package of around 36 million euros for humanitarian aid and subsequent reconstruction.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian attack since February 2022. On Tuesday, dozens of people were killed in a Russian missile attack in the Ukrainian city of Poltava, according to Zelensky.

The attack on Poltava is a grim and terrible reminder of the threat Ukraine faces every day, Harris said. He will sign an agreement of support and cooperation with Zelensky.

“This makes it clear that Ukraine's values ​​are our values, and we will stand with the brave people of Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Harris said. The 37-year-old had already met Zelensky in mid-July when the Ukrainian president stopped off in Ireland on his way back from the NATO summit in the USA. With the new aid, Ireland will support projects run by international aid organizations, for example.

Restructuring of the government in Ukraine is imminent

19.25: War-torn Ukraine is facing a government shake-up after three ministers submitted their resignations. Their requests will be considered in the next parliamentary sessions, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk wrote on Facebook.

The ministers are Oleksander Kamyshin, who is responsible for the defense industry, as well as Denys Malyuska (justice) and Ruslan Strilets (environment). Vitaly Koval, the head of the State Property Fund, who is responsible for privatization, also wants to leave office.

The leader of the Servant of the People party, David Arachamija, announced further changes in the cabinet. According to him, there will be new appointments in more than half of all ministries. The final list will be announced at the faction meeting on Wednesday.

It had previously become known that the head of the power grid operator Ukrenerho, Volodymyr Kudrytsky, had been dismissed by the board of the state-owned company. Kudrytsky had headed Ukrenerho since 2020. However, he was recently accused of inadequate protection measures for the country's substations against Russian drone and missile attacks. Since a massive Russian missile and drone attack on the Russian energy infrastructure at the beginning of last week, Ukraine has again been experiencing hours-long unplanned power outages due to the electricity deficit.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had already announced a restructuring of the government in July. Five ministries are already headed by caretaker ministers. Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for over two and a half years. The government under Shmyhal has been in office since March 2020.

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