Ukraine has turned to its prisoner population to address battlefield shortages as Russia continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine, with over 3,000 prisoners released on parole and assigned to military units. Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s pro-Russian leader, is set to visit Kyiv for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, as Hungary assumes the EU presidency. Meanwhile, a Briton who founded a charity supporting Ukrainian soldiers has died while fighting Russian forces. Patriotic Russian poetry praising Putin and backing the war in Ukraine has been revealed to be translations of Nazi verses from the 1930s and 1940s. Russia’s defense ministry has claimed control of two villages in eastern Ukraine, prompting denials from Ukrainian military statements.
The deployment of prisoners to military units reflects the urgent need for manpower on the frontlines, as Ukraine faces serious personnel shortages. Orbán’s visit to Kyiv comes amid Hungary’s questioning of the need to support Ukraine militarily, and its calls for a ceasefire. The death of Peter Fouché, who founded a charity supporting Ukrainian soldiers, highlights the sacrifice of individuals fighting against Russian aggression. The revelation of the true origins of patriotic Russian poetry showcases the manipulation of propaganda to support the war effort. Russia’s continued claims of capturing new territories in eastern Ukraine signal ongoing aggression and escalation of the conflict.
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