China sending engines for deadly drones to Russia through front companies labelling them ‘cooling units’ – Reuters investigation. What we know on day 1,247
The US has announced approval to sell to Ukraine a combined $322m worth of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Hawk surface-to-air missile systems. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the Hawks would bolster Ukraine’s air defences while the Bradleys would help meet Ukraine’s “urgent need to strengthen local sustainment capabilities to maintain high operational rates for United States-provided vehicles and weapon systems”. The state department approved the possible sales and the DSCA notified Congress, which would also need to approve the transactions.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised a new bill to strengthen the rule of law as mass protests over his decision to weaken the powers of two independent anti-corruption agencies roiled his government. Luke Harding writes from Kyiv that in a video address, Zelenskyy sought to deflect criticism by promising a new presidential bill would guarantee the independence of anti-corruption institutions and at the same time ensure there was “no Russian influence”.
Zelenskyy responded to the backlash on Wednesday evening by saying he would submit a further bill ensuring “all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place”. “Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days – on social media, to each other, on the streets. It’s not falling on deaf ears,” Zelenskyy said. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Kyiv for a second day, while European leaders expressed concern at the Ukrainian president’s contentious decision. They want him to scrap a controversial law passed this week that effectively places anti-corruption agencies under direct government control.
