Explaining complex things in simple words: Orban's visit, attack on Myrhorod, release of political prisoners

 ORBAN'S VISIT

On July 2, the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán visited Ukraine.

• We welcome the diplomatic gesture of the leader of the neighbouring state, who was not afraid to visit warring Ukraine. The last time Viktor Orban came to Kyiv was 10 years ago.
• It is especially valuable that Orbán came to Ukraine, representing the country that began its six-month presidency in the EU Council. This proves the constant interest of the European Union in our country, regardless of personalities.
• Supporting Ukraine is a good opportunity for Hungary to strengthen its position and authority in the EU.
• Discussion of the minorities’ cultural rights issue on a parity basis became a positive development. Viktor Orbán promised to open schools in Hungary with the Ukrainian language of study.
• It would be more appropriate for Orbán to put forward the initiative for a unilateral ceasefire in the Russian-Ukrainian war not to Kyiv but to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó and his Russian colleague during a telephone conversation that took place on the same day. 

ATTACK ON MYRHOROD

The media reports that during the Russian missile attack on the air base in Myrhorod on July 1, some Su-27 fighters of the Ukrainian Air Force were destroyed and damaged.

• The enemy has permanently attacked Ukrainian air bases, such as Myrhorod and Starokostiantyniv, for almost 2.5 years. In such conditions, it is unfortunately impossible to completely exclude losses.
• The Ukrainian Air Force has generally adapted to threats and applies security protocols that make it difficult for the enemy to hunt down planes and pilots. To mislead the enemy, it is widely practised to place dummies of combat planes on airfields.
• It is the dummies that most often get into the statistics of the “victorious” summaries of the Russian Ministry of Defence. The Ukrainian Air Force command does not publicly comment on which enemy hits were on planes and which were on dummies.
• Ukrainian planes, “destroyed” by enemy propaganda, continued to perform combat tasks successfully and, on the same day, they inflicted a devastating blow on an ammunition depot in Crimea.
• Enemy propaganda is trying to turn its next attack on Myrhorod into a media story to cast doubt on the expediency of the F-16 transfer to Ukraine, which is expected in the near future

RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

On June 28, as a result of the exchange, Ukraine returned 10 civilians from Russian captivity, including Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis Nariman Dzhelyal, priests of the UGCC, abducted by the occupiers in Berdiansk.

• The last release of Ukrainian political prisoners by exchange was in the fall of 2019, so this is a great success and hope for the continuation of the process.
• We are grateful to the Vatican for its assistance in the release of Ukrainians.
• Russia convicted more than 200 people in politically motivated cases in the occupied Crimea only. Ukraine remembers everyone and makes efforts for their release.
• The majority of Ukrainian political prisoners in the territory under the control of the Russian Federation are kept in terrible conditions without proper medical care. At least 30 Crimean prisoners are in critical condition, their lives are in danger.
• Enemy propaganda speculates that the former UOC-MP hierarch Ionafan (Yelecki) was “released” as part of the exchange with Russia. However, unlike the released Ukrainians, Yeletcki was a collaborator and enemy of his state, wishing for its defeat and disappearance

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security