Agreement between Ukraine and the UAE, new aid from Germany. Main news for February 17.

Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates have signed an economic partnership agreement, Germany is providing new aid to Ukraine, and occupiers shot Ukrainian prisoners of war. 'GlaКом' has prepared a selection of news for February 17 to keep you informed of the main events:

Occupiers shot Ukrainian prisoners of war

The Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets sent letters to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the probable execution of another group of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russians, a video of which is spreading online.

The actions of the Russian invaders violate international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Two Russian agents detained, suspected of bombing near the TCK building in Kamyanets-Podilskyi

The Security Service and the National Police detained two Russian agents who carried out a hired terrorist attack in Kamyanets-Podilskyi on February 5.

It is noted that the defendants used a courier from a delivery service to bring explosives to the target as designated by the Russian special services. As a result of the explosion near the TCK building in Kamyanets-Podilskyi, the courier died on the spot and eight people were injured to varying degrees.

Within a day after the terrorist attack, both perpetrators were detained 'hot on the trail', and in the following days their connection to the Russian special service was documented. The offenders turned out to be a local drug addict and a 17-year-old student from the local college, who were recruited via a telegram channel searching for 'easy' earnings.

Both defendants acted separately but had a common Russian curator. Upon his instruction, the minor agent made an improvised explosive device (IED). To maximize damage, he filled it with nuts and rebar cuttings, and for remote detonation, he equipped it with a mobile phone.

Germany provides new aid to Ukraine

The federal government of Germany announced the transfer of another package of military aid to Ukraine.

The new aid package from Germany includes:

• 179 mine-resistant vehicles with ambush protection (Mrap)
• ammunition for the main battle tank Leopard 1;
• ammunition for the infantry fighting vehicle Marder;
• 282,000 rounds for self-propelled anti-aircraft systems;
• anti-aircraft missile complex Gepard;
• missiles Iris-T Slm;
• six wheeled self-propelled howitzers Zuzana 2;
• 422,000 shells of 155 mm caliber;
• 21,000 shells of 122 mm caliber;
• 900 attack drones HF-1;
• 499 Vector drones with spare parts;
• 684 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 Heidrun;
• 211 reconnaissance drones Songbird;
• 46 reconnaissance drones Hornet XR;
• 59 mine-clearing tanks WISENT 1 with spare parts;
• 77 mine plows;
• 467,000 rounds of 40 mm caliber;
• 450 MG5 machine guns;
• 3410 HK 416 assault rifles;
• 4905 MK 556 assault rifles;
• 484 precision rifles HLR 338 with 314,000 rounds of ammunition;
• 881 CR 308 rifles;
• 73 AK-47 assault rifles.

Among other special equipment, Germany has provided Ukraine with 765 laser rangefinders and border security equipment. The package includes over 60 million rounds for firearms, 88,400 wool blankets, 14,766 sleeping bags, and 343,400 tourniquets.

Ukraine and the UAE sign an economic partnership agreement

Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates have signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. This is the first agreement in the history of Ukraine with the Gulf countries. The agreement provides for free trade between Ukraine and the UAE and the liberalization of access to the goods markets for both countries. Ukrainian goods will have full access to the UAE market for 96.6% of goods lines.

The agreement may contribute to maintaining a positive trade balance, which amounted to 51.5 million USD in 2023. In the medium and long term, it may affect the trajectory of real GDP growth by 0.1%.

The agreement covers not only the trade of goods but also services, investments, and digital economy. It is also expected to increase Ukrainian exports in key sectors: metallurgy, food industry, including flour milling and oil production. An increase in the export of metals and vegetable oil is also forecasted.

Unknowns injure a TCK employee in Lviv region

In the town of Zhovkva in the Lviv region, an employee of the territorial recruitment center was attacked while escorting two mobilized citizens for a medical examination. One of them escaped.

The attack happened around 11:45 on Lvivska street. At that Time, the military was going with the two mobilized to the local hospital, where they were to undergo a military medical commission. However, two unknown individuals attacked the TCK employee, inflicting cuts with a sharp object.

After the attack, one of the mobilized escaped, and a search was announced for him. The TCK states that the goal of the attack was to help the man escape.

Law enforcement opened a criminal proceeding under Article 125 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intentional minor injury).