Russia-Ukraine War

17 May Russia-Ukraine War

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned businesses and organisations of the possible spillover of cyber-attacks as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

* Ukraine’s defence ministry says 264 fighters have left the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol and been taken to areas held by Russian-backed rebels. Fifty-three heavily injured fighters were taken to the town of Novoazovsk, and another 211 to Olenivka. However,  he said some fighters remain trapped at Azovstal and efforts to rescue them are ongoing

* Turkey’s President Erdogan says the country will not approve Finland and Sweden’s applications to join NATO, accusing them of harbouring terrorists

President Putin says there is no threat to Russia from the Nordic states joining, but new military infrastructure on their territory would provoke a response

* Some of the biggest-ever NATO military exercises in the Baltics have been taking place in Estonia and Latvia.

* McDonald’s, an American fast-food giant, announced Monday it will sell its Russian business and exit the market entirely. It said upon its exit it would sell its business in the country to a local buyer. Similarly, French automaker, Renault, has announced it is selling its entire Russian operation including its stake in Lada-maker Avtovaz in the country.

* Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday there had been heavy casualties in Russian missile strikes far from the front lines, but on the ground Russian efforts to advance in the east were being repulsed.