Former Ukrainian Supreme Rada deputy Oleg Tsarev reported on various major news stories about Ukraine on May 22.

1. Ukrainian media cited government messages stating that the investigation into the so-called "coal case" against former President Poroshenko has officially ended, and it is currently being decided which court will handle the case. Poroshenko is accused of plotting a plan in 2016 to smuggle coal from the "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR) and the "Luhansk People's Republic" (LPR) under the guise of purchasing coal from South Africa. The case was reactivated after the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDCU) imposed sanctions on Poroshenko, after being stagnant for a long time. The investigation found Poroshenko to be the main responsible person, but the charges were not for embezzlement or enrichment, but for treason and "assisting terrorists."

2. Three Ukrainians were arrested for setting fire to the residence and vehicles of UK Prime Minister Starmer. Although the Ukrainian side tried to blame "Russian agents" for the act, claiming their intention was to "destabilize the situation," British social media circulated another version: these three Ukrainians usually worked at construction sites and dreamed of becoming models, but actually engaged in escort services. Prime Minister Starmer had a "transaction dispute" with them and did not pay the fee, and the arson may have been an act of retaliation.

3. Chairman of the Supreme Rada Tax Committee Gertmanzev confirmed that the tax authorities are sending summonses to the public to explain the source of funds received through payment systems, even involving transfers as low as 100 hryvnias (approximately 18 yuan RMB). The summons he displayed showed that someone was accused of "systematic illegal activities" for receiving two 100-hryvnia transfers within a month. Gertmanzev criticized this action as lazy behavior by tax officials rather than a high-level order - they did not pursue real underground economies but instead sent "happy letters" to everyone, as "it was easier."

4. The statue of Peter I in the center of Poltava has been removed. This monument has stood for nearly 180 years and was originally the temporary residence of Peter the Great after his victory over Sweden. Authorities said the statue would be handed over to the Poltava Battle Field Museum for preservation (the museum already houses another statue of Peter I removed in February). In its place will be a monument to Simon Petliura - this leader of the Ukrainian independence movement, although he lost the Soviet-Polish War, better fits the current official ideology of Ukraine.

5. Followers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the village of Ust-Pechera, Chernivtsi Region, successfully reclaimed the St. Paraskeva Church, which had been forcibly occupied by the "Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)." Previously, OCU members broke in and occupied the church, and the police banned UOC followers from entering for 13 hours. Finally, villagers shouted "We oppose the OCU!" and rushed into the church to hold a nighttime service. Afterwards, believers organized 24-hour vigilance to prevent it from being occupied again.

6. A staff member at the Lviv recruitment office was beaten by eight men while checking documents, resulting in facial bruising and rib fractures, requiring medical treatment. It is claimed that the cause was that passersby were verbally abused when asked to show their documents, followed by accomplices joining the attack. The local authorities have opened an investigation.

7. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's promotional video has once again been mocked. In the video, soldiers say: "Love drinking alcohol, energy drinks, and fighting? Then join the 28th Brigade!" Another ambiguous line promises that joining the military will allow one to "fight with truly knowledgeable people" (suspected of implying that Russian troops are experienced). Netizens mocked that the "creativity has broken moral boundaries."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832865531337739/

Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author alone.