Russia planned an invasion of Belarus after its contested 2020 election, the intelligence department of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense claimed, publishing newly unearthed documents. 

The documents reveal the preparation of the 1st Tank Army of Russia for the invasion and capture of Belarus, the ministry claimed Tuesday.

"After the falsification of the presidential election in Belarus, the Russian Federation developed a plan to invade and suppress popular protests," the Ukrainian agency claimed. "The occupation of Belarus was planned under the pretext of avoiding Russia's involvement ‘in the European continental region in a regional or large-scale war with NATO member states in the West.’"

For more on the story: Russia planned to invade Belarus after election, Ukraine claims

Five civilians are dead in eastern Ukraine after Russia attacked Kharkiv, an official said.

Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synyehubov said Tuesday at least 17 other civilians were wounded in the attack.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

AT SEA - JULY 3: The Greek supertanker Astro Lupus lies anchored July 3, 2002 about 65 miles off the coast of Galveston, Texas. The supertanker is carrying a 200,000-metric ton shipment of Russian oil being shipped directly to the United States. It is the first shipment of oil between the former Cold War adversaries. (Photo by Craig H. Hartley/POOL/Getty Images)

Greek officials have confirmed their country has seized a Russian tanker in the Aegean Sea amid Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia.

The Russian-flagged Pegas, an oil tanker with 19 Russian crew members on board, was taken April 15, and is at rest in the bay of Karystos.

The Associated Press contributed to the report.

President Zelenskyy announced that he had submitted a questionnaire for membership in the European Union on Monday.

"It's an important signal," Zelenskyy said. "We believe that we will gain support and become a candidate for accession. After that, the next, final stage will begin. We believe that this procedure will take place in the coming weeks and that it will be positive for the history of our people, given the price it paid on the path to independence and democracy."

"Each country that joined the European Union went through the same procedure with the questionnaire," Zelenskyy said in a speech Monday. "The only difference is that it took them years, and we completed it in a little more than a week. We will provide the second part of the answers shortly. And we hope that Europe’s decision in response will be quick."

It remains unclear how far Ukraine has progressed on questions of corruption and other issues that prevented its membership in the EU in the past.

In this image from video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, April 8, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to oppose the Russian offensive in the Donbas region Monday as Russian President Vladimir Putin refocused his forces on the east and south of Ukraine. 

"No matter how many soldiers are drawn there, we will defend ourselves," Zelenskyy said in an address on the results of the 54th day of the war. "We will fight. We will not give up anything Ukrainian."

Read more here: Zelenskyy vows to fight Russian takeover of Donbas: 'We will not give up anything Ukrainian'

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