Ukraine news/Current
(Pinned) 11 Sep. RFK Jr. : The Biden administration’s policy of maximum confrontation, seeking Russia’s humiliating defeat and regime change, is a recipe for nuclear immolation
21 Nov. Russia test-fires new hypersonic "ballistic" "Mach 10" intermediate-range missile called Oreshnik (Hazel Bush) at Yuzhmash aerospace plant in Dnepr(opetrovsk), Ukraine. Blames the West for escalation, says that firing of new precision weapons at mainland Russia targets requires, and is considered to be, direct Western involvement in the conflict. Says that full deployment of new missiles is not planned unless the West deploys theirs (referring to US withdrawal from INF treaty), but future "test-firings" would depend on circumstances and may involve Western military targets of countries "which allow the use of their weapons on Russian targets" (according to Kremlin/TASS). Missile was characterized as a medium-range ballistic missile "in non-nuclear hypersonic rendering/equipment", which suggests, in plain language, a ballistic missile with non-nuclear hypersonic warhead. Deployment comments are about the reaction to US practical steps after withdrawal from the INF treaty, which Russia positions to observe, so far.
21 Nov. Outgoing administration decided to outdo itself, for not having to deal with the Russians in 2025 and screwing Trump in the process, deciding to allow the Kiev comedian to strike mainland Russia with US missiles. Actual strikes with 6 ATACMS, 5 of them intercepted, one "damaged" and "causing fire at a military site" was reported (TASS). Followed by reports by Western media, Cassad that Storm Shadow missile(s) hit Mar'ino village in the Kursk region. Meanwhile, the Russians finally signed changes to the military doctrine, equating attacks backed by a nuclear power to joint attack. With this, technically there seems to be no red lines. Yet, nuclear war in 2024 would seem rather irrational, as doing it in 2025, if so be it, will make little practical difference, but will give more chance for signs of sanity perhaps to be found. In any case, actual change of fortunes on the front will not be achieved, just more people killed, with no justification. The real consequences will be that it will be substantially harder for the new administration to achieve tangible progress, with both sides leaderships seeing benefits in things to continue, while popular opinion is rather confused and rather subdued.
The latest madness upgrade occurred after WaPo report of Tr/Pu phone call, which Peskov denied (easy for them), and the incoming admin had "no comment." The report followed by Russian strikes on Ukraine. Reports that US allowed use of US weapons on mainland Russia became public after that, but referred to approval made in earlier days, which matched the days of strikes (sequencing unclear)
3 Oct. Biden: "I don't think Putin will come" (video)
28 Sep. Humans-like Trump meeting with Zelenski (video -truthsocial) is in stark contrast with Harris teleprompter lecture (c-span) while meeting the same greenmil.- fatigue[d] person.
250 thousand Ukrainians relocated to Belarus since the start of the conflict-Belarus FM
10-11 Sep. "Blinken hints US will lift restrictions on Ukraine using long-range arms in Russia". "Decision understood to have already been made in private as secretary of state says in Kyiv that US will continue to adapt policy" - The Guardian
6 Sep. Kursk invasion battles appear to turn into positional war. Heavy armor is quickly destroyed. Attacking side has a disadvantage, It appears that Russia did not deploy large enough forces to deal with this decisively, and counting on, reportedly, heavy daily Ukrainian losses.
CNN video shows alleged execution of Ukrainian prisoners, shot from a drone in low resolution. In another video, shot from a close distance, Ukrainian would-be prisoner attacks Russian soldier, before 3 others and himself are killed. (Veracity of either video is uncertain. They appear to show different incidents).
3 Sep. In Kursk region, Ukrainian forces shot at a civilian car, a father and child are killed.
25 Aug. Pavel Durov, owner and CEO of Telegram was arrested in France. Fake arrest warrants for Durov and the owners of Rumble and GAB appear online on September 5.
19 Aug. "Akhmat" SpN commander Apti Aluidinov: "in one of the many cases , in Sudzha, Ukrainian forces used orphanage children as human shields, placing them on the second floor of the building, with themselves on the first" (02:15); "I received great number of photographs where civilians [in Kursk] were executed, point blank" (03:50). (He did not publish photoovisuals).
12 Aug. Significant fire over cooling tower of Zaporozhie NPP is seen in viral photo, after the tower was hit by Ukrainian drone leading to "burning of metal-plastic elements". According to Ru reports, reactors were previously stopped; the cooling tower has been "unused" -(unclear since when); and no rads increase over background levels. Western media parrot nonsensical Ukrainian claims that Russians start the fire.
Ukrainian invasion of borderline Kursk region: heavy armor, several thousand Ukr troops believed to be involved; Wagner's attributed tactics of narrow breakthrough/expanding 'flower' said to be used; audiovisual evidence that Ukr troops shot at civilian vehicles and an ambulance when establishing fire control over roads in near-border region. Present reports indicate at least 12 civilians killed, over 100 thousand (to be) evacuated. Invasion is gradually eliminated, with significant Ukr losses. Goal of invasion appears to be media impact and strengthening negotiations positions. On military side, it failed at significant cost. (Details to follow)
4 Aug. "F-16 spotted over Odessa - local channels"
26 -27 Jul. Ukrainian GUR claims that Ukrainian drones attacked strategic Russian airfields in Engels, Dyagilevo, Olenia, and "damaged" strategic bomber Tu 22M3 in Olenya, near Murmansk, by Barents sea shores in the Arctic, some 1800 km away from Ukraine (nb, no reason to be sure the latter drone arrived from Ukraine). There does not seem to be independent confirmations or visuals of Tu bomber damage. Ukrainian sources published a video of some falling plane, somewhere, with burning tale; there does not seem to be consistency between that and the claims made (which appear to be about hitting a parked plane). Yet Fighterbomber post indicates that something bad happened in the morning of July 26, and somebody died. And that it happened after multiple flights of (apparently, British) RC-135 reconnaissance plane accompanied by 2 Eurofighters, towards the shores of Crimea, which continued. (It is unclear where and how a fatal incident occurred). Yet as those attacks involve strategic sights, it may be opening a Pandora box.
- Updated. Radio Svoboda: "High-resolution satellite image from July 27 shows no visible traces of Ukrainian strike on Olenya strategic aviation base in Murmansk region"
26 Jul. At the honeymoon of Harris path to ascend WH, David Urban of B(ad)PR firm, and Mik Pompeo of MIC published in the "WSJ" an article "A Trump Peace Plan for Ukraine" possibly of own creation. Implementing "the plan" would outdo anything seen so far on the ground.
Ukrainian police arrests 18 years old neonazi supporter from Dnepropetrovsk, accused of killing controversial Ukrainian ultranationalist Irina Farion.
25 Jul. TASS: "The EC banned Europeans from participating in the exchange of frozen assets with the Russian Federation". (Noted, hard to locate, not located in the quoted 400 p.+ document. If accurate, the "Europeans" would be the ultimate victims of the EU sanctions).
Jun-Jul. Ukrainian officials start talking about involving Russia in peace negotiations (despite the Ukrainian law prohibiting "проведення переговорів з Президентом Російської Федерації В. Путіним"), to a lukewarm welcome from Moscow ("better than war to the last Ukrainian"); however concrete path to successful talks appears missing.
21 Jul. Claim by Spanish ex-col. Pedro Banos (unverified): In Odessa, "muerto al menos 18 miembros del SAS servicio del especial del aire Britanico ", "and 25 wounded" (interview video)
8 Jul. Again: "Russian" missile strikes children's hospital in Kiev on the eve of NATO summit. Pothead "experts" "confirm", of course Russians always do that on eve of Western meetings. While '"Odessa" reader' matches it to NASAM (1, 2; compare with, missile seen on CNN video, around 2:00 timestamp).
5 Jul: Zelensky congratulates Labour Party's Starmer on UK election victory
4 Jul. Voice of America: Russia, China leaders meet in Kazakhstan at Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in display of deepening cooperation
3 Jul. RU FM (Nastasin): The people of France are seeking a sovereign foreign policy that serves their national interests & a break from the dictate of Washington & Brussels. French officials won’t be able to ignore these profound shifts in the attitudes of the vast majority of citizens (over Le Pen photo). Ukraine supporter Le Pen: “I do not feel absolutely responsible for Russian provocations towards France and towards Emmanuel Macron” "I can tell you that if they thought they had an interest, they wouldn't have tweeted. So, I think it's a provocation and incidentally, it's perhaps also a bit of an interference. Because when you make a tweet like that, so ostentatious, and so provocative, it can be considered a form of interference,”
2 Jul. Victor Orban interview to Weltwoche, about his trip to Kiev, where he offered Zelensky to consider ceasefire before a peace agreement, as hundreds of soldiers are dying every day -- to a reluctant response (video, Eng.) . + Orban and Zelesnky press conference, in Ukr. or auto-translate, official video, 10:54 length. (Compare with: 1993: Rabin and Arafat shake hands at White House with President Clinton)
According to analysis from John Helmer. Russian military have managed to deter the Americans from deploying Global Hawk recon drones over the Black Sea. Those were believed to be involved in recent missile attacks on Crimea. He reports British manned recon aircraft flying from Romania are now attempting to fill the gap - testing the resolve of Russian side to avoid escalatory incidents.
- According to Russian commenters, after Belousov ordered to 'consider measures' against Western drones over the Black Sea - believed to be involved in support of Ukraine attacks on Russian targets; and after on June 25 (the day when ATACMS cluster munition exploded over a beach in Sevastopol, killing 4 vacationers, including 2 children, and wounding 153) a "Global Hawk" -MiG-31 encounter occurred-- there was a change in Western operations, involving piloted British (27 June, supported by 2 fighter planes, near Crimea) and US (28 June) reconnaissance planes. Measures against the latter were considered by those commenters unlikely, in particular due to several well-known overall weaknesses of Russian operations.
17 Jun Russia will sign "a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" with North Korea, as part of the ongoing summit in North Korea. This appears to be one of the fall-outs of the Ukraine situation (NB, Ukraine signed multiple security treaties with individual NATO member countries).
16 Jun. Ukraine conference joint communiqué: full text - Reuters. (Oleg Tsarev: it's empty talk)
15 Jun. Sergei Tsekhov (chairman of the Crimean supreme council in 1994, presently RU MP and RU Fed Council international relations committee member): “This is not a conference to achieve peace in Ukraine. This conference is a trial on Russia, for this purpose it was assembled. It is clear that they are using this conference only to maintain their hegemony and influence in the world. They understand that they are losing it. This worries them much more than Ukraine itself. Moreover, they do not care at all about the lives of Ukrainian citizens."
Viktor Tsoi, "Kino", Donetsk, 1990; B52 bomber, "By Dawn's Early Light", Hollywood, 1990.
14 Jun. On the eve of the Ukrainian-led "peace conference" in Switzerland, not attended by Russia, Russia proposed to end the conflict, conditioned on complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all the territory of the new regions (Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhie, Kherson regions), + Ukraine not joining NATO, + neutral status 1, 2. (Kiev's reaction, so far, rejecting proposal).
- Details emerged of Naftali Bennett, Israeli PM at the time, trying to mediate in 2022, which could keep Ukrainian sovereignty over Zaporozhie and Kherson regions. It is said that his efforts were rejected by Ukraine
Video of battle for central Volchansk, Kharkov direction.
Video of a strike said to be hitting Ukrainian/NATO supplied M270 MLRS.
12 Jun. On Russia's independence day, US sanctions Moscow exchange, Ru national clearance house, and some banks, which so far collectively were leading in $ and Eu currency exchange and setting the exchange rate. That will mostly hurt normal people who travel or have family commitments across the new wall. It will speed up Russia's dedolarization and independence from the West. It will do next to nothing to "Putin's circle", and possibly strengthen them by creating more enrichment avenues. It will also likely come across as either dumb or evil.
11 Jun. The Biden administration lifted a decade old ban on providing military assistance to the Azov Brigade. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had hosted representatives of the extreme right grouping in Westminster three weeks earlier.
6 Jun. In further significant deterioration of international security, Russia finally responded to the West officially permitting Ukraine to strike targets in Russia by offering weapons and weapon development programs to actors opposing corresponding Western countries.
31 May. Ru-Ukr POW exchange, 75 for 75
More footage on forced mobilization in Ukraine 1, 2.
28 May. Jeffrey Sachs in his interview goes over the origins of the war in Ukraine, repeating points made here since 2014, with the added benefit of having direct knowledge through contacts with participants, and his elevated public standing.
22 May. Ukrainian attack damaged "Voronezh DM" long range radars in Armavir, part of the Russian early warning system guarding against missile attack, an important element of preventing nuclear war and maintaining strategic balance (satellite photos appear to support posted on social media photos).
20 May: "Kyiv" post: "One of the primary ideas that Russian intelligence is attempting to convey to Ukrainians is that Zelensky will lose his legitimacy as president at the conclusion of his five-year term, that is, after May 20, 2024" -as there were no new elections in this biggest democracy in Europe.
18 May. New tighter mobilization (military draft) law comes into force in Ukraine, where draft is already causing significant tensions. Lower draft age is lowered to 25, draft notes assumed delivered, penalties increased, fines raised 3+fold, more difficult to leave the country, employers tasked with draft responsibilities, MP's exempt, provisions for discharge after period of service removed, prisoners serving term can be drafted (1, 2). Ukrainian truckers staged a protest against mobilization on the Kyiv-Odessa highway-video. "Truck drivers can be mobilized at the border when leaving Ukraine. Most drivers are not exempt. Because of this, drivers have already begun to abandon their trucks and stay abroad".
16 May As Russian forces make advances north of Kharkov, Ukraine, in receipt of Western funding and weapons, launched sea + air drone, and missile attacks on targets in mainland Russia near-border regions and Crimea (some oil processing plant hits and civilian casualties are reported).
Tithe Church of the UOC was demolished by authorities in Kiev
15 May. As if to further underscore global failures of Western policies, a large Russian delegation, including government and local officials, departed for a summit in China. (+ Press conference includes answers on Ukraine).
Slovak PM Robert Fico, opposing Western policies towards Ukraine, is shot in an assassination attempt.
14 May. Blinken in Kiev: Ukrainians! Keep killing more Russians and dying yourselves! We are so proud of you! We will keep sending you more weapons! And make others too! Your bridge to NATO is well-lit! War is peace ! Slava Ukraine ! (Unclear how from the depths of clinical psychoanalysis Arestovich concluded that this means a worldwide push to the Koreas-like peace deal, being prevented by Zelensky)
10 May. US sends another $400 mln in weapons to Ukraine (White House; TASS).
Mishustin is reappointed as Russian PM, in an apparent anti-climax to power struggle rumors.
Update from the Kharkov direction -Cassad.
9 May. Celebrations of the WWII V-day, parades in Moscow, and elsewhere. Moscow: heavy hardware, aerial overfly included (perhaps shorter than pre-war). Groznyi, a row of US-made Hummers seen. Parade in Abkhazia. Parade in Syria, including Ru and Syrian troops.
PM Netanyahu "sent congratulations on Victory Day to the President of the Russian Federation."
6 May. "British ambassador to Moscow N. Casey was warned that the response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on Russian territory could be any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond" (after British statement approving such use; and on the eve of the Ru president inauguration).
24 Apr. According to BBC journalist J. Beale, "latest batch of U.K. military aid to Ukraine will include Paveway IV bombs"
23 Apr. US Senate voted 79-18 to concur in the House war funding bill package (Vance among objectors). -CSPAN
22 Apr. TV tower in Kharkov is partially destroyed - video. (Reports on effects of this differ).
20 Apr. "House passes Ukraine aid bill", and a bill which will sell frozen Russian assets to generate revenue for Ukraine. Voting Democrats, all in favor, while more than half Republicans opposed, but it did not matter. US-border-bill-first did not happen. MTG's creative amendments all failed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Ukrainian flags waved in large numbers on US House floor after the bill passage. Kremlin spokesman reaction. (+Various commenters, FWIW, Apr 20 is Hitler's birthday).
A pregnant woman is killed by Ukrainian shelling of Novaya Tavolzhanka village, Belgorod region, mainland Russia.
19 Apr. Russian war correspondent Semyon Eremin, 42 was killed by Ukrainian drone strike on the border of DPR and Zaporozhskii region.
18 Apr. US HR Ukrainian war sustainment bill : AmericaLast foreign wars package.
17 Apr. TIME magazine names Yulia Navalnaya the new puppet president of Russia.
12 Apr, Donetsk. Russel Bentley ("Texas"), a US volunteer and journalist who moved to DPR in 2014, is missing, search and reward announced. His car, a Ru-made "Niva" SUV is missing too, last seen Apr. 8 parked in front of a food stall in Donetsk.
- It is reported that Bentley "Texas" was killed (погиб). While appeal of his Russian wife suggests that he could have been arrested by Russian forces, apparently unaware of who he is and that he is well known and on their side, possibly after taking photographs at a site of Ukrainian strike in Donetsk. It is said 1, 2 that he drove off to see whether he can help the victims of a nearby shelling, after arriving with his wife at 15:30 at a regional gov office in Petrovsky region of Donetsk for a personal matter. He was not seen since, and a smashed phone was found in his car. No photos or videos were found on his phone SIM/memory cards after 16:15, April 8 (the day he disappeared)- Ru, Eng. Military investigative committee is involved in investigation. Noted, 5 brigade of 1 AC is former "Oplot" (Zakharchenko), presently part of RU armed forces.
- Sledkom: Russel Bentley murderers found, charged. Mistook him for a spy. Died during interrogation. They tried to conceal.
Former SBU officer Prozorov, who defected to Russia before the start of SMO, survived an assassination attempt in Moscow. Explosion occurred under his car, soon after he started it. 1, 2
7 Apr. "The Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the dome of the 6th power unit of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. There were no critical injuries or casualties. There were no threats of violation of safety limits. The radiation background at the station and the surrounding area has not changed and is at a level corresponding to the normal operation of power units and does not exceed natural background values " -t.me/znppofficial, TASS.
22 Mar. Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Moscow. At least 144 concert goers were killed, in addition 165 required hospitalization. US and the West blamed it on ISIS; ISIS is reported in the Western media as claiming responsibility. Video: "ISIS or Ukraine?" --"Of course, Ukraine" --Nikolai Patrushev (same short videoclip @ 1, 2, & elsewhere). Noted, 4 directly involved terrorists (all ethnic Tajiks) were caught on their escape route towards Ukraine (and, FWIW, they made statements to interrogators that those were their instructions).
12-15 Mar. Intense fighting near Russian border in Kharkov and Sumy areas continues for the 3 day, with significant Ukrainian forces trying to penetrate Russian border on the eve of elections in Russia, and apparently taking heavy losses. RU MoD [estimated] Ukrainian losses: 1500, including about 550 irrevocable
12 Mar. Gladkov, governor of Belgorod region, mainland Russia: In Belgorod, an enemy UAV crashed into the city administration building. There are two victims: one woman received shrapnel wounds, the second a concussion. The victims are provided with all necessary medical care. As a result of the explosion, windows in the building were broken and the façade was damaged. All emergency services are on site.
In Belgorod, near the railway station, a drone fell on the roof of a shopping center. There were no casualties. According to preliminary data, one car was damaged. The area is cordoned off. All operational services are working on site
Quoting RU MoD : Ukrainian attempt at 3 am to invade Russian border area of Belgorod region was repelled-videos, details Eng., Ru.
11 Mar. Preparations for Ukrainian raid in the Belgorod region discovered, Ukrainian detachment and heavy weapons destroyed (report , video, posted around 7 pm)
French involvement of 1918: Even the most seasoned skeptics believed everything, even that Ukraine would be declared one of the departments of France and President Poincaré himself would go to Kyiv to solemnly proclaim this... Rumors under Petlyura acquired the character of a spontaneous, almost cosmic phenomenon, similar to a pestilence. It was general hypnosis. (+more, Tsarev/Podoliaka)
10 Mar. Another Abrams tank destroyed near Berdychi
Pope urges to negotiate (video) (AI reaction)
9 Mar. In one of many similar Ukrainian draft videos, 34 Ukrainians trying to escape draft in a van are brutally arrested, beaten near Romanian border (with sound, Musk comment mentioned, 2, 3, 4). Also, 5, 6, 7
"Patriot" air defense launchers destroyed near Krasnoarmeysk (2 or 3 nearby launchers claimed in various reports)
8 Mar. Czechs raise money to buy in third countries 800 000 artillery shells for Ukraine (or maybe for the first installment of this)
7 Mar. Tucker Carlson, VD Hanson (Hoover inst) comments on the US State of the Union address, heavy on maintaining the war in Ukraine.
5 Mar. Russian patrol boat "Sergey Kotov" was attacked by multiple Ukrainian drones near Feodosia, and sunk after the battle. Sailors survived.
US-made HIMARS destroyed in the Donbass (video).
Victoria Nuland "retired"
Yelena Zelenskaya ("Olena Zelenska") "declines State of the Union invitation" in the USA, apparently because Yulia Navlnaya is also present (with a strange stock photo, WaPo).
Britain ‘prepared to loan Ukraine all frozen Russian central bank assets’
2 Mar. "Business Insider" on Israel supplying early warning system to Ukraine, and worsening relations between Israel and Russia, videos included. (Was Amir Weltmann asleep from 2014 to 2022?)
Another "Abrams" tank destroyed in the Donbass (photos), and its de-mining version is said to be destroyed.
28 Feb. Transnistria appealed to the Russian Federation Council and State Duma, international organizations, and UN with a request for protection from pressure from Moldova (text)
27 Feb. Shoigu: from the start of SMO, Ukrainian forces lost more than 444 thousand people, and since the beginning of 2024 they have been losing an average of over 800 people per day. (Zelensky: Ukrainian forces lost 31 thousand).
26 Feb. It is reported (with photovisuals) that Abrams tank was destroyed in the Donbass for the first time.
Also for the first time Ukrainian Swedish-made Archer self-propelled gun, "the most modern, rapid-firing and accurate" NATO gun, takes a Lancet direct hit.
Ukrainian NASAMS air defense system and S-300 radar are destroyed on the southern front
Hungarian Parliament approves Sweden joining NATO, further solidifying security fault lines.
25 Feb. NYT publishes The spy war: How the CIA secretly helps Ukraine fight Putin (Archive) - With details on CIA aid to the Ukrainian military since 2014. Including, a "network of spy bases constructed in the past eight years that includes 12 secret locations along the Russian border."
22 Feb. Tu-160M visuals in the news for the second day
21 Feb. Russian forces took control of Pobeda settlement --reports.
Governor of Transbaikal region, on the alleged Ukrainian (--US-supplied--) HIMARS strike on 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade (servicemen were allegedly standing in formation to meet a commander).
20 Feb. Tucker Carlson comments on requested by him interview with Boris Johnson (video, same video, full video, text), and how Ukrainian aid is a "shakedown."
19 Feb. Heavy fighting, reports of partial Russian forces advances in Rabotino and Pobeda.
Ru MoD briefing on chemical weapons violations includes mentions of "severe poisoning" on 5 Dec. 2023 of the head of LPR Leonid Pasechnik by "phenolic compounds" (not reported before), and of Vladimir Saldo, the head of Russian Kherson regional admin, on 9 Aug 2022 by ricin (mentioned in the news earlier). Also included are claims of Ukrainian forces usage of crowd control as well as banned CW on the battlefield.
"UK minister rules out swap for Briton Vladimir Kara-Murza jailed in Russia"
17 Feb. C.-in-C. Syrskii announced withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Avdeevka. (Photos of Russian forces in central areas of Avdeevka appeared earlier).
- "Video tour of the main Ukrainian underground fortress near Avdeevka" . (Heavily fortified).
16 Feb. Death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian penal colony is followed by a massive propaganda campaign and infowar operation in Western mainstream media.
Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement on “security guarantees.” Germany is to give Ukraine 7 bln euros in 2024 and to continue funding and political and legal backing of the war by supporting Ukraine for the foreseeable future.
"In the area of the village of Pobeda (south of Maryinka), another Leopard tank drove in the wrong direction, turning into a crater from a FAB bomb. The crew abandoned the tank and fled. It's promised to tell what happened next a little later. Handsome driver. Probably one of those who was caught on the street".
- ("A lion-hearted Ukrainian patriot is rushing to the front to give his life near Avdeevka, and some Ru saboteurs do not allow him to do this" (video)).
France, another co-sponsor of Minsk agreements, who, like Germany, failed to have Ukraine follow the agreements even on the most basic and important item of stopping shelling and killing civilians in the Donbass, is now to "allocate up to €3 billion in military aid " to Ukraine, with further support for 10 years, including on joining NATO.
15 Feb. 7 people are killed, including a year-old girl, 18 are injured in Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod, mainland Russia. It is said that RM 70 Vamprire MLRS was used, 14 rockets intercepted.
14 Feb. President Macron of France cancels his planned trip to Kiev because of "security reasons". Social media speculates it was because of a planned assassination plot by Ukrainian GUR.
Russian forces continue slow advance and gradually encircle Avdeevka, cutting some important supply roads. Heavily fortified Avdeevka has been used to shell Donetsk throughout the conflict.
Ukrainian sea drone hit Russian big landing ship Caesar Kunikov. Reports, based on Ukrainian videos, photos suggest that the ship may be lost. See also: 1, 2)
8 Feb. (Ukrainian commander-in-chief) Zaluzhnyi is out, Syrskii is in.
Feb 6. Carlson Tucker visits Moscow, to watch "Spartacus" ballet in Bolshoi Theater, and also aiming to interview the President of Russia (explaining why and how).
Feb 4. Ukrainian strike on a bakery in Lisichansk had at least 28 people killed (18 men, 9 women--one said to be pregnant , and 1 child). It became known later that one of those killed was LPR minister of emergency situations col. Poteleshchenko, who was at a birthday party for LPR MP Zhushma, held at a cafe by the bakery.
Feb 1. Orban caves in to EU pressure (which involved 20 billion of frozen money to Hungary) to have new 50 billion euros package over 5 years to Ukraine authorized. Slovakia caved in earlier.
Ukrainian military sinks a Russian missile boat "Ivanovets" in a headline grabbing drone boat swarm attack (with a video supplied). Some analysts consider such capability likely to come from NATO and its contractors e.g. L3 Harris. Russia did not acknowledge loss of the ship officially. But Russian social media posts suggest that the ship was indeed lost, while the crew apparently survived.
Jan 31. President Zelensky had apparently planned to remove his Commander of Armed forces General Zaluzhny. But he found himself unable to replace him in post, so far.
25 Jan. Strelkov was sentenced to 4 years of colony, general regime, on charges of "calls for extremist activity" (his defense will appeal).
24 Jan. Ukraine shot down Russian transport IL -76 plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners transported for prisoners exchange, 3 Russian guards, and 6 crew members. All on board were killed.
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves by 20-1 REPO Act to use confiscated Russian Central Bank assets for 'Ukraine assistance'. Despite campaigning by Bill Browder, the proposal has been criticized for being likely to undermine the US dollar.
21 Jan. At least 25 killed, 25 wounded, including 2 children in Ukrainian shelling of the area of "Mercury" market, Kirovsky district of Donetsk (photos, video from the scene).
Lavrov in NY for UNSC meeting, Ukraine and Middle East. Donetsk market attack said to be included.
Continuing Ukrainian attempts to attack regions in mainland Russia (Bryansk, Belgorod), and in Crimea.
Zelensky "I have not yet seen enough clear details to say that half a million must be mobilized" (as part of messaging promoting mobilization).
20 Jan. Fire at Novatek plant processing gas condensate for export in Ust'-Lug, Leningrad region, near Estonian border, attributed to a drone attack, with Ukrainian sources competing for responsibility.
12 Jan. American-Chilean journalist Gonzalo Lira died while in Ukrainian custody 1, 2
Golmovskii settlement, near Gorlovka. Ukrainian militants using a drone attacked an ambulance which was evacuating wounded by Ukrainian fire earlier power/utilities engineers. In total, 2 people were killed, including a medic, 4 were wounded.
UK-Ukraine security cooperation agreement is published (PDF). Some Ukrainian concerns over wording of UK commitments.
7 Jan. Former Ukrainian attorney general Lutsenko: Ukraine lost 500 thousand in killed and gravely wounded since the start of the war, 30 thousand lost every month.
RU MoD Shoigu: Ukraine lost 215 thousand in 2023
1 Jan. Ukraine shelled central Donetsk, including "Donbass Palace" 5 star hotel (1, 2), 4 killed and 12 wounded.
Disclaimer
Note on sources. At present, pro -Ukrainian and pro-Russian sources more often than not offer opposing claims on events, and a choice needs to be made. Currently factual part of reporting by pro-Russian sources appear more accurate, complete, and closer to truth, out of the two available alternatives. It is also less known, as the other side has greater support by the Western mass media. For that reason, a lot of reporting here is based on Russian sources. It is not done for the sake of supporting any pre-determined narrative. If and when Ukrainian sources appear more accurate, they will be used without a reservation.
Some Ukrainian source reporting is very good, for example Tatyana Montyan numerous videos, some of them translated, are spot-on and at times appear closer to reality than any pro-this or that narratives. However the bulk of Ukrainian media is unreliable, and often just unbelievable, not passing cross checks (e.g. as was illustrated numerous times by well-read on both sides Ukrainian journalist Anatoly Sharii); or else, is filled with hate and may cheer more people harmed or killed (any of such sort, from any side, is totally unsupported here).
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