Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Vasily Egorov
[REGNUM] The end of last year and the beginning of a new one were not so rich in good news for Kyiv. American military aid is stuck within the walls of the Senate and Congress. Hungary blocks any financial support from the EU. The number of alarmist articles in the West is generally breaking all records. And this is where London comes to the rescue.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[LB] The Russians are trying to surround Avdiivka.
by Iryna Lysohor
In the Avdiivka direction, the defenders continue to restrain the enemy, who seeks to surround Avdiivka. The defenders repelled 20 enemy attacks in the districts of Novobakhmutivka, Stepovoy, Avdiivka and another 15 attacks in the districts of Pervomaiskyi and Nevelskyi.
In the Mariinsky direction, defenders continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Georgiivka, Maryinka, and Novomykhailivka. There, 17 attacks were repelled, the spokesman of the General Staff, Andriy Kovalev, said on the air of the telethon.
"On the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to expand the bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not stop trying to knock our units out of their positions. Over the past day, the enemy has carried out six unsuccessful assaults on the positions of our troops, at the same time, our soldiers continue to actively inflict casualties on the occupying forces in manpower and equipment," he said.
In Zaporizhzhia, the Defense Forces repelled the attack of the occupiers west of Vervovoy.
On Lymanskyi, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 11 enemy attacks in Terniv, Yampolivka, and Torsky districts of Donetsk region and another 17 attacks in Makiivka, Bilogorivka, and Serebryansky forestry districts of Luhansk region and to the north of Hryhorivka, Vesely, Donetsk region.
On Bakhmutskyi, our soldiers repelled nine enemy attacks in the Ivanivskyi, Klishchiivka and Andriivka districts of the Donetsk region.
In total, during the day there were 98 combat clashes, the occupiers launched four missile and 29 air strikes, carried out 49 attacks from rocket salvo systems.
At night, the Russians struck the center of Kharkiv, as a result of which 17 people were injured. The Russians hit the civilian infrastructure in the center of the city.
Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title
[Korrespondent] 22:45 Ukraine, in the absence of assistance from the United States, is already approaching the depletion of some types of weapons; other types will last for 2-3 months, said John Kirby, coordinator of the White House National Security Council. In addition, according to him, Washington's cessation of arms supplies to Ukraine influences the decisions of other Western countries - they are beginning to act in the same way.
22:29 On Wednesday, January 17, the first meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at the level of heads of defense departments took place. According to the Ukrainian Mission to NATO, our country was represented at this meeting by Major General Sergei Salkutsan, although it was previously planned that Zaluzhny would join foreign colleagues in a video conference format.
22:26 Zelensky said that he held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters: “Operational level: the situation at the front now. Commanders reported. Different directions: east, south. Also north - countering sabotage groups, strengthening the border. There was a strategic level of discussion: our actions in this year. Not only defense ones. Ukraine needs an ambitious, active perspective, so that it is our state that has the initiative, and not the enemy, so that the end of the war depends on Ukrainian actions. The world supports those who have a perspective. And this is a fundamental task - keep the initiative so that you have the opportunity to become stronger."
22:00 Bulgaria has still not sent Ukraine the previously promised 100 armored personnel carriers. As Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said, Bulgaria wants the transportation of the vehicles to be financed by one of the countries participating in the Ramstein format: “This is a very serious logistics operation. We also know the amount that is needed for transportation. It would be feasible for our budget, but first we Let's try the Rammstein version."
If the allies do not agree to pay for the shipment of the armored personnel carrier, the Bulgarian government will look for other options for financing. The logistics process from the moment financing is secured will take two months, Tagarev added.
21:39 On the night of January 17, the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the first time used a hybrid air defense system under the general name FrankenSAM (a combination of the English words Frankenstein and air defense system). The complex successfully worked against the Iranian Shahed-136 - the target was eliminated at a distance of 9 km. What is known about him is in the material Ukrainian Air Defense System.
20:58 Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas called on the member countries of the Ramstein group to annually allocate 0.25% of their GDP to Ukraine. According to her, this will allow raising at least $131 billion and turning the situation in favor of Ukraine. Estonia itself has already decided to give 0.25% of its GDP to Ukraine in the next four years - this is about 95 million euros per year.
20:02 Zelensky said that he did not plan to meet with the Chinese prime minister in Davos: “There is a prime minister of China - then our prime minister will meet with him. I would gladly meet with the leader of China. As far as I know, Xi Jinping makes decisions, and in Ukraine I I make decisions... I don’t need any dialogues, I need important decisions from the leaders who make these decisions.”
19:44 The Bundestag did not support the draft resolution on the supply of Taurus to Ukraine. According to Deutsche Welle, out of 666 deputies, 178 voted in favor, 485 voted against, and three abstained. The project was introduced by opposition members from the CDU/CSU faction.
19:12 Sweden does not rule out providing Ukraine with Gripen aircraft, but this decision is related to the country’s accession to NATO, Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said in Davos.
18:51 Since the de-occupation, National Police investigators have found 28 torture chambers in the Kharkov region, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported. This is the largest number of torture facilities in Ukraine. Three of them remain undocumented due to the fact that they are located in heavily shelled settlements on the border with the Russian Federation.
In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 88 places have been discovered in the de-occupied territories where Russians illegally detained and tortured people. Among the largest is the torture chamber in Kupyansk. Officially, 67 people were recognized as victims at the hands of the invaders in this torture facility, but the police are aware of the torture of more than 150 victims. Some were held for more than 100 days. Among the victims are schoolchildren, pensioners, teachers, directors of local enterprises and farmers.
18:19 Ukraine cannot afford to go on a “sheer defense” and will continue counter-offensive measures so as not to lose its territories, Vadim Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, said in Davos. He explained that Russia will use any ceasefire to improve the situation and will try to open new directions.
“If we go on the defensive, as many say, and begin to develop our defense industry, then the enemy will not stop. We must develop everything - air defense, and make sure that our defense industry is protected, and we must carry out counter-offensive measures so as not to allow the loss of territory... The experience of 2023 showed us this,” Skibitsky added.
17:42 In the Dniprovsky district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, an X-59 guided aircraft missile was destroyed, the Air Command of Skhid reported.
17:26 China rejected Ukraine’s request for a meeting in Davos between Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and President Zelensky, Politico writes, citing a senior American official. At the same time, the representative of Ukraine in a comment to the publication denies that Kyiv asked for a meeting with the PRC. Another senior US official said China allegedly refused any meetings after Russia called on it to end diplomatic contacts with Ukraine. The EU said it called on Beijing to resume direct contacts with Zelensky.
17:03 Near Rabotino, Zaporozhye region, civilian journalist Krym.Realii Dmitry Evchin was wounded as a result of artillery shelling by Russian troops, Radio Liberty reported.
17:01 Zelensky in Davos called on Western countries “not to experiment” with help to Ukraine: “Now there is a war, but there will be a big crisis for the whole of Europe. Because without the help of the US and the EU, Ukraine will fight, but will become weaker, and this will be an opportunity for Russia "capture us. And once they capture us, believe me, it will be a war between NATO and the Russian Federation. I believe, frankly, that Putin really wants this."
16:55 According to updated data, as a result of enemy shelling in Maly Burluk, Kupyansky district, Kharkov region, one person was killed and two children - ten and 14 years old - were wounded, said the head of the OVA Oleg Sinegubov. The House of Culture and residential buildings were damaged.
16:29 Russia is forming detachments of military instructors to send to African countries, reports the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. People are also recruited from the occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular in Crimea. The contracts are proposed to be signed by reserve military personnel of the Russian Army - specialists in servicing Russian-made air defense systems, military sailors and some other specialists in the military-technical sphere. Thus, Moscow wants to expand its influence in Africa.
15:51 The Russians struck the village of Maly Burluk with a KAB in the Kupyansky district of the Kharkov region - a ten-year-old boy lost his leg, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OBA.
15:48 Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that Tehran has never supplied Russia with drones and missiles for use in Ukraine. He added that Kyiv allegedly did not provide Iran with any evidence that the Russian Federation is using Iranian weapons during military operations in Ukraine.
15:26 In the morning, the Russians launched a missile attack on the territory of an agricultural enterprise in the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky district of the Odessa region, destroying a hangar for storing hay, the prosecutor's office reported. The southern defense forces clarified that the Russian army hit the Odessa and Belgorod-Dnestrovsky regions with Onyxes, hitting agricultural areas and agricultural enterprises. There were no casualties.
15:07 The Russian army struck Berislav, Kherson region, three people were injured, the OVA reported. Another person was injured as a result of enemy shelling of the village of Romashkovo, Belozersky community.
14:20 Germany announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine, which included, in particular, eight FFG armored personnel carriers, 25 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, 16 Zetros trucks, ammunition for Leopard 1 tanks, 50 Sat communication terminals, etc.
14:16 On the night of January 17, the military used the FrankenSAM project air defense system for the first time in combat conditions - it shot down Shahed from a distance of 9 km, said the head of the Ministry of Strategic Industry Alexander Kamyshin during a visit to Davos. We are talking about hybrid air defense systems, which are being developed jointly by the Pentagon, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Strategic Industry. In fact, these are three anti-aircraft missile systems: the Soviet Buk air defense system with American RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, AIM-9M air-to-air missiles in combination with Soviet radars and air defense systems based on Ukrainian old systems with elements and missiles from Patriot.
13:58 The European Commission has begun work on a draft negotiating framework for Ukraine - a document defining the principles and procedures for negotiating accession to the EU, said EC Speaker Ana Pisonero.
13:21 The Russians hit the Marganets community of the Nikopol district of the Dnepropetrovsk region with a kamikaze drone. A car was hit and two teenagers, 13 and 19 years old, were injured, said the head of the OVA, Sergei Lysak.
12:49 The Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, January 16, adopted bill No. 10062 on the creation of a unified electronic register of those liable for military service and the automatic receipt of a combat participant’s certificate. The document, which contains contradictory clauses with the Constitution of Ukraine, was supported by 249 deputies. What is known about the law is in the material Obereg System for TCC: details.
12:27 The Russian army shelled the Dnieper district of Kherson. One of the strikes hit a garage - according to preliminary information, one person was killed and one was injured, the OVA reported. Over the previous 24 hours, three people were injured as a result of Russian shelling in the region.
12:13 Blinken said that he does not see any prospects for peace negotiations on Ukraine. “Right now, I don’t see that,” the US Secretary of State said in Davos when asked whether there was any prospect of negotiations in the foreseeable future.
11:44 In Odessa, as a result of the fall of debris from a Russian kamikaze drone on main pipelines, about 60 houses were left without heat supply, KP Heating reported. Repairs will take about a day.
10:52 The commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Sergei Naev, called on residents of the border regions in northern Ukraine to evacuate. He explained this by constant attacks from the Russian Federation. According to Naev, evacuating, among other things, is necessary so that “the Ukrainian military can conduct a full exchange of fire and destroy the enemy, without thinking that they can harm our citizens.”
10:28 President of Poland Duda considers it impossible for Ukraine to join NATO until the end of the war with Russia, but believes that the procedure could be started even at this stage: “Ukraine should receive an invitation to NATO, which will launch the process of discussing this issue in the parliaments of the countries- members of the Alliance. This is very important for the morale of the defenders of Ukraine."
09:59 The European Union is confident that it will agree on the allocation of aid to Ukraine in the next “couple of weeks,” Politico writes, citing sources. According to them, Hungary “gave the EU a signal” that it is ready for a compromise. At the same time, most European countries rejected Budapest’s desire to divide Ukraine’s funding into tranches that require annual approval.
The second idea involves revising funding in 2025, but is also considered unacceptable among some supporters of Ukraine. An EU official said a potential compromise could include Hungary being reimbursed for post-pandemic interest payments. The European Commission is also considering introducing an "emergency brake" that would allow any country objecting to Ukraine's funding to delay payments, but not block them.
09:23 Germany will provide military assistance worth 7 billion euros to Ukraine this year, Scholz said following a telephone conversation with Biden. “President Biden and I agree: we want to continue to provide financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine. Today I spoke with the US President by phone. Germany will provide more than 7 billion euros for military goods in 2024,” the chancellor said.
09:14 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of January 17:
personnel - about 372,820 (+730) people,
tanks - 6126 (+13),
armored combat vehicles - 11,372 (+14),
artillery systems - 8811 (+10),
MLRS - 964 (+3),
air defense systems - 653 (+0),
aircraft - 331 (+0),
helicopters - 324 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 6884 (+7),
cruise missiles - 1817 (+1),
ships/boats - 23 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 11,755 (+24),
special equipment - 1367 (+2).
08:36 Over the past 24 hours, 98 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff reported in its morning report. In the Avdeevsky direction, the Defense Forces repelled 20 enemy attacks in the areas of Novobakhmutovka, Stepnoy, Avdeevka and another 15 attacks near Pervomaisky and Nevelsky, Donetsk region. In the Maryinsky direction, 17 attacks were repelled near Krasnohorivka, Georgievka, Maryinka and Novomikhailovka, Donetsk region.
In the Liman direction, Ukrainian forces repelled 11 enemy attacks in the areas of Ternov, Yampolevka, Torskoye, Donetsk region, and another 17 attacks near Makeevka, Belogorovka, Serebryansky forestry, Luhansk region and north of Grigorievka, Vesele, Donetsk region. In the Bakhmut direction, nine enemy attacks were repelled near Ivanovsky, Kleshcheevka and Andreevka, Donetsk region; on Zaporozhye - one attack west of Verbovoy, Zaporozhye region. The expansion of the bridgehead continues in the Kherson direction; over the past 24 hours, the enemy has unsuccessfully attempted to storm the positions of the Defense Forces six times.
08:17 In Russia, “unknown opponents of the Putin regime” burned several relay cabinets on the railway and other facilities used for logistics of the occupying forces, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense reported. This happened in the areas of the cities of Saratov, Yaroslavl and Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod region. As a result, traffic on these railway sections in the central part of the Russian Federation was paralyzed.
08:10 On the evening of January 16, the Russians launched two strikes on Kharkov with S-300 missiles from Belgorod, said the head of the OVA Oleg Sinegubov and showed the consequences. In the Kholodnogorsk district, the facades of about 20 apartment buildings, the premises of a private medical institution were damaged, and 14 cars were destroyed. As a result of the shelling, 17 people were injured. In addition, rescuers evacuated 30 people.
07:14 Air defense at night destroyed 19 out of 20 attack UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type, which Russia attacked from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk area, the Air Force command reported. Air defense operated within the Zaporozhye, Nikolaev, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd regions.
06:21 The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that during the night air defense systems allegedly destroyed seven Vilkha MLRS missiles and four drones over the Belgorod region. Later, four more RM-70 Vampire MLRS shells were allegedly destroyed and two UAVs were intercepted.
03:28 The Russians attacked Odessa with strike drones, there was damage to civilian housing infrastructure, said Oleg Kiper, head of the OVA. Three people were injured, and 130 residents were evacuated from the damaged house.
01:40 Macron said he plans to visit Ukraine in February to sign a bilateral agreement on security guarantees. The French President also promised that in the coming weeks Ukraine will receive about 40 Scalp long-range missiles and several hundred bombs. In addition, according to Macron, France is developing military production to increase arms supplies to Kyiv, including Caesar self-propelled guns.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[KavkazUzel] The icon of the Holy Matrona, which also depicts Stalin, was removed for changes and removed to a safe place in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Archimandrite John Mchedlishvili said.
As the "Caucasian Knot" wrote, unknown persons in the Tbilisi Cathedral poured paint on an icon donated by the Alliance of Georgian Patriots party, a video about this was published by Nata Peradze. On January 11, the Patriarchate of Georgia stated that Stalin’s meeting with the Holy Matrona, who is depicted in the icon, has not been confirmed, and called for changes to be made to the drawing. On January 12, priest John Mchedlishvili apologized for not informing the Patriarchate about the placement of the icon, and the leaders of the Alliance of Georgian Patriots promised that the icon would be rewritten right in the church.
The icon depicting Stalin was removed in order to make changes in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Archimandrite, priest of the Holy Trinity Cathedral Ioann Mchedlishvili told the Alt-info television company today. “According to the order of icon painting, in order to make changes, the icon (with Stalin) was moved to a protected space in the church, where the icon painter will have the opportunity, with the participation of special services of the church, in accordance with the canons of icon painting, to make corrections; another icon is now hanging in the church, parishioners can pray to it,” translated "Caucasian Knot" his words.
Activist Nata Peradze also reported on her Facebook page* that instead of the icon depicting Stalin, another icon is now hung. “Instead, there is now another icon of Matrona hanging on the wall,” she wrote, noting that she had achieved the main thing - that the icon with Stalin was removed.
On January 13, members and supporters of the pro-Russian “Conservative Movement” (Alt-Info) held a rally outside the Georgian parliament building demanding tougher punishment “for desecration of holy places.” Activists explained the protests by the fact that the icon of the Matrona of Moscow depicting Joseph Stalin was doused with paint. Members of the Georgian Alt-Info movement called for Nata Peradze to be detained and the case reclassified from an administrative charge to a criminal one.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] Relatives of the man accused of murdering mullah Abdurakhim Gakaev said they were disgraced by the actions of their relative and expressed a desire to reconcile with the relatives of the deceased, as follows from the video recording of the gathering in the village of Komsomolskoye.
As the "Caucasian Knot" wrote, on January 14 it became known that the mullah from the village of Voskresenovskoye, Shelkovsky district of Chechnya, Abdurakhim Gakaev, was killed in front of his child. On January 15, a 30-year-old murder suspect was detained. The Telegram channel in opposition to the authorities of Chechnya reported that several months before the murder, the suspect recorded a video message in which he declared his fight against sorcerers, and asked to bring this message to Ramzan Kadyrov, from whom he tried to find understanding and protection. Relatives of a resident of Chechnya, suspected of murdering Gakaev, publicly asked for forgiveness from the relatives of the murdered man. The investigation reported today that a detained resident of Gudermes was charged with murder in the village of Voskresenovskoye, he pleaded guilty and was arrested.
According to one of the channels opposed to the authorities of Chechnya, a suspect in the murder of a mullah 10 years ago turned to a healer using alternative medicine methods in Dagestan. Five years later, he began to seek treatment for witchcraft and thus became the “patient” of a man whom he killed, deciding that he was also a sorcerer.
A video of the gathering in the village of Komsomolskoye was published today by the Telegram channel “ChP Grozny”. At least a hundred men are visible in the frame, with cars parked nearby. The man standing in the center reports that they gathered in Komsomolskoye “in connection with the tragedy in the Gakaev family, residents of this village, into whose house great grief came.”
“The other day, a video circulated on social networks where a young man kills Gakaev and comments that “this is a gift to you from our brother.” The killer’s relatives gathered here and asked us on their behalf to clarify the truth to the public. I am speaking today on their behalf and at their request, the following: these people swear in the name of Allah that the killer acted without their knowledge and consent. Before this incident, there had never been any cases or grounds for blood feud between them and representatives of the Gakaev family," the man says in Chechen in the video, whose words were translated by "Caucasian Knot".
The same man, who did not give his name, added that the words of the accused murderer about a “gift from his brother” had no basis, since the arrested person “has neither a brother nor a father.” "He had no basis for such a statement. If the public thinks that this is revenge, then this is not true. The relatives of the criminal gathered here say that they are disgraced by the actions of their relative and do not know what to do next. They admit that their man committed a grave crime, killing a peaceful person, and brought grief to his family. We have all gathered here today to go to the relatives of the murdered man and ask them for forgiveness for the criminal’s relatives who were not involved in the murder. We are recording this appeal in order to stop the flow of speculation that aggravates an already difficult situation,” the man explained.
The video is accompanied by the words: “Residents of Komsomolskoe gathered to go to Kadi-Yurt to visit the relatives of Gakaev Abdurakhim for reconciliation.”
The tradition of blood feud, which developed during the clan system to protect the honor and property of the clan, in the North Caucasus still operates as a relevant social mechanism. According to this custom, the relatives of the murdered person must take revenge on the killer or his relatives, says the “Caucasian Knot” certificate “ Blood feud - how they kill now in the Caucasus.”
In another video published today on the Telegram channel “ChP Grozny,” several hundred men are walking down the street, and in a third video, published there, the gathered men are praying.
Caucasian experts and human rights activists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" considered that the alleged killer of Gakaev looks like an unhealthy person who mistook a far-fetched motive for a guide to action. However, according to them, he appealed to the authorities of Chechnya with a similar motive of fighting against sorcerers. The crime is connected with the general atmosphere of cruelty that reigns in the republic, they stated.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] Nikolai Tskhovrebov and Gersan Kulumbegov, recognized as victims in the case of the death of Inal Dzhabiev, refused to appear at the court hearing because they live in North Ossetia and have repeatedly testified in the case before. The court agreed to begin questioning witnesses at the next hearing.
As the "Caucasian Knot" wrote, on October 27, 2023, the South Ossetian prosecutor's office reported that the accused had been familiarized with the materials of the case regarding the death of Inal Dzhabiev, and it had been submitted to court. At the first court hearings, indictments were read to Dzhumber Bibilov, Marat Khugaev, Andrey Dzhioev, Atsamaz Naniev, Irbeg Slanov, Sergei Kozonov, Zaur Gogichaev and Alan Bagaev. The defense does not admit a single article of the accusation, said the lawyers of the criminal police officers. At the hearing on January 15, the defense insisted on the need for the presence in court of Nikolai Tskhovrebov and Gersan Kulumbegov, recognized as victims in the case of the death of Inal Dzhabiev, and the court decided to forcibly bring them to the next hearing.
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[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled one attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 95th Air Assault Brigade near Terni (Kharkov region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured personnel carriers, and three motor vehicles.
In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled three attacks launched by assault detachments of the 5th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade, 25th Airborne Brigade, and 63rd Mechanised Brigade near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).
Enemy manpower was struck near Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forest.
The AFU losses amounted to up to 210 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled six attacks launched by units of the AFU 81st Airmobile Brigade, 22nd and 24th Mechanised brigades near Belogorovka, Krasnoye, and Bogdanovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd, 28th, and 42nd Mechanised brigades was struck near Kleschcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 290 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, five armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, two 122mm D-30 howitzers, and one 203mm Pion self-propelled artillery piece.
In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on units of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 79th Air Assault Brigade, and 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Novomikhailovka, Paraskoviyevka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 75 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one D-20 howitzer, and one 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.
In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 82th Air Assault Brigade, and 15th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Verbovoye, Kamenskoye, Rabotino, and Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 25 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In Kherson direction, as a result of strikes of the 35th and 37th marines brigades near Tyaginka and Ivanovka (Kherson region), the AFU losses amounted to up to 25 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and two 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.
Missile Troops and Artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles of the Groups of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation wiped out one POL base for AFU hardware, three ammunition depots of the AFU 23rd Mechanised Brigade, P-18 and Nebo-SV radar stations for detecting and tracking air targets, one temporary deployment area of foreign mercenaries, 103 artillery units in firing positions, as well as engaged manpower and military hardware in 119 areas.
Air defence units intercepted 11 Olkha and Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles over the past 24 hours. Moreover, 21 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down near Zolotaryovka, Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Novonikolayevka, Gorlovka, and Peski (Donetsk People's Republic).
In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,779 unmanned aerial vehicles, 450 air defence missile systems, 14,658 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,202 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,759 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,560 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 23:07 According to the operational lines of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC for January 17, as of 23:00, additional information about damage as a result of artillery attack by the Air Forces of the cities of the Republic:
n.p. Gorlovka (Central City district): - MBOU "School No. 58 Gorlovka" on the street. Glebova.
n.p. Yasinovataya: – st. Vodnaya, 7 – private residential building. the city is partially de-energized, the pumping station is turned off, and about 600 subscribers are without power supply.
Information about the consequences of the artillery attack continues to arrive.
21:05 Kherson direction: continuation of fighting in Krynki and the surrounding area, the situation towards the end on January 17, 2024
In Krynki, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to hold a bridgehead, regularly transferring reinforcements to the left bank of the Kherson region. Despite the heavy losses of the enemy, it has not yet been possible to knock him out.
Ukrainian formations are holding defenses in the populated area and the northern part of the forest. Russian assault troops are regularly attacked using artillery stationed on the right bank of the Dnieper.
Weather conditions play a significant role. The melted ice significantly complicated supply along the routes laid on the ice cover through Frolov Island. The enemy delivers the necessary cargo by drones.
Against the background of significant losses and an increase in morbidity, it would be logical for the command of the Katran group to withdraw the 35th infantry infantry infantry regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to the right bank, but the political significance of this area is too high, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces clearly do not want to lose it.
But what is interesting is that in the last couple of days there has been an increase in artillery activity in the vicinity of the Kazachi Lagery. Taking this into account, the option of diversionary actions in this direction cannot be ruled out, which will make it possible to pull back part of the forces of the Russian Armed Forces and weaken the onslaught at Krynoki.
19:45 BMP of the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces broke through to Krynki on the left bank of the Dnieper, where there was a bridgehead of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Presumably, there is a powerful attack on the positions of the Ukrainian army in the northern part of the village.
19:11 The Russian Armed Forces launched a high-precision strike on the temporary deployment point of foreign fighters in Kharkov, the majority of whom were French, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.
As a result of the strike, the building in which the mercenaries were stationed was completely destroyed. More than 60 militants were killed, over 20 were taken to medical institutions.
18:46 How the situation is changing in the Artyomovsk direction :parsing Military chronicle
Perhaps one of the most important events of November - December 2023, which remained practically unnoticed, was the final failure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive attempts on the flanks of Artyomovsk.
The roads from Chasov Yar to the line of combat contact are under fire control of the Russian Armed Forces. The movements and positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are subject to regular artillery attack .
The active use of Russian 122mm BM-21 MLRS "Grad", heavy flamethrower systems "Solntsepek", barrel artillery and attack drones "Lancet" is recorded. The city of Chasov Yar itself is located within the range of cannon artillery of the Russian Armed Forces. In recent weeks, repeated attacks on targets in the city and its environs have been recorded. In fact, today Chasov Yar is a front-line city, so it is increasingly difficult for Ukrainian troops to rely on it as a supply base.
An interesting episode was also recorded north of Chasov Yar. Russian UAV operators tracked the movements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces drone, which is called “Baba Yaga,” to the location of the operators and discovered the concentration of Ukrainian troops. After detection, an artillery strike was launched at the location of the Ukrainian troops.
UAVs of the Russian Armed Forces are actively operating in the Chasov Yar area and even over the city itself. We can say that in this sector, as in Zaporozhye, Marinka, Tyaginka, Krynki and some other sectors of the front, the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffer from one problem - from an insufficient number of means for detecting and countering UAVs.
In particular, in the case of the Baba Yaga episode, the Russian Armed Forces UAV operators observed the Ukrainian Armed Forces drone before landing. At the same time, the Russian drone was not detected and countermeasures were not applied to it. Note that both reconnaissance and objective control are carried out by drones with thermal imagers.
In turn, the activity of Russian artillery indicates that the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this area do not have enough reconnaissance assets, even in the tactical zone to a depth of 5 km.
Ukrainian troops in general do not conduct offensive actions, occupying static positions and gradually moving to the defensive. The onset of cold weather affects and, accordingly, the complication of provision; the general depletion of units that took part in offensive operations in 2023, as well as a reduction in the supply of Western weapons.
This situation allows the RF Armed Forces, while maintaining pressure, to use their advantage in firepower and gradually create the preconditions for breaking through the defense and further advancing deeper into Chasov Yar.
18:31 An explosion occurred in Dnepropetrovsk
17:52 News from the front. There is progress in the LPR, Makeevka region:
According to fighters from the field, fighting has been going on for a long time in relative proximity to the settlement. Makeyevka, writes Front Bird. However, today our assault group managed to break through the enemy’s defenses in several places. It is reliably known that the enemy advanced more than 1 km into the depths of enemy positions.
16:50 As a result of artillery attack n.p. Elenovka DPR damaged the glazing in the village administration building, and a grocery store and two residential buildings were also damaged.
The artillery attack was allegedly carried out using artillery.
16:25 Orekhovsky section: positional battles and advance of the Russian Armed Forces near Verbovoy situation as of 16.00 January 17, 2024:
Positional battles are taking place in the Orekhovsky sector. Russian troops are trying to improve the tactical situation, and the enemy is bringing only formed units to fill the gaps in the defense.
The main attention is focused on the area west of Verbovoy: there the Russian Armed Forces advanced to a depth of up to half a kilometer to positions abandoned in the summer during the Ukrainian counter-offensive.
Attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue at the Kopani-Rabotino line. After the forces of the 136th Guards Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade captured several enemy strongholds during counterattacks, the situation again entered the stage of positional battles.
In bad weather conditions, the activity of enemy UAVs decreased. However, the intensity of mutual use of artillery remains the same. At the same time, a unit of the 151st Separate Reconnaissance and Strike Battalion of the 10th Army Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces arrived at the Kopani-Rabotino-Verbovoe line.
This formation was created only in November, and the battalion itself is still being recruited. Moreover, it includes the most trained members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and even Bradley infantry fighting vehicles are in service.
In addition, activation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is also observed in the direction of Pyatikhatki, where fighters of the Russian Armed Forces recaptured several strong points during several attacks. However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have increased the level of use of FPV drones, possibly as part of fire training.
About a week ago, detachments from one of the battalions of the 141st Brigade, which rotate the forces of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, arrived at the same area about a week ago. At the same time, the 141st brigade has a shortage of both manpower and weapons and military equipment.
15:40 The truck was damaged as a result of an attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle of Ukrainian troops in the center of Gorlovka, there were no casualties, the mayor of the city Ivan Prikhodko reported on the Telegram channel.
“Today at 14.30 on Internatsionalnaya Street, 89 (Central City Gorlovka), a truck was damaged as a result of an attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (Armed Forces of Ukraine - ed.). Fortunately, there were no casualties,” Prikhodko wrote.
15:27 Advancement of the Russian Army over the past 24 hours:
Belogorovka - water utility buildings were taken under control;
Dibrova - the Ukrainian Armed Forces were driven out of the territory of five km² after our artillery barrage;
Novomikhailovka - our advance took place along a wide front 7 km² south of the village;
Avdeevka - our fighters knocked out the Ukrainian Armed Forces from seven streets of the dacha village east of AKHZ, along the railway track;
Nevelskoye - advanced 350 meters;
Makeevka (LPR) - advance half a kilometer along two forest belts.
Klescheevka – the attack of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was repulsed and a counterattack was launched. Advance within half a kilometer.
14:47 The main thing from the new briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense:
The Russian Armed Forces repelled six attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk direction per day, enemy losses in the Donetsk direction per day amounted to 290 military personnel, two infantry fighting vehicles, five armored combat vehicles;
The Russian Armed Forces repelled three attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Krasnolimansk direction near Yampolovka and Chervona Dibrova, the enemy lost up to 210 military personnel;
The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 25 military personnel and three vehicles in the Zaporozhye direction per day;
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 25 military personnel and two 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled guns in the Kherson direction in one day;
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 75 military personnel in the South Donetsk direction per day;
During the day, the Russian air defense shot down 11 rounds from the Vilkha MLRS, as well as a Czech-made Vampire.
14:05 Zaporozhye direction, Makarovka area
Russian tactical aviation strikes identified concentrations of enemy forces using air-to-ground missiles. The front-line bird writes that the sound of aviation has been heard since the morning. Aerial reconnaissance confirmed the destruction of several enemy armored vehicles.
14:00 It is reported that Russian forces have advanced about one km near Novomikhailovka.
13:50 Air defense repelled an attempt by the armed formations of the Kyiv regime to shell the Genichesk municipal district of the Kherson region. Two American-made Storm Shadow missiles, aimed at a school and a medical facility, were shot down in the area of the village. Popovka on the way. There were no casualties or damage. This was announced by the head of the region, Vladimir Saldo.
13:05 Statement of Head of the press center of the Center group:
Units of the Center group of troops continue to carry out combat missions during a special military operation in the Krasnolimansk direction.
In the areas of Chervonaya Dibrova and Yampolovka, units of a motorized rifle brigade, with artillery support, repelled four attacks by assault groups of the 63rd Mechanized Brigade and the 25th Airborne Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The crews of the TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems of the Russian group defeated six enemy strongholds in the areas of the settlements of Chervonaya Dibrova and Grigorovka. Enemy losses amounted to up to 250 military personnel, two infantry fighting vehicles and six vehicles.
12:42 Statement of Head of the press center of the Vostok group:
Units of the Vostok group of troops continue to carry out combat missions in the South Donetsk direction.
Bomber aircraft strikes, rocket and cannon artillery fire hit temporary deployment points, strongholds and manpower concentration areas of the 72nd Mechanized and 79th Air Assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Novomikhailovka and Vladimirovka areas, destroyed a company command post, five temporary deployment points, four control points for unmanned aircraft, and three attempts to strengthen the forward positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were thwarted.
The group’s artillery, Lancet loitering ammunition and FPV drones destroyed an infantry fighting vehicle in the Makarovka area, an M777 towed howitzer in the Kurakhovo area, and an100mm MT-12 Rapier anti-tank gun in the Ravnopol area. In addition, the enemy lost up to 120 military personnel, two Fury-type unmanned aerial vehicles, two pickup trucks and two armored combat vehicles.
11:57 Explosions in Krivoy Rog. Previously, a missile threat was declared in the region.
11:39 Group of troops “Dnepr”. Kherson direction.
Drone operators destroyed International MaxxPro with the M58 MICLIC remote mine clearance system at the VFU on the right bank of the Dnieper.
11:10 Crews of the 152mm Giatsint-S guns support infantry offensive in the Donetsk direction.
Artillerymen of the “Southern” group of forces strike at firing positions, ammunition depots, fortified strongholds and concentrations of enemy personnel. Firing is carried out with 152mm high-explosive fragmentation rounds at a distance of over 30 km.
“We are now working on the front line. The infantry is very grateful to us. In any case, it’s easier to approach a torn out support tower than a fortified one,” shared the artilleryman with the call sign “Ruchey.”
10:54 Statement of Head of the press center of the "South" group:
Units of the “Southern” group of forces, supported by artillery fire, successfully repelled five attacks by assault groups of the 10th Mountain Assault and 24th Mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Veseloye and Bogdanovka.
Artillery strikes and heavy flamethrower systems defeated enemy personnel and equipment in the Kurdyumovka area.
The enemy lost up to 280 military personnel, a tank, two infantry fighting vehicles and four vehicles in the Donetsk direction, wounded and killed.
During the counter-battery fight, a 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mount and a 152mm D-20 gun were destroyed.
Air defense and electronic warfare systems shot down 25 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the areas of the settlements of Staromikhailovka, Peski, Spornoye, Maryinka, Lipovoe of the Donetsk People's Republic, as well as 13 HIMARS MLRS missiles.
10:20 The assault company of the 98th Airborne Division takes the enemy stronghold north-west of Artyomovsk -video.
10:01 During the day, the Ukrainian military carried out 60 strikes from cannon artillery on populated areas on the left bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson region.
The criminal Kiev regime continues terrorist attacks on settlements located on the left bank of the Kherson region. Yesterday, during the day, the Ukrainian army launched 40 strikes on them from cannon artillery. As darkness fell, the Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out another 20 attacks.
Velikaya Lepetikha, Cossack Camps, Golaya Pristan, Aleshki, Korsunka, Novaya Mayachka, Kardashinka, Podstepnoe, and Peschanivka were hit.
The destruction of infrastructure and civilian casualties are being clarified.
09:57 During the past 24 hours, the DPR representative office in the JCCC recorded 16 incidents of firing by the Ukrainian Federal Unitary Forces, and 55 units of ammunition were fired.
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy carried out 5 attacks, Gorlovsky - 9, Yasinovatsky - 2.
As a result, a man born in 1957 was injured as a result of an explosion on a PFM Lepestok mine in Gorlovka.
09:28 From the Verbovoy area in the Zaporozhye direction, the Front Bird reports: “Our aviation has worked hard with gliding FABs by the neck of the enemy. Numerous explosions were heard and seen in the rear of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
09:10 Statement of Head of the press center of the “West” group:
Units of the West group of forces continue to carry out operational missions in the Kupyansk direction.
In order to restore the lost position, the enemy carried out six counterattacks by assault groups of the 95th Airborne Assault Brigade, supported by tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, in the area of the village of Sin'kovka. During the shooting battle, the group's motorized rifle formations, supported by army aviation and artillery, repelled all counterattacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The enemy was forced to retreat in the southern and southwestern directions.
In addition, a reconnaissance group of a special purpose brigade using Lancet loitering ammunition destroyed a Leopard-2 tank in the area of the village of Terny.
The total enemy losses in this direction amounted to 160 people, three tanks (two Leopard-2, one T-64), one pickup truck and one unmanned aerial vehicle.
08:14 Front-line report as of the morning of January 17 from military correspondent Yevgeny Lisitsyn:
In the Kherson direction, since the beginning of the cold weather, due to the difficulty of logistics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces across the Dnieper, the number of enemy personnel in Krynki and on the islands has decreased. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are under constant attack from Russian artillery and drones. As a result of one of the attacks in Kherson, areas where enemy personnel were concentrated were covered.
In the Zaporozhye direction on the Rabotino-Verbovoe line, local counter-fights are taking place. At the same time, under Verbovoy, the Russian military has had significant success in regaining positions.
In the Maryinsky direction, Russian fighters are advancing west of Maryinka in the direction of Georgievka, where the Russian army managed to break through deep into the village. Fierce attacks are carried out on enemy strongholds with the help of artillery and aviation against the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the most populated area.
In the Avdeevsky direction, Russian troops continue offensive operations south of Avdeevka in the Pervomaisky area. Heavy fighting also continues at the Stepovoy and coke plants. Artillery and attack drones from both sides are actively operating in these areas.
In the Artyomovsky direction, our fighters continue to push the enemy out of Bogdanovka, where the main battles are taking place in the southern part of the village. A similar situation has developed in the Khromovo region. South of Artyomovsk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are still holding back attacks by the Russian Armed Forces at Kleshcheevka and Andreevka.
In the Kremen direction, our fighters managed to break through the enemy’s defenses on the Tor ledge and occupy a number of strongholds, improving the tactical position.
There are also successes in the Seversky direction. Russian troops managed to enter the southern outskirts of Spornoye and gain a foothold there.
On the Kupyansky sector of the front, our fighters advanced to the Oskol River, defeating two enemy strongholds.
08:00 Artillery worked along the forest belt, which will soon have to be stormed by motorized rifle units
“Now we are working along the front line, mainly covering the infantry and working on the enemy infantry. The infantry is very grateful. In any case, it’s easier to “enter” a torn out support than a fortified one,” said the crew number of the gun with the call sign “Ruchey.”
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] In St. Petersburg, on January 23, the exhibition “80 facts about the siege of Leningrad” will open at the museum and exhibition center “Russia - My History” on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the city from the Nazi blockade. It will be possible to visit similar exhibitions not only in St. Petersburg, but also in 20 historical parks of the largest Russian cities, according to the project website.
“Remembering the heroes who fought for Leningrad on the front line and in the city itself and, despite difficult trials and hardships, defeated the enemy, we honor their heroism, unprecedented in the history of wars, marveling at how half-starved people found the strength to defend the city - in the trenches, at artillery guns, at the controls of airplanes, in workshops and factory floors, in laboratories and at desks, at easels or with a pencil in hand. The feat of the soldiers of the Leningrad Front, sailors of the Baltic Fleet and Leningrad citizens inspires contemporaries to be worthy of their memory,” the organizers said.
It is noted that the exhibition will feature electronic documents and photographs revealing facts about the siege of Leningrad and the heroism of its defenders. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to familiarize themselves with the memories of eyewitnesses, which are captured in diaries and archival documents of that period.
“Visitors to the exhibition will be able to come closer to understanding the circumstances in which people lived, worked, fought, dreamed, believed, and how they managed to defend their city,” project representatives emphasized.
Veterans of the Great Patriotic War, a resident of besieged Leningrad, representatives of the “Volunteers of Victory” and “Movement of the First” movements and others are invited to the St. Petersburg exhibition.
It is clarified that the orchestra of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Rimsky-Korsakov will perform the “Leningrad Symphony” by composer Dmitry Shostakovich, and the choir of the school. M.I. Glinka will perform the composition “Ladoga”.
The exhibition itself will be open to the public until February 22.
As reported by IA Regnum, on December 3, 2023, members of the “Volunteers of Victory” movement, on the Day of the Unknown Soldier, held commemorative events throughout Russia, honoring the memory of the defenders of the Motherland. They laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Eternal Flame, monuments and memorials, and conducted lessons on courage in educational institutions. Participants in the movement told schoolchildren and students about the feat of Soviet soldiers during the Great Patriotic War.
“Victory Volunteers” recalled that on the Day of the Unknown Soldier they remember those whose names could not be established, but whose exploits are immortal. Throughout the year, activists improve memorial sites and military graves, assist in research and search work in order to perpetuate the name of every soldier who gave his life for the Motherland and Victory.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Viktor Lavrinenko
[REGNUM] The scandalous story unfolds in Latvia. Passenger trains purchased for 255 million euros from the Czech Skoda broke down in the cold and had to be temporarily removed from the railway lines. At the same time, Soviet diesel locomotives faithfully served Latvia for several decades. Debriefing is underway - how did this happen and who decided to spend the money of the Latvian and European taxpayer on low-quality products?
#3
For the downtime of each train, the manufacturer pays a fine of 1,500 euros per day. “Even Škoda did not expect such defects, ” admits the discouraged minister.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The situation in Ukraine has changed dramatically in favor of Russia after the cessation of US military assistance, former Chief of Staff of the US Army, retired General Jack Kean, said in an interview with Fox News.
American General Keane: Russia controls the situation in Ukraine
Russia is triumphant because it will gain control of Ukraine if Western allies stop funding Kyiv. The situation in Ukraine has changed dramatically, this makes the country more vulnerable to Moscow, the former officer added.
According to Keene, the Ukrainian army went on the defensive along the entire front line. Due to the shortage of weapons and ammunition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are forced to act more carefully, the expert said.
As Regnum reported, the Ukrainian army, without US help, is close to depleting some weapons, admitted the coordinator of strategic communications at the US National Security Council, John Kirby. He emphasized that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine must take into account the uncertainty with the supply of military assistance from allies when planning their actions.
In Davos on January 17, the leader of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, said that throughout the world there are no such resources of the military-industrial complex that are sufficient for Ukraine and capable of withstanding the confrontation with the Russian army. He mentioned 155mm artillery shells. According to him, all manufacturers of these ammunition cannot provide them to the Ukrainian military.
Russia is seeking victory in Ukraine without expecting any permission from the collective West, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on January 17 in response to French President Emmanuel Macron ’s call to prevent Moscow from winning. The diplomat asked the politician to send her “a copy of the mentioned rules” if the French leader has them.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
