[GEO.TV] Leonid Volkov, a longtime friend of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was attacked by a hammer in front of his house in Lithuania, BBC reported.
The offender injured Volkov with a hammer and used tear gas when Volkov was in his car in Vilnius on Tuesday night.
Navlyn’s spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, confirmed the attack, describing that the Lithuanian police are investigating the attack.
Volkov was until recently Navalnhy's chief-of-staff until his sudden death in a Russian prison a month ago. The strike caused multiple cuts on his lower left leg, bruising on his head, and other injuries, and now he is at the hospital to undergo treatment.
The attack on Volkov not only raises worries about the well-being of Navalny's supporters but also poses a danger to other opposition figures in the existing political situation in Russia.
A great deal of activists, including Volkov, also emigrated in 2021 when Navalny’s entire political organization was proclaimed as "extremist" and subsequently banned in Russia.
As the presidential elections approach, Yulia Navalnaya — the widow of Alexei Navalny — has urged for a peaceful political protest at the polling stations throughout Russia, a concept that used to be supported by Alexei himself in the past.
The attack on Volkov that occurred recently, remains a mystery adding to the uncertainty associated with the safety of the members of the opposition movement linked to Navalny. The case is a reminder that there is nothing simple for activists in Russia and the personal risks involved in criticising the authorities.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2024 00:00 ||
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Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 22:26 Deputies of the French National Assembly - the lower house of parliament - voted to approve the report of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on the strategy to support Ukraine and the conclusion of a bilateral security agreement.
22:14 The search and rescue operation has been completed in Krivoy Rog, said the head of the Dnepropetrovsk Regional Police Department, Sergei Lysak. As a result of the attack, three people were killed, the number of victims is being determined.
21:59 Zelensky announced an increase in the number of border troops - “both in view of the current tasks of protection from Russian aggression, and in anticipation of the long-term protection of the borders of our state after this war.”
The head of state also said that he had signed a law on lobbying - this was one of the prerequisites for further progress in relations with the European Union. “And, as we agreed with the President of the European Commission, today the negotiating framework for Ukraine was approved. And we are one step closer to the European Union. Now the decision is up to the member states of the European community. We continue to prepare for negotiations on Ukraine’s accession,” Zelensky noted.
21:43 Zelensky said in an evening video message that Ukrainian drones “work, and work long-range.” He said that today he received preliminary results of the use of Ukrainian drones from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate and the SBU. “Our range is a real approach to security for everyone,” the head of state emphasized.
The President also noted that a rescue operation is currently ongoing in Krivoy Rog after a Russian missile attack, which resulted in the destruction of part of a nine-story building. “We will inflict retaliatory losses on the Russian state - quite rightly. They in the Kremlin must get used to the fact that terror does not go unpunished for them. Nothing can cure these patients from evil, but they will feel the losses. The Russian state will lose, and only this can make it safe for its neighbors. Not only for Ukraine, but for different nations, our actions now are life-saving," the president emphasized.
In addition, he said that today he heard Syrsky’s report on the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the battlefield, as well as the actions of reconnaissance officers and the achievements of Ukrainian drones. “The commander-in-chief is now at the front. And there is a dynamic of action that Ukraine needs,” Zelensky added.
21:11 The Russians struck Krivoy Rog - as a result of the attack, a multi-storey building was damaged, at the moment three dead and 38 wounded are known, including ten children , said the head of the Dnepropetrovsk Regional Police Department Sergei Lysak.
20:19 The United States announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth $300 million. The package, in particular, will include artillery shells, ammunition for HIMARS and anti-aircraft missiles, said US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. He stressed that there would be enough ammunition for a short period of time and called on Congress to release additional aid to Ukraine.
19:37 American intelligence presented a report to the Senate on the situation in the international arena and the key challenges facing the United States. A significant part of the report was devoted to the situation in Ukraine. Read more in the material of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to return the initiative in 2025 .
19:14 The EU is approaching agreement on a new package of military assistance to Ukraine worth 5 billion euros, writes the Financial Times. This is a new application to the fund used to finance military supplies to Ukraine.
19:10 Mass production of robotic ground platforms begins in Ukraine, said the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Mikhail Fedorov. According to him, kamikaze platforms, turrets, platforms that destroy Russian positions and equipment, mine, clear mines, evacuate the wounded and transport ammunition to positions have already been tested. The robots have successfully proven themselves at the training ground and will be on the battlefield in a few months.
More than 140 robotic systems are registered on the Brave1 platform, 96 of them have passed defense examination, 14 developments have been codified according to NATO standards. Some of these robots are already working at the front, such as the ShaBlya turret.
18:38 Denmark announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine worth $336.6 million. The package will include CAESAR self-propelled guns and ammunition. Among other things, this amount will go towards the purchase of CAESAR artillery shells in cooperation with France and 155 mm artillery shells in cooperation with Estonia and the Czech Republic.
18:31 The United States will today announce its intention to send ATACMS missiles to Ukraine as part of a $300 million aid package, Politico writes.
17:42 The attack on the oil refinery in the city of Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod region, was organized by the Main Intelligence Directorate, Urkainian media reported, citing sources in the Defense Forces.
16:55 The United States is preparing the first package of military assistance to Ukraine in several months for $400 million, Reuters reports citing American officials.
16:41 In the morning, the Russians carried out six air strikes on the civilian infrastructure of the Velikopisarevsky territorial community of the Akhtyrsky district of the Sumy region, the prosecutor’s office reported. As a result of the attack, a private house was damaged - a woman and her five children aged from four to 12 years old were injured.
16:08 Today is a “hot” day in Russia. Thus, within 24 hours, nine regions of the Russian Federation were attacked by drones. In two regions - Oryol and Nizhny Novgorod - an oil plant and a tank farm came under attack. In addition, in the morning hostilities broke out in two regions bordering Ukraine, and in the afternoon an Il-76 crashed near Ivanovo. Read more in the material What is happening in Russia .
15:29 The SBU reported that it had neutralized a large-scale intelligence network of the FSB in Kiev “under the cover” of the UOC-MP. The attackers massively produced and distributed pro-Kremlin narratives and provocative messages that were supposed to destabilize the socio-political situation and incite religious hatred in Ukraine. The SBU has exposed more than 15 members of the group, four key persons have already been detained. Among them is one of the leaders of the capital’s church of the UOC-MP, who was part of the FSB intelligence apparatus. It is currently one of the largest FSB networks and has been operating in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
15:04 The European Parliament approved a law criminalizing circumvention of EU sanctions, which is expected to allow the confiscation of private Russian assets. Now the decision must be formally supported by the Council of the European Union.
14:43 At the Russian Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery, half of production was stopped after a drone attack, Reuters reports, citing anonymous sources. According to them, work was suspended at the main crude oil distillation unit. In addition, the primary oil refining unit at the enterprise failed.
14:36 In addition to the purchase of 300 thousand units of artillery ammunition for Ukraine from third countries, the Czech initiative was promised another 200 thousand units “on an optional basis,” said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. "I consider this a great success. This is further proof that the Czech Republic is a fully active player in European security policy," he said. The Prime Minister added that a total of 18 countries have joined the initiative.
14:05 The Russian Freedom Legion claims that Tetkino, Kursk region, is completely “under the control of Russian liberation forces.”
14:02 More than ten serious attempts were made on Budanov, said GUR representative Andrei Yusov. According to him, the main targets for the Russian Federation are the president and the heads of the Ukrainian special services. “Unfortunately, as a result of these assassination attempts over the past ten years, there have been killed Ukrainian intelligence officers,” Yusov added.
13:54 In Belgorod, a drone crashed into the city administration building, two people were injured, said Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
13:16 The EU is preparing to impose sanctions against Iran for supplying missiles to Russia, writes Reuters with reference to the draft conclusions of the summit, which will take place next week. In the document, the European Council calls on third parties to “immediately stop providing material support for Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.”
12:47 In the Ivanovo region of Russia, an Il-76 military aircraft crashed during takeoff, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. There were eight crew members and seven passengers on board. The cause of the disaster, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, was a fire in one of the engines during takeoff of the plane.
12:34 Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in Kiev, exactly 1000 air alarms have been sounded, the KGVA reported. The total duration was 1165 hours and 26 minutes, that is, more than 48 days of continuous alarms.
11:50 The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that allegedly “Ukrainian formations” at night tried to invade Russian territory in three directions: in the areas of Odnorobovka, Nekhoteevka and Spodaryushino. “All attacks were repelled, there were no border violations,” they say in Moscow. In addition, in the morning four attacks by “Ukrainian DRGs” who were trying to break into the border territory in the Tetkino area of the Kursk region were allegedly repulsed.
11:38 The European Commission will today present a negotiating framework for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, but its approval may take several more months, Politico writes. European diplomats and officials warn that the agreement of all 27 European capitals, necessary for the formal start of negotiations, is “hardly possible for the European elections in June,” the newspaper notes.
11:01 The Russians struck the territory of the Stepnensky rural community of the Zaporozhye region - according to preliminary information, with an Iskander-M missile. As a result of the attack, a local resident was killed and civilian infrastructure was damaged by the blast wave and debris, the prosecutor's office said.
10:42 The SBU reported that it had detained a traitor who tried to poison the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Zaporozhye region. He turned out to be an active serviceman of the Ukrainian army, who, on instructions from the FSB, was supposed to add poison to the water of the bath and laundry complex, which was used by the command staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The attacker was recruited through his parents, living in the temporarily occupied territory of the Lugansk region. The Russians kidnapped the man's parents directly from their home and transported them to a local torture facility. There they were brutally tortured, demanding that they persuade their son to work for the Russian Federation.
10:37 Governor of the Kursk region Roman Starovoyt said that the “Ukrainian DRG” tried to break into Tetkino, there was a shooting battle, “but no breakthrough happened.” According to him, there was a casualty as a result of the shelling of the village.
10:28 In the Ternopil region, as a result of attacks by enemy Shahed-type UAVs, a fire occurred at one of the infrastructure facilities in the Kremenets region, the OVA reported. No people were hurt.
09:59 At night, the Russians fired six S-300 missiles at Selidovo, Donetsk region, the prosecutor’s office reported. Two people were injured, at least 18 private and 14 multi-storey buildings, administrative buildings, and power lines were damaged.
09:34 Putin almost certainly does not want direct confrontation with NATO and will limit himself to asymmetrical measures, according to a report by the US intelligence community. The document states that the war against Ukraine has brought big problems to Russia, but it still remains a stable and wealthy rival, is trying to mitigate the consequences of sanctions on its economy and is strengthening ties with key opponents of the United States and the West in general - China, Iran and the DPRK, which is a big challenge for the West.
09:18 The Legion of Freedom of Russia, the RDK and the Siberian battalion stated that they had entered Russian territory. “The Legion is going to the polls,” the fighters said. The Siberian battalion, in turn, called on Russians to ignore the presidential elections in the Russian Federation. “It will not be possible to overthrow the criminal dictatorial regime in Russia peacefully. It can only be eliminated with weapons in hand. This night we began fulfilling our promise. Stubborn fighting is taking place on Russian territory,” said the Siberian Battalion.
Representative of the GUR MOU Andrey Yusov noted that the Legion Freedom of Russia, the RDK and the Siberian Battalion on the territory of the Russian Federation act as independent units, since they consist of Russian citizens: “They are, after all, at home. Probably, now there is a joint operation of these units on the territory RF".
08:56 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of March 12:
personnel - about 425,890 (+910) people,
tanks - 6747 (+8),
armored combat vehicles - 12,901 (+27),
artillery systems - 10,522 (+23),
MLRS - 1016 (+0),
air defense systems - 713 (+2),
aircraft - 347 (+0),
helicopters - 325 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 8184 (+43),
cruise missiles - 1920 (+1),
ships/boats - 26 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 13,870 (+44),
special equipment - 1691 (+5).
08:47 Over the past 24 hours, 72 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff reported in its morning report . In particular, the enemy tried 21 times to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops in the Novopavlovsk direction - in the Krasnohorivka, Georgievka, Novomikhailovka and Pobeda areas of the Donetsk region. Another 16 attacks were repulsed in the Avdeevsky direction (in the Berdychi, Orlovka, Tonenky, Pervomaisky and Nevelsky districts of the Donetsk region) and 15 attacks in the Limansky direction (in the Belogorivka districts of the Luhansk region, Grigorovka and Ternov of the Donetsk region).
The Russian army did not conduct offensive operations in the Kupyansk direction. In the Bakhmut direction, six enemy attacks were repelled in the areas of Kleshcheevka, Andreevka, Stupochek and east of Chasov Yar, Donetsk region. In the Orekhovsky direction, the enemy attacked the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces seven times in the Rabotino, Staromayorsky and north-west of Verbovoy areas of the Zaporozhye region. In the Kherson direction, the enemy made one attempt to storm the positions of the Defense Forces.
The General Staff also reported that at night Russia attacked Ukraine with 22 Shahed-type attack drones, of which 17 were destroyed.
08:35 At night, the Russians attacked Kupyansk, Kharkov region, with a controlled air bomb. A fire started in a five-story residential building, no people were injured, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVDA. He also clarified that as a result of yesterday’s mortar shelling of the village of Glushkovka, Kupyansky district, one person was killed and three were injured. Another person was injured in Volchansk.
07:52 On the evening of March 11, the Russians fired three times at Nikopol and the Krasnogrigoryevsk community of the Dnepropetrovsk region, said the head of the OVA Sergei Lysak. Three people were injured, one private house was destroyed, and 17 more were damaged. Power lines were also damaged, leaving more than 1,700 families without power.
07:31 The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that air defense systems allegedly “intercepted and destroyed” 26 drones: two over the territory of the Moscow region, one over the Leningrad region, seven over Belgorod, 12 over Kursk, one over Bryansk, one over Tula and two - above Orlovskaya. At the same time, in Orel, as a result of a drone attack, a tank with petroleum products at an oil depot caught fire, and in the Nizhny Novgorod region, after the attack, the operation of the LUKOIL-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez technological unit was stopped “due to the incident”; a fire broke out at the Kstovo oil refining installation.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported that eight Vampire MLRS rockets and one Tochka-U TRK missile were allegedly destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region. And the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported that as a result of the drone attack, seven settlements were left without electricity.
00:49 The European Union insists on allocating up to 3 billion euros to Ukraine this year from profits received from frozen assets of the Russian Federation, writes the Financial Times. The European Commission is preparing a plan that includes confiscating sanctions-related profits made at central securities depository Euroclear, several European officials said.
According to sources, the first tranche could be paid as early as July if Brussels can get approval from EU member states. It is expected that a corresponding proposal will be presented to representatives of foreign ministers at the EU leaders' summit next week. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Euroclear has frozen about €190 billion of Russian assets, which has already generated a profit of €3.85 billion.
Posted by: badanov ||
03/13/2024 00:00 ||
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Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] Will the US help Ukraine turn the tide of the war?
If the US Congress approves additional aid to Ukraine, there is a real opportunity to cement a strategic success for Ukraine and a strategic defeat for Putin's Russia.
American intelligence presented a report to the Senate on the situation in the international arena and the key challenges facing the United States. A significant part of the report was devoted to the situation in Ukraine.
FAITH IN UKRAINE
With additional assistance from the United States, Ukraine will be able to seize the offensive initiative at the front by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025, CIA Director William Burns said during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Monday, March 11.
Burns said he just returned from Ukraine and believes that “we are now at a very important crossroads” for Ukraine, European security and American interests in the world in the long term.
He noted that if Congress approves additional aid to Ukraine, there is “a real opportunity to cement a strategic success for Ukraine and a strategic defeat for Putin’s Russia.” According to the CIA, with additional help, Ukraine will be able to further inflict losses on Russia - we are talking about attacks on both occupied Crimea and the Black Sea Fleet of the aggressor country.
“With additional assistance, Ukraine may find itself in a situation in late 2024 or early 2025 where it can seize the offensive initiative and negotiate from a position of strength,” Burns said.
Another option, if the United States does not provide additional assistance to Ukraine, according to Burns, Ukraine could lose large territories in 2024, and the world will see “more Avdiivka.”
He warned the Senate that refusing additional aid to Ukraine would be a huge and historic mistake for the United States.
FRAGILE WORLD ORDER
The United States faces an “increasingly fragile global order” that is plagued by great power competition, transnational challenges and regional conflicts, US intelligence agencies said in a report released during testimony by agency leaders in the US Senate on Monday, March 11.
“An ambitious but troubled China, a confrontational Russia, some regional states such as Iran, and more powerful non-state actors are challenging the long-standing rules of the international system, as well as US supremacy within it,” Reuters quoted an intelligence report on the 2024 threats as saying.
The report mainly focuses on threats from China and Russia, and also notes the risks of the broader conflict associated with Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 attacks.
China is providing economic and security assistance to Russia as it wages war in Ukraine, supporting Russia's industrial base, the document says.
Avril Haines, the US director of national intelligence, called on lawmakers to approve increased military aid to Ukraine. She said it was “hard to imagine” how Ukraine could hold onto the territory it wrested from Russia without more help from Washington.
CIA Director William Burns said in the Senate that, according to US intelligence estimates, the Russian Federation is “not serious” about negotiations to end the war, despite the economic consequences that will “quickly turn Russia into an economic vassal of China.”
“In our assessment, Xi Jinping sobered up from, you know, what happened. He did not expect Ukraine to fight back with the courage and tenacity that the Ukrainians showed,” Burns said.
RUSSIA IS AFRAID OF CONFLICT WITH THE UNITED STATES
US intelligence believes that Russia does not want a direct military conflict with the US and NATO and will continue asymmetrical activities, which, in its assessment, will not cross the threshold of military conflict on a global scale, the report says.
It is noted that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin probably believes that Russia has thwarted Ukraine's attempts to liberate a significant amount of occupied territory, and support for Ukraine from the West and the United States is limited, especially in light of the war between Israel and Hamas.
However, as intelligence officers write, Putin, with his invasion of Ukraine, undermined Russia's geopolitical, economic and military revival and led to huge losses both within the country and abroad. At the same time, Russia still remains a stable and capable adversary in a wide range of areas and seeks to promote and defend its interests on a global scale and undermine the positions of the United States and the West.
It is reported that strengthening Russia's ties with China, Iran and North Korea to strengthen its defense production and economy is a serious challenge for the West and partners.
Thus, Russia will continue to pursue its interests in a competitive and sometimes provocative manner and try to influence other countries in the post-Soviet space.
According to the report, the Russian Federation is pursuing a policy aimed at mitigating losses and using international relations to minimize them in order to restore confidence in itself as a “great power.”
US intelligence officials also said that Russia will face a number of challenges, such as a significant disconnect from Western markets and technology and a flight of human resources.
It is noted that Moscow has successfully redirected most of the oil by sea and is likely selling significant volumes at a cost that exceeds the “price ceiling” established by the G7 countries. That's partly because Russia is increasingly turning to non-Western options to redirect most of its oil exports by sea, but also because global oil prices have risen in the past year.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] The Ukrainian Armed Forces are actively destroying the invaders in Donbass
The Ukrainian military repulsed 22 enemy attacks in the Avdeevsky direction, and 19 in Novopavlovsky direction.
The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult. During the day, 78 military clashes were recorded. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced this in an evening report on Tuesday, March 12.
It is noted that in total, Russian troops carried out nine missile and 73 air strikes, and carried out 72 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas.
In the Kupyansk direction, the defenders repelled four enemy attacks in the areas of the settlements of Sinkovka and Tabaevka, Kharkov region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to oust the units from their positions.
In the Liman direction, soldiers repelled six attacks by the invaders in the areas of the settlements of Belogorovka in the Lugansk region and Terny in the Donetsk region, where the invaders, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the defenses.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled six enemy attacks in areas east of Chasovoy Yar, Ivanovsky and Kleshchievka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy tried to improve its tactical position.
In the Avdeevsky direction, defenders repelled 22 attacks by Russians in the areas of the settlements of Berdich, Orlovka, Tonenkoye, Pervomaiskoye, Donetsk region.
In the Novopavlovsk direction, the Defense Forces continue to contain the enemy in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Georgievka, Novomikhailovka of the Donetsk region, where the invaders, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the defense 19 times.
In the Orekhovsky direction, the enemy, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders six times in the Staromayorsky district of the Donetsk region, west of Verbovoy and Rabotinoy in the Zaporozhye region.
In the Kherson direction, the enemy does not abandon his intention to dislodge Ukrainian Armed Forces units from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnieper. Thus, during the day the enemy carried out three unsuccessful assault operations.
During the day, Defense Forces aviation carried out strikes on nine areas where enemy personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated. Units of the missile forces inflicted a defeat on the area where personnel were concentrated, an artillery weapon and two enemy air defense systems.
Let us remind you that over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed 910 Russian invaders. The total number of losses of the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion is 425,890 military personnel.
According to British intelligence, Russian army losses in February reached a record since the start of a full-scale war. The occupiers lost, on average, 983 people killed and wounded per day.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] It is impossible to verify the number of participants in the rally in support of Putin in Grozny, but those who attended came under duress, Caucasus experts noted.
Under duress, you say? How very odd.
The strong result of the current president in the elections in Chechnya will, as before, be ensured by fraud, a representative of the monitoring organization is sure.
As the " Caucasian Knot " wrote, on March 2, delegates to the congress of the people of Chechnya that began in Grozny paid special attention to the upcoming presidential elections. Ramzan Kadyrov said that voter turnout in the elections in Chechnya will be “incredibly high.” On March 10, Chechen authorities reported that 150 thousand people took part in the rally in support of Putin. Residents of Chechnya reported that state employees were forced to participate in the action.
Continued on Page 49
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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 in cooperation with aviation and artillery have repelled seven attacks and counter-attacks of assault groups of AFU 57th Motorised Infantry and 32nd Mechanised brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).
The enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two pickups, three U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, two 122mm D-30 artillery guns, as well as one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have liberated Nevelskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and taken more advantageous lines and positions.
The 79th Air Assault Brigade and the 81st Airmobile Brigade of the AFU have been hit near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 350 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, four motor vehicles, as well as one 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.
In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line by strikes at manpower and hardware of 23rd Mechanised, 71st, 143rd Infantry brigades of the AFU near Keramik and Berdychi (Donetsk People's Republic).
11 counter-attacks of AFU 24th, 47th Mechanised, 3rd, and 78th Assault brigades have been repelled close to Kirovo, Leninskoye, Novobakhmutovka, Orlovka, and Tonenkoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy losses were more than 380 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and 13 motor vehicles.
In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces' units have taken more advantageous positions and hit manpower and hardware of the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Staromayorskoye and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
One attack launched by assault groups of the AFU 58th Mechanised Infantry Brigade has been repelled near Shevchenko (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to more than 145 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, eight pick-up trucks, and one 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system.
In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on 117th Mechanised and 128th Mountain Assault brigades of the AFU near Rabotino, Kamenskoye, and Lobkovoye (Zaporozhye region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one 152mm Msta-B howitzer, and one 122mm D-30 gun.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have eliminated one ammunition depot of the AFU 43rd Mechanised Brigade, as well as one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS vehicle.
In addition, clusters of AFU manpower and hardware have been eliminated in 132 areas.
Air defence systems have shot down 11 MLRS projectiles: HIMARS, Grad, and Vampire projectiles, as well as one Tochka-U tactical missile during the day.
In addition, 146 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down, including near Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Zelenopolye, Aleksandrovka, Kodema (Donetsk People's Republic), Mirnoye, Vishnyovoye, Shevchenkovo, Konskiye Razdory, and Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), and Rybalche (Kherson region).
In total, 577 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 15,226 unmanned aerial vehicles, 484 air defence missile systems, 15,438 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,238 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,378 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,658 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 21:53 A civilian was injured as a result of artillery attack of the Petrovsky district of Donetsk by Ukrainian troops, reported mayoradministrative center of the DPR Alexey Kulemzin. 20:45 The Russian Ministry of Defense reports details of the morning attempt to break through the state border by Ukrainian terrorists
At about 0300 hrs, after intense artillery attack of civilian objects, Ukrainian terrorist formations, with the support of tanks and armored combat vehicles, attempted to invade Russian territory in three directions: from the settlement of Odnorobovka, Kharkov region, as well as in the areas of the settlements of Nekhoteevka and Spodaryushino Belgorod region.
The enemy was hit by operational-tactical, army aviation, missile forces, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems.
In the area of the settlement of Odnorobovka, Kharkov region, up to 60 Ukrainian terrorists and four pickup trucks were destroyed.
On the border territory on the Ukrainian side, in the area of ????the settlement of Nekhoteevka, Belgorod Region, up to 45 militants, two tanks and two armored personnel carriers were destroyed by strikes by Russian Aerospace Forces aviation, artillery and Lancet unmanned aerial vehicles.
On the border territory on the Ukrainian side, in the area of ??the settlement of Spodaryushino, Belgorod Region, competent actions of units covering the state border, strikes by operational-tactical and army aviation using the Whirlwind ATGM, destroyed more than 100 militants, five tanks, three US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and two cars. Another engineering clearing vehicle hit a mine.
19:55 Zaporozhye Front, reports the Diary of the Paratrooper:
North-west of the village In Verbovoe in the first half of the day, three enemy DRGs from different sides, from seven to 10 people, simultaneously came out to our positions, which we returned under our control a few days ago.
The paratroopers did not immediately identify the enemy, since they have strong electronic warfare and birds are difficult to lift. As we approached, already 500 meters away, soldiers from observation posts reported that the enemy was approaching our positions.
Our fighters are ready 24/7, they brought the enemy as close as possible, approximately at a distance of 250-350 meters, and opened heavy fire from small arms, as well as RPGs and rocket launchers. The enemy was partially destroyed, some fled.
19:52 The Ukrainian side confirms the loss of Nevelskoy, which means the complete encirclement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group in Pervomaiskoye.
19:49 The head of the “defense committee” of Krivoy Rog, Vilkul, confirms the “arrival” in the city.
19:44 The Russian armed forces destroyed the command post of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Krasnogorovka in the DPR, where high-ranking Ukrainian officers were located, said Denis Pushilin’s adviser Ian Gagin.
19:37 Ukrainian Telegram channels report explosions in Krivoy Rog. Before this, a missile threat was announced.
19:25 VGTRK military correspondent Andrei Rudenko reported on the advance of Russian forces in the Novomikhailovka area and towards Chasy Yar.
18:47 Offensive west of Donetsk: liberation of Nevel'skoy situation as of March 12, 2024:
Today, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the liberation of the village of Nevel'skoye, west of Donetsk. So far there have been no photos or video materials from the settlement, but once they are secured at the border, they will definitely appear.
If the information is confirmed, then it will be possible to say with confidence that Russian troops have achieved significant tactical success due to the geographical location of Nevelskoy.
The village and its surroundings are located at an altitude of more than 200 meters, which is the highest point on the line from Krasnogorovka to Pervomaisky, and control over it improves the situation in the assault on both the first and second settlements.
From Nevelskoye, due to its location, Ukrainian formations shelled Donetsk and its suburbs for many years. As we advance in this area, attacks on civilians will at least be reduced.
However, we must not lose our vigilance. The headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are also aware of the importance of Nevel'skoye, so there will be attempts to recapture the village. In addition, with the liberation of the settlement, Russian troops still have to advance through a network of strongholds and natural fortifications, complicating the movement to the west.
17:54 Beats RF Armed Forces on objects on the territory of Ukraine on March 12:
Russian troops launched a series of attacks on targets on Ukrainian territory using Geran-2 kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles. As before, explosions occurred both in front-line areas and remote rear areas.
In Selidovo, on the occupied territory of the DPR, the location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the building of one of the educational institutions was struck. Another “arrival” occurred at the truck stop of a local utility company.
In the Ternopil region, drones attacked an oil depot near the city of Kremenets: a fire broke out at the facility, which is still ongoing. According to still unverified data, another UAV hit another fuel and energy infrastructure facility in Brody in the Lviv region.
In the Vinnytsia region, the target of the attack was the area of ??a military camp and a local engineering plant in Kalinovka. It is typical that the other day there were already “arrivals” in the populated area - then drones hit an ammunition depot.
17:36 Destruction of the “three axes” howitzer and the P-18 “Malachite” radar of the Kyiv regime formations at the junction of the Kharkov and Sumy regions -video.
17:17 Personnel destroyed equipment of sabotage and reconnaissance groups of Ukrainian terrorist formations in the border zone near the settlement of Spodaryushino, Belgorod region.
US-made M113 and Bradley armored fighting vehicles and personnel of terrorist formations of Ukrainian nationalists were destroyed.
Having suffered significant losses, the enemy was driven back from the border of the Russian Federation. The enemy's DRGs were not allowed to break through into the territory of the Russian Federation.
17:10 Personnel destroyed equipment of sabotage and reconnaissance groups of Ukrainian terrorist formations in the border zone near the settlement of Nekhoteevka, Belgorod region.
17:05 According to the operational lines of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC for March 12, as of 17:00, additional information was received about civilian casualties in the cities of the republic:
Donetsk (Kirovsky district):
– as a result of the release of hazardous materials from a UAV on the territory of the market on the street. A man born in 1981 was wounded in Dagestan.
n.p. Gorlovka (Nikitovsky district):
- on the territory of the village. In Glubokaya, on the way to the Stroydetal plant, a man born in 1965 was injured as a result of an explosion on a PFM Lepestok mine.
As of March 12, 150 cases of bombing of civilians were registered, incl. 10 children, on PFM-1 Lepestok mines. Three of the victims died as a result of their injuries.
16:39 Explosions in Kharkov. Russian missile forces are working on targets in the Kharkov region.
15:44 Artillerymen of the Donetsk 1st Army Corps destroy armored vehicles and manpower of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the South Donetsk direction.
“At the moment, due to the suppression of their firing points and artillery, they [the Armed Forces of Ukraine] have become “keep silent.” They realized who they were arguing with,” said a serviceman with the call sign “Cat.”
15:22 The importance of Nevel'skoy’s release is extremely high - writes the Donbass Decides channel.
Nevel'skoye is one of the most famous points for artillery attack of the Ukrainian Armed Forces of Donetsk, as well as neighboring Pervomaiskoye.
The capture of Nevel'skoy allows the Russian Armed Forces to straighten the front line of the advancing army.
This will make life easier for our troops advancing on Krasnogorovka. It can also force the Ukrainian Armed Forces to withdraw from Tonenkoye and Orlovka, where they are still holding out.
And, finally, it brings closer the possibility of Russian troops reaching the Karlovskoye and Kurakhovskoye reservoirs, which will help improve the water supply of Donetsk and deprive the Ukrainian Armed Forces of the possibility of direct artillery attack of the DPR capital.
14:47 Personnel defeat of another US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system launcher
14:30 The main thing from the new briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense:
The Russian Armed Forces improved the position along the front line in the Avdeevsky direction, repelled 11 counterattacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the enemy lost more than 380 military personnel;
During the past 24 hours, Russian air defense shot down 11 missiles from the HIMARS, 122mm BM-21 Grad, Vampire systems, as well as a Tochka-U missile;
The Russian Armed Forces repelled seven attacks and counterattacks in the Kupyansk direction per day;
The Russian Armed Forces in the South Donetsk direction took up more advantageous positions and repelled the attack of the Ukrainian Armed Forces;
The Armed Forces of Ukraine in the South Donetsk direction lost more than 145 military personnel and 11 pieces of equipment per day;
The Russian Armed Forces defeated the formations of two brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at Novomikhailovka and Belogorovka;
The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk direction amounted to up to 350 military personnel.
14:10 The Russian Armed Forces liberated the settlement of Nevel'skoye in the Donetsk direction, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
14:06 According to the operational lines of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC for March 12, as of 14:00, information was received about civilian casualties in the cities of the Republic:
Donetsk (Kirovsky district):
– as a result of the release of high explosives from the UAV along the y. Biryuzovaya, 18, a woman born in 1963 was wounded.
n.p. Gorlovka (Central City district):
– as a result of the release of high explosives from a UAV on Lenin Avenue, 2, a man born in 1984 was injured.
Information has been received about damage as a result of artillery attack by the AFU in the cities of the Republic:
Donetsk:
Kuibyshevsky district:
– st. Marshala Zhukova, 15 – direct hit in an apartment building with subsequent fire.
Petrovsky district:
as a result of the discharge of GP on the street. Shkolnaya, 171, a car was destroyed.
n.p. Gorlovka (Central City district):
as a result of GP reset:
– the 35 kV transformer is damaged, the pumping station is de-energized;
– 91 transformer stations are de-energized, without power supply to 20,596 subscribers in the Central City and Nikitovsky districts, 25 boiler houses.
13:57 American 155mm self-propelled gun M109 Paladin, destroyed by the Lancet -video.
12:45 In the morning, Russian military personnel, together with the FSB border guards, thwarted Kyiv’s attempt to make an enemy breakthrough into the territory of the Belgorod and Kursk regions, the Ministry of Defense reported.
11:57 A Ukrainian sabotage group tried to break into the territory of the Kursk region, the attack was repulsed, the governor said.
11:15 Attacks on fuel and lubricant storage facilities in Western Ukraine5
That night, the Russian military launched a combined strike on enemy rear targets in many regions of Ukraine; air defense systems did not work only in the Volyn, Transcarpathian, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions. The targets of the defeat were logistics centers, military-industrial complex facilities, enemy permanent/temporary deployment points and positional areas of air defense systems, writes Donbass Partisan.
One of the attack UAVs “Geran-2” managed to hit the fuel tank of the Kremenets oil depot of the Lukoil-Ukraine private investment enterprise, and a strong fire formed at the site, the glow from which was visible for several tens of kilometers in the area.
Two more kamikaze drones struck the fuel and lubricant tanks of the Brody oil depot of PJSC Galneftegaz, which belongs to the OKKO gas station network and actively assists Ukrainian formations in organizing logistics routes to supply enemy groups.
10:49 Our fighters are tearing forward through the fire - a fragment of the attack at Avdievka.
Soldiers of the Donetsk 1st Army Corps continue attacks on the flanks of Avdeevka, moving forward at Nevel'skoye. The enemy is trying to stop the advance of our units with artillery and drone fire.
10:20 Statement o Head of the press center of the "West" group
Units of the West group of forces continue to carry out combat missions in the Kupyansk direction.
Motorized rifle units, in cooperation with artillery and aviation, repelled four counterattacks by assault groups of the 32nd Mechanized and 57th Motorized Infantry brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Sin'kovka area.
During the counterbattery fight, artillery units destroyed a 122mm self-propelled artillery mount 2S1 “Gvozdika” and an American M101 howitzer.
Operators of the Lancet loitering ammunition destroyed two BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles in the Yampolovka area.
The group's air defense systems destroyed six unmanned aerial vehicles: three Leleki-100, Sinitsa, Valkyrie and Fury.
Enemy losses in the Kupyansk direction amounted to up to 30 military personnel, a tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, an armored personnel carrier, two artillery pieces, three mortar crews, six unmanned aerial vehicles and a car.
09:50 Morning report as of March 12 from military correspondent Evgeny Lisitsyn:
Donetsk direction: in the south-eastern part of Berdychi our guys are having success, they continue to “press” the enemy. In the village Pervomayskoe our soldiers are moving towards the center;
Artemovsk direction: advance of the Russian Armed Forces in the area of Krasnoye and Bogdanovka. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are transferring reserves and foreign mercenaries;
Zaporozhye direction: The Russian Armed Forces advanced north of Novoselka and Shevchenko. Battle for Rabotino. An attack attempt by the attacking group of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the village of Rabotino was successfully repulsed;
Kherson direction: units of the Dnepr military group, thanks to good coordination of actions, were able to occupy the best strategic positions. Also, small enemy groups remain in Krynki and on the Antonovsky Bridge.
09:47 The criminal Kiev regime continues to shell the civilian infrastructure of settlements on the left bank of the Kherson region, yesterday during the day the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired cannon artillery:
-- n.p. Kakhovka four rounds;
-- n.p. Dnepryan five rounds;
-- n.p. Peschanivka two rounds;
-- n.p. Novaya Kakhovka three rounds;
-- n.p. Alyosha seven rounds;
-- n.p. Sagi three rounds.
During the night, the Kiev regime continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the village. Novaya Kakhovka, n.p. Kakhovka, n.p. Proletarka, n.p. Korsunka, n.p. Aleshki, n.p. Kazachi Lagery fired a total of 21 cannon artillery rounds.
Civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure are being determined.
09:18 Over the past 24 hours, the armed formations of Ukraine carried out another shelling of territories of the DPR.
As a result of an enemy kamikaze UAV attack in the village. A woman born in 1977 received a blessed wound. Also, in the Petrovsky district of Donetsk, Ukrainian militants dropped ammunition from a UAV, as a result of which women born in 1992 and 1973 were wounded. – employees of regional electrical networks. In addition, as a result of artillery attack of a private residential area in the Sovetsky district of Makeyevka, using 155mm caliber artillery, eight people were injured of varying degrees of severity among the civilian population, including three children.
At the same time, the Petrovsky district of Donetsk, as well as the Central City district of Gorlovka, came under fire from the armed formations of Ukraine, on which the enemy used 155mm caliber artillery, including with a cluster warhead.
In total, nine residential buildings, as well as two civilian infrastructure facilities, were damaged by DPR shelling.
08:17 Kyiv is increasing its grouping of forces in the village of Volchansk, which is located 10 kilometers from the Belgorod region, retired LPR Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Marochko said, citing his own sources.
According to him, Russian forces regularly strike against identified targets in the territory bordering the Russian Federation, and the Ukrainian military will continue to adhere to the tactic of covering with civilian infrastructure - deploying personnel at civilian facilities, and hiding equipment in the courtyards of residential buildings and personal plots.
08:01 Summary on the morning of March 12, 2024:
The Russian Armed Forces launched strikes on the Ternopil, Kharkov, Khmelnytsky, Kyiv, and Odessa regions.Mutual artillery strikes and drone attacks continue in the Kherson direction. Our troops also use high-precision LMURs to destroy the most important targets on the enemy shore. The presence of small enemy groups remains in Krynki and in the Antonovsky Bridge area.
On the Zaporozhye front, the enemy is increasing the use of drones and artillery. The Russian Armed Forces, with heavy fighting and assault groups, are conducting an offensive in Rabotino. To the west, in the Kamensk direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are intensively digging in, bringing up M777s with precision-guided ammunition and HIMARS MLRS, and intensifying the use of FPV.
North of Mar'inka, the Russian Army’s offensive against Krasnogorovka is developing. It is reported that yesterday a precision strike was carried out on an enemy command post in a direction in which there could be high-ranking officers.
In the direction to Chasov Yar, fighting continues, most of Ivanovo (Red) is occupied by our troops, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are transferring reinforcements, incl. with foreign mercenaries. Heavy fighting is going on.
To the west of Kremennaya, the Russian Armed Forces are attacking in the direction of the village Terni.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Sergey Adamov
[REGNUM] On the night of March 11-12, several sabotage groups crossed the state border from Ukraine and entered Russian territory in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.
Before the invasion, a large-scale information campaign launched on social networks launched by the neo-Nazi organizations “Russian Volunteer Corps” ( RDK, banned on the territory of the Russian Federation ) and “Freedom of Russia” ( banned on the territory of the Russian Federation ).
The video they published allegedly shows sabotage groups and armored vehicles crossing the border. In the afternoon, information about the breakout attempt was confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Later, reports of clashes appeared in the Shebekinsky and Grayvoronsky districts of the Belgorod region and in the area of the village of Tyotkino in the Kursk region.
“At about three o’clock in the morning, after intense shelling of civilian targets, Ukrainian terrorist formations, with the support of tanks and armored combat vehicles, attempted to invade the territory of the Russian Federation,” the department said.
In the evening, the Ministry of Defense published footage of destroyed equipment of Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups in the zone bordering the Belgorod region. The footage was filmed in the area of the village of Spodaryushino, Grayvoronsky district, Belgorod region.
“Armored combat vehicles M113, Bradley made in the USA and personnel of terrorist formations of Ukrainian nationalists were destroyed. Having suffered significant losses, the enemy was driven back from the border of the Russian Federation. The enemy’s DRGs were not allowed to break through into the territory of the Russian Federation,” the Ministry of Defense added.
The Russian FSB said that all attempts by militants to cross the border were repulsed with losses to the attackers. According to the department, the Ukrainian side lost more than 100 people, 6 tanks and 20 armored vehicles.
In turn, the Ukrainian intelligence command disowned the raid: supposedly the militants act independently and are in no way connected with official Kiev.
“A SMALL CHANGE THAT YOU DON’T MIND”
The saboteurs were probably trying to gain a foothold on Russian territory. At the same time, the main goal of the attack is to create a bright picture, military expert, reserve colonel Anatoly Matviychuk said in a commentary to IA Regnum.
“Against the background of the collapse of all military operations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, an operational crisis is being created at the border of propaganda for internal and external users. The message to the population is this: we are strong, we are advancing, we have entered the territory of the Russian Federation. The message for foreign media is: look what we are doing without your help, and with your help we will do more,” says the expert.
He adds that it is mainly groups of collaborators from among Russian citizens who are sent on such suicide raids. For Kyiv, they are a bargaining chip that they don’t mind spending for the sake of propaganda.
“They also understand: if he betrayed you once, he will betray you again. Therefore, they use them as they want,” Matviychuk noted.
This is not the first time that Ukrainian saboteurs are trying to break into Russian territory. In the spring and summer of 2023, groups of saboteurs crossed the border several times near the city of Shebekino, Belgorod Region. Each time they were kicked out of there.
Then the Ukrainian army tried to distract Russian troops from the upcoming offensive in the Zaporozhye direction. But the attempts were unsuccessful
This time, Kiev may set a more serious goal for the saboteurs - to create a bridgehead on Russian territory, Vadim Kozyulin, candidate of political sciences, professor of the Academy of Military Sciences of the Russian Federation, said in a conversation with IA Regnum.
“They are trying to counterattack, create bridgeheads for attack. As, for example, in Krynki, Kherson region. They gained a foothold and held on despite the losses. The same is possible at the border, since this is a strong irritant for the Russian public,” the expert believes.
In addition, such a bridgehead would have diverted additional forces of the Russian army, including aviation and artillery, to the Belgorod and Kursk regions. Kyiv is trying with all its might to at least stop the Russian offensive in the Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions in order to have time to build defensive lines there.
The day before, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky announced the start of work on the creation of defensive structures. It is planned to build three lines of fortifications with a length of two thousand kilometers. In the meantime, they are not there, we need to somehow distract the Russian army.
SHOW AND BRAVADO
Kyiv also has other goals. The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov, said several times that it was necessary to “transfer the war to Russian territory.” And Kyiv strives to provide vivid photographs and videos to the foreign press. This is especially important given the fact that Western media are increasingly skeptical about Ukraine’s military prospects.
It is not known exactly what the number of collaborator formations fighting on the side of Ukraine today is. Western sources talk about several hundred, maximum - a thousand people. Too small for a large-scale military operation. Therefore, the statements of neo-Nazis that they will go to Belgorod, Kursk, and then deep into Russia are empty bravado, says Vadim Kozyulin.
“Of course, they are not given strategic tasks. They simply do not have enough forces and weapons for this. But they can try to separate our forces, which is what they are doing,” explains the expert.
Text taken from an editorial published in Pravda newspaper.
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics.
Note: Hard to blame the Russians for this bellicose missive.
Their generals have to be political, too.
[ColonelCassad] Generals Benov and Sobolev published an open letter to Putin in the Pravda newspaper.
OPEN LETTER to the President of the Russian Federation, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces V.V. Putin and to the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia V.V. Volodin
Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich!
Dear Vyacheslav Viktorovich!
Russophobia of the West and the boundless thirst of its leaders in the person of Washington, London and Berlin to finally solve the “Russian question” on the battlefield at any cost have reached their climax. The unprecedented pumping of Ukraine with ever more powerful and sophisticated types of weapons continues. No longer embarrassed, calls are openly made to strike in the heart of Russia.
Thus, on February 22, the German Bundestag approved a resolution on the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine. Such a vague wording of the resolution practically opens the way for German Chancellor Scholz to make a decision on the unimpeded transfer to Ukraine of the TAURUS cruise missile, the supply of which Zelensky has long sought.
At the same time, discussions continue in the US State Department about transferring the ATACAMS missile with a range of more than 500 kilometers to Ukraine.
And on February 26, at a meeting in Paris of EU countries to support Ukraine, French President Macron called for the creation of “a ninth coalition to deliver deep blows to critical infrastructure in the European part of Russia,” and at the same time raised the question of the possible sending of units of individual NATO countries to Ukraine.
Such actions of the collective West to further escalate the armed conflict in Ukraine give reason to believe that he believes in his impunity and believes that with his actual participation in the war with Russia, with money, weapons and sanctions, not a single hair will fall from his head. We must correct this situation immediately.
We consider it necessary to return to the practice of the USSR period, when the words heard on air: “TASS is authorized to declare...” sobered up the hottest heads of the initiators of political adventures around the world. Today, time demands that we decisively declare to the presumptuous curators of the fratricidal war that Germany’s supply to Ukraine of long-range missiles of any modification will transfer hostilities directly to its territory, as well as the territory of those states that follow its example.
It is time, finally, to stop the political demarches of the leaders of Western countries, who are demonstratively organizing various kinds of gatherings in Kyiv, freely arriving at them in comfortable trains across the Polish border.
Today, the key condition for our victory is not only the unity of the people, the boundless fortitude and courage of our fighters, but also, first of all, the political will of the country’s leadership to make fateful decisions.
In this regard, we consider it necessary for the Russian Foreign Ministry and the State Duma to prepare a corresponding Statement and bring it to the attention of the parliaments of Western countries, warning them of our unshakable determination to take any measures to protect the sovereignty of our Motherland, in accordance with the situation. Our military-industrial potential allows us to do this today. No Western coalition will stop the Russian army from winning a special military operation.
Victory will definitely be ours!
We have the honor!
Lieutenant General of Aviation G.M. Benov, Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the International Union of Soviet Officers and the Central Council of the Union of Soviet Officers of Russia
Lieutenant General Sobolev, Chairman of the Council of the movement “In Support of the Army, Defense Industry and Military Science”
Well, here Volodin, in theory, should be pulled if the task is to put forward more decisive statements on behalf of the State Duma.
Commentary by Russian military journalist is in italics.
[ColonelCassad] The Russian Ministry of Defense about the filming of a tik-tok video on the border of the Belgorod region.
This morning, units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, together with units of the border service of the FSB of Russia, thwarted an attempt by the Kyiv regime to make a breakthrough into the border territory of the Russian Federation in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.
▫️ Around 3 o'clock in the morning, after intense shelling of civilian objects, Ukrainian terrorist formations, with the support of tanks and armored combat vehicles, attempted to invade Russian territory in three directions: from the settlement of Odnorobovka, Kharkov region, as well as in the areas of the settlements of Nekhoteevka and Sdaryushino, Belgorod region.
▫️ By the selfless actions of Russian military personnel, all attacks of Ukrainian terrorist formations were repelled.
The enemy was hit by operational-tactical, army aviation, missile forces, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems.
▫️ In the area of the settlement of Odnorobovka, Khar'kov region, up to 60 Ukrainian terrorists and four pickup trucks were destroyed.
▫️ In the border area on the Ukrainian side, in the area of the settlement of Nekhoteevka, Belgorod Region, up to 45 militants, two tanks and two armored personnel carriers were destroyed by Russian Aerospace Forces aviation, artillery and Lancet unmanned aerial vehicles.
▫️ On the border territory on the Ukrainian side, in the area of the settlement of Spodaryushino, Belgorod Region, competent actions of units covering the state border, strikes by operational-tactical and army aviation using the Whirlwind ATGM, destroyed more than 100 militants, five tanks, three Bradley infantry fighting vehicles produced USA and two cars moving towards the State Border of the Russian Federation. Another engineering clearing vehicle hit a mine.
▫️ In addition, from 8.00 to 8.25 Moscow time, four attacks by Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups that tried to break into the border territory near the village of Tetkino, Kursk region, were repulsed.
▫️ As a result of the active actions of the state border covering units of the “Western Group of Forces” and the border service of the FSB of Russia, the terrorist formations of the Kyiv regime were thrown back.
▫️ The enemy lost 234 militants killed, seven tanks, three US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and two armored personnel carriers.
This morning the enemy made a second attempt to break through the border into Russian territory in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. Last weekend he already made such an attempt, but preparations for entering our territory were promptly discovered by our reconnaissance, as a result of which concentrated high-precision strikes were carried out on enemy concentration areas, as a result of which the enemy lost up to 70 people, five tanks, four self-propelled guns and MLRS, up to ten armored vehicles and pickups, after which he was forced to adjust his plans.
The goal of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (MOU) remained the same - to try to break into the territory of the Russian Federation in a large group, capture some village (preferably with a polling station), shoot staged videos there (and at the same time plant prepared information fakes), to promote various Russian collaborators in Budanov’s feed and provide materials for the media campaign of Ukrainian and Western propaganda media. No serious military tasks were set - initially it was just about a “PR raid”, which is completely in the spirit of the actions of the leadership of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the MOU, headed by Budanov. Which explains Rozhin's earlier reference to a Tik Tok video being filmed.
Our intelligence monitored the enemy's preparations and again provided the necessary data to disrupt the attack. Even on the approaches to the border, they began to strike the enemy, as a result of which the enemy’s plans were again disrupted and he suffered significant losses in people and equipment (according to preliminary data, up to several dozen people and 10-12 pieces of equipment, including several tanks).
Units of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the FSB Border Service gave a powerful rebuff to the enemy, as a result of which the enemy was never able to penetrate deep into our territory, and skirmishes and shelling on the border gave him nothing. Regional governors and the leadership of the FSB Border Service noted that there were no violations of the state border.
The PR image of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs collapsed again, and the staged videos were ridiculed even in the Ukrainian segment of social networks. It is worth noting that conscript soldiers of our airborne troops who were in the Belgorod region also took part in the battle on the border, who, along with professional military personnel, thwarted the enemy’s actions without suffering losses.
In general, the operation, which the enemy had been preparing for several weeks and in the organization of which he had invested significant resources, was a complete failure.
When trying to penetrate the Belgorod and Kursk regions, more than 100 militants of the Ukrainian armed forces, six tanks, a CAESAR self-propelled artillery mount (SPG) and 20 enemy armored vehicles were destroyed. This was reported by the Public Relations Center (PSC) of the FSB of Russia.
“Since March 10, the FSB of Russia, together with attached units of the Russian Armed Forces, have stopped several attempts to violate the state border within the specified constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Over 100 enemy personnel, six tanks, Caesar self-propelled guns, 20 armored fighting vehicles, and a strong point were destroyed,” the department explained.
At the same time, the FSB emphasized that strikes against armed formations on the border with Ukraine continue.
In addition, the department noted that the published videos about the alleged entry of Ukrainian armed forces into some settlements in the Belgorod and Kursk regions do not correspond to reality.
As Regnum reported, on March 12, the head of the Kursk region, Roman Starovoyt, reported that on March 12, a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group (DRG) tried to break into the village of Tyotkino, Kursk region.
According to him, the FSB border service and the Russian Armed Forces successfully repelled an attempt to violate the Russian border.
In addition, on the morning of March 12, Russian forces repulsed an attempt by the Ukrainian DRG to break through into the Belgorod region. According to the interlocutor of IA Regnum, the attack was repulsed near the Lozovaya Rudka farm.
The fact that the Kiev regime is increasing its grouping of forces near the borders of the Belgorod region was reported on March 12 by retired Lieutenant Colonel of the People's Militia of the LPR Andrey Marochko, citing sources. He said that a concentration of Ukrainian military personnel was noticed in the city of Volchansk, Kharkov region, which is located ten kilometers from the Belgorod region.
The expert added that the number of weapons, military equipment and militants there is increasing. To minimize losses, the Armed Forces of Ukraine station personnel at civilian facilities, and hide equipment in the courtyards of residential buildings and on personal plots.
In turn, military correspondent Alexander Kots reported that the preparation of an attack by the Ukrainian DRG on the Belgorod region was discovered by the Russian military a few days ago.
Kots added that the enemy DRG, which consisted of infantry supported by tanks, tried to penetrate the territory of the Belgorod region in the morning of March 12. The enemy also simultaneously attacked with drones, but they were intercepted by air defense forces.
The military correspondent called for attention to how, with the start of the attack of the Ukrainian DRG, videos about its progress began to be uploaded onto the Internet, and these shots were most likely filmed in advance.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Bulgarian Navy divers destroyed a drifting sea mine discovered just offshore near the beach in Varna, Bulgarian National Television reported on March 12.
A sea mine that arrived from Ukraine was destroyed in Varna, Bulgaria
The commander of the Bulgarian Navy, Rear Admiral Kiril Mikhailov, said that the explosive device of the YaM2 type was brought by the current from the combat zone in the Ukraine region.
The naval minesweeper crew ensured that the mine was towed into the open sea, where it was destroyed. During the operation, the coastal area was guarded by police squads.
As reported by IA Regnum, in July 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that movement in the north-west of the Black Sea poses a danger to sailors due to mines. In particular, the Russian military discovered a Ukrainian Ukrainian naval mine that was drifting and posing a threat to ships. The department pointed out the irresponsibility of the Kyiv regime's navy.
In early October 2023, a cargo ship flying the Turkish flag hit a mine in the Black Sea. The incident occurred off the coast of Romania, near the entrance to the Sulina Canal. The ship received minor damage, the crew was not injured. Another incident occurred in November, when a bulk carrier transporting grain from Odessa to Romania hit a mine. In addition, several dozen sea mines of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were discovered on the shores of Turkey in 2022–2023.
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today described Joe Biden as 'mad and mentally disabled' in a venomous tirade directed at the US President following his State of the Union address yesterday.
Biden opened his address with a reference to a 1941 speech to Congress by 32nd US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who declared the union faced an unprecedented turning point in history.
Biden also accused Republican rival Donald Trump of kowtowing to Russia and, just over two weeks after calling Vladimir Putin a 'crazy SOB', said he had a message for the Russian President on Ukraine: 'We will not walk away.'
His remarks enraged the increasingly combative Medvedev, who accused Biden of trying to start World War Three and chastised him for comparing himself to Roosevelt.
'Even though Roosevelt was an infirm man in a wheelchair, he raised America from the Depression; Biden, on the other hand, is a mad, mentally disabled individual who set his mind on dragging humanity to hell,' the Putin ally, who is now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, wrote on X.
'Roosevelt together with allies including the USSR, was fighting for peace; yet, Biden is actively and persistently trying to start WWIII.
'Roosevelt was fighting against fascists, but Biden is fighting for them. He is the United States' disgrace!' Medvedev concluded.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Ukraine will be forced to negotiate peace with Russia on Moscow's terms in a year if Kyiv does not receive additional military assistance from the United States. This was stated by CIA Director Robert Burns at a hearing in the Intelligence Committee of the US House of Representatives.
According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in negotiations in which he can dictate his own terms.
He (Vladimir Putin - editor's note) is interested in negotiations where he can dictate terms. I think that without additional help, this is the future that can await Ukraine in a year from now,” said the head of the CIA. We can dictate terms as well as Russia, Bill.
At the same time, Burns warned that the lack of military assistance to Ukraine will lead to further retreat of Ukrainian troops and territorial losses this year.
As reported by Regnum news agency, the Kremlin and the Foreign Ministry have repeatedly noted that Russia is ready for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Ukraine, subject to the fulfillment of all the requirements set before the start of the Northern Military District, and subject to the recognition of new territorial realities - the return of four regions to Russia in 2022.
In November 2023, the leader of the faction of the Servant of the People party of the head of the Kiev regime Vladimir Zelensky in the Verkhovna Rada, David Arakhamia, admitted that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict could have ended in the spring of 2022 if Kiev had agreed to neutrality. He explained that Russia would agree to a peaceful resolution of the conflict if Ukraine abandoned the idea of joining NATO.
A meeting of the working groups of Russia and Ukraine on the peaceful resolution of the conflict took place in Istanbul on March 29, 2022. Assistant to the Russian President Vladimir Medinsky then said that following the results of the head-to-head round, Kiev expressed its readiness to abandon attempts to return Crimea and Sevastopol by military means.
Ukraine refused further action. Arakhamia added that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also intervened in the situation. He came to Kyiv and insisted on continuing hostilities.
On February 8, Putin, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, said that he did not know why the former British Prime Minister tried to persuade Kiev to abandon peace negotiations. The head of state called it absurd and even sad that Kiev submitted to Johnson’s persuasion or demand.
At the same time, on March 12, the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that the Kiev regime consistently denies the possibility of any negotiations on resolving the conflict.
This is how he commented on the statements of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who had previously stated that the capitulation mentioned by Pope Francis would not bring peace to Ukraine and that negotiations would be required to return peace.
The referenced report is nearly a year old and can be found here.
[ColonelCassad] Remember our report on the role of Western think tanks in information warfare? Now they... there... someone has begun to guess something!
Quotes:
The vast majority of media mentions of think tanks in articles about US weapons and the war in Ukraine come from think tanks whose donors profit from US military spending, arms sales and, in many cases, directly from US involvement in the war in Ukraine.
The analysis allows us to draw a number of key conclusions.
First, of the 27 think tanks whose donors could be identified, 21 received funding from the defense sector (77 percent). Unfortunately, because donor disclosure is voluntary, we cannot determine the percentage of think tank funding that comes from defense contractors.
Second, in stories about U.S. military intervention in Ukraine, the media cite think tanks that have defense industry funding 85 percent of the time, or seven times more often than think tanks that do not accept contractor funding. Pentagon.
Third, despite the general trend toward greater donor transparency at think tanks, nearly a third of leading U.S. foreign policy think tanks still do not provide information about their donors to the public.
Fourth, the media rarely identifies conflicts of interest posed by defense industry-funded think tank experts they quote when they express opinions on policies that would benefit the defense industry.
Attention! The report contains a large number of references to prohibited and undesirable organizations in the Russian Federation!
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Uralvagonzavod concern handed over the next batch of T-90M Proryv tanks to the troops. The press service of the enterprise reported this.
“The world’s best T-90M Proryv tanks left the factory for the troops with the Russian tricolor on the towers and accompanied by songs by famous Russian performers,” the statement says.
The concern added that 2,000 plant employees came out to see off the batch of released tanks. They gathered on the Labor Glory Square of Uralvagonzavod.
The press service clarified that the tradition of supporting the production of tanks by Russian artists dates back to the times of the Great Patriotic War. In Nizhny Tagil, Denis Maidanov, the group “Zemlyane” and other performers performed for factory workers.
“According to good tradition, the armored vehicles were consecrated by Bishop Feodosius of Nizhny Tagil and Nevyansk before being sent to the troops,” the company added.
As Regnum reported, earlier Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that the Russian T-90M Proryv tank is by far the best in the world.
He emphasized that he thus shared the opinion of the country's President Vladimir Putin, who on February 15, in a conversation with Uralvagonzavod workers in Nizhny Tagil, said that the T-90M Proryv tank is the best in the world without any exaggeration. The head of state explained that the tank crews of the Russian Armed Forces are talking about this, and the enemy also recognizes this fact.
#8
Doubt it is even on par with the M60. The M60 tank never tried to get into the space race by attempting to launch its turrets into orbit after a hit.
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.
