Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 21:58 Ukrzaliznytsia reported that in the Dnepropetrovsk region, two Ukrzaliznytsia employees were killed as a result of enemy shelling of civilian railway infrastructure.
21:13 The number of victims as a result of the Russian shelling of Kherson has increased to 19, said the head of the OVA Alexander Prokudin.
21:10 The number of victims as a result of the shelling of the Shevchenkovsky district of Kharkov has increased to two, a five-story building was damaged, said the head of the OVA Oleg Sinegubov.
20:47 In the Kharkov direction, the intensity of hostilities has increased, the General Staff reported. As of 19:00, the Defense Forces repelled ten attacks in the area of Slobozhanskoye, Volchansk, Staritsa and Liptsy. The situation has been partially stabilized, and the cleanup of the northwestern outskirts of Volchansk continues.
20:26 The Russians again struck the central part of Kharkov - according to preliminary data, one person was injured, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. He also clarified that as a result of today’s shelling. Malaya Danilovka, the building of the outpatient clinic for general practice of family medicine, dormitory premises and private houses were partially destroyed. Four hospital workers were injured.
20:12 Ukrenergo reported that from 19:25 to 22:00 it introduces controlled emergency shutdowns for industrial and household consumers in all regions of Ukraine. DTEK reports emergency power outages in Kyiv, Kyiv, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk and Donetsk regions. Ukrenergo warned that from 00:00 and throughout the day on May 16, planned restrictions - hourly outage schedules - will apply throughout Ukraine for household and industrial consumers.
20:04 Ukrainian drone attacks in April reduced Russian oil revenues by $1.2 billion compared to March, Bloomberg writes. April exports of oil and petroleum products from Russia fell to levels last seen at the end of 2023.
19:58 Zelensky said that he had telephone conversations with the Presidents of Georgia and Malawi, Salome Zurabishvili and Lazarus Chakwera, and the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Daniel Risch, and thanked them for confirming their participation in the Global Peace Summit.
19:50 Russia is again planning to transfer its military equipment to Belarus, reports the Community of Railway Workers of Belarus. According to railway workers, Belarus is preparing to receive trains with military equipment, personnel and ammunition from the Russian Federation. In addition, trains from the occupied Ukrainian territories may be sent to Belarus. Railway workers clarify that Belarus is trying to ensure the secrecy of these transportations.
19:46 In Dnieper, as a result of falling debris from a downed enemy missile, two people were killed and one was wounded, said the head of the OVA, Sergei Lysak. As a result of the attack, an infrastructure facility, an administrative building, an animal shelter, five- and two-story buildings, and six private houses were damaged.
19:41 The Russians shelled the front-line village of Stepnogorsk in the Vasilyevsky district of the Zaporozhye region - three people were wounded, an administrative building was destroyed, the State Emergency Service reported.
19:25 Participation in the Peace Summit in Switzerland, which will take place on June 15-16, was confirmed by 50 countries out of 160 invited, said the speaker of the Swiss Foreign Ministry Nicolas Bidot. “There are large European countries there, but we would also like to have as many countries from the Global South as possible, because we want an open discussion about all the possibilities and thoughts about peace in Ukraine. Therefore, we want to have numbers and North-South representativeness,” - he added.
Bidault also noted that Russia will not be at the meeting at this stage: “We did not invite Russia because the Russians constantly say that they are not interested. We are in the preparatory phase, we will not make peace as such, but we would really like to start process to involve Russia. Therefore, we maintain contact with them."
18:37 The defense forces managed to partially stabilize the situation in the Kharkov region ; Russians who entered the Kharkov region are “being destroyed by all means,” Zelensky said in an evening video message. “The same attention is paid to all other directions. Especially the Donetsk region - Pokrovsk direction, also the Kupyansk direction in the Kharkov region. We clearly see how the occupier is trying to pull back our forces and make our combat work less concentrated. We are reacting to this exactly as needed - for each direction we must have something to respond to the enemy,” the president emphasized.
18:26 Speaker of the Southern Defense Forces Dmitry Pletenchuk denied the statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense about the alleged capture of Rabotino, Zaporozhye region. According to him, the information “does not correspond to reality.”
18:10 The Estonian Parliament supported a bill allowing the use of frozen Russian assets in favor of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. According to him, this Estonian initiative brings Europe one step closer to creating a precedent.
17:43 The number of victims as a result of the attack on Kherson has increased to 18 people , said the head of the OVA Alexander Prokudin. Among the wounded is a 15-year-old teenager. Three Russian air bombs hit a residential area - eight high-rise buildings, five private houses, a medical facility, and two schools were damaged.
17:19 As a result of shelling in Ukraine, 25% of fixed networks were damaged, 4.3 thousand mobile communication base stations were destroyed or damaged, said the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Mikhail Fedorov. Among the risk factors affecting the telecommunications industry in Ukraine, he highlighted cyber attacks and the burden on operators due to the need to service large roaming traffic for almost 4 million Ukrainian refugees.
16:54 Australia will transfer Sentinel 830R RHIB speedboats to Ukraine - they will be included in a new aid package worth $100 million, said Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Vasily Miroshnichenko.
16:22 Czech President Petr Pavel called for stopping the war in Ukraine and starting peace negotiations: “We must be realistic. It would be naive to say that Ukraine will be able to return the occupied territories in the foreseeable future. Russia will not just give up the territories it occupies. To us we need to stop the war and then start discussing future agreements. There could be some kind of compromise, but not without the consent of Ukraine, Russia and the countries that will be the guarantors of this agreement.”
After a peaceful settlement, Pavel considers it possible to negotiate Ukraine’s accession to NATO. At the same time, he stated that the West is “too careful with supplies,” although it has the necessary weapons for Ukraine to achieve victory on the battlefield. “Ukrainians are losing their lives and their country, and they may lose in this war,” the Czech President added.
16:01 Blinken expects Zelensky and Biden will have the opportunity to meet in the coming weeks. “Among other things, we want to sign a bilateral security agreement, and we are on the verge of concluding it,” the secretary of state noted. At the same time, he added that he could not yet announce Biden’s participation in the Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 15-16, but noted that the United States is working to support this initiative. “We support the Peace Summit and we will have a strong presence there,” Blinken said.
15:55 The Russians attacked the Central District of Kherson with air force; at the moment, seven casualties are known, said the head of the OVA, Alexander Prokudin. Residential buildings and an educational institution were damaged.
15:42 Putin said that Russian military spending in 2024 will amount to about 8.7% of GDP. “And these resources need to be managed efficiently and effectively,” Putin said, explaining the appointment of Belousov as the new defense minister. He thanked Shoigu “for his work in building the Armed Forces.” At the same time, Putin noted that there are no changes in the General Staff of the Russian Federation and are not planned. “The more effectively the army operates, the sooner the conflict in Ukraine can be resolved peacefully,” Putin added.
15:08 Blinken once again stated that the United States does not encourage Ukraine to strike on Russian territory: “The United States is committed to the cause of Ukraine and committed to ensuring Ukraine’s victory in this war... But we do not encourage or facilitate Ukraine’s strikes on Russia. Ukraine decides for itself how to conduct its war, because it is a defensive war."
14:57 The defense forces repelled the offensive actions of the Russians in the Volchansk area and partially drove them out of the village, the General Staff reported. Defensive actions continue in the northern and northwestern environs. In the Kharkov direction, the Russian army is also trying to attack in the direction of Liptsy; as of 13:30, three military clashes were recorded.
14:46 In Nikolaev, the number of victims as a result of Russian strikes has increased to five, said the head of the OVA Vitaly Kim.
14:38 The Russians attacked the Dnieper - the infrastructure was damaged, according to preliminary information, two people were killed. There are also wounded, their number is being clarified, said the head of the OVA, Sergei Lysak.
14:33 The US will provide $2 billion, including to finance the production and purchase of weapons in Ukraine , Blinken said: “We will provide an additional $2 billion in foreign military funding for Ukraine. And we have combined this into a first-of-its-kind defense enterprise fund , which has three components. The first direction will be assistance with the acquisition of what Ukraine needs, the second - investment in the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, so that this industry is strengthened and Ukraine can produce more weapons for itself and for others, the third - financing. purchasing weapons not only from the United States, but also from other partners."
Blinken also noted that the United States is focused on finding Patriot and other air defense systems for Ukraine. In addition, the Secretary of State noted that Ukraine itself must decide to begin negotiations with Russia, and Washington will support Kyiv in any case.
14:27 The Russians fired artillery at the civilian infrastructure of the Esman community of the Shostkinsky district of the Sumy region - one person was killed, at least four private houses were damaged, the prosecutor's office reported.
13:59 Russian infantry groups have entered Volchansk, Kharkov region, and are trying to gain a foothold in the northern part of the city, said Defense Ministry spokesman Dmitry Lazutkin: “If we talk about the situation in Volchansk, the enemy is trying to gain a foothold in the northern part of the city, trying to enter in small infantry groups. Our task is - destroy the enemy, do not allow him to gain more strength and gain a foothold."
According to him, the Ukrainian military, thanks to FPV drones and artillery, works effectively against the Russians, in particular when the enemy brings up infantry with equipment. “Reserves have been brought up. Indeed, very effective combat-ready units are now holding this direction near Volchansk. But yes, some infantry groups have actually entered the city,” Lazutkin added.
13:18 Zelensky instructed to postpone all international events with his participation planned for the coming days and work out new dates, the Presidential Office reported. The President also held a daily conference call on the situation in the Kharkov region and the provision of the Defense Forces. The head of state heard a report from Chief of the General Staff Anatoly Bargilevich. The commanders of the State Border Guard Service, the NSU and the commander-in-chief Alexander Syrsky are working on site. Additional forces are being deployed, there are reserves. Intelligence - GUR and SVR - see all the probable moves of the enemy.
13:00 The Russians launched two strikes on Nikolaev, currently three casualties are known, said the head of the OVA Vitaly Kim.
12:52 The Russian Army dropped KABs on the village of Malaya Danilovka in the Kharkov region, four people were wounded, the prosecutor’s office reported. Another person was injured as a result of the shelling of Kupyansk.
12:46 In the Kharkov direction, the Russian army has not carried out active operations since the beginning of the day, it is trying to gain a foothold on the achieved line, and is regrouping, the General Staff reported. Ukrainian units carry out strikes in order to prevent the enemy from accumulating forces and means in the northern part of Volchansk. In addition, the Defense Forces continue to comb urban areas.
In the Kramatorsk direction, units of the Defense Forces are taking measures to improve the tactical situation in individual areas. In the Pokrovsky direction, the Defense Forces have improved the tactical situation in one sector and are regrouping in another.
12:08 The situation in Volchansk is very difficult, the enemy is taking up positions on the streets of the city, said the head of the Volchansk patrol police, Alexey Kharkovsky. According to him, law enforcement officers are now in Volchansk, evacuating the population.
11:35 With an increase in electricity consumption in the evening hours of maximum consumption from 18:00 to 23:00, Ukrenergo predicts the introduction of emergency shutdowns for household and industrial consumers. Also today, from 00:00 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 24:00, power limitation schedules will apply to industrial consumers.
10:43 The State Special Communications Service warned that Russian hackers have increased the number of cyber attacks on mobile phones of Ukrainian military personnel. They distribute malicious software through Signal and Telegram messengers, use decoy files, etc.
10:28 In Balashikha near Moscow on the evening of May 14, a fire occurred at an electrical substation of an FSB military unit and a military equipment production plant. The local administration said that the cause of the fire was a “short circuit,” but the media write that the cause could have been arson. As the opposition Russian publication Astra reports, the fire occurred at a substation of the Progress plant. On the territory of the same plant there is military unit 35533 of the FSB of the Russian Federation. The center is engaged in the development, production and testing of electronic media of various programs for the military complex of the Russian Federation.
09:51 Putin said in an interview with the Chinese Xinhua agency that the diplomatic process on Ukraine could be based on the Chinese peace plan, which provides for the start of negotiations on the current front line. At the same time, negotiations should include “a serious conversation about security guarantees for Russia and the opposing side.” Putin called the main problem of the negotiations “the reliability of guarantees” from the West.
According to the Russian President, Ukraine and the West do not want to discuss the Chinese plan: “Unfortunately, these initiatives do not find support either in Ukraine or its Western patrons. They are not ready for an equal, honest and open dialogue.” Russia, according to Putin, has “never refused” negotiations.
09:24 In the Kherson region over the past 24 hours, as a result of Russian shelling, one person was killed and one was wounded, said the head of the OVA, Alexander Prokudin. The Russians shelled Kherson, Antonovka, Mikhailovka, Novoaleksandrovka, residential buildings were damaged.
09:03 During the day on May 14, the Russians fired at Kharkov six times from different types of weapons, three districts of the city were damaged. In total, 22 people were injured in Kharkov within 24 hours; private and apartment buildings and an educational institution were damaged, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. In Volchansk, one person was killed and two were injured.
08:57 Zelensky canceled his visits to Spain and Portugal due to the Russian offensive in the Kharkov region, writes the Spanish agency EFE, citing sources. The media notes that Zelensky was going to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid to sign a security agreement, but now this signing has been postponed.
08:48 The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russian troops are demonstrating tactical advances in the Kharkov direction; near Svatovo, Lugansk region; near Seversk, east of Chasov Yar, near Avdeevka and Donetsk, Donetsk region; in Krynki, Kherson region. At the same time, analysts note that the pace of the Russian offensive in the north of the Kharkov region has slowed over the past 24 hours. ISW believes that the Russian Federation plans to combine the bridgeheads in Liptsy and Volchansk and create a border “buffer zone.” Meanwhile, DeepState analysts reported that the enemy had advanced near Volchansk.
08:26 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of May 15:
personnel - about 486,940 (+1510) people,
tanks - 7510 (+14),
armored combat vehicles - 14,508 (+48),
artillery systems - 12,538 (+23),
MLRS - 1070 (+0),
air defense systems - 798 (+0),
aircraft - 351 (+0),
helicopters - 325 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 10 015 (+30),
cruise missiles - 2199 (+2),
ships/boats - 26 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 16,955 (+48),
special equipment - 2061 (+7).
08:09 The United States is considering transferring another Patriot battery to Kiev, Bloomberg writes, citing sources.
07:40 Ukrenergo reported that today from 6:40 to 9:00 it applied controlled emergency shutdowns for industrial and household consumers in all regions of Ukraine. The reason is an increase in electricity shortages due to increased consumption due to cold weather amid the consequences of Russian shelling. Also today, from 00:00 to 24:00, power limitation schedules will apply to industrial consumers.
07:23 The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that air defense systems allegedly destroyed ten ATACMS missiles over Crimea overnight. At the same time, local public pages write about a fire in the Belbek airfield area. Also at night, a fuel depot in the Rostov region was attacked by drones. Governor Vasily Golubev said that as a result of an attack by two UAVs, two explosions occurred at a fuel depot in the Proletarsky district; this did not cause a fuel fire, and there were no casualties.
03:54 A group of Ukrainian people's deputies arrived in Washington to try to get permission to strike with American weapons on Russian territory, Politico writes. People's deputies emphasize that Ukraine saw the Russian group, which was located several kilometers from the border with the Kharkov region, but could not do anything with it due to the ban on the use of Western weapons.
However, American officials interviewed by journalists note that Biden’s position on this issue has not changed. According to one of them, the aid is intended for defense, not offensive operations in Russia.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] The situation in the Khar'kov region is getting worse.
President Zelensky says that during the day the Ukrainian military managed to “partially stabilize” the situation in the Khar'kov region, where Russian troops have intensified their offensive.
In the Khar'kov region, fighting continues near the border with Russia. The Russian army has entered the city of Volchansk, 4 km from the border, and is trying to advance in another direction - towards the village of Liptsy. President Vladimir Zelensky canceled planned visits to Portugal and Spain due to the difficult situation at the front
INTENSIFYING THE OFFENSIVE
As a result of the attack on the Khar'kov region, which began on May 10 from the Belgorod region, Russian troops managed to occupy a dozen border villages. Russian troops entered the territory of Volchansk from the north and are bypassing the city from the east, wrote military expert for the German publication Bild Julian Röpke. According to him, near Volchansk Russia captured the villages of Pletenevka, Ogurtsovo, Gatishche and Bugrovatka, and at the same time was advancing on Liptsy, but was storming only with infantry.
The police said that Russian occupiers are occupying positions in Volchansk.
“We are evacuating people, helping everyone. The situation in Volchansk is extremely difficult. The enemy takes up positions on the city streets. So people, please evacuate. We help everyone,” said Alexey Kharkovsky, chief patrolman of the Volchansky police department.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that Ukrainian forces managed to partially oust Russian troops from Volchansk. Later, the General Staff added that Russian troops are trying to push out Ukrainian units in the Volchansk area. The defense forces are fighting back.
“Khar'kov region - areas near the border, the city of Volchansk - our protective actions continue. During this day, our Ukrainian Defense and Security Forces - all units involved - managed to partially stabilize the situation. The occupier who entered the Khar'kov region is destroyed by all means. Artillery, drones, our infantry work quite accurately,” President Zelensky said.
SERIOUS THREAT
During the first five days of the offensive, Russia managed to create two separate bridgeheads on Ukrainian territory and advance five to seven kilometers deep into the country. These modest successes reflect the relatively small number of Russian troops involved in the initial invasion. However, according to analysts, the situation may change in the coming days as the Russians deploy more forces in this direction.
The New York Times writes that there is a growing feeling within the Biden administration that the next few months could be critical.
WHY DID YOU GET IN SO EASILY?
A new Russian attack on the Khar'kov region had long been expected, but the apparent ease with which Russian troops were able to penetrate the Ukrainian border has sparked widespread public concern and accusations of security lapses.
It’s just that these disputes overlook the fact that fortifications are usually located about 15-20 kilometers behind the forward positions.
The statements of the commander of the Ukrainian reconnaissance company fighting in this direction, Denis Yaroslavsky, received great resonance, who said that the first line of defense near Volchansk allegedly “simply did not exist” and the Russians “went in on foot.”
In early April, amid rumors about the threat of an attack on the Khar'kov region, President Vladimir Zelensky visited the region. Together with the head of the Khar'kov regional military administration, Oleg Sinegubov, he inspected the defensive lines.
“We must be prepared. And the Russians must see that we are ready to defend ourselves. And so that our people understand that Ukraine is prepared if the enemy tries to attack,” Zelensky emphasized then.
Chairman of the Khar'kov Regional State Administration Oleg Sinegubov calls statements about inadequate preparation of defensive structures in the region an enemy information campaign.
“Since last week, various messages have been circulated: either about the lack of power in the region, then about the capture of Volchansk, then about the alleged repair of roads to Volchansk for almost 400 million UAH, then about the lack of fortifications, and so on. All these materials were published at approximately the same time, with the same headlines,” says Sinegubov.
He noted that this is an IPSO whose goal is to discredit the military, the Ukrainian government and spread hostility among citizens.
In the Khar'kov direction, the intensity of hostilities has increased.
The situation has been partially stabilized, and the cleanup of the northwestern outskirts of Volchansk continues.
In the Khar'kov direction, the intensity of hostilities increased. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already repulsed ten enemy attacks in the area of Slobozhanskoye, Volchansk, Staritsa and Liptsy. The General Staff reported this on May 15.
It is noted that the situation has been partially stabilized, and the cleanup of the northwestern outskirts of Volchansk is underway.
According to the General Staff, since the beginning of the day, Russian troops have lost about 60 of their troops and 19 units of weapons and equipment in the Khar'kov direction. On this section of the front, the Defense Forces also hit 11 enemy shelters.
The occupiers continue to attack almost along the entire front line. The main efforts are concentrated on the Pokrovsky and Kupyansky directions.
In the Kupyansk direction, 28 military clashes took place, including in the areas of Stelmakhovka, Sinkovka, Ivanovka and Tverdokhlebovoy. The data on the losses of the Russian invaders is being clarified.
In the Liman direction, Russian troops twice tried unsuccessfully to improve the tactical situation at Novosadovoy and Torsky. The Russians carried out three air strikes in the Liman area.
In the Seversky direction, the enemy made seven attacks in the directions Nikolaevka - Spornoye, Berestovo - Spornoe, Yakovlevka - Rozdolovka, Soledar - Razdolevka and Zolotarovka - Verkhnekamenskoye.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops attacked the positions of the Defense Forces nine times.
In the Pokrovsky direction, the Russians are not slowing down the intensity of their attacks. In total, they attacked there 31 times that day, most of all in the Novoaleksandrovka and Netaylovy areas. The defense forces are doing everything possible to prevent the enemy from advancing.
In the Kurakhovsky direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled seven enemy attacks.
In the Vremiv direction, the Russian army tried to push back the units of the Defense Forces in the Urozhainy area. As a result, the enemy suffered losses and retreated.
In the Orekhovsky direction, the occupiers continue to put pressure near Staromayorsky, they tried to storm 22 times. The Russians carried out an air strike in the Rabotino area. Ukrainian defenders hold defensive lines and positions.
In the Dnieper direction, the enemy attacked units of the Defense Forces near Krinok five times, but had no success.
In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly.
Over the course of 24 hours, units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' missile forces carried out strikes on 13 areas where Russian army personnel were concentrated, its command post and ammunition depot, as well as other important Russian targets.
The Defense Forces' aviation, for its part, carried out two strikes on enemy anti-aircraft missile systems. Concentrations of Russian troops also hit 22 areas.
Let us recall that on May 10, the Russians launched an offensive in the north of the Khar'kov region. They captured about a dozen villages in the “gray zone.”
Intense fighting continues in the area of Slobozhansk, Vovchansk, Staritsa and Lyptsi.
by Ivanna Kapustyanska
The enemy continues to attack along almost the entire front line. In the future, the main efforts will be concentrated on the Pokrovsky and Kupyansk directions.
This is stated in the summary of the General Staff.
The defense forces respond flexibly to the actions of the occupiers and take the necessary measures to exhaust the offensive potential of the Russian troops.
In the Khar'kov direction, the intensity of hostilities increased. As of now, our soldiers have already repelled 10 attacks in the area of Slobozhansk, Vovchansk, Staritsa and Liptsiv. The situation has been partially stabilized, the north-western outskirts of Vovchansk are being cleaned up.
Since the beginning of the day, the invaders have lost about 60 people and 19 units of weapons and military equipment. 11 enemy shelters were also damaged.
There were 28 combat clashes in the Kupian direction, in particular in the districts of Stelmakhivka, Synkivka, Ivanivka, and Tverdokhlibovo. The data on the losses of the aggressor are being clarified.
In the Lyman direction, the occupiers tried twice unsuccessfully to improve the tactical position near Novosadovo and Torsky. 3 airstrikes were carried out in the Liman area.
In the Siverskyi direction, Russian troops carried out 7 attacks in the Mykolaivka - Spirne, Berestovka - Spirne, Yakovlivka - Rozdolivka, Soledar - Rozdolivka, Zolotarivka - Verkhnyokamianske directions.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy attacked our positions 9 times.
In the Pokrovsky direction, the enemy does not reduce the intensity of attacks. In total, 31 attacks by occupiers took place here today. Most of them - in the districts of Novooleksandrivka and Netailovo. Ukrainian defenders are doing everything possible to prevent the advance of the enemy.
In the Kurakhiv direction, the Defense Forces successfully repelled 7 enemy attacks.
In the Vremivsk direction, the enemy tried to push our defenders in the area of Urozhany. Suffered losses and withdrew.
In the Orihiv direction, the enemy continues to press near Staromayorsky, having made 22 assault attempts. Conducted an airstrike in the Robotyno area. Ukrainian soldiers hold defensive lines and positions.
In the Dnieper direction, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian defenders near Krynyk 5 times, without success.
In other areas, the situation has not undergone significant changes.
During the day, units of the missile forces of the Defense Forces struck the control post, the ammunition warehouse, 13 personnel concentration areas and other important enemy objects.
Our aviation made 2 strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems and 22 areas of concentration of personnel of the occupiers.
Ukrainian defenders continue to courageously restrain the enemy and inflict maximum losses on him.
Article Linked To Is Available Only Via VPN
[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
As a result of active actions, the units of the Sever Group of Forces liberated Glubokoye and Lukyantsy (Khar'kov region), as well as advanced into the depths of the enemy defence.
Russian troops have hit 14th, 23rd Mechanised, 143rd Infantry brigades of the AFU and the 113rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Zhuravka, Granov, Liptsy, and Volchansk (Kharmkov region).
Russian servicemen have repelled three counterattacks close to Glubokoye and Staritsa (Khar'kov region).
The AFU losses were up to 125 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one 300mm Ol'kha MLRS combat vehicles, one 122mm Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicle, two 122mm D-30 howitzers, and one 100mm Rapira anti-tank gun.
The units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line. The servicemen have also defeated 14th, 44th Mechanised, 68th Jaeger brigades of the AFU near Petropavlovka (Khar'kov region), Stelmakhovka, and Nadiya (Lugansk People's Republic).
Ten counterattacks of AFU 21st Mechanised, 3rd Assault brigades, and the 1st National Guard Brigade have been repelled close to Makeyevka and Novoyegorovka (Lugansk People's Republic).
The AFU losses were up to 190 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one 122mm BM-21 Grad MLRS combat vehicle, one 155mm U.S.-made M198 howitzer, one 152mm D-20 howitzer, three 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one 105mm U.S.-made M119 gun.
The units of the Yug Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines and inflicted fire defeat on manpower and hardware of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigades, 59th Motorised infantry, 79th Air Assault, 22nd, 33rd, 54th, 57th Mechanised brigades of the AFU near Kalinina, Razdolovka, Kleshcheyevka, Nevelskoye, Krasnogorovka, Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic).
The AFU losses were more than 510 Ukrainian troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, one 155mm M777 howitzer, one 155mm U.S.-made M198 howitzer, one 155mm UK-made FN-70 towed howitzer, one 152mm Giatsint-S gun, two 152mm D-20 howitzers, two 122mm D-30 howitzers, one 105mm UK-made L-119 gun, as well as one Kasta radar station.
Three AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed.
The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and inflicted fire defeat on 68th Jaeger, 24th, 100th Mechanised brigades of the AFU, the 2nd National Guard Brigade close to Novgorodskoye, Mayorsk, Semyonovka, and Umanskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The servicemen have repelled six counterattacks close to Solovyovo, Ocheretino, Netailovo, and Keramik (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy losses amounted up to 175 Ukrainian troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, including one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, one 155mm U.S.-made M777 howitzer, one 122mm D-30 howitzer, one 105mm M119, and one 105mm U.S.-made M102 howitzer.
The units of the Vostok Group of Forces have captured more advantageous lines, inflicted fire defeat on manpower and hardware of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU, the 128th Territorial Defence Brigades near Staromayorskoye, Urozhaynoye, and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses were up to 140 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 howitzer, and one 152mm Msta-B howitzer.
The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have fully liberated Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) and hit manpower and hardware of the 65th Mechanised Brigade, the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade, the 23rd Ukrainian National Guard Brigade close to Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region), Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region), and Zolotaya Balka (Kherson region).
The AFU losses were up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one 155mm U.S.-made M777 howitzer.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 135 areas during the day.
Air defence facilities have shot down one Ukrainian Air Force's MiG-29 aircraft, 40 unmanned aerial vehicles, four U.S.-made HARM missiles, 12 U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical and Tochka-U missiles, as well as 45 U.S.-made HIMARS, Uragan, and Olkha projectiles.
In total, 597 airplanes and 274 helicopters, 24,086 unmanned aerial vehicles, 521 air defence missile systems, 16,035 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,299 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 9,595 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 21,728 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 23:57 Official summary of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC from 00:00 05/15/2024 to 00:00 05/16/2024.
Nine facts of armed attacks by the UFU were recorded by the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC over the past 24 hours.
There were no reports of civilian casualties
DAMAGED:
A total of 13 residential buildings
Two civil infrastructure facilities
Eight artillery attacks in the Donetsk direction.
One artillery attack in the Gorlovka direction.
A total of 22 units of various ammunition were fired.
21:03 One person was injured as a result of an attack by the Armed Forces of the Kursk Region - Acting Governor of the Kursk Region Alexey Smirnov
According to him, today the Ukrainian Armed Forces dropped an explosive device from a drone in the Glushkovsky district. The device fell directly on workers who were at that time restoring houses in the village. One of the construction workers was injured and was taken to hospital.
19:49 Artillerymen using aerial reconnaissance equipment destroy enemy equipment, clearing the way for the upcoming assault on the village. Chasov Yar.
18:54 “X-leaders” of the “North” group destroyed MLRS based on HMMWV which prevented our guys from working in Volchansk.
18:30 After arrival, a powerful fire continues to flare up in Nikolaev, it has not yet been extinguished.
17:50 Crews of special-power mortars "Tulip" of the "Vostok" group of troops destroyed fortified positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of ??the village of Staromayorskoye in the South Donetsk direction.
17:10 There is a massive artillery attack of Kamenka-Dneprovskaya Zaporozhye region from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, there are casualties, Balitsky said.
16:40 Pushilin announced plans to liberate Krasnoarmeysk, Druzhkovka, Konstantinovka, Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.
16:20 The liberation of Glubokoye in the Khar'kov region will allow the Russian Armed Forces to launch artillery strikes on the military infrastructure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces located in Khar'kov. This was reported by military expert Andrei Marochko.
15:57 Ukrainian Armed Forces hit at the regional cancer center in Donetsk, at least two people were injured. Ukrainian militants fired 2 missiles, presumably from the HIMARS MLRS - they left huge craters in the ground.
15:25 Ukrainian Telegram channels report powerful explosions on the outskirts of Khar'kov.
14:55 Russian military inflicted strikes on a number of Ukrainian Armed Forces facilities in Nikolaev. A fuel and lubricants warehouse, a workshop for the production of missile parts, and an armored vehicle parking lot were hit. About 40 Ukrainian wounded were taken to a former sanatorium in Dubki, said underground coordinator Sergei Lebedev.
14:40 The Russian army occupied the center of Staromayorsky on the Zaporozhye front, said the head of the Zaporozhye public movement “We are together with Russia” Vladimir Rogov.
13:47 Ukrainian troops, against the backdrop of the successes of the Russian army in the Khar'kov region, are transferring reserves to the region from other directions, said the head of the military administration of the region, Vitaly Ganchev.
13:35 A new explosion occurred in Khar'kov in eastern Ukraine, reported the Ukrainian Channel 24.
13:20 The main thing from the new briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense:
The North group liberated the settlements of Glubokoe and Lukyantsy in the Khar'kov region;
Units of the Dnepr group of troops completely liberated the village of Rabotino, Zaporozhye region;
Military personnel of the “North” group defeated the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of Zhuravka, Granov, Liptsov and Volchansk, Khar'kov region;
The Ukrainian radar station “Casta” was hit for the first time;
In one day, Russian air defense shot down a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, 40 drones, 12 ATACMS and Tochka-U operational-tactical missiles, 45 HIMARS, Hurricane and Alder rounds;
The southern group of troops occupied more advantageous positions, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 510 military personnel in its area of responsibility;
The “West” group of troops repelled 10 enemy counterattacks, the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in its zone amounted to up to 190 military personnel per day;
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 175 military personnel and Marder infantry fighting vehicles in the area of ??responsibility of the Russian group “Center” per day;
The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to the actions of the “North” group per day amounted to three tanks, the MLRS “Alder”, Vampire and up to 125 military personnel;
The Russian Armed Forces group “Vostok” occupied more advantageous positions, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 140 people.
12:49 The Vostok group is pushing the enemy: our army, after the liberation of Novomikhailovka, is advancing in the direction of Konstantinovka -video.
12:44 An Ukrainian Armed Forces plane was shot down near the Korotych airfield, reported the Khar'kov Direction Telegram channel
12:35 Artillerymen of the Southern Group of Forces destroyed the British L119 gun during a counter-battery fight -video.
12:29 The work of our defenders from the Khar'kov direction. The video shows the defeat of dugouts with enemy personnel, as well as military personnel and the M-777 howitzer from which Ukrainian militants fired at the Belgorod region.
12:12 Destruction of American M113: “arriving” straight into the tower. American technology was unable to withstand Russian pressure.
12:04 Two explosions were heard in Nikolaev - an industrial facility was hit, local Gauleiters confirm. Onframes- a column of smoke rising in the sky above the city.
11:44 Two powerful “arrivals” are reported in Nikolaev. Rockets continue to fly in this direction.
11:35 As a result of active actions of the unit of the “Southern” group of forces improved position along the front line, defeated the manpower and equipment of the 10th mountain assault, 79, 80 air assault, 81 airmobile, 92 assault, 54, 67, 72 Mechanized brigades, 116, 119 Territorial Defense brigades in the areas of Belogorovka, Georgievka, Kleshcheevka, Razdolovka, Novomikhailovka, Paraskovievka and Krasnoye.
The enemy in the Donetsk direction lost more than 520 military personnel wounded and killed. Artillery and loitering ammunition hit four vehicles, the Bukovel electronic warfare station, the AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station and three field ammunition depots. During the counter-battery fight, a 152mm D-20 howitzer and two 122mm D-30 howitzers were destroyed.
11:15 UAV operators of a separate special forces company of the 35th Army worked out according to the Strela-10 air defense system of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Zaporozhye direction
10:42 During the counterbattery fight, artillerymen of the Vostok group of troops in the area of the settlement Okhotnich'e identified the position of the towed howitzer FH-70 (such were transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by Italy and Estonia). Then the Lancet loitering ammunition came into play.
09:57 Working with an FPV drone against a mortar on an enemy stronghold -video.
09:25 Ukrainian Telegram channels report numerous launches of satellites in the Khar'kov region
09:10 A group of Ukrainian troops in the east of Chasov Yar found themselves in an operational environment, the TASS agency reported, citing the DPR security forces.
“In the east of Chasovoy Yar, the enemy group found itself in an operational encirclement. This entire territory is under complete fire control,” the security forces said.
They clarified that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are suffering heavy losses in this section of the front.
08:20 Destruction of x-leaders of the “Viking Detachment” - “Shooting Bush” (American howitzer M198) in the Orekhovsky direction. Together with the howitzer, the ammunition compartment and the crew of 4 people of this howitzer were destroyed.
08:17 Mortar crews of the Airborne Forces "covered» UAV control center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Reconnaissance using the Zala unmanned aerial vehicle discovered the Ukrainian Armed Forces' drone control center. With rapid fire and adjustments, the mortarmen struck and destroyed this point along with the crew.
08:15 Summary as of May 15 from military correspondent Evgeny Lisitsyn
Khar'kov direction: Ukrainian troops are retreating from Volchansk under pressure from Russian forces, despite received reinforcements.
Artyomovsk direction: fighting continues in the vicinity of Chasov Yar, as well as counter-fighting in the Kalinovka-Bogdanovka section;
Avdeevsky direction: Russian troops have resumed their offensive west of Ocheretino and are advancing in landings south of Umansky;
Donetsk direction: fighting continues in Netaylovo and Krasnogorovka. Ukrainian forces were driven out of positions north of the Domakha gully.
08:14 Russian Su-25 inflicted strike on the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the zone of responsibility of the Center group of troops, special equipment and enemy personnel were destroyed, the Ministry of Defense said.
08:12 Russian FSB Directorate for the DPR during operational combat activities in Avdievka discovered several mined caches left behind by Ukrainian troops during their retreat.
A total of 33 kg of TNT, 222 hand grenades, 25 mines of various types and 22,100 rounds of ammunition were discovered.
08:07 Calculation of "Bassoon "tore off delivery of ammunition to enemy positions. Bassoon is the Russian name for the AT-4 ATGM rocket launcher.
The crew of the Fagot anti-tank missile system of the motorized rifle brigade of the 1st Guards Tank Army of the West group of forces destroyed several units of Ukrainian Armed Forces' vehicles, which were transporting ammunition to enemy positions. The military personnel worked at a distance of over 3 km.
08:02 Army aviation of the 11th Air Force and Air Defense Army applied pitching strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment in the Urozhainy area.
08:00 220mm BM=27 MLRS "Hurricane" of the Dnepr group of troopshiton strong points, military equipment and personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the right bank of the Dnieper, the Ministry of Defense reported.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Artmey Sharapov
[REGNUM] Russian troops are developing success in the Kharkov direction. The offensive, which began on May 11, continues on several sectors of the front.
One of the advancing military groups operates in the Glubokoe-Lukyantsy area northeast of Kharkov, the other in the direction of the city of Volchansk. Here the enemy, on the one hand, seeks to establish a defense by transferring fresh units to the front, and on the other, rolls back from the state border between Ukraine and Russia and tries to stabilize the front.
On Wednesday, May 15, units of the Russian group of troops “North” liberated the settlements of Glubokoe and Lukyantsy in the Kharkov region and advanced into the depths of the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A day earlier, the settlement of Bugrovatka was liberated, and even earlier - Gatishche, Krasnoye, Morokhovets and Oleynikovo.
The head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, against the backdrop of the advance of Russian troops in the Kharkov region, ordered the postponement of all international visits. Earlier, he called the situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kharkov region, especially in Volchansk, bordering Russia, extremely difficult.
In turn, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Kiev, said that Washington is discussing with the Ukrainian authorities the issue of deploying Patriot systems in Kharkov. And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that Kiev needs seven Patriot batteries.
On May 15, the head of the military-civil administration of the Kharkov region, Vitaly Ganchev, said that the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Svatovsko-Kupyansk direction began to crumble, and the command of the Ukrainian army was forced to pull up units from other directions.
BATTLES FOR VOLCHANSK
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are indeed retreating in the Kharkov region, but one should not think that the Ukrainian command was not ready for combat operations in the region and did not create defensive lines here. It is noteworthy that Ukrainian sources write a lot about this, creating a false picture of reality.
In reality, the situation is different, a source in the Russian Armed Forces, currently located in the Kharkov region, told IA Regnum.
“There are defensive lines. Not as powerful as they said in Kyiv, but they exist. Some of our units have already encountered them, others are yet to do so. The enemy does not flee, but plans to fight. If not here, then a couple of kilometers deep,” the publication’s interlocutor said.
At the same time, in Ukraine, as already noted, panic and statements are spreading that defense in the region was never created, and the money allocated for it was simply stolen. This would seem to be supported by the fact of the rapid advance of Russian troops deep into Ukrainian territory.
But in fact, the Ukrainian command did not plan to fight directly at the state border. Any construction, and especially military-engineering equipment, that would be used in this area would immediately become a target for Russian artillery or drones. Therefore, we can assume that the lines covering Kharkov are located at some distance from the border.
In the meantime, Russian troops have advanced towards the village of Staritsa (east of Volchansk) and into residential areas in the city itself. It is reported that fighting is taking place in the area of a meat processing plant and an abandoned small aircraft airfield.
On the Ukrainian side, the defense in the Volchansk direction is held by formations of the 66th and 77th brigades, formed after the start of the Northern Military District. The 3rd Assault Brigade and units of the notorious neo-Nazi formation “Kraken” (an extremist organization whose activities are banned in the Russian Federation) were deployed to help them.
According to unconfirmed reports, the defense of Volchansk was entrusted to the transferred units, but difficulties arose in completing the task. According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, due to high losses, one of the formations operating in this area was withdrawn from the front. However, some forces continue to hold the line in the central areas of the city.
“One of the difficulties is high-rise buildings in the city center. There are observation posts, sniper posts, and artillery spotters. They don’t let me get closer,” a source told IA Regnum.
But these are temporary difficulties, he explains. In fact, snipers and artillery cover formations leaving the border zone to the south. At the same time, units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, even having suffered heavy losses, do not lose coherence and combat readiness. Therefore, there is no need to say that the enemy has been defeated and there is a direct road to Kharkov ahead.
GET EVEN WITH THE MILITANTS
The final goal of the offensive is known only to the command of the Russian army, but it can be assumed that the troops advancing in the area of Volchansk and Lukyantsev should unite.
In the future, the “thin red line” of territory under the control of the Russian army should move west - towards Kupyansk, and east - through Cossack Lopan up to the point where the borders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus meet.
Once the border along its entire length is taken under control, it will be possible to think about moving “deeper.” At the same time, in the Kharkov region, troops will have to advance in already familiar places.
“It’s a big incentive for many that we can get even properly and recoup. We remember how the Kraken militants committed atrocities in the borderlands, so seeing them in battle is a burning desire for many,” a source told IA Regnum.
The question remains how Russian troops will act next. Perhaps they will remain on new frontiers, depriving the Ukrainian Armed Forces of the opportunity to send sabotage groups into the territory of the Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions.
At the same time, the liberation of the border territories also leaves the possibility of a further attack on Kharkov. But the Kharkov urban agglomeration, together with the adjacent settlements, is one of the largest in Ukraine; its encirclement or assault will require the involvement of significantly greater forces and resources.
At the same time, Ukrainian sources say that the operation of the Russian army in the coming days may spread to the state border in the Sumy and Poltava regions. And local authorities even began evacuating the population from the border area.
In turn, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine states that to repel the offensive, reserves were transferred to the Kharkov region, which were prepared in winter and spring. But as new breakthroughs occur on the front line, the reserves will be depleted, and then it will be necessary to either withdraw forces from the Donetsk front or put up with a new configuration of the state border.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Russian troops repelled a massive attack on Sevastopol, said the city's governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev.
“Our military repelled a massive attack on Sevastopol,” he wrote in his Telegram channel.
The mayor noted that debris from a downed rocket fell in the private sector in the area of Fedorovskaya Street. According to him, information about the victims is being clarified.
In addition, Razvozhaev warned that after the fall of the debris, parts that did not detonate may be discovered. He added that experts are trying to establish the type of missiles destroyed.
As Regnum reported, on the night of May 15, Razvozhaev wrote that Russian air defense systems were working to destroy air targets in Sevastopol. Afterwards he informed that several missiles had been shot down in the waters near the city and in the area of the Belbek airfield.
He also noted that due to falling fragments, a fire started in the area of the village of Polyushko, which was extinguished.
The Russian military, according to preliminary data, destroyed several missiles over the waters near Sevastopol and in the area of the Belbek airfield, the mayor of the city, Mikhail Razvozhaev, said on May 15.
Earlier, he informed that an air defense system (air defense) was activated in the village to repel an attack from air targets.
“According to preliminary information, air defense forces have already shot down several missiles over the water area and in the area of the Belbek airfield, ” the governor wrote in his Telegram channel.
Razvozhaev also noted that a fire started in the area of the village of Polyushko due to falling fragments. The fire was extinguished. The mayor stressed that no damage to civilian infrastructure was detected.
He also called on the population not to record air defense work on video and not to distribute such videos.
As Regnum reported, on the evening of May 13, two anti-radar missiles, six guided bombs and one drone were shot down over the territory of the Belgorod region.
On the night of May 14, the Russian military destroyed several air targets that were directed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces towards Belgorod. Due to the actions of Ukrainian troops, a woman was injured and received a shrapnel wound to the spine with damage to the spinal cord. She was hospitalized.
On the afternoon of May 14, the Russian Ministry of Defense informed about a drone of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that was shot down in Belgorod.
I guess that means that Surovikin is still in Putin's dog house.
[Regnum] There are no changes in the structure of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and are not planned. President Vladimir Putin announced this on May 15at a meeting with the commanders of military districts.
“As for the General Staff itself and the entire structure that ensures combat work, there are no changes here and are not planned. I want this to be clear to everyone,” the head of state emphasized.
He added that the block of combat work that has developed is functioning rhythmically and is operating successfully.
As Regnum reported, on May 12, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced that Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov will continue to hold his post. According to him, no changes are envisaged in relation to Gerasimov.
On May 12, Putin, by decree, dismissed Sergei Shoigu from the post of acting Minister of Defense and appointed him to the post of Secretary of the Security Council.
The president proposed appointing Andrei Belousov, the former first deputy prime minister, as defense minister. The head of state signed the decree on his appointment on May 14.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Colonel General Alexander Lapin headed the Leningrad Military District, Colonel General Sergei Kuzovlev - the Moscow Military District. The positions are given in the list of participants in the meeting with President Vladimir Putin, published on May 15 on the Kremlin website.
Lapin previously served as first deputy chief of staff of the Ground Forces.
Kuzovlev previously headed the Southern Military District.
As Regnum reported, on February 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the re-establishment of the Moscow and Leningrad military districts. The Leningrad Okrug included the Republic of Karelia, the Komi Republic, Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod and Pskov regions, the city of St. Petersburg, as well as the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kostroma, Kursk, Lipetsk, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Oryol, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tambov, Tver, Tula and Yaroslavl regions, as well as Moscow became part of the Moscow Military District.
In December 2022, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that due to the expansion of NATO in Russia, it is necessary to create new strategic territorial associations of the Russian Armed Forces - the Moscow and Leningrad military districts.
On March 1, 2024, Shoigu announced at a meeting of the department’s board that the Moscow and Leningrad military districts had begun to carry out tasks.
As part of a criminal case initiated against the head of the main personnel department of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, law enforcement officers conducted searches at several addresses at once. The Izvestia newspaper reported this on May 15
Searches in the case of the chief personnel officer of the Moscow Region Kuznetsov were carried out in Moscow and Kuban
Law enforcement agencies clarified that the searches were carried out over several days. Investigative activities took place both in Moscow and in the Krasnodar region.
The Investigative Committee previously reported that during searches at the places of actual residence and registration, funds in rubles and foreign currency in the amount of more than 100 million rubles, as well as gold coins, collectible watches and other luxury items were found and confiscated from Kuznetsov.
As Regnum reported, the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Yuri Kuznetsov. He was charged with receiving a bribe on an especially large scale (Part 6 of Article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The person involved in the case was arrested.
According to the investigation, in 2021–2023, as head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Kuznetsov received a bribe from representatives of commercial structures for performing certain actions in their favor. The investigation believes that for patronizing the businessman, he received a cottage with a plot in the Krasnodar Territory.
The amount of bribe in the Kuznetsov case exceeds 30 million rubles. According to Kommersant, the cost of the plot is 7.5 million rubles, the cottage - about 23 million rubles.
In addition, the Basmanny Court of Moscow sent another person involved in the Kuznetsov case, Leva Martirosyan, to the pre-trial detention center. He will remain in custody until July 12, 2024. According to the investigative authorities, Martirosyan was accused of giving a bribe on an especially large scale (Part 5 of Article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Kuznetsov took the post of head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Ministry of Defense in 2023. Before that, for 13 years he headed the Eighth Directorate of the General Staff, responsible for protecting state secrets.
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Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Malek Dudakov
[REGNUM] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kiev. This is his first visit to Ukraine in more than eight months - since September 2023. The war in the Middle East just started in October. And from that moment on, the State Department's focus shifted to Israel.
Blinken, along with his apparatchiks, began to constantly drive between Israel, Qatar and Egypt. He managed to visit Israel alone seven times in six months. And only now - at the end of spring 2024 - I got to Kyiv.
In September 2023, he came to Ukraine immediately after the failure of the much-publicized summer “counter-offensive.”
At the same time, the conflict between Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev escalated, and the Secretary of State promised to knock out new tranches in Congress, and also had dinner at McDonald’s in Kiev with Dmitry Kuleba. However, the tranches were agreed upon only eight months later. Well, the situation at the front for Ukraine began to steadily deteriorate.
Ukraine's last friend. Corruption and clan warfare brought Blinken to Kyiv
This visit took place in a much more difficult situation.
The Russian army was able to achieve significant successes during the offensive in the Donbass, with the capture of Ocheretino and nearby villages. An offensive operation also began in the Kharkov region with a multi-kilometer breakthrough of the Ukrainian front. Militants from the terrorist defense and national battalions are surrendering en masse - and right at the time of Blinken’s negotiations in Kyiv, reports came that Russia had liberated Volchansk, and with it a number of other settlements.
Against this background, the contradictions between Washington and the authorities in Kyiv in the person of Zelensky’s Office are intensifying.
Since last year, the Americans have been demanding that Zelensky and his “gray eminence” Andrei Yermak hold elections. But they refused to announce both the presidential and parliamentary elections. Now there is a struggle to reformat the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers. The Biden administration wants to push through the appointment of Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States and a creature of the Americans, to the post of Prime Minister.
This is strongly opposed by the British lobby, which Zelensky and Ermak are focusing on.
They want to make Ermak the prime minister and entrust all management decisions to him. Zelensky, in any of these scenarios, turns into a “wedding president” with zero legitimacy after May 21. He will receive all the negativity addressed to him for failures at the front and the crisis inside Ukraine, but at the same time he will lose the opportunity to decide anything.
The issue of further financing of the Ukrainian project stands apart.
Now Penny Pritzker, a representative of an influential clan of American billionaires, has become active in Kiev. Her ancestors themselves were from the Kyiv province. She is de facto the main “oversight” from the United States over the expenditure of funds for the needs of the Kyiv regime. Pritzker's influence only increased with the start of the allocation of tranches to Ukraine after a long delay.
And in Kyiv, squabbling is intensifying over failures in the Kharkov region.
After all, billions of hryvnias were spent there on the construction of fortifications that simply did not exist. The office of the president and his entourage, as well as the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, are openly accused of corruption. And then the US Accounts Chamber notes the non-transparent spending of funds in the Ukrainian direction.
Issues of corruption can be effectively used as leverage on Zelensky.
It is significant that in addition to Blinken, Alex Soros, heir to his father’s vast empire, also came to Kiev. After all, his guards—the so-called “Soros”—are now waging an open war with Zelensky. They also picked up the anti-corruption agenda. And at the same time they demand to end the endless “telethon” on Ukrainian TV, so that they can criticize Zelensky and Ermak from TV screens.
At the same time, the British are also becoming active, who do not want to lose their proteges in Kyiv in leadership positions.
David Cameron and Grant Shapps recently came to Ukraine. And now David Lammy, a candidate for the post of head of the Foreign Office in the next Labor government, which will come to power this autumn, has also visited Kiev. They are already building relationships with Ukrainian politicians in advance so that the transit of power in London does not affect the balance of power in Kyiv.
Well, Blinken, along with attempts to reformat Ukrainian politics to suit himself, promised to increase arms supplies as a “carrot”. But only by July, although by that time the Ukrainian front may collapse in different directions.
Blinken demands that mobilization be strengthened in every possible way to replenish reserves, which Kyiv is sorely lacking. So no one has yet canceled the concept of war until the last Ukrainian.
However, the strangest thing was the performance of the American guest with the song Rocking in the Free World by Neil Young in 1989.
Blinken is known for his amateur involvement in rock music. But his guitar playing in Kyiv - while Ukraine is losing on all fronts - reminded many in America of the behavior of some Nero watching Rome burn.
Moreover, this composition itself only at first glance seems to be a hymn to American patriotism.
In fact, it is a subtle irony of the militarism of the United States during the late Cold War era and George H. W. Bush. He then called on America to become a kinder nation. Well, Young in his song stated that the United States has only a “good” hand, firing a machine gun in all directions.
Subsequently, Rocking in the Free World became one of the songs associated with the fall of the socialist bloc in Eastern Europe. This is probably why Blinken sang it in Kyiv. But for Ukraine, the original meaning of the song is rather closer, because it became the platform for experiments of current American militarism.
However, it is quite possible that the head of the State Department is no longer particularly shy.
After all, in any case, he is a downed pilot in the configuration of American power.
Over the past six months, the Secretary of State has resoundingly failed negotiations between Israel and Qatar to suspend the war in the Gaza Strip. He had a very unsuccessful trip to China. Blinken is an almost guaranteed candidate to leave office. Moreover, in any scenario of elections in the United States.
If Donald Trump wins, he will make one of his advisers, like Richard Grenell, the former US ambassador to Germany, secretary of state. If Joe Biden is re-elected, he will most likely replace the current head with Bill Burns, director of the CIA. He has been eyeing a new position for a long time. And Burns himself is a stronger apparatchik than a lover of rock and roll.
Therefore, his current visits are quite likely his last.
Blinken is finally turning into a lame duck. And they will try to make him the last one for all the failures of the Biden team - both in the Middle East and in Ukraine. Although Biden himself will not be able to avoid the blow - especially if the Afghan scenario is repeated in Ukraine with the collapse of the front on the very eve of the November elections in the United States.
#4
Was it here on Rantburg that it was revealed that the bar Blinken was at, was a neo-nazi dive bar, with Odessa Trade Union Massacre and other Azov type memorabilia on the walls?
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.
