Ukraine Invasion: Part 38

[MagicFox]

🇺🇦 38th thread for information sharing, solidarity and community 🇺🇦

Financial Times Ukraine Telegram

🇺🇦 Saving Ukraine’s economy: No individual can encapsulate the whole bloody story of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But Nibulon, one of Ukraine’s biggest agro-industrial companies, comes close. Free to read. https://on.ft.com/4081ATd

💰 The IMF has struck a deal with Ukraine to provide a $15.6bn loan and a long-awaited financial lifeline to Kyiv as it tries to shore up its economy in the face of Russia’s full-blown invasion of the country. https://on.ft.com/408nTbq

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️Parliament approves $14 billion (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/Verkhovna-rada-improves-half-trillion-increase-in-state-budget-expenditures-for-defense-related-needs) increase in state budget expenditures for defense-related needs.
According to Pidlasa, 96.5% of the added expenditures will be directed to national security and defense sectors.

⚡️Ukraine coordinates with EU officials to establish tribunal for Russian (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ukraine-coordinates-with-eu-officials-to-establish-tribunal-for-russian-war-crimes) war crimes.

⚡️NYT: China shipping drones to Russia worth millions (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/nyt-china-shipping-russia-drones-since-start-of-invasion).
China has provided Russia with more than $12 million worth of drones since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the New York Times reported on March 21.
According to the New York Times, around 70 Chinese exporters sold 26 brands of Chinese drones to Russia during the past year.

⚡️Ombudsman: Ukraine returns (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ombudsman-ukraine-reunites-15-children-with-their-families) 15 children.

⚡️AP: US to speed up (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ap-us-to-speed-up-delivery-of-abrams-tanks-to-ukraine) delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
The U.S. Defense Department will accelerate its supply of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, deciding to send a refurbished older tank model from stocks, the Associated Press reported on March 21, citing unnamed U.S. officials.
Officials said the older version of Abrams, M1A1, could arrive in Ukraine in eight to ten months, compared to the initial plan of handing over 31 newer M1A2 vehicles, which would need a year or two to be produced and shipped.

⚡️Official: UK to send (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/official-uk-to-send-ukraine-ammunition-with-depleted-uranium) Ukraine ammunition with depleted uranium.
The U.K. Minister of State for Defense Annabel Goldie said on March 20 that some of the ammunition her country would deliver to Ukraine alongside Challenger 2 tanks contains depleted uranium.
"Such rounds are highly effective in defeating modern tanks and armored vehicles," Goldie added.

⚡️Japanese PM meets (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/japanese-pm-meets-zelensky-in-kyiv-pledges-more-aid-to-ukraine) Zelensky in Kyiv, pledges more aid to Ukraine.
At a joint news conference following the meeting, Kishida said Japan would allocate $30 million to purchase non-lethal weaponry for Ukraine through the NATO trust fund, Suspilne news outlet reported.
Tokyo will also provide Ukraine with $470 million in grant aid for the country's energy sector and other industries, according to Kishida, cited by Suspilne.

⚡️US imposes new sanctions (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/us-imposes-new-sanctions-over-involvement-in-iranian-drone-production) over involvement in Iranian drone production.
The sanctions have been imposed against four companies and three individuals from Iran and Turkey over their involvement in purchasing equipment, including European-made engines, to support Iran's drone and arms development programs.

⚡️IMF reaches staff-level agreement with Ukraine for $15.6 billion (https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/imf-staff-reaches-agreement-with-ukraine-for-15-6-billion-program) program.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on March 21 it had reached a staff-level agreement with Ukraine for a four-year financing package worth about $15.6 billion. The aid aims to anchor the country's policies that sustain fiscal, external, price and financial stability in Ukraine.

⚡️General Staff: Ukrainian forces repel 114 Russian attacks (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/general-staff-ukrainian-forces-repel-114-russian-attacks).

⚡️Energy restrictions anticipated (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/energy-restrictions-anticipated-in-2-oblasts) in 2 oblasts.

Energy restrictions are anticipated in Kyiv and Zhytomyr oblasts due to continued network infrastructure repairs, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported on March 22.

More personnel killed, single-figure equipment losses but two cruise missiles downed.

Live: Ukraine Telegram

⚡️The Parliament has passed a law on exams for Ukrainian citizenship.
Now, people applying for Ukrainian citizenship are required to pass exams on the fundamentals of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of Ukraine, and the level of proficiency in the state language.

NATO countries provided about $120 billion in aid to Ukraine over the past year, according to the annual report of NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.
It states that the largest donor of aid to Ukraine is the United States, but European countries and Canada together provided more than half of the total amount of aid.

Ukrainian Patriot operators will complete their training in the United States within a few days. They will then travel to Europe to join other Ukrainian air defense crews. A Pentagon official said the first Patriots will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Russia has asked China to provide lethal weapons for the war in Ukraine, but there is no evidence that China is supplying Moscow with lethal aid, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said.

British intelligence suggests that the offensive of Russian forces near Bakhmut is beginning to weaken, although the situation for the city's defenders remains difficult.

‼️Russian troops are shelling Zaporizhzhia, said the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak. Residential buildings and the island of Khortytsia are under fire. Strikes continue, air alert is in place in the region.

According to experts at the Kyiv School of Economics, the total amount of damage caused to Ukraine's infrastructure by the full-scale invasion has already reached $143.8 billion.

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Russia is convening the UN Security Council because of the deportation of Ukrainian children, — Deputy Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Organization Vasily Nebenzya

The Russian side is engaged in deliberate disinformation regarding the provision of shells with depleted uranium to Ukraine, – the Ministry of Defense of the UK, Sky News reports.
“This is a standard component that has nothing to do with nuclear weapons or capabilities. Russia knows this, but deliberately tries to misinform."

Brazil respects and implements the judgments of the International Criminal Court. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira.
Asked by reporters if Putin would be arrested if he visited Brazil, Vieira said the Russian president's presence in any Rome Statute country "could cause complications."

The Seimas of Lithuania unanimously adopted a resolution on limiting the influence of the terrorist state of Russia.
In particular, it calls on allies — EU and NATO member states — to make maximum efforts to initiate comprehensive international isolation of the Russian Federation.

On the night of March 22, in the city of Rzhyshchiv, Kyiv region, due to enemy shelling, the 4th and 5th floors of two five-story dormitories and a three-story educational building of a professional academy were partially destroyed, with subsequent burning.
As of 07:00, 3 people died, 2 were injured and 1 person was rescued. There are probably 4 people under the rubble.

Switzerland suspends consideration of any changes to arms re-export rules, — Senate Security Committee. The restriction will remain in effect until May 11, 2024, when the case is scheduled to be heard.

China will benefit if Russia succeeds in Ukraine. Strengthening cooperation between Beijing and Moscow is a signal for the United States, — The Wall Street Journal
"Xi Jinping wants Russia to conquer Ukraine to make it easier for China to invade Taiwan. He wants Russia to threaten Europe to divert US attention from Asia. A victory in Kyiv will benefit US security," the publication emphasizes.

Russia will try to launch another offensive on several fronts in the coming weeks, White House spokesman John Kirby said
According to him, the West should do everything possible to prepare Ukraine for this, as a critical moment in the war is approaching.

Kyiv Independent Telegram, updated

Zelensky visits soldiers (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/zelensky-visits-soldiers-on-frontline-in-donetsk-oblast) on front line in Donetsk Oblast.
President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Ukrainian soldiers at front-line positions near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast on March 22, according to the President's Office. During his visit, Zelensky received updates regarding the situation on the front line and presented awards to soldiers.

⚡️Official: Approximately 10 children still remain (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/official-approximately-10-children-still-remain-in-bakhmut) in Bakhmut.

Death toll in Russia's overnight drone attack on Kyiv Oblast rises (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/death-toll-in-russias-overnight-drone-attack-on-kyiv-oblast-rises-to-7) to 7.

⚡️US Official: Next few weeks of the war are 'critical (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/us-official-next-few-weeks-of-the-war-are-critical).'
Russia can launch a new offensive along "many" different vectors in the coming weeks, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told CNN on March 21.
Kirby added that the likelihood of Russia launching a new offensive along with Ukraine's planned spring counter-offensive made the next few weeks of the war "critical" and that the U.S. and other Western allies had to do everything in their power to make sure Ukraine was prepared.

Good article on the benefits of another route to disrupt the China-Russia ganging up against the US: www.thenation.com/article/world/biden-doesnt-need-to-keep-pushing-xi-and-putin-closer/

Summary quotes:

• The history of the strategic triangle has created the possibility of a China-Russia alliance against the United States—but equally so, it has created the possibility of US-China negotiations over ways to stabilize and reform the global system.

• Rather than pressing Russia and China closer to each other, it is time for the United States to seek new possibilities within the strategic triangle. A more promising approach would recognize the salient differences between Russia and China and use that recognition not to split them but to establish a US-China modus vivendi. In addition to ending the current rush toward serious conflict with China—which Biden says he wants to avoid—comity with China would also expand diplomatic possibilities for bringing Russia to the negotiating table.
  Today, the United States and China both view their differences as making them incompatible, but those same differences just as often create a potential for complementarity. Whether the issue is a global climate transition, a framework for developing country debt restructuring, or leveraging diplomatic influence over both sides to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, making space for China in the global system is a far better strategy for pursuing US goals than is a destructive attempt to isolate and exclude it.

The Russians have found a new source of tanks.

Russia deploys ancient T-54 tanks to Ukraine

This model went into production in 1954. I'd say chariots are next on the list, but I don't think they have enough horses.

Probably get the pensioners to pull them.

I think they'd be better off walking.

The Ukrainian air defense troops who went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Patriot missile system training graduate this week. They've aced the course and liked the burgers, BBQ and grilled steaks that are a staple on US Army bases.

Ukrainian troops impress US trainers as they rapidly get up to speed on Patriot missile system

One underappreciated benefit of these courses is the relationships that are built. The Ukrainian battalion commander who went with his troops now has a close working relationship with the base commander at Ft. Sill. The troops now have relationships with their American trainers. These really matter. When the Russians invaded last February, American army troops who went to Ukraine to train their forces in anti-tank tactics got calls on their mobile phones from Ukrainian troops who wanted a bit of coaching or technical questions about the Javelin answered. These air defense troops will now be able to do the same, which is not only very helpful, it's also a huge morale boost to know that the US Army has their backs.

The Ukrainian air defense troops who went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Patriot missile system training graduate this week. They've aced the course and liked the burgers, BBQ and grilled steaks that are a staple on US Army bases.

The only Ukrainian complaint was not enough soup. They are apparently 'soup-centric' and the base had to offer more at lunchtime 😂

Lots of analysis urging diplomacy with China and warning against driving China and Russia together. In addition to the last one I posted, another here: responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/03/21/on-xi-putin-visit-the-us-sees-only-threats/

My question is, has that ship sailed? It's really quite hard to cut through all the stagecraft of the Xi-Putin meeting to really understand the relationship: it could be solid as a rock, or it could be for show; more likely it's, as Velina Tchakarova said, a "not always with each other but never against each other" pact. Whichever, is it too late to do a Kissinger and separate the two when discourse in the US at the mo has spent so much force lumping them together?

I think magnets fall apart when one side starts to lose its force and power.

Putin has said that Russia will use the Chinese Yuan when it trades with China and Asia.

China is definitely the senior partner here.

Matching China for good metaphors there @Zuffe ⭐️

You know, the optics were bad and the relationship is bad for the west but Xi didn't (at least publicly) give Putin much beyond words; meanwhile Putin gave Xi a lot in return for those optics.

So in my head I'm simplifying the situation like this (to try to pin down the broader picture for my own sanity but please do pull it apart and forgive me for ignorance).

The world appears to be separating into two blocs, a NATO one and a new BRICS(or indo-pac Nato) one. I say this, but it's yet to be seen where India would stand here. We're in a Cold War relationship between these two blocs. Ukraine is a current hot spot and there may well be more later (Taiwan etc) Because of our weaponry and the arms race that will ensue we have to hope that, while this creates its own possible dangers, it doesn't turn hot in a global sense. It would be so devastating, how could either side emerge well from that? Warfare will therefore be grey zone hybrid? Focused on technology? The BRICS bloc will use a different currency and banish the dollar, diminishing US power and influence. What does need to happen is, as in the last Cold War, lines of communication need to be kept open and respectful. That isn't happening here.

A lot of what China is projecting (capabilities etc) will take some years and a lot can happen over that time. Was it Francis Dearnley talking about black swan events that change things up and allow for alternate possibilities? He suggested a situation where ukraine negotiates peace based on giving up land (!) but that this could be imagined as temporary, reassessed when putin dies. This seemed a bit mad to me, but what do I know?

Another random thought: does anybody know how the banking crises might feed into the broader picture?

Forgive me for my brain dump!

Really interesting analysis of the Xi visit to Moscow on yesterday's Ukraine the Latest podcast (dare I say it Francis could even have been deemed to be positive....) In summary the view is that for all the pomp and ceremony it was really a great deal of fluff and nothingness, and essentially, as we've been saying, has just reiterated that Russia is the junior partner and little more than an energy supplier at this stage. Even the much vaunted multiple agreements that were going to be signed are a big load of nothing, other than the agreement on the Siberian pipeline.

Yes and I'd add to that that Xi's departing words to Putin have been roundly translated in a much more sinister way than is correct. The correct translation was "this is truly a part of a once in a century change. Let's drive it together". This is a phrase Xi uses regularly.

Oh that's really interesting, thanks.

I accidently posted the above update on that other "relations with China" thread. Won't get too worked up about it but it really does speak to the anti-China/anti-'woke' sentiment that they were speaking about on the Sinica podcast recently.

..it's yet to be seen where India would stand here

yes, it'll be interesting. India and Russia trade well together, but India and China are not friends. I imagine India will try to stay neutral.

I was reading, but it needs confirming, that one huge advantage China has gained out of this is the permission to 'aid' in developing the undeveloped earth resources in the far NE of Russia. Russia has been against this up til now for obvious reasons. If China really does have an agreement to develop that area it's another strengthening of their presence in that old corner. Vladivostok would make a lovely northern pacific port for them.

Just winding things back a day or two, just spotted this...from Dec 2018:

https://tass.com/defense/1036958

What a surprise!

I wonder if, having signed that statement together about how nuclear war must never be fought, Xi was surprised by Putin using nuclear rhetoric at the press conference?

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-22-2023

Key Takeaways

Russian forces conducted a limited drone and missile strike campaign in Ukraine overnight on March 21-22, indicating that Russian forces continue struggling with precision missile shortages.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced that the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) intends to increase the size of Russia’s air defense forces at a Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) collegium on March 22.

Shoigu likely signaled to Japan that it should not become more engaged in supporting Ukraine by announcing the deployment of an anti-shipping missile system on one of the Kuril Islands.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu walked away and refused to answer a question about how soon to expect peace in Ukraine.

The tempo of Russian operations around Bakhmut appears to be slowing amid Western reporting that Russian forces may be attempting to launch offensives in other directions.

Russian forces may be deploying T-54/55 tanks from storage to Ukraine to compensate for significant armored vehicle losses.

Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks along the Svatove-Kreminna line.

Russian forces made marginal territorial gains within Bakhmut and continued offensive operations in and around Bakhmut and on the outskirts of Donetsk City.

Ukrainian officials stated that Ukrainian forces continue to clear an area on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River.

The Kremlin continued hybrid reserve callup and crypto mobilization campaigns to recruit Russians for contract service.

Russian officials and occupation authorities continued to advocate for legislative changes in an effort to further legitimize the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Another random thought: does anybody know how the banking crises might feed into the broader picture?

I have a relative who got sucked down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole. Some of which has proved to be closer to the truth than would be believed, maybe if you throw enough mud, some sticks.

Anyhow, they are of the opinion that we are being pushed into a Chinese credit style system, supermarket loyalty cards track what we buy and it would be easy to prevent people from buying an item by putting a block on that card.
The drive to carry id and (in the uk), to have to use it to vote (against our historical freedoms), enter certain buildings, buy specific items is conditioning young adults in the need for so they don't object when other changes are made

This feeds in to the company that Sunak is involved in (via his wife), being an Indian company still operating in Russia and being heavily involved in banking. The theory is that they are putting in the infrastructure preparing the West for a Chinese style credit system.

They believe that the banking crisis is being artificially created to drive people into debt so that they are less able to object and will be more compliant as a result. Nothing like the threat of homelessness to keep people in line.

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️UK Official: Supplying Ukraine ammunition with depleted uranium not 'nuclear escalation.' (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/uk-official-supplying-ukraine-ammunition-with-depleted-uranium-not-nuclear-escalation)
U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly countered Russian accusations that supplying Ukraine with ammunition containing depleted uranium is "nuclear escalation," Reuters reported on March 22.

⚡️Minister: Slovakia to receive (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/minister-slovakia-to-receive-modern-weapons-from-us-as-compensation-for-supplying-ukraine) modern weapons from US as 'compensation' for supplying Ukraine.
Slovakia's Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said on March 22 that the U.S.'s offer includes 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, as well as the necessary equipment, training for pilots and technicians, and over 500 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles.

⚡️Survey: 65% of Europeans support (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/survey-67-of-europeans-support-ukraine-joining-eu-in-next-few-years) Ukraine joining EU in next few years.

⚡️Official: Number of people injured (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/official-number-of-people-injured-in-zaporizhzhia-missile-attack-rises-to-33) in Zaporizhzhia missile attack rises to 33.

⚡️Ex-head of State Property Fund charged (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ex-head-of-state-property-fund-charged-with-embezzling-13-million) with embezzling $13 million.
Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office reported on March 22 that the ex-head of the State Property Fund had been charged with embezzlement of over Hr 500 million ($13.6 million) of state funds.

⚡️US to hold oversight hearing (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/us-to-hold-oversight-hearing-on-aid-to-ukraine-next-week) on aid to Ukraine next week.
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee announced it would convene a hearing on "Oversight, Transparency, and Accountability of Ukraine Assistance" on March 29.
The acting inspectors general of the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development are scheduled to testify, according to the committee.

⚡️Intelligence: Russia shifting missile and drone strike tactics after failed campaign against infrastructure.

⚡️General Staff reports 'fiercest battles' (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/general-staff-fiercest-battles-in-bakhmut-as-russia-trying-to-advance-in-5-areas) in Bakhmut as Russia tries to advance in 5 areas.
Russian forces are conducting offensives in the areas of Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Shakhtarsk, Marinka, and Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, according to the report.

How Mykolaiv residents survive without drinking water supply s
March 22 marks World Water Day, held to draw attention to the importance of freshwater.
For the residents of Mykolaiv, access to safe drinking water has been disrupted for the past 10 months due to the destruction of their water supply line by Russian forces.

⚡️President's Office: Ukraine wants (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/presidents-office-ukraine-wants-japan-among-its-security-guarantors) Japan among its security guarantors.

⚡️General Staff: Ukrainian forces repel over 80 Russian attacks (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/general-staff-ukrainian-forces-repel-over-80-russian-attacks-on-march-22) on March 22.

⚡️Death toll in Russia's March 22 drone attack (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/death-toll-in-russias-march-22-drone-attack-on-kyiv-oblast-rises-to-9) on Kyiv Oblast rises to 9.

Fewer personnel deaths, more hardware losses incl nearly 20 artillery systems

Live: Ukraine Telegram

It is nonsense to think that Russia will no longer exist and we will be able to separate from it in all spheres, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said.
The minister added that Austria will weaken ties with Russia, but, according to him, this cannot happen overnight.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called the Russian Orthodox Church responsible for Russia's war against Ukraine.
"The Church and the Russian leadership cooperated in the crime of aggression and share responsibility for the crimes committed, such as the shocking abduction of Ukrainian children," he said.

🇸🇪 The Swedish Parliament has voted in favor of the country's accession to NATO.
The decision was supported by 268 deputies. Now Sweden's application must be approved by Hungary and Türkiye.

Prince William visited a military base in the Polish city of Rzeszów, near the Ukrainian border. There, he met with British and Polish military personnel "and heard about their extraordinary work in support of Ukraine."
The city of Rzeszów has become a logistical center on the way to Ukraine, and it is here that most Western weapons arrive before being sent to Ukraine.

Florida Governor and likely Republican candidate for the next US presidential election Ron DeSantis has changed his position on the war in Ukraine.
Earlier, he called it a "territorial conflict," for which he was criticized by his fellow party members.
Now, DeSantis says he used inappropriate language and did not mean that Russia has the right to invade Ukraine or threaten NATO. He emphasized that if he could, he would "100% return the occupied territories to Ukraine."
He also said that he considers Putin a war criminal and that he should be brought to justice. [@MissConductUS you were right, he did change his tune]

Russian troops in Bakhmut are running out of breath, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces will soon take advantage of this, said commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces Oleksandr Syrsky. The occupiers do not take into account the losses of manpower and equipment, so, according to the commander, a scenario of driving the enemy out of their positions, as it was near Kyiv and Kharkiv, is possible soon.

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Echelons with T-54/T-55 tanks were spotted in the Russian Federation, which will probably be removed from preservation for transfer to Ukraine.
The Soviet army adopted the first modifications of the T-54 in the second half of the 1940s and the T-55 in 1958.

Germany has agreed with Slovakia to repair German-made armored vehicles for Ukraine, including PzH 2000 howitzers, the German ambassador to Ukraine said.

Additional tanks and howitzers purchased in South Korea arrived in Poland

The US supports and entirely relies on the choice of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in defense of Bakhmut and will help Ukraine, regardless of what priorities Zelenskyy sets in the fight, — White House representative Kirby

The World Bank, together with the European Commission, the UN, and the government of Ukraine, revised the estimate of the cost of rebuilding the country after the war, which has not changed since September last year
Now it is $411 billion (instead of $349 billion), or 2.6 of the country's GDP, writes Bloomberg.
According to this estimate, the war pushed 7.1 million people (17% of the pre-war population) below the poverty line and canceled 15 years of economic development in Ukraine.

❗️Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he expects to hold talks with Putin in the next two days.

The fighting has become so intense that Ukraine uses 4,000 to 7,000 artillery shells every day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, The Guardian report

The US does not believe that depleted uranium munitions pose a threat from the point of view of the spread of radiation, the use of such projectiles is a common practice, – White House.

The charity "Save Ukraine" helped 17 children from the Kherson region and Kharkiv region to return to the controlled territory after deportation to Russia or deep into the occupied territories. @katem98 [a lovely video]

❗️In Russian regions, campaigning for contract service intensified. For example, in the Yaroslavl region, they write about service in the "special forces operation" zone and pay. It is a daily payment of 8,000 rubles ($100) for participation in "active offensive actions" and 50,000 rubles ($640) for "each kilometer of advance as part of assault units." [there are also considerable claims that soldiers are not actually getting paid the promised money!]

⚡️Spain has joined the EU agreement on the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Spain.

The Czech Republic has extended the ban on issuing visas to citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus until March 31, 2024.

Creating a demilitarized zone around the Zaporizhzhia NPP is no longer under consideration; it is about the cessation of hostilities around the NPP, — Director General of the IAEA, Raphael Grossi

Shrapnel and shell casings, which farmers removed after plowing a field in the Kyiv region near Borodianka
The fighting there lasted less than a month.