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Ukraine Invasion: Part 43

992 replies

MagicFox · 08/07/2023 11:10

With thanks as usual to everyone!

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335
notimagain · 14/08/2023 19:44

DaisyDoo09 · 14/08/2023 19:26

Just seen on the news that Russian bomber planes have been intercepted north of Scotland is this something to worry about?

It's happened on a frequent basis - as in often several times a month, sometimes several times a week, and even sometimes several bombers in formation all at once, literally for decades....

No, it's not something to worry about.

DaisyDoo09 · 14/08/2023 19:47

Thank you.

notimagain · 14/08/2023 19:55

Igotjelly · 14/08/2023 19:41

100% nothing to worry about. If they wanted to bomb us they wouldn’t use planes.

Just for background when I was directly involved in the UK air defence game despite the Russian strategic missile force we used spend a lot of time training to counter the Russian heavy bomber/stand off missile threat as well, and of course it's a method of delivery the Russians are using against Ukraine so I'm sure it's still in the books somewhere.

That said I agree that Russian aircraft being intercepted off the UK isn't something to worry about.

Surplus2requirements · 14/08/2023 20:25

The Norwegians had a little pop back

From Sky

Russia's defence ministry says it has scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet after detecting the presence of a Norwegian aircraft over the Barents Sea.
"The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the air target as an R-8A Poseidon base patrol aircraft of the Norwegian Air Force," a statement read.
The Russian MoD says the Norwegian jet made a U-turn as it approached its border.

notimagain · 14/08/2023 20:33

Surplus2requirements · 14/08/2023 20:25

The Norwegians had a little pop back

From Sky

Russia's defence ministry says it has scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet after detecting the presence of a Norwegian aircraft over the Barents Sea.
"The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the air target as an R-8A Poseidon base patrol aircraft of the Norwegian Air Force," a statement read.
The Russian MoD says the Norwegian jet made a U-turn as it approached its border.

Yep, it's always been a two way process...

For years the RAF had a squadron of special Nimrods (the R1 variant) at RAF Wyton that got up to..well... nobody outside a close circle of tight lipped people ever really knew..

MissConductUS · 14/08/2023 21:11

notimagain · 14/08/2023 20:33

Yep, it's always been a two way process...

For years the RAF had a squadron of special Nimrods (the R1 variant) at RAF Wyton that got up to..well... nobody outside a close circle of tight lipped people ever really knew..

The Nimrods retired some time ago as I recall. What did the RAF replace them with?

notimagain · 15/08/2023 06:21

MissConductUS · 14/08/2023 21:11

The Nimrods retired some time ago as I recall. What did the RAF replace them with?

They did, all a bit controversial.

The Rivett Joints appear to have picked up the ELINT role that the R1 Nimrods had.

There’s been a buy of P8 Poseidon’s to do the anti-submarine and other roles that the MR Nimrods did.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 15/08/2023 09:09

Interesting article from the Economist which was published back in March

https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/03/04/russias-population-nightmare-is-going-to-get-even-worse?utm_medium=social-media.content.np&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=editorial-social&utm_content=discovery.content.evergreen

In summary, between Covid, men fleeing Russia and war deaths there are 121 women for every 100 men now.

The trend started many years ago. 1994 was the year of Russia's peak population at 149m people. Now it's 145m, excluding the population of illegally-invaded Crimea.

"The decline was largest among ethnic Russians, whose number, the census of 2021 said, fell by 5.4m in 2010-21. Their share of the population fell from 78% to 72%."

"The decline is associated with increased misery: the life expectancy at birth of Russian males plummeted from 68.8 in 2019 to 64.2 in 2021, partly because of covid, partly from alcohol-related disease. Russian men now die six years earlier than men in Bangladesh and 18 years earlier than men in Japan." (Ive seen varying figures for life expectancy for males though, some say it's into the 70's)

Russia does however have "... some of the highest rates of educational attainment among over-25s in the world."

But the brain drain is real; 1 in 10 IT workers have left the country and and just two days ago there were murmurings that Russia will exempt IT workers from the raised conscription ceiling (age 27 to 30 can now be conscripted) because there are real problems.

This article was back from March, and of course there have been many thousands more deaths of young and work-able men since then.

Russia’s population nightmare is going to get even worse

War in Ukraine has aggravated a crisis that long predates the conflict

https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/03/04/russias-population-nightmare-is-going-to-get-even-worse

BezMills · 15/08/2023 10:03

another problem Russia has, is that some of the most able young (and middle-aged) men NOPEd out of their impending conscription and got the heck out of there. Then they were subsequently ridiculed and vilified by the government as traitors, wimps, not real men, nor real russians. So guess what, those guys are not coming home. They will succeed wherever they are in the world, whether that's Uzbekistan or the USA.
The last thing any country in the world needs in the 21st century is a brain-drain, and Russia just self-imposed one since last Feb. Not smart.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 15/08/2023 10:18

Those people got rather vilified in a number of places. They're actually in something of a bind ... who, now, would take on a Russian IT worker in a sensitive area? Govt or big business.

I wonder how many will return home. The West isn't very welcoming, and home -is- home. Though the Russian population of Georgia and of Turkïya has gone up massively, apparently.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 15/08/2023 10:23

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-14-2023

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least two sectors of the front on August 14 and reportedly advanced in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.
  • Crimean occupation authorities are attempting to impose new federal penalties on individuals who publish content revealing the locations and operations of Russian military assets in occupied Crimea, likely in response to Ukraine’s ongoing interdiction campaign.
  • Russian forces conducted a series of missile and drone strikes targeting Odesa Oblast on the night of August 13 to 14.
  • The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) likely remains unable to fully take control of some Russian private military companies which are affiliated with or receive sponsorship from Russian officials and businessmen.
  • US officials announced a new $200 million security assistance package for Ukraine on August 14.
  • Ukrainian forces conducted offensive operations near Kupyansk, along the Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced near Bakhmut.
  • Russian forces conducted offensive operations near Kupyansk, along the Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced near Kupyansk.
  • The Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) continues to form new regiments and appoint prominent Russian ultranationalists to command its units, possibly in an effort to incentivize recruitment.
  • Russian authorities are removing local officials in occupied territories of Ukraine likely in order to fill openings with preferred candidates in the upcoming regional elections. ["free and fair elections"]
Ukraine Invasion: Part 43
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 15/08/2023 10:38

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️ Chinese defense minister to visit Russia https://kyivindependent.com/chinese-defense-minister-to-visit-russia-belarus/ Belarus.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu will visit Russia and Belarus as part of an official six-day trip, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Aug. 14.

⚡️ Ukrainian schoolchildren to take mine safety courses.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-children-to-take-mine-safety-courses/ Education Ministry is developing a course in cooperation with UNICEF on mine safety for Ukrainian schoolchildren, one that will become a mandatory part of the curriculum, the ministry announced on Aug. 14.

⚡️ Military intelligence: Ukraine ready to face any Russian offensive in foreseeable https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-ukraine-ready-to-face-any/ future.
Ukraine is ready for any large-scale offensives that Russia could potentially launch in the near future, military intelligence (HUR) General Vadym Skibitskyi said on Aug. 14, commenting on recent rumors about such attacks in Western media

Ukraine war latest: Military reports 3 square kilometers’ advance near Bakhmut over last week https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-military-reports-three-square-kilometers-advance-near-bakhmut-over-last-week/

⚡️ US announces $200 million military aid (https://kyivindependent.com/us-announces-200-million/) package for Ukraine.
The U.S. has announced a $200 million military aid package for Ukraine, including munitions for Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS, as well as other support, the Pentagon said on Aug. 14.
The 44th tranche of U.S. weapons support for Ukraine further includes 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, 120mm tank ammunition, Javelin anti-tank systems, TOW anti-tank missiles, and other anti-tank munitions and systems.

⚡️ Minister: Germany plans $5.5 billion in annual military aid https://kyivindependent.com/german-minister-germany-plans/ for Ukraine until 2027.

Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner arrived in Kyiv on Aug. 14 for his first official visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. https://kyivindependent.com/german-finance-minister-in-kyiv/

⚡️Ukraine to receive https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-receive-norwegian-anti-drone-systems-worth-71-million/ Norwegian anti-drone systems worth $71 million.

⚡️ Romania plans to double transit capacity https://kyivindependent.com/romania-wants-to-double-transit-of-ukrainian-grain/* of Ukrainian grain.*
Romania plans to increase the transit capacity of Ukrainian grain from 2 million metric tons to 4 million every month, Romanian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Sorin Grindeanu said on Aug. 11, the Romanian news agency Agerpres reported.

⚡️ US detects Russian military aircraft in Alaskan https://kyivindependent.com/us-detects-4-russian-military-planes-near-alaska/ air defense zone.

⚡️Minister: Drone fundraising campaign https://kyivindependent.com/minister-fundraising-campaign-for-10-000-drones-launched-1-million-already-raised/ raises $1 million within hours.

⚡️Media: Ruble drops https://kyivindependent.com/russian-ruble-drops-to-17-month-low/ to lowest point since start of Russia's all-out war.

⚡️General Staff: Ukrainian forces make further gains in Urozhaine https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-ukrainian-forces-make-further-gains-in-urozhaine-donetsk-oblast/ Donetsk Oblast.

Ukrainian forces prevented two Russian sabotage groups from crossing the state border into Chernihiv Oblast, the Joint Forces Commander Serhii Naiev reported on Aug. 15. https://kyivindependent.com/commander-russia-tries-to-conduct-cross-border-raid-in-chernihiv-oblast/

⚡️SBU identifies https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-identifies-15-ukrainians-organizing-illegal-elections-in-occupied-luhansk/ 15 Ukrainians organizing illegal elections in occupied Luhansk.

The temporary head of Ukraine's diplomatic mission in Armenia, Oleksandr Senchenko, drowned on the evening of Aug. 13 in Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the region. https://kyivindependent.com/acting-ukrainian-ambassador-dies-in-armenia/ [crikey. Raises quite a few questions]

'That's it, it's death, guys.' What we know about Russia's killing of 2 Ukrainian teenagers in occupied Berdiansk https://kyivindependent.com/what-we-know-about-russias-killing-of-2-ukrainian-teenagers-in-occupied-berdiansk/

Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner

Ragnar Gudmundsson

WAR IN #UKRAINE - AUG 15
■strikes up but engagements down
■ Troop losses 500+, equipment above 7-day average
■ Double-digit artillery, drone, vehicle & APV losses ■ Biggest monetary losses since Jul 27
■ Oryx: 41:17/added to records [Russian: Ukrainian hardware losses]

Ukraine Invasion: Part 43
Ukraine Invasion: Part 43
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 15/08/2023 10:51

UNITED24 Media Telegram

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who is on a visit to Kyiv, spoke in favor of supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles.

Russia is attacking Ukrainian granaries with weapons designed to destroy aircraft carriers, — Ministry of Defense of Great Britain. Thousands of tons of grain were destroyed. And grain prices have increased for 100,000 residents of African countries.

Russia finds a way to earn more from the cap price on oil, — Financial Times.
The newspaper found out that Russia artificially inflates the cost of transportation. Only in the second quarter, according to this scheme, could Moscow receive excess profits of $1.2 billion.
According to Russian customs documents, at the time of leaving the ports of the Baltic Sea, the average price of oil reached 50 dollars per barrel.
But data from Indian customs show they were paying $68 a barrel for the oil — plus insurance and freight.
The purpose of the G7 oil cap price is to reduce the revenues that Russia can use to finance the war.
However, it does not impose any restrictions on the cost of freight, and here the Russian authorities have found a loophole, the publication notes.
India, on the other hand, did not conduct additional negotiations on the terms of transportation.

India did not invite Ukraine to the G20 summit

Miktesh Pardeshi, the special secretary of the Indian presidency of the G20, said that Ukraine is not on the list of invitees to the G20 summit.

A group of Russian diplomats in Moldova is returning home.
The Russian diplomatic mission in the country is being reduced due to a scandal involving possible wiretapping of high-ranking officials of Moldova.
18 Russian diplomats and 27 embassy technicians will leave Chisinau.

Ukraine will participate in the 2024 Olympics, even if Russians and Belarusians will be there, — Minister of Sports, Chairman of the NOC Vadym Gutzeit in an interview with Kyodo News.

The Armed Forces confirmed the attack on the command post of the Russian military in Yuriivka near the occupied Mariupol

The Russians used prohibited phosphorus munitions again, in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
In one of the radio intercepts of Ukrainian intelligence, the occupier boasted to his wife that only the Russian army had such weapons.

At night, the Russians shelled Kramatorsk with S-300. They hit the food warehouse, where a fire broke out. One person was killed, another was injured.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 43
Ukraine Invasion: Part 43
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 15/08/2023 11:04

Live: Ukraine Telegram

President Zelensky visited seven different brigades in Donetsk region - the 22nd Mechanized, 5th Separate Assault, 80th Air Assault, 57th Separate Motorized Infantry, 92nd Separate Mechanized, 26th Artillery and 3rd Separate Assault.
He visited the command posts, heard reports and discussed "problematic issues" with the brigades and combatants, and was told about the needs for weapons, ammunition, and equipment and offered "solutions."

💥 Explosions occurred at an oil field in the Tyumen region of Russia - according to preliminary data, at least 2 people were killed and 5 injured.

Also, a gas station in Makhachkala exploded, Russia.
8 dead and 20 wounded

A total of 7 missiles attacked Lviv region. One of them was shot down by air defense, six hit their targets, said the head of the regional military administration, Maksym Kozytskyi.
In Lviv, 40 houses, the Monada medical college, a kindergarten and three enterprise buildings were damaged. In Stavchany, 15 private houses and cars were damaged. In the village of Sukhovolia, rocket fragments damaged four houses.

[There is a clip of two Russians speaking to a reporter. it's only one clip, but perhaps some things can be drawn from it; they say that they think 70% of Ukrainians in the occupied territories are against them. That's still a significant proportion who are pro-Russian, actually.

They say that they work in the occupied territories but go back to 'mainland' Russia at night because they are afraid that if they sleep in the occupied territories, "they won't wake up in the morning".

Only 1 fuel station in 3 will refuel their car (though it's not clear if the other 2 actually have fuel, or are just anti-Russian)

They also say that they used to visit Kharkiv and were welcomed, but they don't think Russians will be welcomed there again in a very long time.

Ironically these invaders call Ukrainians who give info to the Ukr Armed Forces "traitors"]

MMBaranova · 15/08/2023 12:09

Reports of 5 arrests in the UK under the Official Secrets Act. Not sure if linked to UK-Russia-Ukraine. The three names released are Slavic and look more Bulgarian/Macedonian than anything else.

MMBaranova · 15/08/2023 12:19

Yes two of the names look more Bulgarian than anything else and the other one is common in Bulgaria. Now saying working for Russian security services.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 15/08/2023 17:03

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Surplus2requirements · 15/08/2023 22:25

Interesting blog from the Telegraphs Ukraine the Latest today with opinion about how NATO training needs to adapt to trainees who typically have minimal basic training but vast combat experience in a type of warfare no NATO country has faced in generations.

Ukraine ‘breaks through’ Russian defences & Kremlin ‘spies’ arrested I Ukraine the Latest | Podcast

Day 537.Today – further to reporting on advances at the battlefront – we discuss the sudden implosion of the Russian rouble, the arrest of three suspected Kr...

https://youtu.be/hkyqvgRrmT0

MissConductUS · 15/08/2023 23:35

Interesting blog from the Telegraphs Ukraine the Latest today with opinion about how NATO training needs to adapt to trainees who typically have minimal basic training but vast combat experience in a type of warfare no NATO country has faced in generations.

I thought this was good too. But a lot of the training the Ukrainians have received in the west has been how to operate and fight with specific equipment - Bradley IFV's, Patriot air defense missiles, etc. They haven't been doing much basic combat training that I'm aware of.

BezMills · 16/08/2023 04:57

My impression was that the UK and others had, in addition to the above, put 1000s of mobilised new soldiers through an accelerated commando bootcamp.

Igotjelly · 16/08/2023 06:28

Yes my understanding is that the training being delivered in the UK is largely basic training. I seem to think there was a Stacey Dooley documentary recently that followed some of the recruits. Essentially taking them from civilian life and giving them basic combat training and survival skills.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 16/08/2023 08:41

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-15-2023

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front on August 15 and reportedly advanced in Luhansk Oblast and western Zaporizhia Oblast.
  • Russian forces conducted a large-scale missile strike against targets mainly in Ukrainian rear areas on the night of August 14-15.
  • The Kremlin is using the Army-2023 forum in Moscow (August 14-20) to foster bilateral military and political relations with other states and posture itself as a reliable and technologically advanced partner.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin and Shoigu made largely boilerplate comments framing the Russian government as effectively meeting Russian force generation efforts, portraying Western and Ukrainian resources as limited, and promoting international cooperation against the West.
  • Wagner Group affiliated sources are undermining private military companies (PMCs) affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD).
  • Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin continues to comment on Wagner issues on the African continent to remain active in the information space but is notably refraining from commenting on the war in Ukraine.
  • Russian news outlet Kommersant reported that Russian authorities are developing a mechanism to fully control and shut off civilian mobile telecommunications networks in the event of a declared emergency, possibly related to pro-Ukrainian cross border raids.
  • Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and reportedly advanced near Svatove and Bakhmut.
  • Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front on August 15 and reportedly advanced in Luhansk Oblast and western Zaporizhia Oblast.
  • The Russian “Vostok” Battalion, which is notably fighting near Urozhaine claimed on August 15 that Russian forces have entirely lost Urozhaine and blamed a lack of infantry and equipment for the loss of the settlement, but ISW has not yet observed visual confirmation that Russian forces have completely withdrawn from the town.
  • The Russian federal subject “Bashkortostan Regiment” volunteer formation has reportedly deployed to Ukraine.
  • Russian authorities continue to integrate occupied Ukrainian territories into the Russian cultural and educational sphere.
Ukraine Invasion: Part 43
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 16/08/2023 12:21

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️US cautions https://kyivindependent.com/usa-cautions-russia-on-north-korea-military-ties/ Russia on North Korea military ties.

⚡️Chinese defense minister arrives https://kyivindependent.com/chinese-defense-minister-arrives-in-belarus-on-state-visit/ in Belarus on state visit.
Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu arrived in Belarus on Aug. 16, Belarusian state news agency BELTA reported, citing the country's defense ministry.

⚡️ Russia's Central Bank hiked its key interest rate by 350 basis points to 12% on Aug. 15 in an attempt to halt the sharp decline of the ruble. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-central-bank-hikes/

⚡️ Minister: First vessel sails through temporary Black Sea corridor. https://kyivindependent.com/minister-first-civilian-vessel-sails-through-temporary-black-sea-corridor/ The container ship Joseph Schulte sailing under the Hong Kong flag left Odesa's port, where it has been docked since Feb. 23, 2022. It is currently heading toward the Bosphorus with more than 30,000 metric tons of cargo onboard, including food, Kubrakov added.

⚡️ https://kyivindependent.com/national-resistance-center-russia-preparing-provocation-at-kursk-nuclear-power-station/
Russia is preparing to stage a provocation at its Kursk Nuclear Power Plant involving the evacuation of some of the local population, Ukraine's National Resistance Center reported on Aug. 15.

The number of Russian attacks along the eastern front line has decreased as Russia seeks to regroup and restore its forces, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Aug. 15. https://kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-russian-forces-in-east-regroup-decrease-frequency-of-attacks/

⚡️CNN: Ukrainian troops use https://kyivindependent.com/cnn-4/ thermal cameras for demining.

⚡️ Ministry: Power line supplying Chornobyl power station shut down https://kyivindependent.com/ministry-power-line-supplying-chornobyl-power-station-shut-down-due-to-damage-in-belarus/ due to damage in Belarus.

The Swedish government has proposed a new military aid package for Ukraine worth 3.4 billion Swedish Krona ($314 million) https://kyivindependent.com/minister-sweden-preparing-new-defense-aid-package-for-ukraine/ The package reportedly includes ammunition and spare parts for Stridsfordon 90 combat vehicles and Archer artillery systems, as well as trucks and demining equipment.

⚡️General Staff: Russia fails https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-fails-to-regain-lost-positions-near-urozhaine/ to regain lost positions near Urozhaine.

⚡️Swedish firm says Russian missile https://kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-hit-swedish-factory-in-lutsk-3-workers-killed/ hit its factory in Lutsk, killing 3 workers.

⚡️Latvian Railways proposes https://kyivindependent.com/ceo-of-latvian-railways-proposes-export-of-ukrainian-grain-through-latvian-ports/ exporting Ukrainian grain via Baltic ports.
Ukraine could export up to 1 million tons of grain per year through Latvia's ports on the Baltic Sea, Rinalds Plavnieks, the CEO of state-owned Latvian Railways, said on Aug. 15.

⚡️ National Resistance Center: Russia escalates humanitarian crisis https://kyivindependent.com/national-resistance-center-russia-escalates-humanitarian-crisis-in-occupied-territories/ in occupied territories. The report noted rising prices of basic goods, namely food, coupled with the decrease in production and sales at enterprises controlled by Russia.

⚡️CNN: Ukraine takes credit https://kyivindependent.com/cnn-ukraine-takes-credit-for-striking-crimean-bridge-with-sea-drone-in-july/ for striking Crimean Bridge with sea drone in July.

⚡️Yermak: Russian missiles https://kyivindependent.com/russian-cruise-missiles-made-this-year-with-foreign-components/ used for Aug. 15 attack have 30 foreign components.

Pro-Russian sympathies make life harder for soldiers, cops in Kupiansk district
kyivindependent.com/pro-russian-sympathies-make-life-harder-for-soldiers-cops-in-kupiansk-district/
How do you defend a town where some civilians are out to get you? Ukrainian forces in Kupiansk district are wrestling with this question regularly.

Rami al-Farra, a member of the al-Farra family from the Gaza Strip, has been killed while fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said in an investigation published on Aug. 15. https://kyivindependent.com/media-member-of-influential-gaza-strip-family-killed-fighting-for-russia/

⚡️BBC: Three suspected Russian spies arrested https://kyivindependent.com/bbc-3-suspected-russian-spies-arrested-in-uk/ in UK. Three Bulgarian citizens were arrested in the U.K. on suspicion of espionage for Russia, the BBC reported on Aug. 15.

Latvia's State Security Service found direct and indirect invitations to join the Russian mercenary group Wagner on the internet, media outlet Delfi reported on Aug. 15. https://kyivindependent.com/media-wagner-recruitment-attempts-recorded-in-latvia/

⚡️ Czech Republic freezes https://kyivindependent.com/czech-republic-freezes-around-eu350m-of-russian-sanctioned-assets/) around €350M of sanctioned Russian assets.

Stian Jenssen, the NATO secretary general's chief of staff, has proposed that Ukraine cede part of its territory to Russia in exchange for NATO membership in order to end the war, the Norwegian newspaper VG reported on Aug. 15. https://kyivindependent.com/media-senior-nato-official-suggests-ukraine-could-exchange-territory-for-nato-membership/ [pissartist]

The High Anti-Corruption Court has suspended the head of the State Judicial Administration Oleksii Salnikov, who had been charged with inciting bribery, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) reported on Aug. 15. https://kyivindependent.com/state-judicial-administration-head-dismissed-over-bribery-suspicion/

⚡️ State seizes $206 million in assets from Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash over gas theft scheme. https://kyivindependent.com/state-seizes-206-million-in-assets-from-ukrainian-oligarch-dmytro-firtash/

⚡️Zelensky: Training should https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-combat-experience-should-be-prioritized-in-training/ prioritize combat experience.

Ragnar Gudmundsson

WAR IN #UKRAINE - AUG 16
■ 40+ missile strikes, engagements at 7-day average
■ 600+ troop losses, double-digit vehicle, artillery, missile, tank & APV losses
■ Also notable: Three air defence systems
■ Biggest monetary losses since Jul 27

Ukraine Invasion: Part 43
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 16/08/2023 13:47

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Last night, the Russians shelled the SKF bearing factory in Lutsk, the company reported.
SKF is the world's largest manufacturer of bearings. In Ukraine, the enterprise employed 1,100 people, most at the Lutsk plant

Sergey Surovikin, deputy commander of the combined group of Russian troops in Ukraine, was suspended from work, placed under house arrest and ordered to remain silent until he is forgotten, — Politico

The Ukrainian Air Force Command has reported that Ukraine has not been successful in intercepting Russian Kh-22 missiles.
Although the Kh-22 missiles are categorized as cruise missiles, they possess supersonic capabilities and travel at speeds of approximately 4,000 kilometers per hour. Additionally, these missiles employ a ballistic trajectory during their approach to the target, making their interception challenging.

Romania will actively participate in the training of Ukrainian pilots for the F-16 fighter jets, as announced by President Klaus Iohannis.

Latvia recalls its border guards from vacation to strengthen the protection of the border with Belarus, — State Border Service.

"The North Atlantic Alliance fully supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The leaders of the NATO states confirmed the corresponding position at the summit in Vilnius, and it has not changed," said the official representative of NATO.

😡 The Ukrainian Indie Cup gaming festival's social media page on platform "X" was blocked due to mass complaints from Russians.

Ukrainian sappers have begun using a new demining tactic: they wait for enemy mines to warm up in the heat, — CNN
When it gets dark, and the air cools down, sappers launch drones with thermal imagers, on the screens of which mines heated by the sun become visible and seem to "glow" during the day.

As a result of enemy shelling in the Odesa region, warehouses and granaries in one of the Danube ports were damaged, as stated by the head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Kiper.

Mercedes-Benz has reportedly denied its Russian dealers access to its proprietary software, preventing them from servicing cars in-house.
The move means that maintenance and repairs for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Russia will rely on local expertise rather than the company's online software systems. The Association of Russian Automobile Dealers noted that this software access issue is affecting many foreign car brands, not just Mercedes-Benz, including BMW. To address the situation, dealers are resorting to third-party software and parts available on marketplaces. This development follows Mercedes-Benz's decision to withdraw from the Russian market in late 2022.

During the nearly 18 months of the Russian invasion, the UN has documented 9,444 confirmed cases of civilian deaths (with over 500 being children), along with an additional 16,940 individuals sustaining injuries.

According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, the US is formulating a strategy to facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain after the Russian withdrawal from the "grain agreement," according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.
Key points to note:
▫️The United States is proposing the creation of an additional export route via the Danube River, which could handle around 4 million tons of grain monthly by October.
▫️This plan envisions a significant portion of the grain being transported via the Danube River and across the Black Sea to Romania's nearby ports. This route may be more time-consuming and costly than conventional options, but it could offer an alternative to the Black Sea Corridor.
▫️The US is exploring various avenues, including military solutions, to safeguard ships operating within Ukrainian ports.
The pursuit of alternative export routes suggests that the US, Ukraine, and European nations are preparing for a scenario where Russia does not resume the "grain agreement" governing the transport of Ukrainian summer and autumn crops.
▫️Simultaneously, Türkiye and the UN are working to encourage Russia's return to the "grain agreement." Diplomats anticipate that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who played a pivotal role in sealing the deal last year, might make progress before Ukraine's grain harvest begins in early September.
▫️The US proposals will partly align with the EU's "corridors of solidarity" initiative, focusing on road and sea routes. The EU's plans anticipate Ukraine exporting 5-5.5 million tons of grain monthly.
▫️The highest recorded grain transportation volume through EU routes was 4.2 million tons in November of the previous year. The Danube route accounted for most of these volumes, approximately 60%.
This strategic shift highlights the collaborative efforts of various nations to ensure the continued export of Ukrainian grain even in the face of potential disruptions caused by Russia's actions.

Today in Irpin Ukrainian policemen were handed weapons from Miami.
Irpin and Miami are twin cities. The local police seized this weapon from American criminals. Now the transferred pistols, submachine guns and rifles will serve Ukrainian police.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 43