Ukraine Invasion: Part 45

[MagicFox]

Thanks to all: contributors, lurkers and those in-between

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Live: Ukraine Telegram

Ramstein's results for Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defense, the list is not yet complete:

🇺🇸 $200 million military aid package: ammunition for air defense, artillery, anti-tank weapons, etc;

🇬🇧 €115 million military aid package: demining and maintenance of equipment;

🇫🇮 €95 million military assistance package;

🇨🇦 €25 million to prepare for the winter campaign;

🇧🇪 Air Defense Missiles. Training of F-16 pilots, technical support for the F-16 fleet. Transfer of F-16 fighters from 2025;

🇳🇴 $18.5 million dollars for demining;

🇩🇪 Additional tanks and ammunition;

🇪🇸 Additional air defense systems, preparations for the winter campaign and €1.5 million for demining;

🇱🇹 Two NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems, 155 mm artillery ammunition, etc;

🇩🇰 Transfer of F-16 fighters in early 2024.

⚡️The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has set a goal that by 2026 every Ukrainian serviceman will be able to speak fluent English.

🇪🇸🇺🇦 Spain has confirmed the transfer of MIM-23 Hawk systems to Ukraine and announced the delivery of 155 and 105 mm ammunition.

🇩🇪 In the future, Germany will keep 35,000 soldiers on high alert to implement NATO's new deterrence and defense strategy, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius says.

Zelensky said that the Defense Forces continue to hold positions in the city of Avdiivka, Donetsk region.
Earlier, ISW experts analyzed the Russian attacks around Avdiivka and concluded that these advances at the tactical level are unlikely to lead to broader operational and strategic victories.

🇳🇱The Netherlands will send its F-16s to train Ukrainians in Romania in a few weeks, - Dutch Defense Minister.

The IOC has temporarily suspended the Russian Olympic Committee because of its decision to include "Olympic organizations" from the occupied territories of Ukraine.
At the same time, the IOC has not yet made a decision on the participation of athletes from Russia in the status of "neutral" at the 2024 Olympics.

Putin's visit to Kyrgyzstan is his first abroad since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him
Kyrgyzstan is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, so the court's decisions do not apply to the country's territory.

Aoutsch. But true. Anyone with any sense off-fucked from that shitshow over a year ago.

I think the meaning was that Russians are trying to get away from home and 'defense', and Israelis are trying to get home to help with defense ...

Yes, Israel (along with Turkey) was one of the countries where Russians were fleeing to in order to avoid the draft. When Israel announced a draft however, expat reservists have jumped straight onto planes to report for duty.

wrong thread.

Lots of planes squawking 7700 (emergency) in Russia, but at the moment, FlightRadar not showing Russian airports in its airport disruption section. Wonder what's happening and if it is a(n indirect) consequence of the invasion?

That's not actually happening in the real world..

According to Flightradar themselves their website or the data feed into it has been hacked/corrupted/spoofed (being discussed elsewhere)

https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/1712763977061552527?refsrc=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Extraordinary losses again. Over 1000 dead, well over 100 hardware. The sheer cost of all that's lost!

https://twitter.com/ragnarbjartur
WAR IN #UKRAINE - OCT 13
■ Fewer engagements but strikes above 7-day average
■ 5th highest troop losses reported in 2023
■ Record high 7-day APV & tank losses for 2023
■ Artillery more than double the 7-day average

@notimagain aha! That instantly makes much more sense.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-12-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces likely launched a significant and ongoing offensive effort around Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast on October 10, and ISW is revising its initial assessment these attacks are a limited effort to fix Ukrainian forces.
• Russian forces have not secured any major breakthroughs near Avdiivka as of October 12 and are unlikely to immediately cut off Ukrainian forces in the city.
• Geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces have likely lost at least a battalion tactical group’s (BTG’s) worth of armored vehicles in offensive operations around Avdiivka.
• The Russian information space is likely exaggerating the degree of Russian successes on the Avdiivka front and will continue to do so despite military failures or a slow pace of advance.
• Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and reportedly advanced in both sectors of the front on October 12.
• Russian “Vostok” Battalion Commander Alexander Khodakovsky advocated for Russian forces to freeze the frontlines in Ukraine in order to replace exhausted mobilized personnel with fresh contract servicemen and launch a renewed offensive effort.
• Russian forces conducted a series of drone strikes across Ukraine, targeting port infrastructure in southern Ukraine and critical infrastructure in Kharkiv Oblast on the night of October 11 to 12.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations near Kupyansk, along the Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, around Donetsk City, in the Donetsk-Zaporizha Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in some areas.
• Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev stated on October 12 that the Russian military has recruited more than 357,000 contract, volunteer, and conscripted military personnel since January 1, 2023.
• Russian authorities continue to persecute religious communities in occupied Ukraine as part of ongoing Russian efforts to destroy the Ukrainian identity.

Ryan O'Leary's (a, presumably Irish, volunteer Ukrainian soldier) view of the battle at Avdiivka:

I've seen a lot of shit these last 18 months.

But the sheer stupidity of RU actions in Avdiivka, Pisky area is astounding.

I've never seen such lack of disregard for soldiers. Running straight line human waves. Bodies stacked ontop of each other in fields, armor running over the deceased to get through.

The RU losses have to be extremely high. As in the thousands already and only from 3-4 days of fighting. And it's not just mobiks, it's vdv, dpr, & contract units. Just being thrown to slaughter in hopes Ukrainian positions run out of ammunition.

x.com/ihatetrenches/status/1712764030249513333?s=61&t=NaIdJ_hpeHJ7BCXblc3CMg

Kyiv Independent Telegram

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on Oct. 10 that up to three Russian battalions – over 2,000 soldiers – supported by tanks and armored vehicles had intensified their operations against Avdiivka. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-faces-heavy-onslaught-at-avdiivka-as-russia-launches-new-offensive/

⚡️Estonian government approves https://kyivindependent.com/estonian-government-submits-law-allowing-transfer-of-frozen-russian-assets-for-rebuilding-ukraine/ transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.

⚡️ European Investment Bank earmarks 30 million euros https://kyivindependent.com/eib-earmarks-eu30-million-for-ukraine-infrastructure/ for Ukraine infrastructure.

Russian mass attacks in the coming winter may lead to blackouts, but they will be only short-lasting, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said on Oct. 12. https://kyivindependent.com/minister-blackouts-possible-in-winter-but-only-short-term/

⚡️NATO to hold nuclear exercises https://kyivindependent.com/nato-to-hold-nuclear-exercises-as-russia-withdraws-from-treaty/ as Russia plans to withdraw from test ban treaty.
It will involve fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, though live bombs will not be involved in the drill, the alliance said on Oct. 12. https://kyivindependent.com/nato-to-hold-nuclear-exercises-as-russia-withdraws-from-treaty/

The Group of Seven (G7) nations pledged on Oct. 12 that Russian assets held in their jurisdictions, so far estimated at around $280 billion, will remain frozen until Moscow pays war reparations to Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/g7-countries-to-hold-frozen-russian-assets-until-moscow-pays-reparations-to-ukraine/

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution on Oct. 13 declaring Russia a dictatorship and calling on the international community to recognize Vladimir Putin's presidency as illegitimate after his current term ends in 2024. https://kyivindependent.com/pace-calls-for-recognizing-putin-as-illegitimate-beyond-2024/

⚡️ Czechia, Denmark to jointly donate arms https://kyivindependent.com/denmark-czechia-to-jointly-donate-arms-to-ukraine/ to Ukraine.
Czechia and Denmark will cooperate on providing Ukraine with armored vehicles and other arms from Czech production lines and stocks in the coming months, the Danish Defense Ministry announced on Oct. 12.
As a first package of the newly announced aid, Ukraine will receive around 50 infantry fighting vehicles and tanks, 2,500 pistols, 7,000 rifles, 500 light machine guns, 500 sniper rifles, electronic warfare and surveillance equipment, and an unspecified amount of artillery shells.

⚡️Ukrainian, Bulgarian defense ministers sign memorandum https://kyivindependent.com/umerov-bulgarian-defense-minister-sign-memorandum-on-security-cooperation/ on security cooperation.

⚡️ US sanctions two companies for violating Russian oil price cap.
The restrictions apply to the United Arab Emirates-based Lumber Marine SA and its vessel SCF Primorye, which reportedly carried Russian crude priced over $75 per barrel, and Turkey-based Ice Pearl Navigation Corp and its YasaGolden Bosphorus tanker, reportedly transporting Russian oil at a price over $80 per barrel. https://kyivindependent.com/us-imposes-sanctions-for-violation-of-russian-oil-price-cap/

⚡️Putin visits Kyrgyzstan https://kyivindependent.com/putin-visits-kyrgyzstan-for-cis-summit-first-trip-abroad-since-icc-warrant/ in first trip abroad since ICC arrest warrant ahead of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution on Oct. 12 recognizing the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people and calling on all member states to follow suit. https://kyivindependent.com/pace-recognizes-holodomor-as-genocide-against-ukrainians/

⚡️Zelensky: Ukraine prioritizing domestic arms production https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ukraine-prioritizing-domestic-arms-production-and-digitization/ , digitalization.
Ukraine is prioritizing domestic arms manufacturing and comprehensive digitalization efforts for weapons accounting, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Oct. 12.
“Digitalization will provide a clear understanding of how our warriors are being supplied and where deficits are occurring and how they are being filled,” Zelensky said.

⚡️ Ambassador: Ukrainians possibly among Hamas hostages https://kyivindependent.com/ambassador-ukrainians-possibly-among-hamas-hostages/

⚡️ Ternopil enlistment office staff members charged with torture, illegal imprisonment. https://kyivindependent.com/military-recruitment-office-staff-members-charged-with-torture-illegal-imprisonment/

⚡️Former PM and current Kyiv official charged (https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-yanukovych-era-pm-current-kyiv-city-official-charged-with-spreading-russian-propaganda/) with spreading Russian propaganda.
Charges have been brought against former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov for spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda and justifying Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Security Service (SBU) announced on Oct. 12.
Azarov, who was PM from 2010 to 2014 during the tenure of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, now resides in Russia and is a regular guest on televised propaganda shows.

Update: All 59 killed in Hroza attack identified https://kyivindependent.com/update-59-killed-in-hroza-attack-all-remaining-bodies-identified/

UNITED24 Media Telegram

⚡️The Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Armed Forces Navy, reportedly targeted the cruise missile carrier "Buyan" and the ship "Pavel Derzhavin" using experimental naval drones armed with potentially mass-destruction weapons. While the SBU has not disclosed specific details, they have indicated that both vessels were struck by "Sea Babies" equipped with experimental weaponry.
Following the initial detonation, Russian minesweepers and divers apparently had difficulty identifying the innovative Ukrainian technology. The Alrosa submarine had previously managed to elude these developments, but the "Buyan" cruise missile carrier was not as fortunate and was reportedly struck during the Sevastopol raid by the experimental "Sea Babies" weaponry, according to information provided by an organizer of the special operation.

A congressional commission has recommended that the United States should prepare for the possibility of a simultaneous war with both China and the Russian Federation, according to Reuters.
Notably, a senior official involved in the report's creation declined to comment on whether intelligence briefings suggested any cooperation between China and Russia concerning nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, there is a concern that coordination between these two major powers could lead to the prospect of facing two concurrent conflicts.
The report underscores that the threats posed by China and Russia are expected to intensify between 2027 and 2035, emphasizing the need for immediate decision-making to ensure the nation's preparedness in the face of these potential challenges.

The US administration has reportedly intensified efforts to explore options for the confiscation of frozen assets belonging to the Russian Federation, as reported by The Washington Post, citing three sources.
Based on Kremlin estimates, approximately $300 billion of Russian assets are frozen in various bank accounts in Western countries following the extensive invasion in 2022. Interestingly, only around $5 billion of these Russian reserves are held in accounts within the United States, with the majority frozen in European and other international accounts.

The USA will transfer a large batch of Switchblade 600 to Ukraine, — Newsweek
The Switchblade 600 is designed to destroy enemy tanks and armored vehicles on the battlefield. The projectile can stay in the air for more than 40 minutes waiting for the target. Its range is up to 90 km.

The International Monetary Fund has acknowledged three significant achievements in Ukraine's efforts to stabilize its economy.
Firstly, the restoration of economic growth, with the IMF forecasting a growth rate of around 3%. This falls within the higher end of their range, which had been set at 1% to 3%.
Secondly, bringing Ukraine's inflation rate down to single digits, particularly given that maintaining low inflation can be challenging even during peaceful times.
Thirdly, the presence of solid international reserves in Ukraine which has enabled the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to implement measures for managed exchange rate flexibility.
Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF, also emphasized the importance of Ukraine making substantial progress in terms of cost control and other factors, such as the restoration of declarations. These achievements represent significant steps toward economic stability and growth in Ukraine.

Live: Ukraine Telegram

The resistance movement in occupied Melitopol has blown up a railroad track, cutting off Russians from supplies of ammunition and fuel in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
The special operations forces report that a train delivering ammunition and fuel to the Russian army was also damaged during the blasting. The National Resistance Center clarified that the train daily transported ammunition from Crimea to Melitopol and Dniprorudne, and in the opposite direction - damaged equipment, looted ore, grain and other property.
The Center showed the blown-up section on the map.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria will help with English language courses for future Ukrainian F-16 pilots, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

Biden to unveil funding plan for Ukraine, Israel next week - Reuters.
Some Republicans say they will oppose efforts to tie aid to Israel to aid to Ukraine

Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi said he had his first phone conversation with the new chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown.
The parties discussed the urgent needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including air defense systems, artillery systems and shells, as well as the training of Ukrainian military and the restoration of units.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted (https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/10/13/7423947/)that despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he still admires Russian culture.
"I am still a Russophile. I still admire the language, the culture, the Russian civilization. Only a fool would not admire it," he said.
Johnson added that he is "very sad about what is happening now." "I think it would be foolish to pretend that the Russian people do not support this war, and it is a tragedy," the politician said. [what a fucking idiot]

Not entirely surprised to read this…..

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-13-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Ongoing Russian offensive operations throughout the Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast area on October 13 reportedly faced setbacks around the city.
• The Russian military command appears to be restricting discussion of the Russian offensive operations around Avdiivka in the Russian information space, likely in an attempt to adapt to previous information shocks and control any narratives that emerge in the Russian information space around these operations.
• The Kremlin is likely attempting to frame Russian offensive operations around Avdiivka and other localized efforts as Russian forces seizing the operational initiative in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on October 13.
• Russian forces continue to target Ukrainian critical infrastructure facilities with drone and missile strikes, as well as localized cross-border raids.
• Russian authorities arrested four lawyers who represent prominent opposition figures on extremism charges on October 13, likely to set conditions for the upcoming 2024 Russian presidential elections.
• Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City, and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area and western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in various sectors of the front.
• A Ukrainian military intelligence official reported that Russian forces are struggling to equip newly-formed military formations.
• Ukrainian partisans reportedly targeted Russian military assets in rear areas in southern Ukraine on October 12 and 13.

No British Int update, for the 2nd time this week. Odd; they even produced one on xmas day last year.

Karma is a bitch!

https://x.com/unamewass_taken/status/1712932755233701991?s=46&t=eNB9C4pL0g2Opkl4oCmOsQ

A Putin/SMO supporter who finds actually living in Russia isn't a whole lot of fun. FAFO!

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

‘She needs armor.’ Ukrainian female soldiers call for equality
https://kyivindependent.com/proving-our-worth-ukraines-female-soldiers-and-their-fight-for-equality/
Roughly 60,000 women currently serve in the Ukrainian military, while 5,000 of them have active combat roles, according to the Defense Ministry.

⚡️ White House: North Korea delivers over 1,000 containers of military supplies https://kyivindependent.com/white-house-north-korea-delivers-over-1-000-containers-of-arms-to-russia/ to Russia. The U.S. believes that in return for ammunition shipments, Pyongyang seeks advanced Russian technologies for the North Korean military and nuclear program, Kirby noted.

⚡️Politico: Blinken warns https://kyivindependent.com/politico-blinken-warns-azerbaijan-may-invade-armenia/ Azerbaijan may invade Armenia.

⚡️Zelensky meets https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-meets-with-dutch-pm-in-odesa-netherlands-plans-to-send-patriot-missiles/ with Dutch PM in Odesa, Netherlands plans to send Patriot missiles.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said authorities at the plant are beginning to move reactor 5 from cold to hot shutdown in order to provide warm water and heating for Enerhodar ahead of the winter season.
This is the second reactor occupying authorities have moved into a hot shutdown state, despite the IAEA's warnings that all units should remain in cold shutdown. https://kyivindependent.com/iaea-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-to-move-second-reactor-into-hot-shutdown/

⚡️ Ukrenergo: Germany to provide $80 million grant https://kyivindependent.com/ukrenergo-germany-will-provide-76-million-euro-grant-to-protect-critical-infrastructure/ to protect critical infrastructure.

⚡️ PM Shmyhal: Switzerland contributes one-fifth of $530 million demining aid https://kyivindependent.com/pm-shmyhal-switzerland-contributes-one-fifth-of-530-million-demining-assistance-package/ donation. Further individual contributions were pledged by Norway ($21 million), Sweden ($13 million), Croatia ($5 million), Austria ($2 million), and $1.6 million each by Slovenia and Spain

⚡️ Minister: UK explores using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense. https://kyivindependent.com/minister-uk-explores-using-frozen-russian-assets-to-fund-ukraines-defense/

⚡️ UK to deploy 20,000 troops in Northern Europe https://kyivindependent.com/uk-to-deploy-20-000-troops-in-northern-europe-over-russia-threat/ to deter Russian hybrid threats, along with ships and aircraft, in Northern Europe next year to protect critical infrastructure and tackle Russian hybrid threats, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Oct. 13.

⚡️Putin denies https://kyivindependent.com/putin-denies-russian-sabotage-of-finland-estonia-gas-pipeline/ Russian sabotage of Finland-Estonia gas pipeline. [as reliable a denial as a souffle stamped on by an elephant]

⚡️Russian authorities detain https://kyivindependent.com/russian-authorities-detain-navalnys-lawyers-after-home-raids/ Navalny's lawyers after home raids.

Russian authorities in occupied Crimea had arrested Alexey Ladin, an attorney who represents political prisoners and Ukrainians imprisoned by Russia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Oct. 13, citing Crimean lawyer Emil Kuberdinov. https://kyivindependent.com/lawyer-who-defends-political-prisoners-ukrainians-detained-by-russia-in-crimea/

PrivatBank, Ukraine's largest bank, announced it would provide free access to new card services for Ukrainian customers in six Poland, Romania, Moldova, Germany, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic , the bank announced on Oct. 13. https://kyivindependent.com/privatbank-to-extend-service-to-6-european-countries/

A Ukrainian woman was sentenced to life in prison for treason for providing the Russian military with photographs of strategic sites in Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Oct. 13. https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-woman-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-treason/

National Police: Platoon commander arrested https://kyivindependent.com/national-police-platoon-commander-arrested-for-extorting-subordinates/ for extortion.

1 plane, huge number of personnel losses - that's over 5,000 dead in the last 7 days, from Ragnar's figures.
https://twitter.com/ragnarbjartur

■ Fewer strikes on both sides but more combat engagements
■ Big troop losses the 4th day in a row
■ Record 7-day APV losses for 2023
■ 2nd jet in 4 days

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Avdiivka is currently embroiled in continuous fighting for the fourth day, and the situation is described as highly challenging by Vitaly Barabash, the head of the city's military administration.
The Ukrainian soldiers have faced a substantial number of enemy strikes, making it difficult to provide an accurate count of the attacks. Dozens of these strikes have targeted Avdiivka itself, and the Russian forces have displayed a relentless determination, continuously attempting to storm the city, both day and night.
Barabash emphasized that the Russian forces are actively working to encircle Avdiivka, concentrating on flanking attacks from the north and south. Despite these efforts, the city's defenders have so far prevented the encirclement from being completed.

Ukraine buys 60% of Chinese Mavic drones

⚡️The Boeing/Saab company is completing preparations for sending to Ukraine the first batch of GLSDB missiles with a range of 150 km and a launcher, —Company's CEO

Germany handed over another package of military aid to Ukraine.
It has four Bandvagn 206 tracked all-terrain vehicles, four border patrol vehicles, two HX81 tractors and two trailers for them, 82 SatCom satellite communication terminals, 50 drone detection systems, 100 thousand first-aid kits and 27,477 backpacks.

According to recent results of a survey by the Council on Global Affairs, 63% of Americans support sending additional military aid, and 61% are in favor of economic aid. And if we compare it with the results of the poll last November, support for the first question has decreased by two percent, which is within the sociological margin of error, and for the issue of money allocation, by five percent. Also, most Americans understand and accept the fact that the war in Ukraine is dragging on. Only 14% of respondents believe that it will end within a year, 34% believe that it will continue for more than a year, the same number speak of a period of two to five years, and 15% believe that active hostilities will last for more than five years.

Andriy Yusov warns that Russia may resort to provocation to drag Belarus into a conflict with Ukraine.
This could include staging an incident at an oil depot in the Brest region and blaming Ukraine for it. Both the FSB of the Russian Federation and the Belarusian KGB have been implicated in planning this provocation.

Ukrainian medics removed a mine shaft from the body of a wounded soldier during an extremely complex operation in a front-line hospital. At the same time, it was possible to save his leg. Now the Ukrainian soldier's condition is stable. Specialists of the Medical Forces are preparing him for further evacuation.

Live: Ukraine Telegram

Russia wants to occupy the entire Donetsk region by the end of the year - Head of Avdiivka City Military Administration
The Russian occupiers have set a new date for reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk Oblast - December 31.
"They realize that if they take the height of Avdiivka, it will be easier for them to reach Pokrovsk and so on. That is why Avdiivka is extremely important for them," noted Vitaliy Barabash.

Top Russian diplomat found dead in Turkey
Nikolai Kobrynets, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's pan-European cooperation department, was found dead in his hotel room in Istanbul's Taksim district.

The Ministry of Defense is testing two models of women's body armor with a curved plate. They are being tested during exercises close to combat. The ministry says that the new design takes into account the peculiarities of the body structure and the wishes of female servicewomen.
After the "field" trial wear, the manufacturers will conduct laboratory tests. Based on their results, the Ministry of Defense will approve the reference samples, which will be adopted and ordered.

In Sochi, explosions were heard and the power went out
According to local residents, 5-6 explosions were heard, after which the power went out in some houses.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defense allegedly destroyed two drones over the Black Sea near the coast of Krasnodar Territory.

🇮🇱🇺🇦 12 Ukrainian citizens have already been killed in Israel, eight Ukrainians are missing - Embassy of Ukraine in Israel

For the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukraine is firing more artillery shots per day than Russia.

This is really upsetting. The rise of anti semitism is growing. This one is in Germany, but it's happening in other countries too.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1713117100426895810

"As part of an intimidation campaign, some people in Berlin have started marking the buildings where Jews live."

@DancesWithDucks

No British Int update, for the 2nd time this week. Odd; they even produced one on xmas day last year.

For some reason it took some finding - do you mean this?

https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1713141698388197670?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Yes. Thanks.

Exhausted, so just want to offer and thanks for everyone's work - bad news included.

Horrified by that marking of Jewish properties in Germany.

That is fucking awful. It feels as though the world is hurtling backwards and getting faster.

I hope governments act quickly to support those affected and arrest the perpetrators.