Ukraine Invasion: Part 45

[MagicFox]

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

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I suspect it's an ideological move by Russia. Putin's led the country into a second cold war; with the way he's developed in the last years, it's very much what he wants.

I dread to think what chemical and biological warfare he's funding. I hope the States and Europe are on the ball; though Europe doesn't seem able to pull together the way the US can.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-7-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces transferred a limited number of armored vehicles to the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast and are continuing larger-than-usual ground operations on the east bank with a light infantry grouping of roughly battalion size.
• Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on November 7.
• A prominent pro-war Russian milblogger who is typically optimistic about Russian capabilities expressed a relatively pessimistic assessment of the war and emphasized the need for the Kremlin to fully mobilize the Russian economy and defense industrial base (DIB) to a wartime footing to win.
• Russian authorities detained Republic of Dagestan's deputy Minister of Internal Affairs on the pretext of corruption charges, likely in an effort to demonstrate that the federal government is taking action in Dagestan without drawing further attention to the interethnic and interreligious tensions and the propensity for destabilization in the region.
• The Ukrainian strike on a Russian shipyard in Kerch, occupied Crimea on November 4 significantly damaged a Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) naval vessel.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and reportedly advanced in some areas.
• A Russian battalion comprised of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) will likely deploy to Ukraine in the near future in an apparent violation of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War. [despicable]
• Kremlin-appointed Commissioner on Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova advertised several benefit schemes targeting children in occupied Ukraine as part of the "A Country for Children" strategic program.

[Anti-war protest in Russia the form of railway sabotage is overwhelmingly by people under 24 years of age. Incredible bravery and strength of conviction from this group of Russians]

I so agree with this. I think we're at the point of acknowledging more widely that we are in a new Cold War, though I don't hear it much talked about outside these threads/Twitter.

On that note (well sort of) Nate Hagens has just re-released the interview which I think I missed the first time. Haven't listened yet but will do later: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-great-simplification-with-nate-hagens/id1604218333?i=1000634134268. I think what's being stressed is (hardly a spoiler) that Russia is using distractions in the ME to up the nefariousness

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️NATO suspends https://kyivindependent.com/nato-suspends-european-conventional-armed-forces-treaty-after-russias-withdrawal/ European Conventional Armed Forces treaty after Russia's withdrawal.
NATO announced on Nov. 7 that it would suspend the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) after Russia confirmed its official withdrawal from the agreement.

European Commission recommends Ukraine, Moldova begin EU accession https://kyivindependent.com/european-commission-recommends-ukraine-moldova-begin-accession-talks/

⚡️European Commission recommends https://kyivindependent.com/european-commission-recommends-candidate-status-for-georgia/ candidate status for Georgia. [wtf? pro-Russia - led Hungary isn't enough?]

How Russia’s homegrown Lancet drone became so feared in Ukraine * *https://kyivindependent.com/how-russias-homegrown-lancet-drone-became-so-feared-in-ukraine/
Spending time in the murky world of Russian state media or milblogger Telegram channels, seeing video after video of destroyed expensive Western equipment is a sobering reminder that this war goes both ways, and the enemy is not sitting idle.

⚡️US: Moscow funds https://t.me/KyivIndependent_official/25654** disinformation campaigns across Latin America. The State Department said the Kremlin worked with media companies "to undermine support for Ukraine" in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and other Latin American countries.

⚡️Hungary vows to block (https://kyivindependent.com/hungarian-official-hungary-will-block-ukraines-accession-to-eu-until-language-laws-are-changed/) Ukraine's EU accession talks as media reports imminent Commission recommendation.

⚡️ Top US officials ask Congress to back $12 billion in budget support https://kyivindependent.com/biden-administration-asks-congress-to-back-12-billion-for-ukraine/ for Ukraine.
Top-ranking U.S. officials appealed to Congress to approve $11.8 billion in budget support for Ukraine as part of the White House's comprehensive package, according to a letter dated Nov. 7.

⚡️US Senate Democrats block bill https://kyivindependent.com/us-senate-blocks-bill-on-israel-aid-without-ukraine/ to aid Israel without Ukraine support.

⚡️Official: Remaining 16 workers evacuated from Avdiivka plant https://kyivindependent.com/suspilne-remaining-16-workers-evacuated-from-avdiivka-factory-17-local-residents-refuse-to-leave/ 17 local residents refuse to leave. Russian forces are preparing for a third wave of attacks against the largely destroyed city in Donetsk Oblast, with the aim of capturing the plant, Barabash said.

⚡️ Latvia says Russian aircraft violated its airspace. https://kyivindependent.com/latvia-says-russia-violated-its-airspace/

⚡️Media: EU https://kyivindependent.com/media-eu-believes-ukraine-has-implemented-4-out-of-7-steps-needed-for-membership-talks/ Ukraine has implemented 4 of 7 steps needed for membership talks

⚡️Zelensky: Newly-delivered NASAMS systems enter service https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-newly-delivered-nasams-systems-enter-service-in-ukraine/ in Ukraine. in Ukraine.

⚡️Infrastructure Ministry: Polish strikers completely block https://kyivindependent.com/infrastructure-minister-polish-strikers-completely-block-two-border-crossings-for-cargo/ 2 border crossings for cargo.

⚡️ Media: Zelensky postpones Israel visit https://kyivindependent.com/media-zelensky-postpones-israel-visit-due-to-plans-leak/ due to plans leak.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will reportedly not come to Israel on Nov. 7 as initially planned due to the news leak of his arrival, the Times of Israel wrote, citing undisclosed Israeli diplomatic sources.

⚡️Ukraine's international reserves fall https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-international-reserves-fall-for-third-month-in-a-row-to-38-9-billion/ for third month in a row to $38.9 billion.

⚡️France announces https://kyivindependent.com/france-announces-additional-eu200-million-in-ukraine-aid/ additional 200 million euro in Ukraine aid.

⚡️Ukraine to open https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-open-new-camp-for-russian-pows/ new camp for Russian POWs.
Ukraine will soon open a new detention center for Russian prisoners of war due to the rising number of POWs, the state-run "I want to live" project reported on Nov. 7.
The project explained the increase in the number of Russian POWs by "the situation at the front, the deteriorating motivation of Russian soldiers, and the blocking of prisoner swaps by the Russian side."

⚡️ Estonia's parliamentary commission backs using frozen Russian assets https://kyivindependent.com/estonias-parliamentary-commission-backs-sending-frozen-russian-assets-to-ukraine/ to fund Ukraine.

⚡️US indicts 7 individuals, 3 companies for allegedly transporting dual-use technology to Russia https://kyivindependent.com/us-indicts-7-individuals-3-companies-for-allegedly-transporting-dual-use-technology-to-russia/ The individuals and companies named, whose addresses are listed as being in the U.S., Russia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates, were involved in a complex, multi-national scheme to export U.S.-produced electronic components to Russia, the BIS claimed.

⚡️ Ambassador: Evacuation of Ukrainians https://kyivindependent.com/ambassador-evacuation-of-ukrainians-from-gaza-begins/ from Gaza begins.

⚡️Investigation: Russia continues to receive weapons https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-russia-continued-to-receive-weapons-from-us-europe-despite-sanctions/ from US, Europe despite sanctions.
Russian companies continue to maintain access to purchasing firearms and ammunition from Europe and the United States, despite export restrictions that Western countries initiated against Russia, an investigation conducted by the German project Correctiv revealed.

Russia's proxy official and former military commander, Mikhail Filiponenko, was killed by a car bomb in occupied Luhansk, Russian state-run media TASS reported on Nov. 8, citing Telegram channels of other proxy officials in the area. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-proxy-official-killed-by-car-bomb-in-occupied-luhansk/

⚡️Russia detains man in Buryatia (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-detains-man-in-buryatia-russia-for-allegedly-trying-to-convince-soldiers-to-defect-to-ukraine/ for allegedly trying to convince soldiers to defect to Ukraine.

⚡️Poll: Majority of Hungarians disapprove https://kyivindependent.com/hungarian-official-hungary-will-block-ukraines-accession-to-eu-until-language-laws-are-changed/ of Orban's meeting with Putin. The survey found that 52% of respondents said the meeting was unacceptable, while 35% approved of the meeting.

⚡️Media: Explosion https://kyivindependent.com/media-explosion-that-killed-zaluzhnyi-aide-likely-accident/ that killed Zaluzhnyi aide likely an accident.

Finnish authorities have seized two holiday properties valued at over 2.5 million euros belonging to sanctioned Russian oligarch Boris Alyoshin, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported on Nov. 7. https://kyivindependent.com/properties-belonging-to-sanctioned-russian-oligarch-seized-by-finnish-authorities/

100 pieces of hardware / vehicles lost again, nearly 800 troops.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Hungary will not be able to block the €50 billion aid package for Ukraine­­, — European Commissioner
According to him, Hungary is unlikely to be able to blackmail the EU now, as it needs funding itself.
He also believes that Hungary will not be able to use the need for unanimous voting all the time, as the European Commission has a way to make the necessary decisions without Hungary

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit South Korea, where he will engage in discussions about strengthening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as reported by Reuters.
Furthermore, in addition to Blinken, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin is expected to visit Seoul later this week.”

🇪🇺 The European Commission recommends the European Council to start accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova
The European Commission also recommended to open such negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, under certain conditions, and to grant the status of a candidate country to Georgia.

The G7 countries have declared that they will not return Russia's frozen assets until Moscow agrees to provide compensation to Ukraine. This joint statement was issued by the foreign affairs heads of the G7.

Denmark provides €40.2 million for Ukraine's reconstruction needs, including central heating in Mykolaiv

🇳🇱 The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defense has disclosed that five Dutch F-16 fighters are currently en route to the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania for the purpose of training Ukrainian pilots.

The creation of an air defense shield for Ukraine will be discussed during the G7 meeting in Tokyo, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says.

🇺🇦🇺🇸First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksandr Pavliuk with his team and representatives of the US Embassy in Ukraine discussed the action plan for reforming Ukrainian military education in accordance with NATO standards.

Russians plan a demonstrative "handover" of Ukrainian passports at Arabat Spit.
In the temporarily occupied Strilkove, Kherson region, Russian invaders have planned a "month-long" handover of Ukrainian passports for Russian propaganda, said Andrii Kovalov, Spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a telethon.
The occupants want to film those Ukrainian citizens who will hand over their passports to show them in their propaganda stories on Russian television.

🏥More than 420 medical facilities destroyed by the Russians have been fully restored in Ukraine.
Another 413 facilities have been partially restored.

Ukraine is prepared to consider the legalization of medical marijuana to assist soldiers, as reported by Bloomberg. The matter is scheduled for discussion at the beginning of November.

https://t.me/United24media/15151 Animals, too, experience fear, pain, and the negative consequences of war. They become frightened and seek shelter near people. We have compiled only a small portion of such videos to shed light on this issue.

Live: Ukraine Telegram highlights

🇩🇪 Rheinmetall has received an order for Ukraine for 100,000 shells for 120-mm mortars. This order from the German government is part of a recent €400 million military aid package.

In the afternoon, a powerful explosion occurred in the center of occupied Donetsk
According to local channels and "military correspondents", the attack targeted the "Republican Center for Unmanned Systems", which trained military drone operators.
There are reports of dead and wounded, but their number is not specified. They only say that the center was allegedly hit with a HIMARS.

Art during the war

Furthermore, in addition to Blinken, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin is expected to visit Seoul later this week.”

The U.S. has troops permanently based in South Korea and keeps substantial stockpiles of war materials there, so it won't be his first trip there.

Ukraine is attacking the air assets that were moved from Crimea and other occupied territories to Russia. This is likely being done with drones and or missiles made in Ukraine, given their understanding with their NATO partners not to use donated weapons to do so.

https://twitter.com/GlasnostGone/status/1721845465547690068

Russians plan a demonstrative "handover" of Ukrainian passports at Arabat Spit. In the temporarily occupied Strilkove, Kherson region, Russian invaders have planned a "month-long" handover of Ukrainian passports for Russian propaganda, said Andrii Kovalov, Spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a telethon. The occupants want to film those Ukrainian citizens who will hand over their passports to show them in their propaganda stories on Russian television.

I wonder if the Russians watching this bit of propaganda will know that formally handing over a physical passport is irrelevant to the individual if they’ve downloaded the Ukrainian Diia app.

Momentary derail… @MissConductUS is there any chance that someone like Blinken could become a Democratic presidential candidate if Biden were persuaded that he can’t win?

@DrBlackbird that would be fabulous

I read somewhere the other day that Trump is doing better than Biden in polls - is this true or media bollocks?

@DrBlackbird Not sure that the US is ready for a Jewish president. Not sure the Jewish community feels safe enough in America for that at the moment either. Will really bring out the conspiracy theorists.

I believe Trump is indeed doing better in the polls than Biden but as has been pointed out on the long running Trump thread, Obama was trailing by 11 points a year ahead of the election that he went on to win and that polls at this stage only reflect those that are a) at home and b) are prepared to answer the phone to strangers and say who they are going to vote for.

The good news is that the Democrats did well on Tuesday at all levels (including the lower levels that the Republicans had been attempting to populate in order to gerrymander) and in particular, romped home in Kentucky, where the incumbent Democrat governor increased his majority. That's important because for the last 5 election cycles, Kentucky has gone the way of the ultimate presidential winner.

It looks like repeal of Roe v Wade is backfiring, including Ohio enshrining in their constitution the right to abortion.

Mississippi was an outlier though with the Republicans winning on an anti-abritions message.

But you can never underestimate Trump - the Democrats are going to need to work hard to overcome the MAGA mindset.

It looks like repeal of Roe v Wade is backfiring

Im glad of that.

I cannot comprehend why people are anti-abortion but then don't give a fuck about the child once it's born, no matter how unwanted it is or the conditions it's born into. Or why they can be anti-abortion but pro-death penalty.

Had to put this in, sorry @blueshoes

In some places Russians are apparently now attacking to take ground so that they control an area conforming to where the General Staff's maps say they control ..... delightfully topsy turvey.

"A separate milblogger claimed that there had been previous individual cases of Russian battalion and regiment-level assault operations aimed at achieving compliance with inaccurate maps of the frontline but that this is the first time that he has heard of a wider operational imperative to make advances that comply with a reported General Staff map.[8] A milblogger claimed that Russian commanders are incentivized to make the tactical gains depicted in the General Staff’s maps because the General Staff increasingly requires positive reports from frontline commanders."

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Germany’s Rheinmetall to supply https://kyivindependent.com/germanys-rheinmetall-to-supply-ukraine-with-100-000-mortar-shells/ with 100,000 mortar shells. The ammunition deliveries are due to begin soon and will extend over the next two years, according to Rheinmetall.

⚡️Energy Minister: Russia attacks Ukraine's energy system 60 times over last weeks. https://kyivindependent.com/energy-minister-energy-infrastructure/

⚡️Russian strike on Odesa Oblast port hits https://kyivindependent.com/russian-strike-on-odesa-oblast-port-hits-foreign-cargo-ship/ foreign cargo ship, kills 1.
A Russian missile struck a civilian ship in a port in Odesa Oblast, killing one person on board and injuring four others, the Southern Defense Forces reported on Nov. 8. [this may put the temporary grain corridor at risk]

⚡️ White House: 96% of Ukraine aid already spent https://kyivindependent.com/white-house-96-of-ukraine-aid-already-spent/ The U.S. has already spent 96% of the funds allocated for Ukraine since the beginning of the war, White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Nov. 8.

⚡️ Reuters: India saves $2.7 billion by buying discounted Russian oil. https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-india-saves-2-7-billion-by-importing-discounted-russian-oil/

⚡️ WSJ: Russia trying to claw back https://kyivindependent.com/wsj-russia-trying-to-claw-back-prior-weapons-exports/ prior weapons exports.
Moscow is trying to get back some of the weapons it previously exported to other countries, including Pakistan, Egypt, and Brazil, sources told the Wall Street Journal on Nov. 8.

⚡️New Slovak government rejects https://kyivindependent.com/slovakia-rejects-ukraine-military-aid-package/ $43 million military aid package for Ukraine.

Ukraine has made “huge gains” in destroying Russian military assets in occupied Crimea, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov said on Nov. 8, as reported by Ukrinform. https://kyivindependent.com/danilov-ukraine-seeing-significant-progress-in-crimea/

⚡️ Reuters: Germany to send jets https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-germany-to-send-jets-to-romania-to-strengthen-nato-flank/ to Romania to patrol NATO flank.

Putin arrived in Kazakhstan for talks with his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to strengthen "neighborliness and cooperation," Agence France-Presse reported on Nov. 9. https://kyivindependent.com/putin-arrives-in-kazakhstan-for-talks-with-tokayev/ The visit comes only a week after the Nov. 1 trip of French President Emmanuel Macron to Astana in an effort to strengthen economic ties and expand uranium imports.

⚡️UK targets https://kyivindependent.com/uk-targets-russian-gold-in-new-sanctions-package/ Russian gold in new sanctions package.
The sanctions list includes 29 individuals and entities that support "Russia’s gold, oil, and strategic sectors," ranging from Russian businesses and oligarchs to companies based in third-party countries.

⚡️US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg in Kyiv, announces https://kyivindependent.com/us-transport-secretary-pete-buttigieg-in-kyiv/ infrastructure advisor for Ukraine.

⚡️Top Kherson collaborator Saldo sentenced (https://kyivindependent.com/top-kherson-collaborator-saldo-sentenced-to-15-years-in-jail-in-absentia/) to 15 years in jail in absentia. He is a Ukrainian politician turned top Russian proxy in the occupied part of Kherson Oblast, guilty of treason, collaborationism, and justifying the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Unbelievable personnel and hardware losses.
Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - NOV 9
■ Strikes on both sides & engagements above average
■ 4th highest single-day troop losses
■ Equipment losses well above average as well
■ APVs pass the 10,000 mark See dashboard for further analysis

I didn’t know he was Jewish. What a mess we’re in when that matters, but yes it would be a difficult challenge for him.

Gosh, great idea. If Blinken only could step up.

@DancesWithDucks no problems. Now bringing up the rear

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-8-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on November 8.
• Select Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian commanders may be making operational and tactical decisions using maps of the battlefield in Ukraine that differ from tactical reality. [next step is CGI]
• Russian President Vladimir Putin promoted 44 Russian military and internal affairs officers, including Eastern Grouping of Forces Commander Andrei Kuzmenko, to general officer rank on November 8.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin will reportedly avoid centering his 2024 presidential campaign on the war in Ukraine and will rather focus on Russia’s alleged stability and criticisms of the West.
• Ukrainian partisans and military intelligence assassinated a prominent Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) official accused of conducting war crimes in occupied Ukraine.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, in western Donetsk Oblast, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on November 8 and advanced in some areas.
• Russia is reportedly attempting to reacquire components for military equipment from states to which it previously sold the equipment, including Egypt, Pakistan, Brazil, and Belarus.
• Russian occupation administrations continue to create new administrative bodies meant to further integrate occupied territories into Russian governance systems.

I like him too. He grew up not far from where I am. While anything is possible, he's a career diplomat. So he's never run for elective office, nor is there any indication that he wants to. There are plenty of other Democrats who would be ahead of him in the queue if Biden changes his mind about running, which many are desperately hoping he does.

Blinken was born on April 16, 1962, in Yonkers, New York, to Jewish parents, Judith (Frehm) and Donald M. Blinken, who later served as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary.[5][6][7] His maternal grandparents were Hungarian Jews.[8] Blinken's uncle, Alan Blinken, served as the U.S. ambassador to Belgium.[9][10] His paternal grandfather, Maurice Henry Blinken, was an early backer of Israel who studied its economic viability,[11] and his great-grandfather was Meir Blinken, a Yiddish writer.[12]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Blinken

The comparison of Biden to Obama at this stage of the race is quite misleading. Obama is a far better natural politician than Biden, young, energetic, and articulate. Biden is not. Obama was able to successfully paint a relatively low-profile opponent (Mitt Romney) as an out of touch plutocrat, while everyone has already made up their minds about Trump. And Biden is seen as declining in ability. He's also taking the hit for inflation, which to be fair is partly the result of his fiscal policies. And by standing with Israel so strongly he's losing some support from younger voters and others more sympathetic to the Palestinians.

Things actually look a bit dire for Biden at this point, and it may well get worse.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russians spreading deepfakes with Ukraine's top officials: How to distinguish lies
Russian occupants are spreading fake videos of Ukraine's military and political leadership online. Citizens were urged not to trust Russian lies, according to Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
For such videos, the occupiers most often use government officials or military commanders who allegedly call on Ukrainians to fight each other.
As a reminder, a video of Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has recently been posted online. In the published footage, he allegedly calls on Ukrainians to a coup and the military to disobey the criminal orders of the authorities.

President Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian losses in the war are at least five times lower than those on the Russian side. He addressed the misconception that some leaders believe Russia to be four times larger, asserting, 'I cannot disclose the exact numbers of our casualties and losses, but I can confirm that they are currently at least five times fewer than theirs.'

⚡️ The Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Stefanyshina reported that Ukraine has provided Hungary with a detailed road map on how to resolve disputes regarding the issue of national minorities.

Germany is planning to withdraw its Patriot air defense systems from Poland in the near future. These systems were deployed near the Ukrainian border during last year’s massive missile attacks, according to a report by Sky News. Along with the Patriot systems, 300 German servicemen based in the Polish city of Zamość will also be recalled.

A service center for Swiss demining machines from Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) has been established in Kyiv, Ukraine. This center will provide guidance, technical support, and maintenance services for GCS-200 and GCS-100 demining machines.

A new contingent of the Ukrainian military has commenced training in Spain on the use of the Hawk air defense system, as reported by the country’s Ministry of Defense.

"It's not just a possibility; it's a fact that Putin has doppelgangers," stated the Main Intelligence Directorate. "As for the information from anonymous Telegram channels suggesting his death, unfortunately, this news has not been definitively confirmed. However, the use of doppelgangers is a technology employed in the Kremlin," — Main Intelligence Representative Yusov

A flock of pelicans on their way to warmer climes was frightened by airplanes, and the young bird lost its bearings, landing in a pond by a village near Cherkasy. He hid in the reeds, where children found him exhausted and brought him to a local volunteer. The volunteer took him to the local zoo.

💔A new generation: children, standing on their knees, see off fallen Ukrainian defenders.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️The civilian ship that Russia attacked in the port of Odesa was supposed to be transporting iron ore to China.
Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that this is the 21st targeted attack by Russia since the withdrawal from the grain deal. During this time, Russia has damaged more than 160 port infrastructure facilities.

🇨🇿Czech Republic extends training of Ukrainian military until the end of 2024 - Radio Prague International.

🇨🇿The current situation on the battlefield does not indicate that Ukraine can gain a military advantage, and time is now in Russia's favor, Czech President.

The SBU exposed a Ukrainian consul who, for $3,000, issued visas to migrants from Asian countries to enter Ukraine under the guise of students of Ukrainian universities. These "students" then traveled to the EU. According to the SBU, up to 900 people from "terrorist risk countries" used her services.

Foreign Minister Kuleba commented on Western officials' calls for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
"None of the 200 rounds of negotiations or 20 ceasefire agreements prevented Putin from launching a brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Those who argue that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia now are either uninformed or misguided, or they are on Russia's side and want Putin to pause before even more aggression," the minister emphasized.

The Sandworm hacker group, linked to Russian intelligence, was behind the cyberattack on Ukraine's power grid late last year.

A new generation: children, standing on their knees, see off fallen Ukrainian defenders.

Had to wipe a tear or two