UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
According to the WSJ citing information from US officials, Russia is actively considering purchasing short-range ballistic missiles from Iran, with a potential delivery anticipated this spring.
However, there is no confirmation or belief among officials that the purchase agreement has been finalized at this time.
The US recorded the launch and trajectory of at least one North Korean ballistic missile launched by the Russians over Ukraine on December 30, US National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby said. It fell in an open area in Zaporizhzhia, and it was launched from the Voronezh region. The rocket traveled approximately 460 km.
Kirby says that North Korea wants to get fighter jets, anti-aircraft missiles, armored vehicles and equipment for the production of ballistic missiles from Russia in exchange for these missiles.
If we take into account the previous statement about short-range missiles, then, most likely, we are talking about KN-23 ballistic missiles—aka "Hwasong-11Ga". These missiles are much larger than the Russian Iskander missiles.
The Polish government has announced that the embargo on the export of Ukrainian products will be in effect indefinitely, said Minister of Agriculture Czeslaw Sekerskyi.
Military observer Yigal Levin shared excerpts from a document detailing medical aspects in the Russian army during ongoing war, prepared by Israeli military medicine experts:
▫️The mortality rate among Russian Armed Forces on the battlefield is reported to be 33%, resembling levels observed during World War II.
▫️Common causes of death for invading forces on the battlefield include burns and frostbite due to harsh winter conditions. Traumatic brain injuries are also prevalent, often linked to the inadequate use of helmets — either old, low-quality, or not worn by Russian soldiers.
▫️The primary cause of death among the invaders on the battlefield is excessive blood loss from limb wounds.
▫️Most wounded invaders are transported by wheeled vehicles to field hospitals at the Ukraine-Russia border. Subsequently, after initial aid, these wounded individuals await evacuation by helicopter or aircraft, a process that is frequently delayed.
▫️Many wounded soldiers are evacuated from the battlefield without receiving initial aid.
▫️The initial evacuation period from the battlefield is notably extended, averaging around 24 hours, coupled with additional waiting time for flights.
▫️The primary "treatment" offered to the wounded in hospitals is reported to be amputation of affected limbs.
▫️Despite existing standards and requirements for sanitation and hygiene within the Russian army, these standards are often unmet in practice. Units reportedly struggle to maintain adequate hygiene.
▫️The quality and organization of soldiers' food are purportedly subpar and poorly managed.
The US is preparing additional sanctions against those involved in the transfer of military aid to Russia from North Korea and Iran, including ballistic missiles, Kirby said.
The construction of a logistics and transport hub is planned at Antonov Airport, located near Kyiv. The project will be implemented by the Turkish company Mabtec Engineering and Consultancy — Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development, Dmytro Kysylevsky.
The fortunes of the wealthiest Russians surged by $50 billion in 2023, according to Bloomberg.
The Tambov bakery in Russia faced US sanctions in December for assembling small Bekas drones on its premises, subsequently used by the Russian army in Ukraine.
This move exemplifies Russia's shift to a wartime economy. In a state television report, the factory manager proudly showcased Bekas drones alongside freshly baked bread rolls, quipping, 'They even smell like fresh bread!' as mentioned by journalist Alexander Rogatkin.
Across various regions, diverse industries pivoted to produce military equipment. For instance, a hockey stick workshop in Naberezhnye Chelny switched to crafting body armor, a Chelyabinsk glamping tent company now manufactures military sleeping bags and tents, and a Voronezh agricultural equipment plant churns out mine clearance gear, binoculars, and anti-drone equipment.
Despite the Bekas drones being relatively simple and low-cost, they rely on foreign components, common in most of Russia’s high-tech military products. Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation in Washington, notes that these drones mainly sport a 'Snipe' sticker as a Russian identifier.
Tracking the supply chain of these drones proves challenging due to the simplicity of their design and components.
Chinese 3D printers, commonly used, add to the difficulty as their components are typically shipped separately.
While US sanctions may deter foreign suppliers from providing components to the bakery, the company remains confident in its ability to sidestep restrictions due to its low-cost, small-scale production.
🇩🇪Germany has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, the first of the year.
It includes:
▫️10 infantry fighting vehicles MARDER;
▫️1 air defense system SKYNEX with ammunition;
▫️2 TRML-4D air surveillance radars;
▫️2 armored engineering vehicles WISENT 1;
▫️bridge-laying tanks BEAVER;
▫️10 ground surveillance radars GO12;
▫️10 trucks Zetros;
▫️3 truck tractor trains 8x8 HX81 and semi-trailers
▫️31 vehicles;
▫️missiles for IRIS-T SLM air defense systems.
The package also includes 9,080 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, 305 assault rifles MK 556,750,000 rounds of ammunition, 30 drone detection systems, 30,000 winter clothing sets, and 3,350 helmets.
🇮🇹 Italian Prime Minister Meloni believes that further assistance to Ukraine with weapons is necessary in order to ensure parity on the battlefield with Russia, otherwise the war threatens to spread closer to her country
🇸🇰Slovakia provides humanitarian aid package worth €203 thousand to Ukraine.