Ukraine Invasion: Part 46

[MagicFox]

With thanks to all keeping these threads going 🇺🇦

**
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What on Earth is happening in the US? Texas and Arkansas threatening civil war? Underpinned by trump by the looks of it

Also, sorry my brain did something weird and I thought we were in the 900s when I started the new thread rather than the 800s. So ignore it for now, I'll repost nearer the time

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Turkey formally ratifies https://kyivindependent.com/turkey-formally-ratifies-swedens-nato-accession/ Sweden's NATO accession.

⚡️EU begins screening https://kyivindependent.com/eu-begins-screening-of-ukrainian-legislation-in-first-step-toward-accession-talks/ of Ukrainian legislation in first step toward accession talks.

⚡️ Putin makes surprise visit https://kyivindependent.com/putin-makes-surprise-visit-to-kaliningrad-flies-close-to-nato-territory/ to Kaliningrad, flies close to NATO territory.
Putin made a surprise visit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on Jan. 25, marking his first trip there since shortly after the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

⚡️ RFE/RL: Ukrainian surveillance cameras send data https://kyivindependent.com/media-chinese-cameras-widely-used-in-ukraine-pose-security-risks/ to Chinese manufacturers.
Hundreds of thousands of surveillance cameras used in Ukraine transmit information to servers of their Chinese state-linked manufacturers, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) investigative project Schemes reported on Jan. 25.

⚡️IAEA chief to visit https://kyivindependent.com/iaea-chief-to-visit-zaporizhzhia-plant-and-kyiv-moscow-to-discuss-nuclear-safety/ Zaporizhzhia plant and Kyiv, Moscow to discuss nuclear safety.

⚡️ Ukraine's National Bank keeps https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-national-bank-keeps-interest-rate-at-15/ interest rate at 15%. "This decision is in line with the need to further maintain exchange rate stability and moderate inflation in 2024, and bring it to the target range of 5% ± 1 pp," NBU Board Chairman Andrii Pyshnyi said at the briefing on Jan. 25.

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) expects the Ukrainian economy to grow by 3.6% this year, chairman Andrii Pyshnyi said in a press briefing published on Jan. 25. https://kyivindependent.com/national-bank-of-ukraine-improves-gdp-growth-forecast-for-2024/

Despite sanctions, Russia imported advanced chips valued at more than $1 billion from U.S. and European companies during the initial nine months of 2023, according to classified data from the Russian customs service obtained by Bloomberg. https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-russia-imported-over-1-billion-worth-of-advanced-us-and-european-chips-in-2023/

⚡️EU, Lithuania allocating $16.7 million https://kyivindependent.com/eu-lithuania-allocating-16-7-million-for-school-shelters-in-ukraine/ for school shelters in Ukraine.

⚡️ Sweden has sent over 1,100 tons https://kyivindependent.com/sweden-has-sent-1100-tons-of-aid-to-ukrainian-energy-sector/ of aid to Ukraine's energy sector.

Forced conscription in occupied Ukraine pushes essential services to brink https://kyivindependent.com/deepening-problems-grip-occupied-ukraine-spur-resistance-against-russia/
Russia has forcibly conscripted an estimated 65,000 Ukrainian men in occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence.
The dire conditions are pushing more Ukrainians under occupation to turn against Russian forces.

UN Security Council discusses https://kyivindependent.com/un-security-council-discusses-il-76-crash/ Il-76 crash.
"The United Nations is not in a position to verify these reports or the circumstances of the crash," U.N. Under-Secretary General Rosemary DiCarlo said during the meeting.

⚡️Russia says Ukraine had 15-minute warning before Il-76 flight, Kyiv denies https://kyivindependent.com/russia-says-ukraine-had-15-minute-warning-before-il-76-flight-kyiv-denies-claim/ claim.

Russia could have used Ukrainian prisoners of war as a human shield to transport ammunition and weapons for its missile systems, Ukraine's military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov suggested on Jan. 25 when commenting on the crash of the Il-76 aircraft that Moscow claims had Ukrainian POWs on board. https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-on-il-76-crash-russia-could-use-ukrainian-pows-as-human-shields/

⚡️Ombudsman: Some POWs https://kyivindependent.com/ombudsman-some-pows-from-russian-list-of-il-76-crash-victims-had-already-been-exchanged/ from Russian list of Il-76 crash victims had already been exchanged.

A court in Russia’s Saint Petersburg found Daria Trepova guilty of carrying out an explosion that killed a high-profile pro-Kremlin military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in April last year, sentencing her to 27 years in prison, BBC Russia reported on Jan. 25. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-court-jails-daria-trepova-over-explosion-that-killed-propagandist-tatarsky/

⚡️Politico: McConnell walks back https://kyivindependent.com/politico-mcconnell-walks-back-doubts-on-ukraine-aid-deal/ doubts on Ukraine aid deal.

Two former lawmakers from the banned pro-Russian political party Opposition Platform —for Life were charged for allegedly masterminding a scheme that resulted in the theft of more than 30 ships from Ukraine's merchant fleet, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on Jan. 25. https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-charges-2-former-lawmakers-in-alleged-plot-to-steal-more-than-30-ships-from-ukraines-merchant-fleet/

⚡️ Ukraine’s Kichenok reaches https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-kichenok-reaches-grand-slam-doubles-final-for-first-time/ Grand Slam doubles final for first time.

⚡️UN opened Russian bank account to facilitate climate payments https://kyivindependent.com/un-opened-russian-bank-account-to-facilitate-climate-payments/

⚡️ PACE calls on European parliaments to recognize https://kyivindependent.com/pace-calls-on-european-parliaments-to-recognize-russian-abduction-of-ukrainian-children-as-genocide/ Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children as genocide.

Less hardware losses than last couple of days, but nearly 1000 dead.

Ragnar Gudmundsson
@ragnarbjartur

WAR IN #UKRAINE - JAN 26, 2024
■ Casualties stay high; 24.9k in the last 30 days
■ Moderate landbased equipment losses; 229 artillery units destroyed in last 7 days
■ Relatively few strikes & settlements under fire but engagements up between days

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

France transferred two M270 LRU multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine, — French Ministry of Defense
This is an analogue of HIMARS, only it has 2 times more salvo.

Russia is employing new tactics involving the use of drones and planning substantial attacks on Ukraine, states Gumenyuk.
In a recent night attack in the south, the enemy employed "tactical tricks," utilizing low-altitude drone flights over water to complicate detection by air defense systems. The drones approached residential areas while maneuvering among industrial zones. This shift suggests an exploration of new tactics, potentially in preparation for significant future actions, according to Gumenyuk.

France is reportedly ready to purchase long-range Taurus missiles from Germany to boost the supply of SCALP missiles to Ukraine, according to Bloomberg.
This move aims to address Chancellor Scholz's concerns about German long-range weapons being used for strikes on Russian territory. The French President Macron's administration denied negotiations on the exchange of Taurus for SCALP

🇬🇧🇸🇪Britain and Sweden have joined the drone coalition, — Ministry of Defense
Sweden and Great Britain have announced that they are joining a newly formed drone coalition. It was previously created by Ukraine and Latvia.

In Germany, for the first time since the end of the Cold War, the DPA agency will present an operational defense plan.
According to the head of the territorial command of the Bundeswehr, Lieutenant General Andre Bodemann, the plan will encompass the actions of security forces and industry, measures to combat espionage, cyber attacks, sabotage, and the spread of disinformation and fakes. The document is scheduled to be presented in April
According to the general, Germany's primary task in the event of a military conflict will be to ensure the movement of allied military personnel and equipment through its territory.

Ukraine will start building 4 nuclear reactors this year, the energy minister told Reuters.
All four will be built at the Khmelnitsky NPP.

⚽️ Andriy Shevchenko has officially assumed the role of the new president of the Ukrainian Football Association, — "Suspilne."

The Russians targeted Kherson with S-300 missiles during the night. A kindergarten, a high-rise building, and a shopping center were damaged by enemy fire, resulting in one woman being injured.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇪🇺EU leaders ready to strip https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-threatens-silence-hungary-orban-if-blocks-ukrainian-aid-funds-article-7/ Hungary of voting rights if Orban blocks approval of €50 billion in financial aid to Ukraine at Feb. 1 summit - Politico

Ukraine is working to organize a visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which will be the first in almost fifteen years [!!]

🇩🇪Germany to train another 10,000 Ukrainian troops in 2024.
Germany's defense ministry also announced new weapons deliveries to Ukraine, including:
▫️IRIS-T SLM air defense systems
▫️Gepard anti-aircraft guns
▫️Additional artillery systems and over 230,000 shells
▫️Over 80 Leopard 1 A5 battle tanks
▫️Additional armored personnel carriers
▫️Engineering vehicles and bridgelayers
▫️450 protected vehicles
▫️Demining systems
▫️Drones
▫️Radar systems
▫️Intelligence systems

Bloomberg writes https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-25/russia-ukraine-putin-signals-interest-in-discussing-end-to-war about Putin's "readiness to negotiate"
Referring to "two people close to the Kremlin," the agency writes that the Russian president "is making it clear through indirect channels that he is open to discussions on future security arrangements in Ukraine."
"They said Putin may be willing to consider dropping his insistence on Ukraine's neutral status and even eventually abandoning his opposition to possible NATO membership," Bloomberg writes.
At the same time, Kyiv and the West should recognize the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine as Russian.

🇪🇺 The European Union is ready to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees after March 2025, when the relevant directive expires, if necessary.
European ministers want to harmonize legislation in this area, as 27 different legal approaches to Ukrainian refugees cause difficulties. They will discuss this with the Ukrainian authorities to make a joint decision "in the near future."

ISW:

Key Takeaways:
• Ukrainian and Russian authorities opened criminal investigations into the January 24 Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft crash in Belgorod Oblast.
• Russian forces conducted a series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of January 24 to 25.
• The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reportedly conducted a successful drone strike on a Rosneft oil refinery in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai on the night of January 24 to 25.
• Russian forces are reportedly increasing their use of chemical weapons in Ukraine in continued apparent violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is party.
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Russia’s war in Ukraine is “directed against the very existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state.”
• Russian authorities issued prison sentences in a number of high-profile cases on January 25, including that of imprisoned Russian ultranationalist and former officer Igor Girkin.
• The Kremlin is reportedly no longer offering pardons to convict recruits and is significantly changing the terms of their service, likely in response to the reduction of the pool of convicts suitable for recruitment into Russian force generation efforts.
• A Russian insider source claimed that the Russian military command recently replaced the Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District (SMD) and appointed a new SMD Chief of Staff, although ISW cannot confirm this claim.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka amid continued positional engagements along the entire line of contact on January 25.
• Bloomberg reported on January 24 that labor shortages in Russia have increased wages in civilian sectors enough to compete with relatively lucrative military salaries, likely making military service even less appealing to Russian citizens.
• Crimean occupation head Sergei Aksyonov signed a decree on January 25 that introduces a “special regime” for entry and exit between occupied Crimea and occupied Kherson Oblast reportedly in an effort to “localize threats to the security of the population and military and other facilities” in occupied Crimea.

Link to full report:
www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-25-2024

I wasn't aware of this. Are you referring to the controversy of the recent Supreme Court ruling on border policies? Civil war seems a bit of an exaggeration.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/25-gop-govs-texas-border

Yes, sorry if I misinterpreted. I got the impression that state forces were being put into opposition against the president. Which now seems like awkward wording that confused me!

It's all hokum anyhow. Abbott has done nothing in particular except froth at the mouth a bit on social media about the Supreme Court decision, as far as I have been able to find out.

This row arose because two different chains of command (Border Force and Texas National Guard) on the same patch of land meant that a woman and two children drowned in the Rio Grande while people from each command argued about whether Border Force personnel should be allowed to get through to rescue them.

There is no likelihood that anyone will start a war over this.

Hi @DancesWithDucks and @DesdamonasHandkerchief , I went AWOL for a bit due to pressing personal business but am back in UK and ready to step back into ISW updates from tomorrow.

Thank you Ducks (and Des) for covering

I have continued to follow the updates on this thread in the backdrop of my life. Ducks, you are awesome.

Welcome back @blueshoes , lovely to see you back!

Totally agree with the Ducks and Desdemona love. Thank you, both!

And welcome back @blueshoes

Glad to be back 👋

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

All 27 members of the European Union appear to agree on approving a four-year 50 billion euro ($54 billion) aid package for Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Jan. 26. kyivindependent.com/pm-shmyhal-all-eu-members-appear-to-agree-on-approving-4-year-aid-package-for-ukraine/

Ukraine has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in the upcoming Global Peace Summit in Switzerland aimed at building support for the Ukrainian peace formula, Deputy Presidential Office head Ihor Zhovkva told Reuters in an interview https://kyivindependent.com/official-ukraine-invites-china-to-participate-in-global-peace-summit/ [So far China has ignored these meetings]

The U.S. plans to station nuclear weapons in the U.K. for the first time in years amid growing tensions between NATO and Russia, The Telegraph reported on Jan. 26, citing Pentagon documents it had obtained. https://kyivindependent.com/telegraph-us-to-deploy-nuclear-weapons-in-uk-to-counter-moscows-threat/

⚡️ Biden administration approves https://kyivindependent.com/biden-administration-approves-f-16-sale-to-turkey/ F-16 sale to Turkey.

The Biden Administration is reportedly working on a long-term plan for supporting Kyiv that does not anticipate significant territorial gains by the Ukrainian military from Russia in 2024, the Washington Post reported on Jan. 26, citing unnamed sources. https://kyivindependent.com/washington-post-us-war-plans-for-ukraine-dont-foresee-retaking-lost-territory/

⚡️ CNN: Key US senators agree https://kyivindependent.com/cnn-key-us-senators-agree-on-border-deal-to-unblock-ukraine-aid/ on border-Ukraine aid deal, to be unveiled next week. [BUT]

In a letter to colleagues in the U.S. House, Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the current Senate legislation on U.S. border policy and aid to Ukraine would have been “dead on arrival” in the House if reports about its terms are true. https://kyivindependent.com/media-us-house-speaker-says-ukraine-aid-deal-would-be-dead-on-arrival/

⚡️ Military intelligence: Russia currently refuses https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-russia-currently-refuses-international-commission-to-investigate-il-76-crash/ international commission to investigate Il-76 crash.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) launched a cyberattack against the IPL Consulting company, which provides services to the Russian heavy industry and military-industrial complex, the agency said on Jan. 27.
The operation by the agency's cyber specialists reportedly destroyed the "entire IT infrastructure" of the firm, which presents itself as one of the most modern enterprises in Russia. https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-claims-powerful-cyberattack-on-russian-it-company/

Ukrainian lawmakers are preparing a bill proposing a monthly payment to grant an employee deferment from the draft to the army, Forbes Ukraine reported on Jan. 26. https://kyivindependent.com/media-ukrainian-mps-work-on-bill-allowing-deferment-of-military-service-for-monthly-fee/

⚡️Kuleba: No delays expected in delivery https://kyivindependent.com/kuleba-no-delays-expected-in-delivery-of-first-f-16s-from-denmark-to-ukraine/ of first F-16s from Denmark to Ukraine.

⚡️Bloomberg: The European Union is preparing to rule out a renewal of a deal between Kyiv and Moscow that has allowed Europe to receive Russian gas through Ukraine when it expires at the end of the year, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 26, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter. https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-eu-preparing-to-rule-out-ukraine-gas-transit-deal-with-russia/

Ukraine's state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia said on Jan. 25 that it is creating a unit that will use drones to monitor and protect railroad infrastructure. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-railway-company-to-hire-veterans-to-protect-infrastructure-with-drones/

⚡️Ukrainian officials meet relatives of POWs https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-officials-meet-relatives-of-pows-who-russia-claims-were-in-crashed-il-76-say-no-evidence-to-confirm-that/ who Russia claims were in crashed Il-76, say no evidence to confirm that.

⚡️ Moscow court again extends https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-court-again-extends-jailed-us-journalist-gershovichs-pre-trial-detention/ pre-trial detention of jailed US journalist Gershkovich.

A new water pipeline that should provide drinking water to residents of four Ukrainian oblasts following Russia’s destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam is 95% complete, the Infrastructure Ministry reported on Jan. 25. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-ministry-says-new-water-pipeline-95-ready/

Alarming campaign against free press in Ukraine This Week in Ukraine S2 E3
This week's #ThisWeekInUkraine is dedicated to the recent attacks against journalists in Ukraine and the country's press freedom over the years.

'I wanted to save lives.' How pregnant medic https://kyivindependent.com/how-pregnant-combat-medic-saved-lives-on-the-front-line/ kept working on front line amid heavy combat

A Russian sabotage group shot to death a brother and a sister in the Khotin community of Sumy Oblast on the morning of Jan. 27, the regional military administration said. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-sabotage-group-kills-brother-sister-in-sumy-oblast/

Ragnar Gudmundsson

WAR IN #UKRAINE - JAN 27, 2024
■ Casualties below 7-day average, moderate equipment losses ■strikes below average (GSUA didn't specifystrikes this time)
■ Engagements & settlements under artillery fire up between days
■ Oryx: 54 added to records (343after cleanup), 30-day ratio rises to 2.5x

UNITED25 Media Telegram Highlights

The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, withdraws his candidacy from the elections to the European Parliament, — La Libre. [does anyone understand the implications of this? damn memory .. does this mean Órban is in with a chance of heavily influencing things again?]

Denmark will allocate $8.75 million to Ukraine to support the fight against corruption, and the EU will contribute $10.21 million, announced the head of the Foreign Ministry of Denmark, Lars Lücke Rasmussen.

Ukraine is fighting two wars against Russia at once — at the front and on the territory of Russia itself. The second one may prove to be a game-changer strategy for hitting Russia where it hurts. This is evidenced by the UAV attack on an oil and gas refinery and an oil export terminal near St Petersburg — The Spectator.
This operation by the Ukrainian defenders has severely dented Russian ability to produce and export fuel, the journalists explain.
Currently, about 40% of the Russian economy is operating for the war. Most of the costs are covered by oil and gas sales.
“Russia has one structural vulnerability that Ukraine does not have, its vast territory and scattered infrastructure make it impossible to protect every pipeline, plant and bridge," the article stated.

Rosneft's Tuapsin Refinery halted oil processing and oil product production on January 25 due to an attack by Ukrainian drones, as reported by Reuters, citing industry sources.
The repair of the plant is estimated to last until the end of February or the beginning of March.

The United States, in close cooperation with Ukraine, is conducting an investigation into the IL-76 crash in the Belgorod region to ascertain all the facts of the plane wreck.

🇧🇪Belgium and Ukraine signed 6 documents on the commencement of cooperation in the defense industry.

The devastating cyber attack against Russian IPL Consulting was executed by Main Intelligence Directorate specialists, who infiltrated the company's internal network and obliterated its entire IT infrastructure, comprising over 60 terabytes, dozens of servers, and databases. IPL provided assistance in the implementation of information systems to institutions engaged in the design, production of automobile and aviation components, heavy engineering, production of equipment and devices, particularly in the interests of the Russian defense and industrial complex," stated Main Intelligence Directorate.

❗️Ukraine has returned the bodies of 77 more fallen defenders.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇩🇰🇺🇦 An office of the Danish Embassy was officially opened in Mykolaiv. It will play a key role in the reconstruction of Mykolaiv region, which suffered from the Russian invasion

Strong explosion in the Leningrad region near St. Petersburg Vyborg

German Chancellor Scholz will visit https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-26/scholz-to-visit-washington-for-biden-meeting-on-ukraine-aid** Washington in the first half of February to meet with US President Biden amid the two leaders' efforts to provide additional support for Ukraine — Bloomberg

Boris Nadezhdin, the hope of all Russian liberals and a presidential candidate who is supposedly in opposition to Putin, says that the indigenous peoples of America are Russian. [There seems a near universal view in the West that he's just a stooge]

Moldovan anti-corruption official Veronica Drăgălin rejects Russian speaking journalist for not asking her question in the official language of the country, Romanian. "I can't help you, I don't speak Russian."

Putin suggests https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1750924522742542510?s=46&t=hmPdh3epcvbnoUN2TQsSDw** Il-76 couldn't be shot down by Russian air defence "by definition" due to friend-or-foe systems
Apparently, no one told him about the A-50, which the Russians argued furiously was taken down by own air defence.

A bus with 61 Ukrainians overturned near the Uhryniv-Dolhobyczów border crossing from Poland. 20 Ukrainians were injured and hospitalized. The rest were placed in a school in Dolhobyczów.

A good example for others

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-26-2024

Key Takeaways:

• The Kremlin and US officials rejected rumors about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations amid continued indications from the Kremlin that Russia seeks nothing less than full Ukrainian and Western capitulation.
• Russian demands for Ukrainian “neutrality” and a moratorium on NATO expansion have always been and continue to be one of Putin’s central justifications for his invasion of Ukraine, and any hypothetical concession on these demands would represent a major strategic and rhetorical retreat on Putin’s behalf that Putin is extremely unlikely to be considering at this time.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated boilerplate Kremlin narratives that blame Ukraine for the war while also highlighting Russian forces in the Soledar direction.
• The circumstances of the January 24 crash of a Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft in Belgorod Oblast remain unclear.
• The European Union (EU) will provide Ukraine with an additional five billion euros to meet “urgent military needs” in the near future.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) continues efforts to expand Russia’s influence and subsume previous Wagner Group operations in Africa.
• Russia reportedly imported $1.7 billion worth of advanced microchips and semiconductors in 2023, primarily from the West, skirting Western sanctions intended to deprive Russia of such technology.
• Russian forces advanced near Avdiivka amid continued positional engagements throughout the theater.
• Elements of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s alleged personal private military company (PMC) may have deployed to Ukraine.
• Russian opposition media reported on January 26 that Viktor Filonov, a Russian soldier in the 234th Airborne Regiment (76th VDV Division) serving in Ukraine, adopted a Ukrainian child from occupied Donetsk Oblast.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Washington Post: Russia aims https://kyivindependent.com/washington-post-russia-aims-to-create-new-world-order-through-alliance-with-china/ to create new world order via alliance with China.
Russia is attempting to deepen its economic and diplomatic ties with China and the Global South to allow it to challenge the international financial system dominated by the U.S. and to undermine the West, the Washington Post reported.

⚡️Lukashenko arrives https://kyivindependent.com/lukashenko-arrives-in-russia-to-meet-putin/ in Russia to meet Putin.

⚡️Kuleba: Ukraine, Lithuania agree https://kyivindependent.com/kuleba-ukraine-lithuania-agree-on-joint-drone-production/ on joint drone production.

⚡️Investigation: Russia imports https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-russia-imports-taiwanese-metalworking-equipment-despite-sanctions/ Taiwanese metalworking equipment despite sanctions.
Taiwan has become the biggest exporter of metalworking equipment to Russia during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a new joint investigation by the Russian independent media The Insider and Taiwanese The Reporter, published on Jan. 27, revealed. Moscow reportedly received 193 pieces of Taiwanese-made metalworking machinery worth nearly $29 million from March to September 2023.

⚡️SBU uncovers mass fraud in weapons procurement https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-uncovers-mass-fraud-in-weapons-procurement/
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced on Jan. 27 the discovery of a corruption scheme related to the procurement of almost 100,000 mortar shells, amounting to nearly $40 million.
The individuals implicated in the embezzlement include both former and current high-ranking officials from the Defense Ministry, as well as heads of associated companies.

⚡️National Resistance Center: Russia recruits Belarusian youth https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-kichenok-loses-gland-slam-doubles-final-to-no-2-seed/ to its military universities.

⚡️State Border Guard: About 1,300 trucks https://kyivindependent.com/state-border-guard-about-1-300-trucks-in-line-to-enter-ukraine-from-poland-waiting-time-quicker/ in line to enter Ukraine from Poland, no delays in checks.

⚡️ Governor: 5 bodies found https://kyivindependent.com/governor-remains-of-5-bodies-found-under-rubble-in-donetsk-oblast/ under rubble of destroyed building in Donetsk Oblast.

⚡️Governor: 13-year-old girl dies in hospital https://kyivindependent.com/governor-13-year-old-girl-dies-in-hospital-following-russian-attack-on-kharkiv-oblast/ following Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast.

⚡️Ukraine’s Kichenok loses (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-kichenok-loses-gland-slam-doubles-final-to-no-2-seed/) Gland Slam Doubles Final to No 2 seed.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
ragnarbjartur.bsky.social

⚡️ WAR IN #UKRAINE - JAN 28, 2024
■ Casualties below 7-day average, moderate equipment losses
■ Strikes on both sides below average, engagements slightly above
■ Fewer settlements under artillery fire

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

According to The Telegraph, Russia is reportedly planning to continue its military efforts for another 3-4 years, evident from the intensified development of its military production. The aggressor country is repurposing former shopping centers, bakeries, and other civilian infrastructure into weapons factories. Since February 2022, there has been a substantial increase in tank production by 560%, infantry fighting vehicles by 360%, and armored personnel carriers by 350%.
The Telegraph highlights that occupiers aim to produce 2 million artillery shells annually, though the current production scale may not be sufficient for a comprehensive offensive in 2024.

According to The Washington Post, Moscow is allegedly attempting to undermine the global financial system by diminishing the influence of the dollar. European intelligence, reportedly citing documents from the Security Council of the Russian Federation, reveals that over the past two years, the Kremlin has conducted meetings to discuss strategies for reducing the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency.
Another document, attributed to Secretary of the Security Council Patrushev, advocates for expanding cooperation between China and Russia in artificial intelligence, cyber systems, and the internet. It suggests the creation of a new financial system and a Eurasian digital currency, utilizing alternative payment systems like blockchain. The declared aim is to bypass Western dominance in global financial transactions.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly sent a letter to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis proposing the handover or sale of weapons to Ukraine in exchange for Washington's $200 million aid, according to Greek publication Kathimerini.

🇳🇱 The Netherlands has joined the IT coalition for the cyber protection of Ukraine, making an initial contribution of €10 million.

In the event of Ukraine's defeat in the war with Russia, Hungary will demand Transcarpathia, — the leader of the Hungarian ultra-right party Mi Hazank, László Toroczkai.

As of October last year, Ukraine substantially reduced its export of agricultural products to EU countries, nearly returning to the pre-war levels of 2021, according to a report from the European Commission on trade in agricultural products.

Yesterday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
On this day, January 27, 1945, the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front liberated the prisoners of the largest Nazi death concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
During the Second World War, approximately 6 million Jews fell victim to Nazi policy, with 1.5 million of them from the territory of modern Ukraine. Babyn Yar in Kyiv was utilized by fascists for mass executions, and this site has become a symbol of the Holocaust in Ukraine.

❄️ Scientists from the Ukrainian station "Akademik Vernadsky" have captured a rare natural phenomenon — snow rolls.

Live: Ukraine Highlights

Russia is increasingly confident in its ability to "undermine the West," and support for Putin is growing - The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/26/kremlin-global-alliances-ukraine-us/
According to the newspaper, Russia is increasingly confident that deepening economic and diplomatic ties with China and the Global South will allow it to challenge the US-dominated international financial system and "undermine the West."

Russians occupied Tabaivka in the Kupyansk sector and are trying to advance towards Pishchane - DeepState

Greece approves https://www.kathimerini.gr/politics/foreign-policy/562853269/f-35-poies-dynatotites-xekleidonoyn-gia-tis-enoples-dynameis/ transfer of obsolete air defense systems to Ukraine - Kathimerini
It is not specified what kind of system it is, but open sources say that Greece is armed with Tor, Osa, S-300 air defense systems, as well as ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

🇭🇺Hungary has not condemned North Korea's arms sales to Russia because it "has not received any evidence."

A participant in the massacres in Bucha adopted 7yo Ukrainian orphan Oleh, who was forcibly removed from Ukraine along with thousands of other children.

Russian media report that an engineer at the Almaz-Antey plant committed suicide because of a Russian missile strike on Kharkiv
In his suicide note, the man wrote that it was the exact munition he was working on. And in the destroyed house lived his grandmother, who died.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-27-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Kremlin officials claimed that Russia is in an existential geopolitical conflict with an alleged modern Nazi movement that extends beyond Ukraine while marking the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the siege of Leningrad.
• Putin has long tried to construct an ideology for Russia that he can use to support a geopolitical confrontation with the West reminiscent of the Cold War, and the Kremlin may increasingly use existing rhetoric about fighting Nazism to support this effort.
• Putin specifically accused the Baltic states of adopting “Nazism,” likely as part of continued Kremlin efforts to set information conditions for future Russian aggression against NATO members.
• Myanmar banks reportedly connected to the Russian System for the Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) banking system, a Russian analogue for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) banking system.
• Russian forces conducted a limited series of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine on January 26 and 27.
• Russian authorities are likely blocking communications in the Sakha Republic for the fourth consecutive day following January 24 protests in support of a Russian citizen allegedly murdered by a naturalized Russian citizen from Tajikistan.
• Russian forces made recent confirmed advances near Kupyansk, Kreminna, and Avdiivka amid continued positional engagements along the entire line of contact on January 27.
• UK outlet the Telegraph reported on January 26, citing an unnamed Western official, that Russia is spending roughly 40 percent of its GDP on the war in Ukraine, more than Russian national spending on health and education.
• Russian federal subjects continue to establish patronage networks with occupied areas of Ukraine.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-28-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Kremlin officials and mouthpieces continue to set information conditions to destabilize Moldova, likely as part of efforts to prevent Moldova’s integration into the EU and the West among other objectives.
• Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergei Naryshkin reiterated that the Kremlin is not interested in any settlements short of the complete destruction and eradication of the Ukrainian state, likely in an ongoing effort to justify the long-term and costly Russian war effort to domestic audiences.
• The Kremlin also continues to frame and justify a long-term Russian war effort as part of an existential geopolitical confrontation with the West and Nazism.
• Ukrainian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s ability to technologically adapt and develop as Russian forces continue to adapt to Ukrainian operations in a January 27 Sky News interview.
• The Kremlin will likely use the withdrawals of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to continue efforts to expand Russian influence in Francophone Africa.
• Unnamed Indian government sources stated that India wants to distance itself from Russia, its largest arms supplier, because the war in Ukraine has limited Russia’s ability to provide India with munitions.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Kreminna and Avdiivka amid continued positional fighting throughout the theater.
• A Russian source claimed that Rosgvardia is forming the 1st Volunteer Corps with remaining Wagner Group personnel and newly recruited volunteers (dobrovoltsy) following the Kremlin adoption of the law allowing Rosgvardia to form its own volunteer formations in December 2023.
• Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Head Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov stated on January 28 that Ukraine and Russia will conduct a prisoner of war (POW) exchange in the near future.