Ukraine Invasion: Part 47

[MagicFox]

Welcome to thread 47. Thanks as usual to all for the information, guidance and solidarity.

**
Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

Laws can be changed, the EU is already moving in this direction, as are calls in the USA to seize assets.

We are running out of ways to deal with Russia.

If we carrying on doing as we are so far, then a: the war will last for many years and b; Russia will probably, at the very least, gain large amounts of Ukraine.

We are always worrying, hence why we are where we are with Putin.

@MissConductUS

Apologies on my mistake in referring to the GI Bill as an act...🙁

Seen from overseas it always looked like an excellent recruiting tool.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Bloomberg: US tells allies Russia may deploy https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-us-tells-allies-russia-may-deploy-nuclear-anti-satellite-weapon-into-space-this-year/ nuclear anti-satellite weapon into space this year.
A nuclear explosion could potentially affect about a third of satellites and damage communication systems on Earth, they said.

⚡️ Hungary set to ratify https://kyivindependent.com/hungary-set-to-ratify-swedens-nato-accession/ Sweden's NATO accession. Hungary plans to bring a vote on Sweden's NATO accession on Feb. 26.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend a summit of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 nations (G20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scheduled to begin on Feb. 21.
https://kyivindependent.com/blinken-lavrov-to-attend-g20-talks-in-brazil-with-focus-on-ukraine-gaza/

The European Commission on Feb. 20 announced the allocation of 83 million euros ($89.8 million) in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and Moldova in 2024. https://kyivindependent.com/eu-provides-almost-90-million-in-humanitarian-aid-to-ukraine-moldova/

⚡️ EU ambassadors agree https://kyivindependent.com/eu-ambassadors-agree-on-13th-package-of-sanctions-against-russia/ on 13th package of sanctions against Russia.

The delivery of 100 Bulgarian armored personnel carriers to Ukraine has been delayed as the Bulgarian Defense Ministry asks NATO to cover the transport costs, Euractiv reported on Feb. 20, citing Bulgarian lawmakers and officials. https://kyivindependent.com/media-bulgaria-delays-supply-of-pledged-armored-vehicles-to-ukraine/

⚡️German media: Germany plans to send https://kyivindependent.com/germany-preparing-to-send-long-range-missile-systems-taurus-missiles-not-mentioned-in-plan/ long-range missile systems, Taurus missiles not mentioned.

Ukrainian business associations are calling for reforms to the country's new mobilization law, fearing that its draft policies could cripple an already-struggling domestic economy, Reuters reported on Feb. 19 https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-ukrainian-businesses-fear-new-mobilization-law-could-paralyze-economy/

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said on Feb. 20 that authorities had "successfully stopped a hybrid operation by Russia's security services on our territory." https://kyivindependent.com/estonia-says-it-stopped-hybrid-operation-by-russian-security-services/

Kyiv will "firmly respond" to any attempts to involve the Russian-controlled Moldovan region of Transnistria in Russia's war against Ukraine and destabilize the situation in Moldova, the Foreign Ministry said amid increased Russian pressure on the Eastern European country. https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-says-it-will-firmly-respond-if-moscow-attempts-to-involve-transnistria-in-the-war/

⚡️ Russian media: China's 3 biggest banks stop accepting payments https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-chinas-3-biggest-banks-stop-accepting-payments-from-russia/ from sanctioned Russian institutions.

⚡️Biden administration to impose https://kyivindependent.com/biden-administration-to-impose-major-sanctions-in-response-to-alexei-navalnys-murder/ 'major sanctions' in response to Alexei Navalny's murder.

⚡️Germany uncovers https://kyivindependent.com/germany-uncovers-russian-eurasian-money-laundering-scheme/ Russian-Eurasian money laundering scheme which facilitated an illegal cash flow of tens of millions of euros, the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Feb. 20.

⚡️UK Defense Ministry: Russia intensifying attacks near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-russia-intensifying-attacks-near-robotyne-in-zaporizhzhia-oblast/

⚡️ BBC: Ukrainian HIMARS strike in occupied Donetsk Oblast kills dozens https://kyivindependent.com/bbc-ukrainian-himars-strike-in-donetsk-oblast-possibly-killed-over-60-russian-troops/ of Russian troop

Ukrainian soldiers recall retreat from Avdiivka https://kyivindependent.com/avdiivka-defenders-forced-to-leave-wounded-behind-escape-encirclement-by-foot/ – on foot, leaving their wounded behind

⚡️ Pentagon: US can deliver aid to Ukraine https://kyivindependent.com/pentagon-us-can-deliver-ukraine-aid-quickly-once-congress-passes-funding/ quickly once Congress passes funding [within days]

⚡️Media: OSCE will hold https://kyivindependent.com/media-osce-will-hold-a-special-meeting-on-anniversary-of-full-scale-invasion/ a special meeting on anniversary of full-scale invasion.

⚡️CNN: First group of Ukrainian pilots to complete https://kyivindependent.com/cnn-first-group-of-ukrainian-pilots-to-complete-us-led-f-16-training-by-summer/ US-led F-16 training by summer.

⚡️ Budanov: Russia lacks strength https://kyivindependent.com/budanov-russia-lacks-strength-to-fully-capture-luhansk-donetsk-oblasts-in-2024/ to fully capture Luhansk, Donetsk oblasts in 2024.

⚡️ Spanish media confirms identity https://kyivindependent.com/spanish-authorities/ of murdered Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine.

⚡️ Infrastructure Ministry: Grain dumped by Polish farmers was transiting to Germany. https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-officials-denounce-polish-farmers-dumping-grain-on-railway-tracks/

⚡️ Ukrainian carriers launch counter-demonstrations https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-carriers-launch-counterdemonstration-at-polish-border/ at Polish border. Ukrainian truckers started their demonstrations at around 12 p.m., plastering their vehicles with inscriptions in English and Ukrainian saying, "Stop the blockade – let Ukrainian drivers return home" or "Ukraine lose – Poland lose!"

⚡️ Polish farmers threaten https://kyivindependent.com/polish-farmers-threaten-to-extend-border-blockade-until-april-block-buses-from-crossing/ to extend border blockade until April, block buses from crossing

Poland may consider additional restrictions on Ukrainian food products if a deal with Kyiv cannot be reached, Polish Agriculture Deputy Minister Michal Kolodziejczak told Polsat News on Feb. 20. https://kyivindependent.com/poland-warns-of-further-trade-restrictions-if-deal-with-ukraine-not-reached/

⚡️ Deputy minister: No free movement https://kyivindependent.com/deputy-minister-trucks-blocked-at-all-checkpoints-on-ukrainian-polish-border/ of trucks along entire Ukrainian-Polish border.
Kyiv and Warsaw are negotiating a solution to the ongoing border blockade by Polish farmers, as there is no free movement of trucks at any crossing

⚡️ Polish consul on farmers' actions at border: 'Disgrace and shame.' https://kyivindependent.com/polish-consul-denounces-border-blockade-disgrace-and-shame/

Almost 70% of Ukrainians think that Zelensky should remain in office for the duration of martial law, and elections should be postponed until it is lifted, according to a survey released on Feb. 20 by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). https://kyivindependent.com/poll-majority-of-ukrainians-want-zelensky-to-remain-president-for-duration-of-martial-law/

https://kyivindependent.com/poll-only-10-of-europeans-believe-ukraine-can-win-war/ An average of only 10% of Europeans believe that Ukraine can ultimately defeat Russia, according to a poll released on Feb. 21 by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Around 20% of respondents said they thought Russia would win the war.
A plurality (37%) across the 12 countries said a "compromise settlement" was the most likely outcome. This figure was similar across the board, including in countries more inclined to say that Ukraine would secure an outright victory.

⚡️Kremlin dismisses https://kyivindependent.com/kremlin-dismisses-eus-demand-for-international-investigation-of-navalnys-death/ EU's demand for international investigation of Navalny's death.

⚡️Ombudsman asks UN, Red Cross https://kyivindependent.com/ombudsman-asks-un-red-cross-to-investigate-execution-of-ukrainian-pows-in-avdiivka/ to investigate Russia’s execution of Ukrainian POWs in Avdiivka.

⚡️Ombudsman: 11 more Ukrainian children https://kyivindependent.com/ombudsman-11-more-ukrainian-children-illegally-held-by-russia-return-home/illegally held by Russia return home.

Ragnar Gudmundsson

WAR IN #UKRAINE - FEB 21, 2024
■ Record 7-day casualties; +19% between weeks, 30-day losses close to 29k
■ Equipment losses on the rise as well, including most APVs & MLRS losses so far in 2024
■ Strikes on both sides up between days

Cutting back on funding for the forces has been happening all century. Both my forces children noticed it – a lot, because it had a direct impact on them, for instance on the quality and availability of married quarters for the families of naval personnel on long postings.

Murz, a notorious Russian milblogger, committed sui ... has been found dead.

He wrote openly in the last couple days that Ru had lost 300 vehicles and lost 16,000 soldiers dead/very badly wounded in Avdiivka.

I’m sure he’ll be sadly missed…..

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The British research organization Conflict Armament Research (CAR) has discovered hundreds of components manufactured by European and American companies in a ballistic missile provided by North Korea to Russia for potential use against Ukraine.

Russian spies are back—and more dangerous than ever, — The Economist.
Russian agents are creating armies of bots in social networks, fake websites, conducting cyberattacks, running information campaigns against European authorities, establishing channels for supplying equipment to Russian arms manufacturers, embedding their agents in various institutions, undermining European support for Ukraine and destroying NATO from within.

The USA purchased Indian petroleum products made from Russian raw materials for $1.3 billion, — CNN. The analysis by the CREA estimated the US was the biggest buyer of refined products from India made from Russian crude last year, worth $1.3 billion between early Dec 2022, when the price cap was introduced, and the end of 2023.
The CREA estimated that $9.1 billion worth of oil products made from Russian crude was imported by countries in 2023, a 44% increase from the year before.

Reports from the National Resistance Center, established by the SSO (Special Operations Forces), indicate that in Russia, women prisoners are being recruited into the army with the intention of deploying them to Ukraine.
The recruitment campaign has been ongoing for several months in correctional colonies across various regions. Women are being offered contracts for a year, primarily for combat roles such as snipers or attack aircraft. They are promised a two-month training program, with amnesty offered at the conclusion of their contract.

The Dutch court has dismissed Russia's appeal in the Yukos case, according to Bloomberg.
The shareholders argued that Russia had imposed politically motivated tax burdens on Yukos, the largest oil company in Russia at the time, leading to its bankruptcy and the seizure of its assets in favor of the state-owned Rosneft. The court in The Hague initially ruled in favor of the shareholders back in 2014.

"Forbes" reports that if Putin succeeds in conquering Ukraine, he may turn his attention to the Baltic countries, purportedly to protect Russian minorities, and eventually target Poland. ...
The article predicts a mass exodus of Ukrainians to the West in the event of a Russian victory. ..It estimates that if Putin prevails, over 20 million Ukrainians could seek refuge in Western countries.

At the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of the power lines sustained damage due to shelling.

"Ukraine would not have lost Avdiivka if it had received ammunition on time," stated Foreign Minister Kuleba in an interview with CNN.

President of Latvia Rinkevičs published a post in X with a caricature of Western supplies to Ukraine

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Czech billionaire Jan Barta will donate $2 million to purchase FPV drones for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
The scheme is as follows: one repost of Barta's Twitter (X) post is $100, which goes to the Nemesis project, which raises funds for drones for Ukraine. The limit is $2 million. https://twitter.com/absurdtrader/status/1759307764176707643?s=19&t=t7wds63IMkS0kJ_-v1hU5A

Petr Panasiuk, an “ordinary peaceful farmer”, protests on the Poland-Ukraine border.
Coincidentally, Mr. Panasiuk is registered on Russian social media platform “VKontakte” and is listed in the “Peacemaker” database as an agent of the Russian special services.
On social media, Mr. Panasiuk enjoys posting Russian propaganda narratives and calling to end all support for Ukraine.

The United Kingdom, along with the allies, plans https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-17/us-uk-may-arm-ukraine-with-ai-enabled-drones-to-target-russian-positions** to arm Ukraine with thousands of artificial intelligence drones – Bloomberg
One of the features of such drones is that they will be able to swarm and simultaneously attack Russian targets. At the same time, operators will not have to control each individual device.

After capturing Avdiivka, Russian troops focused on the village of Lastochkyne.
Maksym Zhorin, deputy commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, writes that this is currently the main direction of the Russian offensive around Avdiivka. According to him, the Russians have enough forces for this.

Hundreds of components made by European and American companies were found in the North Korean KN-23/24 ballistic missile that Russia used to hit Kharkiv on February 2 https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0814c6868bbd45a98b15693a31bd0e7f

Ukraine plans to build https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-20/ukraine-plans-new-danube-export-route-to-beat-polish-border-spat** an additional route across the Danube to increase exports to pre-war levels
Container transportation via the upper Danube is considered a good solution, as Romania is "more predictable" than Poland.

The second basketball player from Ukraine, who was stabbed in an attack, has died in Germany
Doctors fought for Artem Kozachenko's life for a long time, but eventually the 18-year-old died in intensive care.

Russian soldier and propagandist Andrei Morozov "Murz" committed suicide.
The day before, the occupier published a post in which he noted the losses of Russians in Avdiivka – about 16 thousand killed. The command of the Russian Armed Forces forced him to delete the post.

🤡Anna Kuznetsova, deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma, stated there are proven facts of Ukraine conducting experiments on children in psychiatric wards

"Putin, put things in order with Ukraine, Brussels, and our governments."
These are the slogans of Polish farmers with the Soviet flag.

So UK manufacturers are still exporting heavy machinery and cars to Russia inc planes, drones and helicopter parts via 3rd party countries then shipped to Russia.
Thats on top of our so called ally, India, funding the Russian govt.

You really couldn't make this shit up.

We might as well start selling to both sides.

Not a problem, and it is an excellent recruiting tool. It turns the military into an attractive career option.

The GI Bill is also credited for quite a bit of the post WWII economic boom we had in the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to creating a skilled workforce, it poured money into the American university system, making it one of the best in the world. It’s probably the smartest thing Congress has ever done.

And lots of great officers have come out of the ROTC program. 😁

@jasflowersthere is an ever growing list sanctions in place in the UK, US and EU against this, including new ones against the murder of Navalny. The sanctions regime is widely acknowledged to be an imperfect regime and prone to be circumvented via these third parties but Western companies are not legally allowed to knowingly sell to the Russia war machine.

Just because sanctions are difficult to police against third parties and a terrorist state intent on circumventing them does not mean Ukraine's allies are not using sanctions as one of their levers against Russia. They are and have been. I work in this field.

I am not sure what you mean by "you could not make this shit up. We might as well start selling to both sides". No we are not selling to both sides, I don't believe the world has gone to hell in a handbasket. And you might be on a daily mail rant or worse.

Why does the UK army apprenticeship scheme compare badly with the US? They do train officers out of there as well, I believe.

I would certainly support the government increasing the defence share of the budget to make the UK military an attractive career option. Best to work on that now to provide the backbone and infrastructure of trained and professional force. It will support conscription if that ever becomes a life-and-death issue later.

@blueshoes Did you watch to the Sky report, no and only you mentioned the DM, an awful rag.

Its the same across Europe, selling into former Soviet states who then sell onto..... let me guess.
This from last May: (other links more recent are available)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-sanctioned-western-goods-are-still-flowing-into-russia-916db262

Maybe consider why sanctions haven't bought Russia to its knees or even in anyway hurt them? or wondered why European manufacturing hasn't suffered one iota.
Sanctions have not worked at all.

Yes 2 years in, Russia still destroying the country, millions displaced, Ukraine running out of munitions.....& opposition figures to Putin murdered with impunity...... its bleak and quite frankly if you cannot see that, then you re a fool.

Thought this Edward Stringer piece was positively forward thinking. I hope those in power listen to him:

Trump is right. Defenceless Europe can no longer freeload off America

Air Marshal Edward Stringer is a Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange and former Director-General of the Defence Academy

archive.is/2024.02.20-130124/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/20/trump-nato-defence-spending-europe/

@jasflowers I don't agree at all that sanctions havent worked at all - otherwise the Russian shills wouldn't be trying to get people to lift them. They've absolutely made things more difficult.

The problem is, as far as I am aware and since @Blueshoes works in this field she'd know more, the dual-use stuff and getting things in through the -stans and Turkïye.

Much more needs to be done to keep track of the electronics, agreed completely. But that is a new concept, no one thought they'd have to keep track of the damn washing machines and I hope the will is there to start doing that. N Korean missiles have Western tech, fgs!

But without the efforts of sanctions it would be much, much worse.

Also, Blueshoes is no fool.

Indeed! Blueshoes is one of us! 🇺🇦

On the Gideon Rachman podcast this morning Anne Applebaum said that the mood in Munich was an anxiety that come next year Europe could be facing three autocracies: Russia, China and America :-( It really hit me for six when she put it like that

@shashankjohsi

In the Black Sea Russia has now fired missiles at a British Rivet Joint, poured fuel over & struck a US Reaper and now threatened to shoot down French ISR flights (which are providing overwatch for Ukraine’s grain export corridor along other tasks). Mad, reckless, stupid.

I guess I am a fool of sorts for being on 47 Ukraine threads with no end in sight 😂😭

This is actually quite insane, particularly the US Reaper. Why aggravate the US directly now? Trump might even change his mind if under direct attack.

@MissConductUS any thoughts on this?

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-21-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Prominent independent Russian milblogger Andrei Morozov reportedly committed suicide on February 21 after refusing the Russian military command’s orders to delete his reports about high Russian casualty rates around Avdiivka. [Well, he had some strength of conviction]
• A Ukrainian official denied a recent New York Times (NYT) report that Russian forces may have captured “hundreds” of Ukrainian soldiers during Ukraine’s withdrawal from Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast.
• Russian Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov claimed that Russian forces seized Avdiivka within a “fairly short time.”
• A Ukrainian HIMARS strike against an undefended Russian training ground near occupied Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast likely inflicted significant casualties, triggering a point of neuralgia for the Russian ultranationalist milblogger community.
• Zaporizhia Oblast occupation governor Yevgeny Balitsky openly admitted that Russian authorities are forcibly deporting Ukrainian citizens who oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or “insult” Russia and possibly alluded to Russian occupation forces’ summarily executing Ukrainian citizens.
• Iranian sources told Reuters on February 21 that Iran provided hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) to Russia in early January.
• Russian authorities detained a dual US-Russian citizen in Yekaterinburg on suspicion of raising money for the Ukrainian war effort.
• Russian forces made confirmed advances near Avdiivka, Donetsk City, Robotyne, and Krynky.
• Belarusian and Kazakh companies are reportedly helping Russia circumvent international sanctions intended to deprive the Russian defense industrial base (DIB) of Western components and machines.
• Russian occupation administrations continue to foster patronage networks with Russian federal subjects.

Not wishing to minimise the risks or be an apologist for the Russians the use of language and some of the subtleties behind a couple of those airborne incidents is quite important:

In the Black Sea Russia has now fired missiles at a British Rivet Joint,

AFAIK the expression used to describe by officialdom to describe that incident has always been "released" rather than "fired", or "fired at"...depending on details (which we don't know) the two acts aren't necessarily on the same level when it comes to agression/hostile acts...

they poured fuel over & struck a US Reaper

I think one whole reason politicians like the idea of using Reaper or similar is to avoid having to come up with anything other than a strongly worded response if the intelligence gathering asset gets damaged or knocked down...(and of course the US happily shot down a Chinese unmanned asset a few months backs).

It's this sort of incident that gives the politicians (and others) nightmares.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Island_incident

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Reuters: Iran supplies https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-iran-supplies-hundreds-of-ballistic-missiles-to-russia/ 'hundreds of ballistic missiles' to Russia.
Three Iranian sources told Reuters that Iran sent 400 missiles, including "many from the Fateh-110 family of short-range ballistic weapons," which have a range of up to 700 kilometers.

⚡️Bloomberg: Ukraine nears agreement https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-ukraine-nears-agreement-with-imf-on-900-million-tranche/ with IMF on $900-million tranche.

⚡️CBC: Canada may contribute $30 million https://kyivindependent.com/cbc-canada-may-contribute-30-million-to-czechias-ammunition-delivery-to-ukraine/ to Czechia's ammunition delivery to Ukraine.

Denmark will provide Ukraine with another defense aid package worth 1.7 billion Danish kroner (around $247 million) that includes ammunition and drone equipment, among other things, the Danish Defense Ministry announced on Feb. 22. https://kyivindependent.com/denmark-announces-247-million-military-aid-package-for-ukraine/

⚡️Bloomberg: Seizure of frozen Russian assets legal https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-seizure-of-frozen-russian-assets-legal-experts-say/ experts say.
A letter signed by international legal experts argues that the seizure of frozen Russian central bank assets to aid Ukraine would be lawful given Russia's "ongoing breach of the most fundamental rules of international law," Bloomberg reported on Feb. 21.

Switzerland is ramping up efforts to prevent companies and individuals from using the country to circumvent sanctions imposed against Russia, Reuters reported on Feb. 21. https://kyivindependent.com/switzerland-cracks-down-on-russian-sanctions-evasion/

New Zealand’s government announced on Feb. 22 that it would provide Ukraine with another defense and humanitarian aid package worth almost $26 million. https://kyivindependent.com/new-zealand-announces-26-million-aid-package-for-ukraine/

⚡️Bloomberg: BAE Systems warns https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-bae-systems-warns/ supplies to Ukraine take time despite increasing production.

⚡️Zelensky pledges 'quick steps' https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-pledges-quick-steps-in-response-to-blockade-of-polish-ukrainian-border/ in response to blockade of Polish-Ukrainian border.

⚡️Zelensky to hold https://kyivindependent.com/spokesman-zelensky-to-hold-conference-with-military-political-leadership-on-ukraines-future-path/ conference with military, political leadership on ‘Ukraine’s future path.'

⚡️UK announces new Russia sanctions https://kyivindependent.com/uk-announces-new-sanctions-against-russia-to-coincide-with-full-scale-invasions-2nd-anniversary/)/ ahead of 2-year anniversary of full-scale war.
The package targets more than 50 individuals and companies that help support Russia's war machine by providing military equipment and revenue for the Russian state.

⚡️ FT: French company Danone plans to sell Russian subsidiary https://kyivindependent.com/ft-french-company-danone-plans-to-sell-russian-subsidiary-to-kadyrov-linked-businessman/ to Kadyrov-linked businessman.

⚡️Pro-Kremlin military blogger Andrey Morozov, who wrote under the pseudonym "Murz" on Telegram, dead https://kyivindependent.com/pro-kremlin-military-blogger-dead-after-reporting-russias-losses-in-avdiivka/ after reporting Russia's losses in Avdiivka.

Close to 50% of Poles believe that a Russian attack on Poland is "likely," according to a survey released by the Polish media outlet RMF24 on Feb. 22. https://kyivindependent.com/poll-almost-50-of-poles-believe-a-russian-attack-on-poland-is-possible/

⚡️ UK announces sanctions against 6 Russians https://kyivindependent.com/uk-announces-sanctions-against-6-russians-in-charge-of-prison-where-navalny-was-held/ in charge of prison where Navalny was held.

⚡️ Media: Russian citizens attending Navalny vigils reportedly given draft summonses. https://kyivindependent.com/media-russians-attending-navalny-vigils-given-draft-summons/

⚡️ Russia used https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-2-zircon-hypersonic-missiles-during-feb-7-attack/ two Zircon hypersonic missiles in Feb. 7 attack, expert says.

EU countries agreed to remove Arkady Volozh, co-founder of Russia's most popular search engine Yandex, from the list of sanctions against entities and individuals associated with Russia's war against Ukraine, Reuters reported on Feb. 21, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the discussions. https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-eu-to-remove-yandex-co-founder-from-russian-sanctions-list/

Ukraine war latest: BBC reports Ukrainian HIMARS strike in occupied Donetsk Oblast kills dozens of Russian troops https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-bbc-reports-ukrainian-himars-strike-in-occupied-donetsk-oblast-kills-dozens-of-russian-troops/

⚡️Update: US citizen arrested in Russia reportedly identified https://kyivindependent.com/update-us-citizen-arrested-in-russia-identified-faces-up-to-20-years-in-prison/ faces up to 20 years in prison

Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - FEB 22, 2024
■ Weekly casualties & landbased equipment losses at a record level
■ Most MLRS losses reported in 2024 so far
■strikes above average but/strike ratio (air & artillery) unfortunately still very much in Russia's favor

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

European Parliament committees support decision on €50 billion macro-finance for Ukraine. European Parliament committees support decision on €50 billion macro-finance for Ukraine.
"We have just approved the Ukraine Facility, a €50 billion financial assistance for the next years. On the next week's plenary in Strasbourg, the whole Parliament will once again stand together in solidarity with Ukraine," said MP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel.
On February 27, the European Parliament is to consider the creation of the Ukraine Facility at its plenary session.

The Bundestag has voted in favor of a proposal for long-range weapons for Ukraine without mentioning Taurus.

Ukraine and Poland have initiated discussions regarding a potential meeting at the governmental and heads of state level along the border, aiming to address the issue of border crossing points being blocked by Polish farmers.

90% of the drones that hit Russian infrastructure and destroy ships in the Black Sea are Ukrainian, said Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov in an interview with Ukrainian Pravda.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has stated that the groundwork for negotiations regarding Ukraine's potential accession to the European Union will not be finalized prior to the upcoming European elections, scheduled for early June.

In the forthcoming weeks, the EU is set to commence preparations for the 14th package of sanctions targeting the Russian Federation, focusing primarily on sectoral restrictions, as reported by Euractiv, citing diplomatic sources.

The French government will reduce budget expenditures with the assistance of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance in order to use the freed-up resources to send military aid to Ukraine worth 3 billion euros [!] @notimagain

Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair has stated that Canada is still evaluating the potential transfer of CRV7 air missiles to Ukraine, which were initially slated for disposal.

The occupiers admitted that they are forcibly deporting Ukrainian citizens who oppose the "new government" in the Zaporizhzhia region.

From now on, foreigners and stateless persons who are staying in Ukraine legally, have not been convicted before, and meet the requirements for military service, may be recruited voluntarily (under contract) for military service in the National Guard. They can serve as privates, sergeants, and officers. The corresponding decree was signed by the President. It came into force on February 21st.

Danish Prime Minister announces the signing of a security agreement with Ukraine.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🤡Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Medvedev said that in order to "achieve the goals of the Special Military Operation," Russian troops will have to reach Kyiv again - "if not now, then in some time," and that Russia is already "waiting for Odesa."

⚡️⚡️The German parliament has recommended providing Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles. The decision will be made by Chancellor Scholz. [THIS NEEDS CONFIRMING FROM ELSEWHERE - AFAIK THE MISSILES AGREED ON WERE NOT NECESSARILY TAURUS]

On the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, February 24, many foreign leaders will visit Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky plans to hold a press conference on the results of all the meetings, his spokesman said

🇫🇷 Russian forces have threatened to shoot down French planes patrolling international airspace over the Black Sea last month, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said https://apnews.com/article/france-aircraft-russia-black-sea-lecornu-c04f87c1be08967ab4fbcd0591625559

Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to FOX News on the front line
"Being less than 1.5 miles from Russian positions, Zelensky talks about the anniversary of the war, the debate in Congress on providing additional funding to Ukraine, and the retreat of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka," the media outlet's website says.
"This is the first interview with the president of Ukraine on the front line since the beginning of the full-scale war," FOX News emphasizes. The conversation will be broadcast on Thursday on the "Special Reports" program.

⚡️The governments of Poland and Ukraine will meet in Warsaw on March 28 to resolve the blockade of the Polish-Ukrainian border.

🇬🇧The United Kingdom will send Ukraine another 200 Brimstone missiles, and in the first half of 2024 will train 10,000 of our military.
◾️The Brimstone is a surface-to-surface or air-to-surface missile developed by the MBDA UK consortium for the British Royal Air Force. It is a 50-kilogram missile with a length of almost 2 meters and a warhead weighing over 6 kilograms. The maximum speed is Mach 1.3 (~450 m/s). There are two generations of these missiles. The range of Brimstone I missiles was about 20 kilometers, and the range of the second generation was 60 kilometers. Ukraine has already received such missiles.