Ukraine Invasion: Part 48

[MagicFox]

That last one went quickly! Welcome to thread 48. 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

How good/bad is Penny Mordaunt?

She can carry a sword...

I just made it through that podcast. It was brilliant, and well done to you for wading through the army jargon, acronyms, and Ben Hodges's very strong southern accent.

There's a lot of good discussion of what NATO needs to do to deter the Russians effectively.

😂 she can that. Not a great deal else though I don’t think.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13242743/British-traitors-fighting-Ukraine-Putin.html apologies for the Fail link. I hope these men get the full Russian experience of this war. What on Earth is wrong with people 😡

Yep, definitely not keen on Mordaunt. She has the mark of someone in perennial second place. As for those two Brits, they are an absolute disgrace. Given we have stripped Shamima Begum of her nationality, surely they deserve the same treatment?

Whilst she has some experience in the Armed Forces, which normally you might think steadies a person, she’s shown very questionable judgment at times. That would worry me in a PM as I feel the country has had enough questionable judgement with at least 2 out of the last 3 PMs. We can do with an adult running No 10.

Thing is we’re just sick to shit of all of the Tory wankers, at this stage I don’t want any of them. I want an election!

Agreed.

In the opinion of who have served as regulars she has maybe over the years been a bit keen on emphasizing her short period as a reservist.

I gather her infamous speech to the house on chickens, done for a bet/as a jolly jape didn’t go down well with many of her constituents and IMO would certainly raise questions about her judgement….

www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/denying-russia%E2%80%99s-only-strategy-success

Very clear eyed thread that reiterates how important the US is and particularly the November elections

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ BREAKING: Ukraine dismisses security council secretary Danilov. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-dismisses-security-council-secretary-danilov/

President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov on March 26. Danilov has served in the position since Oct. 3, 2019, shortly after the beginning of Zelensky's term in office. [wow. Wonder why]

⚡️Oleh Ivashchenko appointed as new head of Foreign Intelligence Service. https://kyivindependent.com/foreign-intel/ Ivashchenko previously served as a deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, also known as HUR.

Russia is defying U.N. sanctions by supplying North Korea with oil, likely in exchange for weapons, the Financial Times (FT) reported on March 26. https://kyivindependent.com/ft-russia-begins-arms-for-oil-trade-with-north-korea-defies-sanctions/

⚡️US, South Korea launch https://kyivindependent.com/us-south-korea-launch-task-force-to-combat-illegal-shipment-of-oil-to-north-korea/ task force to combat illegal shipment of oil to North Korea.

⚡️US to defend NATO allies https://kyivindependent.com/pentagon-says-us/ if attacked, Pentagon says after Russian missile enters Polish airspace.
The U.S. is ready to fulfill NATO commitments and defend its allies in the case of an attack, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said at a press briefing on March 26.

⚡️ French minister: Paris to soon deliver 78 Caesar howitzers https://kyivindependent.com/french-minister-paris-to-soon-deliver-78-caesar-howitzers-increase-shell-supplies-to-ukraine/ increase shell supplies to Ukraine.
According to the French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, his country also plans to deliver 80,000 155 mm artillery shells to Ukraine in 2024, a considerable increase from 30,000 rounds last year.

⚡️ Thousands of Hungarians protest against Orban following corruption leak scandal. https://kyivindependent.com/thousands-of-hungarians-protest-against-orban-following-corruption-leak-scandal/
Thousands of people gathered near the Hungarian parliament in Budapest on March 26, calling for the resignation of the chief prosecutor and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Reuters reported.
The protests broke out after a former government insider published a leak that he says implicates other government officials in covering up corruption.

⚡️SBU says it caught FSB saboteurs trying to blow up railroad https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-says-it-caught-fsb-saboteurs-trying-to-blow-up-a-railroad-in-ukraines-poltava-oblast/ in Ukraine's Poltava Oblast.

⚡️Ukraine to receive https://kyivindependent.com/world-bank-approves-1-5-billion-development-policy-loan-for-ukraine/ $1.5 billion development loan from World Bank.

Banks in China, the UAE, and Turkey have boosted sanctions compliance leading to Russian oil firms facing months of delays in receiving payments, Reuters reported on March 27. https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-russia-facing-delays-in-oil-payments-from-china-turkey-and-uae/

Russian forces in occupied Crimea are constructing barriers at the entrance to Sevastopol Bay to prevent further Ukrainian strikes on the Black Sea fleet, the partisan group Atesh reported on March 27. https://kyivindependent.com/partisans-russia-constructing-barriers-to-prevent-further-strikes-on-black-sea-fleet/

⚡️ Investigation: Belarusian timber enters Poland https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-belarusian-timber-imported-into-poland-despite-sanctions/ under false documents, bypassing EU sanctions.

Czechia's initiative to supply artillery shells for Ukraine may deliver as many as 1.5 million rounds, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in an interview with Bloomberg published on March 26. https://kyivindependent.com/czech-fm-pragues-ammunition-initiative-may-supply-1-5-million-shells-to-ukraine/

⚡️ UN: At least 32 Ukrainian POWs executed in Russian captivity https://kyivindependent.com/at-least-32-ukrainian-pows-executed-in-russian-captivity-during-winter-un-commission-says/ during winter.

⚡️ UK Defense Ministry: War may hamper expansion (https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-war-may-hamper-expansion-of-russian-army-in-other-parts-of-the-country/ of Russian army in other parts of the country.
Russia is recruiting for its new 44th Army Corps in an attempt to expand its armed forces but may have to send it to Ukraine to sustain operations, the U.K. Defense Ministry said on March 26.

⚡️Russian media: Number of wounded in Moscow attack rises https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-number-of-wounded-in-moscow-attack-rises-to-360/ to 360.

⚡️Moscow attack suspects' families interrogated https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-attack-suspects-families-interrogated-by-russia-in-tajikistan-interviewed-by-media/ by Russia in Tajikistan, interviewed by media.

Authorities in Turkmenistan are working on repatriating Turkmen students studying in Russia, fearing retaliation over last week’s terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, RFE/RL reported on March 26. https://kyivindependent.com/fearing-reprisals-turkmenistan-to-repatriate-students-in-russia-after-terror-attack/

⚡️Slovenia to join https://kyivindependent.com/slovenia-joins-czech-ammunition-initiative-for-ukraine/ Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine.

U.K. General Rob Magowan admitted in a committee meeting on March 26 that the U.K.'s military "couldn't fight (Russia) for more than a couple of months because we don't have the ammunition and reserves of equipment to do it." kyivindependent.com/uk-general-admits-that-military-couldnt-fight-russia-for-more-than-a-couple-of-months/

A Moscow court ruled on March 26 to again extend the pre-trial detention of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen who has been jailed awaiting charges in Russia for almost a year. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-court-again-extends-pretrial-detention-of-jailed-us-reporter-gershkovich/

⚡️ FSB chief claims US warnings about terrorist attack in Russia https://kyivindependent.com/fsb-chief-claims-us-warning-about-terrorist-attack-in-russia-was-general/ were only 'general.'

Some members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle think that there is no evidence of Ukraine's involvement in the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack outside Moscow, Bloomberg reported on March 26, citing unnamed sources with ties to the Kremlin. https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-3/

Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - MAR 27, 2024
■ Airstrike ratio stays below 7-day average but massivestrikes result in very high artillery ratio
■ More combat engagements reported with increased casualties but fewest equipment losses in seven days
■ Oryx: 4920added (28:14 after removal of duplicates/corrections); 30-day ratio at 2.5x

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

NATO is considering shooting down missiles on approach to the Alliance's borders, said the Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland, Andrzej Szejna.
“Various concepts are being analyzed within NATO, including the possibility of shooting down such missiles when they are very close to the NATO border”.
At the same time, he emphasized that such a decision could be made only with the consent of the Ukrainian side and with consideration of international consequences, because in this case NATO missiles would hit Russian missiles outside the Alliance.

Dmytro Kuleba, addressing the West, said that Patriot air defense systems are currently the only thing Ukraine desperately needs to protect itself from Russia's incessant missile attacks, — Politico.

🇫🇷France is ready to requisition weapons production facilities to help Ukraine, — French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The French government is ready to use its powers to requisition industrial facilities and set priorities for weapon manufacturers to speed up the production of shells and weapons needed on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Czech volunteers handed over 1,000 RPG-75M anti-tank grenade launchers to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Czech initiative "Gift for Putin" managed to raise more than €900,000 for RPG-75M grenade launchers for the 41st Separate Mechanized Brigade.

The Russian enterprise “Izhmash – Unmanned Systems” failed to fulfill the state order for the production of the Granat-4 complex due to the lack of European components. This was reported by the National Resistance Center of Ukraine, citing a document received from concerned employees of the plant.

🇩🇪 Rheinmetall will receive 130 million euros from the EU to expand ammunition production.
Rheinmetall aims to produce up to 1.1 million artillery shells per year by 2027. Additionally, starting in 2026, the company plans to annually produce up to 1.5 million rocket fuel modules and 3,000 tons of RDX explosives.
It is known that Rheinmetall also plans to open at least four plants in Ukraine.

During the winter, the UN mission documented the execution of 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war. Additionally, experts conducted interviews with 60 Ukrainian military personnel who were recently released from captivity, discovering that most had endured sexual violence.
The Mission's report also details Russian administration violence against residents of occupied Ukrainian territories. This includes civilian killings, arbitrary detentions, and constraints on freedom of expression.

The United States has extended sanctions against the Russian Federation for its involvement in cyberattacks for another year, according to the White House

At least five North Korean tankers travelled this month to collect oil products from Vostochny Port in Russia’s Far East, according to satellite images shared with the Financial Times by the Royal United Services Institute, a UK think-tank.

Ihor Yukhnovsky, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine in 1992-1993, passed away at the age of 98.

A KGB agent Yuri Bezmenov who defected to Canada in 1970 revealed the details of Moscow's plan to destabilize the U.S. from within and without firing a shot. KGB called it 'ideological subversion' that targeted the psyche of the American public. Do you think Putin is carrying on with the plot? https://t.me/United24media/20140

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

In his evening address, President Zelensky said that Danilov, whose dismissal from the post of NSDC Secretary became known earlier, was being transferred to another direction

🇺🇳The UN has released its 38th report https://ukraine.un.org/en/264355-report-human-rights-situation-ukraine-1-december-2023-29-february-2024** on the human rights situation in Ukraine.

Power engineers are gradually restoring power supply to Kharkiv. All critical infrastructure of the city has been powered up, and electricity has been restored to the homes of the citizens.
At the same time, it may be possible to mitigate the current outage schedules in Kharkiv over the weekend.
Ukrenergo CEO Kudrytskyi explained that this may be possible due to a decrease in consumption due to the significant warming forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
And the restoration of the city's power supply in full may take one to two weeks, in the absence of new massive attacks, he said.

Against the backdrop of the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall shopping center, members of the State Duma of the Russian Federation have officially started talking about the return of the death penalty in the country. They plan to send a request to the Constitutional Court to lift the moratorium.

🇧🇾 Lukashenko questioned Putin's claim that a window on the border with Ukraine had been "prepared in advance" for the Crocus City Hall terrorists
He told state media that from the first minutes of reports of the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall, local special services began to act in Belarus, and the terrorists "saw this" and "turned around and went to the Ukrainian-Russian border."
According to Lukashenko, quoted by BelTa, it appears that the terrorists initially planned to leave Russia for Belarus.

How fast can a Zircon missile reach Ukrainian cities?
Kyiv - 6 minutes, Vinnytsia - 5.5 minutes, Zaporizhzhia - 3.3 minutes, Odesa - 2.6 minutes.
This is an average estimated time because the missile has different speeds at different stages of flight and also maneuvers in flight.

Recommend this video : www.c-span.org/video/?534462-3/british-ambassador-us-northern-european-security

I just looked up her bio. She had an office job in the RNR (Royal Navy Reserves) in an office building (aka a "stone frigate"). Then, she was put on a list of people who couldn't be deployed.

Yes, she's a REMF. You'll have to google it. 😁

Yes, she's a REMF. You'll have to google it

Nah,..no need, that one crossed the pond a while back..😉

Good piece by Iain Martin. When will Europe and the US pull their fingers out. We need to rearm now, Ukraine needs support now: www.thetimes.co.uk/article/its-time-we-talked-about-the-fall-of-kyiv-6l3vrxbhf

Speech by Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström at Hertie School in Berlin, Germany, 21 March 2024: www.government.se/speeches/2024/03/tobias-billstroms-speech-in-berlin-on-european-security/

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Some NATO countries ‘don’t understand https://kyivindependent.com/some-nato-countries-dont-understand-urgency-of-stopping-russia-says-swedish-fm/ urgency of stopping Russia,’ says Swedish FM.

⚡️ EU ambassadors agree on 'new compromise' https://kyivindependent.com/eu-ambassadors-agree-on-new-compromise-to-extend-ukraine-trade-agreement/ to extend Ukraine trade deal.

⚡️Speaker Johnson likely to face https://kyivindependent.com/speaker-johnson-likely-to-face-hurdles-upon-introducing-ukraine-aid-bill/ hurdles upon introducing Ukraine aid bill. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has submitted a motion to remove Johnson from his position, and has warned him against bringing Ukraine funding proposals to the House floor.

⚡️Samsung Pay will stop working https://kyivindependent.com/samsung-pay-will-stop-working-with-russian-mir-cards-in-april/ with Russian Mir cards in April.

Germany will hand over 10,000 artillery rounds from its own military stocks to Ukraine in the next coming days, German General Christian Freuding said in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) published on March 27. https://kyivindependent.com/german-general-germany-to-send-10-000-artillery-shells-to-ukraine-in-coming-days/ This batch is only the first of three stages of expected deliveries to Kyiv.

⚡️US, South Korea announce https://kyivindependent.com/us-south-korea-announce-joint-sanctions-targeting-north-koreas-wmd-program/ joint sanctions targeting financers of North Korea's weapons program.

⚡️ Poland doubles its contribution https://kyivindependent.com/poland-doubles-its-contribution-to-czech-ammunition-initiative-for-kyiv/ to Czech ammunition initiative for Kyiv, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in Riga on March 27, without providing a specific figure.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he was in New Delhi on March 28 on his first-ever trip to India. https://kyivindependent.com/kuleba-begins-first-ever-trip-to-india/

The U.S. is negotiating to increase purchases of explosives from Turkey to boost the production of artillery shells amid allies' efforts to provide Ukraine with ammunition, Bloomberg reported on March 27, citing unnamed officials familiar with the matter. https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-4/

Council of Europe Development Bank to lend almost $110 million to Ukraine for housing https://kyivindependent.com/council-of-europe-development-bank-allocates-110-million-to-housing-for-ukrainians/

⚡️ Russian investigators receive 143 reports https://kyivindependent.com/russian-investigators-receive-143-missing-persons-reports-following-moscow-shooting/ about missing persons after Moscow shooting. The Investigative Committee also reported that the bodies of 84 victims had been identified, including five children aged nine to 16 years.

⚡️ Air Force: Ukraine can down Zircon hypersonic missile https://kyivindependent.com/air-force-ukraine-can-down-zircon-hypersonic-missile-with-patriot-samp-t/ with Patriot, SAMP/T.
Ukraine has air defense systems that are capable of shooting down the Russian 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, Air Force spokesperson Illia Yevlash said on March 27.
The speed of the Zircon missile is approximately 8-9 Mach or about 10,000 kilometers per hour, but it slows down when it enters the strike trajectory, Yevlash said.

The parliament's National Security and Defense Committee rejected the amendment on demobilization after 36 months of service without the approval of the Headquarters of Supreme Commander-in-Chief in the new mobilization bill, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said on March 27. https://kyivindependent.com/parliamentary-committee-declines-amendment-on-demobilization-after-36-months-of-serving-without-top-military-commands-approval/

⚡️ Defense Ministry list key points in updated mobilization bill. https://kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-names-key-proposals-to-updated-mobilization-bill/
The draft law on mobilization, which is being amended by lawmakers, proposes to lower the enlistment age and introduce basic military training for adults, according to the Defense Ministry.

⚡️Reuters: Losses of foreign firms who exited Russia surpass https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-losses-of-foreign-firms-who-exited-russia-surpass-107-billion/ $107 billion.

Russia is increasing imports of gasoline from Belarus to avert possible shortages connected to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, Reuters reported on March 27, citing four undisclosed trade and industry sources. https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-russia-turns-to-belarusian-gasoline-amid-decreasing-domestic-supplies/

⚡️National Resistance Center: Over 10,000 households in occupied Donetsk Oblast remain without power supply 'for weeks.' https://kyivindependent.com/national-resistance-center-over-10-000-residents-of-occupied-donetsk-oblast-remain-without-power-supply-for-weeks/

Russia likely attacked Kharkiv with glide munition in its March 27 strike, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-kharkiv-residential-area-results-into-casulaties-mayor-says/

⚡️ Russian governor claims drone hit Belgorod administrative building. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-governor-claims-drone-hit-belgorod-administration-building-2/

⚡️Reuters: Losses of foreign firms who exited Russia surpass https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-losses-of-foreign-firms-who-exited-russia-surpass-107-billion/ $107 billion.

⚡️Russian attacks on Dnipro hydroelectric plant caused https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-dnipro-hydroelectric-plant-caused-3-5-million-in-environmental-damage/ $3.5 million in environmental damage.

Top judicial official, previously accused of holding Russian citizenship, resigns. https://kyivindependent.com/top-judicial-official-accused-of-holding-russian-citizenship-resigns/
The High Qualification Commission, one of Ukraine's key judicial bodies, approved on March 27 the request of its chair Roman Ihnatov to be dismissed from the commission.

⚡️Almost 1,800 Ukrainian children made orphans https://kyivindependent.com/almost-1-800-ukrainian-children-made-orphans-by-russias-war/ by Russia’s war.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to almost 1,800 Ukrainian children becoming orphans, the National Social Service of Ukraine said in a comment to the Kyiv Independent. [Jesus Christ, may Putin ROT IN HELL and burn]

⚡️ Budanov: Russia knew about terror attack https://kyivindependent.com/budanov-russia-knew-about-terror-attack-preparations-at-least-since-feb-15/ preparations at least since Feb. 15.
Russia was aware of preparations for a terrorist attack on its soil at least since Feb. 15, Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on March 27.
Speaking at the third annual Kyiv Stratcom Forum 2024 in Kyiv, Budanov said that one possible explanation for why Russian authorities allowed the attack to happen was an internal power struggle aimed at removing some high-ranking officials from their posts.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
⚡️ WAR IN #UKRAINE - MAR 28, 2024
■ Strike ratios both below 7-day avg (2nd time this week)
■ Fewer engagements with lower casualties
■ Landbased equipment losses slightly above average, drone losses below it
■ Fewer settlements under artillery fire

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The Coalition of Armored Vehicles in Support of Ukraine was established in Warsaw under the leadership of Poland and Germany and with the support of Great Britain, Sweden and Italy, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported.
Four syndicates were formed within the coalition, each of which includes a Ukrainian representative and is assigned specific tasks:
▫️Procurement of weapons and ammunition for Western armored vehicles.
▫️Maintenance and repair.
▫️Training of crews and technical personnel.
▫️Development of effective tactics for the use of armored vehicles on the battlefield.

Brussels has uncovered an additional €5 billion in profits from Russian assets, reports Politico. The European Commission states that this sum will address both ongoing and potential legal claims in Russia and other nations.

Prime Minister Shmyhal arrived in Warsaw for intergovernmental consultations with Polish Prime Minister Tusk, aiming to resolve controversial issues in relations between the countries.

Andriy Kulchytskyi, the head of the military research laboratory at the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (KNDISE), stated that the Russian Zircon missile, used in attacks on Kyiv on February 7 and March 25, fails to achieve its primary objective due to navigational issues. In an interview with "Suspilne," Kulchytskyi explained that despite claims of superiority, the missile's actual combat performance falls short. Preliminary examination of wreckage suggests deviations from intended flight paths and improper functionality. [@notimagain I guess this happens with every missile type tho?]

Serhii Bolvinov, the head of the Investigative Department of the National Security Service in the Kharkiv region, reported that Kharkiv was struck by aerial bombs for the first time since 2022.
According to preliminary information, the attack targeted the Shevchenkivskyi district, where the enemy deployed a low-cost analog of a cruise missile, the UMPB D-30 SN, based on the FAB-250. Two bombs hit the area — the first struck a secondary school, and the second landed in the midst of residential buildings.

The prosecutor's office in Hamburg has announced charges against five employees of the German company Siemens for exporting gas turbines to the occupied Crimea, a case that came to light in 2017.

The French company Delair, led by CEO Bastien Mancini, will manufacture and supply 400 reconnaissance drones UX11 and DT26 to Ukraine.In a statement published on the T-INVARIANT website, they emphasize that Putin's regime represents a direct and unmistakable threat to humanity. The laureates advocate for a substantial increase in aid to Ukraine, backing for democratic opposition within Russia, and refusal to recognize Putin as the president of the Russian Federation.

39 Nobel laureates have issued a call urging the global community to bolster support for Ukraine. In a statement published on the T-INVARIANT website, they emphasize that Putin's regime represents a direct and unmistakable threat to humanity. The laureates advocate for a substantial increase in aid to Ukraine, backing for democratic opposition within Russia, and refusal to recognize Putin as the president of the Russian Federation.

Kharkiv Thermal Power Station-5 has been destroyed as a result of Russian missile strikes. Currently, the power plant is not operational, and it is uncertain when it will be restored.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

"We're a lawful state and want all laws to apply equally to everyone"
Relatives of Russian convicts used in "meat assaults" are demanding Putin to explain why their family members are not insured despite orders by Ministry of Defense and government, resulting in tens of thousands of ex-convicts not getting paid any money for injuries or deaths. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/19593

🇵🇱🇷🇺The Russian ambassador to Poland has left the country after failing to report to the Polish Foreign Ministry with explanations for the Russian missile's entry into its territory
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski says that Sergei Andreev was not expelled, he "showed his culture and professionalism"
The Russian embassy said that Andreev would be absent from March 26 to April 4.

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

Key Takeaways:

• The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) released its 38th report on the human rights situation in Ukraine on March 26, confirming several of ISW’s longstanding assessments about Russia’s systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in occupied territories and towards Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
• Russian officials are tying the US and the West to a broader set of “terrorist” attacks against Russia following the Crocus City Hall attack, likely to intensify rhetoric about alleged Western and Ukrainian threats to generate greater domestic support for the war in Ukraine.
• Russian authorities are increasing legal pressure against migrants in Russia following recent Russian officials’ proposals for harsher measures against migrant communities in response to the March 22 Crocus City Hall attack.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka and southwest of Donetsk City on March 27.
• Russian Storm-Z personnel continue to complain about their poor treatment by the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) as the MoD tries to posture efficacy in its force generation and social benefit allocation system.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the Crocus City Hall attackers originally fled toward Belarus not Ukraine, directly undermining the Kremlin narrative on Ukraine’s involvement, possibly to head off questions about why the attackers headed toward Belarus in the first place.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Kremlin officials appear to be struggling to maintain a consistent rhetorical line about the Crocus City Hall attack, indicating that the Kremlin has not fully figured out how to reconcile its information operations with the reality of its intelligence and law enforcement failure.
• Russian officials are proposing actionable but likely impractical solutions to the emotional outcries for retribution in response to the Crocus City Hall attack.
• The Moldovan Constitutional Court reversed a ruling banning the Kremlin-affiliated Shor Party on March 26, which will likely allow pro-Russian Moldovan actors to reconsolidate around the Shor Party and reverse the impacts of the previous Moldovan ban on the party.
• Ukrainian officials stated on March 26 that Ukrainian forces successfully conducted a strike on the night of March 23 to 24 against a Ukrainian ship that Russian forces had captured in 2014.
• Separate investigations conducted by Western media outlets have found that Russian forces may be using Starlink terminals in Ukraine.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Kreminna and Bakhmut on March 26.
• The Russian military has reportedly started recruiting personnel for elements of the newly reformed Leningrad Military District (LMD).

Andriy Kulchytskyi, the head of the military research laboratory at the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (KNDISE), stated that the Russian Zircon missile, used in attacks on Kyiv on February 7 and March 25, fails to achieve its primary objective due to navigational issues. In an interview with "Suspilne," Kulchytskyi explained that despite claims of superiority, the missile's actual combat performance falls short. Preliminary examination of wreckage suggests deviations from intended flight paths and improper functionality. [@notimagainI guess this happens with every missile type tho?]

Yep....you almost always have a theoretical level of reliability/accuracy, or perhaps even demonstrated reliability and accuracy often based on tests where the missile is lovingly handled with kid gloves by the designers and factory engineers ..that's often the value seen in the glossy brochures....

...and then there's the reality of what happens in the field when the missile or whatever is subject to the tender loving care of (?conscript) engineers, etc....the thing sits in the rain and snow for days on end waiting to be fired, and then on the day there's possibly a rush to fire and not everything is done in an optimal manner.........

@robbiegramer

Russia has effectively abolished a UN panel of experts monitoring UN sanctions on North Korea with a new UN resolution veto

This ends a monitoring program over North Korea sanctions that has had rare unanimous consent in the UN for ~15 years