Ukraine Invasion: Part 49

[MagicFox]

Welcome to our 49th thread with the usual thanks to all regular contributors and lurkers 🇺🇦

**
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https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-16-2024

Key Takeaways:

• The vast majority of the countries and international organizations that participated in the Ukraine-initiated Global Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 15-16 signed a joint communique on June 16 reaffirming support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• A limited prison break and hostage situation at a Russian pretrial detention center in Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast, prompted Russian ultranationalist complaints highlighting Russia's failure to crack down against domestic Islamic extremism following the March 22 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack.
• The Kremlin and Kremlin affiliates continue efforts to use Russia's relationship with Republika Srpska (the Serbian political entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina) to destabilize the Balkans.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Vovchansk and Donetsk City.
• The Russian military reportedly continues to coerce Russian conscripts into signing military service contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), likely as part of ongoing crypto-mobilization efforts.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Ukraine war latest: Over 80 states, organizations sign Ukraine peace summit’s joint communique https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-over-80-states-organizations-sign-peace-summits-joint-communique/

⚡️Zelensky's office outlines https://kyivindependent.com/zelenskys-office-outlines-next-steps-for-diplomatic-effort/ next steps for diplomatic effort after peace summit.

⚡️Putin to visit https://kyivindependent.com/putin-to-visit-north-korea-vietnam/ North Korea, Vietnam this week.

⚡️Austria allocates https://kyivindependent.com/austria-allocates-additional-10-7-million-in-humanitarian-aid-for-ukrainians/ additional $10.7 million in humanitarian aid for Ukrainians.

⚡️Canada announces https://kyivindependent.com/canada-announces-38-million-in-further-aid-to-ukraine/ $38 million in further aid to Ukraine.

⚡️Putin may be permitted to attend https://kyivindependent.com/putin-may-be-permitted-to-attend-second-peace-summit-despite-arrest-warrant-swiss-president-says/ second peace summit despite arrest warrant, Swiss president says.

⚡️Russia overtook https://kyivindependent.com/russia-overtook-us-in-may-as-leading-gas-supplier-to-europe-ft-reports/ US in May as leading gas supplier to Europe, FT reports.
Russia overtook the United States in the month of May as the lead supplier of liquified natural gas (LNG) to Europe for the first time in nearly two years, the Financial Times reported on June 16.

⚡️Telegraph: NATO in talks (https://kyivindependent.com/telegraph-nato-in-talks-to-deploy-more-nuclear-weapons-on-standby-stoltenberg-says/) to put more nuclear weapons on standby, Stoltenberg says, as Russia continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons.

⚡️ Ukraine's security council secretary doesn't rule out Russia using nuclear arms https://kyivindependent.com/security-council-secretary-putin-nuclear-arms/ if facing 'catastrophic defeat.'
At the same time, the official said that Russia's defeat on the battlefield would not automatically lead to the use of nuclear weapons, as Putin could try to convince his people that the ongoing course of events is "a victory."

⚡️Ghana president says https://kyivindependent.com/ghana-president-says-africa-greatest-victim-of-invasions-consequences-outside-europe/ Africa 'greatest victim' of Russian invasion's consequences outside Europe.
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo spoke about how Russia’s invasion has decreased food security in poor countries in his closing statement at Ukraine’s peace summit in Switzerland.

⚡️ Destruction of Kerch Bridge https://kyivindependent.com/destruction-of-kerch-bridge-wont-be-as-effective-anymore-military-says/ won't be as effective anymore, because Russia barely uses it for military purposes anymore, Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine published on June 17.

⚡️Azov reports advances https://kyivindependent.com/azov-reports-advances-in-serebryansky-forest-releases-video-of-nastiest-weapon/ in Serebryansky forest, releases video of 'nastiest weapon.'

⚡️Time will play in Ukraine's favor once F-16s and more Western aid arrive, Syrskyi says https://kyivindependent.com/until-f-16s-arrive-russia-is-trying-to-expand-the-geography-of-fighting-syrskyi-says/
Knowing that Ukraine will receive more Western equipment to strengthen its air defense capabilities, the Russian military command is now "making every effort to increase the intensity and expand the fighting geographically," according to Syrskyi.

⚡️ Ukrainian drones attack metallurgical plant https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drones-attack-metallurgical-plant-other-facilities-in-3-russian-regions/ other facilities in 3 Russian regions, source says.
Ukrainian "kamikaze" drones attacked a metallurgical plant and other facilities used for military purposes in Russia's Belgorod, Voronezh, and Lipetsk oblasts overnight on June 17, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) source told the Kyiv Independent.

⚡️The Magura naval drone V5 can now be equipped with an anti-aircraft platform and R-73 air-to-air guided missiles, Ukraine's military intelligence said on June 17. https://kyivindependent.com/magura-naval-drones-now-operate-anti-aircraft-missiles/
One of the Magura drones has already been equipped with these missiles, creating a serious challenge for the Russian Air Force operating in the region, the commander of the military intelligence Group 13 unit said in an interview with journalist Maksym Krapivnoy

⚡️Ukraine hits 15 Russian air defense https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-strikes-nearly-15-russian-air-defense-systems-in-occupied-crimea-over-past-2-months-military-says/ systems in occupied Crimea over past 2 months, military says.

⚡️Ukraine grid operator: Lengthy power outages expected until end of July https://kyivindependent.com/grid-operator-lengthy-power-outages-expected-until-end-of-july/

⚡️At least 12,000 civilians confirmed https://kyivindependent.com/at-least-12-000-civilians-confirmed-to-have-been-killed-since-beginning-of-full-scale-war-prosecutor-general-says/ to have been killed since beginning of full-scale war, Prosecutor General says. [not incl the occupied territories]

⚡️Over 2,750 Ukrainian convicts released https://kyivindependent.com/over-2-750-ukrainian-prisoners-released-to-join-army-wp-reports/ to join army, WP reports.

⚡️ Media: Ukrainian newest naval drone Stalker https://kyivindependent.com/newest-naval-drone-presented-in-odesa/ presented in Odesa.
The Stalker 5.0, Ukraine's newest naval drone, was presented at the Black Sea Security Forum 2024 in the southern city of Odesa, local media outlet Dumska reported on June 16.
Ukraine can use the Stalker 5.0 to deliver water, military equipment, and other supplies to islands or coastal areas where the country's troops are stationed.
"It can also be used for reconnaissance and coastal patrolling in sea and river border areas," the outlet wrote.

⚡️Prisoners who took hostages https://kyivindependent.com/prisoners-who-took-hostages-in-rostov-on-don-killed-by-security-services-russia-says/ in Rostov-on-Don killed by security services, Russia says.

⚡️Trial for US journalist Gershkovich jailed in Russia set to begin https://kyivindependent.com/trial-for-us-journalist-gershkovich-jailed-in-russia-set-for-june/ later in June.

⚡️Russian airstrike on Kharkiv village injures 3.
⚡️Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 1, injure 15 over past day.
⚡️ Update: 9 injured in Russian attack on Poltava Oblast.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

• JUN 17, 2024

■ More combat engagements & casualties close to 7-day average ■ Focus on the destruction of special equipment ■ Strike ratio could be better but fewer strikes on both sides

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights Thread

EU leaders plan to back Ursula von der Leyen's candidacy for a second five-year term as European Commission president Monday night, — FT

Key Points from Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Press Conference Following the Summit on Peace for Ukraine:
▫️Work on holding the second Summit on Peace for Ukraine continues, and it will take place in months, not years.
▫️Ukraine has never called China an enemy but would like it to be a friend.
▫️Kyiv has started negotiations with several countries that have expressed interest in holding the second Peace Summit.
▫️Ukraine will be ready to hear the opinions of China and Brazil regarding the end of the war when these countries join the principles of the Peace Summit, even if their opinions do not align with the majority.
▫️With his ultimatum on the eve of the Summit, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin nullified all previous statements about readiness for negotiations. This is a significant mistake that benefits Ukraine.
▫️Ukraine's task is to ensure that the international isolation of Vladimir Putin is understood by Russian society. Putin is no longer seen as a significant player by many countries, including China.

Ukraine Attracts Most Participants to Summit on Peace for Ukraine, But Key Russia-Oriented Countries Withhold Support, — Politico However, the result was overshadowed by key Russia-oriented countries like Saudi Arabia, India, and South Africa not supporting the final declaration, and China completely ignoring the summit.

Switzerland to Discuss Summit on Peace for Ukraine Results with Russia and China, Says Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis

"We understand that Ukraine will have to talk with Russia," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
"We also understand very well that the moment will come when we will have to talk with Russia. But our position is very clear: we will not allow Russia to speak in the language of ultimatums, as it is speaking now," Kuleba told reporters in Switzerland.

Russia Forced to Sharply Raise Taxes to Continue War Financing, — British Intelligence
It is reported that the Russian Federation expects tax changes to provide additional budget revenues of about $29 billion in 2025. To achieve this, the corporate income tax rate will increase from 20% to 25%, and the top income tax rate will rise from 15% to 22%.

The number of nuclear warheads mounted on missiles and aircraft is likely to accelerate in the coming years, which is an extremely alarming signal, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The number of such warheads rose to 3,904 as Russia continues to threaten its adversaries, while China may have put weapons of mass destruction on high alert for the first time, SIPRI said in a statement on Monday, citing data from January. This is contrary to the trend towards reducing the total number of nuclear weapons.
Russia and the US possess nearly 90% of the world's nuclear weapons. While China's stockpile is much smaller, SIPRI estimates that it has grown to 500 from 410 a year earlier. The institute also noted that China might deploy a small number of warheads on missiles in peacetime.
"China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country. But almost all nuclear powers have either plans or a significant push to build up nuclear forces," concluded Hans M. Christensen, an associate senior fellow at SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Program.

Latvia, which co-leads the "drone coalition" together with Britain, is preparing the second batch of drones purchased as part of national efforts to support Ukraine, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said

The national team of Ukraine lost to the national team of Romania in the first round of Euro-2024 with a score of 3:0

A new marine drone, STALKER 5.0, was presented in Ukraine.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

In 2023, the nine nuclear-armed states spent a total of $91.4 billion on modernizing weapons of mass destruction
According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the United States accounted for half of these expenditures, spending $51.5 billion on nuclear weapons last year. China took the second place in terms of spending - $11.8 billion. Russia took third place with $8.3 billion.

Ukrainians will face lengthy, daily interruptions in electricity until the end of July as scheduled repairs at nuclear power plants put further strain on the country's heavily damaged energy system, the head of grid operator Ukrenergo said.

🫤The number of countries that signed the communiqué following the Peace Summit has decreased to 78
According to the list of signatories published by the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Iraq and Jordan have disappeared from the list.

🇩🇪The newly elected chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Markus Faber, visited the Donbas and Kharkiv regions to personally find out the current needs and problems of the Ukrainian military.
According to MP Yegor Chernev, this is Faber's first trip abroad in his new position, although traditionally, newly elected defense committee chairmen make their first visit to a neighboring country.
During Faber's visit, a German Panzerhaubitze 2000 destroyed a Russian howitzer along with its ammunition, Chernev added.

In 2023, the nine nuclear-armed states spent a total of $91.4 billion on modernizing weapons of mass destruction
According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the United States accounted for half of these expenditures, spending $51.5 billion on nuclear weapons last year. China took the second place in terms of spending - $11.8 billion. Russia took third place with $8.3 billion.

It never fails to amaze me how much money we waste on developing ever more horrific ways to kill and harm one another. Imagine all that money, effort and intelligence was being put into combatting climate change or tackling World poverty…..

Exactly, Jelly

This is a complicated question and a bit out of my lane, but here are a few thoughts. When nuclear arsenals were first built, they saved money by enabling reductions in conventional forces. Without them, we would, for example, have needed a much larger NATO force structure to deter Russia during the Cold War.

I think there's still some merit to that, but the strategic dynamic has evolved. Now, we need them to deter nuclear attack and blackmail. Imagine a world where only Russia had nuclear weapons.

They also make up a relatively small portion of total defense expenditure. This article is fairly lengthy and technical, so I'll quote a portion of the section on cost-effectiveness.

The Cost of Nuclear Deterrence

Nuclear Weapons Provide a Good Value
The Trump administration’s fiscal year (FY) 2021 budget request includes $15.6 billion for NNSA’s nuclear weapon activities account and $28.9 billion for the Department of Defense’s nuclear weapons modernization effort and operations and maintenance. The Department of Defense’s top five research, development, testing, and evaluation programs are the Columbia-class submarine ($4.4 billion); nuclear command, control, and communications modernization ($4.2 billion); the B-21 Raider ($2.8 billion); the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent ($1.5 billion); and the Trident II missile life-extension program ($1.2 billion).

While this is a significant sum of money, U.S. nuclear forces are not a large budget line in the Department of Defense’s budget in real or value terms. Today, nuclear forces take up about 5 percent of the Pentagon’s budget, which itself has been a declining part of the federal budget. Even at the peak of modernization, nuclear forces will consume about 6.4 percent of the budget. Nuclear force maintenance and operation takes another 2 or 3 percent of the budget—and is a recurring cost that will not disappear.

In other words, it is important to keep nuclear force costs in perspective. Long-term estimates tend to give an impression that nuclear forces are unaffordable and that opportunity costs of funding them are too high. But they are misleading—and not only because of the uncertainty involved in long-term estimates in general. Consider that when any major defense program is costed-out over a long enough time frame, its total cost will seem significant. This is true of airplanes, tanks, personnel, and even office equipment.

The Russian sub that arrived in Havana needs a bit of work ...

https://www.reuters.com/pictures/pictures-canadian-navy-patrol-ship-arrives-cuba-heels-russian-warships-2024-06-14/O7AYGKPDOZL57F7TR35CVAWO6Y/

It's even more telling that they brought their own tugboat all the way from Russia.

Thanks for that, it’s really interesting. I was being a bit facetious and essentially talking about all weapons of all types. Frankly I guess the more strategic version is why are humans such arse wipes 😂

Just seen some comment about that image elsewhere…those that know about these things reckon it’s not uncommon to see similar bits (acoustic deadening tiles) missing on Western boats….

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

Another case of pointing out the Russian flaws but actually it happens to everyone? :)

‘Fraid so, very first image in the wiki article I belated linked to shows a British boat with tiles missing.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

China should face consequences for its continued support of Russia amidst the ongoing war with Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 17. https://kyivindependent.com/stoltenberg-china-should-face-consequences-for-support-of-russia/

⚡️More than 20 NATO members to https://kyivindependent.com/more-than-20-nato-members-to-hit-2-defense-spending-target-in-2024-says-stoltenberg/ hit 2% defense spending target in 2024, says Stoltenberg.

⚡️ Ukraine gradually pushing Russian troops out of Kharkiv Oblast https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-gradually-pushing-russian-troops-out-of-kharkiv-oblast-zelensky-says/ Zelensky says. [He also hints at capturing many Russian soldiers]

⚡️70% of Ukrainians think Zelensky must remain president https://kyivindependent.com/70-of-ukrainians-think-zelensky-must-remain-president-until-end-of-martial-law-survey-shows/ until the end of martial law, survey shows.
From 65% to 74% of Ukrainians, depending on the region of their residence, agreed that Volodymyr Zelensky must remain in power until the end of martial law. Sociologists said that most Ukrainians do not question the president's legitimacy. [contrary to the line the Kremlin is trying to push]

⚡️ Ukraine must win the war first before joining NATO https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-got-to-win-war-first-before-joining-nato/ White House says.

Ukraine’s Peace Summit is over — what were its highs and lows? https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-peace-summit-is-over-what-were-its-highs-and-lows/

⚡️ Ecumenical Patriarchate signs global peace summit https://kyivindependent.com/ecumenical-patriarchate-signs-global-peace-summit-communique-rwandas-signature-removed/ communique, Rwanda's signature removed.

⚡️Rutte offered Orban opt-out of Ukraine support to secure top NATO job, FT reports. https://kyivindependent.com/rutte-offered-orban-opting-out-of-ukraine-support-in-exchange-for-top-nato-job-ft-reports/
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte promised Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban the possibility to opt out of NATO activities in support of Ukraine if made secretary-general, the Financial Times reported on June 18, citing its undisclosed sources.
The pledge was aimed at lifting Budapest's opposition to Rutte's candidacy, the FT wrote. The Dutch media reported a day after a meeting between Rutte and Orban on June 17 that Budapest has lifted its opposition.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones target industrial facilities https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukrainian-drones-target-facilities-used-for-military-purposes-in-russian-regions/ in 3 Russian regions
Ukrainian "kamikaze" drones attacked a metallurgical plant and other facilities used for military purposes in Russia's Belgorod, Voronezh, and Lipetsk oblasts overnight on June 17, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) source told the Kyiv Independent.

⚡️Japan allocates $188 million https://kyivindependent.com/japan-allocates-188-million-for-grant-projects-for-ukrainian-businesses/ for grant projects for Ukrainian businesses.

Drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) hit two oil depots in Russia's Rostov Oblast overnight on June 18, a source in security and defense forces told the Kyiv Independent. https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-drones-hit-russian-oil-depots-in-rostov-oblast-source-says/

⚡️Ukraine's energy supplier: Ukrainians may have electricity for 6-7 hours https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-energy-supplier-ukrainians-may-have-electricity-for-6-7-hours-per-day-in-winter/ per day in winter.

⚡️Air raids last 16 hours per day https://kyivindependent.com/air-raids-last-16-hours-per-day-on-average-in-kharkiv-oblast-obstructing-business-operations-governor-says/ on average in Kharkiv Oblast, obstructing business operations, governor says.

⚡️Moscow confirms https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-confirms-a-50-aircraft-was-shot-down-by-ukraine/ A-50 aircraft was shot down by Ukraine.

⚡️ Media: Italy may send Storm Shadow https://kyivindependent.com/media-italy-may-send-storm-shadow-long-range-missiles-to-ukraine/ long-range missiles to Ukraine.

⚡️Poll: More than 70% of Ukrainians say LGBTQ people should have same rights https://kyivindependent.com/poll-more-than-70-of-ukrainians-say-lgbtq-people-should-have-same-rights-as-any-other-citizen/ as any other citizen.

⚡️Estonian court finds ex-professor guilty https://kyivindependent.com/estonian-court-finds-ex-professor-guilty-of-espionage/ of espionage.
An Estonian court found Viacheslav Morozov, a former professor at the University of Tartu, guilty of acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, and sentenced him to six years and three months in prison, the Estonian media outlet ERR reported on June 18.

⚡️ Kazakh opposition activist injured https://kyivindependent.com/kazakh-opposition-activist-reportedly-shot-in-kyiv/ in assassination attempt in Kyiv.

⚡️ Zelensky signs law on single roaming zone https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-signs-law-on-a-single-roaming-zone-with-eu/ with EU. Talks on Ukraine's accession to the single roaming zone are yet to be held.

⚡️Rescued man dies in hospital following Russian strike on Poltava Oblast, governor says.
⚡️ Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 3, injure 28 over past day.

⚡️ Ukrainian sentenced to 12 years in Russia over peaceful protest.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

• JUN 18, 2024

■ 2nd highest number of engagements in June & casualties well above the 7-day average ■ Good increase in armor losses (tanks & APCs) & improved strike ratio ■ Janovsky: 50 🇷🇺 7 🇺🇦 added; 30-day ratio at 2.9x (Perpetua at 2.7x)

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia for the occupation of Crimea until June 23, 2025.

Putin has appointed his niece, Anna Tsivileva, to the post of Deputy Defense Minister. The corresponding decree was published today. Tsivileva is the daughter of Putin's cousin. Her husband headed the Kemerovo region until May of this year, after which he was appointed as the Minister of Energy.
Since April 2023, Tsivileva has headed the Defenders of the Fatherland state fund, which is supposed to help military personnel and their families. However, reports indicate that 97% of the funds are spent on employee salaries and other organizational activities.

Germany has created a unit to counter Russian disinformation.
Ten special analysts will monitor and analyze disinformation operations on social networks, including those sponsored by the Russian Federation.
Another goal of the unit is to prevent and neutralize disinformation campaigns before they gain traction.

France has signed a contract with Armenia for the purchase of Caesar artillery installations, Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu announced.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine confirmed the use of R-73 missiles on Magura maritime drones by the Main Intelligence Directorate.
These are Soviet air-to-air guided missiles with an infrared homing system, designed for highly maneuverable close air combat.

Ukraine will receive a "Frankenstein tank" designed to shoot down missiles and drones, according to The Telegraph.
Rheinmetall announced that the new tank will be based on the "Leopard-1" chassis, with a modern "Skyranger" anti-aircraft system featuring a 35-mm automatic gun installed on its hull.
The Skyranger system, recently developed by Rheinmetall, is equipped with advanced sensors providing a 360-degree view of the battlefield and is capable of countering swarms of drones.

White House National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby expressed concern over the deepening relations between Russia and North Korea amid Putin's visit to Pyongyang.

In the Czech Republic, an explosion at the Libava training ground, where Ukrainians are undergoing training, resulted in the death of a soldier and injuries to seven others, according to the Czech Armed Forces press service.
According to the Neovlivní portal, several grenades exploded during the disposal of ammunition.
The Novinky portal reports that the Czech army has been training Ukrainian soldiers at the Libava training ground for more than a year. This year, they planned to launch pyrotechnics courses.

This ambulance was on a call in the Kharkiv region and came under fire. Injured civilians include a pregnant woman, a 13-year-old boy, and a man.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights Thread

Telegram channels and major media are now actively spreading the news that Romanian fans allegedly brought a flag of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" to the match with Ukraine
The photo with the flag is a FAKE. There is no flag in the original broadcast.
The same story with the video of Romanians allegedly chanting "Putin, Putin, Putin" - someone simply inserted an audio track from the famous chant of Kharkiv Metalist fans but without the word "d*ckhead".

🤡"I am not an anti-Semite"
During an anti-corruption meeting, Alexander Lukashenko said that half of the defendants in the investigation against the former Minister of Agriculture of Belarus are Jews.

Immediately after returning to Ukraine, Zelensky held a meeting with the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
The President noted that he had heard a detailed report from the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Sukharevsky. He reported on all types of drones—air, land, and sea—covering a wide range of tasks, from tactical FPVs and evacuation platforms to the so-called Deep Strike drones.
According to the Head of State, after Ukraine wins the war against Russia, its experience will become a high-tech part of Ukrainian export.

The number of injured in Poltava has increased to 22 people
Eight of them are in hospital.
The head of the regional military administration, Philip Pronin, said that three of the victims were children.

❗️❗️Russian troops in Volnovakha district of Donetsk Oblast beheaded a Ukrainian soldier, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said.
According to him, yesterday the Ukrainian military received information that one of the Russian units in the Volnovakha district was ordered not to take Ukrainians prisoner and to behead them. After that, aerial reconnaissance found a damaged armored vehicle of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with a head on the hood.

These photos show Ukrainian soldiers after Russian captivity… [there were more. Literal starvation and marks of abuse]

Telegram channels and major media are now actively spreading the news that Romanian fans allegedly brought a flag of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" to the match with Ukraine
The photo with the flag is a FAKE. There is no flag in the original broadcast.
The same story with the video of Romanians allegedly chanting "Putin, Putin, Putin" - someone simply inserted an audio track from the famous chant of Kharkiv Metalist fans but without the word "d*ckhead".

This sort of thing is so simple yet so devastatingly effective in this day and age of social media where things spread so quickly.

Did anyone see that Rod Stewart was booed in Germany for his pro-Ukraine message. Sir Rod Stewart defends support for Ukraine after being 'booed' by German crowd | Ents & Arts News | Sky News I feel like the Russian's message is seeping in more and more, it's very worrying.

Yea it's something they're so so good at it. It's a devastatingly effective form of warfare. On so many levels.

Hats off to Sir Rod for his very public and continued support for Ukraine. The overwhelming silence from the celebrity sphere is very disappointing. Imagine if someone like Taylor Swift addressed this at one of her shows.

On that note I'm about to listen to this podcast interview with Stephen Pinker: "Why smart people believe stupid things" : podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/honestly-with-bari-weiss/id1570872415?i=1000659374434

Interesting if confirmed:

Jay in Kyiv
AT JayinKyiv

So it begins.. Nikkei Asia is reporting that Russia offers to sell a piece of its far east to China.
The land surrounding the Tumangan River will be sold so that China can widen the river for expanded commerce. Putin will likely then invest that money into destroying Ukraine.

That’s really interesting!

So how many people is Putin planning to sell? I'm sure there are people living there.

Have any of you any knowledge of the Institute for War and Peace reporting, please? I know they cover Ukraine but I can't get much of a sense of what perspective they come from and there are so many knowledgeable people on here.

The ISW ... short version; Good, accurate but not unbiased.

It's small (think they only have 5 permanent staff); sometimes conservative in their assessments, usually accurate, pro-Ukraine which has to be taken into account, fairly focussed on Russian milbloggers and the dance between them and the Kremlin; not given to predicting the future as a (occasionally broken) rule. They cover the broad trends of Russian politics, international politics and the military gains and losses of each side.

What they say seems to be confirmed accurate in almost all cases. Being war and sometimes confusion, occasionally they've made mistakes. The staff do take what they do very seriously, having listened to some of their stuff. The generally good quality of their stuff means they've gained a wider and higher profile since the Ukraine invasion.

Can't comment on their non-Ukraine stuff as Ukraine's my focus.

Very thoughtful longer assessment here including info on the founders and their connections to the political figures and industrial base in the US. https://www.quora.com/Is-the-institute-for-the-study-of-war-a-reliable-and-unbiased-source-on-current-conflicts