Ukraine Invasion: Part 50

[MagicFox]

Welcome, with love and thanks to all contributors and lurkers. Unbelievably, we’re on thread 50. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China announced that the joint plan by China and Brazil to end Russia's war against Ukraine has received positive reactions from over 110 countries worldwide.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, previously denied any connection with Russian special services, is indeed an employee of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and served in the elite "Alpha" unit. Peskov mentioned that Krasikov had served alongside several members of the presidential security detail. He added that President Putin personally went to the airport to meet the exchanged individuals, including Krasikov, describing them as people who "serve their country."

🇺🇦 The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has approved the “Jura” armored car for operation.
This light armored vehicle is equipped with a 5.45 mm anti-bullet capsule, providing protection against multiple grenade detonations. It also features a turret with a 7.62 mm machine gun.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 8 national reserves and 12 national parks have been occupied by Russians. It's more than 20% of all protected areas of Ukraine. Some of them are contaminated with mines.

Romania to Co-Develop R-360 "Neptune" Anti-Ship Missiles with Ukraine
Romania plans to jointly develop R-360 "Neptune" anti-ship missiles with Ukraine, as reported by Army Recognition.
In April 2023, it was revealed that the Ukrainian defense industry is working on modernizing the P-360, though the final outcomes are still uncertain. Romania aims to ally with Ukraine to control the Black Sea waters from its territory and is ready to cooperate with Kyiv in the military sphere.
According to the publication, the Romanian-Ukrainian military-industrial partnership plans are intended for the post-war period.

Hungarian Defense Minister Praises Ukrainian Struggle, Criticizes West
🇭🇺 Hungarian Minister of Defense Shalay-Bobrovnytskyi unexpectedly expressed great respect for the "heroic and brave struggle of Ukrainians."
He also accused the West of "intensifying" the war instead of "containing" it, which, he claimed, helped Russia build a military industry capable of supplying necessary levels of ammunition, manpower, and tanks.

Russian occupiers have destroyed the unique "Metallurgy" mosaic panel at the Mariupol railway station. The mosaic, created in 1974 by local monumental artists Valentin Konstantinov and Lely Kuzminkov, honored Mariupol's metallurgists and had become a significant symbol of the city.
For over forty years, it adorned the main hall of the railway station and was even exhibited at the UN headquarters in New York in 2019. This act of destruction has removed a significant piece of Mariupol's cultural heritage.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Overnight, Ukrainian forces successfully struck a Russian S-300/S-400 SAM battery south of the Russian-occupied city of Sevastopol, Crimea.

Ukrainian drone units have begun using Ukrainian bomber drones equipped with laser-guided bombs.
This type of weaponry has been developed within the innovative projects of the Brave1 military technology development cluster.

Anna Netrebko, a Russian opera singer, is set to perform in a new Tosca production in Rome, according to Russian media reports.
Earlier, Netrebko drew criticism for the lack of condemnation of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The American crowdfunding company Buy Me a Coffee has apparently updated its rules and is no longer providing a full-fledged service for users from Ukraine. The service blocks withdrawals to Ukrainian bank cards.
This was reported on social media by Ukrainians who faced problems with withdrawing funds.
With about 20% of Ukraine's territory under sanctions, it has become extremely difficult to accurately verify and monitor locations, which creates significant risks of errors, Buy Me a Coffee's technical support team said in an explanation.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-2-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian Joint Forces and Khortytsia Group of Forces Commander Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov stressed that Russia is pursuing an effort to force Ukraine to commit its available manpower to ongoing defensive operations in order to prevent the accumulation of Ukrainian resources for future counteroffensive operations.
• Russian Airborne (VDV) and "Dnepr" Group of Forces Commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky addressed VDV forces in an article and recorded video on the 94th anniversary of the VDV's formation on August 2, attempting to highlight the VDV's performance in Ukraine as an elite professional force despite the fact that VDV elements are fighting essentially as understrength motorized rifle units in Ukraine.
• Russian authorities arrested the former deputy rear commander of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division (20th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Moscow Military District [MMD]) Colonel Dmitry Peshkov on August 2.
• The Russian Federation Council passed an updated version of an amendment that will allow commanders to punish subordinates for "gross disciplinary offenses," including the use of personal electronic devices, in frontline areas following significant backlash from Russian milbloggers.
• The Russian Federation Council also passed a series of bills strengthening the Russian government's control over the Russian information space and further restricting the rights of migrants in Russia.
• The pro-Kremlin Moldovan Victory opposition electoral bloc announced its candidate for the October 2024 Moldovan presidential election on August 2.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City.
• A Russian government official weighed in on ongoing milblogger criticism of Russia's drone production industry.
• A delegation of Kremlin officials visited occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts on August 2 to highlight Russian efforts to integrate occupied Ukraine into the Russian Federation.

Mark Galeotti spoke about this in his latest episode of In Moscow’s Shadow. His point is that Kara-Murza was arguing that the Putin regime and ordinary Russian people are not the same thing. Many of the current sanctions are hurting ordinary people, who frankly have no ability to change or influence the regime, whilst having very little impact on those actually prosecuting the war or on the war economy.

It’s worth a listen.

He also says that sanctions targeting the population are largely doing more harm than good. They’re hardening people’s anger at the West and at Ukraine, not at the Putin regime.

It’s also important to remember that Kara-Murza and other Russian dissidents speak to and on behalf of the needs of the Russian people. At the end of the day they want a role in Russia’s political future, they need to retain their links to the Russian population.

This argument was used about sanctions against South Africa during apartheid, when it is likely they hurt the already-oppressed ordinary people more than they hurt the elite. But I don't remember Nelson Mandela using it.

70% of the Russian people support Putin according to the Lavada Centre research. Putin will spin things anti-West no matter what - if there are sanctions it's the evil West, and if there aren't then Putin is the powerful one who stopped the West and look how evil it was to try.

Nothing is going to win the hearts and minds of the Russian people. Putin's got far too strong a control.

So at that point, given the Russian people demonstrably support Putin no matter what in practise (whether through belief, fear or indifference) you have to look at 'are they achieving anything practically' and yes they are. Elvira commented not long ago that the shortage of technology, personnel and .. what was it now, one other thing ... was providing serious challenges to the Russian economy show that sanctions, while imperfect, are making things harder for Russia.

I'm afraid that when you look at the absolute grim poverty many Russians live in while the elite roll in money, if sanctions are causing problems for ordinary people then the elite should help. They won't, of course. But Russia's extreme rich-poor divide is not a reason why we should make life easier for them.

To be fair I don’t think anyone is saying that Russian dissidents (and in that I would have include Nevalny) are in anyway akin to Mandela. At the end of the day they’re still children of the USSR and the Russian system.

My point (such as it was) was that Mandela, who had a LOT riding on the fall of the apartheid regime, did not argue that sanctions against that regime should not happen.

I appreciate others don’t agree but I still firmly believe that making those already severely oppressed suffer further for the ills of their regime isn’t necessary and is proven to be ineffective.

I think I’d struggle to find many with the moral fortitude of Mandela, particularly coming from the Russian system. Kara-Murza isn’t saying sanctions against the regime shouldn’t happen, he’s arguing that stronger sanctions are needed but should be more targeted at the Putin regime, elites and war economy rather than at the general Russian population.

All I can say is that when Mandela was asked if economic sanctions helped to bring an end to the apartheid system, Mandela replied "Oh, there is no doubt." I just sort of assumed he might know what he was talking about, because he was very much involved with de Klerk, after he was released from prison, and they might have discussed why de Klerk had caved in.

So in that case at least, sanctions had some effect – or Mandela was lying or deceived.

It's hard to see how that could readily be achieved, unfortunately. Any sanctions are going to cause the cost of living in general to rise.

The war itself is going to cause a cost of living increase, and already has.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-3-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces reportedly struck four Russian S-400 air defense missile launchers, an S-500 air defense system, and the Russian Black Sea Fleet's (BSF) Rostov-on-Don Kilo-class submarine in occupied Crimea on August 2. [That must hurt dem Ruskies]
• Ukrainian forces also conducted a series of successful drone strikes against likely military targets in Rostov, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts on August 3.
• The Kremlin reportedly planned to transfer unspecified missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen but did not transfer the materiel following diplomatic pressure. Russia's reported plan highlights its growing military partnership with Iran and suggests that Russia likely aims to leverage Iranian proxies to indirectly confront the West and shape Western decision making.
• Putin's willingness to consider supporting the Houthis as they attack Israel and international shipping is part of deepening Russian-Iranian military cooperation and Russia's increasing reliance on Iran for high-precision weapons and components.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Kreminna, Siversk, and Chasiv Yar.
• Russian authorities continue efforts to financially incentivize Russian military service in Ukraine.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Ukraine's military says it sunk Russian Black Sea Fleet submarine https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-says-russias-black-sea-fleet-submarine-sunk-after-successfully-hit/ damaged S-400 missile system in 'successful hit.' [This sub was the Rostov-on-Don which was extensively damaged previously. It was repaired, went out for a trial trip, came back to Sevastopol and got sunk]

Ukraine’s government rushed on Aug. 2 to extinguish public uproar over reconstruction efforts at Okhmatdyt, the country’s main children’s hospital based in Kyiv, which was heavily damaged early last month by a Russian missile strike. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-scrambles-to-reboot-reconstruction-tender-for-childrens-hospital-hit-by-russian-missile/
The unusually swift government response came after Nashi Groshi, an investigative publication focused on uncovering corruption, published a story on Aug. 1 that criticized the selection process and the “no-name” winner’s allegedly inflated bid prices, and questioned its ability to perform the task.

⚡️The German and Swedish air forces scrambled NATO jets on Aug. 3 after two Russian jets were detected heading toward Latvian airspace over the Baltic Sea.
The Russian pilots "behaved uncooperatively but not aggressively," the German Air Force said. kyivindependent.com/nato-jets-scrambled-latvian-airspace/

⚡️Kyiv evacuates https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-evacuates-first-30-ukrainians-from-lebanon-amid-expected-escalation-in-middle-east/ first 30 Ukrainians from Lebanon amid escalation in Middle East.

⚡️8 Ukrainian children return home https://kyivindependent.com/governor-8-ukrainian-children-return-home-from-russian-occupied-parts-of-kherson-oblast/ from Russian-occupied parts of Kherson Oblast, governor says.

⚡️Military: Egyptians recruited https://kyivindependent.com/military-egyptians-recruited-by-russia-fight-in-kharkiv-direction/ by Russia fight in Kharkiv Oblast.
Russia is known to have targeted men from countries including Cuba, Kazakhstan, Somalia, and Nepal to fight in its army.

⚡️Russian anti-war activist dies https://kyivindependent.com/anti-war-activist-kushnir-dies-in-russian-detention-center/ in pre-trial detention.
Musician and anti-war activist Pavel Kushnir died in a pre-trial detention center in Birobidzhan, the capital of the Jewish Autonomous Region of Russia, the Telegram channel "Vot Tak" reported on Aug. 2, citing Kushnir's friends. [He had a youtube channel with 5 subscribers and was reported for anti-war activities :/]

⚡️Two more men have been charged in connection with an alleged arson plot against Ukraine-linked businesses in London, the Metropolitan Police said on Aug. 3.
In late April, 20-year-old Dylan Earl from the U.K., who allegedly has ties to Russia's Wagner mercenary group, was charged with orchestrating a blaze at an industrial estate in Leyton in March after being recruited as a Russian spy. https://kyivindependent.com/two-more-men-charged-over-alleged-wagner-linked-arson-attack-on-ukrainian-business-in-london/

⚡️Women’s saber fencing https://kyivindependent.com/womens-saber-fencing-team-win-ukraines-first-gold-at-2024-olympics/ team wins Ukraine's first gold at 2024 Olympics.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson - AUG 3, 2024
■ Engagements above 7-day avg, casualties below
■ Big equipment losses incl. a C-400 in Crimea
■ KIU: +32 🇷🇺 officers; 4.9 per day for last four batches
■ Increased 🇷🇺 shelling; strike ratio slightly above average

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russian Oil Exports Hit 19-Month Low in July
The export of Russian oil from key western ports fell to a 19-month low in July, contributing to an overall decline in global seaborne oil flows, which decreased by about 586,000 barrels per day last month, according to Bloomberg.
Total supplies to China dropped by more than 1.4 million barrels per day, marking the largest decline this year, although these figures may still change.
Increased supplies from leading exporters such as Saudi Arabia and the United States helped offset the declines from Russia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Qatar.
Russia continues to meet its oil production obligations within OPEC+ and has increased domestic oil refining, potentially reducing the amount of oil it exports. A separate analysis showed that total seaborne oil exports from Russia were the lowest in nearly a year, with shipments from Baltic ports being the lowest since December 2022.
The oil industry remains a crucial source of revenue for the Russian budget.

❗️Western F-16 Fighter Jets Now Operating in Ukraine
President Zelenskyy announced during a briefing for Air Force Day that Western F-16 fighter jets are now in Ukraine and performing their tasks. While he did not specify the missions these planes are undertaking, he noted that the current number of planes and pilots is insufficient.

Ukraine Tests HCX Fiber-Optic Quadrocopter Resistant to Jamming
In Ukraine, tests are underway for the HCX fiber-optic quadrocopter by the German company Highcat, which is 100% resistant to radio frequency jamming and invisible to radio-electronic intelligence, according to Forbes. https://t.me/United24media/24047
The drone emits no signals and cannot be detected through radio scanning of the sky, as all data and control signals are transmitted via an optical fiber cable. This cable provides a high-speed (speed of light) data transmission channel, making it impossible to locate the drone operator.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister to Visit Malawi, Zambia, and Mauritius

German Citizens Still Imprisoned in Russia Despite Large-Scale Exchange
The number of Germans held in Russian prisons is described as a "small two-digit number," the MFA told the German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, without specifying the charges against these individuals.
Over the past two years, Russian authorities have refused direct consular access for citizens with dual Russian and German citizenship, including prison visits.

Russian Shelling Damages Railway Infrastructure in the Poltava Region

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported the killing of a Ukrainian prisoner of war by Russian forces.
"A photo appeared online, likely showing the body of a Ukrainian prisoner whose head and limbs were cut off by the Russians. I urgently appealed to the ICRC and the UN to document another human rights violation by the terrorist country, and to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies to verify the identity of the murdered prisoner and the details of this crime," the message reads. https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukrainian-soldier-dismembered-by-russian-forces-1548

Kyiv Alarmed by Prisoner Exchange Between West and Russia
Kyiv reacted with alarm to the recent prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, fearing it could signal the start of secret negotiations between the aggressor and its partners without Ukraine's knowledge, according to The Washington Post.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️1096 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine have been damaged by Russian aggression.

❗️There are plans to evacuate children from the village of Poltavka in the Illinivska community. There are 15 children left there.

"Underground schools" will be built in Zaporizhzhia to ensure the safety of Ukrainian children during Russian shelling.

88-year-old Ivan Yakovych, who left occupied Ocheretyne on foot in April, settled in Ivano-Frankivsk region.
He is currently undergoing rehabilitation and recovering from his experiences in one of the social welfare institutions in the Carpathian region.
At 88 years old, Ivan Yakovych walked all night, came under fire, but escaped the occupation. The Russians took his Ukrainian passport and wanted to give him their own.

Only 22% of Ukrainians agree with the freezing of the war. The number of those in the military is even lower, at 16%.
18% of Ukrainians would agree to give up EU membership if it could stop the war.

@DucklingSwimmingInstructress

President Zelenskyy announced during a briefing for Air Force Day that Western F-16 fighter jets are now in Ukraine and performing their tasks.

UK media report here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/04/ukrainian-pilots-have-started-flying-f-16s-says-zelenskiy

Cautiously optimistic jubilant to see the dialogue inch forward from promising F-16s to delivering them and now to actually being in operation.

"Ukrainian officers have indicated that some of the F-16s could be stationed on military bases used by allies abroad to protect the jets from Russian attacks."

I suppose the above is sensible. Presume that the allies military bases would also have the infrastructure to service and maintain the F-16s.

I spotted this in the article:

"Zelenskiy said he also hoped to lobby allied neighbouring countries to help intercept Russian missiles being launched at Ukraine through conversations at the Nato-Ukraine Council platform.
“This is another tool, and I want to try it, so that Nato countries can talk to Ukraine about the possibility of a small coalition of neighbouring countries shooting down enemy missiles,” he said.
“I think this decision is probably difficult for our partners, they are always afraid of excessive escalation but we are fighting that.”"

How would this work in practice? Would Nato countries be flying their own jets into Ukrainian airspace or lobbing SAMs from their territory into Ukrainian airspace (apologies for the wrong lingo).

How would this work in practice? Would Nato countries be flying their own jets into Ukrainian airspace or lobbing SAMs from their territory into Ukrainian airspace (apologies for the wrong lingo).

I think the idea is the latter, using long range SAMs to protect places like Lviv, and also, maybe them being a bit more willing go engage Russian drones that apparently briefly enter e.g. Polish airspace en-route to targets in Ukraine.

@notimagain thanks for the explanation.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-4-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted drone strikes against an oil depot in Rostov Oblast and missile strikes against fuel storage warehouses in occupied Luhansk City on August 4.
• Ukraine confirmed that it has received the first batch of US-made F-16 fighter jets.
• Russian milbloggers responded to the arrival of F-16s by trying to downplay their potential battlefield effects—directly undermining Russian information operations intended to frame the delivery of F-16s and other Western weapons systems as an uncrossable "red line."
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances east of Pokrovsk, west of Donetsk City, and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.
• The Russian defense industry reportedly continues to produce missiles using Western-sourced components.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Zelensky confirms https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-received-f-16s/ F-16s already being used by Ukrainian Air Force.

German politicians are demanding an EU-wide response after Hungary simplified entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens in July, German news outlet Bild reported on Aug. 3. https://kyivindependent.com/german-politicians-eu-response-budapest/

⚡️Ukraine receives grant of $3.9 billion from US. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-receives-3-9-billion-from-us/

⚡️Donetsk Oblast announces https://kyivindependent.com/over-700-children-evacuated-from-donetsk-oblast/ mandatory evacuation for over 700 children.

⚡️Ukraine wants https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-wants-to-create-coalition-to-help-shoot-down-russian-missiles-zelensky-says/ to create coalition to shoot down Russian missiles, Zelensky says
Kyiv will discuss with NATO the creation of a coalition of countries to help shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine's territory, Zelensky told journalists on Aug. 4, Interfax Ukraine reported.

⚡️The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Aug. 5 that it had intercepted a "large-scale" sabotage network organized by Russia's Federal Security Service, which was operating across at least six oblasts and involved two Ukrainian government officials. https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-intercepts-large-scale-fsb-saboteur-network-across-ukraine/

⚡️To help Russian opposition, first save Ukraine https://kyivindependent.com/to-help-russian-opposition-first-save-ukraine-released-prisoner-yashin-says/ released prisoner Yashin says.

⚡️ UK soldiers warned Russia could be spying https://kyivindependent.com/uk-soldiers-warned-russia-could-be-spying-on-training-of-ukrainian-troops/ on training of Ukrainian troops.
British soldiers have been warned Russia may be using spies and drones to obtain information about Ukrainian service members trained in the U.K., The Times reported on Aug. 5, citing a military handbook circulated among the troops.

⚡️Russia involved in spying in Ireland, Irish official says.
"What we're particularly concerned about is a handful of states who are engaged in spying activities on sovereign soil with malign intent," said Michael McElgunn, assistant commissioner of Ireland's national police force. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-involved-in-spying-in-ireland-irish-official-says/

⚡️ EU should reconsider Hungary's Schengen membership https://kyivindependent.com/eu-should-reconsider-hungarys-schengen-membership-meps-say/ MEPs say.
The EU must take "urgent measures" regarding Hungary's decision to soften visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens, a group of 69 European parliamentarians said in a letter published on Aug. 3.

⚡️ EU slaps new sanctions on Belarus over internal repressions. https://kyivindependent.com/eu-slaps-new-sanctions-on-belarus-over-internal-repressions/

⚡️Kuleba arrives https://kyivindependent.com/kuleba-arrives-in-malawi/ in Malawi as his Africa tour begins

⚡️ Ukraine's 2024 mortality rate is three times higher than birth rate, data shows https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-birth-rates/
Some 87,655 children were born in the first half of 2024, while 250,972 citizens died of various causes during the same period, data shows. The numbers are likely incomplete because of Russia's ongoing occupation of Ukrainian territories.

⚡️ Machine factory caught fire after strike on Russian-occupied Luhansk governor says.
A purported Ukrainian strike against occupied Luhansk on Aug. 4 resulted in a fire in a factory used to repair and store Russian military equipment, said regional governor Artem Lysohor. https://kyivindependent.com/luhansk-factory/

⚡️Russian Su-34 jet destroyed https://kyivindependent.com/russian-su-34-jet-destroyed/ in Ukraine's strike on Morozovsk airfield, military intelligence says.

Ukraine and Russia will not be able to destroy each other's energy systems completely, partially due to certain safeguards from the Soviet times, Ukraine's Budanov told the TSN news program on Aug. 3. https://kyivindependent.com/budanov-russia-ukraine-energy/

⚡️Ukraine secures https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-secures-gold-bronze-in-womens-olympic-high-jump/ gold, bronze in women's Olympic high jump.
⚡️Ukraine wins https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-wins-bronze-medal-in-mens-olympic-hammer-throw/ bronze medal in men's Olympic hammer throw.
⚡️Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun wins silver in Olympics. kyivindependent.com/gymnast-illia-kovtun-finishes-in-the-mens-floor-exercise-final-at-paris-olympics/

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 1, injure 7 over past day

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦- AUG 5, 2024
■ Increased casualties, engagements below 7-day avg
■ Equipment losses stay high; big artillery, APV & vehicles losses
■ Improved strike ratio; 🇷🇺 strikes below average, 🇺🇦 above
■ Corrections from GSUA applied to data

United24 Media Telegram Highlights

Norway Allocates $7.4 Million to UNICEF Programs in Ukraine

Last night, Ukrainian defenders successfully shot down all 24 enemy attack UAVs, according to the Air Force.

Attack on Morozovsk Airfield Results in Significant Damage
Satellite intelligence data confirmed that the Su-34 was destroyed by fire damage. Two additional Su-34 planes were likely damaged by debris, as explosions were recorded near their locations.
The enemy's aviation arsenal was completely destroyed, with secondary detonations of Russian ammunition causing extensive areas of burnt ground around the airfield.
"Four technical buildings and two hangars at the Morozovsk air base, located 265 kilometers from the front line, also suffered damage clearly visible from space," the report states.

Ukraine Receives $3.9 Billion Grant from the United States
"These funds will help finance priority budget expenditures such as salaries for teachers, doctors, and rescuers, as well as social assistance. This is the first tranche of direct budget support from the United States in 2024. In total, Ukraine will receive $7.8 billion in direct budget aid from the United States this year, enabling it to confidently navigate this financial period."

First Photos of German-Supplied Skynex Anti-Aircraft Complex Revealed
The "West" air command has shown the first photos of the Skynex anti-aircraft complex supplied by Germany.
Skynex is a cannon-based system designed to combat air targets at close range. Its main advantage is its relative cost-effectiveness compared to guided missiles.
Key features of the Skynex system include:

• A rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute.
• An active X-band X-TAR3D radar with a detection and tracking range of 20 to 50 km.
• The ability to connect additional equipment, such as other radars, sensors, or up to four additional remote-controlled 35-mm guns. https://t.me/United24media/24067