[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] President Vladimir Putin has arrived for his first-ever presidential visit to Chukotka in Russia's Far East - just 55 miles from the US state of Alaska.
Putin arrived in Anadyr, the local capital of the Chukotka region this morning after flying from Moscow some nine time zones away.
Chukotka is the easternmost region of Russia, with a maritime border on the Bering Strait with Alaska.
The Russian president was met in Anadyr by a motorcade and was whisked away in a limousine amid frigid temperatures of -28C.
It's the closest he has come to US soil since he met with President Barack Obama in New York City in 2015.
Chukotka is so close to Alaska that Roman Abramovich - the ex-Chelsea FC owner - was reported to fly to Anchorage in Alaska for lunch when he was the governor of the region from 2001 - 2008.
Putin's visit comes at a time when US-Russian relations are at their lowest ebb in decades amid the war in Ukraine and a growing East-West divide.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today landed in Lithuania as part of an unannounced trip to the Baltic states to drum up more support for the conflict.
Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title
[Korrespondent] 22:45 Time magazine published an article by political scientist and international relations expert Ian Bremmer entitled The Top Ten Global Risks of 2024. According to the author, the main risks for the world will remain two ongoing wars - Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas. Read more in the article Division of Ukraine .
22:37 The ground forces of the Russian Army in Ukraine amount to 462 thousand military personnel, units are staffed to 95%, said Vadim Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate. According to him, thanks to the high level of staffing, the Russians can carry out rotations and withdraw units for restoration. “There were moments when staffing levels dropped to 89-90%, but by prolonging mobilization they managed to maintain this grouping at precisely this level of 92-95%,” Skibitsky added.
21:49 North Korea is using Ukraine as a testing ground for ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, said South Korea's permanent representative to the UN, Hwang Jung Kook. He condemned the transfer of North Korean missiles to Russia, and called the invasion itself a “senseless disregard” for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
20:57 During a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council on January 10, the allies promised further assistance to Kiev and recalled plans to strengthen the country’s air defense in 2024 - from the joint purchase of missiles for the Patriot air defense system to Skynex systems from Germany and anti-aircraft missiles from the UK, the press reported. Alliance service. NATO members also "strongly condemned" the escalation of Russian air strikes on Ukraine, as well as Russia's use of ballistic missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran.
“Today, Alliance members made clear that they will continue to provide significant military, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, and many Alliance members have outlined plans to provide billions of euros in additional capabilities in 2024,” NATO said.
20:06 During the day, the Russians fired artillery three times at the Nikopol district of the Dnepropetrovsk region, including the regional center, Pokrovskaya rural and Marganetsk communities. Two people were injured, said the head of the OVA, Sergei Lysak. He also reported an explosion in Krivoy Rog, without deaths or injuries.
19:42 Near Marinka, the Ukrainian military captured a mercenary from Somalia, Army TV reports, citing sources. The Somali surrendered along with the Russians. He had a Somali passport with him and barely understood either Russian or Ukrainian. He went to fight, like other prisoners, for money. He ended up at the front at the end of December, and was already captured at the beginning of January.
19:28 Zaluzhny reported that for several days he worked in the area of responsibility of the operational-strategic group of troops Khortytsya. According to the commander-in-chief, the front line remains active: the Russian army is trying to advance in all directions, the Defense Forces are repelling enemy attacks and inflicting significant losses on the enemy.
“We carried out productive work with brigade commanders performing tasks in the Kupyansky direction. We determined the sequence of our steps, taking into account the constant change in the operational situation, capabilities, and also made a decision to ensure the priority needs of the units,” Zaluzhny said.
18:32 In the Sinelnikovsky district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, a KAR X-59 guided aircraft missile was destroyed, the Air Command of Skhid reported.
18:16 Russia is holding 25 Ukrainian journalists captive, said Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech. “These are not combatants - these are journalists who did their job, and, according to the civilized rules of warfare, should not be captured in principle,” he emphasized.
17:37 The Russian army fired at residential buildings in Novodmitrovka, Kherson region, one person was wounded, the OVA reported. Over the previous 24 hours, two people were injured as a result of Russian shelling.
17:33 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the Western strategy for the war in Ukraine and said that he wants to normalize relations with Moscow. According to him, “it is absolutely clear to everyone” that the “crisis in Ukraine” has no military solution. Fico believes that Ukraine has the right to follow its own sovereign path, while at the same time Russia also needs “security guarantees.”
17:25 Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the country’s parliament that “the time has come for diplomacy” regarding Ukraine. According to him, the Ukrainian counter-offensive of 2023 did not bring the desired result, and the military situation should be treated “realistically.” Crosetto believes that “the time has come for diplomacy along with military support for Ukraine, since a number of important signals are being received from both sides.”
At the same time, Crosetto emphasized that “our support for Ukraine remains strong and completely unchanged.” Today, the lower house of the Italian parliament voted for a resolution to continue military support for Ukraine.
17:16 Ukraine in 2024 took 18th place in the ranking of the most powerful armies in the world, according to Global Firepower. The first place is occupied by the United States, the second by Russia, and the third by China.
16:07 The Russians attacked the village of Olkhovatka with guided bombs in the Kupyansky district of the Kharkov region - one person was killed, ten private houses, a store, and a school were damaged, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA.
15:58 Zelensky called for “finishing” Putin together. In his opinion, the uncertainty of Western partners in providing military and financial assistance to Ukraine only gives courage and strength to Russia. “The Russian president won’t calm down until he destroys Ukraine. After Ukraine, you know very well who has the next risks... He won’t finish this until we all finish it together.”
15:21 Zelensky said that he expects to receive defense and political decisions from the NATO Washington summit in 2024: “I would like to receive a strengthening of the air defense package quantitatively - with the systems that we need so much. It is the systems and specifically the specific missiles that fight against Russian ballistics ... As for political decisions, I would like to get at least one concrete step towards NATO."
14:52 The European Union promised Ukraine that in any case it would provide funding no later than March, writes Euractiv with links to sources. They also confirmed the previously announced information that Hungary offered to divide the 50 billion euro package into annual tranches in exchange for lifting its veto.
14:43 Lithuania has approved a package of long-term military assistance to Ukraine totaling 200 million euros, President Gitanas Nausėda said during a joint press conference with Zelensky. He added that in January Lithuania will send Ukraine ammunition, generators, detonation systems, and in February - M577 armored personnel carriers.
Lithuania and Ukraine also signed agreements on cooperation in the defense industry. Zelensky clarified that we are talking, in particular, about the joint production of anti-drone equipment.
14:08 Hungary and Slovakia became the only countries in the EU that did not sign a statement condemning the supply of missiles from the DPRK to Russia, Russian media write. Peskov yesterday did not comment on information about the supply of North Korean missiles, but said that Kyiv was allegedly hitting “Russian cities” with Western weapons.
13:19 Forbes showed which missiles from North Korea may already be in service with the Russian army:
12:30 The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense presented a project for the families of Russian military prisoners in Ukraine called I want to find. As part of the project, chat bots will be launched on Telegram, where you can find out where a specific Russian military man is and whether he has died. The department hopes this will help conduct more prisoner of war exchanges.
12:03 Iran has developed a new reconnaissance kamikaze drone, Shahed-107, which Russia may receive, Sky News reports, citing intelligence sources. According to them, UAVs have already protested in Iran along with the Russians, and Tehran offered Moscow several units “for testing.”
The Shahed-107 can be launched from a vehicle and is estimated to have a range of up to 1,500 km. The drone also has a camera, a video broadcaster, and may be equipped with technology to search for high-value combat targets, such as HIMARS and M270. The publication’s interlocutor also said that the Russian Federation expects to soon receive ballistic missiles from Iran with a range of up to 700 km.
11:47 The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a drone was shot down in the Saratov region. The opposition Russian publication Astra writes, citing sources, that there were two drones, they were shot down and fell on the territory of the Engels 2 military airfield, which has been used for large-scale airstrikes in Ukraine since February 2022. The consequences of drone crashes are unknown.
11:01 The NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system, which Canada promised to purchase for Kiev’s needs from the United States a year ago, has not yet been delivered to Ukraine, CTV channel reports. According to the Canadian Ministry of Defense, Ottawa transferred $406 million to Washington for these purposes in March 2023, and the US government signed a contract for its production with Raytheon. At the same time, the Kongsberg company, which is also involved in the production of these air defense systems, reported that they do not have such a contract with either the US authorities or the Canadian government. The Canadian Ministry of Defense does not know when the air defense system may end up in Ukraine.
10:43 Zelensky said that he is on a working visit to Vilnius , and then will visit Tallinn and Riga. The President plans to hold a series of meetings and discuss security issues, integration into the EU and NATO, cooperation in the field of electronic warfare and drones, and further coordination of European support.
10:29 In 2023, the production of weapons, equipment and artillery shells in Ukraine tripled, and the production of mines increased 42 times. In addition, the country successfully used its own long-range weapons, hitting an enemy target at a distance of 700 km, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence Alexander Zavitnevich said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Also, according to him, the development of 155-mm caliber shells has already begun, their mass production is planned in 2024, “but in the absence of a shortage of explosives - gunpowder, which can be supplied from NATO countries.”
09:46 Russia on the evening of January 9 attacked Nikopol, Dnepropetrovsk region, with a new drone with a night vision camera, said the head of the Nikopol regional military administration, Yevgeny Yevtushenko. According to him, such drones have been used at the front for a long time, but this is the first time in the region. As a result of the attack, two private houses, a utility building and a power line were damaged.
09:08 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of January 10:
personnel - about 366,790 (+800) people,
tanks - 6038 (+2),
armored combat vehicles - 11,216 (+13),
artillery systems - 8684 (+12),
MLRS - 956 (+2),
air defense systems - 639 (+1),
aircraft - 329 (+0),
helicopters - 324 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 6834 (+11),
cruise missiles - 1805 (+0),
ships/boats - 23 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 11,575 (+23),
special equipment - 1336 (+3).
08:37 Over the past 24 hours, 77 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff reported in its morning report . In the Avdeevka direction, the Defense Forces repulsed 11 enemy attacks near Novobakhmutovka, Avdeevka, Severny and another 13 attacks near Pervomaiskoye and Nevelskoye, Donetsk region. In the Maryinsky direction, 15 attacks were repelled in the Georgievka, Pobeda and Novomikhailovka areas of the Donetsk region.
In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled eight enemy attacks in the Sinkovka area of the Kharkov region; on Limansky - five attacks east of Ternov and Vesely, Donetsk region; on Bakhmutskoye - three attacks near Kleshcheevka and Andreevka, Donetsk region; on Shakhtarsky - one attack near Staromayorsky, Donetsk region; on Zaporozhye - two attacks west of Verbovoy, Zaporozhye region. In the Kherson direction, the expansion of the bridgehead continues; the enemy carried out nine unsuccessful assault operations on the positions of the Defense Forces.
08:22 Late in the evening of January 9, the Russians attacked Kharkov from Belgorod with two S-300 missiles, said Oleg Sinegubov, the head of the OVA. A children's health center was damaged, but no people were injured.
07:58 The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that Russia will not be able to capture significant territory in the Kharkov region in the near future, but still intends to create a buffer zone there up to 15 km deep to prevent shelling of the Belgorod region.
Analysts recalled that Russian ultranationalists regularly called for such an operation in the summer of 2023 amid widespread dissatisfaction with cross-border raids by pro-Ukrainian forces in the Belgorod region. ISW calls it a large-scale operation, requiring a force much larger and significantly better resourced than the troops massed along the entire border with Ukraine, least of all in the Belgorod region.
According to analysts, Russian forces are now only capable of conducting tactical actions in the Kharkov region, and they will serve as a distraction from possible Russian operational efforts in the Kupyansk direction.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] Ukrainian defenders, despite pressure from the enemy, repulse attacks and inflict significant losses on the enemy.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny said that for several days he worked in the area of responsibility of the OSUV Khortytsia. There, Russian invaders are trying to attack in all directions, Ukrainian defenders are repelling all attacks.
“The front line remains active. The invaders are trying to advance in all directions. Despite the pressure, our soldiers are repelling enemy attacks and inflicting significant losses on the enemy in manpower and equipment,” he emphasized.
According to Zaluzhny, productive work was carried out with the brigade commanders who perform tasks in the Kupyansky direction.
“We determined the sequence of our steps, taking into account the constant change in the operational situation and capabilities, and also made a decision to ensure the priority needs of the units,” the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasized.
Zaluzhny noted that Ukrainian soldiers steadfastly hold the defense in extremely difficult conditions. “Thanks to every brigade, to everyone who fought for Ukraine,” the general concluded.
Let us remind you that earlier the British publication The Telegraph wrote that the Russians seem to be able to launch a ground offensive in the Kharkov region on January 15 after massive shelling.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that troops are monitoring the situation in the Kupyansk direction. Therefore, there are no alarm bells for the residents of Kharkov.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] The Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled 19 attacks of the invaders near Avdiivka
During the day, 42 military clashes occurred. Most of the occupiers' attacks were repulsed in the Avdievka direction.
Russian troops do not abandon their intention to dislodge Ukrainian units from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnieper. During the day, they carried out 10 unsuccessful assault operations for these purposes. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced this in an evening report on Wednesday, January 10.
Overall, the operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult. During the day, 42 military clashes occurred.
In total, the enemy launched two missile and 29 air strikes, and carried out 19 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas.
In the Kupyansk direction, the Defense Forces repelled five attacks near Sinkovka, Kharkov region, where the enemy tried to break through the defenses of the Ukrainian troops. In the Liman direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled three attacks east of Ternov and Vesely, Donetsk region, where the Russians tried to improve the tactical situation.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled an attack by the invaders near Klishchievka, Donetsk region. In the Avdeevka direction, Ukrainian defenders repulsed nine enemy attacks near Novobakhmutovka, Avdeevka, Severny and another 10 attacks near Pervomaisky and Nevelsky, Donetsk region. Here the Russians tried unsuccessfully to improve the tactical situation.
In the Maryinsky direction, the Defense Forces continue to contain the enemy near Maryinka and Novomikhailovka, Donetsk region, where the enemy tried seven times to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops and carried out over 20 air strikes in the Novomikhailovka area, Donetsk region.
The enemy did not conduct offensive actions in the Shakhtarsky direction. He fired artillery and mortars at more than ten settlements. In the Zaporozhye direction, Ukrainian defenders repulsed four attacks near Robotinoy and west of Verbovoy, Zaporozhye region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to restore the lost position.
During the day, Defense Forces aircraft carried out strikes on seven areas where enemy personnel were concentrated. Also, the X-59 guided aircraft missile was destroyed by Ukrainian air defense forces and means .
Units of the missile forces inflicted defeat on two areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, a control center, ammunition and an electronic warfare station of the Russians.
Let us remind you that over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces liquidated 800 occupiers. The total number of losses of the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine is 366,790 military personnel.
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[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled four attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 21st and 32nd Mechanised brigades near Terni and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles.
In the course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one 152mm D-20 and one 122mm D-30 howitzers were eliminated.
In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 63rd and 66th Mechanised brigades near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forest.
The AFU losses amounted to up to 190 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by operational-tactical and army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 42nd, 93rd Mechanised brigades, and 5th Assault Brigade near Krasnoye, Bogdanovka, Andreyevka, Kleshcheyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 280 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two tanks, two Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, three Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, and 15 motor vehicles.
In addition, in the course of counterbattery warfare, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 152mm D-20 and one 122mm D-30 howitzers, one 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one artillery ammunition depot were wiped out.
In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, heavy flamethrower systems repelled two attacks by assault detachments of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade and 72nd Mechanised Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
Enemy manpower was struck near Paraskoveyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 170 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles.
In the course of counterbattery warfare, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system and one 122mm BM-21 Grad MLRS were wiped out.
In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled one attack launched by an assault detachment of the 3rd Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).
In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower clusters of the AFU 117th Mechanised Brigade and 128th Mountain Assault Brigade north of Novoprokopovka (Zaporozhye region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops and three motor vehicles.
In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 38th Naval Infantry Brigade and 121st Territorial Defence Brigade on the right bank of the Dnepr River near Tyaginka and Respublicanets (Kherson region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system.
Missile Troops and Artillery, attack unmanned aerial vehicles of the Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation wiped out one P-18 air target detection and tracking radar station, one ammunition depot, two assembly workshops for unmanned aerial vehicles, 113 AFU artillery units on firing positions, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 121 areas during the day.
Air defence units intercepted three HIMARS and Uragan MLRS projectiles.
Moreover, 34 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were downed close to Maryinka, Berestovoye, Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Belogorovka, Zhitlovka, Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Orlyanskoye (Zaporozhye region), Kairy, and Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region).
In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,580 unmanned aerial vehicles, 447 air defence missile systems, 14,554 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,202 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,685 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,278 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translate via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 22:21 According to the operational lines of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC on January 10, as of 22:00, information was received about civilian casualties in the cities of the Republic:
Donetsk (Kirovsky district):
– as a result of the release of high explosives from a UAV along the street. Prudovaya, 10, a woman born in 1972 was wounded.
n.p. Gorlovka (Kalininsky district):
- on the street. Mylynycha, 36, a man born in 1983 died.
Information has been received about damage as a result of artillery attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the cities of the Republic:
Donetsk (Kirovsky district):
– st. Adonisovaya, 73 “a” – private residential building;
– st. Volzhskaya 1 – private residential building;
– st. Volzhskaya, 4, 5 – multi-apartment residential buildings.
n.p. Gorlovka:
Nikitovsky district:
– st. Lebedeva-Kumacha, 33 – apartment building;
– st. Yasnaya, 27 – apartment building;
– st. Yasnaya, 31 – power cable damaged;
– st. Prodolnaya, 32 – the gas pipeline was damaged.
Central City district:
– st. Shchorsa, 7, 9 – private residential buildings, outbuildings were also damaged.
Information about the consequences of the artillery attack continues to arrive.
21:55 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits: “It is our duty to provide for units on the front line”
The main task of the traffic controller of the commandant battalion, Viktor Bolshakov, is to serve at posts in the Zaporozhye region. But last year, when the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted a counter-offensive, Victor acted as the driver.
Repeatedly he had to transport ammunition, food and rotate personnel at the front line of defense of our troops in the Rabotino area. Often this had to be done in the dark under enemy fire.
“Before entering Rabotino we came under heavy fire. At my own peril and risk, I had to continue moving along the route in order to provide our units with food and ammunition,” recalls Victor. “Everyone has fear for their lives, but the guys risk just as much as we do there, on the front line.” Therefore, I believe that bringing them ammunition and providing them with everything they need is our duty, which we must fulfill even at the risk of our lives.”
It is reported that the explosion in Krivoy Rog was the result of the work of our tactical aviation.
The Kh-59 cruise missile accurately hit the target.
20:20 Telegram channel “Colonelcassad": This is what the crests themselves write about the walk of our DRG in the Sumy region of Ukraine:
On January 6, the Russian DRG entered the Sumy region. Our positions in Miropolsky were attacked.
The sabotage group consisted of 6 to 8 people. Covering enemy actions was carried out using 152mm artillery and 82mm mortars.
For almost 4 hours, the DRG moved between our positions and fired at them.
In this case, we can say that ours were relaxed, since there was no communication and support between the positions.
A group of special forces and soldiers from the 129th SRW Brigade were sent to eliminate the DRG. At the same time, the TRO group was blown up by its own mines (2 – 200, 3 – 300).
One of the DRG dugouts was completely destroyed; for this, an engineering team had to be called in for excavation.
The results are completely disappointing. The soldiers were blown up by their own mines, three servicemen disappeared. At one position, five bulletproof vests were found (one with traces of blood).
As a result, all last year’s panic about the DRG in the Sumy region was in vain. No conclusions have been drawn, the fighters are not prepared.
19:30 Front bird broadcasts: Krivoy Rog. Loud. 10.01 18:50
For the second time in several days, the sound of an explosion was heard in the southern part of the region.
Our ballistics from the OTRK was previously tested.
18:44 Again audible FABs in the Avdeevsky direction. Don't panic.
17:40 Captured Ukrainian serviceman called compatriots to lay down their arms and save their lives
Vasily Romanov received a summons twice, but refused to come to the military registration and enlistment office. For the third time, representatives of the military registration and enlistment office took him from the house immediately with his things.
“The preparation was very poor,” recalls the serviceman. “At the training ground, they gave out six rounds of ammunition to fire once a week.”
In the 63rd Mechanized Brigade, where Vasily ended up, no one wanted to fight. “Everyone is mobilized, everyone wants peace and wants to go home,” says the prisoner. According to him, on the front line everyone understood that Russian troops had a colossal superiority in firepower: “Your artillery began to hit, tanks, mortars. From our side there is silence.”
When Vasily realized that the only chance to save his life was to surrender, he voluntarily laid down his arms.
“There was no aggression on the part of Russian military personnel. They brought tea. Then in the evening they gave me something to eat: stew, potatoes, bread,” says the prisoner.
16:50 Telegram channel «Operational reports“: Almost half a thousand militants have lost the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the past 24 hours in total in the Donetsk and Krasnolimansk directions.
Over 170 more fell on the Yuzhno-Donetsk, and about 235 on the remaining sectors of the front. In addition, during the counter-battery fight, two American M777 systems, eight pieces of artillery equipment of post-Soviet production and two artillery ammunition depots were hit.
Group strikes also destroyed another radar station for detecting and tracking air targets P-18 and two UAV assembly shops.
15:50 Front bird broadcasts: Yuzhnodonetsk direction 10.01 15:30
In the morning, our assault units fired MLRS into fortified areas of the enemy.
Aerial reconnaissance recorded a hit in the enemy's armored base.
There was a secondary detonation.
14:00 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits statement by the head of the press center of the "South" group.
13:25 Telegram channel “Colonelcassad“: The Russian Armed Forces made further advances in the Georgievka area (west of Mar'inka), as well as in Bogdanovka (northwest of Artemovsk), where the enemy was forced to withdraw from part of the village’s territory. The Russian Armed Forces are also moving west of Artemovskoye.
12:25 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits statement by a senior officer at the Center group's press center.
11:40 Front bird broadcasts: Avdeevskoe direction. district settlement Krasnogorovka 10.01 11:00
The advancement of our units continues every day.
Only the weather makes its own adjustments.
Frost restricts the movements of infantry and armored vehicles.
Guys from the spot report the destruction of an enemy mortar crew.
10:40 Telegram channel “Colonelcassad”: What do the soldiers talk about in the rare moments of calm between combat missions? Sergeant Andrei Sanochkin, who from the first days participated in the special operation as part of the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, tells the story -video.
09:40 Front bird broadcasts: Zaporozhye direction.
Verbovoe. 10.01
That night and in the morning the enemy tried to probe our positions by inflicting several artillery strikes.
The projectiles did not reach their targets.
We responded symmetrically and with twice as many rounds sent.
The enemy is currently inactive.
09:20 WarGonzo: frontline summary for the morning of 01/10/2024
In the Kherson-Crimean direction - tactical oncoming battles in Krynki. LBS has not changed radically. It is clear that both sides are seriously tired due to the intense tension.
In the Zaporozhye direction, with the support of artillery, the Russian Armed Forces attacked on the western outskirts of the village of Rabotino. Meeting battles on the approaches to Novoprokopovka and Verbovoy.
Russian long-range weapons were working on Ukrainian positions in Kamensky, Pyatikhatki, Malaya Tokmachka, Charovny, Gulyaypole, Krasny and Malinovka. The Ukrainian Armed Forces fired at the Russian Armed Forces in Zherebyanki, Rovny, Novoprokopovka, Verbovoy and Dorozhnyanka.
On the Donetsk front, Russian troops, supported by artillery, attacked on the southeastern outskirts of Novomikhailovka, in the Pobeda area, near Georgievka, Nevelskoye, Pervomaisky, Severny (a settlement west of Avdievka), from the industrial zone in the southeast and at the coke plant in the north. -east to the city itself, as well as near Novobakhmutovka, controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (the settlement of the same name to the east behind the Russian Armed Forces).
LBS has not changed significantly. Ukrainian units in Stepnoe (not to be confused with the settlements of the same name in the Zaporozhye and Ugledar directions) and Berdychi are under fire. Russian ones - in Donetsk, Vodyanoye and the village of Krasnogorovka.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Russian Armed Forces attacked near Andreevka and Kleshcheevka after artillery shelling. There was also an attempt to advance at Vesely (a settlement northeast of Soledar). The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding their positions. Ukrainian units in Bogdanovka, Grigorovka, Sporny and Verkhnekamensky are under attack. Russian ones are in Bakhmut, Yagodny and Berkhovka.
08:40 Telegram channel «Fisherman":
Chronicle of a special military operation for January 9, 2024
On the fronts of the special operation, there were no significant changes in the front line over the past 24 hours. In the area of ??the Tor ledge in the Liman direction, the Russian Armed Forces are developing an offensive towards Terny. Positional battles continue in the Sinkovka area in the Kupyansky sector.
In the Bakhmut direction, fighting is taking place on the heights near Kleshcheevka, as well as in Bogdanovka and on the approaches to Krasnoye: the main goal here is to break into the powerful defenses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, built over several years of fighting. In the Avdeevsky direction, the Russian Army is advancing in the Ocheretino area, where it was possible to expand the zone of control along the railway track.
A Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold was taken southeast of Novomikhailovka in the Ugledar direction. The main battles are taking place in the area of the cemetery, the Sintezprodservice enterprise and the machine and tractor factory, where the enemy has erected a network of fortified areas. According to some reports, the Russian Armed Forces have advanced into the forest belt several kilometers south of Novomikhailovka, but they have not yet been able to achieve confident control over the area.
08:10 On January 9, as of 21:00, the lines of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC received information about civilian casualties in the cities of the Republic:
n.p. Gorlovka (Nikitovsky district):
- on the street Olenina, 22, a man died (personal details are being established);
- on the street Marshala Zhukova, 4, a woman born in 1945 was wounded.
Information has been received about damage as a result of artillery attack by the AFU in the cities of the Republic:
Donetsk (Petrovsky district):
– st. Stakhanova, 12 – multi-apartment residential building;
– st. Stepan. Shchipacheva, 14 – multi-apartment residential building.
n.p. Gorlovka (Nikitovsky district):
– Outpatient clinic No. 6 of City Hospital No. 2 on the street. Venison;
- MBUDO "Center for Children's Creativity" on the street. Venison;
– Gas station “Methane” on the street. Zhukova;
– st. Olenina, 22 – apartment building;
– st. Zhukova, 2, 4 – multi-apartment residential buildings.
Information about the consequences of the artillery attack continues to arrive.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Denis Davydov
[REGNUM] The museum of UPA Commander-in-Chief Roman Shukhevych in the Lviv district of Belogorsch, destroyed by an attack drone, is only an old two-story house. In fact, this is a point of concentration of Ukrainian culture and national identity - this is exactly how the incident was presented by the Ukrainian press. “Therefore, one should not be surprised why the Roman Shukhevych Museum represents a “military target” for the Russian command.”
Just like one of the university buildings where the “providnyk” Stepan Bandera himself studied. In Ukrainian propaganda, it is customary to claim that he scares Russians, “remains the number one enemy of the entire Russian government, the main anti-hero of Russian propaganda.”
And now the former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has developed vigorous activity to restore the shrine, which will be financed by his charitable foundation.
Looking at the biography of the professional terrorist, murderer and executioner in the service of Nazi Germany, who was Shukhevych, one may be surprised: is this really the identity of Ukrainians?
Why is each of the two floors of the building, turned into ruins, where he once hid, suddenly “permeated with the spirit of the great leader and his struggle for the national idea”? What, according to Poroshenko, “important decisions for Ukraine of the twentieth century” were made here and why is this the place where “ the basis of the Ukrainian army and the idea of independent Ukrainian statehood were created”?
Finally, how did Bandera become a “symbol of the struggle for independence”, devouring a full-fledged and technologically advanced state into dusty ruins?
The strike drone gives us an excellent reason to thoroughly understand the content of the totalitarian ideology that governs the modern project “Ukraine”, and largely determines the behavior of its leadership. And at the same time answer the question of whether it is worth spending ammunition on some monuments in Lviv.
I BELIEVE IT BECAUSE IT’S ABSURD
It is generally accepted that the remnants of the Ukrainian state are under external control and work in the interests of foreign beneficiaries. However, neither the transition to their control, nor the militarization of Ukraine, nor a principled domestic policy, nor involvement in a war with Russia simply for the sake of war itself would be possible without a core of religious fanatics who fervently believe in the ideas of a hundred years ago.
The “Ukrainian idea”, mainly formulated according to European fascist patterns of the 1920s–1930s by Dmitry Dontsov , by his own definition should live in the mind in the form of a categorical order. The order must be carried out unquestioningly, for which nationalism must be alive and ardent, acquiring religious passion.
Dontsov came to the conclusion that the leaders of the Ukrainian national revival of the 19th and 20th centuries believed too much in the omnipotence of reason, and that is why they lost. His goal was to create a new worldview, imbued with a truly religious belief in a single absolute - the nation.
The book “Nationalism”, published in 1926, became a natural political gospel for his followers. Actually, Bandera and Shukhevych became “heroes” because they picked up the ideas passionately, rejecting all moderation and brain work.
The same is required of their followers.
Even before the outbreak of the First World War, when Dontsov passionately called on Austria and Germany to put an end to Russian expansion and the pan-Slavist threat, he formulated something that has not changed to this day.
“In full consciousness of its historical mission to defend its ancient culture from the Asian barbarism of the Muscovites, Ukraine has always been an open enemy of Russia, and in its liberation aspirations it has always sought help from the West. <…>We address this appeal to the entire civilized world. Let him support our just cause. We appeal to him in the firm conviction that the Ukrainian cause is also the cause of European democracy,” you can hear these piercing words right now from any representative of Ukrainian politics.
Why did the West find devoted allies in Western Ukrainian nationalists, ready to destroy millions in the war against Russia? Because this is what their political religion dictates, the dogma of which is the national liberation struggle. In this struggle, the messianism of Ukrainians must be supported by allies: in 1914 it was Austria, in 1941 Germany, now the USA and Britain.
The fact that the state already existed and could simply be developed and improved is not written in their Gospel, and therefore can be ignored.
Instead of this, a fairy-tale template was superimposed on reality: Ukraine fell into the slavish subordination of Russia, it is necessary to grow a spiritual nation in it, for which a national revolution against the “Muscovism” must be carried out. As expected, it involves bloody cleansing of foreign impurities, based on the principle of “national hygiene.”
All this, as is easy to understand, is a pure copy of Italian fascism and German Nazism as closely related ideologies that also gravitated towards religiosity.
Thus, a racially loyal Banderaite is viewed as an “Aryan.” He commits creative violence for a higher purpose. His belief in eternal truth, idealism (as opposed to degenerate “democracy”) reveals in war the highest manifestation of the romantic spirit. And he has to manage a passive herd, which is not able to perceive the great idea in its entirety, to believe in it with all its heart.
Therefore, the herd is ruthlessly directed in the right direction, which very clearly explains the methods of Ukrainian mobilization and further expenditure of personnel. For cheerfulness, the inert mass only needs to use short rules, images and formulas. Simple, affirmative, bright and clear: “Russia is the aggressor”, “Ukraine is Europe”, “the whole world is with us”, etc.
Violence, iron recklessness and war, according to Dontsov, were the methods by which the chosen peoples followed the path of development. And Ukrainians are the chosen people, in contrast to the dirty Russian slaves who obediently carry out the will of their kings. They rightfully have dominance.
This, by the way, is where the concept of the “true heirs of Kievan Rus” comes from. You can become Ukrainian only by accepting Bandera’s template and believing.
DEATH SECT
Why Ukraine in 1991 became exactly like this, and not some other, is determined by the idea. She had nothing else but rotten communist slogans and Galician nationalism; even with all the desire to rely on some kind of equilibrium alternative, it was simply impossible.
Yes, in public politics, Bandera’s supporters were on the margins for a very long time, gaining a statistical error in the elections. However, the endless lies of major political parties and the monotonous imitation of ideas, behind which lay ordinary commercial interests, made the integral nationalism of Dontsov-Bandera the only “real Ukrainian ideology.”
Like true religious fanatics, its bearers proudly went to prison for their beliefs, they were not afraid of any violence, they raised young people and taught them not only to hate, but also to kill. And all other politicians considered working with young people a waste of time and money, which would be better used to buy real estate.
In an unprincipled, thoroughly corrupt state, no one dealt with the basic platform of existence. And the Banderaites had it since the creation of the OUN* from fascist youth organizations and the program that was written by Dmitry Andrievsky , a former member of the government under the Central Rada, hetman and member of the diplomatic mission of the UPR.
It sets out everything that was quickly built after the coup d'état of 2014, when the right-wing activist was not afraid to take up arms against the authorities - and took it himself. Leader-type management with a “firm hand”, eradication of “alien national captivity” in the sphere of culture and psyche; strict control of historical narratives, the spread of the cult of “chivalry” among the population; education in “foreign languages” only with the personal permission of the state and under its control.
Naturally, the creation of a national church and the Ukrainianization of worship were considered extremely important.
The current Armed Forces of Ukraine really became the “heirs of the UPA*” after, according to the OUN’s behests, the “national military” was fashioned from the former fragment of the Soviet army, completely changing its identity. And it was proposed to expel the “occupiers” from Ukrainian land with the help of “territorial Cossack units” (now TRO) and the correct allied policy.
It was then that the Great Meetings of the OUN* determined the strategy of “making friends with the enemies of enemies” - and this is strictly adhered to by the former Russian-speaking Jew Zelensky, who simply has nowhere to go.
The idea rules in his place. The sect does not tolerate freethinking.
And this sect, as it should be, has places of worship, objects of worship, and its own rituals - like the torchlight procession on January 1 - Bandera’s birthday. It is no coincidence that the procession was moved from Lvov to Kyiv, which had nothing to do with the biography of the “providnyk”: thus the capital was symbolically captured and gradually re-educated.
Even the son of a Soviet officer, Vitaliy Klitschko, who once spoke in an interview about his homeland, the USSR, desperately fought to rename Moskovsky Avenue in honor of Stepan Bandera and General Vatutin Avenue in honor of Roman Shukhevych.
Why did he need this?
The need to belong to a pack is a basic property of the human psyche. And especially to a strong pack.
The Bandera sect, even before it received full power in the country, managed to create a feeling of strength and impunity; for their principles, they went to break everything that they did not like, and no one else could do this. Because no one else had such patrons.
Then, belonging to the “patriots” opened up unique opportunities for making quick money with even greater impunity. You can kill, rape, burn for your faith - you will only be a hero.
This is exactly what was proven during the eight years of civil war with the rebellious Donbass. What happened there was exactly the same thing that, starting in 1941, the armed formations created by the OUN did, which destroyed thousands of Poles, Jews, Russians and “irresponsible” Ukrainians who did not accept their dogmas.
Thus, the persistence of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other armed formations is based not only on the help of allies, but also on the control core of religious fanatics obsessed with totalitarian ideas. They will continue the war and burn any number of people until they are either convinced or deprived of the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. For them, everything that happens is a plus; in the fire of war, the “Ukrainian Nation” bequeathed by Dontsov, Bandera and Shukhevych is forged, albeit small, but pure as crystal.
Therefore, if we return to the question of whether it is worth spending attack drones on all sorts of museums and monuments - yes, it is worth it. This will have to be done in any case. Just not silently, but explaining that any connection with this ideology means death, injury and major troubles.
The status of “Bandera” should mean immediate destruction, and this is not fear, as propagandists claim. This is a reasonable and justifiable action, exactly the same as has always been applied to rabid animals.
Accordingly, for the “passive majority”, such an approach will convey a generally simple idea in the most accessible way: the further it is from this sect, the greater the chances for a better and happier life. Moreover, there is still no one to offer another political religion.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Two colonels of the Russian FSB, accused by military investigators of receiving a large bribe from the rector of the Moscow Catholic Church of St. Louis, admitted guilt. At the same time, officers Evgeny Lobanov and Denis Karmanov did not agree with the classification of the crime charged to them. This follows from the case materials. Was Fat Leonid involved?
They insist that the case needs to be reclassified under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Fraud”), TASS reported.
According to investigators, from March to October 2023, Karmanov and Lobanov received money from the rector of the Church of St. Louis, promising him a decision in his favor in the arbitration court. We are talking about almost 20 million rubles. Some of the money was found on the accused during a search of their homes.
The defendants' defense insists that the officers had no opportunity to influence the courts, so their actions should be classified as fraud.
Currently, FSB colonels are in custody in one of the pre-trial detention centers in Moscow.
As Regnum reported, on January 8, three FSB officers were accused of receiving bribes in excess of 5 billion rubles. The Investigative Committee is investigating a case against three employees of the “M” department of the FSB: Alexey Tsarev, Sergei Manyshkin and Alexander Ushakov. Ushakov was charged with organizing a criminal community using his official position. He was taken into custody.
Two other defendants, Manyshkin and Tsarev, made a plea deal and testified. The defendants were placed under house arrest.
On December 22, a case was opened against two employees of the migration department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation for Moscow for accepting bribes. According to the investigation, the head and inspector of the department for combating illegal labor activities of the migration control department received bribes from employees of commercial organizations. For a reward, they promised not to take administrative measures against them for violating migration laws at construction sites.
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Sweden's mental health helplines have been flooded with calls from youths scared by the prospect of war after top defence officials said citizens must ready themselves for a potential armed conflict.
Children's rights organisation Bris said its phone operators reported a huge uptick in the number of callers worried about war coming to Sweden, with spokeswoman Maja Dahl slamming the government's apparent lack of preparation around the alarming announcement made at the weekend.
Speaking at Sweden's annual 'Folk och Försvar' (Society and Defence) conference in Sälen this past weekend, Sweden's civil defence minister declared 'war could come to Sweden' and urged citizens to join voluntary defence organisations.
But Bohlin's rousing speech, in which he took note of his country's hotly anticipated accession to NATO this year and called on ordinary citizens to ask themselves 'who are you if war comes?', has largely been received as an uncomfortable, but necessary recognition of the uncertain security landscape facing Europe amid mounting conflicts worldwide.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] In Bulgaria, they are thinking about moving the monument to the Soviet soldier-liberator “Alyosha”. This proposal was submitted to the Plovdiv City Council by deputies of the Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria party. This was reported by the press service of the political association.
According to the initiative of parliamentarians Vladimir Slavenski and Jono Cepilski, it is proposed to move it to the Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia. At the same time, work on moving the monument must be completed before the end of 2024.
As Darik Radio noted, there is no room in the museum for bronze sculptures, much less for such a large-scale monument.
The deputies said that moving the monument is a “moral act” that must be carried out in honor of Bulgarian history, national dignity and in memory of the victims of the totalitarian communist regime.
City Council members are expected to consider the proposal at their January 17 session.
The monument to the Soviet soldier-liberator “Alyosha” was opened on November 5, 1957 on the high Bunardzhik hill in Plovdiv (Bulgaria). The idea of the monument appeared among city residents in 1948. Ten teams took part in the project competition, announced a year later. In 1950, the commission gave victory to the project of sculptors led by Vasil Radoslavov.
The height of the sculpture of a Soviet soldier, mounted on a six-meter pedestal, is 11 meters. The warrior holds in his hand a Shpagin submachine gun pointed towards the ground.
In the early 90s, the city government decided to demolish the monument, but public opinion saved it.
As Regnum reported, on December 12, in Sofia, by order of the Bulgarian authorities, they began dismantling the monument to the Soviet army, erected in 1954 as a sign of gratitude to the Soviet liberating soldiers. The bronze figures standing on the pedestal were cut into pieces weighing no more than four tons each.
It is clarified that the governor of the Sofia region, Vyara Todeva, signed a decree on the demolition of the monument based on the latest inspection of its condition, according to which cracks and erosion were allegedly found on the monument, posing a danger to people. According to Todeva, after dismantling the figures will be transferred to the ownership of the state.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, during a briefing pointed out the inexcusable actions of the Bulgarian authorities to dismantle the monument to the Soviet army. Zakharova emphasized that the Bulgarian authorities “without any shyness” ignored Russia’s proposals to hold consultations on the future fate of the monument.
The acting director of the Russian Ministry of Defense department for perpetuating the memory of those killed in defense of the Fatherland said on December 5 that over 3,000 monuments to Soviet liberating soldiers have been dismantled in Europe to date.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] A turning point in Russia’s favor will occur in the Ukrainian conflict if the United States does not provide assistance to Ukraine within a month. This statement was made on January 10 by the head of the Democratic majority in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, at a regular meeting in the US Congress.
“If the Senate does not approve more aid to Ukraine, a war already tilting in Russia’s favor could be one month away from a dramatic turn in Russia’s favor,” Schumer warned.
As the senator explained, the dwindling opportunities of the United States to help Ukraine cause joy and delight among the Russian authorities.
Earlier , IA Regnum reported that Washington Post columnist Max Boot announced catastrophic consequences for Kiev if the United States continues to demonstrate its inability to agree on financial assistance to Ukraine.
In turn, Senator Chuck Schumer pointed out that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are experiencing an acute shortage of ammunition and shells for rocket and cannon artillery, while the US Congress is stalling a decision on President Joseph Biden's request for assistance to Ukraine. He stressed that the United States must take action in the current situation.
At the same time, on January 8, Chuck Schumer announced significant progress in negotiations between representatives of the US Democratic and Republican parties on tightening immigration laws in exchange for approval of Biden’s
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] American ships and their patrols at sea are one of the threats to the military security of Russia’s ocean and sea areas. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, stated this in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper
He emphasized that the warships are carriers of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles, capable of reaching various targets throughout most of the country.
According to him, this is not the only factor threatening the country's national security. Evmenov also mentioned the presence of powerful naval groups of foreign states in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition, plans to infringe on Russia’s interests in the Arctic region, which other countries are considering, also pose a threat.
The admiral also announced the active deployment of naval groups and the exploration of the Arctic basin by American and British nuclear submarines.
“Existing threats to national security require a modern navy capable of fending off these threats and, together with other branches and branches of the armed forces, ensuring strategic nuclear and non-nuclear deterrence from aggression and protecting the national interests of the Russian Federation in the World Ocean,” emphasized the Navy Commander-in-Chief.
As Regnum reported, Admiral Evmenov previously said that Russia would form five divisions and one brigade of naval infantry. According to him, in the medium term it is planned to reorganize the existing five marine brigades in the fleets into marine divisions, and the marine regiment of the Caspian Flotilla into a brigade. He explained that this is being done in order to increase the combat capabilities of the Marine Corps as a separate branch of the Navy.
The commander of the US Army in the Pacific, General Charles Flynn, said on November 18 that Washington intends to deploy MRC Typhon mobile medium-range missile systems in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, they decided to take this measure to contain China.
Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, commenting on these plans, said that the Kremlin does not approve of US attempts aimed at containing other states. According to him, it is important for Russia that there are no actions that pose a threat to it. He also pointed out the inadmissibility of containment measures aimed at other countries.
#2
Russians have always been freaked out by Tomahawks. They fly under the radar so Russians can't see them coming. Putin was not about to let NATO install those things in Ukraine. It was a red line, a totally unnecessary provocation, and Biden should have known better than to cross it, probably did know better but he wanted war because he thought he could win it.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
01/11/2024 12:43 Comments ||
Top||
#3
Yepper.
Kinda the point.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
01/11/2024 15:07 Comments ||
Top||
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin.
[ColonelCassad] The updated Global Firepower 2024 ranking has been released. As usual, the military-economic parameters of most countries in the world are compared and ranked according to individual categories and overall potential. The top three - USA, Russia, China - have not changed for many years. The screenshots show some ratings by category. Russia traditionally dominates land weapons. USA in aviation. Click on the link to see the data in graphical form Overall military spending.
Russia will form five divisions and one brigade of naval infantry of the Navy. The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, announced this on January 10.
“In the medium term, it is planned to reorganize the existing five naval infantry brigades in the fleets into naval infantry divisions, and the naval infantry regiment of the Caspian Flotilla into a brigade,” Evmenov said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
He explained that this is being done in order to increase the combat capabilities of naval infantry as a separate branch of the Navy.
The Navy Commander-in-Chief did not specify the timing of the creation of the divisions.
As Regnum reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to increase the size of the Russian Armed Forces. In accordance with the document, their staffing should be 2,209,130 people, including 1,320,000 military personnel.
On December 1, the Ministry of Defense announced that the maximum strength of the Russian Armed Forces had increased by 170,000 military personnel and would now amount to 1 million 320,000 military personnel. At the same time, the increase in the number of military personnel will occur in stages due to those wishing to do military service under a contract. The ministry also stated that there are no plans to significantly increase conscription or conduct additional mobilization.
The Ministry of Defense explained that increasing the combat strength and size of the Armed Forces is a reaction to NATO activities.
On December 25, Putin, during a flag-raising ceremony on new naval ships in St. Petersburg, said that Russia would strengthen its naval power in all strategic directions and in areas of the World Ocean.
[Jpost] Iran has developed a new attack drone, the Shahed-107, for Russia in its war against Ukraine and is close to providing Moscow with surface-to-surface missiles, Sky News reported on Wednesday, citing an informed security source.
The Shahed-107 is an “explosive and reconnaissance” UAV with the technology to seek out high-value battlefield targets, such as British and American multiple-launch rocket systems used by Ukrainian forces.
Iran has reportedly sold “a few units” to Russia in a deal that is estimated to be worth more than $2 million.
Tehran has been accused by Ukraine and its allies of supplying Russia with one-way attack drones, including the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136, referred to as “suicide drones” because they fly into targets and explode on impact.
In its war against Ukraine, Russia has used drone and missile strikes in combination to penetrate Ukraine’s air defenses in increasingly intensifying waves of deadly attacks against civilian and military targets across the country, Sky News noted.
The new drone is from the Shahed-101 family of UAVs, which all have a distinctive V-shaped tail.
The UAV is two and a half meters long, with a wingspan of three meters, has a range of up to 1,500 km., and can be launched from vehicles.
The UAV is fitted with a live-streaming transmitter for video, providing it with the capability to identify targets on Ukraine’s front line for other UAVs or weapons systems to strike, according to the security source.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
IRAN'S WARFARE TECHNOLOGY IS RAPIDLY ADVANCING
Last September, Iran’s president denied his country had sent any weaponry or drones to Russia for use in Ukraine, saying on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, “We are against the war in Ukraine.”
An arms contract that provided the first hard evidence that Iran had sold ammunition to Russia for its war effort was revealed by Sky News last year.
Ukrainian officials have stated their concerns over the development of this new drone. Russia is constantly modernizing Iranian drones, which forces Ukraine to use more expensive air-defense systems, a Ukrainian source said.
Russia is now able to assemble the Iranian Shahed-126 system on its own at a facility 500 miles east of Moscow, the source said, adding: “The manufacturing capacity by September 2025 should be around 4,000 pieces per year.”
In addition to its drone development, Iran is reportedly close to providing ballistic missiles to Russia, with even more lethal capabilities than the drones. These missiles would have a range longer than 300 km.
These ballistic missiles could accurately hit targets in all of Ukraine and only be intercepted by Ukraine’s limited supply of US-provided Patriot air-defense missiles, which have a limited range, Sky News reported.
These ballistic missiles have the potential to cause significant damage across Ukraine, the report said.
Posted by: Skidmark ||
01/11/2024 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
