|
2023-01-21 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
|
|
Ukrainian Perspective: Invasion of Ukraine: January 20th, 2023
|
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] 22:41 The United States advises Ukraine to withdraw troops from Bakhmut, AFP reports, citing a high-ranking American official. According to Washington, the increased attention of the Ukrainian command to holding the city hinders preparations for the expected spring counteroffensive. In addition, in the case of Bakhmut, time is on the side of Russia, which has more resources, but the capture of the city will not give it anything, since the Armed Forces of Ukraine will retreat to prepared positions.
Washington believes that Ukraine should consider "exchanging" Bakhmut for the training of its troops, since the Armed Forces of Ukraine may not have enough resources to both conduct military operations in the city and prepare for an offensive in the south of the country.
22:02 Portugal will send Ukraine a second batch of 14 M113 armored personnel carriers, eight powerful generators, 120-mm ammunition and two tons of medical and sanitary equipment, the country's Defense Ministry said following the Ramstein meeting.
21:49 In German Ramstein on Friday, January 20, the eighth meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine was held. The meeting participants - and these are the heads of defense departments of more than 50 countries - did not agree on the supply of Leopard tanks to Kyiv. It is expected that a final decision on this matter may be made later. Details about the results of the meeting can be found in the material Disappointment from Berlin and US promises .
21:43 Reznikov praised the meeting in Ramstein: "The eighth meeting in Ramstein is over. It was a great meeting of friends. The free world supports Ukraine and applauds the brave Ukrainian soldiers and our courageous people. The Ukrainian army will receive more weapons and ammunition. We will win. There will be evil defeated."
21:17 The Russians have made progress in the area of Soledar and Bakhmut, but this will not change the strategic situation, said White House national security adviser John Kirby.
21:04 The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with two Patriot SAM launchers and missiles for them, Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren said.
20:59 The United States has recognized PMC Wagner as a transnational criminal organization, the White House said. The US Treasury Department has been instructed to impose additional sanctions against Prigozhin's company.
20:20 Poland plans to arm and train Ukrainian soldiers on a brigade scale by the end of March, Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said following a meeting at the Ramstein base. He clarified that we are talking about a tank brigade, which will be armed with infantry fighting vehicles and T-72 tanks. "If we add to this the contract concluded with the Ukrainian authorities by the Huta Stalowa Wola company for the supply of Krab artillery pieces, then we are dealing with a holistic project to support Ukraine," the minister added.
Blaszczak also said that he had held talks with representatives of 15 countries that use Leopard tanks: “No decisions have been made on this issue. We have further meetings planned. Probably now in the videoconferencing format. I am convinced that this coalition building will be successful, as well as the transfer of the Patriot system to Ukraine."
20:12 Senior US officials are advising Ukraine to refrain from launching a major offensive against Russian troops until the last shipments of US weapons have been received and military personnel have been trained, Reuters reports. A U.S. official, speaking to a small group of reporters on condition of anonymity, said Washington was "strongly sticking to its decision not to supply Abrams tanks to Ukraine at this time" amid disagreements with Germany over the tanks.
20:08 Zelensky met with US Senators Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse, who are on a visit to Kiev, the presidential press service reported.
19:57 Zelensky said in an evening video message that it is not always possible to publicly announce Rammstein's agreements: "This is a closed discussion - and it should be so. In general, we can summarize that today's Ramstein will strengthen our stability. Partners are principled in their attitude - they will support "Ukraine, as much as is necessary for our victory. Yes, we still have to fight for the supply of modern tanks, but every day we make it clearer that there is no alternative to the fact that a decision on tanks must be made."
19:25 The British government is considering the option of transferring long-range missiles similar to the American ATACMS to Ukraine, CNN reports.
19:06 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the supply of additional air defense systems to Ukraine. He recalled that several countries have already offered to help strengthen Ukrainian air defense, including France, Britain and Germany, which offered to transfer the Patriot battery. "The Netherlands is also donating Patriot missiles and launchers and will provide training on the system. In addition, Canada has acquired the NASAMS system and related equipment for Ukraine," Austin added.
18:53 The head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, said that the new package of assistance to Ukraine from the United States, together with packages from other countries, is the equivalent of two brigades: "Together with other assistance packages, this is an increase in artillery potential, maneuverability. This is the equivalent of two brigades or six mechanized battalions, ten motorized battalions and four artillery battalions. This aid package, together with packages from allies, demonstrates our determination to protect the Ukrainian population."
18:39 The head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, said that this year it will be difficult to force Russian troops out of the entire occupied territory of Ukraine by military means. "That doesn't mean it can't happen, but it will be very difficult," he added. At the same time, Milli noted that in Ukraine, the stabilization of the front can definitely take place, it is also possible to achieve a significant tactical or operational level of offensive in order to liberate as much territory as possible.
According to Milley, Russia was able to mobilize up to 250,000 people for the war in Ukraine out of 300,000. At the same time, Russian losses significantly exceed 100,000 people, he added.
18:28 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said following a meeting in the Ramstein format that Ukraine's Western allies have a "window of opportunity until spring" before the UAF launches a counteroffensive. He also said that American Abrams tanks would not be transferred to Ukraine yet, but many EU countries agreed to supply Leopard.
18:23 The enemy is conducting offensive operations in the Bakhmut, Avdeevsky and Zaporozhye directions, increasing the intensity of the use of aviation. It is defending in the Kupyansky, Limansky, Novopavlovsky and Kherson directions, the General Staff reported in the evening summary.
The invaders are stepping up security measures in the Zaporozhye region. In particular, in Melitopol, a ban was announced on crossing checkpoints around the settlement from March 1 without special passes, which can be obtained at the so-called commandant's office only after providing one's personal data.
Mobilization continues in the Luhansk region. So, in the occupation administration of Alchevsk, regular lists have been prepared to make up for losses in the manpower of the Russian military, including at the expense of employees of the so-called "Ministry of Emergency Situations".
18:17 The Ministry of Reintegration, by its order, excluded the city of Kiev from the list of territories of possible hostilities. The corresponding order was issued in agreement with the Ministry of Defense on the proposals of the relevant regional, Kyiv city military administrations.
18:06 Stoltenberg said that the new military assistance will allow Ukraine to launch an offensive: "Hundreds of new infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicles and battle tanks are now provided to Ukraine, this will be of great importance for the country ... This support will allow Ukrainians not only to defend themselves against new offensives Russia, but also launch their own offensive actions to retake the territory."
17:45 During the war, 127 DTEK employees were killed, said Dmitry Sakharuk, executive director of the company. 319 workers were injured, 46 were missing, and four more were captured.
17:37 German intelligence is concerned about the daily triple-digit losses of Ukraine in the battles for Bakhmut, Spiegel writes, citing data from a secret meeting that took place this week in the Bundestag. Its participants also noted that the fall of Bakhmut would have consequences for the entire line of Ukrainian defense. Russia is now abandoning soldiers like cannon fodder, since losses there do not play any role for her.
17:21 Erdogan had a telephone conversation with Zelensky. According to the office of the Turkish President, it was about the humanitarian and energy support of Ukraine from Turkey, as well as the functioning of the grain corridor. Erdogan said that Ankara is ready to take on the role of a facilitator and mediator to establish a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. He also said that work is underway on the exchange of prisoners, and expressed his readiness to make a "diplomatic contribution to accelerating the process that is taking place at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant."
16:34 In the Kherson region, the Russians fired on two settlements: in Antonovka, a 15-year-old boy was injured, and in Novodmitrovka, Beryslav district, a man's leg was torn off, the President's Office reported.
16:10 German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a spring package of military assistance to Ukraine worth more than 1 billion euros. According to him, the package will include 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, seven Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery mounts, additional guided missiles for the Iris-T air defense system and another Iris-T anti-aircraft missile system.
15:35 The new German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that at the meeting in Ramstein it was not possible to agree on the supply of tanks to Ukraine, since "there is no consensus among the partners."
14:46 German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze during her visit to Odessa promised further support to Ukraine and announced the allocation of 52 million euros to provide electricity and heat supply.
14:23 The Swiss government supports the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, but this requires legal grounds, said Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. According to him, Switzerland has already frozen the assets of Russians for about 7.5 billion euros. Under current Swiss law, assets cannot be confiscated. A referendum will most likely be required to change the law.
The NZZ newspaper writes that banks were very critical of the idea, as it could violate property rights and undermine Switzerland's status as a financial center. Bankers consider this a "death sentence" for Swiss banks.
13:44 The official representative of the German Cabinet, Steffen Hebestreit, denied the information that Scholz demanded that the United States transfer Abrams tanks to Ukraine as a prerequisite for providing Leopard: "It's hard for me to imagine that the German Chancellor put conditions on the American president. In no case was there a demand so that if one thing happens, another will follow."
13:33 In Moscow, air defense systems began to be installed directly on the roofs. In particular, judging by the photo on the Internet, Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and gun systems were deployed at the business center and the building of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Ukrainians reacted to this with a wave of memes and photoshops. More details in the material Iron Dome .
13:25 In Soledar and Bakhmut, the Russians are suffering huge losses, Alena Shevtsova, adviser to the Command of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said: "The goal of the opponents' efforts is to break through our front. Neither Soledar nor Bakhmut, as settlements, are worth the efforts and losses that are already the Russians suffered. Moreover, the enemy failed to break through the front, and therefore the operation continues for the Russians. We keep everything under fire control and deplete their resources and initiatives. Our soldiers already call Soledar an analogue of Chernobaevka. Similar mass pressure could be on any other sector of the front this situation was inevitable.
13:03 The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation allegedly announced the capture of Klescheevka in the Donetsk region, as well as the settlement of Lobkove in the Zaporozhye region.
12:59 The Russians involved in the Svatovo-Kremensk direction and freshly mobilized, and convicts, and professional military personnel, said the head of the Luhansk OVA Sergey Gaidai. According to him, the enemy is pulling more and more personnel and equipment to the Luhansk region, trying to prevent the advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but to no avail.
Gaidai also said that Russians "celebrated" Epiphany in Starobelsk, as a result of which about 30 invaders were poisoned with alcohol. Some have died, others are in the hospital.
12:33 Reznikov named three priorities at the Ramstein-8 meeting: air defense systems, weapons for offensive operations (tanks, howitzers), as well as the systematic supply of ammunition, maintenance and repair of equipment.
12:08 Zelensky connected via video link to the meeting in the Ramstein format and called for tanks to be provided to Ukraine: "I ask you to make the necessary decisions to stop Russia. There should be no more time to waste, as Russian troops are now regrouping. The Kremlin must lose."
Zelensky also said that time is playing against Russia and called on the allies to speed up: "We have very little time - we need to do everything faster, we need more weapons." At the end of his speech, he called for long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets to be provided to Ukraine.
11:57 The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, in his speech at the opening of the next meeting in the Ramstein format, said that a turning point is coming in the war in Ukraine.
11:54 The Netherlands is ready to consider the possibility of supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighters if a corresponding request is received from Kiev, NL Times writes with reference to Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra.
11:28 Electricity consumption in Ukraine on January 20 is predicted to be slightly higher than the previous day, at the same time, electricity production has increased. The power deficit has decreased, but is still significant. During the evening peak, generation can cover just over three-quarters of consumption, Ukrenergo reported. Consumption limits for the whole day have been brought to all oblenergos.
11:02 Russian publics write that air defense was also installed in the Moscow region , a few kilometers from Putin's residence.
10:44 The SBU has exposed a network of agents that may be involved in the recent attack on a residential building in Dnipro. Security officers simultaneously detained seven spotters and gunners who worked for the Russian GRU.
10:28 Finland announced the 12th package of military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of more than 400 million euros - this is many times more than all the previous ones. Defense Minister Mikko Savola said it would include "heavy weapons and ammunition."
09:56 British intelligence reports that PMC Wagner has up to 50 thousand militants involved in the war in Ukraine, and thus has become a key component of the Russian military campaign. Analysts note that the recent registration of the Wagner group in the Russian Unified State Register is likely to maximize Prigozhin's commercial benefits and further legitimize the organization, which had previously been in the shadows.
09:17 In the Kherson region over the past day, one person was killed due to Russian shelling, three more were injured, the head of the OVA, Yaroslav Yanushevich, said.
09:13 In the Donetsk region over the past day, as a result of Russian shelling, four civilians were killed - two in Drobyshevo, one each in Bakhmut and Maksimilianovka. Three more people were injured in the region, Pavel Kirilenko, head of the OVA, said.
09:07 The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that a Russian offensive from Belarus may be more likely at the end of 2023. Senior Kremlin officials continue to hold high-level meetings with the Belarusian leadership, which could create conditions for a Russian attack on Ukraine from the territory of Belarus, although not necessarily and not in the coming weeks, experts say.
08:50 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the enemy as of the morning of January 20.
- personnel - about 119,300 (+770) people liquidated,
- tanks - 3139 (+3),
- armored combat vehicles - 6241 (+6),
- artillery systems - 2129 (+7),
- MLRS - 442 (+0),
- air defense systems - 220 (+0),
- aircraft - 287 (+0),
- helicopters - 277 (+0),
- UAV operational-tactical level - 1886 (+4),
- cruise missiles - 749 (+0),
- ships/boats - 17 (+0),
- automotive equipment and tankers - 4903 (+7),
- special equipment - 190 (+0).
08:27 The enemy is focusing its main efforts on conducting an offensive in the Bakhmut and Avdeevsky directions. On Kupyansky, Limansky, Novopavlovsky and Kherson - it is defending itself, the General Staff said in the morning report .
Over the past day, units of the Defense Forces repelled the attacks of the invaders in the areas of the settlements of Novoselovskoye and Belogorovka in the Luhansk region; Verkhnekamenskoye, Krasnopolevka, Soledar, Krasnaya Gora, Paraskoveevka, Bakhmut, Ivanovskoye, Dilievka, Vodyanoye, Maryinka, Pobeda, Novoselka, Donetsk region, and Malaya Tokmachka and Stepnoye, Zaporozhye region.
In Crimea, Russia is preparing for covert mobilization. In particular, in Sevastopol, calls to the military commissariats began to come to IT specialists, financial workers and other specialists who had a reservation from mobilization.
06:22 The European Union stated that the theft of about 50 OSCE vehicles by Russia is unacceptable, and demanded the return of the property. This is stated in the EU statement, announced during the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. The EU is also demanding the release of three of its employees who have been held by Russia since April on dubious charges.
02:50 CIA chief William Burns secretly visited Kiev last week to meet with Zelensky and inform him of his expectations about Russia's military plans, writes The Washington Post, citing sources.
01:43 The United States announced the provision of a new $2.5 billion military aid package to Ukraine. As part of the tranche, Washington will transfer 59 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and 90 Stryker armored vehicles to Kyiv. In addition, the new package will include ammunition for the NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system and the Avenge air defense system.
|
Posted by badanov 2023-01-21 00:00||
||
Front Page|| [15 views ]
Top
|
|
00:18 Beldar+Uneter3543
00:11 Skidmark
|
