[Reuters] Russia has reduced gasoline exports to non-CIS countries to compensate for unplanned repairs at refineries, the Ministry of Energy said on Wednesday, as the country grappled with the impact of fires and drone attacks on its energy infrastructure.
It said gasoline and diesel exports have been reduced in January by 37% and 23% respectively from the same month in 2023.
Russia and Ukraine have targeted each other's energy infrastructure in strikes designed to disrupt supply lines and logistics and to demoralise their opponent as they seek the edge in a nearly two-year-old conflict that shows no sign of ending.
Russia is voluntarily cutting its oil and fuel exports by 500,000 barrels per day in the first quarter as part of efforts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) to support the energy markets.
The cuts, announced by the energy ministry on Wednesday to countries beyond the Commonwealth of Independent States, are separate and prompted by downstream capacity outages.
Outages include the halt, following what is believed to be a technical incident, of a unit at NORSI, the country's fourth largest refinery, located near the city of Nizhny Novgorod, some 430 km (270 miles) east of Moscow. It is operated by Russia's second-largest oil producer Lukoil (LKOH.MM), opens new tab.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Jan. 27 that repair work would take a month or a month and a half.
Russian energy giant Novatek (NVTK.MM), opens new tab on Jan. 21 was forced to suspend some operations at the huge Baltic Sea fuel export terminal at Ust-luga, as well as "technological processes" at a nearby fuel-producing complex, after a fire, started by what Ukrainian media said was a drone attack.
Russia will likely cut exports of naphtha by some 127,500-136,000 barrels per day, or around a third of its total exports, after fires disrupted operations at refineries on the Baltic and Black Seas, according to traders and LSEG ship-tracking data.
The ministry also said on Wednesday that major Russian oil companies had boosted gasoline production, which resulted in an increase of gasoline supplies to the domestic market in first 25 days of January by 7%, or 150,000 metric tons, year-on-year, and diesel supplies by almost 17%, or 490,000 tons.
The country's inventories for ensuring stable supply of the domestic market amount to 1.9 million tons for gasoline and 3.9 million tons for diesel fuel, up 16% and 7% from January 2023, it said.
[YouTube] Multiple Ukrainian marine drones are seen hitting the Project 12411 Tarantul-class missile corvette Ivanovets at Lake Donuzlav, Crimea. At least three, likely more Sea Baby drones struck the vessel. This is the latest over a number of Black Sea Losses thanks to Ukraine. This ship likely was engaged with patrolling the coast of north Crimea.
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Ukraine is set to receive a first batch of new long-range missiles that will be able to strike deep into Russian-held territory.
The new 100-mile 'glide missiles' could prove to be a game changer in Kyiv's military capabilities, and in its fight against Vladimir Putin's invading forces.
Built by Boeing
...but will the doors fall off mid-flight?
and Saab, the new precision-guided missiles will also supplement Ukraine's existing ATACM rockets, which are provided by the US.
Their arrival follows months of testing by the United States military, but even the US doesn't have these weapons in its arsenal, sources cited by Politico said.
Ukraine is set to receive the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs as early as today, according to the US officials familiar with the matter, a relief for officials in Kyiv after the EU said it would provide only half the shells it promised by March.
Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title
[Korrespondent] 22:22 Ukraine will become the first country to use GLSDB bombs in war. The United States will soon deliver the first batch to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Read more in the article First in the World.
22:18 The Russian Army outguns the Armed Forces of Ukraine three to one, said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. According to him, the Russian Federation deploys three times more firepower on the front line every day. Umerov emphasized that the shortage of weapons in Ukraine is growing every day. “Usually the side that has more ammunition to fight with wins,” he added.
22:14 The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reports that one of the radar stations and the vehicle fleet at the Belbek airfield were hit.
21:49 Ukraine informed its Western allies that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are experiencing a “critical shortage” of artillery shells, Bloomberg writes, citing a letter from Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. It follows from it that the Ukrainian Armed Forces cannot fire more than 2,000 shells per day on a front line with a length of 1.5 thousand kilometers. This is three times less than the amount of ammunition that Russia uses, Bloomberg notes.
21:27 Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said at a meeting with Shoigu that Beijing will fully support Russia on the “Ukrainian issue”, despite the ongoing pressure from the United States and Europe.
20:51 The Russians launched an airstrike on a residential area of Toretsk, Donetsk region, according to preliminary data, using a KAB-500. Two people were injured, the prosecutor's office said. In addition, one person was killed as a result of shelling from the Uragan MLRS in the village of Tsukurino, Pokrovsky district.
20:26 Former prisoners from the Storm Z units who returned from the war in Ukraine do not receive the salaries promised by the authorities, payments for injuries and documents on the expungement of their criminal records. The corresponding video messages to Putin are widely distributed on social networks. For more details, see Shoigu deceived us.
20:19 The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that air defense systems allegedly destroyed 17 missiles over the Black Sea and three more over Crimea. The debris fell on the territory of a military unit in the Lyubimovka region in Crimea, “there was no damage to aircraft.”
20:07 Commander of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Nikolai Oleshchuk hinted at the attack on the Belbek airfield near Sevastopol. He stated that “Ukrainian aviators will definitely return home to their native airfield,” and thanked everyone “who joined the cleansing of Crimea” from the occupiers.
19:55 During the day, the Russians attacked the Nikopol district of the Dnepropetrovsk region with artillery and kamikaze drones, said the head of the OVA Sergei Lysak. One person was injured, an industrial enterprise, an infrastructure facility, and six private houses were damaged. In addition, debris from a rocket shot down in the Krivoy Rog region damaged the building of a correctional facility.
19:43 A forum on the restoration of Ukraine was held in Istanbul, where the creation of a joint Ukrainian-Turkish working group on reconstruction was announced. The group will focus on implementing projects in the field of road infrastructure, water transport and aviation, the Ministry of Infrastructure said.
19:20 Ukraine and Russia held a large exchange of prisoners. A week ago, the exchange was disrupted due to the crash of a Russian Il-76 in the Belgorod region. Ukraine managed to return 207 people, all of them military. For more information about who Ukraine returned, see the article Prisoner Exchange.
18:32 This year, EU countries will provide Ukraine with military assistance worth 21 billion euros, Borel said. He also said that EU member countries had agreed to train about 20 thousand Ukrainian military personnel.
18:09 Switzerland has joined the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
18:04 Borrell confirmed that the EU will transfer only “just over half” of the million promised artillery shells to Ukraine by March.
17:56 The International Court of Justice found that Russia violated some parts of the UN Convention for the Prevention of the Financing of Terrorism by failing to investigate financial support for separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014. But the court did not award compensation, as Ukraine demanded, Radio Liberty reports. The court also refused to make a specific ruling on Russia's likely responsibility for the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 from non-Ukrainian-controlled territories on July 17, 2014, as requested by Kyiv.
17:11 Crimean public pages write about explosions in Sevastopol and a fire near the Belbek airfield. Residents of Yevpatoriya and Sak also reported explosions. The “governor” of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, claims that an “air target” was allegedly shot down in the city; the debris fell in a vacant lot.
16:59 In the Krivoy Rog area, air defense destroyed an X-59 missile, the Air Force reported.
16:28 In today’s prisoner exchange there were no people who were included in the previous exchange list and who were allegedly on board the Il-76 plane that crashed in the Belgorod region, said Andrey Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Moscow Region.
16:23 The day before the summit, the European Union offered Hungary a compromise option for allocating aid to Ukraine, the Financial Times writes, citing sources. In particular, Brussels proposes to conduct an annual review of aid to Ukraine for four years, during which EU leaders will discuss how the money is allocated and spent. At the same time, no country will be able to impose a veto, as Orban wanted.
The proposal was agreed upon today at a meeting of EU ambassadors. The Hungarian representative insisted on the need to fully comply with Budapest's demand. One of the negotiators said that "the level of nervousness is quite high" on the eve of the summit.
16:17 Putin said that Moscow will not stop prisoner exchanges with Ukraine. He also claims that the Il-76 in the Belgorod region was shot down by the American Patriot system, this was allegedly established by an examination. The head of the Kremlin also announced his intention to “push back the demilitarized zone” in Ukraine - it should be “at such a distance that would ensure the safety of peaceful cities from shelling.”
15:55 Scholz said that Germany itself will not be able to meet Ukraine’s arms needs if American assistance stops, so the rest of the EU countries must increase supplies. If American assistance stops, then Germany, according to the chancellor, “will become the largest supporter of arms supplies to Ukraine around the world,” so it is important “for more countries to take an active part.” Scholz assured that Berlin will continue to “make its big contribution” because “borders in Europe should no longer be moved by force.”
15:42 Today’s exchange was already the 50th since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported. Among the 207 rescued military personnel are 95 representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 56 National Guardsmen, 26 border guards, 29 Territorial Defense soldiers and one representative of the National Police. Of the total number of those returned, 180 were privates and sergeants, another 27 were officers. At least 36 of them are injured or seriously ill. Among the released military personnel are defenders of Mariupol, Kherson, soldiers from Zmeiny Island, marines and combat medics.
In total, since the full-scale invasion, 3,035 Ukrainian defenders have already been released from Russian captivity. The headquarters expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their help and assistance in organizing the exchange.
15:26 The Russians again attacked Berislav, Kherson region, from a drone. Two people were riding around the city on a motorcycle when two explosive objects were dropped on them. Both were hospitalized, OVA reported.
14:54 Ukraine returned 207 people from Russian captivity, Zelensky said. “Another great job by the Ukrainian team. Budanov, Ermak, Usov, Malyuk, Klimenko are great,” the president said. In turn, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the return of 195 Russian prisoners. According to Moscow, “equal to 195 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian Armed Forces” were transferred to Ukraine.
14:30 According to CIA Director William Burns, the Russian army has lost about 315 thousand people killed and wounded since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, and also lost two-thirds of its tank reserves.
14:18 Germany announced another package of military assistance to Ukraine - it included, in particular, four tracked all-terrain vehicles, a Biber bridge laying vehicle with spare parts, three Wisent 1 armored engineering vehicles, 24 armored personnel carriers, missiles for the IRIS-T air defense system, more than a thousand artillery shells of the caliber 155 mm, etc.
14:04 In the Belgorod region, near the village of Novostroevka-second, on the morning of January 30, a border guard and two servicemen of the Russian Defense Ministry were wounded as a result of an explosion during the installation of an anti-personnel mine, reports the opposition Russian publication Astra.
13:20 EU leaders at the summit on February 1 will propose holding annual debates on an aid package for Ukraine worth 50 billion euros, Reuters writes with reference to the draft conclusion of the summit. Previously, Hungary made such a demand.
12:56 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Ministers of Denmark Matte Frederiksen, Czech Republic Petr Fiala, Estonia Kaia Kallas and the Netherlands Mark Rutte wrote a joint letter in which they called on “friends and partners of Ukraine” to make collective efforts for long-term support of Kiev. They stressed the need to “immediately” transfer ammunition and weapons systems to Ukraine, in particular howitzers, tanks, UAVs and air defense systems.
“If Ukraine loses, the long-term consequences and costs will be much higher for all of us. We, Europeans, bear a special responsibility. Therefore, we must act. The future of Europe depends on it,” the authors of the appeal urged.
12:48 Estonia and at least seven other countries, including Poland and the Scandinavian countries, are ready to allocate more money to achieve the goal of 1 million shells for Ukraine by March 2024, said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur. According to him, only a third of the million shells have been delivered to Ukraine, and another 30% must be delivered by March.
12:33 US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland arrived in Kiev. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said meetings were scheduled today with government leaders, veterans and civil society "to underscore our shared commitment to defeating Russian aggression in Ukraine."
12:29 One of the main innovations of the bill on mobilization and military service registered the day before is the imposition of restrictions on draft dodgers through the courts. How exactly the government proposes to punish such men is in the material New Rules of Mobilization.
12:10 The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in the second and third readings a bill on confiscation of property for “fakes” about the Russian armed forces. At the same time, the deputies explained that, unlike the practice of confiscation in the USSR, here we are not talking about “any money or property,” but only about property that was “acquired by criminal means” or used to finance illegal activities.
11:58 Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren expressed confidence that Ukraine will receive the F-16 this year: “We are working really hard on this. The Ukrainians are also working hard on this. It will happen this year. I am confident of this.”
11:47 The United States and Germany oppose inviting Ukraine to NATO at the Alliance summit in Washington, Foreign Policy writes, citing sources. In their opinion, Ukraine cannot be accepted into NATO while there is a war, so as not to provoke a conflict between the Alliance and the Russian Federation. Supporters of the invitation believe that it will be cheaper than supplying weapons. Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic countries are convinced that only Ukraine's membership in NATO will convince Russia to slow down the invasion and end the war.
11:02 The prosecutor’s office clarified that the Russians hit Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region with S-300 and Iskander missiles. As a result of the strike, the enterprise was damaged and six people were injured.
10:34 The commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Martin Herem, said that Russia appears to be behind an increase in jamming of satellite signals used by airlines, smartphones and weapons systems in Eastern Europe. A particular surge was recorded this month from Finland to Poland and the Black Sea region. "Someone is causing this, and we think it's Russia," Herem said.
10:22 The Nevsky Oil Refinery in St. Petersburg was attacked this night by a drone of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian media write, citing sources. In turn, Governor Alexander Beglov said that at an industrial site in the Nevsky district of St. Petersburg at night “an incident occurred that required the attention of law enforcement agencies.” According to him, there were no injuries, and there was “no significant damage to property.”
10:19 On the evening of January 30, the Russian Army fired two missiles at Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, wounding six people, said the head of the OBA Vadim Filashkin.
10:15 The EU can provide Ukraine with only 600 thousand shells by March, not a million, Bloomberg writes, citing European diplomats. The agency notes that at a meeting in Brussels this week, EU countries may try to approve other shipments to increase the overall volume, but that would still fall short of the one million rounds target.
09:53 The state budget received sanction money for the first time - 32 million hryvnia, the State Property Fund reported. We are talking about the own funds of collaborators Dmitry Vorona, a Russian protege in the occupied part of the Zaporozhye region, as well as Vladimir Saldo, the head of the occupation administration of the Kherson region. The decision also concerns the finances of the enterprise of Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska.
09:16 As a result of the evening drone attack in Kharkov, four people were injured, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. The Russians launched six UAVs, recording four hits on civilian targets in the Slobodsky and Saltovsky districts of the city. Residential buildings, cars, and a store were damaged.
09:12 Russian public pages write that St. Petersburg was attacked by a drone again this night. The drone was shot down, but fell onto the territory of the Nevsky Mazut plant, which caused a fire in the area of three empty tanks.
08:57 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of January 31:
personnel - about 385,230 (+1090) people,
tanks - 6310 (+10),
armored combat vehicles - 11,757 (+32),
artillery systems - 9195 (+51),
MLRS - 974 (+2),
air defense systems - 663 (+0),
aircraft - 332 (+0),
helicopters - 324 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 7100 (+16),
cruise missiles - 1846 (+0),
ships/boats - 23 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 12,231 (+40),
special equipment - 1452 (+4).
08:36 Over the past 24 hours, 88 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff reported in its morning report. In the Avdeevka direction, the Defense Forces repelled 26 enemy attacks in the Avdeevka area and another 11 attacks near Pervomaiskoye and Nevelskoye, Donetsk region. In the Maryinsky direction, 16 attacks were repulsed near Georgievka, Pobeda and Novomikhailovka in the Donetsk region.
In the Kupyansk direction, five enemy attacks were repelled near Sinkovka, Kharkov region; in Limansky - seven attacks in the Ternov and Yampolevka areas of the Donetsk region; on Bakhmutskoye - six attacks near Bogdanovka and Kleshcheevka, Donetsk region. The enemy did not conduct offensive actions in the Shakhtarsky and Zaporozhye directions. In the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces hold their positions and repulse 15 enemy assaults.
07:54 In the Snegirevskaya community of the Nikolaev region, during a night attack by drones, warehouses of an agricultural enterprise and a store building were damaged. The fire was extinguished, one person was injured, he is in serious condition, said the head of the Fire Department, Vitaly Kim.
06:50 Air defense at night destroyed 14 of 20 attack UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type, which Russia attacked from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk and from the Crimean Cape Chauda. The drones were destroyed within the Nikolaev, Zaporozhye, Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd and Kharkov regions, the Air Force command reported. In addition, the enemy launched three Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Crimea and the Voronezh region.
03:22 Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder confirmed the US intentions to transfer ground-launched small diameter bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine, but refused to give a time frame. He explained that for reasons of operational security, Washington will not provide specific dates for the transfer of these weapons. “We will leave Ukraine the right to report any deliveries,” Ryder added.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] Over the past 24 hours, more than 50 clashes took place at the front.
Russian troops do not abandon their intention to dislodge Ukrainian units from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnieper.
The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult. During the day, 52 clashes occurred. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced this in an evening report on Wednesday, January 31.
In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repulsed seven attacks near Sinkovka, Kharkov region, where the enemy, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the defenses.
In the Liman direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled nine attacks near Ternov, Yampolevka and Torskoye, Donetsk region, where the invaders, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully tried to break through the defenses.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled four attacks near Ivanovsky, Kleshchievka and Andreevka in the Donetsk region, where the Russians tried unsuccessfully to improve the tactical situation.
In the Avdiivka direction, the defenders repulsed eight attacks in the Avdeevka area and six more attacks near Pervomaisky and Nevelskoye, Donetsk region, where the enemy, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully tried to break through the defenses of the Ukrainian troops.
In the Maryinsky direction, the Defense Forces continue to hold the enemy in the Novomikhailovka area of the Donetsk region. Here the invaders, with the support of aviation, tried unsuccessfully six times to improve the tactical situation.
In the Shakhtarsky direction the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) operations.
In the Zaporozhye direction, the Defense Forces repelled four attacks by the Russians north of Priyutnoye and Rabotino, Zaporozhye region.
The Russian troops do not abandon their intention to dislodge Ukrainian units from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnieper. Thus, within 24 hours, three unsuccessful attempts were made to storm the positions of Ukrainian troops.
During the day, Defense Forces aircraft carried out strikes on 14 areas where personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated, and on the Russian anti-aircraft missile system. Air defense forces destroyed a Kh-59 guided missile.
Units of the missile forces carried out strikes on five enemy artillery weapons and four air defense systems.
In turn, Russian troops launched seven missile and 65 air strikes, and carried out 59 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas.
Let us remind you that the total number of losses of the Russian army since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is 385,230 military personnel. Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed 1,090 invaders.
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[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Kupyansk direction, as a result of active actions by units of the Zapad Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, six attacks by assault groups of 30th, 32nd, 44th Mechanised, 57th Motorised Infantry, and 25th Air Assault brigades of the AFU have been repelled close to Sin'kovka, Tabaevka (Kharkov region), and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic)
The enemy losses were up to 80 troops, one tank, three motor vehicles, one UK-manufactured AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-manufactured M777 howitzer.
In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted a fire defeat on AFU manpower near Grigorovka and Dzerzhinskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, three attacks by assault groups of the 60th Mechanised Brigade and the 12th Special Forces Brigade have been repelled near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic).
The enemy losses were up to 280 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of 28th, 54th Mechanised brigades of the AFU, 112th and 114th brigades of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine near Verkhnekamenskoye, Artyomovskoye, Krasnoye, Kleshcheevka, Kurdyumovka, and Leninskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy losses were up to 310 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, ten motor vehicles, and one 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.
In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, have repelled one attack by assault groups of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as inflicted one fire attack on manpower and hardware of units of the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhainoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy losses were up to 115 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.
In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, supported by artillery, have struck AFU 33rd, 65th, 118th Mechanised and 128th Mountain Assault brigades close to Rabotino, Orekhov, Malaya Tokmachka, and Shcherbaki (Zaporozhye region).
The enemy losses were up to 80 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In Kherson direction, as a result of active actions by units of the Russian Group of Forces and the comprehensive fire defeat of the enemy, the enemy losses were up to 30 servicemen, five motor vehicles, and one ammunition depot of rocket-artillery weapons.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised one IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile system German-manufactured, one Pelikan airborne target detection radar station, and defeated manpower and hardware of the 3rd Assault Brigade of the AFU, one fuel depot, as well as manpower and military hardware in 136 areas.
Air defence facilities have shot down nine U.S.-manufactured HIMARS projectiles.
In addition, 81 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been intercepted close to Petrovskoye, Tokarevka (Kharkov region), Zhitlovka, Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Khartsyzsk (Donetsk People's Republic), Zhovtnyovoye, Orlyanskoye (Zaporozhye region), and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region).
In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,512 unmanned aerial vehicles, 457 air defence missile systems, 14,860 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,211 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,906 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,103 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 22:00 Front birdbroadcasts: Khar'kov region 31.01 21:30
A second explosion was reported in the eastern part of the region.
The air raid warning did not sound.
Our rocket scientists first worked out using ballistics.
21:10 Front bird broadcasts: Sumy region 31.01 20:30
It is reported that tactical aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out several strikes on enemy rear positions using air-to-ground missiles.
The enemy's air defense did not work. There were no air raid alarms.
20:10 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits: servicemen of the Vostok group of troops undergo an engineering training course at a training ground in the Special Military Operational zone
Soldiers, under the guidance of experienced instructors, study various types of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, methods and techniques for their neutralization, and also practice the installation of minefields in positions. These skills are necessary both to ensure the advancement of our troops and to maintain occupied lines, said an engineering instructor with the call sign “Ares.”
“The work of a sapper is very important during an offensive. We need to clear the roads, conduct engineering reconnaissance, remove anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, and tripwires so that our troops can move forward,” says Ares.
19:20 Telegram channel «WarGonzo": Slowly but surely our troops are approaching Avdievka, squeezing the enemy out of his positions.
Our artillerymen support the infantry not only during assaults, but also thwart enemy attempts to return the strongholds captured by our guys.
18:20 We improve positions along the front line: Ivanovo paratroopers stormed the Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold north-west of Artemovsk
During aerial reconnaissance of the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the paratroopers uncovered the main enemy firing points and shelters with a concentration of infantry.
After the work of the airborne artillery, which inflicted fire damage and suppressed the main fire weapons of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, paratroopers from several directions, under the cover of armored vehicles, quickly captured the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Having occupied the enemy stronghold, the airborne assault groups carried out a complete clearing of it.
17:35 Front bird broadcasts: Krivoy Rog. Explosion. Ballistics. 31.01 17:30
A second powerful explosion occurred in the industrial area. enterprise in the suburbs of Krivoy Rog.
Local public pages write about a bright flash.
16:20 Summary of Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the special military operation (as of January 31, 2024) The main thing:
– The RF Armed Forces took more advantageous positions and positions in the Krasnoliman direction
The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 115 military personnel in the South Donetsk direction per day;
– The Russian Armed Forces improved the situation along the front line in the Donetsk direction, the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces per day amounted to 310 military personnel;
The total losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Krasnoliman direction amounted to up to 280 military personnel, three attacks by assault groups were repelled;
Russian air defense shot down 9 HIMARS MLRS rounds and 81 Ukrainian drones in one day;
– The Russian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction repulsed six attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in one day, the enemy lost up to 80 people and 6 pieces of equipment;
– Russian troops destroyed a warehouse of missile and artillery weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kherson direction;
– The Russian Armed Forces destroyed the Ukrainian IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile system manufactured in Germany;
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 80 military personnel in the Zaporozhye direction per day.
15:20 Front bird broadcasts: Khar'kov region 31.01 14:30
A loud explosion was reported in the eastern part of the area.
The air raid warning did not sound.
Our rocketeers performed preliminary training by using a high-precision missile against an enemy fortified area and an armed forces workshop.
14:30 Telegram channel «Colonelcassad»: Current state of the village of Krynki. View from a drone.
13:40 Russian Ministry of Defensetransmits: “I know my stuff. I know why I'm here"
The gunner of the AGS-17 “Flame” grenade launcher crew talks about love for the Motherland and the peculiarities of combat work in the Northern Military District zone.
“We are working with AGS-17 “Plamya” grenade launchers. Scouts using drones notice observation posts and enemy personnel. Then, with the help of spotters, we work on the enemy in a certain area. We work in sectors. We try to work as quickly as possible. The enemy is very afraid of our AGS... I know my business. I know why I'm here. And I will go to the end. Because the Motherland is a second mother,” said the gunner of the AGS-17 grenade launcher crew with the call sign “Fox”.
12:40 Front bird broadcasts: Avdeevskoe direction. District settlement Step dance 31.01 12:20
The work of our attack and tactical aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces is reported.
Su-25 Grach and Su-34 attack aircraft struck with unguided missiles without entering the enemy’s air defense coverage area.
11:35 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits Statement by the head of the press center of the Center group
The troops of the Center group continue to carry out combat missions of a special military operation in the Krasnolimansk direction. The active actions of the units improved the position along the front line.
The group's motorized rifle formations, supported by artillery and aviation, repelled three attacks by assault groups of the 60th and 63rd Mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Torsky and Chervonodibrovo sectors.
Artillery crews inflicted fire on more than 200 targets, including two strong points, four areas where equipment was concentrated, and more than 100 areas where enemy manpower and fire weapons were concentrated in the areas of Yampolovka, Grigorovka, Dronovka and Serebryanka.
Air defense systems shot down two unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “Leleka” and “Furiya” in the area of the village of Kremennaya.
Enemy losses per day amounted to 290 military personnel, three tanks, four armored combat vehicles and five cars.
10:50 Front bird broadcasts: district settlement Marinka 31.01 10:45
It is reported that our assault units carried out a successful attack and captured enemy trophies.
Thus, a special assault congratulation of the Russian Armed Forces recaptured several strongholds of the Armed Forces and captured enemy weapons, in particular, several Javelin ATGMs, anti-personnel mines and many rifles were obtained.
Our artefacts 152mm "MSTA-B" and 122mm 2S34 "Khosta" were worked on preventively.
09:50 Criminal Kyiv regime continuesto fire at the civilian infrastructure of settlements on the left bank of the Kherson region, yesterday during the day the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired from cannon artillery:
-- n.p. Dnepryan three rounds;
-- n.p. Alyosha 10 rounds;
-- n.p. Obryvka of two rounds;
-- n.p. Kazachi Lagery four rounds;
-- n.p. Podlesnoe three rounds.
During the night, the Kiev regime continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the village. Podstepnoye, n.p. Korsunka, n.p. Aleshki, n.p. Golaya Pristan, firing a total of 20 projectiles from cannon artillery.
Civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure are being determined.
09:20 Telegram channel «WarGonzo": frontline report for the morning of 01/31/2024
– In the Ugledarsky sector, Russian troops managed to advance north of Priyutnoye. Mainly in the “gray zone”. But this forced the Ukrainian Armed Forces to abandon a number of positions occupied during their summer-autumn offensive.
– On the Donetsk front, Russian troops concentrated their efforts to storm Novomikhailovka from the northeast, where they had previously managed to break through the defensive formations of the Ukrainian garrison. They also carried out active offensive operations at Nevelskoye and Pervomaiskoye.
In the last of the listed settlements we reached the outskirts of the village, moving along the M-04 highway. This facilitates the logistics of Russian assault units. The Ukrainian Armed Forces, in turn, continued counterattacks on the southeastern outskirts of Avdeevka, where the Russian Armed Forces had established a foothold. Ukrainian troops were unable to regain their lost positions. Russian units advanced slightly at the coke plant northeast of Avdeevka. In the Stepnoye area (not to be confused with the settlements of the same name in the Zaporozhye and Ugledar directions) there were oncoming battles.
– In the Artemovsky (Bakhmutsky) direction, the Russian Armed Forces attacked Ukrainian positions on the heights northwest of Kleshcheevka, in the area of Ivanovsky and Bogdanovka. No advance.
– In the Lugansk direction, Russian troops conducted offensive operations near Belogorovka. We took several new positions. They also tried to build on the success of Ternov. The Ukrainian Armed Forces held their defense lines. Fierce oncoming battles near Berestovoy, Krakhmalny, in Tabaevka and in the Kislovka area.
08:50 Telegram channel «Fisherman":
Chronicle of a special military operation for January 30, 2024
– Throughout the day, the Russian Armed Forces carried out strikes on the rear and border areas of the so-called. Ukraine. In Zmiev, Kharkov region, drones attacked a local oil storage facility, and explosions were heard in Khar'kov and Korotych. In Krivoy Rog, a substation of one of the enterprises was hit, emergency work is underway.
– In Shostka, Chernihiv region, a drone attacked one of the factories in the industrial zone. The deployment points of Ukrainian formations in Bolshoy Burluk, Kharkov region, Uman, Cherkasy region and Mirnograd were also hit.
– After a long pause, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted to attack military and civilian targets on the Crimean peninsula using drones. All drones were intercepted by Russian air defense and electronic warfare systems.
– There was also unrest in the border area: many settlements in the Belgorod and Kursk regions were once again under attack, there was damage to vehicles and civil infrastructure.
-In the Avdeevsky direction, fighting continues in the area of the Donetsk filtration station, the approaches to which are a powerful fortified area of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In the south of the city, the Russian Armed Forces are repelling the attacks of Ukrainian formations in the area of Sobornaya and Sportivnaya streets.
– The enemy, trying to divert the attention of the Russian command from Avdievka, carried out an attack in the area of an abandoned gas station west of Gorlovka. However, the activity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this area is limited.
– In the Kherson direction, under Russian artillery fire, the enemy was able to transfer several boats with landing troops to the Krynok area. Here, as before, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are making attempts to expand the bridgehead, but so far without success.
08:10 Official summary of Representative offices of the DPR in the JCCC:
A total of 45 AFU attacks were recorded by the DPR representative office in the JCCC over the past 24 hours
Information has been received about the death of a civilian. Another person was injured.
Damaged:
Nine residential buildings,
Four civil infrastructure facilities.
In the Donetsk direction there were three artillery attacks from the VFU
In the Gorlovka direction there were 41 artillery attacks from the VFU,
In the Yasinovaty direction there was one artillery attack from the VFU.
Direct Translation via Googler Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Russia perceives the start of the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War as a threat to its security, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on January 31.
“This is a threat to us, that’s how we treat it. And appropriate measures for this are constantly being taken - especially against the backdrop of how the alliance has been continuously moving its military infrastructure towards our borders for several decades,” Peskov said.
NATO was conceived as an instrument of confrontation and is now being used as such under US control, Peskov added.
As Regnum reported, NATO spokesman Dylan White on January 24 announced the start of the Steadfast Defender 2024 exercise on January 31. The maneuvers are planned to take place until May 2024. According to the legend of the exercises, one of the countries of the military bloc is attacked by a fictional country from the east.
The maneuvers are planned to be carried out in territories from Romania to Norway. 90,000 military personnel from 31 NATO countries and Sweden will participate in them. During the maneuvers, bringing troops into combat readiness, training and operational transfer of units will be practiced. This will be NATO's largest exercise since the end of the Cold War.
Peskov previously noted that Moscow has no illusions about who exactly these exercises are aimed at. NATO’s plans to conduct large-scale exercises near the borders of Russia are an outright provocation and pose a threat to Europe, stated in turn the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are planning an attack on Russian fortified areas in the spring. This was stated by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kirill Budanov.
Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine Budanov: the Ukrainian military will launch a new offensive in the spring
“We make a move, the enemy makes a move. Now it's their turn. They will finish and then our turn will come,” Telegraph quotes Budanov.
As Regnum reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the summer counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had completely and absolutely failed. He added that now the initiative at the front is in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces. If this scenario continues, Ukrainian statehood may receive an irreparable blow.
The failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive was also recognized in the West. British media reported in November that the intensity of fighting had decreased since mid-October. Over the course of several months of the offensive, with heavy losses in manpower and equipment, the territorial gains of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were insignificant.
The fact that the counter-offensive of the Kiev army failed in vain was also admitted by the French Minister of Defense Sebastian Lecornu.
In Ukraine, Western partners were blamed for the failure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive.
The commander of the ground forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Alexander Syrsky, following the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kirill Budanov, rejected the proposal of the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, to take the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine instead of General Valery Zaluzhny, the British newspaper The Times wrote on January 30.
According to the publication, initially the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was offered to Budanov only later to Syrsky.
“Both are said to have rejected the offer, forcing Zelensky to back down,” the newspaper cited sources.
The article also states that Zelensky fired Zaluzhny, but was forced to reverse his decision after pressure from the highest military command and international partners.
As Regnum reported, in January, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, MP from the pro-presidential Servant of the People party Maryana Bezuglaya informed about a survey conducted on possible candidates for the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The list included the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Kirill Budanov, the commander of the Ground Forces Alexander Syrsky and Zaluzhny’s deputy Evgeniy Moisyuk.
Also, as possible candidates for this post, the deputy named the Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexey Neizhpapa, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Sergei Shaptala, and the former head of the General Staff Viktor Muzhenko.
The English magazine The Economist, citing sources, wrote that Budanov could “at the last moment” refuse the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is not yet clear how the story of Zaluzhny’s dismissal will end, but the authors believe that if he retains his position, Zelensky will “look weak.”
Zelensky met with Zaluzhny on the evening of January 29 and informed the military leader of the decision to dismiss him. The head of the Kyiv regime invited the general to take the post of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. As a result, the commander-in-chief rejected the initiative of the Ukrainian leader, British journalists wrote.
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko wrote that Ukrainian allies in Europe are “ shocked ” by rumors of Zaluzhny’s resignation. At best, it is necessary to refute the information that has appeared, he added.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Russian military repelled a massive Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol, shooting down at least six missiles, said the city's governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev.
On January 31, Ukraine began shelling Crimea at approximately 16:20. In Sevastopol, debris from one of the downed missiles fell in a private sector, no one was injured. More debris fell in the Lyubimovka area, as the governor noted, in a vacant lot.
The Russian Ministry of Defense clarified the information. According to the military, the air defense system shot down 17 Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea, and three more directly over Crimea. The fragments of one of the missiles fell on the territory of a military unit in the village of Lyubimovka; there was no damage to aircraft.
Ukraine regularly makes attempts to attack Russian territory. On the night of January 30, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted a massive attack using drones. Most of the UAVs (11) were sent to Crimea. One of them was shot down over the water area near Belbek in Sevastopol.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, a student of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Magomedrasul Mutaev, was killed near his house in Makhachkala. The athlete's murder was captured on video cameras.
The footage shows an unknown man getting out of the car and firing several shots at the athlete. The attacker then fled the crime scene. The victim remained lying on the ground.
Publications appeared on social networks that the murdered man was a pupil of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father.
Investigators are working at the scene.
The Russian organization AMC Fight Nights, which conducts mixed martial arts fights, called the incident a terrible tragedy.
“It is with deep regret that we announce the premature death of the young and promising athlete Muhammad Mutaev,” the obituary says.
According to a REN TV source, the killer managed to escape in a gray Lada car. Mutaev died on the way to the hospital.
As Regnum reported, in February 2023, world champion in grappling and jiu-jitsu Vidadi Mardanov was shot dead in the Dagestan city of Derbent. An NFC league executive was killed outside his home in the early hours of the morning. The criminals fled. The police are looking for two male suspects.
In Baku on the evening of March 14, 2022, 38-year-old kickboxing world champion Zaur Yusifov was killed. The athlete was shot dead in a store in the Binagadi district. The next day, law enforcement officers detained the suspect, a 22-year-old man.
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin
[ColonelCassad] From Putin's statements
1. Putin does not know why Ukraine shot down a plane with its prisoners of war. The plane was shot down by a Patriot air defense system.
2. Exchanges of prisoners of war will continue. The ratio of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine is 10 to 1.
3. Russia will move the demilitarized zone to the west to ensure the security of Russian cities.
4. Russia will not follow the path of introducing juvenile justice. This is not our method.
5. The foam that exists in any society will gradually subside (a hint of the fifth column and “naked assholes”)
6. A group of fighters from the Specialized Shrift Brigade “Veterans” ahead of the regular troops broke through the enemy’s defenses and reached the outskirts of Avdeevka, captured 19 houses and held them
PS. Today there was an exchange of prisoners of war. They changed 195 to 195. Plus, 12 more civilians who expressed a desire to leave for Ukraine were given to Ukraine.
Russian presidential candidate Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with trusted officials on January 31, said that Moscow does not intend to stop the process of exchanging prisoners with Ukraine due to the fact that Kiev decided to shoot down an Il-76 with its own captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers.
He noted that Kyiv regularly signals its readiness to exchange prisoners.
“We need to take our guys,” Putin explained the decision not to stop the exchanges.
He also pointed out that it is completely unclear why the Kyiv regime needed to destroy a plane with its own prisoners, and the West is now trying to completely hush up this topic.
On January 24, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian Il-76 from a Western-made anti-aircraft missile system with 65 Ukrainian prisoners, who were transported for transfer to the Ukrainian side, as well as a Russian crew of six people and three accompanying persons. No one survived the crash of the aircraft.
Flight recorder data confirms that the plane was shot down in mid-air. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ attack on the Il-76 a conscious and deliberate attack. The Russian Ministry of Defense noted that Kiev was well aware of the transportation of captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers for exchange, but still carried out this attack in order to blame Russia for this.
After the incident, many politicians and experts proposed stopping negotiations with Ukraine on the issue of exchanges. However, on January 31, it became known that through the mediation of the UAE, 195 military personnel were returned to Russia from Ukrainian captivity. They will be taken to Moscow for rehabilitation and treatment.
Moscow insists on an international investigation into the crash of the Russian Il-76 transport plane, Russian presidential candidate Vladimir Putin said on January 31.
“The Ukrainian authorities dropped the phrase that they would like to conduct an international investigation. We ask for this and insist that an international investigation be carried out,” Putin said at a meeting with trusted officials.
According to him, there are no volunteers from international organizations.
“I’m officially saying: we ask you to send international experts and conduct this analysis, evaluate the available material evidence that the plane was shot down by the Patriot system,” he added.
As Regnum reported, on January 24, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian Il-76 with 65 Ukrainian prisoners from an anti-aircraft missile system, who were transported for transfer to the Ukrainian side, as well as a Russian crew of six people and three accompanying persons. No one survived the crash of the aircraft.
Flight recorder data confirms that the plane was shot down in mid-air. Black box analysis continues. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ attack on the Il-76 a conscious and deliberate attack.
The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case under the article “Terrorism”. An anti-aircraft missile attack from the territory of Ukraine is a preliminary version of the destruction of a Russian aircraft, the department added.
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] A Russian ransomware gang allegedly infiltrated a technology company responsible for handling top-secret documents from US intelligence agencies, like the FBI.
The notorious group Blackcat, also known as ALPHV, is threatening to release the classified documents if the company, Technica, does not contact them soon.
Technica is a veteran-owned company that provides technology solutions to support the Federal Government’s mission to defend and protect America.
ALPHV claimed it stole 300 GB of documents that reportedly included Department of Defense contracts and the names, phone numbers and social security numbers of Technica employees.
The Russian attack comes as a FBI director warned Wednesday that China hackers are preparing 'to wreak havoc' in America.
#2
If I had my way, all internet traffic between China, Russia and Ukraine would be blocked from entering or leaving the United States. The governments of all three of those countries are either unwilling or unable to curtail the activities of their hackers. Indications are that those governments actually employ the hackers. An entire division of the PLA is said to be dedicated to cyber warfare.
Of course, our government is run by people who are too corrupt to block that traffic. They could do so easily but they won't. So any company with any kind of IT department should maintain a firewall that would block that traffic from getting into their servers.
Posted by: Abu Laptop (same as Abu Uluque but on a different computer.) ||
02/01/2024 14:36 Comments ||
Top||
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
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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
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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.
