Re: Footnotes from the Ukrainian "Crisis"; New High-Points in Cynicism Part IV
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 12:30 pm
Avdeevka: the Donetsk front
POSTED BY @NSANZO ⋅ 03/24/2023
Original Article: Dmitry Astrajan / Izvestia
From the positions it occupies in Avdeevka, the opponent fires hundreds of shells daily in the direction, for example, of Donetsk. In eight years, kyiv has turned this town into a fortress. Trenches have been dug and communication passages created between buildings and isolated areas, numerous cement fortifications and artillery positions have been built. Now, Russian units are systematically trying to hit the defenses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this area in order to advance. Izvestia correspondents have visited the positions of the 1st Slavyansk Motorized Brigade of the Donetsk Army Corps to see with their own eyes how the battles in this direction take place and what role artillery coordination work plays.
“I have been traveling on this bird since 2014. I am sure that we will enter Avdeevka on him. There is very little left, a small barrier and we are there”, explains the mechanic and driver of the Gvozdika self-propelled artillery vehicle of the 1st Slavyansk brigade, with the nom de guerre Shustry and trying to talk about the sound of the engine running. "Niu York [Ukraine's name for Novgorodske] is already on the other side of the hill." The soldier brought the self-propelled gun to its firing position and while the personnel and journalists got out of the armored vehicle, he rested for a moment. Of course, there is also room inside, at least for the staff, but it is necessary to look at the sky, so they usually walk around the outside, leaning on their waists.
The fast and maneuverable Gvozdika self-propelled artillery is now supporting the offensive on Avdeevka with fire. For work safety, it is important to quickly get into the line of fire, get the job done, and get out just as quickly. Shustry maneuvers smoothly between the shell craters and burned debris from the explosions, positioning the vehicle exactly where it is needed between the mounds. It seems that the sunny weather has dried the floor and simplified the task, but things are not so simple. Visibility has improved and it is becoming easier for Ukrainian drones to detect vehicles. The counter-battery radars indicate the search area.
The personnel orients the vehicle and begins aiming the cannon. Grad rocket discharges are clearly audible on the other side of the mound, and flashes and flares are observed in the sky between earth and sun. Isto is not very good for us, because it draws extra attention to the area from which the shots are coming. But this section of the contact line is so narrow that it is not measured in kilometers but in buildings and structures. They go one after another; towns, industrial zones, more towns. This urban agglomeration seems to have no end. And every building is an obstacle. For example, one of the mines is a short distance away, and its ventilation shaft had until recently stayed in the enemy's fortified area. It has now been recaptured, but the battle continues in the adjacent buildings.
The cannon opens fire, rapidly firing four shells. By the time the cannon is fixed in the circular position, all personnel are already positioned on the armored vehicle, it is impossible to stay in this place.
“We have shot well, all the objectives that we have been given have been achieved”, Evgeny rejoices as he jumps out of the vehicle. He, like his driver, has been fighting since 2014 and has been a member of this unit since 2015. In addition to him, his family has one of his sons and two nephews in the war.
The vehicle starts and quickly leaves the positions. The unit commander, sitting in the front, suddenly points to something and warns the driver with a tap on the shoulder. There is a Ukrainian bird in the sky, a drone. The race begins. Considering that it is not a weaponized drone, it will be used to direct the artillery. That will take a while, especially against a moving target. In one fell swoop we jump onto the asphalt, where it will be possible to go at full speed. We stopped seeing the aerial enemy. The anti-aircraft defense begins to fire from their positions on the ground, a rocket goes out, then two more.
“Damage has been inflicted on the platoon's stronghold, undermining our progress in the direction of Avdeevka. The boys, the infantry, are doing a good job, they are advancing, they are trying. To support them, to give them the opportunity to take as much territory as possible while suffering the fewest casualties, it is necessary for the gunners to work at the highest level: precise aiming, speed, courage and audacity," explains Viktor, an artillery officer in the First Division. Brigade of the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.
Next to the shed where we chatted, the soldiers quickly load shells into the recently returned vehicle, which leaves for a new task. Viktor says that each combat unit makes up to thirty sorties a day to attack. Advancing requires constant fire support and the gunners try to meet that task.
https://slavyangrad.es/2023/03/24/avdee ... more-26910
Google Translator
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PENTAGON ESTABLISHES A PERMANENT MILITARY GARRISON IN POLAND
23 Mar 2023 , 1:21 pm .
The garrison in Poland is seen as a new US Army headquarters in the European country (Photo: Leonhard Foeger / Reuters)
On March 21, the first permanent US military garrison was inaugurated in Poland, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) country that has the longest border with Ukraine, some 500 kilometers.
This execution comes amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine based on an order issued by President Joe Biden in 2022, as Russia continues its special military operation.
Since August 2020, with almost 10,000 US soldiers currently deployed there, the presence of Pentagon troops on Polish soil has not stopped growing.
Sputnik quotes the Polish Ministry of Defense on the targets of the US Army-Polish Garrison (USAG-P):
"His main task is to coordinate and supervise US ground forces in Europe, as well as deal with operational planning, cooperation and synchronization of the actions of US troops with the troops of other NATO countries."
From the Pentagon the garrison in Poland is considered as a new headquarters of the US army in the European country. Today there are a total of 13 US military bases in that Slavic country.
Apart from the USAG-P there are seven more on European soil:
Benelux , located in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Headquarters supports the international military community, including Supreme Headquarters, the Allied Powers, Europe and NATO.
Ansbach , located in the Franconian region of southwestern Germany.
Bavaria , made up of two facilities and two communities in Germany.
Rheinland-Pfalz , located in another area in the southwest of the same German country.
Stuttgart , made up of five facilities spread across that city's large metropolitan area.
Wiesbaden , home of the US Army Headquarters for Europe and Africa, serving 15 installations and residential areas in and around the German city.
Italy .
https://misionverdad.com/pentagono-esta ... en-polonia
Google Translator
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Hungary Rejects UK's Sending Depleted Uranium Shells To Kiev
Head of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Gergely Gulyas. Mar. 23, 2023. | Photo: Twitter/@yasminalombaert
Published 23 March 2023 (14 hours 21 minutes ago)
Sending depleted uranium shells would not lead to a de-escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Gergely Gulyas said.
The head of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Gergely Gulyas, said Thursday that Budapest opposes the UK's decision to supply depleted uranium shells to Ukraine.
"Hungary does not support any action that could lead to an escalation of the war," Gulyas said in remarks to the press.
Sending depleted uranium shells would not lead to a de-escalation of the current conflict in Ukraine, the diplomat said, adding that Hungary does not recommend its use to anyone.
The Head of the Prime Minister's Office reaffirmed Hungary's commitment to stay out of the conflict. The European country is not involved in arms deliveries as it calls for a ceasefire and peace talks, Gulyas said.
Previously, UK Secretary of State for Defense Annabel Goldie announced the decision of the British authorities to send shells containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.
Such a move has been strongly opposed by Russia, with President Vladimir Putin warning that Moscow will respond accordingly as the West is beginning to use weapons with a nuclear component.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Hun ... -0013.html
Western Sanctions Aim To Make Russian People Suffer: Mishustin
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. | Photo: Twitter/ @renemassmedia
Published 23 March 2023
The Prime Minister explained that the U.S. and its allies seek to bring down the Russian financial system.
On Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that Western sanctions against his country aim to make the Russian people suffer.
"The West insists that the sanctions are not aimed against our citizens. Now, even a person far from global politics understands that their main target is the Russian people," Mishustin said during his annual report to the Lower House (the Duma).
He explained that these sanctions seek to bring down the Russian financial system so that citizens cannot use bank cards and buy products from international businesses, which the West forced to withdraw from Russian territory.
“These coercive policies seek to cause mass unemployment, reduce the living standard, and block all economic activities in our country,” Mishustin pointed out, recalling that the U.S.-backed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) even blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines to reduce exports of Russian gas.
"The West always stresses the inviolability and sanctity of private property. However, it currently seizes our citizens' money only because they come from Russia," he highlighted.
Last year, analysts estimated that Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) would likely fall into double digits after the economic sanctions. The descent, however, was moderate.
"It has not been easy, but we have resisted," Mishustin stated, recalling that Russia had to take initiatives, such as expanding the use of national currencies with its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EUE), to counter the impact of sanctions.
"Some international organizations now predict that Russia will reach higher GDP growth rates than developed countries by 2024," the Prime Minister welcomed.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Wes ... -0011.html
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Paradoxes of Polandʼs Rise: Regional Integration & War
Posted by INTERNATIONALIST 360° on MARCH 23, 2023
Ladislav Zemanek
Polandʼs role in Central and Eastern European affairs has been strengthening. The country is a pillar of NATOʼs presence in the region and is among Washington’s closest allies. Its role has been further elevated in connection with the conflict in Ukraine, in which Warsaw has played an active part since the very beginning. Instead of escalating the war and deepening the divisions between Russia and Europe, the country could use its growth and potential to promote the development of European strategic autonomy, writes Valdai Club expert Ladislav Zemánek.
Warsaw has been one of the engines of Western assistance to Ukraine. The Polish Prime Minister―together with his Czech and Slovenian counterparts―paid a visit to Kiev less than three weeks after the launch of the special military operation, thus triggering an avalanche of these favourite tours of Western politicians to the Ukrainian capital. The conflict in the adjacent country has accelerated the implementation of the long-term priorities set by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party after it succeeded in gaining control of the domestic political scene in 2015. The National Security Strategy does not leave room for doubts. Russiaʼs “neo-imperial policy” must be resisted through the strengthening of NATO and EU capabilities, the deepening of transatlantic ties, as well as the further expansion of both organisations eastward. Warsaw wants to develop strategic cooperation with Washington while actively shaping the regional political, economic and military landscape through a variety of instruments.
Integrating the region militarily
The first of them is the Bucharest Nine (B9). This grouping was set up in 2015 to strengthen the security and military ties between the nine post-communist NATO countries stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, boost NATO’s military presence along its eastern flank, and promote the incorporation of other countries―originally Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, now also Finland and Sweden―into the alliance. The orientation of the initiative is obvious from the open US support. The B9 summits held in May 2021 and February 2023 were attended by Joe Biden. Warsaw, nevertheless, does not limit itself to the NATO members, for it tends to perceive the post-Soviet states from Transcaucasia to the Baltics as pertaining to its sphere of interest, which is to be rid of Russian influence. That is why Poland actively supports the Eastern Partnership, which was launched in 2009 to integrate these post-Soviet states into the EU. The European Peace Facility has delivered the security and military aspects of this initiative. At present, it provides financing to military operations in seven countries, including Ukraine.
The prospect of more post-Soviet countries joining NATO remains rather remote. However, it is not excluded that Poland, in conjunction with other CEE partners, could enhance joint military cooperation through such instruments as the B9, as well as bilateral or multilateral agreements similar to that between Azerbaijan and Türkiye (originally concluded in 2010, it is being expanded based on the 2021 Shusha Declaration), as well as forming joint units. Warsaw already has experience of such a kind. In 2009 Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine signed an agreement on the establishment of a joint brigade. Even though it took several years to make the unit operational, the structure exists and can serve as a model for military cooperation between NATO and non-NATO actors. Military integration in the region has been supplemented with political structures. In addition to the Interparliamentary Assembly, which was established in 2005, the Lublin Triangle was set up three years ago.
Revival of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?
The beginnings of the organisation were affected by the pandemic, so one can expect more activity from the development in the future. The three countries do not conceal that the Lublin Triangle draws upon the heritage of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was once one of the largest empires in Europe. Polish influence expanded to the shores of the Black Sea, and King Sigismund was powerful enough to meddle in Moscowʼs affairs during the Time of Troubles and installed his son as tsar of Russia. These historical episodes of Polish expansionism may inspire the present ambitions, provoke culture wars in the Baltic States, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and other vulnerable countries, and destabilise the region. The Lublin Triangleʼs presidential summit, held in January in Lvov, declared the need for the conquest of Crimea and the Donbass, the admission of Ukraine to both the EU and NATO, as well as the establishment of an international tribunal for Russian “war criminals”. Warsaw used the summit to announce its decision to supply Kiev with Leopard tanks, which expanded the scope of military equipment provided by NATO allies.
The political and military collaboration within the Lublin Triangle, however, goes beyond its territory. It established ties with the opposition in Belarus. Svetlana Tikhanovskaia, as the head of the Coordination Council of Belarus (which gains increasing legitimacy among Western politicians), supports the inclusion of the country in the Lublin Triangle. Poland serves as a base of operations for the Association of Security Forces of Belarus, an organisation whose aim is to overthrow the Belarusian government and install a new cabinet led by Tikhanovskaia. All these activities are heading for the repetition of the tragic Ukrainian scenario. However, Western politicians should be aware that Belarus is not Ukraine; the country belongs to the Union State―and Moscow will hardly tolerate attempts to take control over this territory.
The fight for Trimarium
Last but not least, Polish representatives eagerly promote the Three Seas Initiative (3SI). The platform follows the interwar idea of the Trimarium in its bid for the integration of the space delimited by the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas. It could be a useful tool for the development of infrastructure and multifaceted regional interaction; however, such positive content has been pushed aside by geopolitical interests. Washingtonʼs support for the 3SI has been reaffirmed many times, starting from Donald Trumpʼs participation in the 2017 summit and ending with a 2020 resolution of the US House of Representatives. The document explicitly connected the 3SI with US national security, making a commitment to generous financial support to the project to counter Russian energy projects such as Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream, as well as Chinaʼs Belt & Road Initiative and 17+1 (which reduced to 14+1 in the meantime). The geopolitical dimension and incorporation of the 3SI into the US global strategy of containment, as well as the deterrence and encirclement of China and Russia devalue the positive potential of such an initiative. The role of the 3SI will likely grow since it is to be used for the integration of Ukraine into the transatlantic structures. Mateusz Morawiecki summed it up laconically: “There is no Three Seas without Ukraine.”
Poland aspires to become a regional hegemon with the strongest armed forces in continental Europe. Warsaw wants to have 300,000 troops by 2035, which would turn the country into a European military superpower. The Poles support pro-Western tendencies in the post-Soviet space, thus strengthening their role in the expansion of NATO and EU eastward. The Polish ambitions are used by Washington to militarise the CEE region and to press moderate actors in Europe such as Germany or France to join the campaign against Russia. Warsaw thus bears a great deal of responsibility for the growing division and animosity between Russia and Europe, and for the coma of the Europeansʼ strategic autonomy. Poland could play a much more constructive role if it focused on the development of strategic autonomy, including some form of European joint military. Warsaw’s dependence on its overseas ally will never allow Europe to grow into a self-confident actor living up to her own interests.
https://libya360.wordpress.com/2023/03/ ... ation-war/
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From Cassad's Telegram account:
forwarded from
War on fakes
2:06
Fake: The Russian Armed Forces launched a massive air and missile attack on the civilian population of one of the Ukrainian cities. The corresponding footage appeared on Twitter.
Truth: The video being circulated was edited from a video filmed in March 2003 of the US military launching cruise missile strikes on the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. More than 2,000 people died at the hands of the Americans. On the video frames, you can see a local landmark - the Swords of Cadisia, and the person who captured what is happening on camera clearly does not speak a language from the Slavic group.
It is noteworthy that Western sources (the fake is written in English) publish footage of American war crimes, passing them off as the actions of the RF Armed Forces.
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Colonelcassad
Frustrated offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Polozhsko-Orekhovsky direction
On March 23-24, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine planned to launch a counteroffensive in the Zaporozhye direction. According to the enemy's plan, the main blow was to fall on the Orekhovsky sector : a strike force was created in the city up to a reinforced battalion tactical group.
According to @ZSU_Hunter_2_0 , the command of the 58th Combined Arms Army of the RF Armed Forces decided to inflict massive fire damage on exposed enemy positions and warehouses. The offensive was thwarted before it even started.
From 21.00 to midnight on March 22, hotels and schools were hit in the city, which were used to accommodate personnel of both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the recently formed assault brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Chervona Kalina" - in total, more than 20 targets were covered .
Several warehouses with ammunition, artillery shells, ATGMs, and equipment parking were put out of action.
Estimated losses of the enemy reach half a thousand people killed and wounded. The Internet was turned off in the city to prevent information leaks. The wounded are taken out through Zaliznichnoe towards Gulyaipole .
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forwarded from
Voenkor Kitten Z
Military expert Boris Rozhin on the situation in the Artemovsky direction at 21.40 March 23, 2023, especially for the Voenkor Kotenok Z @voenkorKotenok channel :
1.
To the north-west of the city, battles continued for Orekhovo-Vasilyevka and Bogdanovka . Both settlements are still held by the enemy. Reinforcements are constantly transferred here at the expense of reserves taken from other directions.
2.
Khromovo is still held by the enemy, incl. due to reinforcements taken from the Kharkov direction . Roads through Khromovo- under constant artillery fire, it is possible to pass, but at risk. Part of the supply was rebuilt on primers. The slush has a significant impact on the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine between Krasnoye and Khromovo .
3.
To the south of the city, fighting continues on the near approaches to Krasnoye and to the west of Kleshcheevka and Kurdyumovka . So far, ours have not been able to seriously enter Krasnoe , and the enemy, in turn, has not been able to throw ours away from Krasnoe in order to unblock the road. These efforts are expected to intensify in the near future.
4.
In the city itself, fighting continues in the southern part of the industrial zone of the AZOM plant, near the city center and in the southern quarters.
The pace of advancement is low due to the fierce resistance of the enemy, as Prigozhin once again pointed out today.
5.
The enemy grouping in Artemovsk reaches 15 thousand people, and the total number in the Artemovsky direction is 75-80 thousand people. And due to the transferred reserves, its number is increasing, including to the detriment of operations in the Kupyansky , Svatovsky and Krasnolimansky directions.
***
Colonelcassad
The battle for Avdiivka
situation as of 20.00 March 23, 2023
In the north of Avdiivka, soldiers of the 132nd separate guards motorized rifle brigade of the RF Armed Forces (formerly the 3rd Gorlovskaya brigade of the NM of the DPR) have advanced west of Novobakhmutovka in recent days , completely clearing the settlement from the presence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
South of Novobakhmutovka and northeast of Krasnogorovka, Russian units built on their success, knocking out Ukrainian formations from two strongholds. Now the Armed Forces of Ukraine hold positions in the forest belt near one of the sections of the H20 highway and are in a semi-encirclement.
Positional battles near the railway continue northwest of Avdiivka. After the sortie of the RF Armed Forces in Petrovskoe (Stepovoye), the Armed Forces of Ukraine transferred reserves and forced the Russian military personnel out of the railway line. At the same time, the fighters of the RF Armed Forces expanded the zone of control along the railway.
Mutual artillery shelling continues to the west and southwest. Servicemen of the RF Armed Forces are shelling the areas of concentration of Ukrainian formations in Lastochkino , Thin and Severny .
***
Colonelcassad
On preparations for landing on the left bank of the Dnieper
A few days ago, the White House announced the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukraine, which included an unnamed amount of ammunition of various calibers, precision-guided missiles and uniforms, as well as river boats.
Why is the specific number of transferred weapons not indicated?
If earlier the Americans indicated the exact number of shells and shots for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, now the situation is different. In the press releases of the White House and the Pentagon, only the type and name are present. To some extent, this may be due to the presence of problems in the production of ammunition - in the West , military-industrial capacities have been intensified to replenish stocks. And the lack of specific data is intended to hide the existing shortage.
At the same time, it is possible that in the United States they simply comply with the requirements of secrecy, saying only what the public needs to know. Each official announcement of a new package comes after a few weeks (sometimes months)after the actual transfer. However, thanks to such press releases, one can understand the immediate plans of the Ukrainian authorities, and the appearance of boats in the list is not accidental .
Why were the boats handed over?
Boats are actively used by Ukrainian formations to force rivers and water barriers. They are agile, fast and have a large range. Depending on the type of boat, both the speed and the number of personnel transported vary.
The latest military aid package does not specify the type or quantity, so theoretically it could be absolutely any riverine boat type and in quite a large number.
How will they be used?
Earlier, we wrote that before preparing for the main offensive, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are considering the scenario of conducting several false attacks on the left bank of the Dnieper to divert Russian troops and hinder their ability to maneuver and transfer to other sectors.
And the situation has not changed much since then. For the past few months, Ukrainian formations have been continuously conducting aerial reconnaissance from the Kinburn Spit to Energodar . In various parts of the left bank of the Dnieper, DRGs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting sorties , just using small-sized boats.
A new batch in an unspecified amount will most likely be distributed among units near the Dnieper and the coast.Kakhovka reservoir . A little over a month ago, several boats were already delivered to the port of Kherson .
That is, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing for an operation on the left bank?
According to the characteristic signs, everything looks exactly like this. On the right bank from Ochakov to Nikopol there are up to 15 thousand people from various units of the regular army and the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In Bereznegovatoy , 63 OMBRs are being re-equipped, and in Mikhailovka , northwest of Nikolaev , the 22nd mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is being formed.
The activity of reconnaissance drones has increased along the Dnieper. At least two Scan Eagle UAVs operate from Ochakov on a permanent basis . Turkish UAVs "Bayraktar" are on patrol from the airfields of Kulbakino and Kanatovo .
Also, tactical planes and army aviation helicopters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fly daily along the Dnieper from the vicinity of Krivoy Rog and Voznesensk , and firing positions of the MLRS are also equipped. They conduct combined shelling of positions of the RF Armed Forces with unguided rockets and rockets.
When will the attack be?
Western curators are driving the leadership of Ukraine into the offensive. The leaders of the NATO countries need to demonstrate the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their weapons at the front. The offensive will most likely begin after the ground hardens and the armored vehicles can move freely.
On the eve of the assault, DRG sorties are activated in various areas, including in the Kherson region, to mislead and divert attention from the main direction.
Strikes on rear targets with high-precision weapons will resume, and engineering units will begin to prepare the area for the advance of troops and equipment. In addition, bridge layers for these purposes have already been delivered .
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Colonelcassad
NATO activity.
1. In Finland, patrolling of the airspace by NATO aircraft begins. This will certainly require further work to strengthen the northwestern borders of the country.
2. Repair of German 155-mm self-propelled guns will be transferred from the Baltic States to Slovakia in order to reduce the logistical shoulder and, accordingly, reduce the time required to repair damaged and broken howitzers (up to 50% of their losses are non-combat reasons).
3. Slovakia transferred 4 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. In total, it is planned to transfer 11 or 12. Well, Poland will also catch up there. Actually, the planes were delivered earlier, but now it is already open. It can be assumed that at least some of the machines will be adapted for the use of NATO missiles.
4. Also recently, Macedonia handed over to Ukraine 4 Su-25 attack aircraft in poor condition, which Ukraine once sold to Macedonia. Even such ones will do for Ukraine, since the fleet of its own attack aircraft is close to exhaustion, and the possibilities for cannibalization have also greatly decreased.
5. Ukrainian sources report receiving a large batch of drones from Taiwan, in addition to other purchases. As many have already realized, in the current realities, the front devours thousands, and requires tens of thousands of drones.
29
https://t.me/s/boris_rozhin
Google Translator
POSTED BY @NSANZO ⋅ 03/24/2023
Original Article: Dmitry Astrajan / Izvestia
From the positions it occupies in Avdeevka, the opponent fires hundreds of shells daily in the direction, for example, of Donetsk. In eight years, kyiv has turned this town into a fortress. Trenches have been dug and communication passages created between buildings and isolated areas, numerous cement fortifications and artillery positions have been built. Now, Russian units are systematically trying to hit the defenses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this area in order to advance. Izvestia correspondents have visited the positions of the 1st Slavyansk Motorized Brigade of the Donetsk Army Corps to see with their own eyes how the battles in this direction take place and what role artillery coordination work plays.
“I have been traveling on this bird since 2014. I am sure that we will enter Avdeevka on him. There is very little left, a small barrier and we are there”, explains the mechanic and driver of the Gvozdika self-propelled artillery vehicle of the 1st Slavyansk brigade, with the nom de guerre Shustry and trying to talk about the sound of the engine running. "Niu York [Ukraine's name for Novgorodske] is already on the other side of the hill." The soldier brought the self-propelled gun to its firing position and while the personnel and journalists got out of the armored vehicle, he rested for a moment. Of course, there is also room inside, at least for the staff, but it is necessary to look at the sky, so they usually walk around the outside, leaning on their waists.
The fast and maneuverable Gvozdika self-propelled artillery is now supporting the offensive on Avdeevka with fire. For work safety, it is important to quickly get into the line of fire, get the job done, and get out just as quickly. Shustry maneuvers smoothly between the shell craters and burned debris from the explosions, positioning the vehicle exactly where it is needed between the mounds. It seems that the sunny weather has dried the floor and simplified the task, but things are not so simple. Visibility has improved and it is becoming easier for Ukrainian drones to detect vehicles. The counter-battery radars indicate the search area.
The personnel orients the vehicle and begins aiming the cannon. Grad rocket discharges are clearly audible on the other side of the mound, and flashes and flares are observed in the sky between earth and sun. Isto is not very good for us, because it draws extra attention to the area from which the shots are coming. But this section of the contact line is so narrow that it is not measured in kilometers but in buildings and structures. They go one after another; towns, industrial zones, more towns. This urban agglomeration seems to have no end. And every building is an obstacle. For example, one of the mines is a short distance away, and its ventilation shaft had until recently stayed in the enemy's fortified area. It has now been recaptured, but the battle continues in the adjacent buildings.
The cannon opens fire, rapidly firing four shells. By the time the cannon is fixed in the circular position, all personnel are already positioned on the armored vehicle, it is impossible to stay in this place.
“We have shot well, all the objectives that we have been given have been achieved”, Evgeny rejoices as he jumps out of the vehicle. He, like his driver, has been fighting since 2014 and has been a member of this unit since 2015. In addition to him, his family has one of his sons and two nephews in the war.
The vehicle starts and quickly leaves the positions. The unit commander, sitting in the front, suddenly points to something and warns the driver with a tap on the shoulder. There is a Ukrainian bird in the sky, a drone. The race begins. Considering that it is not a weaponized drone, it will be used to direct the artillery. That will take a while, especially against a moving target. In one fell swoop we jump onto the asphalt, where it will be possible to go at full speed. We stopped seeing the aerial enemy. The anti-aircraft defense begins to fire from their positions on the ground, a rocket goes out, then two more.
“Damage has been inflicted on the platoon's stronghold, undermining our progress in the direction of Avdeevka. The boys, the infantry, are doing a good job, they are advancing, they are trying. To support them, to give them the opportunity to take as much territory as possible while suffering the fewest casualties, it is necessary for the gunners to work at the highest level: precise aiming, speed, courage and audacity," explains Viktor, an artillery officer in the First Division. Brigade of the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.
Next to the shed where we chatted, the soldiers quickly load shells into the recently returned vehicle, which leaves for a new task. Viktor says that each combat unit makes up to thirty sorties a day to attack. Advancing requires constant fire support and the gunners try to meet that task.
https://slavyangrad.es/2023/03/24/avdee ... more-26910
Google Translator
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PENTAGON ESTABLISHES A PERMANENT MILITARY GARRISON IN POLAND
23 Mar 2023 , 1:21 pm .
The garrison in Poland is seen as a new US Army headquarters in the European country (Photo: Leonhard Foeger / Reuters)
On March 21, the first permanent US military garrison was inaugurated in Poland, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) country that has the longest border with Ukraine, some 500 kilometers.
This execution comes amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine based on an order issued by President Joe Biden in 2022, as Russia continues its special military operation.
Since August 2020, with almost 10,000 US soldiers currently deployed there, the presence of Pentagon troops on Polish soil has not stopped growing.
Sputnik quotes the Polish Ministry of Defense on the targets of the US Army-Polish Garrison (USAG-P):
"His main task is to coordinate and supervise US ground forces in Europe, as well as deal with operational planning, cooperation and synchronization of the actions of US troops with the troops of other NATO countries."
From the Pentagon the garrison in Poland is considered as a new headquarters of the US army in the European country. Today there are a total of 13 US military bases in that Slavic country.
Apart from the USAG-P there are seven more on European soil:
Benelux , located in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Headquarters supports the international military community, including Supreme Headquarters, the Allied Powers, Europe and NATO.
Ansbach , located in the Franconian region of southwestern Germany.
Bavaria , made up of two facilities and two communities in Germany.
Rheinland-Pfalz , located in another area in the southwest of the same German country.
Stuttgart , made up of five facilities spread across that city's large metropolitan area.
Wiesbaden , home of the US Army Headquarters for Europe and Africa, serving 15 installations and residential areas in and around the German city.
Italy .
https://misionverdad.com/pentagono-esta ... en-polonia
Google Translator
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Hungary Rejects UK's Sending Depleted Uranium Shells To Kiev
Head of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Gergely Gulyas. Mar. 23, 2023. | Photo: Twitter/@yasminalombaert
Published 23 March 2023 (14 hours 21 minutes ago)
Sending depleted uranium shells would not lead to a de-escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Gergely Gulyas said.
The head of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Gergely Gulyas, said Thursday that Budapest opposes the UK's decision to supply depleted uranium shells to Ukraine.
"Hungary does not support any action that could lead to an escalation of the war," Gulyas said in remarks to the press.
Sending depleted uranium shells would not lead to a de-escalation of the current conflict in Ukraine, the diplomat said, adding that Hungary does not recommend its use to anyone.
The Head of the Prime Minister's Office reaffirmed Hungary's commitment to stay out of the conflict. The European country is not involved in arms deliveries as it calls for a ceasefire and peace talks, Gulyas said.
Previously, UK Secretary of State for Defense Annabel Goldie announced the decision of the British authorities to send shells containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.
Such a move has been strongly opposed by Russia, with President Vladimir Putin warning that Moscow will respond accordingly as the West is beginning to use weapons with a nuclear component.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Hun ... -0013.html
Western Sanctions Aim To Make Russian People Suffer: Mishustin
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. | Photo: Twitter/ @renemassmedia
Published 23 March 2023
The Prime Minister explained that the U.S. and its allies seek to bring down the Russian financial system.
On Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that Western sanctions against his country aim to make the Russian people suffer.
"The West insists that the sanctions are not aimed against our citizens. Now, even a person far from global politics understands that their main target is the Russian people," Mishustin said during his annual report to the Lower House (the Duma).
He explained that these sanctions seek to bring down the Russian financial system so that citizens cannot use bank cards and buy products from international businesses, which the West forced to withdraw from Russian territory.
“These coercive policies seek to cause mass unemployment, reduce the living standard, and block all economic activities in our country,” Mishustin pointed out, recalling that the U.S.-backed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) even blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines to reduce exports of Russian gas.
"The West always stresses the inviolability and sanctity of private property. However, it currently seizes our citizens' money only because they come from Russia," he highlighted.
Last year, analysts estimated that Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) would likely fall into double digits after the economic sanctions. The descent, however, was moderate.
"It has not been easy, but we have resisted," Mishustin stated, recalling that Russia had to take initiatives, such as expanding the use of national currencies with its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EUE), to counter the impact of sanctions.
"Some international organizations now predict that Russia will reach higher GDP growth rates than developed countries by 2024," the Prime Minister welcomed.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Wes ... -0011.html
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Paradoxes of Polandʼs Rise: Regional Integration & War
Posted by INTERNATIONALIST 360° on MARCH 23, 2023
Ladislav Zemanek
Polandʼs role in Central and Eastern European affairs has been strengthening. The country is a pillar of NATOʼs presence in the region and is among Washington’s closest allies. Its role has been further elevated in connection with the conflict in Ukraine, in which Warsaw has played an active part since the very beginning. Instead of escalating the war and deepening the divisions between Russia and Europe, the country could use its growth and potential to promote the development of European strategic autonomy, writes Valdai Club expert Ladislav Zemánek.
Warsaw has been one of the engines of Western assistance to Ukraine. The Polish Prime Minister―together with his Czech and Slovenian counterparts―paid a visit to Kiev less than three weeks after the launch of the special military operation, thus triggering an avalanche of these favourite tours of Western politicians to the Ukrainian capital. The conflict in the adjacent country has accelerated the implementation of the long-term priorities set by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party after it succeeded in gaining control of the domestic political scene in 2015. The National Security Strategy does not leave room for doubts. Russiaʼs “neo-imperial policy” must be resisted through the strengthening of NATO and EU capabilities, the deepening of transatlantic ties, as well as the further expansion of both organisations eastward. Warsaw wants to develop strategic cooperation with Washington while actively shaping the regional political, economic and military landscape through a variety of instruments.
Integrating the region militarily
The first of them is the Bucharest Nine (B9). This grouping was set up in 2015 to strengthen the security and military ties between the nine post-communist NATO countries stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, boost NATO’s military presence along its eastern flank, and promote the incorporation of other countries―originally Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, now also Finland and Sweden―into the alliance. The orientation of the initiative is obvious from the open US support. The B9 summits held in May 2021 and February 2023 were attended by Joe Biden. Warsaw, nevertheless, does not limit itself to the NATO members, for it tends to perceive the post-Soviet states from Transcaucasia to the Baltics as pertaining to its sphere of interest, which is to be rid of Russian influence. That is why Poland actively supports the Eastern Partnership, which was launched in 2009 to integrate these post-Soviet states into the EU. The European Peace Facility has delivered the security and military aspects of this initiative. At present, it provides financing to military operations in seven countries, including Ukraine.
The prospect of more post-Soviet countries joining NATO remains rather remote. However, it is not excluded that Poland, in conjunction with other CEE partners, could enhance joint military cooperation through such instruments as the B9, as well as bilateral or multilateral agreements similar to that between Azerbaijan and Türkiye (originally concluded in 2010, it is being expanded based on the 2021 Shusha Declaration), as well as forming joint units. Warsaw already has experience of such a kind. In 2009 Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine signed an agreement on the establishment of a joint brigade. Even though it took several years to make the unit operational, the structure exists and can serve as a model for military cooperation between NATO and non-NATO actors. Military integration in the region has been supplemented with political structures. In addition to the Interparliamentary Assembly, which was established in 2005, the Lublin Triangle was set up three years ago.
Revival of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?
The beginnings of the organisation were affected by the pandemic, so one can expect more activity from the development in the future. The three countries do not conceal that the Lublin Triangle draws upon the heritage of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was once one of the largest empires in Europe. Polish influence expanded to the shores of the Black Sea, and King Sigismund was powerful enough to meddle in Moscowʼs affairs during the Time of Troubles and installed his son as tsar of Russia. These historical episodes of Polish expansionism may inspire the present ambitions, provoke culture wars in the Baltic States, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and other vulnerable countries, and destabilise the region. The Lublin Triangleʼs presidential summit, held in January in Lvov, declared the need for the conquest of Crimea and the Donbass, the admission of Ukraine to both the EU and NATO, as well as the establishment of an international tribunal for Russian “war criminals”. Warsaw used the summit to announce its decision to supply Kiev with Leopard tanks, which expanded the scope of military equipment provided by NATO allies.
The political and military collaboration within the Lublin Triangle, however, goes beyond its territory. It established ties with the opposition in Belarus. Svetlana Tikhanovskaia, as the head of the Coordination Council of Belarus (which gains increasing legitimacy among Western politicians), supports the inclusion of the country in the Lublin Triangle. Poland serves as a base of operations for the Association of Security Forces of Belarus, an organisation whose aim is to overthrow the Belarusian government and install a new cabinet led by Tikhanovskaia. All these activities are heading for the repetition of the tragic Ukrainian scenario. However, Western politicians should be aware that Belarus is not Ukraine; the country belongs to the Union State―and Moscow will hardly tolerate attempts to take control over this territory.
The fight for Trimarium
Last but not least, Polish representatives eagerly promote the Three Seas Initiative (3SI). The platform follows the interwar idea of the Trimarium in its bid for the integration of the space delimited by the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas. It could be a useful tool for the development of infrastructure and multifaceted regional interaction; however, such positive content has been pushed aside by geopolitical interests. Washingtonʼs support for the 3SI has been reaffirmed many times, starting from Donald Trumpʼs participation in the 2017 summit and ending with a 2020 resolution of the US House of Representatives. The document explicitly connected the 3SI with US national security, making a commitment to generous financial support to the project to counter Russian energy projects such as Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream, as well as Chinaʼs Belt & Road Initiative and 17+1 (which reduced to 14+1 in the meantime). The geopolitical dimension and incorporation of the 3SI into the US global strategy of containment, as well as the deterrence and encirclement of China and Russia devalue the positive potential of such an initiative. The role of the 3SI will likely grow since it is to be used for the integration of Ukraine into the transatlantic structures. Mateusz Morawiecki summed it up laconically: “There is no Three Seas without Ukraine.”
Poland aspires to become a regional hegemon with the strongest armed forces in continental Europe. Warsaw wants to have 300,000 troops by 2035, which would turn the country into a European military superpower. The Poles support pro-Western tendencies in the post-Soviet space, thus strengthening their role in the expansion of NATO and EU eastward. The Polish ambitions are used by Washington to militarise the CEE region and to press moderate actors in Europe such as Germany or France to join the campaign against Russia. Warsaw thus bears a great deal of responsibility for the growing division and animosity between Russia and Europe, and for the coma of the Europeansʼ strategic autonomy. Poland could play a much more constructive role if it focused on the development of strategic autonomy, including some form of European joint military. Warsaw’s dependence on its overseas ally will never allow Europe to grow into a self-confident actor living up to her own interests.
https://libya360.wordpress.com/2023/03/ ... ation-war/
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From Cassad's Telegram account:
forwarded from
War on fakes
2:06
Fake: The Russian Armed Forces launched a massive air and missile attack on the civilian population of one of the Ukrainian cities. The corresponding footage appeared on Twitter.
Truth: The video being circulated was edited from a video filmed in March 2003 of the US military launching cruise missile strikes on the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. More than 2,000 people died at the hands of the Americans. On the video frames, you can see a local landmark - the Swords of Cadisia, and the person who captured what is happening on camera clearly does not speak a language from the Slavic group.
It is noteworthy that Western sources (the fake is written in English) publish footage of American war crimes, passing them off as the actions of the RF Armed Forces.
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Colonelcassad
Frustrated offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Polozhsko-Orekhovsky direction
On March 23-24, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine planned to launch a counteroffensive in the Zaporozhye direction. According to the enemy's plan, the main blow was to fall on the Orekhovsky sector : a strike force was created in the city up to a reinforced battalion tactical group.
According to @ZSU_Hunter_2_0 , the command of the 58th Combined Arms Army of the RF Armed Forces decided to inflict massive fire damage on exposed enemy positions and warehouses. The offensive was thwarted before it even started.
From 21.00 to midnight on March 22, hotels and schools were hit in the city, which were used to accommodate personnel of both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the recently formed assault brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Chervona Kalina" - in total, more than 20 targets were covered .
Several warehouses with ammunition, artillery shells, ATGMs, and equipment parking were put out of action.
Estimated losses of the enemy reach half a thousand people killed and wounded. The Internet was turned off in the city to prevent information leaks. The wounded are taken out through Zaliznichnoe towards Gulyaipole .
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forwarded from
Voenkor Kitten Z
Military expert Boris Rozhin on the situation in the Artemovsky direction at 21.40 March 23, 2023, especially for the Voenkor Kotenok Z @voenkorKotenok channel :
1.
To the north-west of the city, battles continued for Orekhovo-Vasilyevka and Bogdanovka . Both settlements are still held by the enemy. Reinforcements are constantly transferred here at the expense of reserves taken from other directions.
2.
Khromovo is still held by the enemy, incl. due to reinforcements taken from the Kharkov direction . Roads through Khromovo- under constant artillery fire, it is possible to pass, but at risk. Part of the supply was rebuilt on primers. The slush has a significant impact on the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine between Krasnoye and Khromovo .
3.
To the south of the city, fighting continues on the near approaches to Krasnoye and to the west of Kleshcheevka and Kurdyumovka . So far, ours have not been able to seriously enter Krasnoe , and the enemy, in turn, has not been able to throw ours away from Krasnoe in order to unblock the road. These efforts are expected to intensify in the near future.
4.
In the city itself, fighting continues in the southern part of the industrial zone of the AZOM plant, near the city center and in the southern quarters.
The pace of advancement is low due to the fierce resistance of the enemy, as Prigozhin once again pointed out today.
5.
The enemy grouping in Artemovsk reaches 15 thousand people, and the total number in the Artemovsky direction is 75-80 thousand people. And due to the transferred reserves, its number is increasing, including to the detriment of operations in the Kupyansky , Svatovsky and Krasnolimansky directions.
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Colonelcassad
The battle for Avdiivka
situation as of 20.00 March 23, 2023
In the north of Avdiivka, soldiers of the 132nd separate guards motorized rifle brigade of the RF Armed Forces (formerly the 3rd Gorlovskaya brigade of the NM of the DPR) have advanced west of Novobakhmutovka in recent days , completely clearing the settlement from the presence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
South of Novobakhmutovka and northeast of Krasnogorovka, Russian units built on their success, knocking out Ukrainian formations from two strongholds. Now the Armed Forces of Ukraine hold positions in the forest belt near one of the sections of the H20 highway and are in a semi-encirclement.
Positional battles near the railway continue northwest of Avdiivka. After the sortie of the RF Armed Forces in Petrovskoe (Stepovoye), the Armed Forces of Ukraine transferred reserves and forced the Russian military personnel out of the railway line. At the same time, the fighters of the RF Armed Forces expanded the zone of control along the railway.
Mutual artillery shelling continues to the west and southwest. Servicemen of the RF Armed Forces are shelling the areas of concentration of Ukrainian formations in Lastochkino , Thin and Severny .
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Colonelcassad
On preparations for landing on the left bank of the Dnieper
A few days ago, the White House announced the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukraine, which included an unnamed amount of ammunition of various calibers, precision-guided missiles and uniforms, as well as river boats.
Why is the specific number of transferred weapons not indicated?
If earlier the Americans indicated the exact number of shells and shots for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, now the situation is different. In the press releases of the White House and the Pentagon, only the type and name are present. To some extent, this may be due to the presence of problems in the production of ammunition - in the West , military-industrial capacities have been intensified to replenish stocks. And the lack of specific data is intended to hide the existing shortage.
At the same time, it is possible that in the United States they simply comply with the requirements of secrecy, saying only what the public needs to know. Each official announcement of a new package comes after a few weeks (sometimes months)after the actual transfer. However, thanks to such press releases, one can understand the immediate plans of the Ukrainian authorities, and the appearance of boats in the list is not accidental .
Why were the boats handed over?
Boats are actively used by Ukrainian formations to force rivers and water barriers. They are agile, fast and have a large range. Depending on the type of boat, both the speed and the number of personnel transported vary.
The latest military aid package does not specify the type or quantity, so theoretically it could be absolutely any riverine boat type and in quite a large number.
How will they be used?
Earlier, we wrote that before preparing for the main offensive, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are considering the scenario of conducting several false attacks on the left bank of the Dnieper to divert Russian troops and hinder their ability to maneuver and transfer to other sectors.
And the situation has not changed much since then. For the past few months, Ukrainian formations have been continuously conducting aerial reconnaissance from the Kinburn Spit to Energodar . In various parts of the left bank of the Dnieper, DRGs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting sorties , just using small-sized boats.
A new batch in an unspecified amount will most likely be distributed among units near the Dnieper and the coast.Kakhovka reservoir . A little over a month ago, several boats were already delivered to the port of Kherson .
That is, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing for an operation on the left bank?
According to the characteristic signs, everything looks exactly like this. On the right bank from Ochakov to Nikopol there are up to 15 thousand people from various units of the regular army and the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In Bereznegovatoy , 63 OMBRs are being re-equipped, and in Mikhailovka , northwest of Nikolaev , the 22nd mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is being formed.
The activity of reconnaissance drones has increased along the Dnieper. At least two Scan Eagle UAVs operate from Ochakov on a permanent basis . Turkish UAVs "Bayraktar" are on patrol from the airfields of Kulbakino and Kanatovo .
Also, tactical planes and army aviation helicopters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fly daily along the Dnieper from the vicinity of Krivoy Rog and Voznesensk , and firing positions of the MLRS are also equipped. They conduct combined shelling of positions of the RF Armed Forces with unguided rockets and rockets.
When will the attack be?
Western curators are driving the leadership of Ukraine into the offensive. The leaders of the NATO countries need to demonstrate the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their weapons at the front. The offensive will most likely begin after the ground hardens and the armored vehicles can move freely.
On the eve of the assault, DRG sorties are activated in various areas, including in the Kherson region, to mislead and divert attention from the main direction.
Strikes on rear targets with high-precision weapons will resume, and engineering units will begin to prepare the area for the advance of troops and equipment. In addition, bridge layers for these purposes have already been delivered .
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Colonelcassad
NATO activity.
1. In Finland, patrolling of the airspace by NATO aircraft begins. This will certainly require further work to strengthen the northwestern borders of the country.
2. Repair of German 155-mm self-propelled guns will be transferred from the Baltic States to Slovakia in order to reduce the logistical shoulder and, accordingly, reduce the time required to repair damaged and broken howitzers (up to 50% of their losses are non-combat reasons).
3. Slovakia transferred 4 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. In total, it is planned to transfer 11 or 12. Well, Poland will also catch up there. Actually, the planes were delivered earlier, but now it is already open. It can be assumed that at least some of the machines will be adapted for the use of NATO missiles.
4. Also recently, Macedonia handed over to Ukraine 4 Su-25 attack aircraft in poor condition, which Ukraine once sold to Macedonia. Even such ones will do for Ukraine, since the fleet of its own attack aircraft is close to exhaustion, and the possibilities for cannibalization have also greatly decreased.
5. Ukrainian sources report receiving a large batch of drones from Taiwan, in addition to other purchases. As many have already realized, in the current realities, the front devours thousands, and requires tens of thousands of drones.
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