Ukraine – 12/28 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
December 28, 2022
Russia’s War on the Libraries
Along with hospitals, clinics especially maternity clinics, libraries are a major target for Russian missile attacks. This article, from the Guardian, entitled “ ‘Our Mission is Crucial’: Meet the Warrior Librarians of Ukraine,” describes the effort to save Ukraine’s cultural patrimony from Russian assaults based solely on its destruction. It is worth reading in it its entirety, but here are a few excerpts:
“As American forces learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, if you lose on the cultural front, military and economic dominance swiftly erode…….. But at its core, and from its origin, this Ukrainian conflict has been a war over language and identity. And Ukraine’s libraries are the key.”
“There has never been a war in which poetry has mattered more. In the earliest days of the invasion, the Russian film star Sergei Bezrukov gave a sensational reading of Alexander Pushkin’s 1831 masterpiece, To the Slanderers of Russia, on his Telegram channel. That great poem is a warning to foreigners about involving themselves in Eastern European wars. “Your eyes are all unable to read our history’s bloody table,” Pushkin warned two centuries ago. “Slavonic kin among themselves contending, an ancient household strife, oft judged but still unending.” In response, the Ukraine rapper Potap posted: “I understand that quote is a classic,” he rhymed. “You are not brothers but enemies.” Bezrukov was saying to the west: “You don’t understand.” Potap’s answer was to Russians: “No, you don’t understand.” “
“Most wars are fought over who will define the future. The Ukrainian war is a struggle over who will define the past. Is Ukrainian identity real or a fiction? That is the fundamental question of the conflict. The Ukrainians have given their answer.”
“Russians have destroyed more than 300 state and university libraries since the start of the war. In May, the National Library conducted an online survey on the state of its system. By then, 19 libraries were already completely destroyed, 115 partially destroyed and 124 permanently damaged. The Russians have destroyed libraries in Mariupol, Volnovakha, Chernihiv, Sievierodonetsk, Bucha, Hostomel, Irpin and Borodianka, along with the cities they served. They have destroyed several thousand school libraries at least.” NOTE – Kharkiv, Ukraine’s 2nd city, is a university town especially famous for its science and law faculties. Many scientific research projects taking place in Kharkiv’s universities that have been destroyed.
“Anna Kijas, a music librarian at Tufts University in the US, tweeted on 26 February her plans to hold a “data rescue event” for Ukrainian archives. Colleagues at Stanford and the Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities and Cultural Heritage stepped up, and together they launched Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online, or Sucho, on 1 March. By the end of the first week of that month, Sucho had more than 1,000 volunteers, many working 12-hour days on furlough from regular jobs. By the middle of March they were coordinating with the Ministry of Culture in Ukraine, the International Federation of Library Associations, the International Council of Museums and the Memory of the World division of Unesco.”
“Cat Buchatskiy, 21, an international security student at Stanford, founded the Shadows Project, which, before the war, worked to alter the historical record to support a Ukrainian rather than a Russian reading of cultural history, arguing, for instance, that museums should describe the suprematist painter Kazimir Malevich as a Ukrainian artist rather than a Soviet one. In February, she suspended her semester at Stanford and started raising money for bombproof cabinets and fireproof blankets. Ukraine libraries also need more basic supplies, like generators and cardboard boxes.” NOTE – The Journalism Faculty at Taras Shevchenko University has a collection of Ukrainian language newspapers from the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Very little of it has been digitized; the newspapers themselves are in such poor condition that they are almost impossible to handle.
“Meanwhile, the business of libraries continues despite the physical destruction. They maintain the logistical network of Ukrainian culture. “The libraries follow their readers anywhere,” Bruy says. “So in Kharkiv, which is very often bombed, a lot of people live in the metro.” Librarians bring the books to them. People need to read in bomb shelters, too. That’s where they most need to read. “The library isn’t a building,” Bruy says. “The library is a community.” “ NOTE – This is a tradition that goes back at least as far as the Revolution of Dignity, where there were portable lending libraries set up for use by the protestors.
“Invaders never understand the cultural framework of the countries they invade. If they did, they wouldn’t invade. The US military’s official history of the Iraq war blamed the defeat there, in part, on “gaping holes in what the US military knew about Iraq. This ignorance included Iraqi politics, society and government – gaps that led the United States to make some deeply flawed assumptions about how the war was likely to unfold.” “
“In the war over meaning, the Russians lost on the first day. Their contention that Ukrainian identity doesn’t exist has been proven wrong no matter what happens now. The question that remains is not whether Ukrainian identity exists, but whether Russia can annihilate the Ukrainian identity it claims is nothing more than a distortion. Their assault on Ukrainian libraries has only increased as the war has developed into an act of the mass terrorisation of civilian populations.”
“In Kyiv on 10 October, the Russians bombed the Maksymovych Scientific Library of the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, the National Scientific Medical Library of Ukraine and the Kyiv city youth library.”
“No one has done more for the development of Ukrainian culture than Vladimir Putin. He has proven, more than any other figure, that Ukrainian culture is distinct and vital.”
“Meanwhile, Anatolii Khromov is hiring. There’s a new position in the Transcarpathian library system. Reading rooms are starting to open. They are resuming the work of libraries, which is to build cultures day by day, room by room, book by book. Libraries exist because the precious things they shelter – words, meanings, communities of readers – need sheltering. The precariousness of culture does not mean weakness, though. Cultures flourish in peace but define themselves in resistance. In the 21st-century wars of meanings, you do not want to be up against the librarians. They keep meaning alive.”
An Old Story Returns
I haven’t considered Denys as an anti-corruption activist, but that was before his “latest.” At around 10 minutes into his video, Denys describes a meeting between a wounded Ukrainian soldier, recovering in a hospital, and Elena Shuliak, Head of Pres. Zelenskyy’s Party in Parliament and Chair of the Urban Planning Committee.
According to Denys, Shuliak has developed something called “Project 5655,” that will take building decisions out of the hands of local communities, where decision making has resided for several years after decentralization, back to the State where, Denys theorizes likely correctly, that it will be a major source of graft.
Prior to the war, Denys said that the soldier was an activist, protesting against the construction of illegal buildings in Kyiv. When he saw the news about Project 5655 he made a post on Facebook that went viral. Shuliak came to his hospital room, unannounced and uninvited, to criticize the soldier for making the posts. Now, there are several people in the military who are asking Pres. Zelenskyy to remove Shuliak from her positions in Parliament.
There is no question that Pres. Zelenskyy is an extraordinary war leader. However, is the success Zelenskyy is having as a war leader serving to mask the business-as-usual graft being engaged in by members of his own Party, apparently including Shuliak?
The wounded soldier is likely a small example of the growing influence of veterans in the future political life of Ukraine. It is unlikely that there would many veterans answering “yes,” to the question – “Did you fight and see your comrades die, in order to make Ukraine safe to maintain the activities of Elena Shuliak?”
News From The Battlefield
“Reporting from Ukraine” mostly covers continued Ukrainian artillery assaults against Russian positions in the south, where the Russians appear have concluded that the south is where the next Ukrainian counteroffensive will take place. Meanwhile, Ukrainians are getting closer to the strategic city of Kremina, in Luhansk Oblast. Ukrainian occupation of Kremina would cut off a major Russian north-south supply route, toward both Bakhmut and Sievierodonetsk/Lysychansk.
12/28 Sitrep (my comment in bold face)
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon December 27 to 12:00 noon December 28, 2022
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
December 28
08:02 Reuters - Kosovo's Interior Minister: Russia-led Serbia seeks to destabilize the region by supporting Serbian minority riots in Kosovo settlements.
08:01 Voice of America: All official U.S. House of Representatives devices have banned the use of the Chinese video app TikTok due to security concerns, -
08:00: South Korea has sent combat drones across the border with North Korea for the first time. Such actions are a response to a similar action on the part of Pyongyang. Bloomberg claims that this is an unprecedented military move. The reaction from the DPRK has not yet been reported.
00:55 Forbes: In early January 2023, the unique comet C/2022 E3, nicknamed "Christmas", will approach Earth.
· On January 12, 2023, it will approach its perihelion - the closest point to the Sun. However, it should reach its maximum brightness around February 1, 2023. During this period, its maximum approximation to the Earth will be observed.
00:06: Ukraine is preparing to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos.
· Every year, leaders of government, business and civil society gather at this forum to discuss the situation in the world and priorities for the next year.
· The Forum will run from 16 to 20 January 2023. It will consider the prospects of Ukraine and its economic positions in the world.
December 27
23:26: Lithuania awarded this year's Freedom Prize to Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The decision was unanimously supported by all 113 Lithuanian lawmakers.
· "Today, Ukraine is a European democracy that is forced to fight for the survival of its territory, culture and people, as well as for freedom for all of us. That is why the Freedom Prize Commission proposed to present the Freedom Prize this year to the President of Ukraine for his services and the merits of the Ukrainian people in their struggle for independence, freedom, and democracy in the face of Russia's military aggression," said Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen, spokeswoman of the Lithuanian Sejm.
22:59 espreso: World media about Ukraine December 27.
The focus of international publications on December 27 was the cultural losses of Ukrainians, fears about New Year's massive missile attacks, Lavrov's threats against the Third World War and a new Ukrainian lexicon.
· The Guardian publishes an article about Ukrainian children in Crimean camps who have not been returned to their parents for months. In particular, The Guardian shares the story of a resident of Kherson who sent her 14-year-old son to a Crimean camp in Yevpatoria during the occupation of the city.
· CNN talks about the battles for Kreminna and the heavy losses of Russians in this direction. Also, about the importance of the city in the context of hostilities.
· Gazeta Wyborcza writes about the West's threats from Lavrov, which are heard despite Putin's cynical statements about his readiness for peace talks. The publication assigns Putin the role of Lord of the Rings, recalling his gift during the informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States - 9 rings, one for each participant.
22:57 Digi24: There can be no normal relations with today's Russia, says German Foreign Minister.
· "Like many Russians, we want to see a peaceful and democratic Russia that is not a threat to its neighbors. But let's have no illusions - we live in a different reality. That is why the task should be to strengthen our common security against Russia on an ongoing basis."
22:12 Bloomberg: Japanese companies plan to buy Russian LNG even without shipping coverage.
21:44 espreso: Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry summons Russia's ambassador over the search for Bellingcat journalist Hristo Grozev.
· "The meeting will discuss the ban on the study of the Bulgarian language in the regions of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation, the seizure of portraits of Bulgarian historical figures, as well as the announcement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the federal wanted list of Bulgarian investigative journalist Hristo Grozev," the message says.
21:19 Italian government website: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that she intends to pay a visit to Kyiv and invited the Head of the Ukrainian State to Rome.
20:57: The United States has donated about $50 million worth of additional power grid equipment to Ukraine, according to the U.S. Department of Defense website.
· It is also reported that the Pentagon sent two NASAMS complexes and air defense systems.
19:39 espreso: BBC presents five scenarios for the development of war in Ukraine next year.
· Among the options for the development of events:
· "Russia's spring offensive will be key."
· "Ukraine is conquering its land".
· "You can't see the end."
· "There is no other way out but to defeat Russia."
· "Expect more of the same."
The publication compiled its scripts using the statements of military analysts. Among them are Washington-based scientist and analyst Andrei Piontkovsky and deputy director of the British Institute for Strategic Studies Michael Clark.
19:09: French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornoux announces his visit to Kyiv tomorrow.
· He will meet with Alexei Reznikov.
17:40: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: He expressed gratitude to Giorgia Meloni for solidarity and comprehensive support for Ukraine. He welcomed the allocation by the Italian government of an additional 10 million euros in assistance.
· " Giorgia Meloni was informed of the consideration of providing air defense systems to protect the Ukrainian sky. We discussed the formula of peace," the President of Ukraine added.
15:58: A model of a Russian missile was installed near the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, D.C., instead of the traditional Christmas tree.
· This is also how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UAnimals draw the attention of the world community to Russia's environmental crimes.
15:46 espreso: The chairman of the defense committee of the Bundestag criticized Scholz for refusing to provide tanks to Ukraine.
· Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann noted that Germany could help Ukraine in its struggle, but the chancellor's office "has lacked freedom for months."
15:22 Local Media: The head of the Taliban's traffic safety department was blown up in Afghanistan yesterday.
· Today, a video of the explosion hit the network.
13:53 Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: Sweden has additionally allocated almost $19.2 million to support Ukraine's defense.
· The funds will be directed to the International Fund for Support of Ukraine under the leadership of the United Kingdom and used to strengthen Ukraine's military potential.
13:44 Reuters: South Korean authorities have decided to focus on setting up a military unit specializing in drones.
· The relevant decision was made after yesterday's invasion of the country's airspace by the DPRK.
13:34: The UK Ministry of Defence showed footage of Ukrainian military training in Albion.
· In early December, soldiers from Ukraine participated in tactical shooting exercises.
13:04 The National Interest: Israel does not transfer the Iron Dome air defense system to Ukraine because it fears that Russia may take possession of it and then transfer information to Iran.
· In addition, there is a second reason. Israel refrains from sending these systems to other countries as it already feels an urgent need to purchase additional systems and interceptors for its own protection.
NATIONAL
December 28
11:40 Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: In Ukraine, after a full-scale Russian invasion, more than 700 critical infrastructure facilities have been affected.
· "We are talking about gas pipelines, electrical substations, bridges," he said.
· In total, more than 35 thousand objects have been destroyed so far.
10:29 New York Times: Ukrainian military is approaching the liberation of Kreminna in the Luhansk region.
· The NYT notes that the de-occupation of the city will allow the Armed Forces to control the main roads to Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, which are (were) industrial centers of Donbass
· "The capture of the city and other settlements nearby will expand the bridgehead for Ukrainian troops in the region and give them control over the main roads leading to Severodonetsk and Lysychansk," the article says.
08:45 Institute for the Study of War: Russian Forces near Bakhmut are exhausted.
· Analysts assessed the situation and believed that events may approach the climax, as it was in Kherson. The Russian Federation is running out of resources.
08:24 DTEK: Emergency blackouts continue in Kyiv.
· In Odesa and Dnipro, there are schedules for stabilization outages.
07:07 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: During the past day, the enemy launched a missile strike and carried out 33 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems, in particular, at civilian targets in the city of Kherson.
· Ukrainian soldiers repulsed Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Ploshanka and Chervonopopivka in the Luhansk region and Dispute, Yakovlivka, Soledar, Bakhmut, Pidgorodne, Bakhmut, Andriivka, Klishchiivka, Avdiivka, Vodiane, Marinka, Pobeda and Zolota Niva in the Donetsk region.
· On December 26, because of the Ukrainian fire destruction of Russian positions in the Chaplynka area of the Kherson region, the Russians' losses amounted to about 50 servicemen killed.
· In the temporarily occupied Sevastopol, the invaders intensified their campaigning to enter military service under contract to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
· Over the past day, Ukrainian rocket scientists and artillerymen hit the control point, 7 areas of concentration of manpower and military equipment, 2 ammunition depots, as well as an important military facility of the Russian Federation.
00:30: 87% of Ukrainians do not want the restoration of the USSR — the social service of the Razumkov Centre.
· "Although the share of those who would not like the restoration of the USSR, in the South and East of the country (respectively, 72% and 81%) is somewhat lower than in the West (93%) and in the Center (89%), in all regions opponents of the restoration of the USSR make up the vast majority," sociologists noted.
December 27
23:47: In honor of the 300th anniversary of Hryhoriy Skovoroda, a new commemorative banknote will be issued in Ukraine
· An unusual uah 500 bill will be put into circulation on December 29. On its front side there will be symbolism in honor of the anniversary of the outstanding Ukrainian philosopher, theologian, poet, musician, teacher – Hryhoriy Skovoroda. This was reported by the NBU.
23:15: On January 5, the drama "Shchedryk" directed by Olesya Morhunets-Isaenko will be released in Ukraine.
· "It is difficult for us to feel the traditional spirit of Christmas, and the sounds of sirens can be louder than the sounds of carols, but we honor our traditions and are proud of our "Shchedryk" by Mykola Leontovych, who is known all over the world!" — noted in the State Film Agency.
23:05: In 8 regions, unscheduled inspections of regional power distribution companies will be carried out due to non-compliance with the schedules for turning off the light.
· The following organizations are subject to verification:
o 🔹JSC "Vinnitsaoblenergo";
o 🔹PJSC "Zakarpattyaoblenergo";
o 🔹OJSC "Ternopiloblenergo";
o 🔹AT "Khmelnytsikoblenergo";
o 🔹PJSC "Lvivoblenergo";
o 🔹JSC "DTEK Odesa Grids";
o 🔹PJSC "DTEK Kyiv Grids";
o 🔹PJSC "DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids";
o 🔹JSC Poltavaoblenergo.
22:47 Spokesperson of the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of War: Project "I want to live": every day 70-100 Russians want to surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
· "The main age category is 20-35-40 years old. Then 40+, but fewer appeals," Matvienko said.
22:26: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: This week will be important for Ukraine from a political point of view. We are entering next year and must maintain a common understanding of our national goals.
· Of course, this is the liberation of our land from the enemy, as well as the restoration of Ukraine, the return of our people home, the further rapprochement of our state with key partners, the opening of new opportunities for Ukraine in the world – this is all a task for the near future. And not only for the state, but also for each and every one of us.
20:06 espreso: Russians lost all tanks that were in service until February 24, - Defense Express expert Kirichevskiy
· To restore one tank, the Russians have to disassemble about 3-4 vehicles for spare parts, the occupiers have already lost all battle tanks in Ukraine, - Defense Express expert Ivan Kirichevsky
19:59 Forbes: In Ukraine, some men of military age may be allowed to travel abroad.
· The final decision on this issue remains with the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff.
· "We do not have a task to allow everyone to leave, our task is to help working businesses go abroad to conclude new contracts, agreements, participate in exhibitions, etc.," said Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko.
19:38 The New York Times: Explosions at Russia's Engels-2 airfield will make it harder for Russia to launch missile strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities.
· The publication notes that strikes on airfields forced Russia to move its planes, which "potentially complicates Moscow's campaign to strike with cruise missiles on Ukraine's energy system."
19:24 Prime Minister: The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has relaxed the requirements for the construction of power lines and substations during martial law. Now this does not require an environmental impact assessment.
· He noted that such a decision is necessary because of the extreme conditions in which Ukraine now finds itself because of the war.
18:29 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russian troops, despite significant losses in manpower, do not stop offensive operations in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka directions. They are trying to improve the tactical position in the Liman direction.
· Due to the significant losses of personnel, in the Luhansk region there is an increase in cases of desertion of Russian servicemen and their abandonment of combat positions.
· To maintain control over the situation, the Russian military leadership has increased the number of patrols to detain and return deserters to units.
· Units of the missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces of Ukraine during the day hit the control point, 6 areas of concentration of enemy manpower and military equipment, an ammunition depot, as well as one other important military facility.
18:09 Head of the Cybersecurity Department of the Security Service of Ukraine: Since the beginning of the year, the SBU has exposed more than 30 officials and businessmen who tried to steal the budget for digitalization.
· He also stressed that in the process of protecting state information systems, the SBU exposes and stops many corruption and other criminal schemes using digital tools.
16:55 SBGS spokesman: The State Border Guard Service does not see the formation of an offensive group of enemy troops in Belarus.
· "Belarusian units are still on strengthening the border with our country, but neither the number nor the nature of the actions of these units is changing. Belarus and Russia are constantly escalating the situation, focusing on this direction," Demchenko said.
16:27 Prime Minister: New Year's holidays in Ukraine can take place without emergency blackouts if there are no new shelling.
· The Prime Minister noted that Russia seeks not only to disable the next substation or power line. It is primarily aimed at sowing fear and panic. But she will not succeed.
15:35 press service of the Ukrainian Constitutional Court: The Constitutional Court has recognized the law of the Verkhovna Rada as constitutional, which obliges the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP} to change its name.
· This law provides that a religious organization whose governing center is located in a country recognized as an aggressor is obliged to indicate this in its name.
15:07 The Washington Post: Ukraine has captured hundreds of Russian tanks, armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles since the beginning of the war, but many pieces of equipment are in hangars, since spare parts for Russian equipment are not easy to find.
· Vadym Ustymenko, a member of the tank unit of the 25th Airborne Assault Brigade of Ukraine, said that although there were a lot of captured tanks, "there were very few serviceable ones."
· For some equipment, spare parts cannot be found at all. Constant power outages create an additional obstacle, the publication writes.
14:59 espreso: Officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Myron Dmytryk demands that Shuliak be dismissed from her post as chairman of the Verkhovna Rada's urban planning committee after she found out her relationship in the hospital with a wounded soldier.
· The military draws attention to the fact that there is no reaction from the president to this egregious case.
14:43 Ministry of Reintegration: In Ukraine, the bodies of 42 fallen defenders were returned.
· In total, the Commissioner for missing persons Oleh Kotenko has managed to return home the bodies of 869 defenders since his appointment.
13:13 press service of the Security Service of Ukraine: According to the SBU, the property of a Russian oligarch worth almost UAH 2 billion was seized.
· As a result of investigative and operational actions, together with the BEB detectives, the location of the underground warehouses of the Russian Federation was established, where more than 160 thousand tons were stored. tons of Ukrainian iron ore.
· It has been established that the found batch of iron ore belongs to the company of a Russian oligarch, who is part of the inner circle of the Kremlin's top military and political leadership, Alisher Usmanov.
· After February 24, 2022, it was sanctioned by the NSDC of Ukraine, the United States and the European Union.
13:09 espreso: The level of decline in Ukraine's GDP by the end of the year will be less than predicted in February – Ministry of Economy.
· According to the results of 2022, we have much more optimistic forecasts of economic decline than expected at the end of February – no more than 32%.
12:54 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: The United States will transfer equipment to Ukraine for the repair of Ukrainian power grids.
· U.S. officials have committed more than $53 million to support Ukraine's electricity grid.
· "The equipment we provide is critical to Ukraine's emergency repairs in the face of Russia's attacks. This support will help Ukraine restore the highway of its transmission system, which is crucial to keeping light and heat in its homes during the winter," U.S. Department of Energy officials said.
12:34 Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russia redeployed part of the aircraft from Engels airfield after the December 26 explosions.
· "Of course, there is still a certain number of aircraft there, but many of them have already been redeployed to various airfields that can receive, maintain, and maintain them."
· Yuri Ignat added that the threat of massive rocket fire had not passed. Perhaps the Russians have only made some adjustments to their plans.
12:23 Naval Forces: There are 10 Russian ships on alert in the Black Sea, including 3 carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total volley of 16 missiles, -.
MORDOR (russia)
December 28
11:32 Social Networks: Followers report a second take-off of Russian combat aircraft in Machulyshchi, Belarus.
11:14 Belarusian Gayun: In Belarus, the IL-76 A-50U took off.
December 27
21:31 Russian media: A couple of pensioners tried to set fire to the Russian military registration and enlistment office.
· At the time of the arson, DPS officers approached the scene, but even their presence did not stop the men.
18:22: Putin signed a decree on special measures in response to the establishment by several countries of restrictions on the prices of Russian oil and oil products.
· The Russian Federation stops supplying oil to countries that have joined the price embargo.
14:15: The SBU responded to Putin's gift to the presidents of the CIS countries.
· "We read that 'behind the threshold' one war criminal made 9 rings and thinks that it will help him to win. We read Tolkien and we only have bad news for him...", the SBU press service said in a statement.
14:06: Putin presented eight gold rings to the presidents of the CIS countries. He left the ninth to himself.
· On the rings from Putin, the symbols of the CIS and the inscription "With New Future 2023" are engraved, and there is also an inscription "Russia" on each ring - this is where the summit took place.
· Now Putin has another ring, to complement the 2005 Super Bowl ring that he stole from Robert Kraft, Owner of the New England Patriots/
13:29: In the Moscow region, a woman who criticized the Russian authorities and the army was pulled from a bus
· "Everything was stolen, we went to fight in rubber boots."
KHARKIV
December 28
11:01 Kharkiv RMA: Near the village of Buhaivka, Chuhuiv district, a 47-year-old man and a 7-year-old boy were blown up in the forest on an explosive device,
· "Both suffered explosive injuries and were hospitalized. Now the doctors are providing them with all the necessary assistance," he added.
10:09 Kharkiv RMA: As a result of the morning strikes of Russians on Kharkiv, a 48-year-old man received a shrapnel wound.
09:06 Mayor: Kharkiv is under fire. He urged him to stay in shelters.
08:56 Kharkiv RMA: Yesterday, Russian troops shelled the Kharkiv region with artillery, tanks, mortars, and other weapons.
· In Kupyansk, a 57-year-old woman suffered an explosive injury as a result of the shelling. Hospitalized in serious condition.
· In addition, in the Izyum district, a 23-year-old man detonated on an explosive device. He was taken to hospital in a state of moderate severity.
· The Russians hit the Slobodsky district of Kharkov with missiles.
o "SES officers went to the scene of the hit. At this moment, there is no data on the victims. The information is being clarified," he said.
00:21: The SSU handed over to the Kharkiv Historical Museum a bell from the St. John the Theological Church, which was destroyed by Russian soldiers. In the museum, the bell will remain until the church is restored.
December 27
14:26 Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office: Yesterday, at about 14:00, Russian troops struck with artillery on a residential area of the city of Kupyansk, Kharkiv region. As a result of the shelling, residential buildings were damaged.
LUHANSK
December 27
09:24 Luhansk RMA: Pro de-occupation of Luhansk region as of today:
· in addition to the military command of the Russian Federation, Kreminna has already been abandoned by Russians who came to work in the city;
· when we de-occupy Kreminna, it will be the turn of other Luhansk cities, because they are destroyed so much that they are not suitable for defense;
· after the liberation of Kreminna, there are two options for the development of events: to step on Starobilsk - the main logistics center of the region, or to help Bakhmut and go to Rubizhne and Severodonetsk to "split" the Russian grouping in this direction.
15:46 espreso: The Armed Forces of Ukraine have the advantage in Luhansk region, we will soon implement an important plan - the commander of the troop brigade Fedorenko.
· "Now the initiative is on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. With the accumulation of military equipment, we will be able to realize the general idea and gnaw off important logistics centers of the Luhansk region. And it's going to happen soon, it's not a matter of six months, it's a matter of months ahead."
DONETSK
December 28
11:51: Intelligence chief Kirill Budanov visited Bakhmut.
· In the period from December 27 to 28, the head of the Defense Intelligence Department met with Ukrainian special forces intelligence officers at the front positions.
· During the visit, Budanov defined the tasks of Ukrainian soldiers and awarded the fighters, who especially distinguished themselves in the destruction of the Russian troops.
10:51: Head of Donetsk RMA Pavlo Kyrylenko on night shelling of Donetsk region:
· "In Donetsk sector, Marinka came under fire. The night before, Avdiivka underwent a massive shelling of the old part, and at night and in the morning there were isolated arrivals throughout the city. No casualties," the statement said.
· Kyrylenko added that three people were wounded in the Horlivka direction, in Bakhmut. As a result of shelling, a high-rise building caught fire in the city.
09:42 Social Networks: Explosions are also heard in Sloviansk and Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region.
09:34 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.
08:34 Donetsk RMA: On December 27, Russians wounded 3 civilians in the Donetsk region — in Bakhmut.
00:46: In the center of Kramatorsk, on the eve of the New Year, 50 Christmas trees were planted.
· "Yes, without garlands and Christmas decorations, but they are here now forever ... Let them live contrary to all the gloomy clouds over the city," said the mayor of the city Oleksandr Honcharenko.
December 27
23:36 Donetsk RMA: In the Donetsk region, all gas boiler houses have stopped their work.
· The reason is damage to the main gas pipeline in the Kharkiv region. Repairmen are already dealing with the problem. When they fix it is unknown.
ZAPORIZHIA
December 27
13:26 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Melitopol of the Zaporizhia region.
DNIPRO
December 28
07:50 Dnipro RMA: The Russians shelled the Nikopol district 8 times during the night with "Grads" and heavy artillery. They hit three communities - Nikopol, Marganets and Chervonohryhorivska.
· According to him, the Chervonohryhorivska community suffered the most. Russian shells damaged a dozen private houses and outbuildings, a shop, a car, four gas pipelines and two power lines there. 20 solar panels were beaten.
KHERSON
December 28
09:15 Kherson RMA: Russian troops shelled the territory of Kherson region 50 times over the past day
· The Russians attacked the city of Kherson 23 times. Russian shells hit a medical facility, a kindergarten, a bakery, warehouses, private and apartment buildings.
· Last day, three people were injured of varying degrees of severity due to Russian shelling.
09:59: Big boards appeared in Irpin, in gratitude to world leaders for supporting Ukraine.
December 27
22:27 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
21:12 Social Networks: Explosions are reported in Beryslav, Kherson region.
20:25: The President's Office confirmed the shelling of the maternity ward in Kherson by Russians.
· "They fired at the place where 2 children were born today. Before the attack, doctors managed to complete a cesarean section. The institution has 5 women after childbirth. Miraculously, no one was injured. Both doctors and patients were in shelter," the statement said.
20:10 Local Journalist Constantin Ruzenko: In Kherson, Russians shelled a maternity hospital.
18:40 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
17:45 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson, subscribers report.
16:41 Mayor of Oleshko: Reported 1 dead and 5 wounded as a result of shelling by Russian troops of the temporarily occupied Oleshko of the Kherson region.
15:12 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region.
15:03: Explosions are heard in Kherson, according to subscribers. We are waiting for official information.
14:56 Kherson City Council: In Kherson, gas supply has now been fully restored, as well as electricity supply by 83%, water supply by 92% and heat by 76%.
12:46 Kherson RMA: Russians attacked critical infrastructure enterprise in Kherson with artillery
· Also, an emergency medical station, a kindergarten and a private house were destroyed. People were not injured.
KYIV
December 28
11:07 Kyiv RMA: Training for sappers is taking place on the territory of Vyshgorod district today
· Because of this, the sounds of explosions may be heard in the area, the OVA warned.
09:45: The SBU detained a collaborator in Kyiv who helped the Russians rename streets in the temporarily occupied Luhansk region.
· The perpetrator turned out to be a former head of a communal enterprise in the temporarily occupied Svatove in the Luhansk region.
· While in "office", he helped the occupation administration to organize "mass" events and staged television plots in support of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.
December 27
22:02: Yasno said that the situation with the volume of electricity that Kyiv receives has stabilized.
· According to the company's CEO Serhii Kovalenko, these volumes can be evenly distributed through temporary network reconnection schemes.
19:49 Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration: Emergency blackouts in Kyiv will continue throughout the winter
· "The situation is not simple and we see it on weekdays, restrictions continue, outages continue, they are not planned but more emergency. We will live in such realities all winter," he stressed.
MYKOLAIV
December 27
17:54 Police Chief of the Mykolaiv region: In the Mykolaiv region, near the village of Koblevo, a sea mine exploded, which the storm nailed to the shore.
· "It was nailed to the shore due to a storm and it exploded. Fortunately, there were no casualties," the policeman said.
ODESA
December 27
15:45 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Odesa region, subscribers report. Pre-working air defense.
SUMY
December 27
21:40 Sumy RMA: During the day, Russian troops shelled the Mid-Bud, Shalygin and Esmanska communities.
12:03 Sumy RMA: After 10:03, December 26, Russians from the ACS shelled the Mid-Buda community. There were 4 arrivals.
· At about 6 am, December 27, Russian troops opened fire on the Znob-Novgorod community. There were 2 arrivals from the ACS.
· In both cases, no casualties or destruction.
CHERNIVTSI
December 27
16:13: In Chernivtsi, a bust of Pushkin was removed from the façade of the Kobylyanskaya Music and Drama Theater, according to the city council.
· The bust was moved to a warehouse where the dismantled bust of Stalin is already located.
Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.
SOURCES
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
https://euromaidanpress.com/
https://cutt.ly/Blyskavka
I watched the Ukrainian national anthem in a video with Japanese subtitles the other day. It was very good because it was filled with a sense of history as an ethnic group. It has the power to unite people more than the national anthems of England, Japan, and the United States.
Good luck to Ukraine.
That woman Shuliak berating a wounded soldier for his political viewpoints needs to be in prison. Shame on her. Under martial law such things shouldn't be allowed.