Ukraine – 2/1 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
February 1, 2023
NOTE – Due to demands of our respective “day jobs,” we may be taking the next 2-3 days off.
Review of the Bidding
With the help of experts, perhaps it’s a good time to review the current situation, and where the war is headed.
“Reporting From Ukraine” – Talks about a decision that Ukraine has evidently made to slow down the tempo of their military operations, to save equipment and reserves for the next offensive (or offensives). As he pointed out, not only does equipment get destroyed at a faster rate while conducting an offensive, but equipment needs to be maintained, including replacing barrels on main tank guns, and replacing tank treads after they’ve traveled a certain distance.
As he said in his previous report, the Ukrainians are setting up defense lines in Bakhmut to allow them to conduct and orderly withdrawal while simultaneously forcing the Russians to take high casualties as a price for entering Bakhmut. As he states, while Bakhmut and Soledar are important, preparing for the next offensive and saving equipment and protecting reserves is more important. He also mentions that Russia has been moving regular army troops down from Belarus, where they have been training, to both Donetsk and the south, possibly in connection with a new offensive.
As for a Ukrainian offensive, or offensives, he expects it, or those, to begin by late Spring, possibly as a counteroffensive to a Russian offensive that Ukraine believes may start in the next several weeks. Considering a Ukrainian offensive, he thinks there are 3 possibilities:
· Luhansk with the objective of liberating Kreminna and Svatove, which is a limited offensive in terms of distance but with a big upside, including cutting off a major Russian supply line toward Donetsk and opening up significant future gains in Luhansk.
· A southern offensive toward Melitopol, with the objective of cutting off Russian forces in Kherson Oblast, between Melitopol and the Dnieper, and at the same time cutting off Crimea by hitting the causeways and likely hitting the Kerch Bridge.
· Both at the same time.
I think it will be both at the same time, similar to what took place last Fall when Ukraine liberated most of Kharkiv Oblast and liberated Kherson west of the Dnieper. There is a lesson/warning for the West – the need to step up the deliveries of equipment, that is critical for Ukraine’s ability to not only defend against a possible Russian offensive in the next few weeks, but also to conduct its own offensive, or offensives, starting in the next 2-3 months.
General Lord Dannett/Times Radio – Lord Dannett believes that the West, especially the United States, is beginning to think about Ukraine’s needs after the war ends, with the objective of arming Ukraine to a level that will deter a future Russian attack. He believes that this may be one reason for America’s reticence in providing Ukraine F-16s now.
The Goodfellows – “Tanks for the Memories”/Hoover Institution – One of the Goodfellows is U.S. Army LTGEN (Ret.) H.R. McMaster who, among other things, led the armored assault against the Iraqi Republican Guard in the 1st Gulf War. The portion of this podcast that covers tanks and their use in Ukraine starts at around the 47th minute. Gen. McMaster is all for supplying western main battle tanks to Ukraine, and he makes the following points:
· He describes tanks as a form of “mobile protected firepower”
· He describes Bradleys and other armored personnel carriers, as “protected fighting vehicles.”
· “In battle, you should never settle for a fair fight.”
· Tanks are designed to break through fixed defensives, as Russia is establishing primarily in the south, and thereby force the enemy to abandon those defensives.
· McMaster believes that the vast majority of casualties in Ukraine have been from shrapnel wounds, many of which are taking by soldiers traveling in lightly armed vehicles.
· McMaster says the best use of tanks is “not to destroy other tanks (although that is desirable), but to destroy enemy artillery, logistics and command and control facilities,” in order to degrade the capabilities and morale of the enemy.
· Regarding air power, McMaster said that today it’s possible to conduct a combined arms operation without F-16s or similar, although they would be helpful, but instead rely on satellites, rotary wing aircraft, and drones for both reconnaissance and as a weapons platform.
· The delivery of ATACMS and the AQ-9 Reaper that the manufacturer has offered to supply Ukraine for $1.00, provides additional firepower necessary to complement tanks.
· Provide whatever it takes for Ukraine to successfully undertake a combined arms operation, without arguing over specific weapons systems (as the West has been doing).
· McMaster believes that there is a huge risk for Russia from using tactical nuclear weapons. “The one who fears escalation the most is Putin.” If Russia uses a nuclear weapon, “Russia will become North Korea on the Volga.”
· There first should be agreement on objectives, then strategies to complete those objectives, and then weapons.
· Ukraine can make Crimea “untenable” with the right equipment.
2/1 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon January 31 to 12:00 noon February 1, 2022
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military AdministrationSBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
February 1
11:20: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has called on EU countries to expel Russian ambassadors.
· "In most cases, this is no longer a diplomatic, but a propaganda institution that hides war crimes and generally promotes genocide," the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.
10:13 The Washington Post: The Pentagon is skeptical of Biden's refusal to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.
· According to the publication, some officials in the Pentagon foresee possible approval of the transfer of fighters to Ukraine.
· According to Pentagon officials, the decision on the F-16 will be like that made regarding Abrams tanks and Patriot systems.
09:34 Dziennik Gazeta Prawna: Biden can hold a meeting with Zelensky and Duda in Poland, writes Polish.
· According to their information, the meeting can take place in Warsaw or Rzeszow. Zelensky is expected to "present a peace plan and call for an international conference on Ukraine."
09:22 El País: Spain intends to transfer four to six repaired Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine. We are talking about only the first deliveries from the country
· At the same time, the media note that the final figure will depend on the condition of the 53 tanks, which for a decade remain in the logistics group No. 41 in Zaragoza.
08:57 Reuters: The United States is preparing a new more than $2 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which could include longer-range missiles.
· The funds will be used to purchase weapons for Ukraine, in particular small-diameter ground-based missiles (GLSDB), which have a range of approximately 150 km.
08:46 The Wall Street Journal: U.S. accuses Russia of violating the nuclear weapons treaty by blocking inspections,
· The treaty limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the United States and Russia can deploy. A January 31 report by the U.S. State Department sent to Congress said Moscow was not complying with it for the first time since the agreement entered into force in 2011.
08:00 Israel is exploring other options for assistance to Ukraine, besides humanitarian, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
0:759 Delfi: President of the Latvian Olympic Committee Georges Tikmer says that as long as Russia's war against Ukraine continues, Latvia will not participate in the Olympic Games together with athletes from Russia and Belarus
07:58 Yonhap: South Korea's Olympic Sports Committee will request more explanations from the Asian Olympic Council over a proposal by Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Asian Games.
07:50 Deutsche Welle - Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany: Ukraine will want to start a discussion on the return of nuclear status
00:55 Wall Street Journal: American arms manufacturer proposes to sell two Reaper MQ-9 drones to the Government of Ukraine for a dollar.
· "The sale of Reaper's high-speed long-range unmanned aerial vehicles will require approval from the Biden administration."
· According to the Wall St. Journal, under the terms offered by the American manufacturer, General Atomic, Ukraine would have to pay $10 million to cover the cost of preparing to ship the drones to Ukraine, and $8 million annually for maintenance.
· The package includes a ground control station that can be placed “almost anywhere.”
· The Wall St. Journal stated that the Reaper is larger than “Grey Eagle” drone, which has been previously under discussion, and is capable of carrying a larger payload.
00:33 Reuters: The United States is preparing a $2.2 billion weapons package for Ukraine, which for the first time includes longer-range missiles.
00:31 Bloomberg: Hungary topped the ranking of the most corrupt EU countries from the international organization Transparency International.
· During the year, Hungary dropped five places below the previous leader — Bulgaria and was ranked in one company from Burkina Faso.
00:14: Zelensky became "Person of the Year" according to the Polish weekly Wpost
· The President was awarded this award for the struggle, resilience, hope and victory that Ukraine deserves. On behalf of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, she was received by the Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland Oleh Kuts.
· This award was also given to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak.
January 31
23:55 Reuters: Poland wants to train Ukrainian Leopard 2 crews in five weeks.
· "If we intensify training by increasing the number of instructors, optimizing our time and our weekend, we will be able to train an entire crew in five weeks," Major Maciej Banaszynski, commander of the Polish Leopard training center, told the agency.
13:37 CNN: A "lasting impasse" in Russia's war with Ukraine "will only benefit Russia." This was stated by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
· Sunak said he came to this conclusion after considering Britain's approach to the conflict, adding that it led him to the conclusion that there was an opportunity to accelerate British support for Ukraine.
· This would give Kyiv "the best chance of success," the prime minister said.
23:15: Ukraine's partner countries issue a statement on the establishment of a special international tribunal for Putin
· "As chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of our respective parliaments, we are advocating the creation of a special international tribunal," David McAlister, chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Twitter.
22:36 The Wall Street Journal: Russia violated the new START Treaty on the Reduction of Long-Range Nuclear Weapons by refusing to allow on-site inspections and rejecting Washington's request to meet to discuss its compliance concerns.
· This is stated in a report by the US State Department sent to Congress on January 31.
21:35 Vårt Land: Norway plans to approve a five-year multibillion-dollar support program for Ukraine.
· It is assumed that within five years, through a separate program, Ukraine will be allocated "significant funds in the amount of billions" of Norwegian kroner. In 2023, the amount will be distributed equally to military and civilian support, including reconstruction.
21:22: Ukraine may join the EU roaming zone as early as this year, journalist Rikard Jozwiak said, citing a senior EU official.
21:04 Greek Prime Minister: Greece will not provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks.
· "We will not provide Leopard 2 tanks for the simple reason that they are absolutely necessary for our defense," he said.
20:52 The White House says the United States may soon announce the provision of another package of military assistance to Ukraine.
20:06: The United States has called on Israel to provide Ukraine with not only humanitarian but also military assistance.
· This was stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during negotiations with the Israeli authorities during his recent visit to Israel.
· Also, during the talks, the issue of cooperation between Russia and Iran was raised.
19:54 Reuters: USA has no evidence of misuse of U.S. funds in Ukraine,
· The US Ministry of Finance is satisfied with guarantees from the Ukrainian authorities but continues to work with the authorities to properly prevent corruption.
19:06: France will help Ukraine purchase GM 200 air defense radars, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornoux said.
· He also added that France is coordinating with allies to ensure that Ukraine always has enough missiles to the transferred Crotale air defense systems.
18:06: The French authorities have not yet made a final decision on the training of fighter pilots from Ukraine, but there is no taboo on such assistance.
· This was stated by the head of the French Ministry of Defense Sebastian Lecornu during a joint briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksiy Reznikov.
· "As for pilot training. This is part of the framework of global training. We have not yet made a final decision, but I know that we do not have a taboo," the French minister said.
17:55: The Croatian president's statements that Crimea will never again be Ukrainian territory are considered unacceptable in Ukraine.
· "I wonder if Milanovic would have been able to become president of his country with such rhetoric in the 1990s, when Croatia fought to preserve its statehood? Would his voters agree to turn a blind eye to the occupation of part of their country's territory?" said Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko.
17:45 Reuters: Boris Johnson in the U.S. will meet with Republicans to insist on continued aid to Ukraine.
· The ex-prime minister will discuss the need for unity in western support for Ukraine. He also intends to discuss what else can be done against the Russian threat. The meeting could take place Wednesday at the Atlantic Council think tank.
17:37 Magyar Nemzet: Hungary and Austria have agreed not to send weapons to Ukraine because they do not want to escalate. The ministers said this at a joint press conference.
· "We stand on the side of the world, we do not send weapons to the conflict, in this we have a common position, since neutral Austria also does not send weapons to war," the Hungarian defense minister said.
17:05: Denmark should continue to help rebuild Mykolaiv, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said during a visit to Mykolaiv.
· "The destruction in Mykolaiv makes a great impression, and I can't help but be touched when I see ordinary Ukrainians without water and heat in the bitter winter cold. This confirms for me that we must continue our mass support for Ukraine and that the decision to take on a special role in the reconstruction of Mykolaiv was the only correct one," the minister said.
16:56: France announces the transfer of 12 SAU "CAESAR" to Ukraine, French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu, BFMTV reports.
· In total, the support package is €200 million.
16:30: "The United States is ready to use nuclear weapons to protect South Korea from the DPRK," the Pentagon chief said.
· The United States' commitment to Seoul is unwavering, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to South Korea.
15:35: The UK has trained 10 thousand Ukrainian troops and intends to train another 40 thousand this year, the Telegraph newspaper reports, citing a representative of Downing Street.
14:52 Niezalezna. PL: Poland is currently not negotiating the transfer of F-16 fighters that are in service with the country to Ukraine, says Deputy Minister of National Defense of Poland Wojciech Skurkiewicz.
· According to the publication, this statement was facilitated by a lively discussion of the theory by opposition politicians that "the Polish side will consider the possibility of transferring Polish F-16 fighters instead of the MiG-29 to Ukraine."
14:03 Reuters: The International Federation of Journalists says its executive committee has initiated a formal process to suspend and exclude the Russian Union of Journalists.
· Earlier, the trade unions of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland declared a demarche due to the fact that the IFJ did not take measures against the Union of Journalists of Russia for the creation of regional associations in the Ukrainian territories under Russian control.
13:45: 90% of the Chechen population is waiting for changes and supports the change of power, said Ahmed Zakayev, head of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria abroad.
· He stressed that the recognition by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the fact of occupation of the Chechen Republic by Russia was a signal for Chechens and other peoples of the North Caucasus.
13:33 Reuters: Ryanair is recruiting employees in Ukraine in anticipation of returning after the war.
· The company's CEO, Michael O'Leary, said the company was "hiring a significant number of Ukrainian pilots and flight attendants."
· The company is considering the possibility of deploying up to 20 aircraft in Ukraine.
13:22: Following the upcoming summit, the European Union will praise Ukraine for progress in reforms but is unlikely to decide on a quick accession.
· This was reported by Euractiv with reference to the draft final communiqué at its disposal.
· EU ambassadors are expected to agree on the final version of the summit communiqué today, January 31.
13:09 The Times of Israel: Israeli authorities are preparing for a possible Iranian response after the drone attack.
· The publication notes that in the Israeli security agencies, security forces are now actively discussing the likelihood of Iran's retaliatory strike both on Israel itself and on the territory of other states.
12:59: Ukraine, if it succeeds, will break the land corridor from Russia itself to Ukraine during the spring-summer offensive of 2023.
· Former CIA director, commander of the American group in Iraq, General David Petraeus in an interview with The Washington Post spoke about a possible scenario for the return of Crimea to Ukraine.
· "If Ukraine can completely isolate Crimea and if it has high-precision ammunition, it will be able to start shelling the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet, various air bases, various seaports and everything else, and then at some point enter the territory of Crimea," Petraeus shared his forecast.
12:46 Bloomberg: Germany wants to limit imports of Russian liquefied natural gas.
· This is the only type of fuel whose supply from Russia to Europe has increased in 2022.
12:36 BBC: The slogan of this year's Eurovision Song Contest was "United by Music."
· The logo was also presented, it consists of the hearts of the color of the flags of Ukraine and Great Britain, which fight in unison.
· The design was created thanks to the cooperation of the Superunion agency in the UK and the Ukrainian creative studio Starlight Creative.
NATIONAL
February 1
11:53 The Prosecutor General's Office reported the suspicion to the former Deputy Director of the Department of Public Procurement of the Ministry of Defense Khmelnytsky and the former Deputy Minister of Defense Shapovalov.
· According to UP sources, Khmelnytsky was charged with embezzlement of public funds in the amount of UAH 107.796.050.
· Shapovalov was suspected of illegal actions, as a result of which certain units of the Armed Forces were not equipped with personal protective equipment worth more than UAH 1 billion.
11:43 RBC-Ukraine: Law enforcement officers also came with searches to the deputy of the former OPFL Vadym Stolar.
11:07 Searches are also taking place at ex-interior minister Arsen Avakov in the case of a helicopter crash in Brovary, the media reported.
10:39: The SBU and the BEB are searching Kolomoisky's house. The investigation concerns frauds against Ukrtransnafta and Ukrnafta.
· We are talking about the embezzlement of petroleum products worth UAH 40 billion and evasion of customs duties for large sums.
10:25 SBU press service: The SBU exposed the facts of cooperation between the President of Motor Sich and representatives of the so-called "DPR".
· After the start of a full-scale invasion, a high-ranking official financed the terrorist organization "DPR".
· During the new searches, law enforcement officers found more than two dozen medals, diplomas, and honorary awards to the President of JSC "Motor Sich" from representatives of the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation.
07:09 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· "The occupiers, during the past day, inflicted 5 air and 6 missile strikes. They carried out more than 65 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems. The civilian infrastructure of the settlements of Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions was damaged.
· the Russians do not stop offensive actions in the Liman and Bakhmut directions. Suffer heavy losses. They conduct unsuccessful offensive operations in the Avdiivka and Novopavlovsk directions,
· Last day, units of the Defense Forces repulsed attacks by Russian troops in the areas of the settlements of Yampolivka, Dispute, Rozdolivka, Blagodatne, Krasnaya Gora, Bakhmut, Klishchiyivka and Paraskoviivka in the Donetsk region.
· In the area of Novoivanivka, Luhansk region, another military hospital was equipped. About 100 Russian servicemen are being treated,
· The severity of the injury is usually underestimated and not recorded in medical records. After providing minimal assistance, they are sent to the front line.
· During the past day, the Aviation of the Defense Forces inflicted 9 strikes on the areas of concentration of Russians and 2 strikes on the positions of their anti-aircraft missile systems, -
· Rocket scientists and artillerymen hit 13 areas of concentration of manpower of Russian troops, 1 control point and 1 ammunition depot.
00:44 National Security and Defense Council Secretary: Ukraine is preparing for maximum escalation by Russia - perhaps even in the next two or three weeks. She collects everything possible, conducts training and training.
January 31
23:27 Forbes: Ukrainian IT exports reached a record $7.3 billion in 2022.
· According to the publication, Ukrainian IT industry increased sales last year by $ 400 million, or 5.8% compared to the peaceful year 2021.
22:56: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Now there is a certain personnel lull... But this does not mean that all the necessary steps have already been taken. There will be solutions. Those in the system who do not meet the fundamental requirements of the state and society should not sit in chairs.
22:27: Public control over the purchase of food and fuel for the army is returned in Ukraine
· "We have agreed to return public control over the purchases of real property, fuel and lubricants, food, taking into account the restrictions of martial law," said Oleksiy Reznikov, head of the Ministry of Defense.
· According to him, on the website of the Ministry of Defense, and later Prozorro, additional information on the relevant contracts will be published during the time.
22:10 Deputy Prime Minister: In Ukraine, Polish may be included in the list of EIT subjects.
· "The Ukrainian side should develop a strategy for passing exams in the Polish language. And if it is necessary to make changes to the legislation, it is necessary to start this process today," she said.
· According to her, this will allow Ukraine to integrate into the European space.
21:46 Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned the Ambassador of Hungary to discuss the statement of the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán.
· The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the diplomat was reminded that anti-Ukrainian rhetoric is completely unacceptable and causes serious damage to Ukrainian-Hungarian relations.
19:31: Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Belgium Alexandru De Croo.
· "I thanked the Prime Minister for a powerful preliminary package and discussed the continuation of defense cooperation. Also, support for our initiatives at the UN, accelerating the next sanctions package of the European Union.
19:17 Minister of Defense: All types of weapons from Western partners passed the "no" stage.
· Commenting on the issue of fighters, the Minister reminded that this was the case with HIMARS and tanks, but later Ukraine still received them. Therefore, he believes in an "aircraft coalition" in the future.
· Reznikov explained that each military aid went through "no", "let's discuss", "explore the possibilities", "prepare crews" and arrival.
18:28 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russian troops launched 3 air and 3 missile strikes during the day. They also carried out more than 20 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· Civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Kherson regions was damaged.
· the enemy continues to conduct offensive operations in the Liman and Bakhmut directions, suffering heavy losses.
· Conducts unsuccessful offensive operations in the Avdiivka and Novopavlovsk directions.
· In the Kupyansk and Zaporozhye directions, it defends the previously captured frontiers.
· Russians have intensified filtration and counter-sabotage measures in the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson region.
· Thus, Russian troops restricted entry and exit from the settlement of Ulyanivka, searches of residents and checking mobile phones are being carried out.
· In Donetsk, among the servicemen of the Russian troops and mercenaries of the so-called PMC "Wagner", the number of diseases of particularly dangerous infections has increased significantly, which may be due to the lack of normal sanitary and hygienic conditions at the locations of Russian units.
· During the current day, the aviation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine has inflicted 9 strikes on areas of concentration of enemy manpower, weapons, and military equipment, and 2 strikes on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems.
· Units of the missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces of Ukraine during the day struck 9 areas of concentration of manpower and 1 warehouse of ammunition of the Russian Federation.
17:25: Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
· "I informed him in detail about the situation at the front and Ukrainian defense needs in armored vehicles, artillery, aviation. We have agreed on joint diplomatic steps, on the implementation of the formula of peace," the President said.
16:44: According to the SBU, two "DPR ministers" were suspected, who "transferred" Ukrainian mines and hospitals "into the ownership" of the Russian Federation.
· One of the perpetrators is a Russian citizen – a former Minister of Energy, Housing and Communal Services of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
· Another intruder is the former "minister of health protection of the DPR", who is currently part of the leadership of the occupation administration of Melitopol.
16:05 Minister of Digital Transformation: Ukrainians have already received more than UAH 1 billion in housing loans under the eOsel program in Diia2.
· "In total, the state has already issued 784 loans. 83% of them received Ukrainian defenders and defenders, 9% - doctors, 7% - teachers and 1% - scientists," Fedorov said.
15:14: Ukraine will receive from 120 to 140 Western tanks in the first wave of assistance, foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
· "These are the German Leopard 2, the American M1 Abrams and the British Challenger 2. In the future, we are counting on French Leclerc," Kuleba said.
· Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba instructed all diplomats to work to unblock the supply of fighters and long-range missiles to Ukraine.
· "The Armed Forces of Ukraine should receive all types of weapons that they need to defend and restore the territorial integrity of our state. First of all, we are talking about jet fighters and long-range missiles that can hit targets at a distance of up to 300 km. This is not a weapon of escalation, it is a weapon of protection and deterrence of the aggressor," Kuleba stressed.
15:03 Operational Command East: The Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Liman direction has stopped, because weather conditions and resources are not yet conducive to it.
· "A number of factors influence, firstly, we are not Russians. We do not abandon our units when there are no reserves, sufficient fire support. Therefore, we act as prescribed by adequate modern military science. When we had these opportunities, we advanced – weather conditions, reserves," he said.
13:53 Center for Countering Disinformation: Reports are circulating online about the alleged cancellation of payments of 30 thousand Hryvna to servicemen in the rear.
· This notice is not Ukrainians interpreted quite correctly, since only military prosecutors and employees of the Judicial Protection Service relate to the amendment to the law, as evidenced by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 43 of 20.01.2023
· Also, from February 1, 2023, the size of the monthly (basic) monetary support (without additional remuneration) of servicemen will be increased, so that its minimum level for a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, fighters of the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine is at least UAH 20100.
12:14 Washington Post Kirill Budanov Defence Intelligence: "It all started in Crimea in 2014, and that's the end of it. Ukraine must do everything to return home by the summer.
· Kirill Budanov believes that this year Russia will focus on the occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He calls the resumption of the offensive from Belarus unlikely — such a step will only demonstrate the intention to distract the Defense Forces.
· He assesses the threat of a nuclear strike in response to the West of Ukrainian forces on the peninsula as low, since it will lead "not only to Russia's military defeat, but also to its collapse."
· About 326 thousand Russian servicemen are now fighting in Ukraine, - the head of the Defence Intelligence Kirill Budanov in an interview for the Washington Post.
· He also noted that only 9% of the stocks of long-range missiles "Caliber" remained in Russia.
MORDOR (russia)
February 1
08:26 Institute for the Study of War: The Russians are overestimating their military capabilities to advance in the Donetsk region.
· Experts noted that Russian regular troops may be replacing Wagner's exhausted PMC forces by transferring them from Bakhmut to the front line in southern Ukraine.
· The ISW also considers it extremely unlikely that Russian troops will be able to carry out a rapid encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut.
January 31
21:58 Defense Intelligence: Russian troops admit that the level of combat capability of the Russian army is low, and all statements about the "second army of the world" are only a "picture demonstration".
· In addition, Russian colonels in Syria "reduced" their ranks so as not to go to Ukraine.
20:09 Local Media: In Belgorod, the sounds of explosions are heard again.
18:59 Local Media: The sounds of explosions were heard in Belgorod.
18:19: The Cabinet of Ministers terminated the air services agreement between Ukraine and Russia, which was signed on January 12, 1994.
· This was stated by the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk.
2:39: In regions of Russia where the yellow level of the threat of terrorist attacks is established, an inspection of vehicles for detecting weapons and explosives will be introduced, Putin's decree.
KHARKIV
February 1
09:09 Kharkiv RMA: Today, at 7:30 am, the Russians once again shelled Kupyansk. As a result of the shelling, he received a shrapnel wound and a 60-year-old man was hospitalized.
· Last day, Russian troops continued shelling border settlements in the Kupyansk, Chuguev and Kharkiv districts of the region.
January 31
18:41 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Kharkiv region.
DONETSK
February 1
11:37 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Donetsk region
09:45 Donetsk RMA: Over the past day, Russians killed 4 civilians in the Donetsk region: 2 in Bakhmut, 1 in Paraskoviyivka and 1 in Vuhledar. Another 6 people in the region were injured.
January 31
22:15 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Mariupol.
19:42 Advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol: In Mariupol, on Prospekt Mira 127, there is another dismantling.
· "It's as if it weren't for one 'but'. Nearby - Prospekt Mira 129 (in the background). A burial ground where more than 100 bodies of the dead were found in the basement. How many died in the basement under the rubble in house number 127 is unknown. Simply because the occupiers blocked access to it after the neighboring death find," Andryushchenko said.
15:25 Donetsk RMA: Today's shelling of Bakhmut killed two people.
· "One of the dead is a minor guy. Four people were injured."
ZAPORIZHIA
February 1
11:02: The mayor of the temporarily occupied Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, posted a photo of the fire in the city that occurred this morning.
· "Thick smoke billowed in the lower part of the city behind the central market in the area of the Refma plant captured by the occupiers, where they (ed. - the Russians) have deployed their military base," Fedorov wrote.
KHERSON
February 1
10:02 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson,
09:58 Operational Command South: Russian troops are simulating activity and escalating the situation when they launch drgs on islands near Kherson. They do not have the necessary capacities to force the Dnieper.
08:36 Kherson RMA: Russians shelled the territory of Kherson region 42 times.
· Kherson itself was shelled by the Russian army 8 times. 1 person was killed, another 1 resident of the Kherson region was injured.
00:00 Social Networks Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
January 31
22:16 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
12:19 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
KYIV
January 31
5:20: Since February, Kyiv has been introducing new format passes for cars to move around the city during curfew, the Kyiv MBA said.
· You can replace old passes with new ones from February 1.02 to 15.02 in the commandant's office of the capital.
· "We are updating the system so that vehicle passes are used only by persons belonging to the units of the security and defense sector of Ukraine, critical infrastructure of the city and public authorities," said The Commandant of Kyiv, Major General Viktor Plakhtiy.
14:13: In Brovary, Kyiv region, at a meeting of the executive committee of the city council, all men present were handed summonses.
· A spokesman for the military registration and enlistment office said the men should clarify their credentials and undergo a medical examination. The summons was also received by the mayor of the city, Igor Sapozhko.
23:45: The first small power plant in Ukraine was launched in Irpen, Kyiv region.
· Thanks to its work, it will be possible to provide heat to 70% of the city's residents. Critical infrastructure facilities will also be connected to it: schools, a hospital and city council
SUMY
January 31
21:56 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Shostka, Sumy region.
20:41 Operational Command North: In the city of Shostka, Sumy region, an explosion occurred in one of the enterprises. Previously, a rocket hit the building.
· As a result of the explosion at the enterprise, two people were injured and they were hospitalized.
18:14 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Shostka, Sumy region.
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
They are all corrupt. Yes, Zelensky needs to cut ties in order to survive. See "limited hangout".
Wow, isn't Kolomoisky Zelensky's patron? And he is being investigated? Clearly Zelensky is cleaning house.