Bob Homans February 20

20230220

Ukraine – 2/20 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
February 20, 2023

9^th Anniversary of the Murders of the “Heavenly 100”

With all the attention being paid to the First Anniversary of the start of Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine, it is appropriate to remember the sacrifice of all those who were killed during the Revolution of Dignity.   Because of the significance of February 20^th in Ukraine, I am happy that President Biden chose this day to visit Kyiv.

On the morning February 20, 2014, hundreds of protestors advanced up Institutska Street from Independence Square, toward the Parliament Building.   They were entering a killing zone.  

Approximately 100 protestors were murdered by sharpshooters acting under orders, either by President Yanukovich directly, or a member of his Administration.   They are known as the “Heavenly 100,” named after a Cossack military formation.

Along with my Family, I was in Kyiv that day.   I originally started sending these emails on December 1, 2013, after the students conducting a vigil on Independence Square were beaten up by Interior Ministry police, known as the “Berkut,” an event that precipitated what is now called the Revolution of Dignity, but then called “Euromaidan.”  On February 20, 2014, I sent out 4 emails in one day.   The situation was very fluid; it was one of the few times I actually got scared.

This is a short video that was shot either on Saturday, February 22^nd, or Sunday, February 23^rd, 2014.   Yanukovich fled Kyiv early that Saturday morning.   What is possible to see is the following:

·       The barricade at the base of Institutska Street, located under a footbridge.  You can see the tires, that played a major role in the fighting that took place during the night of February 18^th and 19^th.   What is not shown are the bottles of gasoline and Molotov Cocktails, at the ready lest the police return.

·       The footbridge – In the morning of Feb. 20^th, a friend of mine was standing on the footbridge.  The person he was speaking with, whom he didn’t know, was hit.   He and some others carried him to an ambulance who took him up to St. Michael’s Cathedral, which was serving as a triage center.  He died later that day.

·       The tires – During the fighting on February 18^th and 19^th, the day before the Heavenly Hundred were murdered, tires that were part of the barriers protecting Independence Square were set alight.   The Berkut were advancing up Kreshchatyuk, the main street of Kyiv and against the prevailing wind that served to blow the thick black smoke from the burning tires in their faces.  The tires, plus the prevailing wind, played a huge role in stopping the police.   Kyiv has 2 dumps where people leave used tires.  They were emptied in 2 days.  There are videos of women, dressed in expensive fur coats, carrying a tire under each arm.

·       The tents – These are on Independence Square.   Next to Independence Square is the burned-out Trade Union Building that served as a headquarters for the protestors.  There is a photo of the late Sen. John McCain on the balcony of the Trade Union Building, looking down at thousands of protestors who had turned on the flashlights in their smart phones.

·       The armored personnel carriers and water cannons.  These were captured by the protestors during the fighting that took place on February 18^th and 19^th.   The police tried to use these to ram holes in the barricades.  Instead, the burning tires ignited the vehicles rendering them inoperable.

·       The bullet holes – on tree trunks and lampposts.  There were also hundreds of bullet holes in the side of October Palace, the yellow building that can be briefly seen.

·       The volunteers – Emergency medical volunteers risked their lives to get to protestors who were wounded.   There was a triage canter in the lobby of the Hotel Ukraine, the tall building that is visible in segments of the video.   At the same time, there were snipers on the roof of the Hotel Ukraine.   The lobby floor was covered with blood.  As previously mentioned, there was a second triage center, in St. Michael’s Cathedral.

·       Flowers – We visited on Sunday, February 23rd, to bring flowers.   I can remember two things about that day.  It was black.  It was a dark, cloudy day, the streets were black from soot from the burning tires, and buildings like the Trade Union Building were black.   Everything was black, except the flowers.

Many of the protestors who fought during that period in late February 2014 were members of volunteer battalions.  Established during Euromaidan, these volunteer battalions were later incorporated into the Ukrainian Army.   Looking back, their performance and bravery back then was a precursor to what the world is seeing today.

The Last Presidential Visit to Kyiv

The last U.S. President to visit Kyiv was George W. Bush in early April 2008.   One of the last stops on his schedule was a visit to an elementary school located on Prorizna Street, going up the hill from Kreshchatyuk.  

Just before their visit to the school I was a meeting at a friend of mine’s law office, located in a building next to the school.  A window in his office looked out directly down at the school entrance.   During a meeting my friend’s receptionist came and, and she said that there were two gentlemen who wanted to use my friend’s office.  They were American sharpshooters.

The meeting broke up.   I was planning to go to the gym, so I had my gym bag with me.  When I left his office, I was expecting to be stopped by the police, because of my gym bag.  I wasn’t.

Finding Water in Mykolaiv

This video, from the Kyiv “Independent,” shows what residents of Mykolaiv must go through to obtain potable water.    After the war is over, many Ukrainian cities will have to reconstruct their potable water supply.  Drilling acceptable wells will cost millions of Dollars - one small portion of Ukraine’s reconstruction.   Wells must be properly sealed with grout, to prevent surface water contamination.   To ensure productivity, wells will have to be drilled in such a way so as not to cause the water-bearing formation to collapse.   Mykolaiv is located close to sea level, so saltwater contamination of groundwater will also be a concern.

News From the Battlefield

According to “Reporting From Ukraine,” Russians continue to be hammered in Vuhledar.   The Latest Denys focuses on the back & forth in and around Bakhmut.   As long as Ukraine continues to hold Chasiv Yar, along the supply road to Bakhmut, Ukraine will likely stay in Bakhmut.

2/20 Sitrep

Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon February 19 to 12:00 noon February 20, 2023

Abbreviations:

RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine

RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders

INTERNATIONAL

February 19

11:32: Joe Biden arrives in Kiev, - Bild journalist  Julian Repke

·                 "Biden is in Kyiv. A city that was to be under the control of rashists for 360 days. What a strong sign to dictator Putin," he wrote on Twitter.

·                 Journalist Julian Repke clarified that he had no confirmation of Biden's visit to Kyiv, and this is his personal opinion.

10:43: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba cancels the announced meeting with European Foreign Ministers in Brussels.

·       He announced this on his Twitter.

08:51: Ukraine is ready to help Moldova liberate Transnistria

·       President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that "we are ready to help" Moldova in the event of military aggression against it by the Russian regime.

08:38 Corriere della Sera: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is preparing for a short war and its victory and that the Russians will never be able to capture Ukraine.

·       "We are resisting, and in the meantime, we are preparing the next counterattack," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Italian media.

08:13: China will cross the "red line" if it provides weapons to Russia, - the United States' ambassador to the UN.

·       According to Thomas-Greenfield, the United States is ready to compete with China.

00:52: Stockholm metro has an inscription dedicated to the anniversary of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

·       24 February, 05:07

o   "It's been a year today. You're missing, Dad."

o   (message not sent)

00:30: Iran has enriched uranium to 84% and could come close to creating nuclear weapons — Bloomberg.

·       For the second time in a month, IAEA inspectors have recorded suspicious Iranian activities related to uranium enrichment.

·       This concentration is only 6% lower than required for the creation of nuclear weapons. Although the official Tehran claims that the existing centrifuges can enrich uranium by up to 60%.

00:00: Moldova's new Prime Minister Doreen Rechan says Transnistria should be demilitarized and Russian troops should leave, after which it would be necessary to integrate the inhabitants of the region economically and socially.

·       According to Rechan, the left bank should be demilitarized "by evacuating Russian troops and demilitarizing local residents," according to tv8.

February 18

23:31: The first group of Ukrainian rescuers returned from Turkey.

·       "For more than a week, our specialists from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine helped Turkish colleagues search for people under the rubble and eliminate the consequences of earthquakes.

·       Despite the fact that Ukraine itself is now in the flames of war, we are ready to provide those in need with support in trouble. Because the strong always help and save. The weak can only destroy and kill," wrote Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

23:17 CNN U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations: China's handing over lethal weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine will be a "red line" in relations between Washington and Beijing.

22:52 Dutch Prime Minister: Handing over F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine will be the next step, but so far many countries are hesitant over the U.S. position.

·       He noted that to end this discussion, it must be non-public, since otherwise the debate will last a long time.

22:42 Bloomberg: The United States is planning new sanctions against the defense and energy spheres of the Russian Federation.

·       In addition, the United States plans to focus its attention on the issue of Russia's evasion of sanctions, as well as on interrupting the support that Russia receives from third countries.

21:29 Politico: The United States advises Ukraine to prepare for a counteroffensive in the war against Russia, because weapons and assistance from Western partners are now coming freely.

·       The publication notes that these calls take place against the background of preparations for Joe Biden's visit to Poland.

21:10 The Sunday Times: Ukrainian authorities have asked Spotify to exclude Russian performers who support the Russian authorities from their catalogs.

19:26: Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.

·       "We talked about defensive cooperation and bringing peace closer.

17:45 Bloomberg: The EU supports the joint purchase of shells for Ukraine.

·       Some members of the European Union supported Estonia's proposal for investments for the joint purchase of ammunition for Ukraine's needs – the relevant decision may be made at the EU summit next month.

17:20 Swedish Prime Minister: Finland and Sweden's "divided" accession to NATO will have a negative impact on the security of the region and the entire Alliance.

·       "We started this process together, we carried it together and we want to complete it together.

·       There are very, very good reasons to ratify us at the same time in front of Vilnius," Christersson said.

16:53 Bloomberg: G7 and EU are looking for ways to track Russian diamonds to limit their sale.

·       Previous EU attempts to impose sanctions on Russian gems have been rebuffed by importing countries such as Belgium, who have argued that these efforts will be futile as agreements will simply move to other countries without a gemstone tracking mechanism.

16:17: The Ukrainian delegation will not work in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly but they will participate in negotiations with partners on reforming the organization.

·       This was stated by a member of the delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Yevhenia Kravchuk.

·       Representatives of the Russian Federation were admitted to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly meeting — Austria issued a visa to 61 Russian citizens.

14:39: Ukraine will soon receive AMX-10 RC light tanks from France. This will happen at the end of next week, French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornou said in an interview with Le Parisien.

·       At the same time, the Minister did not answer the question about the number of armored vehicles that Ukraine will receive. He explained that he did not want to "give any strategic information for Russia."

14:06: EU Ministers will hold an urgent meeting to address the ammunition problem for Ukraine. It will take place on March 6-7.

·       This was stated by the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell at the Munich Security Conference today.

13:36 Il Fatto Quotidiano: Italian Prime Minister Georgia Maloney will make a scheduled visit on February Ukraine 21, during which he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

12:50: The Czech Republic is no longer dependent on Russian natural gas, whose imports were radically reduced after a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

·       This was announced on the social network Twitter by the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Josef Sikela.

·       According to him, in January this year, the volume of Russian gas imported by the Czech Republic decreased to zero.

12:38 Reuters: The EU is exploring the possibility of joint procurement of ammunition for Ukraine.

·       According to the source, EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday, February 20, to discuss the idea of joint purchase of 155-mm artillery shells, which Ukraine needs.

·       EU officials and diplomats believe that a common approach will be much more effective than ordering ammunition by individual states.

12:26 Bloomberg - British Prime Minister: NATO must finish drafting security guarantees for Ukraine by July so that allies can discuss them at the Vilnius summit.

·       "We need to think about how we will defend Ukraine's security in the future. This is a conversation that we already have to start, because the summit in Vilnius is a good place to end it."

12:10: Japan and the U.S. can conduct air exercises today.

·       According to the Japanese TV channel FNN, training can take place this afternoon. This is likely to be a response to North Korea's ballistic missile launch.

NATIONAL

February 19

11:22 Ukrenergo: Electricity consumption is gradually increasing, which is typical for the start of the working week.

·       There is no shortage of power in the power system and is not currently predicted.

·       Measurements of actual consumption are carried out in accordance with the schedule in Lviv and Odessa regions. At the same time, in the Odessa district and in Odessa, measurements will be carried out taking into account the volume of restrictions.

10:52: "A surprise is being prepared in Kyiv. It is important for us that on the eve of the anniversary of aggression, we will feel and see not only support in words, but also the presence of our important, main partners in Kyiv. Let's wait," Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Melnyk

10:31: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with Olena Zelenska, honored the memory of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred:

·       "Ukrainians know what it is like to fight and defend their own freedom. In difficult and defining moments of history, we never give up and always show courage and dedication."

09:48 Minister of Defense: Ukraine will receive long-range missiles from Western partners capable of hitting targets at a depth of 120-150 kilometers.

·       The minister said long-range missiles would arrive in Ukraine during the first half of the year.

·       "It's not a fact at all that it's going to be ATACMS. There are other long-range missiles. Yes, orcs are now hiding behind 120-150, and we need something to reach them - and we will reach out," Oleksii Reznikov said.

09:05: Address by Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of the Day of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred:

·       "Slaves are not allowed into paradise. This is the meaning of the Ukrainian interpretation of the will. This is the reason why there will be no enemy left on our land.

·       Today we honor the heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine and Ukrainians during the Revolution of Dignity - the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. People of different ages and professions, different regions, but the same and true values."

07:06 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

·       "Over the past day, the enemy has inflicted 10 missile and 25 air strikes (Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions). He carried out 62 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems. There are wounded and civilian casualties."

·       The Russians continue to focus their main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Kupyansk, Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsky directions, -

·       Over the past day, units of the Defense Forces repulsed attacks by Russian troops in the areas of the settlements of Gryannikovka, Kharkiv region; Bilohorivka, Luhansk region; Vasyukivka, Dubovo-Vasylivka, Berkhivka, Bakhmut and Ivanivske, Donetsk region.

·       Russian military forces by all means exert pressure on the civilian population in the temporarily occupied territories, -

·       In some settlements of the Kherson region, Russians are setting up places in administrative buildings for the illegal detention of Ukrainian citizens who are suspected of cooperating with the Defense Forces and for their pro-Ukrainian position.

·       The aviation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine last day inflicted 20 strikes on areas of concentration of Russian personnel and military equipment, 7 - on anti-aircraft missile systems in firing positions, as well as 2 more strikes - on other important objects of the Russian troops,

·       Also, our Armed Forces shot down a Russian Su-25 aircraft, 2 unmanned aerial vehicles of the "Orlan-10" type and 2 kamikaze drones of the "Lancet-3" type.

·       Units of rocket troops and artillery struck a battery of Russian multiple launch rocket systems.

00:15: A two-meter layer of snow fell on Mount Pip Ivan in the Carpathians.

·       Rescuers warn against mountain travel due to very limited visibility - up to 30 meters.

February 18

21:58: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "Vuhledar direction. The situation is very difficult. We're fighting. We break the occupier and inflict extremely significant losses on Russia.

·       North direction, Kyiv. General Naev reported that the situation is completely under control, as well as throughout the northern border.

·       Report of the Minister of the Interior – on the formation of new brigades of the "Offensive Guard". There are very good results."

20:51 DTEK: The next day, Ukrenergo did not impose restrictions on electricity consumption.

·       "This allows not to turn off the light in Kyiv, Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, while in Odesa region consumption measurements are being taken tomorrow.

·       However, due to damage to Ukrenergo's networks, outages on schedule are possible in some energy centers," the message says.

20:00: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions against Mosbirzhi and 333 Russian individuals.

18:25 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on February 19:

·       "During the day, the enemy inflicted 9 missile and 11 air strikes. He carried out more than 20 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.

·       There are wounded and civilian casualties.

·       The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Kupyansk, Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsky directions."

·       "In the temporarily occupied settlements of the Zaporizhia region, the Russian occupation administration continues to put pressure on the local population, in particular, on Ukrainian children.

·       Thus, in the schools of the city of Tokmak, students are forced to sing the anthem of the aggressor country before the start of lessons.

·       Also, schoolchildren are forced to issue leaflets for the anniversary of the large-scale invasion with words of support and gratitude to the Russian invaders who invaded our land."

·       "The aviation of the Defense Forces in a day inflicted 20 strikes on the areas of concentration of the invaders, 7 - on anti-aircraft missile systems in firing positions, as well as 2 strikes - on important enemy objects."

·       "During the day, our defenders shot down an enemy Su-25 aircraft, 2 Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles and a Kamikaze drone of the Lancet-3 type.

·       And units of rocket troops and artillery struck a battery of enemy multiple launch rocket systems."

15:58 Defence Intelligence: Russia could step up nuclear blackmail to disrupt the U.S. president's visit to Europe.

·       Currently, the preparation of components of the strategic nuclear forces for the launch of sea-based and land-based ballistic missiles, as well as air-launched cruise missiles has been confirmed.

·       Also at the Tambov air base deployed an auxiliary control point of the long-range aviation command.

15:42: First Lady Olena Zelenska, in an interview with the South Korean TV company Channel A, thanked the Republic of Korea for the support already provided and stressed that Ukraine needs it in the future.

·       "We also need help to restore human capital, infrastructure, houses, schools, kindergartens, because war is not only a front line, it is also an economic crisis and a humanitarian catastrophe. I think that everyone who wants to help will find such an opportunity."

15:11: Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat does not rule out that the Russians could fire Ukraine or intensify attacks at the front on February 24. However, he noted that the Defense Forces are ready for this.

·       "There is no need to talk about some kind of dramatic situation. Yes, there will be an aggravation, there will be missile strikes, no one doubts that something will happen. But we are ready for this... We have the means to repel those blows," Yuri Ignat said.

14:23: Director of the Institute of Water Problems and Reclamation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Mykhailo Yatsiuk said that the discharge of water from the Kakhovka HPP poses a danger to 70% of the population of Ukraine, including Kyiv.

·       According to him, it is necessary to figure out how to stabilize the overall water level and minimize losses from discharge. Otherwise, the threat will be for 70% of the population of Ukraine. At the same time, other countries of the Black Sea basin will suffer.

13:15 Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: In the Black Sea, 10 Russian ships are on alert, of which 2 are carriers of cruise missiles "Kalibr", the total volley of which is 8 missiles.

·       in the Sea of Azov, the Russians also deployed 1 ship, and in the Mediterranean – 10, of which 5 are carriers of cruise missiles "Kalibr", the total volley of which is 72 missiles.

MORDOR (russia)

February 19

11:11 Institute for the Study of War: The Russians have focused on the offensive in the Luhansk region, but they lack reserves.

According to analysts, the Russian offensive is likely to continue for some time and may temporarily gain momentum when the last reserves are introduced — if they are introduced — but is likely to end far from its goals and, most likely, will not achieve operationally significant success.

10:00 British intelligence: The Russian army is advancing with heavy losses in three sectors of the front: Vuhledar, Kreminna and Bakhmut

·       As noted in the summary, Russian losses remain high, especially in Bakhmut and Vuhledar. In particular, the elite 1155th and 40th Marine Brigades suffered heavy losses in Vuhledar and were most likely ineffective in battle.

·       Analysts suggest that as the anniversary of the start of a full-scale war approaches, the Russian military is under increasingly severe political pressure.

·       "It is likely that Russia will claim that Bakhmut was captured in connection with the anniversary (of a full-scale invasion - ed.), regardless of the reality on the ground," British intelligence said in a statement.

08:29 Institute for the Study of War: Russia lost about 16 tank regiments in the war, this significantly affects the ability of their troops to break through Ukrainian defense.

·       Based on the latest assessments by the research organization Oryx and the British International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), analysts concluded that Russia lost about half of the pre-war number of tanks in the first year of the war against Ukraine.

KHARKIV

February 19

09:31 Kharkiv RMA: Today, at about 5:00 am, the Russians shelled the Kupyansk district. In the village of Novoosinove, a private residential building was destroyed. According to preliminary data, a woman may be under the rubble. Rescuers are working on site.

·       In the village of Strilecha, Kharkiv district. 2 civilians were wounded. The woman was hospitalized, the man received medical care on the spot.

·       Over the past day, Russians have shelled at least 11 border settlements in the Kupyansk, Chuhuiv and Kharkiv districts.

·       As a result of the shelling in the village of Liptsy, 2 women aged 50 and 32 were injured. In Vovchansk, a 45-year-old woman was injured. In Kruglyakovka, a 40-year-old civilian man was wounded.

February 18

18:06 Kharkiv RMA: Today, Russians shelled private residential buildings in the village of Liptsy, Kharkiv district, injuring 2 women aged 50 and 32.

·       "In Vovchansk, Chuguev district, a 45-year-old woman suffered shrapnel wounds. She received medical care on the spot.

·       In Kruglyakovka, Kupyansk district, a 40-year-old civilian was wounded as a result of enemy shelling," Sinegubov wrote.

16:41 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Kharkiv region.

DONETSK

February 19

February 18

20:34 Mayor: Today, two enemy missiles struck the industrial zone of Kramatorsk.

·       "No casualties, but there is destruction. Also, a shock wave partially knocked out the windows in an apartment building," Goncharenko wrote.

19:41: Russians are pulling out their dead and wounded servicemen in Bakhmut today, the commander with the call sign "Magyar" said.

·       "Here I see two signs: the current assault potential, and the second: regular troops replaced the "musicians" (the musicians did not reflect so much on their wounded and killed)."

16:33 FREEDOM TV channel: Two explosions sounded in Kramatorsk, after which thick smoke rises in the city.

15:34 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.

15:26 Russian Media: About arrivals at the prosecutor's office building of the temporarily occupied Donetsk.

·       Firefighters are trying to eliminate the fire. The victims are not yet known.

ZAPORIZHIA

February 19

February 18

23:46 mayor: In the temporarily occupied Melitopol of the Zaporizhia region, Russians force children to write letters to soldiers of the Russian army and collect parcels for them.

·       He added that the Russians have opened about 10 youth organizations in the city and are agitating schoolchildren and students to "voluntarily" join them, and if ignored, they threaten to "apply sanctions."

DNIPRO

February 19

February 18

20:19 Dnipro RMA: Today, the Russians shelled the Nikopol and Sinelnikovsky districts with artillery.

·       "During one of the shellings, a man and a woman, aged 70 and 63, were injured. Both were hospitalized.

·       In total, 13 private houses have been damaged in the Nikopol district today. Several economic buildings have been destroyed," Lysak wrote.

KHERSON

February 19

February 18

23:06 Kherson RMA: In the Kherson region, a local resident was seriously injured while trying to disassemble unexploded ammunition.

·       "The victim had his right upper limb torn off, and he also received multiple shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and hips.

·       Now the man is on the operating table, doctors are fighting for his life," the statement said.

22:04 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.

18:54 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.

13:22 Kherson RMA: The number of wounded in Burgunka in the Kherson region has increased to eight, of which three are children.

13:01 Kherson RMA: This morning, the Russian army artillery shelled the village of Burgunka, Beryslav district, Kherson region.

·       One of the shells hit the courtyard of local residents. As a result of the strike, three people were killed and one child was injured.

·       In the same village, another child, an eight-year-old boy, was injured by Russian shelling.

KYIV

February 19

SUMY

February 19

CHERNIHIV

February 18

14:56 Operational Command North: The Russian army shelled three villages on the border of the Chernihiv region.

·       The Russians were probably firing from a 120 mm mortar. There are no losses among personnel and equipment. There is also no information on losses among the local population or damage to civilian infrastructure.

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

www.ubn.news