Bob Homans January 29
20230130
Ukraine – 1/29 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
January 29, 2023
Tanks
Adam Tooze - A recipient sent me this Substack post from Adam Tooze, showing the history of the number and use of tanks by NATO and the former Warsaw Pact, and how Ukrainians are finding creative uses for the tanks they already possess, including raising the angle of the main gun so it becomes possible to hit Russian tanks at a range of up to 10KM, with the help of targeting information supplied by drones.
The World’s Largest Collector of Antique Tanks - During his lifetime, which ended prematurely in 2009, Jacques Littlefield acquired the World’s most extensive collection of tanks, which he kept on his property in Portola Valley, California (near Stanford University). Jacques acquired the tanks, and he restored them to mint condition at a repair facility on his property including, where necessary, fabricating parts. His collection included Soviet “T Series” tanks, including the famous T-34 from the Great Patriotic War, and a T-72 that is currently being used by both Russia and Ukraine, and a Nazi German Panther Tank, fished out of a Polish bog. The link includes many photographs of Jacques’ collection, along with a brief biography of Jacques.
Jacques and I grew up near each other near San Francisco, but I don’t recall ever meeting him personally. We were 3 years apart in age, a significant difference when younger. His parents and my parents knew each other socially. Jacques’ Father, Edmund Littlefield, was the CEO of a large engineering and mining company called Utah International, which may partly explain how Jacques, starting at a very young age, developed a lifelong interest in large, complex equipment.
In the mid 1970s General Electric acquired Utah International for $2.2 billion, at the time the largest merger in U.S. business history. Clearly, Jacques spent his inheritance well.
Jacques is one of those people with whom I’d love to talk about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and especially the role tanks are playing, and will play. God bless him.
“Exercise of Power,” by Robert Gates
Robert Gates was the former Director of the CIA and Secretary of Defense. He served under several U.S. Presidents, and he held Cabinet positions under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Yesterday I read the chapter of his book on Russia, and the portion of a 2nd chapter on Ukraine, especially Euromaidan.
Toward the end of the chapter on Russia, Gates made the following observations:
· “It is difficult (though) to imagine what the United States might have done to prevent or significantly mitigate the economic and political disasters of the 1990s in Russia. Those disasters paved the way for a strong leader, one ruthless enough to bring the regions and the oligarchs back under control.”
In the same paragraph Gates went on to say that NATO expansion would not have prevented the “Color Revolutions,” of which the Orange Revolution in Ukraine was one. He ends the paragraph as follows:
· “In retrospect, failure to expand NATO would’ve left us without an important military and political instrument of power for deterring and containing a resurgent and revanchist Russia.”
Gates ends his chapter on Russia with the following sentence:
· “Russia had the opportunity to take a different path that would have been far better for its people and the World, but Vladimir Putin chose otherwise.
Note – This book was published in 2020.
In the section on Ukraine, in the following chapter, Gates ends with the following comment:
· “There is no public evidence that the Obama Administration seriously considered overt operations or the use of cyber-attacks or sabotage to increase the cost to Russian forces of their intervention in Ukraine. The limited nature of our economic sanctions and our backseat role in diplomacy (no involvement in either Minsk I or Minsk II) constituted “intervention light.”
Gates made some other interesting observation:
· CIA’s assessment of the decline of the Soviet economy. It has been the default assessment that the CIA failed to see the decline in the Soviet economy in the 1980s. Gates disagrees, and he cites a CIA report produced in 1985 that concluded that the Soviet economy was in trouble.
· In 1989 the National Security Council formed a working group, headed by Condoleezza Rice, to prepare for the possible breakup of the Soviet Union. Today I wonder if the National Security Council is forming a similar working group, to prepare for the possible breakup of the Russian Federation.
· We seemed to place too much stock on Dimitry Medvedev to make substantial changes in Russia, during his time as President from 2008 to 2012.
It’s always interesting to read or re-read books like this with the benefit of hindsight. Gates seemed to be quite prescient.
The War as Explained by AI
Last Friday afternoon, another recipient made 2 queries about Ukraine on Chat GPT. Note that the data Chat GPT used in its responses ends in 2021, thus the referral about a pending Russian invasion.
Write a list of cultural traits of Ukrainian people.
Strong sense of family and community
Deep connection to traditional customs and values
Strong connection to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church or Greek Catholic Church
Traditional folk music and dance
Traditional Ukrainian cuisine, featuring dishes such as borscht and pierogies
Celebrations such as Ukrainian Christmas and Easter
Love for the countryside and nature
National pride and strong sense of cultural identity
Strong work ethic and resourcefulness
Hospitality and generosity towards guests
Respect for the elderly and tradition.
Elaborated on bullet number 8.
The strong work ethic and resourcefulness of Ukrainian people is a trait that is deeply ingrained in the culture. Historically, Ukraine has been an agricultural society, and this has led to a culture that values hard work and self-sufficiency. Ukrainian people take great pride in their ability to work the land and provide for their families. This trait is not limited to just farming, but extends to all aspects of life, including business and industry. Ukrainian people are known for their ability to overcome challenges and make the most of limited resources. This trait has also been demonstrated during times of political and economic instability, where the resilience and determination of Ukrainian people has allowed them to persevere.
How would their traits manifest themselves in defense of a military invasion from Russia?
If Ukraine were to face a military invasion from Russia, it is likely that the cultural traits of Ukrainian people would manifest themselves in a number of ways.
National Pride and strong sense of cultural identity: The Ukrainian people have a strong sense of national pride and a deep connection to their cultural heritage. This would likely lead to a fierce resistance against any attempt to invade and occupy their country.
Strong sense of community: Ukrainian people have a strong sense of community and a deep connection to traditional customs and values. This would likely lead to a strong sense of solidarity and a willingness to defend their homes and families.
Resourcefulness: Ukrainian people are known for their resourcefulness and ability to make the most of limited resources. This would likely lead to a determination to defend their country using whatever means necessary.
Strong work ethic: Ukrainian people are known for their strong work ethic. This would likely lead to a willingness to make sacrifices and to fight fiercely to defend their country.
Sense of Patriotism: The Ukrainian people have a deep sense of patriotism, this would likely lead to a strong resistance against any attempt to invade and occupy their country, and willingness to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
It's important to note that all of the above are generalizations and may not necessarily apply to every single person in Ukraine. However, these cultural traits, if they manifest, could provide a strong foundation for national unity and resistance in the face of a military invasion.
I am happy that ChatGPT is a supporter of Ukraine’s cause.
News From the Battlefield
“Reporting From Ukraine” focuses on the Bakhmut meatgrinder. There is some potentially bad news. Russian advances to the south of Bakhmut poses a danger to Ukrainians fighting inside Bakhmut from having their supplies cut off. I believe that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry is waiting 24 hours to release battlefield information to bloggers like Denys and “Reporting From Ukraine,” meaning that this information may be almost 48 hours old.
The fighting around Volhudar, in the South, is an effort by the Russians to take Volhudar and thereby relieve Ukrainian pressure on roads and a rail line connecting Southern Ukraine with both Donbas and southern Russia. Supplies coming from Crimea are likely limited by the continued repairs to the Kerch Bridge.
Once again, there appears to be a news blackout concerning fighting around Kreminna and Svatove. Historically, this is an indication of Ukrainian advances.
1/29 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon January 27 to 12:00 noon January 28, 2022
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military AdministrationSBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
January 28
10:55: The German army has six HDW class 212A submarines, one of which should be sent to Ukraine, to fight Russia in the Black Sea, said Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Melnyk.
02:11: Israel launched an operation inside Iran — Al Arabiya citing Israeli media.
00:16: Putin's tribunal will be the third in history. For it to take place, Ukraine is actively working to create a precedent – the crimes of Russians against Ukrainians have no analogues.
· This was stated on the air of the FREEDOM TV channel by human rights activist, executive director of the Center for Civil Liberties Oleksandra Romantsova.
· "In addition to the top of the Russian Federation, those who will spread the ideas of the
Kremlin , in particular Solovyov and Skabeyev, will fall under the tribunal," she said.
January 28
23:54: Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says Ukraine needs to provide long-range ATACMS aircraft and missiles to get deep into the east and Crimea.
· "Instead of reacting to the threat of a Russian offensive, I would prefer to see Ukrainians go on the offensive now while the Russians try to train, equip and organize their military. Break them up and push them out of Ukrainian territory."
23:37: Nova Poshta opened 15 branches in Poland — the Ministry of Reintegration.
· They employ Ukrainians who serve both Ukrainian and Polish.
11:10: A hotline has been opened in the United States to report abuses of United States assistance
· You can now confidentially report any suspicious activity related to programs or operations by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State (including the U.S. Agency for Global Media), and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
· In addition, inspectors arrived in Ukraine yesterday to check the proper use of the assistance the United States provides to Ukraine at the expense of American taxpayers, said U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink.
21:38: NATO is ready for a direct confrontation with Russia, because the strategic goals of the aggressor country go beyond Ukraine, said the chairman of the NATO military committee, Admiral Rob Bauer.
· "Now we are faced with the threat that Russia is. She comes to us without an invitation at any moment. So we have to be on the alert," Bauer said.
21:22: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba criticized the position of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which wants to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete.
· "The IOC's efforts to cover up Russian war crimes are a testament to the extent to which the Olympic gods have moved away from reality. The IOC is ready to trample the graves of thousands of innocent people who have been killed and killed by the Russians," Kuleba wrote.
21:06 Reuters: Italy signs gas deal with Libya to reduce its dependence on Russia.
· Italian energy company Eni and the National Oil Corporation of Libya (NOC) have signed a $8 billion gas production agreement. The agreement was signed during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni to the Libyan capital Tripoli.
21:57: Evening address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
· "I thank everyone in the world - politicians, public figures, journalists and ordinary people - who insist with us that there can be no taboos in the supply of weapons to protect against Russian terror.
22:26 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Ilovaisk, Donetsk region.
21:58 Social Networks: The sounds of explosions are heard in Kherson.
20:32 Bloomberg: Finland's Foreign Minister hints that Russia may have been involved in a campaign to burn the Qur'an in Stockholm—.
· "Rasmus Paludan's potential ties to Russia have been investigated and found in his entourage," says Pekka Haavisto.
· The Swedish government has not publicly commented on any ties between Rasmus Paludan and Russia.
18:27: Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Petro Pavel on his victory in the Czech presidential election.
18:00: Poland plans to transfer to Ukraine another 60 modern battle tanks, including 30 RT-91.
· This was reported by the Canadian TV channel CTV News with reference to the statement of the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki.
· The Prime Minister stressed that Poland has a leading position in the issue of supplying tanks to Ukraine and was one of the first to announce this initiative.
17:09: Retired NATO General Petro Pavel wins the Czech presidential election.
· After processing 90% of the ballots, Powell, former chairman of NATO's Military Committee, gains 56.1% of the vote.
16:52 NOS and Nieuwsuur: Microchips manufactured by Dutch companies, despite sanctions, fall into the Russian Federation. Export takes place through intermediaries.
· "We are talking about millions of pieces from the beginning of the invasion in Ukraine to December inclusive," the study notes.
15:12 NTV: Scholz's party called the liberation of Crimea and other territories legal by German tanks.
· SPD Secretary General Kevin Kuehnert said there were no restrictions on the territories that Ukraine could liberate with the help of German tanks.
13:42 Waz: Israel supports Ukraine in the war against Russia on a larger scale than the public knows, said Israel's new ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor.
· Israel helps Ukraine, "but behind the scenes and much more than is known."
12:31: Poland has officially announced the formation of a "tank coalition" to support Ukraine, says Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak.
· "On my initiative, we are negotiating with countries that have Leopard 2A4 tanks to jointly create a coalition of donors of modern armored vehicles for Ukraine," wrote Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.
12:21 Bloomberg: G7 proposes that the EU set the ceiling for diesel fuel prices from the Russian Federation at $100-110.
· The European Commission, according to the agency, previously proposed to limit the cost of $100, but the G7 favors a higher limit due to the risks of price jumps and supply problems.
12:12 RTVE: Spain plans to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in the spring, after assessing their technical condition.
· "We're going to make the necessary repairs. The Allies' approach is to send tanks in the spring," said Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
· The exact number of Leopard 2 tanks that Spain plans to send to Ukraine is not yet known.
12:01: Italy and France have agreed to jointly order 700 Aster-30 missiles worth 2 billion euros for the Franco-Italian SAM/T air defense system – this system both countries plan to provide to Ukraine.
· The French edition of l'Opinion clarifies that some of the missiles will remain in Italy and France. How much exactly will be delivered to Ukraine is unknown.
NATIONAL
January 29
11:06 Operational Command South: As of today, there are 15 Russian ships on alert in the Black Sea.
· Among them are one landing craft and three rocket carriers. The total volley of "Calibers" available on the launch vehicle is 20 units.
10:33 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on sanctions against 185 legal entities and individuals that Russia uses to transport personnel and military equipment by rail.
· "Their assets in Ukraine are blocked, the existing property will be used for our defense. We will work to ensure that similar blocking is applied by other countries," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
10:09 Ukrenergo: Electricity consumption is at the same level as on Saturday. The shortage in the power system is still significant.
· For technical reasons, one of the units of thermal power plants was put into repair, respectively, the volume of electricity produced in the system decreased. Because of this, slightly reduced consumption limits have been brought to all regional power distribution companies.
· In the Odessa region, emergency outages continue to operate. The restoration of the planned power scheme of the region continues.
07:53 DTEC: In Odessa, emergency blackouts continue after a missile attack on January 26.
· In Kyiv and Dnipro, according to the data, there are stabilization schedules of outages.
07:12 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· "Over the past day, the Russian occupiers launched 1 missile and 32 air strikes and carried out more than 65 shellings from the MLRS. In particular, on the civilian infrastructure of Donetsk and Kherson regions. There are wounded and dead among the civilian population.
· The enemy continues offensive operations in the Bakhmut, Avdievsky and Novopavlovsk directions. At Kupyansk, Liman, Zaporizhia and Kherson, he is defending himself."
· Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine repulsed Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Dibrova and Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region; Yampolivka, Verkhnekamenskoye, Rozdolivka, Sil, Blagodatne, Paraskoviyivka, Bakhmut, Ivanovskoye, Klishchiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodiane, Marinka, Pobeda and Vuhledar in the Donetsk region,
· Up to 300 mercenaries of the so-called PMC "Wagner" were delivered to the 15th city multidisciplinary hospital of the Jubilee Luhansk region. Due to the fact that most of them are carriers of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, tuberculosis and pneumonia, doctors refuse to provide them with medical care,
· During the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces inflicted 4 strikes on areas of concentration of Russians, and Ukrainian rocket scientists and artillerymen hit 2 control points, 2 positions of Russian air defense, 6 areas of concentration of manpower, ammunition depot and electronic warfare station - General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
January 28
23:24: Thousands of women have been banned from traveling abroad in Ukraine.
· This is due to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the day before on the ban on travel for officials. It also applies to women who are civil servants or councillors at all levels. Therefore, crossing the border for them is possible only based on documents on business trips.
22:18: Yasno's CEO said the amounts in electricity receipts could increase despite power supply constraints.
· The reason is the increased consumption of electricity after the resumption of its supply. The second possible reason is that meter readings are transmitted irregularly or late.
20:48 DTEK: Tomorrow, emergency blackouts continue in the Odesa region,
· In Kyiv, Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, limits allow you to apply schedules of stabilization outages.
8:17 Prime Minister: Billions of dollars are needed to quickly restore energy.
· "Another $17 billion this year is needed for the rapid recovery of energy, humanitarian demining, restoration of housing, critical and social infrastructure."
18:41 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 January 28:
· "The Russian Federation launched a missile strike on the civilian infrastructure of the city of Konstantinovka, Donetsk region.
· In total, the Russian army carried out more than 15 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems. There are civilian casualties.
· The danger of enemy air and missile strikes is high throughout Ukraine."
· "Losing a large amount of manpower, the enemy is still continuing offensive operations in the Bakhmut, Avdievsky and Novopavlovsk directions.
· In Kupyansk, Liman, Zaporizhia and Kherson, he is defending himself."
· "The occupiers continue to exert moral, psychological and physical pressure on the local population.
· Thus, employees of the Zaporizhzhia NPP who did not sign an employment contract with the occupiers were blocked from passing to the station, and workers who were forced to sign a contract were announced a reduction in wages, arguing that the station was not working."
· "The enemy continues to suffer losses.
· Thus, in particular, only in the city hospital of the settlement of Tokmak, Zaporizhia region, in recent days, up to 50 wounded occupiers were brought.
· Most of them, after receiving formal assistance, are sent back to the front line.".
· "During the current day, the aviation of the Defense Forces has inflicted 4 strikes on the areas of concentration of the occupiers.
· Our units of missile forces and artillery hit 2 control points, 2 air defense positions and 3 areas of concentration of enemy manpower.
17:44: The Defense Ministry of Ukraine has already signed 16 contracts with Ukrainian UAV manufacturers, the Ministry of Defense said.
· "Taking into account the needs and requests of the Ukrainian army, in 2023 about UAH 20 billion should be allocated to this segment," the message says.
17:30: Spanish journalist Christian Segur, author of a piece about 24 F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine, misinterpreted Yuri Ignat's words.
· An Air Force spokesman said this in a comment to Babel.
· According to Yuriy Ignat, Ukraine is only at the stage of negotiations on aircraft. The 24 planes are the calculations of the journalist himself, he made assumptions from the words about the squadron (there are 12 aircraft in the squadron) when he asked a spokesman a question.
15:43: The fight against corruption is important against the background of increased foreign assistance to Ukraine, - ambassadors of the G7 countries.
· The G7 ambassadors met with NACP Chairman Novikov, who informed about anti-corruption policy and legislation.
13:59: Military counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine showed the destruction of Russian soldiers with the help of strike drones.
· According to the SBU, four Russians were killed and at least three Russian servicemen were wounded.
13:28: Activists of the "Yellow Ribbon" movement distributed pro-Ukrainian leaflets and painted graffiti in the largest cities of the temporarily occupied Ukraine.
12:58 Air Force spokesman: Ukraine expects to receive 24 modern fighter jets from partners.
· According to him, Ukraine expects to receive from partners 2 battalions of fighters, each of which will have 12 aircraft. The priority for Ukraine is the American F-16 fighters. However, French Rafale combat aircraft and Swedish Gripen are also considered as variants.
· However, Yuri Ignat stressed that after the decision is made by partners, it takes at least six months to train pilots and ground handling teams.
MORDOR (Russia)
January 29
10:21 British intelligence: Russia returns compulsory military training to schools and universities from September. believes that this initiative of the leadership of the Russian Federation testifies to the militarization of society.
· "These initiatives underscore the increasingly militarized atmosphere in Russia during the war, and are also a (probably intentional) memory of the Soviet Union: such training was compulsory in schools until 1993," British intelligence explains.
09:00 Institute for the Study of War: The main goal of the Russian Federation is the complete occupation of Donbas, the starting point of a large-scale offensive may be an attempt to re-seize the Estuary
· Russia can conduct several stages of offensive operations, culminating in the complete seizure of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. These stages are likely to take 6 to 12 months, so implementing such plans is unlikely.
· ISW analysts suggest that the localized attacks on Vuhledar and the settlements of Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions are likely intended to disperse the Armed Forces of Ukraine and create conditions for Russia's offensive in the western Luhansk region.
· Regular Russian troops are gradually replacing the "Wagnerians" in the Bakhmut direction, the mercenaries are exhausted
· After a heavy offensive operation in the area of Soledar, which, according to some estimates, cost the Wagner PMC more than four thousand killed and about 10 thousand wounded, Prigozhin's mercenaries are reducing their presence in the Bakhmut direction.
08:33 Donetsk RMA: On January 28, Russians killed 4 residents of Donetsk region: 3 in Kostiantynivka and 1 in Bakhmut,
· Another 17 people in the region were injured.
January 28
15:58: Prigozhin does not run the Wagnerians' headquarters, his function is media, said Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.
· "Prigozhin's key function is media and political. He does not directly lead combat units, does not head the headquarters. Its task is funding," Yusov said.
:18 British intelligence: Russia lost more than 300 people in a strike on a military deployment in Makiivka near Donetsk on January 1, 2023.
· "We estimate that most of them were most likely killed or missing rather than injured," the report said.
· At the same time, intelligence notes that the colossal difference between the number of victims recognized by Russia (89 people) and the true number indicates a constant lie on the part of Moscow.
13:08 SBU press service: According to the SBU, militants who stormed Ukrainian cities in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions will be held behind bars until the age of 15.
· In the course of investigative and operational actions, an evidence base of guilt of three more militants was collected, who at the beginning of a full-scale invasion joined the ranks of the Russian occupation groups.
· The perpetrators were captured during a counterattack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine last year.
KHARKIV
January 29
11:47 Kharkiv RMA: Last day, Russians shelled Kupyansk, Vovchansk, Strelecha, Kozacha Lopan and other settlements in the Kupyansk, Kharkiv, Bohodukhiv and Chuhuiv districts, - the head of the OVA Oleg Sinegubov.
· In Vovchansk, an 83-year-old woman was injured in a Russian shelling. Hospitalized in a state of moderate severity.
LUHANSK
January 29
11:28 Luhansk RMA: A new major offensive by Russian troops in the Luhansk region is not excluded. Already in February, the Russians may transfer the mobilized there.
· "The biggest problem today is that there are a lot of them. There is no such bright tactic or strategy in the enemy. They're just flooding our positions with bodies and the numbers are moving forward so little by little."
DONETSK
January 29
19:30 National Police of Ukraine: The morning shelling of Konstantinovka by Russians killed 2 men aged 33 and 36, as well as a 70-year-old pensioner.
· "According to preliminary data, Russian troops hit the residential sector with an S-300 missile. 4 apartment buildings, a hotel, garages and 7 civilian cars were damaged," the statement said.
16:25 Donetsk RMA: As a result of today's shelling by the Russian army of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, 3 people were killed and 14 injured.
15:28: Russian troops launched 299 artillery and MLRS strikes on Vuhledar, and conducted an assault in the area of the city 34 times, said Sergei Cherevaty, a spokesman for the Eastern Group of Forces, on the air of a telethon.
· "Their direction is clear, they want, having broken through our defenses, to move further into the area of Pokrovsk, Dobropillya. The purpose of these aggressive actions both in this direction and in the direction of Bakhmut is to seize the Donetsk region," he stressed.
14:25 Prosecutor General's Office: The number of victims of the missile strike of the Russian aggressors on the city of Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region has increased to six.
DNIPRO
January 29
10:30 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region.
KHERSON
January 29
11:16 Kherson RMA: Last night, the Russian army from the Grad MLRS once again attacked Kherson. Shells damaged 4 houses of Kherson residents.
· The Russians also targeted the communal transport company. The building was damaged, about 10 city vehicles were damaged. Fortunately, people were not injured.
10:45 Kherson RMA: According to the Kherson OVA, the Russians shelled the territory of the Kherson region 36 times a day.
· Kherson itself was shelled by the Russian army 4 times. 1 person was injured.
10:37 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
10:31 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Oleshky, Kherson region.
January 28
16:42 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Kherson region.
KYIV
January 28
14:43: Graffiti by Italian artist TvBoy appeared in Bucha and Irpen.
· Graffiti is depicted on the building near the Bucha City Council, the wall of the lyceum building, the Central House of Culture in Irpen and the destroyed stadium.
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