Ukraine – 3/31/23 Sitrep
By: Robert Homans & Bohdan Chomiak
March 31, 2023
Another Lesson From Ukraine – The Dangers of Prosecutions Having the Appearance of Being Politically Motivated
Regardless of the substance of the charges, yesterday’s indictment of Donald Trump has the perception of a politically motivated prosecution. Both New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York State Attorney General Letitia James admitted as much, when they ran for their current office on their promises to indict Donald Trump.
Yesterday’s news drew me back to another prosecution that had the perception of being politically motivated. It took place in Ukraine, when former President Viktor Yanukovich, with the help of 3 U.S. law firms, Aiken Gump, Trout Cacheris and Kroll, all recruited by Paul Manafort on behalf of Yanukovich’s government, attempted to indict former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on charges related to her mishandling of Kyoto carbon credits. Tymoshenko was Yanukovich’s opponent in 2009/2010 Presidential election. Parallels?
The charges relating to misuse of Kyoto credits ended up going nowhere, partly thanks to Tymoshenko hiring yet another U.S. law firm, Covington & Burling, and the CPA firm BDO. Covington & BDO hosted a press conference summarizing their conclusions about the accusations of mis use of Kyoto carbon credits against their client, Yulia Tymoshenko. The video lasts for 30 minutes, and it makes for interesting and even amusing viewing.
Later Tymoshenko was separately charged with abuse of power relating to her signing of a 2009 gas supply contract with Gazprom. She was convicted of abuse of power, and she spent 3 years in prison with the help of another U.S. law firm recruited by Manafort, Skadden Arps. According to reports, Skadden advised the prosecution team during Tymoshenko’s trial, and later they were paid approximately $4 million for preparing a written justification supporting the government’s prosecution and imprisonment of Tymoshenko. Skadden later disgorged the $4 million fee, in connection with a settlement with the U.S. Government.
Not to be outdone, soon after President Zelenskyy took office, his General Prosecutor’s office initiated treason charges against his predecessor and opponent, Petro Poroshenko. These charges have been suspended, pending the outcome of the war with Russia, but not withdrawn. If all this is a reminder of what happened yesterday, it should.
I am by no means a Trump supporter. Yesterday at the gym, I listened to a podcast where James Carville, former President Bill Clinton’s campaign manager, said that anyone who doesn’t support Ukraine’s fight against the Russian Federation is committing treason against the U.S. I think Carville has a point; you can draw any conclusions you want, about what I think of Donald Trump’s fitness to be reelected President.
News From the Battlefield – Day 400
“Reporting From Ukraine” describes extensive Russian losses in men and equipment around Avdiivka. According to Reporting From Ukraine, Russian losses got so bad that the Russians were stripping personnel from artillery battalions, giving them rifles, and sending them to the front. The same situation in terms of Russian losses seem to be the case in both Bakhmut and Vuhledar, in addition to Avdiivka.
The Latest Denys is long but very interesting in spots. At around 1:15 into the video he shows the disposition of ethnic Russians throughout the Russian Federation. In the south, marked in blue near the black arrow, is Buryatia. Russian Army formations made up primarily of Buryats were involved in atrocities in Bucha. Another area with mentioning is Karelia, the blue area in the northwest part of the map. Karelia is made up of ethnic Finns, who ended up in the Soviet Union in 1940, at the end of the Soviet-Finnish War. It will be interest to see what happens, now that Finland is a member of NATO.
At 3:00 into the video there is a map showing the dispersion of conformed Russian losses, consisting of dead bodies buried. It shows substantial losses of soldiers from the N. Caucuses, Dagestan and Kuban, Buryatia, and around Yekatarinberg, where Denys thinks the losses come from poorer rural areas around Yekatarinberg. What is most astounding is the data from Moscow, where only 118 soldiers have been confirmed killed. Seems that most ethnic Russians are experiencing the war with the help of their TV remotes.
3/31/23 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon March 30 to 12:00 noon March 31, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Friday March 31
11:04: Premieres of Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia arrive in Ukraine for the summit on the occasion of the de-occupation of Bucha, – Aktuality
10:28: Head of the Security Service Vasyl Malyuk and Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori agreedon practical steps to prepare a number of activities aimed at strengthening cooperation between the countries and countering common threats.
· In particular, the meeting discussed the repulse of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, information protection, cyber threats and international terrorism.
10:17 Chinese Ambassador to the EU: The possibility of a telephone conversation or meeting between Zelenskyy and Xi Jinping is not excluded, representatives of Ukraine and China have been in contact on this issue.
08:45: Manhattan prosecutor's office charges Donald Trump for more than 30 episodes related to business fraud - CNN.
· Trump's lawyers said the former president will appear in court in New York for charges on Tuesday, April 4.
08:17: The United States has not recorded new supplies of Russian weapons from North Korea. This was stated at a briefing in Washington by Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder.
08:16: NATO intends to provide Ukraine with everything necessary for a counteroffensive, the White House.
· Allies will discuss military assistance to Ukraine at a ministerial meeting in Brussels on April 3-5.
00:05: The Turkish Parliament approves a protocol on Finland's accession to NATO, — Reuters.
Thursday March 30
23:38: The New York Times: wrote an article about "the biggest battle in Ukraine," or why Russia and Ukraine are fighting for a city of little strategic importance.
· Politico: wrote that Russia wants to get ammunition from North Korea. The White House said Thursday that Russia is seeking more ammunition from North Korea to bolster its war against Ukraine.
· The Guardian: wrote a great interview with historian Timothy Snyder, as he became the leading interpreter of our dark times.
· CNN: wrote about four bankers who helped a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin transfer millions of dollars through accounts in Swiss banks, found guilty of failing to properly verify financial transactions.
23:24: Norway will transfer 12 diesel trains to Ukraine by the end of the year, - Nettavisen.
· "We will be able to send four of them (diesel trains - ed.) by the summer and probably eight more during the year," said Norwegian Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nigord.
21:32.: A group of 65 Ukrainian troops has completed Patriot air defense exercises in the United States, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said.
· In total, the United States conducted training on various types of equipment for 7 thousand Ukrainian servicemen.
20:41: OSCE countries supported the investigation into the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
· The OSCE Moscow mechanism will allow participating States to send expert missions to assist in solving a specific issue or problem. In relation to Russia, the OSCE Moscow Mechanism was last used on July 28, 2022.
20:11 p.m.: An exhibition on the crimes of the Russian Federation in Ukraine will open near the UN building in New York on March 31, the OP said.
· On an area of about 2 thousand square meters, more than 1000 exhibits are placed, collected during expeditions to the newly occupied territories, as well as in other places where the Russian Federation terrorized the civilian population.
19:41 p.m. U.S. State Department Press Office: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Brussels next week to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
19:26: російське вторгнення в Україну ставить під загрозу безпеку Європи та демократичні цінності.
· Про це заявив британський король Чарльз III під час виступу в Бундестазі, повідомляє Euronews.
18:23: The Government of North Macedonia has decided to transfer a certain number of combat helicopters to Ukraine, - Fokus. The Minister of Defense previously spoke about the transfer of 12 Mi-24 helicopters.
16:55: The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) supported the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to its competitions.
16:35: In France, a court refused to extradite businessman Constantine Zhevago in Ukraine, — Le Dauphine.
· According to the publication, the investigative chamber of the Court of Appeal of the city of Chambéry decided to refuse extradition.
· "The requesting state, being in a state of war in an uncertain situation, is unable to preserve the court, which guarantees basic freedoms," the investigation chamber said.
16:19: Sandu says Russia wants to use Moldova against Ukraine.
· "Attempts by the Russian Federation to undermine the government, overthrow the government, and we have new evidence of this. The Russian Federation is trying to create a pro-Russian government in Chisinau to use the Republic of Moldova, including against Ukraine, as is done, for example, in the case of Belarus," said Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
· According to her, the Russian Federation wants to see corrupt politicians at the head of Moldova, who are easy to buy.
15:12: Only about half of the F-35 fighters in service with the U.S. Army can be considered eligible for combat missions.
· This was reported by Bloomberg with reference to a statement by the head of the F-35 program, Air Force Lieutenant General Michael Schmidt.
· The lieutenant general called the current state of readiness of the F-35 unsatisfactory. According to him, in the next 12 months, the military should raise this figure by 10%.
14:52 Financial Times - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: It is dangerous to consider the spring counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decisive, as it may affect the further position of the West.
· According to him, such a narrative is dangerous for Ukraine, because if the offensive fails, it will strengthen those Western officials who expect compromises with Russia from our country.
14:30 Foreign Affairs: Chinese leader Xi Jinping says he is preparing the country for war.
· According to the publication, such a statement was made during the annual meeting of the PRC Parliament and its highest political advisory body.
· His government has also reportedly announced a 7.2% increase in China's defense budget, which has doubled over the past decade.
13:22: Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the leaders and people of Austria on the 400th day of the war.
· "We strive for safety, tranquility, freedom, happiness for our children in our Ukrainian home.
· We want international treaties and conventions that guarantee the security of peoples and the sovereignty of states to work," the president said.
13:08: Lieutenant-General Oleksandr Pavliuk in Poland discussed the training of the Ukrainian military with the allies.
· "I was acquainted with the measures of collective and individual training of tank and mechanized units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, practical elements of training courses, talked to our military and foreign instructors," Pavlyuk wrote.
NATIONAL
Friday March 31
11:42: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the de-occupation of Bucha
· "When we de-occupied Bucha, we saw that the devil was not somewhere out there – he was on earth. The terrible truth about what happened in the temporarily occupied territories opened up to the world.
· We will never forget the victims of this war and will definitely bring to justice all Russian killers."
10:46: NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that the UOC believers and priests would not use force to force them to leave the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
· "We are aware that there is a plan in Moscow to create a picture for Russian TV that we, as the authorities, exert physical pressure on representatives of the clergy. We will not do this, no one will drag them by the beards," Danilov said.
09:42: Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video in honor of the anniversary of Bucha's liberation:
· "Bucha. 33 days of occupation. More than 1400 deaths, including 37 children. More than 175 people were found in mass graves and torture chambers. 9000 Russian war crimes. 365 days as it is again a free Ukrainian city. A symbol of the atrocities of the army of the occupying country. We will never forgive. We will punish all those responsible."
09:29: The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed how the Russian Shaheds were destroyed that night.
07:31 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: During the past day, the Russians launched 11 missile and 4 air strikes, carried out 43 shellings from the MLRS.
· At night, with the use of the S-300 air defense system, Russian troops carried out 9 missile launches on the civilian infrastructure of the city of Kharkiv. To launch air strikes, I used 10 strike UAVs of the "Shahed-136" type, 9 of them were destroyed by our defenders.
· the Russians are focusing their main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Kupyansk, Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinsky directions. Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine repulsed more than 80 Russian attacks. In the epicenter of hostilities remain the settlements of Bilohorivka, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka,
· Aviation of the Defense Forces over the past day inflicted 6 strikes on areas of concentration of Russians. And units of rocket troops and artillery hit 1 control point, 6 areas of concentration of enemy manpower, 2 ammunition depots and 2 warehouses of fuel and lubricants.
07:10: At night, nine of the ten strike drones of the Russian Federation were destroyed, - Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
· From 21.10 on March 30 to 01.30 on March 31, 2023, the Russians attacked Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 drones, and up to five other air targets, presumably balloons, were also recorded in the sky.
01:12: Ukraine attacked "up to a dozen drones", said Air Force spokesman Colonel Yuri Ignat
· "Probably up to a dozen Shaheds flew in from the north. The enemy fired several missiles from the S-300 air defense system at Kharkov from the Belgorod region"
Thursday March 30
23:50: Cyberpolice exposed a criminal group that used phishing to deceive EU citizens for UAH 160 million.
· Having gained access to the accounts, the fraudsters misappropriated the money. More than 1000 victims have been identified, including citizens of the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Spain, Portugal and other European countries.
· Fraudulent activities were stopped as part of an international police operation.
22:46 Minister of Digital Transformation: Ukraine has simplified the procedure for importing components for drones.
· "Now drone manufacturers will not need to receive a conclusion from the Security Service, which previously took up to 15 days. Simplification of the procedure will speed up the import, assembly and delivery of components to the front," Fedorov said.
· According to Fedorov, the Ministry of Digital Transformation is preparing amendments to the Customs and Tax Codes so that importers of UAVs do not pay import duties and VAT for drones and components during martial law.
20:23: Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov showed the American armored personnel carriers Stryker and Cougar received by Ukraine.
· "Strykers and Cougars are now in the skilled hands of the Air Assault Force. I took them for a test drive. I am glad that the best soldiers in the world receive the best equipment from our partners. They will bring us closer to victory," the defense minister wrote.
19:55: The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy filed a police report as representatives of the UOC-MP blocked the work of the commission on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
· This was announced by the Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko.
· At the same time, the Kyiv police initiated criminal proceedings on the fact of obstruction of the legitimate professional activity of journalists, which could have happened today on the territory of the Lavra.
18:56: The court rejected the claim of the UOC-MP to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reserve to invalidate the termination of the lease agreement, said Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko.
18:36 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on March 30:
· During the day, the enemy inflicted 1 missile and 3 air strikes, carried out 5 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian infrastructure of settlements.
· In the epicenter of hostilities remain the settlements of Bilohorivka, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka,
· 47 enemy attacks in these areas were repulsed.
· Aviation of the Defense Forces in a day inflicted 6 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the occupiers,
· Also, units of rocket troops and artillery hit 2 areas of concentration of manpower, weapons and military equipment and 2 enemy ammunition depots.
17:35: Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of the German defense-industrial concern Rheinmetall AG headed by Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger.
· "We discussed in detail the current state of cooperation with the State Concern and the prospects for its development. It is necessary to further deepen the partnership in order to meet both the urgent needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and to significantly strengthen the defense capability of our state in the future," the President wrote.
17:22 Avdiivka City Administration: Avdiivka has completely broken infrastructure and there is not a single surviving building.
· "The housing stock is more than 80% destroyed - this is something that can no longer be restored, repaired, but only demolished and rebuilt. Not a single surviving house now," Barabash said.
16:15: Volunteer headquarters "Ukrainian team" sent to the front the first batch of kamikaze drones with "explosive wishes" from Ukrainians
· Among these drones there is a personalized one, which was donated UAH 32,000 with the message: "From grandfather and 5 grandchildren." Other wishes of Ukrainians who will bear the "evil birds" to the Russians:
o "Bakhmut, hold on, I'm already flying!"
o "From Bucha for Ruslan, father of 3 sons!"
o "P#$@рам on our heads of lightning!"
o and dozens of others.
· "The gathering continues. In the comments of the donat, write "explosive messages" to the enemy. Every 100 UAH is an opportunity for your very wish to hit the drone. And with a donation of 32000 UAH, there will be a personal drone that will deliver your congratulations along with a kilogram of explosives," the volunteers note.
15:57: 300 DJI Mavic 3T Thermal drones have already been handed over to the Ukrainian military in the hottest areas of the front.
· This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Mykhailo Fedorov.
· "DJI Mavic 3T Thermal drones are equipped with a thermal imager and a camera with zoom, that is, they allow you to track the enemy at night," Fedorov added.
14:16: In Ukraine, mines and shells contaminated an area the size of two Austrias, - Zelenskyy.
· 174 thousand square kilometers of Ukrainian territories are contaminated with mines and unexploded projectiles. The Russians left explosives in civilian buildings, gardens, parks and gardens. In addition, disguised grenades almost every day take the lives of Ukrainians in the liberated territories.
State Emergency Services: Yesterday and cumulative discovery and liquidation of explosive objects.
13:39: The Security Service exposed prisoners of the Rivne colony who lured money from relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the SBU press service reports.
· Three perpetrators found people on the Internet who were looking for their loved ones, combatants, and presented themselves as military personnel.
· Then, for money, they offered citizens "assistance" in establishing the place of stay and health of the missing soldiers or even releasing them from captivity.
12:08 PM Minister of Energy: In some settlements of Odesa and Chernihiv regions, short-term outages are still possible today.
· Today, the power system of Ukraine operates in general without restrictions with a reserve of power.
Mordor - russia
Friday March 31
11:51 a.m.: According to Lukashenko, the West is about to invade the territory of Belarus to destroy the country.
· He also added that the deployment of nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus is necessary for the security of the country.
00:30: "Schemes" published satellite images of a Russian military base in the Belgorod region near the village of Soloti
· Before the start of the full-scale invasion, hundreds of pieces of equipment stood there, and as of March 23 this year, the base was almost empty.
· The 237th Tank Regiment is based there, which, according to the General Staff, participated in battles in the Izyum area.
Thursday March 30
22:53 Social Networks: Explosions were heard in Belgorod, Russia.
21:16: Some members of Russian elites are already trying to establish contact with Ukraine and are asking for security guarantees.
· This was announced by a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Yusov.
· According to Andrei Yusov, now the greatest danger to Putin is precisely those representatives of the political elites who are not part of the dictator's "inner circle".
18:24: Russians are creating a Private Mercenary Company in Crimea because they are preparing to fight for the peninsula, - Ukrainian Military Intelligence.
· "The invaders are creating so-called "private military companies" in preparation for hostilities on the peninsula. But to a large extent, this step is also carried out for the sake of personal safety and to prevent looting. Actually, for this purpose, the Russian corporation Gazprom creates its own private military company," explains Andrei Chernyak, a representative of the Intelligence Directorate.
17:52 p.m.: Russia's "big" offensive has become a "pshik,” but it has the strength to fight for several more years, said Andrei Chernyak, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry's Intelligence Directorate.
· He noted that the Russian army was unable to conduct strategic offensive operations.
· However, if we talk about the inertial scenario (when the current intensity of hostilities will remain), then the available resources in the Russian Federation will be enough to wage a conventional war in 2023 and, possibly, in 2024.
15:36: The Russian military likely delivered a new batch of missiles to Gomel, "Belaruski Gayun."
· According to observers, from March 25 to March 30, four Russian heavy transport aircraft An-124 Ruslan arrived at the Gomel airport.
· It is reported that a column of military equipment was moving as part of the traffic police of the Republic of Belarus in the direction of the Ziabrovka airfield.
14:23: "Wagnerians" in Bakhmut set up a base in the dungeon of a champagne wine factory.
· It is reported that the Russians set up the base in early 2023. Underground, the enemy established a headquarters, control point, barracks, hospital and shooting range. Due to the large size of the catacombs - move around the dungeon in cars.
12:51: The occupiers installed air defense in the center of Mariupol.
· "It never happened again. Mariupol. The air defense charging system is simply parked in the middle of the central avenue of the city. No living shield. But this is not accurate," wrote Petro Andryushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol.
KHARKIV
Thursday March 30
23:11 Kharkiv RMA: In Kharkiv, a private house and two cars were damaged due to shelling in one of the districts of the city. Data on the victims are being clarified.
22:34 Kharkiv RMA: Kharkiv is being beaten from S-300 systems. Shelling is carried out from Belgorod.
22:30: The mayor of Kharkov Igor Terekhov announced 6 arrivals in Kharkiv. Information about the victims and victims is being clarified.
10:13 p.m.: The head of the Kharkiv RMA, Oleg Sinegubov, said that the Russians were again striking Kharkiv and the region.
LUHANSK
Thursday March 30
12:39 Luhansk RMA: Russian troops use almost all civilian medical institutions in Luhansk region for their own purposes.
· For example, in Novopskov, Starobilsk, Markovka, Lysychansk, as well as in the territories captured in 2014. This indicates significant losses of Russian troops. There are not enough places in mobile hospitals for the wounded.
DONETSK
Friday March 31
09:57 Institute for the Study of War: In Bakhmut, the pace of the Russian offensive decreased, our defenders prevented the encirclement.
· Previously, Russian troops could launch simultaneous offensives in all directions in the Bakhmut region, but now these capabilities are decreasing. Ukrainian forces have stabilized their flanks north and south of Bakhmut, and Russian forces are now focused on fighting through the city itself.
00:42 Social Networks: An explosion is heard in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.
Thursday March 30
17:11 RMA: There is not a single surviving building in Avdiivka.
· "The infrastructure is completely broken - nothing works. The housing stock is more than 80% destroyed - this is something that can no longer be restored, repaired, but only demolished and rebuilt. Now there is not a single surviving house. There hasn't been a single surviving building in the city since the summer. In total, we had 149 multi-storey and about four thousand private houses," Barabash said.
15:18 Social Networks: An explosion is heard in the temporarily occupied Mariupol of Donetsk region.
12:23 Donetsk RMA: In the middle of the night, the Russians launched a missile strike on Kutuzovka and Druzhkivka — houses were damaged.
· Avdiivka, Marinka, Krasnohorivka, Bakhmut, Soledarska, Kurakhivska, Limanska, Siverska, and Chasovoyarska communities were under fire.
ZAPORIZHIA
Friday March 31
10:32 President's Office: Released photographs of impact of Russian shelling of the village of Rozumivka in the Zaporizhia region.
· There were hits in residential private houses. No casualties. Also arrived in the village of Nizhnya Khortytsia, there was a hit in the area of the local farm. Previously without casualties.
07:17 Zaporizhia RMA: The Russians inflicted a series of strikes on the regional center and suburbs using MLRS.
· Civilian buildings were damaged: a fire broke out in a private house, and neighboring homes were damaged by a blast wave.
06:11 Zaporizhia RMA: Explosions rang out again in Zaporizhia.
· "The enemy does not abandon the goal of intimidating the civilian population of a city of many thousands. Be especially careful today and respond to hazard signals."
00:14 Social Networks: An explosion is heard in Zaporizhia.
KHERSON
Friday March 31
10:34 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
09:12 Kherson RMA: Russians attacked peaceful settlements of Kherson region 64 times.
· Residential areas of Kherson were attacked by the Russian army 9 times. Shelling in the city damaged private and apartment buildings. 1 person died, 2 people were injured.
Thursday March 30
20:09 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
19:11 Kherson RMA: In a forest belt near Malaya Oleksandrivka in the Kherson region, a car with two people was blown up by a mine.
· Due to the explosion, the car caught fire: one man died, the other received numerous burns, he was hospitalized in serious condition.
KYIV
Thursday March 30
22:04: The Kyiv OVA warns residents of the region about the threat of a drone attack.
SUMY
Thursday March 30
21:57: During the day, the Russian army shelled the territories of three communities of the Sumy region: Belopolskaya, Krasnopilskaya, Seredno-Budskaya. As a result of the shelling, one person was injured,
ZHYTOMIR
Friday March 31
11:29: SSU charges the head of Zhytomyr customs with systemic corruption
· According to the investigation, the organizer of the scheme is the head of the Zhytomyr customs. The official involved one of the heads of departments, as well as a local broker as intermediaries, in illegal activities.
· They demanded illegal benefits from local businessmen who imported a variety of goods into Ukraine. In exchange for bribes, they promised not to create artificial obstacles during customs clearance of goods. In case of refusal, they threatened with additional checks, delaying time and downtime.
·
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://espreso.tv/
https://cutt.ly/Blyskavka
www.ubn.news
“James Carville, former President Bill Clinton’s campaign manager, said that anyone who doesn’t support Ukraine’s fight against the Russian Federation is committing treason against the U.S. I think Carville has a point".
Aside from the fact that nothing out of scumbag Jimmy Carville's mouth is worth a damn, when you insult my fellow Trump voters, you are showing your ignorance of the correct application of the charge of treason.
The left, with whom you seem suspiciously comfortable, raged against being called traitors during the war in which I had the honor to serve America, Viet Nam. No, no, they wailed, we can't be traitors—it's not a declared war! It's all illegal!
Now here we have a war with a far more tenuous claim to Americans’ patriotism, considering that NOT A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER IS, OFFICIALLY, IN UNIFORM, IN COMBAT IN UKRAINE, and you and your strange bedfellow have the nerve to haul out that word?
I have supported Ukraine’s quest for freedom since the earliest says of the Revolution of Dignity, but I reject this gross insult to the scores of millions of my countrymen who may not understand the full implications of what is going on in Ukraine and what is at stake, and who only want to keep America out of another war which they have every reason to fear, based on past experience, our leaders will botch once again, leaving them to pay the price in blood and treasure.