Bob Homans March 9
20230310
Ukraine – 3/9/23 Sitrep
By: Bohdan Chomiak & Robert Homans
March 9, 2023
Today Is Taras Shevchenko’s 209th Birthday
The picture above was taken on March 9th 2014, on the 200th Birthday of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s poet laurate and national hero, and 2 weeks after the end of Euromaidan and Yanukovich’s departure. Yours truly can be seen on the lower left-hand corner of the picture, in the hat with a blue & yellow ribbon in my hat band.
It was a parade of ex-pats, showing our solidarity with Ukraine. I was there with my family. Many people brought flags of their respective countries. With my cowboy hat with the blue & yellow ribbon passed for being from the U.S.
We started at Shevchenko Park in front of the original university building, went down Taras Shevchenko Blvd., turned left on Khreshchatyk, the main thoroughfare of Kyiv, to Independence Square where most of the events during Euromaidan took place, up Institutska St., where 100 protestors were murdered by sharpshooters, likely acting under orders of Yanukovich or member(s) of his Government, and to the Parliament Building.
The photo looks down on Independence Square, and it was taken in front of the October Palace. The main stage is obscured by the Ukrainian flag on the right side of the picture. The conical shape on the left side was originally supposed to be a New Year tree, but it was purloined by the protestors who covered it with posters.
Independence Square was jammed with people. When we were going through Independence Square, the crowd parted for us, and shouted “bravo,” or other words of encouragement. It was a very moving day.
By the time of Shevchenko’s 210th birthday, the war will be won.
News From the Battlefield
From the latest “Reporting From Ukraine,” I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ukraine launch an offensive to the east, either rather than, or in addition to, one going toward the south toward Melitopol. According to “Reporting From Ukraine:”
· Ukraine has managed to strengthen their positions north and south of Bakhmut, forcing Russians back in both areas and opening the gap for Ukraine to evacuate Bakhmut if it becomes necessary (looking increasingly less likely).
· Ukraine has moved additional forces to the north of Bakhmut, near Siversk, and to the south, near Chasiv Yar.
· Wagner has been forced to stretch their defense line, leaving the possibility that Ukaine can find openings, as they did last Fall in the Kharkiv Region.
· One possibility if for Ukraine to use their additional forces around Siversk to attack south. Along with a similar attack north, from Chasiv Yar, Russian forces in Bakhmut would get cut off.
Personally, I don’t understand the prediction by NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg that Ukraine will evacuate Bakhmut in the next few says. Maybe it’s a ruse.
3/9/23 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon March 8 to 12:00 noon March 9, 2023
One year ago on March 8, 2022 we did not report.
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
March 9
08:52: The bill on "aliens" has been withdrawn from Georgia's parliament, according to the ruling party.
· "We see that the adopted bill has caused disagreement in society. The lie machine was able to present the bill in a negative light and mislead a certain part of the population.
· We must be attentive to peace, tranquility and economic development in our country, as well as to the advancement of Georgia through European integration. Therefore, it is necessary to spend the energy of each of our fellow citizens not on confrontation, but on the development of the country in the right direction," the parliamentary majority said in a statement with the participation of the parties "Georgian Dream" and "Power of the People".
08:01: The U.S. has called on Georgian authorities to respect freedom of peaceful assembly and appealed to all parties to refrain from escalating and violence during the protests. This was stated by State Department spokesman Ned Price.
08:00: The United States authorized the arrest of a $25 million Rosneft plane
· "Violating the export control of the Department of Commerce, Rosneft turned its plane into smuggling," U.S. Justice Department spokesman Andrew Adams told reporters.
March 8
23:56: Putin is ready to wage war against Ukraine for years, - US intelligence
· "The war in Ukraine has become a tough war of attrition in which neither side has a definitive military advantage, but Putin is likely to continue. Maybe for years," said U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.
23:41: At this stage, Switzerland remains opposed to arms supplies in Ukraine because it wants to maintain its neutrality.
· This was reported by SwissInfo with reference to the statement of the President of Switzerland Alain Berse.
· According to the publication, the Swiss Parliament does not intend to change the conditions for military-industrial exports.
23:18: Volunteer and paramedic Tyra wins prestigious IWOC Award
· The awards ceremony for 11 women from around the world took place Wednesday at the White House with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and First Lady Jill Biden.
22:50: Israel's Interior Ministry plans to propose an amendment to the law that it will be possible to obtain an Israeli passport only after living in the country for 1 year.
· This was reported by the online newspaper Times of Israel.
· Authorities suspect that some are abusing current conditions to receive payments under so-called "absorption packages."
22:39: In 2023, Russia may move to defense in Ukraine due to lack of resources.
· This was reported by The New York Times with reference to a statement by US Director of National Intelligence Evryl Haines.
· "Putin probably has a better understanding of the limits of what his military is capable of achieving, and seems to have focused on more limited military objectives for now," Haynes said.
21:43 Delfi: The Latvian government has handed over to Ukraine the first batch of cars confiscated from drunk drivers.
· According to the publication, this was done in accordance with the law adopted by the Latvian Sejm in February on assistance to Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression.
21:21 Rzeczpospolita: In Poland, they are going to check the legality of the payment of 2 million zlotys to Ukrainian refugees who left the country.
· "Since some refugees have left Poland, they should not receive assistance, and enjoy support from the country. Recipients will be obliged to return everything within two years," the statement said.
19:41: The U.S. National Security Council cannot confirm the data provided in the NYT newspaper's publication about the involvement of a "pro-Ukrainian group" in sabotage on Nord Streams.
· This was announced on Twitter by the head of the press service of the RNB, Adrienne Watson.
· "The sources were not authorized to speak on behalf of the U.S. government," Watson said.
18:22: The total cost of allied assistance provided to Ukraine during the full-scale war is about 150 billion euros.
· This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before the meeting of defense ministers of the allied countries.
17:50: The EU training mission for Ukraine will complete the training of 11 thousand servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by the end of March.
· This was stated by the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell.
· "By the end of the year, the number of trained military will reach 30 thousand," Borrell added.
· 16:57 Reuters: South Korea has officially approved the export of Krab howitzers with South Korean components from Poland to Ukraine.
16:21: Another 2 Gepard self-propelled guns were handed over by Germany to Ukraine, according to the website of the German government.
· The new assistance package from Berlin also includes 2 patrol vehicles for border guards of 6 mobile antenna systems. 13 bridge builders are being prepared for the transfer.
15:25: EU ambassadors agree to allocate an additional €2 billion for a fund that funds military assistance to Ukraine.
· "This decision is a clear signal of the EU's continued commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners," the Swedish EU Presidency reports.
15:12 The Guardian: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has conceded that the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, could fall in the coming days. Russia continues to throw a large number of forces at the capture of the city.
· He stated this before a meeting of EU defense ministers in Stockholm.
· Stoltenberg also stressed that the West should strengthen assistance to Ukraine so that the likely loss of Bakhmut does not become a turning point in the war.
14:22 Social Networks: A new rally has begun in Tbilisi, Georgia.
14:56: Footage of protest in Tbilisi.
· Participants of the rally carry in their hands the flags of Georgia, the USA and the EU. At the same time, the women's march also began against the law on "foreign agents".
17:34: People in Georgia continue to take to the streets and join in protesting against the law of "foreign agents."
18:05: A huge number of protesters gathered near the Georgian parliament in Tbilisi.
19:59: Protesters decide to give georgia's leadership one hour to meet two demands:
· withdraw the bill on "foreign agents" from parliament;
· release the detainees the day before the demonstrators.
· This was stated by opposition leader Georgiy Vashadze during a large-scale protest in Tbilisi.
21:07: Near the parliament in Tbilisi, water cannons began to be used against protesters.
22:11: In Tbilisi, security forces push protesters away from the parliament building
22:28: This is what Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi looks like now. (Wall to wall people on Tbilisi’s central boulevard)
22:58: Clashes continue between law enforcement officers and protesters in Tbilisi. Security forces used tear gas. People were hiding in the subway.
23:28: Protesters sing the anthem of Ukraine on Europe Square in Batumi.
00:10: Special forces in Tbilisi again began dispersing protesters in the city center. People are pushed to the Rustaveli metro station.
· Gas and rubber bullets are massively used.
13:50: "The horrific footage of the execution of an unarmed Ukrainian after he said 'Glory to Ukraine' is striking in its barbarism. We believe that Russia should be ashamed of itself," said U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price.
· Price added that this is not the first and probably not the last evidence that Russia is committing potential war crimes in Ukraine.
13:21: Ukraine expects to receive air defense systems, ammunition and a million 155 mm shells from the European Allies as soon as possible.
· This was stated by Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on the eve of an informal meeting of defense ministers of the EU member states in Stockholm.
· The Minister stressed the importance of continuing the supply of armored infantry fighting vehicles and tanks to the Ukraine, which will help create a "steel fist" on the eve of the counterattack.
13:05 German Defense Minister: Ukraine will receive 18 German and three Portuguese Leopard 2 tanks by the end of March along with trained crews.
12:20 White House Security Council Coordinator: America does not have intelligence to confirm the readiness of Belarusian troops to take a direct part in the hostilities in Ukraine.
· However, the Russians continue to use Belarus as a springboard and as a place from where they can and continue to strike Ukraine.
11:53 Bloomberg: The Pentagon's budget includes a record amount for the purchase of weapons.
· According to the publication, out of $ 835 billion of the defense budget, $ 170 billion was allocated for the purchase of weapons, and $ 145 billion - for new research and development. Journalists point out that both amounts are a record, and the Pentagon's budget itself will be one of the largest in history in peacetime.
NATIONAL
March 9
11:01: In Ukraine, internet outages due to a massive attack - NetBlocks service.
· Also, due to power outages, problems with mobile communication are recorded in some regions of Ukraine.
00:41: Since the beginning of the war, more than 8.1 million Ukrainians have become refugees. This was reported by the UN Refugee Agency.
· At the same time, almost 5 million citizens of Ukraine have applied for the status of temporary resident in European countries.
March 8
22:22: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "We want to be in the European Union - and we will. We want Georgia to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will.
· We want Moldova to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will. All the free peoples of Europe deserve it."
19:21: SBU special forces destroyed the Russian heavy flamethrower system "Sun" with an FPV drone right at the time of its volley.
18:37 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on March 8:
· "During the day, the enemy inflicted 22 air strikes, and also carried out 29 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· In particular, the enemy used 1 UAV type Shahed-136. The drone has been eliminated."
· "In the settlement of Kreminna, Luhansk region, there is a sharp increase in cases of eviction of local residents from their own private homes by representatives of the local occupation so-called "authorities" with the support of the Russian military."
· "There is a sharp increase in the level of dissatisfaction with the actions of the leadership among those mobilized to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
· The main reason for dissatisfaction is the increase in the number of facts of use as attack aircraft of those invaders who have undergone preliminary training for service in the ranks of support units and do not have combat experience.
· This leads to a sharp increase in the number of losses, and the "rear catchers" do not agree to go to their deaths."
· "During the day, the aviation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine inflicted 11 strikes on the areas of concentration of the occupiers and 1 strike on the position of the enemy's anti-aircraft missile system.
· Units of rocket troops and artillery hit the command post of the invaders during the day."
15:51: Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UN Secretary General António Guterres in Kyiv.
· "I am pleased to welcome today in Kiev - for the third time since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression - the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres and the UN delegation," the president wrote.
· Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a press conference for the media following the meeting in Kyiv.
o "Right now, Ukraine itself is at the forefront of not just a struggle, but a real war for all the principles on which international life is based. Right now, it is Ukraine that is defending the goals and principles of the UN Charter. So, right now and in Ukraine, it is being decided what the future of the UN will be like and what will be the global role of the United Nations," the President said.
o The President of Ukraine and the UN Secretary General agreed that the continuation of the grain initiative is necessary for the world.
o "I want to emphasize the critical importance of continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative after March 18 and working to create conditions for the maximum possible use of export infrastructure through the Black Sea, in accordance with the goals of the initiative," said António Guterres.
14:38: The SBU blocked 26 Telegram channels that helped evaders avoid mobilization, the SBU press service said.
· Internet resources "reported" on the activities carried out by the Territorial Centers for Recruitment and Social Support in Ivano-Frankivsk, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa regions.
· They "leaked" the current places of delivery of summonses to the military and called for hiding from representatives of the military registration and enlistment offices. The perpetrators face up to 10 years in prison.
13:35: Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov called the publication of the New York Times about the alleged involvement of a "pro-Ukrainian group" in the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipelines strange.
· "It's a compliment to our special forces, but it's not our activity," Reznikov said.
12:36: Up to 9 Russian ships are on alert in the Black Sea.
· According to the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russians deployed 1 ship in the Sea of Azov, and 7 in the Mediterranean, of which 3 are carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, the total volley of which is 20 missiles.
12:06: "March 8. 365 days of respect and gratitude. Every year," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mordor - russia
March 9
March 8
20:35: New interception of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine:
· A soldier of the Russian Federation tells his comrade about the large number of dead, as well as about the disdain of the Russian military leadership towards the mobilized.
12:51 Sky News: Iran has secretly supplied Russia with a large number of bullets, missiles and mortar shells for war against Ukraine.
· According to the source of the publication, two cargo ships under the Russian flag left the Iranian port in January, heading for Russia through the Caspian Sea. They transported about 100 million bullets and about 300 thousand bullets. Shells.
· It is also reported that the ships had ammunition for MLRS, mortars and machine guns. It is noted that the Russian Federation paid for ammunition in cash.
FROM 02:00 TO 07:45 AIR RAID ALERT ACROSS ALL OF UKRAINE – TIME AND LOCATION OF HITS
00:57 Social Networks: Sounds of a "shaheda" drone in Sumy region.
01:58 Social Networks: An explosion was heard in Chernihiv,
02:02 Social Networks: An explosion was heard in Kropyvnytskyi,
02:08: Kyiv region, the threat of an air attack.
· Air defense forces at the ready - OVA
02:19: Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia regions - air alarm, OVA.
02:27 Social Networks: An explosion was heard in Dnipro, subscribers report. Preliminary - the work of air defense.
02:39: Khmelnytsky, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Chernivtsi regions - air alarm, OVA.
02:45 Social Networks: An explosion was heard in Odesa
03:12 Social Networks: Explosions were also heard in Mykolaiv.
03:29 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Zhytomyr region
03:32 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Dnipro
03:50 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Vinnytsia region
03:56 Social Networks: Explosions are also heard in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia
04:03 Social Networks: Also, subscribers report the sounds of explosions in the Khmelnytsky region.
04:06: Kharkiv and the region are under fire, confirmed the head of the OVA Oleg Synegubov.
04:11 Social Networks: Subscribers also report the sounds of explosions in Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions.
04:21: In Kharkiv, power system facilities are at gunpoint. The city has problems with light, said the mayor of Kharkov Igor Terekhov.
04:22 Odesa RMA: Russians hit an energy infrastructure facility in the Odessa region,
04:33 Kharkiv RMA: In Kharkiv and the region, the Russians struck more than 15 blows. Previously, there is a hit in a private residential building
05:04 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Lutsk, Rivne and Dnipro
05:12 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kirovohrad region
05:54 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kyiv, subscribers report.
06:05 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kyiv, Sumy, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia and Ternopil regions.
06:16 Social Networks: Explosions were heard again in Dnipro, subscribers report.
06:29 Social Networks Explosions in the Goloseevsky district of the capital.
06:48 Odesa RM: As a result of the Russian attack in Odessa, residential buildings were damaged, but no one was injured among the people. The city preventively turned off the light.
· This was announced by the spokesman of the operational headquarters of the Odessa OVA.
· "We cannot yet say that electric transport will work until the morning, but there will be movement around the city," Bratchuk said.
07:00 Explosions are heard again in Kyiv, subscribers report. We are waiting for official information.
07:16: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed another explosion in the capital.
· "Svyatoshinsky district. All services are heading to the site. Cars are burning in the yard of one of the residential buildings."
KHARKIV
March 9
11:26 Kharkiv RMA: In Kharkiv, the light must be restored within 2-3 hours.
· He noted that 70% of residents of the Kharkiv region already have electricity after a massive Russian attack.
11:21 Mayor of the city: In Kharkiv, CHP and transformer substations were damaged as a result of a night attack. 11 missile strikes were carried out on the city, there were no wounded or dead, "Igor Terekhov.*
· According to him, the city is de-energized, infrastructure facilities and hospitals are working on generators, electric transport and the subway have been stopped.
09:24: Kharkiv metro is currently operating in shelter mode. As a result of night missile strikes on the city, trains do not run by the subway, metro spokesman Alexei Bitner said.
LUHANSK
March 8
14:08 Luhansk RMA: The Russian army is trying to seize previously de-occupied villages in the Luhansk region.
· "The Russians are storming in the direction of Stelmakhivka in the Svatov region. Ukrainian defenders retain control of this village. Fighting also continues in the direction of Makiivka-Nevsky and Kuzemovka-Novoselevsky," Gaidai said.
DONETSK
March 8
ZAPORIZHIA
March 8
3:37: Something is burning in the temporarily occupied Energodar. Thick smoke rises above the city, according to local residents.
DNIPRO
March 9
08:27 Dnipro RMA: Russian shelling killed one and wounded two people.
· "Arrivals" were recorded in Dniprovskyi, Pavlograd, Kryvyi Rih and Nikopol districts.
· Damaged energy infrastructure and industrial enterprises. There is serious destruction.
March 8
20:51 Dnipro RMA: Russians fired heavy artillery and "grads" at Marganetsk, Chervonohryhorivska communities and Nikopol.
· "In Nikopol, an 11-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were injured. And 3 more women and 1 man, they are from 40 to 74 years old. Everyone is in a state of moderate severity," Lysak wrote.
17:15 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region.
KHERSON
March 9
11:37 Kherson RMA: Over the past day, Russians shelled the territory of the Kherson region 86 times, firing more than 430 shells.
· The Russian army hit the residential areas of Kherson 7 times. Private and apartment buildings were damaged in the city. 1 person died, 3 people were injured of varying severity.
11:21 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
10:50 President's Office: Russians shelled Kherson in the morning. Hit a public transport stop
· As a result of the shelling, 3 people were killed.
10:29 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
March 8
20:18 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
16:43 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
12:49 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
KIROVOGRAD
March 9
10:36 Kirovograd RMA: electricity supply resumed. All consumers of the region are healed.
08:58 Kirovograd RMA: In the Kropyvnytskyi district, a Russian rocket hit an energy facility, without casualties.
ODESA
March 9
08:45 Odesa RMA: As a result of a Russian missile strike in the Odessa region, several power lines and a pole were damaged.
· Hourly emergency power outages are currently in place. Power engineers have already begun repair work.
· Over Odesa region, 6 missiles and one unmanned aerial vehicle were shot down.
KYIV
March 9
08:03 Kyiv RMA: According to preliminary information, the strike on Kyiv was carried out with an aeroballistic missile of the "Dagger" type (preliminary information). It hit the infrastructure.
· According to him, today the Russians have used almost all types of their air weapons - from barrage ammunition "Shahed" to almost the entire name of cruise missiles.
07:57: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that after the missile attack, due to emergency power outages, 40% of consumers in the capital are currently without heating. Water supply operates as usual.
07:44: The head of the KMVA Serhiy Popko announced the hit on the infrastructure facility in the Holosiivskyi district.
07:38: "Doctors hospitalized two victims from the Svyatoshinsky district of the capital. So far, three people have asked for help," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
07:20: "Two victims in Sviatoshynskyi district. Doctors provide assistance on the spot", - Vitali Klitschko.
March 8
17:13: Tomorrow, an investigative experiment with the use of small arms will be conducted in the Osokorky microdistrict in Kyiv, according to the KCSA.
· "Because of this, shots will be heard, and in the area of events, the movement of cars will be limited," the statement said.
CHERNIHIV
March 9
10:21 Operational Command North: The Defense Forces shot down a cruise missile in the Pryluky area of the Chernihiv region.
LVIV
March 9
09:28 Lviv RMA: The death toll from a rocket crash in Zolochiv district has risen to five.
· The body of another man, born in 1963, was found under the rubble.
08:22 Lviv RMA: It is previously known about 4 dead. Two men and two women.
· In the Lviv region, a Russian rocket fell in a residential area. Damaged houses and cars. The rubble is still being dismantled. There may be other people under them.
ZHYTOMIR
March 9
08:40 Zhytomir RMA: In the Zhytomyr region, kamikaze drones hit one of the energy infrastructure facilities.
· Without power supply – about 150 thousand subscribers. There are no casualties or casualties beforehand.
07:29: Mayor of Zhytomyr Serhiy Sukhomlyn about the situation in the city after the explosion:
· "In the morning there is no water, in some houses there is electricity - this is after the impact on Zhytomyr. The situation is complicated. There are no casualties beforehand. We cannot start electric transport, there is no capacity. More information in a few hours."
KHMELNITSKY
March 9
09:39 Khmelnytsky RMA Tonight, during the air alarm, there were no hits on the area.
IVANO FRANKIVSK
March 9
10:42 Ivano Frankivsk RMA: In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, during the night attack, there were no casualties or casualties.
TERNOPIL
March 9
10:55 Ternopil RMA: A drop in rocket fragments was recorded on the territory of the Pidhaitsi community of the Ternopil district.
· The explosion damaged 5 buildings, one of which is residential. There are no casualties or casualties.
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