Bob Homans May 19

20220520

Ukraine – 4/19 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
@rhomansjr
May 19, 2022

Human Vultures

After the end of the Revolution of Dignity people were fond of saying that Ukraine was fighting 2 wars, one against Russia in Donbas, and the other at home against corruption.   Today, Ukraine is still fighting 2 wars, one against Russia and, instead of corruption (at least for now) the other against both looters of personal and public property, posing as Russian soldiers, and Russian Government Officials who are coming to Ukraine and organizing the looting of the wealth of Ukraine, including grain harvests, factory output, theft of electricity from Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant,  Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, discussed in more detail in the latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), and the expropriation of Ukrainian land to incorporate into another sham Russian “republic.”   The ISW assessment also mentions that Russia now intends to turn Mariupol into a resort, whereas they were first planning to expropriate Mariupol’s steel plants.   With apologies to the avian version, I call these people “human vultures.”   Looters stealing personal property can be referred to as “retail looters;” looters looting public property can be called “wholesale looters.”

Ukraine has mobile numbers belonging to the first type of looter, from soldiers calling their wives asking them what they want to steal or, if the looters fenced their loot at makeshift flea markets in Belarus, they have the mobile numbers of the looters calling their wives bragging how much money they “earned.”   If the looters return to Ukraine, and if they’re taken prisoner, hopefully they can look forward to long prison terms, not as a POW but as a common thief.

Wholesale looters are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, no different than if they ordered mass killings.   To provide a small indication of the value of the stolen goods, there was a grain carrier full of stolen Ukrainian wheat docked at the Port of Latakia, Syria, after having been denied entry into Egypt (among other countries).  

The only sure way that Ukraine can stop both types of looters is to re-take all the territories taken by Russia, back to 2014.

2 More Fundraising Ideas

This Op-Ed, from the Wall Street Journal, describes the precarious existence of Ukrainian journalists, and journalism.   Being a journalist in Ukraine is a dangerous business and has been since independence.   As this piece describes, the same is true of publications themselves.   The best way is to subscribe to one of the publications, like the Kyiv Independent or Ukrayina-Tsentr.

This article, from the San Francisco Chronicle, covers a company in Lv’iv manufacturing body armor.   They have a web site, called StartupSoft.com, where one can contribute.

5/19 Sitrep

INTERNATIONAL

German Chancellor:  Putin will be ready to discuss peace only when he realizes that he cannot break the defense of Ukraine

US Secretary of State Russia is to blame for the current food crisis. The State Secretary also countered that the sanctions imposed by the US and allies against Russia allegedly exacerbated the food crisis. "When we imposed sanctions on Russia to end the war as soon as possible (in Ukraine - ed.), we deliberately and carefully provided for an exception for agricultural products and fertilizers".

NewsMaker:  Moldova will transfer humanitarian aid to Ukraine for 67.5 million lei (104.8 million hryvnia = $3.55 million)  The aid package for Ukraine will also include goods (not specified) previously received by Moldova as humanitarian aid to manage the refugee crisis.

NHK World-Japan:  Japanese government decides to provide Ukraine with an additional $300 million loan

The governor of the Kursk region in Russia, said that as a result of the shelling of a distillery in the Russian village of Tetkino, the truck driver was killed.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada: Canadian parliament recognizes deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide

Bloomberg:  Russian companies 'Rosneft' and 'Gazprom Neft' are booking more tankers owned by 'Sovcomflot' to deliver Russian oil to buyers in Asia

The Prosecutor General's Office of Moldova opened a criminal case on suspicion of corruption against former pro Russia Moldovan President Igor Dodon.  He is suspected of corrupt ties with the oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc.

Social Media: A patriotic Russian poster with an American F/A-18 Hornet fighter appeared in Voronezh.

Roskonadzor demanded that articles “Rashism” and “2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine” be removed from the English-language Wikipedia.

Turkish Foreign Minister called the talks with the US Secretary of State "good".   According to him, the head of the State Department "will send the necessary messages" regarding Turkey's concerns about NATO membership of Sweden and Finland.

Associated Press:  Croatian President said his country will try to block the process of considering applications from Sweden and Finland to join NATO.

●         The Prime Minister and the Croatian Foreign Ministry noted that the President’s statements only damage the country's reputation, and also consider him a Moscow "agent".

US Treasury Secretary confirmed that after May 25, when the license expires, payments on the state share of external debt can be blocked for Russia.

Bloomberg:  ICE Data Services estimates that the RF default probability has increased from 77% to 90% within one year. This was the result of a report that the United States may deprive Moscow of the ability to service sovereign dollar debt after May 25.

European Council President proposed to intensify the process of EU enlargement, since the current state of the process is disappointing for both the European Union and potential future members.  According to him, the solution will be progressive and gradual integration already in the process of accession.

Israel Defense Ministry:  Sent a batch of 2,000 helmets and 500 bulletproof vests to Ukraine for emergency and civilian services.

US President:  The United States will deter any aggression or its threat against Finland and Sweden, while NATO will consider the countries' applications for joining the Alliance.

Moldova President said from the rostrum of the European Parliament that the Russian military should be withdrawn from the territory of Transnistria, as they violate the neutrality of the republic.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that the Russian response to Finland's decision to join NATO "would come as a surprise," but the measures would be military.

RosTV:  Russian Deputy Prime Minister said that Russia is using 'Zadira' laser weapon systems in Ukraine.  According to him, we are talking about laser weapons, which are allegedly capable of "physically hitting targets, saving expensive missiles.

●        Russia and Turkey have agreed to start accepting the 'Mir' credit card in Turkish hotels and to increase its use in ATMs.

The head of the European Council, supported the idea of the French President to create a European political community, which would include countries wishing to join the EU, including Ukraine.

Nasha Niva: In Belarus, the dystopian novel "1984" by George Orwell about a totalitarian state is being withdrawn from sales.  The corresponding order to confiscate the book was received by the publishers.

Rai News 24 channel:  European Commissioner for Economic Affairs  The sixth package of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation has been blocked because of Hungary's position on the oil embargo.

The governor of Kursk, Russia, reported about shelling of the Oleksiivka village, Hlukhiv district.

DPA:  Turkey blocked the start of NATO accession negotiations for Finland and Sweden.

FIBA has excluded basketball teams from Belarus and the Russian Federation to all its competitions. Also, basketball competitions of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will not be held in Russia or Belarus until further notice.

The disciplinary commission of the International Gymnastics Federation disqualified Russian Ivan Kuliak for a year and deprived him of his award, – organization website.

Twitter: Anonymous hacked Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia and Eastern Europe.

RTS: Serbian President said his country will participate in the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities after the war.

Twitter:  Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs The Netherlands plan to deliver even more arms and other equipment to Ukraine. results of a meeting with the Dutch Minister of Defence, “I am grateful to The Netherlands for its leadership in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers”.

Die Welt:  The EU may impose sanctions on former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who now holds the position of Head of the Board of Directors of "Rosneft Oil Company".

«Google» LLC (Russian branch of Google) wants to initiate bankruptcy proceedings, as it can not fulfill its obligations.

The Guardian: The UK’s foreign secretary supports the idea of an international criminal tribunal over Putin. "We are very clear that Putin and all of those who’ve been behind the appalling war crimes that are being committed in Ukraine need to be held to account, and we’re working very closely with the international criminal court".

The Washington Post:  Chinese technology exports to Russia plummeted in March after U.S.-led sanctions took effect, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said, calling it a sign of Beijing’s wariness about violating the trade prohibitions.

Local media:  In the Russian city of Shchelkovo, Moscow region, someone set fire to the military commissariat building. The building was hit with two Molotov cocktails causing extensive fire damage.

Japan Today: Japan's welfare ministry says it will offer specialized job assistance services for Ukrainian evacuees starting this week in Tokyo and Osaka.

7News: Australia imposed sanctions against Russian propagandists. Individuals being sanctioned for supporting the invasion are Dmitry Kiselev, promoter and general director of the information agency "Russia Today", RT Director-General Alexey Nikolov, general director of "Gazprom-Media" Alexander Zharov and several journalists. Also, sanctions were imposed on Alexander Chupriyan, Sergei Korolev, First Deputy Chief of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, and Nikolai Bogdanovsky, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. In addition, restrictions were imposed against "PMC Wagner" and two Belarusian enterprises: the manufacturer of tracked equipment "Minotaur-service" and JSC "CB Radar".

Euractiv: HSA Group As a result of Russia’s large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, Yemen faces a massive famine. “Yemen is facing the prospect of food affordability and global supply chain challenges on a scale not seen before.”

NATIONAL

State Security Service:  Liquidated a large-scale scheme for the theft of humanitarian aid assigned to Ukrainian defenders. According to the investigation, the dealers tried to illegally sell more than 1,000 bulletproof vests for a total amount of over UAH 12 million. Some of these products were confiscated in one of the retail chains. It will be transferred to the AFU.

We do not need surrogates for the status of a candidate for the EU, – Ukrainian Foreign Minister was outraged by the behavior of individual European countries.  “Strategic ambiguity on Ukraine's European perspective practiced by some EU capitals in the past years has failed and must end. It only emboldened Putin”, he writes.

The monument to Oleksandr Nevskyi is demolished in Kharkiv

British Intelligence:

●        In recent weeks, Russia has fired senior commanders who are considered to have performed poorly during the opening stages of its invasion of Ukraine.

●        Lieutenant General Serhiy Kisel, who commanded the elite 1st Guards Tank Army, has been suspended for his failure to capture Kharkiv.

●        Vice Admiral Igor Osipov, who commanded Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has also likely been suspended following the sinking of the cruiser Moskva in April.

●        Russian Chief of the General Staff Valeriy Gerasimov likely remains in post, but it is unclear whether he retains the confidence of President Putin.

●        A culture of cover-ups and scape-goating is probably prevalent within the Russian military and security system. Many officials involved in the invasion of Ukraine will likely be increasingly distracted by efforts to avoid personal culpability for Russia's operational setbacks. This will likely place further strain on Russia's centralised model of command and control, as officers increasingly seek to defer key decisions to their superiors. It will be difficult for Russia to regain the initiative under these conditions, - analysts at the British Ministry of Defense say.

The Polish tanks handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine are already at the front.

NRC:  Ukrainian Foreign Minister  Victory in this war can mean several things. The liberation of the occupied territories, including Crimea and Donbas. Reparations from Russia. Trial of Russian war crimes and crimes against humanity. Fixing Ukrainian course towards European integration. These are the four elements that I regard as victory.

French modern dual-purpose thermal imaging sensor Lynred PYCO-640-046 (Ulis) extracted from a recently downed Russian-made Orlan UAV manufactured in 2022. The serial number on the matrix can help authorities in the EU to identify sanctions circumvention schemes and companies involved.

Derzkino has published a showreel of Ukrainian films for presentation at the Cannes Film Festival. In the competition programs from Ukraine, two films by young Ukrainian directors are presented at once: "Pamfir" by Dmytro Sukholitky-Sobchuk and "Vision of a Butterfly" by Maksym Nakonechny.  The tapes were created with the support of Derzkino. In addition, the film "Mariupoli-2" was added to the out-of-competition program of the festival.

CNN:  NATO admits that Ukraine is capable of returning Donbas and Crimea by military means.  A NATO military spokesman said the current discussion within NATO is that momentum has shifted significantly in favor of Ukraine. NATO circles are now discussing whether Kyiv can return Crimea and the territories of Donbas seized by Russia in 2014.

●        I think they could (take back Crimea and Donbas), yes. Not now, not soon, but if they can continue the fight, I think so," the official said.

●        He noted that NATO does not expect great successes on the battlefield for either Ukraine or Russia in the coming weeks. "I think that for a while the situation will not move," the official said.

General Director of Ukrposhta:  The charity auction, where the block of stamps "Russian ship" was put up and the envelope was signed, is over.  The winner will transfer UAH 105,000 to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Parliamentary Committee for Economic Development:  Russians have already stolen 400 thousand tons of grain in the Kherson, Zaporіzhye, Donbas and Luhansk regions.

Deputy Minister of Defense:  Urges not to accept Russian statements regarding the "Azov" "I understand that everyone wants to know at least some information, but a rescue operation is underway. This is the first. Secondly, negotiations are ongoing, because she herself the rescue operation has several complex stages".  This process is very sensitive. Any information that we announce publicly can harm both the process itself and our defenders.

BBC: "Azov" fighters were transferred to the pre-trial detention center of Rostov-on-Don, as well as to Taganrog.  Reports are that 89 Ukrainian fighters were brought to Taganrog. At the same time, citing sources, it is said that "they will be further distributed from Taganrog".

CNN  The leader of occupied Donetsk said that Ukrainian high-ranking commanders have not left the 'Azovstal' plant in Mariupol.

UN Secretary General:  The UN did not participate in the removal of the Ukrainian military from 'Azovstal'.  The organization emphasized that the treatment of all prisoners must comply with international law.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

●        As a result of the offensive of our troops, the settlement of Dementiivka, Kharkiv region, was liberated.

●        The enemy is conducting an offensive in the area of the Ternova settlement, the fighting continues.

●         In the Severodonetsk direction, the troops of the Russian Federation carried out assault operations in the area of ​​the settlement of Nyzhnie, but failed.

●        In the Bakhmut direction, the enemy is conducting offensive operations, trying to improve the tactical situation. He conducted assault operations in the area of ​​the settlement of Katerynivka, unsuccessfully.

●         In the Sloviansk direction, the Russians, with the support of artillery, fought in the Dovhenke area, but failed and suffered losses.

●        In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy conducted offensive operations in the area of ​​the settlement of Novoselivka, suffered losses, retreated. The assault actions of Russian soldiers near the settlements of Novobakhmutivka and Vesele were unsuccessful.

●        In the Kurakhiv direction, the enemy launched an offensive in the area of the settlement Peremoha, but failed.

●        In the Lyman direction, the Russians tried to regain a foothold on previously occupied lines. The enemy used aviation to strike at civilian targets in the areas of the settlements of Toshkivka, Zolote, Avdiivka, Volodymyrivka and Vodiane.

●        According to available information, on May 16-17, spontaneous protests were held in the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk region by family members of persons forcibly mobilized into Russian ranks. There were protests in Luhansk and Rovenky. The main requirement is the return of the mobilized home.

●        Partisans blew up rails causing a Russian armored train to derail in Melitopol.  The explosion damaged the armored car carrying soldiers.  Casualties are to be determined.

●        In the absence of a mobilization resource in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk region, the Russian military command plans to involve students of higher educational institutions in combat operations.

●        In the Donetsk and Luhansk directions of the past day, 16 Russian attacks were repulsed, 8 tanks, 17 units of armored combat vehicles, 4 special armored vehicles and 6 ordinary vehicles of the Russian Federation were destroyed.

Human Rights Watch documented 22 cases of extrajudicial executions in Ukraine during the Russian occupation, visiting 17 settlements in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.  In addition, at least nine murders, seven cases of torture and six disappearances of civilians were officially recorded.

Minister of Infrastructure:  To balance the pre-war export volumes and increase the transport potential of the railway communication, new railway terminals will be created during the year on the borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

Prime Minister:  The European Commission has approved a plan for the restoration of Ukraine.  The plan is being developed by the National Council for the Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine. In particular, it will include the restoration of infrastructure, modernization of institutions and integration with the EU in various directions.

●        The European Commission estimates the recovery plan for Ukraine at 500-600 billion euros.  The key source of funding for the plan should be the funds of the Russian Federation, because "like any aggressor in the future, Russia must understand the cost of war."

●        Ukraine is already developing a large-scale plan for the restoration and modernization of the state.  The main approaches should include:

○         regionality, when partner countries and corporations help in the restoration of a particular city or region.

○        parametric - development of specific parameters for the recovery and transformation of each sector of the economy.

In Ukraine, gas stations began to conclude agreements on fuel supply without state regulation.

Ministry of Internal Affairs:  Russia is urgently trying to mobilize former Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea.

●        The deputy director of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant on suspicion of desertion.  According to the State Bureau of Investigation, the suspect (he is a serviceman) escaped from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and “did not provide physical protection for the facility”, that was a part of his official duties.  Also, the employees of the State Bureau of Investigation must establish whether he helped the Russians seize the nuclear power plant at the end of February.

Prosecutor General’s Office:  Three people died because of Russian shelling of a civilian convoy evacuating from Kherson. At least six persons sustained various injuries.

●        During the rubble removal of a high-rise building in Bakhmut, destroyed by Russian troops, rescuers removed the bodies of a 2-year-old child and a 35-year-old woman.  Thus, the number of victims of the shelling of a residential building by the Russians has increased to 5 people, at the moment 4 people have been injured.

Russian media reports:  Ukrainian Armed Forces liquidated the commander of a Russian sniper unit, from the Transbaikal Territory.

Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed a command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security reports.

President’s Office:  The European Commission plans to unveil a 195 billion euro plan to stop importing Russian fossil fuels by 2027.

Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence: Dissatisfaction with participation in combat operations is growing among Russian troops. Russian soldiers are increasingly refusing to comply with orders to conduct active offensive actions.

●        Luhansk occupational authorities are avoiding paying compensation to families of killed and injured conscripts.  Medical staff are instructed to diagnose war injuries as "osteochondrosis", "ulcer", or other illnesses, which are without compensatory payments..

State Border Guard:  Entry into Ukraine through its western border has exceeded exits eight days in a row after May 9,  Total net inflow to Ukraine was 61 thousand people.

●        Russia continues shelling the border territories of Ukraine.  According to the border guards, on May 18, seven such shellings took place from the territory of Russia: five in the Sumy region, two in the Chernihiv region.  The Russians used heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, cannon and rocket artillery.

EU Economic Commissioner:  Rebuilding Ukraine after the war with Russia will be the task of a generation. The European Union and the Ukrainian government already made an initial estimate of how extensive and expensive the reconstruction could be.

KHARKIV

Kharkiv Regional Military Administration:

●        Today at 4 am (GMT+3), the Russian troops again shelled the Kyiv district of Kharkiv. The projectile hit the boiler room of the Institute of Endocrine Pathology Problems.

●        The village of Tsirkuny in the Kharkiv region was also shelled. Two private households were damaged.

●        At night, a 63-year-old woman was hospitalized, who was wounded as a result of shelling in the Lozivskyi district.

LUHANSK

Luhansk Regional Military Administration: The Luhansk region is cut off from electricity. Russians cut off power and damaged the last powerful electrical substation. The damages are severe. Repair is impossible until the cessation of hostilities.

●        A significant amount of destruction and four deaths in Severodonetsk.

DONETSK

Social Networks: The streets of Mariupol flooded after the Russians attempted to supply water to the city. The networks were destroyed after the shelling by the Russian troops.

Mariupol City Council:  In Mariupol, Russians destroyed the old synagogue. The Jewish community center was shelled. 

●        There is a threat of complete extinction of the Sea of Azov. The bombardment of 'Azovstal' by the Russian troops could damage the dam, which holds back tens of thousands of tons of concentrated hydrogen sulfide solution.  The leakage of this liquid will completely kill the flora and fauna of the Sea of Azov. Further, dangerous substances can enter the Black and Mediterranean Seas.   The average depth of the Sea of Azov is 8 meters.   There is only 1 outlet, to the Black Sea via the Kerch Straits.

Russian Occupational Authority:  Azovstal will be demolished. And the second metallurgical giant of Mariupol - Illich Metallurgical Plant - will be reconstructed and put back into operation.

Donetsk Regional Military Administration: Russians destroyed the school in Avdiivka.

●        On, May 18, Russians killed 10 civilians in Donbas: 7 in Liman and 3 in Bakhmut.  There are 2 children among the dead: 1 in Liman and 1 in Bakhmut; 7 more people were injured today.

Advisor of the Mayor of Mariupol: Evacuation from Mariupol through Vasylivka is closed indefinitely because of fighting. Russians spread this announcement, so the city advises Ukrainians not to be exposed to danger.

●        Over the last 24 hours, Russians illegally deported 539 people from Mariupol to the filtration camp of the village of Bezimenne, Novoazovsk District, of whom 55 were children.

●        Russia is preparing new provocations in the Donetsk region to blame Ukrainian Armed Forces. Russian media report about the preparation of "provocation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". They say that 16-19 soldiers of AFU, dressed up in the Russian uniform entered Kostiantynivka and planned to kill civilians.

SOUTHERN UKRAINE

Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration. The Russian troops shelled the Zelenodolsk community five times. They fired from "Hrads" and "Hurricanes" on Velyka Kostroma. People didn't get hurt. Damaged and destroyed houses. The village is partially without electricity and gas.

Mayor of Kryvi Rih: Russians fired ballistic missiles at a peaceful column of people who were trying to evacuate from Kherson.   At least three people were killed, and six more were injured, including extremely severe injuries.  Heavy shelling of the residential areas of the village of Velyka Kostromka - the gas pipeline, electricity supply were interrupted, more than 10 houses were destroyed. According to preliminary data, there are no casualties.

Ombudsman of Ukraine:  A multi-kilometer traffic jam formed at the exit from Kherson region. Thousands of cars with children, women and elderly people who are trying to drive towards  Ukrainian controlled territory are prevented from leaving by Russian troops.    Russians want to prevent further evacuations from Kherson, likely to be able to use the local population as props for a possible annexation.

Odesa Regional Military Administration: Reported shooting and explosions in occupied Melitopol.

Local media:  In Melitopol, partisans blew up an armored Russian train. The explosives set on the rails detonated under the personnel carriage. As a result, railway track and equipment were damaged. The number of wounded and dead is being clarified.

Correspondent from Zaporizhzhia:  In Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia, Russians created a unit of the so-called "Kazaky". They are supposed to be police and are to "protect" the public order in the town. Instead of promised money for this work, Russian soldiers distributed stolen field rations to collaborators.

REST OF UKRAINE

Mayor:  Zhytomyr schools will stop teaching the Russian language   "If necessary, we will arrange group or individual consultations in schools to understand the terminology," he said. According to him, language camps will be opened for internally displaced children to improve their Ukrainian.

State Emergency Service: The number of people killed and injured as a result of an airstrike on the village of Desna in the Chernihiv region increased: 11 people died, and another 14 were injured.

Suspilne: A military pilot’s funeral in Vinnytsia. Fighters doing flyovers, which Vinnytsia residents saw, are in respect for the deceased.

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://invite.viber.com/?g2=AQBD3wxTrZ6XUU7IdXeHUfjVCydekezQCCGuwYnT6qPd1r7n1aVbFIewa6ng6Lis

www.ubn.news