The Ukraine Crisis Part 2 . The Battle for the Donbas

Now THIS is ballsy. Could be stupid, could be irresponsible, but ballsy nevertheless: "Denmark is sending all of its artillery to Ukraine, the Danish prime minister has said."

Denmark to send its 'entire artillery' to Ukraine, the country's prime minister says

Denmark gives all of its artillery shells to Ukraine

After Ukraine's recent defeat in Avdiivka, European nations in shock are now waking up to the fact that way more needs to be done. Recent comments by Czech President Petr Pavel also highlight this. Pavel announced that they have "a stockpile of about half a million 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm shells, which can be on the Ukraine frontline in a few weeks "if funding is found quickly."

ruSSians are trying to seize the momentum to make further gains to the west after their recent capture of Avdiivka, and have launched several assaults to new locations like the village of Lastochkyne near Avdiivka, and the villages of Robotyne and Verbove in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. So far unsuccessfully.

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 726

Russia Trying To Attack Beyond Avdiivka, Ukraine Warns

Business Insider: "The battle of Avdiivka proved very costly for Russia. At least 30,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded, say Ukraine."

Counting the 'colossal' cost of capturing Avdiivka: Russia could have suffered 30,000 casualties and lost over 400 tanks, IFVs

 

Rumor: Potential breakthrough on German delivery of Taurus long-range cruiser missiles for Ukraine. Looks like Avdiivka might have been a big enough of a shock to finally wake the Germans up.

https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1759726581549846842?s=20
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1759726581549846842

But mind you, still just a rumor and a lot of talk.

Meanwhile, Maxim Kuzminov, who hijacked an Mi-8 helicopter for the AFU, has been shot dead in Spain.

Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine shot dead in Spain -reports - SWI swissinfo.ch

Russian pilot who defected found dead in Spain, says Ukraine security agency

 

Sweden steps up. €635mn Aid package approved.

Sweden boosts military aid to Ukraine with $682 million armament package

Zelenskyy Welcomes Sweden's $683 Million Military Aid Package

ISW: shoigu and putler exaggerate the success in Avdiivka while downplaying their own losses. shoigu lies about taking Krynky. Possibly hundreds of Ukrainians soldiers were captured or have disappeared in Avdiivka.

Institute for the Study of War

Euronews/ISW: "Russian forces will likely have to conduct an operational pause before resuming significant offensive operations in the Avdiivka direction."

Russian activity in Adiivka 'dramatically slower' since town's capture

 

That was one thing Trump was correct about, the EU needs to step up it's support of Ukraine. Like Denmark, the rest of the EU should send all their available weapons not already deployed, as if their lives depend upon it.

Good to see this happening, but it's still small scale. Obviously the reluctance of Germany is due to their history esp. with Russia. The Russians have played the Nazi card since before this war. It works well domestically, if not with anyone else. It keeps the Russians in fear of the West.

 

Ukrainians manage to bring down another A-50 surveillance aircraft.

Ukraine Destroys Russian Surveillance Plane, Commander Says; Five Killed In Drone Strikes

Сили оборони збили розвідувальний російський літак А-50 – Олещук

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2465491/world

Czech Republic is looking for 1,4 billion Euros to purchase artillery shells for the Ukrainians.

FT: Czechia leading initiative to collect USD 1.5 billion for shells for Ukraine

Prague leads initiative to raise $1.5 billion in emergency funds to finance ammunition purchase for Ukraine

First sighting of Abrams M1 tank in combat in Ukraine.

This May Be The First Video Of A Ukrainian M1 Abrams In Combat

 

“My parents didn’t want me to leave, they were worried, and so on.”

Azov Brigade - Wikipedia
Da Vinci Wolves Battalion - Wikipedia

 

ruSSians have executed surrendering Ukrainians in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Ombudsman: Russian troops executed at least 7 Ukrainian POWs near Bakhmut

Ombudsman: Russian troops executed at least 7 Ukrainian POWs near Bakhmut

ISW: "Putin remains a deadly threat to NATO as well as to Ukraine, however. The Kremlin has been setting conditions to conduct hybrid warfare operations in the Baltic States and Finland for months and is currently engaged in such operations against Moldova.[10] Putin’s aims remain the destruction of NATO as an effective alliance, the breaking of the tie between the United States and Europe, and the construction of a new global order in which Russia’s voice and power are dominant.[11] The interests of America, Europe, and America’s allies in Asia and around the world are inextricably tied with helping Ukraine defeat Russia.[12]"

Institute for the Study of War

President Zelenskyy reveals: 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in war with Russia.

Zelenskyy: 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia – video

CNN: "Half of the military aid committed to Ukraine fails to arrive on time, Ukraine's defense minister says. Record number of Russians seek asylum in South Korea."

Half of the military aid committed to Ukraine fails to arrive on time, Ukraine's defense minister says

 

Sweden is in! Hungary finally caved in and ratified Sweden's NATO bid, enabling the Nordic country to become a full member and making NATO the largest and most powerful it has ever been.

Hungary's parliament ratifies Sweden's NATO bid, clearing the final obstacle to membership

Hungary's parliament ratifies Sweden's NATO accession, clearing the final obstacle

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/26/hungary-sweden-nato-vote/

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico: "EU, NATO members weighing sending troops to Ukraine."

Slovak PM says EU, NATO members weighing sending troops to Ukraine – POLITICO

Russia-Ukraine war: several Nato and EU members considering sending soldiers to Ukraine, Slovak PM claims – as it happened | Ukraine | The Guardian

https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...lateral-deals-send-troops-ukraine-2024-02-26/

 

Sweden is yet another European country that has destroyed the cohesion of its society through the stupidity of its politicians and the naivety of its obedient population – or is it the other way round? My heartfelt condolences!



How Finnish and Swedish NATO Accession Could Shape the Future Russian Threat

 

Estonian news agency Delfi has gained access to leaked kremlin documents, which detail how ruSSia has used large sums of money to create a very soviet union style system of propaganda and control.

For example, the documents detail how a government organization called IRI produces patriotic video games, TV shows, and movies, all at a cost of about 220 million euros to the russian tax payer. This propaganda material is extensively used to paint russia as a force of good. An example of this is a TV show called GDR, where a soviet agent, very much resembling putin himself, is having adventures in 1987 West-Berlin during the Cold War. The purpose of the show is to depict government security workers in a positive light.

Another good example is the IRI produced video game Spartan, which supposedly presents russia as a modern empire with an army that is armed with the latest in modern high-tech weaponry. The documents apparently do not detail how stealing Ukrainian people's toilets factors into all this.

Furthermore, the leaked kremlin documents go into the system of control that is being used to keep some 85% of social media accounts under the watchful eye of the kremlin in the occupied areas stolen from Ukraine.

kremlin has appointed a budget of 10 million euros to combatting what they call "forbidden information" in the occupied territories. Their plan, among other things, is to replace all Ukrainian TV channels with ruSSian ones.

All of this is very much consistent with putin's earlier stated desire to see the USSR return. What can be deduced from the deployment of such a heavy handed control mechanisms is that there's very little faith in putin's regime that the people would actually willingly agree to all this. Thus, they need to be coerced. All of this sounds very much like north-korea to me.

(Delfi.ee, Estonian)
KREMLI LEKKED | Venemaa võimuladvik peab sadade miljonite eurode eest omaenda rahva vastu infosõda

Kremlin Leaks: Secret Files Reveal How Putin Pre-Rigged his Reelection - VSquare.org

‘Latching onto successful projects’ Leaked documents suggest Kremlin spin doctors are presenting popular movies and TV to Putin as propaganda wins — Meduza

 

Ukraine has been forced to retreat from the villages of Stepove and Severne.

Ukraine's forces retreat from two settlements near Avdiivka

Military: Ukraine withdraws from Stepove and Severne villages near Avdiivka

Despite what Emmanuel Macron said, most EU and NATO member states are unwilling to put boots to the ground in Ukraine. Germany's Scholz still refuses to send Taurus missiles.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...ops-ukraine-russia-rebukes-macron-2024-02-27/

Macron faces EU backlash after suggesting sending troops to Ukraine

 

Transnistria has requested aid from ruSSia.

Transnistria appeals to Russia for ‘protection’, reviving fears for Moldova breakaway region

A Breakaway Region of Moldova Asks Russia for Protection

Ukraine has pushed ruSSian forces out of Krasnohorivka.

Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade knocks Russians out of Krasnohorivka

Third Assault Brigade says it knocked out Russian forces storming Krasnohorivka

north-korea has sent 6700 crates of ammunition to ruSSia.

N Korea sent Russia millions of munitions in exchange for food, says Seoul

North Korea sent millions of munitions to Russia in exchange for food: South Korea

Ukraine claims to have shot down several ruSSian fighter planes in a short amount of time. Patriot missiles possibly involved.

10 Shot-Down Jets In 10 Days. Russia’s Aerial Surge In Ukraine Is Getting More Of Its Pilots Killed.

 

The Lithuania Tribune: "Ukraine: We must not give up"

The Lithuania Tribune has released a list of close to 500 influencers, who have signed a petition that calls for immediate increased in aid for Ukraine. The petition also criticizes a number of European countries that haven't committed themselves fully to ensuring Ukrainian victory. Countries mentioned by name are Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg and France, who are said to have taken "advantage of the generosity of their allies, betraying their own past leadership and undermining the cohesion of Europe".

Ukraine: We must not give up - the Lithuania Tribune

Also released at:
Ukraine: We Must Not Give Up

Although, in Belgium's defense... Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have already paid for the delivery of 350 000 out of the 800 000 artillery shells pledged by the Czech Republic.

Belgium pledges $216 million to Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine

With A Million Shells About To Ship, Ukraine’s Artillery Crisis Could End Soon

With A Million Shells About To Ship, Ukraine’s Artillery Crisis Could End Soon - Ukraine Today .org

Gagauzia in Moldova seeks aid from ruSSia.

Another region of European country requests "Russia's protection"

Moldova's regions divide as Gagauzia pledges allegiance to Russia

ruSSia is next targeting Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Two firefighters were killed in Kramatorsk to ruSSian cannonfire (link 2, U.S.News).

Russian troops mobilize reserves to seize Novomykhailivka, Ukrainian military says

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...opped-near-avdiivka-but-reinforcing-elsewhere

A video of a failed ruSSian attack on the Kreminna front. Check out the really weird "Sergei Shoigu golf carts" at 01:02 (Desertcross-1000-3 buggies). The ruSSians are really throwing everything possible to the front.

https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1764560799379452084

 

Bykov class corvette Sergey Kotov has been promoted to a submarine.

Ukraine war: Kyiv says seven dead as drone attack sinks Russian ship

Ukraine releases images of the destruction of the modern Russian patrol ship ‘Sergei Kotov’

ruSSian Su-27 fighter plane escorted French military planes away from the Black Sea.

Russia sends fighter jet to escort French military planes near border

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/...-escort-French-military-planes-over-Black-Sea

ICC has issued warrants to arrest Sergei Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov. Charged with missile strikes against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure.

https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situat...arrants-against-sergei-ivanovich-kobylash-and

 

A rus missile lands very close to Zelenskyi and the visiting Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Odesa. Missed them by an estimated 150-200 meters.

Russian Missile Hits Close to Zelenskiy, Greek Premier

Russian missile strikes hundreds of meters from Zelensky and Greek leader’s convoy | CNN

France, Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark and Canada joined the Czech initiative to provide 800 000 artillery shells to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Allies Line Up Funds for 800,000 Artillery Shells

Ukraine’s Allies Line Up Funds for 800,000 Artillery Shells

Ukrainian drones once again take care of business. Belgorod oil refinery on fire once more.

Smoke billows over Russian oil terminal used for "military purposes": Video

chechens and ruSSians are trading Ukrainians POWs on the black market.

‘I was a prisoner of war. Russia traded me on the black market’

 

Sweden is now officially NATO member number 32. Paperwork and everything delivered to Washington.

Sweden officially joins NATO, becoming alliance’s 32nd member | CNN

Sweden officially joins NATO alliance, ending decades of neutrality

putin: Belgium exists thanks to ruSSia.

In his latest pseudo-historical musing, Putin claims Belgium owes its existence to Russia — Meduza

Norway commits over 150 million dollars worth of funds to buy ammo for the Ukrainians.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...-led-purchases-ammunition-ukraine-2024-03-07/

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...czech-led-purchases-of-ammunition-for-ukraine

ruSSia denies targeting president Zelensky's convoy on March 6th in Odesa.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...skiy-greek-pm-ukrainian-aide-says-2024-03-07/

ruSSia can fight on in Ukraine for at least two years, Lithuania says.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...ne-least-two-years-lithuania-says-2024-03-07/

“Now they are forcing us to fight in the war against Ukraine.” Indian men have been cheated into joining the war in Ukraine on ruSSian side.

‘He had no idea he was being sent to a war zone’: the Indian and Nepali men on frontlines in Ukraine

Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky threatens a total war with Europe.

Senior Russian officer warns Ukraine conflict could escalate into full-scale war in Europe