"The #Vatican statement's mention of humanitarian initiatives and children appeared to be a reference to #Kyiv's request - and the Vatican's willingness - to help with the repatriation of Ukrainian #children." #UkraineWar #CatholicChurch #PopeFrancis
Papal envoy to visit #Washington to talk Ukraine peace
https://www.reuters.com/world/papal-envoy-visit-washington-talk-ukraine-peace-2023-07-17/
"With traffic jams building up, officials proposed that tourists drive 400km (250 miles) through territories held by the Russian army, some seriously affected by fighting, AFP reports." #UkraineWar
Russian officials on Monday encouraged holidaymakers stranded in #Crimea to drive home through occupied #Ukraine after explosions damaged the #KerchBridge, connecting the Crimean peninsula to #Russia, halting traffic.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/17/russia-ukraine-war-live-crimean-bridge-emergency-traffic-stops-explosion?page=with:block-64b534638f08742a26fe8d86#block-64b534638f08742a26fe8d86
"In a statement, the #UN secretary general, #AntónioGuterres expressed his 'deeply regret' at the #RussianFederation’s decision to withdraw from the #BlackSea grain deal, saying hundreds of millions of people facing a global cost-of-living crisis 'will pay the price' . " #UkraineWar #Russia
Hundreds of millions 'will pay the price' of Russia's withdrawal from Black Sea grain deal, UN says
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/17/russia-ukraine-war-live-crimean-bridge-emergency-traffic-stops-explosion?page=with:block-64b559038f08742a26fe8fa6#block-64b559038f08742a26fe8fa6
"As these losses have piled up — and as it lacks the capacity to refurbish more modern #tanks at the rates needed — #Moscow has increasingly brought outdated Soviet-era #T54, #T55 and #T62 tanks out of storage and to the frontline, even as #Ukraine receives increasingly advanced artillery from its Western allies." #UkraineWar
#Russia Sends Obsolete Tanks to Battle in Ukraine Amid Staggering #Artillery Losses
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/17/russia-sends-obsolete-tanks-to-battle-in-ukraine-amid-staggering-artillery-losses-a81862
Russia has resorted to sending aging, Soviet-made tanks to the battlefield in Ukraine in a desperate bid to compensate for its staggering artillery losses, experts and analysts have said — to mixed effectiveness.
Russia really doesn't want the Black Sea grain exports to continue.
"#Russia aimed several waves of #ShahedDrones and six #Kalibr cruise missiles at the #BlackSea port city of #Odesa overnight, #Ukraine’s Operational Command South has said, with all shot down by air defences." #UkraineWar
"The so-called #SolidarityLanes" are designed to provide alternative land routes for the exportation of Ukrainian #grain after #Moscow blockaded docks in the #BlackSea region.
The measures include new border posts, flexible customs checks, logistics support, prioritization of Ukrainian agricultural exports and new storage facilities on the #EU’s side of the border." #UkraineWar
EU will expand solidarity lanes after #Russia's withdrawal of Ukraine #GrainDeal
https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-07-18-23/h_691ed27f343d2528ab857b45015dd596
"Despite their mutual fury toward #Putin, Ukrainian activists and Russian dissidents are largely avoiding each other. There’s little cooperation and no serious coalition building. Instead, there’s tremendous suspicion on the Ukrainian side and defensiveness from the Russians." #UkraineWar #Russia #Ukraine
They oppose Putin. But Ukrainians won’t work with them
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/18/ukrainian-activists-russian-dissidents-00106679?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social
"#Russia’s withdrawal on Monday, which included revoking its guarantees for safe navigation, also ended a pact between the #UnitedNations and #Moscow in which U.N. officials agreed to help Russian food and fertilizer exports reach world markets." #BlackSea #UkraineWar
UN says ideas 'floated' on how to get Ukraine, Russia grain to world | Inquirer Business
https://business.inquirer.net/410984/un-says-ideas-floated-on-how-to-get-ukraine-russia-grain-to-world
It just might work 🤔
"Suspilne reports that #Ukraine is considering the possibility of a #GrainCorridor through the territorial waters of #Romania and #Bulgaria, after #Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal. It cited Ukraine’s ambassador to #Turkey" #UkraineWar
"Warning comes after #Moscow says all ships sailing to Ukrainian ports could be seen as ‘involved’ in conflict after it pulled out of the #UN-backed grain deal" #GrainCorridor #UkraineWar
#Russia may attack civilian #ships in #BlackSea and blame #Ukraine, US warns
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/20/russia-may-attack-civilian-ships-in-black-sea-and-blame-ukraine-us-warns
"Not only they withdraw from the grain agreement in order to export grain from #Ukraine, but they are burning the grain,” Borrell said.
“What we already know is that this is going to create a big, a huge #FoodCrisis in the world,” he continued. #UkraineWar
"A barbarian attitude:" Russian attack on #Odesa causing “destruction of grain storage," #EU says
https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-07-20-23/h_a8233b228c78f365a8206f51fc8800e5
"The number of #ATACMS in American stockpiles is fixed, awaiting replacement with the next generation, longer-range Precision Strike Missile, called the Prism, for PrSM, which is expected to enter service by the end of this year, officials said. #LockheedMartin Martin still manufactures 500 ATACMS each year, but all of that production is destined for sale to other countries." #UkraineWar
#US 'holds firm on refusal' to provide & #Ukraine with long-range missiles
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/23/russia-ukraine-war-live-one-killed-in-odesa-as-moscow-launches-fresh-strikes-putin-and-lukashenko-set-to-meet?page=with:block-64bcf9058f08ff360bcb32e2#block-64bcf9058f08ff360bcb32e2
"The flight of $239 billion from #Russia last year, including $13 billion in the pre-invasion month of January, was four times the amount that was pulled out of the country in 2021, according to the analysis." #UkraineWar
Russia Loses Record $253Bln in Wartime #CapitalFlight
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/24/russia-loses-record-253bln-in-wartime-capital-flight-a81948
"Wojciechowski said 60% of #Ukraine’s exports were shipped via #SolidarityLanes and 40% went via the #BlackSea while the #UN backed grain deal was in operation.
The collapse of the deal is expected to take a particularly heavy toll on countries in #Africa that depended on deliveries by sea." #UkraineWar #Russia #BlackSea
EU ready to move almost all of Ukraine’s grain exports via solidarity lanes
https://www.rappler.com/world/europe/european-union-ready-move-almost-all-ukraine-grain-exports-solidarity-lanes/
This is a great video showing the evolution and capabilites of the Black Hornet drones soon heading to Ukraine.
----
"The PD-100 #BlackHornet is a nano UAV developed by Prox Dynamics. The Black Hornet offers intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to armed forces in mission critical operations. The UAV gives access to remote locations and provides situational awareness on the battle field." #Ukraine #UkraineWar
Nano UAV - Black Hornet - PD-100 PRS
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4o7mRg74qcY
This is definitely aimed at #Turkey.
"#Sweden's government has accused #Russia of running a disinformation campaign around the recent #QuranBurning protests, saying that it was intended to make it more difficult for the country to join the #Nato alliance." #Ukraine #UkraineWar
Sweden accuses Russia of inflaming Quran-burning crisis
https://www.thelocal.com/20230726/sweden-accuses-russia-of-inflaming-quran-burning-crisis/
"The New York Times cited unnamed #Pentagon officials as saying the 'main thrust' of the counteroffensive had now begun, with the Ukrainian army pouring thousands of western-trained and equipped reinforcements into a perceived weak spot in Russian defences in the #Zaporizhzhia region. " #CounterOffensive
#Ukraine steps up counteroffensive with new push south and around #Bakhmut | #UkraineWar | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/26/ukrainian-forces-appear-to-advance-closer-to-bakhmut
Erik Tollefsen, head of the committee's weapon contamination unit, said, "In one day, the flying machine can do the work of a dog in six months."
"While a #deminer will identify mines over an area of around 50 square meters in one day, the #drone will be able to do it in four flights and will have done the same work over 100,000 sq meters," Tollefsen said. #UkraineWar
#RedCross seeking to use #Japan #AI to detect #landmines in #Ukraine
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230727/p2g/00m/0sc/008000c
“If they are granted, we are going to face some days where there is a clear risk of something serious happening,” he said. “I am extremely worried about what it could lead to.”
#Sweden’s embassy in #Baghdad was stormed and set on fire on 20 July by protesters angered by a planned #QuranBurning. #Russia #NATO #Ukraine
Swedish PM ‘extremely worried’ as more apply to burn #Quran https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/27/swedish-pm-extremely-worried-about-quran-burning-protests
"The latest sanctions follow similar embargoes announced by the #UnitedStates and #EU, Kuroda said.
Other items added to the export ban list include #steel, #plastic products, and #ElectronicParts 'that can be diverted to military use,' he added." #UkraineWar
#Japan on Friday announced an expanded list of $sanctions against #Russia that includes an export ban on hybrid and #ElectricVehicles.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/28/japan-expands-sanctions-on-russia-over-ukraine-invasion-a81988
"#Russia's #WarInUkraine has disrupted the global supply of parts and raw materials needed to complete a variety of products - from #cars to #ComputerChips." #UkraineWar
#India and #Japan look to collaborate in building #semiconductors and resilient #SupplyChains
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/07/28/japan-expands-sanctions-on-russia-over-ukraine-invasion-a81988
"Those taking part in the summit will include #Ukraine, as well as #Brazil, #India, #SouthAfrica and several other countries, the official said. A high-level official from #JoeBiden’s administration also is expected to attend, the official said." #UkraineWar
The Associated Press is reporting that #SaudiArabia will host a Ukrainian-organised #PeaceSummit in early August seeking to find a way to start negotiations
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jul/30/russia-ukraine-war-live-drones-damage-moscow-buildings-in-early-morning-attack-putin-says-he-does-not-reject-peace-talks?page=with:block-64c5e8d38f085120bb1d979a#block-64c5e8d38f085120bb1d979a
"The Swedish government said this month that it would examine whether it could change #Sweden's Public Order Act to give police the possibility to stop demonstrations that threatened Sweden's security." #NATO #Quran #QuranBurning
#Turkey urges Sweden to take steps to stop #KoranBurnings
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/turkey-urges-sweden-to-take-steps-to-stop-koran-burnings/ar-AA1eyNMx
"The towers, often unoccupied at night, are located further from the #Kremlin than other highly-defended government targets like the #MinistryOfDefence, where #Russia had stationed a Pantsir S-1 air defence system on the roof last year, and present a large, tall target." #UkraineWar #Ukraine
#Moscow tower hit for second time in fresh #DroneStrike, says mayor
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/01/moscow-hit-by-fresh-drone-strike-says-mayor
"A flock of #NATO aircraft carefully monitored the ships as they sailed toward #Izmail, a small Ukrainian port just across from #Romania on the #DanubeRiver. The vessels presumably will load grain in Izmail then sail back into the #BlackSea and onward to foreign ports." #UkraineWar
NATO Planes Watched As Three Civilian Ships Ran #Russia’s #NavalBlockade Of #Ukraine
"People living around the eastern Polish village of #Białowieża, close to the #Belarus border, shared accounts on social media of what they said were border violations before the defence ministry issued its statement." #Poland #NATO #Wagner
#Warsaw sends troops to border, accusing Belarus of violating its airspace
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/01/warsaw-sends-troops-to-border-accusing-belarus-of-violating-its-airspace
Izmail port was hit again.
"In late July, Russian drones targeted the #Izmail, destroying a grain warehouses. And on Sunday, Ukrainian media reported several foreign cargo ships had arrived at the port from the #BlackSea for the first time since the expiration of the grain deal." #UkraineWar #Russia
Russian drones hit port, grain storage in #Ukraine’s #Odesa region – official
https://www.rappler.com/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crisis-updates-august-2-2023/
'Russia is trying to cut Ukraine out of the future grain agreement and, most importantly, to strategically displace our country from the global food market,' says Serhiy Bratchuk, speaker of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army South
"This isn’t the first time an ally has insinuated #Ukraine needed to be more grateful to its allies.
Speaking to reporters at the #NATO summit in #Vilnius earlier this summer, British Defense Secretary #BenWallace said Ukraine must show 'gratitude' to its allies in order to maintain long-term Western public and political support." #Poland #UkraineWar
Ukraine summons Polish ambassador over ‘unacceptable’ comments about gratitude https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-summons-polish-ambassador-bartosz-cichocki-kyiv-over-unacceptable-comments/
“The summoning of the Polish ambassador — a representative of the country that was the only one left in #Kyiv on the day of #Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine — to the Ukrainian foreign ministry should never have happened,” Morawiecki said. #UkraineWar
#Zelenskyy urges cool heads as #Poland lashes out at Ukraine in gratitude spat
https://www.politico.eu/article/zelenskyy-restraint-poland-ukraine-agriculture-gratitude-spat/
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a call on Wednesday not to further escalate tensions, after Moscow struck facilities vital for grain shipments from Ukraine. Erdogan was a key player in the now-collapsed deal that allowed for safe passage of Ukraine grain shipments on the Black Sea, and has positioned himself as an intermediary in the conflict. The Turkish leader said "no steps should be taken that will escalate tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war."
The detailed training syllabus still has to be finalized and approved by the #US and it isn't clear yet which countries will actually transfer fighter jets to #Ukraine. #UkraineWar
#F16 questions remain as Ukrainian pilots set to start training this month
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/f-16-questions-remain-as-ukrainian-pilots-set-to-start-training-this-month/ar-AA1eDN4z
"In 2023, #Ukraine supplied 80% of the wheat procured to support humanitarian operations in the most #FoodInsecure countries such as #Afghanistan, #Djibouti, #Ethiopia, #Kenya, #Somalia, #Sudan and #Yemen." #UkraineWar #BSGI #GrainCorridor #BlackSea
#Putin is using food as a weapon – but his cynical attempts to drum up forced allies will fail | Joseph Borrell
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/03/russia-food-vladimir-putin-black-sea-grain-initiative-eu-aid
"Experts given access to two units at Russian-held site one month after #Ukraine claimed there were devices on roofs" #IAEA #NuclearPlant #UkraineWar
#UN nuclear watchdog finds no explosives at #Zaporizhzhia plant
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/04/un-nuclear-watchdog-searches-for-explosives-at-zaporizhzhia-plant
"#JPMorgan had handled some Russian #GrainExport payments for the past few months with reassurances from #Washington. However, that cooperation stopped this week, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday." #Ukraine
#Russia says JPMorgan Stopped Processing Its Grain Payments https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-says-jpmorgan-stopped-processing-its-grain-payments-/7212697.html
#BlackSea is becoming a decisive frontline after #Moscow pulled out of the UN grain deal and bombarded #Ukraine’s ports. #UkraineWar
Drone attack on tanker shows #Kyiv’s intent to hit Russian energy shipments https://www.politico.eu/article/drone-attack-russia-tanker-kyiv-hit-energy-shipment-naval-base-crimea-black-sea-ukraine-war/
"The Swedish authorities have accused #Russia of trying to influence how #QuranBurnings are viewed around the world through #disinformation campaigns written in Arabic. It is believed to be part of an attempt to disrupt #Sweden’s #Nato membership process, which is still waiting for approval by #Turkey and #Hungary."
Russia spreading false claims about Qur’an burnings to harm Nato bid, says Sweden
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/06/russia-spreading-false-claims-about-quran-burnings-to-harm-nato-bid-says-sweden
"The shift to stand-off attacks—all Ukrainian jets except the Su-25s can fire munitions from beyond the range of most of #Russia’s ground-based air-defenses—greatly has boosted the life-expectancy of Ukrainian pilots."
#UkraineWar #Ukraine
The Ukrainian Air Force Lost 62 Planes In 2022. So Far In 2023, It Has Lost Just Seven.
Border policing is not going to cut it, this will get worse.
"The #SwedenDemocrats have staked out a position as an immigration-sceptical party claiming to stand up for traditional Swedish culture. The party is especially culturally dogmatic when it comes to #Islam, which senior figures including leader Jimmie Åkesson have frequently suggested is incompatible with 'Swedishness' " #NATO #Turkey
#Sweden struggles to handle the fallout from repeated #QuranBurning protests https://www.euronews.com/2023/08/08/sweden-struggles-to-handle-the-fallout-from-repeated-quran-burning-protests
"Elements of the political system are pushing #Islamaphobia, and pockets of the Swedish media have produced an 'extremely negative' stereotype of #Muslims.
He also finds himself explaining why the #Quran is so important for Muslims to baffled Swedes, who are used to living in one of the most secular societies."
Chocolates and a chat: A peaceful response to #QuranBurnings in #Sweden
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/counter-protests-quran-burning
"These latest assessments represent a marked change from the optimism at the start of the #counteroffensive. These officials say those expectations were 'unrealistic' and are now contributing to pressure on #Ukraine from some in the West to begin peace negotiations, including considering the possibility of territorial concessions."#UkraineWar
Western allies receive increasingly ‘sobering’ updates on Ukraine’s counteroffensive:‘This is the most difficult time of the war’
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/08/politics/ukraine-counteroffensive-us-briefings/index.html
"The #ruble has weakened by 23% against the #dollar so far this year, placing it among the three worst emerging-market performers with the #TurkishLira and the #ArgentinePeso.
The ruble was trading below 97 per dollar on Wednesday and is nearing 100 to the greenback, a level last seen during the first month after President Vladimir #Putin ordered the February 2022 invasion." #Russia #UkraineWar #Ukraine
Ruble Weakens Toward 100 Per Dollar for First Time in 16 Months
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ruble-weakens-toward-100-per-081721407.html
Why is there a pyrotechnics warehouse within the grounds of a critical optical devices manufacturing plant???
---
"The #Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant, referred to as 'ZOMZ' produces night vision devices and binoculars for the Russian military as part of #Russia’s defense conglomerate #Rostec." #ZagorskPlant #UkraineWar #Ukraine
A former #EuropeanCouncil President, #Tusk’s victory would see #Poland moving closer to European allies and reviving support for #Ukraine. His Civic Coalition (KO) party ran with Third Way and the New Left on separate tickets but with a shared commitment to restoring ties with #Europe. #EuropeanUnion
New era’: Tusk celebrates exit polls suggesting opposition win in Poland
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/16/new-era-tusk-celebrates-exit-polls-suggesting-opposition-win-in-poland?traffic_source=rss&utm_source=press.coop
The final count showed #PiS had received 35.4% of the vote, while #CivicCoalition, led by #Tusk, a former prime minister and #EuropeanCouncil president, had 30.7%. With the centre-right #ThirdWay, on 14.4%, and leftwing #Lewica, on 8.6%, the three groupings should be able to put together a coalition that would form a comfortable majority in the 460-seat parliament. #DonaldTusk #Ukraine
#Poland election: votes counted as country awaits Tusk-led coalition
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/17/poland-election-votes-counted-tusk-coalition-law-justice-party?utm_source=press.coop
The group brings together more than 160 intelligence units from around the world, including the US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, to cooperate and share information on #MoneyLaundering, #TerroristFinancing and other related crimes. #Ukraine
#Russia Suspended From Global Financial Intelligence Group
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/russia-suspended-global-financial-intelligence-173808952.html
This is as good as done. Now it's Hungary's turn.
#Turkey's president submits protocol for #Sweden's admission into #NATO to parliament for ratification
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkeys-president-submits-protocol-swedens-admission-nato-parliament-104221981
Newsflash: The #BankOfRussia has raised its key interest rate from 13% to 15%, a larger rise than expected.
Announcing the 200 basis point hike, the Bank of Russia says current inflationary pressures have significantly increased to a level above its expectations. #UkraineWar #Ukraine
#Russia hikes interest rates to 15% to battle inflation
https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2023/oct/27/natwest-grows-profits-and-admits-serious-failings-over-treatment-of-nigel-farage-business-live?page=with:block-653b91ca8f0880c248190818#block-653b91ca8f0880c248190818
Two articles published this week give a stark assessment of #Ukraine’s prospects in its war with #Russia. One – by the commander in chief of the Ukrainian military – admits the battlefield has reached a stalemate and a long attritional war benefiting #Moscow beckons. The other portrays Ukrainian President Volodymyr #Zelensky as exhausted by the constant effort to cajole and persuade allies to keep the faith.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/03/world/ukraine-president-warns-long-attritional-war/index.html
The marines have secured a beachhead that could allow #Ukraine to reclaim more of the #Kherson region that lies between Ukrainian territory and #Crimea, seized by #Russia in 2014, a fillip for a counter-offensive showing few gains elsewhere, but only if they can find a way to bring armoured vehicles and heavy weapons across the wide river separating the two militaries.
Ukraine troops defend vital foothold on Russian-controlled #DniproRiver
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/03/ukraine-troops-defend-vital-foothold-on-russian-controlled-dnipro-river
The conversations have included very broad outlines of what #Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal, the officials said. Some of the talks, which officials described as delicate, took place last month during a meeting of representatives from more than 50 nations supporting Ukraine, including #NATO members, known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the officials said. #EU
U.S., European officials broach topic of #PeaceNegotiations with Ukraine, sources say
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-european-officials-broach-topic-peace-negotiations-ukraine-sources-rcna123628
U.S. and European officials have begun quietly talking to the Ukrainian government about what possible peace negotiations with Russia might entail to end the war, according to one current senior U.S. official and one former senior U.S. official familiar with the discussions.
First Dutch F-16s sent to #Romania for training Ukrainian pilots
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/07/russia-ukraine-war-gennadiy-chastiakov-putin-zelenskiy?page=with:block-654a21c08f08c85ed0cfa967#block-654a21c08f08c85ed0cfa967
#Moldova, a country of about 2.5 million people situated between #Romania and #Ukraine, wouldn’t usually earn much international attention, but its vulnerability to Russian meddling has put it firmly on the #EU’s enlargement radar.
Like Ukraine, Moldova believes its future security lies with the EU,
EU expected to start process of Ukraine and Moldova becoming member states | #EuropeanCommission | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/eu-expected-to-start-process-of-ukraine-and-moldova-becoming-member-states
In a 1,200-page report on future enlargement of the 27-member bloc, the #EU said talks should formally be launched once #Kyiv satisfied remaining conditions related to stepping up the fight against corruption, adopting a law on lobbying in line with EU standards and strengthening national minority safeguards.
#EuropeanCommission backs talks on #Ukraine and #Moldova EU membership | #EuropeanUnion | The Guardian
Great, more sanctions then!
Norobiik @
xs4me2
Kenneth John Bardsley
mike805
Den Spier 