March 8, 2023 7:06 p.m
USA: “Russia does not want a conflict with the USA and NATO, but it is possible that it will happen”
“Russia probably does not want a direct confrontation with the United States and NATO, but there is a possibility that this will happen.” This is the conclusion of the US intelligence service, as contained in the annual threat report. “Russian leaders have so far avoided taking any action that would escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders, but the risk of escalation remains significant,” it said. National Intelligence Director Avril Haines testified before Congress that “neither side has a clear advantage.” “We don’t expect enough Russian military build-up this year to make further territorial gains, but Putin believes time is on his side and prolonging the war, including pauses in fighting, is the best remaining option to even serve the strategic interests.” to secure Moscow in Ukraine if it will take years”.
March 8, 2023 7:06 p.m
Wagner: “Entered a village north of Bachmut”
“Wagner troops entered the village of Dubovo-Vasilyevka north of Bakhmut. Heavy fighting is taking place.” The militia itself writes it on their Telegram channel.
March 8, 2023 5:25 p.m
Zelenskyi: “Zaporozhia must return to Ukrainian control”
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the issue of ending “nuclear blackmail” against Russia and restoring the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. Ukrinform reports this. “Today we talked about how to stop nuclear blackmail against Russia and restore the safety of all Ukrainian nuclear power plants violated by Russia, in particular the safety of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant must be returned under full control of Ukraine: it is a question of global security, not just Ukrainian security,” Zelenskyy said during the press conference with Guterres.
March 8, 2023 5:20 p.m
Borrell: “EU ready to mobilize 2 billion for ammunition in Kiev”
The EU plan to deliver ammunition to Ukraine consists of three parts and must be “put together”, “they cannot be unpacked”. The first step is to donate Soviet 155mm or 152mm artillery ammunition and be reimbursed by the European Peace Facility. Here we put a billion. Then coordinate the demand for orders for other ammunition through the Eda, which has set up a fast procedure: if we move together, we will reduce the price and delivery time. I propose to mobilize another billion through the EPF.” This was stated by the high representative of EU foreign policy, Josep Borrell.
March 8, 2023 5:20 p.m
Borrell: “Continue to support Kiev to achieve peace”
“We must continue to support Ukraine in order to achieve peace.” This was stated by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, at the press conference at the conclusion of the informal Defense Council in Stockholm.
March 8, 2023 5:19 p.m
Borrell: “The EU has trained 11,000 soldiers so far”
So far in the EU mission we have “trained more than 11,000 Ukrainian soldiers and by the end of the year we expect to train 30,000 soldiers”. This was stated by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, at the press conference at the conclusion of the informal Defense Council in Stockholm. “All member states expressed their satisfaction with the mission’s results and pledged to do more,” he added.
March 8, 2023 5:18 p.m
Pro-Russian: “Ukrainian drone attack near Zaporizhia plant”
Ukrainian forces today used drones to attack the city of Energodar, home to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant controlled by Russian forces. This was announced by the city’s pro-Russian authorities, emphasizing that activities at the facility are continuing as normal. The city administration, quoted by the Ria Novosti agency, denounced “the terrorist attack against the civilian population of Energodar” and stressed that the Ukrainians used incendiary ammunition to cause a fire in an area of four hectares on the south bank of the basin of the Kakhovka Dam, where the city is. The northern coast, where Nikopol is located, is under the control of the Kiev Armed Forces. The flames erupted along the power line that supplies the city.
March 8, 2023 3:31 p.m
Zelenskyy: “If Russia takes Bakhmut, the road will be paved”
If Bakhmut falls under Russian control, Moscow will have “the road open” to advance and capture the main cities of eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CNN. “We understand that after Bakhmut they could go further,” Zelesnky said, “they could go to Kramatorsk, they could go to Sloviansk.” “We understand what Russia wants to achieve there,” added the Ukrainian president, “Russia needs at least a victory, a small victory, even if it ruins everything for Bakhmut by killing every civilian.”
March 8, 2023 3:17 p.m
Guterres (UN): “Wheat deal extension is crucial”
It is “crucial” that the grain agreement in Ukraine is extended. This was stated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a visit to Kiev. For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after talks with Guterres in Kiev that the wheat deal was necessary for the world. Guterres stressed the importance of the deal for global food security and prices. The 120-day deal, initially brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July and extended in November, will be extended on March 18 if neither party opposes it.
March 8, 2023 3:12 p.m
Sky News: “Maximum load of arms and ammunition from Iran to Russia”
Iran has secretly shipped to Russia 100 million shells for rocket launchers, mortars and machine guns, as well as about 300,000 shells, which were transported by two Russian-flagged cargo ships sailing around 10 Astrakhan at the end of the month. Sky News writes it exclusively, citing a security source, that Moscow paid for the ammunition load in cash. The two ships that carried out the transport are the Musa Jalil and the Begey. According to the source, the two ships carried about 200 containers full of weapons: “Two hundred containers on two ships can carry that amount of ammunition,” he explained. According to tracking data from MarineTraffic, both ships stopped off the coast of Turkmenistan for a few days on Jan. 12. Musa Jalil and Begey then crossed the Caspian Sea and reached the Russian port of Astrakhan on January 27. According to tracking, they stayed in port for several days before departing again on February 3rd. “Russia continues to use Iran as a ‘backbase,'” the source told Sky News, describing the close military ties between the two countries.
Investigations by Sky News’ Data & Forensics unit confirmed the information about the ship’s movement, although the data differs slightly.