12:27
Bakhmout’s fate is still uncertain, according to observers who applaud the effectiveness of the Ukrainian resistance
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has released a new update on the Battle of Bakhmout. As the two belligerents wear themselves out there, and both sides claim ammunition to hold on to, this think tank, which follows the conflict step-by-step, notes the uncertainty that continues to linger over the fighting.
“Ukrainian forces may withdraw from eastern Bakhmut while fighting and still inflicting heavy casualties on Russians,” the think tank tweeted.
“But it’s still too early to get a picture of Ukraine’s intentions for a total exit,” the think tank admits.
The ISW notes another virtue of the Ukrainian resistance on the ground: “The Ukrainian defenses of Bakhmout remain strategically sound insofar as they always consume Russian manpower and equipment, and Ukrainian forces do not suffer excessive casualties”.
12:15 p.m
Bakhmout’s fate has “more symbolic than operational value,” according to the US Secretary of Defense.
While the fate of Bakhmout, one besieged by the Russians and the subject of fierce fighting, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin explained during a trip to Jordan, its importance is symbolic rather than strategic.
“I think it has more symbolic value than strategic and operational value,” the American official said, adding that he could not predict if or when Bakhmut would be taken by Russian forces. “The fall of Bakhmut will not necessarily mean that the Russians have changed the course of this struggle,” he insisted, continuing a statement circulated in particular by the Anglo-Saxon press.
10:58
Ukraine says it shot down 13 explosive drones overnight
Ukraine announced on Monday that it shot down 13 Iranian-made demolition drones out of 15 launched by Russia overnight, with deliveries of Western air defense systems helping Kiev deal with that threat more effectively for several weeks.
“The Russian invaders attacked Ukraine with Shahed-131/136 from the north (the Bryansk region of Russia),” the Ukrainian Air Force said. In total, according to the same source, “15 drone launches were recorded and 13 shahed destroyed”.
Ukrainian authorities have not reported any injuries or property damage caused by the two undone drones. According to the Kiev military administration, drones were fired at the Ukrainian capital in particular, but all were shot down and there were no casualties or damage.
10:56
Wagner boss complains again about lack of ammunition
The head of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigoyine, whose men are on the front lines in eastern Ukraine, has again complained about a lack of ammunition and blamed the delivery delays on possible “treason”.
“Orders have been placed for February 23 delivery. But so far, most of the ammunition has not been sent,” Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a social media post on Sunday evening. He gave two possible reasons for the delay: “Ordinary bureaucracy or treason.”
Wagner’s fighters are on the front lines in the battle for Bakhmout, a town in eastern Ukraine that Russia has been attempting to conquer for several months and where troops from Moscow and Kiev have suffered heavy casualties.
Last month, Yevgeny Prigoyine multiplied severe criticism of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Guerassimov, accusing them of committing “treason” by refusing to supply Wagner ammunition. A few days later, Yevgeny Prigojine announced that ammunition was finally being delivered.
10:08
Record oil and gas revenues for the Norwegian state against the background of the war in Ukraine
The Norwegian state raked in record oil and gas revenues last year, largely due to the war in Ukraine, which helped push gas prices in Europe to historic highs, according to official figures released on Monday.
According to estimates by Norway’s Statistics Institute SSB, the state has reaped 1.457 billion kroner (131 billion euros) in hydrocarbon-related revenue, “by far the highest figure ever recorded”. For comparison: That is almost three times as much as 2021 (498 billion crowns).
Due to a sharp drop in Russian supplies and a surge in its own exports, Norway will become Europe’s largest supplier of natural gas in 2022, benefiting from price increases that hit a record high in the summer. These extraordinary recipes have sometimes earned the Scandinavian country accusations of “war usury,” a label Oslo rejects.
After 1 billion euros last year, the Norwegian government has decided to give Ukraine 75 billion kroner (6.8 billion euros) in civil and military aid over the next five years (2023-2027), or 15 billion kronor a year.
The Norwegian state derives oil and gas revenues from taxes imposed on oil companies, its direct interests in oil and gas fields and infrastructure (pipelines, etc.) and dividends paid by energy giant Equinor, in which it owns 67%.
8:51
Russian Defense Minister inspects reconstruction work in Donbass
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited the area of Russia’s operation in Ukraine to inspect reconstruction work in Donbass, the Russian army said in a statement Monday.
The announcement comes as the Russian army earlier on Saturday reported an inspection by Sergei Shoigu at a “command post” on the front lines in eastern Ukraine, at a time when the battle for the hotly contested town of Bakhmout was being fought.
“As part of a trip to the territory of the military special operation,” Sergei Shoigu conducted inspections at already converted infrastructure sites, as well as new construction sites in Mariupol, the press release said, which does not specify the date of this visit.
In Mariupol, the minister notably inspected a medical center, the emergency center and a new residential area with 12 buildings, the statement continued, adding that he was also presented with a report on the construction of schools in this port city, which was under siege for several months before it fell last May.
8:49
Sirens could be heard across the country
A Ukrainian source claimed on Twitter that sirens went off in all regions of Ukraine this morning warning of the danger of Russian air strikes.
“Hearing alarm sirens about air strikes in all regions of Ukraine. Stay healthy!” starts this Ukrainian Flash Twitter account.
8:46
Welcome to our life
Hello and welcome to our direct follow-up on the conflict in Ukraine.