The Ukrainian army could launch a counter-offensive before the summer, the forces of Kiev will attack in different directions, also with German Leopards at the front: This is what Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said in an interview with Err after the hypothesis of a counterattack shortly before spring had been circulating in recent weeks. They will see the Leopards counterattack “by decision of our General Staff,” he said, adding: “the counter-offensive is already planned in several directions. It depends on what is the best moment, on how the commanders will decide.” The defense minister said he believes “that the world will see very positive changes for Ukraine as early as this year” and reiterated that the planning the counter-offensive by the General Staff Ukrainian also depends heavily on weather conditions: “In the spring we have very wet soil. Only tracked vehicles are allowed to be used. I think the right time could be around April-May”, Reznikov told the Estonian broadcaster Err. According to the defender, after the Soviet weapons, the Leopards for Ukrainian fighters can be compared to a Mercedes, after only Ziguli were available (the famous cars produced by the Russian Lada-Vaz since 1970, starting with the Fiat 124 model).
ANSA agency
This was announced by Secretary of the Security Council Danilov (ANSA).
“Russia’s hybrid warfare with enemy countries will continue for a long time.” This is what Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, quoted by Interfax. “This hybrid war they have unleashed against our country will last a long time. And here – Peskov added – we need firmness, trust, focus and unity around the president.” “We will continue to defend the interests of our athletes in any way we can,” Peskov said. “We will continue contacts with the International Olympic Committee precisely to protect the interests of our athletes,” added the spokesman quoted by Tass.
And the Russian President Putin admits that sanctions could have a “negative impact” on the Russian economy, so “internal demand needs to be worked on”..
ANSA agency
As the war enters its second year and Western sanctions are hit harder, the Russian government’s revenues are being cut and its economy is on a lower growth trajectory, likely for the long term. (HAND)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov today ridiculed the US announcement that it would back the idea of creating a special law enforcement tribunal Russia for the “crime of aggression,” an EU-sponsored idea. “You played with that Tsatskaya girl for a long time,” Ryabkov said, using a Russian word meaning “toy” or “ornament.” “Let them have fun,” Ryabkov added, quoted by RIA Novosti news agency. Russia’s plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus should “cause NATO to assess the seriousness of the current situation,” Ryabkov also said, quoted by Interfax. In addition, Ryabkov said, the United States “does not have the right to provide Russia with the data on nuclear weapons limitations required by the New Start Treaty every six months.” And he adds that to refuse, Washington would have to suspend its participation or withdraw from the treaty. Yesterday, American sources quoted by The Wall Street Journal said the US intended to halt data sharing in response to Moscow’s decision to suspend participation in New Start.
All of the stated goals of the special military operation are being achieved “despite increased military aid for Ukraine from the West.”: This was stated by the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Nikolay Patrushev, during a meeting with his counterparts from the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in New Delhi. “We will complete the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine and ensure the territorial integrity of Russia and the security of our people,” Patrushev said, as reported by Tass.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited the Chinese head of state Xi Jinping to Kiev: Zelensky himself made it known in an exclusive interview with the AP news agency published online. “We are ready to see him here,” Ukraine’s president said in an interview aboard a train during one of his trips across the country. “I want to talk to him – he added -. I was in contact with him before the great war. But during that whole year, more than a year, I haven’t had any (contact).” “The United States really understands that if they stop helping us, we won’t win.” Ukraine’s president said he feared the war could be affected by shifting political power to Washington. Zelenskyy is aware, AP reports after the lengthy interview, that his country’s success is largely due to waves of international military support, particularly from the United States and Western Europe. But some in the US, including Republican Donald Trump, the former US president and current 2024 nominee, have questioned whether Washington should continue to send billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine. Trump’s likely Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, also hinted that defending Ukraine in a “territorial dispute” with Russia is not a major US national security priority. He later retracted that statement after criticism from other fringes of the GOP. Zelenskyy made no mention of Trump or other Republican politicians, numbers he may have to grapple with if they prevail in the 2024 election.
FIGHT AT BAKMUT– Russian troops continue to storm Bakhmut with “partial success”, but Ukrainians hold the city. This was announced by the Ukrainian General Staff in an update on Facebook. “In the direction of Bakhmut, the enemy is continuing its attack on the town of Bakhmut with partial success. However, our defenders are holding the city valiantly and repelling numerous enemy attacks. Mercenaries of the Wagner group captured about 65% of the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine: This was stated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its daily report on the course of the conflict, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. In the past seven days, the group’s forces have captured another 5% of the city, the US research center points out, stressing that they are also likely to have seized control of the Azom industrial complex in the northern part of Bakhmut.
ANSA agency
Alexei Moskalev guilty of “discrediting” the army. Appeal from Prigozhin, head of the Wagner militia: “Unjust verdict, Masha will grow up in an orphanage” (ANSA)
THE DEPORTED UKRAINIAN CHILDREN – There are 19,514 Ukrainian children illegally deported to Russia: according to the latest update published by the Ministry of Rehabilitation of Ukraine on the state-run website Children of War: national media reported about it. To this number must be added the 4,390 orphans with only one parent or without parental care who, according to the same ministry – as announced yesterday – are in the occupied territories or in Russia. So far, only 327 children have been repatriated to Ukraine.
At least 465 children have been killed in Ukraine by Russian forces since the invasion began, according to data provided by the juvenile prosecutor’s office, according to the Kyiv Independent reports. At the same time, the number of injured children has risen to at least 943.
A large-scale exercise of the Strategic Missile Forces began in Russia today. This was announced by the Moscow Ministry of Defense, which was quoted by local media, and specified that more than 3,000 soldiers were involved in the maneuvers. In particular, the exercise will involve the Omsk and Novosibirsk missile formations, which are equipped with mobile Yars launchers. The maneuvers are taking place on the territory of three unspecified Russian regions.
Canada will give Ukraine a CAD 2.4 billion (over €1.6 billion) loan in the next fiscal year to prop up Kiev’s finances. International media reports. The measure is included in the latest federal budget presented by Canada’s Treasury Secretary Chrystia Freeland in Parliament yesterday. The new credit for Ukraine will be distributed through the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It builds on Canada’s previous fiscal aid to Ukraine to offset the economic devastation caused by Russia’s all-out invasion. Kiev has received $5.4 billion in Canadian aid so far, including more than $1 billion in military aid.
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