Russia’s richest man’s yacht seized in Fiji
The crew has been arrested and the captain is being questioned by Fijian police after the superyacht Amadea arrived Tuesday without a customs permit at the Port of Lautoka. The Amadea is believed to be owned by Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, believed to be Russia’s richest man and sanctioned by the United States, Britain and the European Union.
Only two ports are currently open for superyachts in the Pacific Islands region, Fiji and New Caledonia.
Moscow will consider US equipment as legal targets
After announcing that the US is sending heavy equipment to Ukraine (see in particular below), Russia will consider US and NATO vehicles transporting weapons on Ukrainian territory as legitimate military targets. “Attempts to slow down our special operation, to inflict maximum damage to the Russian contingents and units of the DPR and LPR (Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics) are being severely suppressed,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with the TASS news agency.
In Biden’s basket
The American equipment being sent to Ukraine includes 11 Mi-17 helicopters originally destined for Afghanistan, 18 155mm howitzer guns, 300 switchblade drones, and radar systems capable of detecting incoming fire track and locate their origin
Over 100 bodies found in Sumy
Ukraine last night claimed more than 100 bodies were discovered, some tortured, after Russian troops left the Sumy region in the north-east of the country. “Many people were found dead with their hands tied and signs of torture,” said Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the head of the region’s military administration.
Chemical souls: Russian Embassy in London responds
In a caustic press release, the Russian embassy in the UK denounced “accusations by the British media” that the Russian military and the People’s Republic of Donestk were “using unknown chemical substances against the formations of the Azov Battalion of the Ukrainian army”. in Mariupol”. These allegations, the embassy said, “are strictly aimed at creating the necessary propaganda effect and are not supported by a single piece of evidence.” “Russian Armed Forces do not and cannot have chemical warfare agents” as “in 2017 Russia destroyed all of its stockpiles of chemical weapons and fully complied with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CAC)”, which the United States failed to do, “which a constitutes a real military threat”.
Australia increases sanctions against Russia
Kamaz trucks, Sevmash and United Shipbuilding Corp shipping lines, Ruselectronics… fourteen Russian state-owned companies are under attack to reduce Russia’s ability to “continue to fund Putin’s war,” says Secretary of State Marise Payne’s press release.” The Australian government reiterated their unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We again call on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine, she wrote.
Yesterday, a day like any other in Ukraine
“Today’s battle reports are not much different from previous ones,” President Zelenskyy said in his address to Ukrainians last night. According to him, “Russian troops are stepping up their activities in the east and south”, “rocket and artillery fire are increasing”, “new columns of material are being brought in”. To feed their “reserves,” he says, “the Russians are trying to recruit people from the south of our country.”
50 days
Today is the 50th day of fighting after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the night of February 23-24.
New help from the USA
In Washington, US President Joe Biden has promised his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy a massive $800 million in new military aid, including heavy equipment that the United States has so far been reluctant to ship to Kyiv over fears of increasing tensions with Moscow and Russia continue to aggravate as warring factions are considered.
And this while Russia has threatened to attack command centers in Kyiv and accused Ukraine of attacking its territory.
Among this equipment, Zelensky listed “artillery systems, armored personnel carriers, helicopters.” in a video last night.
Moscow threatens to hit “decision centers”.
The Russian army on Wednesday threatened to attack command centers in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which Moscow has abandoned for the time being, accusing Ukraine of shooting and sabotage on Russian territory.
“If such events continue, the Russian military will launch attacks on decision-making centers, including in Kyiv, which the Russian military has so far refrained from doing,” the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.
Russian cruiser on fire
It is one of the biggest material setbacks Russia has suffered since it began invading Ukraine. The cruiser Moskva, flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, was “seriously damaged” by a munitions explosion, according to Moscow, and by rocket attacks, according to Kyiv.
“Neptune missiles protecting the Black Sea caused significant damage to this Russian ship,” said Ukrainian Governor of the Odessa region (south) Maxime Marchenko.
He burns with intensity. Now. And with these rough seas, it’s impossible to know when they can get help,” said a presidential aide, assuring that “510 crew members” were on board.
“Due to a fire, ammunition on board exploded,” and the crew was fully evacuated, the ministry said, adding that an investigation is underway to determine the origin of this fire.