Live Conflict Ukraine-Russia War

[blackjack]

Ukraine reveals change to military service for women

Women in a range of professions, up to 60 years old, will have to register for the draft.

www.rt.com

 

[blackjack]

Any help to Ukraine would be appreciated.

Poorest Countries in Europe 2021

 

[Turko]

Russian Foreign Ministry on security guarantees: We are not bluffing

МИД РФ о гарантиях безопасности: Мы не блефуем

В России выдвинули Западу ряд условий по гарантиям безопасности и будут добиваться того, что это не блеф.

korrespondent.net

Russia has put forward a number of conditions for the West on security guarantees and will seek to ensure that this is not a bluff.

Russia's proposals for security guarantees are not a bluff, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Mezhdunarodnaya Zhizn magazine.



"When we say absolutely firmly and definitely that we demand an official withdrawal of the decision of the 2008 Bucharest summit that Ukraine and Georgia will become NATO members ... when we say that further expansion of NATO should be ruled out in principle, when we say that NATO infrastructure and all sorts of events that are provocative for Russia must be rolled back to the positions that existed at the time of the signing of the Russia-NATO fundamental act in 1997, we are not bluffing. These are our real proposals. Understanding this must be implemented by all means, and we will study, "he said.

Ryabkov noted that negotiations on this issue can take place on different tracks.

"We do not exclude other tracks, I think, in the near future, clarity will appear here. We would not like one thing to drown behind the talk about the fact that there are different kinds of formats and they need to be used]," he said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry insists on the urgency of considering this issue.

"The issue is urgent, the escalation is serious, the problems are big, we must put an end to the advancement of NATO, NATO infrastructure, NATO capabilities and further east," Ryabkov added.

He believes that the negotiations will not be easy, but the Russian Federation is ready for this. “This is the meaning of our work, to find points of understanding even in the most difficult situations,” Ryabkov stressed.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry published draft agreements on security guarantees and agreements on security measures for the Russian Federation and NATO member states.

In response, the White House said that the United States would not conduct consultations on security in Europe without allies in the EU, noting that it was discussing proposals with allies.

 

[Turko]

The Russian Federation compared the importance of Ukraine's membership in NATO for Moscow and Kiev

В РФ сравнили важность членства Украины в НАТО для Москвы и Киева

Для Москвы возможность вступления Украины в Североатлантический альянс не менее важна, чем для Киева, говорят в МИД РФ.

korrespondent.net

For Moscow, the possibility of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Alliance is no less important than for Kiev, the Russian Foreign Ministry says.

Russia claims that the issue of Ukraine's NATO membership is as important for Moscow as it is for Kiev. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov in an interview with the magazine International Affairs.

ON THIS TOPIC



Putin: the West "pinned" Russia to the red lines

Yesterday, 18:36

"The question of the prospect of Ukraine's joining NATO is at least as important - if not more important - for us than for Ukraine itself," he said.

According to him, the parties have now come to a point beyond which "completely different factors are beginning to play." "The significance of these factors, their fundamental significance for our even self-awareness, not to mention geopolitical positioning, is undeniable," Ryabkov says.

He also commented on the information on the increase in the combat readiness of the NATO rapid reaction forces.

“You can comment on this with humor, because the rapid reaction forces can react quickly if the 'enemy', in this case Russia, does not know that they are ready for something and are ready to react quickly. different structures say that this is called either disinformation, many different structures have been created there in the field of information wars, or this is what is called in certain circles "active measures" so that everyone here gets nervous, rushes in and starts giving various orders themselves ", - Ryabkov thinks.

He added that in the Russian Federation they are guided by the data obtained from their own means of "objective control".

Recall that a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council is scheduled for January 12, at which they intend to discuss the situation around Ukraine, as well as the RF demand for security guarantees.

 

[Turko]

Two servicemen are seriously injured in Donbass

На Донбассе тяжело ранены двое военных

Один из военных был ранен вчера, а второй - с начала текущих суток. Оба бойца госпитализированы.

korrespondent.net

One of the soldiers was wounded yesterday, and the second - from the beginning of the current day. Both fighters are hospitalized.

In the Donbass, as a result of shelling, a soldier was wounded, he is in serious condition, according to the morning report of the Joint Forces Operations headquarters on Monday, December 27.



So, since the beginning of the current day, the separatists have opened fire from large-caliber machine guns and other small arms.
As a result, one soldier was injured. He is in a medical institution. His health condition is grave.

Over the past day, five attacks were recorded, one of which was with the use of weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements.

So, in the direction of Pivdennoye, Peskov, Novoluganskiy and Shumov, the separatists fired from grenade launchers of different systems. Near Talakovka, the enemy deployed a drone, with the help of which he dropped VOG-17 shots. As a result of hostile actions, one soldier was wounded, he is in a hospital in serious condition.

The JFO forces returned fire, not using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements, and forced the enemy to stop shelling.

Recall that the Trilateral Contact Group on December 22 agreed to return to the ceasefire in Donbas.

 

[Turko]

Lavrov does not see the possibility of partnership between Russia and NATO

Лавров не видит возможности партнерства РФ с НАТО

Запад не хочет иметь сопоставимых по влиянию соперников на международной арене, считают в Москве.

korrespondent.net

The West does not want to have rivals comparable in influence in the international arena, according to Moscow.

Russia cannot become a NATO member on an equal and partner basis, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. This was announced on Monday, December 27, he said in an interview with Soloviev Live.

“I don’t see such a situation, because the whole process does not revolve around NATO or the European Union, it revolves around the fact that the West does not want to have any rivals in the international arena comparable in influence,” he said.

Also, the Russian Federation doubts that their demand for NATO's eastward expansion will not be ignored.

In general, the position taken by the Western countries and NATO on Ukraine, Lavrov considers rudeness.

"It is rudeness to speak from the positions that the West and NATO now occupy. They are encouraged by the Balts, Poles and Ukrainians, this is absolutely obvious," Lavrov said.

In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry does not rule out that the West wants to arrange a "little war" in Ukraine.

"I do not exclude that such a desire is to fuel militaristic sentiments, to make a" little war, "then to blame us, to introduce new sanctions in order to suppress our competitive opportunities," Lavrov said.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry published draft agreements on security guarantees and agreements on security measures for the Russian Federation and NATO member states.

A meeting of the Russia-NATO Council is scheduled for January 12, at which they intend to discuss the situation around Ukraine, as well as the RF demand for security guarantees.

 

[Bogeyman]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1475428958770446336

 

[Turko]

Ukraine and the EU against the Russian Federation: Borrell summed up the results of the year




TEXT: ELENA BURKALO, 28 December 2021, 00:56

As hybrid conflicts spread, the bloc should continue to support Ukraine in resisting pressure from Russia, the diplomat emphasized.

EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the outgoing year was rich in challenges in power politics, and mentioned Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Russia. This is discussed in the diplomat's review published on Monday, December 27.



“In our eastern neighborhood, 2021 was a prime example of power politics, as we saw in the cases of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova,” the publication says.

Borrell stressed that the EU is providing "firm and united political as well as operational support to its eastern partners" in their resistance to the Russian Federation, and called on the bloc countries to continue this policy.

“As hybrid conflicts spread, we must continue to support Ukraine or Moldova in resisting pressure from Russia and maintain a firm approach to Belarus,” he said.

Finally, the head of European diplomacy said that in 2021 the European Union has been actively working to protect the interests and values of the community and to strengthen a rules-based global order, and "this work must continue in 2022 with all our determination."

We will remind, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU has prepared large-scale sanctions in case of further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

 

[Turko]

Day in the JFO zone: 10 shelling, two wounded


The enemy opened fire from anti-tank missile systems, 120-mm mortars, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms.

Over the past day, separatist units have opened fire on Ukrainian positions in the Donbas 10 times. Two soldiers were seriously injured, the press center of the Joint Forces operation headquarters said in a morning report on Tuesday, December 28.

The enemy opened fire from anti-tank missile systems, 120-mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns and other small arms.

In addition, a drone was involved, with the help of which VOG-17 shots were dropped.

Shelling was recorded in the area of the settlements of Gnutovo, New York, Novozvanovka, Novoluganskoe, Maryinka, Krasnogorovka, Travnevoe and Lobachevo.

It is noted that the Ukrainian military opened return fire without using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements, and forced the enemy to stop shelling.

As of 7:00 on Tuesday, no enemy shelling was recorded.

We will remind that during the day on December 26, the separatists opened fire five times in the Donbass. Then two servicemen were wounded.

It was also reported that on December 22, the Trilateral Contact Group agreed to return to the ceasefire in Donbas.

 

[Turko]

The media called the date of negotiations between the United States and the Russian Federation on Ukraine


As you know, a Russia-NATO meeting is scheduled for January 12, and negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and the OSCE are scheduled for 13 January.

Representatives of the United States and Russia will hold talks on January 10, 2022. One of the key topics will be Ukraine, reports AFP on Tuesday night, December 28.

It is noted that such a date was announced for the publication in the White House.

"The United States and Russia will hold talks on arms control and Ukraine on January 10," the statement said.

As you know, a Russia-NATO meeting is scheduled for January 12, and negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and the OSCE are scheduled for 13 January.

"When we sit down at the negotiating table, Russia can state its concerns, and we will state ours, including Russia's activities," said a spokesman for the National Security Council (SNB) of the White House.

According to him, any agreements between Washington and Moscow will take into account the interests of Kiev.

"President Biden's approach to Ukraine is clear and consistent: to unite the North Atlantic Alliance around two directions - containment and diplomacy. We are united as an alliance regarding the consequences that Russia will face if it invades Ukraine," the official said.

At the moment, it is not known who exactly will participate in the negotiations on January 10.

As a reminder, on December 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry published the draft agreements on security guarantees and agreements on security measures for the Russian Federation and NATO member states, previously transferred to the United States.

According to the documents, Moscow demands from Washington guarantees that the North Atlantic Alliance will not expand to the east, which implies a refusal of Ukraine's membership.

The White House said that they do not intend to negotiate without the participation of the European Union and that they need time to discuss the proposals with the allies.

 

[Turko]

Volcker told how to force Putin to end the war

The American diplomat stressed that the Russian president started the war in Ukraine and he can stop it.

The end of the war in eastern Ukraine is possible in the event of increased pressure on Russia from the United States and the European Union. This was stated by the former US special envoy for Ukraine Kurt Volcker in a commentary on Radio Liberty, released on Monday, December 27.



According to the diplomat, everything depends on Russian President Vladimir Putin in this matter.

"It all depends on Putin's position. He started the war, he can stop it. Why should he stop the war? I think if he feels more pressure from the United States and Europe in the form of sanctions, in the form of military assistance to Ukraine, diplomatic pressure, Russia is doing in Ukraine. I think this may affect Putin's calculations and will be an incentive to end the war, "Volcker said.

At the same time, he stressed that Washington should not put pressure on Kiev on the Donbass issue, "so as not to reward Russia for its aggression."

"The principle in the negotiations should remain - nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, we should consult with Ukraine, how Ukraine sees the settlement of the conflict and on this basis negotiate with Russia," the politician said.

Recall, US Vice President Kamala Harris warned that in the event of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States could impose the "strongest" sanctions against Moscow. At the same time, it became known that Germany doubts the Kremlin's plans to carry out a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

 

[Turko]

Markarova spoke about the directions of US military assistance to Ukraine

Маркарова рассказала о направлениях военной помощи США Украине

Посол Украины в США Оксана Маркарова рассказала, как Украина сотрудничает с США в рамках предоставления военной помощи.

korrespondent.net

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova told how Ukraine cooperates with the United States in providing military assistance.

Ukraine is cooperating with the United States in providing military assistance in three areas, including financial and technical. Oksana Markarova, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, announced this in an interview with LB.ua.

"There are several areas in which we are working with the United States in providing military assistance. The first is the standard aid provided by Congress through the budget; next year we will receive $ 300 million. such a package of $ 60 million, having already sent the appropriate equipment to Ukraine ", - said Markarova.

The third area, she said, is the so-called surplus defense equipment.

"For example, ready-made and so far unnecessary weapons, which the United States can additionally provide. And we are also actively working with this category," the ambassador explained.

 

[Turko]

Two American Spy Planes Just Flew Right Over Ukraine. Their Mission: Map the Nearby Russian Army.​

David Axe
Forbes Staff

A pair of the U.S. Air Force’s best surveillance planes on Monday flew over eastern Ukraine fewer than 40 miles from territory controlled by Russian-backed separatists.


The two-jet mission, involving an E-8C ground-surveillance plane and an RC-135V signals-intelligence plane, is one of the first missions that the USAF openly has flown inside Ukrainian air space—and comes nine months after Russia built up a potential invasion force along the border with Ukraine.

In the meantime, Washington has boosted its support for Kiev. The United States has transferred to Ukraine billions of dollars worth of radars, patrol boats and anti-tank missiles. A U.S. military team recently traveled to Ukraine to assess the country’s air-defense network. And now the Americans are gathering intelligence over Ukraine—and presumably sharing it with the Ukrainians.


The E-8C and RC-135V make a compelling team. The E-8C packs an underslung radar with so-called “ground moving target indicator,” or GMTI, capability—meaning it repeatedly can scan for vehicles over time, giving operators a sense of the vehicles’ direction of travel and speed.

The RC-135V is a signals-intelligence, or SIGINT, plane whose sensitive receivers pick up enemy transmissions. An E-8 and RC-135 working together could “cross-cue.” The former detects tanks and other vehicles. The latter logs their communications. A few passes by the duo could give commanders a comprehensive view of Russian forces.

Two American Spy Planes Just Flew Right Over Ukraine. Their Mission: Map the Nearby Russian Army.

A pair of the U.S. Air Force’s best surveillance planes on Monday flew over eastern Ukraine fewer than 40 miles from territory controlled by Russian-backed separatists.

www.forbes.com

 

[Turko]

NSDC on the troops of the Russian Federation: we do not observe a large concentration

СНБО о войсках РФ: большого скопления не наблюдаем

В СНБО отмечают определенные перемещения российских войск возле украинской границы, но для нас это некритично , сказал Данилов.

korrespondent.net

Danilov on the Russian troops on the border of Ukraine: we do not observe a large congestion
The NSDC notes certain movements of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, "but this is not critical for us," Danilov said.
There is no large accumulation of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border. This was stated by the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Alexei Danilov in an interview with Now on Wednesday, December 29.

"We do not observe a large accumulation of Russian troops. There are certain movements of troops, but for us it is not critical," Danilov said.

He noted that for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia will need to increase its military grouping on the border by 3-5 times.

"Much more than there is today," Danilov said.

The NSDC secretary stressed that the threat of a Russian invasion exists - Ukraine has been living for seven years in the conditions of a full-scale attack by Russia.


-++++

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1476253300869648384

 

[Turko]

Biden will talk with Zelensky again - media

Байден снова переговорит с Зеленским - СМИ

Представитель Белого дома сообщил, что Вашингтон и Киев контактируют почти каждый день, а вскоре пройдут переговоры на высшем уровне.

korrespondent.net

A White House spokesman said that Washington and Kiev are in contact almost every day, and high-level talks will soon take place.
In the near future, the next talks between the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky will take place. This was announced on Wednesday, December 29, by the Voice of America publication, citing a senior official of the US National Security Council.

"We can expect that President Biden and Zelensky will remain in close contact. We do not have an exact date for the call, but they will talk again soon," the source said.

Also, a White House spokesman said that Washington and Kiev are in contact almost every day.

As a reminder, the previous conversation between the American and Ukrainian leaders took place on December 9.

We add that today it became known that on December 30, Biden will hold a conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, during which he intends to demand that the interlocutor take measures to de-escalate Ukraine.

At the same time, according to the above-mentioned American official, the request for a call came from the Kremlin.

 

[Turko]

Russia blames the EU for tensions in Europe

Россия обвиняет Евросоюз в напряженности в Европе

Одной из причин эскалации в Европе в России считают создание формата Восточного партнерства.

korrespondent.net

Zakharova made new claims to the EU



One of the reasons for the escalation in Europe in Russia is the creation of the Eastern Partnership format.
Russia blames the European Union for the escalation of tensions in Europe. This statement was made on Thursday, December 30, by the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, writes RIA Novosti.

"The European Union did a lot with its own hands to escalate tensions in Europe ... In 2009, it invented the Eastern Partnership format aimed at countering Russian integration initiatives and, in general, carving out a sphere of influence for itself in the post-Soviet space," she said.

Zakharova believes that the EU could do more to prevent an escalation in Europe and interact with the Russian Federation.

"(The EU), to the accompaniment of groundless accusations, has fixed our country in its doctrinal principles as a strategic challenge and perhaps the main source of some hybrid threats to the security of the European Union ... , could have done much more to prevent the development of the situation in Europe according to a scenario unacceptable for Russia, and not only for Russia, but in general for the development of our interaction along the Russia-EU line. Nothing has been done for this, "she said.

Also, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on the EU to work to strengthen security in Europe by encouraging Ukraine to implement the Minsk agreements.

Earlier, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that the European Union should take part in the negotiations between the United States and Russia on security guarantees in Europe.

 

[Turko]

Russia confirms the dates of negotiations with the USA and NATO

Захарова рассказала о планируемых переговорах России и США в Женеве

По словам официального представителя МИД, РФ на встрече 10 января будет добиваться от американской стороны твердых гарантий безопасности

tass.ru

MOSCOW, December 30. / TASS /. At the talks with the United States in Geneva on January 10, the Russian Federation will seek firm guarantees of Russia's security from the American side. This was stated on Thursday at a briefing by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.

 

[Turko]

The frigate of France took part in the exercises of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

TEXT: OLEG PAVLOS, December 30, 2021, 16:09

Photo: facebook.com/navy.mil.gov.ua

Ukrainian and French naval exercises in the Black Sea

Medium landing ship Yuri Olefirenko of the Armed Forces of Ukraine together with the French naval frigate Auvergne conducted PASSEX-type training.

In the Black Sea, the ships of the Ukrainian and French navies conducted joint exercises of the PASSEX type. This was reported by the public relations service of the Command of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"In the northwestern part of the Black Sea, the medium landing ship Yuriy Olefirenko of the Ukrainian Naval Forces, together with the French Naval Forces frigate Auvergne, conducted PASSEX-type trainings," the message says.

The aim of the exercise was to maintain security in the Black Sea region, improve the training and interoperability of the crews of the ships of the two countries in accordance with NATO standards.

From the French side, the NH-90 naval transport and combat helicopter was also involved in the exercises.

The personnel of the ships carried out a number of joint trainings, in particular, night signal production, coverage of the maritime situation in areas of intensive civil navigation, communications training, etc.



The main attention was paid to improving the interoperability and coherence of crew actions.

In addition, on board the ship, Yuri Olefirenko, was trained to assist the emergency ship with the landing of the rescue group of the French frigate.

Communication between the crews of the ships was carried out in English in accordance with the international signaling system MTP.

Фрегат Франции принял участие в учениях ВСУ

Средний десантный корабль Юрий Олефиренко ВМС ВСУ вместе с фрегатом ВМС Франции Auvergne провели тренировки типа PASSEX.

korrespondent.net

 

[Bogeyman]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1476589368835989504

 

[Turko]

Artillery was used against the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbass - headquarters

Против ВСУ на Донбассе применили артиллерию – штаб

Украинские военные открывали ответный огонь, не применяя запрещенное Минскими договоренностями вооружения.

korrespondent.net

Separatists in Donbass use artillery

The Ukrainian military opened return fire without using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements.

Over the past day, separatist units fired at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donbas three times, including from artillery. The Ukrainian military was not injured, the Joint Forces Operations Headquarters said in a morning report on Friday, December 31



Thus, in the direction of Prchepilovka, the enemy twice opened fire from 82 mm mortars and 122 mm artillery.

Near Krymskoye, the separatists fired from 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems and large-caliber machine guns.

It is noted that the Ukrainian military opened return fire without using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements. They forced the enemy to stop firing.

Since the beginning of this day, no shelling has been recorded.

Recall that on December 29, the separatists carried out four attacks in the Donbas. Then, as a result of hostile actions, one soldier was wounded.