Monday, March 25

Ukraine

Russians Unleash Thermite Rain on Mining Town Voehledar
News, Russia, Ukraine

Russians Unleash Thermite Rain on Mining Town Voehledar

In the battle for Voehledar, a mining town in southeastern Ukraine, the Russians have deployed "thermite bombs", according to images circulating online. These are bombs that do not explode but burn. "This is one of the most brutal weapons of the Russians," said Human Rights Watch (HRW). Russian troops have been trying to take Voehledar since late January, but like so many other places in Ukraine, progress is slow, and casualties are heavy. For example, the 155th naval infantry, about 5,000 strong, was almost eliminated in mid-February. The Russian troops on the ground already complained about a lack of ammunition and grenades, so they tried another way. The images above show how a "thermite rain" descends on the mining town. Although it is unknown when the images would date p...
NATO Boss Stoltenberg Warns of Difficult Months: Russians have Shown Extreme Brutality
News, Russia, Ukraine, US

NATO Boss Stoltenberg Warns of Difficult Months: Russians have Shown Extreme Brutality

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warns that the coming months will be difficult for Ukraine. "Putin's goal is to keep Ukraine cold and dark this winter," he said during a press conference in The Hague on Monday after speaking with the Dutch government. The NATO chief described Russia's withdrawal from Kherson as a testament to "the incredible bravery of the Ukrainian armed forces". "But it also demonstrations the importance of our continued provision for Ukraine," Stoltenberg said. He warned me not to underestimate Russia. "The Russian armed forces still have great capabilities and many troops. And Russia has shown its willingness to bear great losses. But, unfortunately, they have also shown extreme brutality." Kherson was the first major city and the only regional ca...
Kremlin: Sharing Ukraine’s Annexation can be Done Very Soon After Referendum
News, Russia, Ukraine

Kremlin: Sharing Ukraine’s Annexation can be Done Very Soon After Referendum

According to the Kremlin, a positive referendum result in the occupied parts of Ukraine could quickly lead to annexing those areas. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said on Friday that the procedures could proceed quickly. Attacks on those parts of Ukraine would then become attacks on the Russian Federation. In southern and eastern Ukraine, residents of provinces that have come under partial Russian control can vote in referendums until Tuesday whether or not they want to join the Russian Federation. The Russian government claims that this is based on "the right of self-determination of the peoples" and counts on a 'yes' from the voters that are reached. However, western observers speak of sham referendums, the outcome of which has already been determined. The battle for the s...
Dead and Injured in the Bombing of Kharkiv
News, Russia, Ukraine

Dead and Injured in the Bombing of Kharkiv

A Russian shelling on Thursday at Kharkiv, which has been under artillery fire for weeks, killed three people and injured 23 others.   The governor of the northeastern region of Ukraine reports that four injured are in serious condition. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, is about 40 kilometres from the Russian border and has been under frequent fire since the invasion began nearly five months ago. At least three people were killed on Wednesday, according to local authorities. Among the victims was a 13-year-old boy whose body was seen near a bus stop by journalists from the French news agency AFP.
Zelensky Asks G7 Leaders for Anti-Aircraft Fire
Europe, News, Ukraine

Zelensky Asks G7 Leaders for Anti-Aircraft Fire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the G7 countries to send additional anti-aircraft fire.   He did so on Monday via a live connection with the summit that is being held these days in Schloss Elmau in southern Germany, reports a European official who wishes to remain anonymous. More heavy weapons weren't the only thing on Zelensky's wish list. He also argued for tougher sanctions against Russia and wanted more security guarantees from the G7 leaders. The Ukrainian president also asked for help with grain exports. Its export is made virtually impossible by the Russians. The G7, the major industrialized countries of the world, will discuss the consequences of the war in Ukraine until Tuesday. In addition to the G7 leaders, EU leaders and several other government leade...
NATO to Help Ukraine Switch to Western Weapons
News, Ukraine

NATO to Help Ukraine Switch to Western Weapons

NATO will help Ukraine switch to Western weapons to defend itself against the invaded Russian army. These are more modern than the Soviet-made weapons on which the country has so far mainly relied, says NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.   In addition, NATO countries' stocks of Soviet weapons are running out. The NATO countries will agree on new support for Ukraine at their summit in Madrid in two weeks, Stoltenberg expects. It should "make it possible for Ukrainians to move from old Soviet-era equipment to more modern standard NATO equipment," said the secretary-general. This also allows the distressed country to better cooperate militarily with NATO. "We are extremely focused on ramping up support." Until now, Ukraine has mainly received weapons from the old arsenals of former Eastern...
Russia Ready for Safety Guarantees for Ships from Ukraine
News, Russia, Ukraine

Russia Ready for Safety Guarantees for Ships from Ukraine

Russia is ready to guarantee the safety of ships leaving Ukrainian ports, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reported. This is possible in cooperation with Turkey, Lavrov said after a consultation with his Turkish colleague Mevlut Cavusoglu.   Lavrov has travelled to Ankara to talk about Ukrainian grain exports, which have been affected by the Russian invasion. The consultation did not result in a breakthrough. Russia believes Ukraine should remove mines in the Black Sea. The countries accuse each other of its placement. Grain transport through the Black Sea has come to a standstill due to a Russian blockade, resulting in food shortages. Food prices are also rising as the sale of Russian grain has been curtailed by international sanctions against the country. Cavusoglu called R...
Ukrainian Soldier at Azovstal Factory Asks Elon Musk for Help
News, Russia, Ukraine, US

Ukrainian Soldier at Azovstal Factory Asks Elon Musk for Help

A Ukrainian soldier trapped at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol appeals to Tesla chief executive Elon Musk. Commander Sergei Volina hopes Musk can help evacuate the factory that Russian troops have surrounded for weeks.   "People say you're from another planet, and you teach people to believe in the impossible. My planet is right next to yours because I'm in a place where it's almost impossible to survive," Volina wrote on Twitter in a statement message to Musk. He asks for an evacuation to a third country that could help with the mediation. Volina also made this appeal to all world leaders at the end of April. Because they haven't been able to help yet, the commander now turns to the richest man in the world: "If you can't help us, who can?" The Azovstal plant is the last stronghol...
Ukraine: Russian Troops Break Mariupol Ceasefire
News, Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine: Russian Troops Break Mariupol Ceasefire

At the Azovstal factory in Mariupol, the Russian attack continues, according to the Ukrainian army. Russia previously announced that it would cease fighting for three days from Thursday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to allow for evacuations.   According to Kyiv, Russia has not kept that promise. Instead, the Kremlin says humanitarian corridors will be operational on Thursday, and evacuations can continue. Fighting has been going on for days around the Azovstal factory, the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol. There is an unknown number of Ukrainian soldiers there, but there are large evacuations because there are also civilians. On Tuesday, the city mayor reported that at least two hundred citizens would be housed in the factory complex. On Wednesday, the Red Cross and...