Mar 16: E-Stories
RUattacksOdesa CombatSit BehindLines InRussia ShamElex Allies EU US Trump A&P Tusk UNMose UKDef KremlinFile Applebaum Erland NATO WhiteHouse Davis Haring Belton
Catching up…
EA Worldview’s Ukraine Up-date- hop over to Scott’s amazing hourly Ukraine up-date page. I’ll fill in with some bits and bobs.
Stories we’re following…
Air Force: Ukraine downs all 27 Russian drones launched overnight Mar 15. The drones were launched from the town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai, and Kursk Oblast in Russia, according to the Air Force.
Russian missile strike on Odesa results in 20 deaths, 75 injured, including 7 emergency workers, governor says. Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said that emergency services continued working at the scene of the attack, adding that the information about casualties is being clarified. Russia strikes once, waits for the Ukrainian rescuers to arrive, and then strikes again, killing those who came to save lives.
Update: Russian March 13 attack on residential building in Sumy kills 3, injures 12. The body of a resident was pulled from the rubble after the rescue operation had resumed at 6 a.m. local time, State Emergency Service reported. Two more people killed were found the day before.
Russia: 3 Ukrainian drones successfully struck an oil refinery in Kaluga region.
Prosecutors: Russia has launched around 50 North Korean missiles at Ukraine. Russia has used around 50 North Korean missiles to attack six Ukrainian regions since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast prosecutor's office, said on March 14 during a press conference.
Press conference: Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine:
"Torture used by Russian authorities in Ukraine and in the Russian Federation has been widespread and systematic." "Victims' accounts disclose relentless, brutal treatment inflicting severe pain and suffering during prolonged detention with blatant disregard for human dignity. This has led to long-lasting physical and mental trauma."
Combat Situation Update
Russian reconnaissance troops forced to retreat after failed attempt to cross Dnipro, Ukraine says. According to the Southern Operational Command, a boat carrying Moscow’s forces attempted to land on the western bank near the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Military: Russian troops intensify attacks in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk sectors. Russian forces intensified their assaults in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk sectors of the front, Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Tavria group of forces, said on national television on March 14.
The Freedom of Russia Legion made another appeal/statement.
"Due to the intensification of military operations on the territory of Russia, the Freedom of Russia Legion, Russian Volunteer Corps and Siberian Battalion call on residents of Bilhorod and Kursk regions on March 15 to stay in shelters. The best decision during these days is to leave the territories of Bilhorod and Kursk regions until the active phase of the limited military operation is over. "
Behind the Lines
Russia claims fighting in Kursk, Belgorod oblasts amid ongoing anti-Kremlin militia raid. The Russian National Guard claimed it was repelling an attack near the village of Tyotkino in Kursk Oblast allegedly carried out by “sabotage groups” on March 14.
Russian governor claims Belgorod hit by three strikes during day. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed at around 5:30 p.m. local time on March 14 that the air defense system over the city of Belgorod was operating, marking the third report of a strike on the city since that morning.
Explosion at a polling station in Bilgorod:
The Russian Volunteer corps announced an upcoming attack on the Bilhorod region.
"Urgent warning for the residents of Bilhorod! Within the next hour there will be a massive strike on military facilities in the city of Bilhorod. We urge local residents to immediately go to safe shelters and do not go outside until the attack is over."
Has anyone informed the Pope? Or was he busy talking with Medvedev about a peace plan?
Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashes in Magadan region, two people reported dead. The aircraft was reportedly transporting 17 gold mine workers and three crew members when it made a “hard landing” 75 km from the village of Evensk, the Russian Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office said in a post on Telegram.
SBU detains alleged Russian agent planning to blow up Kharkiv railway. A Ukrainian man suspected of working with Russian military intelligence and planning to blow up a railway in Kharkiv Oblast has been detained, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on March 14.
Meanwhile in Russia
Russia bans entry to over 200 US policy makers, business leaders, journalists. The Russian Foreign Ministry added another 227 U.S. citizens to its list of those who are banned from entering Russia, state news agency TASS reported on March 14.
Julia Davis: “Meanwhile in Russia: Vladimir Solovyov and experts on his show pondered how to punish Europeans after Russia wins. Solovyov predicted the European leaders will run if Trump returns to power and said they will eventually end up being imprisoned in Russia.”
"The US does not and will never recognize the legitimacy or results of the so called elections in sovereign Ukraine and which are part of the presidential elections in Russia," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a briefing.
Electronic voting in Russia is already heavily altered: in Kamchatka in the first 7 hours the turnout is 25%, and in electronic voting 80%. In Sakhalin, at 3 pm, 30% voted, in Magadan 38%. There are multple cases of people pouring ink in ballot boxes are recorded during the Russian presidential elections. In the video below, one such incident happened in St Petersburg.
And there are numerous videos of fires torched at polling stations:
History alla russe! Christopher Columbus was a Russian-Ottoman Admiral.
Allied Support
The EU Commission announces it has mobilised €2 billion for defence projects and deals aimed on armaments production, joint purchases and research. One of its aims is to speed up deliveries to Ukraine.
Bundestag votes against Taurus missiles for Ukraine for third time in 2024. Of the 687 lawmakers who participated in the vote, 494 voted against the delivery, with 188 voting in favor and five abstaining.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is trying to persuade Chancellor Scholz behind the scenes to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. For once, the Greens are receiving support from the FDP. One option could be that Germany supplies Taurus to the UK, who pass it on to Ukraine, but retain control of the mission and objectives.
Macron: Russia's war against Ukraine 'existential' for France, Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron on March 14 again refused to rule out the potential presence of Western troops in Ukraine but stressed that the current situation does not call for it. (See EuroFile post)
Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz, France’s president Emmanuel Macron and Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk met in Berlin. In a public briefing they promised Europe was united and determined in its support for Ukraine, and said they would use frozen Russian assets to purchase more weapons for Ukraine on the world market.
Olaf Scholz has opened the press conference in Berlin by saying it is clear that Germany, France and Poland support Ukraine, but it is also clear that the countries are not at war with Russia. He said that the countries would buy more weapons for Ukraine on the world market, and that they would, with partners, build up weapons production in Ukraine.
Emmanuel Macron is speaking now, and has said the countries will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it was necessary. He has repeated the argument that he made on French television last night in a combative interview, saying the security of the whole of Europe is at stake in Ukraine.
Donald Tusk described today’s meeting as “a good new beginning for the ‘Weimar triangle’”, and said the three would meet again in the summer in Poland.
The “Weimar triangle” was created between Germany, France and Poland after the reunification in Germany in 1991.
Sweden pledges $33 million to Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine. Sweden joined the Czech-led initiative to supply Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, pledging 30 million euros ($32.6 million) to the cause, the Swedish embassy in Czechia announced on March 14.
Portugal has joined the coalition of countries that allocate funds for the procurement of artillery shells via the Czech initiative. A total of €100 million is allocated, the Portugese Ministry of Defense confirms.
Greece said that it can supply Ukraine with ammunition this year through Czechia. It includes 2000 Zuni rockets, 180 Hydra 70 rockets, 90.000 90-mm projectiles, anti-aircraft weapons and 4 million bullets. It will also sell 70 M114A1 US-made 155-mm howitzers from their own stocks to Czechia in order to be sent to Ukraine.
I missed this on Wednesday: Marine LePen strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I would need to ask my French peeps to understand if this is a change of heart, lack of Russian funds or politically convenient.
Bulgaria confirms long-awaited armored personnel carriers headed to Ukraine. After months of delays, 100 Bulgarian armored personnel carriers are on their way to Ukraine by rail, Bulgaria's Defense Minister Todor Tagarev confirmed on March 14.
Rheinmetall plans to open at least 4 plants in Ukraine. German arms manufacturer plans to open at least four plans in Ukraine to produce artillery shells, military vehicles, gunpowder, and anti-aircraft weapons, the AFP reported on March 14.
G7 nations are prepared to respond with severe new penalties that could include a ban on Iran Air flights to Europe if Iran proceeds with the transfer of close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, a senior U.S. official said
Former Mayor of Vilnius Simasius passed out after knocking over glass of water during referendum on dual citizenship. “During my 25-year political career, I've had all kinds of events, but not like this yet - I managed to faint during the live broadcast of LRT, during the discussion about dual citizenship and the referendum. I felt like I was poisoned by something today, but I didn't take it seriously.”
Allied perceptions on security, defence and NATO in 2023—NATO
In 2023, NATO continued to monitor Allied citizens’ perceptions on defence and security. Findings show significant agreement that NATO membership makes foreign attack less likely (61 per cent, consistent with 2022), and support for increased defence spending has risen by five percentage points (40 per cent in 2023; 35 per cent in 2022). A majority of Allied respondents agree with their country continuing to provide support to Ukraine (63 per cent).
31 NATO Allies plus Sweden: general population over 18 years of age. When this survey was conducted, Sweden was not a NATO member. Data from Sweden are not included in the calculation of the NATO total.
In all countries polled online, a sample of at least 1,000 respondents per country was achieved. In countries surveyed by telephone, at least 500 individuals per country were interviewed. In total, 30,925 interviews were conducted.
Politico: House Speaker Mike Johnson expects the upcoming Ukraine aid bill to pass with Democratic votes and suggests that aid to Ukraine and Israel could be split. He said he expects this to happen using a "suspension calendar" process to overcome GOP opposition.
The Biden administration to send additional $126 million in assistance to Ukraine under the Foreign Assistance Act.
NYT: A federal judge rejected one of Donald Trump’s requests to dismiss his case related to the mishandling of classified documents. It was the first time the judge overseeing Mr. Trump’s prosecution in the classified documents case has denied a legal attack on the indictment.
CNN: NY prosecutors say they’re willing to delay Trump hush money trial until late April. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is willing to delay Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial for up to 30 days, according to a court filing. The trial is currently scheduled to start on March 25. The proposed delay is to review new materials turned over by federal prosecutors this week, the DA’s office said.
What to watch…
Catherine Belton was guest on Times Radio: “We still don’t know whether he will actually make it to the end of this presidential term.”