The Russian-appointed occupying "authorities" of the Kherson region announced the evacuation of the civilian population to the left bank of the Dnieper. The evacuation of the civilian population from the Kherson region can probably be associated with the ongoing counter-offensive of the Ukrainian troops and the plans (or assumptions) of the Russian leadership to retreat from the right bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson region, where the supply of Russian troops and their possible encirclement is mainly difficult. But it is also possible that the withdrawal of the Russian forces from the right bank of the Dnieper is not planned, and this is a military trick - a decrease in the number of civilians on this bank will unload logistics and use the supply across the river in full for the needs of the army. The evacuation of residents of the Kherson region may also be related to the difficulty of holding the heating season in this region or to the assumptions and use of non-conventional weapons in the area because, from the point of view of the Russian Federation; we are now talking about the lives of citizens of the Russian Federation.
Along with the evacuation from the Kherson region, President of the Russian Federation V. Putin announced that martial law was introduced in the "DPR,” "LPR,” Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Territorial defense is carried out in these territories, and interdepartmental coordinating bodies (territorial defense headquarters) are being created. In eight more areas (including Crimea), a “medium response level” is being introduced; in the Central and Southern federal districts — a “high alert level,” and in other subjects of the Russian Federation — a “basic alert level.” Thus, a covert martial law is introduced de facto in the Russian Federation in forms diversified depending on the regions: in the occupied Ukrainian territories, power formally passes into the hands of the military leadership, while in the other areas of federal control, the power of the security forces and the governor's vertical are strengthened. To strengthen federal control and involve the regions, a Coordinating Council under the Government of the Russian Federation is also being created (an analog of the State Defense Committee of period II World War II) to meet the needs arising in the course of a special military operation that will manage the processes of conducting and supporting the war. It will include vice-premiers, law enforcement agencies representatives, the government's socio-economic bloc, the presidential administration, and the State Council. In addition, the heads of Russian regions will receive additional powers to ensure security. The Commission of the State Council of the Russian Federation, in the direction of "State and municipal management," was instructed to ensure the coordination of the activities and interaction of state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
In fact, in the occupied territories and regions of the Russian Federation bordering Ukraine, there is an enhanced police regime, and power passes into the hands of the military and headquarters created under the governors. From a political point of view, V. Putin is trying to mobilize the Russian elites and society and accumulate the necessary resources to continue hostilities. It could also mean that the Russian Federation is planning a protracted war that may last for years. The information and political agenda in Russian society and the elites continue to be dominated by the ultra-patriotic passionate minority.
The Russian Federation continues to strike at Ukraine's critical infrastructure, including using Iranian drones. In a few days of shelling and attacks by Iranian drones, about 40% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been damaged, and the likelihood of rolling blackouts across the country has increased. Ukraine may face a blackout if the current trend continues by the beginning or middle of November. In general, attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure are aimed at causing significant damage to it and creating an energy crisis in the country. As a result of humanitarian and political problems, this also leads to the weakening of the Ukrainian army. The Russian Federation is also provoking the Ukrainian command to remove a significant part of the air defense systems from the front, sending them to cover infrastructure facilities.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recognized the territory of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as occupied. Such a step on the part of Ukraine can be regarded as a response to Russia's annexation of the occupied Ukrainian territories. If other countries support this decision (the Baltic countries, Poland, the UK, and so on), this will mean that a new approach to Russia’s fragmentation is behind this.
There is an operational pause at the front. Ukrainian troops conduct reconnaissance in combat in the Kherson and Lugansk regions. For their part, Russian forces continued to locally attack the settlements around the town of Bakhmut and Avdiivka in the Donetsk direction.
Ukraine and the Russian Federation continue to raise the stakes in the absentee negotiation process, taking an increasingly uncompromising position on political negotiations but using different strategies. The President of Ukraine and his team probably believe that the root of all problems (the reason for the Russian invasion) or the way to solve them is the President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, personally. Therefore, the strategy of Ukraine in recent months is aimed at “delegitimizing Putin,” “cutting him out” from the political negotiation process to increase pressure on the Russian president, create a crisis within the Russian elites, satisfy the request of the patriotic part of Ukrainian society, justify the absence of attempts to achieve peace for third countries.
The Russian Federation believes that Ukraine is politically “controlled by the West” and is trying to make Ukraine and the United States, Great Britain, and allies responsible for the continuation of the war. To this end, Russian officials constantly declare their alleged “readiness for negotiations” and the war’s end but put forward unacceptable conditions for their conduct for Ukraine (for example, recognition of the Russian status of the occupied territories). Both strategies (RF and Ukraine) are dangerous and fragile, meaning key battles are yet to come.
The United States and partner countries continue to supply weapons and military equipment to Ukraine. Priority in the plans for military deliveries is given to air defense systems. At the same time, considering the increase in the intensity of shelling by the Russian Federation, including the use of Iranian drones and Ukrainian critical infrastructure. Deliveries from partner countries will not yet be able to cover the country's entire need for air defense systems.
Thanks to the “grain deal” operation, “ it has already been possible to export about 10.8 million tons of food from Ukrainian ports and partially restore the level of Ukrainian exports. But the probability that the "grain deal" will be stopped is quite high. The Russian Federation begins a new stage of blackmail and, as a condition for the extension of the "grain deal,” requires the partial lifting of sanctions against Russian shipping and insurance companies. The Russian Federation is also seeking the possibility of exporting agricultural products from the territories seized from Ukraine. At the same time, this may be a marker that the Russian Federation is preparing to make a new attempt to capture the city of Odesa or the city of Mykolaiv.
Ukraine's economy mainly depends on international donors' financial assistance. The United States plays a vital role in this regard, simultaneously pushing the EU to increase financial aid to Ukraine. International partners provided Ukraine with about $20 billion, but the actual cash receipts to Ukraine are 4.5 times less than the aid commitments. The state budget expenditures for military needs are increasing, so the government increases military spending by another UAH 387 billion. Approximately 70% of the cost in the national security and defense sector is "consumption spending,” that is, wages and additional payments. The budget deficit is covered, including by issuing the hryvnia. In turn, the issue of the hryvnia leads to the devaluation of the hryvnia and inflation. In turn, rising inflation will lead to the impoverishment of the population. The World Bank estimates that 25% of Ukrainians will be living in poverty by the end of the year, compared with just over 2% before the war. And by the end of next year, this number could rise to 55%.
military situation
Combat actions.
The situation in the Kharkiv region: Russian troops carried out a counteroffensive and recaptured the settlement Gorobivka to the northeast of the city of Kupyansk. The Armed Forces of Ukraine report that attacks have been repulsed in the areas of the settlements of Ogirevo and Dvurichna in the Kharkiv region.
In the Donbas: The RF Armed Forces are trying to conduct offensive operations in the Bakhmut and Avdiivsky directions. Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled enemy attacks in areas of Bakhmut, Soledar, and Maryinka and settlements in the regions of Berestove, Bakhmutsky, Yakovlivka, Spirne, Opytne, Ivangrad, Nevelske, Novosadovo, Pervomayske, Pobeda, Krasnogorivka, Novomykhailivka, Belogorivka, as well as the village of Terny and the settlement Torske near Liman.
The situation in the South: the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kherson region on the settlements of Sukhanovo, Dudchany, and Mylove, the direction along the Kakhovka reservoir to Berislav and Novaya Kakhovka. Ukraine did not confirm this information.
Black Sea-Azov direction: no significant changes. There are 4 Russian carriers of cruise missiles in the Black Sea.
Combat map.
The Russian-appointed occupying "authorities" of the Kherson region announced the evacuation of the civilian population to the left bank of the Dnieper.
Appointed by the Russian Federation, the so-called "head" of the Kherson region Vladimir Saldo announced the evacuation of residents from the right bank of the Dnieper to the left and further to the areas of Russia. The evacuation was carried out due to the threat of shelling and the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. All units of the so-called "Civil Administration of the Kherson Region" move to the left bank. V. Saldo also noted that those evacuated to Russia would allegedly be given housing certificates. It will take out about 50-60 thousand people in six days. Before the war, about 290 thousand people lived in the city of Kherson itself. It is reported that more than 7 thousand people have already been evacuated to the left bank of the Dnieper. At the same time, the entry for civilians to the Kherson region is closed for seven days.
For his part, General of the Russian Army S. Surovikin, who was recently appointed commander of the united group of Russian troops in Ukraine, said that a dangerous situation had developed in the Kherson region, the delivery of products was difficult, there were problems with water and electricity - the Antonovsky bridge and the dam of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station had already been damaged by rockets " Hymars, traffic on them has been suspended. In addition, there is a threat that Ukraine plans to blow up the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station. " In any case, we will proceed from the need to maximize the preservation of the lives of the civilian population and our military personnel. We will act consciously, promptly, not excluding the adoption of difficult decisions," said S. Surovikin.
The evacuation of the civilian population from the Kherson region may be because, in connection with the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian troops, the Russian leadership is planning a retreat from the right bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson region, where the supply of Russian soldiers is essentially difficult, and this will also avoid their encirclement. But it is also possible that the withdrawal of Russian troops from the right bank of the Dnieper is not planned, and a decrease in the number of civilians on this bank will unload logistics and allow the use of supplies in full for the needs of the army. The evacuation of residents of the Kherson region may also be associated with the difficulty of holding the heating season in this region or with plans to use non-conventional weapons in the area because, from the point of view of the Russian Federation, we are now talking about the lives of Russian citizens.
Russian President V. Putin announced that martial law was introduced in the "DPR,” "LPR,” Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Along with the evacuation from the Kherson region, Russian President V. Putin announced that martial law was introduced in the "DPR,” "LPR,” Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Territorial defense is carried out in these territories, and interdepartmental coordinating bodies (territorial defense headquarters) are being created. This is done ostensibly to increase the efficiency of the activities of senior officials. In general, the introduction of martial law provides for a ban on citizens leaving the country, the introduction of a special regime for entry and exit into the territory, as well as the restriction of freedom of movement on it, the evacuation of economic, social and cultural facilities, as well as the temporary resettlement of residents to safe areas, the withdrawal the property of organizations and citizens necessary for the needs of defense, with the subsequent payment by the state of its cost. Also, V. Putin introduced an average level of response in 8 Russian regions bordering Ukraine - Krasnodar Territory, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, and Rostov regions in the annexed Crimea. In these regions, control over the operation of critical infrastructure is being introduced, restricted entry and exit to the area, the protection of public order is being strengthened, the evacuation of the population can be carried out, and mobilization measures are being taken in the economic sphere.
Also, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, a “high alert level” is introduced in the Central and Southern federal districts, and a “basic alert level” is presented in other subjects of the Russian Federation.
The Government of the Russian Federation has been instructed to prepare a draft decree on the formation of a coordinating council under the Government of the Russian Federation to meet the needs that arise during a special military operation. It is envisaged that this council will be headed by the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation; this council will include representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, the Russian Guard, the Federal Security Service of Russia, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, the GUSP, and other federal executive bodies. The heads of regions will receive additional powers to implement the tasks set by the President of the Russian Federation.
The Commission of the State Council of the Russian Federation, in the direction of "State and municipal management," was instructed to ensure the coordination of the activities of state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, carried out with the introduction of various levels of response, as well as the organization of interaction between state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation with federal state bodies in the implementation of these activities.
Thus, a hidden martial law is introduced in the Russian Federation throughout the European territory of the country. In fact, in the occupied territories and regions of the Russian Federation bordering Ukraine, there is a strict police regime, and power passes into the hands of the military and headquarters created under the governors. A special Coordinating Council and a special Coordinating Commission are being made to manage the processes of conducting and supporting the war. In essence, V. Putin is trying to mobilize the Russian leadership and society to obtain the necessary resources to continue hostilities. This means that the Russian Federation is planning a protracted war designed for years.
The situation regarding Iranian drones.
The Russian Federation continues to strike at the critical infrastructure of Ukraine. Recently, the country has been subjected to a series of Russian attacks using Iranian Shahed-136 drones. So, on the morning of October 17, the RF Armed Forces delivered five strikes on Kyiv by Iranian kamikaze drones (in total, according to the Ukrainian side, 28 of them were released), and energy facilities and a residential building were damaged. This was stated by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmygal. He also added that strikes were made on critical infrastructure in the Dnepropetrovsk and Sumy regions. According to Deputy Interior Minister Ye. Yenin, due to morning attacks on Ukraine, 585 settlements remain de-energized. On October 18, CHP-6 came shelling, located in the Desnyansky district of Kyiv; the object is the most powerful CHP in Kyiv. President of Ukraine V. Zelensky said that since October 10, 30% of Ukrainian power plants had been destroyed, which has led to massive power outages throughout the country. And the adviser to the Minister of Energy, Alexander Kharchenko, said that about 40% of the country's energy infrastructure was seriously damaged. Rolling blackouts are possible today and tomorrow in different regions to simplify the restoration of destroyed infrastructure. So from October 20, restrictions on electricity use will be introduced throughout Ukraine.
In general, strikes against Ukrainian critical infrastructure are aimed at causing significant damage to it and creating an energy crisis in the country, resulting in a humanitarian and political crisis. The Russian Federation is also provoking the Ukrainian command to remove a significant part of the air defense systems from the front, sending them to cover infrastructure facilities. At the same time, the Russian Federation is unlikely to be able to reach a turning point in the war thanks to massive drone strikes. In the coming days, NATO plans to transfer hundreds of active jamming stations to Ukraine to fight drones.
But so far, it is clear that Iranian drones are becoming a significant challenge for Ukraine, with the help of which the Russian Federation can now quite often terrorize the country’s population, thus putting pressure on the Ukrainian authorities. Also, drones are used by the Russian Federation for reconnaissance, there are a lot of them, and they are very cheap.
In Ukraine, they believe Iran bears the same responsibility as the Russian Federation for attacks throughout the country by Shahed-136 drones. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a statement condemning the assistance of the Islamic Republic of Iran in armed aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, Iran denies that it supplies drones to Russia. It is worth noting here that with such a severe reaction, Ukraine is also trying to prevent the further supply of a series of tactical missiles from Iran to the Russian Federation, which could potentially create severe problems for Ukraine.
Among other things, the question arises, what did the Russian Federation supply to Iran instead of drones and missiles? It can be assumed that the Russian Federation is transferring nuclear technology or air defense systems to Iran, or this may be part of a contract with Gazprom or something else. Today, Iran is already waging hybrid wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Israel, etc. Any outbreak in the Middle East will now lead to higher energy prices and divide the attention and resources of Ukraine's international partners, primarily the United States.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recognized the territory of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as occupied.
On October 18, the Parliament of Ukraine recognized the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as a territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation and condemned the genocide of the Chechen people. The corresponding resolution was supported by 287 people's deputies from all factions and groups of parliament. The unrecognized Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was created in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR and was liquidated during the second Chechen campaign in 2000. The explanatory note to the resolution states that after the collapse of the USSR, the Chechen people "uncompromisingly and unanimously" chose independence, after which Russia allegedly undertook a "violent seizure of territories" following its "imperialist ambitions." Also, the Parliament of Ukraine called on the UN member states and international organizations to ensure an independent and impartial investigation of international crimes committed on the republic’s territory.
Such a step on the part of Ukraine can be regarded as a response to Russia's annexation of the occupied Ukrainian territories. In this situation, one could consider this exclusively a Ukraine initiative. But suppose this decision is taken up by other countries (the Baltic countries, Poland, the USA). In that case, this will mean that a new approach to Russia’s fragmentation is behind this. In fact, in every subject of the Russian Federation, there is a history of its sovereignty or a separatist movement for liberation. Each of these stories can potentially become a split line within the Russian Federation if they are supported politically and legally at the international level
Negotiation
Ukraine and the Russian Federation continue to raise the stakes in the absentee negotiation process, taking an increasingly uncompromising position regarding political negotiations.
Ukraine's officially declared goal is to liberate its territories within the internationally recognized borders of 1991. At the same time, NSDC Secretary A. Danilov hinted earlier that Ukrainian troops might not stop at the border with Russia. For its part, in the Russian Federation, in addition to recognizing Crimea as Russian, they demand from Ukraine the recognition of the results of the pseudo-referendums and, accordingly, the entry of its four regions (Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Lugansk, Kherson) into the Russian Federation.
In this case, the parties are likely to use different strategies. So the President of Ukraine and his team probably believe that the root of all problems (the reason for the invasion of the Russian Federation) or the way to solve them is the President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, personally. Therefore, the strategy of Ukraine in recent months is aimed at “delegitimizing Putin,” “cutting him out” from the political negotiation process to increase pressure on the Russian president, create a crisis within the Russian elites, satisfy the request of the patriotic part of Ukrainian society, justify the absence of attempts to achieve peace for third countries. Therefore, we see the Decrees of the President of Ukraine "on the impossibility" of negotiations personally with Putin and the maximum "personalization of evil" in the public space. "The war will end when there is no Putin." At the same time, negotiations on gas or grain are considered technical and in the interests of the Western allies, not political ones. Ukraine's partners and their acceptance or not of this approach will play an essential role in the effectiveness of this strategy.
The Russian Federation believes that Ukraine is politically “controlled by the West” and is trying to make Ukraine and the United States, Great Britain, and allies responsible for the continuation of the war. To this end, Russian officials constantly declare their alleged “readiness for negotiations” and the war’s end but put forward unacceptable conditions for their conduct for Ukraine (for example, recognition of the Russian status of the occupied territories).
All this is done by the Russian Federation both for third countries (PRC, India, Turkey, South Africa, and others) and for opposition to the official course in Ukraine's fear partners; for internal Russian public opinion (the answer to the question - why the war continues). And negotiations on grain or gas are considered a “marker of the NWO” and not a full-fledged war; arrangements are in the national interest. An essential role in the effectiveness of this strategy will be played by the factors of the position of third countries and the internal stability of Ukraine's Western allies.
Both strategies are dangerous and fragile, meaning key fights are yet to come.
The internal situation in Ukraine
Economic situation.
Ukraine's economic situation largely depends on international donors' financial assistance. The United States plays a vital role in this regard, simultaneously pushing the EU to increase financial aid to Ukraine.
The US has given Ukraine $8.5 billion in economic aid and will provide another $4.5 billion by the end of the year. At the same time, US officials say the European Union has pledged 11 billion euros but only committed about 3 billion in loans.
In this regard, the US is increasingly pushing the EU to increase financial assistance to Ukraine. Thus, during meetings of world economic leaders in Washington, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged her colleagues to speed up the provision of the aid and its volume. In the European Union, these claims are answered by accepting millions of refugees from Ukraine, so the contribution of Europe should not be underestimated.
Actual cash receipts to Ukraine are 4.5 times less than aid commitments. According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, D. Shmyhal, since the beginning of the full-scale war, international partners have provided Ukraine with about $20 billion. Thanks to these funds, the state will be able to finance all the necessary expenses this year. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the total amount of commitments to help Ukraine is about - 93.8 billion euros. The United States assumed most of the pledges to help Ukraine in the amount of 52.3 billion euros.
State budget expenditures for military needs are increasing; the government is increasing military spending by another UAH 387 billion. Approximately 70% of the cost in the national security and defense sector is "consumption spending,” that is, wages and additional payments. The budget deficit is covered, including by issuing the hryvnia. The NBU has already financed the budget for almost UAH 330 billion in 2022.
In turn, the issue of the hryvnia leads to the devaluation of the hryvnia and inflation. In turn, rising inflation will lead to the impoverishment of the population. The World Bank estimates that 25% of Ukrainians will be living in poverty by the end of the year, compared with just over 2% before the war. And by the end of next year, this number could rise to 55%. Ukraine needs up to $38 billion in economic assistance for next year's budget alone. This figure excludes an additional $350 billion that the World Bank estimates will be needed for Ukraine's long-term recovery after the war’s end. The shelling of civilian infrastructure across the country will complicate an already dire economic situation. In a few days of shelling and attacks by Iranian drones, about 40% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure was damaged.
The situation around Ukraine
The situation around the "Grain Agreement.”
In general, the “grain deal” is significant for Ukraine. Thanks to its action, it has already been possible to export a substantial part of the blocked food and partially restore the level of Ukrainian exports, which is of great importance for the country’s state budget. In addition, the work of the “grain corridor” has a positive effect on world markets (it has already managed to stabilize food prices partially) and counteracts the threat of global hunger.
Since the start of the “grain corridor,” according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, about 10.8 million tons of agricultural products have been exported from Ukrainian ports. During this period, approximately 14.9 million tons of grain were exported from Ukraine, including by other means of transport (about 4.1 million tons). In total, 20 million tons of the old crop must be removed from Ukraine. Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka, in general, the level of Ukrainian exports compared to pre-war decreased by almost half; if in January-February Ukraine exported monthly at the level of $6 billion and more, now Ukraine is reaching the level of $3.4 billion. Therefore, Ukraine needs to achieve the extension of the grain deal and the expansion of its range (metallurgy, chemistry, etc.).
The parties participating in the "Grain Initiative" - the UN, Turkey, and Ukraine - expressed their readiness to extend the "grain corridor" operation and assured maximum efforts would be made for its successful implementation. “ At the moment, there is no doubt that the work of the “grain corridor” will continue after November 22, ” the minister said minister of infrastructure of Ukraine A. Kubrakov. The grain agreement was signed in Istanbul on July 22 and is valid for 120 days from the date of signing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that the continued functioning of humanitarian corridors for grain export from Ukraine will be questioned if it turns out that they are used "for terrorist attacks." "The FSB stated that, most likely, this so-called cargo, or rather an explosive, was sent by sea from Odessa. But it has not been established whether this was done with the help of a grain carrier or not. This is a question; there is no answer to it yet, "- said Putin, speaking of the city of Kerch.
" If humanitarian corridors are being used for terrorist acts, then this, of course, will call into question the further functioning of the grain corridor. We will close the matter with the end, but we must first establish this reliably," he added.
For its part, the Russian leadership, as a condition for the extension of the "grain deal,” requires a partial lifting of sanctions, particularly against Russian shipping and insurance companies. The Russian Federation is also seeking the possibility of exporting agricultural products from the territories seized from Ukraine. Therefore, the probability that the "grain deal" will be stopped is relatively high. At the same time, this may lead to a new round of escalation at the front; in particular, the Russian Federation may attempt to capture the city of Odesa or the city of Mykolaiv.
Deliveries of weapons to Ukraine.
The United States and partner countries continue to increase the supply of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine. Priority in the plans for military deliveries is given to air defense systems. At the same time, considering the increase in the intensity of shelling by the Russian Federation, including the use of Iranian drones and Ukrainian critical infrastructure. Deliveries from partner countries will not yet be able to cover the country's entire need for air defense systems.
Brussels hosted the sixth meeting of the Ramstein Contact Group on Ukraine's defense, the first since Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian territories, the announcement of mobilization in Russia, and the resumption of Moscow's nuclear rhetoric. NATO regards all these points as an escalation of the war by the Kremlin, and further consultations will be held with this in mind. At the same time, Western countries once again emphasized that they did not intend to enter into conflict with the Russian Federation openly. In particular, in the event of a nuclear strike on Ukraine, the response of Western countries will not be symmetrical.
NATO plans to transfer hundreds of active jamming stations to Ukraine in the coming days to fight Iranian drones, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
US President Joe Biden has ordered $725 million from the US defense budget to help Ukraine with security and defense.
It will include the following:
-
additional ammunition for HIMARS;
-
23 thousand artillery shells of 155 mm caliber;
-
500 high-precision 155-mm artillery shells;
-
5 thousand 155-mm shells for remote anti-tank mining systems (RAAM);
-
5 thousand units of anti-tank weapons;
-
high-velocity anti-radar missiles (HARM);
-
more than 200 highly mobile multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV);
-
small arms and more than 2 million ammunition;
-
medical supplies.
The EU is increasing military aid for Ukraine to 3.1 billion euros and is launching a military training mission for our soldiers.
Also, as part of the new military assistance package, the following types of equipment and weapons will be transferred to Ukraine:
Great Britain:
100 AIM-120 anti-aircraft guided missiles for NASAMS air defense systems
100 tactical UAVs
18 155 mm howitzers
France:
15 TRF1 howitzers
6 ACS CAESAR
3 MLRS LRU M27
12 Crotale air defense systems - short range, designed to combat air targets at medium, low, and extremely low altitudes with a firing range of 500-10000 meters.
Canada:
500 thousand sets of winter uniforms
155 mm artillery ammunition
Spain handed over 4 Hawk air defense systems to Ukraine and announced more such air defense systems deliveries.
Thus, arms deliveries are still insignificant. As President of Ukraine V. Zelensky stated in PACE, Ukraine has only 10% of the need for air defense systems. He noted that Ukraine wants to be able to close the sky. At the same time, he recalled that Germany provided Ukraine with the first air defense system, and the United States confirmed its support in this direction.
" We want this support to be many times greater. We also expect decisive steps from France and Italy, wherever they help us. We have 10% of what we need," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Despite the wave of Russian attacks on the territory of Ukraine using Iranian combat drones, Israel still excludes the supply of weapons to Kyiv. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz once again ruled out military assistance to Ukraine. According to him, Israel provides medical and humanitarian assistance and intends to adhere to this line in the future. Israel fears the Russian Federation will supply modern air defense systems to Iran. The supply of weapons to Iran may cause a military crisis in the Middle East.
