Putin not interested in negotiations with Kyiv, he strives to destroy Ukrainian statehood - #ISW

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observe that Russian leader Vladimir #Putin is showing a clear lack of interest in a negotiated #ceasefire, remaining intent on #destroying #Ukraine's statehood

Quote: "Russian President [sic] Vladimir Putin continues to communicate that he is uninterested in a negotiated ceasefire and is committed to achieving his goal of destroying Ukrainian statehood."

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/11/1/7482413/

#Colonialism #RussianAggression #RussianWarCrimes #WarCrimes

Putin not interested in negotiations with Kyiv, he strives to destroy Ukrainian statehood – ISW

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observe that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is showing a clear lack of interest in a negotiated ceasefire, remaining intent on destroying Ukraine’s statehood.

How Russia attempted to steal Moldovan election, referendum, and what comes next

Although #Russian #interference has taken many forms in #Moldova since its independence in 1991, the election and referendum results on Sunday shocked many pro-European Moldovans.

Despite opinion polls showing clear support for entrenching the desire for EU accession into the country's constitution, the success of the EU referendum came down to the wire, with the support of the large Moldovan diaspora securing a 50.38% victory margin.

The "yes" vote won by a mere 11,000 votes.

Moldovan authorities, the EU, and U.S. officials, as well as independent observers, blamed an unprecedented attack on the country's democracy from #criminal networks and #political groups tied to Russia.

https://kyivindependent.com/how-russia-tried-to-influence-moldovan-elections-and-referendum-what-it-means-going-forward/

#HybridWar #RussianAggression #elections

How Russia attempted to steal Moldovan election, referendum, and what comes next

Although Russian interference has taken many forms in Moldova since its independence in 1991, the election and referendum results on Sunday shocked many pro-European Moldovans. Despite opinion polls showing clear support for entrenching the...

#Russian army after war may be stronger than it is today – NATO top general

At the end of the war in Ukraine, whatever it looks like, the Russian army will be stronger than it is today

"The Russian armed forces are learning, they are improving, they are applying the experience gained at war," Cavoli said.

He called on NATO to quickly prepare for this threat, because Russia will be an enemy with serious military potential and "clear intentions".

New defence plans, as well as the increased obligations for individual #NATO members that result from them, should be implemented fast.

"When I say fast, I mean we have to be faster than the Russians," the general said.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/20/7480538/

#RussianAggression #HybridWar #threats #invasion

Russian army after war may be stronger than it is today – NATO top general

General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, believes that regardless of how the war in Ukraine ends, the Russian army will be stronger than it is now.

US offers $10 million reward for information on Russian media organization accused of election interference

United States is providing a reward of up to $10 million for information that helps prevent or disrupts foreign election interference linked to the Russian state-sponsored Rybar media organization, the U.S. State Department announced. Rybar and its employees are accused of using social media to meddle in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

The established bounty comes as the U.S. continues to crackdown on Russian election #interference.

On Sept. 4, amid the presidential election campaign period, the U.S. announced sanctions against high-profile Russian propagandists like Margarita Simonyan and seized 32 internet domains linked to Kremlin propaganda campaigns.

#Rybar LLC, founded by the now deceased founder of Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is a state-funded Russian media organization that is contracted by Russian state-owned arms manufacturer #Rostec, according to the State Department's Rewards for Justice program.

https://kyivindependent.com/us-offers-10-million-reward-for-information-on-russian-media-organization-accused-of-election-interference/

#HybridWar #RussianAggression #Election2024 #elections #disinformation #RussianPropaganda

US offers $10 million reward for information on Russian media organization accused of election interference

The United States is providing a reward of up to $10 million for information that helps prevent or disrupts foreign election interference linked to the Russian state-sponsored Rybar media organization, the U.S. State Department announced. Rybar...

Video purportedly showing North Korean soldiers at Russian military camp published

The footage was shared amid reports that #Moscow plans to involve #Pyongyang in the full-scale war against Ukraine in the coming months, with around 10,000 #NorthKorean soldiers being prepared to join the #Russian army

#Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that the first group of 2,600 soldiers will be deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine began a cross-border incursion in August and still holds significant swathes of territory. He said that close to 11,000 North Korean troops are in Russia and will be "ready to fight" in Ukraine by Nov. 1.

https://kyivindependent.com/north-korean-soldiers-reportedly-equipped-at-russian-military-camp-video-shows/

#RussianAggression #invasions #escalation

Video purportedly showing North Korean soldiers at Russian military camp published by Ukrainian agency

Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security published a video that purportedly shows North Korean soldiers in a Russian military camp preparing to join Moscow's war effort against Ukraine.

18 North Korean soldiers already deserted positions by Ukraine's border, intelligence sources tell Suspilne

The #soldiers #deserted around 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

The motive behind their desertion has not yet been established, but the sources said that the #Russian military is searching for the soldiers.

Russian commanders are attempting to conceal the soldiers' desertion from their higher-ups, the sources said.

https://kyivindependent.com/18-north-korean-soldiers-already-deserted-positions-by-ukraines-border-intelligence-sources-tell-suspilne/

#NorthKorea #RussianAggression #BootsOnTheGround

18 North Korean soldiers already deserted positions by Ukraine's border, intelligence sources tell Suspilne

According to Suspilne's sources, the North Korean soldiers deserted around 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

Russia could attack NATO by 2030, German intelligence chief says

Kahl's comments were the latest in a series of increasingly dire warnings from Western leaders and defense officials about the threat emanating from #Russia and #Europe's current lack of preparedness.

Russia's determination to use #covert and hybrid measures against the West has reached a "level previously unseen," Kahl said, adding that they are being used "without any scruples."

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-could-attack-nato-by-2030-german-intelligence-chief-says/

#RussianAggression #HybridWar #Germany

Russia could attack NATO by 2030, German intelligence chief says

Moscow's ultimate goals are to "push the U.S. out of Europe," roll back NATO boundaries to the 1990s, and create a "Russian sphere of influence" that will cement a "new world order," said German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl.

Ukraine’s energy crisis drives green power decentralization

Ukraine wants to generate more #energy in smaller amounts closer to users, rather than centralized facilities that are targets for #Russian strikes. Though the war has created willpower to redesign the energy system, it has also created serious obstacles

Renewable energy projects have taken off as well. The Energy Ministry announced on July 2 that it had received 5,876 solar panels to power hospitals, as part of an agreement with the European Commission.

Hybrid systems, which integrate solar power, battery storage, and existing energy grid infrastructure, can bridge the gap between when a blackout begins and a hospital’s generator kicks in

https://kyivindependent.com/you-have-power-or-you-dont-ukraines-energy-crisis-drives-power-decentralization/

#RussianAggression #GreenEnergy #electricity

‘You have power, or you don’t:’ Ukraine’s energy crisis drives power decentralization

Decentralizing a power grid is a huge undertaking, even in peace times. Countries around the globe are nevertheless shifting toward “decentralization” – or generating smaller amounts of energy closer to where it is used, rather than in large,...

Poland urges EU to combat Russian disinformation in US, Reuters reports

Experts have warned that Russian propaganda efforts in the U.S. are intensifying ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

"At this critical moment in history, it is imperative that we collectively take swift and robust action to strengthen the transatlantic relations through strategic communication about the E.U. in the U.S.," the paper reportedly says.

Poland warned that Russia's #propaganda aims to create tensions between the U.S. and the E.U., and said that it is critical for the E.U. to counter this messaging with #American audiences.

"This means scaling up our de-bunking and, even more importantly, pre-bunking of Russian disinformation and launching campaigns which set the record straight about where Europe stands today and about the benefits of diplomacy, collective security and open society," the paper says.

https://kyivindependent.com/poland-urges-eu-to-combat-russian-disinformation-in-us-reuters-reports/

#RussianAggression #disinformation #InformationWarfare #Election2024

Poland urges EU to combat Russian disinformation in US, Reuters reports

"At this critical moment in history, it is imperative that we collectively take swift and robust action to strengthen the transatlantic relations through strategic communication about the E.U. in the U.S."

Most Georgians see Russia as enemy, survey shows

Most Georgian citizens consider Russia to be their country's main enemy, and this figure has increased compared to previous years, according to the Caucasus Barometer survey by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC).

The Caucasus Barometer is an annual survey of socio-economic issues and political views conducted by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) in Armenia and Georgia.

According to the survey, 69% of respondents consider Russia to be Georgia's main enemy. In a similar study in 2021, the number was 66%; in 2019, 49%; in 2017, 40%; and in 2012, 35%.

https://kyivindependent.com/most-georgians-see-russia-as-enemy-survey-shows/

#Georgia #RussianAggression #invasions #Caucasus #russian

Most Georgians see Russia as enemy, survey shows

According to the Caucasus Barometer survey, 69% of respondents consider Russia as Georgia's main enemy. This figure has increased compared to previous years.

One phone call from President Xi would end Russia's war

Russia's reliance on #China has developed to the point where Beijing could end a war with one phone call, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with Bloomberg published on July 3.

"Russia is so dependent on China right now," Stubb told Bloomberg.

"One phone call from President Xi Jinping would solve this crisis."

https://kyivindependent.com/one-phone-call-from-president-xi-would-end-russias-war-finnish-president-says/

#Imperialism #RussiaInvadedUkraine #RussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

One phone call from President Xi would end Russia's war, Finnish president says

Russia's reliance on China has developed to the point where Beijing could end a war with one phone call, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv injures at least 14, including children

A residential area in the Kyivskyi district of the city came under attack. At least three guided aerial bombs destroyed two houses, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-guided-bomb-attack-on-kharkiv-injures-at-least-6/

#WarCrimes #CiviliansTargeted #civilians #RussianAggression #StandWithUkraine

Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv injures at least 14, including children

Russian troops attacked the city of Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs on July 3, injuring at least 14 people, including two children, Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported.

Ukraine's crowdfunded satellite takes over 4,000 images of Russian facilities, military intelligence says

A satellite purchased via a Ukrainian crowdfunding campaign took 4,173 images of Russia's targets in almost two years, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on June 26.

About 38% of all data received was used to prepare for attacks that caused "billions of dollars" in losses to Russia, according to HUR.

Due to the ICEYE satellite, Ukraine obtained satellite images of 370 Russian airfields, 238 air defense and radio reconnaissance positions, 153 oil depots and fuel storage facilities, 147 missile, aircraft weapons and ammunition depots, and 17 naval bases.

The satellite can also track the permanent deployment points of Russia's troops, their military camps, and mobilization centers, as well as monitor its military-industrial complex and logistics, including the illegally constructed Kerch Bridge in occupied Crimea.

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-crowdfunded-satellite-took-over-4-000-images-of-russian-facilities-military-intelligence-says/

#RussianAggression #RussiaInvadedUkraine #crowdfunding #satellites

Ukraine's crowdfunded satellite takes over 4,000 images of Russian facilities, military intelligence says

A satellite purchased via a Ukrainian crowdfunding campaign took 4,173 images of Russia's targets in almost two years, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on June 26.

Russians repeatedly attack firefighters in Kherson, injuring two people

#WarCrimes

A firefighting crew that arrived at the spot to extinguish the fire came under repeated attack by the Russians.

Unfortunately, two firefighters have received shrapnel wounds and been hospitalised in a moderate condition.

A fire truck has also been damaged.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/06/26/7462784/

#RussianAggression #RussiaInvadedUkraine #Civilians #CiviliansTargeted #CiviliansAttacked

Russians repeatedly attack firefighters in Kherson, injuring two people – photos

Two firefighters have been injured and hospitalised in the city of Kherson as a result of a repeated Russian attack.

Merkel withheld information about Russia's intention to blackmail Europe with gas, German outlet reports

Russia aimed to accelerate the introduction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline into service without German authorities' certification by causing a gas deficit in Europe, Handelsblatt said, referring to a 2021 document from the German Economy Ministry.

The document also described Russian actions as threatening to cause "dramatic consequences," while the filling of gas storage facilities was called "very slow."

Gazprom filled its European gas storage only halfway by July 2021, according to the document.

Peter Altmaier, then-German economy minister, obtained the document and informed the cabinet of ministers, according to Handelsblatt. In October 2023, Merkel told the media that she did not see any signs of Russia cutting its gas supply to Europe.

https://kyivindependent.com/handelsblatt-merkel-russia-gas/

#RussianAggression #blackmail #Germany #Merkel #gas #NordStream

Merkel withheld information about Russia's intention to blackmail Europe with gas, German outlet reports

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was aware of Russia's intention to reduce gas supply to blackmail Europe to speed up the Nord Stream 2 pipeline launch but concealed the information, German media outlet Handelsblatt reported on June 6,...

Why did US hesitate to allow Ukraine to hit Russia with American weapons?

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin’s talk of using tactical nuclear weapons is “an escalation in rhetoric,” added Larsen. “In order to really make it look like just bombing the hell out of critical infrastructure in Ukraine isn’t escalation.”

By prohibiting Ukraine from striking Russian territory and Russian airspace, the Biden administration has provided the Putin regime with a sanctuary from which it can kill Ukrainians at will

https://kyivindependent.com/why-did-us-hesitate-to-allow-ukraine-to-hit-russia-with-american-weapons/

#NuclearTerrorism #RussianAggression #propaganda #StandWithUkraine

Why did US hesitate to allow Ukraine to hit Russia with American weapons?

As U.S. President Joe Biden sought to avoid escalation with Russia over military aid to Ukraine, the American government delayed the supply of tanks, ATACMS missiles and the delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine – and broadly restricted the use of...

Russian legal foundation working in EU is actually 'Kremlin influence operation'

Leaked documents from the #Russian Fund for Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond) show that the purported legal foundation is actually a Kremlin-linked disinformation outlet, the Guardian and other media outlets reported on June 2.

#Pravfond describes its goal as providing "Russian compatriots with comprehensive legal and other necessary support in cases of violation of their rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests."

According to the leaked documents, Pravfond helped pay legal fees for convicted Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout and assassin Vadim Krasikov, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Germany for the murder of a Georgian-Chechen dissident in 2019.

Pravfond also reportedly employs several former Russian intelligence operatives and has spent millions of dollars on #disinformation campaigns in almost 50 countries in #Europe and the rest of the world.

Estonia's security service characterized Pravfond in 2020 as a "pseudo legal protection system" that "in reality is an influence operations fund."

https://kyivindependent.com/guardian-russian-legal-foundation-working-in-eu-is-actually-kremlin-influence-operation/

#RussianPropagands #propaganda #RussianAggression #InformationWarfare #misinformation

Russian legal foundation working in EU is actually 'Kremlin influence operation,' Guardian says

Russian Fund for Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond) describes its goal as providing "Russian compatriots with comprehensive legal and other necessary support in cases of violation of their rights,...

Ukraine can use our F-16s to strike Russian territory, Danish foreign minister says

"We are talking about an opportunity to weaken the aggressor by taking _military installations out onto Russian territory_."

"It is completely within the rules of war that a country that is attacked must be able to answer for itself," Rasmussen said.

"There is also no Ukrainian interest in taking over the kind of warfare you have from the Russian side, where you go after residential properties," referring to Russia's indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-can-use-f-16s-to-strike-russian-territory-danish-foreign-minister-says/

#WarCrimes #RussiaInvadedUkraine #RussianAggression #CiviliansTargeted #StandWithUkraine #F16s

Ukraine can use our F-16s to strike Russian territory, Danish foreign minister says

Ukraine can use F-16 jets to strike military targets in Russian territory, as this would be "within the rules of war," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters in Brussels on May 30.

Russia may be using drones to survey Estonian sites of interest

Russia may already be using drones to take photos and video of locations inside #Estonian territory and which it finds of interest, Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets (SDE) said Wednesday.

Drones have also been used in smuggling operations, the minister said.

"Data logs from some of those drones intercepted during smuggling attempts have revealed that they have previously crossed the border, and multiple times, undetected," Läänemets stated.

"If drones can be utilized in smuggling, this means that even explosives or weaponry could also be transported into the country."

https://news.err.ee/1609356477/minister-russia-may-be-using-drones-to-survey-estonian-sites-of-interest

#RussianAggression #drones #StopRussianAggression #spying

Minister: Russia may be using drones to survey Estonian sites of interest

Russia may already be using drones to take photos and video of locations inside Estonian territory and which it finds of interest, Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets (SDE) said Wednesday.

Despite promises, Western companies continue Russian operations

Around 1,200 other companies have only curtailed their businesses, while only 387 have fully exited.

Among those that have stayed are the U.K.-U.S. cosmetics company #Avon Products, the U.K.-headquartered consumer goods manufacturer #Reckitt, and the French industrial-gas company Air Liquide, the FT said.

As the Russian government has taken steps to inflict a significant financial price on companies that leave, combined with a lack of acceptable buyers, many companies have stayed more than two years into Russia's full-scale war.

Other companies, such as #PepsiCo, have cited humanitarian concerns as a reason to continue operations in Russia.

https://kyivindependent.com/ft-despite-promises-western-companies-continue-russian-operations/

#CapitalismFail #RussianAggression #greed #CorporateGreed #StandWithUkraine

FT: Despite promises, Western companies continue Russian operations

A study conducted by the Kyiv School of Economics found that more than 2,000 have remained as of the beginning of May. Around 1,200 other companies have only curtailed their businesses, while only 387 have fully exited.