Author: dmitriy.vasyura@gmail.com

  • Russia says it is ready to exchange 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war

    Russia says it is ready to exchange 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war

    Russia says it is ready to exchange 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war

    the Russian Foreign Ministry announced its readiness to exchange 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war on parity terms. Ukraine can independently choose the Russian military for the exchange.

    The Ministry of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation stated that it is ready to exchange 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war, reports UNN with reference to Astra.

    "The current list contains 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war, which Russia is ready to immediately transfer to Kiev on parity terms. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Russian Federation leaves it up to Ukraine to decide which of the Russian servicemen to include in the exchange," Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Ministry of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, said at a briefing.

    Add

    The largest exchange during the war took place in January of this year, when Russia and Ukraine exchanged 195 prisoners on each side.

    Prisoner exchange: 31 Azovstal defenders released, Ukrainians returned thanks to UAESep 14 2024, 11:36 AM • 27733 views

  • “Slap in face to Putin regime”: Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company wins court case over property in Vienna city centre

    “Slap in face to Putin regime”: Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company wins court case over property in Vienna city centre

    A Vienna court has dismissed a long-standing request from representatives of the Russian Federation to remove the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company (UDSC) from its premises in the heart of the Austrian capital.

    Source: UDSC CEO Dmytro Moskalenko

    Details: "We've upheld our right to use the building and did not cede the property, to which we are entitled, to Russia. The decision is truly historic because Russia has never been denied. This is a loud slap in the face to the Putin regime," he wrote.

    In 1975, the USSR Embassy in Austria acquired a building and a plot of land in the centre of Vienna. The property was purchased with funds from the Danube Shipping Company, which utilised the premises for its operations.

    A few years later, another building was constructed next to the old one, which housed the shipping company's headquarters in Austria.

    After Ukraine declared its independence, the property remained under the control of the Danube Shipping Company despite the USSR being formally listed as the owner. Today, the site and buildings, located in Vienna's most expensive district, are valued at tens of millions of euros.

    The Russians changed the owner of the building from the USSR to the Russian Federation in 2008. They argued that "the former republics allegedly renounced the external obligations of the USSR, and therefore, Russia is the only heir to the Soviet empire".

    Even before the full-scale war, representatives of the UDSP had lost several court cases. However, in 2022, a new team from the Ukrainian state-owned company entered the legal battle for the property. Following the court's decision, the property remains under UDSP's control.

    "This is the first case where a European court has recognised Ukraine as a co-owner of foreign property, and thousands of such assets are around. The ruling marks a significant first step towards securing other real estate assets abroad, as Ukraine continues its battle for international recognition of ownership," Moskalenko said.

    Background: The Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company has rejected a proposal from a Russian travel company to transfer its passenger fleet to them on a time charter.

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  • Ukraine has completed the legislation assessment for the first block of negotiations on EU accession.

    Ukraine has completed the legislation assessment for the first block of negotiations on EU accession.

    Politics Ukraine has completed the legislation assessment for the first block of negotiations on EU accession. Friday, November 15, 2024 Ukraine has completed the legislation assessment for the first block of negotiations on EU accession.

    On November 12, a bilateral meeting between Ukraine and the European Commission regarding a section devoted to statistics ended in Luxembourg. The meeting took place within the framework of the official screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU law. This is the final section in the block of questions included in the first cluster, Basics of the EU accession process, which is critical to the entire process.

    “We expect that the EC report will allow us to open the first cluster as soon as possible in 2025,” said Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna.

    The statistics that are included in the cluster comprise a fundamental operational basis, as they cover all spheres of economic and social life, and must provide reliable data that will, in the future, affect not only the state’s macroeconomic condition but also Ukrainian citizens’ living conditions.

    Next week, bilateral meetings regarding the second negotiating cluster, Internal market, will begin in Brussels, devoted to the issues of free movement of goods, freedom of worker movement, entrepreneurship and service provision, competition policy, and corporate law.

  • Thinly-veiled dig aimed at ‘smiling’ Rashford with Man Utd proving their ‘terminal decline’

    Thinly-veiled dig aimed at ‘smiling’ Rashford with Man Utd proving their ‘terminal decline’

    Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford looks dejected during a match

    BeIN Sports presenter Richard Keys aimed a dig at Marcus Rashford after the Man Utd forward scored in their 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

    The Red Devils were held to a draw at Portman Road after Omari Hutchinson’s long-range deflected strike cancelled out Rashford’s early opener.

    That point moved Man Utd up one place to 12th in the Premier League table with only Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace scoring fewer goals this season.

    Rashford, as well as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have been criticised over their performances with four goals between the three players in the Premier League this term.

    England international Rashford has struggled over the last year or two with many feeling that he’s lost some of his enthusiasm for playing football.

    And Keys sarcastically praised the Man Utd forward for “smiling” and temporarily rediscovering his “appetite” for playing the game.

    Keys wrote in his blog: “It’s not often that Manchester United fans have a better matchweek their City rivals – but they did yesterday.

    “What a start the new coach got off to – a goal up after only 80 seconds or so, but don’t mention the shanked cross that turned into a really good ball!

    “And just for a moment it looked as though Marcus Rashford had re-discovered his appetite for the game. He was even smiling.

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    “I loved the way Amorim reacted to the goal. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He was motionless. Class.

    “But – the freshness, the optimism, the joy all faded too quickly and it was clear that despite the system – and there’s nothing wrong with it – this United team is in terminal decline and Amorim has got a hell of a job on his hands.

    “But we knew that didn’t we? There’s no short term fix. He simply doesn’t have enough players who are good enough to wear the jersey.

    “Look at the starting line-up. How many of them would you keep? Three? Certainly no more. And where do you get rid of the rest? Who’s going to take Rashford and pay him £350,000 a week? Casemiro? Eriksen? Evans? De Light? Ugarte? Fernandes? Mount? Zirkzee? It’s scary.

    “Only surgery is going to sort the mess out and that will require Ratcliffe to find someone money – big money. Factor in wages, I reckon it’s going to need a billion – £500m on players at least – the rest in wages and agents fees.

    “Is Ratcliffe going to spend that kind of money? Is he hell. Don’t bet on United re-joining everybody else at the top table any time soon. I genuinely wish Amorim all the luck in the world. He seems like a really nice guy, but that won’t be enough.”

  • How the Russian Federation gets microchips for missiles and fighters: a scheme through Lukashenka’s companies

    How the Russian Federation gets microchips for missiles and fighters: a scheme through Lukashenka’s companies

    How the Russian Federation gets microchips for missiles and fighters: a scheme through Lukashenka's companies

    Belarusian companies associated with Lukashenka earned 1 125 million on the supply of microchips for Russian military equipment. Among the delivered products are banned Western components for missiles and fighters.

    Belarusian companies associated with dictator Alexander Lukashenko's entourage are helping Russia circumvent sanctions by supplying microchips for its military equipment. In two years, they earned more than.125 million, including Western-made products that are banned for export. Writes UNN with reference to the investigation of the "Belarusian investigative center".

    From September 2022 to June 2024, Belarusian companies earned more than.125 million on the supply of microchips to Russia. Interestingly, some of them – almost на 400 thousand-were produced in the United States and EU countries, although such products have been banned for sale to Russia and Belarus since the beginning of a full-scale war. But the bans did not stop: in 22 months, almost 10 thousand western-made chips were sent from Belarus to Russia.

    One of the key players was the company "Alexvit Ltd", which sent to Russia 131 chips manufactured in the USA, Germany and Finland. This company is managed by Sergey Borisyuk, who previously worked in the state Customs Committee of Belarus. After the outbreak of the war, the company's revenue tripled to 2 247 million in 2023. In addition to microchips, the company supplies tires and other promotional products to Russia.

    Not far behind is the logistics company Vostok, which sold more than 1.5 thousand chips from December 2022 to March 2023. Its owner Alexey Matveev is associated with Sergey Teterin, a businessman close to Alexander Lukashenko who is under EU sanctions.

    Microchips supplied from Belarus are used in Russian military equipment, such as Su-34 and Su-35S fighters, Kalibr missiles and Orion drones. These devices help to launch strikes on Ukraine, including the use of guided aerial bombs. Among the manufacturers of such chips is the American company Intel.

    Companies associated with Lukashenka's entourage are actively looking for ways to circumvent sanctions. For example, OFS-export, associated with Lukashenka's" wallet "Alexander Shakutin, has sent more than 1,200 chips to Russia, while export trading house, associated with Viktor Lukashenko's former aide Alexander Zaitsev, continues to export sanctioned goods, including Apple machinery and engine oil.

    These schemes are just the tip of the iceberg. Belarusian companies continue to supply banned goods to Russia, violating international restrictions, and make huge profits from this. However, the consequences for them may be much more serious, especially if the sanctions pressure from the West increases.

    addition

    It is worth noting that the Russians are constantly trying to modify and modernize all the types of missiles and drones available to them, which are used for attacks on Ukraine. KNIISE specialists in the commentary UNN toldwhat features are being discussed and what role Western components play in changing enemy weapons. The enemy uses more than just western components. According to Alexander Ruvin, director of the Kiev Research Institute of forensic examinations, components for UAVs used by the enemy to attack Ukraine are supplied by about 50 manufacturers from China. In addition, KNIISE experts have established that the Russian x-69 missiles used by the invaders to hit Ukraine are created from several types of weapons and have foreign components.

    recall

    The European Union is considering new sanctions against Chinese companies for helping a terrorist state develop UAVs used in the war against Ukraine.

  • Scandinavian countries have updated their emergency and war survival instructions

    Scandinavian countries have updated their emergency and war survival instructions

    Scandinavian countries have updated their emergency and war survival instructions

    Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden have released new guidelines for public emergency response. Sweden emphasizes the threat of military conflict and calls on citizens to be prepared for defense.

    Against the backdrop of Russian aggression in Ukraine and the deteriorating security situation in the Baltic region, the Scandinavian countries have updated instructions on how to act in emergency situations. Finland, Denmark and Norway are more focused on emergencies. In Sweden, the probability of a military conflict is taken into account.

    Passes UNN with reference to DW and Connery.

    Details

    What if comfort and safety suddenly stop?

    The National Emergency Management Agencies of Denmark, Norway and Finland have issued a clear guide on how to deal with possible emergencies.

    Tips relate to drinking water, food, medicine, hygiene, providing heat and light, and access to information.

    Image

    Swedes do not rule out military action

    In Sweden, pamphlets emphasize the possibility of a military conflict: "in case of crisis or war." The population is reminded of unstable times when armed conflicts and terrorist attacks, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns are taking place on the European continent.

    To counter these threats, we must be united. Whichever country is under attack, everyone should contribute to protecting Sweden's independence and our democracy, the brochure says.

    Mikael Frissell, head of the Civil Defense Department of the Swedish Defense Ministry, stressed in a press release that everyone needs to increase their resistance to various crises and, ultimately, to war.

    Help

    Sweden, which suspended compulsory conscription in 2010, returned it in 2017. In Finland and Norway, universal military service has existed for several decades.

    How do residents of countries react and talk about it

    David Fermm, a student at the University of Gothenburg, and Ludwig Karlberg, who works for one of the startups in Stockholm, believe that in Sweden people do not think about preparing for war.

    As soon as the pamphlets reach the public, and as far as I understand, they haven't reached them yet, then I think there will be a little more concern. But eventually, people will calm down again. There will be no panic – suggested Fermat.

    In Lappenrant, a Finnish city located near the border with Russia, the sense of threat is stronger. Marika Kessel, a local teacher, says that being prepared for the worst, such as a military conflict, is very important. But it has not yet implemented all the recommendations of the authorities regarding civil defense.

  • The Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale war

    The Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale war

    The Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale war

    Between 60,000 to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the full-scale war, and 400,000 more are too injured to fight on, according to estimates by The Economist published on Nov. 26.

    Kyiv has largely avoided revealing the full extent of its military casualties, with President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledging only in February that 31,000 Ukrainian fighters have been killed.

    Basing its calculations on leaked or published intelligence reports, defense officials, researchers, and open-source intelligence, The Economist wrote that Russia and Ukraine lost a greater share of their population than the U.S. during the Korean and Vietnam wars combined.

    Almost one in 20 Ukrainian fighting-age men have been killed or injured because of the war, The Economist wrote.

    In September, the Wall Street Journal provided similar estimates, positing that Ukraine had lost 80,000 soldiers killed and 400,000 wounded. The outlet estimated Russia's losses at up to 200,000 killed and 400,000 injured.

    The exact figures for both sides are nearly impossible to establish as Kyiv and Moscow are secretive about their casualties. The last figure provided by Russian authorities was 5,937 killed soldiers as of September 2022.

    In turn, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces put Russian overall losses at over 735,000 as of Nov. 27. The losses Russia suffered in the full-scale war are believed to be greater than during all the wars since 1945 combined.

    According to The Economist, civilian casualties are even more difficult to establish but likely reach many tens of thousands.

    The U.N. mission in Ukraine verified that 11,743 civilians were killed as of the summer, but the number is likely higher due to Russia barring access for monitors to occupied territories, namely to areas that likely saw the heaviest civilian casualties like Mariupol.

    Ukraine’s population dropped by 10 million after Russia’s 2014 invasion, UN saysUkraine’s birth rate is the lowest in Europe and the number of refugees has surged to 6.7 million, with the full-scale invasion of 2022 exacerbating an already dire decline, according to the U.N. Population Fund.The Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale warThe Kyiv IndependentAbbey FenbertThe Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale war
  • Consequences of a nighttime drone attack on Kiev region: dozens of damaged buildings

    Consequences of a nighttime drone attack on Kiev region: dozens of damaged buildings

    Consequences of a nighttime drone attack on Kiev region: dozens of damaged buildings

    In two districts of the Kiev region, damage was recorded from falling debris from downed enemy targets. 46 apartments, 14 private houses, 3 office premises and 5 cars were damaged.

    Kiev region continues to eliminate the consequences of the enemy attack on the night of November 27. As of 13: 00 on Wednesday, damage from falling debris from downed enemy targets was recorded in two districts of the region. Apartments, residential buildings, three office premises and cars were damaged. This was told by the head of the Kiev RMA Ruslan Kravchenko, reports UNN.

    Damage from falling debris from downed enemy targets is recorded in two districts of the region. In one of the settlements, glazing was broken in 46 apartments and 3 office premises in three apartment buildings

    – written by Kravchenko.

    Also, according to him, 14 private houses, 5 cars, utility rooms and fences were damaged.

    All operational services are working to eliminate the consequences of the enemy's attack, Kravchenko added.

    Addition

    According to of the armed forces of Ukraine, on the night of November 27 (from 19.30 on November 26), the enemy attacked Ukraine with 89 Shahed attack UAVs and drones of an unidentified type from the directions-Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Primorsko – Akhtarsk-of the Russian Federation. air defense destroyed 36 UAVs, 48 were lost due to electronic warfare, 5 left the airspace.

  • Gazprom shares drop to nearly US$1 amid rouble depreciation

    Gazprom shares drop to nearly US$1 amid rouble depreciation

    The weakening rouble has nearly driven the value of Gazprom shares down to US$1 per share.

    Source: Investing.com

    Details: In rouble terms, the shares of Russia's gas giant are approaching historic lows amid a general decline in the Russian market, as trading data indicates.

    At its peak, a single Gazprom share was worth US$8.5, eight times higher than its current value.

    Background:

    • Russian gas monopoly Gazprom is planning for 2025 with the assumption that gas transit to Europe via Ukraine will cease after 31 December 2024.
    • As of 27 November, the exchange rate of the RUB to the USD stands at approximately RUB 109.

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  • The Kremlin rejects any concessions in negotiations with the Trump administration regarding Ukraine.

    The Kremlin rejects any concessions in negotiations with the Trump administration regarding Ukraine.

    PoliticsWar The Kremlin rejects any concessions in negotiations with the Trump administration regarding Ukraine. Friday, November 15, 2024 The Kremlin rejects any concessions in negotiations with the Trump administration regarding Ukraine.

    The Kremlin is trying to dictate the terms of any potential peace talks with Ukraine ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. The ISW noted that the manner in which the Kremlin is acting indicates that Russia’s goals remain unchanged and boil down to Ukraine’s complete surrender. As well, the Kremlin is not ready to make significant concessions to Trump’s new team.

    A representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, stated that peace can be achieved only if the military aid to Kyiv from the West is stopped. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Trump’s arrival in the White House will not fundamentally change the US position on Ukraine.

    Their statements undermine Putin’s recent attempts to portray interest in restoring Russian-American relations with the new administration. This demonstrates Putin’s apparent belief that the Trump administration will yield to Kremlin’s interests without any concessions from Moscow.

    However, according to the national security adviser nominee, Mike Waltz, Trump plans to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table to end the war.