Putin visits city of Mariupol.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has paid a working visit to Mariupol to inspect a number of locations in the city and talk to local residents, the Kremlin press service announced after his visit was concluded.
"During the trip, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin made a detailed report about reconstruction works in the city and its outskirts," the statement reports.
"In particular, the report concerned the construction of new residential districts, social and educational facilities, utility infrastructure and medical centers."
Putin reportedly arrived by helicopter and could be seen driving around in a car. It was the first time the President had visited the Donbass region.
In widely circulating videos, Putin met with and spoke with residents in one of the newest apartment buildings constructed by Russia in the Nevsky district of the city.
However, some have speculated that the man who visited the city was not Putin, but rather a double sent to make a propaganda visit without the risk of putting the President near a war zone.
Igor Girkin (aka 'Strelkov), an ardent supporter of Russian ambitions but critic of the ongoing war, noted several differences in his behavior. This included the distance he always keeps from even his most trusted officials.
The visit comes after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian President.
Adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak took to social media commenting “The criminal always returns to the crime scene."
Video from Reuters
#Ukraine #Mariupol #Putin #UkraineRussiaWar #Donbass #Russia
Arrest warrant for Putin issued by the International Criminal Court.
The Netherlands-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova after pre-trial judges found them allegedly responsible for removing children from Russian-held territories in Ukraine to Russia proper.
“There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes,” the ICC judges said in a statement.
The ICC says on its website that Putin "is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute)."
It concludes, saying "that there are reasonable grounds to believe that each suspect bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and that of unlawful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, in prejudice of Ukrainian children."
The Kremlin and other lashed out, calling the warrants "null and void."
"We consider the very formulation of the issue outrageous and unacceptable. Russia, as well as several other states, do not recognize the jurisdiction of this court and, accordingly, any decisions of this kind are null and void for Russia in terms of law," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a press conference.
"This biased, politicized and incompetent international court has once again proved its inferiority. The ICC is a puppet in the hands of the collective West, which is always ready to exercise pseudo-justice on order," Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzya said speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council.
"Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute. The ICC does not have jurisdiction o
🇬🇪 ⚠️ Some videos, from Mike of MikeReports, on the ground as riots rock Tbilisi around the Parliament building.
Fighting in Georgian Parliament over new "foreign agent" law.
Police and security forces reinforced positions in the halls of Georgia's Parliament building in Tbilisiwhere opposition politicians and their supporters rallied against a new bill that would force media and NGO entities who receive more than20 percent of their funding from outside the country to register as "foreign agents."
"Georgian society absolutely deserves to know which organisations are being financed, from which sources," Givi Mikanadze, a Georgian Dream lawmaker, said on television. "We are talking about transparency and having an obligation (to the Georgian people)."
Already more than 60 organizations that would be affected said they would not comply with the new "foreign agent" requirements.
Ned Price, spokesman for the Department of State, said the US was "deeply troubled by the introduced foreign agents law."
Price said the law "would stigmatize and silence independent voices and citizens of Georgia who are dedicated to building a better country for their fellow citizens, for their communities."
"We are deeply concerned about the potential implications of this law for freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia," he added.
A litany of public figures, civil society organizations, and media outlets have been outspoken in their opposition, along with many penning open letters to the government to reject the bill have gone viral online.
For more background and information on this developing situation, visit the MikeReports Telegram and stay tuned for a video on the MR YouTube channel.
Video from VoA
#Georgia #SouthCaucasus #Tbilisi #GeorgianDream #georgianparliament #unitednationalmovement
Russian Marines in Vuhledar.
More video and imagery from the ongoing battle near the small mining town of Vuhledar (spelled multiple ways), Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine paints a grim picture as the assualt, largely led by Russian Marines, has been beaten back and taken heavy casualties.
"As a result of the "carefully" planned offensive by the "great generals", we lost about 300 people in 4 days, killed, wounded and missing," the Marines wrote in an open letter to governor of their home region in Russia's Far East.
These Marines from the remaining combat-capable elements of the 40th Naval Infantry Brigade and the 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, garrisoned in the Primorsky Krai, have been thrown at the small town repeatedly, causing the units to pen an open letter to Oleg Kozhemyako. the regional governor.
"Once again, we were thrown into an incomprehensible offensive by General Muradov and his fellow countryman Akhmedov, in order for Muradov to earn bonuses over Gerasimov and Akhmedov Muradov promised a hero of Russia," the men complain.
In addition to the reported casualty numbers, which are likely higher at the time of posting, they have also lost around half of their armored vehicles and tank support.
"How long will such mediocrities like Muradov and Akhmedov plan military operations for the sake of their reports and receive awards at the cost of the lives of so many people" the Marines lament.
"They don't care about anything just to show themselves. They call people meat."
The open letter ends with the men calling for an independent investigation into the allegedly criminal acts by their superiors, causing the high casualty rates.
While the area around Vuhledar is relatively flat, the town sits at a rise, giving a vantage point of the surrounding area. Ukrainian defenders have been able to use this to their advantage, holding the position for months now.
#vuhledar #Dontesk #DOnbass #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineRussiaWar #RussianMarines #мо
Polish Tanks arrive in Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the arrival of 4 Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks during a join press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
"Today, as the first European country, I’d like to symbolically hand over to you, Volodymyr, the first four Polish Leopard 2 A4 tanks. These are the tanks that, without a doubt, will perfectly complement the ranks on the battlefield and perform well," the Polish PM announced, saying that more would soon follow.
"Poland and Europe stand by your side. We will definitely not leave you, we will support Ukraine until complete victory over Russia," Morawiecki added.
Poland, one of Ukraine's most steadfast allies in the now year-long war, had been one of the first to push for the shipment of tanks to Kyiv's forces, a move opposed by some in other EU circles including Germany.
Warsaw has also pledged to compress the training for Ukrainian tank crews into 5 weeks, a model other nations have adopted for artillery, infantry, and battle staff roles.
According to pro-Kyiv Ukrinform news, Poland is giving Ukraine a company of Leopard 2 tanks, amounting to approximately 14 vehicles). A total of 105 Ukrainian soldiers are training to operate these tanks at the Polish training ground in Świętoszów.
Video from Reuters
#Poland #Ukraine #MilitaryAid #leopard2 #UkraineRussiaWar #NATO
Russia claims Ukraine and NATO are prepared to enter Moldova.
The Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as some of the most popular mil-bloggers in the OSINT space, have all "confirmed" that Ukraine, with NATO help, is preparing to launch an attack on Moscow-held Transnistria in Moldova.
"The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is currently recording a significant accumulation of personnel and military equipment of Ukrainian units near the Ukrainian-Pridnestrovian border," the MoD said in a statement, using the Kremlin-approved term for the Transnistria region.
They also allegedly recorded "the deployment of artillery at firing positions, as well as an unprecedented increase in flights of unmanned aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the territory of the PMR."
While this statement from the MoD is often discarded as standard propaganda by most analyst and journalists, the efforts have also spread to some of social media's most popular pro-Kremlin mil-bloggers.
Rybar, one of the most popular and widely spread accounts, is a collective of pro-Russian and anti-NATO/Western military analysts and veterans of the Russian military that have chronicled the invasion since its launch 1 year ago today.
With almost 1.1 million subscribers on Telegram, they are also seen as one of the more "modest" in their assessments, shying away from blatant propaganda and opting for a more nuanced approach.
However, Rybar has claimed "according to our information, Western countries are indeed considering the option of artificially escalating tensions in Moldova and then bringing in NATO contingents to "stabilize" the situation in the PMR."
This planned attack, they say is due to the "need for access to warehouses in [Cobasna] due to the existing shell shortage in the West."
While they admit that the Russian military is unable to reach the area, "the only possible option is to use tactical nuclear weapons to intimidate the enemy by striking an uninhabited area
House-to-house fighting near Vuhledar.
Russian troops, reportedly assault teams formed from the remnants of the Marine units deployed in the sector, push against a Ukrainian defensive position in a village home outside the village of Mykil'ske, 2.3 km (1.43 mi) south of Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine.
Roughly geolocated to 47.756157, 37.259704
Russian forces, despite gains around Bakhmut and Kreminna, has been staunchly defeated and held back near the unassuming village.
The group, approximately a reinforced squad sized element, attempts to out Ukrainian troops from a defensive position, but seem to fail, having suffered heavy casualties.
What's unclear is what the status of the surrounding positions are, as the Russia troops don't seem to attempt any flanking or even bypass maneuvers. It appears the Ukrainian position has significant areas of dead space, allowing the Russia troops to move closer undetected and with ample cover and concealment.
The drone footage shows the aftermath of this, as well as previous attacks.
#Ukraine #Russia #DonetskOblast #vuhledar #UkraineRussiaWar #CQB
Update on the Battle of Bakhmut.
Both pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian sources state that Russian troops, particularly the Wagner PMC fighters, have pushed into the suburbs of the city, with towns to the northeast and southwest falling under Kremlin control.
"Units of PMC "Wagner" entered another area of Bakhmut - Budenovka in the south-west of the city. The "Musicians" eliminated the enemy's stronghold, and at present they are moving through the territory of the Mariupol'ske Cemetery," one source linked to Wagner PMC stated on social media.
This comes after the towns of Klishchiivka (approximately 5 km (3.11 mi) to the southwest) and Krasna Hora (approximately 9 km (5.6 mi) to the northeast) were taken by Wagner PMC troops, forcing the withdrawal of Ukrainian defenders into Bakhmut proper.
Spokesperson for the Eastern Grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhii Cherevatyi, speaking on national television, said "brutal, bloody enemy attacks" continued with 37 recorded Russian assaults in one day.
In his words, a total of 205 Russian invaders were neutralized and 219 injured. Such dynamics is maintained on a daily basis, Cherevatyi added, a reported by pro-Kyiv news outlet Ukrinform.
This is in concert with Russian military pushes in the northern sector of the Donbass near Svatove and Kreminna, and continued pushes in the southern sector near the village of Ugledar.
The Financial Times recently reported that "Western intelligence shows Russia is amassing aircraft close to the border with Ukraine, an indication that Moscow is preparing to throw its jets and helicopters into the war to support a stuttering land offensive."
Video from the unit formerly known as the Azov Regiment operating near Bakhmut
#Ukraine #Russia #Bakhmut #Donbass #DonetskOblast
Georgian police capture infamous bank robber.
After a 2 year search and investigation, Georgian police have found and arrested Badri Esebua for the assault, hostage taking, and robbery of a Bank of Georgia branch in 2020.
"Employees of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Police, Central Criminal Police and Special Tasks Departments, as a result of joint search measures and investigations, on the facts of coercion, illegal purchase-keeping-carrying of firearms and combat materials, as well as the fact of a terror(!)st act and holding citizens hostage for a terrorist purpose in 2020 B.E. was arrested in Samegrelo," a police statement said.
Esebua was found in the western region of Samegrelo, near to where the robbery took place, leading some to speculate that he stayed in the area after the events of 21 October 2020.
He was reportedly hiding in Jikhashkari village and has been transferred to N2 Kutaisi prison, the Interior Ministry confirmed to Georgian news agency Pirveli Channel.
Armed with a AK-series rifle, grenades, and wearing military kit and uniform, he stormed the bank branch in the city of Zugdidi, taking 43 people hostage and demanding money.
After the ransom was paid, the robber left the bank, holding a hand grenad with the pin removed, along with 4 people, including 3 of the hostages and the head of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti police department, Avtandil Galdava, who had been acting as a negotiator.
"A firearm and ammunition were taken from the arrest," the statement said, indicating that Esebua potentially had been preparing for a confrontation with police.
Ioseb Janashia, Esebua’s lawyer, intends to meet his client later this afternoon.
#Georgia #Tbilisi #Samegrelo #SouthCaucasus #bankrobbery
A UN helicopter comes under fire in the DRC, causing casualties.
Video from SABC News.
A United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) peacekeeper was KIA and another was WIA after their Atlas Onyx transport helicopter came under fire, reportedly from M23 rebels operating in the region.
"A UN peacekeeper was killed on Sunday in the restive eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the helicopter he was travelling in came under fire after taking off from the city of Beni," the United Nations said in a press release.
Simultaneously, Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that the peacekeeper was from South Africa and Guterres "strongly condemns the attack."
"The helicopter came under fire while travelling from Beni to Goma, North Kivu province, resulting in one South African peacekeeper killed and another severely injured. The crew managed to land the helicopter in Goma," Dujarric stated.
Guterres' office also said that "attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime under international law. He calls on the Congolese authorities to investigate this heinous attack and swiftly bring those responsible to justice."
While the UN has not laid blame on any specific group yet, the Congolese government has pointed at the M23 rebels who have been fighting UN-backed government forces.
This comes after 8 peacekeepers were killed last year when their helicopter crashed in an area of North Kivu province where the Congolese army was engaged in heavy fighting with M23.
"The Secretary-General reaffirms that the United Nations, through his Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will continue to support the Congolese Government and people in their efforts to bring about peace and stability in the east of the country," the Secretary-General's statement concluded.
#UnitedNations #DRC #UN #democraticrepublic
Greek and Turkish coast guards clash in the Aegean.
According to a video released by Greek news outlet Dimokratia, on January 5 a Greek Coast Guard crew was dispatched to identify three Turkish fishing vessels that were fishing in Greek territorial waters near Farmakonissi, a small Greek island in the Dodecanese.
"A Greek Coast Guard statement said that “its vessel was attempting to identify three Turkish fishing vessels in Greek territorial waters southeast of Farmakonisi. A Turkish Coast Guard vessel harassed the Greek Coast Guard vessel, performing dangerous maneuvers with the intent of ramming it," the Greek news outlet writes.
In the video, the Greek coast guard personnel can be seen firing their weapons into the air over the Turkish vessel before it pulls away.
No casualties or significant damage was reported.
#Greece #Turkey #AegeanSea #GreeceTurkey #NATO #Europe
Azov unit becomes offical part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The famous/infamous Azov unit, most often referred to as the Azov special operations regiment, has been reorganized and officially incorporated into the Armed Forces.
"The Azov Specops Regiment is now the Third Separate Assault Brigade as part of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Our combat path begins from the most difficult area, Bakhmut," Andriy Biletskyi, founder and first commander of the unit, said.
The Azov Battalion was initially created in 2014 as a volunteer formation, later being reformed into a regiment and incorporated as a part of the National Guard.
The unit has had questionable members, some posing on social media with neo-Na[z]i symbols an paraphernalia, and as such has been at the center of Russia's reasons for invading the country.
Pro-Russian commentators online have noted this incorporation as further evidence that the Ukrainian military is radicalized, despite the absence of many of Azov's former far-right leadership.
Video From Azov Regiment
#Ukraine #AzovRegiment #UkrainianArmy #UkraineRussiaWar #Russia #bakhmutfortress
US will send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
President Joe Biden announced today that the United States will provide Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks. That is the required number to equip an entire Ukraine tank battalion, According to the United States Department of Defense. This will also include 8 M88 recovery vehicles.
"They need to be able to counter Russia's evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term. They need to improve their ability to maneuver in open terrain. And, they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term," the president said.
Ukrainian troops will be given training on logistics and maintenance as soon as possible, as actual delivery of these tanks will take some time, he said, adding "This is about helping Ukraine defend and protect Ukrainian land. It is not an offensive threat to Russia."
Already, however, experts in Moscow have said the tanks will not be as good as they are touted to be.
Pro-Russian media outlet Izvestia's own military expert Andrey Frolov says the systems are ill suited for the Eastern European theater and are likely inferior to the Russian tanks currently on the ground.
“Against the T-90M, they are no longer very good, it has improved protection, a more powerful gun and a more advanced aiming system. I think that’s why they fussed with the supply of tanks because the T-90M went to the troops en masse, ”he explained.
“In addition, they have a completely different fuel consumption. This will be an additional burden for the AFU supply system. They are also more difficult to maintain. Accordingly, it is necessary to have both trained people and a material base. I think they will be transported to NATO countries for repairs and maintenance, ”the expert concluded.
On Russian tank commander, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the engine and mechanics of the tank are not designed to continue operating in dirty conditions, and its tur
Germany would not stop Poland from sending tanks to Ukraine.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said her government wouldn't stop Poland from supplying Ukraine with the German-produced Leopard 2 tanks. On French television, she confirmed Berlin would "not stand in the way."
"For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked, we would not stand in the way," she said in the interview. "We know how important these tanks are and this is why we are discussing this now with our partners."
This comes after Kyiv has renewed its pleas for heavy armor, specifically naming the German tanks.
Russia has said that the supply of such armor would not only be an unnecessary escalation, but would also not change the course of its 'special military operation.'
"We have repeatedly said that such supplies will not fundamentally change anything but will add problems for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented, adding that "we see a growing indirect and sometimes direct involvement of NATO countries in this conflict."
"We see a devotion to the dramatic delusion that Ukraine can succeed on the battlefield. This is a dramatic delusion of the Western community that will more than once be cause for regret."
Pro-Russian analysts and mil-bloggers online have likened the potential use of German tanks by Ukraine as further evidence that their cause is just, comparing the meeting of German and Russian tanks on the battlefield to that of WWII.
As reported by Reuters, on the geopolitically-themed talk show "Kto Protiv?" (Who is Against?) on the flagship Russia 1 channel, host Dmitry Kulikov said the Ramstein meeting showed that the West was "deeply nervous" about its ability to defeat Russia. He said efforts to do so would lead inevitably to "the complete destruction of Ukraine".
Video from Forces News on YT
#Russia #Germany #Ukraine #leopard2 #militaryaid #UkraineRussiaWar #NATO
