SPOILER

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 20:25 schreef Stoorzendert het volgende:
Je moet ook wel een beetje goed mikken Achja

Flugabwehr-/Fliegerabwehrschießplatz Todendorf

quote:

5 minuten geleden
Poetin: 700.000 soldaten vechten in Oekraïne

Volgens de Russische president Vladimir Poetin vechten ongeveer 700.000 Russische soldaten in Oekraïne. Dat is aanzienlijk meer dan zes maanden geleden. Poetin had het toen over 617.000 soldaten.

Poetin zei tijdens een ontmoeting met militairen dat het leger verder zal oprukken in de noordoostelijke grensregio Charkiv, waar het vorige maand een nieuw offensief met grondtroepen begon.

Al sinds het begin van de oorlog heeft Rusland het gebied beschoten, en in het bijzonder de regionale hoofdstad Charkiv.

quote:

31 of 32 NATO countries want to defeat Russia, but 'this is a mistake', says Orbán
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that his country will not interfere with NATO's actions in Ukraine, but will not participate in them either
The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, considers it a false position that all NATO countries, except for his state, want to defeat Russia, which is currently waging a war against Ukraine, he said during an interview on Radio Kossuth, reports local outlet Telex.

Orbán said his country is one of NATO's most loyal members and that 31 of the alliance's 32 countries want Russia to lose the war against Ukraine.

However, the Hungarian premier disagrees with the opinion of the allies.

"Hungary's position is that this is a mistake. Even if we are alone among the 32," he said.

The Hungarian leader believes that "Ukraine does not have to win" and NATO partners "contribute to the war."

Orbán explained that he does not want "a single square centimeter of Hungary to become a Russian military target."

SPOILER

quote:

In his opinion, the Alliance is trying to convince the Hungarian side that "peace can be resolved by war."

Hungary will not hinder the NATO mission in Ukraine, but will not participate in it either, Orbán added.

Orbán said on May 24 that Hungary is currently reassessing its membership in NATO. The country wants to create a new concept that would distinguish it from other members of the Alliance.

On June 2, the Hungarian prime minister announced that he intends to create a "transatlantic peace coalition" in the European Parliament after the elections, the purpose of which will be to put pressure on Kyiv for negotiations with Moscow.

On June 12, Orbán promised that his country would not participate in future NATO decisions regarding Ukraine but would not block them either.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:00 schreef michaelmoore het volgende:

[..]
Poetin bedoelt ., 700.000 soldaten zijn naar Ukraine gegaan

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 19:11 schreef spicymchaggis het volgende: [..] Ik heb 'm indertijd ook op Volkel zien en horen vliegen, inderdaad ontzettend indrukwekkend! Ik heb er in London in het RAF museum onder gestaan en dan wordt pas echt duidelijk hoe groot dat ding is. M'n pa heeft 'm als dreumes ooit eens over zien vliegen eind jaren '50/begin jaren '60 en is door het geloei en gebulder toen naar binnen gevlucht uit angst dat er oorlog uitgebroken was.

Black Buck One, the Vulcan Raid on the Falklands - Animated

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 19:49 schreef Ulx het volgende: [..] De nog niet vernietigde zijn onbruikbaar. Ze moeten van te ver komen omdat ze anders op de grond kunnen worden vernietigd. Dat kost veel meer brandstof, en dat geeft ze te weinig tijd om een missie uit te voeren.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:21 schreef Glazenmaker het volgende:

[..]
Je kan helikopters ook gewoon in het veld tanken hoor. Je laat ze van ver invliegen, een tanken met draaiende motor en weer verder richting front. Dan is er bijna geen gevaar van lange afstand drones.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:26 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Lijkt me nogal tricky. Er vliegen overal drones rond en een GMRLS projectiel doet er een minuutje over om het doel te bereiken.

quote:

Bloomberg: North Korea sends 5 million artillery shells to Russia

North Korea sent about 5 million artillery shells of various calibers to Russia by rail.

Bloomberg reported on this.

According to the publication, the Russian president will likely seek even more artillery shells from the DPRK, when he soon visits Pyongyang to discuss this issue with Kim Jong-Un.

For its part, South Korean intelligence has detected at least 10,000 shipping containers being sent from North Korea to Russia.

SPOILER

quote:

It is estimated that the containers can hold 4.8 million artillery shells.

“Putin is expected to seek closer security cooperation with North Korea, especially on military supplies such as artillery shells, which are necessary to seize the chance to win,” said Shin Won-sik, South Korea’s defense minister.

He also noted that in response to the massive supply of artillery shells to Russia, the DPRK had the opportunity to obtain new technologies, primarily in the development of missile systems and satellites, as well as potential supplies of tanks and aircraft.

It is noted that Putin will visit Pyongyang next week, for the first time since 2000. This increasingly close cooperation is a worrying sign for the United States and its allies.

In addition, the South Korean Defense Minister noted that, according to state intelligence, after the start of artillery shells supplies to Russia, South Korea had already gained access to certain missile technologies.

This gave the country the opportunity to both start developing new missile systems and significantly modernize the missiles already in service.

Militarnyi previously reported that the UN had confirmed that Russia had struck Kharkiv with a North Korean-made missile.

The wreckage of the missile that was found after the attack on the Ukrainian city on January 2 this year was from a North Korean Hwasong-11 series ballistic missile.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:29 schreef Glazenmaker het volgende:

[..]
Er vliegen overal drones in de eerste paar kilometer van het front. Daar ga je dan natuurlijk ook niet tanken.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:00 schreef michaelmoore het volgende:

[..]
Poetin bedoelt ., 700.000 soldaten zijn naar Ukraine gegaan

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:30 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Verder achter het front vliegen recon drones.

quote:

Finland suspects four Russian military planes violated its airspace
HELSINKI, June 14 (Reuters) - Finland now suspects that four Russian military planes violated the Nordic NATO country's airspace on June 10, three more aircraft than previously thought, the Finnish Border Guard said in a statement on Friday.

On Monday, the Finnish defence ministry said it suspected a single Russian military plane of violating the airspace above the Gulf of Finland for about two minutes.

"As the investigation progresses, it has become apparent that in addition to the one Russian plane reported earlier, there is also reason to suspect three other planes of territorial infringement," the border guard agency said.

The four aircraft were believed to be two bombers and two fighter jets, reaching some 2.5 km (1.6 miles) into Finnish airspace near the city of Loviisa.

"Of course, if these kinds of airspace violations happen, and if they are deliberate and serious, we react to them but the investigation is ongoing and the Border Guard is in charge of it," Finland's Chief of Defence Janne Jaakkola told Reuters.

The previous confirmed territorial violation by Russian aircraft occurred in August 2022, the defence ministry has said.

Get the latest news and expert analysis about the state of the global economy with Reuters Econ World. Sign up here.

Reporting by Anne Kauranen, writing by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Stine Jacobsen and Terje Solsvik

quote:

As of April, more than five thousand women are serving on the front line

As of April 1, more than five thousand women are serving on the front lines, most of them serving in the Ukrainian Ground Forces.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Natalia Kalmykova announced this.

She noted that since 2021, the number of women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had increased by 40%.

According to Kalmykova, as of April 1, 67,285 women serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, of whom 47,569 are military personnel.

SPOILER

quote:

“Ukraine is creating conditions to strengthen the role of women in the army. Our recruiting centers have all the conditions to attract women to the army. Today, 15% of the candidates undergoing the recruitment procedure are women. Any position in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is open to them,” she said.

Kalmykova also said that the progressive changes in legislation that Ukraine was implementing today were also due to the energy and efforts of dozens of female veterans’ organizations and volunteers.

The Deputy Defense Minister added that there were three main steps to further implement the principle of equal opportunities in the Ukrainian army:

• raising gender awareness among military personnel;
• increasing the number of women in leadership positions in the Armed Forces;
• creating an inclusive environment for female servicewomen.

In May, Militarnyi reported that the State Logistics Operator had purchased women’s summer field uniforms worth about UAH 130 million.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that more than 90% of the purchased kits had already been delivered to military units.

The purchase was made within the framework of the first tenders of the State Logistics Operator agency for the purchase of women’s uniforms.

According to the Ministry of Defense, women’s military clothing differs from men’s in terms of shape and complexity of cut.

The sets for defenders are available in a range of sizes from 40 to 64. They are designed for heights from 146 to 188 cm.

For the first time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine began receiving clothing sets in February 2024. Back then, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine issued 50,000 summer field suits. Previously, a second sample of body armor adapted to the peculiarities of the female body structure was certified by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:26 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Lijkt me nogal tricky. Er vliegen overal drones rond en een GMRLS projectiel doet er een minuutje over om het doel te bereiken.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:04 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Weet je dat zeker, want er zijn al 500.000 Russische soldaten uitgeschakeld. Dus dan zouder er nog 200.000 over zijn in Oekraïne.

Wat zou betekenen dat zij er slechter voorstaan dan zij zelf durven toe te geven.

Al vallen huursoldaten zoals die van Wagner/Rusich, en de soldaten van bezette gebieden hier volgens mij niet onder. Dat zijn officieel geen "Russische soldaten"

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:29 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
https://mil.in.ua/en/news(...)ry-shells-to-russia/
[..]

SPOILER

[..]

quote:

The Netherlands will financially support Ukrainian arms manufacturers

The Netherlands and Ukraine agree to cooperate on financial support for Ukrainian arms manufacturers.

The Ministry of Strategic Industries reported on this.

On Thursday, June 13, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umierov, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries Serhii Boiev signed a statement of intent.

The statement put on paper the cooperation of the parties to create effective mechanisms of financial support for the Ukrainian defense industry.

The ministry emphasizes that the signing of the statement is aimed at strengthening the production capacity of the Ukrainian defense industry and ensuring the supply of the most effective weapons to the Ukrainian Defense Forces with the support of the Netherlands.

SPOILER

quote:

The signing of this document was preceded by a visit to Ukraine last week by Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren.

The Netherlands has already decided to allocate ¤60 million for Ukraine to purchase drones for various purposes.

Of this amount, ¤17.5 million will be used to purchase Ukrainian-made naval drones. Another ¤20 million will be spent on the purchase of FPV drones through the International Drone Coalition, and ¤22.5 million on the purchase of UAVs from the Dutch industry.

The Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine emphasized that the allocation of funds by the Netherlands for the purchase of Ukrainian drones was a significant contribution to the international fundraising initiative ZBROYARI: Manufacturing Freedom. It aims to attract foreign funding for the purchase of Ukrainian weapons in the interests of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The goal of the initiative is to raise $10 billion for the production of Ukrainian weapons in 2024. Ukraine has already received three donors as part of the project: in addition to the Netherlands, Denmark has allocated $28.5 million and Canada has allocated $2.1 million.

Also in 2026, Ukraine will receive the first ordered CV90 infantry fighting vehicles from the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is investing more than ¤400 million in a Swedish fund to ensure the production of these combat vehicles.

quote:

Mirage 2000 vs. F-16. Western experts explained the difference between the fighters that Ukraine hopes to receive

^{The American-made F-16 fighter of the Netherlands Air Force and the French-made Mirage 2000 fighter of the Taiwan Air Force. Source: Reuters. Voice of America collage}

The most promising and most expected in Ukraine are the American-made F-16 fighters, although the French Mirage 2000-5 can also complement the Ukrainian combat aircraft. This was stated by the spokesman of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ilya Yevlash.

"At the moment, we do not comment on the statements of foreign politicians. Of course, we do not have such aircraft. We work only with those carriers, types of weapons that are currently in Ukraine, and of course, it is still too early to talk about any estimates, how exactly they can be will use," Yevlash said.

Last week, during a visit to Normandy, the President of Ukraine expressed hope that French planes would soon appear in Ukrainian skies, and French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to transfer his Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine and train Ukrainian pilots within the framework of the new Ukrainian-French military alliance. cooperation Macron did not specify exactly how many fighters France would provide, but said they intend to train the pilots by the end of the year.

VOA spoke with seven retired American pilots, aviators and Pentagon officials, as well as Ukrainian combat pilots, who agreed to give their assessments on condition of anonymity.

SPOILER

quote:

^{Fighters Mirage 2000, F-16, MiG-29}

Mirage 2000, F-16 and MiG-29 - technical characteristics
The Mirage 2000, F-16 and MiG-29 are multi-role supersonic fighters of the fourth generation, but they have significant differences. Mirage 2000 and F-16 are single-engined, MiG-29 is twin-engined.

Mirage 2000 made its first flight in 1978, entered service with the French Air Force in 1984 in its air defense variant. 600 Mirage 2000s were produced, half of which were exported to 8 countries: Brazil, Egypt, Greece, India, Peru, Qatar, Taiwan, UAE.

It reaches a length of about 14 meters, a wingspan of about nine meters, has an empty weight of 7,500 kilograms and develops a maximum speed of Mach 2.2, or about 2,700 kilometers per hour.

The F-16 made its first flight in 1976, and entered service with the US Air Force in 1979 in its anti-aircraft variant. More than 4,600 F-16s were produced, which at various times entered service in more than 25 countries around the world.

It has a fuselage length of about 15 meters and a wingspan of about nine meters, its empty weight is 9,000 kilograms, it reaches a maximum speed of more than Mach 2, or about 2,400 kilometers per hour.

The MiG-29 made its first flight in 1977, and entered service with the USSR Air Force in 1983. It was in service with dozens of countries of the USSR, the Warsaw Pact and other allies of the Soviet Union.

The length is more than 17 meters, the wingspan is more than 11 meters. The maximum speed is over Mach 2, 2450 kilometers per hour.

Crucial to combat use, however, is that only the F-16s have been fully upgraded and improved over the years and are truly full-fledged multi-role aircraft, VOA sources said.

Experts explain that the combat capabilities of an aircraft determine the capabilities of radars, defense systems, EW, etc., as well as what weapons these aircraft can carry. This information is a military secret, so the data indicated in open sources is often not true, the aviators explain.

Disadvantages of French aircraft
An experienced retired American pilot who flew the F-16 points to the imperfect design features of the Mirages, including the triangular delta-shaped wing that "cannot maneuver well in close combat."

"We (Americans) stopped making them 60 years ago," he points out. The pilot says that he had experience with these planes during wars in the Middle East and during joint exercises: "I can't say anything good about them. The most dangerous thing about them is that they don't realize how bad they are (in the air)."

Instead, another American fighter pilot believes that "the French are doing good things." He admits that "no one sells a car if it drives too well, but your guys (Ukrainian pilots) will put them to good use."

The American pilot also explains that such deals are beneficial for France, which makes a lot of money by selling weapons, so the Mirage 2000 deal with Ukraine could be good publicity for them against the background that another player in the international market of military technology - Russia, with the beginning full-scale war began to significantly export its equipment.

At the same time, as far as international security cooperation is concerned, the French often sell or provide technology without further arrangements for the training, maintenance and logistical support necessary to operate such weapons, says a former US Department of Defense official who began his career as an F-16 pilot. .

"Under normal conditions (not like in Ukraine during the war), according to the American programs for the sale of defense technology, the prices for weapons usually include long-term training, support and logistical support, an all-inclusive package approach," he says, adding that he is concerned whether the French will provide the Ukrainians with the necessary support.

Advantages of Mirage 2000
Training on the Mirage 2000 for Ukrainians can be a bit faster than on the F-16, because the requirements for the level of English language proficiency, as well as knowledge of Western tactics and procedures, are not so strict. "There will also be no need to look for and hire instructors from contractor companies or places in training centers, and conduct training directly in military units with active military instructors," a Ukrainian fighter pilot told Voice of America.

This could be important, given the delays in training Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Europe and the US, and the limited number of seats in training centers for pilots from Ukraine, as reported by the US media. Thus, Politico wrote that Ukraine reports that it has 30 pilots who can immediately begin training in the USA, but the training center in Arizona can accept only 12 Ukrainians, Denmark stops training on these fighters, and the training center in Romania is not yet ready.

While the F-16s are "superior by all measures," the Mirage 2000s could add to Ukraine's fighter force, which currently consists of only Soviet MiG-29s and Su-27s, says a high-ranking retired U.S. military official who once flew the F -16.

Another US aviator, who was also a Pentagon official, notes that if the Mirages can carry the French-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles, "that will be the biggest difference compared to the F-16", because these American fighters cannot carry French rockets. "The more planes for Ukraine, the better. You can see how some people complain that trying to get two planes into service at the same time is a bad idea. It's not optimal, but they (the Ukrainians) will manage," the US Air Force officer adds.

A Ukrainian tactical aviation pilot said that he welcomes the receipt of "mirages" as long as the main programs to provide Ukraine with F-16s and artillery shells are not affected. French aircraft, he said, "will be able to support our bomber aviation, provided that these aircraft can use French SCALP cruise missiles, or conduct air battles with MBDA Meteor missiles, reinforcing the fighter aviation of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

"In connection with the future F-16 and the Saab 340 long-range radar detection and control aircraft (with the presence on board of the military tactical data exchange network LINK-16) in cooperation with the ground air defense system, the effectiveness of the use of our aviation will increase significantly," he says he.

"At the end of the day, if they can carry and launch a variety of high-precision, long-range munitions, they will be useful," concluded another Pentagon insider.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 21:04 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Weet je dat zeker, want er zijn al 500.000 Russische soldaten uitgeschakeld. Dus dan zouder er nog 200.000 over zijn in Oekraïne.

Wat zou betekenen dat zij er slechter voorstaan dan zij zelf durven toe te geven.

Al vallen huursoldaten zoals die van Wagner/Rusich, en de soldaten van bezette gebieden hier volgens mij niet onder. Dat zijn officieel geen "Russische soldaten"

quote:

India to send high level delegation to Ukraine summit: Zelenskyy
"Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending a high-level delegation to the Summit," Zelenskyy said in a statement on the Telegram app after their meeting.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said India would send a "high-level" delegation to an international summit in Switzerland on Ukraine this weekend after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Italy on Friday.

The leaders, who met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit, discussed trade, expanding ties and preparations for the summit, which Ukraine hopes will be attended by around 100 countries and organisations.

"Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending a high-level delegation to the Summit," Zelenskyy said in a statement on the Telegram app after their meeting.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:13 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Ja, het zijn er ongeveer 700k, ook volgens Amerikaanse inlichtingen. Die 500k is daar al van af.

quote:

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on television Friday that almost 700,000 Russians are fighting in Ukraine.
"In the zone of our special military operation there are almost 700,000," Putin said during a televised meeting with decorated participants from the offensive.

In December at his end-of-year press conference, Putin gave the figure of 617,000 taking part in combat operations. He said that of those, 244,000 had been mobilised.

The latest figure on troop numbers comes after Russia in May launched a major ground assault in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region.

Moscow rarely talks about the losses it has sustained through the conflict, which it still calls a "special military operation".

It last gave an official figure in September 2022, when it said 5,937 soldiers had been killed in combat.

But several independent analyses and assessments by Western intelligence services put Russian deaths well into the tens of thousands.

Russia has a manpower advantage over Ukraine on the battlefield.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged issues with staffing and "morale" within Ukraine's often outgunned and outnumbered ranks.

Kyiv has lowered the age at which men can be drafted and tightened punishments for those who avoid the call-up.

"We need to staff the reserves... A large number of (brigades) are empty," Zelensky told AFP in May.

Zelensky said in February that around 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the first two years of the conflict.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:28 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
Later had hij het over:
- 5000 Russische doden elke maand, als je daar dan naar ratio ook de gewonden bij op telt (3 gewonden voor elke 1 dode)

quote:

An exhibition of destroyed and captured Russian weapons takes place in Budapest

^{Exhibition in Budapest. Source: ArmyInform.}

An exhibition of trophy samples of destroyed and captured weapons and military equipment of the Russian army opened in the Hungarian capital.

ArmyInform reported on this.

The exhibits demonstrate what kind of equipment the Ukrainian military is faced with and what an ordinary serviceman of the Russian army is equipped with.

Such exhibitions allow for informing the residents of the European Union about Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its citizens, specific facts of crimes during the aggression against Ukraine, violations of international norms and war crimes.

SPOILER

quote:

The samples also provide clear evidence of the indiscriminate use of various types of weapons used by Russia, including those used against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and civilians: the exhibition features the main types of long-range munitions, cluster submunitions and anti-personnel mines.

The exhibition has already been visited by representatives of the embassy, Ukrainian and Hungarian citizens, and the military attaché in Hungary with his colleagues from other countries, including the United States, Germany, Austria, Poland, and South Korea.

Detailed descriptions of the exhibits and their tactical and technical characteristics were also presented at the event.

The exhibition is organized by the National Military History Museum of Ukraine of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Center for Research of Trophy and Advanced Weapons and Military Equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the invitation of the Belgian Association “Golden Bee Foundation”.

As previously reported, exhibitions of trophy weapons and equipment from the fields of the Russian-Ukrainian war have been held abroad many times.

For example, in March 2023, the Dutch city of Groosbeek opened an exhibition with a damaged Russian T-72 tank.

^{A Russian T-72 tank destroyed in Ukraine in the Netherlands. March 2023. Photo credits: Ukrinform.}

This combat vehicle was destroyed by the Ukrainian army on March 31, 2022, during a battle near Kyiv, on the outskirts of the village of Dmytrivka, near Bucha. Another damaged Russian tank was on display in Amsterdam.

It was also reported that an exhibition “Ukraine. Crucifixion. Tribunal” had opened in New York at 866 United Nations Plaza.

Over 1000 exhibits collected from the liberated territories were placed on the area of about two thousand square meters.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:28 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dus, in totaal zouden het dan 1,3 miljoen soldaten zijn die betrokken zijn, of zijn geweest tot nu toe? Want dat geloof ik eerder dan 700.000 over de gehele oorlog.

Want dat is niet wat Michael Moore bedoelde. Die had het over soldaten die naar Oekraïne zijn gegegaan.

https://www.barrons.com/n(...)-in-ukraine-4d132a55
[..]
Putin zelf had ook de verliezen van tussen de 270.000 - 500.000 Russische soldaten bevestigd.
- 50.000 Oekraïense verliezen elke maand - voor elke 5 Oekraïense verliezen 1 Russische. Wat dus op 10.000 neer zou komen per maand. Wat dan zou neerkomen op zo'n 270.000 Russische verliezen.

Later had hij het over:
- 5000 Russische doden elke maand, als je daar dan naar ratio ook de gewonden bij op telt (3 gewonden voor elke 1 dode) dan zou je op 20.000 Russische verliezen per maand komen. Wat dus op meer dan 500.000 Russische verliezen zou komen over de oorlog.

Dat zijn nu dus de officiële Russische cijfers 270.000-540.000 volgens Putin. Al denk ik niet dat het de bedoeling was van hem om dit de wereld in te gooien.

quote:

Poetin: 700.000 soldaten vechten in Oekraïne

Volgens de Russische president Vladimir Poetin vechten ongeveer 700.000 Russische soldaten in Oekraïne. Dat is aanzienlijk meer dan zes maanden geleden. Poetin had het toen over 617.000 soldaten.

Poetin zei tijdens een ontmoeting met militairen dat het leger verder zal oprukken in de noordoostelijke grensregio Charkiv, waar het vorige maand een nieuw offensief met grondtroepen begon.

Al sinds het begin van de oorlog heeft Rusland het gebied beschoten, en in het bijzonder de regionale hoofdstad Charkiv.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:33 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Ja, en wij het westen blijven inzake rus deze sleutel maar hanteren. Terwijl rus soldaten zelf zeggen; serieuze verwonding, je kan niet op eigen houtje je terugtrekken? Ben je exit.

quote:

In 2022, their number officially stood at 1.67 million, and by 2023, it had increased by 507,000, or 30%.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:48 schreef michaelmoore het volgende:

[..]
5 minuten geleden
[..]

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:59 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Anders lees je ook even waar de discussie over gaat. Dat jij waarschijnlijk bedoelt dat er nu nog 200.000 Russische soldaten in Oekraine aan het vechten zijn (maar 700.000 in totaal daar heen gezonden zijn over deze hele oorlog gezien). Terwijl ik aangeef dat ik denk dat dit er dus die 700.000 zijn waar Putin het zelf over heeft die nu nog aan het vechten zijn.

Tevens gaf jij geen bron bij jouw gekopieerde tekst.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:59 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Anders lees je ook even waar de discussie over gaat. Dat jij waarschijnlijk bedoelt dat er nu nog 200.000 Russische soldaten in Oekraine aan het vechten zijn (maar 700.000 in totaal daar heen gezonden zijn over deze hele oorlog gezien). Terwijl ik aangeef dat ik denk dat dit er dus die 700.000 zijn waar Putin het zelf over heeft die nu nog aan het vechten zijn.

Tevens gaf jij geen bron bij jouw gekopieerde tekst.

quote:

Ukrainian children in Poland will have to attend school

From the onset of the new school year, Ukrainian children living in Poland will have to attend classes, a deputy education minister said on Wednesday.

The school year in Poland begins on September 1. According to Deputy Education Minister Joanna Mucha, it is estimated that some 75,000 Ukrainian children residing in Poland are not attending Polish schools.

Mucha said that only in the first three months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 22, 2024, about three million Ukrainian refugees crossed into Poland, of which 43% were minors aged 17 or younger.

“We don't know precisely how many of them remained in Poland, but we do know that from among the refugees that came to us after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 145,000 Ukrainian children still attend Polish schools, and 34,000 attend Polish kindergartens,” she said.

Mucha stressed that in many cases the children were not sent to Polish schools in the conviction that they would soon be able to return home to Ukraine.

Some of the children continued their education in their Ukrainian schools online.

SPOILER

quote:

The deputy education minister said that the number of children who were not sent to Polish schools was estimated at 150,000, but more recent assessments by the ministry indicate it was smaller, perhaps by as much as 50%.

The assessment was conducted based, among others, on cross-referencing data from the PESEL number and “800 plus” welfare program databases.

PESEL is an 11-digit individual identification number assigned to all Polish citizens as well as certain categories of resident aliens, similar in its role to the social security number in the U.S.

The “800 plus” program is a child welfare benefit paid out to minors’ parents and legal guardians who are citizens of Poland and other EU member states, resident aliens working in Poland, or refugees from Ukraine. The benefit amounts to 800 zlotys a month (roughly ¤185).

“We will invite those children to Polish schools. From September 1 onward, they will be covered by compulsory school attendance, they will attend Polish schools. What is more, compulsory school attendance will be linked to the right to collecting the ‘800 plus’ benefit,” Mucha said.

This requirement will exclude high school seniors preparing for their Ukrainian high school finals. The Polish Ministry of Education will assist its Ukrainian counterpart in conducting the exam for young Ukrainian people residing in Poland.

The change was introduced as part of an amendment to the act on assistance to citizens of Ukraine.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:28 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dus, in totaal zouden het dan 1,3 miljoen soldaten zijn die betrokken zijn, of zijn geweest tot nu toe? Want dat geloof ik eerder dan 700.000 over de gehele oorlog.

Want dat is niet wat Michael Moore bedoelde. Die had het over soldaten die naar Oekraïne zijn gegegaan.

https://www.barrons.com/n(...)-in-ukraine-4d132a55
[..]
Putin zelf had ook de verliezen van tussen de 270.000 - 500.000 Russische soldaten bevestigd.
- 50.000 Oekraïense verliezen elke maand - voor elke 5 Oekraïense verliezen 1 Russische. Wat dus op 10.000 neer zou komen per maand. Wat dan zou neerkomen op zo'n 270.000 Russische verliezen.

Later had hij het over:
- 5000 Russische doden elke maand, als je daar dan naar ratio ook de gewonden bij op telt (3 gewonden voor elke 1 dode) dan zou je op 20.000 Russische verliezen per maand komen. Wat dus op meer dan 500.000 Russische verliezen zou komen over de oorlog.

Dat zijn nu dus de officiële Russische cijfers 270.000-540.000 volgens Putin. Al denk ik niet dat het de bedoeling was van hem om dit de wereld in te gooien.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:09 schreef ExTec het volgende:
En ze is niet eens blond.

[ x ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:15 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Wat putin zegt moet je niet serieus nemen. Die getallen hebben nul waarde.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:20 schreef oheng het volgende:

[..]
Als de russen een negatief feit toegeven, dan hebben we geleerd dat dat ontzettend betrouwbaar is.

Zeker omdat de cijfers die putin heeft gelekt goed aansluiten op de cijfers van de diverse inlichtingendiensten, diverse russen zoals Girkin en Pringels, de BBC, en de cijfers van de russische uitkeringen voor weduwen en arbeidsongeschiktheid.

Allemaal wijzen ze naar min of meer hetzelfde getal: 500.000 doden en zwaargewonden.

En als je naar satelietbeelden kijkt van militaire begraafplaatsen, dan zie je die groeien als kool.

quote:

Zelenskyy arrives in Switzerland for Peace Summit
About 100 countries and international organizations will participate in the Peace Summit, stated the President

On the evening of June 14, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Switzerland to participate in the Global Peace Summit, which will take place on June 15-16, according to his announcement on Telegram.

The President noted that he has two days of work ahead with countries from all over the world, united by a common goal – to bring about a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that representatives from about 100 countries and international organizations would participate in the Peace Summit.

"As a responsible global majority, we must collectively strive to end wars, aggressions, and colonial occupations, and make their recurrence impossible. I am confident that people worldwide desire a just peace and respect for every nation," stressed the President.

He expressed confidence that "the voice of the responsible global majority can bring peace closer and fully restore the strength of the UN Charter."

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 22:57 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
Toch klopt het wel zo ongeveer met de Russische cijfers over de extra gehandicapten die zij hebben over 2023.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:23 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Ik geloof het getal van ~500.000 wel maar je moet niet Poetin als bron gebruiken. Grote kans dat hij de echte cijfers niet eens te horen krijgt. Los van dat die dus 2x iets verschillends zegt.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:29 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Ik weet het niet.

Als voorbeeld: oekrainers die een ledemaat kwijtraken krijgen prothesen:

[ x ]

En wat krijgen de orcs? Een plankje hout met wieletjes eronder.

[ afbeelding ]

Dus de discrepantie tussen de kwaliteit van zorg is enorm.

Dan is het geen brug te ver om te veronderstellen dat zich dit ook naar andere deelgebieden in de zorg uitstrekt.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:23 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Ik geloof het getal van ~500.000 wel maar je moet niet Poetin als bron gebruiken. Grote kans dat hij de echte cijfers niet eens te horen krijgt. Los van dat die dus 2x iets verschillends zegt.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:31 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat is ook zo. Maar dat zou eerder bevestigen voor mij dat de cijfers van 500.000 nog hoger liggen dan dat zij juist lager zijn.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:29 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Ik weet het niet.

Als voorbeeld: oekrainers die een ledemaat kwijtraken krijgen prothesen:

[ x ]

En wat krijgen de orcs? Een plankje hout met wieletjes eronder.

[ afbeelding ]

Dus de discrepantie tussen de kwaliteit van zorg is enorm.

Dan is het geen brug te ver om te veronderstellen dat zich dit ook naar andere deelgebieden in de zorg uitstrekt.

quote:

Explosion at the Mesko arms plant in Skarżysko Kamienna. An employee died
There was an explosion and fire at the Polish Mesko arms plant in Skarżysko-Kamienna on Monday.

RMF FM reported the accident. - We have an explosion on a rocket fuel center that was put into operation a few years ago. We probably had a fatal accident - said the president of Mesko plant, Elżbieta Śreniawska, in an interview with RMF FM.

The management office confirmed that an explosion had occurred at the plant. - In an hour we will issue an official announcement on this matter, much more will be known then - we were told in the management office.

SPOILER

quote:

Explosion in Skarżysko-Kamienna. An LPR helicopter landed
An air ambulance helicopter landed on site. The fire brigade is responsible for extinguishing the fire.

- We do not take part in these activities. The plant has its own fire-fighting unit - aspirant Rafał Maciejczak, press spokesman for the State Fire Service in Skarżysko-Kamienna, told us.

As Deputy Commissioner Jarosław Gwóźdź from the Skarżysko-Kamienna Police Headquarters said, a 59-year-old employee died as a result of the fire. Police officers worked on site under the supervision of a prosecutor and investigated the circumstances of the accident.

Mesko SA produces products for the arms industry. He has over 100 years of experience.

Commissions were appointed to investigate the matter
On Monday afternoon, Mesko issued a statement. It confirmed that as a result of the accident, which occurred before 10 a.m., one person died and another was injured and is in hospital under the care of doctors.

"The Management Board of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA and the Management Board of Mesko SA express deep sympathy to the victim's family, as well as support for the family of the injured employee," we read in the statement. The arms company from Skarżysko-Kamienna assured that the families of both employees were provided with psychological assistance, "and other employees of the Company can also count on help in this respect."

The statement shows that a special commission has been established in Mesko to investigate the circumstances of the incident. "Also at the level of the Polish Armaments Group, a Commission was established whose aim is to investigate the circumstances of the incident, including the analysis of the circumstances that led to it and the verification of the procedures currently in force and possible recommendations for changing them, so as to ensure maximum work safety," we read in statement.

The head of the National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera, told TVN24 that representatives of military counterintelligence also came to Mesko's headquarters and "are carrying out their activities aimed at determining the causes of this event."

This is another such accident in Mesko
The previous two took place in 2021. The first one occurred on April 29 at around 7 , an hour after the start of the shift, in "department 230" in the building where bullet primers, i.e. small explosive charges, are produced. A 48-year-old woman was seriously injured and transported by helicopter to the Provincial Hospital in Kielce with serious facial injuries. .She died over a month later.

The circumstances of the accident turned out to be shocking . Although the employee had been employed at Mesko for over three years, she had been working at the position where the explosion occurred for two days. She was trained the day before the explosion, and the labor inspectorate found that she was trained by a person who was not authorized to do so. According to the inspection, the causes of the accident included: "lack of experience, inappropriate work pace tolerated by those supervising, use of inappropriate technology and deviations from occupational health and safety regulations and principles, irregularities in the use of protective equipment."

Another tragedy occurred on September 8, 2021 , when a 41-year-old employee was carrying a box with primers. The labor inspectorate found that the causes of another fatal accident were "routine, technical and organizational negligence and failure to meet the parameters of technological processes."

The investigation into both accidents was conducted by the prosecutor's office, which submitted an indictment to court at the end of 2023 . It includes three people - the director of the small- and medium-bore division, his deputy, and the production master. The trial began in April, but in public.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:41 schreef oheng het volgende:

[..]
Het is idd zo dat er steen en been geklaagd wordt door russen die geen uitkering krijgen, omdat simpelweg ontkent wordt dat ze dood of oorlogsinvalide zijn.

quote:

EU-toetredingsoverleg Oekraïne kan van start na draai Hongarije

quote:

AfD parliamentary group vice-chairman celebrates in Russian embassy

^{Stefan Keuter, deputy head of the AfD parliamentary group; in the background a picture of Russia's embassy in Berlin}

Last year, AfD leader Tino Chrupalla sparked outrage when he celebrated the "Victory Day" over Germany in the Russian embassy. Recently, parliamentary group vice-chairman Stefan Keuter was a guest there to celebrate the Russian national holiday - together with other party colleagues.

DThe closeness of relevant parts of the AfD to Russia is always a source of criticism. Now, according to information from WELT AM SONNTAG, an AfD member of the Bundestag has once again visited the Russian embassy. Bundestag parliamentary group vice-chairman Stefan Keuter took part in a festive reception at the embassy on Wednesday evening to mark the Russian national holiday.

A photo published on Facebook shows Keuter next to the businessman Alexander von Bismarck, the former AfD member of the Bundestag Ulrich Oehme and a high-ranking employee of the embassy. Oehme is a founding member of a pro-Russian association and is running for the Saxon state parliament in September.

SPOILER

quote:

^{Keuter (right) in the Russian embassy. Next to him (from left): Michael Adam (AfD), Ulrich Oehme (AfD), an embassy employee and entrepreneur Alexander von Bismarck}

The photo was posted by the deputy federal spokesman for Christians in the AfD, Michael Adam. He can also be seen in the picture. "Having political discussions in the best company is a privilege," wrote Adam. "The food was also not to be sniffed at. Thanks to the Russian Embassy."

Keuter left a request from WELT AM SONNTAG on Thursday afternoon unanswered. After this text was published, Keuter contacted me on Friday afternoon and said: "I didn't celebrate, I met diplomats at a reception. Peace in Europe is very important to me. The deaths in Ukraine must end as soon as possible. I am happy to contribute to this through my communication channels."

According to a publication by the Russian embassy, ​​veterans of the German-Soviet war between 1941 and 1945 also took part in the “ceremonial reception” on Wednesday evening.

Repeatedly noticed for its proximity to Russia
AfD parliamentary group vice-chairman Keuter has already attracted attention several times with his closeness to Russia. In 2018, Russia organized an observation of the presidential election. Keuter accepted the invitation and subsequently praised the elections as "free, equal and secret". The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) had criticized at the time that there was effectively no choice in the vote and that pressure was continuously exerted on critical voices. The OSCE election observers also criticized restrictions on the admission of candidates. "I took part in the election observation in 2018 on behalf of the AfD parliamentary group as part of an official parliamentary group trip," Keuter said on Friday.

Even after the start of Russia's expanded war of aggression against Ukraine, Keuter took part in a conference against economic sanctions held in Moscow via Zoom. He complained about the "propaganda" in the German media, he said afterwards.

Last year, party leader Tino Chrupalla and honorary chairman Alexander Gauland visited the Russian embassy in Berlin on May 9 , when the "Victory Day" over Germany in World War II was celebrated there. The visit also sparked sharp criticism within the party and the Bundestag faction.

quote:

46th Airmobile Brigade Thwarts Significant Enemy Attack in Marinka

The paratroopers of the 46th Airmobile Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces repelled the largest enemy assault during the entire period of their presence in the Mariinka sector.

The video was released by the brigade’s press service.

It is reported that the Russians conducted the assault on June 13, 2024, involving 28 units of equipment.

The brigade’s aerial reconnaissance detected the enemy’s movements in time, and its vanguard forces began to incur losses due to minefields on the outskirts of Ukrainian positions.

SPOILER

quote:

Відбитт� ворожого штурму воїнами 46-ї бригади

Almost simultaneously, the brigade’s soldiers launched a combined attack on the advancing Russian invasion forces using artillery, anti-tank missile systems, and drones.

The released footage shows the moments when Russian armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and tanks were hit.

The brigade’s press service detailed that the enemy lost 13 units of equipment during the assault, 20 Russian servicemen were killed, and 38 others were wounded.

“An excellent result of the paratroopers’ combat work, who once again reminded the Russian invaders that this is our land,” the brigade emphasized.

Combat work of the 46th Brigade
Militarnyi previously reported on the soldiers of the 46th Airmobile Brigade demonstrating their capture of a bridgehead on the Inhulets River in the Kherson region in the summer of 2022.

The unit shared video about its participation in combat operations as part of the operational groups “Nova Kakhovka” and “Prymoria.”

Watch the documentary about this story, and hear the participants’ testimonies about the conquest of the bridgehead on the Inhulets River.

Третій епізод документального міні-�еріалу «46. ШЛЯХ ЧЕСТІ». Інгулецький плацдарм.

You can find out more about the brigade’s combat journey on their social media, and you can watch more videos on their YouTube channel.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:17 schreef oheng het volgende:

[..]
Hahahaha en dan te bedenken dat je haar over 5 jaar kunt kopen voor 5 dollar.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 00:38 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Volgens mij hebben we weer een nieuwe rode lijn gemist.

[ afbeelding ]

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

quote:

How can CENTAC recreate the real conditions that await our men on the battlefields of the 21st century?
A thread 1/5

quote:

For several years, the battalion has implemented, under the leadership of Captain Antony, a set of equipment unique in France. Decoys, detectors, explosives and sound cannons that immerse soldiers in the reality of combat, but not only that. 2/5

quote:

CENTAC has already acquired a decoy representing a Pantsir SA22 anti-aircraft system which serves a triple purpose. It serves as a target for the troops, but also for the @Armee_de_lair planes, the ALAT helicopters and their ground coordinators, the JTACs. 3/5

quote:

Finally, it was deployed for the benefit of the military intelligence department to allow it to train in counter-deception, that is to say, here, to differentiate real vehicles and decoys by satellite. 4/5

quote:

Because CENTAC is more than a training center: the use of decoys, tested in the field, allows armies to instill doubt in the adversary, to influence their maneuver and to discover themselves by opening fire on these dummy targets. 5/5

quote:

Russian Special Services Recruit Ukrainian Minors for Sabotage in Ukraine, Offering Cash for Arson
In order to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, the special services of the Russian Federation encouraged minors to burn the cars of the Armed Forces of Ukraine servicemen for money.

Young men who were involved in criminal activity have been detained. These crimes are punishable by up to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment.

The police established that since the beginning of 2024, the special services of Russia became active in social networks, and involved people aged 13 and over in underground subversive activities.

The head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police, Vadym Dziubynskyi, said that in Odesa, the police uncovered two boys, 13 and 16 years old, who set fire to two cars belonging to military personnel.

The teenagers were detained together with two friends aged 16 and 18 while trying to set fire to another car.

Employees of the special services of the Russian Federation promised generous compensation to minors for arson.

Also, similar attacks were recorded in Kyiv and Dnipro. Urgent investigative actions are being carried out on these facts, and a pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

“We call on parents to pay more attention to their children, as well as to warn them about the insidiousness of the enemy and the legal responsibility for committing sabotage: up to 15 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment,” Vadym Dziubynskyi addressed the parents.

quote:

Putin Says Freezing of Russian Assets in West Is ‘Theft’
Putin also warned the standoff between Moscow and the West was coming “unacceptably close to the point of no return” and boasted that Moscow “possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday branded as “theft” the freezing of Russian assets abroad and warned it would “not go unpunished.”

G7 leaders agreed Thursday on a new $50 billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, a move US President Joe Biden said showed Moscow “we're not backing down.”

The G7 and the EU froze around ¤300 billion ($325 billion) of Russian central bank reserves, days after Moscow ordered troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

On Friday, Putin said Western countries were trying to come up with “some kind of legal basis” to justify these “but despite all the trickery, theft is still theft and will not go unpunished.”

The Russian leader also warned the standoff between Moscow and the West was coming “unacceptably close to the point of no return” and boasted that Moscow “possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons.”

Putin has repeatedly invoked nuclear rhetoric throughout the conflict with Ukraine, which he casts as just one front in a wider "hybrid war" between Russia and the NATO military alliance.

He also blasted a Ukraine peace forum taking place in Switzerland this weekend as a “trick to distract everybody.”

Moscow, which does not recognize Ukraine’s right to exist, was not invited to the conference, which will be attended by the heads of state and senior officials from around 90 countries and international organizations.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 00:38 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Volgens mij hebben we weer een nieuwe rode lijn gemist.

SPOILER

quote:

De minimale verkoopprijs voor wodka wordt vanaf juli verhoogd tot 299 roebel per 0,5 liter
Moskou. 14 juni. INTERFAX.RU - Het ministerie van Financiën van de Russische Federatie heeft minimumprijzen goedgekeurd voor wodka, cognac en champagne. Ze zijn geldig van 1 juli dit jaar tot 31 december 2026.

Volgens het bevel dat op het officiële portaal voor juridische informatie is geplaatst, is de minimale verkoopprijs van wodka 299 roebel per 0,5 liter, cognac - 403 roebel, champagne - 556 roebel per 0,5 liter.

Momenteel is de minimale verkoopprijs van wodka 281 roebel per 0,5 liter, cognac - 375 roebel, champagne - 517 roebel.
https://www.interfax.ru/business/966696

quote:

The ambassadors of the European Union agreed on the framework for negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU
It is expected that the first intergovernmental conference will be held on June 25, which will give an official start to the negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU.

This was reported by the Belgian Presidency of the EU on the X social network, informs Censor.NET .

It is reported that on the evening of June 14, the permanent representatives of the member states of the European Union agreed on the negotiating framework for negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU .

The first intergovernmental conference will be held on June 25 under the chairmanship of Belgium, which is known to last until the end of June. On July 1, Hungary will take over the presidency of the EU Council.

We will remind that earlier the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Aja Lyabib , stated that Belgium intends to hold an intergovernmental conference with Kyiv by the end of June regarding the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Brussels officials insisted on starting official negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU on June 25.

Read also: Ukraine has fulfilled all requirements. The EU should start accession negotiations by the end of June - von der Leyen.

quote:

92 countries will participate in the Global Peace Summit. Of them, 57 will be presented at the highest level
The Swiss government announced the final list of participants of the Global Peace Summit, which will be held on June 15-16. More than half of the participants will be represented at the highest level.

This is stated on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Censor.NET reports .

According to the published list of event participants, 92 countries will participate in the Global Peace Summit . 57 of them will be represented at the highest level, that is, presidents or prime ministers will go from them.

Other states will be represented at the ministerial level, or will send ambassadors.

There is no China in the list of delegations at the peace summit. At the same time, the list of participants indicates that a representative of Saudi Arabia will attend the conference, despite the fact that the country had not previously planned this. As you know, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently visited Saudi Arabia , where, among other things, he discussed preparations for the Global Peace Summit with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman al Saud. It is possible that, after that, Saudi Arabia changed its decision to participate in the summit.

The Council of Europe, OSCE, Organization of American States and all key EU institutions (European Council, European Commission, European Parliament) will be represented in Switzerland.

In addition, Brazil, the Holy See, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the United Nations will attend the summit as observers.

We will remind that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi has already arrived in Switzerland on Thursday, June 14, where the Global Peace Summit will begin tomorrow.

SPOILER

quote:

Global Peace Summit
As a reminder, the Swiss government intends to hold a two-day high-level conference on June 15-16 , during which they will look for ways to achieve peace in Ukraine. However, as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted earlier, the process of ending the war will not be discussed during the Global Peace Summit .

A number of countries from all continents were invited to participate in the first peace summit. However, as stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, Russia's participation in this event is not expected yet

Earlier, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that Russia will try to disrupt the peace summit in Switzerland.

quote:

The International Criminal Court is investigating cyberattacks on Ukraine as war crimes, - Reuters
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating cyber attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure as possible war crimes.

As reported by Censor.NET , this was reported by Reuters with reference to sources.

Thus, sources familiar with the case reported that prosecutors of the International Criminal Court are investigating alleged Russian cyber attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure as possible war crimes.

Cyberattacks on infrastructure that put lives at risk by disrupting power and water supplies, disrupting connections to emergency response services or knocking out mobile data services that relay air raid warnings are being reviewed, one of the sources said.

It also said it was the first confirmation that the cyber attacks were being investigated by international prosecutors and could lead to arrest warrants if enough evidence is gathered.

quote:

Ukraine's Military Claims Hits On Concentrated Russian Troops; Moscow Says 5 Dead In Belgorod
Ukraine fired missiles and artillery at 15 areas where Russia troops were concentrated on June 14 as Russia tried to use its advantage in manpower, equipment, and air support to seize territory in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv's General Staff said.

"Despite the intense enemy onslaught, the Ukrainian soldiers fought back hard and effectively," the General Staff said in its late summary of the day's fighting.

The Ukrainian military said there were 81 combat clashes during the day, while the Russian military said its troops seized about a dozen settlements, and the governor of the Belgorod region said five people were killed in attacks on the region.

SPOILER

quote:

In the area around Kharkiv, Russian forces supported by air power, tried to storm the positions of Ukrainian units in the Vovchansk and Tykhoy districts three times. All enemy attacks were repelled, Kyiv said.

At the same time, 10 combat clashes took place near Kupyansk, and Russian forces also tried to improve their positions in several towns in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The Ukrainian military said all enemy assaults near Sinkyvka were repulsed, while battles were still going on elsewhere.

Russian troops also attacked towns near Lyman in the Donetsk region. The General Staff described the situation as under control, saying four clashes had ended, while five were still ongoing.

The armed forces also noted that the Russian Army was "intensively" attacking in the Pokrovskiy area, where Ukrainian defenders repelled 17 attacks. At least a dozen other clashes were ongoing.

"The situation is difficult, but controlled by the defense forces," the General Staff said. Ukrainian soldiers "are making efforts to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory."

The claims could not be independently verified.

In the Russian region around the city of Belgorod, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukrainian attacks killed five people on June 14.

Gladkov said on Telegram that two bodies had been pulled from an apartment building hit by Ukrainian shelling in the border town of Shebekino.

Emergency services, quoted by news agencies, said a third body was later found in the rubble after shelling caused a stairwell to collapse.

A drone also struck a car in a village near Shebekino, killing the driver, and a woman was killed in her home when it was struck by rocket fire in the village of Oktyabrsky.

quote:

Canine sappers trained under EC program to be handed over to Ukraine

A third, and the largest group yet, of bomb-sniffing dogs trained in Belgium, Poland, Italy, Malta, Luxembourg, and Finland under a European Commission project will soon begin their service in Ukraine.

The dogs completed a 14-day adaptation period in Poland, including sessions at the Carpathian Border Guard unit, allowing Ukrainian handlers to familiarize themselves with their new partners.

On June 14, a ceremonial handover will take place at the airport in Łososina Dolna near Nowy Sącz, southern Poland, where 12 dogs, trained by the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs and the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), will be handed over to Ukrainian handlers. These dogs will join the demining battalion of the Ukrainian armed forces.

This initiative is part of a European Commission project aiming to train a total of 50 dogs to assist Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion. These dogs will play a crucial role in locating and neutralizing explosives, missiles, and radioactive materials, thus enhancing the safety of civilians and critical infrastructure.

SPOILER

quote:

The pilot program also focuses on detecting radiological materials that may have been stolen and hidden from hospitals following the Russian invasion. The dogs are equipped with devices to detect these substances during searches of liberated areas.

This effort is part of the European Commission’s broader strategy to combat chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats and explosive materials.

The project adheres to strict EU animal safety regulations. No dogs have been lost in the line of duty so far, thanks to comprehensive protective measures provided by the European Commission, including special boots, goggles, and harnesses.

Each dog also receives a medical kit, a transport kennel, and a month’s supply of food and additional equipment. Ensuring the animals welfare is a top priority for the Commission.

Several dogs trained under this program have been working with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, aiding in demining operations for over a year. The European Commission has also provided drones to assist in detecting metals, further supporting the dogs’ work, particularly in extensive areas requiring demining. This successful initiative will continue as part of the Commission’s ongoing support for Ukraine.

quote:

More than 300 thousand NATO troops are on high alert
NATO countries have 300,000 troops on high alert, a senior alliance official said. Source: Barrons

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO leaders decided to significantly increase the number of troops that could be quickly deployed within a month.

The NATO representative noted that the proposals from the allies significantly exceeded the established number of 300 thousand troops.

At a NATO summit last year, plans were adopted outlining how each member state should deal with an invasion by Russia. This was the first time this has been done since the end of the Cold War.

NATO commanders are now seeking to ensure that these plans can be implemented if necessary. However, the alliance faces shortages of air defense, long-range missiles and other critical weapons.

The NATO spokesman stressed that the alliance is lacking some critical resources and these problems need to be addressed.

Let us recall that NATO is preparing “land corridors” for the transfer of troops to confront Russia.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 11:33 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 11:33 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 12:42 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Waarom zouden ze dat nou doen?

[ x ]

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 12:49 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Omdat Rusland bezig is met een plundertocht.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 12:53 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Maar krim is toch rusland?

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:02 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Schiet.die.f*ckers.nou.gewoon.neer.

[ x ]

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:12 schreef StateOfMind het volgende:

[..]
Dat.
Gewoon neerhalen, net zoals Turkije deed jaren geleden, toen een Ruzzische straaljager hun luchtruim binnen kwam.
Putin deed niks terug en ze hebben her daarna nooit meer gedaan.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:16 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Poetin stelde toen sancties in tegen Turkije. Er mochten oa geen Russische toeristen meer naar Turkije. Heeft Turkije een hoop geld gekost.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:16 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Poetin stelde toen sancties in tegen Turkije. Er mochten oa geen Russische toeristen meer naar Turkije. Heeft Turkije een hoop geld gekost.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 12:03 schreef ExTec het volgende:
[ x ]

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:16 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Poetin stelde toen sancties in tegen Turkije. Er mochten oa geen Russische toeristen meer naar Turkije. Heeft Turkije een hoop geld gekost.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:16 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Poetin stelde toen sancties in tegen Turkije. Er mochten oa geen Russische toeristen meer naar Turkije. Heeft Turkije een hoop geld gekost.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:23 schreef Ulx het volgende:
Daarom zetten NAVO F-35's ook alles aan zodat ze goed opvallen op de radar.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:29 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Gebruiken ze een luneberg lens voor

quote:

Al met al was het dus een slechte start voor het tsarenpaar Nicolaas en Alexandra.
Daarbij speelde nog, op langere termijn, dat Nicolaas II geen oppositie duldde, de Doema enkele keren buitenspel zette en tegenstanders de mond snoerde.
Daarnaast was zijn vrouw van Duitse origine en werd zij tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog verdacht van spionage.

5. De Eerste Wereldoorlog als katalysator
De Eerste Wereldoorlog (1914-1918), die uitbrak onder het bewind van tsaar Nicolaas II, werkte als een katalysator en vormde de feitelijke aanleiding voor het uitbreken van de Russische Revolutie.

De Russische verliezen qua mankracht (begin 1917 al zes miljoen soldaten), maar ook de voedseltekorten waren dramatisch en de roep om het beëindigen van de oorlog klonk steeds luider.

Een cruciaal moment was de keuze van Nicolaas II om in de zomer van 1915 zelf opperbevelhebber van het Russische leger te worden.

Aan de fronten kreeg het Russische leger het zwaar te verduren, terwijl in Rusland de impopulaire Alexandra en de gestoorde Raspoetin de lakens uitdeelden.
In de media zongen wilde geruchten rond over spionage door Alexandra (die van Duitse komaf was) en Raspoetin.
Nicolaas II besloot ondanks de gigantische verliezen door te vechten, waarmee hij zijn eigen ondergang in de hand werkte. In november 1916 vaardigde hij een krijgsbevel uit, zich gedecideerd uitsprekend voor het behalen van de overwinning.
Die overwinning hield volgens Nicolaas concreet in: herstel van de etnografische grenzen van Rusland, creatie van een vrij Polen én verovering van Constantinopel en de zeestraten rond Turkije.

Aangezien ook het Ottomaanse Rijk deelnam aan de oorlog, was de verovering van Constantinopel en de Turkse zeestraten voor Nicolaas II de sleutel tot de algehele overwinning.
Deze idealistische overmoed, samen met het feit dat Nicolaas II de binnenlandse politiek totaal veronachtzaamde, zou de ondergang van de Romanovs inluiden.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 14:35 schreef polderturk het volgende:
Turtle tanks waren toch niet zo een succes

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:19 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Hmmmm, fair enough.

Maar ik gok dat zweden prima zonder orc toeristen kan.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:24 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Trouwens, moet dat niet naderend tot volledig over zijn?

Me dunkt dat ze in TR niet zitten te wachten op roebel-plee-papier. En harde valuta, USD, EUR, CNY zijn allemaal op.

quote:

Op vrijdag 14 juni 2024 23:43 schreef polderturk het volgende:

[..]
Van een Lada naar een karretje met wielen.

Het gaat niet best met de Russische economie.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 14:58 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Mwa valt mee hoor. Volgens verschillende interviews heeft Oekraïne per tank veel meer drones nodig dan zonder de tutle ding er omheen. Dus zo gek is het niet. Hoe debiel het er ook uitziet en hoe graag we HAHA rusland dom! doen

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 15:58 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Turkije verdient nu nog gewoon een hele hoop geld aan Rusland.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 13:23 schreef spicymchaggis het volgende:

[..]
Zo'n "sanctie" zou voor Europa een waar geschenk zijn.

quote:

Russia Rushes To Complete Huge New Defenses Of Kerch Bridge

^{The bridges' defenses now consist of multiple layers, with barges being added to the southern approaches.}

Russia continues to bulk up its defenses of the vital Crimean bridge in Kerch. The bridge has been attacked twice already, and is undoubtedly high on Ukraine's target list. With such importance, it appears unlikely that these new defenses will be sufficient.

Russia is rushing to reinforce the already extensive physical defenses of the Crimean Bridge in Kerch. An outer layer, consisting of barges moored end-end, now extends in front of the main bridge. This is in addition to an inner layer of nets and floating booms.

Analysis of satellite imagery and video footage taken from the bridge, reveals fresh details of these defenses.

Additionally, it appears that some barges are positioned to be towed forward to fully block the channel under the bridge if needed. Russia previously parked ships across the shipping lane to block the Ukrainian Navy in November 2018. This new barrier is further from the bridge and intended to also block access to the supporting piers which may be a target for attack.

SPOILER

quote:

Ukraine’s Uncrewed Surface Vessel Threat
Russia has been building up defenses to the bridge since the beginning of the 2022 invasion. Anti-aircraft systems, smoke generators, radar reflecting barges, booms and warships have all been deployed. However some of these defenses proved inadequate. In March 2024 the patrol ship ‘Sergey Kotov‘ was sunk by Ukrainian USVs while it was protecting the southern approaches to the bridge.

Ukraine has already struck the bridge twice, both times enjoying a degree of success. On October 8 2022 a bomb hidden in a truck detonated south of the main bridge span. The explosion dropped several sections of the road bridge and damaged the rail bridge. This took several months to repair and led to restrictions on the cargoes which can be transported across the bridge. On July 17 2023 Ukraine hit the bridge again, this time using a ‘Sea Baby’ USV (uncrewed surface vessel). The explosion lifted and then dropped a section of the road bridge.

It is clear from these defenses that Russia takes the threat of Ukrainian USVs seriously. Ukraine’s Navy, GUR (Defence Intelligence of Ukraine) and SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) all have USVs which could be used. These can carry a large warhead which could lift and then drop a section of the bridge. Or they could target the bridge supports.

Why The Crimean Bridge Matters To Russia
The rail and road bridge is is a critical supply artery for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The rail line in particularly is vital for the movements of supplies. And the bridge, constructed in 2016 following the annexation of Crimea, is an important political symbol for the Kremlin. Naturally it is a key target for Ukraine.

Russia has tried to minimize the high-risk cargoes crossing the bridge so that any attack won’t be amplified by cargo being hit. In particular this means fuel and ammunition. Instead, Russia has attempted to use Navy ships and ferries to transport these to Crimea. However, successful Ukrainian attacks on landing ships used for this, and on the rail ferries, has meant that these high-risk cargoes may again travel across the bridge.

Piers are also being constructed either side of the smaller bridge section south of the main bridge span. It is unclear whether these will form alternative roadways or part of the defensive barriers.

The bridge remains a critical target for Ukraine. Whether these defenses will deter, or protect the bridge from USV attacks remains to be seen.

quote:

LIVE UPDATES: Summit on Peace for Ukraine in Switzerland
Live updates from the Summit on Peace for Ukraine, providing real-time insights into key discussions and developments of the summit, taking place on 15-16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland.

In response to Ukraine’s request, Switzerland has convened over 100 global delegations for the inaugural Summit on Peace for Ukraine, set for June 15-16, 2024, at the Bürgenstock resort.

This summit aims to advance the Ukrainian peace formula and other UN Charter-based proposals, fostering dialogue on achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.

Stay with us for live updates as the Summit unfolds.

quote:

13:35
White House announces that today, as part of the Summit on Peace for Ukraine and her sixth meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vice President Kamala Harris is announcing that the United States will provide over $1.5 billion through USAID and the State Department to support the people of Ukraine.

quote:

14:25
Yermak: Ukraine is not opposed to negotiations with Russia during a second Peace Summit, but no compromises on the territorial integrity of Ukraine are possible.

"No compromise on independence, no compromise on sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are looking for an opportunity to present this plan to a representative of Russia. We think this might happen at the second summit," commented Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine at the Summit.

quote:

15:00
Scholz: The resolution of Russia's war against Ukraine will be addressed at the next Peace Summit.

According to Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, the next peace summit must definitely take place with the participation of Russia.

quote:

15:25
Yermak: The Switzerland summit aims to develop a new joint peace plan

Participants in Ukraine's global peace summit will work to draft a new joint peace plan, potentially based on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's formula, Presidential Office head Andrii Yermak told the BBC on June 15.

"We are exploring the possibility of presenting this plan to representatives of Russia," Yermak noted, adding that this could happen during a second summit.

quote:

Car of officer included in the Ukrainian database Myrotvorets explodes in Russia

^{he car of the Russian officer Vadim Sobesky. June 2024. Russia. Photo credits: Telegram channel "112"}

A car of the chief of staff of a military unit exploded on the territory of the military town of Millerovo in the Rostov region.

The Investigative Committee of Russia said that it had opened a criminal case on the attempted murder of Vadim Sobiesky.

Vadim Sobiesky was driving his Volvo when the car suddenly started making strange noises.

The soldier was not injured – he managed to get out of the car after it began to “hiss and smoke”.

Later, the information about the incident was confirmed by the Investigative Committee of Russia.

SPOILER

quote:

У Ро�тов�ькій обла�ті вибухнув автомобіль начальника штабу вій�ькової ча�тини

The agency clarified that investigators were establishing the circumstances of the car fire.

A criminal case was opened under the article on attempted murder.

Russian officer Vadim Sobiesky is included in the Ukrainian database Myrotvorets.

“He is involved in the genocide of the Ukrainian people by conducting hostilities against the civilian population, civilians and infrastructure,” Myrotvorets reports.

^{The case of Vadim Sobiesky on the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets, whose car exploded in the Rostov region}

Sobiesky was born in Kryvyi Rih, received Russian citizenship in 2011, and is a member of the leadership of the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment, which is taking part in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

This is not the first such incident this year; in April, a car carrying a traitor who had fled to Russia exploded in Moscow.

The owner of the car was former SSU lieutenant colonel Vasyl Prozorov, who had been working for Russia since April 2014.

quote:

Volunteers from Belarus distinguished themselves in the defense of Vovchansk

^{Belarusian volunteers in the battles for Vovchansk. June 2024. Ukraine. Frame from the video of the Belarusian Volunteer Corps}

In the Kharkiv region, the city of Vovchansk is being actively defended by Belarusian soldiers to prevent Russians from occupying the city.

The Belarusian Volunteer Corps said that in May their fighters had held back the first wave of invaders in the city.

“Back then, there were battles for every house, every quarter of Vovchansk,” the volunteers said.

Now the Belarusians are defending their positions together with fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps, which is fighting on the side of Ukraine.

“Our groups broke through the Russians’ lines to join the established defense line together with the Russian Volunteer Corps,” the Belarusians said.

SPOILER

quote:

До захи�ту Вовчан�ька приєднали�� добровольці з Білору�і

The Belarusian corps engaged its American HMMWVs and other vehicles in the fighting in the city.

This unit of Belarusian fighters was created in Ukraine in 2022. Prior to that, the unit’s leaders were members of various units of Belarusian volunteers.

The Belarusian Volunteer Corps first showed footage of the defense of the city of Vovchansk on May 18, when soldiers on HMMWVs were rescuing the wounded.

Білору�ький корпу� на HMMWV

The Ukrainian General Staff said that the operational situation in the Kharkiv sector remained complicated and was changing dynamically.

Fighting is ongoing in the areas of Pylyna-Lukiantsi, Pylyna-Hlyboke, Pylyna-Oliynykove, Murom-Buhuvatka.

“In the Kharkiv sector, Russian terrorists have tried to push our troops from their positions three times since the beginning of the day. Combat is ongoing in two locations near Vovchansk,” the General Staff said.

^{The situation in the city of Vovchansk on the DeepState map}

As previously reported, the Russian military is currently actively equipping engineering and fortification positions near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region.

quote:

Paratroopers destroyed an important R-934B Sinitsa EW system

^{Illustration on the topic: R-934B Sinitsa electronic warfare system}

Ukrainian paratroopers destroyed a R-934B Sinitsa electronic warfare system near the border in the Kharkiv region.

The command of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces said that the destruction of the system had left the Russian soldiers without electronic cover.

The 71st Jaeger Brigade chose several FPV drones to destroy the EW system.

Ukrainian drones managed to circumvent the suppression of signals from Russian electronic warfare systems.

As a result of the strikes, the R-934B Sinitsa electronic warfare system caught fire and was completely disabled.

SPOILER

quote:

Де�антники знищили РЕБ "Синица" окупантів

It is not unlikely that the Ukrainian military used new models of FPV drones, which received more powerful protection against EW and the ability to fly over long distances.

The R-934B Sinitsa EW system is designed for radio jamming of aviation VHF radio communications, tactical aviation guidance systems, as well as ground-based stationary and mobile radio communication lines.

It is stated that it can jam cellular and trunk networks operating both on fixed frequencies and in the mode of software adjustment of the operating frequency.

The station can operate separately or as part of the Borisoglebsk-2 electronic warfare weapon system, which is also under Ukrainian attack.

^{Destroyed Russian R-934B Sinitsa electronic warfare system. June 2024. Frame from the video of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces}

The Russian R-934B was spotted in the temporarily occupied Donbas even before the outbreak of a full-scale war with Russia.

The destruction of such systems will allow Ukrainian aircraft to operate more efficiently.

^{Illustration on the topic: R-934B Sinitsa electronic warfare system}

In 2023, US HIMARS struck the R-934B Sinitsa electronic warfare system.

quote:

Here are the recommendations: How to be prepared for three days without electricity and water
Nine liters of water per person and iodine tablets for people under 40 are some of the recommendations from the authorities.

All Danes must be prepared to be able to survive three days without food and water.

This is the new recommendation that the National Emergency Management Agency and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen (V) have announced here on Saturday morning.

First of all, the preparedness emphasizes that Denmark is fundamentally both a safe and secure country. The purpose of the new strategy is that if a crisis strikes, and as many Danes as possible are prepared to take care of themselves, the emergency services can focus their efforts where the need is greatest.

But how do you prepare?

The National Emergency Management Agency has issued guidance on this , of which we review the main points here.

SPOILER

quote:

Three liters of water per day
Water is the first point in the plan.

The recommendation is that you have three liters of standing water per person in your household every day. This means that if you have nine liters of water per person in the household, you are prepared for the recommended three days.

The National Emergency Management Agency also writes that you must also remember to have water for your pets.

You can either buy bottled drinking water. It must be stored dark and cool, writes the agency, which also points out that it must be replaced when the shelf life date has been reached.

Alternatively, you can fill water from the tap into containers that are approved for food. The water from the tap should be as fresh as possible, but can be stored for several months if kept cool and dark.

- You should regularly change the water in containers. For example, use it to water flowers, then wash the containers and fill them up again, says the recommendation.

Food that does not need to be cooked
Unsurprisingly, food is also needed.

The recommendation here is to procure food for three days, which can last longer without being refrigerated or frozen. In addition, it is smartest to choose food that does not have to be cooked in the oven or on the stove - if the power goes out, that is not an option.

The Norwegian Emergency Management Agency recommends crisp bread and canned goods.

The recommendation is that you buy in food products that you use anyway, and then use up your stock on an ongoing basis, so that it does not become too old and have to be thrown away.

If you still have food that needs to be cooked in your pantry, it is essential to be able to boil water without access to electricity or city gas. It can be on a grill or with a storm kitchen.

Manage medication - including iodine tablets
If you take medicine, it is important to have supplies for at least three days. At the same time, the National Emergency Management Agency also recommends that you have a first aid kit ready with, among other things, plasters, dressings, disinfection and products for cleaning the wound.

In addition, iodine tablets should be available in the household for people under 40 and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

- In the event of nuclear accidents, the most important advice is to stay indoors (...) and follow the authorities' recommendations, it also says.

It is also important to keep hygiene under control if the crisis is over. The authorities recommend that you have, among other things, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, pads and tampons ready for three days.

Secure access to information
It is important to be able to get in touch with each other and get information in a crisis situation, and therefore the recommendation is to have a battery or a power bank lying around that can ensure power for your mobile phone.

If the internet is down or the mobile phone doesn't work, you can turn on an FM radio. Most people have one in the car, but if you don't, it's good to have one at home that can run on batteries, cranks or solar cells. It is via the radio that DR sends emergency announcements from the authorities.

The authorities also draw attention to the fact that in a crisis situation it is important to be aware of misinformation.

- It is a great help if you share confirmed information during a crisis and are aware of preventing the spread of rumors and disinformation or misinformation. Therefore, always check a second time whether the source is trustworthy before sharing information in your network, writes the Danish Emergency Response Agency.

Light sources and some cash
It is a good idea to check whether there is enough of a flashlight, batteries, matches and candles ready in the drawer, so that it is possible to get light if the power goes out. It is also important that you have the opportunity to keep yourself and the others in the household warm.

In addition, the authorities recommend that you have control of your physical payment card and can remember the PIN codes for it, so that you do not need the phone to pay with.

- In addition, consider having a small amount in coins and small bills, it goes on.

Are there special needs in your household?
It is a good idea to look around your household and consider whether you or your loved ones have any needs that require special preparation.

It may be young children who need formula or nappies. Or elderly people who need special care items. You must also remember to provide extra food and water for the pets.

At the same time, everyone can also advantageously consider whether there are people in one's neighbourhood, in one's family or circle of friends who could need extra help if the crisis strikes. You can consider writing down particularly important telephone numbers and, for example, hanging them on the fridge, writes the Emergency Management Agency.

If you live close to the coast or in low-lying areas, you should also have investigated where you can get access to sandbags, if that becomes relevant.

At the end of the guide there is a checklist you can go through to make sure you have everything under control.

quote:

Next Russia sanctions package ‘will happen soon,’ Germany’s Scholz says
German chancellor denies Berlin is blocking latest EU sanctions, contests “new Hungary” charge.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pushed back against accusations that Germany is "the new Hungary" after the country blocked the latest round of EU sanctions against Russia.

The EU has been negotiating a sanctions package that would ban EU countries from re-exporting Russian liquefied natural gas through European terminals, but Berlin opposed the package, EU diplomats told POLITICO.

In an interview with Axel Springer media outlets on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, Scholz said the package is “not blocked” and that countries are “discussing the details.” Axel Springer is the parent company of POLITICO.

“It's about how we can make sure that the German economy can carry out its activities and at the same time make sure that goods that are delivered somewhere in South America, in an Asian country or in Africa, don't end up in Russia in a roundabout way, where they shouldn't be,” Scholz said. “And this has to be done in a way that companies can deal with," he added.

"And I think that will happen soon. It's a practical question, not a fundamental one," Scholz said.

The German leader also hit back at comparisons between Hungary’s opposition and Germany’s, referring to Budapest's habit of blocking earlier packages of sanctions.

“Yes, that's a great line, but it's complete nonsense,” Scholz said, referring to the "new Hungary" tag. “We want to find a solution,” he said.

Germany is “doing its job,” he added, which is to “make sure that there is a solution that works for the economy, that you can manage if you are a company, if you want to sell things to the world, goods and services, and that at the same time fulfills exactly the purpose that we are concerned with.”

SPOILER

SPOILER

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 17:32 schreef Ulx het volgende:
400 man. Ouch.

[ x ]

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 17:35 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Gelukkig. Stel je voor dat hij het leger meer effectief zou maken.

[ x ]

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 18:06 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
Dat hij niet veel zal bijdragen aan het militaire apparaat zal geen verassing zijn. Hij is een econoom tenslotte.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 18:55 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Dacht eerder dat het doel was om de oorlog zo lang mogelijk door te laten gaan, iets van jaren en jaren, vandaar een econoom.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:00 schreef spicymchaggis het volgende:

[..]
Rusland dat een jarenlange oorlog economisch wil volhouden, dat zal vast een groot succes worden.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 16:05 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

[..]
Eens.

Mijn vakantie in Turkije liep af op de dag dat hun boycot was afgelopen. Toen wij op het vliegveld waren kwamen de hordes Russen binnen. Overal voordringen, over touwen springen, rennen en mensen aan de kant beuken

Echt gigantisch kut volk.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:00 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Nou, vind het anders bijzonder dat het al zo lang gaande is.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 16:20 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
14:25
Yermak: Ukraine is not opposed to negotiations with Russia during a second Peace Summit, but no compromises on the territorial integrity of Ukraine are possible.

"No compromise on independence, no compromise on sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are looking for an opportunity to present this plan to a representative of Russia. We think this might happen at the second summit," commented Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine at the Summit.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:15 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Als dit de positie is dan komt er sowieso geen vrede. Ik denk dat een staakt-het-vuren het hoogst haalbare is.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:15 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Als dit de positie is dan komt er sowieso geen vrede. Ik denk dat een staakt-het-vuren het hoogst haalbare is.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:19 schreef spicymchaggis het volgende:

[..]
De enige wijze waarop er een stabiele, langdurige vrede zonder Russische agressie mogelijk is, is door Rusland economisch de nek om te draaien en de voor hen rampzalige demografie zijn werk te laten doen.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:25 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Voor Rusland is dat inderdaad het hoogst haalbare.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:00 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Nou, vind het anders bijzonder dat het al zo lang gaande is.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:29 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Momenteel is het voor beide partijen nog niet acceptabel om richting een staak-het-vuren te gaan.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:14 schreef spicymchaggis het volgende:

[..]
Twee jaar is bij lange na niet "lang gaande".

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:30 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Welnee, de economische chaos-schopperij door het Westen is pas net begonnen. We zijn tot een paar weken terug poeslief geweest tegen Poetin en co.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:34 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:
Er komt sowieso geen vrede en wordt een frozen conflict net als Noord en Zuid-Korea.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:35 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Zegt je al sinds het begin van de oorlog. Eerst dit, dan dat, dan sus en dan zo. Als dat jou troost biedt, prima.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:31 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Voor Oekraïne is dat hoe dan ook geen optie. Die stoppen pas als de laatste Russische soldaat hun land uit is getrapt.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:31 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Voor Oekraïne is dat hoe dan ook geen optie. Die stoppen pas als de laatste Russische soldaat hun land uit is getrapt.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:27 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Tuurlijk, maar dat is iets voor de langere termijn en ook niet iets wat Oekraïne, met een nog veel dramatischere demografie, helpt. Voor het westen is het een goede uitgangspositie.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:42 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Dat is simpelweg geen realistisch scenario, net als dat de Russische wens om 4 oblasten volledig op te geven onrealistisch is. Ik denk dat we uiteindelijk wel richting een soort vrede rondom de frontlinie posities gaan aangezien er in Europa weinig interesse is voor een dood conflict.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:31 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Gezien de massaliteit van het conflict en de verliezen.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:52 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Ik weet niet waar jij je nieuws vandaan haalt, maar elke Europese regeringsleider zegt gewoon dat de Russen terug over de grens geschopt moet worden. Rusland bestoken? Heel Europa vind het prima. (Orban daargelaten)

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:49 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

Rostov, een stad met 90% Russen. De tijd van even een blik minderheden opentrekken en die de meatgrinder insturen lijkt steeds meer achter ons te komen liggen. En dit kan wel een probleem gaan opleveren voor Poetin aangezien deze mensen zijn achterban vormen. En de moderne wapens en voertuigen waarmee ze een kans zouden kunnen hebben zijn of raken op. De combinatie bodybags-geen uitzicht op een overwinning- inflatie wil je vermijden. Het thuisfront gaat dan morren.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:57 schreef BlaZ het volgende:
het laatste Russische vredesaanbod

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:55 schreef spicymchaggis het volgende:

[..]
De massaliteit en verliezen zijn aan Russische zijde uit westers oogpunt nog lang niet hoog genoeg. Het zou nl. een zeer wenselijke ontwikkeling zijn wanneer de jonge, hoogopgeleide mannelijke bevolking van Moskou en Sint Petersburg ook massaal door de gehaktmolen gaat.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:57 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
De Kiev Independent had het vandaag over het laatste Russische vredesaanbod wat afgeslagen is door Kiev.

Het volgt niet uit het feit dat Europese regeringsleiders zeggen dat de Russen terug de grens over moeten en dat Rusland bestookt mag worden dat die gebied ook daadwerkelijk heroverd worden.

Het is belangrijk om de wil van de partijen en de potentiële oplossingen, die noodzakerwijs tussen de wil van de partijen inliggen, los van elkaar te zien.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:59 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Als je het even vergelijkt met voorgaande oorlogen is het zeker het grootste conflict na de tweede wereldoorlog.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:36 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Dat zal Oekraïne een rotzorg zijn als de Russen over de grens zijn geschopt en ze een deal met NAVO hebben of lid zijn. Dan riskeert Moskou een artikel vijf om de oren als ze wat flikken.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:59 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Als je het even vergelijkt met voorgaande oorlogen is het zeker het grootste conflict na de tweede wereldoorlog.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:01 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Dat gaat een beetje moeilijk hé als je land in oorlog is. Daarom ook een (frozen) conflict, een alsmaar doorgaande oorlog, hier en daar wat porren na een tijdje, want dan kan Oekraïne per definitie niet in de NAVO. Waarom denk je dat Oekraïne nog geen NAVO lid is en Zweden en Finland wel?

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:02 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Oh ja, dat zeker. Maar dat doet Rusland zelf. Het zou voor ons prima zijn als dat fossiel, de zieke man van Eurazië, implodeert.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:59 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Als je het even vergelijkt met voorgaande oorlogen is het zeker het grootste conflict na de tweede wereldoorlog.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:02 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Er is geen oorlogsverklaring. Zijn de Russen over de grens zijn ze over de grens. Dan kun je het trouwens ook een 'frozen conflict' noemen.

quote:

In international relations, a frozen conflict is a situation in which active armed conflict has been brought to an end, but no peace treaty or other political framework resolves the conflict to the satisfaction of the combatants. Therefore, legally the conflict can start again at any moment, creating an environment of insecurity and instability.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:05 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
[..]
Nee, per definitie is het dan geen frozen conflict.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:04 schreef xpompompomx het volgende:

[..]
Mwa. Er zijn ook nog de Koreaoorlog en de 2e Congo oorlog.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:49 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

Rostov, een stad met 90% Russen. De tijd van even een blik minderheden opentrekken en die de meatgrinder insturen lijkt steeds meer achter ons te komen liggen. En dit kan wel een probleem gaan opleveren voor Poetin aangezien deze mensen zijn achterban vormen. En de moderne wapens en voertuigen waarmee ze een kans zouden kunnen hebben zijn of raken op. De combinatie bodybags-geen uitzicht op een overwinning- inflatie wil je vermijden. Het thuisfront gaat dan morren.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:09 schreef Anton91 het volgende:

[..]
Maar dat hopen we inmiddels al 2 jaar. Ik zie het niet meer zo snel gebeuren helaas.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:09 schreef Anton91 het volgende:

[..]
Maar dat hopen we inmiddels al 2 jaar. Ik zie het niet meer zo snel gebeuren helaas.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:07 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Natuurlijk wel. Waarom zou het alleen maar een frozen conflict kunnen zijn als Rusland lappen gebied bezet houdt? Er zijn genoeg andere issues: De ontvoerde kinderen. De oorlogsmisdaden. Geplunderde kunstschatten. De herstelbetalingen. Noem maar op. Zolang die niet zijn geregeld is er nog steeds een conflict.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:14 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
De afgelopen twee jaar werden er vooral minderheden op deze manier het leger in gedwongen. Russen gingen meestal vrijwillig. Dat lijkt een beetje voorbij te zijn.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:15 schreef Digi2 het volgende:

[..]
De oorlog Rusland/Oekraine is feitelijk 2014 van start gegaan. Een nieuw grootschalig offensief begon 2 jaar geleden. De val van de Sovjet Unie duurde ook heel erg lang, waarom verwachten dat het nu in 2 of 3 decennia zou gebeuren met de Russische federatie?

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:24 schreef Anton91 het volgende:

[..]
Maar is dat grootschalig of alleen deze user die dat een keer post? Want ik heb er verder weinig over gehoord.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:27 schreef Anton91 het volgende:

[..]
Maar niet met gemobiliseerde soldaten dus dat is iets anders. Dat het ooit zou kunnen gebeuren sluit ik niet uit, maar het land is op dit moment nog teveel pro-Putin. Wij in het westen zijn veel meer verdeeld.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:57 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
De Kiev Independent had het vandaag over het laatste Russische vredesaanbod wat afgeslagen is door Kiev.

Het volgt niet uit het feit dat Europese regeringsleiders zeggen dat de Russen terug de grens over moeten en dat Rusland bestookt mag worden dat die gebied ook daadwerkelijk heroverd worden.

Het is belangrijk om de wil van de partijen en de potentiële oplossingen, die noodzakerwijs tussen de wil van de partijen inliggen, los van elkaar te zien.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 19:42 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Dat is simpelweg geen realistisch scenario, net als dat de Russische wens om 4 oblasten volledig op te geven onrealistisch is. Ik denk dat we uiteindelijk wel richting een soort vrede rondom de frontlinie posities gaan aangezien er in Europa weinig interesse is voor een dood conflict.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:41 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat was geen vredesaanbod. Dat was een overgave.

Oekraïne moest ook niet door Rusland bezet gebied aan hun afstaan. Om de geannexeerde oblasten compleet aan te vullen (Kherson, Luhansk, Donesk, Zaporizhzhia) En ook de Krim zijn ze kwijt. Zij mogen niet bij de NAVO komen, ze moesten zich ontwapenen en denazificeren (denk dus aan de gehele regering/Zelenski/legerleiding etc aan Rusland overhandigen zodat zij berecht zouden kunnen worden). Rusland moest veiligheidsgaranties krijgen van Oekraïne, maar ook het westen/NAVO/EU.

En zo waren er nog wel een paar punten. Allemaal in het nadeel van Oekraïne.

Dus in andere woorden Rusland moet beloond worden voor hun agressie.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 21:17 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Er moet simpelweg gewerkt worden vanuit de uitersten:
1) Dit voorstel van Rusland
2) Het tienpunten plan van Oekraïne

Ergens daar tussen in is waar we een uiteindelijke vrede kunnen verwachten.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 21:34 schreef oheng het volgende:
De FPV drones vliegen nu al rond in Belgorod oblast lol.
Gaat goed met die oorlog.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 21:41 schreef polderturk het volgende:

[..]
Je bedoelt speciale militaire operatie.

quote:

Romania denies visas to Russian delegation to OSCE PA
Romania refused to issue visas to the entire Russian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session in Bucharest, citing Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Romanian authorities have refused to issue visas to a Russian delegation to attend a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) in Bucharest. This was announced by Russian Senator Grigory Karasin in his telegram channel, UNN reports .

Details
He said that Russia had received a note from the Romanian Foreign Ministry.

The document states that in view of "Russian aggression against Ukraine," none of the members of the Russian delegation will be issued a visa or allowed to enter the country.

The OSCE PA session is scheduled for the end of June.

quote:

EU states won't be directly involved in $50 billion loan for Ukraine, Italian PM says
EU members will not be for now directly involved in a $50 billion loan for Ukraine, as they will instead focus on developing the guarantee mechanism, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on June 15.

The loan, which was announced during a G7 summit on June 13 with the pledge to deliver it to Ukraine by the end of the year, is backed by revenues from frozen Russian assets.

"The loan of about $50 billion has already been announced (and will) be provided by the United States, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, and probably Japan, within the limits of its constitutional constraints," Meloni said at a press conference at the end of the summit.

"Currently, European nations are not involved in this loan, also considering the fact that the assets are all mobilized in Europe," she said, adding that EU members will instead focus on providing a guarantee mechanism for repaying the loan.

Western countries have frozen $300 billion in Russian assets at the start of the full-scale war, with roughly two-thirds being held in Europe.

The technical aspects of the loan are yet to be decided by EU finance ministers, Meloni added. During the summit, G7 leaders agreed to launch the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) mechanism to deliver the loan.

An American official told Reuters that Washington was authorized by Congress to cover $50 billion but hopes that other countries will contribute as well. Canada said it is ready to provide $5 billion for the loan.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 21:39 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Ik zou het tienpunten plan van Oekraïne geen uiterste noemen. Zij winnen er namelijk niks mee. Zij krijgen slechts terug wat van hun is, en schade wordt vergoed.

Uiteindelijk is het Zelenski en de Oekraïense regering die bepaald onder welke voorwaarden vrede acceptable is natuurlijk. Maar die zijn nog lang niet zo ver om Rusland een overwinning te geven (Wat alles is wat als beloning voor Putin/Rusland gezien kan worden. Dus elke eis die zij hebben).

Maar zoals het er nu voor staat is de kans groter dat NAVO landen zich er direct bij betrekken dan dat Oekraïne zich overgeeft. En zolang Oekraïne de steun blijft krijgen die zij nu krijgen zie ik Oekraïne niet veel gaan toegeven in het voordeel van Rusland voor vrede.

De kans dat Rusland uiteenvalt zie ik eerder gebeuren. Want zij kunnen dit niet volhouden. Oekraïne kan dit tot nu toe nog wel.

quote:

US attack sub, Canada navy patrol ship arrive in Cuba on heels of Russian warships
HAVANA, June 14 (Reuters) - A Canadian navy patrol ship sailed into Havana early on Friday, just hours after the United States announced a fast-attack submarine had docked at its Guantanamo naval base in Cuba, both vessels on the heels of Russian warships that arrived on the island earlier this week.

The confluence of Russian, Canadian and U.S. vessels in Cuba - a Communist-run island nation just 145 km (90 miles) south of Florida - was a reminder of old Cold War tensions and fraught ties between Russia and Western nations over the Ukraine war.

However, both the U.S. and Cuba have said the Russian warships pose no threat to the region. Russia has also characterized the arrival of its warships in allied Cuba as routine.

The Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, half submerged with its crew on deck, sailed into Havana harbor on Wednesday after conducting "high-precision missile weapons" training in the Atlantic Ocean, Russia's defence ministry said.

Canada`s Margaret Brooke patrol vessel began maneuvers early on Friday to enter Havana harbor, part of what the Canadian Joint Operations Command called "a port visit ... in recognition of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Canada and Cuba."

Hours earlier, the U.S. Southern Command said the fast-attack submarine Helena had arrived on a routine port visit to Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. naval base on the tip of the island around 850 km (530 miles) southeast of Havana.

"The vessel's location and transit were previously planned," Southern Command said on X.

SPOILER

quote:

<sup>The crew of the Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan watch the Canadian navy patrol boat HMCS Margaret Brooke passing by as it enters Havana’s bay, Cuba, June 14


Canadian navy patrol boat HMCS Margaret Brooke passes by Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan and frigate Admiral Gorshkov, as it enters Havana's bay, Cuba, June 14, 2024.


Tourists pass by Russian a nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan and tug boat Nikolay Chiker, docked in Havana's bay, Cuba, June 13, 2024


People watch Canadian navy patrol boat HMCS Margaret Brooke passing by Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan as it enters Havana's bay, Cuba, June 14, 2024</sup>

Cuba`s foreign ministry said it had been informed of the arrival of the U.S. submarine but was not happy about it.

"Naval visits to a country are usually the result of an invitation, and this was not the case," said Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío.

"Obviously we do not like the presence in our territory (of a submarine) belonging to a power that maintains an official and practical policy that is hostile against Cuba."

A Canadian diplomat characterized the Margaret Brooke`s arrival as "routine and part of long-standing cooperation between our two countries", adding it was "unrelated to the presence of the Russian ships."

Russia and Cuba were close allies under the former Soviet Union, and tensions with Washington over communism in its "backyard" peaked with the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Moscow has maintained ties with Havana.

When asked what message Moscow was sending, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday the West never appeared to take notice when Russia sent signals through diplomatic channels.

"As soon as it comes to exercises or sea voyages, we immediately hear questions and a desire to know what these messages are about," Zakharova said. "Why do only signals related only to our army and navy reach the West?"

The Russian warships are expected to remain in Havana harbor until Monday.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 21:17 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Er moet simpelweg gewerkt worden vanuit de uitersten:
1) Dit voorstel van Rusland
2) Het tienpunten plan van Oekraïne

Ergens daar tussen in is waar we een uiteindelijke vrede kunnen verwachten.

quote:

The Dutchman who gets Nike and Lego into wartime Russia’s stores

^{Wijnand Herinckx.}

Nike stopped selling its sportswear to Russia soon after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over two years ago. But that hasn’t stopped footballstore.ru, an online sports retailer owned by Russia’s Zenit soccer club.

Among the dozens of Nike-branded items the site offers are the U.S. sportswear maker’s Phantom GT2 Elite soccer boots, for 29,999 roubles, or around $330.

The man who got these shoes to Russia is Wijnand Herinckx, a 40-year-old Dutch citizen who lives in Moscow. Since the conflict began, Herinckx has built a thriving business that provides Russian consumers with Western goods whose makers have pulled out of Russia.

“Nike does not want their products to be shipped to Russia,” Herinckx told Reuters in a video call from his office on the outskirts of Moscow, where shelves are stacked with boxes of Western branded footwear. But he added: “They are also not telling us not to do it.”

SPOILER

quote:

<sup>A closed Nike store in Saint Petersburg, Russia May 25, 2022


Nike shoes are seen on the Russian web store in this illustration taken June 11, 2024


An image shows a pair of Nike Phantom GT2 Elite soccer boots imported into Russia by Herinckx Trade Solutions Rus. June 1, 2024, obtained on June 12, 2024.


An image shows details of a box of a pair of Nike Phantom GT2 Elite soccer boots imported into Russia by Herinckx Trade Solutions Rus. obtained on June 12, 2024.


General view outside Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia, March 26, 2023.</sup>

Both Nike(NKE.N), opens new tab and Lego told Reuters they have not authorized Herinckx’s imports of their goods to Russia.

By examining customs data, corporate records and internal company documents, and by speaking to Herinckx himself, Reuters learned how his business obtains branded goods including Nike and Lego: It uses intermediaries with no apparent connection to Russia as buyers, then ships the goods to Russia – often via Turkey – and finally delivers them to retailers in Russia.

There are at least dozens of firms like Herinckx’s employing grey-market methods to get Western goods to Russia, according to a Reuters analysis of customs data. His operation shows how attempts by Western governments and brands to isolate Russia’s economy are crashing into a reality of global business: Where there’s demand, someone will meet it.

Western governments’ restrictions have mostly focused on industrial products that can be used to build weapons for Russia’s war machine. Such products are usually subject to U.S. and European Union sanctions. Herinckx said his focus is on consumer goods not covered by sanctions. Reuters found no evidence that his firm was violating sanctions.

But companies like Herinckx’s are indirectly helping the Russian economy: Consumers can still buy foreign goods they’ve grown used to since the collapse of communism more than a generation ago. Customs data analyzed by Reuters showed, for example, the value of Nike products imported to Russia plummeted 81% in 2022 to $21 million, but rebounded in 2023 to at least $74 million.

The sportswear giant said it did not supply Herinckx’s firm or any associated businesses. “We no longer have any Nike-owned physical or digital retail operations in Russia,” it said in a statement. “We do not ship any product to Russia, nor do we authorize any marketplace partners to distribute product there.” It also said it has a dedicated team to investigate unauthorized distribution channels. A spokesperson didn’t respond to questions about how the products were reaching Russia.

In mid 2022, following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Nike announced it was exiting Russia and Lego said it was closing its Russian business.

As global brands halted sales or stopped exports over the invasion, Russia authorised businesses to import products from abroad without the trademark owner’s permission. Russia said its so-called parallel imports totalled more than $70 billion in the two years up to the end of 2023.

Some legal specialists say seeking recourse under Russian law would be challenging for Western brands, leaving few other legal options for brands trying to enforce intellectual property rights that are typically tied to the territory where the infringement took place.

The availability of Western brands lets Russian President Vladimir Putin “project a message that the war does not undermine the ‘normal life’ of the Russian middle class, ” said Sergei Guriev, a Russian economist who is provost at Paris’ Sciences Po university.

‘PROUD OF IT’
Herinckx’s Russian company employs 82 staff and forecasts revenues in 2024 of 35 million euros, or about $37 million, he said. Last year, it was $23.7 million, according to company accounts.

At the time of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Herinckx was working in the Moscow office of a German company, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics. According to Herinckx, he ran a team of more than 20 people inside Hellmann that served foreign companies who wanted to sell in Russia without setting up local operations.

Hellmann quickly decided to pull out of Russia. Herinckx stayed put. He had previously married a Russian woman with whom he’d had children, Herinckx said. “Our life is here. Everything we have we built up here,” he said.

He took over one of Hellmann’s Russian entities, renamed it Herinckx Trade Solutions Rus (HTS Rus), and registered it in his wife’s name in April 2022. Herinckx initially used Hellmann’s email servers, and a variation of the Hellmann logo in his marketing.

Both Herinckx and Hellmann said they had a transitional agreement to let the Dutchman use some of his old employer’s infrastructure. Hellmann said the deal to use its logo expired in October 2022, and that its intellectual property was used without its consent after that. Herinckx said this was an oversight and he stopped using Hellmann logos in January 2024. Hellmann said it now has no connection to Herinckx’s business and has no operational business in Russia.

Among goods Herinckx’s firm ships to Russia are Reebok sports shoes and Emporio Armani wristwatches, according to Herinckx and data recorded by a Russian bank that lists assets HTS Rus pledged against a loan.

Herinckx said he did not have authorisation from those two brands. Armani Group said it had stopped authorised shipments to Russian distributors and does not know how HTS Rus had got hold of the products. Reebok’s owner Authentic Brands Group, which said in 2022 it had suspended all branded stores and e-commerce operations in Russia, didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The Dutchman’s firm doesn’t publicly disclose its customers. But Reuters identified some of its Russian clients by reviewing documents the company filed with Russian tax authorities. Customers included some of Russia’s biggest supermarket chains and online retailers.

Herinckx said his firm is a good corporate citizen that is also involved in charity work. Asked why he decided to speak publicly about his operations, he said: “What we do is quite cool, we are proud of it.”

EUROPEAN ROUTE
Among his achievements is importing Lego bricks. The Danish firm said it strictly enforces its policy of not selling to Russia. When it sells to retailers or distributors, it writes into the contract that they must not re-sell to Russia, according to Herinckx and Lego.

To get around this, Herinckx said he inserted a chain of intermediaries between Lego and Russia. Some of the Lego bricks he buys are first bought from the manufacturer by a company in Europe that has no relation to his business, he said, declining to name the company. He then buys the bricks from that company, using a Netherlands-registered entity he owns called HTS Europe B.V., he said.

The goods are then trucked directly from Europe to Russia, passing through customs checks on the way, according to Herinckx.

Once in Russia, the Lego comes under the control of Herinckx’s Russian business, HTS Rus, according to the loan data and tax documents. Herinckx told Reuters he supplied Lego to around 48 Russian firms, mostly specialist toy retailers.

“My children play with Lego,” Herinckx said. “I have nothing against other children playing with Lego.”
Lego has problems with his operation, though.

After Reuters contacted Lego for comment in late April, the Danish firm said it had written to HTS Rus accusing it of falsely claiming on its website that it collaborated with Lego. HTS Rus subsequently changed the English-language version of its website, removing an image of Lego figures and replacing it with generic children’s plastic toys. The Russian-language version of the site still carried a Lego logo as of June 13.

“We are concerned to learn of this flow of goods considering we stopped shipping LEGO products into Russia in March 2022,” Lego said in a statement to Reuters. “This is an issue we take seriously and are acting upon, while ensuring that we comply with local laws and regulations where we continue to operate.”

TRANSPORTED THROUGH TURKEY
Some Western goods come via Turkey, a favoured hub for grey-market imports to Russia. Herinckx said he sources Nike and some Lego products in Turkey, via a company called HTS Poer Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi, which he said procures goods from Turkish retailers or distributors. He declined to name them.

HTS Poer co-founder Murat Erbelger told Reuters the Turkish company had nothing to do with sanctioned products. “We do legitimate business,” he said. Erbelger did not answer questions on HTS Poer’s association with Herinckx Trade Solutions. Asked by Reuters about grey-market goods reaching Russia via Turkey, the Turkish presidency's communications directorate did not respond.

Customs data for the period from June 2022 to December 2023 showed HTS Poer supplied at least $4 million worth of Nike products to Russia. Herinckx told Reuters that as far as he knew all those shipments of Nike goods were destined for his company.

Once the Nike products reach Russia, they go to Herinckx’s retail clients. Among them is footballstore.ru, according to tax records and the internal HTS Rus document. Russian corporate records show the retail site is 100% owned by Zenit soccer club.

Zenit club is sponsored by Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned gas company, and is also part-owned by Gazprombank. The lender is subject to U.S. sanctions on the Russian banking sector. Gazprombank, Gazprom and Zenit didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Reuters purchased the Phantom GT2 Elite Nike soccer boots from the online retailer. They were delivered 10 days later. Nike did not comment on the shoes.

The shoe box gave the date of manufacture as September 2022, three months after Nike said it stopped selling in Russia. It also bore a label that identified Herinckx’s HTS Rus as the importer.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 22:37 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
[ x ]

quote:

Swiss man who fought for Ukraine for two years was arrested

Swiss John Neidhart, who fought against Russian troops on the side of Ukrainian forces for two years, was arrested in Bern.

This is reported by the Swiss publication Blick.

John, in March 2022, I joined the Military International Legion in Ukraine.

SPOILER

quote:

However, according to the laws of Switzerland, it is forbidden for men to be military anywhere but the Swiss army.

On June 14, he surrendered to police in Bern; he did so on the eve of the Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland.

He reportedly did it on purpose to draw attention to the war and to help Ukraine win on the battlefield.

“If you really want to help Ukraine, you have to enable it to defeat the Russians militarily. You have to break the Russians first before you can negotiate with them, not the other way around,” Neidhart said.

He also very sharply criticized his government for its extremely small and limited aid to Ukraine.

Other Swiss citizens are known to be fighting in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but their names have not been announced so as not to expose them to problems at home.

The military man Jonah Neidhart has become the only one who has publicly announced his service in Ukraine. According to the law, he faces three years in prison.

quote:

Zelenskyy: Action plan will be communicated to Russia to ensure war's end at second Peace Summit
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the action plan agreed upon at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland will be communicated to Russian representatives so that the second Peace Summit can ensure the real end of the war.

Source: Zelenskyy's speech at the first plenary session of the Global Peace Summit

Quote: "There is no Russia here today. Why? Because if Russia were interested in peace, there would be no war. We must decide together what a just peace means for the world and how it can be achieved in a truly lasting way. The UN Charter is the basis for us.

And then, when the action plan is on the table, agreed upon by all and transparent to the nations, then it will be communicated to the representatives of Russia, so that we can put a real end to the war at the second peace summit."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that 101 states and international organisations were present at the summit.

"We managed to avoid one of the most terrible things – the division of the world into opposing blocs. There are representatives from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific, and North America, and religious leaders. 101 attendees. And no one has the privilege of deciding for another. This is a real multipolarity," he said.

Zelenskyy added that every state not represented at the summit "but which shares the same values in deeds and words, will be able to join our work in the further stages of the Peace Formula".

"The very idea of war has already lost. Putin must move from the language of ultimatums to the language of the world majority that is seeking a just peace," the president further noted.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 23:25 schreef polderturk het volgende:
Wat ik me afvraag is, hoe blijven die T62 tanks goed nadat ze tientallen jaren zijn opgeslagen?

Gaan ze niet roesten?

[ x ]

quote:

Kidnapped, abused, humiliated – the Ukrainian children stolen by Russia
In a special investigation, Tom Watling tells the story of five teenagers who were taken into Russia or Russian-occupied territory before eventually being rescued. Many others are still believed to be trapped

^{Vladimir Putin and, from left, Ukrainian children Serhiy, Bogdan, Serhii, Ksenia and Denis after being rescued from forced Russian deportation (Getty/Save Ukraine)}

Anastasiia Motychak did not know why Irina – the person in charge of her camp in Russian-occupied Crimea – had just slapped her across the face; she just knew she missed her mum and wanted to go home to the Ukrainian city of Kherson.

It had been two months since the then 15-year-old had been put on a bus and moved from the then Russian-occupied Kherson, in southern Ukraine, to a two-week “vacation camp” in Yevpatoria, western Crimea. Kherson was no place for a child, the Russian soldiers had warned.

Days later, Ukrainian forces liberated the city. But by then, Anastasiia was 150 miles deeper into occupied territory, sleeping in a room with barred windows.

Living in areas held by different military forces, she and her mother soon struggled to communicate; the cell lines between the two cities had been cut.

Then Irina showed up.

The short-tempered teacher would glare at Anastasiia and swear at the children. None of them knew why.

One January evening, after Anastasiia had returned from a walk – something she was allowed to do – her roommate pulled her into their room and told her Irina was looking for her.

Confused, the teenager poked her head out of her room to see if Irina was near. She was.

“She grabbed me and took me into a room nearby,” the teen recalls. “She started swearing, telling me that I would never return home. She said she was sick of me. She said that if I did anything like this again, she would call the police and send me to the Ural mountains in Russia. Then she closed the door and she slapped me across the face.”

Anastasiia still doesn’t know what she did wrong.

SPOILER

quote:

^{Save Ukraine CEO Mykola Kuleba, Ksenia Koldina and Anastasiia Motychak pictured during a trip to London late last year (Tom Watling / The Independent )}]

Roughly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been moved to such camps since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to Ukrainian officials. Nearly a quarter of those who have been taken are orphans or children without parental care.

More than 70 camps for forcibly “re-educating” children have been found, according to the Ukrainian government, including in Belarus, occupied Crimea and even far-east Russia, where the children are three times closer to the United States than Ukraine.

The issue of returning these abducted children to Ukraine is set to be the key issue at a peace summit this weekend in Switzerland, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russia has not been invited.

‘We would be punished’
According to reports from the independent Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the so-called camps where the children are taken are anything but a holiday.

When they enter them, the OSCE wrote in May 2023, the youngsters “find themselves in an entirely pro-Russian environment … exposed to a pro-Russian information campaign often amounting to targeted re-education”.

When Anastasiia arrived in the camp in Yevpatoria, she was put into a small, shared room with several other children from Kherson.

She said the pillows on her bed stank and there were cockroaches everywhere, especially in the food hall. “I felt like I was in prison,” she says. “We had balconies in our room but they had bars on them.”

Anastasiia says she was “constantly monitored” during her time in the camp, only ever permitted to go outside under the watchful eye of one of the camp officials, and added that they were often punished for reasons they did not understand.

“We would be punished but we did not know why,” she says. “We didn’t know why they would not let us go. They refused to answer our questions.

“​​They told us that they would not get a bus to take us home and that we had to get our parents to come and collect us. They kept on repeating and repeating that.”

^{The aftermath of shelling in Kherson – the city was occupied by Russian forces before being liberated by Ukraine (AFP via Getty Images)}

The OSCE paper added that “the Russian Federation does not take any steps to actively promote the return of Ukrainian children”, despite this being mandated by the Geneva Convention on the treatment of children during war. Instead, the paper said, “it creates various obstacles for families seeking to get their children back”.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner tasked with negotiating the rescue of Ukrainian children from Russia, told The Independent that Moscow officials do “everything they can to block the return” of these tens of thousands of children.

Moscow has repeatedly denied abducting children and has sought to justify its actions by claiming it was done for the protection of the children. But such denials are dismissed by Lubinets.

“Ever since Russia occupied Crimea and part of Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014, all this time, Russia has deported Ukrainian children and violated the rights of civilians,” he said. “We have then had eight years of discussions [to return the children]. Did we have any concrete results? No.

“The only real way we can stop the deportation of Ukranian children is the liberation of all occupied territories of Ukraine. We have no other way.”

Anastasiia is one of only 388 children to have been rescued, according to Children of War, a portal created to track young deported Ukrainians. Only 2 per cent of those taken by Russia have returned, largely because their hometowns were liberated from Russian rule.

Three months after Ukraine freed Kherson, Anastasiia’s mother was able to contact Save Ukraine, a non-profit organisation that helps families travel through Russia to recover their relations. It has helped rescue more than 60 per cent of the children freed so far.

^{Putin meets with Maria Lvova-Belova – the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against both (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)}

After a 15-day circuitous route around the front line in Ukraine, through Poland, Belarus and southwestern Russia, Anastasiia was reunited with her mum four months after she was taken. That was February 2023.

A month later, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, who has bragged about “rescuing” a Ukrainian child of her own, then 17-year-old Filip Holovnya.

Prosecutors at the ICC said they had “reasonable grounds” to believe she bore criminal responsibility for acting “directly, jointly with others and/or through others” to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. Putin, they added, has command responsibility. Russia decried the arrest warrants as politically motivated.

Kateryna Rashevska, a legal expert at the Regional Centre for Human Rights in Kyiv who has been advising the United Nations on the camps where children are being held, tells The Independent that the forced deportations are “a sign of Russia’s intent to exterminate our nationhood”.

“For us, for Ukrainians, it is a direct threat to our identity,” she says. “Russia wants to turn our children into enemies of Ukraine.”

‘Why wouldn’t you go?’
The Independent has spoken to five Ukrainian children recovered from Russia, ranging from 12 to 17 years old when they were taken, about their experiences in these “vacation camps”.

All stayed for at least four months, like Anastasiia; at least three stayed for more than eight, well after the ICC issued its arrest warrants in March last year. They were all rescued by Save Ukraine.

The camps where the four teenagers were moved in occupied Crimea
Liza Batsura, 16, says she remembers the moment a Russian official walked into her classroom in Henichesk No 27 Vocational School, near the Crimean peninsula.

Russian authorities moved her from Kherson to Crimea in September 2022, when she was 14. Her school director said he would put her in the basement if she refused. She would not be rescued until May the following year, by her estranged mother, Oksana Halkina.

“The teacher told us someone was coming,” Liza says. “Then we were taken into a room with one big table and chairs, and this woman walked in.

“She said it was not safe in Henichesk because of the war. She said it would be better for us in Russia, where we would have all these advantages.”

The official, flanked by official-looking men, allegedly offered each child 100,000 rubles (£893) “to move to any Russian city we wanted”, according to Liza.

By that point, Liza hadn’t spoken to her mother in more than half a year. The pair had a difficult relationship, so Liza had been living in a children’s home in Kherson prior to being taken by Russian authorities. Her mum was only told where she had been taken a week after she left.

“Some thoughts crossed my mind. What if this is a great opportunity for me?” Liza says. “Some other kids pressed me morally, asking: ‘Why wouldn’t you go?’”

Liza says six or seven children in her classroom took the opportunity – but she declined.

^{Liza Batsura and her mother Oksana look out from a bridge in Kyiv after the teenager returned to Ukraine (Reuters)}

“In the end, I thought, I am closer to Ukraine than I am to Russia,” she says. “The whole atmosphere of Russian propaganda was very annoying as well.”

One of those that accepted the offer, Zorik Ibrian, 17, has stayed in Henichesk, where he infrequently messages Liza to swear at her for supporting Ukraine. He was orphaned a year before Russia’s full-scale invasion.

‘I just wanted it to be over’
For Bogdan Shvetzov, it was the daily routine of singing the Russian national anthem that he hated the most.

Russian authorities moved him from Kherson to Crimea in October 2022, when he was 12. Like Anastasiia, Bogdan’s mother had been told it was not safe for him in Kherson. He would not be rescued until April the following year.

The young boy was transferred to the camp through the Black Sea, via boat. He said he wasn’t scared while he was travelling there because it was his first time on a boat.

But when they reached Yevpatoria, which is where all the children from Kherson were first taken, he was separated from his classmates, put on a coach and taken to a camp nearby, where he was forced to partake in a never-ending routine built around Russian propaganda.

“They made us sing the national anthem first thing every morning before physical exercise,” he says, adding that PE started at 8.30am every day, after which they would have mandatory Russian classes and, later, arts and crafts.

“We were made to stand in two rows. The care-givers would walk back and forth between us to make sure we were singing. If we weren’t, they would take you to the director of the camp. There, if you refused to sing, you were told that your parents would pay a fee.”

^{Bogdan Shvetzov, then 12, with his mother in Kyiv in April 2023. It was the first time they had seen each other in seven months (Save Ukraine )}

He says he didn’t know the anthem so he would pretend that he was singing by occasionally opening his mouth. Eventually, he picked up some of the words, which he would sing randomly.

“It became more annoying each day. I just wanted it to be over,” he adds. “But I was afraid to say or do something in case it created a bigger problem. I saw some children get taken.”

During a recent interview, the Russian children’s commissioner, Lvova-Belova, described the daily ritual of singing the national anthem as an “important part of identification with the Russian Federation”, adding that “there is nothing wrong with that”.

She did not address Bogdan’s claims that children were threatened if they did not sing – nor did Bogdan ever find out whether children were punished.

During her first month away from home, while at camp “Druzhba”, which means “friendship” in Russian, Liza describes the moment the head of the camp’s security found a Ukrainian flag in one of the girl's bags.

“He gathered us around and torched the flag in front of us. Then he said: ‘Look, this is how your country will burn’,” she says.

Liza adds that he would regularly call them “ukropy” and “khokhol”, which are derogatory Russian terms intended to describe Ukrainians as a lesser people.

^{Serhiy (left) and Denis Berezhnyi (centre, right) at the Save Ukraine HQ in Kyiv with Mykola Kuleba (right), the organisation’s CEO (Save Ukraine )}

Denis Berezhnyi, now 18, says he will never forget the day he was moved to occupied Crimea.

He says Russian authorities tricked him into moving from Kherson when he was 17, on 7 October 2022. He had been staying in a college away from home.

“I did not want to go but my teacher told me my parents had signed the papers,” he says. “I found out later that that was a lie.” He would not return until June 2023.

During those nine months, his deaf and mute parents, for whom he was the primary care-giver, relied on their neighbours and Denis’s 13-year-old brother.

“I was worrying a lot,” Denis says, “because I did not know what was happening with my parents and my brother. I did not know if they were OK.”

Like Bogdan, it was the monotony of the camp that frustrated him. As one of the oldest to be taken, he was not permitted to partake in the classes during the day.

“We didn’t really do anything in the camp,” Denis says. “But we were not allowed to leave. I felt like I was in a prison.”

Two months in, the authorities moved him to a technical college in Kerch, a few miles from mainland Russia, where he was forced to take classes he had not chosen.

Denis says he remembers the day he stepped back into liberated Ukrainian territory as clearly as the day he was taken from Kherson.

He managed to contact Save Ukraine after his friends told him the organisation could help rescue him. His friend Serhiy’s mother picked them both up.

^{Ksenia hugs her brother Serhii in a playground in Kyiv months after she rescued him from a Russian foster family (Save Ukraine )}

“It took us five days to get back,” he says, mentioning a route similar to the one taken by Anastasiia’s mother but reversed.

“I slept for maybe two hours the whole time. I was exhausted when we got back.”

As he drove over the border from Poland, he says he shouted “Slava Ukraini”, which means “Glory to Ukraine”. It is a phrase that has become symbolic of Ukraine’s stand against Russia.

“I was so happy when we crossed over because I knew I wouldn’t have to see any more Russian flags, or have to sing the Russian anthem,” he says. “I was relieved. I finally felt at ease.”

‘It was a time of constant fear’
But for Ksenia Koldina, 19, her return from a Russian re-education camp was not the end of her nightmare.

The aspiring journalist had been living with her younger brother, Serhii Koldin, and a Ukrainian foster family in Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast – roughly six miles from the border with Russia – ever since their parents lost custody of them two years earlier. That town has since been partially occupied by Russian forces after they launched a cross-border attack in May this year.

In August 2022, six months after Russia initially occupied Vovchansk, Ksenia’s foster family sent her across the border to the town of Shebekino in Belgorod. They had been swayed by Russian propaganda that suggested children would be safer across the border. She was 17 at the time. They sent her brother to a camp 620 miles away, to the town of Gelendzhik in the Krasnodar Krai region, southern Russia. He was just 11.

Unlike the four others interviewed, no one came to collect Ksenia or her brother. Any hopes of their return rested on Ksenia alone.

“It was a time of constant fear,” she says, noticeably less keen on speaking about her experiences than the other interviewees. “I didn’t know what was going to happen the next day. I was completely in the dark.”

^{A drone view shows damaged property caused by Russia’s attack on Vovchansk, in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region (via Reuters)}

She adds: “I thought I was going to have to stay in Russia forever. I thought I would have to take on a Russian passport.”

Having turned 18, she managed to escape after her friends helped her connect with social services in Kharkiv. From there, she learnt about Save Ukraine, who helped her locate her brother. The siblings had not seen each other for nine months and had only spoken infrequently.

When she tried to organise picking him up, it was not only his new foster family that was uncooperative. Serhii stopped taking her calls. When she arrived, he backed away as she tried to hug him.

Ksenia said Serhii appeared confused and anxious. “He started saying, ‘It’s better for me in Russia. I want to stay’,” Ksenia recounted to the New York Times in a separate interview.

She later found out that Serhii had been regularly told that all Ukrainians were Nazis and “khokhols”, the same insult used in the Crimean camps.

Mykola Kuleba, chief executive of Save Ukraine, tells The Independent the indoctrination becomes more difficult to undo the younger someone is when they are subjected to “re-education”.

The former children’s ombudsman for Ukraine from 2014 to 2021 has been instrumental in recovering those taken. He also personally took in Ksenia and Serhii after they returned to Ukraine.

^{Mstyslav Chernov, an Oscar-winning Ukrainian journalist, says the abduction of children from Mariupol, in southern Ukraine, is his biggest fear. He was the last journalist in the city before Russia occupied it in May 2022 (AP)}

“Ten-year-olds don’t believe they have been kidnapped,” he says. “They believe they were saved.

“The Russians convert everything. They change reality. That’s why so many people have been brainwashed. That’s why it is very hard to communicate with them. It gets worse every day.”

‘Impossible to return them’
That Anastasiia, Liza, Bogdan and Denis were able to tell their stories hinges largely on the fact that Kherson, where the first four are from, was liberated.

Their parents and friends were able to coordinate with Save Ukraine and organise for someone to retrieve them.

In Knsenia’s case, which is nonetheless a rare one, that she was living close to the Ukrainian border made it easier for her to stay in contact with friends in Kharkiv.

But there is evidence to suggest that many more children have been displaced from cities well behind the Russian front line. Lvova-Belova has bragged about “rescuing” more than 740,000 Ukrainain children.

Mstyslav Chernov, one of the last journalists to leave the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol before it was occupied, and who has been investigating war crimes in the city ever since, said the abduction of children from Mariupol was one of his greatest concerns.

It has been more than a hundred miles behind the Russian front line since May 2022. And there are many more cities like it.

Kuleba, without providing evidence, suggests that if you include occupied regions, as well as all those children taken since the annexation of Crimea and invasion of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014, the number of children Russia has displaced would rise into the millions.

“There are maybe five million Ukrianians in Russia who have been brainwashed,” he claims.

Then there are the really unlucky ones: those who may never be counted, who may never know they were taken, who may never know they were – they are – Ukrainian. They may never even know their real name.

“There is a reason we have no cases of returning children under the age of six,” Kuleba says.

“It’s because they do not know that they have been kidnapped, or from what area they were taken. They are growing up believing they have always been Russian.”

As his face flushes with a mix of resignation and then anger, Kuleba adds: “I think it will be impossible to return them.”

quote:

Zelenskyy meets with Argentine president and awards him Order of Freedom

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Argentine President Javier Milei at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland.

Source: Ukrainian president’s website

Details: Zelenskyy thanked Milei for participating in the Peace Summit and noted the broad representation of Latin American countries at the event.

"I am very glad to see you here. I know that your journey to the Summit was long. But I am confident that history will remember this long path to peace. I am grateful to you," Zelenskyy said.

The presidents discussed next steps to implement certain points of the Peace Formula.

"We support Ukraine," Milei said. "We believe that no one has the right to attack another country. Now we have only one aggressor – Russia – and the state that has been invaded is Ukraine. We strongly support Ukraine, as we emphasised in our address [at the Peace Summit – ed.]."

Zelenskyy also thanked Argentina for recently joining the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, and the implementation of previous agreements, and stressed that contact between the two nations would continue at various levels.

Zelenskyy awarded the President of Argentina the Order of Freedom.

SPOILER

quote:

Oekraïne gooit strategie op slagveld om: Russische oorlogsbloggers in paniek

Terwijl de internationale gemeenschap zich dit weekend in Zwitserland heeft verzameld voor een ’vredesconferentie’ over de oorlog in Oekraïne, hebben de Oekraïense troepen het op het slagveld over een andere boeg gegooid. Russische oorlogsbloggers zien het met angstzweet aan.

https://www.telegraaf.nl/(...)gsbloggers-in-paniek

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 12:41 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
Lekker juicy T artikel.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 04:09 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]

quote:

Het HAWK-systeem werd in Nederland definitief opgegeven in 2004. De acht HAWK PIP III-systemen van GGW De Peel werden in december 2004 aan Roemenië verkocht.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 04:07 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]
[ x ]

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 13:16 schreef AchJa het volgende:

[..]
Moderne Pruttel.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 13:18 schreef phpmystyle het volgende:

[..]
Hoe lang duurt het om zo'n ding te ontwikkelen, te maken, en dat ie operationeel is?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 12:41 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
. Russische oorlogsbloggers zien het met angstzw

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 14:22 schreef Hyperdude het volgende:
Die Rheinmetall vestiging in Oekraïne is wel een premium target voor de Russen.
Kunnen zelf ook wel wat Pruttels gebruiken.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 14:22 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Wat is de tactiek?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 15:18 schreef Papierversnipperaar het volgende:

[..]
Ze gaan nu winnen.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 15:21 schreef QAnonn het volgende:

[..]
Dat horen we al 2 jaar. Waarom nu ineens wel?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 15:27 schreef Adrie072 het volgende:
Polen op winst nu.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 15:23 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Rusland gaat toch winnen? Of niet soms?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 15:50 schreef Perrin het volgende:
De Russen houden de moed erin.
[ x ]

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 13:16 schreef AchJa het volgende:

[..]
Moderne Pruttel.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 16:23 schreef kibo het volgende:

[..]
Oerlikon pom pom

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 15:50 schreef Perrin het volgende:
De Russen houden de moed erin.
[ x ]

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 16:39 schreef polderturk het volgende:
Als je een artikel achter een betaalmuur wil lezen.

Kopieer de link naar het artikel


Ga naar https://archive.ph/

Plak de link in de rode balk en klik op 'save'.

Graag gedaan.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 13:18 schreef phpmystyle het volgende:

[..]
Hoe lang duurt het om zo'n ding te ontwikkelen, te maken, en dat ie operationeel is?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 14:14 schreef ExTec het volgende:


Dit zijn feitelijk onderdelen die ze al hebben. Oekraine heeft al een tijdje die skyranger PoC, de turret dus, maar dan op een boxer AFV.

Kan je relatief snel in elkaar zetten, maar wanneer vind je het af.

1000+1 tests en certificeringen etc ben je jaren verder.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 17:25 schreef Ulx het volgende:

Het zal redelijk eenvoudig zijn om zo'n systeem op een ander chassis te zetten.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 17:54 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Feelgood vlaggen verwisselen.

[ x ]

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 17:57 schreef Perrin het volgende:
[ x ]

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 17:54 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Feelgood vlaggen verwisselen.

[ x ]

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:20 schreef AchJa het volgende:

[..]
Meloni was toch het extreemrechtse gevaar???

Hoe Giorgia Meloni de weg toont voor extreemrechts in Europa

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:20 schreef AchJa het volgende:

[..]
Meloni was toch het extreemrechtse gevaar???

Hoe Giorgia Meloni de weg toont voor extreemrechts in Europa

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:20 schreef AchJa het volgende:

[..]
Meloni was toch het extreemrechtse gevaar???

Hoe Giorgia Meloni de weg toont voor extreemrechts in Europa

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:26 schreef capricia het volgende:

[..]

(Overigens wordt Mussolini nog steeds wel vereerd in Italië. Zo ook de Italiaanse veteranen die in Stalingrad - aan de Duitse kant - vochten, dat zijn helden daar, zelf mogen aanschouwen.)

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:34 schreef Hyperdude het volgende:

[..]
In Duitsland waren ze wat minder overtuigd van de Italiaanse heldenkwaliteiten. Tenminste mijn oudere Duitse familieleden.

On-topic: Meloni lijkt het wel aardig te doen, tot nu toe.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 17:57 schreef Perrin het volgende:
[ x ]

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:48 schreef LethalNinja het volgende:
Ondanks alle high tech wapens die Oekraine ontvangen heeft is het toch weer Rusland die nieuw gebied heeft veroverd.

Major Update | Russian Advances Across Entire Front

Dit is btw ook een bron van History Legends

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:48 schreef LethalNinja het volgende:
Ondanks alle high tech wapens die Oekraine ontvangen heeft is het toch weer Rusland die nieuw gebied heeft veroverd.

Major Update | Russian Advances Across Entire Front

Dit is btw ook een bron van History Legends

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 19:35 schreef Alarmonoff het volgende:
De vraag blijft voor mij of de claim op waarheid berust, nl dat

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 19:29 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Hoeveel vierkante meter?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 19:44 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Ga hem stellen in BNW, daar ben je sowieso kind aan huis zie ik. Dan blijven we in topic tenminste verschoond van debielen die zichzelf reuze "onafhankelijk" vinden maar wel 1 op 1 kremlin talkingpoints na praten.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 18:54 schreef zalkc het volgende:

[..]
Het zijn wel 1e wereldoorlog veroveringen, veel slachtoffers voor en voetbalveld.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 19:58 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Dat valt erg mee, het maandgemiddelde ligt nu op 5km2/dag, maar lijkt weer wat af te nemen.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:06 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Het is gewoon attritie. Op een gegeven moment stort de boel in. En Rusland heeft gewoonweg meer mensen.

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:41 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat was geen vredesaanbod. Dat was een overgave.

Oekraïne moest ook niet door Rusland bezet gebied aan hun afstaan. Om de geannexeerde oblasten compleet aan te vullen (Kherson, Luhansk, Donesk, Zaporizhzhia) En ook de Krim zijn ze kwijt. Zij mogen niet bij de NAVO komen, ze moesten zich ontwapenen en denazificeren (denk dus aan de gehele regering/Zelenski/legerleiding etc aan Rusland overhandigen zodat zij berecht zouden kunnen worden). Rusland moest veiligheidsgaranties krijgen van Oekraïne, maar ook het westen/NAVO/EU.

En zo waren er nog wel een paar punten. Allemaal in het nadeel van Oekraïne.

Dus in andere woorden Rusland moet beloond worden voor hun agressie.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:06 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Het is gewoon attritie. Op een gegeven moment stort de boel in. En Rusland heeft gewoonweg meer mensen.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:15 schreef Ulx het volgende:
Oekraïne is 604.000 km² groot. Daarvan is zo'n 18% bezet. Dus nog 495.000 km² te gaan. Het kost ze zo'n 250 doden en gewonden per vierkante kilometer. Dus dan heeft Rusland te rekenen met zo'n 123 miljoen dode en gewonde soldaten. Rusland heeft 147 Miljoen inwoners.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:16 schreef Papierversnipperaar het volgende:

[..]
Kan dus net.

Sonnema reclame - het ken net 1999

quote:

Op zaterdag 15 juni 2024 20:41 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat was geen vredesaanbod. Dat was een overgave.

Oekraïne moest ook niet door Rusland bezet gebied aan hun afstaan. Om de geannexeerde oblasten compleet aan te vullen (Kherson, Luhansk, Donesk, Zaporizhzhia) En ook de Krim zijn ze kwijt. Zij mogen niet bij de NAVO komen, ze moesten zich ontwapenen en denazificeren (denk dus aan de gehele regering/Zelenski/legerleiding etc aan Rusland overhandigen zodat zij berecht zouden kunnen worden). Rusland moest veiligheidsgaranties krijgen van Oekraïne, maar ook het westen/NAVO/EU.

En zo waren er nog wel een paar punten. Allemaal in het nadeel van Oekraïne.

Dus in andere woorden Rusland moet beloond worden voor hun agressie.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:15 schreef Ulx het volgende:
Oekraïne is 604.000 km² groot. Daarvan is zo'n 18% bezet. Dus nog 495.000 km² te gaan. Het kost ze zo'n 250 doden en gewonden per vierkante kilometer. Dus dan heeft Rusland te rekenen met zo'n 123 miljoen dode en gewonde soldaten. Rusland heeft 147 Miljoen inwoners.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:16 schreef Papierversnipperaar het volgende:

[..]
Kan dus net.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:22 schreef Zwoerd het volgende:

[..]
Los van of ik denk dat Rusland wel of niet gaat winnen, is zo'n rekensom veel te simplistisch. Als ergens het front in elkaar klapt, kan de verovering een stuk rapper gaan.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:22 schreef Zwoerd het volgende:

[..]
Los van of ik denk dat Rusland wel of niet gaat winnen, is zo'n rekensom veel te simplistisch. Als ergens het front in elkaar klapt, kan de verovering een stuk rapper gaan.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:28 schreef zakjapannertje het volgende:

[..]
dat kan pas als het Westen Oekraïne laat vallen

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:28 schreef zakjapannertje het volgende:

[..]
dat kan pas als het Westen Oekraïne laat vallen

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:28 schreef zakjapannertje het volgende:

[..]
dat kan pas als het Westen Oekraïne laat vallen

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:31 schreef michaelmoore het volgende:
Dat gaat het westen hopelijk niet doen want de baltisch staten zijn dan de volgende

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:27 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Maar het front klapt niet. Oekraïne kan gewoon verdedigen en met raketten huishouden achter de linies. Die hoeven geen risico te nemen. Die kunnen wachten tot de Russen gedwongen worden om kinderen en bejaarden te sturen als kogelspons.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:41 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Wanneer heroveren ze nou de Krim zoals je een jaar geleden zei? Moest toch allang?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:40 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Snap nog steeds niet dat mensen deze onzin geloven. Rusland kan dat echt totaal niet na zo'n oorlog. Rusland zit jaren aan de grond. En dan ook nog de Baltische staten? Nee.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 19:35 schreef Alarmonoff het volgende:
De vraag blijft voor mij of de claim op waarheid berust, nl dat Oekraïense brigades hebben huisgehouden tegen etnisch, niet-rebellen russen in het grensgebied, vergelijkbaar met wat mujahedin deden met Serviërs in het grensgebied in Bosnië iirc.
Namen van haatbrigades ergens vandaan geplukt:
Azov, Golden Gate, Adair, Tornado, Da Vinci Wolves, 88k, Hatred, Centuria, C14, Misanthrope, Carpathian S., Kraken, Kruk, Polesskaya S., Edelweiss, Kastus K., Volat, Karpatska S., Svoboda, Right Sector, Anton Radko, Gonor G., BK Legion, Bratstvo Battalion, National Corps, Russian Volunteer Corps (Freedom of Russia Legion), Jaeger brigade, Tradition and Order, White Hammer, Trident of Stephen Bandera, and Arey Battalion.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:52 schreef Harmankardon het volgende:
De Ruski’s zijn ook druk bezig op LinkedIn. Dat was al nauwelijks te harden maar nu is het helemaal hopeloos.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:52 schreef Harmankardon het volgende:
De Ruski’s zijn ook druk bezig op LinkedIn. Dat was al nauwelijks te harden maar nu is het helemaal hopeloos.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 21:32 schreef Papierversnipperaar het volgende:

[..]
Zoeken ze daar naar "werknemers"?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 21:32 schreef Papierversnipperaar het volgende:

[..]
Zoeken ze daar naar "werknemers"?

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:52 schreef Harmankardon het volgende:
De Ruski’s zijn ook druk bezig op LinkedIn. Dat was al nauwelijks te harden maar nu is het helemaal hopeloos.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 19:35 schreef Alarmonoff het volgende:
De vraag blijft voor mij of de claim op waarheid berust, nl dat Oekraïense brigades hebben huisgehouden tegen etnisch, niet-rebellen russen in het grensgebied, vergelijkbaar met wat mujahedin deden met Serviërs in het grensgebied in Bosnië iirc.
Namen van haatbrigades ergens vandaan geplukt:
Azov, Golden Gate, Adair, Tornado, Da Vinci Wolves, 88k, Hatred, Centuria, C14, Misanthrope, Carpathian S., Kraken, Kruk, Polesskaya S., Edelweiss, Kastus K., Volat, Karpatska S., Svoboda, Right Sector, Anton Radko, Gonor G., BK Legion, Bratstvo Battalion, National Corps, Russian Volunteer Corps (Freedom of Russia Legion), Jaeger brigade, Tradition and Order, White Hammer, Trident of Stephen Bandera, and Arey Battalion.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:40 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Snap nog steeds niet dat mensen deze onzin geloven. Rusland kan dat echt totaal niet na zo'n oorlog. Rusland zit jaren aan de grond. En dan ook nog de Baltische staten? Nee.

quote:

Op zondag 16 juni 2024 20:41 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

[..]
Wanneer heroveren ze nou de Krim zoals je een jaar geleden zei? Moest toch allang?

quote:

Kremlin bots spam internet with fake celebrity quotes against Ukraine
Russian bots affiliated with a Kremlin disinformation network published 120,000 fake anti-Ukraine quotes falsely attributed to celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Scarlett Johansson, in one day, the independent Russian media outlet Agentsvo reported June 15.

Quotes appeared over celebrity photos, displaying messages calling to end aid to Ukraine and describing European collapse.

The images were published between June 14-15 by the Kremlin disinformation network Dvoynyk, a representative of the Bot Blocker project told Agentsvo. The fake quotes have since garnered over 500,000 views.

The campaign reportedly began with Dvoynyk publishing 50 fake celebrity quotes and images on the social media platform X, then retweeting them over 120,000 times. Bot Blocker said this was standard for disinformation campaigns of this type, and that the project has recorded six similar operations over the past six months.

The bots published posts in English, French, German, and Polish. The statements were connected to a range of famous people, including Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Alain Delon, Luc Besson, Elton John, and Lionel Messi.

"We are impoverished, it's time to forget about Ukraine," a quote falsely attributed to the actor Jennifer Aniston says.

A fake Scarlett Johansson quote warns that "the EU is falling apart."

The sentiments are echoed in a fake Elton John statement: "We fell into the Ukrainian trap. Now the EU is collapsing."

The propoaganda campaign began immediately after the EU's parliamentary elections, in which far-right groups made significant gains. Russian disinformation campaigns intensified leading up to the vote in an attempt to sway the outcome.

quote:

Russian forces storm a detention facility to rescue staff taken hostage, killing hostage-takers
Security forces stormed a detention center in southern Russia on Sunday, killing inmates accused of links to the Islamic State group who had taken two staff members hostage, state-funded news channel RT reported.

Journalists on the scene reported the sounds of gunfire, while multiple ambulances were seen arriving at the prison in footage on social media.

The hostages at the pretrial detention center in Rostov-on-Don were uninjured, Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said in a statement. It said that the hostage-takers had been “liquidated,” but didn’t comment further.

A number of local news outlets, including RT, reported that at least some of the prisoners had been killed.

Earlier, state news agency Tass, citing unnamed sources in law enforcement, had said that six hostage takers were in the central courtyard of the Rostov region’s Detention Center No. 1, armed with a penknife, a rubber baton and a fire ax. The prisoners include men accused of links to the Islamic State group, it said.

Images posted on social media appeared to show at least two of the hostage-takers wearing a headband that resembled the IS flag. Other images showed prisoners wielding knives.

Tass said that three of the hostage-takers had already been found guilty on several charges, including disseminating extremist information and plotting to blow up a Russian courthouse. One of the men was sentenced to 18½ years in prison, while the other two received 18 years, Tass reported, but said that the verdict hadn’t yet entered legal force.

SPOILER

quote:

Trump threatens to cut off aid to Ukraine 'prior to taking the White House as president-elect'
Former U.S. President and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump voiced strong criticism of American aid to Ukraine at a campaign rally in Detroit on June 15.

Speaking at the Turning Point USA event, Trump claimed he would "have that (U.S. aid to Ukraine) settled prior to taking the White House as president-elect."

Trump described President Volodymyr Zelensky as "the best salesman" for securing substantial financial support from the U.S.

"I think Zelensky is maybe the greatest salesman of any politician that's ever lived. Every time he comes to our country, he walks away with $60 billion," Trump remarked.

"Now, here's the beauty. He just left four days ago with $60 billion, and he gets home and he announces he needs another $60 billion. It never ends," Trump claimed. "I will have that settled prior to take the White House as president-elect."

Trump's statement contained inaccuracies about U.S. aid to Ukraine, as a foreign aid bill containing close to $61 billion for Ukraine was signed by U.S. President Joe Biden back in late April

Trump previously stated that he would withhold defense assistance to Ukraine if he won the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Trump has also claimed Russia would not have launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had he won a second term in office.

quote:

Concertgoers in Leipzig boo Rod Stewart after shouting “Fuck Putin”
At what was probably his last concert in Saxony, Scottish singer Rod Stewart presented himself as a supporter of Ukraine – and thereby angered parts of the audience.

Rod Stewart probably imagined his last concert in Leipzig differently. The Scottish singer had to endure whistles and boos on his farewell tour on Friday in the Arena Leipzig and, according to media reports, even temporarily lost contact with the audience after he expressed his support for Ukraine in the Russian war of aggression.

When the concert began, it seemed to be "a reliably good event," writes the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." But then the 79-year-old Stewart dedicated the song "Rhythm of My Heart" to Ukraine and opened it with "Fuck Putin."

"Stewart strikes a pose, he dances, puts everything into his voice - but the audience no longer claps along," reports the concert critic of the "FAZ" . "The connection to the stage is broken... When the Ukrainian flag flies over him towards the end and a picture of Volodymyr Selenskyj appears at the end, the whistles and boos howl." The "central German audience, which gave strength to the AfD and the BSW in the last elections, both of which oppose arms deliveries to Ukraine, cannot even bring itself to wish for peace."

SPOILER

quote:

The portal Tag24.de also writes : "In Leipzig, the confession was anything but well received. Loud boos rang out in the sold-out arena, which were only drowned out by applause after a short time and only barely."

In a short video clip from a blogger on the X portal, people can be heard whistling and booing as a photo of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears on the screen. There is also some applause.

According to the "Frankfurter Allgemeine", Stewart looked sadly into the crowd after the song and murmured: "Thank you for being so kind." The entertainer needed a good half hour and "a handful of really big hits" before he had the audience on his side again.

On Saturday evening, Stewart performed in Berlin – and once again dedicated "Rhythm of My Heart" to Ukraine. The capital's audience apparently reacted very differently. "Then the Scotsman says: 'Fuck you Putin'," writes the "BZ" : "The hall cheers!"

On Thursday, the 79-year-old will give his next concert in Germany: this time in Hamburg.

quote:

The Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework adopted at the Summit on Peace for Ukraine
Below is the text of the official Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework adopted at the Summit on Peace for Ukraine, that took place on June 15-16, 2024, at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland.

The ongoing war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine continues to cause large-scale human suffering and destruction, and to create risks and crises with global repercussions for the world. We gathered in Switzerland on 15-16 June 2024 to enhance a high-level dialogue on pathways towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine. We reiterated resolutions A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6 adopted at the UN General Assembly and underscored our commitment to upholding International Law including the United Nations Charter.

This Summit was built on the previous discussions that have taken place based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula and other peace proposals which are in line with international law, including the United Nations Charter.

We deeply appreciate Switzerland’s hospitality and its initiative to host the High-Level Summit as expression of its firm commitment to promoting international peace and security.

We had a fruitful, comprehensive and constructive exchange of various views on pathways towards a framework for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on international law, including the United Nations Charter. In particular, we reaffirm our commitment to refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders, including territorial waters, and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means as principles of international law.

SPOILER

quote:

We, furthermore, have a common vision on the following crucial aspects:

1. Firstly, any use of nuclear energy and nuclear installations must be safe, secured, safe-guarded and environmentally sound. Ukrainian nuclear power plants and installations, including Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, must operate safely and securely under full sovereign control of Ukraine and in line with IAEA principles and under its supervision.

Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the context of the ongoing war against Ukraine is inadmissible.

2. Secondly, global food security depends on uninterrupted manufacturing and supply of food products. In this regard, free, full and safe commercial navigation, as well as access to sea ports in the Black and Azov Seas, are critical. Attacks on merchant ships in ports and along the entire route, as well as against civilian ports and civilian port infrastructure, are unacceptable.

Food security must not be weaponized in any way. Ukrainian agricultural products should be securely and freely provided to interested third countries.

3. Thirdly, all prisoners of war must be released by complete exchange. All deported and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children, and all other Ukrainian civilians who were unlawfully detained, must be returned to Ukraine.

We believe that reaching peace requires the involvement of and dialogue between all parties. We, therefore, decided to undertake concrete steps in the future in the above-mentioned areas with further engagement of the representatives of all parties.

The United Nations Charter, including the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, can and will serve as a basis in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

quote:

Zelensky: Danish F-16 to Arrive in Ukraine in Near Future

^{Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon of the Danish Air Force. Photo from open sources}

F-16 fighters, which Denmark transfers to the Ukrainian Air Forces, will arrive in the near future.

This was announced by President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I am grateful to Mette Frederiksen for his participation in the Peace Summit and Denmark’s active assistance in attracting the countries of the Global South to the implementation of the ” peace formula.” During the meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss the preparation for the transfer of Danish F-16 aircraft, which will arrive in Ukraine in the near future,” reads the statement.

Zelensky added that the parties separately talked about approving the negotiating framework and starting negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU in June 2024.

SPOILER

quote:

Danish F-16
According to plans, the Ukrainian Air Force should receive F-16 fighters from Denmark in the summer of 2024.

^{Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon of the Danish Air Force. Photo from open sources}

Eight Ukrainian tactical aviation pilots began their training in Denmark in August 2023.

Training takes place at Skrydstrup Air Base, where the Danish Air Force Fighter Wing is stationed with the 727 and 730 Squadrons.

In addition to pilots, another 65 specialists must undergo training in the maintenance and repair of this type aircraft.

Denmark has pledged to transfer 19 aircraft to F-16, which in the 2000s were upgraded under the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program.

^{F-16 fighters of the Danish Air Force. Photo credits: RDAF}

Future Ukrainian fighters during the MLU program underwent major repairs and received, in particular, a more modern AN/APG-66(V)2 radar.

Recall that Denmark has not opposed using transferred F-16 fighters to conduct attacks on targets within the Russian Federation.

“Ukraine can use what we have sacrificed, including abroad, that is, for goals in Russia, if it complies with international law,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

quote:

Lithuania Delivers M113 Demining APCs to Ukraine

^{Armored vehicles that Lithuania transferred to Ukraine. June 2024. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania}

Lithuania has transferred a batch of M113 APCs and related vehicles to Ukraine as part of its military assistance program.

This was reported by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense on its official social media pages.

The delivered tracked armored personnel carriers are intended to enhance the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ demining capabilities and represent Lithuania’s contribution to the Coalition for Demining led by Iceland.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense also shared a photo of the armored vehicles delivered to Ukraine.

“Lithuania’s M113 armored vehicles have arrived in Ukraine to bolster demining efforts. We are committed to doing whatever victory takes,” stated the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania.

SPOILER

quote:

^{Armored vehicles that Lithuania transferred to Ukraine. June 2024. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania}

The Lithuanian government has agreed to transfer 14 M113 armored personnel carriers to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The delivery of these armored vehicles was initiated by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Lithuania.

In April 2024, a batch of M577 Command Post Carriers also arrived in Ukraine, transferred by Lithuania as part of its military support efforts.

^{M577 Command Post Vehicles, which Lithuania handed over to Ukraine. April 2024. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania}

These vehicles are designed to provide radio communication and control, serving as the tactical link between ground forces. The specific use of these armored vehicles within the Ukrainian army has not been officially reported.

^{Photo on the topic: Ukraine-Lithuania}

In response to Ukraine’s requests, Lithuania has already supplied 155mm ammunition, M577 armored personnel carriers, anti-drone systems, generators, winter equipment, and tens of thousands of sets of warm clothing. Additionally, Lithuania has provided thousands of rounds of ammunition for Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launchers and is procuring thousands of FPV drones for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

^{Illustrative photo of a military man in a rehabilitation center. Source: ICTV}

Recently, Militarnyi reported that the Lithuanian government would allocate almost ¤10 million for the rehabilitation of the Ukrainian military.

The funds of the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund are intended for the implementation of three projects.

quote:

Ukraine Unveils Stalker 5.0 Naval Drone with Kamikaze Capability

The latest Ukrainian Stalker 5.0 multifunctional naval surface drone was unveiled at the international Black Sea Security Forum 2024 in Odesa, as reported by local media outlet Dumskaya.

The drone measures approximately 5 meters in length and 1.2 meters in width.

It boasts a range of 600 kilometers and can be configured for kamikaze missions, capable of carrying a combat unit weighing up to 150 kilograms onboard.

In addition to its kamikaze capability, the Stalker 5.0 serves as a logistics platform with a special compartment for transporting weapons, equipment, and provisions.

SPOILER

quote:

The drone can also be used to conduct reconnaissance operations and patrol the coastal zone and rivers.

The drone drives a mounted gasoline engine with a capacity of 60 horsepower, it is able to accelerate the Stalker 5.0 to a speed of more than 40 knots (about 75 km/h). The cruising speed of the surface drone is 30 knots (55 km/h).

Communication is provided using the Starlink satellite system.

The reported cost of the Stalker 5.0 is approximately ¤60,000; however, it remains unclear whether this price includes the combat unit.

The main known surface drones in the arsenal of the Ukrainian Defense Forces are Sea Baby, Magura V5, and Mykola-3. In addition to them, Mamai and a large number of various transitional and small-series products are in service.

Such drones are one of the factors in deterring the Russian fleet, they perform a variety of tasks, ranging from reconnaissance to strike operations.

For a short time of its existence, Ukrainian naval drones caused great damage to the enemy and scuttled more than one enemy ship.

Recently, Militarnyi reported that the Netherlands would allocate ¤17.5 million to Ukraine for the purchase of marine drones.

quote:

Switzerland seeks discussing Peace Summit with Russia and China
Switzerland intends to discuss the Peace Summit with Russia, as well as with China and other countries that did not participate in it, the Swiss Foreign Minister said.

Source: Ignazio Cassis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland; Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, at the press conference following the results of the Summit, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine news agency

Quote by Cassis: "We have a working embassy in Moscow, and every two weeks, we communicate with Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and we also have an intention to discuss the results of this conference with Russia."

Details: He also reported that Switzerland will hold a detailed discussion of the summit’s results with other countries "on whose doors we knocked but they did not come, like, for instance, China". Cassis noted that Beijing had suggested mutual support during the first stage but then said "no" after finding out that Russia couldn’t be involved at the first stage.

Cassis stated that China and Brazil can choose another approach, and this was also about seeking the way to unite these different approaches.

SPOILER

quote:

Cassis admitted the dilemma that most decisions, which had been adopted, could not be implemented without Russia. At the same time, Cassis stressed that it was for the sake of meeting Russia’s possible interests and building the path to peace that three topics for the first summit were chosen, namely nuclear security, trade security and liberation of the prisoners of war, as well as of thousands of children – rather than, for instance, the issue of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

With that, Swiss President Viola Amherd stated that despite the arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, he can be present at further potential conferences and negotiations on peace in Ukraine, organised by Switzerland.

Asked whether Putin’s arrival in Switzerland can be organised taking into account the arrest warrant of the ICC for further negotiations and, perhaps, conference on the peace in Ukraine, Amherd said that it was possible.

"Yes, if the presence of a statesman is necessary for holding the conference, then an exception can be made. In case of the negotiations on peace in Ukraine and Russia this can be such an exception. But this decision must be adopted by the [Swiss – ed.] government," Amherd said.

The Swiss Foreign Minister agreed that it can be arranged.

"This is possible in accordance with our laws. Of course, we must do it jointly with the ICC, but as a host state, we can make an exception," he said.

quote:

Nato in talks to put nuclear weapons on standby
Stoltenberg insists bloc must show its nuclear arsenal to the world and gives stark warning about threat from China

Nato is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons in the face of a growing threat from Russia and China, the head of the alliance has said.

Jens Stoltenberg added that the bloc must show its nuclear arsenal to the world to send a direct message to its foes in an interview with The Telegraph.

He revealed there were live consultations between members on taking missiles out of storage and placing them on standby as he called for transparency to be used as a deterrent.

Mr Stoltenberg said: “I won’t go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues. That’s exactly what we’re doing.”

In a wide-ranging interview at the Nato headquarters in Brussels, he gave a stark warning about the threat from China. He also said he expected a Labour government to be a staunch Nato ally and defended new plans to Trump-proof weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

Mr Stoltenberg said nuclear transparency should be the cornerstone of Nato’s nuclear strategy to prepare the alliance for what he described as a more dangerous world.

SPOILER

quote:

A decade ago when the 65-year-old assumed his role at the top of the bloc, nuclear exercises were conducted in complete secrecy.

Now he openly praises a number of its 32 allies for contributing to the deterrent, including most recently The Netherlands for investing in dual-capable fighter jets that can host US nuclear weapons.

“Transparency helps to communicate the direct message that we, of course, are a nuclear alliance,” Mr Stoltenberg said. “Nato’s aim is, of course, a world without nuclear weapons, but as long as nuclear weapons exist, we will remain a nuclear alliance, because a world where Russia, China and North Korea have nuclear weapons, and Nato does not, is a more dangerous world.”

He warned that China in particular was investing heavily in modern weaponry including its nuclear arsenal, which he said would grow to 1,000 warheads by as early as 2030.

“And that means that in a not-very-distant future,” he said, “Nato may face something that it has never faced before, and that is two nuclear-powered potential adversaries – China and Russia. Of course, this has consequences.”

Mr Stoltenberg’s warnings come after the G7 sharply criticised China and Russia in a communique last week that called on Beijing to stop supplying weapons technology to Moscow and opposed China’s “militarisation” in the Pacific.

Both the US and UK have committed their nuclear deterrents to Nato, while other European allies share the burden of the responsibility by storing weapons on their territory and investing in the systems to launch them.

The number of operational nuclear weapons is top secret but estimates suggest the UK has about 40 of 225 deployed at any one time. The US has about 1,700 of 3,700.

France, Nato’s third nuclear power, does not make its atomic arsenal available to the alliance because of a long-held decision to maintain independence over its own deterrence.

Mr Stoltenberg insisted that the US and its European allies were now modernising their nuclear deterrent in the face of increased threat from Russia.

He said: “The US is modernising their gravity bombs for the nuclear warheads they have in Europe and European allies are modernising the planes which are going to be dedicated to Nato’s nuclear mission.

“Then, of course, you have the United Kingdom, which is special because the United Kingdom has its own nuclear weapons.”

On Sunday, the BBC reported that a Russian submarine that is now in Cuba was seen off Scotland’s coast last week.

The Kazan is capable of carrying advanced weapons, according to Russia’s defence ministry, but it did not enter UK waters. The Ministry of Defence nevertheless briefed the prime minister.

Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine and has deployed warheads closer to Europe’s borders. However, he has more recently dialled down his threats.

The head of Nato refused to discuss how many warheads should be pulled from storage warehouses and put on standby, but revealed there were live consultations on the issue.

Before the invasion, Nato was struggling to convince the majority of its allies to hit the minimum threshold of two per cent expenditure as a share of their GDP for defence spending.

When the latest figures are released ahead of the Nato summit in Washington next month, Mr Stoltenberg believes more than 20 will hit the goal – a decade since the target was established.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Britain was put on a trajectory to increase spending on defence to 2.5 per cent of national wealth by 2030.

But with Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives expected to be replaced by the Labour Party, there are doubts whether the pledge will stick.

Sir Keir Starmer has said his party wanted to reach the 2.5 per cent target as soon as resources allow that to happen, rather than a fixed date.

Mr Stoltenberg, who served as the leader of Norway’s Labour Party between 2002 and 2014, would not be drawn on the politics of Britain’s election campaign.

However, he said: “I expect that the UK, regardless of the outcome of the election, will be as strong, staunch Nato ally, and also an ally that will lead by example of defence spending, as the UK has done for many years.

“The reality is that we all reduced defence spending when tensions went down after the end of the Cold War. And now we need to increase defence when tensions are going up again.

“I have been prime minister for 10 years, I know that it’s hard to find money for defence because most politicians always prefer to spend money on health, on education, infrastructure and other important tasks.

“But when we reduce defence spending when tensions go down, we have to be able to increase them when tensions go back up – and that’s exactly what allies now are doing, the United Kingdom, but also other allies.”

Mr Stoltenberg has not always been so reticent to wade into domestic politics in recent months.

When Republicans loyal to Donald Trump held up a $60 billion £47 billion) aid package for Ukraine, the Nato chief repeatedly warned the delays were helping Putin’s Russia seize territory.

He then came out in support of Kyiv over its request to use Western weapons on targets inside Russia.

And now ahead of the next Nato summit, he has tabled proposals for the alliance to play a greater role in the West’s support for Ukraine.

About 99 per cent of the weapons deliveries to Kyiv are done so by Nato allies, he says.

His new Nato security assistance and training for Ukraine scheme – downgraded from the Mission to Ukraine because of German fears over Russian escalation – will have 700 Nato personnel stationed at its headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, take over the bulk of the coordination of aid from the Americans.

Mr Stoltenberg said, cautious not to mention the looming prospect of the election of Mr Trump: “This is a proposal which is about making the support for Ukraine more robust, more long term, more predictable, and that’s something which is important regardless of the outcome of the elections in the United States.

“We saw the gaps and delays this winter, where several allies were not able to deliver the support they had promised. We have to minimise the risk of something like that happening again.”

He added: “If we have a Nato support, security assistance and training effort combined with a long-term financial pledge, I think we will give a much stronger message to Moscow that President Putin cannot wait us out.”

But it is not just the US where support for Ukraine could be flipped on its head.

Last week, France’s Emmanuel Macron called snap elections after his party was defeated in the EU voting by far-Right leader Marine Le Pen, who has previously enjoyed close ties with Putin and called for closer relations between Nato and Moscow.

Mr Stoltenberg said: “I believe it is in the interest of all allies, including France and others, to keep Nato strong because we live in a more dangerous world.

“In a more dangerous world, it’s even more important that North America and Europe stand together.

“Then, of course, we are 32 democracies and it’s part of democracies that we have different parties, different views, different opinions, but experience over these decades is that despite all these differences, there has always been strong support for Nato.”

And in a call for them to continue arming Ukraine, he concluded: “I strongly believe that if Putin prevails in Ukraine, we will become more vulnerable, and then we will need to invest even more in our defence.”

quote:

The US accused the Iranian frigate of inaction during the Houthi attack on the Ukrainian ship
An Iranian frigate did not respond to a distress signal from the Ukrainian cargo ship Verbena, which was hit by Yemen's Houthis, US Central Command said. The cargo ship Anna Meta went to help, and the crew was evacuated. Source: X

Rockets fired by Yemen's Houthi militants struck the Verbena ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, causing a fire and seriously injuring one of the crew, US Central Command said.

Read also: Houthis attacked a ship in the Red Sea traveling from Russia to India

Since November, the Iran-allied Houthis have carried out dozens of attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea region in what they say is an expression of solidarity with the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The attacks began after Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Muslim countries to block Israel's trade routes. The United States and Britain have launched air strikes on Houthi military targets since January, but the militant group, which receives weapons and support from Iran, has continued its campaign.

The Houthi campaign in the Red Sea region has disrupted global shipping, causing cascading delays and costs in supply chains. In separate attacks, the militants sank one ship, captured another and killed three sailors.

Let us recall earlier that Russian and Chinese ships traveling through the Red Sea will be provided with safe passage, said Mohammed al-Buhaiti, a senior Houthi official.

SPOILER

quote:

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, saboteurs Kastus Kalinovsky (Telephonist) and Stepan Zasunko (NOEM Intelligence) conducted a special operation to denazify and demilitarize a dormitory housing Russian military personnel. While one group distracted emergency services at one end of the city, Zasunko and Kalinovsky set fire to the dormitory, successfully carrying out their mission. You can watch and listen to the most interesting moments of this hours-long special operation. Fire in live broadcast 🔥 We waited for local authorities to comment, but they remained silent and endured, damn Russkies endured. Well, we'll be back. Thanks to our brave guardian in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Ilynykh Anton Valerievich, who executed the orders of our saboteurs. 🫡 Thanks to the taxi driver Borodach, who went and confirmed the impact. And to all those who sat nearby and softly exclaimed 'Wow' 😁

SPOILER

quote:

Op maandag 17 juni 2024 08:39 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

Daar gaan de eerste zo te zien.

[ x ]