Happy Victoria Day!

Taking a bit of a down day today.

For more of the latest, check here, here, here or here.

Have a great day!

MILNEWS.ca’s #UKR Top Ten for 22 May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• Pro-Russian amplifier site claims retired Canadian General in Moscow to stand trial for running biolab in Kyiv (archived link)
• Sniches get more than just stitches, it seems  “Partisans in action: the entrance of the occupation “mayor” of Energodar was blown up, he is in the hospital” (pro-UKR amplifier) – “Energodar (occupation) mayor, his two guards suffer wounds in explosion” (RUS state media)
• Differing views on how to deal with the Azovstal prisoners, from Putin’s UKR negotiator and another politician  “Slutsky promised that Moscow would study the possibility of exchanging Medvedchuk for “Azov” ” (RUS media, Google English from Russian) – “Prominent Russian lawmaker speaks out against swapping Azov members, calls for tribunal” (RUS state media)
• Ya think?  “Russia won’t take part in the agreement on Ukraine’s security guarantees, – President of Ukraine” (UKR media)
• First leader to speak to UKR’s parliament during wartime  “Polish President Andrzej Duda greeted with applause in Verkhovna Rada” (UKR state media) – “Ukraine must decide its own future, says Poland’s president” (Reuters)
• Well, will ya look at that?  ” Numerous neo-Nazis are fighting for Russia in Ukraine” (Der Spiegel, DEU media, Google English from German) – Original in German
• #Priorities  “Trucks with Russian aid for zoos, animal shelters head to DPR, Ukraine cities on Monday” (RUS state media)
• RUS media & pro-RUS amplifiers cranking up Hate Week against Azovstal prisoners  “The Azov Battalion: Laboratory of Nazism” (RUS state media) – “After the First Interrogations of the “Azovstal” Surrendered Ghouls, the Following Picture Emerges… – Almost all admit that they profess a Nazi ideology based on Russophobia and the glorification of Nazi criminals. Any crimes against the life of Russians and the Russian-speaking population of the former Ukraine were deliberately justified on the basis of the “racial superiority” of Ukrainians over the “Rusnya” …” (pro-RUS amplifier) – “The Real Reason Why “Azov” Surrendered – “Azov” and others surrendered, also because Ukraine had no experience of heroism and self-sacrifice after the collapse of the USSR. The rich traditions of the Banderist underground – yes. Security and guard missions as part of NATO contingents – yes. The fashionable aesthetics of pseudo-berserkers – since 2014 in all its glory. And that’s all …” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• LOTSA food blocked from leaving UKR  “If the world does not help Ukraine unblock its ports, the energy crisis will be followed by a food crisis – President … According to the President of Ukraine, currently the Russian Federation has blocked 22 million tons of food products. The aggressor country is gradually stealing it and trying to sell it ….” (UKR Pres info-machine) – “War in Ukraine: WFP renews call to open Black Sea ports amid fears for global hunger” (UN World Food Programme)
• Three more months of martial law  “Ukrainian Parliament Extends Martial Law For 90 Days” (USA govt funded media)

MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update 230030UTC May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• “Ukraine’s interests, not Putin’s reputation, should guide world’s approach to ending war: (CAN envoy to UN) Bob Rae” (CBC News)
• ISW 221600E May brief: “Russian forces made only minimal gains in eastern Ukraine on May 22 …”
• UKR MoD 221800 local brief: “… russian enemy does not stop conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone and launching missile and air strikes on the territory of Ukraine …”
• “War In Ukraine Day 88: Russian Forces Claim Victories In DPR And LPR, AFU Suffer Heavy Losses (Videos 18+)” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Military Situation In Eastern Ukraine On May 22, 2022 (Map Update)” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Ukrainian Parliament Extends Martial Law For 90 Days” (USA govt funded media)
• “Zelensky: Russian offensive in Severodonetsk pushed back by Ukrainian forces” (UPI.com)
• “Ukraine rejects concessions as Russians attack in east and south” (Reuters)
• “Russian invaders torture and threaten to kill civilian hostage in revenge for their military losses” (UKR human rights NGO)
• “Zelensky responds to petition seeking rollback of international travel ban for draft-age Ukrainians” (UKR Media)
• “Russia-Appointed Head Of Occupied Ukrainian Town Reportedly Hurt In Explosion” (USA govt funded media)
• “Russian Investigative Committee launches probe into attempt on life of Energodar mayor” (RUS state media)
• “Ukrainian Teachers Balk As Moscow Seeks To Impose ‘Russian Standards’ In Occupied Territories” (USA govt funded media)
• “Relative calm in Odesa as Russia’s Marines remain crippled by understaffing- local officials” (UKR media)
• “Buzzing, But Not With Tourists: Crimea Suffers As Russians Avoid Region Over War” (USA govt funded media)
• ” Numerous neo-Nazis are fighting for Russia in Ukraine” (Der Spiegel, DEU media, Google English from German) –Original in German
• “Trucks with Russian aid for zoos, animal shelters head to DPR, Ukraine cities on Monday” (RUS state media)
• “The Azov Battalion: Laboratory of Nazism” (RUS state media)
• “After the First Interrogations of the “Azovstal” Surrendered Ghouls, the Following Picture Emerges… – Almost all admit that they profess a Nazi ideology based on Russophobia and the glorification of Nazi criminals. Any crimes against the life of Russians and the Russian-speaking population of the former Ukraine were deliberately justified on the basis of the “racial superiority” of Ukrainians over the “Rusnya” …” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “The Real Reason Why “Azov” Surrendered – “Azov” and others surrendered, also because Ukraine had no experience of heroism and self-sacrifice after the collapse of the USSR. The rich traditions of the Banderist underground – yes. Security and guard missions as part of NATO contingents – yes. The fashionable aesthetics of pseudo-berserkers – since 2014 in all its glory. And that’s all …” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “DPR forces begin withdrawal of heavy weapons from liberated Mariupol” (RUS state media)
• “If the world does not help Ukraine unblock its ports, the energy crisis will be followed by a food crisis – President … According to the President of Ukraine, currently the Russian Federation has blocked 22 million tons of food products. The aggressor country is gradually stealing it and trying to sell it ….” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “War in Ukraine: WFP renews call to open Black Sea ports amid fears for global hunger” (UN World Food Programme)
• “Belarus accuses Ukrainian military of border raids” (RUS state media)
• ” ‘A long journey’: Volunteers from Belarus fight for Ukraine” (Associated Press)
• “Belarus is burying military national armed forces that have signed contracts with Russian PMCs and participated in the war against Ukraine …” (UKR media)
• “Opinion: Russia must be held accountable for Ukraine′s reconstruction” (DEU media)
• “Grandma sells sprouts, sends the money to fighters battling Ukraine’s forces: How Russia’s civil society helps support the Donbass” (RUS state media)
• “Polish President Duda first to address wartime Kyiv parliament” (Al Jazeera)
• “President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has awarded the Polish city of Rzeszów the title of “Rescuing City” for the help it has provided to Ukrainians fleeing the country’s invasion by Russia …” (POL media)
• “France’s European Minister: A Ukraine EU Bid Would Take At Least 15-20 Years” (USA govt funded media)
• “Ukraine membership of EU is “not for tomorrow” – French minister” (Reuters)
• “Pentagon Reportedly Considering Sending US Special Forces Personnel to Kiev Embassy” (RUS state media)
• “Baltic States Are Pushing NATO for More Than Just a Tripwire Against Russia”(foreignpolicy.com)
• “Polish Prime Minister Tells Norway to Share Excess Profits From Energy Trade With Ukraine” (RUS state media)
• “Norway should share the “gigantic” profits it’s recently made as a result of higher oil and gas prices, especially with Ukraine, said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki …” (bloomberg.com)
• “Poland tells Norway to hand over oil revenues” (RUS state media)
• “Russia ready to continue talks with Ukraine – Russian presidential aide” (RUS state media)
• “Stepan Bandera: Ukrainian hero or Nazi collaborator?” (DEU media)
• “Russia’s dreaded cyberwarriors seem to be struggling in Ukraine – Russia’s hackers — like its military — may not be quite as fearsome as the world thought …” (CBC News)

MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update 221110UTC May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• Pro-Russian amplifier site claims retired Canadian General in Moscow to stand trial for running biolab in Kyiv (archived link)
• “The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 22.05” (UKR MoD)
• UKR 220600 local brief: “… russian enemy does not stop conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone. russian enemy continues to launch missile and air strikes on the territory of Ukraine. Increased the intensity of the use of aircraft to destroy the critical infrastructure of settlements in the area of active hostilities …”
• UK MoD 220159E brief: “Russia’s only operational company of BMP-T Terminator tank support vehicles has likely been deployed to the Severodonetsk axis of the Donbas offensive. Their presence suggests that the Central Grouping of Forces (CGF) is involved in this attack, which is the only formation fielding this vehicle. CGF previously suffered heavy losses while failing to break through to eastern Kyiv in the first phase of the invasion … The Severodonetsk area remains one of Russia’s immediate tactical priorities. However, with a maximum of ten Terminators deployed they are unlikely to have a significant impact on the campaign.” (via Twitter) – UK MoD 220549E map (via Twitter)
• “Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 88” (Al Jazeera)
• “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters fourth month” (Reuters)
• “Russia pounds Ukraine’s Donbas and Mykolaiv regions” (Reuters)
• “Russian occupation troops are carrying out the so-called “nationalization” of companies providing telecommunications services …” (UKR media)
• “OSCE human rights office intensifies monitoring of abuses in and around Ukraine as evidence grows” (OSCE info-machine)
• “UAF Positions in Nikolaev” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Partisans in action: the entrance of the occupation “mayor” of Energodar was blown up, he is in the hospital” (pro-UKR amplifier)
• “Mayor of Russian-held city (Enerhodar) in Ukraine injured in explosion” (RUS state media)
• “Energodar mayor, his two guards suffer wounds in explosion” (RUS state media)
• “Self-proclaimed ‘mayor’ of occupied Enerhodar injured in blast” (UKR state media)
• “Moscow May Swap Ukraine Prisoners for Putin Ally: Negotiator” (RUS independent media)
• “Russian parliamentarian hints at possible exchange of Azovstal PoWs for detained Putin ally” (UKR media via yahoo.com)
• “Slutsky promised that Moscow would study the possibility of exchanging Medvedchuk for “Azov” ” (RUS media, Google English from Russian)
• “Prominent Russian lawmaker speaks out against swapping Azov members, calls for tribunal” (RUS state media)
• “Amid Russian Calls For ‘Tribunals,’ Concerns Expressed Over Fate Of Azovstal Defenders” (USA govt funded media)
• “Azov surrenders. Who will be the sacred martyr now?” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• ” ‘Nothing Left’: Mariupol Picks up Pieces After Ferocious Fighting” (AFP via RUS independent media)
• “Ukraine ruled out a ceasefire or concessions to Moscow while Russia intensified an offensive in the eastern Donbas region and stopped providing gas to Finland …” (Reuters via Financial Post)
• “Russia won’t take part in the agreement on Ukraine’s security guarantees, – President of Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Polish President Andrzej Duda greeted with applause in Verkhovna Rada” (UKR state media)
• “Ukraine must decide its own future, says Poland’s president” (Reuters)
• “Polish President To Address Ukraine’s Parliament During Surprise Kyiv Trip” (USA govt funded media)
• “(POL) President to meet Zelensky, address parliament in Kyiv” (POL media)
• “US likely to keep 100,000 troops in Europe for foreseeable future in face of Russian threat, US officials say” (CNNPolitics)
• “US May Reportedly Keep Over 100,000 Troops in Europe Amid Tensions Over Ukraine Crisis” (RUS state media)
• Poland calls for permanent bases in NATO’s east – Uaposition. Focus on Ukraine
• “Polish prime minister calls for permanent bases in NATO’s east” (Stars and Stripes)
• “Belarusians join war seeking to free Ukraine and themselves” (Associated Press via sfgate.com)
• “Islamic world treats Russia’s military operation with understanding – spiritual leader” (RUS state media)
• “Nord Pool has decided to stop trading Russian electricity from its only importer in the Baltic States Inter RAO. It means that as of Sunday, Lithuania will have completely cut import of Russian energy supplies, i.e. oil, electricity or natural gas …” (Lithuanian media)
• “Russia has stopped supplying power to Lithuania, the country’s electricity transmission system operator Litgrid announced on Sunday …” (RUS state media)
• “German Galushchenko: Lithuania’s complete abandon of russian energy resources is an example of courage and dignity” (via UKR Cabinet info-machine)

MILNEWS.ca’s #UKR Top Ten for 21 May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• GTA company doing its part  “This Mississauga company is making armoured fighting vehicles for Ukraine” (blogto.com)
• RUS MoD says it’s over @ Azovstal  RUS MoD: “The underground facilities of the enterprise, where the militants had been hiding, have come under full control of the Russian Armed Forces. Since May 16, a total of 2,439 Azov Nazis and AFU servicemen blocked inside the plant have laid down their arms and surrendered during the operation. (Friday), the last group of 531 militants surrendered …” (safe PDF, MoD statement, official English)
• Wonder how many people who take up this offer’ll end up being healthy enough to conscript?  “LPR doctors invite residents of the Republic to be examined for melanoma free of charge on May 24 and 25” (Luhansk rebel media, in Russian)
• New marker for a UKR end game being considered?  “Zelensky to consider returning to line on Feb 23, 2022 as victory” (UKR media)
• We’ll see  “Will Austria abandon neutrality to join NATO?” (DEU media)
• How one info-machine sees another info-machine info-machining  “Info Saboteurs: How the Ukrainian Centre for Informational and Psychological Operations Works” (RUS state media)
• Team USSR 2.0 adds a few more Canadian names to their blackball list  “Sophie Grégoire Trudeau among 26 more Canadians banned from travel to Russia” (CBC News)
• UKR’s #NotAWar hitting close to home in some RUS circles?  “Nephew of Russia’s deputy defense chief killed in Ukraine war” (UKR state media)
• Why go through all the high-tech sneak-and-peak when you can just go in and physically pull the plug?  “The Emergence of Physically Mediated Cyberattacks? … it appears as though the parties that physically invaded the offices of Stratus, an internet service provider, conducted a physical denial-of-service attack against the telecommunications equipment in the office and sought to alter the availability of websites that users of the service would normally be able to access …” (Lawfareblog.com)
• Just because Ukraine’s not losing doesn’t mean it’s not taking a shit-kicking  “Ukraine Is in Worse Shape than You Think” (Time.com)

MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update 212330UTC May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• “Canada, other nations stage walkout at APEC meeting over Russia’s war on Ukraine” (globalnews.ca)
• “Sophie Grégoire Trudeau among 26 more Canadians banned from travel to Russia” (CBC News)
• “Russia bans hundreds of prominent Americans, 26 Canadians” (Al Jazeera)
• “UK under pressure over Alexander Lebedev sanctions after Canada move – Labour says the case for the British government to follow Ottawa’s lead is ‘extremely strong’ …” (The Guardian, UK)
• ISW 211730E brief: “Russian forces intensified efforts to encircle and capture Severodonetsk on May 21 and will likely continue to do so in the coming days as efforts on other axes of advance, including Izyum, remain largely stalled. Russian troops in Luhansk Oblast will likely move to capitalize on recent gains made in the Rubizhne-Severodonetsk-Luhansk-Popasna arc to encircle and besiege Severodonetsk—the final Ukrainian strongpoint in Luhansk Oblast …”
• UKR MoD 211800 local brief: “… The greatest russian enemy activity continues to be concentrated in the Eastern Operational Zone …”
• “Military Situation In Eastern Ukraine On May 21, 2022 (Map Update)” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Invasion Day 87 – Summary (212200 Kyiv time)” (MilitaryLand.net)
• “Ukraine Is in Worse Shape than You Think” (Time.com)
• “Russia’s attacks from Popasna area further threaten Sievierodonetsk” (pro-UKR media)
• “President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the state is considering various options for unblocking its ports. One of them is a military man, and the necessary weapons have already been requested for this …” (pro-UKR amplifier)
• “The war continues, and each of us must take care of the defense every day – address by the President of Ukraine” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Before the war, the allies recommended that we dig trenches, and we told them: give weapons” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Rescuers in Enerhodar deserve support from all of us – Zelensky President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the rescuers in Enerhodar, temporarily occupied by Russia, who protested today, deserve support from all of Ukrainians …” (UKR Media)
• “Ukraine applied to join NATO in 2008, application not withdrawn, final decision on country’s entry should now be made by NATO members – Stefanishyna” (UKR media)
• “On Saturday, May 21, in Donetsk, a working meeting was held between the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin and the delegation of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, headed by a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, head of the LDPR faction in the State Duma of the Russian Federation Leonid Slutsky …” (Donetsk rebel info-machine, Google English from Russian)
• ““The scale of assistance from the Russian regions has become unprecedented”: Denis Pushilin on the all-Russian campaign “Aid Train to Donbass” (Donetsk rebel info-machine, in Russian)
• “Zelensky reveals size of Ukrainian force fighting Russia” (RUS state media)
• “Dmytro Iaroch, neo-Nazi and ISIS ally” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “EXPLAINER: Who were Mariupol’s last defenders?” (Associated Press)
• “Russia’s claim of Mariupol’s capture fuels concern for POWs” (Associated Press)
• “Russia Says Mariupol Battle At End as Ukrainian Defenders Surrender” (AFP via RUS independent media)
• “Zelensky gives details on Azovstal surrender” (RUS state media)
• “Denis Pushilin said that the Kyiv regime withdrew and waited for the death of the Azov militants … “They frankly waited for the de-blockade and waited for help from the Kyiv regime. The Kiev regime withdrew itself and, in principle, was waiting for their death, because the dead heroes are an opportunity for them to promote additionally and beg for additional money, ”stated Denis Pushilin …” (Donetsk rebel info-machine, Google English from Russian)
• “Foreigners reported among those who surrendered at Azovstal — DPR head” (RUS state media)
• “Six militants killed at Azovstal plant while trying to blow up ammo depots – DPR leader” (RUS state media)
• “Domino effect of the surrender of Ukrainian soldiers in Azovstal on the rest of Ukrainian troops in Donbass” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Nephew of Russia’s deputy defense chief killed in Ukraine war” (UKR state media)
• “Russia’s military is now a ‘wounded bear.’ Can it revive itself?” (BreakingDefense.com)
• “Putin Losing Power, Russia Officials Thinks Ukraine War Is Lost – Expert” (businessinsider.com)
• Opinion: “Putin has already lost against his real enemy: NATO” (azcentral.com, USA media)
• “Russian senior lawmaker doubts NATO will deploy troops to western Ukraine” (RUS state media)
• “Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects positive decisions from the second meeting of partner countries in the Ramstein format” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Rammstein-2: a meeting on armaments for Ukraine will take place in the coming days” (UKR mil NGO)
• “Britain’s Truss Says Moldova Should Be ‘Equipped To NATO Standard’ ” (USA govt funded media)
• “Biden signs $40 million Ukraine aid package as Russia claims victory in Mariupol” (USA media)
• “Biden signs $40 billion Ukraine aid bill” (USA media)
• “Biden signs $40B for Ukraine assistance during Asia trip” (Associated Press)
• “Biden signs Ukraine funding bill” (Reuters)
• “Plans revealed for US to keep troops in Europe” (RUS state media)
• “Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has set out his conditions for Sweden and Finland to earn his backing for their NATO membership bids, saying they must abandon financial and political support for “terrorist” groups threatening Turkey’s national security …” (USA govt funded media)
• “Turkey’s Erdogan discusses concerns with NATO hopefuls Sweden and Finland” (Reuters)
• “Turkey to support Sweden, Finland joining NATO if solidarity with Ankara shown — Erdogan” (RUS state media)
• “Finland’s disregard for threat from terrorist groups falls short of NATO spirit – Erdogan” (RUS state media)
• “Erdogan calls on Sweden to stop supporting terrorist organizations” (RUS state media)
• “Russia: It’s time to stop aid from Turkey to Syrian rebels” (Associated Press)
• “Poland launches voluntary military service” (UKR mil NGO)
• “Lithuania stops all Russian energy imports” (UKR media)
• “Russia’s UN deputy envoy to Ukraine’s foreign minister: Kiev pays weapon bills with grain” (RUS state media)
• “Talks impossible as long as Russia believes they wage war against NATO – Podolyak” (UKR state media)
• “The Emergence of Physically Mediated Cyberattacks? … it appears as though the parties that physically invaded the offices of Stratus, an internet service provider, conducted a physical denial-of-service attack against the telecommunications equipment in the office and sought to alter the availability of websites that users of the service would normally be able to access …” (Lawfareblog.com)

MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update 211020UTC May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• “This Mississauga company is making armoured fighting vehicles for Ukraine” (blogto.com)
• “My journey into the Donbas war zone: ‘You really want to go there?’ ” (National Post)
• “Ukrainian groups call for more support for refugees arriving in Canada” (National Post)
• “The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 21.05” (UKR Mod)
• UKR MoD 210600 local brief: “… russian invaders continue to use terror tactics against Ukrainian civilians in the temporarily occupied territories. In particular, they prevent the evacuation of people from the Kherson region to the territory controlled by Ukraine and the opening of humanitarian corridors for the import of food, medicine and evacuation of the elderly, sick and children …” (via UKR Cabinet info-machine)
• UK MoD 210145E May brief: “The Russia-Ukraine war has seen Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) playing a pivotal role for both sides although they have suffered a high rate of attrition. UAVs have proved vulnerable both to being shot down and to electronic jamming … Russia is likely experiencing a shortage of appropriate reconnaissance UAVs for this task, which is exacerbated by limitations in its domestic manufacturing capacity resulting from sanctions … ” (via Twitter)
• ISW 201730E May brief: “Russian forces are focusing on digging in and reinforcing defensive positions in Kharkiv and along the Southern Axis in preparation for Ukrainian counteroffensives, while the majority of active offensive operations remain confined to Izyum-Donetsk City arc and especially the Popasna-Severodonetsk area. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces are creating secondary defensive lines on the Southern Axis, indicating that the Russian grouping in this area may be preparing for a major Ukrainian counter-offensive and a protracted conflict …”
• “Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 87” (Al Jazeera)
• RUS MoD: “The underground facilities of the enterprise, where the militants had been hiding, have come under full control of the Russian Armed Forces. Since May 16, a total of 2,439 Azov Nazis and AFU servicemen blocked inside the plant have laid down their arms and surrendered during the operation. (Friday), the last group of 531 militants surrendered …” (safe PDF, MoD statement, official English)
• “Shoigu reported to Putin on the completion of the operation at Azovstal” (Donetsk rebel media, in Russian)
• “Ukraine Orders End to Defense of Mariupol” (AFP via RUS independent media)
• “Leader of Azov battalion transferred from Azovstal plant in armored vehicle – top brass” (RUS state media)
• “Azov Commanders Surrendered. First Interview Of Commander Of 36th Marine Brigade (Video)” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Footage of Ukraininian Marines’ commander exit from Azovstal emerges on Russian state media” (UKR media)
• “Prisoners of war from Azov: Do the fighters face the death penalty in Russia?” (DEU media)
• “Mariupol residents told they are taken to Russia after boarding ‘evacuation’ buses only” (UKR state media)
• “You can’t refuse: for the first time they showed how the deportation from Mariupol takes place (video)” (pro-UKR amplifier)
• “Russia Launches Assault on Eastern Ukraine As Mariupol Steelworks Siege Ends” (USA govt funded media)
• “U.S. Preparing Plan To Destroy Russia’s Black Sea Fleet—Ukraine” (pro-UKR amplifier)
• “Russian Nazis violate the spirit of the Montreux convention: their bulk carriers transport military supplies and stolen grain through the Black Sea straits” (pro-UKR amplifier)
• “Interior Ministry says 5-7 years required to clear Ukraine’s territory” (UKR media)
• “Parliamentarians are revoking signatures on bill №7381, which proposes to deprive Ukrainian citizenship of those conscripts who left the country and did not return within a month …” (UKR Media)
• “Against the background of military setbacks and the loss of manpower suffered by the occupying forces every day, the population of Donbass is trying to sabotage the instructions of the invaders and avoid any cooperation with the occupying authorities. After the complete defeat of several units by defenders of Ukraine, which included forcibly mobilized residents of Donbass, men from Donetsk and Luhansk regions, despite the threat of arrests, flatly refuse to fight in the Russian armed forces. Residents of the occupied territories intensify cooperation with intelligence and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine The Russian occupation administrations in Moscow have received urgent instructions to take urgent measures to raise the morale of the occupiers in military units and among the population of the territories temporarily out of Ukraine’s control …” (UKR mil int, Google English from Ukrainian)
• “LPR doctors invite residents of the Republic to be examined for melanoma free of charge on May 24 and 25” (Luhansk rebel media, in Russian)
• “LPR’s Supreme Court sentences Aidar battalion’s mortar operator to 8 years in jail” (RUS state media)
• “Ukraine’s Zelenskiy proposes formal deal on compensation from Russia” (Reuters)
• “We urge the partner states to recognize that Russia must be held financially responsible for the crimes it committed – address by the President of Ukraine” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Ukraine freezes more than UAH 30B (CAD $ 1.3 billion) in Russia’s and Belarus’ assets” (UKR state media)
• “… The Government of Ukraine recently expressed its intention to cooperate with interested Parties to establish an international commission (“the Commission”) to adjudicate claims for compensation arising out of Russia’s actions …” (justsecurity.org)
• “Ukraine obstructs repatriation of its own servicemen — LPR ombudsman” (RUS state media)
• “ICRC to continue efforts to gain access to people held captive in Ukraine” (RUS state media)
• “Zelensky to consider returning to line on Feb 23, 2022 as victory” (UKR media)
• “End of war will be ‘diplomatic’ – Zelensky” (UKR media)
• “Zelensky: This war is not against Russia. We are at war with Russia for Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “New batch of US howitzers sent to Ukraine – Pentagon” (UKR media)
• ” Ukraine will receive the first Gepard tanks from Germany in July” (Der Spiegel, DEU media, Google English from German)
• “NATO & UK Mulling Pumping Up Moldova With Bloc’s Standard Weapons, Same as Ukraine” (RUS state media)
• “Austin to Host Second Ukraine Contact Group Meeting Monday” (USA DoD info-machine)
• “Russia halts its natural gas supplies to Finland” (RUS state media)
• “Ukraine warns only talks can end war as Russia cuts Finland gas” (Agence France-Presse via france24.com)
• “Will Austria abandon neutrality to join NATO?” (DEU media)
• “(UKR ForMin) Dmytro Kuleba welcomed in Kyiv Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Mons. Paul R. Gallagher” (via UKR Cabinet info-machine)
• “Ministry: Latvian embassy in Moscow reports increased interest from Russians to leave the country” (Baltic News Network)
• “Estonian local government to keep Soviet tank monument to avoid protest” (Baltic News Network)
• “Friday evening saw a rally in Rīga titled “Getting Rid of Soviet Heritage” attract large numbers of participants. State Police estimated that about 5,000 people had attended and paraded from the much-loved Freedom Monument to the not-much-loved Soviet Victory Monument, where songs were sung and speeches were given …” (Latvian media)
• “Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) said May 21 it was had launched criminal proceedings in relation to three suspected cases of hate speech and glorification of war crimes, linked to events that took place on May 9 – the day of the controversial and unofficial Soviet ‘Victory day’ commemorations in Rīga …” (Latvian media)
• “Russia’s war on Ukraine based on flawed logic, Chinese military scholar wrote in article scrubbed from the web” (South China Morning Post)
• “Info Saboteurs: How the Ukrainian Centre for Informational and Psychological Operations Works” (RUS state media)

MILNEWS.ca’s #UKR Top Ten for 20 May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• I suspect this isn’t exactly what Team USSR 2.0 had in mind for “stay-behind forces”“Several Russian POWs say they want to remain in Ukraine” (UKR media) – “There are many people who want to join Freedom of Russia Legion – Legion rep” (UKR media) – “Russians ‘who want to fight Putin in Ukraine’ given own battalion” (9 Apr 2022, metro.co.uk)
• Some sobering video from a still-missing UKR medic  “Captive medic’s bodycam shows firsthand horror of Mariupol” (Associated Press)
• Lots to give, hard to get  “Ukrainian volunteers face problem of bringing humanitarian aid into country – experts … “Now there are enough donors on the territory of the European Union who are interested in providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but they need the Ukrainian side to take it. Because of this, Ukrainian public organizations refuse humanitarian aid or transfer it to other organizations, as they cannot cover the cost logistics component of the delivery,” …” (UKR media)
• Mo’ Canadian sanctions, aid  “Canada imposes additional sanctions on Russian oligarchs in response to Putin’s continued aggression on Ukraine” (CAN govt info-machine) – “Canada Provides Additional Financial Support to Ukraine” (CAN govt info machine)
• No future monuments to the fallen of USSR 2.0 here  “Bodies of the Russian servicemen are being exhumed in the Kharkiv region” (UKR mil NGO)
• Ah, the flop-sweat smell of despair among RUS MoD HR folks  “Russian Duma Mulls Scrapping Upper Age Limit Of 40 For Military Enrollment” (USA govt funded media)
• Makes sense to me  “Freeland says it’s ‘entirely appropriate’ to use seized Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine” (Financial Post)
• None dare call it “surrender”  “Zelensky says all defenders will be evacuated from Azovstal plant … “We agreed that the unblocking will be done by intermediaries – Western partners. I negotiated with Turkey, Switzerland, Israel, first with France, due to the leaders’ relations with the Russian Federation – when we saw that it was impossible to unblock [Azovstal] by military means,” Zelensky said …” (UKR state media) – “Ukraine Orders End to Defense of Mariupol” (AFP via RUS independent media) – “Military command orders stopping defense of Mariupol: Ukraine’s Azov Regiment” (Al Arabiya English) – “Ukraine’s military leadership orders to end defense of Mariupol to save military personnel, – Azov Battalion commander Denys Prokopenko” (UKR media)
• Punching through to get ships through?  Not so fast  “A Naval Corridor for Ukraine Cargo Ships? Easier Said Than Done” (RUS independent media)

MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update 202100TC May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• “Canada imposes additional sanctions on Russian oligarchs in response to Putin’s continued aggression on Ukraine” (CAN govt info-machine)
• “Canada Provides Additional Financial Support to Ukraine” (CAN govt info machine)
• “Canada announces $250M loan to Ukraine, new round of sanctions on Russia” (CBC News)
• “Canada Bans Luxury Goods Trade With Russia, Punishes More Oligarchs” (IND media)
• “Russian sanctions: Canada bans some luxury goods” (The Canadian Press via CTV News)
• “Canada to ban imports of Russian alcohol, names 14 oligarchs in new sanctions” (Globalnews.ca)
• “Canada to provide CAD 9M in humanitarian aid to Ukraine” (UKR state media)
• “Freeland says it’s ‘entirely appropriate’ to use seized Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine” (Financial Post)
• “Joint statement on Ukraine’s application against Russia at the International Court of Justice … “We welcome Ukraine’s application against Russia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which seeks to establish that Russia has no lawful basis to take military action in Ukraine on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations of genocide. “In these proceedings, the ICJ issued a significant ruling on March 16, 2022, which orders Russia to immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine. We welcome the Court’s ruling and strongly urge Russia to comply with this legally binding order …” (CAN govt info-machine)
• “From 4 a.m. on 24 February 2022, when the Russian Federation’s armed attack against Ukraine started, to 24:00 midnight on 18 May 2022 (local time), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 8,089 civilian casualties in the country: 3,811 killed and 4,278 injured …” (UN via reliefweb.int)
• “May 20 in the DPR: Azovstal militants mass surrender, cash withdrawal from Russian cards, Motorola awarded Order of Courage” (Donetsk rebel media)
• UKR MoD 201800 local brief: “… russian enemy does not stop conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone and shelling the area along the line of contact and in the depths of the defence of our troops in the Donetsk operational area and in the Slovyansk direction …”
• RUS MoD 201900 local brief: “… In total, 140 aircraft and 106 helicopters, 498 unmanned aerial vehicles, 254 anti-aircraft missile systems, 2,397 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 261 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,038 field artillery and mortars, as well as 2,244 units of special military vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed during the operation.”
• RUS MoD 202130 local humanitarian brief: “… since the beginning of the special military operation, 1,377,925 people have already been evacuated, of which 232,480 are children. The state border of the Russian Federation was crossed by 188,548 personal vehicles including 3,179 over the past 24 hours …” (safe PDF)
• “Zelensky says all defenders will be evacuated from Azovstal plant … “We agreed that the unblocking will be done by intermediaries – Western partners. I negotiated with Turkey, Switzerland, Israel, first with France, due to the leaders’ relations with the Russian Federation – when we saw that it was impossible to unblock [Azovstal] by military means,” Zelensky said …” (UKR state media)
• “Ukraine Orders End to Defense of Mariupol” (AFP via RUS independent media)
• “Military command orders stopping defense of Mariupol: Ukraine’s Azov Regiment” (Al Arabiya English)
• “Ukraine’s military leadership orders to end defense of Mariupol to save military personnel, – Azov Battalion commander Denys Prokopenko” (UKR media)
• “BREAKING: Azovstal Is Under Full Control Of Russian Armed Forces” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Commander of Ukraine’s 36th Marine Brigade surrenders” (pravda.ru)
• “Azov commander announces Azovstal an Mariupol resistance over” (pravda.ru)
• “Commander of the Ukrainian armed forces marines left Azovstal to surrender” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Day 85 of war in Ukraine: Mariupol’s defender commanders deny surrendering, US and Australia to send heavy equipment” (Baltic News Network)
• “Azovstal ‘fully liberated’ – Russian military” (RUS state media)
• “Shoigu reports to Putin on the complete liberation of the Azovstal plant” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Seriously wounded soldiers from Azovstal receive assistance, evacuated with further exchange, process with bodies of deceased continues – Azov regiment commander” (UKR media)
• “Fate Of Ukrainian Militants Who Surrendered In Azovstal” (pro-RUS amplifier)
• “Russian occupiers complete removal of rubble, dead bodies from Drama Theater in Mariupol – mayor’s adviser” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine Will Fight Until All Russian Forces Are Expelled, Military Intelligence Chief Says” (WSJ, archived link)
• ” ‘We weren’t afraid of them — but they were very afraid of us’ Meduza reports from Kharkiv, where Ukrainians are cleaning up the mess left by the city’s failed invaders” (Meduza.io)
• “Ukrainian war prisoners subjected to forced labor by Russian troops in Luhansk region – human rights’ ombudsperson” (UKR media)
• “A Naval Corridor for Ukraine Cargo Ships? Easier Said Than Done” (RUS independent media)
• “Russia Says ‘Nearing’ Full Control of Ukraine’s Luhansk” (AFP via RUS independent media)
• ” ‘We Have to Buy Everything’: Russian Soldiers Under-Equipped In Ukraine War” (RUS independent media)
• “Bodies of the Russian servicemen are being exhumed in the Kharkiv region” (UKR mil NGO)
• “Putin posthumously awards Order of Courage to Sparta commander “Motorola” (killed in 2016″ (Donetsk rebel media)
• “Sergey Prokopenko elected new Deputy Chairman of DPR People’s Council” (Donetsk rebel media)
• “Russian Duma Mulls Scrapping Upper Age Limit Of 40 For Military Enrollment” (USA govt funded media)
• “Shoigu Says Russia To Strengthen Its Western Defenses In Response To NATO Growth” (USA govt funded media)
• “Russia occupies entire Luhansk region in response to accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO – Shoigu” (UKR media)
• “Germany sets date for heavy arms deliveries to Ukraine” (RUS state media)
• ” “It’s An Option”: G7 On Seizing Russian Assets To Help Rebuild Ukraine” (IND media)
• “Zelensky: Some 42 states to join Ukraine’s proceedings against Russia in ICJ” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine studies Italy’s proposals on ways to end Russia’s war against Ukraine – MFA” (UKR media)

MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update 201110TC May 2022

Usual caveats: All open-source info, so only as good as the source – inclusion here =/= confirmation of content. Some more cynical than I suggest caution linking to Russian servers, pro-rebel servers or amplifier sites – I leave the judgment call to you now that you’ve been warned.

• UK MoD 200108E May brief: “As many as 1,700 Ukrainian soldiers are likely to have surrendered from the Mariupol Azovstal steel factory. An unknown number of Ukrainian forces remain inside the factory. Once Russia has secured Mariupol, it is likely they will move their forces to reinforce operations in the Donbas. Staunch Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol since the start of the war means Russian forces in the area must be re-equipped and refurbished before they can be redeployed effectively. This can be a lengthy process when done thoroughly …” (via Twitter)
• “The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 20.05” (UKR MoD)
• UKR MoD 200600 local brief: “… There are no significant changes in the state and position of units of the Armed Forces of the republic of belarus in the Volyn and Polissya areas. The threat of missile and bomb strikes remains from the territory of the republic of belarus …”
• “Russia Intensifying Offensive In Eastern Ukraine; Donbas ‘Completely Destroyed’ ” (USA govt funded media)
• “Ukraine Slams Russian Campaign in Donbas ‘Hell,’ U.S. Readies $40Bln in Aid” (AFP via RUS independent media)
• “New Evidence Shows How Russian Soldiers Executed Men in Bucha” (New York Times)
• ” ‘You’re lucky it was us Chechens who found you’ The story of a Ukrainian man whose home was occupied by Russian troops as he took shelter underneath” (Meduza.io, RUS independent media)
• “Several Russian POWs say they want to remain in Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “There are many people who want to join Freedom of Russia Legion – Legion rep” (UKR media)
• “Russians ‘who want to fight Putin in Ukraine’ given own battalion” (9 Apr 2022, metro.co.uk)
• “Russian soldier on trial asks victim’s widow to forgive him” (Associated Press)
• “Ukrainian volunteers face problem of bringing humanitarian aid into country – experts … “Now there are enough donors on the territory of the European Union who are interested in providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but they need the Ukrainian side to take it. Because of this, Ukrainian public organizations refuse humanitarian aid or transfer it to other organizations, as they cannot cover the cost logistics component of the delivery,” …” (UKR media)
• “Russian Pacific Fleet’s marines participating in Ukraine special operation, says commander” (RUS state media)
• “Liberation of Lugansk People’s Republic to be complete shortly — Russian Defense Ministry” (RUS state media)
• “The prosecutor’s office warned 122 entrepreneurs about the inadmissibility of raising food prices” (Luhansk rebel media, in Russian)
• “Since the beginning of the year, the LPR prosecutor’s office has opened 476 criminal cases against the Kyiv security forces” (Luhansk rebel media, in Russian)
• “EXPLAINER: What might happen to 100s of Ukrainian POWs?” (Associated Press)
• “The fate of hundreds of Ukrainian fighters who surrendered after holding out against punishing attacks on Mariupol’s steel factory hung in the balance Thursday, amid international fears that the Russians may take reprisals against the prisoners. The International Committee of the Red Cross gathered personal information from hundreds of the soldiers — name, date of birth, closest relative — and registered them as prisoners of war, as part of its role in ensuring the humane treatment of POWs under the Geneva Conventions …” (Associated Press)
• “Captive medic’s bodycam shows firsthand horror of Mariupol” (Associated Press)
• “Over 1,900 Ukrainian militants, including representatives of the neo-Nazi formation “Azov” (the organization is banned in the DPR), who were hiding at the Mariupol metallurgical plant “Azovstal”, laid down their arms. This was stated today by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the department’s board in Moscow …” (Google English from Russian, Donetsk rebel media)
• “177 civilians rescued from Azovstal, nearly 2,000 nationalists surrendered — top brass” (RUS state media)
• “Screenshots: US & Ukraine Nazis Have Secret Telegram Chat, Ex-SBU Lt. Col. Says” (RUS state media)
• “Some 1.4 mln people evacuated since start of Russia’s special military operation — Shoigu” (RUS state media)
• “One of the top negotiators representing Ukraine in the stalled peace talks with Russia has called for the word ‘Russians’ to be erased from people’s memory in the regions in the east and south under Moscow’s control, once they are retaken by Kiev. Speaking to Ukraine’s ICTV on Thursday, Mikhail Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, said that Ukraine’s principal priority at this point is “liberating, and doing so in as tough a manner as possible with respect to collaborators as well as Russian troops,” Kherson Region and Zaporozhye Region in the south of Ukraine …” (RUS state media)
• “Russian defense chief unveils plans for Western Military District to counter NATO buildup” (RUS state media)
• “This Is Not Just ‘Putin’s War’ And Russians Should ‘100 Percent’ Feel Guilty: A Veteran Russian Analyst Pulls No Punches” (USA govt funded media)
• “Denys Shmyhal: We expect the G7 countries to embark on drafting legislation on the confiscation of russian assets in favor of Ukraine” (via UKR Cabinet info-machine)
• “Ukraine needs quick financial support to survive in war – Zelensky” (UKR media)
• “Senate ships $40B Ukraine aid bill to Biden for signature” (Associated Press)
• “Rebutting Turkey, Biden lauds NATO bids of Sweden, Finland” (Associated Press)
• “The best end of the war is the victory of Ukraine with the restoration of its territorial integrity, – Polish President” (UKR media)
• “Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs has rejected the request submitted by Russia for a compensation for the demolition of the Soviet monument in Pārdaugava. As the minister wrote on Twitter, Russia made an announcement that it will request compensation from Latvia for the demolition of the «monument to occupants». Rinkēvičs said, Russia «will get a dead donkey ears, not a compensation» …” (Baltic News Network)
• “On May 12, the State Police identified the retransmission of banned Russian television channels in two public places in Tukums municipality, the police reported on May 20. Two administrative infringement proceedings were initiated, in one case against a legal person and, in the other case, a natural person …” (Latvian media)