Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[Jimbuna]

Unlocking ports for metal export will give Ukraine about billion dollars every month, - Kalenkov

The mining and metallurgical complex of Ukraine is currently experiencing a deep crisis, for the solution of which the unblocking of sea ports for the export of products is extremely necessary. At the same time, it will give Ukraine about a billion dollars of monthly foreign exchange earnings.

As Censor.NET informs, the president of "Ukrmetalurgprom" wrote about this in his column for Interfax Ukraine.

"MMC is an export-oriented industry. In pre-war times, we sent 80% of our products to foreign markets, about 70% of exports went through seaports. Therefore, the ability to export by sea is the main issue for our industry, and therefore for the economy of Ukraine.
Let me remind you that in the structure of Ukrainian exports, MMC products take up more than a third. And over the past year, the sale of our products on world markets brought Ukraine about $22 billion in foreign exchange revenue," Kalenkov noted.

He emphasized: Today the export of grain through the "transport corridor", which was created thanks to Ukraine's international partners, provides about 1 billion dollars of income every month.

"About the same amount, if not more, of currency can be generated by the export of MMC products. In other words, Ukraine can thus double the volume of foreign exchange earnings - the benefit for the state is obvious. In addition, the restoration of metal exports by sea will allow the recovery of MMC production, and the retention of highly qualified and experienced workers collectives and increase tax revenues to the state budget," Kalenkov emphasized.

He assured: market participants highly appreciate the titanic work of Ukrainian diplomats and international partners in unblocking sea exports, and are well aware that successful negotiations with a "maddened" neighbor are a very difficult task.

"However, this goal is quite real. For this, we only need an understanding of the importance of this expansion on the part of the international community. Therefore, we once again ask our diplomats to constantly emphasize the need to expand the range of goods transported through the open corridor," Kalenkov summarized.

It will be recalled that earlier the directors of three seaports - "Yuzhnyi", "TIS-Vuhillia" and "Tis-Ruda" - called on President Volodymyr Zelenskyi to extend the effect of the "grain corridor" to metal products: they said that this would strengthen the hryvnia and the economy because one ship with iron ore provides $14 million in export earnings, and Ukraine can send 200 such ships a year. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382506

[Dargo]

The United States continues to support Ukraine with additional military assistance to help defend itself, including from the Kremlin’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.

Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, today I am authorizing our twenty-sixth drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. This $400 million drawdown includes additional arms, munitions, and air defense equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories. This drawdown will bring the total U.S. military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented level of approximately $19.7 billion, since the beginning of the Administration.

The United States will continue to stand with more than 40 allies and partners in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination. The artillery ammunition, precision fires, air defense missiles, and tactical vehicles that we are providing will best serve Ukraine on the battlefield. We are joined in our efforts by France and the UK, including the £50 million in air defense systems offered by UK Prime Minister Sunak during his recent visit to Kyiv, and we note Sweden’s recent air defense commitment valued at nearly $300 million.

We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, so it can continue to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes.

We stand United with Ukraine.

[mapuc]

Don't know about your thoughts when your heard or read that EU has recognizing the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

In my head this popped up in my memory(had to search to get exact phrase)

“My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”
(Ronald Reagan)

Markus

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[Dargo]

The fallout of the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine includes Russia’s loss of influence over ex-Soviet republics, which Moscow viewed as strategic buffer zones against potential enemies. Of all post-Soviet leaders, only Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko remains loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is one of the signs that Russia – the former imperial center – is weaker among its formerly conquered countries than it has been for more than a century since the Romanov Empire was falling apart and the Soviet Union had not yet been established, from 1917-1922.

Russia has always been obsessed with the notion of strategic depth, involving the creation of buffer states or spheres of influence. The aim is to keep a potential war front as far away as possible from Moscow and other key cities. In the Kremlin mindset, former Soviet republics are essential for ensuring that NATO or China will not get too close.

From the Russian point of view, the few historical examples of strategic depth violation – by the Poles at the beginning of the 17th century, the French under Napoleon and the Germans under Hitler – were traumatizing threats to the existence of the state. Today, the Kremlin’s flailing invasion of Ukraine is stirring discontent along its western and southern borders.

Over the past three decades, at least eight of the 14 post-Soviet republics have stayed friendly with Moscow, giving the Russian authorities a sense of relative security and control. These nations also provided safe havens for Russian culture, language and trade. In the last few months, however, they have stopped fulfilling this comforting role. Russia’s strategic depth is no longer secured along nearly all its land borders. President Putin cannot count anymore on the former Soviet republics.

https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/putin-lonely-russia/

[Jimbuna]

Zaluzhny about missile attacks: Russia is unable to defeat Ukrainian Armed Forces, so it wages war against civilians, TPPs and hospitals

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeryi Zaluzhnyi congratulated Ukrainian warriors on the Day of Air Assault Troops.

This is stated by Censor.NЕТ with a link to the page of the Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Facebook.

"Today, the terrorist country Russian Federation has launched a massive missile strike on the critical infrastructure of our state. Being unable to overcome the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy wages war against civilians, thermal power plants, medical institutions and even babies.

During today's attack, the enemy launched 67 air-launched ("X-101 / X-555") and sea-launched ("Kalibr") cruise missiles. The forces and means of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces destroyed 51 cruise missiles, as well as 5 kamikaze drones of the "Lancet" type.

Read more: Power units of Southern Ukrainian NPP disconnected

Only 30 missiles were launched at Kyiv, 20 were destroyed.

I thank the servicemen whose professionalism saves lives. You are an example for the whole world. What you do in the conditions of constant shortage of weapons, equipment, ammunition is on the verge of possible.

I am grateful to the partner countries for providing air and missile defense systems that protect the sky above us. Peace in Europe directly depends on the stability and security of Ukraine," Zaluzhny said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382611

All services are working, we will restore and overcome all this, - Zelensky on consequences of infrastructure damage

The local authorities and all services are working to restore electricity and water supply, which was damaged as a result of another missile strikes by the Russian Federation.

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in video appeal, reports Ukrinform.

Zelenskyy reminded that today, November 23, the European Parliament had recognized the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism. He thanked all parliamentarians.

"And then Russia proved to the whole world that this is true by using 67 missiles against our infrastructure, our energy sector, our people. The result is tragic - a large number of wounded and dead," the President noted.

He expressed condolences to all those who lost their relatives and friends.

"As for electricity and water supply, everyone is working, power engineers are working, the State Emergency Service, everyone, local authorities are working. The task has been set. We will restore all this and we will pass all this, because we are unbreakable people. Thank you all! Take care of yourself," Zelensky stressed. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382586

[Jimbuna]

US aid package worth $400 million includes ammunition for NASAMS and HIMARS, machine guns, tactical vehicles and generators

The United States has provided 25 packages of weapons and equipment to Ukraine since August 2021. The 26th will include additional weapons, ammunition and air defense equipment from the US Department of Defense stockpiles worth $400 million.

This was announced by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to site of Department of Defense.

According to him, together with the new package, the total US military assistance to Ukraine will reach an unprecedented level of approximately $ 19.7 billion during the term of the Administration of US President Joe Biden.

According to the Pentagon, the new package includes:

- Additional ammunition for NASAMS;

- 150 heavy machine guns with thermal imaging sights to counter unmanned aerial systems;

- Additional ammunition for Highly Mobile Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);

- 200 high-precision artillery shells of 155 mm caliber;

- 10 thousand 120 mm mortar shells;

- High-speed anti-radar missiles (Harm);

- 150 highly mobile multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV);

- More than 100 light tactical vehicles;

- more than 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition;

- More than 200 generators;

- Spare parts for 105-mm howitzers and other equipment. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382612

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

Good to see you here in the forums, Hunter. However, you are wasting your time with Exocet25fr. He sees things as he does and that's it.

I tend to drop by now and then. Thanks.

[Jimbuna]

Around 70% of the Ukrainian capital remained without power on Thursday morning, as work continued to restore the city's water supply.

Russian attacks on energy facilities have caused power cuts across Ukraine.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said energy firms were trying to restore electricity as soon as possible, but this would depend on the "balance" in the national grid.

Across Ukraine, winter is setting in, with snow and sub-zero temperatures.

This morning, a thick wet mist hung over Kyiv. You could make out the shapes of nearby buildings, but barely. The only lights seemed to be the headlamps of cars.

Many people now see their workplace as a refuge from the cold, because at least the heating is always on - unlike at home.

But many in Kyiv seem matter-of-fact about the hardships they are facing, finding ways to work around it. More and more people are installing generators as a means of having back-up power.

And running water is also no longer a guarantee - even before yesterday's latest missile attack.

President Volodymyr Zelensky was defiant on social media, writing: "Light always prevails over darkness."

He said Russian occupierswould never understand this, "existing for a long time in an impenetrable darkness themselves".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63740923

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Zelensky urged to support "Ukrainian formula of peace" at UN Security Council meeting

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council in the evening of November 23 via videoconference.

This is stated by Censor.NЕТ with reference to Ukrinform.

The President urged the UN to condemn Russian missile strikes on the energy infrastructure: "While Ukraine offers a ten-point peace plan, Russia responds with missiles. We are waiting for a reaction to the Russian terror. We need air defense systems. It's time to support the Ukrainian formula for peace."

Zelensky also invited UN representatives to come and see what Russia has done to Ukrainian infrastructure.

"A terrorist state cannot participate in any voting related to its aggression. It is a deadlock when the party waging war blocks any attempt on behalf of the UN Security Council to fulfill its mandate".

According to the President, Russia is doing everything for "the power generator to be a more powerful tool than the UN Charter". But the UN can correct this situation in order "not to be hostages of one international terrorist - Russia," he added.

Zelensky also noted that the shelling of Ukraine's critical infrastructure is a Russian formula for terror, which affects not only Ukraine but also neighboring states.

In conditions when the temperature is below zero and tens of millions of people are left without electricity, heating, water - "this is a weapon of mass destruction, this is an obvious crime against humanity," the President of Ukraine stated.

It should be recalled that in the afternoon of November 23, an air alert was declared in most regions of Ukraine. Explosions were reported in Odesa, Mykolaiv and other regions.

Residents of Kyiv heard the sounds of explosions in different areas. According to the authorities, critical infrastructure facilities were hit. It is known about the dead and injured.

All power units at Rivne, South Ukraine and Khmelnytsky NPPs are offline, Zaporizhzhia NPP is in full blackout mode.

The Air Force reports that Russia launched 70 cruise missiles at Ukraine, air defense destroyed 51. According to the National Police, Russian missiles hit 16 infrastructure facilities, killing 10 people. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382633

[Jimbuna]

G7 ambassadors stunned by ongoing Russian attacks: ’We stand with Ukrainians’

The ambassadors of the "Big Seven" countries expressed their support for Ukrainians.

They announced this on Twitter, Censor.NET reports.

"The G7 ambassadors in Kyiv are appalled by the ongoing Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy system during the 9 months of Russian full-scale aggression against Ukraine. We stand with the Ukrainians, sharing their grief over the innocent lives lost and facing water and electricity shortages with them," the message reads. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382673

Actions of Russian Federation make idea of any peace talks absurd, - Kuleba

Actions of Russian Federation make the idea of any peace talks absurd, - Kuleba.

He stated this in a comment to the Japanese publication NHK, informs Censor.NET.

According to him, the actions of the Russian troops make the idea of any peace talks... "absurd." The minister added that the leaders in Moscow are using the negotiations as a "smoke screen" to continue their "aggression and terror".

Kuleba emphasized that Ukraine will continue to liberate the territory to "save people from torture, suffering, and a life of poverty." Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382680

Russia is preparing troops for "aggravation" at border, - the General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine

Russian occupying forces are preparing for an "aggravation of the situation" on the border with Ukraine.

This was announced by the Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksiy Gromov, Censor.NET reports.

"The adversary is spreading information and preparing its troops for the so-called possible "escalation of the situation" on the Russian-Ukrainian border from November 23 to 28. At the same time, it is expected that "NATO and Ukraine will demand to capture the borders of peace-loving Belarus and Russia," he said.

According to him, this is reminiscent of the scenarios of the exercises already conducted by the Belarusians in September of this year.

"Against this background, units of the Russian occupying forces in the Belgorod region have been determined to install a mine-explosive barricade to prevent the so-called "Ukrainian DRGs from breaking through." information, it would be wrong to rule out any provocations by the enemy on the border," Gromov said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3382728

[Jimbuna]