The Ukrainian counteroffensive has begun – it is a message that we will read more frequently in the coming days and weeks. Already today there were rumors that the Ukrainians have started their planned big counterattack. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar spoke on television of “complex measures” already underway in eastern Ukraine. But they are “only” preparatory actions. Specifically, it should be about local counterattacks, including in Bachmut.
What all major offensives in this war have in common so far: Exactly when they started was only clear in hindsight. They were isolated attacks that were only documented in the vast expanses of social media; such as the Russian attack on Wuhledar, which ushered in Moscow’s spring offensive, which has since largely fizzled out. It could be the same this time: by the day it becomes clear that Kiev’s grand operation has begun, it will likely be up and running for some time.
The Italian military expert Thomas Theiner recently had based on a videowhich shows an enormous gathering of Ukrainian soldiers, analyzes that it is a 3,500-strong brigade currently training with eleven other brigades (Source at the “Bild” newspaper). Most of the soldiers were in NATO countries for training. The brigades are to form the spearhead of the major offensive. It is not yet clear when and where they will be used.
The most important news at a glance:
- According to a Ukrainian military coordinator, fighters from the Russian mercenary group “Wolves” are said to be in the hotly contested region around Bakhmut. As the military blogger reports on Twitter, a “Wolves” fighter in Donetsk Oblast is said to have tried to recruit several people. More here.
- Germany handed over the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine for better defense against Russian air attacks. The weapon system had been delivered, the federal government announced on its website for armament aid to Ukraine. Here you can read more about it.
- US law enforcement officials have charged four members of a black nationalist organization with allegations of collaborating with Russian intelligence agencies. The founder of the organization African People’s Socialist Party (APSP) and the Uhuru movement, Omali Yeshitela, and two party members are said to have been unofficial agents of Russia. You’ll find more about it here.
- In the dispute over grain from Ukraine, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced protective measures. According to a Commission spokeswoman, the politician sent a letter to affected countries and suggested appropriate steps with regard to products such as wheat, corn and sunflowers. More here.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken of difficulties in delivering goods to parts of Ukraine that were conquered last year. The government must take care of this problem. More on this in our news blog. - The Kremlin critic Ilya Yashin, who was sentenced to eight and a half years in a penal camp, failed in his appeal before a Russian court. At the same time, the prominent 39-year-old used his appearance to once again sharply criticize President Vladimir Putin and his war of aggression against Ukraine.
- The pro-Russian politician Pavel Gubarjov, self-proclaimed governor of the “Donetsk People’s Republic”, wants to call for a revolution in the so-called “Club of Angry Patriots” in the event of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. As the Institute for the Study of War reports, in Gubarev’s eyes, Russia cannot win the war without revolutionary forces.
- The Ukrainian army has also received the first Patriot air defense systems from the US and the Netherlands, designed to repel Russian missile attacks. Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov thanked Germany, the USA and the Netherlands for “keeping their word”.
- According to the Russian domestic secret service, it prevented an “act of sabotage” against energy infrastructure in the annexed Crimea. A man with citizenship of Russia and Ukraine was arrested, the FSB said. He would be accused of sabotage plans and possession of explosives.
- The federal government is providing Ukraine with a further 111 million euros for the reconstruction of the country. The development ministry announced that the funds will be used in particular to create apartments for internally displaced persons and to support Ukrainian communities in repairing and equipping kindergartens, schools and hospitals.
- According to British estimates, Russia is relying heavily on disinformation and fake news in the war against Ukraine. “Since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian state has systematically used intelligence operations as a key element of its strategy,” the Ministry of Defense said in London, citing intelligence findings.
- The head of the Donetsk region’s separatist administration, appointed by Russia, Denis Puschilin, met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. Pushilin wrote on Telegram that he was interested in machines, tractors, buses and construction products from Belarus.
- Russian drones have attacked the southern Ukrainian region of Odessa. This was announced by the head of the regional military command, Yuri Kruk, on Telegram early Wednesday morning. Most of the Shahed-136 drones were therefore destroyed.
