Secret service: Putin's army can't defend mine bulwark in Ukraine

Created: 2022-12-27 06:29

By: Linus Prien, Patrick Mayer, Bedrettin Bölükbasi, Franziska Schwarz

A man carries a landmine on the site of a brickworks where lots of ammunition and other explosive items remain after the Russian occupation.

(Archive) © dpa/Ukrinform

The Ukrainian armed forces confirm a drone attack on the Russian air base in Engels.

Cherson is bombed, Bakhmut is heavily contested.

The news ticker on the military situation.

• After explosion near

  Saratov

  in

  Russia

  : Ukrainian armed forces confirm drone attack.

• Also at

  Christmas

  in

  Ukraine

  : heavy fighting in Donbass concentrated on Bakhmut.

• After suspected

  Russian artillery fire

  : the number of victims in Cherson is likely to continue to rise.

• This

  news ticker

  on the military situation in the

  Ukraine war

  is constantly updated.

Update from December 26, 10:30 p.m .:

Despite the repair work on the energy network, which was severely damaged by Russian attacks, around nine million people in Ukraine are still without electricity.

"But the number and duration of power outages is steadily decreasing," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his daily video address on Monday evening.

But there are still many deficits in the power supply.

Important decisions were made during his consultations with government officials on the situation in the energy and infrastructure sectors on Monday.

"We are preparing for next year, not just for the winter months," said Zelenskyy.

"There are steps that need to be taken, and the state will definitely take them." The president did not give any details.

At the same time, Zelenskyy warned of possible new Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid.

"The air defenses are preparing, the state is preparing and everyone must prepare," he said.

The Russian military has repeatedly attacked the Ukrainian energy grid for weeks with cruise missiles, rockets and so-called kamikaze drones.

The aim is to put the population under pressure in the middle of winter with the failure of the electricity and water supply.

Contested Donbass: A suspected Ukrainian armored personnel carrier shortly before Christmas in Bakhmut.

© IMAGO/Andriy Andriyenko

"Hottest point" on the Ukrainian front: Allegedly 225 bombings around Bakhmut in one day

Update from December 26, 10:20 p.m.:

A few days ago, Ukrainian President Bachmut described it as the “hottest point” along the more than 1,300-kilometer-long front.

The heavy fighting for the traffic junction continues unabated between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

“Russia is constantly shelling Bakhmut's infrastructure.

The enemy is sticking to scorched earth tactics,” stated Ukrainian Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, according to

.

According to the report, more than 60 percent of the infrastructure has already been severely damaged or destroyed.

According to Kyrylenko, there were 28 combat operations and 225 bombardments by Russian artillery and tanks in the area around the city on December 26 alone.

The information cannot be independently verified.

Update from December 26, 8:30 p.m .:

US analysts see signs of a possible renewed Russian offensive from Belarus to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

A Russian military blogger probably doubts that.

After explosion near Saratov in Russia: Ukrainian armed forces confirm drone attack

Update from December 26, 8:15 p.m .:

The Ukrainian armed forces have confirmed a drone attack on the Russian air base Engels near Saratov on the Volga.

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“These are the consequences of Russian aggression.

If the Russians thought that the war would not affect them in the deep rear, then they are mistaken," said Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of Ukraine, in a released video message.

Videos are said to show how the drone was shot down by Russian anti-aircraft defenses shortly before the impact.

According to authorities, however, flying wreckage killed three Russian soldiers on site.

Saratov is almost 800 kilometers from the Bakhmut front.

Hundreds of kilometers from the Ukrainian front: the Russian air base Engels.

(File photo) © AFP PHOTO / HANDOUT/ Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies

Also at Christmas in Ukraine: Heavy fighting in the Donbass is concentrated on Bakhmut

Update from December 26, 7.30 p.m .:

The fighting in the Ukraine war is also concentrated at Christmas on Bakhmut in the Donbass in the east of the country.

The city, which once had a little more than 70,000 inhabitants, is considered a transport hub in the direction of the cities of Kramatorsk (around 160,000 inhabitants) and Slowjansk (110,000) as well as the metropolis of Dnipro (around one million inhabitants).

For weeks the Russian army has been trying in vain to capture Bakhmut.

As ZDF's "heute journal" reported in the evening, dozens of soldiers die on both sides here alone every day.

In Briyansk region bordering Ukraine: Russian FSB allegedly stops "saboteurs"

Update from December 26, 5:30 p.m .:

This Monday, the Russian domestic secret service FSB reported, according to Russian news agencies, the killing of a group of “saboteurs” who had tried to get into the Russian region of Brijansk bordering Ukraine.

The four killed had German submachine guns, navigation devices and "four improvised explosive devices" with them.

Russia accuses pro-Ukrainian forces of a series of acts of sabotage - including an explosion that damaged a bridge between Moscow's annexed Crimea and Russia in October.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin again justified the invasion as a supposed defense against the West's attempt to destroy Russia.

In an interview on state television, Putin said the aim of the "policies of our geopolitical opponents" was to "tear up Russia, historical Russia".

After suspected Russian artillery fire: the number of victims in Cherson is likely to continue to rise

Update from December 26, 4:30 p.m .:

According to the authorities, after alleged Russian artillery shelling of the southern Ukrainian city of Cherson and after explosions at Christmas, the number of victims has risen to 16.

Among the dead were three men who died during mine clearance work, Ukrainian military governor Yaroslav Yanushevich told the Telegram news service.

64 people were injured by Russian attacks, Yanushevich explained.

The Ukrainian armed forces only recaptured the city (population around 290,000) not far from the Black Sea at the end of November.

Before New Year's Eve and New Year: Volodymyr Zelenskyj warns of further Russian attacks

Update from December 26, 3:30 p.m .:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned the population of his country of further Russian attacks with a view to the few days left this year.

"We must be aware that our enemy will try to make this time dark and difficult for us," he said in his daily video address on Sunday evening.

Russia has lost everything it could lose this year: "But it is trying to make up for its losses with the cunning of its propagandists after the rocket attacks on our country, on our energy sector."

"I know that the darkness will not prevent us from leading the occupiers to their new defeats," Zelenskyy said.

"But we have to be prepared for every scenario." Zelenskyj addressed sharp words to the Russian military, who killed at least 16 people and wounded another 64 in artillery attacks in Kherson in the south of the country on Saturday.

"Beasts," he said.

"We will find every killer."

Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine: Andriy Melnyk.

© IMAGO/Christian Spicker

After the promise of Patriot air defense systems in the USA: Andriy Melnyk calls for western fighter jets

Update from December 26, 1:30 p.m .:

After the commitment of the US Patriot air defense systems, the Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk is now demanding not only tanks but also Western fighter jets and warships to fight the Russian attackers.

One is very grateful to the USA for the "new courageous steps", said Melnyk of the German Press Agency (dpa).

“But one thing is clear: there are still a lot of taboos to be broken.

We urgently need western tanks, fighter jets, warships, multiple rocket launchers, ammunition.

That is my only wish to the Christ Child.”

Otherwise, this war will drag on and bring even more suffering, death and devastation to Ukraine, Melnyk said.

Whether the war can be ended in 2023 depends on the military and financial support of the allies.

"We are dependent on Western arms supplies, they are crucial to the war." The USA had promised the delivery of Patriot systems to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj during his visit to Washington shortly before Christmas.

On the other hand, Ukraine has not yet received any Western battle tanks, combat aircraft or warships.

Melnyk pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin was committing his army and compatriots to a very long war and was mobilizing all available resources for it.

“Ukrainians are ready to fight for the liberation of their homeland, including Crimea, as long as we breathe.

That's for sure, no matter what our partners do," emphasized the former Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin.

He clearly rejected negotiations with Russia.

"All the Kremlin talk about Putin's alleged willingness to negotiate is pure bluff, mainly aimed at garnering sympathy in the West, unsettling societies - including in Germany - and crumbling the resolve of our allies.

You can't allow that," said Melnyk.

At the moment there is no alternative but to provide massive military support to Ukraine in order to create a real chance for negotiations.

Melnyk categorically ruled out that Ukraine would give up parts of its national territory.

Neither the illegal annexation of Crimea nor the Russian appropriation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Cherson or Zaporizhia regions in the east and south of the country will ever be recognized.

“This is unacceptable for Kyiv.

That will never happen,” said Melnyk.

Ukrainians are ready to fight for the liberation of their homeland, including Crimea, as long as we breathe. 

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk

Can't Russians defend minefields?

British intelligence provides assessment

Update from December 26, 10:32 a.m .:

According to British secret services, Russia lacks suitable personnel to defend its minefields laid in the Ukraine war.

In the past few months, the Russian armed forces have concentrated on expanding their defenses with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines on many sectors along the front line, the British Ministry of Defense said in its daily briefing on Monday.

However, the British point out that such minefields are only a hurdle for professional troops if they are protected by appropriate surveillance and shelling.

However, the Russians' lack of trained personnel and suitable resources poses a major challenge for Moscow, London suspects.

Ukraine-News: Russia reports Ukrainian drone attack on military base in Russia

Update from December 26, 8:16 a.m .:

According to Russian information, three soldiers died in a drone attack on the Engels military airfield in southern Russia, hundreds of kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

"On December 26 at 1:35 Moscow time, the Russian anti-aircraft defense system shot down a Ukrainian drone at low altitude while approaching the Engels airbase in the Saratov region," the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Three soldiers were killed by the falling splinters.

The information could not initially be verified independently.

According to media reports, four people were also injured.

"The aircraft technology was not damaged," emphasized the military leadership.

Strategic bombers are stationed in Engels, and Russia uses their missiles to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

The city on the Volga is more than 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

Battles for Cherson: Ukrainian troops probably put the command post out of action

Update from December 25, 8:30 p.m .:

The Ukrainian armed forces claim to have disabled a Russian command post in an attack in the Cherson region in the south of the country.

The staff in the village of Sabaryne was attacked during an officers' meeting, the general staff of the Ukrainian army said in Kyiv on Sunday.

At least 70 soldiers were wounded in the process, and the number of dead is not yet certain.

The information could not initially be verified independently.

During the course of the war, the Ukrainian defenders repeatedly attacked Russian command centers and command posts.

These had been localized either by monitoring the radio traffic or the mobile network.

Several high-ranking Russian officers have already been killed.

Ukraine war: Putin's deputy prime minister wants to open training centers for the Russian military

Update from December 25, 7.30 p.m .:

Russia apparently wants to speed up the training of soldiers in the Ukraine war.

According to the state news agency TASS, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev announced that training centers based on the model of the University for Special Forces in Gudermes, Chechnya, are to be set up.

Together with Sergei Kriyenko, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration, they have already approached Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin, Trutnev also said.

"The task of these centers is very clear: they should strengthen our country and lead it to victory as quickly as possible," said the Russian Deputy Prime Minister.

When creating the training facilities, they want to use the experience of the Chechen university, he said.

Ukraine war: military expert sees new Russia offensive in a lost position

Update from December 25, 6:10 p.m.:

The political and military leadership of Ukraine fears a new offensive by the Russian armed forces at the beginning of the new year.

However, according to the Ukrainian military expert Alexander Kovalenko, the chances of success for any offensive are very slim.

There is currently no direction in which the Russian troops could succeed, he said in an interview with the Ukrainian broadcaster Kanal24, according to the Unian news agency.

Even in Bakhmut, where an enormous force is concentrated, the Russian military has not been successful and has even had to accept counter-offensives from the Ukrainian side.

In addition, Russia does not have the necessary strength to prepare for an offensive.

According to Unian, Russian troops could only dare an offensive in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.

However, this would only serve to increase the pressure on the Ukrainian military.

According to the military expert, however, the conquest and holding of large pieces of land does not seem possible there either.

Ukraine sees heavy casualties for Russia - 'a whole battalion every time'

Update from December 25, 5:00 p.m.:

According to the Ukrainian military, Russian troops in eastern Ukraine are inflicting heavy losses.

The heaviest fighting would continue in eastern Ukraine, said Colonel Serhiy Cherevatji, spokesman for the eastern battle group, according to the official military information

.

The Russian army is concentrating both personnel and equipment such as artillery, tanks and aircraft in the area, he said.

"The Russian occupiers are trying to advance in Bakhmut, Avdjiwka and now also in Lyman," he said, according to the portal.

However, the Ukrainian armed forces would prevent this and repel Russian attacks.

On Sunday morning alone, 620 Russian soldiers were killed in the area, he claimed, citing the Ukrainian general staff.

According to Cherevatji, Russia "loses a whole battalion every time."

However, this information cannot be independently verified.

Ukraine war: "Putin's cook" probably increases the pressure on the Kremlin boss

Update from December 25, 11:41 a.m

.: According to an ISW ​​analysis, "Putin's cook" is now increasing the pressure on the Kremlin boss: Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, suggest that Moscow should confiscate accommodation and luxury goods from oligarchs, who have so far not supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The details of the rumored shortage of money in the Kremlin.

Putin's submarine man suddenly dead: died "too soon and tragically".

Update from December 25, 11:07 am

: The Admiralty shipyard is one of the largest Russian naval shipyards.

According to the Russian state news agency Tass, its general director Alexander Buzakov has now died at the age of 66.

In the English-language Wikipedia, his death found its way directly into the article "Mysterious deaths of Russian businessmen in 2022".

In fact, unexpected deaths among Russia's elite have been on the public's radar since the beginning of the war.

The news of Buzakvo's death here.

Alexander Buzakov (photo taken in January 2022) © Alexander Demianchuk/Imago

“Disgusting provocation”: Putin governor wants to blame Ukraine for the Cherson attack

Update from December 25, 10:39 a.m

.: Heavy shelling also at Christmas – and 16 deaths have now been counted: The Ukrainian authorities are currently reporting this from the contested Cherson region.

Vladimir Saldo, the region's governor appointed by Russia, has now denied the allegations.

Ukrainian troops themselves fired on the city in a "terrorist manner".

"This is a disgusting provocation with the obvious aim of blaming the Russian armed forces," he was quoted as saying by Russia's state news agency

.

The leadership in Kyiv is hereby responsible for "another bloody deed" against civilians, according to Saldo.

The information cannot be independently verified.

Battles in Bakhmut: Forced Putin military to 'tactical' pause?

Update from December 25, 9.46 a.m

.: Russian offensive in Bakhmut: Putin's military is apparently not making as much progress in the region as planned - and could therefore take a "tactical break".

This is what the US Institute for War Studies (ISW) writes in its latest situation analysis.

The pace of advance has slowed down in the past few days.

However, it is still too early for a final judgement.

Most recently, the Russian attacks were concentrated on the east of the country, especially the city of Bakhmut.

Air alert throughout Ukraine: sirens wail in the cities

Update from December 25, 9:09 a.m

.: As the

now reports, there is currently an air alarm nationwide in Ukraine.

Sirens wail in the cities.

There are also reports from Ukraine that the reason for this could be that Russian jets took off from Belarus.

However, this information could not initially be checked independently, the news magazine emphasizes.

Selenskyj plain text on Christmas: "Fight absolute evil"

First report from December 25

: Kiev - Despite war and suffering and constant shelling: In the Ukraine, too, many people celebrate Christmas Day.

In his most recent video on Christmas Eve, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was standing on the street - in dim light and with a Christmas tree in the background.

Zelenskyy's Christmas speech: "Let's get through this winter"

“We endured attacks, threats, nuclear blackmail, terror and missile strikes.

Let's get through this winter because we know what we're fighting for," Zelenskyy called on his compatriots to persevere.

On the same day, new Russian attacks on the city of Kherson caused widespread horror.

Attacks on Kherson: Ukraine reports at least 10 dead and 55 wounded

Attacks on the city in southern Ukraine killed 10 people and wounded 55 others, military governor Yaroslav Yanushevich said on Ukrainian television.

18 people were seriously injured.

The information could not be checked independently.

Most of the Kherson region is still controlled by Russian troops.

Selenskyj verurteilte den Angriff als weiteres Verbrechen des „Terrorstaates“ Russland direkt vor Weihnachten. Die Fotos der Toten würden von sozialen Netzwerken sicher markiert, wegen des Inhalts. „Aber das ist kein sensibler Inhalt, das ist das reale Leben der Ukraine und der Ukrainer“, sagte er. „Die Welt muss sehen und verstehen, welches absolute Böse wir bekämpfen.“

Bündnispartner Putin und Lukaschenko: Kiew fürchtet Offensive aus Belarus

In addition, due to a concentration of Russian troops in Belarus, there are fears of a new Russian offensive from there in Kyiv.

The US Institute for War Studies (ISW) estimates that such an attack is unlikely but possible.

As an indication, the military experts saw the establishment of a hospital.

"Field hospitals are not necessary for exercises and can be an indication of the preparation for combat operations.".

In Belarus, the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, has made his military bases available for attacks on Ukraine to the politically and financially dependent ruler Alexander Lukashenko.