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Sergei Krym-Gerei	Sergei Krym-Gerei	Chechnya	Caucasus	Chechen	Captured	Runner	20021031
		arrested in Moscow carrying 18 pounds of poisonous mercury while allegedly planning a new attack, allegedly a member of a gang led by Shamil Basayev
Sergei Tiunov	Sergei Tiunov	Chechnya	Caucasus				20030513

Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Ukrainian Perspective: Invasion of Ukraine: May 31, 2024

2024-06-01

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.

Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 22:35 Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo again stated that his country will not allow the use of its weapons, including the F-16, outside the territory of Ukraine.

22:24 German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius considers the correct decision to allow Ukraine to carry out strikes with German weapons on individual military targets on Russian territory: “This is what we have always done since the beginning of the war that Putin is waging against Ukraine. We adapted to the situation, adapted our strategy in each specific case."

21:06 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Ankara does not want NATO “participation” in the war in Ukraine, but supports the provision of military assistance to Kiev. According to him, Türkiye “supports continued assistance to Ukraine and Ukraine’s ability to contain” Russia.

19:49 The Ministry of Defense called on people's deputies to identify bill No. 6569-d on the creation of the Military Police on the basis of the Military Law Enforcement Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a priority. It will have the right to search, detain military personnel, record crimes and protect their rights. The ministry emphasizes the need for investigative powers for the Military Police and plans to work with MPs to improve the bill.

19:22 The Russians shelled Drobyshevo, Donetsk region - at least one person was killed and three were wounded, said the head of the OVA Vadim Filashkin. Four private houses were completely destroyed, another five were damaged.

19:16 Ukrenergo stated that it is returning to planned restrictions on electricity consumption. On Saturday, June 1, consumption limits will be in effect throughout Ukraine from 18:00 to 23:00. The reason is massive enemy attacks on Ukrainian power plants, as well as planned maintenance of power plants. The company recalled that from March 22 to May 8, the Russians deliberately attacked all large thermal and hydroelectric power plants five times.

18:54 The Polish agency PAP twice published news about mobilization in Poland for the war in Ukraine. The publication claims that it was hacked. The news said that the mobilization of 200 thousand citizens would allegedly begin in Poland, who “will be called up for compulsory military service and sent to Ukraine.” Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski announced a Russian cyber attack, the purpose of which is “disinformation before the elections and to paralyze the public.”

18:35 Poland is studying the possibility of preparing a unit of Ukrainians living in the country and subject to mobilization into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, writes Rzeczpospolita. “Poland has considered Ukraine’s request for training, but we have come to the conclusion that it would be safer and more effective to train a Ukrainian unit from Ukrainians in Poland subject to conscription into the Ukrainian army, and that this would be a more effective way to help Ukraine,” Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.

18:17 Zelensky said in an interview with The Guardian that he asked former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to talk to Trump so that he could convince Republicans in Congress to allocate $61 billion for Ukraine. Johnson spoke with the former head of the White House; Zelensky called the conversation “productive” and noted that Johnson “really helped Ukraine.”

17:46 Zelensky said that Ukraine did not receive “100% permission” from Britain to use Storm Shadow on Russian territory. At the same time, he suggested that the final decision of London, as well as Kyiv’s other allies, would depend on “consensus,” although the final word belongs to the United States.

17:30 The German Foreign Ministry officially announced the transfer to Ukraine of an assistance package worth 500 million euros and another Patriot system.

16:57 Blinken confirmed that Ukraine has received permission to carry out strikes on Russian territory: “Over the past several weeks, Ukraine has approached us and asked for permission to use the weapons that we provide to defend against this aggression, including Russian troops that are massing on the Russian side borders, and then attack Ukraine. This is the right of the president, and, as you heard, he approved the use of our weapons for these purposes."

The Secretary of State also added that the United States “will continue to adapt and adjust, we will provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs.” Blinken does not believe the policy change will lead to escalation.

16:14 Stoltenberg proposed to allocate 40 billion euros to help Ukraine annually and make the allocation of these funds mandatory. “We have already provided Ukraine with 40 billion euros of assistance per year, and I ask that we take exactly the same commitment for the next years,” the secretary general said.

16:03 The United States allowed to hit Russian territory with HIMARS systems and artillery, but without using ATACMS, writes The Wall Street Journal.

15:36 The number of deaths in Kharkov as a result of the overnight Russian strike has increased to six, the regional prosecutor's office reported.

15:30 Mobilization in Ukraine increased after the new law came into force, Zelensky said: “Mobilization went on and on. To be honest, after the law it, to be honest, increased.” The president also said that only today he received a message from the military about US permission to strike Russian territory with American weapons. “We had a message from the American side. Early this morning I received this message from my military. I cannot tell you details about this,” the head of state noted. He called this resolution "a step forward."

15:23 A “very powerful package” of assistance to Ukraine will be announced at the summit in Washington, Blinken said before the start of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague.

14:59 Germany allowed Ukraine to launch strikes on Russian territory for a maximum of 40 km and only in the Kharkov region, writes Bild. According to the publication, two German weapons systems are being considered for attacks on Russian territory - the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer and the Mars II armored multiple launch rocket system.

14:28 Ukraine signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support with Norway. According to the document, this year Norway will provide Ukraine with at least 13.5 billion Norwegian kroner (about 1.2 billion euros) of military assistance. In total, Norway has included almost 6.4 billion euros in the long-term program for 2023-2027. Norway will transfer F-16 fighters to Ukraine, and will also make a significant contribution to the development of maritime capabilities in the Black and Azov Seas, will continue to provide NASAMS systems and equipment for them, and will train specialists. Also, Ukraine and Norway will work to deepen defense-industrial cooperation.

Norway is the 15th country with which a bilateral security agreement has been concluded. Previously, Ukraine signed similar documents with the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden and Iceland.

13:57 Ukraine and Iceland signed a security agreement. According to the document, during 2024-2028 Iceland will annually allocate at least 4 billion ISK (about $30 million) to Ukraine. Iceland will also finance, purchase and supply defense materials and equipment, and cooperate with Ukraine to develop its defense industry. In addition, Iceland commits to continue transporting military supplies and equipment from NATO allies to Ukraine via chartered cargo planes. Iceland will also pay special attention to supporting and equipping Ukrainian women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

13:49 Zelensky confirmed that 75 Ukrainians returned from captivity, including soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard, border guards, and four civilians.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War clarified that among those released were 70 men and five women, six officers and 65 representatives of privates and sergeants. At least a third of those rescued are injured, seriously ill or disabled.

In particular, 37 representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were released from captivity, including 13 Navy soldiers and two representatives of the Air Force. Also released from captivity were 21 national guardsmen, seven border guards, six terrorist fighters and four Ukrainian civilians. 19 defenders of Zmeiny Island, 14 military personnel guarding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, as well as ten defenders of Mariupol were returned to Ukraine. Today's exchange is the 52nd since the start of the full-scale invasion. To date, 3,210 Ukrainians have been released from captivity.

13:13 Zelensky will take part in the security conference Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this weekend, writes Reuters. Among the conference participants are US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun. Two sources of the publication reported that Zelensky will speak to delegates on Saturday, June 1.

13:09 The Russian Ministry of Defense announced an exchange of prisoners with Ukraine according to the 75-75 formula through the mediation of the UAE.

12:50 Ukraine and Sweden signed a security agreement. According to the document, during 2024-2026 Sweden will provide Ukraine with military assistance worth 75 billion Swedish kronor (about 6.5 billion euros). The amount of assistance will increase over the ten-year validity period of the document. Military support includes aviation and air defense, armored vehicles, artillery, enhanced maritime security, UAVs, and mine clearance.

A unique part of the agreement with Sweden is the provision of specialized ASC 890 aircraft, as well as the prospect of transferring JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to Ukraine, including related training. Sweden will also support the development of Ukraine's modern defense industrial potential and develop bilateral cooperation on the localization, repair, maintenance and production of Swedish defense products in Ukraine.

12:41 American officials expect that the first attacks on Russian territory using American weapons could begin within a few hours or days, writes The New York Times.

12:35 On the night of May 30, SBU military counterintelligence drones struck the Russian Nebo-SVU radar located near Armyansk in the northern part of Crimea, Ukrainian media write, citing sources in the intelligence service. The radar station, costing $100 million, monitored a 380-kilometer-long section of the front.

12:32 Germany has officially allowed Ukraine to attack targets in Russia using German weapons to protect against Russian attacks in the border region around Kharkov, said German government spokesman Steffen Gebestreit.

12:17 Ukraine has returned the bodies of 212 dead soldiers, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported.

11:51 Ukraine has received permission from the United States to use American weapons to strike Russian territory, but with restrictions, Zelensky’s press secretary Sergei Nikiforov told The Guardian. This decision allows Ukraine to use HIMARS missile systems to strike Russian troops and command and control centers near the border with the Kharkov region.

11:32 Poland is preparing a new, 45th package of military assistance to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said. According to him, Poland provided Ukraine with support worth 4 billion euros in the form of military assistance alone.

11:20 The Netherlands is not against Ukraine’s future use of F-16s on Russian territory as a means of self-defense, Foreign Minister Hanke Bruyns-Slot said. She added that the use of Western aviation over the territory of the Russian Federation allows Ukraine to be used by Article 51 of the UN Charter, which talks about the right to self-defense.

11:16 The death toll in Kharkov has risen to five - another body was released from the rubble, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OBA. The rubble is being cleared and there may be people under it.

11:11 Zelensky said that he is on a visit to Stockholm and will sign three security agreements today. The President will take part in the third Ukraine-Northern Europe summit, and will also hold a number of meetings with the leaders of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, as well as with King Charles XVI of Sweden and representatives of defense companies. “Our key priorities: air defense for Ukraine - we must provide more systems, joint defense production - and providing our soldiers with weapons, as well as our global work to force Russia to peace,” the head of state said.

10:52 Lithuania is ready to send its military instructors to Ukraine if necessary, said Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

10:48 This night the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Navy hit the ferry crossing and the oil terminal of the port of Kavkaz in the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation, the General Staff reported. The attack on the oil terminal near the port of Kavkaz was carried out by several Ukrainian-made missiles from the Neptune coastal missile system. The results of objective monitoring confirm explosions at target sites, and the accuracy of hitting targets is being further explored. In addition, attack UAVs of the Defense Forces hit another oil terminal in the Krasnodar Territory.

10:35 The Chinese Foreign Ministry officially confirmed that the country will not be represented at the Peace Summit in Switzerland: “The plan for the conference on Ukraine in Switzerland is at odds with the demands of China and the expectations of the world, so it is difficult for Beijing to participate in such a meeting.”

10:29 Germany will discuss the possibility of launching strikes with German weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. “Scholz recently said unequivocally that weapons can be used within the framework of international law. This is what we will consider. Bilateral treaties do not exist to publicly discuss them, whether to draw any red lines, what is tolerable and what is intolerable ", he said.

10:24 Britain has never limited Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian territory with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, Stoltenberg said. According to the Secretary General, “several other countries” have also never introduced such restrictions on their weapons.

10:13 Australia has allocated $20 million to strengthen Ukraine's energy system - instead of coal, which Kiev had previously asked for. The funds will be transferred to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, managed by both Ukraine and the European Commission. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong explained that it was "cheaper and easier" to send funds rather than coal directly. In addition, the Australian government has provided $11 million in additional humanitarian assistance.

09:32 In Volchansk, Kharkov region, on May 30, during the evacuation of animals, a volunteer from Switzerland was injured as a result of enemy shelling of the KAB, said the head of the OVA Oleg Sinegubov. In addition, in the village. Novoosinovo, Kupyansky district, one person was killed and one was injured as a result of the shelling. Two more people were injured in the village. Russkaya Lozovaya, Kharkov district and one in the village. Yurchenkovo, Chuguevsky district.

09:15 Biden secretly allowed Kiev to launch strikes on Russian territory, but only near the border with the Kharkov region, Reuters writes, citing a source among American officials. “The President has directed his team to ensure that Ukraine can use U.S.-supplied weapons to counter fire activity in the Kharkiv region so that Ukraine can retaliate against Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack them,” the official said.

09:08 China confirmed that its representatives will not be at the summit on Ukraine in Switzerland, Reuters writes, citing four sources familiar with the matter. Beijing rejected the invitation because its key condition - the participation of Ukraine and Russia simultaneously in the summit - was not met. China's other conditions included "a fair discussion of all proposals."

09:03 In Kiev, as a result of falling debris from a downed rocket, an electrical substation in the Goloseevsky district was completely destroyed, DTEK reported. As of 8:10, power engineers began restoring power supplies. Currently, about ten private houses and one commercial premises remain without electricity.

08:57 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of May 31:

personnel - about 507,650 (+1390) people,

tanks - 7728 (+18),

armored combat vehicles - 14,935 (+22),

artillery systems - 13,140 (+39),

MLRS - 1088 (+0),

air defense systems - 815 (+0),

aircraft - 357 (+0),

helicopters - 326 (+0),

UAV of operational-tactical level - 10 587 (+55),

cruise missiles - 2229 (+7),

ships/boats - 27 (+0),

submarines - 1 (+0),

automotive equipment and tank trucks - 17,905 (+56),

special equipment - 2164 (+11).

08:29 At night, drones attacked an oil depot in the Krasnodar region. The head of the Temryuk district of the Krasnodar Territory, Fedor Babenkov, said that two employees were injured as a result of the fire at the oil depot. Also in the morning, local residents reported seeing drones in Tatarstan - in particular, one of the UAVs was spotted in the village of Voronino near Kazan. In Kazan, employees of a number of enterprises were evacuated.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that on the night of May 31, air defense systems allegedly destroyed and intercepted five Neptune anti-ship missiles and 29 drones over the Krasnodar Territory. Another drone was shot down over the territory of the Voronezh, Belgorod and Tambov regions.

08:22 At night, the Russians shelled Kharkov several times - four people were killed, 25 were wounded, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. In particular, as a result of the enemy attack, a five-story residential building was damaged, the third to fifth floors were partially destroyed, and a fire broke out. Three people died, 25 were injured, including two children aged 12. As a result of repeated shelling, a fire truck and an ambulance were damaged. Another person was killed when a rocket hit the ground on the territory of a civilian enterprise. A hit was also recorded in a three-story administrative building.

08:07 Air defense at night destroyed the Iskander-K cruise missile that Russia fired at Kiev from the Kursk region, the Air Force reported. All four attack UAVs of the Shahed-131/136 type, which Russia attacked from Yeisk, were also destroyed. Drones were destroyed within the Kyiv, Zaporozhye, and Dnepropetrovsk regions. In addition, the enemy attacked Kharkov with five S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles from the Belgorod region.

07:53 At night, the enemy launched a missile attack on Kiev, according to preliminary data, with cruise missiles. All targets were destroyed by air defense forces, said the head of the KGVA, Sergei Popko. As a result of falling debris, a fire broke out over an area of approximately 120 square meters. m in the Goloseevsky district, a service station, a car wash, a warehouse, and cars were damaged. No people were hurt.

07:26 The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) predicts that the Russian army will begin the second phase of the offensive in the Kharkov region. Analysts say the Russian military's deployment of reinforcements to the Kharkiv region indicates that it continues to prioritize efforts to divert Ukrainian forces from critical sections of the front line in eastern Ukraine and efforts to create a "buffer zone" in the northern Kharkiv region.

Link

Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Mercenaries and professional military personnel. Who goes to Ukraine from the West to fight for the Ukrainian Armed Forces

2024-06-01

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
by Andrey Musalov

[REGNUM] The authorities of Poland and the Baltic countries are ready to send their military to the territory of Ukraine if Russia achieves serious success at the front. The German publication Spiegel reported this on May 26, noting that Baltic politicians conveyed this to their German colleagues at the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn.

The very next day, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky said that he had spoken with French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu, after which he legalized visits to training centers in Ukraine by French instructors - they can “get acquainted with the infrastructure and personnel.”

Syrsky said that he welcomes France’s desire to send instructors to Ukraine to train the Armed Forces of Ukraine and hopes that other countries will follow this example.

LEGION FOR FOREIGNERS
Since the beginning of hostilities in the Donbass, in the spring of 2014, “shooting enthusiasts” began to arrive there from almost all over the world. According to the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, as of mid-July 2014, out of 250 fighters of the Azov volunteer battalion (a terrorist organization whose activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation), 12 were foreigners - citizens of Finland, France, Norway, Great Britain and Italy.

The recruitment of volunteers was carried out by a professional mercenary, the Frenchman Gaston Besson, who previously fought for the Karens in Myanmar and for the Croats in the former Yugoslavia.

In the same year, the first American instructors appeared in Kyiv. On August 1, 2014, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said: “The White House notified Congress that the State and Defense Departments were going to spend $19 million from the Global Security Contingency Fund, created in 2012. These funds will be used to “train and equip four companies and the tactical headquarters of the Ukrainian National Guard.”

But if during the so-called ATO the participation of foreigners in hostilities was not advertised, then after the start of the Northern Military District, Ukraine officially allowed everyone to do so. On February 27, 2022, on the initiative of the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, the Foreign Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine was created. Its staff number was about 20,000 people.

The formation included several large units and units created on a national basis. Most of them came from post-Soviet republics. For example, the legion includes five Chechen battalions, the Georgian national legion, two Belarusian regiments - “Pagonya” and “Named by Kastus Kalinovsky”, the “Crimea” battalion, and the Karelian national battalion.

But, despite the big names, the number of personnel in the formations usually does not reach the regular level. There is no official data on this matter.

The formations “Russian Volunteer Corps” (an extremist organization whose activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation) and the “Legion “Freedom of Russia” (recognized as terrorist, prohibited in Russia) that are part of the Foreign Legion deserve special attention. During attempts to break through into the Bryansk and Belgorod regions, they tried to present the formations as “liberators of Russia.”

But if the RDK consists of principled far-right nationalists who fled persecution in Russia, then the “Legion” mainly consists of Russian prisoners of war. However, the number of these units remains insignificant, so the “Russian” militants in them are constantly diluted with Ukrainian military personnel. They bear the brunt of the fighting, while media personalities from the RDK pose for the camera, portraying “Putin’s opponents.”

FOR MONEY - YES
With foreigners from far abroad the picture is different. They are not united into large formations. In particular, the American journalist Seth Harp was able to discover only one such unit - the Polish Volunteer Corps.

As a rule, foreigners arriving in Ukraine from the West travel privately, after which the mercenaries are integrated into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian authorities require the media not to call foreigners fighting for Ukraine “mercenaries.” At the same time, these people fighting for money are not at all like volunteers.

During an investigation conducted by the Luxembourg television and radio company RTL, it turned out that mercenaries receive from 500 euros for their service when they are in the rear and up to 3,000 when they are on the front line. It is advisable to come with your own equipment, since the Ukrainian side provides only a meager basic kit.

At the beginning of the SVO, most Western mercenaries, after being registered with the Foreign Legion, were sent to the Yavorovsky training ground, where the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security was located near the village of Starichi in the Lviv region. There, new arrivals underwent training and training.

On March 13, 2022, the International Center was hit by at least six Russian cruise missiles. From 60 to 180 mercenaries died.

In an interview with The New York Times, the head of the department of international technical assistance and international cooperation of the Lviv Regional State Administration, Roman Shepelyak, reported that in the first half of 2022, up to 1,000 militants of the Foreign Legion were stationed at the Yavoriv training ground.

After completing training, the mercenaries were sent to various parts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where they fought as part of small groups of foreigners. Judging by videos from Telegram channels, they showed particular activity during the defense of the suburbs of Kyiv, in battles in the Kharkov region, Soledar and Krynki.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, in the first half of 2024, up to 13,500 mercenaries arrived in Ukraine to participate in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including more than 8.5 thousand from Western European countries, 1.7 thousand from Asian countries, from North and South America - more than 2.7 thousand, from Africa - over 220 people. Of these, several thousand simply fled from the front line, and about 5,900 mercenaries were destroyed.

"MOZART" VERSUS "WAGNER"
Judging by Ukrainian sources, the majority of mercenaries are representatives of poor third world countries who come to earn money. We are mainly talking about people from Colombia, Peru, Bulgaria, Brazil, etc.

But there are also military professionals - former military special forces of the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany and Sweden.

The most striking example is the private military company Mozart Group. It was created in March 2022 by former American special forces officer Andrew Milburn and head of the Atlantic Group Limited fund Andrew Bain.

The founders did not hide the fact that they named their brainchild in defiance of “Wagner”. In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Blick, they stated that the group’s main task was “to kill as many Russians as possible.”

Initially, the PMC was positioned as a community of American instructors designed to teach the Ukrainian military the basics of tactics and mine explosives. But then the mercenaries from Mozart got involved in the fighting. The result was disastrous: heavy losses and mass desertion. In 2023, the founders quarreled over funding, and lawsuits began. By the end of the year the project was closed.

THE STAKES ARE RISING
If at the beginning of the Northern Military District they were talking about volunteer mercenaries, then in 2024 several Western countries spoke out about the possibility of officially sending military contingents to Ukraine. The reason is obvious - large supplies of Western weapons to Kyiv were unable to turn the tide of hostilities in favor of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, since there was simply not enough human resources for this.

In addition, the use of complex weapons systems by Ukraine is impossible without a large staff of instructors, and possibly crews and crews. Therefore, active military armies of foreign countries are already present in the combat zone.

There is one more important point. If Western countries begin to actively discuss the transfer of something to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it means that it is already on the territory of the country and is being prepared for use. And the information hype only prepares the public for the fait accompli.

Obviously, what is happening now is that Western leaders are actively discussing sending their soldiers to the conflict zone.

On February 26, 2024, after a meeting with the leaders of the European Union countries, Emmanuel Macron announced that he would allow the transfer of European troops to the territory of Ukraine. This caused a flurry of indignation among a number of European politicians. For example, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Macron takes “too militant a position on the issue of assistance to Ukraine.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in an interview with The Economist, also hastened to emphasize that the alliance does not intend to send its forces to help Kiev.

On March 7, Macron lowered the intensity of his belligerence and floridly clarified that “not ruling out something does not mean doing it.” However, on March 9, Politico reported that Paris was still gathering a group of countries ready to send their soldiers to Ukraine.

The director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin spoke more specifically about the current situation. According to his data, announced on March 19, the French government is already preparing troops to be deployed to Ukraine. According to the head of the department, the contingent will consist of approximately 2 thousand French military personnel.

The overall picture was complemented by Macron’s statement at a joint press conference with Scholz. Demonstrating a diagram of possible missile strikes deep into Russian territory, he, traditionally floridly, said: “We must allow Ukraine to destroy military targets on Russian territory, from where shelling is being carried out, but we should not allow other military or civilian targets on its territory to be hit.”

Obviously, we were talking about French missiles, maintained by French personnel already in Ukraine.

RUSSIA'S RESPONSE
The Russian military is well aware that foreigners have been actively fighting as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a long time. This is confirmed both by numerous videos and by English, Spanish, and Polish speech on the radio in all directions of combat operations.

Who these people are - mercenaries or regular military personnel of Western armies - is not known for certain. But this is not so important: in any case, they are a legitimate military target.

To confirm the seriousness of the Russian side’s intentions to prevent foreign troops from staying in Ukraine, on May 29, 2024, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles were again struck at the Yavorovsky training ground. The day before, foreign military training was resumed there.

According to Ukrainian sources, not only the Ukrainian military, but also instructors from NATO countries - Poland, France and the USA - became victims of the Daggers.

It is noteworthy that the strike almost coincided with a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Polish military would never leave the territory of Ukraine if the Polish authorities sent their contingent there.

Link

Science & Technology

Magnetic storms begin on Earth after a strong ejection on the Sun

2024-06-01

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] After the ejection of a coronal mass on the Sun on May 29, a magnetic storm began on Earth, which will continue for almost a day. This was reported on the website of the Heliogeophysical Service of the Institute of Applied Geophysics (FSBI IPG) on May 31.

“At the end of the day on May 30, a disturbance in the magnetic field was registered,” the report says.

According to scientists, so far the degree of magnetic field disturbance on Earth has not increased even to the minimum level of G1 (weak), however, in the period from May 31 to June 1, a magnetic storm with a power of G3 (strong) is predicted on a scale in which the power of G5 is extreme.

As Regnum reported, on May 30, the head of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sergei Bogachev, said that a solar flare of the X1.4/2B class on May 29 will affect the Earth. The scientist clarified that during it there was a large ejection of coronal mass towards the Earth.

A flare of the highest class X occurred on the Sun on May 15 at 05:09 Moscow time. It was accompanied by disruption of HF radio communications, and the danger level at that time was S2 (moderate) on a scale of five indicators.

On May 10, a magnetic storm of the fifth, highest level was observed on Earth for the first time in the last 20 years. Between May 7 and May 9, the Sun ejected four clouds of plasma of exceptional size toward the planet.

Experts recorded four outbreaks during the day on May 10. On the night of May 11, the second strongest flare in seven years was recorded on the Sun, which was classified as an X5.8 level event.

Director of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation named after. Pushkova RAS (IZMIRAN) Vladimir Kuznetsov, in a conversation with IA Regnum, said that the Sun is now at the peak of its activity. At the same time, according to him, there is no need to be afraid of magnetic storms.

Link

Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Ukrainian Perspective: Invasion of Ukraine: May 30, 2024

2024-05-31

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.

Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 22:52 Politico writes that Biden secretly allowed Ukraine to use American weapons on Russian territory, but not everywhere. In particular, according to the newspaper, Biden recently instructed his team to ensure that the Ukrainian Armed Forces can use American weapons for targets in the Kharkov area, “so that Ukraine can respond to Russian forces that are striking or preparing to strike.” At the same time, the publication’s sources added that the White House’s policy regarding long-range strikes inside Russia “has not changed.”

22:44 Pentagon Speaker Sabrina Singh said that the US position regarding Ukraine’s use of American weapons has not changed: “We do not encourage their use on the territory of the Russian Federation.”

22:10 Zelensky said in an evening address about strengthening Ukrainian air defense: “We are working as hard as possible to give strength and capabilities to our defense of the sky. There will be a lot of communication on this matter with partners in the near future - regarding new air defense systems and joint productions, and in particular the production of drones - increasing volumes and attracting special investments in such production, both joint production with our partners and work in our country."

22:03 The Vatican opposes Ukrainian strikes on Russia with Western weapons, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said: “I think that such a possibility should concern everyone who cares about the fate of our world. This could lead to an escalation that no one can control ".

22:01 The Parliament of Moldova adopted a declaration condemning Russia’s policy of genocide towards Ukraine, in particular, the forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children in the occupied territories. The document condemns Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, and also confirms Chisinau's commitment to helping Ukrainian children and refugees in Moldova.

21:49 There was a fire in Putin’s unofficial residence in Altai, one of the buildings was almost completely burned down, Russian public pages write. The residence was disguised as the Altai Compound sanatorium and resort complex, owned by Gazprom. Information about the secret construction of a “sanatorium” first appeared in 2010. Russian oppositionists have repeatedly stated that this complex is connected with Putin. According to media reports, one of the Kremlin head’s bunkers is also located there, where he could fly during the COVID pandemic.

20:54 By the end of the year, Ukraine will receive almost a million shells as part of the Czech initiative, Blinken said during a visit to the Czech Republic.

20:50 Germany will transfer a new package of military assistance to Ukraine worth 500 million euros, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. The package will include Leopard tanks, missiles for IRIS-T air defense systems, drones, artillery ammunition, small arms cartridges and spare parts for howitzers and armored vehicles.

According to Deutsche Welle, Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine during an unannounced visit to Odessa. For security reasons, the minister's visit remained secret until the very end.

20:46 The defense forces launched an attack on the Kerch ferry crossing with ATACMS missiles tonight, the General Staff reported. As a result of the attack, two ferries that carried out rail and road transport were significantly damaged. One of them ran aground, blocking the functioning of the entire Kerch crossing. Thus, the military logistics of the Russians on the peninsula have been significantly undermined, the General Staff emphasized.

20:43 The Pentagon's intelligence agency in a new report provided evidence of Russia's use of North Korean ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine. US intelligence compared images of missile debris found in Kharkov after the January 2 Russian strikes with images of missiles in North Korean state media from 2023 and found they matched. In particular, analysts found similarities in the sections of the forward engine, stern engine and cable tray and ring connectors in the photo of the missile debris in Kharkov and the rocket at the Pyongyang plant.

20:37 Stoltenberg intends to ask the allies to allocate about 40 billion euros a year to Ukraine for military assistance, Reuters writes, citing a source within the Alliance. The funding would support at least the current level of military support sent by allies, he said.

20:29 The absence of hourly power outages in the last days of May is a temporary improvement caused by the repair of two nuclear power plant units, said the head of Ukrenergo Vladimir Kudrytsky. According to him, the situation will soon worsen again: “According to the schedule, in the coming days certain units at nuclear power plants will again go out for repairs. And this situation that we have in recent days, when we have enough electricity and manage to avoid outages, unfortunately , will change again."

20:15 More and more Western countries are officially allowing Ukraine to attack Russian territory with weapons transferred by them. Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland and others have already done this. The US decision will be key. And they say that Joe Biden is getting closer to such a resolution. Read more in the article Direct attacks on the Russian Federation .

19:58 The EU wants to give Hungary a less significant post in the next European Commission, given Orban’s close relations with the Russian Federation and the constant blocking of key decisions on Ukraine, Politico writes. According to the publication, Budapest would like to retain the position of European Commissioner for Enlargement, which has significant influence due to EU negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the bloc. But national governments do not want the current Commissioner Várhelyi or any other Hungarian to continue in such an important role.

19:47 There are 190 children left in Kupyansk and the community, said the head of the GVA Andrei Besedin. According to him, the evacuation of local residents is extremely difficult, people refuse to leave. “If we are talking about children, then the situation is changing - today there are 190 children left. Last week there were 204, and this is already a certain success, because people hear and understand. Now there is every opportunity to leave the community with children. But, unfortunately, again, they refuse for meaningless reasons,” Besedin said.

19:14 Lithuania has joined the coalition of countries providing assistance to Ukrainian air defense, said President Gitanas Nausėda. In particular, he said, Lithuania will transfer mobile air surveillance radars to Ukraine.

19:09 On Friday, May 31, no power outages are forecast, Ukrenergo reported.

18:16 Zelensky and Biden will sign a bilateral security agreement a few days before the Swiss Peace Summit, the Financial Times writes, citing sources. The parties are expected to sign a bilateral agreement on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Italy.

The publication also writes that relations between Kiev and Washington are now very tense. Ukraine is disappointed by the lack of US support for the Peace Summit, the parties have a number of controversial issues, in particular regarding victory in the war, there is tension due to the dismissal of Zaluzhny and much more.

18:07 The Main Intelligence Directorate clarified that as a result of today’s attack in Crimea, two enemy boats KS-701 Tuna were destroyed and two more ships of the same type were hit. The Russians used these boats for logistics and patrolling the waters near Crimea.

17:29 The media showed which of Ukraine’s partner countries has already given permission to fire them with weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation:

Which countries allow Ukraine to launch strikes on Russian territory / Slovo i Dilo

16:50 NATO wants to take on the role of coordinator of military support for Ukraine to avoid repeating “previous mistakes” and delays in supplies, Stoltenberg said.

16:41 Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani again spoke out against the use of Italian weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation: “All weapons transferred by Italy must be used in Ukraine. We will not send a single Italian soldier to fight in Ukraine and we do not want the military equipment we send , were used outside Ukrainian borders."

16:29 On June 6, Biden will take part in an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing and the opening of the second front in Normandy, White House Speaker Karine Jean-Pierre said. Earlier, Zelensky’s participation in the event was confirmed by Macron.

16:20 Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Bart Eide said that there should be no restrictions for Ukraine in the use of weapons provided by Western partners.

16:16 The Czech Republic does not object to Ukraine using ammunition and weapons supplied by Prague to strike targets on Russian territory, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said. “This is the rule for deliveries made from the Czech Republic,” he explained.

In turn, the special representative of the Czech Foreign Ministry for the Eastern Partnership, David Stulik, believes that Ukraine’s Western partners will soon cross the “red line” in terms of attacks on Russia.

16:07 Zelensky will visit Saudi Arabia on Saturday, June 1, DPA reports, citing a source. According to him, the Ukrainian president plans to gain support before the Peace Summit in Switzerland.

15:28 Biden is getting closer to giving Ukraine permission to carry out strikes on Russian territory, The New York Times writes. But, according to the publication’s sources, if the US President changes his position, the strikes will be limited to military targets located within Russian borders, from where Russian troops are attacking Ukraine. At the same time, Biden will, in all likelihood, maintain a ban on the use of American weapons for strikes deep in Russian territory or against critical infrastructure.

US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say that if Biden changes his position, he will most likely never announce it. And American artillery shells and missiles “will simply start falling on Russian military targets.”

14:54 Six countries have already transferred funds to the Czech initiative to purchase shells for Ukraine, said Tomas Kopecny, a representative of the Czech government for Ukraine. He clarified that the purchase of shells was financed by the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal and Canada, and in total 15 EU and NATO countries joined the initiative. The first batch of shells in the amount of 50 to 100 thousand will arrive in Ukraine in June.

14:33 Luxembourg has allocated 5 million euros to finance materials and equipment for Ukraine as part of an artillery coalition led by France and the United States, the country's Ministry of Defense reported.

14:26 Estonian President Alar Karis signed a law on the transfer of some Russian assets to Ukraine. According to the law, only the property of those “whose connection with the commission or assistance of an unlawful act has been established and sufficiently proven” can be confiscated and used to compensate for damages. “Thus, the fact that someone’s assets were frozen due to international sanctions is not a sufficient basis for the alienation of property,” Karis explained.

14:21 Denmark allows Ukraine to strike with its weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation, said the country's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen: “The short answer is yes. And this position is not new. This is part of the assistance. When we discussed this with our Foreign Affairs Committee in Denmark Parliament, we made it clear from the very beginning that a possible attack on military targets on the territory of the aggressor is part of self-defense."

14:18 Russia is close to launching a new railway line from Donetsk to Mariupol, Frontelligence Insight analysts report, citing satellite images of construction. On some, a moving train has already been spotted. According to experts, this railway will be enough to provide uninterrupted supplies to the Russian group in Crimea and southern Ukraine, even if the Kerch Bridge is destroyed. Satellite images studied by Radio Liberty also show that the construction of the largest bridge on the new site, near the village of Granitnoye, has already been completed.

14:14 France may soon send military instructors to Ukraine, despite concerns from some allies and criticism from Russia, Reuters writes, citing sources. Paris may announce its decision as early as June 6-7 during Zelensky's visit. France will first send a limited number of personnel to assess the feasibility of the mission and then send several hundred trainers, two diplomats said. The training will focus on mine clearance, equipment maintenance and technical expertise for military aircraft. Paris will also finance, arm and train the Ukrainian mechanized brigade.

In turn, Le Monde writes, citing its sources, that Macron plans to form a European coalition of military instructors who will work in Ukraine. In particular, several hundred specialists from several countries could be brought in to train sappers or even help form a new motorized infantry brigade.

14:07 As a result of a night attack in Crimea, four boats, two ferries and a pilot boat were damaged or destroyed, five people were injured, the opposition Russian publication Astra reports, citing sources. So, in addition to the pilot boat Mechta, which sank, the Conroe Trader ferry and the Avangard ferry were damaged. The latter ran aground due to damage. On the ferry Conroe Trader, one of the crew members was injured; on the Vanguard, four people were injured. In addition, four KS 701 transport landing boats were damaged, the destruction of two of which was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate.

13:51 The Cabinet of Ministers agreed on the text of the agreement between Ukraine and the United States on attracting financial assistance as part of a support package of more than $60 billion. According to the document, US economic assistance will amount to $9.4 billion. The funds will be provided on the terms of an interest-free loan, which Kyiv must repay in one payment in dollars 40 years after September 30, 2025 - that is, September 30, 2065.

13:09 Speaker of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ilya Yevlash noted that the Swedish AWACS aircraft will become unique in the Ukrainian army, will help highlight and detect enemy targets: “This will allow us to detect, for example, “martyrs” when they try to hide in the folds of the terrain, in riverbeds. It will see them from above, highlight them. We will also detect missiles and enemy aircraft on the approaches; we can detect enemy radars. This will help our systems and aircraft in detecting targets from a safe distance.”

13:05 Speaker of the Southern Defense Forces Dmitry Pletenchuk warned that the Russians are preparing information sabotage to discredit the TCC, in particular they are going to shoot a series of fake videos: “We have learned about the preparation of another information sabotage in the occupied territories... They are filming in the occupied territories of Ukraine so that the scenery corresponded as much as possible to Ukrainian realities. There they are trying to show the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and, first of all, the military personnel of the TCC in a negative way.”

Pletenchuk also said that the Russians went to storm the island of Nestriga: “In fact, the same Nestriga is already the right bank. And for them it is just as important to have a bridgehead on the other bank. Just as it is important for us to have it on the left bank.”

12:43 Russian troops shelled Veletenskoye, Belozersk community, Kherson region, one person was killed, said the head of the OVA Alexander Prokudin. Over the past 24 hours, six people were injured in the region.

12:36 The United States allows Ukraine to use the air defense systems it transferred on the territory of the Russian Federation, The Washington Post writes, citing sources. In particular, Washington is not against Russian missiles and fighters being shot down in the skies of the Russian Federation, “if they pose a threat to Ukraine.” However, there have been cases when American officials expressed concern about attacks on Russian territory and even canceled such plans. In particular, the planned attack by the Main Intelligence Directorate on Moscow was cancelled. Also, the Americans were against attacks on Russian refineries, although they were carried out by Ukrainian weapons.

11:50 775 convicts have already entered service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported. They clarified that currently 2,402 petitions from convicts for parole for military service have been submitted to the court. The courts have already considered and granted 1,843 such petitions. In pursuance of these petitions, 775 convicts entered service in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

11:44 Sweden, as part of its largest military assistance package, will transfer two ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and control aircraft to Ukraine, said Tom Samuelsson, spokesman for the Swedish Prime Minister.

11:31 Tonight at the Kerch ferry crossing, fragments of a downed rocket damaged the pilot boat Mechta, reports the opposition Russian publication Astra, citing sources in the emergency services. The boat crashed and sank; the crew members managed to abandon the ship.

11:15 The United States is concerned about Ukrainian attacks on the Voronezh-M and Voronezh-DM radar stations, which are part of the Russian early warning system for nuclear missile attacks, writes The Washington Post. American officials consider these radars to be “sensitive,” and they allegedly were not involved in the war against Ukraine. Moscow may feel its strategic deterrent has been targeted, a concern in Washington that Kyiv is aware of. The Ukrainian side believes that these radars track troops and the launch of drones and missiles across the territory of the Russian Federation, the newspaper writes.

11:08 At night, as a result of a missile attack in the Khmelnitsky region, energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, Ukrenergo reported. More than 10 thousand consumers were de-energized; by morning, about 500 consumers remained de-energized; emergency restoration work continues.

10:46 At night, as a result of a special operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate in Crimea, two Russian boats, presumably of the KS-701 Tuna type, were hit, intelligence reports. Marine drones Magura V5 of the special forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Group 13 attacked Russian boats in the area of Uzkaya Bay. In order to neutralize attack naval drones, Russian troops scrambled military aircraft into the sky 32 times, and also “chaotically used small arms and 30-mm cannons,” intelligence officials said.

10:17 Half of the shells purchased by the Czech Republic for Ukraine from African and Asian countries turned out to be of poor quality, the supplier company told the Financial Times. They will not be able to be sent immediately, but will need to be completed with the missing components of our own production. However, deliveries to Ukraine should still begin in June.

10:01 A plant to produce 155-mm shells for Ukraine is being built in Texas, The New York Times writes. The Pentagon is building the enterprise from scratch after the start of the war in Ukraine. The plant in the city of Mexit will produce 30 thousand artillery shells per month, which is approximately twice the current production in the United States. However, as the newspaper points out, Ukraine fired between 4,000 and 7,000 of these shells in a single day when it went on the offensive last summer.

09:56 In Kuban, a drone damaged a transformer substation, local authorities reported.

09:38 In the Khmelnitsky region, as a result of a night attack in one of the cities, the power supply was partially cut off. No people were injured, said the head of the OVA, Sergei Tyurin.

09:20 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of May 30:

personnel - about 506,260 (+1160) people,

tanks - 7710 (+10),

armored combat vehicles - 14,913 (+22),

artillery systems - 13 101 (+35),

MLRS - 1088 (+1),

air defense systems - 815 (+0),

aircraft - 357 (+0),

helicopters - 326 (+0),

UAVs of operational-tactical level - 10 532 (+22),

cruise missiles - 2222 (+0),

ships/boats - 27 (+0),

submarines - 1 (+0),

automotive equipment and tank trucks - 17,849 (+53),

special equipment - 2153 (+11).

09:14 The Russian Army continues to increase the grouping of its troops in the direction of the main attack Streleche-Liptsy and in the Volchansk region by transferring additional regiments and brigades from other directions and from training grounds, Syrsky said following the results of work in the brigades and battalions leading the defense in the Kharkov direction. However, according to the commander-in-chief, these forces are now not enough for a full-scale offensive and breakthrough of the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition, the enemy’s actions are complicated by the strengthening of defense due to the transfer of reserves to threatening directions.

Due to the decrease in the offensive capabilities of the Russians, they switched to the tactics of hitting Ukrainian positions with artillery and CABs. In these conditions, the physical destruction of carrier aircraft of KABs, reconnaissance UAVs and fire spotters, electronic warfare protection, camouflage and the use of mock-ups becomes of paramount importance, Syrsky noted.

08:57 Lavrov said that Russia is “open to negotiations on Ukraine,” but this is about peace, not a truce - “there is no point in giving the enemy a pause for regrouping.” At the same time, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that a dialogue about peace “is difficult to imagine now, given that Kyiv is ruled by a ‘war party’ that strives, at least in words, to defeat Russia on the battlefield.”

Lavrov also said that Russia could take steps in the field of nuclear deterrence if the United States deploys its intermediate- and shorter-range missiles in Europe or the Asia-Pacific region. According to him, the deployment of American missiles is a problem not only for Moscow, but also for Beijing, so China and Russia agreed to increase cooperation. At the same time, he added that defense cooperation between Russia and China “is not directed against third countries.”

08:42 The Russians fired eight missiles at Kharkov and the region at night from the territory of Belgorod, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. In Kharkov, shelling took place in two locations. As a result of the hit, the two-story administrative building of the command post was partially destroyed, followed by a fire, and seven people were injured. In the village Malaya Danilovka, Kharkov district, two missile hits were recorded on the territory of the educational institution, as a result of which the building of the equestrian club was destroyed. The dormitory building was also partially destroyed. On May 29, one person was wounded in the village. Russkaya Lozovaya, Kharkov district, another one - in the village. Kolesnikovka, Kupyansky district.

08:15 Air defense overnight destroyed seven of 11 cruise missiles and all 32 attack UAVs , the Air Force reported. In total, Russia launched a missile and air strike on military targets and critical infrastructure of Ukraine using eight S-300/S-400 guided missiles in the Kharkov region, 11 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95 strategic aircraft. MS (launch area - Saratov region) and 32 attack UAVs of the Shahed-131/136 type from Primorsko-Akhtarsk and from the Crimean Cape Chauda. It was possible to shoot down seven X-101/X-555 cruise missiles and all 32 attack UAVs within the Khmelnitsky, Dnepropetrovsk, Cherkassy, Kirovograd, Zaporozhye, Odessa, Kherson, Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions.

07:57 At night, Crimea was attacked by missiles and drones. Residents of Kerch report hearing about 20 explosions in the city. “Adviser” to the Gauleiter of Crimea Oleg Kryuchkov stated that “during repelling an enemy attack on the transport infrastructure of the city of Kerch, two ferries were damaged from the debris of downed missiles - a car and a railway - the glazing of the superstructures was damaged,” there were no casualties.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that during the night eight ATACMS missiles were allegedly destroyed by air defense systems over the Azov Sea and eight UAVs were intercepted over the Black Sea near the coast of the Crimean Peninsula. In addition, two unmanned boats heading towards the Crimean Peninsula were allegedly destroyed in the Black Sea. Five more drones were shot down in the morning over the Krasnodar Territory.

Link

Afghanistan

'The people who control the country.' How Afghanistan has changed under the Taliban

2024-05-31

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
by Kirill Semeov

Russia is determined to normalize relations, and will say anything to do so. Count up the fictions as you read, dearReader.

[REGNUM] The problems of Afghanistan are known, but the real power there lies with the Taliban movement and this cannot be ignored, Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the press following his visit to Uzbekistan on May 28.

“There are problems in Afghanistan, they are undeniable, everyone is well aware of them. The question of how to build relationships with the current government is another question. But we have to build it somehow, these are the people who control the country, control the territory of the country. They are the power in Afghanistan today,” the Russian President said.

A day earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also made it clear that Russia is going to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorists, on which it is still included.

“Kazakhstan recently made a decision, which we are also going to make, to remove them from the list of terrorist organizations. Moreover, the UN Security Council did not declare the Taliban as a terrorist organization.

It only takes one veto, or the threat of one.

There are, in my opinion, 12–15 specific characters on the list of terrorists,” Lavrov told reporters.

Initially, the Taliban came under international sanctions and were included in terrorist lists not so much because of their own actions, but because of their support for other terrorist organizations. For example, Al-Qaeda, whose representatives received asylum in Afghanistan.

Al Qaeda is still there, as are all their little buddies. And ISIS-K is one of the leading exporters of jihad among the ISIS franchises. Some of these have connections, and have been causing trouble, in Russia.

Of course, the Taliban was and remains a fundamentalist movement, but both now and during the period of the first Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA - the Taliban state) distanced itself from obvious terrorist activities.

The Taliban, unlike Al-Qaeda and ISIS, have never advocated the dismantling of the world order and “global jihad.”

But they support — and intermarry with — those who do. Tomaytoes, tomahtoes.

During their first statehood in the 1990s, they maintained diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan. Neighboring Turkmenistan was then close to recognizing them.

At the moment, it has also become obvious that all concerns about the hypothetical expansion of the Taliban into neighboring countries have remained at the level of speculation and speculation. The Taliban movement has demonstrated in practice that it intends to build good neighborly relations with all its neighbors.

They’e still at the consolidation phase, and can’t afford external wars as well as the internal ones.

For Moscow, of course, the positive attitude of the Afghan authorities towards Russia itself and its approaches to international affairs also plays a role.

As political scientist and orientalist Mir-Ali Askerov, who recently returned from Afghanistan, told IA Regnum, “there has never been a situation in which, when you say that you are from Russia, it causes some kind of negativity, that is, it either causes at least something neutral, positive, or strictly positive attitude. The Afghans express their gratitude for the fact that you visited their country and, in general, offer their help there in every possible way.”

I assume Mr. Askerov is male.

Askerov emphasized that Afghans look with hope at the confrontation between Russia and the collective West, with the hope that Russia “will be able to withstand this onslaught, this pressure and will be able to achieve a revision of this monopolar world order.”

No doubt.

YOU CAN WALK AT NIGHT
As Russian officials have rightly noted, the Taliban are making good progress in nation-building.

Although the country has serious economic problems and terrorist groups continue to operate, the risk of political and economic collapse is assessed as minimal, and the country has also managed to overcome crime and make the lives of citizens safer.

According to Askerov, the crime situation has become much better than during the reign of Ashraf Ghani and the Americans, and during that period he also had the opportunity to visit Afghanistan.

“ You can now walk around Kabul at night, during the day, at any time of the day and in any area, it is absolutely safe. The only problem is pickpockets, but this is only a problem of large markets,” said the orientalist.

Again, Mr. Askerov is not female.

At the same time, security is ensured in a much “softer” way than during the American occupation.

“Of course, there are many guards and checkpoints in the city, but they do not create the impression of a police state, as during the American presence with rough searches and searches of everyone. On the streets you can also see employees of the ministry of “commanding what is good and prohibiting what is bad” (morality police), but they act unobtrusively, politely and rather try to explain or explain something rather than prohibit and detain, so this does not cause any rejection or conflicts,” Askerov noted.

No, no, perish the thought.

At the same time, he said, some problems remain, despite the optimism of Afghans:

“The population perceives current changes positively and looks to the future with hope. But, of course, Afghans live poorly, and even the wealthiest live very modestly by our standards; economic problems have not gone away.”

Nevertheless, the Taliban still managed to somewhat stabilize the economy.

Afghanistan's foreign trade fell after they seized power. However, despite the decline in imports, most of the country's income now comes from taxes.

As experts note, the Afghan economy is no longer in a state of free fall and appears to be frozen in a precarious balance, albeit at the lowest level.

Modest positive trends include lower inflation, exchange rate stability, some recovery in imports, a more than doubling of exports,

…opium and heroin, right?

stable or slightly increased labor demand and continued wage levels.

Of course, the problem of Afghan drug trafficking remains.

Opium and heroin, yes.

However, it arose long before the Taliban came to power and was “chronic” for this country.

The Taliban took control of it during their first tenure, and never let go.

Nevertheless, the IEA leadership is making efforts to limit the production of opiates.

Thus, according to a 2023 UN report, poppy cultivation in southern Afghanistan fell by more than 80% as a result of Taliban campaigns to stop its use in opium production. For example, the decline in poppy cultivation in Helmand province has dropped by 99%.

In November 2023, a UN report found that throughout Afghanistan, poppy cultivation had fallen by more than 95%, depriving the country of its status as the world's largest opium producer.

The warehouses were full to bursting. No point in producing more until that supply is used up and the price increases.

Although Iran does not agree with such optimistic assessments, since, according to Iranian officials, supplies of opium and heroin from Afghanistan to their country continued in large volumes.

See?

The Taliban have also made progress in dialogue and taking into account the interests of ethno-confessional minorities living in the country, primarily the Shiite Hazaras, who were able to gain access to some leadership positions, which may indicate the movement’s readiness to follow the path of forming an inclusive government.

Tokens to shut up the rubes.

However, problems remain with the Uzbek and Tajik minorities, who are dissatisfied with the fact that their representatives, not associated with the Taliban, are still not represented in the IEA power structures.

"RED TROOPS"
An important factor in recognizing the Taliban and removing terrorist labels from the movement is its success in suppressing the activity and presence of international terrorist organizations such as ISIS and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

It is significant that the Americans, who spent 20 years trying to eradicate the brainchild of Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, were forced to recognize this success. But as soon as they left, the Taliban themselves solved this problem.

In particular, as Christy Abizaid, director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, stated on September 11, 2023, "al-Qaeda is in its historic decline in Afghanistan and Pakistan and its resurgence is unlikely."

She also cited declassified data that the group had "lost access to targets, leadership talent, group cohesion, grassroots commitment, and supportive local environment." She said the terrorist organization's ability to threaten from Afghanistan " is at its lowest level" since it moved there in 1998.

The Taliban were also able to suppress the activity of ISIS and its local affiliate ISIS-K in Afghanistan.

Within Afghanistan, anyway. Or perhaps just reports of their activities. But not abroad.

After a significant increase in their activity, due to the security vacuum created in some parts of the country after the US withdrawal, the Taliban changed this dynamic, depriving the terrorists of control over certain territories that they were able to acquire by following the Americans fleeing the country.

Their activities were dealt a blow, and activity over the past year has decreased significantly, which was noted in the relevant reports of international structures.

It is noted that the Taliban were able to conduct a successful campaign against ISIS-X and eliminated most of the sleeper cells that were ready to continue terrorist attacks in Afghan cities. After a surge in the number of terrorist attacks in the first months after the Taliban came to power, their number begins to decline as a result of counter-terrorism measures by the IEA security structures.

In particular, in 2022–2023. the number of terrorist attacks and other attacks by ISIS-X has decreased significantly. If in the first year of Taliban rule (2021-2022) there were 314 attacks and assaults, then in 2022-2023. only 69 - that is, less than during any period of activity of the group in Afghanistan since its inception.

The Taliban’s fight against ISIS is systematic and consistent; for this purpose, special counter-terrorism forces have been created in Afghanistan that can effectively counter it.

This counter-terrorism unit is called "Red Squad", or "Sara Kheta" in Pashto.

... also known as Red Unit, Red Brigade, Blood Unit, Danger Group, and Taliban Special Forces Unit. The Taliban’s special forces/shock troops unit was first deployed in Sangin town in Helmand province in 2016, then claimed a victory against ISIS-Khurasan in 2018. They were most active in Kunduz, Baghlan, and Faryab Provinces.

It is divided into several battalions of 300–350 men, selected by field commanders from among the fighters based on their discipline, dedication and skills. Each battalion operates in a separate province, but within the Red Squad there is also a battalion-sized group of the most trained elite forces known as Badri 313.

The Badri 313 Battalion was trained by the Haqqani network and based at Salahaddin Ayyubi Military Operations Academy. There is evidence it was at one point al Qaeda's military arm in Pakistan, with members gleaned from the Taliban and Pakistan’s pet jihadi groups including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Jundallah, used for nasty attacks on the Pakistani army under the leadership of Ilyas Kashmiri (until 2011) followed by Shah Sahib.

In emergency situations, units work together to cover a multi-province area.

It was the “Red Detachments” that defeated the ISIS in the province of Nangarhar, which was a stronghold of terrorists. After which part of the “Red Detachment” battalions was transferred to the province of Kunar, which was soon also cleared of ISIS militants.

Of course, it is too early to talk about a complete victory over ISIS in Afghanistan.

But a significant decrease in terrorist activity allows the Taliban movement to establish economic ties with foreign partners and organize business trips to this country.

Therefore, Russia, acting proactively, can economically enter Afghanistan before others, officially recognizing the Taliban movement as the legitimate Afghan government.

Before this, there were many factors that forced our entrepreneurs to act with caution in Afghanistan, including the fear of persecution for justifying and financing terrorism.

By removing the Taliban from the terrorist lists, Moscow can speed up the implementation of economic projects in Afghanistan and begin absolutely legal, not “gray” investments.

Link

Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Ukrainian Perspective: Invasion of Ukraine: May 29, 2024

2024-05-30

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.

Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 22:19 Sweden announced that it is transferring the largest package of military assistance to Ukraine, which will include unique flying radars - ASC-890 radar detection aircraft. Read more about how they will change the war in the material Swedish radars for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

22:00 At the NATO summit, the prospects for Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance will be discussed, but there will be no invitation, said US Ambassador to NATO Julian Smith: “The summit decision will contain new language regarding Ukraine’s aspirations to become a NATO member. The decision will not be identical to what was sounded in the past year... Inviting Ukraine to join will not be considered this time, it is unrealistic. At the same time, we will focus on providing a package of support that will pave the way to membership."

21:53 The first prisoners who joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces captured a Russian, said Deputy Minister of Justice Elena Vysotskaya. According to her, more than 600 prisoners have already joined the army, and this figure is growing. As of May 29, the number of convicts who expressed a desire to mobilize exceeded 4,000. Currently, the mobilized prisoners are already undergoing coordination, and some managed to capture a Russian military man, Vysotskaya added.

Minister of Justice Denis Malyuska clarified that 4,500 prisoners applied for military service, 90% of them passed the VLK and are suitable, 650 have already joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

21:38 German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius opposed German instructors training Ukrainian soldiers on Ukrainian territory: “The added value, which I don’t see, is not commensurate with the risk and effort that will have to be put in, so this is not an option for us.”

20:29 Zelensky said in an evening video message that today he heard reports from the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the General Staff and the Minister of Defense on the situation at the front: “Attention to all directions, and especially Pokrovsky and Kurakhovsky in the Donetsk region, as well as Kupyansky and other directions in the Kharkiv region. We are also preparing for further activity of the enemy - we clearly understand what tasks and for what purpose Putin sets his army. “We will answer him.”

In addition, according to the president, Ukraine is preparing “diplomatic responses to Russian attempts to weaken the Peace Summit: Russia will no longer be able to disrupt the summit, although it is trying very hard to do this. It puts pressure on the leaders and openly threatens various states with destabilization.” Zelensky added that the summit has already been supported by about a hundred states and international organizations.

20:23 The head of the Kharkov OVA Oleg Sinegubov expressed concerns about a possible Russian offensive in the Zolochev direction: “We have certain concerns in the Zolochev direction. The Russians can intensify their actions in that direction, we are monitoring their behavior. We will take all measures to, in particular, the evacuation of the population."

20:20 The Russians began building airfield hangars 300 km from the border with Ukraine to protect aviation from attack drones and missiles, Militarny writes with reference to satellite images. In particular, the construction of new hangar buildings was noticed on satellite images at the Marinovka airfield in the Volgograd region. The picture shows 12 new hangars, which provide shelter for front-line Su-24 bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers.

According to experts, the Russians expect the hangars to protect aircraft from attack drones, as well as from ATACMS ballistic missile submunitions. In addition, hangars will not allow satellites and other optical detection means to know whether the hangar is still there or whether an aircraft is parked in it.

19:57 Umerov said that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to allocate an additional almost 370 billion hryvnia for the purchase of weapons.

19:31 Zelensky said that he had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and thanked him for his active support for the Peace Formula and the Peace Summit. “All points of our Formula, which we will work out in Switzerland on June 15 and 16, are based on the UN Charter and resolutions and basic human values. That is why the participation of the UN is important for global efforts,” the president emphasized. In turn, Guterres' office announced that the UN will participate in the conference on Ukraine in Switzerland as an observer.

The head of state also had a telephone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albenizi and informed about Russia’s attempts to expand the war and the urgent defense needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to confront the Russian Federation. In addition, they discussed the Peace Summit and the need to involve as many countries as possible from around the world.

18:44 In Kharkov, search work has been completed in the Epicenter construction hypermarket after the Russian strike on May 25. The police identified all 19 bodies of the dead, another 54 people were injured, said the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Igor Klimenko. He said that the victims were searched around the clock among the ashes using special equipment and were quickly identified using a DNA laboratory. Among the victims are two minors, 12 and 17 years old.

18:36 On Thursday, May 30, no power outages are forecast, Ukrenergo reported.

18:18 Ukraine can strike Russian territory with weapons that Canada transferred, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said: “Why? Because Russia has no red lines, and therefore we must be sure that when it comes to protecting Ukraine, We are ready to help them and show that, despite what is happening, we are on their side. And in Canada there are no conditions for the supply of weapons to Ukraine, and therefore we will continue to work with the Ukrainian armed forces."

18:04 During the day, the Russians shelled Liman, Donetsk region, three times - at least eight people were wounded, said the head of the OVA Vadim Filashkin. Three two-story houses and three administrative buildings were damaged. Filashkin also reported that yesterday the Russians dropped ten guided bombs on populated areas of the Donetsk region - this is the largest number in one day. Among these ten aerial bombs there was one one and a half ton bomb, which the enemy used to hit Alekseevo-Druzhkovka. During the war, this is the second time such a bomb was used against civilians in the Donetsk region.

17:57 Household appliances from Bosch, Delonghi and Philips, produced for the Ukrainian market, began to be supplied to Russia and sold through marketplaces and electronics store chains, the Russian Kommersant reports. According to the publication, shipments are made through Turkish, Polish and Baltic structures of foreign vendors to maintain positions in the Russian Federation.

17:23 Representatives of the governments of 27 EU countries are today discussing a draft framework program for negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU. The Belgian presidency is aiming for negotiations to begin at a meeting of EU affairs ministers on June 25 - before Hungary takes over the EU Council on July 1, Politico writes.

Radio Liberty's editor for European affairs, Rikard Jozwiak, reports that Hungary, at today's meeting of EU ambassadors, is blocking approval of the draft negotiating framework on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, allegedly because of issues of the rights of national minorities.

16:41 Ukraine has opened a third camp for captured Russians, the I Want to Live project reported. The new prison camp Center-3 received the first Russian prisoners of war. “Due to the large number of Russians who surrendered and the actual blocking of exchanges by the Russian side, Ukraine is forced to open new places for holding prisoners of war. This is probably not the last camp for Russian prisoners of war that began operating this year,” the message says. Previously, there were two camps for captured Russians in Ukraine - West-1 and West-2.

16:20 In Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, one of those wounded as a result of today’s Russian shelling died, said the head of the OVA Sergei Lysak. In addition, Russian troops carried out a kamikaze drone attack on an ambulance, killing the driver and seriously wounding his wife.

15:49 Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that her country does not impose any restrictions on the use of weapons transferred to Ukraine: “Russia is waging an illegal aggressive war in Ukraine, and Ukraine has the right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. This includes strikes against military targets on the territory of the aggressor that are necessary for self-defense."

15:06 The Lithuanian government has approved the allocation of 13.5 million euros for the purchase of air surveillance radars for Ukraine, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said. According to him, these radars will strengthen the warning system in Ukraine. “Thus, we are joining the German-initiated air defense coalition. Germany has provided Ukraine with a third Patriot system and other systems, so we are making our possible contribution to the response,” Kasciunas added. He also noted that this year’s goal is to send four such radars to Ukraine.

14:45 In the Reserve+ application, 710 thousand Ukrainians were removed from the groundless “wanted”, said Deputy Minister of Defense Ekaterina Chernorenko. She explained that there were gaps in Oberig's registry. In particular, many military personnel were groundlessly given “wanted” status because their data was not digitized in a timely manner.

14:34 The Russian military dropped explosives from a drone in Novodmitrovka, Kherson region, two people were injured, OVA reported.

13:43 The Russians fired heavy artillery at Nikopol, Dnepropetrovsk region, two people were wounded, said the head of the OVA Sergei Lysak. The library, store and power lines were damaged.

13:36 The ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and control aircraft, which Sweden will transfer to Ukraine as part of a new military assistance package, will significantly enhance the capabilities of radar detection of enemy air targets, providing early warning and air combat coordination, the command of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces told Ukrainian Pravda. The AWACS aircraft in the Ukrainian air fleet will make it possible to detect targets that a conventional aircraft cannot see.

12:59 Only four countries out of 18 that agreed to take part in the project sent money for the Czech initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine, said Czech Defense Minister Jana Chernokhova. She clarified that these are Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Portugal. “The funds are coming to us gradually, we cannot buy ammunition on credit. If some countries have signed a memorandum but have not yet sent the funds, we cannot start purchasing. This is a kind of call to governments that have already signed memorandums to send money,” - noted Chernokhova.

12:35 On the evening of May 28, the Russian army attacked the private sector of the town of Selidovo, Donetsk region, the prosecutor’s office reported. Previously, the enemy fired at the populated area with two UMPB D-30SN aerial bombs. One person was wounded, and fragments of bodies were also found under the rubble - according to preliminary data, they may belong to two people, including a 13-year-old child.

In addition, the National Police reported that the number of those injured as a result of yesterday's Russian strike on Alekseevo-Druzhkovka, Donetsk region, has increased to seven, including a four-year-old child.

11:48 The White House cannot say who will represent the United States at the Peace Summit in Switzerland. “As you know, we actively participated in each of the previous Ukrainian peace summits. The US government is participating in this. And we will be represented at this future summit,” said White House Speaker Karine Jean-Pierre. In response to a question from the media, she said that she did not have specific information about Biden’s participation in the Peace Summit.

11:02 Sweden announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine in the amount of $1.3 billion. The package will include, in particular, ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and control aircraft, which will provide “a completely new potential for radar reconnaissance and combat control against targets in the air and at sea,” the government noted. The aircraft are supplied with training and technical equipment. The package will also include armored personnel carriers, an Rb 99 fighter, artillery ammunition and resources for servicing previously transferred equipment.

10:56 The Russians launched a missile attack on the Krasnopolsk community of the Sumy region. According to preliminary information, two people were killed and three were injured, the OVA reported. The cultural center and administrative buildings were damaged.

10:51 On the evening of May 28, the Russians fired a mortar at the Semenovskaya community in the Chernihiv region, one person was killed, said the head of the OBA Vyacheslav Chaus.

10:45 Trump allegedly said at a closed campaign event that he would bomb Moscow and Beijing if Russia invaded Ukraine or China invaded Taiwan during his presidency, The Washington Post writes, citing sources. According to them, he “surprised” some of his donors with such a statement.

10:39 Poland does not restrict Ukraine in the use of its weapons, said the country’s Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk: “There are no such restrictions on the Polish weapons that we supply to Ukraine... Russia today does what it wants, but Ukraine is somehow limited by some- then the country, this needs to end. The Polish position is clear: Ukraine should have the opportunity to fight the equipment it receives, Poland has no objection in this matter.”

10:22 The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) writes that Russian authorities are intensifying the deportation of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation, strengthening another component of the Russian campaign of genocide in Ukraine. We are talking about the removal of about 50 thousand children from the occupied territories under the guise of “health improvement in children’s camps.” In particular, the leader of the “LPR” Leonid Pasechnik recently said that the regions of the Russian Federation will “accept” more than 12 thousand children from the occupied Luhansk region during 2024.

09:48 In the Kherson region over the past 24 hours, one person was killed as a result of Russian shelling, said the head of the OVA, Alexander Prokudin. Nine private houses, a communal infrastructure facility, an agricultural enterprise and a cultural institution were damaged.

09:20 In the Kirovograd region, during a night attack, power lines were damaged by debris from a downed drone in one of the settlements of the Kropyvnytskyi region, said the head of the OVA Andrei Raikovich.

09:01 One of those wounded as a result of an enemy strike on the Epicenter in Kharkov on May 25 died in the hospital, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. He also said that the day before the Russians hit the KAB on the territory of a golf club in Kharkov, no people were injured. One person was wounded as a result of shelling by four KAB. Malaya Danilovka, Kharkov district. The farm and the building of the department of the educational institution were damaged.

08:53 In the Rivne region, during a night attack as a result of falling debris at one of the power facilities, the protection system was activated, which led to the blackout of part of the populated areas. At present, the power supply has been restored, no people were injured, said the head of the OVA, Alexander Koval.

08:29 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of May 29:

personnel - about 505,100 (+1300) people,

tanks - 7700 (+8),

armored combat vehicles - 14,891 (+33),

artillery systems - 13,066 (+37),

MLRS - 1087 (+2),

air defense systems - 815 (+0),

aircraft - 357 (+0),

helicopters - 326 (+0),

UAV of operational-tactical level - 10 510 (+28),

cruise missiles - 2222 (+0),

ships/boats - 27 (+0),

submarines - 1 (+0),

automotive equipment and tank trucks - 17,796 (+56),

special equipment - 2142 (+20).

07:24 Air defense at night destroyed 13 of 14 attack UAVs of the Shahed-131/136 type, which Russia attacked from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, the Air Force reported. Drones were shot down in the Nikolaev, Kirovograd and Rivne regions.

00:23 Journalist of the Russian propaganda publication RT Andrei Filatov released a video of how the Russian military used chemical weapons, which the Kremlin officially denies. “Here you can see the gas mask hanging from the machine gunner. Zincs from under the cartridges. Here is the gas grenade that we dropped,” says Filatov in his report.

00:19 By the end of the year, Ukraine should receive 500 thousand shells as part of the Czech initiative, said Danish Prime Minister Matte Frederiksen.

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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Zakharova calls Kirby 'Captain Obvious' after talking about the 'peace formula'

2024-05-30

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on May 29 called the coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, “Captain Obvious.”

Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova
“Captain Obvious,” RT quotes Zakharova as saying about Washington’s involvement in the development of the so-called peace formula of the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky.

As Regnum reported, on May 29, at a briefing, Kirby answered positively to the question whether the White House contributed to Zelensky’s “peace formula.”

The so-called peace conference, at which the situation in Ukraine will be considered, will be held in June in Switzerland. Bern, at the request of Kyiv, invited more than 160 delegations.

The head of the Kiev regime announced on May 29 that Russia would subsequently receive the documents developed at the conference. At the same time, Zelensky did not name who exactly or which organizations or countries will hand over the documents of the Swiss conference to Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the event an attempt to formulate an ultimatum for Russia. The diplomat added that Russia will not participate in this conference and any other negotiations on Ukraine at which the “Zelensky formula” will be promoted.

The head of the Strategic Group Sofia analytical center, Andrei Ermolaev, said that Zelensky’s decision to bring up only three points from his so-called peace formula for discussion at the conference in Switzerland will deprive the upcoming meeting of any significance. In his opinion, the summit in Switzerland is necessary for Kiev in order, first of all, to warm up the West’s fading interest in the conflict in Ukraine.

According to him, the assumption of cooling interest was confirmed by the refusals of the leaders of a number of states, including US President Joe Biden, to attend the event. The so-called peace formula will no longer be taken seriously by Kyiv’s Western allies, which is why the West will prefer to negotiate a settlement to the conflict with Russia without the participation of Ukraine, the analyst added.

Link

Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

FSB border service says that NATO was practicing nuclear strikes on Russia

2024-05-29

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The North Atlantic Alliance is practicing nuclear strikes on the country's territory near the border with Russia, said First Deputy Director - Head of the FSB Border Service, Army General Vladimir Kulishov.

“NATO intelligence activity is increasing near the Russian border, and the intensity of operational and combat training activities for the alliance’s troops is increasing,” Izvestia quotes Kulishov as saying.

The head of the FSB border service added that during operational combat training, NATO troops practice, in particular, scenarios for conducting combat operations against Russia, including launching nuclear strikes on the country’s territory.

He also drew attention to the fact that Ukrainian special services, in cooperation with the West, are intensifying reconnaissance and subversive activities in the border regions of Russia, involving Ukrainian border residents in this. According to Kulishov, London and Washington contribute most to Kyiv in this.

As the head of the FSB Border Service noted, the situation at the interstate border and in the border regions remains tense. In this regard, it is necessary to take measures to protect the country and protect its borders.

As Regnum reported, in April, the commander of US Army Europe, General Darryl Williams, said that NATO military exercises held in Europe in the spring were the largest since the Cold War. He noted that they are “actually” directed against Russia.

Former Defense Minister and Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu said on April 26 that NATO troops located close to the Russian borders created additional security threats. According to him, there are about 33 thousand NATO troops, about 300 tanks and more than 800 other combat vehicles near the Russian border.

The Foreign Ministry stated that NATO is preparing its allies in the bloc for a potential clash with Russia, drawing attention to the militarization of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region.

On May 6, the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, on behalf of President Vladimir Putin, began preparations for exercises with missile formations of the Southern Military District, involving aviation and naval forces. The exercises were aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in order to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Russia.

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Europe

Zelenksky: documents developed at the conference in Switzerland will be transferred to Russia

2024-05-29

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Russia will subsequently receive documents developed at the so-called peace conference on Ukraine, which will be held in Switzerland. This was stated on May 28 by the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luis Montenegro.

He clarified that these papers will include items on food security, as well as the nuclear and humanitarian spheres. The head of the Kyiv regime noted that new steps regarding other points will depend on Russia's reaction.

“We will move on to other points, and if three work, then the rest will work,” he emphasized.

The head of the Kyiv regime did not say who exactly or which organizations or countries will hand over the documents of the Swiss conference to Russia.

As Regnum reported, the conference in Switzerland will take place on June 15–16 in the city of Bürgenstock. Russia was not invited to the event. The conference organizers plan that more than 160 delegations will attend the meeting. Discussions at the event will be based on the so-called peace formula proposed by the head of the Kyiv regime.

On May 13, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the conference in Switzerland was an attempt to formulate an ultimatum for Russia. He noted that Moscow will not participate in this event and any other negotiations on Ukraine, where they are trying to promote Kyiv’s “peace formula.”

On May 24, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called the conference in Switzerland another scam on the part of the United States. She noted that Russia has never refused to negotiate.

On May 27, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis said that the conference in Switzerland would not bring positive results and was doomed to failure. The expert emphasized that no country can force Russia to take any steps.

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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Russia Considering Removing 'Taliban' From Terrorist List

2024-05-28

[TOLONEWS] The Russian Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs have presented President Vladimir Putin
...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances...
with a proposal to potentially remove the name 'Taliban
Taliban

...Arabic for students...
' from the list of designated terrorist groups.

Russia has been trying to rehabilitate the Taliban since about two minutes after the Coalition left… if not before.

According to TASS news agency, Zamir Kabulov, Russia's special representative for Afghanistan, stated that many government institutions in the country have supported this decision.

Kabulov also mentioned that although the "Taliban" have come a long way towards recognition since their rule in Afghanistan, there are still some "hurdles."

TASS, citing Zamir Kabulov, said: "The Taliban government has come a long way towards being recognized since it came to power in Afghanistan in 2021. But there are still a few hurdles to overcome, after which the Russian leadership will make a decision."

Javid Momand, a university lecturer, told TOLOnews: "If Russia decides to remove the names of senior members of the Islamic Emirate from the blacklist or sanction list, I think this will have an impact because Russia is a military power today."

The Islamic Emirate has not recently commented on this; however, it had previously stated that if this decision is implemented, trust between the two countries will increase.

Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat, said: "Indeed, if Russia wants to remove the Taliban from the terrorist blacklist, this will bring Russia closer to the Islamic Emirate, and the world will also grant a privilege to the Taliban and recognize them as rulers."

TASS news agency had previously reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry is reviewing the removal of the Taliban from the list of terrorist groups.

Lavrov calls the idea to exclude the Taliban from the list of banned groups a reflection of reality
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The initiative to possibly exclude the Taliban movement (the organization is under UN sanctions for terrorist activities) from the list of terrorist organizations reflects objective reality. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced this on May 27.

“This process reflects an awareness of reality,” the minister emphasized.

The head of the foreign policy department explained that the Taliban is the real power in Afghanistan, and Russia is not indifferent to Afghanistan.

“It is not indifferent to our allies, especially in Central Asia,” Lavrov added.

As Regnum reported, on May 27, the director of the second Asian department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Zamir Kabulov, said that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice reported to President Vladimir Putin that the Taliban movement can be excluded from the list of prohibited organizations. The diplomat stressed that without this step it would be premature to talk about recognition.

He noted that the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was conveyed in agreement with other departments. Recognition of the Taliban government by Russia is much closer than when they came to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the diplomat added. However, Kabulov emphasized that there are a number of issues that need to be overcome. Then the Russian leadership will make a decision.

The radical Taliban movement took control of Afghanistan in 2021. At the same time, American troops and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani hastily left the country. The Taliban entered Kabul without a fight.

In January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that representatives of the Taliban movement as a whole control power in Afghanistan, and Russia does not stop contacts with them. Issues whose resolution is necessary for them to become a fully recognized government are also being discussed with the Taliban, Lavrov added.

The Foreign Ministry reported on April 1 that they had begun to consider the issue of lifting the Taliban’s status as a terrorist organization, but the final decision would be made by the country’s top political leadership. Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov noted on April 2 that Russia is conducting a dialogue with the movement in power in Afghanistan, as it is necessary to resolve pressing issues.

In December 2023, the Kazakh authorities decided to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorists. Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova expressed hope that such a step will have a positive impact on the dialogue with Afghanistan and strengthen security in the region. The diplomat noted that the exclusion of the Taliban from the terrorist list will contribute to its removal from international isolation.

Since March 2022, Moscow has established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and accredited diplomats from the government formed by the Taliban.

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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

'It was a warm day...' The start of the fighting at the Donetsk airport became a point of no return

2024-05-28

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
by Aleksandr Dimitrovsky

[REGNUM] In the early morning of May 26, 2014, an airliner flying from Donetsk to Kyiv took off from the runway of Donetsk airport named after Sergei Prokofiev (whose brand new terminal was built just recently, for Euro 2012). This was the last flight - just hours before the war came here. By the end of May, it had already become clear that the confrontation between the Kiev Maidan regime and the proclaimed DPR could be resolved in great blood. The recent Odessa tragedy showed how the “revolution of pride” deals with unarmed resistance.

Link

Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Lavrov: Stoltenberg exceeded his authority when speaking about strikes on Russian territory

2024-05-28

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg does not have the right to make statements on behalf of all members of the alliance on an issue that has not been submitted for general discussion. This was stated on May 27 by the head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, commenting on the words of the NATO Secretary General about attacks on Russia by Western weapons.

“I doubt that the Secretary General can take on such responsibility and speak on behalf of the members of the bloc when this topic was not discussed with them within NATO,” Izvestia quotes the minister.

Lavrov recalled that some members of the bloc have already expressed disagreement with the statement of the NATO Secretary General. Thus, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on Stoltenberg to be careful in his statements.

As Regnum reported, on May 27, the NATO Secretary General again proposed allowing Ukraine to fire Western weapons at targets on Russian territory. He said that such strikes in the context of the offensive of Russian troops near Kharkov can be considered as self-defense. He had previously suggested that Western allies consider whether they should lift some restrictions they had placed on the use of weapons transferred to Ukraine.

Stoltenberg's remarks were condemned by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Italy, Matteo Salvini. He said that after such words, Stoltenberg should apologize or leave his post. The Italian minister was outraged by the idea that Ukraine would be allowed to use weapons for defense in battles outside its territory.

On May 26, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused to allow Ukraine to fire Western weapons at Russia. According to the politician, from the very beginning of the supply of German weapons to Kyiv, rules for the use of these weapons were developed and agreed upon with Ukraine. Germany provides support to the Kyiv regime, including military support, but does not want the conflict in Ukraine to escalate into a “big war,” the chancellor added.

The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, noted that Russia will not leave encroachments on its territory unanswered. Western countries, by providing long-range missiles and heavy weapons and giving the go-ahead for their use against Russia, contributed to the escalation of the conflict, Zakharova added.

Previously, Lavrov said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are already using weapons provided by the United States and other Western countries to attack civilian targets in Russia outside the conflict zone. He emphasized that in most cases, civilian infrastructure and residential areas are hit.

Thus, on May 24, Russian air defense systems destroyed an anti-radar missile HARM fired by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) over the territory of the Belgorod region. On the same day, the Russian military shot down three American-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles over Crimea on the night of May 24.

More from regnum.ru
Peskov says that NATO is already in direct confrontation with Russia

Today, NATO is actually directly involved in the conflict and is in direct confrontation with Russia. This was stated on May 27 by the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, commenting on statements by Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about Ukrainian Armed Forces striking NATO weapons on Russian territory.

Peskov said that NATO is already in direct confrontation with Russia
“NATO is involved in this conflict, directly involved in the conflict... But our military also knows what to do, they are continuing a special military operation to stop all threats,” he said in an interview with Izvestia.

Peskov noted that the secretary general of the alliance in this case cannot express a personal opinion, since he is in a responsible position.

The Kremlin representative noted that the alliance is thus increasing the degree of escalation, flirting with belligerent rhetoric and falling into “military ecstasy.”

“This is the reality we need to continue to deal with,” he added.

According to Peskov, today NATO is actually already in direct confrontation with Russia.

“They are not getting close, they are in it [the confrontation],” he clarified in response to a corresponding question.

As Regnum reported, earlier on May 27, the NATO Secretary General again proposed allowing Kiev to fire Western weapons at targets on Russian territory. According to Stoltenberg, such actions can allegedly be considered self-defense.

Prior to this, on May 25, the secretary general of the alliance called on Kiev’s Western allies to lift the current restrictions for the Ukrainian Armed Forces on strikes with alliance weapons on Russian territory. At the same time, Stoltenberg admitted that the Russian military will continue the offensive, which is why Kyiv is already experiencing difficulties.

A group of US congressmen from both parties on May 21 called on the Pentagon to “allow” Ukraine to strike Russian territory with American weapons. According to congressmen, the Ukrainian Armed Forces can allegedly carry out such strikes against strategic targets and under certain circumstances.

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