Former Wagner Commander Defects To Norway
Belarus and South Africa agree to military drills with Russia
Day 327 (16 January)
Reports claim that 80% of the recruits from prison in the Wagner group are either killed, injured, or captured. It comes as a former Wagner commander (Andrey Medvedev aged 26) escaped to Norway across the border with Russia after his contract finished to claim asylum. He has a good chance of being protected as he can give evidence of the war crimes committed.
A Russian human rights group called Gulagu helped him to escape and confirmed his identity. He had been on a 4 month contract before he deserted the group after being told his contract would be extended indefinitely. For the past 2 months he has been in hiding in Russia before crossing the border. Whatever happens, he can never return to Russia as his name and his image has been circulated around the world. It is believed he has evidence of war crimes which he has taken as a bargaining tool to claim asylum
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Images of the Russian troops in Makiivka before they were killed have been released.
The German Defence Minister, Christine Lambrecht has resigned over her handling of supplying weapons to Ukraine and the German armed forces. It was she who announced the donation of 5000 helmets at the start of the invasion which was mocked around the world. She was due to attend a Ramstein meeting on Friday with other defence ministers and will be replaced by her successor.
Russia’s 52nd Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment has been identified as the unit responsible for the Dnipro attack that killed 30 people and injured 75 people on 14 January 2023, when the Russians launched a Kh-22 missile on a residential building. This means that the members will be tried for war crimes.
The UK announces a military aid package including armoured vehicles, tanks, drones, and missiles. Training for the Challenger 2 tanks will start ‘immediately’ and Ben Wallace has stated that some of the donations are being purchased from supportive third-party countries. It has also been reported that this might leave the UK a little weaker in terms of equipment, but it is worth it in order to prevent Russia moving westwards
Russia is offering Russian citizenship to foreigners in exchange for signing up to serve in the Russian army. Who would want to live in a country that has been sanctioned by most of the democratic countries in the world?
Day 328 (17 January)
Around 100 Ukrainian soldiers arrived in Oklahoma to begin their training on the Patriot defence systems. Other training is taking place in Germany to help soldiers to learn military tactics that will help them plan strategic offensives.
Switzerland says it is working on some reforms (from its neutral status) to permit the export of some Swiss-made equipment to Ukraine after criticism from other countries claiming they were supporting Russia by refusing permission of the exports.
A new German Defence Minister has been announced, Pistorius who is supported by two leading pro-Russians in Germany. It’s too soon to tell, but having a minister who is praised by pro-Russians isn’t a good look for Germany.
The IAEA flag is flying at the Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. This symbolises that the IAEA has ‘control ‘ of the facility and will oversee safety and security there. The aim if for the IAEA to be at all nuclear power plants.
Wagner group soldiers have been pictured wearing Ukraine soldiers uniforms in Soledar, which is predominately under Wagner control at present.
South Africa, who has previously declared they are neutral in the conflict has announced it will take part in military drills with Russian warships next month with Chinese warships. That is not being neutral
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Serbia has called upon Russia to stop reciting its citizens to fight as mercenaries in the war in Ukraine. The Wagner group has been advertising for mercenaries in Serbia, but the likelihood is that they can do little about advertising on social media and Russian websites.
Belarus and Russia are carrying out join military aviation drills from now until 1 February 2023.
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Zelenskyy has evaded at least 12 assassination attempts by the Russians. Intelligence from the CIA and other countries have assisted in preventing the assassination attempts
In Davos, Russian officials have not been invited this year. The world continues to isolate Russia and this needs to continue. Poland announced that they would give 260 T-72 tanks to Ukraine. Meanwhile, other countries still await Germany to give permission to export Leopard tanks.
Turkey has announced that there will be a prisoner exchange of 800 Ukrainian soldiers for 200 Russians, but the terms have not be finalised.
Another Russian collaborator has been killed in occupied Zaporizhzhia. Oleksii Kichyhin was a leader in Berdiansk and was killed in an explosion. We can’t comment on how the Ukrainians wish to take out their traitors, but removing them is essential before Ukraine can be independent and free.
Thank you again E-L, I do appreciate and look forward to all your important up-dates. I try not to get too involved with other matters, important though they are, which the British press are reporting on these days.