The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on March 21 2023

‘Russia will respond’: Putin condemns UK plan to send ammunition to Ukraine

Britain will give Ukraine missiles with depleted uranium.
This is another step from the British to push the Ukrainian crisis to the emergence of nuclear weapons.
Russian President Putin has already said that if the UK supplies shells with depleted uranium to Ukraine, the Russian Federation will be forced to respond. A hint at the use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia, which will greatly affect Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Can you imagine such a “TNW” will arrive somewhere in Lviv?

It seems that London wants to make a “nuclear desert” out of Ukraine. 

If the Armed Forces of Ukraine use shells with depleted uranium, the Russian Federation admits the possibility of responding with tactical nuclear weapons — Russian analyst

We are talking about the depleted uranium-core, armour-piercing ,sub-caliber , feathered projectiles for Challenger 2 tanks that will be sent to Ukraine.

“World tank building (the production of shells) went two ways :

Use expensive tungsten (safe for the health of the crew and safe for the environment) or an alloy of depleted uranium with titanium .

An alloy with uranium is much cheaper, because it can be used as spent fuel from nuclear reactors. Secondly, it has such a function as “self-sharpening”: when it bites into homogeneous armor (all-metal) at high speed, it does not flatten, but “leaves in layers,” continuing to be sharp and retaining penetrating properties .

By itself , it is not radioactive, but it is very toxic . If inhaled or if it comes into contact with the skin, it will cause serious poisoning.
On impact, part of the projectile is sprayed into fine dust, contaminating the area where the projectile was fired. According to American studies, in the area where such shells were used , oncology and other types of diseases grew six times .

Regarding the response: Russia has clearly defined that this type of munition is considered to be the use of “dirty bombs.” And this already opens up the possibility of conducting a retaliatory strike with tactical nuclear weapons. “Western countries should understand what games they are “playing “, ” said Andrey Klintsevich , head of the Center for the Study of Military and Political Conflicts .

Earlier, the United Kingdom confirmed the transfer of this type of ammunition to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
https://t.me/OstashkoNews/61087

Depleted uranium shells are not a threat to modern Russian tanks since the tanks are designed to withstand them.

This was stated by the military expert of “Izvestia Channel,” Alexei Ramm. The specialist noted that the armor of modern Russian technology is designed to withstand a uranium-enhanced projectile.
“Initially, the designers developed armor in such a way that it could reduce the effectiveness of armor-piercing shells equipped with a depleted uranium core,” Ramm emphasized.

“The danger of depleted uranium ammunition lies in the uranium dust that can be inhaled,” military expert Vladislav Shurygin told Izvestia. (https://t.me/izvestia/125495)

When a depleted uranium-core munition hits a target, uranium dust is produced, which can be inhaled by humans. Uranium is toxic and dangerous to human health.

“These are shells from which, instead of a regular head, a spear or crowbar sticks out.” This crowbar, which gains supersonic speed in flight, is made of very dense metal.

 ”And the stronger it is, the greater its penetrating ability,” said Shurygin.
Such cores from the American supply have been made in the West since the late 1980s. The expert emphasized that the use of such ammunition is not prohibited by international conventions. However, their danger has been proven.
 

In Odessa, the enemy’s positions and UAVs were destroyed in the area of the Shkolny airfield, from which UAV data on DZHANKOY was launched yesterday

According to preliminary data , it ended up in a warehouse at the airport, where some interesting enterprises were located that were engaged in aviation development. There are also hangars where there could be components for UAVs and aircraft.
Nearby buildings were damaged by shrapnel. (Possibly from a blast wave, etc.). This airfield has a command center, just it has a structure of 3 floors.

Although the authorities stated that they got into a residential building that is on fire, but so far there are no photos and videos, we believe this is a “stuffing”.
Addition: the churchmen of the Iversky monastery suffered from the fragments.
There are military casualties.

By the way, we assumed that Dzhanka would answer, but why Bankovaya did not prepare, this is a rhetorical question.

We are watching.

About possible attacks on Crimea from Odessa region

 A little over an hour ago, Russian troops attacked the Shkolny airfield in Odessa , where Ukrainian Mugin-5 kamikaze drones and Tu-141 Strizh jet UAVs are based.

According to unconfirmed information, the hit fell on one of the hangars , where the final assembly and retrofitting of reconnaissance and conventional commercial UAVs with a warhead takes place.

It was from this airfield that the Ukrainian Mugins were launched (https://t.me/rybar/44869) yesterday to strike various targets in Dzhankoy on the Crimean peninsula, including the railway station.

However, yesterday’s attack was only a test of the readiness of the Russian air defense before a larger raid.

🔻 What are we talking about?

 In the near future, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine planned to deliver a massive blow to the Crimea. In recent days, drones of various types, mainly Chinese Mugin-5, have been actively transported to Odessa on the territory of Shkolny . At the airfield, they intended to adapt them and prepare them for an attack on the Crimea.

Since the beginning of March, Ukrainian units have been testing the Grom-2 operational-tactical missile system at the Tuzla test site. On March 4, at the airfield in Gvardeisky , they probably tried (https://t.me/rybar/44300) to strike with this OTRK.

Testing of Grom-2 then continued right at the training ground. Missile launches were carried out on test targets in the Black Sea . According to the latest data, in the vicinity of Tuzly , a testing ground area has been equipped for several installations of the Grom-2 OTRK: the option of using new complexes for combined strikes against Russia is not ruled out.

❗️Against the backdrop of these events, in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania, exercises (https://t.me/rybar/44840) of the joint naval forces of NATO “Sea Shield – 2023″ are being held. As part of the contingent involved, reconnaissance aircraft and drones are used.

The drill is a suitable cover for other maneuvers. For example, the covert transfer of forces and assets to areas of interest and the possibility of reconnaissance under the legend of general training. Given the presence of maritime drones among the Ukrainian forces, the NATO naval exercises would be an ideal cover for sabotage in and around Sevastopol .

Throughout March 21, an American MQ-9A Reaper UAV was involved almost all day east of Romania (it took off from the Kympiya-Turziy airbase). Toward evening, the strategic UAV RQ-4B Global Hawk replaced it. Now the UAV is located in the central part of the Black Sea.

🔻It is not yet clear how severely damaged Ukrainian facilities in Shkolnoye were as a result of the Russian strike. Even if at least one of the hangars is destroyed, the damage will be quite noticeable: but the Armed Forces of Ukraine can adjust their plans.

However, now the Ukrainian authorities are chasing an information victory, and they may try to repeat yesterday’s scenario, placing great emphasis on dispersing panic among (https://t.me/rybar/44869) Russians.

And for the attack itself, the option of using alternative airfields cannot be ruled out, as was the case at the beginning of this year, when an UAV from Shiroky in the Zaporozhye region was used (https://t.me/rybar/42518) in an attempt to destroy an oil depot near Nizhnegorsky .

This was a successful visit for Putin

Vladimir Putin said Tuesday he had held a new round of “meaningful and frank” talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Kremlin

US ‘FIRMLY OPPOSED’ To Ceasefire In Ukraine, Concessions To Russia Are ‘UNACCEPTABLE’: NSC’s Kirby

Xi Jinping left the Kremlin

The Chinese leader left the Kremlin after official talks with Putin and a farewell dinner. The Russian president saw him off, the leaders shook hands. The meeting of the heads of state lasted more than 6 hours.

Xi Jinping: Now there are changes that have not been seen for 100 years. Together we are driving these changes.
Putin: I agree.
Xi Jinping: Please take care of yourself, dear friend.
Vladimir Putin: Happy travels!

Dmitry Medvedev assessed the West’s reaction to Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia:

I think they are rejoicing along with us.
The journalist clarified that the West was “furious”.
Very good, it makes me very happy.

Russia and China adopted a joint statement following the talks between Putin and Xi Jinping. In particular, it states that the Russian Federation and China:

🔺 intend to provide mutual support in protecting each other’s interests, primarily sovereignty, territorial integrity, security

🔺 agreed to conduct regular joint patrols at sea and in the air, as well as joint exercises

🔺 urge to avoid further degradation of the crisis in the Ukrainian conflict up to its transition into an uncontrolled phase

🔺 call for an end to all steps that escalate tensions and prolong hostilities in Ukraine

🔺 express great concern about the strengthening of NATO’s ties with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region on military issues

🔺 call on NATO to respect the sovereignty of other states and their interests

🔺 oppose one state imposing its values on other countries, there is no “higher democracy”

🔺 oppose all unilateral sanctions imposed bypassing the UN Security Council

🔺 express concern over the situation on the Korean Peninsula, call on all concerned states to exercise calm and restraint

🔺 Russia reiterates its commitment to the “one China” principle, recognizes that Taiwan is an integral part of the PRC

Musicians went on a Decisive Assault on Bakhmut┃Russian Army is Very Close to Capturing Avdiivka

[ BAKHMUT ] UKRAINE WITHDRAW FROM SALIENT IN SOUTH BAKHMUT – counter attacking near city centre!

PMC Wagner controls about 70% of Artemovsk (Bakhmut)—Prigozhin

Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the AFU is also planning to launch a large-scale offensive in late March and early April and launch flanking dissecting strikes, which could cut off the Orchestra units from the main forces of the Russian army. In this connection, he requested that all measures be taken that could prevent such an outcome.

Yevgeny Prigozhin said that today units of the Chechen special forces “Akhmat” and units of the 2nd Army Corps advanced on one of the sections of the front line (without specifying the area of advancement). Part of the 2nd AK are operating in the area of the Seversk salient.

Soledar direction:

▪️North-west of Bakhmut, fierce fighting continues in Orikhove-Vasylivka, where AFU units are entrenched.

▪️ In Bakhmut, fighting continues in the south and north of the city: Wagner PMC fighters are advancing near the Avangard stadium and Alexandra Kolpakova Avenue.

▪️ In the south-west of the city, clashes over sections of the Bakhmut- Konstantinovka highway do not subside.

RVVoenkory:

🇷🇺 ⚔️ 🇺🇦 PMCs “Wagner” breaks through the defense of the AFU in Bakhmut, using a “Fire shaft”

The Ukrainian military are alarmed to report:

▪️ The situation is very difficult in the Bakhmut direction, in the area of Squares, Budenovka and Sobachevka there is a Wagner advance in some quarters.

▪️ Wagner are delivering intense artillery strikes, destroying absolutely everything, trying to advance further.

▪️ The T-0504 highway is unchanged.

▪️ In the north of Bakhmut, the AFU is trying to counterattack in the entire direction.

▪️ Earlier it was reported that the intensity of fighting along Korsunsky Street has increased. The Wagners managed to cross the street in several places and knock the AFU out of a number of houses. PMCs uses aviation and artillery tactics “Fire shaft”.

▪️ In the Budenovsky district, the PMCs are attacking in several places towards Kolodeznaya Street.

Ukrainian 46th brigade In Bakhmut. From our comrades.
“The orcs have shifted their efforts to the flanks of our troops. The reason is the lack of opportunity to advance in the city. Urban battles are always slow, and they need results. That is why they have intensified their activity in the direction of Hryhorivka – Bohdanivka. In Orikhovo-Vasylivka, then move in the direction of Novomarkove to the border of the Kanal. In case of success, we will be talking about putting pressure on Chasiv Yar, not Bakhmut. As for the pace of the offensive, the Vanguard has no problems with personnel, but the weight of the artillery volley has not been restored in a month. Aviation is working less frequently and farther from zero after the losses, they are afraid. We are holding on.”

Chronicles of the special military operation for March 21, 2023

 ðŸ”»Bryansk region:

▪️ Ukrainian drones attacked the Novozybkov processing station on the Druzhba oil pipeline.

The object did not receive significant damage and no one was injured. A Ukrainian drone “Valkyrie” was shot down.

▪️In addition, the enemy shelled Klimovo, damaging several houses. There were no casualties.

🔻Starobelsk direction:

▪️There are virtually no changes in this section of the front. Artillery duels and positional battles continue along the line of contact.

🔻Soledar direction:

▪️North-west of Bakhmut, fierce fighting continues in Orikhove-Vasylivka, where enemy units are entrenched.

▪️ In Bakhmut, fighting continues in the south and north of the city: Wagner PMC fighters are advancing near the Avangard stadium and Alexandra Kolpakova Avenue.

▪️ In the south-west of the city, clashes over sections of the Bakhmut- Kostyantynivka highway do not subside.

🔻Donetsk direction:

▪️Russian troops are fighting fierce battles on the eastern outskirts of Petrovsky in the Avdeevsky fortified area.

▪️In addition, hostilities continue on the southwestern outskirts of Avdiivka itself, which the Russian Armed Forces were able to reach the day before.

▪️ The enemy again shelled the cities of the Donetsk People’s Republic: Donetsk, Gorlovka, Makeevka, Panteleymonovka and several other settlements were hit.

🔻Luhansk People’s Republic:

▪️Ukrainian formations shelled the village of Nizhnyaya Duvanka in the Svatovsky district of the LPR, partially destroying the State Fire and Rescue Post of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the LPR.

🔻Zaporozhye region:

▪️In the afternoon, the Russian Armed Forces worked on the facilities of the Ukrainian army in the city of Zaporizhia. Several explosions rocked the city.

🔻Odessa region:

▪️In the late evening, Russian troops launched a missile attack on the Shkolny airfield in the suburbs of Odessa, from where the enemy is allegedly launching kamikaze drones on Russian territory.

Russian Defence Ministry Report on the Progress of the Special Military Operation (21 March 2023)⚡️

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
 
💥 In Kupyansk direction, active actions by units and artillery fire of the ‘Zapad’ Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and equipment close to Dvurechnaya, Timkovka (Kharkov region) and Novoselovskoye and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People’s Republic). Up to 80 Ukrainian servicemen, three armored fighting vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer were destroyed.
 
💥In Krasny Liman direction, Russian artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the ‘Tsentr’ Group of Forces hit units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) close to Nevskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic), Yampolovka, and Grigorovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). As many as 60 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and D-20 and D-30 howitzers have been neutralised in this direction during the day.
 
💥 In Donetsk direction, the ‘Yug’ Group of Forces, aviation, and artillery fire have eliminated up to 160 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer.
 
💥 In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the the ‘Vostok’ Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on AFU units close Ugledar, Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), and Preobrazhenka (Zaporozhye region) The enemy’s losses amounted to more than 30 Ukrainian troops, two pick-up trucks, as well as one D-30 howitzer.
 
💥 In Kherson direction, the fire damage has neutralised over 40 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system during the day.
 
💥 Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 95 AFU artillery units at their fire positions, manpower, and military hardware in 107 areas during the day. In addition, three U.S.-made AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radar stations have been obliterated close to Shandrigolovo (Donetsk People’s Republic), Orekhov (Zaporozhye region), and Belozerka (Kherson region).
 
✈️ Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Su-25 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force in an air-to-air operation near Nikanorovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
 
💥 Russia’s air defence systems shot down 10 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Tokarevka (Kharkov region), Krasnorechenskoye, Chervonopopovka, Novovodyanoye, Kremennaya, Ploshchanka, and Voyevodka, Rubezhnoye, Baranikovka (Lugansk People’s Republic), Zeleny Gai, Urozhaynoye, Blagodatnoye, Vladimirovka, Yevgenovka, Staromlinovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), Ulyanovka, Pologi (Zaporozhye region), Novaya Zburyevka and Krynki (Kherson region). In addition, three HIMARS multiple rocket launchers were intercepted.
 
Special Operation, 21 Mar 2023, Main; pub. 22:19⚡️

▪️ Putin and Xi Jinping said after talks that #Russia and #China call for an end to all steps contributing to escalating tensions and prolonging hostilities in #Ukraine;

▪️ Xi Jinping said the PRC is ready to continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukrainian issue;

▪️ Putin said #China’s peace plan could be taken as a basis for a peace settlement on #Ukraine when the West and Kiev are ready for it;

▪️ Britain’s deputy defence secretary Goldy says Britain will hand over depleted uranium munitions to #Ukraine;

▪️ Putin said if the collective West starts using weapons with a nuclear component, Russia will be forced to react;

▪️ Russia’s permanent representative to the OPCW, Shulgin, said that the threat of Kiev’s chemical provocation is real, the West is turning a blind eye;

▪️ The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that more than 405 Ukrainian militants have been eliminated in key areas;

▪️ MoD added that the RF Armed Forces had destroyed three US-made Ukrainian radars in 24 hours;

▪️ Crimean head Aksyonov said that the situation in #Dzhankoy, which was attacked by Ukrainian drones, was under control;

▪️ #Bryansk Governor Bogomaz reports Ukrainian drone attack on Druzhba oil pipeline site, no casualties;

▪️The Bild publication believes that Kiev is preparing an offensive against #Lugansk and #Zaporozhye in order to cut off the Russian land communication with the #Crimea;

▪️ Pentagon spokesman Ryder said that the USA decided to give Kiev an older version of Abrams tanks in order to speed up deliveries.

Ukraine Front update [21 March 2023] ‘Today’

War Map and the Situation on the Fronts in the Evening of 21 Mar 2023; pub. 00:05⚡️

🔥 The Russian Army struck (https://t.me/readovkanews/55234) a military airfield in #Odessa, from which an attack (https://t.me/readovkanews/55165) by the AFU on #Crimea could have been organised. Apparently there was a serious accumulation of AFU equipment there, as confirmed by the heavy fire at the blast site after the arrival.

⚔️ Situation on the Fronts for the past Day

🔹#Svatovo – #Kremennaya Direction:

➖ Russian army, supported by artillery, advances on #Belogorovka, information appears (https://t.me/readovkanews/55237) about serious success of our fighters.
➖ Also our fighters attacked enemy positions in the areas of #Yampolovka, #Terny, #Nevskoye and #Makeyevka.

🔹#Artyomovsk (#Bakhmut) Sector:

➖ Fighters of the Wagner PMC are advancing in the areas of Orekhovo-Vasilyevka and #Bogdanovka.
➖ Fighting continues in the centre of #Artyomovsk, at the moment most of the city outskirts are under the control of the “bandwagon”. Also ours are advancing in the Mariupol cemetery area and consolidating on Korsunsky Street.

🔹#Donetsk & #SouthDonetsk Directions:

➖ The RF Armed Forces continue to cover #Avdeyevka from two sides. From the north, ours are advancing towards #Orlovka, trying to cut off AFU supplies. From the south, Russian soldiers are advancing from #Opytnoye.
➖ The assaults on #Pervomayskoye and #Maryinka continue.

💥 Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-25 near #Nikanorovka DRR.

💡 UK Deputy Defence Minister announced (https://t.me/readovkaru/2764) delivery of depleted uranium munitions for 404. This is most likely to be about shells for the Challenger 2 tanks supplied to the Kiev regime. In addition to questions about the supply, there are questions about the use of such weapons, given the experience of use in #Yugoslavia.

Now there will be a lot of speculation about the possible direction of the Ukrainian offensive – both in terms of points of a likely first strike, and in terms of the further development of the attack. There is no point in getting involved in them; first of all, I will note that such an offensive, in principle, can begin with a series of probing strikes in different directions with development where some hint of success is achieved.

The key issue for us in these conditions is the good work of our own intelligence, capable of timely revealing the shift in the center of gravity of the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, after the direction of the main attack is chosen, and provide enough data for our answer.

 The enemy will be forced to take risks much more than we do: he will have to invest almost all the accumulated forces in the offensive, and the risk of being hit by us in case of failure is very high. But this is all true only if everything is done right for us and the enemy’s offensive does not come as a surprise to us. We have all the necessary prerequisites to repel the blow.  Telegram channel “Older than Edda”

Col. MacGregor: The GATHERING storm in Ukraine spells doom for the West

Russian state TV discusses whether Trump will be arrested