Vabariigi Aastapäeva tähistamine mitmel pool Eestis

(ERR)

“Pidupäevaüritused on toimunud kõikjal üle Eesti. Narvas tõusis päike vabariigi aastapäeval kell 7.18, mil heisati ka Narva linnuses Eesti lipp. Tallinnas tõusis päike alles kell 7.33, mille tõttu algas Narvas lipuheiskamine veerand tundi varem kui Toompeal Pika Hermanni juures.”

https://www.err.ee/1608896438/galeriid-ja-video-vabariigi-aastapaeva-tahistamine-mitmel-pool-eestis

--

https://www.err.ee/1608896423/galerii-pidulik-lipuheiskamine-toompeal

--

https://www.err.ee/1608896723/saaremaal-heisati-riigilipp-ka-linnuvaatlustornis

“Galerii ja video: kaitseväe paraad Vabaduse väljakul.” - ERR

🇪🇪

“Otseblogi: Vaata, kuidas tähistatakse Eesti Vabariigi 105. Aastapäeva.” - Postimees

🇪🇪

“President Alar Karis koos abikaasaga alustab kätlemistseremooniat.” - Postimees

🇪🇪

“Kätlemistseremoonia läbi, aeg on tantsuks! Presidendipaar tegi esimesed keerutused Estonias.” - Delfi

Estonia celebrates its independence day

(Estonian World)

“… it’s appropriate to recall how the independent country was born, the independence maintained, lost and restored again.”

https://estonianworld.com/life/estonia-celebrates-the-independence-day/

“The spectre of Russia's invasion of Ukraine hung over ceremonies marking Estonia's Independence day.” - Euronews

🇪🇪

“President Karis on Estonian Independence Day: Each of Us Is the Estonian State.” - Baltic Times

🇪🇪

“NATO Secretary General visits Estonia to mark Independence Day.” - NATO

🇪🇪

“Press Conference: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, PM Kaja Kallas and EC President Ursula von der Leyen.” - NATO

🇪🇪

“Ukraine War Will End When Russia Sees It's a Mistake: Estonia PM.” - Bloomberg

🇪🇪

“Jüri Ratas: We will not surrender Estonia's most important holiday to evil.” - ERR

____________

EstoNews' coverage of the first few days of Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine

(EstoNews, 24. Feb. 2022)

"We are aiming at demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine.” said Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, on the morning of 24. February 2022.”

https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/2022_02_20_archive.html

Cover Photo: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/photos_212337.htm

EstoNews Blog:  https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/

EstoNews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstoNews/

____________

Friday 24. February 2023

Eesti välisminister Urmas Reinsalu Vabariigi aastapäeva tervitus eestlastele üle maailma

(Estonian World Review)

https://www.eesti.ca/eesti-valisminister-urmas-reinsalu-vabariigi-aastapaeva-tervitus-eestlastele-ule-maailma/article60019

How Kaja Kallas Rose To Become One of Europe's Leading Voices

By Nadia Pantel

(Spiegel)

“Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warned early on about the dangers presented by Vladimir Putin. She has raised the profile of her small country in other ways too.”

https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-star-in-the-making-estonia-s-high-profile-prime-minister-kaja-kallas-a-9225dd5e-c02b-44f9-afb4-86d14cdabe7a

“Kaja Kallas urged the West to "discredit" Russia's tool of aggression in Ukraine to prevent further attacks.” - France24

Via Postimees

EKRE tõrvikurongkäigule kogunes hulganisti rahvast

(Postimees)

“Üks tõrvikurongkäigu korraldajaid riigikogu liige Siim Pohlak (EKRE) ütles, et iga aastaga on üha rohkem peresid ja sõpruskondi, kes lõpetavad Eesti vabariigi sünnipäevale pühendatud üritustega täidetud päeva üheskoos tõrvikurongkäigul.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7719535/fotod-ja-video-ekre-torvikurongkaigule-kogunes-hulganisti-rahvast

“Tallinna südames toimus EKRE korraldatud tõrvikurongkäik.” - Delfi

Lukašenka Õnnitles Eestlasi: Tallinna agressiivne retoorika pole teie rahvale omane

(Postimees)

“Valgevene diktaator Aljaksandr Lukašenka õnnitles Eesti rahvast riigi 105. sünnipäeva puhul ning avaldas veendumust, et praegused vastuolud ei suuda hävitada eestlaste ja valgevenelaste häid suhteid.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7719669/lukasenka-onnitles-eestlasi-tallinna-agressiivne-retoorika-pole-teie-rahvale-omane

“Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko congratulated the people of Estonia on the 105th anniversary of Independence Day.” - Belta

“Lukašenka kirjas Eesti rahvale: iseseisvusega kaasneb ka vastutus.” - Postimees

Ülevaade Eesti kaitsevõimekusest aasta pärast sõja algust Ukrainas

(ERR)

“… viimastel aastatel ja eriti viimase 12 kuu jooksul nii relvi kui vägesid siia jõuliselt juurde kaubeldud ning ka kohale jõudnud. Näiteks Tapal paikneva baasi koosseis on loomisest alates kahekordistunud ja kujutab endast parajat rahvaste paabelit. Praegu viibib Eestis ligi 3000 Prantusmaa, Suurbritannia, Taani ja Ameerika sõdurit.”

—

“USA sõjaväelane Emiliano Tellado ütles "Pealtnägijale", et nüüd, kui nad siia tulid, on oluline muutuda mitte ainult sõjaväelise organisatsiooni osaks, vaid ka natuke kogukonna liikmeks. nKüsimusele, kas nad on valmis vajadusel Eesti eest võitlema, vastas Taani sõjaväelane Claus: "Me oleme rohkem kui valmis võitlema. See on ka põhjus, miks me oleme siin. Näidata Eesti ühiskonnale, et me oleme valmis."

https://www.err.ee/1608894233/pealtnagija-ulevaade-eesti-kaitsevoimekusest-aasta-parast-soja-algust-ukrainas

Oral history: Leaders recall dismay, fury on first day of war in Ukraine 24. Feb ‘22

(Washington Post)

--

Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister Of Estonia: 

“I said to my ministers, ‘Please keep your phones on, because we’re going to have a government meeting, because the war is going to start.’ And I was going to bed and hoping that I will not get this call, I will not get this message.”

—

“European Union leaders held an emergency meeting in Brussels. Zelensky spoke to them by video link. Kaja Kallas: “I could see around the room that there were people who were so genuinely shocked, with their physical being, that they couldn’t utter a word. And they were like, ‘We were naive. We should have listened to you,’ all those things … [Zelensky] was saying that ‘I’m in this room, and I don’t know if I’m going to be alive by this evening.’ And he was like, saying goodbye and that ‘We are being bombed, are being hunted. They want to kill me. Probably they’ll get to me.’ Then the  connection was lost. …”

—

Boris Johnson, British prime minister:

“As the invasion began, Putin appeared on Russian television to announce the beginning of what he called a ‘special military operation.’ Boris Johnson was awakened by a call from one of his advisers. The British prime minister responded with an obscenity directed at Putin: “That f---ing c—.”

—

Volodymyr Zelensky, President Of Ukraine: 

“What I understood in that moment, when I was getting dressed, I thought about the rockets flying over my children, over all of our children. This means that there will be a huge number of deaths. It was clear.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2023/oral-history-russia-ukraine-war/

One Year Into Russia’s Full-Scale Aggression Against Ukraine – Some Relevant Takeaways

By Kalev Stoicescu 

(ICDS)

“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine started about nine years ago, but the last year has clarified many important matters, in spite of the uncertain future, particularly related to the outcome of the war. First, Russia’s nature under the Putin’s regime is obviously aggressive, both domestically and internationally. That will not change, likely also after Putin leaves the political scene. NATO, and especially Russia’s neighbours have to reckon with this reality.”

—

Secondly, Putin’s Russia is uncompromised and unreliable. It could have sought a way out in March or April 2022, perhaps even later, but it didn’t. Total inflexibility and diktat cannot be called negotiations or willingness to seek peace.” 

—

“Thirdly, Russia behaves like a gangster-state. Russia, including its armed forces, is deeply corrupt, also morally. In fact, the state is governed like a mafia-type organization. …”

https://icds.ee/en/a-year-into-russias-full-scale-aggression-against-ukraine-some-relevant-takeaways/

“Ukraine's Never-Ending Day.” - Spiegel

“Russia's war on Ukraine in numbers.“ - Deutsche Welle

“One Year After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine.” - The New Yorker

“Opinion: Happy anniversary, Vladimir Putin.” - Washington Post

“Global public opinion one year into Russia’s war on Ukraine.” - ECFR

“A Year into Russia’s Invasion, Survival in Ukraine is Still Like a Lottery Ticket.” - Bellingcat

“The role of the Russian media in reporting, and justifying, Putin’s war.” - The Conversation

“Almost a year after Russia's aggression, most Europeans still firmly support Ukraine.” - Voxedurop, 6. Feb.

“Year One of the Ukraine War: The Big Lessons and Questions.” - The Bulwark

“The five major taboos the EU dared to break throughout one year of war in Ukraine.” - Euronews

“A year later, Putin falsely claims it was West that "started the war" in Ukraine.” - CBS News

“A former Russian TV journalist looks at his country, one year after Putin invaded Ukraine.” - Grid

“Why Russia’s war in Ukraine today is so different from a year ago.” - The Conversation

“The tide has turned in one year - Putin is on the backfoot.” - The Federal

“Impact of the Ukraine war regarding China, one year on.” - South China Morning Post

“How Russia's 35-mile armoured convoy ended in failure.” - BBC

Thursday 23. February

Estonia to start issuing weapons permits to EU, NATO member states' citizens

(Baltic Times)

“… holding a residence permit in Estonia or residing in Estonia based on a right of residence. … The law is planned to enter into force on 15. March. The bill amending the Weapons Act and related laws, initiated by the legal affairs committee of the parliament and the Isamaa group, was passed with 67 votes for and 3 against.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/estonia_to_start_issuing_weapons_permits_to_eu__nato_member_states__citizens_only/

“Weapon permits of some 1,300 citizens of non-EU and non-NATO countries will be declared invalid in Estonia.” - Postimees

Estonia to procure €132 million in equipment for the Defence League

(Estonian World)

“… for territorial defence over the next four years, including individual combatant load-carrying systems, night vision and thermal equipment.”

—

“The Land Forces will be doubled from 9,500 combatants to 20,000 by the start of 2024.”

https://estonianworld.com/security/estonia-to-procure-e132-million-in-equipment-for-the-defence-league/

Stalin must have smiled listening to Putin’s speech to the Russian Federal Assembly

(Estonian World Review)

“Commenting on President Putin's speech to the Russian Federal Assembly, President Karis wrote on social media that Stalin would have been proud.”

"If anyone was thinking Russia is interested in peace any time soon, then think again," wrote Karis. "Today's speech made it clear - Moscow's aims are unchanged, they are ready for a long and hostile confrontation with the West and will not tolerate internal dissent. … Stalin must have smiled in his grave.”

https://www.eesti.ca/karis-stalin-must-have-smiled-listening-to-putin/article60017

Wednesday 22. February

Skandaalne ChatGPT – kuidas panna see eesti keele heaks tööle?

(Novaator, 17. Feb)

"Iga eestlane võiks teadvustada väga olulist fakti: see, et ChatGPT mingisugust eesti keelt oskab, on hetkeseisuga lihtsalt juhuslik, pelgalt kõrvalnähe."

https://novaator.err.ee/1608889298/skandaalne-chatgpt-kuidas-panna-see-eesti-keele-heaks-toole

Peaminister Kaja Kallase kõne vabariigi aastapäeva eel

(Eesti Päevaleht)

“… eestimaalased, te olete olnud vapustavalt tublid!”

https://epl.delfi.ee/artikkel/120147646/peaminister-kaja-kallase-kone-vabariigi-aastapaeva-eel-eestimaalased-te-olete-olnud-vapustavalt-tublid

“Kaja Kallas: me ei alistu, me ei anna alla. Mitte kunagi.” - Tartu Postimees

Asi ametlik: majanduskasv on Balti riikides seiskunud

(Postimees)

“SKP kasv vähenes 2022. aasta teisel poolel peaaegu 0 protsendile, märkis Āboliņš pressiteates. Siiski vältis 2022. aastal piirkond tema sõnul napilt majanduslangusesse sattumist, kuid tootmissektor on sellesse juba sisenenud.”

https://majandus.postimees.ee/7718336/asi-ametlik-majanduskasv-on-balti-riikides-seiskunud

Estonian parliamentary elections are on 5. March: Reform Party is a favorite

(Robert Schuman Foundation)

“9 political parties and 11 independent candidates are running in the election.”

https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/2032-the-reform-party-of-prime-minister-kaja-kallas-favourite-in-the-estonian-parliamentary-elections-on-5-march

“E-hääletamine algab 27. veebruaril kell 9.00 ja lõpeb 4. märtsil kell 20.00.” - Valimised.ee

“Parties pledge a continuation of free higher education in Estonia.” - ERR

“Yana Toom hirmutab venekeelses meedias Putini kättemaksuga.” - Postimees

Estonia: Russia's war in Ukraine presents 'existential' threat to NATO's eastern members

(Washington Examiner)

"It is about supporting Ukrainians in the fight that carry existential risks, also for Estonia, and for the foundational rules of our common world order,” Estonian Ambassador Kristjann Prikk said Tuesday. “For the West, I would argue, this is a 1939 moment again: if Putin emerges from this war with something that he didn't have before, then the consequences for the entire West will be catastrophic.”

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/estonia-russia-war-ukraine-existential-threat-nato-members

Leaked document shows how Russia plans to take over Belarus by 2030

By Michael Weiss and Holger Roonemaa

(Yahoo News | MSNBC | Moscow Times)

“The document outlines in granular detail a creeping annexation by political, economic and military means of an independent but illiberal European nation by Russia, which is an active state of war in its bid to conquer Ukraine through overwhelming force.”

—

“Russia’s goals with regards to Belarus are the same as with Ukraine,” Michael Carpenter, the U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, told Yahoo News. “Only in Belarus, it relies on coercion rather than war. Its end goal is still wholesale incorporation.”

https://news.yahoo.com/russia-belarus-strategy-document-230035184.html

—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS4XfNOBfnU

—

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/02/21/leaked-document-outlines-russias-2030-belarus-annexation-strategy-report-a80288

“A Russian presidential document was obtained by a group of international journalists who believe it to be authentic.” - Deutsche Welle

“Warning Sounded Over Belarus as Putin's 'Consolation Prize’.” - Newsweek

NATO must seriously plan for the future reality of a Russian-controlled Belarus

(ISW)

“Russia’s likely permanent gains in Belarus present the West with a decision about how to deal with the potential future security landscape on NATO’s eastern flank. If the West allows Putin to maintain his current gains in Ukraine—particularly Crimea and eastern Kherson Oblast—then the Kremlin will be able to use both occupied Belarusian and Ukrainian territory to further threaten Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank.”

—

“The Kremlin will likely subsume elements of Belarus’ defense industrial base (DIB) as part of Moscow’s larger effort to reequip the Russian military to support a protracted war against Ukraine.”

—

“The Kremlin may commandeer Belarusian factories and retool them to produce critical materiel that the Russian military needs, Lukashenko’s statements notwithstanding. The Russians might also seek to repurpose Russian factories currently involved in or tooled for the production of Su-25s and trucks to produce more urgently needed materiel.”

—

“Putin will very likely make significant gains in restoring Russian suzerainty over Belarus regardless of the outcome of his invasion of Ukraine. ISW has long assessed that the West sometimes ignores Putin’s activities that appear trivial, but that seemingly trivial activities that fly under the radar are essential to Putin’s strategic gains in the long run.”

https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-17-2023

And:

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-21-2023

Tuesday 21. February

President Karis andis kätte riiklikud teenetemärgid

(ERR)

“President Alar Karis tunnustas tänavu vabariigi aastapäeva eel riikliku teenetemärgiga 167 inimest.”

https://www.err.ee/1608892841/galerii-president-karis-andis-katte-riiklikud-teenetemargid

Kallas: Russia must be held accountable after war

(ABCNews | AP)

“Kaja Kallas, whose small Baltic country is the biggest per-capita contributor of military aid to Ukraine, told The Associated Press that the conflict cannot end with a peace deal that carves up the country and doesn’t hold Moscow to account.”

—

“I don’t think there can be any relations as usual with a pariah state that hasn’t really given up the imperialistic goals,” she said on the sidelines of a major security conference in Munich. “If we don’t learn this lesson and don’t prosecute the crimes of aggression, the war crimes will just continue.”

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/estonian-leader-russia-held-accountable-after-war-97320104

—

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-politics-e3d22a052706ea5c0f0a71ed1b22600d

“Estonia: Mistrust Of Russia Remains.” - Globe Echo

“Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Russian Speakers In The Baltics.” - UpNorth

“Baltics and Poland push to make sanctioning oligarchs’ associates easier.” - Politico Europe

Russian paramilitary group Wagner tried to interfere with Estonian politics through EKRE

(Estonian World | Original Politico article)

“… ahead of the country’s 2019 European Parliament election.”

https://estonianworld.com/security/politico-russian-paramilitary-group-tried-to-interfere-with-estonian-politics-through-ekre/

—

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/18/russia-wagner-group-ukraine-paramilitary-00083553

“Madison: EKRE seostamine Wagneriga meedias oli infooperatsioon.” - ERR

“Estonian conservatives threaten legal action over Politico’s publication.” - BNN

Air defence in the Baltic states

(OSW)

“Air defence on NATO’s northern, eastern and south-eastern flank.”

https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2023-01-19/safe-skies-air-defence-natos-northern-eastern-and-south

Estonia to increase indirect fire capability with ‘loitering munitions’

(Postimees | Army Tech | Defense Post)

“Indirect fire is firing at a target that the gunner cannot see. Used to accomplish this are, for example, mortars, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, or loitering munitions. One of the combat objectives of indirect fire capability is to attack the enemy’s own indirect fire units.”

https://news.postimees.ee/7715565/estonia-to-acquire-loitering-munitions

—

https://www.army-technology.com/news/estonia-indirect-fire-loitering-munitions/

—

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/02/21/estonia-loitering-munition-procurement/

Interview: Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin

(CBS News, 60 Minutes )

“I don't think that Vladimir Putin is someone that you can reason with. I think his actions are very emotional and it's based on some kind of-- feeling of history and-- and greatness-- of Russia. They see Ukraine part of Russia, and they think that they have the right to attack another independent country. … I think Russia poses a threat to all of Europe. They are attacking another country. They are killing civilians. They are demolishing infrastructure. Russia poses a threat to all of us, and that's why we have to make sure that Ukraine will win.”

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sanna-marin-finland-60-minutes-2023-02-19/

Swedish Military Intelligence says threat from Russia has increased

(Reuters)

“… but its forces are largely tied up in the war in Ukraine.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-military-intelligence-says-threat-russia-has-increased-2023-02-20/

- Putin’s War -

Moldova Is Putin’s Next Target

(The Bulwark)

“If Moldova fails, it will be a victory for Putin at a time when he desperately needs one and a defeat for the liberal-democratic world when it most needs to keep up its confidence and resolve.”

https://www.thebulwark.com/moldova-is-putins-next-target/

Putin’s Desperate Hours

By Tom Nichols

(The Atlantic)

“Vladimir Putin gave his annual address to the Russian Federal Assembly today, and it was a farrago of paranoia and lies; meanwhile President Joe Biden humiliated the Kremlin by walking the streets of Kyiv in broad daylight. The Russian president knows he is losing.”

—

“Putin spent some two hours unloading a barrage of lies, grievances, and bizarre historical revisions in his attempt to justify the bloodletting he began a year ago. He also said Russia would suspend participation in a crucial nuclear-arms-control treaty with the United States. What does this all mean? It means, more than anything, that Putin is desperate. He’s losing in Ukraine, where, according to a British estimate last week, roughly 200,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded … the Wagner Group, many of them convicted criminals, has taken 30,000 casualties …”

—

“Putin may be a dictator, but even dictators have to justify losses. The Russian president started his speech by going full Orwell, claiming that the West started the war and that Russia was obliged to take up arms to put a stop to it all. He might as well have said, “Eurasia has always been at war with Oceania,” and he came close.. …”

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/02/putins-desperate-hours/673150/

“President Putin speech fact-checked.” - BBC

“Putin süüdistas oma kõnes taas lääneriike.” - ERR

“Kremli peremees joonistab helget tulevikku.” - Postimees

“Estonian formin: Putin justifying inhuman, cruel war in Ukraine in his speech.” - Baltic Times

“Putin promotes Russian escalation in annual speech.” - BBC

“Putin said Russia, not Ukraine, was the one fighting for its very existence.” - Politico

“Putin Rants About Gays and ‘Traitors’ in Bizarro Speech.” - Daily Beast

“Putin blames Ukraine war on west in near two-hour Moscow speech.” - The Guardian

“What Putin’s speech reveals about his plans in Ukraine.” - The Hill

“After a year of military failure, Putin has retreated deep into delusion - dragging the Russian people with him.” - The Guardian

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment - 21 & 23 February

(ISW)

“The Kremlin appears to be setting conditions for false flag operations on the Chernihiv Oblast international border and in Moldova ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. … The Kremlin also appears to be setting information conditions to stage a false flag operation in occupied Transnistria, Moldova.”

—

“Russian President Vladimir Putin’s February 21 address to the Russian Federal Assembly did not articulate specific goals or intentions for the war in Ukraine, instead reinforcing several long-standing rhetorical lines in an effort to buy Putin more space and time for a protracted war.”

—

“Many Russian milbloggers condemned Putin’s failure to use his speech to forward new war aims, outline new measures to support the war, or hold Russian authorities accountable for their many military failures.”

—

“Russian President Vladimir Putin likely continues to suffer from confirmation bias in his belief that Russia’s will to fight will outlast the West’s will to support Ukraine.”

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-21-2023

—

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-23-2023

The environmental scars of Russia’s war in Ukraine

(Politico Europe)

“One year of war in Ukraine has left deep scars — including on the country’s natural landscape. The conflict has ruined vast swathes of farmland, burned down forests and destroyed national parks. Damage to industrial facilities has caused heavy air, water and soil pollution, exposing residents to toxic chemicals and contaminated water. Regular shelling around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, means the risk of a nuclear accident still looms large. … the environment is littered with mines.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/environment-scars-russia-war-ukraine-climate-crisis/

Mariupol: The ruin of a city

(The Guardian)

“For more than 80 days, the Russians bombarded Mariupol, determined to take the port city even if they had to raze it to the ground first. After Russian forces finally crushed Ukrainian resistance last May, they set about putting their stamp on Mariupol, erasing evidence of the recent atrocities and of past Ukrainian history in the city.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2023/feb/23/mariupol-the-ruin-of-a-city?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Russian Troops Know How Little They Mean to Putin

(New York Times)

“Russia’s army is becoming unrecognizable from what it was one year ago. … The Russians are using repetitive armored assaults in some areas and human waves of “storm” troops in others. In other words, they use infantry to draw fire from defending Ukrainian forces, exposing Ukrainian positions that can then be targeted by Russian artillery. The result is rates of Russian casualties not seen since the early weeks of the invasion. Newly mobilized Russian troops, knowing they are being used as cannon fodder, have even made public appeals to officials to be spared.”

—

“Russia still has untapped manpower and could call for another mobilization this year. Returns would be diminishing, though: The remaining equipment is in various states of disrepair and the men would require months of training.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/opinion/russia-army-ukraine.html

Inside the stunning growth of Russia’s Wagner Group

(Politico)

“American and European allies are mobilizing to thwart the rapid expansion of the Russian paramilitary group known as Wagner, run by a Putin-affiliated oligarch, as it captures key cities for Moscow in Ukraine and spreads its influence to Africa and other corners of the world. With tens of thousands of fighters, many of them now battlefield-trained, the Wagner Group’s emergence as a rogue military threat could become a serious global challenge in years to come, U.S. and European officials said.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/18/russia-wagner-group-ukraine-paramilitary-00083553

“Russian boys Now Dream of Becoming Wagner Mercenaries.” - Paul Goble

“Putin’s Chef’ Leaks Grisly Corpse Photo in Public Betrayal of Kremlin.” - The Daily Beast

Ukraine War Taking Toll on Arctic Material and Personnel

(High North News)

“Russia’s air defense missile systems, self-propelled howitzers, and massive transport vehicles all either designed for or stationed in the Arctic have been destroyed by the Ukrainian military.”

https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/ukraine-war-taking-toll-arctic-material-and-personnel

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