Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[Jimbuna]

Ukraine strikes Wagner HQ in Luhansk, governor says

Ukrainian forces have struck a headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group in eastern Ukraine, Luhansk's Ukrainian governor has said.

Serhiy Haidai said a hotel where the group was based in Kadiivka, Luhansk region, was hit. He added there were major Russian losses.

The BBC was unable to independently verify Wagner's presence at the hotel.

Wagner are state-sponsored mercenaries who act in the Kremlin's interests, according to Western experts.

The private military company, set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former restaurateur and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses.

Wagner units have previously been deployed in Crimea, Syria, Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic.

In the Kadiivka strike, Mr Haidai said Russia had suffered "significant losses" and he expected "at least 50%" of the surviving forces to die due to a lack of medical treatment."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63933132

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Erdogan and Putin had telephone conversation: they discussed grain agreement and Ukraine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The parties discussed bilateral relations, as well as Ukraine.

As Censor.NET informs, this was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Turkish channel TRT Haber.

"Erdogan had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Putin. Regional issues were discussed, including energy, Turkish-Russian relations, the grain corridor, and the fight against terrorism," the report said.

Thus, according to the Turkish mass media, the parties discussed the implementation of the grain agreement, thanks to which the export of Ukrainian food, which was blocked through Russia, is carried out.

The Turkish president expressed the initiative that within the framework of the "grain corridor" it is possible to start working on the export of various food products, and gradually also other goods.

In addition, in a conversation with Putin, Erdogan "expressed his sincere wishes for an early end to the war between Russia and Ukraine." Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386309

Zelensky spoke by phone with Macron about peace formula and defense cooperation

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Zelensky announced this on Telegram, Censor.NET informs.

"We synchronized positions on the eve of the G7 online summit and the conference on supporting Ukraine in Paris. We discussed the implementation of our ten-step peace formula, cooperation on defense, and energy stability of Ukraine," the head of state said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386315

[Jimbuna]

Responsibility for crimes will be borne by everyone, from perpetrators to Putin, - head of British Foreign Ministry Cleverly

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will inevitably bear responsibility for the war unleashed in Ukraine along with those guilty of war crimes.

This was stated by the head of the Foreign Ministry of Great Britain, James Cleverley, in an interview with the BBC, Censor.NET reports.

According to Cleverley, it is necessary to convey to the whole world the understanding that aggression should not give the aggressor a benefit.

"Accountability must come, absolutely, and this applies both to the soldiers on the front who committed crimes, and to the entire chain of command up to the very top. Accountability must come for everyone, including Vladimir Putin," Cleverley said.

The minister said that Britain supports the work of the International Criminal Court, but does not rule out the creation of other mechanisms. He noted that London, together with Kyiv and other partners, will discuss how to effectively bring the perpetrators of the war to justice. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386326

NATO has never threatened Russia and is not doing this now - British Foreign Secretary Cleverly

NATO’s task is to defend its member states, not to threaten Russia or any other country.

This is stated by RBC-Ukraine with reference to The Guardian.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has tried to create a narrative that NATO countries are threatening Russia.

"NATO has made clear that we are a defensive alliance. NATO has never threatened Russia and is not doing so now," he said.

Cleverly stressed that countries that join NATO do so voluntarily and there is no coercion involved. Thus, the Alliance exists to defend its member states, not to threaten anyone else.

He added that there is no internal need for NATO to get involved in the conflict, and they are actually trying to make sure that this does not happen."

"In the end, it is Vladimir Putin who uses escalatory language. It is he who threatened further imperial expansion, referring to ... his focus on the historical empire of Russia. So he is the aggressor," Cleverly said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386329

[Jimbuna]

Oil sanctions are hurting Russia’s economy - Bloomberg

The almost complete ban on Russian oil imports to the European Union has painfully hit Russia’s oil revenues.

This is stated by Bloomberg, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to Ukrinform.

As noted in the publication, earlier the US administration feared that the EU sanctions against Russian oil, which came into force on December 5, would lead to a sharp rise in energy prices. Of particular concern was the ban on logistics, insurance and financial services for the transportation of Russian oil by tankers.

In order to mitigate the consequences, it was proposed to set the upper limit of its price at $ 60 per barrel - in this case, the ban on supplies and services does not apply.

"But it seems that there is no need to worry - at least for now", - the newspaper notes.

According to him, Moscow has lost the European market - more than 1.5 million barrels per day. By the end of the year, it will lose another 500 thousand barrels per day if Poland and Germany fulfill their obligations to stop oil imports through pipelines.

At the same time, oil prices in the world fell. At the end of the week, Brent crude was selling at less than $77 per barrel, down 14% from the highs reached on Monday - after the sanctions came into force.

At the same time, Russian Urals oil fell even further and was sold for just over $40 per barrel (i.e. at cost) in the Baltic ports of the country.

EU sanctions not only did not create an oil shortage, but also led to oversaturation of markets, the publication says. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386333

Armed Forces of Ukraine told what propaganda narratives Russia promotes to justify aggression against Ukraine

Russia is waging not only an armed but also an information war against Ukraine. Thus, psychological operatons are integral components of Russian hybrid aggression to propagate its ideas.

This is stated by Censor.NЕТ with reference to the message of AFU.

"Russian narratives used to justify illegal armed aggression against Ukraine

Information operations and campaigns are an integral component of Russian hybrid aggression and are implemented to create a favorable information environment to support kinetic actions.

In order to absolve itself of the responsibility for waging an all-out war to destroy the Ukrainian people, Moscow is constantly trying to impose its own vision of the situation, to come up with a reason for its actions and to form the image of a "new enemy for world peace and security".

As part of a broad information campaign to justify Russia's illegal armed aggression against Ukraine, Moscow's propaganda machine promotes the following narratives:

-The "special operation" in Ukraine has prevented a "great world war".

-Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine is a response to the constant expansion of NATO and the growing threat to Russia.

-The US and the West are waging a hybrid war against Russia in Ukraine.

-In the war in Ukraine, Russia is the victim and NATO is the aggressor.

-Ukraine is the territory of Russia, it was created by Lenin in 1922, when the Bolsheviks created the USSR.

These narratives are designed for the Russian and pro-Russian audience, because they have no basis or confirmation. At the same time, their constant repetition creates the illusion of truthfulness and facilitates their use by Kremlin agents in different countries," the Armed Forces said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386336

South Africa suspects government of selling arms to Russia - The Telegraph

In South Africa, MPs suspect that the country’s authorities are selling weapons to Russia.

This is statеd by The Telegraph, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to Suspilne.

This week, the Russian ship Lady R, which, according to the US, previously transported weapons for Russia, was spotted in a South African port at a naval base near Cape Town.

It is noted that the container ship Lady R docked in the port of Simonstown near Cape Town on December 6. Three days later, according to eyewitnesses, an unknown cargo was put on the ship. The work was carried out mainly at night, and the area around the ship was guarded by armed men.

While the ship was in Simonstown, its Automatic Identification System (AIS), which transmits the ship's coordinates, was turned off. On December 9, the container ship went to sea. And only after that the crew turned on the AIS. According to the Marine Traffic service, the ship is heading from Cameroon to Istanbul. The ship should be at its destination on January 15.

Member of the South African Parliament from the opposition Democratic Alliance Kobus Mare addressed a written request to the Minister of Defense of the country Thandi Modisi. The parliamentarian demands to explain what the sanctioned vessel was doing in the port of South Africa and why its cargo was kept secret.

"This behavior has alarmed local residents as the boat is under sanctions by the United States and the European Union following Russia's invasion of Ukraine," Kobus Marais said in a statement.

According to Marais, it is "obvious" that Armscor, the arms procurement agency of the South African Ministry of Defence, is connected to the situation. It was Armscor that issued the contract with the drivers who transported the cargo.

The South African Defense Ministry did not comment on the appearance of the Russian vessel in the country's port. The National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), to which local arms suppliers apply for permits, says it has no information about arms sales to Russia. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386347

[Jimbuna]

President of Finland Niiniste doubts that relations with Russia will be established in near future: "There is nothing to talk about now"

President of Finland Saule Niiniste believes that Helsinki should cooperate with Moscow given the large common border, but the normalization of Finnish-Russian relations in view of the war in Ukraine may take a long time.

Niiniste said this on the radio Yle, reports Censor.NET with reference to "European truth".

Answering the question about the future relations between Finland and Russia after the war in Ukraine, the Finnish President noted that it is difficult to talk about it now.

According to him, in the best case, it will take a long time to build trust between Helsinki and Moscow, and it is unlikely to happen during his term in office (the next presidential elections in Finland will be held in 2024).

At the same time, Niiniste added, Finland cannot forget that it has a long border with Russia.

"Russia will always be there in the future. Along this border, there will inevitably be almost daily practical administrative cooperation, which so far seems to be going smoothly in the border regions," he noted.

The President of Finland also mentioned navigation in the Gulf of Finland, the safety of which is also regulated by the system developed jointly with Estonia and Russia: "Of course, all these measures should be somehow adjusted so that there is no unnecessary disorder".

Niiniste later recalled that Finland was the first country to condemn the occupation of Crimea in 2014, and since May 2021, he has not been in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Of course, it (the possibility of holding talks with Putin) would appear if there was a desire to do so. But now there is nothing to talk about," the Finnish President stated. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386351

Russians are trying to persuade population of occupied territories to collaborate using money - General Staff

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released information that Russian occupants are persuading the population of the occupied territories to collaborate with the help of money.

As reports Censor.NЕТ, this is stated in the statement of General Staff.

The report states: "The occupiers are also trying to financially encourage the local population to collaborate by providing financial assistance to persons of retirement age in the amount of 10 thousand rubles and charging higher salaries to loyal locals who agreed to work in the institutions of the so-called occupation authorities." Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386353

[mapuc]

Need some help here.

A fb friend wrote that Zelenskyj shouldn't point fingers at Russia and their Wagner group cause Ukraine has their own nazi-group the AZOV-Group.

Another response and wrote-This is another of Krimlins propaganda.

Is it Russian propaganda or does Ukraine have this AZOV-group ?

It's kind of late now. After I had posted this comment a light came up above my head-Why not search for info on the web myself. So I did and found this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azov_Regiment

Markus

[ET2SN]

Just ask yourself who would profit from setting up nazi/skinhead groups to dis-credit the Government with propaganda?

[Reece]

From your wiki post Markus:

The regiment's size was estimated to be around 900 to 2,500 combatants in 2017–2022. Most of the unit's members are Russian speakers and come from the Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine. It also includes members from other countries. In the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the regiment gained renewed attention, as one of the reasons given by Russian president Vladimir Putin for the invasion was the "denazification" of Ukraine, to remove the alleged control of the country by far-right forces such as Azov. During the Siege of Mariupol the regiment played a prominent role in the city's defense, and made its final stand at the Azovstal steel plant. Ending the siege a significant amount of regiment's fighters, including the regiment's commander since 2017, Denys Prokopenko, surrendered to Russian forces on orders from the Ukrainian high command.

Seems the "denazification" of Ukraine finished early in the war, so one wonders what the excuse is for carrying it on!!

[Catfish]

^ exactly. Though already this was a weak excuse for a war of aggression against another country. But Putin sure thought this was the easiest way to get through with it. He didn't.

Originally Posted by mapuc

Need some help here.
A fb friend wrote that Zelenskyj shouldn't point fingers at Russia and their Wagner group cause Ukraine has their own nazi-group the AZOV-Group.
[...]
Markus

The Azov battalion included some nationalists and has been killed or captured at Mariupol back then. Came out that there are more nazis in Russia, Kadyrov's tiktok batallion and this disgusting "Wagner" (lmao) group, than ever were in Ukraine.
The embleme of the Wagner group is directly derived from nazi symbols, these mercenaries bearing a lot of swastika and SS tattoos.

"Putin operates like a crime boss. Remember when Putin traded the Azov fighters for oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk? That seemed like an incredibly stupid move politically.
Loyal people like Bout and Medvedchuk are taken care of, regardless of how useful they are. Meanwhile disloyal people are punished harshly (much more so that simple regime critics).
If you think of Putin's regime as a criminal organization it all makes a lot of sense."

Putin has then widened his accusations to the the whole west or anyone non-russian; now the narrative is that all else are nazis and have to be "liberated".
He is also busy changing the russian doctrine to be "allowed" to strike first with nuclear weapons, for defense of course

Since Dugin and others have publicly said that Putin should only stop at the atlantic, we can probably guess where the journey's going if we do not stop them.

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war - about 94,760 people, 2,966 tanks, 1,929 artillery systems, 5,928 armored vehicles. INFOGRAPHICS

The Russian occupiers, who invaded the territory of Ukraine, continue to suffer losses. As of the morning of December 12, the loss of enemy personnel are approximately 94,760 people.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As noted, the total combat losses of the enemy from 24/02 to 12/12 are approximately:

personnel - about 94,760 (+620) people were eliminated,
tanks - 2966 (+24) units,
armored combat vehicles - 5928(+8) units,
artillery systems - 1,929 (+1) units,
MLRS - 397 (+0) units,
Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 211 (+0) units,
aircraft - 281 (+0) units,
helicopters - 264 (+0) units,
UAVs of operational-tactical level - 1617 (+4),
cruise missiles - 592 (+0),
Warships/boats - 16 (+0) units,
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 4544 (+4) units,
special equipment - 169 (+2). Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386418

[Jimbuna]

In conversation with Zelensky, Biden confirmed commitment of US to continue providing security, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, - White House

US President Joe Biden, in a conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasized continued support for Ukraine.

This is stated in the press release of the White House, Censor.NET informs.

"President Biden emphasized that the U.S. prioritizes efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses through security assistance, including the December 9 announcement of $275 million in additional munitions and equipment, which included systems to counter the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by Russia," the report said.

The US president also recalled the allocation of $53 million in November to support energy infrastructure to strengthen the stability of Ukraine's energy network after Russia's attacks.

"Biden welcomed President Zelensky's declared openness to a just peace based on the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. He reaffirmed the commitment of the US to continue providing Ukraine with security, economic and humanitarian assistance, to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes and atrocities, and to impose on Russia the costs of its aggression," the press release concluded. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386420

Families of defenders killed in battle are not paid compensation due to "disappearances", and salaries are not issued due to "undetermined reasons for disappearance", - Butusov

Relatives of Ukrainian defenders are asking to intervene in the bureaucratic showdown, as they are not being paid compensation for the death of a soldier, citing "disappearance".

Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Censor.NET, announced this on Facebook.

"Families of those who died in battle do not receive compensation for their deaths because they are considered missing, and fighters do not receive salaries because the reasons for their disappearance have not been established, although there is a video of the battle.

After the publication of the video of the bloody attack by the soldiers of the 56th brigade on Pisky on September 5, Tetiana Lypytenko - the mother of one of the soldiers, 27-year-old Mykhailo Lypytenko, a scout of the brigade, a courageous and experienced soldier, turned to me. She asked to intervene in the bureaucratic showdown. The fighters who did not return from that attack, and whose bodies were not evacuated, are recognized as missing," the journalist said.

According to Butusov, families with children do not receive money, because a missing person in bureaucratic language means probable escape, because the status is not determined.

"And the families have neither money for the dead nor compensation for the living. I consider it necessary that the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine put an order in the work with the families of missing soldiers. They need attention and a special status must be determined - "disappeared while performing a combat mission due to the impossibility of evacuation ". Because you can't treat a soldier as one who voluntarily left the unit.

This should mean that the soldier went on a combat mission and the responsibility for returning rests with his commanders. And everything that should belong to the fighter and his family must be given out. After a certain time, for example, 6 months, if there is no information about the stay, the command must make a decision about the status of the fighter - whether to consider him dead. And so far there is no such solution - the family must receive funds," the editor-in-chief of Censor.NET emphasized.

Butusov also called on the People's Deputies to consider the issue and legally determine these procedures, since the number of missing persons is in the thousands.

"Glory to the Ukrainian soldiers who go to battle for their people, we must do everything right for their families, it is inadmissible to equate heroes with deserters, and to deprive families of help altogether," he concluded. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386441

[Catfish]

deleted, misunderstood.