Russia claims to have captured Izyum: Blockade of Kharkov
Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine has entered its 30th day (March 25, 2022), with new and very complicated developments.
At 10:00 a.m. on March 24, Major General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, made accusations against the US about secret biological laboratories in Ukraine.
Specifically, experts of Russia’s anti-radiation – bio – chemical weapons (NBC) force studied documents that the Russian side claimed was obtained from Ukraine. These documents demonstrate the direct involvement of the US Department of Defense in the development of biological weapons in Ukraine – the UP-2 project.
The Russian side also accused the US of taking samples of pathogens from animal carcasses to look for anthrax, and even signed a contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to test unregistered drugs. Ukrainian soldiers.
The US and Ukraine sides completely deny the accusations made by Russia.
Regarding the military situation, on the night of March 23 and 24, the Russian side continued to use air and naval missiles to attack Ukrainian military targets, destroying 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers (in including 9 S-300 launchers and 4 Buk-M1 launchers in the village of Danilovka, south of the capital Kiev.
Image of Russia attacking Ukraine’s S-300 system (Photo taken from the video of the Russian Ministry of Defense)
Russian missiles also destroyed the command post and missile arsenal, artillery in the village of Bakhmut, Donetsk region. This place is also the temporary deployment point of the nationalist battalion in the city of Lisichansk.
Tactical aviation and ground forces attacked 60 Ukrainian military facilities overnight. Including: 2 command posts, 2 multiple launch missile systems (MLRS), 4 ammunition depots, 47 weapons and military equipment collection points of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian air defense systems destroyed two Ukrainian drones over the settlements of Staraya Markovka and Kharkiv.
In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, Russia has destroyed 257 drones, 202 anti-aircraft missile systems, 1,572 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 160 missile launchers rocket launchers, 633 field artillery and mortars, as well as 1,379 units of special Ukrainian military vehicles.
Meanwhile, the side of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated: From February 24 to March 23, the Russian side lost 15,600 soldiers, destroyed 517 tanks and 1,578 armored fighting vehicles. steel, 267 cannons, 80 multiple rocket launchers (MLRS), 47 air defense systems, 101 aircraft and 124 helicopters, 1,008 special military vehicles, 4 small boats, 70 fuel tanks, 42 combat UAVs techniques, 15 special military equipment.
Regarding the military situation in the north: Fighting was fierce in the west and southwest of Kiev. Many modern air defense systems S-300 and Buk-M1 of Ukraine were destroyed by Russian cruise missiles.
The situation in the cities of Chernihiv and Sumy remained unchanged, still under the blockade of the Russian army.
Regarding the military situation in the east: Fighting continued to intensify in Kharkov.
The most notable news is that by the morning of March 24, units of the Russian army had completely taken control of the city of Izyum in the Kharkov region. This is a particularly important strategic position in the eastern part of the Ukrainian government.
Regarding the military situation in the south: Russian troops and DPR are still fighting in the inner city of Mariupol.
In the direction of Mikolaiv, Kherson and Zaporozhye, the situation did not change much. The city of Odessa is under strong threat.
The West continues to increase sanctions on Russia
Regarding the negotiation situation between the two sides: Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said that Ukraine and Russia had conducted the first prisoner exchange since the beginning of the conflict between the two neighboring countries.
Vereshchuk announced on Facebook that 10 Ukrainian prisoners of war held by the Russian army had been released in exchange for 10 Russian soldiers from Ukraine.
According to Vereshchuk, Ukraine also handed over 11 more Russian civilian sailors rescued from a shipwreck near Odessa in exchange for 19 Ukrainian civilian sailors.
On the same day, Ukraine’s parliament unanimously passed a law that gives prison sentences of up to 12 years for those who support and abet Russian forces in the current war between the two countries.
In addition to prison sentences, those accused of “deliberately abetting” Russia are also banned from holding public office for 15 years and subject to confiscation of their assets.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine talks, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Kiev and Moscow had agreed on technical issues, but still disagreed over territory, including Crimea.
Speaking to the press in Brussels after an emergency summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Erdogan also said that measures adopted by the military alliance should not be viewed as a threat. threats against Russia or any third country, but should be viewed as a deterrent.
As a NATO member, Turkey shares maritime borders with both Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, and maintains friendly relations with both neighbours. Ankara has offered to act as a mediator in the conflict.
Erdogan said that Turkey’s main goal in the mediation efforts is to bridge the discussion between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.
On the international response: Many countries and international organizations continue to increase sanctions imposed on Russia.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa will impose new economic sanctions on an additional 160 members of the Russian Federation Council (Senate).
Mr. Trudeau stressed that Ottawa would maintain sanctions “even if it’s for months, years if that’s necessary” and pledged to “constantly increase sanctions”.
Canada will also ban the export of certain technologies to Russia in order to weaken and gradually destroy Moscow’s military capabilities.
The North American country is also allocating another $50 million CAD contribution to humanitarian aid in Ukraine and its neighbors through various programs of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the High Commissioner. United Nations Refugees (UNHCR).
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio affirmed that Tokyo will continue to take steps to suspend most-favoured-nation status for Russia and prevent Moscow from using digital assets to circumvent measures. financial sanctions imposed by the US and its allies over the conflict in Ukraine.
In addition, Japan’s foreign ministry said it would freeze the assets of 25 more Russian individuals and ban the export of goods to 81 Russian organizations.
On the same day, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausea said that EU countries need to strengthen sanctions against Moscow and prepare themselves for ending dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
On the French side, after the summit of the leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries and the group of leading industrialized countries (G7) in Brussels, Belgium, President Emmanuel Macron said Western powers are ready to increase sanctions against Russia if necessary to apply pressure to achieve a ceasefire.
Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Soha.vn – Read the original article here
