I did some poking around and the most recent news I’ve seen about yesterday’s Ukrainian grain convoy is a day old.
However, they put a second one afloat today:
Three days after Russia said it was exiting the grain deal, the second convoy of cargo ships with Ukrainian food is sailing from Odesa. pic.twitter.com/QJr2kWTLoo
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) November 1, 2022
Here’s President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump:
War for Ukraine Day 251: A Second Convoy Put to Sea TodayPost + Comments (52)
Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, I continued our diplomatic activity so that the world reacts strongly to another Russian escalation, to the terror against our energy facilities, and to Russia’s attempt to exacerbate the food crisis again.
I had a call with French President Emmanuel Macron. I thanked him for the support already provided and informed him about our urgent needs, primarily in defense. There must be an air shield for Ukraine. Today it was clearly said. We discussed with Emmanuel very specific projects both to strengthen our defense and to rebuild the destroyed facilities.
The bet of terrorists for the winter is completely transparent to everyone, and this challenge should be viewed precisely as a challenge to all of Europe. Moscow will present any winter difficulties in its propaganda as alleged proof of the failure of a united Europe. Therefore, together we must prove to the terrorists that failure is a word about them, not about Europe.
We agreed to hold two very important events. The first is in December in France. The subject covers all the challenges of winter: from energy to finance, from weapons to protecting the sky. And the second event is to convene the business of France and help Ukraine.
We talked with President Macron about the situation with our food exports. These days, the movement of ships with Ukrainian agricultural products has continued, primarily thanks to the principles of the partners, namely the UN and Türkiye, which do not accept Russian efforts to destroy the grain agreement.
But the grain corridor needs reliable and long-term protection. Russia should clearly know that it will receive a tough response from the world to any steps that disrupt our food exports. This is literally a matter of life for tens of millions of people.
In particular, I talked about this with the Prime Minister of Cambodia today. This country now holds the presidency of ASEAN, one of the most powerful world associations. That’s more than 600 million people in ten countries. And for each of these countries, the food crisis is a real threat to national security. If food prices rise due to Russian aggression, if there is a deficit in the food market, this will inevitably lead to catastrophic consequences in most ASEAN countries, as well as in other regions of the world. Therefore, pressure on Russia for the sake of guarantees of food security is now needed from everyone – and from Asian countries as well. We work for this.
European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson visited Kyiv today. She helped us a lot in the process of Ukraine’s accession to the pan-European power grid. This is what significantly strengthened Ukraine. And now we heard the necessary signals of support from the European Commissioner. We discussed the initiative to create such a format, which, like a military “Ramstein”, will work for the sake of our common security, but precisely in the energy sphere. Something like an “energy Ramstein” – funds, technical support, transformers, generators, energy carriers – this is what is vitally necessary for our defense.
Assistance to specific cities and communities was also discussed. Such as Mykolaiv, Nikopol, Kharkiv and others, which are subjected to constant Russian terror – literally every day and every night.
I informed the European Commissioner about the liquidation of the consequences of yesterday’s massive Russian attack on our energy sector. About our needs due to such strikes. As a result of the visit, we have many working agreements.
As of now, we can report that the technical possibility of water supply has already been restored for all consumers in Ukraine. For most, it is also technically possible to supply electricity. Stabilizing blackouts continue in nine regions of Ukraine. Energy workers and local authorities are doing everything to reduce the time of blackouts.
It should not be forgotten that restoration work continues without a break in the territories that were liberated from the occupiers: in the Kharkiv region, in Donbas, in the south of the country. For example, gas supply has already been restored for more than 20,000 consumers in liberated areas of the Kharkiv region. Heat supply systems are being restored in Vovchansk, Balakliya and other cities.
We will do everything to give people electricity and heat this winter. But we must understand that Russia will do everything to destroy the normality of life.
They do not care about the cost of energy terror. If you look at the cost of yesterday’s Russian attack alone, the missiles and drones used cost Russia the equivalent of more than 2,300,000 average Russian old-age pensions. And that’s one attack! Monthly incomes of 2,300,000 Russian pensioners… Instead of overcoming poverty in their country, the Russian leadership spends everything to avoid admitting a historical mistake they made with this war against Ukraine.
They are hopeless on the battlefield. Ukrainian warriors have already proved it. But it takes time, it takes effort, it takes patience to prove that even the hope for winter will not come true for Russian terrorists. I’m sure we’ll get through it.
I thank everyone who helps Ukraine!
Glory to each and every one who works to bring our victory closer! Glory to all our warriors who are holding their positions, no matter how difficult it may be, and are gradually liberating our land!
Glory to Ukraine!
Here’s the latest British MOD assessment, with imagery!
Here’s some more info about winter gear:
The UK has so far sent over 195,000 winter kit items back with Ukrainian recruits after they completed training here – the @BritishArmy provided over 40 items per recruit.
Kit includes:
✅ Winter kit
✅ First aid kit
✅ Protective kit🇺🇦 #WeStandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/EfRanH46SI
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) November 1, 2022
Here is former NAVDEVGRU Squadron Leader Chuck Pfarrer’s most recent assessment of the situation in Bakhmut:
BAKHMUT/2300 UTC 1 NOV/ RU has launched several frontal attacks along the line of contact, suffering heavy losses with no advance. Indirect fire from RU tanks, mortars, artillery hit Bakhmutske and Bakhmut. UKR UAV controlled artillery directs precision strikes on RU positions. pic.twitter.com/jKBY1JV7GN
— Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | (@ChuckPfarrer) November 1, 2022
“We are concerned that Iran might be considering the provision of surface-to-surface missiles to Russia, in addition to the drones,” Kirby said when asked about reports that Iran was preparing to send additional weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine. https://t.co/mvfWEBa1cG
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) November 1, 2022
There’s a solution to this problem: ATACMS! There’s another solution to this problem: interdict the shipments in transit. If the Iranians are sending them by sea, divert the ships. If they are sending them by plane, force the planes to land. Then inspect the ships and the planes and seize the weaponry. Do it all on camera with the photo and video journalists present. This is not rocket science. It is stopping the shipment of rockets science!
The Ukrainians struck deep into Russia hitting the military airfield in Pskov:
Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence claims the raid on the Pskov airfield, saying it destroyed two Ka-52, one Mi-28H and damaged two more choppers. The airfield is hundreds of miles from Ukraine, showing quite a 🇺🇦capability deep in the Russian rear. https://t.co/wHuJD0T5Yx https://t.co/wcQYjtND2q
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) November 1, 2022
Three years ago, a Russian photographer managed to enter the same airbase and take photos of Ka-52 helicopters and other equipment. 6/https://t.co/5KUpcySjvj pic.twitter.com/XRvWmxoIYj
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) November 1, 2022
Here’s the statement from the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine:
Two Attack Helicopters Were Destroyed and Two More Significantly Damaged at Airfield in pskov Oblast
October 31, 2022
A powerful explosion took place at the “Veretie” Air Force base of russian armed forces (pskov oblast, ostriv-5) on the night of October 31. Through the mining, two russian Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopters and one МІ-28Н were completely destroyed, two more were significantly damaged. As a result of the explosion, the wreckages of the helicopters were scattered in a radius of 200 meters.
Details regarding the destruction of other equipment and the deaths of personnel are being confirmed.
In order to eliminate the consequences of the explosions, as well as to “search for sabotage groups”, the personnel of the military unit were put on alert. Investigative actions are underway in the military unit.
Ka-52 “Alligator” (“Hokum B” according to the NATO classification) is a Russian-made intelligence and attack helicopter. The cost is about $16 million.
Attack helicopter MI-28N “Night Hunter” is a modified version of the basic Mi-28. It is effectively used at night time. It is designed for fire resistance against tanks and other armoured vehicles, as well as low-speed air targets and manpower. The estimated cost of the modified version is $16-18 million.
My neighborhood in Kyiv.
The subtle price for freedom. pic.twitter.com/1NeGdfqJ2q— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) November 1, 2022
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new tweets on Patron’s official account today, but the folks who run it did retweet this:
Brothers In Arms.
📷 59th Motorized Brigade pic.twitter.com/U1IttdkvkX
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 30, 2022
There is a new video from Patron’s official TikTok!
@patron__dsns А можливо це був хтось з моїх підписників?😁 #песпатрон
The caption machine translates as:
Or maybe it was one of my followers?😁#PatrontheDog
Open thread!