Just a quick housekeeping note. Last week was very busy and I have two more – this and the one after – just like it. So updates may be briefer as I just touch the basics and important breaking news. Last night in comments Wombat Probability Cloud asked: Adam, you may have addressed this already, …
War for Ukraine Day 746: A Brief Sunday Night UpdatePost + Comments (19)
More air defense systems and means of destruction of Russian aviation bring peace closer – address by the President of Ukraine
10 March 2024 – 22:08
Dear Ukrainians!
A few important things for this day and these weeks.
First of all, our defenders of the sky.
I would like to recognize all Ukrainian warriors who defend our sky every day and night. Only this Sunday night they managed to shoot down 35 “Shahed” drones. In total, since the beginning of March, Russian terrorists have already used 175 such killer drones against Ukraine. Fortunately, 151 of them were shot down by our warriors. And this is a very important result. Yes, not all of them. Yes, there are hits. Unfortunately, there are losses. There are casualties. But there are also people saved.
I am grateful to every warrior of our mobile firing groups in all regions of combat duty. I am grateful to every pilot and engineer of the Air Force, to all our air defense warriors. We will further enhance our firepower and Ukrainian air defense. More air defense systems and other means of destruction of Russian aviation bring peace closer. I am grateful to everyone in the world who helps us with this. Ukraine will have more air defense systems – we are working very hard on this.
Second. Our Defense Forces consist of many elements. Many brigades and units. And everyone who serves at the front, everyone who defends the state from Russian saboteurs and terror, everyone who performs combat missions deserves gratitude and respect. Russian murderers and torturers are not moving further into Europe only because they are being held back by Ukrainians with weapons in their hands and under the blue and yellow flag. In Ukraine, there were many once-white walls of houses and churches that are now scorched and ruined by Russian shells. And this speaks very eloquently about who has to stop for the war to end.
Anyone who protects life and people fulfills the most honorable possible mission amid such an inhuman invasion. And we must fully protect life in our home. And I thank everyone who supports our defense, Ukrainian defenders.
When the Russian evil started this war on February 24, all Ukrainians stood up for defense. Christians, Muslims, Jews – everyone. I thank every Ukrainian chaplain who is with the army, in the Defense Forces. They are on the frontline, protecting life and humanity, supporting with prayer, conversation, and deeds. This is what the church is – it is together with people, not two and a half thousand kilometers away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you. I thank everyone who is doing everything in Ukraine and with Ukraine to save lives, I thank everyone who is helping and who is really with us through actions and prayers.
Today I would like to recognize the servicemen of our National Guard who are fighting alongside everyone else on the frontline in the east and south of Ukraine. The warriors of the 3rd operational brigade – Junior Sergeant Viktor Ivanov and Lieutenant Kyrylo Kudinov. The 5th Slobozhanska Brigade of the National Guard – soldiers Serhiy Turilkin and Mykola Hnatyuk. I would also like to recognize the warriors of the 1st and 3rd assault squads of the Omega Special Forces Center of the National Guard. Thank you for your skills and the results Ukraine needs.
Also, following these weeks, we have reasons for gratitude to the servicemen of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine – the details should not be disclosed publicly now, but the enemy definitely feels their work. And the more the Russian state loses, the sooner all this evil of war will disappear from our land.
Today I spoke with French President Macron. The conversation lasted more than an hour. I am grateful to Emmanuel for his new initiatives in support of Ukraine, for his leadership, which gives all of us in Europe strength. I am grateful for the new defense package. We discussed the schedule and key expected results of our upcoming meeting in Ukraine.
One more thing. The holy month of Ramadan is now beginning for Muslims in Ukraine and around the world. And this year, unfortunately, Ramadan is overshadowed by ongoing war and suffering. May this month bring us all closer to a fair and just peace. Not only for Ukraine. But for all the nations that are suffering from war. Humanity is capable of achieving a level of unity where justice protects life from wars.
I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine and Ukrainians! I am grateful to everyone who defends life and justice!
Ramadan Mubarak! Glory to Ukraine!
And Ukrainian FM Kuleba’s even more pointed response to the Pope: “Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags.” https://t.co/r4oADwXHSn
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 10, 2024
The excerpt from President Zelenskyy is in the copied and pasted transcript of his address above. Here is the remainder of Foreign Minister Kuleba’s tweet:
The strongest is the one who, in the battle between good and evil, stands on the side of good rather than attempting to put them on the same footing and call it “negotiations”.
At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican’s strategy from the first half of the twentieth century. I urge to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives.
Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags.
We thank His Holiness Pope Francis for his constant prayers for peace, and we continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics, all Christians, and all Ukrainians.
Overnight, russia attacked Ukraine with 39 "Shahed" kamikaze drones.
Ukrainian air defenders shot down 35 UAVs.Great work by our warriors. Thank you for your service!
We are also grateful to our partners for strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities.📷: 53rd… pic.twitter.com/Q6OpXWoZrK
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 10, 2024
Overnight, russia attacked Ukraine with 39 “Shahed” kamikaze drones.
Ukrainian air defenders shot down 35 UAVs.Great work by our warriors. Thank you for your service!
We are also grateful to our partners for strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.📷: 53rd Mechanized Brigade (Illustrative photo)
For you Oscar enthusiasts:
🇺🇦🤞Fingers crossed for this incredible and important film to win tonight. https://t.co/xRXziUNobY
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 10, 2024
This might seem like a lot but actually accounts for just the minimum.
Ukrainian officials are looking at taking unpleasant internal measures to raise the $20.8bn, such as privatisation, tax hikes and worst case scenario, print more hryvnia
— Isobel Koshiw (@IKoshiw) March 10, 2024
For (2), worth bearing in mind how much ammo Ukraine needs to prevent Russian forces from advancing. To take one example, Ukraine’s defense min has said Ukraine needs roughly 110,000 155mm shells per month at a cost of €3,300each. That’s just one type of shell.
— Isobel Koshiw (@IKoshiw) March 10, 2024
The southern front:
/2. Spartan Brigade repels Russian attack on the southern fronthttps://t.co/99us9nroMb pic.twitter.com/8vd3FDpGhp
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) March 10, 2024
Germany:
Someone linked to this in the comments last night, I apologize for forgetting who.
Opposition leader of the CDU and potential next German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, delivered a fiery speech yesterday night in Stuttgart. I translated the core message.
Since I have been saying this for years and even carry this message in my signature, I approve this message by… pic.twitter.com/xPsdoPWmFc
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) March 9, 2024
Opposition leader of the CDU and potential next German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, delivered a fiery speech yesterday night in Stuttgart. I translated the core message.
Since I have been saying this for years and even carry this message in my signature, I approve this message by 100%.
Here is the whole address by CDU leader Friedrich Merz. I can’t vouch for the quality of the English dub.
The likely future german chancellor @_FriedrichMerz delivered a groundbreaking strategical speech yesterday.
Every second of these 8 minutes are worth listening to.Germany, Europe, NATO, Ukraine and the free world needs this change.
Decent ai dubbed english translation . pic.twitter.com/PjeDTk2YVl— C Schmitz (@chrisschmitz) March 9, 2024
Russia:
Vladimir Putin confirms he thinks he is a God. pic.twitter.com/e5bCAXjozV
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) March 10, 2024
I don’t know if Putin thinks he’s god, but he’s certainly completely all in on the alternative history he used to promote, then added to and expanded on, and now seems to accept as actual fact.
Khanty-Mansi Oblast, Russia:
A large fire broke out at a gas pipeline in the Khanty-Mansi region, Russia. This is the second incident of that kind after a similar event happened back in May 2023.
Source: Telegram / Shot pic.twitter.com/Hroqjv8GQp
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) March 10, 2024
St. Petersburg, Russia:
The fire which broke out in a warehouse/hangar near the Pulkovo Airport in Sankt Petersburg, Russia, caused all civilian air operations to be halted in this area.
Source of videos: Telegram / Stranaua pic.twitter.com/mBOsa1Nlez
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) March 10, 2024
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron tweets or videos, so here’s some adjacent material from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
A small furry warrior—the cutest thing you've seen today.
📹: @shaybaboy / Instagram pic.twitter.com/SmwCADJEcd
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 10, 2024
Open thread.