Brief facts:
- in the Luhansk region, Russians used phosphoric bombs, banned by the Geneva Conventions
- over the past two days, artillery units of the Operational Command "North" have destroyed 80 vehicles
- Russian occupiers shelled journalists from the New York Times. The journalist Brent Renaud was killed, his two colleagues were injured, hospitalized
- Russians fired more than 30 missiles on the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Yavoriv, a garrison city just 12km from the Polish border. According to Ukrainian officials, “foreign instructors” work at the Yavoriv military base, though the presence of foreigners at the time of the strikes is not specified
Sources:
- Verkhovna Rada: the parliament of Ukraine and its social media (Facebook, Telegram)
- Presidential Office: the Official website of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his social media (Facebook, Twitter, Telegram), advisers to the Office: Oleksiy Arestovych and Mykhailo Podoliak.
- President Zelenskyy: the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his social media (Twitter, Facebook, Telegram)
- General Staff: the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- NSDC of Ukraine: the National Security Defense Council of Ukraine website and social media (Facebook, Twitter); Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine (website, Facebook, Telegram)
- Stratcom Centre: Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security of Ukraine – an establishment under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine – website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Telegram)
- Defense intelligence of Ukraine: the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (website, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram)
Latest news:
00.42 US secretary of state Antony Blinken condemns recent Russian attack
Read more: Russian Military Jets Attacks Ukraine Without Entering Ukrainian Airspace Because of the Threat of Shooting Down - Pentagon
US secretary of state Antony Blinken said the US condemns Russia’s attack on the International Center of Peacekeeping and Security. The attack brought the fighting close to the Polish border and resulted in the death of 35 people.
We condemn the Russian Federation’s missile attack on the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security in Yavoriv, close to Ukraine’s border with Poland. The brutality must stop.— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 13, 2022
“The attack so close to a NATO member-country raised the spectre that the alliance could be drawn into the fight and was heavy with symbolism in a conflict that has revived old Cold War rivalries and threatened to rewrite the current global security order,” the AP wrote.
00:10 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Operational information on 24.00, 13.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion to Ukraine.
The eighteenth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the russian military invasion is coming to an end.
russian occupation forces continue the offensive operation against our state. They are trying to gain a foothold in the occupied positions and maintain the pace of the offensive in certain areas.
In order to increase the number of groups in the Polissya, Tavriya and Pivdennobuzhsky operational areas, the enemy is forming and moving strategic reserves to our borders.
There have been cases of mass refusals by russian servicemen to "travel to Ukraine" to take part in hostilities, despite promises of "war veteran" status, additional daily allowances and higher salaries.
Ignoring the norms of International Humanitarian Law, the russian occupiers continue to destroy stationary military and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Thus, on March 13, missile strikes were carried out on objects in the settlements of Uman, Ivano-Frankivsk, Starychi with the use of strategic aircraft.
In addition, the launch of mobile short range ballistic missile system "Iskander" (SS-26 Stone) from the territory of Belarus continues.
In the Volyn direction, the enemy carried out demonstration operations by units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus along the State Border of Ukraine.
In the Polissya direction, units of the occupying forces carried out measures to restore combat capability and regroup troops, and improved logistics. In order to exclude the suddenness of actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy is actively conducting reconnaissance.
In the Northern direction, the enemy focused on regrouping, replenishing supplies, preparing to resume the offensive in the direction of Brovary.
In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy is trying to gain a foothold on the achieved frontiers, regrouping troops and trying to resume offensive operations on the cities of Kharkiv and Sumy.
In the Izyum direction, as a result of active offensive actions of Ukrainian defenders, the enemy suffered losses in the area of the settlements of Topolske, Shpakivka, Donetsk and retreated.
In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, enemy units are trying to carry out assault operations, concentrating their main efforts on advancing in the direction of Severodonetsk.
Attempts to capture Mariupol remain unsuccessful.
In the South Bug direction, the enemy is trying to conduct raids and gain a foothold on the achieved frontiers.
23:56 Ministry of Internal Affairs: Mariupol residents are in critical condition.
Mariupol remains under constant fire of invaders. The town residents are in a very critical condition.
"Mariupol remains under constant fire. The enemy turns the town into ruins. Residents are in a very critical condition," reads the report of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the situation regarding the Russian invasion as of March 13, 2022.
It is specified that the Russian troops launched airstrikes in the north of Donetsk region. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Sviatohirsk Holy Dormition Lavra, an evacuation train, and other facilities were damaged, and people were killed and wounded. The police document the aftermath of the shelling and help people.
"Twenty-two populated localities came under Russian fire: Mariupol, Avdiivka, Vuhledar, Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Sviatohirsk, Mykolayivka, Druzhkivka, Svitlodarsk, Toretsk, Stepne, Yehorivka, Petrivske, Verkhniotoretske, Kamyanka, Oleksandropil, Novoselivka-2, Novobakhmutivka, Pisky, Pavlivka, Velyka Novosilka, Brusyn railway station," the report reads.
Information about the victims is currently being clarified. There are police officers among the dead and wounded. At least 65 facilities were damaged: houses, the Sviatohirsk Holy Dormition Lavra, shops, train, bridge, gas pipeline, etc.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs mentioned separately that the Sviatohirsk Lavra was attacked by the invaders at night, and the living quarters were damaged as a result of the shock wave. It is noted that there were 529 adults and 200 children in one of such premises and 200 people in another one, there are wounded. Police officers worked on the spot, and the war crime was documented.
"At the Brusyn railway station, the evacuation train was damaged by the wreckage. One carriage hostess was killed and another one was injured. The train was to evacuate residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, who were waiting for rescue at the Lyman station, including about 100 children," the Ministry informed.
22:50Mykolayiv City Council: 9 killed, 13 wounded in shelling of Mykolayiv
Nine people have been killed, 13 more have been wounded in Russia’s cluster munition strike on Mykolayiv city.
"As a result of the shelling ... 9 people have been killed, 13 more have been wounded, 7 of them are in the intensive care unit ... [Russians] again fired cluster munitions," the press service of the Mykolayiv City Council posted on Telegram.
The Mayor's Office noted that more than 15 high-rise buildings in the city had been damaged. The occupiers launched an airstrike on the State Enterprise Zorya - Mashproekt. Private houses were affected.
21:59 Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: For 18 days Mariupol is heroically holding defense against the Russian invaders.
21:50 Minister of Healthcare of Ukraine Viktor Liashko: Invaders destroyed seven hospitals, damaged 104, killing six health workers.
"The occupiers have already destroyed seven hospitals in Ukraine that cannot be rebuilt. We will have to build new hospitals in those cities. Another 104 healthcare facilities are damaged, but they can still be restored, some of which we have already restored quickly after the shelling. Thirty-four ambulances were fired on, most of them are out of order. Six health workers have been killed, 12 have been seriously wounded, there are some with light wounds," Health Minister Viktor Liashko said during a nationwide telethon.
21:30 The 115th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense of Zhytomyr Region: Russian IAI Searcher, used to adjust artillery fire, shot down.
“Russian Forpost drone was shot down in Zhytomyr region. The vehicle was used to adjust and aim artillery fire," the 115th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense of Zhytomyr Region posted on Facebook.
21:20 The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi: We have ruined the myth of the "invincibility" of the Russian army.
The CinC AF of Ukraine posted that on his Facebook page, saying that Russians expected to conquer Ukraine in 48 hours, but Ukrainians stopped them and scuttled their plans. The enemy suffers serious personnel and equipment losses.
20:52 Ukraine NOW: humanitarian convoy did not reach Mariupol again, said Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine. As she explained, it happened because Russians were shelling the humanitarian corridor from the air. Many casualties among civilians were observed. The evacuation column stayed in the temporarily occupied Berdyansk city of the Zaporizhzhia region.
At the same time, the humanitarian corridors in Luhansk and Kyiv were successfully established, thousands of people used them for evacuation.
20:40 Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba: Blinken agree on further support for Ukraine.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have coordinated further support for Ukraine and agreed that more needs to be done to stop Russian aggression.
"In a call with Secretary Blinken, we coordinated further support for Ukraine. We both agree that more needs to be done to stop Russian aggression and hold Russia accountable for its crimes. Grateful to the U.S. for firmly standing by the people of Ukraine. Ukraine will prevail," Kuleba said.
Blinken said earlier that an additional $200 million support package announced by U.S. President Joe Biden on March 12 will include further defensive assistance to help Ukraine meet the armored, airborne, and other threats it is facing.
20:21 10th Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss": Ukrainian servicemen have seized "a good few" of Russian vehicles, including a new T-80 tank.
20:03 Operational Command "North": Russian Su-type jet was taken down as it was trying to air raid Chernihiv city. The aircraft fell somewhere in the forest belt. As the Command noted, it was dangerous to go there at that moment, so the photos and details would be later.
20:00 Land Forces of Ukraine: Ukrainian defenders struck the invaders who were trying to build pontoon crossings near Gostomel city (Kyiv region)
Anton Gerashchenko citing NSDC of Ukraine: Oleksiy Danilov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council said at the national TV marathon:
"Today the head of NATO, mister Stoltenberg made a statement: if a single projectile, a single bullet will hit the convoy that they are delivering today [to Ukraine] - they will consider it a violation of Article 5 [of the North Atlantic agreement], that is present at the moment in NATO countries. Let's see how will they react if that happens."
Defense Express memo: here is an excerpt from the mentioned Article 5: "The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them <...> will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith". It is followed and complemented by Article 6 which implies that an attack on vessels or aircraft of the Parties triggers the implementation of Article 5.
19:16 Operational information as of 18:00, 13.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion. Key points:
- The Defense Forces continue the defense operation in the South, East and North directions.
- The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine repulses concentrated missile air strikes and the enemy's means of air attack. Ukrainian forces also continue the air cover of Ukraine's critical infrastructure objects and troops units.
- Since the beginning of the day, the enemy focused its main efforts on advancing in the direction of the Kryvyi Rih city and capturing the Mykolayiv city. He does not stop trying to capture the city of Mariupol. The occupiers continue to accumulate reserves for the attack on Vuhledar (Donetsk region) and inflict artillery strikes on residential areas of the city.
- In order to strike on the territory of Ukraine from the Black Sea, there is a naval group of the enemy in "full" combat readiness.
- In violation of the requirements of International Humanitarian Law, the occupiers continue to take civilians hostage, launch missile bombings and artillery strikes on densely populated neighborhoods, schools and kindergartens, plunder the local population, and loot.
- According to available information, the enemy is intensifying activities to carry out sabotage on the routes of transport convoys with humanitarian aid and military aid.
19:00 The Prosecutor General's Office: Avdiivka Coke Plant comes under rocket attack
Five rockets fired from a Grad multiple launch rocket system hit the territory of the Avdiivka Coke Plant in the Donetsk region.
The Prosecutor General's Office reported this on Telegram.
Several production shops and a pipeline were destroyed in the attack.
Heat supply in Avdiivka was halted.
Earlier reports said that Russian troops had already killed 2,187 residents of Mariupol.
18:40 Energoatom, the Ukrainian state nuclear energy company: the power supply on Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant has been restored. This was announced by Herman Halushchenko, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine on his Facebook page.
"Today, thanks to the incredible efforts of the "Ukrenergo" NPC specialists, our nuclear technicians and electricians the power supply returned to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was seized by the Russian occupiers. Our Ukrainian power engineers, by risking their own health and lives, were able to avert the risk of a possible nuclear catastrophe that threatened the whole Europe. Now the cooling systems of spent nuclear assemblies will work again in the normal mode, not from backup power," the Energy Minister reassured.
Herman Halushchenko once again appealed for the international partners, the European Commission, the IAEA, the UN, the OSCE to help protect nuclear facilities. "Yes, our power engineers are really heroes, but it is impossible to ensure nuclear security in the conditions of military aggression by the feats themselves," he stressed.
18:17 Stratcom Centre via Verkhovna Rada provides the latest news from Mariupol:
- 2187 Mariupol residents were killed as the result of Russian attacks.
- According to the city council, the occupiers dropped about 100 aerial bombs on Mariupol in total.
- Every day Mariupol suffers from Russian air raids. In just 24 hours, the aggressor carried out at least 22 bombardments of the peaceful city.
- The occupiers cynically and purposefully hit residential buildings and crowded places, destroying children's hospitals and all other city's infrastructure.
- The greatest threat for 400,000 Mariupol residents currently blocked in the city comes from the sky.
- Therefore, closing skies over Ukraine or providing the necessary anti-aircraft warfare is a solution that could save hundreds of thousands of innocent lives across Ukraine.
18:10 The Office of the President of Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the wounded Ukrainian soldiers at the military hospital.
The relevant video was provided to the mass media by the Office of the President of Ukraine.
This hospital is taking care of the Ukrainian military who received various wounds in battles taking place in Kyiv Region.
Zelenskyy visited the wounded defenders, talked to them and their doctors.
In addition, the President of Ukraine presented awards to them.
18:00 Mykolaiv city State Administration: Russians conducted an air strike on a school in Mykolaiv. As of 16:25, the city administration was evacuating people. No casualties data.
Update: State Emergency Service informs that on March 13 in Zelenyi Hai village of Mykolaiv region the building of a school was ruined due to an air strike, the fire followed. According to the preliminary data, 2 people were killed and 2 were injured. The fire was put out by the emergency service.
17:31 Center for Countering Disinformation: Russian troops have bombed the village of Popasna with phosphorus munitions, according to Deputy Chief of the Patrol Police Oleksiy Biloshytskiy
Phosphorus munitions damage human resources, disable all equipment and weapons. If white phosphorus gets on human skin, it causes severe burns. It also causes acute poisoning if white phosphorus vapors are inhaled or enter the gastrointestinal tract. The use of phosphorus munitions has a demoralizing psychological effect.
Russia's use of forbidden munitions is a war crime that the world community must condemn.
"Destructive, disastrous, monstrous force. This is what the Nazis called Brennende Zwiebel (Burning Dome). This is what the racists are now releasing in our cities. Incredible suffering and fires," Oleksiy Biloshytskiy wrote on Facebook.
Ukrinform media: flammable phosphorus burns at temperatures above 800 degrees Celsius, and fires can spread to several hundred square kilometers. The use of such weapons can cause very severe and painful injuries or lead to a slow painful death.
Additional Protocols to the 1977 Geneva Convention prohibit the use of white phosphorus munitions if they endanger civilians.'
16:55 Verkhovna Rada: Ukraine received 20 tons of medicine from the Indian government. Partners provided antibiotics and painkillers to Ukraine, Mykhailo Radutskyi, Chairperson of the parliamentary health committee.
"We helped deliver medicine to the distribution center in Lviv. In the future, the Ministry of Health will be involved in the transportation and distribution of medicines,” the Chairman of the Committee said.
16:33 Defense Intelligence of Ukraine: in recent days, Russia has already gathered thousands of Syrian mercenaries to join the occupying forces in Ukraine. In particular, they are members of the so-called "National Defence Forces" and units of the 5th Corps of the Syrian Armed Forces.
Russia has opened 14 mercenary recruitment centers in Syria in territories controlled by the regime of Bashar al-Assad (Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor). After a short training, the mercenaries will be transported to Russia through the Khmeimim Air Base by two Tu-134 (up to 80 passengers) and Tu-154 (up to 180 passengers) aircraft to the Chkalovsky Air Base, Moscow region.
The Syrians are expected to use heavy artillery and sniper weapons against the Ukrainians.
Ukrainian Intelligence also confirmed the information about Russia's training of mercenaries from Libya to engage in hostilities in Ukraine.
Russia will pay foreign mercenaries a monthly salary of $300 to $600 USD.
16:25 Stratcom Centre: Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar explained why the numbers of Russian personnel losses haven't significantly changed over the course of the last several days. According to the official, the calculation of the enemy losses is not a primary thing to do on the battlefield. Also, an exact calculation is complicated due to the intensity of hostilities. The deputy minister noted that the situation changes very dynamically, Russians were stalled and the combat is not as intense as in the first days of war. This deceleration of the invaders' offensive indicates, that they suffer heavy losses.
"Nobody walks with a calculator after the combat, if we put it in simple words," Hanna Malyar said. "The numbers are brought by multiple sources, often with a several days' delay. Everything depends on the situation on the spots."
15:42 Operational Command "North": Over the past two days, artillery units of the Operational Command North have destroyed 80 vehicles, that tried to force the river to advance in the Kyiv direction.
On the night of March 11-12, a column of military equipment of the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, which was supposed to provide enemy logistics, was broken. For two days, vehicles with fuel, ammunition, and weapons were on fire.
The brigade-tactical group of the same regiment, which tried to blockade Chernihiv, was also defeated.
On the outskirts of Chernihiv, the Ukrainian military destroyed two command and observation posts of the enemy's BTGr from the 35th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (Aleysk, Altai Krai).
15:07 Andriy Nebytov, the head of the Kyiv Region police: Russian occupiers kill New York Times journalist in Irpin, a satellite town outside of Kyiv. He released Video on his Facebook page. The journalist Brent Renaud was killed on March 13. Two other journalists were wounded in Irpin and then hospitalized.
14:24 Oleksiy Arestovych, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine: The enemy decided on the direction of the main efforts and focused on attacking our forces in the JFO area, he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Sunday.
"We are containing it, strike back hard. Significant manpower and equipment of the enemy was destroyed in Kherson region," he said.
According to Arestovych, "Mariupol, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kyiv region are holding on." "In the north and in Kharkiv region, the enemy has been stopped, it is taking measures to regroup, pull up forces and is not conducting active hostilities," he said.
14:02 On Internet has appeared the video where russian troops strike the TV tower hit in Sloviansk in the Donetsk region
13:20 Suspilne: Today, March 13, a protest action against the Russian occupiers is taking place in Kherson.
While the occupiers declare that they have "liberated" the city (from whom?) The locals are actively protesting against the Russian invaders. This is symbolic, but today the town is celebrating the day of liberation of the town from the Nazis (March 13, 1944).
12:40 Head of Zaporizhia Regional State Administration Oleksandr Starukh reported on the kidnapping of the mayor of the city of Dniprorudne, Zaporizhia Region, Yevhen Matveyev.
"War crimes are becoming systemic. Mayor of Dniprorudne Matveyev Yevhen Serhiyovych was kidnapped," Starukh wrote on Facebook on Sunday morning.
As reported, on March 11, a message appeared about the abduction by the Russian military of the mayor of the city of Melitopol, Zaporizhia region, Ivan Fedorov, who refused to cooperate with the occupiers.
12:15 Maksym Kozytskyy, Governor of Lviv Regional State Administration: Death toll in air attack on the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre base near Lviv rises to 35.
In an update, Maksym Kozytskyy said the death toll had risen from nine to 35, and that 134 were injured after the airstrikes on the facility in Yavoriv.
Two large explosions were seen on Sunday at the base in Yavoriv, a garrison city just 12km from the Polish border. The rocket attack took place at 5.45am. Kozytskyi, said Russian forces fired more than 30 cruise missiles at the Yavoriv base
The facility has previously hosted foreign military trainers from the UK, US and other countries but it is not clear that any were at the base. Ukraine held most of its drills with Nato countries there before the invasion with the last major exercises in September.
11:35 The Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine: The Center presented the results of the survey conducted by YouGov, according to which the majority of Americans believe that putin poses a threat both to the USA and the whole world
- 60% consider putin to be a threat
- 24% are still undecided whether putin threatens the USA and the world
As to whether or not Ukraine has to join NATO
- 47% of respondents think so
- Only 12% are against this idea
We remind, according to Reuters poll, 74% of Americans are in favor of closing the sky over Ukraine.
11:15 Head of the Lviv Regional State Administration Maksym Kozytsky at a briefing on 13 March: As a result of Russian missile strikes on the Yavoriv international peacekeeping and security centre in the Lviv region, 9 people were killed and another 57 were injured.
"According to preliminary data, more than 30 missiles were fired. The air defence system was activated and a certain number of the missiles were shot down.
According to Lviv authorities, the planes took off from the city of Saratov in Russia and proceeded to the Black Sea. The strikes were performed from the Black Sea.
10:55 Ukraine’s minister of defence, Oleksii Reznikov, has called Russia’s missile strikes on the International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security a “terrorist attack”. Reznikov added that “foreign instructors” work at the military base.
“This is new terrorist attack on peace and security near the EU-NATO border. Action must be taken to stop this. Close the sky!” he said.
10:34 The Guardian informs: The cyber hacking group Anonymous has published a message specifically designed to reach Russian citizens, allegedly urging Russians to rise up against Putin and remove him from power.
According to a translation offered by various commentators over Twitter, the clip in part reportedly says: “You are being trapped behind an iron curtain of propaganda, with your government attempting to keep you from being a part of the international conversation, out of fear for what you might find out.The regime of Vladimir Putin has been carrying out war crimes with his recent invasion of Ukraine, which has caused a massive refugee crisis and countless deaths. It is a terrible situation that you have been put in, but your only option to prevent the impending economic collapse and potential world war is to take actions to resist the war and the regime of Vladimir Putin”.
10:20 Head of Mykolaiv Regional Administration Vitaly Kim: "On the morning of 13 March, (the invaders - ed.) destroyed ‘Zorya’ (‘Zorya’ state-owned gas turbine construction research and production facility - ed.), likely through an air attack. We are currently investigating the circumstances. Judging by all the intercepted conversations in Russia and Belarus, the ‘orcs’ are not only afraid of us, they respect us. They respect that we have such spirit.
10:00 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 13.03:
Personnel - more 12 000,
Tanks ‒ 374 units,
APV ‒ 1226 units,
Artillery systems – 140 units,
MLRS – 62 units,
Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 34 units,
Aircraft – 74 units,
Helicopters – 86 units,
Vehicles - 600 units,
Boats / cutters - 3 units,
Fuel tanks - 60,
UAV operational-tactical level - 7.
Data are being updated. The calculation is complicated by the high intensity of hostilities.
09.38 The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov: Lithuania to be next country Putin wants to take over if he wins in Ukraine.
Lithuania will become the next country that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to capture if he wins the war with Ukraine, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov has said, citing Ukrainian intelligence data.
"What we understand and what our intelligence gives: today we are talking about Lithuania. The Russian Federation is not going to stop. They have the next goal – if they have a victory, God forbid, on our territory, then the next the country that Putin will want to capture will be, directly, Lithuania," Danilov said on the air of the telethon on Saturday evening.
Further, according to him, the Baltic countries and Poland will follow.
"All this will depend on how NATO behaves. Today, NATO's behavior is a bit surprising. They believe that this fate will bypass them. Today, the security of not only Europe, but also of the NATO countries that are on the European continent, rests on our shoulders," he said.
"We understand this, we ask that they provide us with assistance. If you have no desire to fight, we are ready to fight ourselves. Give us modern weapons so that we can destroy the enemy. This is the only thing we ask for today," he summed up.
Earlier, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell expressed concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country.
09:12 Ukraine’s military seizes enemy electronic warfare system.
The 10th Mountain Assault Brigade seized the enemy electronic warfare system. It will now work against Russian invaders.
"Over the past day, the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade managed to seize the enemy electronic warfare system, which will now work against bastards," - the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook.
The Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published relevant photos of the seized system.
08.20 US provides additional $200 million in defense aid to Ukraine amid Russia's war
US President Joe Biden authorized Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday, March 12, to provide an additional $200 million in defense aid to Ukraine amid Russia's war against that country - Anadolu Agency reports.
Biden instructed Blinken to provide the funds under the "Foreign Assistance Act," the White House said in a statement.
The aid will include $200 million worth of equipment and military training from the inventory of the US Defense Department.
The Foreign Assistance Act approved in 1961, authorizes US presidents to provide emergency aid to foreign countries without the consent of Congress.
08.00 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Operational information on 6.00, 13.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion to Ukraine
The eighteenth day of the heroic resistance opposition of the Ukrainian people to the russian military invasion began.
Status, position and nature of actions of the defence forces are itwithout significant changes.
The enemy continues to use civilian infrastructure for military purposes. In violation of the requirements of International Humanitarian Law, it continues to deploy units and equipment at high-risk facilities, shells civilians, conducts illegal searches of personal belongings and searches of local residents, and disguises himsein civilian clothes and uniforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The moral and psychological condition of the enemy's troops, who took part in the battles with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, continues to deteriorate, the number of cases of desertion and refusals to carry out orders is growing.
According to the available information, a large number of russian servicemen wounded in the course of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine are being treated in the medical institutions of the south-eastern region of the Republic of Belarus. There are not enough blood supplies for surgery. Reserves accumulated for the citizens of the Republic of Belarus are used - about 2/3 of the reserve is redirected to the needs of the russian military. The campaign to collect blood among public sector employees and the civilian population was intensified.
Due to the losses, the armed forces of the russian federation are forming new units. In particular, the enemy command plans to involve about 1,500 people from the 40th Separate Marine Brigade (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Pacific Fleet).
The Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with other components of the Defence Forces, are repelling the enemy troops, in particular, two helicopters, two fighters (one of which is a Su-34) and two UAVs were destroyed the previous day.
07.40 Ukraine’s International Peacekeeping and Security Center (IPSC) in the town of Yavoriv near the Polish border has also reportedly been bombed, according to the Lviv regional military administration.
The administration said eight missiles were fired at the facility according to preliminary information, according to an update on its official account on Facebook.
IPSC is situated about 50 km south-west of Lviv and about 25km from the border with Poland
As The Guardian reports the attack could indicate that Russia is stepping up its assaults in the west of the country and may be a deliberate attack on incoming western shipments of military and humanitarian aide to Ukraine.
06:20 The Centre for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine informed about the alleged alienation of russia's information space.
According to post of The Centre for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine on official Telegram-channel:
05:30 NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg: Russia may use chemical weapons.
NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has said Russia may use chemical weapons following its invasion of Ukraine and that such a move would be a war crime – The Guardian reports citing Reuters.
In its turn Reuters reports that Stoltenberg told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag that the Kremlin was inventing false pretexts to justify the possible use of chemical weapons:
In recent days, we have heard absurd claims about chemical and biological weapons laboratories.
Now that these false claims have been made, we must remain vigilant because it is possible that Russia itself could plan chemical weapons operations under this fabrication of lies. That would be a war crime.”
Stoltenberg added that although the Ukrainian people were resisting the Russian invasion with courage, the coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship.
04:30 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky awards awarding 106 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine including eight servicemen with Hero of Ukraine title.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded the Hero of Ukraine title to eight servicepersons, six of them posthumously.
That's according to decree No. 127/2022, published on the website of the head of state.
The Hero of Ukraine title with the Order of the Golden Star (posthumously) was awarded to Senior Sergeant Serhii Vasich, Sergeant Inna Derusova, Soldier Kostiantyn Mrochko, Senior Soldier Vitalii Parkhomuk, Soldier Oleh Svynchuk, and Sergeant Andrii Khanin.
In addition, the Hero of Ukraine title with the Order of the Golden Star was awarded to Senior Lieutenants Volodymyr Hutsul and Volodymyr Chornyi.
In his televised video address President Zelensky said:
Dear Ukrainians!
Our heroes!
The world has always loved those who fight against evil.
It was our resistance, the courage of all our people that inspired the world. Millions of people in different countries. Who 17 days ago might not have felt what they all have in common. We all have. And now it's obvious. Peace. Freedom. And love for our children. The children we are fighting for. For them to have a future.
I signed two important decrees.
On awarding 106 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who bravely showed themselves in the battles for the independence of Ukraine. 17 of them, unfortunately, posthumously. But they are heroes.
I - the decree on conferring the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Golden Star to:
Senior Sergeant Vasich Serhiy Viktorovych. Posthumously. He bravely defended our positions in the Kyiv region. Destroyed enemy equipment and a significant amount of enemy manpower.
Senior soldier Parkhomuk Vitaliy Vasyliovych. Posthumously. During the counterattack on the enemy near the city of Makariv, he inflicted significant losses on the enemy and died heroically defending his brothers-in-arms.
Soldier Mrochko Kostiantyn Vasyliovych. Posthumously. He fought bravely against the overwhelming forces of the enemy. Thanks to his effective actions, the invaders suffered painful losses.
Soldier Svynchuk Oleh Anatoliyovych. Posthumously. He heroically performed his duty in the battle against the overwhelming forces of the enemy. He was helping his brothers-in-arms until the last moment.
Sergeant Khanin Andriy Pavlovych. Posthumously. Defending Volnovakha, Donetsk region, he destroyed an enemy tank and about 10 enemies. During the battle, when he was wounded, he helped his wounded brothers-in-arms and performed his duty to the last.
Sergeant Derusova Inna Mykolaivna. Posthumously. Since February 24, the senior combat medic has performed tasks in the city of Okhtyrka, Sumy region. She saved more than 10 servicemen, risking her own life. She died from artillery shelling by Russian troops, helping the wounded. The first woman - hero of Ukraine, who was posthumously awarded this title.
Eternal memory to all who gave their lives for Ukraine!
The title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star is conferred upon:
Senior Lieutenant Hutsul Volodymyr Oleksandrovych. Thanks to his heroic actions in the Kherson region, 25 units of enemy equipment and about 300 invaders were destroyed.
Senior Lieutenant Chornyi Volodymyr Volodymyrovych. Thanks to his skilful actions during the defense of Volnovakha, Donetsk region, about 50 enemies and a T-72 tank were destroyed, as well as 5 invaders were captured.
Glory to all heroes!
Glory to Ukraine!
03:33 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to those who cooperate with invaders: "You sign your sentence"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that those who are tempted by the aggressors' proposals sign a sentence "to follow more than 12,000 invaders who failed to understand in time why Ukraine should not be encroached upon.
Zelensky said this in a televised video address, Ukrinform reports.
Wise people of a strong country!
The 17th day of the war is over. War for the right to be free. For the right to live on our land the way we, Ukrainians, want it. Not the way someone came up with for us. And against us. Against our nature. Against our character.
The Russian invaders cannot conquer us. They do not have such strength. They do not have such spirit. They are holding only on violence. Only on terror. Only on weapons, which they have a lot. But the invaders have no natural basis for normal life. So that people can feel happy and dream. They are organically incapable of making life normal! Wherever Russia has come to a foreign land, dreams are impossible.
Only a very hard struggle for survival.
As a result of the attack on our land, on Ukraine, the Russian leadership is actually turning its state into an analogue of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR". Into a large area isolated from the rest of the world. Where poverty will reign. Where everything will be determined only by violence. And where people will flee. In any manner they can and whoever can.
Look who is leaving Russia now. Who withdraws business. These are professionals who can be competitive at the global market. These are IT specialists who do not want to live in an area where there is no freedom. These are businessmen who feel that everything will be taken away from them at any moment. These are artists who know that creativity in a territory where human life is worthless is also worthless.
Russia loses its brains. Loses talent. Loses money.
But if this is happening to Russia, then what awaits the so-called "DPR" and "LPR"? Their analogues? Solely complete degradation.
The invaders in the Kherson region are trying to repeat the notorious experience of the formation of pseudo-republics. Blackmail local leaders, put pressure on deputies. Look for someone to bribe. They’re trying to organize the so-called "KPR". Stillborn as "DPR" and "LPR". To organize some "committees" against the legitimate government on our land. And against the will of the people who go out to protest every day. And who want Ukraine. I am grateful to them.
I want to tell some figures who lacked the disgust to refuse to talk to the invaders... I want to say - if some of them were suddenly tempted by proposals from the invaders... You sign your sentence.
The sentence is to follow more than 12,000 invaders who failed to understand in time why Ukraine should not be encroached upon.
An emergency meeting of the Kherson Regional Council took place. 44 deputies decided that the Kherson region is Ukraine, and no pseudo-republics have a place there.
Ukraine will stand the test. We need time and strength to break the military machine that came to our land.
I will not underestimate the threat. And I will not exaggerate the achievements. We are honest people, not Russia's Ministry of Defense. Which lies to everyone - millions of its citizens and even the head of the Russian Federation. So I say frankly: we still need to hold on. We still have to fight. Every day and every night we must look for ways to cause maximum damage to the enemy. In all areas of defense. Near Zhytomyr and Kyiv, near Chernihiv and Sumy, near Kharkiv and Luhansk, near Donetsk and Mariupol, in the south of the country and on the diplomatic frontline.
Having such tactics and having self-confidence, we will regain what’s ours.
We will come to Melitopol and Henichesk. We will come wherever our land is. And let the invaders know. Let all the collaborators they find know. That Ukraine will not forgive them. Nobody. Nothing.
Ukraine will not forget. Ukraine will find and prosecute. Every single one. In any possible way.
By the way, all humanitarian corridors, which were agreed upon, worked. 12,729 people were evacuated. The humanitarian cargo for Mariupol is to arrive tomorrow afternoon. Due to the complexity of the route they had to spend the night in Berdyansk.
On every occasion, I constantly repeat to our friends and partners abroad that they should do more for Ukraine, for Ukrainians. Because it is not only for Ukraine. This is for everyone in Europe.
Evil that purposefully bombs peaceful cities... Evil that fires even at ambulances and blows up hospitals will not be able to stop at one country. If it has the strength to go further.
I said this at a very important rally in support of our people, which was organized in Europe. More than a hundred thousand people in the squares of Italy and other countries of the continent gathered for a rally in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.
Millions of people heard my appeal later thanks to broadcasts and recordings.
We now enjoy the greatest support in the history of Ukraine for our aspirations and our independence.
You can take a public opinion poll in any country and you will see that Ukraine is among the leaders of those who are sympathized with and supported.
And Russia is not just among enemies. It is even a bigger enemy, bigger evil than North Korea. That's what Americans think, for example. Ordinary people in all states. As well as ordinary people in all European countries.
And I am grateful to them for this extraordinary support. Grateful for understanding our struggle. Because we are united by one dream - to live freely on our land. And we have the right to what everyone has in the free world. To a safe sky, as well as to our own land.
02.30 The mayor of Skadovsk, Oleksandr Yakovlev: Russian troops no longer in Ukraine’s port city of Skadovsk.
According to the city’s mayor, Oleksandr Yakovlev, the situation in Skadovsk is under control and there is electricity, gas and water supply.
On March 9, Russian military vehicles entered the city and Russian troops reportedly seized all the computers from the city council.
Earlier Ukrainian defenders shot down two Russian Ka-52 helicopters over Skadovsk in the Kherson region.
02:00 Enemy aircraft bomb Sviatohirsk Lavra in Donetsk region.
Russian aircraft attacked Sviatohirsk Lavra Cave Monastery in the Donetsk region.
The press center of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
"The occupiers fired at Sviatohirsk Lavra in the Donetsk region," the statement said.
Volodymyr Rybalkin, head of the Sviatohirsk branch of the Stop Corruption NGO, said the air strike was launched on March 12 at about 23:05.
"They hit the women's building. At the moment, the wounded and the dead are being taken out from under the rubble," Rybalkin said.
According to the report, women and children were inside the building at the time of the attack. Rescuers are currently evacuating people.
Sviatohirsk Lavra is a popular pilgrimage spot that belongs to Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but that is under the Moscow Patriarchate. At the time of attack, around 520 civilians and monks were at the site.
01.30 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Operational information on 24.00 12.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion to Ukraine
The seventeenth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the russian military invasion continues.
The enemy continues its offensive against Ukraine.
The enemy carries out measures to restore combat capability and regroup troops, as well as prepares for the continuation of the offensive in the Polissya, Siversky, Slobozhansky, Donetsk, Tavriya and South Bug areas.
Throughout the fighting on the territory of Ukraine, the enemy met with fierce resistance. It did not achieve the goal of the operation in any of the areas. The nature of the actions indicates the uncertainty of the military leadership of the russian federation in matters of strategic objectives and the ultimate goal of the so-called "special military operation".
The occupying forces inflicted heavy losses, slowed down the pace of the offensive, and stopped in the vast majority of directions. Military and civilian infrastructure continues to be destroyed. In order to compensate for the losses, the occupiers organized the training of additional forces and means for conducting hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.
The enemy did not carry out offensive operations in the Volyn direction. The military leadership of the Republic of Belarus has strengthened the protection of the border with Ukraine. There is a high probability of direct participation of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus in the military operation against Ukraine. There is an air reconnaissance of objects on the territory of Ukraine with the help of UAVs, probably from the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
No active offensive actions of the enemy were recorded in the Polissya direction. Measures are being taken to restore combat capability and regroup troops. The enemy is trying to reconnoitre and clarify the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and possible ways of attack. The occupiers continue to tax the logistics system by creating repair bases on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
In the northern direction, the enemy focused on improving the operational construction of troops and the logistics system of the group.
In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy carried out offensive operations in the area of settlement Izyum, further trying to move in the direction of settlement Slavyansk. After the losses received in the area of the city of Kharkiv, he withdrew to the territory of the rssian federation (Belgorod region) one of the BTGs of the 6th All-Military Army to restore combat capability. At the same time, it strengthened the groupings in this direction due to the introduction of units from the Northern Fleet.
In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, the enemy carried out assault operations and fire raids. It does not abandon attempts to storm the city of Mariupol. The Russian occupiers are trying to prepare reserves and go on the offensive in Severodonetsk, Ugledar and Zaporizhya. The enemy has had little success in the Volnovakha direction - it has captured the eastern outskirts and is trying to move on.
At the same time, the enemy does not refuse to attempt an offensive on Kryvyi Rih. It did not succeed. It looks for weaknesses in the defence of Ukrainian defenders. In order to increase efforts, puts into operation reserves from the Airborne Forces. In some areas it is trying to keep the previously occupied borders.
01:00 Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine: Ukrainian military found a malfunction of ejection systems in Russian pilots. During an inspection of the downed planes and helicopters of the Russian Federation, military specialists of the Armed Forces of Ukraine traced catapult malfunctions.
The catapult chair is a rescue system for quick evacuation of the crew of a military plane, a helicopter in case of an emergency, the Center explained. The evacuation is carried out by firing (ejection) of the seat together with the pilot from the aircraft with the help of compressed air, powder charge, rocket system. After that, the seat is automatically dumped off and the pilot lands with a parachute.
The servicemen noted that the malfunction of Russian rescue systems is probably due to the non-operation of the catapult chair or the incorrect packing of the parachute.
00:08 NSDC of Ukraine: "The next country that Putin would want to take over if he wins the war with Ukraine will be Lithuania. After that, other Baltic countries and Poland," said Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Background:
February, 24: Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a "special military operation" against Ukraine. A number of cities of Ukraine suffered a missile attack. Missiles hit several military facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro cities. In a few hours, martial law was imposed in Ukraine.
The war lasts for two weeks now. An impressive rundown of the first days of war was provided by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Here is an excerpt from his address to the Parliament of the United Kingdom:
"13 days of our defense.
On the first day at 4 am, cruise missiles were fired at us. So that everyone woke up - we, the children, all of us, living people, all of Ukraine. And we haven't slept since. We all took up arms becoming a large army.
The next day we fought off attacks in the air, on land and at sea. And our heroic border guards on Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea told everyone about the end of the war. Namely: where the enemy will go in the end. When a Russian ship demanded that our guys lay down their weapons, they answered him... As firmly as one cannot say in the parliament. And we felt the power. Great power of our people who will persecute the invader to the end.
On the third day, Russian troops openly fired at people and apartment buildings without hiding. Used artillery, air bombs. And it finally showed us, showed the world who is who. Who are great people and who are just savages.
On the fourth day, when we have already begun to take dozens of prisoners, we have not lost our dignity. We didn’t abuse them. We treat them like people. Because we remained human on the fourth day of this shameful war.
On the fifth day, the terror against us has already become outright. Against cities, against small towns. Ruined districts. Bombs, bombs, bombs, again bombs on houses, on schools, on hospitals. This is genocide. Which did not break us. It mobilized each and every one of us. And it gave us a sense of great truth.
On the sixth day, Russian missiles hit Babyn Yar. This is the place where the Nazis executed 100,000 people during World War II. 80 years later, Russia killed them for a second time.
On the seventh day, we realized they were destroying even the churches. Using bombs! Rockets again. They do not know the holy and great as we know.
On the eighth day, the world saw Russian tanks firing at a nuclear power plant. The largest in Europe. And the world began to understand that this is terror against all. This is a great terror.
On the ninth day, we listened to a meeting of NATO countries. Without the desired result for us. Without courage. That's how we felt - I don't want to offend anyone - we felt that alliances don't work. They can't even close the sky. That is why security guarantees in Europe must be built from scratch.
On the tenth day, unarmed Ukrainians protested everywhere in the occupied cities. Stopping armored vehicles with bare hands. We have become unbreakable.
On the eleventh day, when residential areas were already bombed, when everything was destroyed by explosions, when children were evacuated from a damaged children's oncology hospital... We realized: Ukrainians became heroes. Hundreds of thousands of people. Entire cities. Children, adults - all.
On the twelfth day, when the losses of the Russian army have already exceeded 10,000 killed, the general also appeared in this number. And this gave us confidence: for all crimes, for all shameful orders, there will still be responsibility before the International Court or Ukrainian weapons.
On the thirteenth day, a child died in Russian-occupied Mariupol. Died of dehydration. They do not allow food or water to people. They just blocked it - and people are in the basements. I think everyone hears: people don't have water there!"
The full address is available here.
Key points regarding the current state of warfare:
- Ukraine managed to establish the defense, Russian offense has stalled
- Belarus provides its lands to Russian troops and equipment; still hasn't joined the war directly
- Russia uses terroristic methods of war, shelling civilian facilities where there are no military facilities nearby, keeping cities in a full blockade, and sabotaging humanitarian corridors
- Humanitarian corridors: despite repetitive violations of ceasefire and shelling of evacuation transport, some of the humanitarian corridors work. According to the latest report, almost 13 thousand civilians were evacuated from hot spots of military action, mostly from the Kyiv region
- Russian army targets nuclear power plants; Chernobyl NPP and Zaporizhzhia NPP are seized by occupiers; military activities by Russian forces near power plant was described by Ukraine as nuclear terrorism
- Ukraine urges NATO to close the sky over Ukraine or at least provide air defense equipment
- Ukraine appealed for EU membership via an accelerated procedure. The EU Council summit concluded that such a fast-track application process is impossible, yet they stated that "Ukraine belongs to the European Union"
- Ukrainian citizens in the occupied cities rally against Russians; thousands of civilian volunteers join the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; the fighting has become a national struggle for survival
- Ukraine has had three rounds of negotiations with Russia; still, no significant progress towards ceasefire and peace, the main question, for now, is establishing humanitarian corridors for the supply of aid and evacuation of civilians
Read more: Day 17th of Ukraine's Defense Against Russian Aggression (Live Updates)
