Exclusive
| Russia’s gamble: how and why it could attack NATO countries. Ex-NATO official explains. Edward Hunter Christie gave his perspective on the Russian threat to NATO, Ukraine and European security. |
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“With this tattoo, they wouldn’t take me a POW.” Ukrainian top manager takes up arms. A Ukrainian platoon sergeant explains why it is terrible to romanticize war and why he is in the Russian list of Ukrainian so-called “nazis” since 2015. |
| “Russians tortured us so badly we thought we wouldn’t make it out alive,” civilian survivors say. A Ukrainian detainee said the savage beatings he endured were so extreme, he was certain he wouldn’t survive the torture alive after Russians used nightsticks, kicks, and fists simultaneously. |
Military
Forbes: Ukraine decimates Russia’s best jets with American missiles. Ukraine has used a combination of American and Soviet-era missiles to take down nine Russian fighter-bombers and one A-50 radar plane in a short span of time, while Russia struggles to replace its losses and detect Ukrainian launches.
Russian troops ousted from Krasnohorivka by Ukrainian commandos. The Third Assault Brigade, a highly trained unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated that it had pushed back the Russian troops that had seized the town of Krasnohorivka in eastern Ukraine the previous day, killing or injuring about 100 of them.
As of 28 Feb 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
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- Personnel: 412610 (+1060)
- Tanks: 6570 (+14)
- APV: 12508 (+14)
- Artillery systems: 1002 (+920)
- MLRS: 1000
- Anti-aircraft systems: 688 (+2)
- Aircraft: 342 (+2)
- Helicopters: 325
- UAV: 7753 (+24)
- Cruise missiles: 1912
- Warships/boats: 25
- Submarines: 1
- Vehicles and fuel tanks: 13112 (+47)
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Intelligence and technology
FT: Leaked Russian military documents show lower threshold for use of nuclear weapons than Putin claims. However, the nuclear threshold may be higher regarding Ukraine, according to William Alberque, the director of strategy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Russian tank manufacturer bypasses sanctions with tech imports from Japan, Taiwan via China. Russian manufacturers of critical components for tanks are bypassing sanctions by obtaining components for precision instruments made in Japan and Taiwan through a Belarus-affiliated company in China, as reported in Nikkei.
International
Türkiye offers to mediate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. In a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart, the Turkish president expressed his support for a peaceful solution to the war and the return of all Ukrainian prisoners and deportees.
Serbia and ten other countries sign declaration supporting Ukraine’s peace plan at Tirana summit. The joint declaration signed at the Ukraine-South East Europe Summit reaffirmed the support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Belgium to fund $ 216 mn for Czech initiative to transfer 800K shells to Ukraine. The Czech initiative aims to urgently transfer 800,000 shells to Ukraine. The Czech President had earlier searched for the funds to transfer the ammunition.
Netherlands orders 9 Czech howitzers to aid Ukraine. The Netherlands to send nine self-propelled howitzers, which can hit targets tens of kilometers away. “Ukraine has a great need for this weapon,” the Netherlands Defense Ministry reported.
Ukraine, Albania sign agreement on friendship, cooperation. Sheltering Ukrainian children & aiding wounded Ukrainian defenders, Albania to collaborate on defense production with Ukraine.
Humanitarian and social impact
Russia kills 2 men, injures 1 woman in its attack on Kharkiv Oblast. Russian launched at attack on Kharkiv afternoon of 28 February, killing 58-year-old and 39-year-old men and injuring one woman, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said .
Russian attack kills 2, injures 7 over past day in Kherson, Donetsk oblasts. A 42-year-old man was hit by a Russian mine while cleaning his land plot in Kharkiv Oblast, according to local Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Political and legal developments
Moldova’s breakaway Transnistria region seeks Russian protection with claims of economic blockade. Transnistria, a separatist region in eastern Moldova, requested Russia to protect it from the economic measures taken by Moldova.
Lithuania cancels American singer LP show seen in Russian flag hoodie. American singer LP’s concert in Lithuania was canceled after she poted in a Russian flag hoodie. The event organizers said, “Our position remains firm… We will not tolerate messages supporting the aggressor country.”
New developments
EU Council finalizes €50 billion financial assistance plan for Ukraine. The Council of the European Union has given the green light to a four-year financial assistance plan for Ukraine.
Russia recruits Indians to fight against Ukraine. Russia lures unemployed Indians with false promises of non-combatant roles, only to deploy them in combat against Ukraine, highlighting Russia’s global recruitment efforts.
Read our earlier daily review here.
