Russo-Ukrainian war, day 745. Pope’s “white flag” diplomacy, Ukraine’s draft-dodging ring

Exclusive

To win in a war of attrition, Ukraine should mobilize women, report argues. As casualties mount and draft-eligible men dwindle, a Ukrainian report is sparking debate over mobilizing women to sustain the nation's defense against Russia's protracted invasion, citing Britain's auxiliary forces that freed 450,000 men in World War II.

Pope urges Ukraine to raise the white flag, sparking controversy. The Pope's ambiguous statements on the conflict, often failing to clearly identify Russia as the aggressor, have led some to question the Vatican's understanding of the situation in Ukraine.

"World isn't built for the blind." Ukrainian veteran hopes for bio-eyes — and a guide dog. Blinded by a Russian drone strike, soldier Denys Abdulin, 29, dreams of experimental eye treatments. Until then, he's raising $4,000 for a guide dog to navigate the obstacles of post-war life.

Military

ISW: Kremlin uses Gagauzia, Transnistria to derail Moldova's EU bid. ISW says the Kremlin's increased focus on Moldova's Gagauzia and Transnistria pro-Russian regions aims to use them in information and hybrid operations to disrupt Moldova's EU accession process. Frontline report: Ukraine's maneuver defense tactics stall Russian offensive in Robotyne . HIMARS, reinforcements, minefields, and frontline engagements helped Ukrainians hold the line in Robotyne, where a Russian unorthodox quad bike assault proved catastrophic Russian attacks kill two, injure 11 civilians; Ukraine downs 12/15 "kamikaze" drones. As Ukraine repels a Russian suicide drone attack on three regions, Russia's shelling and bomb attack kill two civilians elsewhere. As of 09 Mar 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 423160 (+850)
    • Tanks: 6712 (+6)
    • APV: 12823 (+25)
    • Artillery systems: 10428 (+53)
    • MLRS: 1012 (+1)
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 707 (+3)
    • Aircraft: 347
    • Helicopters: 325
    • UAV: 8041 (+43)
    • Cruise missiles : 1919
    • Warships/boats: 26
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 13683 (+85)

Intelligence and technology

CNN: US "rigorously" prepared for Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine in late 2022. The US enlisted the help of China and India to discourage Russia from launching a nuclear strike on Ukraine in late 2022, according to senior administration officials. Ukraine defense backers to convene 19 March amid artillery ammo crunch. The US-led "Ramstein" contact group of around 50 nations backing Ukraine's defense will convene on March 19 to discuss fulfilling Kyiv's military needs amid Ukraine's artillery ammunition shortage. UK intel: Ukrainian drone strikes cut into Russia's oil refining capacity. Russia bans gasoline exports for six months to stabilize domestic prices Cameron says UK ready to send more Storm Shadows to Ukraine if Germany sends Tauruses to UK. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron confirms the proposal of a missile ring exchange with Germany, supplying Ukraine with additional Storm Shadow missiles in exchange for Germany's Taurus missiles, aiming to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian aggression.

International

Trump and Orban exchange praise during Mar-a-Lago meeting. "He's a fantastic leader," Trump said about the Hungarian Prime Minister, who has urged the West to cut off financing for Ukraine Bloomberg: $ 1 trillion race to rebuild Ukraine gains momentum. Ukraine's reconstruction could be more than five times larger than the Marshall Plan, but the ongoing war and Russian occupation present significant challenges. Armenia deepening relations with US, EU, considers joining EU, FM says. Signaling a potential pivot away from Moscow, Armenia's foreign minister revealed the country is weighing an EU membership application driven by public pro-European sentiments. French FM: "Ukraine didn't ask us to send troops. We don't exclude anything". France's FM said Ukraine didn't "ask us to send troops" yet, but nothing can be excluded in the near future. Baltic foreign ministers praise France for "out-of-the-box" thinking.

Political and legal developments

Media uncover hundreds of NGOs and charities involved in draft evasion scandal. A black market "service" costing up to $5,000 per person has enabled the escape of thousands of Ukrainian men, with the help of NGOs and charities. Read the daily review for Fri Mar 08 2024 here