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Ukraine: WAR BULLETIN March 18, 11.00 EST

  |  
03.18.2022 at 05:49pm
 
Note this excerpt from President Zelensky’s comments below:
 

We will remind some Western leaders even louder that this will be a moral defeat for them, it will destroy their prestige if Ukraine does not receive advanced weapons that will really save the lives of thousands of our people.

Russian missiles will not fall from shotguns, which some are trying to replace really useful supplies with.

 
 

 Embassy of Ukraine in the USA

 

WAR BULLETIN

March 18, 11.00 EST

 

Over the previous day, Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit 14 Russian air targets: 7 planes, 1 helicopter, 3 UAVs and 3 cruise missiles.

Russian forces persecute and detain pro-Ukrainian activists, civil servants, members of the Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation and members of their families, as well as other citizens who may organize resistance to the occupation.

9 kids have been killed by Russians since the day one of full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine.

 

WAR ROOM

 

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

The total combat losses of the Russian forces from 24.02 to 18.03:

personnel – about 14,200 people

tanks – 450 units,

armored combat vehicles – 1448 units,

artillery systems – 205 units,

MLRS – 72 units,

air defense means – 43 units,

aircraft – 93 units,

helicopters – 112 units,

automotive equipment – 879 units,

ships / boats – 3 units,

fuel tanks – 60,

UAV operational and tactical level – 12.

Special equipment – 11.

https://bit.ly/37H1V9i

 

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

During the past 24hrs, Ukrainian forces have partially destroyed and halted the advance of units of the 437th Training Regiment and the 26th Tank Regiment of the Armed Forces of the russian federation into Ukraine, enemy’s losses are being clarified.

Over the previous day, Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit 14 russian air targets (7 planes, 1 helicopter, 3 UAVs and 3 cruise missiles).

Due to the fact that the Russian forces have significantly exhausted human resources, the command of the armed forces of the russian federation is forced to extreme measures in matters of staffing. They are conducting covert mobilization, attracting so-called “volunteers”, conscripts and cadets, as well as mercenaries from the Syrian Arab Republic.

In some temporarily occupied territories, the russian occupiers are trying to create a positive image by distributing food to the civilian population. At the same time, they are actively searching for and detaining pro-Ukrainian activists, civil servants, members of the Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation and members of their families, as well as other citizens who may organize resistance to the occupation.

The enemy continues to suffer losses. They have problems with providing units. The low moral and psychological condition of the personnel leads to an increase in the number of desertions and refusals of servicemen of the armed forces of the russian rederation and mercenaries to take part in the war against Ukraine.

Russians continue offensive operation against Ukraine. Strategic tasks related to the defeat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, access to the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the establishment of control over the left bank of Ukraine remain unfulfilled. The enemy partially managed to temporarily occupy settlements and establish control over the routes in the Donetsk and Pivdennobuzhsky operational districts.

The enemy is trying to take measures to increase the number of troops in the direction of Kyiv by moving uncoordinated and incompetent units from the Central and Eastern military districts.

Due to the consumption of almost all missile ammunition and some types of ammunition, the military-political leadership decided to transfer the enterprises of the russian military-industrial complex involved in the production of “Caliber” and ammunition to MLRS “Tornado” to round-the-clock .

No significant changes in the activities of the occupying forces have been recorded in the Volyn, Polissya and Siversky areas. The enemy focused on the fortification equipment of the occupied frontiers.

In the Slobozhansky and Sumy areas, units of the russian occupation forces are not conducting active offensive operations, the enemy is regrouping and trying to establish logistical support. The occupiers are more active in reconnaissance.

russian terrorist forces do not stop trying to capture the city of Izyum, strengthen the group by introducing additional units, take measures to organize engineering and logistics.

In the Luhansk region, the enemy intensified hostilities in the area of the village of Rubizhne, has partial success. It continues to shell unprotected civilian infrastructure in order to intimidate the local population and limit the actions of the defense forces.

In the Donetsk region, the enemy did not conduct active hostilities.

In the Tavriya direction, the enemy is trying to establish a strict administrative and police regime in the temporarily occupied settlements of the Kherson region.

No active actions of the Russian occupiers were noted in the South Bug direction. The enemy continues to shell civilian infrastructure, increasing the logistics system of the group.

 

Operational information on 12.00, 18.03.2022

The twenty-third day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the Russian military invasion continues.

Russian occupation forces continue offensive operation against Ukraine. Strategic tasks related to the defeat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, access to the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the establishment of control over the left bank of Ukraine remain unfulfilled. The enemy partially managed to temporarily occupy settlements and establish control over the routes in the Donetsk and Pivdennobuzhsky operational districts.

Russian fascist is trying to take measures to increase the number of troops in the direction of Kyiv by moving uncoordinated and incompetent units from the Central and Eastern military districts.

Due to the consumption of almost all missile and other various types of ammunition, the military-political leadership of Russia decided to exploit round-the-clock the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex involved in the production of “Caliber” and ammunition to MLRS “Tornado”.

No significant changes in the activities of the occupying forces have been recorded in the Volyn, Polissya and Siversky areas. The enemy is focused on the fortification equipment of the occupied frontiers.

In the Slobozhansky and Sumy areas, units of the russian occupation forces are not conducting active offensive operations, the enemy is regrouping and trying to establish logistical support. The occupiers are more active in reconnaissance.

Russian fascists do not stop trying to capture the city of Izyum, strengthen the group by introducing additional units, take measures to organize engineering and logistics.

In the Luhansk region, the enemy intensified hostilities in the area of the village of Rubizhne, and had a partial success. Russian fascists continue to shell unprotected civilian infrastructure in order to intimidate the local population and limit the actions of the defense forces.

In the Donetsk region, the enemy did not conduct active hostilities.

In the Tavriya direction, the enemy is trying to establish a strict administrative and police regime in the temporarily occupied settlements of the Kherson region.

No active actions of the Russian occupiers were noted in the South Bug direction. The enemy continues to shell civilian infrastructure, increasing the logistics system of the group.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine, in close cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, are resisting the russian aggressors, inflicting significant losses on their manpower and military equipment.

https://bit.ly/3IzIkop

 

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

109 kids have been killed by russians since the day one of full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine.

Empty prams on Rynok Square today symbolize the lives of little angels. They are now defending Ukraine’sky.

This is a terrible price of war that Ukraine is paying today.

 (https://bit.ly/3CS7dKq)

 

POLICY

 

President of Ukraine Address to Ukrainians

The 23rd day of our patriotic war continues. After eight years of war in the east.

The occupiers do not stop burning their national wealth in the war against Ukraine.

I am confident that by attacking us, they will destroy everything that Russian society has achieved over the past 25 years. And they will return to where they once began to rise from, as they say, to the “the wicked 90’s”. But without freedom, without the creative desire of millions of people to work for the development of their state.

This will be the price of war against Ukraine for Russia.

It will be a fall for them, a painful fall. And they will feel it even in spite of the “opium for the people” from television propagandists.

Unjust and aggressive war always has a high price for the aggressor.

But no matter what happens to them, it cannot comfort us. It will not resurrect our dead people. It will not restore our cities. It will not heal the emotional wound that will stay with us forever.

We will rebuild everything – I have no doubt about that. We will become a full member of the EU – each representative of our state works for this 24/7.

But life will be different, and for many – without the thousands of hearts stopped by this war.

May the memory of everyone who gave life for Ukraine live forever!

Russian troops have continued treacherous shelling of our peaceful cities and our communities. Lviv, Kyiv and the region, Zhytomyr region, Sumy region, Kharkiv and the region, Chernihiv, cities of Donbas – Severodonetsk, Kramatorsk, our Mariupol… Missile strikes, air bombs, “Grads”.

We are shooting down Russian missiles as much as we can. We are destroying their planes and helicopters. And this despite the fact that we do not yet have adequate anti-missile weapons. Advanced weapons. We do not have enough combat aircraft. But we have a goal, pure and fair – to protect our people, our state.

Undoubtedly, we will continue to do everything we can. We will remind some Western leaders even louder that this will be a moral defeat for them, it will destroy their prestige if Ukraine does not receive advanced weapons that will really save the lives of thousands of our people.

Russian missiles will not fall from shotguns, which some are trying to replace really useful supplies with.

Today is a busy day of negotiations for me. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Charles Michel, President of the European Council. Ukraine’s great friend, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Johnson.

The subject is clear. First, these are concrete steps that will give Ukraine even more strength, not only directly for the defense, but also for the economy. For our people, for Ukrainians who really defend Europe. Here and now. On our land.

President Ursula von der Leyen has promised to do everything possible to speed up Ukraine’s accession to the EU. We reduce bureaucratic processes for our state, which usually take years, to weeks, to months. It’s not easy, but we do it. I am sure.

We also agreed on the EU’s support for Ukrainians who were forced to flee their homes due to the war. For those who are abroad and within our state.

We agreed on a new macro-financial aid – another 300 million euros for Ukraine. In addition to those on which a decision has already been made.

Secondly, we are discussing the next package of sanctions against Russia. Significant enough. To make them feel that every missile against our state, every bomb, every shot has its price. For the Russian budget, for Russian companies, for Russian ambitions and for specific people who represent the Russian government.

And until there is peace for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia must grow steadily.

I am grateful to all public initiatives from around the world that offer restrictions for Russia not only at the state level, but also at the level of societies. In particular, I am grateful to the Swedish Port Workers’ Union, which promises not to service vessels connected with Russia. This is right. This is a good example for all public structures, all trade unions and business associations to follow.

If Russia is not stopped now, if Russia is not punished now, other aggressors in the world will start other wars. In different regions of the world. On different continents. Wherever a state dreams of conquering its neighbors.

We need to act now so that all other potential aggressors see that war is only a loss and no benefit.

That is why it is necessary for all Europeans to block ports for all Russian ships. So that all Russian commercial vessels follow the Russian warship.

It is necessary that all Western companies leave the Russian market and not cover with cheap PR their thirst for profit despite blood, despite war crimes. Like Nestle or Auchan for example.

To date, humanitarian corridors in the Sumy, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions have been agreed upon. Sumy, Konotop, Trostyanets, Lebedyn, Krasnopillya, Velyka Pysarivka. It is especially difficult from the besieged Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia. The occupiers are doing everything to complicate the movement of people and prevent Ukrainian humanitarian cargo from entering the city. This is outright terror. But we try, we do our best. More than 35,000 people have already been rescued from Mariupol.

Rescue work is underway at the site of the bombing by the occupiers of the theater where Mariupol residents hid from shelling, used it as a shelter.

It is known that as of now, more than 130 people were rescued. But hundreds of Mariupol residents are still under the debris. Despite the shelling, despite all the difficulties, we will continue rescue work.

The situation in the Kharkiv region is very difficult. The occupiers do not stop trying to destroy our city of Izyum. People in Balakliya are being tortured. Our team is doing everything to organize a working humanitarian corridor to these cities and deliver food, water and medicine.

I instructed the Cabinet of Ministers, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada to develop a format of decisions that will speed up the supply of all necessary goods from abroad.

This is especially topical for food, fuel and other goods that meet the basic needs of society.

War is not a time for bureaucrats and careerists from different departments to complicate the provision of goods for people. We want to simplify the passage of goods that Ukrainians need now through customs as much as possible.

If this requires the removal of taxes and excises during martial law, we are ready to do so. If it is necessary to remove customs officers who do not understand the tasks of wartime to act quickly, we will do so.

Our borders must be open to everything Ukrainians need. I am waiting for the appropriate decisions by the end of the day. And then – the support from people’s deputies.

Because now everyone has to work only for Ukrainians, only for our state, for defense. Not for ambitions. Not for fear. Not for bureaucracy.

Everything is for the protection of Ukraine!

Today I signed a decree on the awarding of state awards to 138 servicemen of the Armed Forces. In particular, the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky of the II degree is awarded to:

Syrskyi Oleksandr Stanislavovych, Commander of the Land Forces. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, he has been leading the defense of Kyiv. Thanks to his professional and courageous actions, the enemy suffered significant losses and was driven away from the capital. During the defense of Kyiv, more than 30 settlements in the Kyiv region, which were temporarily occupied by the enemy, were liberated.

Major Mazurok Taras Leonidovych, commander of the tank battalion. Defending the Donetsk region, he inflicted significant losses on the enemy and significantly stopped his advance.

Sergeant Nutsa Ruslana Vasylivna was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree. Senior combat medic. She personally took part in the evacuation of the wounded from Vodyane, Shyrokyne and Mariupol. Thanks to her actions, 31 of our defenders were saved. She continues to perform tasks in Mariupol.

https://bit.ly/34T2JqD

 

President of Ukraine late night Address to Ukrainians

· The 22nd day of our struggle, our defense against one of the world’s largest armies is over. Which we make smaller every day. But it still has numbers, equipment and reserves.

· We have information that the Russian military is recruiting mercenaries from other countries, trying to deceive as many young people as possible into military service. So now I warn everyone who will try to join the occupiers on our Ukrainian land. Long life is better than the money you are offered for a short one.

· New Russian conscripts have been taken prisoner, among them are those who refuse to return to Russia, and there are many who are not even mentioned in Russia. They don’t even try to take them back. Their death notifications have been sent by Russia to their families although they are in captivity and alive.

· Every mother who knows that her son was sent to war against Ukraine must check where her son is. There are phone numbers on the Internet that you can call and find out what is really happening to your children.

· I addressed the parliament of Germany today. As someone who has felt for many years that the German state seems to have fenced itself off us with an invisible yet solid wall.

· We see that the views of the Germans are changing. And this is very important. We see Germany looking for a new path. We see how sincerely the majority of Germans stand in favor of revising the old policy.

· We see that Chancellor Olaf Scholz has a great chance, a great mission – to give Germany a renewed leadership. Give Europe peace. Long-lasting and most importantly – fair. One that guarantees security to every state in Europe and Ukraine in the first place.

· I spoke with French President Macron. We are strengthening the defense of Ukraine. We coordinated our joint steps towards peace. I’m grateful for that.

· I am also grateful to President Biden for his new and effective support for our country.

· I can’t reveal all the details of this support package and others to you. This is our tactic and defense, when the enemy does not know what to expect from us. Just as they did not know what would await them after February 24.

· It is not the time to reveal our tactics of negotiations for peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity of our state, our freedom. Working more in silence than on television, radio or Facebook. I think this is right.

· Some more positive news about how we bring our country back to life right now, wherever security allows. Our government has already prepared a decision to expand the lending program for entrepreneurs on the basis of the program “5-7-9%” creating a new opportunity. Any business will be able to get a loan at 0%. For the time of martial law plus 1 month after the war. Then there will be a minimum rate of 5%. The total loan amount can be up to 60 million hryvnias so that a wider range of businesses can take advantage of our program.

· The Cabinet of Ministers will vote tomorrow for a large-scale reduction of regulations. There were more than 600 permits and licenses for business, and about 20 remain mandatory. Only those that simply cannot be revoked. For example, radioactive waste management.

· For the vast majority of businesses in Ukraine, the declarative principle will work: you have announced the start of business and you work freely.

· Finally, I instructed the National Bank of Ukraine, for people’s deputies and our government officials to find such a legislative opportunity for the state to guarantee 100% of deposits in Ukrainian banks. 100%. Not part, as now, as always, but 100%. The whole deposit. In any bank of our state. So that people do not lose money and are not afraid of it under any circumstances.

Full address: https://bit.ly/3MUAWqZ

 

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