Small Wars Journal

7/19/22 National Security and Korean News and Commentary

Tue, 07/19/2022 - 8:23pm

Access National Security News HERE.

Access Korean News HERE.

National Security News Content:

1. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 18 (Putin's War)

2. Amid flow of weapons to Ukraine, DefMin says black market smuggling is 'artificial' concern

3. Sabotage and War in Cyberspace

4. The West Worries Too Much About Escalation in Ukraine

5. The Quad needs a futures focus

6. Russia’s War Has Created Opportunities for Biden to Go Big

7. Senate Armed Services releases full $847 billion defense bill

8. What If the War in Ukraine Spins Out of Control?

9. How the System Was Rigged: The Global Economic Order and the Myth of Sovereignty

10. Russia Following 2014 ‘Annexation Playbook’ In Eastern Ukraine, White House Says

11. Opinion | How media coverage drove Biden’s political plunge

12. Top US general orders comprehensive review of US-China military interactions

13. Special Forces Soldiers participate in the US Department of State ATLAS program’s culminating exercise CAPSTONE

14. Ukraine destroys two military ammo depots, hurting Russian morale: Official

15. FDD | The UN Has Now Spent $81.6 Million at the Four Seasons Damascus

16. The rodeo that was the Pacific Islands Forum meeting

17. Sen. Marco Rubio: Expose Secret Chinese Communist Party Cells

18. Knocking anti-Israel bias to the mat

19. U.S. military biological activities warrant closest attention: Lavrov

20. China demands U.S. cancel potential arms sale to Taiwan

21. Nancy Pelosi’s plan to visit Taiwan prompts outrage from China

22. U.S. touts progress in hypersonic arms race with China, Russia

23. Ukraine Faces Difficulties Getting Western Weapons to Front Lines

24. U.S. Himars Help to Hold Off Russian Advance, Ukraine Says

Korean News Content:

1. Experts: Seoul, Tokyo Maintain Ties Despite Possible Japanese Military Expansion

2.  FM Park relays Yoon's will to improve Seoul-Tokyo ties in courtesy call on Kishida

3. N. Korea's Supreme Guard Command given lecture detailing Abe's assassination

4. N. Korea concentrates more resources into preparing for nuclear test

5. Daily COVID Cases Surge over 70,000 Overnight

6. N. Korea's new suspected COVID-19 cases fall below 300: state media

7. S. Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter succeeds in 1st flight test

8. N. Korea celebrates 22nd anniv. of joint cooperation declaration with Russia

9. 4 Ways North Korea Can Counter the F-35

10. Mapping Major Milestones in the Evolution of North Korea’s Cyber Program

11. Yoon gov't to push for launch of N.K. human rights foundation

12. Lingering tensions in Panmunjom underline uncertainties in inter-Korean ties

13. New envoy for North Korean rights announced by Foreign Ministry

14. Betting all on Biden isn’t wise

15. Is South Korean Nuclear Proliferation Inevitable?

16. North Korean labour could be sent to rebuild Donbas, Russian ambassador says

17. US Disrupts North Korea Ransomware Group, Recovers Nearly Half a Million in Payments

7/18/22 National Security and Korean News and Commentary

Mon, 07/18/2022 - 9:00pm

Access National Security News HERE.

Access Korean News HERE.

National Security News Content:

1. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 17 (Putin's War)

2. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy fires top spy chief and prosecutor general

3. Is America growing weary of the long war in Ukraine?

4. As Russia Runs Low on Drones, Iran Plans to Step In, U.S. Officials Say

5. FDD | Degrade and Destroy: The Inside Story of the War Against the Islamic State, from Barack Obama to Donald Trump

6. Iran is testing us. So far, we are failing | Opinion

7. Biden should not pass up chance to reengage Iraq

8. Snake Island: The Start of Ukraine’s Counteroffensive?

9. HASC Moves to Replenish Munitions—But More Remains to Be Done

10. Why Do We Keep Listening to the 'TV' Generals on Ukraine?

11. US sends Syracuse-based National Guard soldiers to help train Ukrainian military

12. C.I.A. Director Issues Warning After Possible Noose Is Found Near Facility

13. The U.S. Needs a Million Talents Program to Retain Technology Leadership

14. The Case Against Security Cooperation in Fragile States

15. "Our F*ckheads Can't Even Hit Them": Russian Soldier Says He Was Sent to 'Slaughter' in Ukraine

16. The AC-130 Gunship Might Be the Ultimate Symbol of U.S. Military Dominance

17. The U.S. Navy SEALs Might Be the U.S. Military's Ultimate Weapon

18. How the United Nations Overlooks Evidence of Hamas Human Rights Violations

19. The US military just awarded a $10 million contract for what could be special operators' latest gadget: jet boots

Korean News Content:

1, Yoon says probes on repatriation of N.K. fishermen must be conducted in line with law

2. S. Korean gov't releases footage of two N.K. fishermen being repatriated in 2019

3. Petition filed against 2019 repatriation of 2 North Korean fishermen

4. S. Korea, U.S. stage combined high-tech training

5. Japan, South Korea foreign ministers agree to improve ties

6. Yellen says any North Korean nuclear test would be very provocative

7. Two Nampo residents arrested for consuming S. Korean TV and radio broadcasts

8. N. Korea orders party committees nationwide to closely monitor public sentiment

9. N. Korean prosthetists arrested for illegally collecting fees from patients

10. N. Korea vows to reinforce military in renewed anti-US propaganda

11. Are North Koreans South Koreans?

12.  Despite COVID-19 surge in region, North Korea says it's close to 'defusing' outbreak

13. N. Korea's new suspected COVID-19 cases fall below 400: state media

14.  Covid count doubles again on Sunday (South Korea)

15. Seoul expected to join Washington-led 'Chip 4' alliance

7/17/22 National Security and Korean News and Commentary

Sun, 07/17/2022 - 8:35am

Access National Security News HERE.

Access Korean News HERE.

Please note I am leaving today (for a week) for my frist trip back to Korea since Janaury 2020, pre-COVID. The timing of my messages will be adjusted in accordance with the time difference.

National Security News Content:

1. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 16 (Putin's War)

2. A Russian Submarine Slaughtered Children in Ukraine With High-Tech Missiles

3. Ukraine special forces free torture victims from Russian prison in dramatic mission

4. Zelensky warns of ‘media terror’ of propaganda, disinformation amid Russian invasion

5. China’s ‘Mysterious Structures’ Captured In Satellite Images; Hint At PLA’s Expansion Of Harbors In Remote South China Sea Islands

6. Russia's information war expands through Eastern Europe

7. Russia's neighbor Latvia wants to bring back the military draft because it fears Russia will attack so quickly that NATO can't help, defense minister says

8. Man acquitted of bombing 1985 Air India flight shot dead in Canada

9. Japan Wants Up to Nine Nuclear Reactors Online This Winter

10. Chinese diplomats flock to Africa in response to Western charm offensive

11.  Philippines’ new leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr tears up $5BILLION railways deal with China after Beijing ‘failed to put up the money’

12. Putin Has A Problem: 38,000 Dead Troops and 1,672 Destroyed Tanks in Ukraine

13. ‘I mean you no harm’: From troubled teen to neo-Nazi foot soldier

14. Why the U.S. Navy Needs to Be in the South China Sea

15. These robots were trained on AI. They became racist and sexist.

16.  Chinese fighter jet had ‘unsafe’ interaction with U.S. military plane in June (SOF MC 130)

17. Statement on the Designation of Bellingcat as an 'Undesirable Organisation' in Russia

18. Biden's Middle East expedition: Reputation dinged, interests secured?

19. I Once Supported Putin. Now I Know the Truth.

20. Japan’s new nationalism is alarming. Not just for China, North Korea, but allies like India

21. Wagner Group massacre: ‘The victims were bloated and deformed – we could only recognise our friends by their clothes’

22. Ukraine map suggests U.S.-supplied HIMARS could be turning tide of war

23. Will ‘Salad Bar Extremism’ Replace ‘Old-School World’ Terrorism?

24. Opinion: Mideast trip shows Biden choosing pragmatism, rejecting 'Woke' policy

25. China’s Roadblocks to Becoming A Science Superpower

26. When Iran Says ‘Death to Israel,’ It Means It

27. Hamas Wants to Rule the West Bank

Korean News Content:

​1. North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Center: Plutonium Production Continues Despite Heavy Rains

2. Auto parts are a hot commodity in a North Korea cut off from new supplies

3. Economic initiatives involving Russia, China derailed under Yoon administration

4. Presidential office hits back at ex-FM Chung over repatriation of N.K. fishermen

5. S. Korea, U.S. defense chiefs to meet in Washington next week

6. Ex-FM Chung says no request from N. Korea for fishermen's repatriation

7. Yoon vows to safeguard constitutional values on Constitution Day

8. Former security chief denies fishermen repatriations were done to appease North

9. Civic group slams China for claiming Arirang as their culture

10. Foreign minister to hold first bilateral talk with Japan this week

 

7/16/22 National Security and Korean News and Commentary

Sat, 07/16/2022 - 12:11pm

Access National Security News HERE.

Access Korean News HERE.

National Security News Content:

​1. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 15 (Putin's War)

2. RUSSIAN VOLUNTEER UNITS AND BATTALIONS

3. China’s Economy Is Now In Free Fall

4​. China stands in the way of Biden’s Saudi outreach

5. Shadows in the night; Polish, German SOF train with U.S. Special Forces

6.​ Lessons from Ukraine: Exploring Technology for SOCOM’s Urban Missions​

7. The Five Laws of Disinformation

8. John Spencer is a world-renowned expert on urban combat. Here’s how he thinks the war in Ukraine is going

9. ‘A Real Chilling Effect’: A Lefty Scholar is Dumping CAP — For AEI

10. Ukraine Gets First M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

​11. ​Plan To Train Ukrainian Pilots On U.S. Jets Passed By House Of Representatives

​12. ​Opinion | What Biden Got Right on His Trip to the Middle East

​13. ​Beijing’s Propaganda Support for Russian Biological Warfare Disinformation, Part 1: Accusations Concerning the War in Ukraine

​14. ​Beijing’s Propaganda Support for Russian Biological Warfare Disinformation, Part 2: Historical Context and Contemporary Motivations

​15. ​Opinion | What Biden Got Right on His Trip to the Middle East​ (NY Times Editorial Board)​

​16. ​Western ‘dictator envy’ ignores the far greater strengths of democracy

​17. ​'Bang, bang': Children live and play near Ukraine front line

​18. ​Worst Is Yet To Come: When The Center Does Not Hold – OpEd

​19. ​Jordan Peterson Is Wrong About Russia, and the West

​20. ​West Point alumni accuse academy of 'anti-American woke political indoctrination' in letter

21. Biden administration warns of criminal drone threat to Americans

​22. ​It's time to root out white supremacists in the military and law enforcement

Korean News Content:

​1. House highlights importance of U.S. Forces Korea in passed budget bill

2.  Conversation with COL (Ret) Dave Maxwell, Potential for North Korea Influence & Information Campaign

3.  [Washington Talk] Photos of North Korean defectors repatriated to North Korea released 'shock and astonishment'... Accelerating trilateral cooperation between the United States and Japan

4. N. Korea's new suspected COVID-19 cases fall below 500: state media

5 S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases hit 66-day high at 41,310

6. Could South Korea make the Quad a Quint?

7. 3 Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War for the South Korea-US Alliance

8. ‘I couldn’t sleep,’ defector says of images of North Koreans resisting deportation

9. [INTERVIEW] Teaching and learning from North Korean defectors

10. Crimes Against Humanity Continue Unabated In North Korea - Will Kim Jong-Un Face Justice?

​11. ​U.S. official warns against hiring N. Korean IT workers posing as 3rd country nationals

​12. ​Intelligence on the Civil Servant Killed by North Korea Deleted from Defense Ministry’s Network, the 2 Defectors Sent back to North Korea After the Blue House Abruptly Halted Investigation

13. State-sponsored hackers are launching 'sustained' attacks on journalists

​14. ​Microsoft links Holy Ghost ransomware operation to North Korean hackers

​15. Kim Jong-Un Slams Ukraine For Joining US' Illegal Actions In Past

​16. ​The United Nations Command Needs a Korean Deputy Commander

Ukraine: WAR BULLETIN July 14, 6.00 pm EST

Fri, 07/15/2022 - 10:55pm

 

Embassy of Ukraine in the USA

 

WAR BULLETIN

July 14, 6.00 pm EST

 

WAR ROOM

 

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 14.07 were approximately:

personnel - about 37870 (+300),

tanks ‒ 1667 (+18),

APV ‒ 3852 (+20),

artillery systems – 840 (+1),

MLRS - 247 (+0),

Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 109 (+0),

aircraft – 219 (+2),

helicopters – 188 (+0),

UAV operational-tactical level - 681 (+3),

cruise missiles - 155 (+0),

warships / boats - 15 (+0),

vehicles and fuel tanks - 2720 (+16),

special equipment - 67 (+0).

Russian enemy suffered the greatest losses (of the past day) at the Kramatorsk direction.

Data are being updated

The one hundred forty-first (141) day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a Russian military invasion continues.

Russian occupiers cynically continue to attack civilian objects on the territory of Ukraine. After today's rocket attacks on the center of the city of Vinnytsia, the bodies of 22 dead people, including children, have been found so far. 39 people remain on the list of missing persons. In addition, about a hundred people suffered injuries of various degrees of severity.

There are no major changes in the Volyn, Polissya, and Siversky directions. On the last, enemy units shelled the settlements of Doroshivka and Hrabovske of the Sumy oblast.

In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy is trying to hold the previously occupied lines and positions. It carried out shelling from tanks, mortars, barrels and rocket artillery of the city of Kharkiv and the settlements of Protopopivka, Prudyanka, Svitlychne, Mykilske, Cherkaski Tyshky, Stary Saltiv, and Rubizhne. Airstrikes near Petrivka. Conducted aerial reconnaissance by operational-tactical Orlan-10 UAV near Vasylenko and Shevchenkove.

In the Slovyansk direction, the enemy is trying to improve the tactical position of its units. The districts of Dolyna, Ivanivka, Barvinkove, Bohorodychne, Kutuzivka, Velyka Komyshuvakha, Tetyanivka, Novomykolayivka, and Kostyantynivka were shelled with mortars, barrel and rocket artillery. Used aviation to strike the Mayakiv area.

Our soldiers successfully repulsed the enemy's assault in the area of ​​Kurulka settlement.

In the Donetsk direction, the enemy continues shelling units of the Defense Forces along the entire contact line. Uses attack and army aviation. Conducts reconnaissance in order to find weak points in the defense of our troops.

Fired at civilian infrastructure in the areas of Siversk, Verkhnyokamianske, Serebryanka, Spirne, New York, Yakovlivka, Soledar, Bilohorivka, Vyimka, Semihirya, Travneve, Pokrovske, and others. It carried out airstrikes in particular near New York, Nova Kamiyanka, Yakovlivka, Ivano-Daryivka, and Avdiivka.

The occupiers tried to improve the tactical position in the Verkhnokamyanske and Kamyanka districts and establish control over the Vuhlehirska TPP with offensive and assault actions. Ukrainian soldiers inflicted losses on the enemy with accurate fire and forced them to retreat.

The enemy did not conduct offensive and assault actions in the Novopavlivsk and Zaporizhzhia directions. It shelled our positions from artillery in the areas of Novoselivka Persha, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Vuhledar, Velyka Novosilka, Novoukrainka, Vremivka, Olhivske, Temyrivka, Bilohirya, Malynivka, Kamianske, Novoandriivka, Nevelske, Orihiv and others.

In the South Buh region, the enemy carried out systematic shelling of civilian and military infrastructure in the areas of Lymany, Posad-Pokrovske, Stepova Dolyna, Prybuzke, Oleksandrivka, Zorya, Kotlyareve, Lyubomirivka, Novomykolaivka, Myrne, Kyselivka, Blahodatne, Kobzartsy, Yakovlivka, Bereznehuvate, Bila Krynytsia, Olhyne, Knyazivka, Ivanivka, Chervonoy Yar and a number of other settlements. Used aviation for a strike near Tavriyske.

In the water areas of the Black and Azov Seas, the enemy's naval group continues to block the northwestern part of the Black Sea and launch missile strikes on objects on the territory of Ukraine.

Russian occupiers continue to suffer losses on the territory of Ukraine, which leads to a further decrease in morale and psychological state.

 

Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine

Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor's Office opened a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings concerning the violations of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murders (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), related to the July 14 missile attack by the armed forces of the russian on the central part of the city of Vinnytsia.

https://www.gp.gov.ua/ua/posts/raketnii-obstril-centru-vinnici-rozpocato-rozsliduvannya

 

On the night of July 13-14, 2022, the military of the aggressor launched another missile attack on Kharkiv. As a result of the shelling, a facility in the city's Osnoviyanskyi district and the premises of an underground depot hangar in the Saltivskyi district were damaged. There are no military facilities on these territories.

https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/pfbid02zda9pwSo197AHyj9m1aUpukupMovPGGCEcAa3CwUAVra5eemSeekREiYmJEpnEo6l

 

On July 14, 2022, russian servicemen once again carried out a massive rocket attack on Mykolaiv. One civilian is known to have been injured so far. Educational institutions, public transport, transport infrastructure and private businesses, and a hotel were damaged or destroyed. In addition, the shockwave damaged apartment buildings and cars of citizens.

https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/pfbid0JdQT3ie74h63E2ZQQx29kxYFXJk8yfUyjvnkSweMYtJ3gafyi4pjBZTzRXsQa7F4l

 

 

 

POLICY

President of Ukraine

Address by President Zelenskyy to Ukrainians

Today I am addressing not Ukrainian men and women, as usual, but our partners. Democratic world. This day once again proved that Russia must be officially recognized as a terrorist state. No other state in the world poses such a terrorist threat as Russia. No other state in the world allows itself to destroy peaceful cities and ordinary human life with cruise missiles and rocket artillery every day.

As a result of just one missile attack on our city of Vinnytsia, 23 people were killed. Three children under the age of ten. And this, unfortunately, is not yet the final number. Debris clearance is ongoing. Dozens of people are listed as missing. Heavily wounded are among those hospitalized.

One of the missiles destroyed the Neuromed medical center. There were people inside. Nataliya, she is 40 years old. Tetiana, she is 32 years old. Volodymyr, he is 61 years old. Vira, she is 55 years old. I saw them among the missing. You see, it was not even known what happened to the people who simply went to the medical center...

And if someone launched a missile attack on a medical center in Dallas or Dresden, God forbid, what would it be called? Wouldn’t it be called terrorism?

A girl is among the dead today in Vinnytsia, she was four years old, her name was Liza. The child was four years old! Her mother is in critical condition...

Russia ended the girl's life just at the time when a conference on Russian war crimes was taking place in the Netherlands, in The Hague. A conference where it was decided what should be done to ensure that every Russian military is punished.

Can you think of any other terrorist organization that would allow itself such audacity? To kill just at the moment when its previous crimes are the subject of international discussion.

Russia has thus shown its attitude to international law, to Europe, and to the entire civilized world. After that, no one can have any doubt that a Special Tribunal on Russian aggression against Ukraine is needed as soon as possible. Also, a special compensation mechanism must be implemented as soon as possible, with the help of which all Russian assets and funds in all countries of the world must be confiscated and aimed at compensations for the victims of Russian terror.

It is absolutely necessary to implement as soon as possible such restrictions against Russian energy exports, which will not allow terrorists to cover their costs at the expense of the international community.

And I want to emphasize: all this is needed not only by Ukraine, not only by our citizens, whose lives are under threat of Russian terror. This is needed by all of you, everyone in the world who values human life at least a little.

Terror is a virus. And if one of the terrorists goes unpunished, it only encourages others.

The ceremony of awarding our defenders upon whom the title of Hero of Ukraine was conferred took place this morning in Kyiv. I presented the Gold Star Orders to our warriors, as well as to the relatives of those warriors who were awarded the title of Hero posthumously.

In total, during the full-scale war since February 24, the title of Hero has been awarded to 157 Ukrainians, 75 - posthumously. More than 23,000 of our defenders have been awarded state awards, more than 3,500 - posthumously.

Hundreds of thousands of our warriors hold back the Russian onslaught every day and every night. Ukrainians make one of the most significant contributions in history to the the fight against terrorism. And we are grateful to everyone who helps us. To every state, international structures, public associations around the world, conscientious business, every person who cares.

But the time has come for the democratic world to enshrine all this in proper legal instruments. The status of a terrorist state for Russia. The special tribunal on Russian aggression. The special compensation mechanism that will direct the funds of the terrorist state to those whom it wanted to destroy. And, of course, new sanctions for terror. New sanctions are needed as soon as possible.

And finally. I want the crew of the vessel, which fired the Kalibrs on Vinnytsia today, to know for sure that prison is the best thing they may face.

https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/cej-den-ukotre-doviv-sho-rosiya-maye-buti-viznana-derzhavoyu-76493

 

President's speech at the International Conference in The Hague on holding Russia accountable for crimes in Ukraine

In a few days, on July 17, it will already be 8 years since one of the most terrible air disasters in history - shooting down of MH17 flight. Then, Russian criminals killed 298 people in the sky over the Ukrainian Donbas. The world, seeing that crime, realized what is happening in Ukraine. Realized what aggression Russia came with to our country.

The shooting down of MH17 attracted global attention. All the world's media, politicians and societies felt the pain of the families who lost their loved ones in that disaster. 80 children died, including three babies.

Time passes by, that tragedy is talked about less and less. But justice does its job. Ukraine, the Netherlands, all our partners, experts and investigators managed to establish a complete picture of what happened to MH17. And I have no doubt that everyone who committed that terrible crime will receive a fair punishment.

However, we must remember why that crime became possible. We must remember that it is neither the only one nor random. That catastrophe became just one of many catastrophes and tragedies caused by the primary Russian crime – armed aggression against Ukraine. It all started in 2014. And it continues to this day. Taking the lives of our people every day.

This morning, Russian missiles hit our city of Vinnytsia. Cruise missiles hit two public buildings. Residential buildings were destroyed, the medical center was on fire. Cars and trams were on fire. This is an audacious act of Russian terror. Eight missiles, two of which hit downtown. As of this moment, 20 people died, among them three children, a large number of wounded...

Due to Russian aggression, tens of thousands of Ukrainians were killed, tortured and maimed. Millions were deported to Russia or made homeless by hostilities. It is still being established how many children Russian forces abducted and took out of Ukraine. The preliminary figure is dreadful - about 200.000 children.

The world saw what happened in Mariupol and Bucha. The world sees Russian missile terror. Literally live, everyone can see Russian artillery burning down cities in Donbas and destroying civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv and in the south of our country. Only since the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine have registered 34.039 crimes related to Russian aggression. And imagine how many crimes the Russian occupiers have committed since 2014...

For this initial crime of armed aggression, there must be mandatory and principled punishment for all Russian criminals.

Ukrainian justice will do the part of the work that the national jurisdiction allows. I believe that the International Criminal Court will inevitably ensure the liability of those guilty of crimes under its jurisdiction: war crimes, crimes against humanity, the crime of genocide. I am grateful to all our partners who support us along the way.

By the way, to help the investigation - both Ukrainian and international - we launched the "Book of Torturers of the Ukrainian People" project. This project allows you to collect evidence of war crimes and data about those who committed them on an online platform. In today's world, this and similar digital and communication tools significantly accelerate the work of the investigation.

But the existing judicial institutions for jurisdictional reasons cannot bring to justice all those guilty of the primary crime of aggression. That is why we need a Special Tribunal regarding this crime - Russian aggression against Ukraine. A Tribunal that will ensure the fair and lawful punishment of those who started this history of disasters and tragedies, which has become the biggest war in Europe since World War II.

Our efforts will be enough to record the crimes of the Russian occupiers; to gather all the evidence so that it is absolutely admissible in the courts; to establish each of the guilty. However, those people whose decisions led to this array of crimes must not hide behind the so-called immunity of officials. The principle of inevitability of punishment must also apply to these people. This can only be ensured by the Special Tribunal on Aggression against Ukraine.

In addition to such a Tribunal, an instrument for compensation for all damages caused by aggression is also needed.

Time is merciless and plays into the hands of Russia. People can't wait long for justice. If justice is delayed, people feel as if there is no justice.

Today, the world no longer recalls the terrible Russian crimes that were committed back in 2014 and 2015. Now the feelings in the world about Mariupol, "Azovstal" and Bucha are much less intense.

Of course, people have not changed their assessment of these and other crimes. However, to ensure a feeling that justice is being restored, it is necessary not only to punish the guilty. It is necessary to give the victims of crimes full assistance and to rebuild everything destroyed by this aggression. The aggressor must lose both on the battlefield and at the level of meanings, so that the war becomes a heavy loss, first of all, for the aggressor, not for the victims.

The same group of people is behind all the thousands of crimes committed during Russia's war against Ukraine. Those who give criminal orders. Those who have been thinking for nine years already how to make it worse and more painful for everyone around them, how to cause more losses to other states and nations.

The life and wealth of this group of people is ensured by other individuals and legal entities. By the assets registered on them. By the property they own openly or secretly. By the money they hid in different jurisdictions and in different forms - private, state or quasi-state.

Therefore, Ukraine proposed to create a special compensation mechanism. We believe that compensation for the damage caused by Russian aggression can be ensured at the expense of Russian assets and funds located outside the borders of Russia - in other jurisdictions. We must understand that the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine is an extremely complex project that can become successful with the help of partners. And the sooner the compensation mechanism starts working, the more effectively the assets of the terrorist state will be converted into compensation, and the less financial burden our partners will bear.

I would like to thank Canada and other countries that are working to make their legislation allow for this kind of reimbursement process. We have to make it global - so that no one in the world will think again that aggression against a sovereign state contrary to international law can be tolerable for the aggressor. We need just such a global legal path, which will reflect one of our common values - the rule of law.

The power of the law, its supremacy is ensured only when there are effective and stable institutions capable of implementing the law in any conditions.

We know what institutions we need. We can create them. And they will definitely work.

This will be a contribution to the protection of the world order, the world legal order, that can be compared only to the Nuremberg trials. This is our joint task.

https:/www.president.gov.ua/en/news/maye-buti-obovyazkove-j-principove-pokarannya-dlya-vsih-rosi-76477

 

Yermak-McFaul International Expert Group became a key platform for the formation of the sanctions policy of the allies on the aggressor country

Another meeting of the International Expert Group on Sanctions against Russia was held in the format of a video conference under the chairmanship of Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and former US National Security Advisor, Ambassador Michael McFaul.

Andriy Yermak noted that the group's experts prepared four large-scale documents and a number of statements, and also actively informed the public about the need for sanctions against Russia.

The Head of the President's Office emphasized that more than 50% of the steps of the group's action plan have been completed so far.

As Andriy Yermak noted, the International Expert Group has become a key platform for the formation of sanctions on the aggressor country, and almost all world leaders refer to the results of its work.

"Now we see how the EU sanctions coordinators are developing the seventh package based on the materials of our group. We see the reflection of our ideas in the sanctions of Great Britain, the USA and other states of the sanctions coalition. Overall, the group made a very important impact. And I would like us to support this success," he said.

The Head of the President's Office noted that Russia continues the war against our country, therefore it is very important to expand the sanctions package against the aggressor country.

"Further energy and financial sanctions, expansion of individual sanctions. We say to the world: there is no time to get tired of sanctions, and therefore we should continue our work," he said.

The meeting participants agreed on the importance of strengthening sanctions against Russia, in particular recognizing the aggressor as a state sponsor of terrorism, expanding personal sanctions, further sectoral sanctions in the financial and energy spheres, and wider trade and technological restrictions. The aggressor country must suffer as much damage as possible, experts emphasized.

They also proposed to analyze the impact of sanctions on certain sectors of the Russian economy in order to develop recommendations for increasing their effectiveness.

With regard to additional formats of the group's work, Andriy Yermak suggested holding regular video conference briefings with colleagues from other countries who work directly on sanctions policy. Representatives of the International Expert Group, the Ukrainian Parliament and the parliaments of partner countries, the European Commission, the US Department of State and other structures participating in the work on sanctions will be able to join them.

Andriy Yermak thanked the participants of the International Expert Group for their important work and urged them to make new proposals and generate ideas to achieve results.

“Keep generating ideas and persuading. Our work changes the rules of the game. And it is invaluable, it saves the lives of Ukrainians and brings our victory closer," said the Head of the President's Office.

https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/mizhnarodna-ekspertna-grupa-yermaka-makfola-stala-klyuchovim-76469

 

Prime Minister of Ukraine

The key task of the seventh package of sanctions against Russia should be the introduction of so-called secondary sanctions, which eliminate ways of circumventing previous restrictions. The Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized during a live broadcast of the UARazom information telethon.

"The Yermak-McFaul Group is constantly working on the development of new sanctions against the Russian federation. More efficient. We work very closely with our partners. And indeed we expect the adoption of the seventh package. Some of the first packages lose their effectiveness over time because Russia is looking for ways to adapt and circumvent these sanctions," the head of the Government noted.

The Prime Minister accentuated, Ukraine also calls for Russia to be given the status of a sponsor of terrorism. According to him, both the United States and the European Union should adopt this position.

"This will accordingly impose additional restrictions on cooperation with this aggressor country. We expect more personal sanctions to be imposed on Russian officials, functionaries, and oligarchs. We expect the expansion of sectoral economic sanctions, the continuation and strengthening of sanctions on the export of Russian oil and gas. The first step has already been taken by our partners," Denys Shmyhal emphasized.

https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/premier-ministr-ukraina-zaklykaie-prysvoity-rosii-status-krainy-sponsora-teroryzmu

 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

MFA of Ukraine underlines the importance of the OSCE’s experts Report, which documents numerous violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocities committed by the Russian Federation and its armed forces during the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Report stresses, in particular, that the magnitude and frequency of the indiscriminate attacks carried out against civilians and civilian objects, including in sites where no military facility was identified, is credible evidence that hostilities were conducted by Russian armed forces disregarding their fundamental obligation to comply with the basic principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution that constitute the fundamental basis of international humanitarian law. As a result, the considerable number of civilians have been killed or injured, and civilian objects have been damaged or destroyed in numerous towns and villages.

Mission confirmed that the Russian military is using incendiary and cluster munitions, phosphorus bombs and thermobaric weapons. Experts identified, that Russian armed forces have used at least six types of cluster munitions in attacks that have resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties and damage to civilian objects, including homes, hospitals, and schools, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

According to the report, the international human rights law has been extensively violated by the Russian occupation troops. Some of the most serious violations include:

  • targeted killing of civilians, including journalists, human rights defenders, or local mayors;
  • the illegal practice of establishment and use of so-called filtration centres by the Russian armed forces;
  • large-scale deportations of Ukrainian civilians to Russia;
  • various forms of ill-treatment, including torture, inflicted on detained civilians and prisoners of war;
  • unlawful detentions, abductions and enforced disappearances;
  • the imposition of the death penalty.

The events concerning the towns of Bucha and Irpin, which that were visited by the Mission, are described in the document as emblematic examples of the grave breaches by the Russian armed forces of international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which constitute war crimes.

Mission also identified that such actions as the export by Russian occupation forces of the Ukrainian grain from the country reveal signs of an organized activity and these acts amount to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and must be properly investigated, those responsible for them brought to justice and those having suffered compensated for.

MFA of Ukraine takes the view that the Report of the second OSCE Moscow Mechanism Mission of experts constitutes an important contribution to the international community’s efforts on documenting crimes of the aggressor-state, ensuring justice and holding accountable all masterminds and perpetrators of the crimes of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

 

https://mfa.gov.ua/en/news/comment-mfa-ukraine-report-second-osce-moscow-mechanism-mission-experts-context-war-Russian-federation-against-ukraine

 

7/15/22 National Security and Korean News and Commentary

Fri, 07/15/2022 - 9:12am

Access National Security News HERE.

Access Korean News HERE.

National Security News Content:

1. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 14 (Putin's War)
2. We Will Kill Them Again': As Russia Advances, Ukrainians Dig In
3. Ukrainian Resistance
4. With Few Able and Fewer Willing, U.S. Military Can’t Find Recruits
5. Fewer Military Families Would Recommend Uniformed Service, Survey Finds.
6. A retired US general says Russia's 'weakness' prevents it from advancing to make 'meaningful progress' in Ukraine
7. Are Western Special Operations Forces in Ukraine?
8. Solomon Islands PM rules out China military base and says Australia is ‘security partner of choice’
9. Beijing’s 'list diplomacy' bedevils U.S.-China relations
10. Critical minerals could become a geopolitical weapon
11. Could ISIS Make A Comeback?
12. Biden Is Fighting the Wrong Battle Against China
13. Great-Power Competition Is Bad for Democracy
14. The BA.5 Wave Is What COVID Normal Looks Like
15. Initial transfer of US Special Forces to rural base in Germany in the works
16. The US in the Pacific: delivering on commitments or déjà vu?
17. Biden needs to share intel, get out of the way and let Israel end Iran nuclear threat
18. Troops’ use of TikTok may be national security threat, FCC commissioner says
19. Is imperialism negotiable?
20.  House passes defense authorization with new arms transfers restrictions
21. Pentagon: Hill added $58 billion to current defense budget
22. Gaps in Arms Supplies to Ukraine Point to Countries’ Divergent Strategies
23. The Uvalde shooting video: A 30-year law enforcement officer provides a minute-by-minute breakdown of what happened
24. Ukraine destroys second Russian ammo dump with U.S.-supplied HIMARS missile
25. Ukraine's new US rockets are causing fresh problems for Russia

Korean News Content:

1. 2019 repatriation of N.K. fishermen not unusual: DP lawmaker
2. Three questions remain over repatriation of North Korean fishermen
3. South Korea Is Turbocharging Its Arms Sales Business
4. North Korea reclassifies escapees to South Korea as ‘traitorous puppets’
5. North Korea’s guidance department works to ensure loyalty of citizenry
6. Letter to Korean’s President Yoon Seok-Youl, following the release of photographs of the repatriation of two North Korean fishermen to North Korea on 7 November 2019. – David Alton
7. South Korea seeks to kickstart talks to resolve historical feuds with Japan
8. North stands by decision to recognize two pro-Russian separatist states in Ukraine
9. Ex-NIS chief banned from travelling abroad over probe into handling of North's killing of fisheries official
10. N. Korea holds key Cabinet meeting on this year's national economic goals
11. N. Korea's new suspected COVID-19 cases under 600 for 2nd day: state media
12. S. Korea's new COVID-19 infections continue doubling on-week to near 40,000
13. S. Korea's Navy creates aviation unit tasked with bolstering maritime security
14. S. Korean FM to make 3-day trip to Japan next week
15. S. Korea to deploy around 20 more F-35A fighters by 2028
16. Yoon and the Future of Korea-Europe Relations
17.  U.S. Lawmaker Condemns Forcible Repatriation of N.Koreans
18. N. Korea could conduct one or two more weapons tests during military's summer training period
19. Hoeryong factory officials face trial for inflating performance 
20. Propaganda Takes a Worrying Turn on the Korean Peninsula
 

Criminal Armed Groups Compete with the State and Each Other

Thu, 07/14/2022 - 5:03pm

SWJ-El Centro Senior Fellows John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker discuss their recent curated collection Competition in Order and Progress: Criminal Insurgencies and Criminal Governance in Brazil in "Criminal Armed Groups Compete with the State and Each Other" at the Urban Violence Research Network Blog "Word on the Street" today.

Police Brazil

Their curated collection looks at the competition for power among Brazil's criminal armed groups (CAGs). and the state.  

The text includes research notes and works by Robert J. Bunker, John P. Sullivan, Pablo A. Baisotti, as well as a “Foreword: A Practitioner-Academic Dialogue on Criminal Insurgency and the Crime-Terror Nexus in Brazil” by Rashmi Singh, essays by José de Arimatéia da Cruz and Becky Kohler da Cruz, Robert Muggah, Christian Vianna de Azevedo, Luis Jorge Garay-Salamanca, Eduardo Salcedo-Albarán and Guillermo Macías, Matthew Aaron Richmond, Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Pereira, Natalie D. Baker and Gabriel Leão, Andrea Varsori, and Steven M. Nogera. 

Back matter includes a conclusion by the editors joined by José de Arimatéia da Cruz, an afterword by Robert Muggah and Ilona Szabó, and a postscript in English and Portuguese by Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Pereira.  The appendices include works by Paul Rexton Kan, Pablo Baisotti and Alma Keshavarz. The text concludes with a set of recommended additional readings.

Their article "Criminal Armed Groups Compete with the State and Each Other" is at the "Word on the Street" Blog.

UVRN

John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker, "Criminal Armed Groups Compete with the State and Each Other," Word on the Street (Urban Violence Research Network), 14 July 2022.

Cover

The edited collection John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker, Eds. Competition in Order and Progress: Criminal Insurgencies and Governance in Brazil, a Small Wars Journal–El Centro Anthology was published in March 2022.

 

7/14/22 National Security and Korean News and Commentary

Thu, 07/14/2022 - 10:43am

Access National Security News HERE.

Access Korean News HERE.

National Security News Content:

​1. RUSSIA OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 13 (Putin's War)
2. In Ukraine war, a race to acquire smarter, deadlier drones
3. How Russia's current war in Ukraine echoes its Crimean War of the 1850s
4. Video purportedly shows U.S. naval attaché flicking off a Russian military “Z”
5. John Bolton said he planned foreign coups. The global outcry was swift.
6. FDD | Washington Should Keep the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya on Its Sanctions List
7. Europe’s Tiny Steps Won’t Solve Its Energy Emergency
8. Analysis | So what coups might John Bolton have been involved in, exactly?
9. What China’s ‘Cold War’ rulers want from U.S.
10. Johnstone: Three Illuminating Quotes About The War In Ukraine
11. House Approves Marijuana And Psychedelics Amendments As Part Of Must-Pass Defense Bill
12. Ukraine Situation Report: More Russian Ammo Dumps Blown Up
13.  House tries to avoid messy political battles over Pentagon policy bill
14. Special Operators Await Speedier Helicopters
15. Soldier of the Year 2022 is only Army officer with two post-9/11 Silver Stars
16. Why the US is selling stockpiled oil to China
17. How China Wants to Replace the U.S. Order
18. Ex-CIA engineer convicted in massive theft of secret info
19. Ukraine Is Bringing a Big Gun to a Knife Fight
​20. Special Forces Around the World: Conduct, Oversight, and Opacity
21. When Irregular Becomes Everywhere: The Cybered Fight in Unwanted Places
22. The weaponizing of smartphone location data on the battlefield
23. Iran’s Increasingly Decentralized Axis of Resistance
24. For Richer or for Poorer: Security Cooperation with Developing Countries
25. Iraq, Afghanistan veteran from Hawaii takes command of Army group on Okinawa
25. Rubio, Scott Urge Army, Air Force to Address Lack of Childcare for 7th Special Forces Group
 

Korean News Content:

1. N. Korea officially recognizes independence of 2 separatist regions in Ukraine
2. N. Korea's new suspected COVID-19 cases fall below 600: state media
3. S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases more than double in week to near 40,000
4. Unification, justice ministries deny there was legal basis to repatriate N.K. fishermen: lawmaker
5. N. Korea trade sinks 17.3 pct in 2021 on sanctions, pandemic
6. Senior presidential aide asks for ruling party's help in launching N.K. human rights foundation
7. WFP chief meets S. Korean ministers to discuss N. Korea food situation
8. Korea must wean off China and find diverse trade partners
9. Korea, U.S. F-35As fly together for first time
10. Amnesty International blasts 2019 repatriations (Korea)
11. Ukraine cuts N Korea ties over recognition of separatist regions
12. Repatriated N.Korean Fishermen 'Executed for Treason'
13. Clear the suspicion (Korea forced repatriation issue)
14. A perennial division in local newspapers (Korea)
15. [INTERVIEW] 'NK's nuclear tests to inspire unity among West'
16. New US ambassador takes aim
17. Japan and South Korea Can No Longer Let History Thwart Cooperation
18. Mike Pompeo says China derailed Trump's efforts to help denuclearize North Korea
19. The Time Is Right: Why Japan and South Korea Should Get the Bomb
 

7/13/22 National Security and Korean News and Commentary

Wed, 07/13/2022 - 9:30am

Access National Security News HERE.

Access Korean News HERE.

National Security News Content:

1. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 12 (Putin's War)
2. The Theory of SOF: Generating the Fog of War or Conducting Military Statecraft?
3. Joe Biden sets off aimlessly to the Middle East
4. China says it 'drove' away U.S. destroyer that sailed near disputed isles
5. Former senior U.S. official John Bolton admits to planning attempted foreign coups
6. China's exports bounce back, but global risks darken trade outlook
7. Ukraine Hits Military Depots in Russian-Controlled Cities
8. Opinion | The Ukraine War Is About to Enter a Dangerous New Phase
9.  Opinion Shorten the war. Send 60 HIMARS to Ukraine.
10. U.S. to open new embassies, boost aid in Pacific as China’s sway grows
11. Recording reveals life in captivity for American held by Russian group
12. Beatrice Heuser, Western Ideas of War and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, No. 528, July 12, 2022 – Nipp
13. Will CEOs finally learn their lesson on boycotting Israel? | Opinion
14. U.S. State Department does “not support organized violent opposition to the Taliban”
15. Exclusive: Watch Uvalde school shooting video obtained by Statesman showing police response
16. Biden’s Trip, and Ukraine’s War, Could Boost the Abraham Accords
17. Western governments confront China-Russia security threats — but US business won’t
18. West’s Ukraine Strategy Will Mean a Prolonged, Bloody Stalemate
19. Russia’s War Against Ukraine Has Turned Into Terrorism
20. Strike kills nearly every deputy commander in Russian division: Ukraine
21. Defense Department Record-Keeping Practices Are Hurting Oversight of Ukraine Aid, Inspector General Warns
22. United States confident in Ukraine’s commitment to safeguard and account for arms
23. 'Stunningly incompetent or simply mad as hatters': How America's ruling class ruined everything by Andrew Bacevich, After the American Century
24. Why the Russian military should be very worried
25. 'Do you wish you were a real pilot?' — Comedian grills her F-35 pilot fiancé in hilarious interview
 

1. USFK chief calls N.K. nuke test 'not a matter of if, but when'
2. Presidential office vows to uncover truth behind repatriation of N.K. fishermen
3. Pictures Suggest N.Korean Fishermen Were 'Forcibly Repatriated'
4. Complaint filed against Moon gov't officials in repatriation of N.K. fishermen in 2019
5. U.S. Lawmaker Demands Probe of Repatriation of N.Korean Fishermen
6. Korea emerges as nuclear front line in U.S. rivalry with China and Russia
7.  Yoon vows to establish cyber warfare reserve forces
8. Prosecutors raid NIS in probe into 2 incidents involving N. Korea during Moon gov't
9. [Exclusive] Commander of Special Warfare in Korea, “Only through practical training, you can have a ‘life-threatening experience’”
10. Esper predicts Korean involvement in any Taiwan conflict
11. USFK expected to resume firing drills at Rodriguez range
12. N. Korean leadership launches corruption probe into Pyongyang's Mirim Horse Riding Club
13.  US Treasury Secretary's Seoul visit raises expectation on currency swap
14. South Korea ventures into its Indo-Pacific strategy
15. US Celebrates Alliance With Seoul: But Is South Korea Worth a Nuclear War?

Korean News Content:

Ukraine: WAR BULLETIN July 11, 6.00 pm EST

Tue, 07/12/2022 - 11:22am
 

Embassy of Ukraine in the USA

 

WAR BULLETIN

July 11, 6.00 pm EST

 

WAR ROOM

 

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 11.07 were approximately:

personnel - about 37400 (+100),

tanks ‒ 1645 (+4),

APV ‒ 3828 (+5),

artillery systems – 838 (+4),

MLRS - 247 (+0),

Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 109 (+1),

aircraft – 217 (+0),

helicopters – 188 (+0),

UAV operational-tactical level - 676 (+0),

cruise missiles - 155 (+0),

warships / boats - 15 (+0),

vehicles and fuel tanks - 2696 (+2),

special equipment - 66 (+0).

Russian enemy suffered the greatest losses (of the past day) at the Avdiivka direction.

The one hundred thirty eighth (138) day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to Russian military invasion continues.

There are no significant changes in the quantitative composition and nature of activity of Russian enemy in the Volyn, Polissya, and Siversky directions. The enemy shelled the area of Karpovychi settlement of Chernihiv region with barrel artillery.

In the Slobozhansky direction, enemy units continue to focus their efforts on holding the occupied lines in the Kharkiv direction and preventing the advance of our troops. The enemy is taking measures to provide units with material and technical means.

Fired from artillery, rocket launchers and tanks in the areas of the city of Kharkiv and the settlements of Bazaliivka, Petrivka, Ruski Tyshky, Slatine, Prudyanka, Rubizhne and Blahodatne.

In the Slovyansk direction, the outskirts of Dibrovne, Mazanivka, Bohorodychne, Adamivka, and Kurulka were shelled with barrel and jet artillery. The enemy also carried out an airstrike near Bohorodychne. Ukrainian soldiers successfully repelled the enemy assault in the direction of Krasnopilla.

In the Donetsk direction, there are signs of enemy units preparing to intensify combat operations in the Kramatorsk and Bakhmut directions.

In the Novopavlivsk direction, the enemy is conducting assaults to improve the tactical position. Along the contact line, the occupiers carry out a systematic fire attack on the positions of the units of the Defense Forces in order to constrain their actions. Assault and army aviation became active.

The enemy did not conduct active operations in the Kramatorsk direction.

The areas of the settlements of Siversk, Zakitne, Serebryanka, Hryhorivka, Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske and Spirne were shelled with barrel artillery.

In the Bakhmut direction, it fires mortars, barrel and rocket artillery near Berestove, Pokrovske, Soledar, Zaytseve, Vershyna, Novoluhanske, Klishchiivka, and New York.

Delivered missile and air strikes near Berestove, Spirne, Stryapivka, and Vuhlehirska TPP.

On the Avdiyivka, Kurakhivka, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia areas, shelling was recorded in the areas of Avdiyivka, Karlivka, Maryinka, Sribne, Novomykhailivka, Vuhledar, Vremivka, Bilohirya, Poltavka, Hulyaipole, Hulyaipilske, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Orihiv, and Kamyanske The occupiers launched a missile-air strike near Orikhove and air strikes in the areas of Volodymyrivka, Pavlivka, and Novoandriivka.

Another enemy offensive attempt by the occupiers in the direction of Maryinka completely failed. Under the fire of our soldiers, the invaders shamefully ran back.

In the South Buh direction, the enemy is concentrating its efforts on preventing the advance of units of the Defense Forces. It fired from barrel artillery in the areas of the settlements of Osokorivka, Dobryanka, Olhyne, Velyka Kostromka, Bila Krynytsia, Kalynivka, Kiselivka, Lyubomyrivka, Kobzartsi, Chervona Dolyna, Shyroke, Kyselivka, Partyzanske, Kotlyareve, Posad-Pokrovske and Prybuzke.

In the waters of the Black and Azov seas, the enemy's naval group focuses its main efforts on hitting important military and civilian infrastructure objects with cruise missiles, blocking the actions of the forces and means of the Naval Forces and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

In readiness for missile strikes, the enemy keeps two Kalibr sea-based cruise missile carriers.

Ukrainian soldiers are firmly on the defensive and are ready for any changes in the operational situation. The destruction of enemy command posts of various levels and ammunition depots continues.

The enemy is focusing its main efforts on establishing final control over the Luhansk region, attempts to encircle the Defense Forces group in the Donetsk region, maintaining the land corridor with the temporarily occupied Crimea, and blocking Ukraine's maritime communications in the Black Sea.

In the Volyn and Polissya directions, the situation has not changed significantly.

In the Siversky direction, enemy units continue to be in the border areas of the Bryansk and Kursk regions and demonstrate their presence with the use of artillery. So, the enemy shelled the districts of Karpovychy and Mykolaivka, Chernihiv oblast.

In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy is concentrating its efforts on holding the occupied lines in the Kharkiv direction and preventing the advance of our troops to the state border.

Fired artillery, rocket launchers and tanks in the areas of settlements Kharkiv, Bazaliivka, Petrivka, Ruski Tyshky, Korobochkyne, Slatyne, Prudyanka, Nove, Rubizhne, Blahodatne, Kutuzivka, Zolochiv, Cherkasky Tyshky, Peremoha, Pytomnyk and Ruska Lozova.

The enemy struck from Ka-52 helicopters in the vicinity of Lebyazhe, Verkhniy Saltov, and Prudyanka. The UAVs conducted aerial reconnaissance near Prudyanka.

In the Slovyansk direction, the enemy is carrying out fire damage from barrel and rocket artillery in the areas of the settlements of Dibrivne, Mazanivka, Bohorodychne, Adamivka, Kurulka, Cherkaske, Krasnopillya, Mayak, and Novomykolaivka. Made an airstrike near Bohorodichne.

In the direction of Krasnopilla, our soldiers repelled another enemy assault and nullified all attempts of the occupiers to advance.

Enemy units did not conduct active operations in the Kramatorsk direction. Areas of the settlements of Siversk, Zakitne, Serebryanka, Hryhorivka, Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Zvanivka, Vyimka, and Ivano-Daryivka were shelled with barrel artillery. Airstrikes were recorded near Serebryanka, Ivano-Daryivka, and Spirne.

In the direction of Bakhmut, the occupiers fired mortars, barrel, and rocket artillery in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Berestove, Pokrovske, Soledar, Zaitseve, Vershyn, Novoluhanske, Klishchiivka, Kodema, and New York. Airstrikes were carried out by Su-25 attack aircraft near Pokrovske and Yakovlivka.

In the Avdiyivka, Kurakhivka, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia directions, the enemy fired artillery of various calibers in the areas of the settlements of Avdiivka, Karlivka, Nevelske, Maryinka, Sribne, Novomykhailivka, Volodymyrivka, Pavlivka, Vuhledar, Perebudova, Velyka Novosilka, Vremivka, Novosilka, Bilohirya, Poltavka, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Zahirne, Hulyaipilske, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Orihiv, Zherebyanka and Kamyanske. Airstrikes were carried out near Shevchenko and Zolota Nyva.

Again, it can be said traditionally, our soldiers forced the enemy to flee when it tried to advance in the direction of Maryinka.

In the South Buh direction, the enemy is trying to hold the occupied lines and prevent the offensive of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Continues the fire influence to constrain the actions of our troops. Shelling from barrel and jet artillery was recorded in the areas of the settlements of Osokorivka, Dobryanka, Olhyne, Velyka Kostromka, Karierne, Bila Krynytsia, Zeleny Hay, Kalynivka, Bilohirka, Kyselivka, Lubomyrivka, Kobzartsi, Chervona Dolyna, Partyzanske, Blahodatne, Kotlyareve, Shevchenkove, Zorya, Posad-Pokrovske, Ukrainka and Prybuzke.

In the waters of the Black and Azov Seas, in readiness for missile strikes, the enemy continues to keep two carriers of high-precision weapons with a total salvo of up to 16 cruise missiles of the "Kalibr" type.

The Defense Forces of Ukraine are inflicting casualties on the enemy in all directions where hostilities continue and are ready for any changes in the operational situation.

 

Cyber / telecommunications

The computer emergency response team of Ukraine CERT-UA, which operates under the State Special Communications, warns of the mass distribution of dangerous e-mails with the subject "United official report on the humanitarian situation. Ukraine".

The letters come from compromised e-mail addresses of government bodies of Ukraine and contain attachments in the form of an XLS document with the title "Humanitarian catastrophe of Ukraine since February 24, 2022.xls".

The mentioned document contains a macro, the activation of which will lead to the launch of the file "baseupd.exe". Executing the file will infect your computer with the Cobalt Strike Beacon malware.

The activity is associated with the activity of the UAC-0056 group. Last week's cyber attack was linked to the same group.

CERT-UA specialists are taking measures to establish the circumstances of the compromise of e-mail accounts, as well as to block the malware management server. And in order to increase protection, it is strongly recommended to use multi-factor authentication for e-mail.

https://cert.gov.ua/article/703548?fbclid=IwAR1jVOufENncWeMFf09NthteZVMdMeqH8qXKoT9bSnZqdQ5D5oqZVlIi0Io

 

Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine

On July 11 at about 3:30, the Russian military launched a missile attack on two districts of Kharkiv. One of the missiles hit a six-story building, causing it to be partially destroyed. A 74-year-old female resident of the building was wounded. The second missile hit the school territory, which resulted in damage to the building of the educational institution.

https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/pfbid0kwHbrTEntNjRZSh5ZzHvawbKPMGCWrzVFpVZmZUdakTc38nauybDCTCbKT7yRwB8l

 

On July 11, at about 10:09 a.m., Russian soldiers shelled the Kyiv district of Kharkiv. A tire repair shop came under fire from the occupants. Eight employees were reportedly injured. The driver, who was passing by at the time, came under fire and was killed. A number of nearby residential buildings were also damaged and partially destroyed.

https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/pfbid0vTfv5YgraWZULWVGgKPAGYmSfLCvh3awUAXyvPHdaBE5LfLmjHBgpbRiAfTWH95Kl

 

 

On July 11, 2022, Russian armed forces shelled a resort village in the Odesa region. The rocket attacks caused significant damage to a residential house and a warehouse belonging to the “Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky Sea Commercial Port” State Enterprise.

Also, within a radius of 1 km from the blast sites, the walls and roofs of houses and outbuildings were damaged and windows were broken. At least 5 private houses were destroyed. Preliminary, there are no dead or wounded.

https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/pfbid06iydDWeWZ3UUr9hdjN6JowW9NmMhveRTLDS81HVU2QfEvV4QDS4PaQGcarSmZuYnl

 

 

POLICY

President of Ukraine

Address by the President to the Parliament of Slovenia

First, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to summon Canada's representative to our country due to an absolutely unacceptable exception to the sanctions regime against Russia. It's not just about some Nord Stream turbine that Canada shouldn't have, but still decided to hand over. Hand over actually to Russia. This is about common rules.

If a terrorist state can squeeze out such an exception to sanctions, what exceptions will it want tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? This question is very dangerous. Moreover, it is dangerous not only for Ukraine, but also for all countries of the democratic world.

The decision on the exception to sanctions will be perceived in Moscow exclusively as a manifestation of weakness. This is their logic. And now, there can be no doubt that Russia will try not just to limit as much as possible, but to completely shut down the supply of gas to Europe at the most acute moment. This is what we need to prepare for now, this is what is being provoked now.

Because every concession in such conditions is perceived by the Russian leadership as an incentive for further, stronger pressure.

Of course, this decision on one turbine, which leads to many other problems, can still be revised. Russia has never played by the rules in the energy sector and it will not play now unless it sees strength.

Debris clearance continues all day in the city of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. The day before yesterday, Russian terrorists hit two high-rise buildings, and as of now 31 people are known to be killed. Nine were saved.

Kharkiv faced new brutal attacks by the Russian army. Another rocket hit a residential building - one block was completely destroyed. In the morning, the occupiers shelled the Saltivka and Kyiv districts with rocket artillery – five people were killed.

The Odesa region was hit by missiles, extremely violent hostilities continued in the Donetsk region and on the territory of the Luhansk region.

My condolences to all relatives and friends of the deceased…

And against such a background, it's just a shame to see people lacking the courage to honestly deal with one turbine.

Today I submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a very important draft law - on legal and social guarantees for Polish citizens residing in Ukraine. In fact, this is a response to the law that was adopted by the Polish state in the spring in the interests of our citizens. In particular, I propose to give our Polish brothers the opportunity to legally stay in Ukraine for 18 months, the right to employment, economic activity, study at our universities, medical care.

I ask the people's deputies of Ukraine to consider this draft law as conscientiously as possible.

In relations with Poland, we have reached the highest level of trust and cooperation not just in decades, but in the lifetime of many generations of our nations. And we must increase it, we must further strengthen our ties in all spheres and on the basis of a clear understanding that Ukraine and Poland can be free only together - in brotherhood.

Today, I also signed a decree conferring the honorary title of the Rescuer City upon the city of Przemyśl. For the extremely significant contribution of the city authorities, volunteers and residents to help our people and our defense. Let me remind you that this is the second such decision – the Polish city of Rzeszów was the first to receive this title.

I held important negotiations with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte in Kyiv. We discussed our defense cooperation, financial assistance for Ukraine and the further progress of our country on the European path. I am thankful for the strong support, which is currently the largest in the entire history of Ukrainian-Dutch relations.

I had a conversation with President of Turkey Erdoğan. The key issue is the restoration of our export routes through the Black Sea. We are working on making it possible. The sooner this happens, the fewer people in the world will feel the impact of the food crisis that was so carefully prepared by Russia.

In the evening, I signed another decree on awarding our heroes. 287 combatants received state awards.

https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/rishennya-pro-sankcijnij-vinyatok-bude-sprijmatisya-v-rosiyi-76429

 

Andriy Yermak had a phone conversation with the US President's National Security Advisor

As part of the continuous dialogue, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone conversation with US President's National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan.

Andriy Yermak thanked the USA for allocating another package of defense support to Ukraine.

The Head of the President's Office noted the leadership of the United States in supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the struggle for freedom and territorial integrity.

https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/andrij-yermak-proviv-telefonnu-rozmovu-z-radnikom-prezidenta-76421

 

Prime Minister of Ukraine

On Monday, July 11, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, who is on a working visit to Ukraine.

The Head of the Ukrainian Government thanked the Netherlands for its solidarity and strong support of our state in all spheres: from the supply of necessary weapons to humanitarian and financial assistance.

Denys Shmyhal and Mark Rutte discussed the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, insurance against military risks of businesses that are ready to come to Ukraine, and the confiscation of frozen assets of the Russian federation.

"The aggressor state must pay for its unprovoked aggression. Therefore, we call on our partners to introduce national, and in the future, international legislation regarding the confiscation of frozen Russian assets. In the future, this should become a system of world security, when joint approaches of national and international legislation will guarantee the confiscation of the aggressor's assets to compensate for the damage caused by unprovoked aggression," the Prime Minister of Ukraine noted.

The parties also paid attention to the issue of reconstruction of Ukraine. Denys Shmyhal told about the project Ukraine Recovery Plan presented at the International Lugano Conference, which is based on the principles of "build back better" and "united in defense — united in reconstruction."

"We will restore and reform our country according to the standards of the European Union immediately after the end of the war because our goal is to become a full-fledged member of the European family," stressed Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine also offered the Netherlands to jointly implement projects in the field of digitization, which is an effective tool for fighting corruption.

Mark Rutte, for his part, noted that some regions of the Netherlands are interested in participating in the reconstruction of the affected Ukrainian territories. The Netherlands also demonstrates interest in the sectoral development of Ukraine, particularly in the field of agriculture.

https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/denys-shmyhal-i-mark-riutte-obhovoryly-vidnovlennia-ukrainy-ta-konfiskatsiiu-zamorozhenykh-aktyviv-rf

 

Ministry of of Social Policy of Ukraine

The Ministry of Social Policy welcomes the adoption by MPs of Ukraine of changes to the State Budget of Ukraine for 2022, which provide for increased financing of social support for people and the payment of pensions.

In particular, the approved changes stipulate for additional increase in following expenditures:

  • social benefits - by UAH 5.7 billion,
  • subsidies and benefits for the payment of housing and communal services - by UAH 3.3 billion,
  • housing allowance for internally displaced persons - by UAH 32.4 billion,
  • pension payments - by UAH 32.3 billion.

"Russia's large-scale war of aggression against Ukraine continues. Due to the terrorist actions of the Russian federation, aimed at the genocide of the Ukrainian people, the destruction of the economy and life support systems, people's needs for support from the state continue to grow and the resources that the economy can generate for this purpose decrease.

But today, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, every citizen and all branches of government have united and are actually defending the values that stand behind every word of the first article of the Constitution of our country. In particular, the fact that Ukraine is a social state. A state in which people are not a resource, but capital. A state that exists for people and fights to exist for people, not the other way around.

The Government is absolutely unanimous that during martial law there are two main priorities - the army and support for people who need it. And I am personally grateful to Serhii Marchenko, the Minister of Finance, who, no matter how difficult, consistently provides funding for these priorities throughout the effect of martial law, seeks and attracts new sources of funding.

We regularly assess the extent to which people's needs for social assistance and subsidies for the payment of communal services are growing due to job loss, forced displacement and other consequences of the war. We understand that a significant number of internally displaced people due to active hostilities or destroyed housing cannot return home, and for them the housing assistance program needs to continue. Our Government is also confident that even though the revenues from the single social contribution are less than what was planned before the large-scale invasion, our elderly people should receive their pensions in full. And that's why I am sincerely grateful to the MPs of Ukraine who understand each of these priorities and supported the necessary changes to the State Budget of Ukraine for this year," commented Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Maryna Lazebna.

https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/sotsialni-vydatky-zbilsheno-na-738-miliarda-ukraina-zalyshaietsia-sotsialnoiu-derzhavoiu-navit-popry-vyklyky-shyrokomasshtabnoi-viiny