Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»

Russia has launched a massive missile strike against Ukraine

Russia carried out 81 missile launches of various types on Ukrainian territory on the night of March 9. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 34 cruise missiles and four out of eight Shahed-136/131 drones that were launched.

Ukraine was attacked from the air by 10 Tu-95 strategic bombers, seven Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, eight Su-35 fighter jets, six MiG-31K fighter jets, and three Kalibr missile carriers in the Black Sea by Russia.

We wrote about the consequences of the missile strike in this article.

Russia's "instruments of war" will run out by the end of spring

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that Russia has until the end of spring to try to achieve at least some of its military goals in Ukraine, because afterwards it will run out of its "instruments of war."

"Russia has expended a huge amount of human resources, weapons, and materials. Its economy and production are not capable of covering these losses. It has changed its military chain of command. If Russian forces do not achieve their goals this spring, Russia's instruments of war will run out," Budanov said.

According to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Ukraine and Russia will meet in a "decisive battle this spring, and this battle will be the last before this war ends."

Source: USA Today.

The only way to liberate Crimea is through military means, - Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov believes that given the current realities of the de-occupation of Crimea, the only way to liberate the temporarily occupied peninsula from Russian control is through military means.

According to him, Ukraine can no longer adhere to the strategy that was approved on March 24, 2021, as it requires changes and is no longer relevant. He explained that there were several points in the strategy, including a military one, but the priority was given to a political-diplomatic path to liberate the temporarily occupied Crimea.

"We need to adopt the relevant documents, and the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine must vote for them. At this point in time, I do not see any other way than a military one to liberate Crimea," Danilov noted.

Source: ТСН.

Mass protests in Georgia

Since March 7th, Georgians have been protesting against a parliamentary bill supporting "foreign agents," which violates democratic freedoms and is dictated by Russian influence.

Police near the Georgian parliament used tear gas and water cannons against the people, but the people of Georgia did not lose their determination and the protesters only became more united.

On the morning of March 9th, the parliamentary majority, including "Strength is in Unity" and "Georgian Dream," withdrew the bill. However, protesters are now demanding the resignation of the government, early parliamentary elections, and a clear course towards Georgia's Euro-integration.

Source: Суспільне.

The US has intelligence on Russia's involvement in the intentions to overthrow the government in Moldova

The United States has intelligence indicating Russia's involvement in plans to overthrow the government in Moldova through protests, according to official representatives of the White House on Friday.

As per their statement, the US believes that Russia is attempting to weaken the Moldovan government, which seeks closer ties with the European Union. Washington also sees signs that individuals associated with the Russian government may be preparing anti-government protests in Moldova.

The White House promised to impose sanctions on those involved in Russia's destabilization campaign in Moldova and to seek approval from Congress for an energy assistance package for Chisinau worth $300 million.

Source: CNN.

The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» and the charity organization Global Empowerment Mission in English for readers from other countries to tell the stories of people who survived the horrors of the Russian occupation.

Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» та благодійною організацією Global Empowerment Mission на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти історії людей, які пережили жахи російської окупації.