Ukraine Applies For Accelerated NATO Accession - Zelenskyy

 

Ukraine is applying to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) under an accelerated procedure.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in a video message following a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"De facto, we have already passed our way to NATO. De facto, we have already proven compatibility with the Alliance standards. They are real for Ukraine - real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction. We trust each other, we help each other and we protect each other. This is the alliance. De facto. Today, Ukraine is applying to do it de jure. By a procedure that will match our meaning to protect our entire community. In an accelerated order. We are taking our defining step by signing Ukraine's application to join NATO in an accelerated order," Zelenskyy said.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on Friday, September 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed "agreements on the accession to Russia" of the captured territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Regions.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/885209-ukraine-applies-for-accelerated-nato-accession-zelenskyy?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Belarus Probably Preparing To Provide Its Airfields For Use Of Russian Armed Forces - General Staff

 

Belarus is checking radio equipment, which may indicate the possibility of using Belarusian airfields by the Russian Armed Forces.

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the situation is without significant changes. At the same time, on September 21, the Republic of Belarus began checking the means of radio technical support of the airfield network, which may indirectly indicate the possibility of the use of Belarusian airfields by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," the General Staff said.

The rotation of aviation units of the joint training center of the air forces and air defense forces of the Armed Forces of Belarus and Russia took place with the replacement of three of the four existing multi-purpose Su-30М fighters.

The threat of missile and air strikes from the territory and airspace of the Republic of Belarus remains.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Belarus is preparing to receive 20,000 mobilized from Russia.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/885177-belarus-probably-preparing-to-provide-its-airfields-for-use-of-russian-armed-forces-general-staff?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Kremlin Names Region Of Ukraine To Be Completely Captured After "Referendums"

 

After referendums in the so-called "republics of Donbas," as well as in the occupied parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Regions and "their final entry into the Russian Federation, it will be necessary to liberate the Donetsk Region within its administrative borders," said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov. This was reported by Russian Interfax on Wednesday, September 28.

Journalists asked Peskov whether the so-called "special military operation" would continue if new regions get annexed by the Russian Federation.

"At a minimum, what can I tell you with absolute accuracy. You know that not the entire territory of the "Donetsk People's Republic" has been liberated. We're talking about territory that's within 2014. Therefore, at least it will be necessary to liberate the entire territory of the "Donetsk People's Republic." A more detailed answer, of course, you will receive later if such documents are signed," the spokesman said.

He noted that "at the same time, the territory of the Luhansk People's Republic has already been completely liberated."

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on September 27, Peskov said that the Russian legal system and executive authorities are ready for the possible entry into the Russian Federation of new subjects after "referendums."

On September 23, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that "Ukraine's attempts to return the territories of the Donbas after its admission to Russia will be regarded as attacks on Russia."

On September 27, Russian media reported that the Russian leadership is considering the creation of a new federal district, which plans to include the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, and put the former head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin at the head.

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Both Nord Streams Destroyed Forever, Damage To Pipes Very Large

 

Three pipes of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea may become permanently unusable after explosions. It is reported by Tagesspiegel, citing sources in government circles.

It is noted that if the pipelines are not quickly repaired, a large amount of salt water will get inside and corrode them. Since the damage on the pipes is very large, they can get a lot of water.

Like the European Commission, Germany's security agencies and the BND federal intelligence service see an act of sabotage. Due to the complexity of the attack, experts and German government circles believe that only a state unit could carry it out. It is assumed that Russia is behind this, but the motive remains unclear.

The BND currently plays a leading role in reconnaissance, assessing satellite images of ship movements in the run-up to the explosions.

One suggestion presupposes that the divers probably planted explosives under two Nord Stream 1 pipes and in one of two Nord Stream 2 pipes.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Germany almost completely filled the gas storage, despite the shutdown of Nord Stream.

In late August, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU member states had managed to fill gas storage at 80% capacity.

Over the past few months, Norway has been able to oust Russia from the European market and become the main gas supplier to European countries.

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RF replenishes tank regiment with mobilized personnel without any training – General Staff

 

Russia sends "partial mobilization" conscripts to the combat zone without prior training.

This follows from a statement by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.

Thus, it is reported that the Russian occupation forces have begun recruiting personnel who were called up for partial mobilization. The units of the 1^st tank regiment of the 2^nd motorized rifle division of the 1^st tank army, which are deployed in the combat zone, have received reinforcements.

"There was no training with him at all. Also, the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation simultaneously with partial mobilization continues the so-called "self-mobilization" measures. Persons convicted of criminal crimes are arriving at the units already fighting in Ukraine," the report says.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, last Wednesday, September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Russians, in which he announced the beginning of partial mobilization in the country.

According to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, 300,000 people are planned to be drafted into the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces.

Commenting on Putin's decree, the State Duma of the Russian Federation said that the mobilization will affect the western and central regions of Russia.

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Freshmen Of Naval Academy In St. Petersburg Can Be Sent To War In Ukraine, Parents Protesting - Intelligence

 

According to Ukrainian intelligence, freshmen of the naval academy in St. Petersburg (Russia) can be sent to war in Ukraine, their parents protest.

This was reported by the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"Freshmen of the Naval Military Training and Scientific Center "Naval Academy named after Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union M. G. Kuznetsov" in St. Petersburg were warned about the possibility of sending to the combat zone in Ukraine," the Defense Intelligence said.

According to intelligence, after a month of exercises at the university, cadets were evicted from the barracks, which was transferred to the needs of mobilization, to the building without repair or windows.

To avoid communication with parents and unauthorized abandonment of the place of service, cadets are monitored and guarded around the clock.

The parents of the cadets turned to the leadership of the academy, but they were refused a meeting.

The military intelligence of Ukraine recalled that the Russian military has the opportunity to lay down its weapons and preserve its health and life.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the Russian military leadership decided to involve graduates of cadets of their military universities in the war against Ukraine.

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Weapons Depleting In Russia - British Intelligence

 

Russia is almost certainly increasingly sourcing weaponry from other heavily sanctioned states like Iran and North Korea as its own stocks dwindle.

The British Ministry of Defence stated this in its intelligence update on Wednesday, September 14.

Analysts noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine yesterday first reported on the downing of the Iranian Shahed-136 UAV near Kupyansk, which Russia purchased from Tehran. This suggests that foreign drones are used directly on the battlefield.

At the same time, British intelligence believes that the Russian Armed Forces are likely to use UAVs to target not strategic targets, but tactical ones.

The Shahed 136 is a one-way attack UAV with a claimed range of 2,500 kilometers. Similar Iranian-made systems were likely used during attacks in the Middle East, particularly against the MT Mercer Street oil tanker in July 2021, the intelligence explains.

“The loss of a Shahed-136 near the front lines suggests there is a realistic possibility that Russia is attempting to use the system to conduct tactical strikes rather than against more strategic targets farther into Ukrainian territory,” the statement said.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in mid-July, Western media reported that Russia was negotiating with Iran to buy several hundred strike drones to use them against Ukraine.

According to media reports, the Russian delegation at least twice visited Iran to study the combat capabilities of Shahed-129 and Shahed-191 drones.

And in early August, analysts of the Institute for the Study War said Iran could have begun transferring drones to Russia, hoping to get Russian Su-35 warplanes in return.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Ukraine highly likely destroyed an Iranian strike unmanned aerial vehicle near Kupyansk, Kharkiv region.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/882095-weapons-depleting-in-russia-british-intelligence?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Russians Begin To Offer Joining Militant Wagner PMC From Street Billboards

 

In Russian Rostov-on-Don, a billboard appeared announcing the recruitment into Wagner, a private military company (PMC) participating in the war against Ukraine. Previously, leaflets of similar content had already appeared on the streets of the city.

This was reported by the Zona Kavkazu (Zone of the Caucasus) Telegram channel.

The banner reads "Homeland, Honor, Courage, Wagner." Below these words are the address of the militant website, as well as the phone number by which one can make an appointment for an interview.

The channel also posted a photo of a billboard with a banner.

It is noted that at the end of August, leaflets appeared on the streets of Rostov-on-Don calling to join the Wagner PMC.

The Russian publication The Insider decided to call the number indicated in the announcement to find out about the details of admission to the PMC.

The first journalist of the publication introduced himself as a 22-year-old student without military experience. In response, he was told that in this case it is necessary to conclude a contract directly with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, since they take only people 24 years old and up into the ranks of the PMC.

Another journalist on the call identified himself as a man born in 1990 who allegedly once served in the military.

He was offered wages of RUB 240,000 per month, as well as various types of surcharges and bonuses.

The journalist of the publication was offered to send passport data to this number in the Telegram messenger and wait for an answer.

It is worth noting that in Russia there is a criminal article (Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) for recruiting mercenaries and their participation in armed conflicts and hostilities. The sanctions of the article provide for imprisonment for up to 18 years.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated that Wagner is the only PMC that Russia has attracted to participate in the war against Ukraine.

We also reported that on August 14, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a missile attack on the headquarters of the Wagner PMC in the temporarily occupied Popasna in Luhansk region.

According to the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Serhii Haidai, as a result of the strike, the Wagnerites could lose about a hundred of their fighters.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/880715-russians-begin-to-offer-joining-militant-wagner-pmc-from-street-billboards?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Russia Has Dilemma Over Counteroffensive Of Ukraine - British Intelligence

 

In connection with Ukraine's counteroffensive in the south, Russian commanders faced a dilemma: deploy operational reserves to support their offensive in the Donbas or defend Ukrainian forces in the south.

This is stated in the latest intelligence update of the British Ministry of Defence.

"Over the last 24 hours, heavy fighting has taken place on three fronts: in the north, near Kharkiv; in the east in the Donbas; and in the south in Kherson Oblast. Russia’s planned main effort is probably an advance on Bakhmut in the Donbas, but commanders face a dilemma of whether to deploy operational reserves to support this offensive, or to defend against continued Ukrainian advances in the south,” the British intelligence reports.

The British intelligence believes that numerous simultaneous threats scattered over 500 km will test Russia's ability to coordinate the operational plan and redistribute resources among several groups of forces.

At the same time, it is claimed that at the beginning of the war, Russia's inability to do this was one of the main reasons for the poor performance of its armed forces.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/880667-russia-has-dilemma-over-counteroffensive-of-ukraine-british-intelligence?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Poland’s Defense Ministry declares high risk of war with RF within 3-10 years

 

In Poland, they believe that there is a high risk of war with Russia in the period of 3-10 years, therefore it is necessary to prepare the Polish army as much as possible.

That follows from a statement by Vice-Minister of National Defense of Poland Marcin Ociepa, the Yevropeiska Pravda online media reports.

In an interview with the Deputy Minister of Defense, the question of the draft state budget for next year was raised, record-breaking expenditures for the army are planned (over PLN 97 billion). The Vice Minister was asked how much money it is planned to be spent within the new off-budget mechanism, that is, the Armed Forces Support Fund.

"We estimate that this amount will be PLN 30-40 billion. The amount has not been determined, as it is an instrument that depends on the financial markets," Ociepa explained.

When asked what the budget will finance and what the fund will, he noted: "We must take geopolitical reality into account."

"There is a serious risk of a war with Russia in the period from 3 to 10 years. Everything depends on how the conflict in Ukraine ends, but we estimate that this is how many years Russia will need for this. We should use this time for the maximum rearmament of the Polish army and excuse me, but this is a completely secondary issue regarding how accountants will calculate these costs," said the deputy head of the Ministry of Defense.

"It is our task as those in power to find this money and spend it well," he added.

As earlier reported, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksii Danilov, believes that the war in Ukraine will not last for years, but we should not count on a quick victory either.

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