Forwarded from MoD Russia
⚡️Russian Defence Ministry denies statements made by Kiev regime about an alleged missile attack on the railway station in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Region
▫️All statements by representatives of the Kiev nationalist regime about an alleged missile attack by Russia on the railway station in Kramatorsk city on April 8 are a provocation and are absolutely untrue.
▫️The Russian Armed Forces did not have or plan to carry out any firing missions in Kramatorsk city on April 8.
▫️We emphasize in particular that Tochka-U tactical missiles, the wreckage of which was found near the Kramatorsk railway station and published by eyewitnesses, are used by Ukrainian Armed Forces only.
▫️On March 14, 2022, a similar Tochka-U missile of Division of 19th Separate Missile Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck the centre of Donetsk, killing 17 people on the spot and injuring another 36 civilians.
#MoD #Russia #Ukraine
@mod_russia_en
▫️All statements by representatives of the Kiev nationalist regime about an alleged missile attack by Russia on the railway station in Kramatorsk city on April 8 are a provocation and are absolutely untrue.
▫️The Russian Armed Forces did not have or plan to carry out any firing missions in Kramatorsk city on April 8.
▫️We emphasize in particular that Tochka-U tactical missiles, the wreckage of which was found near the Kramatorsk railway station and published by eyewitnesses, are used by Ukrainian Armed Forces only.
▫️On March 14, 2022, a similar Tochka-U missile of Division of 19th Separate Missile Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck the centre of Donetsk, killing 17 people on the spot and injuring another 36 civilians.
#MoD #Russia #Ukraine
@mod_russia_en
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MoD Russia
❗Statement by Russian Defence Ministry
▪ On March 14, at about 11.30 a.m. Moscow time, Tochka-U tactical missile was fired at a residential block of Donetsk city from the territory controlled by the Kiev nationalist regime.
▪ The shelling of the city…
▪ On March 14, at about 11.30 a.m. Moscow time, Tochka-U tactical missile was fired at a residential block of Donetsk city from the territory controlled by the Kiev nationalist regime.
▪ The shelling of the city…
❗️Mass Media of Russia about Situation in Ukraine❗
1. Political statements by the leadership of the Russian Federation and friendly countries
Chinese Foreign Minister Liu Kun said China would continue to develop cooperation with the BRICS countries in the field of finance and called on the association states to demonstrate their solidarity.
2. The course of special military operation. Briefings by Russian Defense Ministry 10.04.2022 (11:00)
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
The headquarter and base of Dnepr nationalist battalion were destroyed in the night by high-precision sea-based missiles in Zvonetskoe, Dnepropetrovsk Region, where foreign mercenaries had recently arrived.
Ukrainian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems were destroyed by high-precision air-based missiles near Starobogdanovka in Nikolaev Region and at Chuguev military airfield.
Russian Air defense units shot down 8 Ukrainian UAVs near Olkhovatovka, Novaya Astrakhan, Avdeevka, Shakhterskoe, Kurakhovo, Novoselovka and Vyseloye.
Army aviation hit 86 military assets of Ukraine. Among them: 2 command posts, 2 ammunition stockpiles, 3 fuel stockpiles, 3 MLRS and 49 strongholds.
Totally, 127 aircrafts and 98 helicopters, 234 anti-aircraft missile systems S-300, Buk-M1, Osa-AKM, 436 UAVs, 2,052 MBTs and other armored combat vehicles, 232 multiple launch rocket systems, 894 field artillery and mortars, as well as 1,975 units of special military vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed during the operation (mil.ru).
3. Crimes of the Ukrainian Nazis and the armed forces of Ukraine
The Prosecutor General's Office of the Donetsk People’s Republic initiated a criminal case against the commander of the 19th missile brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine F.Yaroshevich after a missile attack on the Kramatorsk railway station. As previously stated by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the attack was made by Tochka-U missile system from the Dobropolye region (rt.com).
4. Exposure of disinformation
Ukrainian media reported that the Russian Army had carried out a chemical attack by blowing up a chemical tank in Rubezhnoe.
The information is not true. At first, earlier it was the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who while retreating mined and blew up tanks at the Zarya chemical plant. Secondly, there is an official comment by Andrey Marochko, a representative of the militia of the Lugansk People’s Republic, which directly indicates Ukrainian responsibility for the explosion of the nitric acid tank (войнасфейками.рф). #Ukraine #Russia #Donbass
1. Political statements by the leadership of the Russian Federation and friendly countries
Chinese Foreign Minister Liu Kun said China would continue to develop cooperation with the BRICS countries in the field of finance and called on the association states to demonstrate their solidarity.
2. The course of special military operation. Briefings by Russian Defense Ministry 10.04.2022 (11:00)
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
The headquarter and base of Dnepr nationalist battalion were destroyed in the night by high-precision sea-based missiles in Zvonetskoe, Dnepropetrovsk Region, where foreign mercenaries had recently arrived.
Ukrainian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems were destroyed by high-precision air-based missiles near Starobogdanovka in Nikolaev Region and at Chuguev military airfield.
Russian Air defense units shot down 8 Ukrainian UAVs near Olkhovatovka, Novaya Astrakhan, Avdeevka, Shakhterskoe, Kurakhovo, Novoselovka and Vyseloye.
Army aviation hit 86 military assets of Ukraine. Among them: 2 command posts, 2 ammunition stockpiles, 3 fuel stockpiles, 3 MLRS and 49 strongholds.
Totally, 127 aircrafts and 98 helicopters, 234 anti-aircraft missile systems S-300, Buk-M1, Osa-AKM, 436 UAVs, 2,052 MBTs and other armored combat vehicles, 232 multiple launch rocket systems, 894 field artillery and mortars, as well as 1,975 units of special military vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed during the operation (mil.ru).
3. Crimes of the Ukrainian Nazis and the armed forces of Ukraine
The Prosecutor General's Office of the Donetsk People’s Republic initiated a criminal case against the commander of the 19th missile brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine F.Yaroshevich after a missile attack on the Kramatorsk railway station. As previously stated by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the attack was made by Tochka-U missile system from the Dobropolye region (rt.com).
4. Exposure of disinformation
Ukrainian media reported that the Russian Army had carried out a chemical attack by blowing up a chemical tank in Rubezhnoe.
The information is not true. At first, earlier it was the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who while retreating mined and blew up tanks at the Zarya chemical plant. Secondly, there is an official comment by Andrey Marochko, a representative of the militia of the Lugansk People’s Republic, which directly indicates Ukrainian responsibility for the explosion of the nitric acid tank (войнасфейками.рф). #Ukraine #Russia #Donbass
⚡️Speech of the Chairman of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee Andrey Kartapolov during plenary meeting on April 5, 2022
Dear Viacheslav Viktorovich, dear colleagues!
An overt, aggressive “information warfare” has been unleashed against Russia these days.
The collective West’s fake-factory is working in a non-stop regime. And all this is happening against the background of big words of our former partners about freedom of speech and media, about unacceptability of violations of fundamental human rights in our country.
And recently, of course, Ukraine has become the main source of such kind of news.
There is a video on the Internet where Adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine Alexey Arestovich gives instructions on how to “lie properly”. This material is of practical interest as it shows how the Ukrainian nationalist regime and its Western curators carry out propaganda. Quote: “you should do the opposite… to the actual way things are. Note that it is a very unconventional question: how exactly to lie, which direction to choose when lying to do it properly and successfully”.
Everything corresponds to the Nazi classic. To quote Joseph Goebbels: “The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it”.
The other day Russian military personnel were claimed to be responsible for killing locals in the city of Bucha, Kiev region. These allegations are not true and have provocative character. The facts, the timeline – everything is fake.
All of Russian troops left Bucha on March 30.
On March 31, the Mayor of Bucha Anatoly Fedoruk in his video address confirmed that there is no Russian military personnel in the city and did not mention any executed locals on the streets.
The evidences of “crimes” in Bucha emerged only four days after the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine), representatives of the national police and television – Ukrainian presenter Maria Orlova – came into the town.
A significant observation is that all the corpses in the images published by the Kiev regime in four days have not got stiff, have no postmortem lividity and blood in their wounds is still unclotted.
Some photos and videos show bodies lying on the ground with no traces of blood near them at all.
The headlines about Bucha (a soundalike of the English word “butcher”) popped up in several foreign media outlets at the same time, which speaks to the planned nature of this campaign. This begs the questions – where were those shots for four days and why nobody saw them?
The video with bodies raises even more questions. For example, in the twelfth second a “corpse” on the right moves his hand. In the thirtieth second, it is seen in the rearview mirror that another “corpse” sits up. And the bodies in the video are lying as if they have been placed with a purpose to make a more dramatic scene. You can see it well if you play the video in slow (0,25) motion.
Moreover, on April 1, a Ukrainian Telegram channel posted a video footage, showing clearly how the Ukrainian artillery was barraging Russian troops leaving the city.
It is confirmed by multiple witness accounts that the shelling of Bucha on those days was carried out by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The staging was set up after the Russian troops had left the town.
Photos and videos from Bucha are another staging of the Kiev regime for Western media, as was the case with the alleged airstrike on a maternity ward in Mariupol. Marianna Vyshemirskaya, a beauty blogger who was the face of that provocation, revealed that the strike did not take place. She also confirmed the authenticity of the video address on her social media accounts.
According to the information gathered by the Russian Defense Ministry similar provocations took places in other cities.
We understand that such stories will continue to appear as it was happening for many years in Syria.
Western countries prefer an informational “iron curtain” to the facts on the ground in Ukraine. That is because our former partners seek “not the truth, but the effect” (Goebbels).
Dear Viacheslav Viktorovich, dear colleagues!
An overt, aggressive “information warfare” has been unleashed against Russia these days.
The collective West’s fake-factory is working in a non-stop regime. And all this is happening against the background of big words of our former partners about freedom of speech and media, about unacceptability of violations of fundamental human rights in our country.
And recently, of course, Ukraine has become the main source of such kind of news.
There is a video on the Internet where Adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine Alexey Arestovich gives instructions on how to “lie properly”. This material is of practical interest as it shows how the Ukrainian nationalist regime and its Western curators carry out propaganda. Quote: “you should do the opposite… to the actual way things are. Note that it is a very unconventional question: how exactly to lie, which direction to choose when lying to do it properly and successfully”.
Everything corresponds to the Nazi classic. To quote Joseph Goebbels: “The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it”.
The other day Russian military personnel were claimed to be responsible for killing locals in the city of Bucha, Kiev region. These allegations are not true and have provocative character. The facts, the timeline – everything is fake.
All of Russian troops left Bucha on March 30.
On March 31, the Mayor of Bucha Anatoly Fedoruk in his video address confirmed that there is no Russian military personnel in the city and did not mention any executed locals on the streets.
The evidences of “crimes” in Bucha emerged only four days after the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine), representatives of the national police and television – Ukrainian presenter Maria Orlova – came into the town.
A significant observation is that all the corpses in the images published by the Kiev regime in four days have not got stiff, have no postmortem lividity and blood in their wounds is still unclotted.
Some photos and videos show bodies lying on the ground with no traces of blood near them at all.
The headlines about Bucha (a soundalike of the English word “butcher”) popped up in several foreign media outlets at the same time, which speaks to the planned nature of this campaign. This begs the questions – where were those shots for four days and why nobody saw them?
The video with bodies raises even more questions. For example, in the twelfth second a “corpse” on the right moves his hand. In the thirtieth second, it is seen in the rearview mirror that another “corpse” sits up. And the bodies in the video are lying as if they have been placed with a purpose to make a more dramatic scene. You can see it well if you play the video in slow (0,25) motion.
Moreover, on April 1, a Ukrainian Telegram channel posted a video footage, showing clearly how the Ukrainian artillery was barraging Russian troops leaving the city.
It is confirmed by multiple witness accounts that the shelling of Bucha on those days was carried out by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The staging was set up after the Russian troops had left the town.
Photos and videos from Bucha are another staging of the Kiev regime for Western media, as was the case with the alleged airstrike on a maternity ward in Mariupol. Marianna Vyshemirskaya, a beauty blogger who was the face of that provocation, revealed that the strike did not take place. She also confirmed the authenticity of the video address on her social media accounts.
According to the information gathered by the Russian Defense Ministry similar provocations took places in other cities.
We understand that such stories will continue to appear as it was happening for many years in Syria.
Western countries prefer an informational “iron curtain” to the facts on the ground in Ukraine. That is because our former partners seek “not the truth, but the effect” (Goebbels).
The problem is that “ordinary” European citizens are not told about what is happening in Ukraine. They are fed with professional informational fakes – photos of the cities of Donbass shelled by the Ukrainian artillery are used for publishing comments about “attacks of the Russian Armed Forces”.
Meanwhile the atrocities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces against our captured soldiers and their own population are hushed up.
Today Vladimir Soloviev posted in his Telegram channel a footage showing a savage massacre of our paratroopers – unarmed people were finished off with shots in their heads. Check out this video. Still, the Western media will not show it.
Russia sees and comprehends what is happening, and finds the provocations of this kind to be posing a direct danger to its security.
Russia will work towards convening a UN Security Council meeting on the criminal activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and national battalions.
The United Russia faction fully supports the decisions of the Government of our country and calls on all the deputies to denounce fake information about the special operation on the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk People`s Republics as well as Ukraine.
Meanwhile the atrocities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces against our captured soldiers and their own population are hushed up.
Today Vladimir Soloviev posted in his Telegram channel a footage showing a savage massacre of our paratroopers – unarmed people were finished off with shots in their heads. Check out this video. Still, the Western media will not show it.
Russia sees and comprehends what is happening, and finds the provocations of this kind to be posing a direct danger to its security.
Russia will work towards convening a UN Security Council meeting on the criminal activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and national battalions.
The United Russia faction fully supports the decisions of the Government of our country and calls on all the deputies to denounce fake information about the special operation on the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk People`s Republics as well as Ukraine.
❗Mass Media of Russia about Situation in Ukraine❗
1. Political statements by the leadership of the Russian Federation and friendly countries
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that NATO expansion will not strengthen the security of Europe. He emphasized that NATO's goal is not peace and stability. So he commented on the intention of Sweden and Finland to join the alliance. Russia has repeatedly stated that the alliance itself is rather a tool sharpened for confrontation. (rbc.ru)
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov said on April 11 that Russia's special operation in Ukraine is designed to put an end to the US course of dominating in the world. Washington often violates international law but the rules that the White House develops on a case-by-case basis are not clear to anyone.
Recently the attitude of Western countries towards Russia has changed. Such a policy is determined not only by Ukraine which began to be used as a "bridgehead for the final suppression of Russia."
Russia presented all the chronological arguments, video materials related to the provocations in Bucha and Kramatorsk. The Armed Forces of Ukraine with the support of the West are preparing new provocations. Moscow will continue dialogue with Kiev while not pausing in hostilities during negotiations with Ukraine, '(rbc.ru)
Raytheon Technologies general manager Greg Hayes said he is pleased with conflict in Ukraine and think these as a good indicator of further arms sales. "This is a boon for US military contractors who are expected to profit from increased Western spending to strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces," The Hill magazine wrote in turn.
Since the beginning of the year securities of US defense industry giants Lockheed Martin have risen by almost 25 percent, while similar of Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, and Northrop GrUmman's securities have risen an average of 12 percent. Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin will receive about $19.5 million under the Javelin anti tank missiles supply contract alone which was concluded on February 28, 2022. (redstar.ru)
2. The course of special military operation. Briefings by Russian Defense Ministry
10.04.2022 (11:00)
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
On Sunday April 10, high-precision sea-based missiles "Kalibr" on the southern outskirts of Dnipropetrovsk destroyed four launchers of anti-aircraft missiles S-300 supplied to the Kiev by a European country.
At night high-precision air-based missiles destroyed weapons (including Buk-Ml and OSA-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems) and military equipment of the Ukrainian air defence forces base near Velikaya Novoselovka. 2 ammunition depots near Nikolaev and Zhovtnevoe have also been destroyed, including the radar of S-300.
As a result of high-precision strikes, 9 tanks, 5 self-propelled artillery systems "Akatsiya 2S3", 5 BM-21 multiple rocket launchers "Grad" were destroyed in Vozdvizhenka-2 and Ivanovka, Donetsk Region.
Russian Air Defence Forces shot down two aircraft Su-25 near Izyum. 3 unmanned aerial vehicles has been shot down near Balakleya in Kharkov Region, Gulyai Polye and Volnovakha. One UAV "Valkyrie" drone was destroyed near Kaliniskoe in Nikolaev Region. Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter has been shot down near Posad-Pokrovskoe, Kherson Region.
Russian Air Forces hit 78 military assets. Among them: 3 command posts, 1 radar illumination and guidance, 3 positions of short-range anti-aircraft missile systems, 4 ammunition depots, 58 strong points of Ukrainian Army.
In total, 129 aircfafts and 99 helicopters, 243 anti-aircraft missile systems S-300, Buk-Ml, Osa AKM, 441 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,079 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 239 multiple launch rocket systems, 909 field artillery and mortars, 2,003 units of special military vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed during the
1. Political statements by the leadership of the Russian Federation and friendly countries
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that NATO expansion will not strengthen the security of Europe. He emphasized that NATO's goal is not peace and stability. So he commented on the intention of Sweden and Finland to join the alliance. Russia has repeatedly stated that the alliance itself is rather a tool sharpened for confrontation. (rbc.ru)
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov said on April 11 that Russia's special operation in Ukraine is designed to put an end to the US course of dominating in the world. Washington often violates international law but the rules that the White House develops on a case-by-case basis are not clear to anyone.
Recently the attitude of Western countries towards Russia has changed. Such a policy is determined not only by Ukraine which began to be used as a "bridgehead for the final suppression of Russia."
Russia presented all the chronological arguments, video materials related to the provocations in Bucha and Kramatorsk. The Armed Forces of Ukraine with the support of the West are preparing new provocations. Moscow will continue dialogue with Kiev while not pausing in hostilities during negotiations with Ukraine, '(rbc.ru)
Raytheon Technologies general manager Greg Hayes said he is pleased with conflict in Ukraine and think these as a good indicator of further arms sales. "This is a boon for US military contractors who are expected to profit from increased Western spending to strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces," The Hill magazine wrote in turn.
Since the beginning of the year securities of US defense industry giants Lockheed Martin have risen by almost 25 percent, while similar of Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, and Northrop GrUmman's securities have risen an average of 12 percent. Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin will receive about $19.5 million under the Javelin anti tank missiles supply contract alone which was concluded on February 28, 2022. (redstar.ru)
2. The course of special military operation. Briefings by Russian Defense Ministry
10.04.2022 (11:00)
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
On Sunday April 10, high-precision sea-based missiles "Kalibr" on the southern outskirts of Dnipropetrovsk destroyed four launchers of anti-aircraft missiles S-300 supplied to the Kiev by a European country.
At night high-precision air-based missiles destroyed weapons (including Buk-Ml and OSA-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems) and military equipment of the Ukrainian air defence forces base near Velikaya Novoselovka. 2 ammunition depots near Nikolaev and Zhovtnevoe have also been destroyed, including the radar of S-300.
As a result of high-precision strikes, 9 tanks, 5 self-propelled artillery systems "Akatsiya 2S3", 5 BM-21 multiple rocket launchers "Grad" were destroyed in Vozdvizhenka-2 and Ivanovka, Donetsk Region.
Russian Air Defence Forces shot down two aircraft Su-25 near Izyum. 3 unmanned aerial vehicles has been shot down near Balakleya in Kharkov Region, Gulyai Polye and Volnovakha. One UAV "Valkyrie" drone was destroyed near Kaliniskoe in Nikolaev Region. Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter has been shot down near Posad-Pokrovskoe, Kherson Region.
Russian Air Forces hit 78 military assets. Among them: 3 command posts, 1 radar illumination and guidance, 3 positions of short-range anti-aircraft missile systems, 4 ammunition depots, 58 strong points of Ukrainian Army.
In total, 129 aircfafts and 99 helicopters, 243 anti-aircraft missile systems S-300, Buk-Ml, Osa AKM, 441 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,079 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 239 multiple launch rocket systems, 909 field artillery and mortars, 2,003 units of special military vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed during the
👍1
operation, (mil.ru)
11.04.2022 (19:00)
On April 11 the Kinzhal missile system destroyed a we 11-protected command post of Ukrainian troops near the village of Chasov Yar, Donetsk region. High-precision air-launched missiles destroyed the tactical missile system Tochka- U launcher, two multiple rocket launchers, two military equipment depots in the area of Selidovo, Donetsk region.
High-precision ground-based missiles destroyed the base camp of the Nazis of the Right Sector terrorist organization (near Novogrodovka, Donetsk region), battalion command and observation post (Popasnaya), three company's strong points (Novozvanovka and Zolote), two company tactical groups of the Ukrainian 24th mechanized brigade, two weapons depots.
In total, as a result of strikes in these areas, up to 300 Ukrainian militants, over 50 armored combat vehicles and up to 25 vehicles for various purposes were destroyed. Russian Air Defense systems shot down a Su-27 fighter of the Ukrainian Air Force near Sinelnikovo, Dnepropetrovsk region.
Russian Air Forces hit 42 military facilities of Ukraine. Among them: three command posts, two radar stations for illumination and guidance, a fuel depot. Since the beginning of the special military operation the following have been destroyed: 130 aircraft, 99 helicopters, 243 S-300, Buk-Ml, Osa AKM anti-aircraft missile systems, 441 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2132 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 241 rocket launchers fire systems, 913 field artillery guns and mortars.
3. Crimes of the Ukrainian Nazis and the armed forces of Ukraine
Tactical missiles "Tochka-U" which fragments were found near the railway station of Kramatorsk are used only by the Ukrainian armed forces. After the publication of video in the Internet with the number of the rocket (Ш91579), the involvement of Kyiv became obvious. Immediately after that the Western media lost interest in this event and it no longer matters to them who should be held responsible for the deaths of civilians. (redstar.ru)
The press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) reported that the armed forces of Ukraine (AFU) striked missile "Tochka-U" in the village Novoaydar. As a result one woman died and nine houses were destroyed. (tass.ru)
The Chairman of the Russian Investigative Committee instructed to open a criminal case to investigate brutal murder of a Russian soldier in Ukraine. Earlier, Ukrainian social networks published the photo of burnt soldier chained to an anti-tank hedgehog. (sledcom.ru)
Ukrainian nationalists continue to hold hostage as a "human shield" 6,338 foreign citizens from 12 states. In addition, 77 foreign ships from 18 states continue to be blocked in Ukrainian ports. Another confirmation of the existing mine danger is the detection on the YaM-1 anchor mine April 10. This mine was exposed by the Ukrainian naval forces at berth No. 17 of the Mariupol port 50 meters from the Turkish ship Azov Concorde. (redstar.ru)
The retreating Ukrainian nationalists captured two foreign ships "Tsarevna" and "Lady Augusta" in the Mariupol seaport. The fate of the crew members and their state of health are unknown. Donetsk People's Republic's Armed Forces with the Russian Armed Forces do everything possible to save the crews forcibly held by Ukrainian nationalists. (redstar.ru)
4. Exposure of disinformation
Ukrainian media is spreading that the Russian military is firing at foreign ships in the port of Mariupol.
In fact, the fire on board civilian ships started by the actions of the nationalist battalion "Azov". After setting fire to the Turkish ship "Azburg", operating under the Dominican flag, Ukrainian militants carried out another provocation on board the ship "Donbass".
11.04.2022 (19:00)
On April 11 the Kinzhal missile system destroyed a we 11-protected command post of Ukrainian troops near the village of Chasov Yar, Donetsk region. High-precision air-launched missiles destroyed the tactical missile system Tochka- U launcher, two multiple rocket launchers, two military equipment depots in the area of Selidovo, Donetsk region.
High-precision ground-based missiles destroyed the base camp of the Nazis of the Right Sector terrorist organization (near Novogrodovka, Donetsk region), battalion command and observation post (Popasnaya), three company's strong points (Novozvanovka and Zolote), two company tactical groups of the Ukrainian 24th mechanized brigade, two weapons depots.
In total, as a result of strikes in these areas, up to 300 Ukrainian militants, over 50 armored combat vehicles and up to 25 vehicles for various purposes were destroyed. Russian Air Defense systems shot down a Su-27 fighter of the Ukrainian Air Force near Sinelnikovo, Dnepropetrovsk region.
Russian Air Forces hit 42 military facilities of Ukraine. Among them: three command posts, two radar stations for illumination and guidance, a fuel depot. Since the beginning of the special military operation the following have been destroyed: 130 aircraft, 99 helicopters, 243 S-300, Buk-Ml, Osa AKM anti-aircraft missile systems, 441 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2132 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 241 rocket launchers fire systems, 913 field artillery guns and mortars.
3. Crimes of the Ukrainian Nazis and the armed forces of Ukraine
Tactical missiles "Tochka-U" which fragments were found near the railway station of Kramatorsk are used only by the Ukrainian armed forces. After the publication of video in the Internet with the number of the rocket (Ш91579), the involvement of Kyiv became obvious. Immediately after that the Western media lost interest in this event and it no longer matters to them who should be held responsible for the deaths of civilians. (redstar.ru)
The press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) reported that the armed forces of Ukraine (AFU) striked missile "Tochka-U" in the village Novoaydar. As a result one woman died and nine houses were destroyed. (tass.ru)
The Chairman of the Russian Investigative Committee instructed to open a criminal case to investigate brutal murder of a Russian soldier in Ukraine. Earlier, Ukrainian social networks published the photo of burnt soldier chained to an anti-tank hedgehog. (sledcom.ru)
Ukrainian nationalists continue to hold hostage as a "human shield" 6,338 foreign citizens from 12 states. In addition, 77 foreign ships from 18 states continue to be blocked in Ukrainian ports. Another confirmation of the existing mine danger is the detection on the YaM-1 anchor mine April 10. This mine was exposed by the Ukrainian naval forces at berth No. 17 of the Mariupol port 50 meters from the Turkish ship Azov Concorde. (redstar.ru)
The retreating Ukrainian nationalists captured two foreign ships "Tsarevna" and "Lady Augusta" in the Mariupol seaport. The fate of the crew members and their state of health are unknown. Donetsk People's Republic's Armed Forces with the Russian Armed Forces do everything possible to save the crews forcibly held by Ukrainian nationalists. (redstar.ru)
4. Exposure of disinformation
Ukrainian media is spreading that the Russian military is firing at foreign ships in the port of Mariupol.
In fact, the fire on board civilian ships started by the actions of the nationalist battalion "Azov". After setting fire to the Turkish ship "Azburg", operating under the Dominican flag, Ukrainian militants carried out another provocation on board the ship "Donbass".
The refutation of fake information became possible thanks to the work of the fighters of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), who took part in extinguishing ships and releasing crews. The correspondent of the WarGonzo telegram channel talks about it in his video from the scene. He confirms that the ship was completely burned out but no civilians were injured thanks to the actions of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, (войнасфейками.рф) #Ukraine #Russia #Donbass
❗Mass Media of Russia about Situation in Ukraine (April 13, 2022)❗
1. Political statements by the leadership of the Russian Federation and friendly countries
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine is proceeding according to plan. “Our task is to fulfill and achieve all the goals set, minimizing losses. And we will act rhythmically, calmly, according to the plan that was originally proposed by the General Staff” , Putin stressed. He recalled that the purpose of the special operation “is to help people living in the Donbass, who feel their inseparable connection with Russia and who have been subjected to genocide for eight years”. The special operation will continue until the fulfillment of the initially set tasks, if agreements acceptable to all are not reached at the talks, Putin said. “Of course, I am closely watching the discussions that take place in our society, abroad. We must not hide anything from the public. But they must cover this combat work objectively”, the head of state said. Ukraine for the West is a means to achieve goals that have nothing to do with the interests of the Ukrainian people, Putin said. He stressed that “even in today's tragic conditions, Ukrainians are a brotherly people”. (tass.ru)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, that the US authorities intentionally fuel the conflict in Ukraine for containing China and Russia. “US and NATO policies have brought Russia-Ukraine rifts to a critical point. The American side has taken no steps to ease the escalation of tensions, but on the contrary, it has been adding fuel to the conflict, thus forcing other countries to take sides”, he said. “The US is systematically spreading disinformation in order to discredit China and distort its fundamental stance in favor of peace talks. It has been trying to dodge responsibility, staging provocations and trying to derive benefits, find room for maneuver and at the same time contain Russia and China”, – Zhao said. (tass.ru)
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times said that India and Russia are 'natural allies', but this relationship does not negatively affect the country's cooperation with the United States.
Speaking about whether Russia will be able to meet its obligations to India to supply spare parts and equipment already purchased by India amid the conflict in Ukraine, Singh said he ruled out the impact of that conflict on India's national security preparedness. (tass.ru)
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at a joint press conference in Washington following the two-plus-two talks that the Indian authorities are seeking a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and are ready to promote a diplomatic settlement. “Ukrainians contacted us, in particular, on the issue of the supply of medicines. We have already provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, some of its neighbors. And even at the moment, a batch of medicines is being delivered or will soon be delivered to Kyiv”, Jaishankar added.
In addition, the Indian Foreign Minister rejected the journalist's question about India's imports of Russian oil and Washington's calls not to increase the volume of purchases of this fuel. The Foreign Minister stressed that such purchases are “necessary for the energy security” of India. At the same time, the minister pointed out that India purchases less oil from Russia in a month than Europe in half a day. (tass.ru)
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that by agitating the population to fight against Russia and condoning the mercenaries, Europe and the United States do not calculate the consequences. The «activists» who do not run away in the very first days will be trained and remain in the ranks of the Ukrainian paramilitary formations, fighting shoulder to shoulder with the notorious Nazis.
1. Political statements by the leadership of the Russian Federation and friendly countries
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine is proceeding according to plan. “Our task is to fulfill and achieve all the goals set, minimizing losses. And we will act rhythmically, calmly, according to the plan that was originally proposed by the General Staff” , Putin stressed. He recalled that the purpose of the special operation “is to help people living in the Donbass, who feel their inseparable connection with Russia and who have been subjected to genocide for eight years”. The special operation will continue until the fulfillment of the initially set tasks, if agreements acceptable to all are not reached at the talks, Putin said. “Of course, I am closely watching the discussions that take place in our society, abroad. We must not hide anything from the public. But they must cover this combat work objectively”, the head of state said. Ukraine for the West is a means to achieve goals that have nothing to do with the interests of the Ukrainian people, Putin said. He stressed that “even in today's tragic conditions, Ukrainians are a brotherly people”. (tass.ru)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, that the US authorities intentionally fuel the conflict in Ukraine for containing China and Russia. “US and NATO policies have brought Russia-Ukraine rifts to a critical point. The American side has taken no steps to ease the escalation of tensions, but on the contrary, it has been adding fuel to the conflict, thus forcing other countries to take sides”, he said. “The US is systematically spreading disinformation in order to discredit China and distort its fundamental stance in favor of peace talks. It has been trying to dodge responsibility, staging provocations and trying to derive benefits, find room for maneuver and at the same time contain Russia and China”, – Zhao said. (tass.ru)
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times said that India and Russia are 'natural allies', but this relationship does not negatively affect the country's cooperation with the United States.
Speaking about whether Russia will be able to meet its obligations to India to supply spare parts and equipment already purchased by India amid the conflict in Ukraine, Singh said he ruled out the impact of that conflict on India's national security preparedness. (tass.ru)
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at a joint press conference in Washington following the two-plus-two talks that the Indian authorities are seeking a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and are ready to promote a diplomatic settlement. “Ukrainians contacted us, in particular, on the issue of the supply of medicines. We have already provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, some of its neighbors. And even at the moment, a batch of medicines is being delivered or will soon be delivered to Kyiv”, Jaishankar added.
In addition, the Indian Foreign Minister rejected the journalist's question about India's imports of Russian oil and Washington's calls not to increase the volume of purchases of this fuel. The Foreign Minister stressed that such purchases are “necessary for the energy security” of India. At the same time, the minister pointed out that India purchases less oil from Russia in a month than Europe in half a day. (tass.ru)
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that by agitating the population to fight against Russia and condoning the mercenaries, Europe and the United States do not calculate the consequences. The «activists» who do not run away in the very first days will be trained and remain in the ranks of the Ukrainian paramilitary formations, fighting shoulder to shoulder with the notorious Nazis.
They will return home like people with a broken psyche, like militants saturated with misanthropic ideology, accustomed to the violence and skilled in the use of weapons. (ria.ru)
2. The course of special military operation. Briefings by Russian Defense Ministry
12.04.2022 (10:05)
Russian Armed Forces continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
At night, high-precision air- and sea-based missiles destroyed an ammunition depot and a secure hangar with Ukrainian aircraft at Starokonstantinov military airfield, Khmelnitskiy region and an ammunition depot near Gavrilovka in Kiev region.
Air Force and Army aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces hit 32 military assets of Ukraine.
Among them: 1 anti-aircraft missile system «Вик-Ml» near Novomikhailovka, 1 radar for illumination and guidance of anti-aircraft missile system «S-ЗОО» near Zolotarevka, 1 command post and 18 areas of Ukrainian military equipment stockpile.
Russian Air Defence systems shot down 2 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Berdyansk and Melitopol.
In total, 130 aircfaft and 99 helicopters, 244 anti-aircraft missile systems S-300, Buk-Ml, Osa AKM, 443 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,139 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 241 multiple launch rocket systems, 917 field artillery and mortars, 2,046 units of special military vehicles of Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed during the operation.
On April 11, in Mariupol, the units of Ukrainian troops surrounded in the plant «Illicha» made an unsuccessful attempt to break out at night. A group of up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers on armoured vehicles tried to fight their way out of the plant and leave the city in a northern direction. Air and artillery strikes foiled this breakthrough attempt. 3 tanks, 5 infantry fighting vehicles, 7 vehicles were destroyed and up to 50 personnel were killed. Another 42 Ukrainian servicemen voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered. (mil.ru)
12.04.2022 (20:00)
Russian Armed Forces continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
Russian artillery units hit 6 strong points of units of 24th Ukrainian Mechanized Brigade near Popasnaya, Donetsk Region. As a result of strikes, more than 120 military personnel were killed, 11 armoured vehicles and 14 vehicles were destroyed.
Air Force and Army aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces hit 38 military assets of Ukraine. Among them: 1 ammunition depot in Toshkivka, Lugansk Region, 8 areas of Ukrainian weapons and military equipment stockpile in Glazunovka, Pyatigorskoe and Prishib in Kharkov Region.
Russian Air Defence systems shot down 2 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the air over Ochakov and Nikolaev.
In total, 130 aircfaft and 99 helicopters, 244 anti-aircraft missile systems S- 300, Вuк-Ml, Osa АКМ, 445 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,153 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 241 multiple launch rocket systems, 924 field artillery and mortars, 2,063 units of special military vehicles of Ukrainian Armed were destroyed during the operation.
2. Crimes of the Ukrainian Nazis and the armed forces of Ukraine
3. The representative office of the Donetsk People's Republic in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Ceasefire reported that eleven civilians on the previously liberated territories were injured as a result of shelling by Ukrainian troops. It is noted that nine of them are residents of Mariupol. According to the agency, the total number of recorded victims in the liberated territories of the Donetsk People's Republic has reached 1,036 people, including 54 children. On April 11, Ukrainian troops opened fire on the Donetsk People's Republic 34 times, firing 189 rounds of ammunition. Two people died and seven were injured. (ria.ru)
4. Exposure of disinformation
The CNN channel released a story about the disastrous state of the Russian economy, in which famine began. This story is an attempt by the Western media to divert attention from internal problems and at the same time prove the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed against Russia.
2. The course of special military operation. Briefings by Russian Defense Ministry
12.04.2022 (10:05)
Russian Armed Forces continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
At night, high-precision air- and sea-based missiles destroyed an ammunition depot and a secure hangar with Ukrainian aircraft at Starokonstantinov military airfield, Khmelnitskiy region and an ammunition depot near Gavrilovka in Kiev region.
Air Force and Army aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces hit 32 military assets of Ukraine.
Among them: 1 anti-aircraft missile system «Вик-Ml» near Novomikhailovka, 1 radar for illumination and guidance of anti-aircraft missile system «S-ЗОО» near Zolotarevka, 1 command post and 18 areas of Ukrainian military equipment stockpile.
Russian Air Defence systems shot down 2 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Berdyansk and Melitopol.
In total, 130 aircfaft and 99 helicopters, 244 anti-aircraft missile systems S-300, Buk-Ml, Osa AKM, 443 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,139 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 241 multiple launch rocket systems, 917 field artillery and mortars, 2,046 units of special military vehicles of Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed during the operation.
On April 11, in Mariupol, the units of Ukrainian troops surrounded in the plant «Illicha» made an unsuccessful attempt to break out at night. A group of up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers on armoured vehicles tried to fight their way out of the plant and leave the city in a northern direction. Air and artillery strikes foiled this breakthrough attempt. 3 tanks, 5 infantry fighting vehicles, 7 vehicles were destroyed and up to 50 personnel were killed. Another 42 Ukrainian servicemen voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered. (mil.ru)
12.04.2022 (20:00)
Russian Armed Forces continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
Russian artillery units hit 6 strong points of units of 24th Ukrainian Mechanized Brigade near Popasnaya, Donetsk Region. As a result of strikes, more than 120 military personnel were killed, 11 armoured vehicles and 14 vehicles were destroyed.
Air Force and Army aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces hit 38 military assets of Ukraine. Among them: 1 ammunition depot in Toshkivka, Lugansk Region, 8 areas of Ukrainian weapons and military equipment stockpile in Glazunovka, Pyatigorskoe and Prishib in Kharkov Region.
Russian Air Defence systems shot down 2 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the air over Ochakov and Nikolaev.
In total, 130 aircfaft and 99 helicopters, 244 anti-aircraft missile systems S- 300, Вuк-Ml, Osa АКМ, 445 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,153 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 241 multiple launch rocket systems, 924 field artillery and mortars, 2,063 units of special military vehicles of Ukrainian Armed were destroyed during the operation.
2. Crimes of the Ukrainian Nazis and the armed forces of Ukraine
3. The representative office of the Donetsk People's Republic in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Ceasefire reported that eleven civilians on the previously liberated territories were injured as a result of shelling by Ukrainian troops. It is noted that nine of them are residents of Mariupol. According to the agency, the total number of recorded victims in the liberated territories of the Donetsk People's Republic has reached 1,036 people, including 54 children. On April 11, Ukrainian troops opened fire on the Donetsk People's Republic 34 times, firing 189 rounds of ammunition. Two people died and seven were injured. (ria.ru)
4. Exposure of disinformation
The CNN channel released a story about the disastrous state of the Russian economy, in which famine began. This story is an attempt by the Western media to divert attention from internal problems and at the same time prove the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed against Russia.
These are refuted by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade. Supply and demand for all goods are steady and stable, a long-term stock of socially important goods has been formed. A shortage in retail trade is not expected. (войнасфейками.рф) #Russia #Ukraine #Donbass
⚡️ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Rossiya television network, Moscow, April 11, 2022
Question: I would like to ask you about “strange” statements by European diplomats on the course of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell said it must be won on the battlefield. This doesn’t really jibe with the EU’s status as a primarily political and economic organisation. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed regret over his earlier stance on the possibility of normal dialogue with Russia. So now he doesn’t think it’s possible. How is one supposed to talk with these people? How is one supposed to come to terms with them?
Sergey Lavrov: This is a major shift in the policy of the EU and the entire West under the leadership of the US (there is no doubt about that) that occurred after the start of our special military operation. Their current policy is rooted in bitterness and derangement (excuse the non-diplomatic word choice), though it’s not all about Ukraine but rather turning that country into a bridgehead from which Russia can finally be subjugated and subordinated to the global system built by the West even though the Cold War ended and the USSR and Warsaw Treaty disappeared. The West was moving closer to our borders all the time despite its promises not to expand NATO, statements to the effect that we were no longer adversaries and many other things. Our special military operation is designed to put an end to NATO’s unlimited expansion and to keep the US and other NATO countries from achieving total domination in the world arena. They are building this system based on “rules” which they just now started going on about, despite violating international law in the crudest manner in the process. They devise these rules on a case-by-case basis. It is fine to recognise independence in Kosovo without a referendum but not in Crimea even after a referendum that was monitored by hundreds of unbiased foreigners.
A threat to US security was detected in Iraq (10,000 km away from the US). They bombed it but didn’t locate the threat and didn’t even apologise. They are cultivating neo-Nazis and ultra-radicals on our borders. The Pentagon is setting up dozens of laboratories conducting experiments to develop biological weapons. The documents found there leave no doubt about this. But we are not allowed to respond to a threat on our borders, as opposed to across the ocean. That’s the message.
President Vladimir Putin explained in detail the reasons for the decision on the special military operation. These include eight years of sabotage of the Minsk agreements accompanied by the daily bombing of Donbass; the flooding of Ukraine with Western weapons; and the sending of instructors that trained the most extremist units that were later sent to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They formed the backbone of the groups that are now resisting our operation to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine. Western propaganda immediately used all this to portray Russia as pure evil and themselves, consequently, as purely good. The current Ukrainian regime is described as a model of democracy, justice, freedom and European aspirations in all things, including the values that Europe has supposedly always preached. The response that followed shows that they understand very well that Ukraine isn’t really the point. The point is their own dominance, which far from all countries are willing to accept. Russia, with its history and traditions, is one of those countries that will never accept a subordinate status. We can be members of the international community only on equal terms, on conditions of indivisible security. We wanted to reach some accommodation but were ignored by our Western colleagues.
But what Mr Borrell said – even by the standards of the unprecedented, aggressive level things have reached – marks a serious change in the rules of the game. Until now the EU has never acted as a military organisation.
Question: I would like to ask you about “strange” statements by European diplomats on the course of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell said it must be won on the battlefield. This doesn’t really jibe with the EU’s status as a primarily political and economic organisation. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed regret over his earlier stance on the possibility of normal dialogue with Russia. So now he doesn’t think it’s possible. How is one supposed to talk with these people? How is one supposed to come to terms with them?
Sergey Lavrov: This is a major shift in the policy of the EU and the entire West under the leadership of the US (there is no doubt about that) that occurred after the start of our special military operation. Their current policy is rooted in bitterness and derangement (excuse the non-diplomatic word choice), though it’s not all about Ukraine but rather turning that country into a bridgehead from which Russia can finally be subjugated and subordinated to the global system built by the West even though the Cold War ended and the USSR and Warsaw Treaty disappeared. The West was moving closer to our borders all the time despite its promises not to expand NATO, statements to the effect that we were no longer adversaries and many other things. Our special military operation is designed to put an end to NATO’s unlimited expansion and to keep the US and other NATO countries from achieving total domination in the world arena. They are building this system based on “rules” which they just now started going on about, despite violating international law in the crudest manner in the process. They devise these rules on a case-by-case basis. It is fine to recognise independence in Kosovo without a referendum but not in Crimea even after a referendum that was monitored by hundreds of unbiased foreigners.
A threat to US security was detected in Iraq (10,000 km away from the US). They bombed it but didn’t locate the threat and didn’t even apologise. They are cultivating neo-Nazis and ultra-radicals on our borders. The Pentagon is setting up dozens of laboratories conducting experiments to develop biological weapons. The documents found there leave no doubt about this. But we are not allowed to respond to a threat on our borders, as opposed to across the ocean. That’s the message.
President Vladimir Putin explained in detail the reasons for the decision on the special military operation. These include eight years of sabotage of the Minsk agreements accompanied by the daily bombing of Donbass; the flooding of Ukraine with Western weapons; and the sending of instructors that trained the most extremist units that were later sent to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They formed the backbone of the groups that are now resisting our operation to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine. Western propaganda immediately used all this to portray Russia as pure evil and themselves, consequently, as purely good. The current Ukrainian regime is described as a model of democracy, justice, freedom and European aspirations in all things, including the values that Europe has supposedly always preached. The response that followed shows that they understand very well that Ukraine isn’t really the point. The point is their own dominance, which far from all countries are willing to accept. Russia, with its history and traditions, is one of those countries that will never accept a subordinate status. We can be members of the international community only on equal terms, on conditions of indivisible security. We wanted to reach some accommodation but were ignored by our Western colleagues.
But what Mr Borrell said – even by the standards of the unprecedented, aggressive level things have reached – marks a serious change in the rules of the game. Until now the EU has never acted as a military organisation.
Yes, now they are discussing their “strategic compass.” For the first time in history, Germany allocated an additional 100 billion euros to exercise its military muscles, which represents a qualitative change. This “strategic compass” includes a tangible increase in military spending and the formation of a certain collective structure for defence against potential aggressors. But the upshot of all this independence is zero because the United States is controlling everything that is being done. The EU has not been given any independent role, even internally. Its efforts are being skillfully controlled by the Baltic states, Denmark and Poland, which will not allow any kind of separation between the EU and NATO. Quite the contrary, they will be pushing it back into NATO’s web.
Question: A NATO branch?
Sergey Lavrov: So it seems. Whenever the chief diplomat of a country or an organisation (in this case, head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell) says that a particular conflict can be resolved exclusively by military means, that is how such a statement is construed. This means that either he has a personal grudge, or it was a slip of the tongue, or he got ahead of his orders. This statement is out of line. We will cover this in more detail in our official documents. I hope we will be able to analyse all this within the next couple of days.
You also mentioned Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whom I know well back from his days as Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is now the President of Germany. In an interview that he gave several days ago, he was asked whether an international tribunal was needed to try representatives of the Russian leadership, starting with President Vladimir Putin and the Foreign Minister, as war criminals. He agreed, saying that everyone who is responsible for the military operation and the political decisions should be held accountable. I leave this to his conscience. I think that the facts will become known in Germany, and the perpetrators of war crimes will become known. This will be determined not on the basis of fakes (such as Bucha or Kramatorsk), but on the basis of the deadly evidence that we present, and that our military discover during the special military operation and on the basis of the testimony of the people who have lived in the divided Donbass under the yoke of these neo-Nazis for many years, cut off from their sons who stayed on the eastern side of the line of contact. As these people are being liberated now, it is impossible to fake the feelings that they have or to make up the hardships they went through living under the control of neo-Nazi and other “territorial” battalions.
Steinmeier said another interesting thing about Ukraine. He said that, as a diplomat, he had never dedicated as much time to any other country as he did to Ukraine. He recalled that when Germany chaired the EU in 2007, he was the one to initiate the talks on preparing an Association Agreement with the EU. In 2013, when the riot began on the Maidan, he brokered the talks between Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition. That’s how it was, indeed. Importantly, a half-truth is worse than a lie. In fact, Mr Steinmeier left out some important episodes and turning points in the events that he mentioned. First, the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU provided for the transition to zero tariffs for the vast majority of goods. By the time this Agreement had already been in the works in 2013, we reminded our Ukrainian colleagues that we also have a free trade area with them as part of the CIS. We introduced significant protections against European goods when we joined the WTO. So, if they have zero tariffs with Europe, and we have long had zero tariffs for most goods with Ukraine, then goods from the EU will pour into our country freely contrary to the agreements that we reached when joining the WTO. We told them we need to sit down and decide on this issue so that we are not impacted by their relations with the EU.
Question: A NATO branch?
Sergey Lavrov: So it seems. Whenever the chief diplomat of a country or an organisation (in this case, head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell) says that a particular conflict can be resolved exclusively by military means, that is how such a statement is construed. This means that either he has a personal grudge, or it was a slip of the tongue, or he got ahead of his orders. This statement is out of line. We will cover this in more detail in our official documents. I hope we will be able to analyse all this within the next couple of days.
You also mentioned Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whom I know well back from his days as Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is now the President of Germany. In an interview that he gave several days ago, he was asked whether an international tribunal was needed to try representatives of the Russian leadership, starting with President Vladimir Putin and the Foreign Minister, as war criminals. He agreed, saying that everyone who is responsible for the military operation and the political decisions should be held accountable. I leave this to his conscience. I think that the facts will become known in Germany, and the perpetrators of war crimes will become known. This will be determined not on the basis of fakes (such as Bucha or Kramatorsk), but on the basis of the deadly evidence that we present, and that our military discover during the special military operation and on the basis of the testimony of the people who have lived in the divided Donbass under the yoke of these neo-Nazis for many years, cut off from their sons who stayed on the eastern side of the line of contact. As these people are being liberated now, it is impossible to fake the feelings that they have or to make up the hardships they went through living under the control of neo-Nazi and other “territorial” battalions.
Steinmeier said another interesting thing about Ukraine. He said that, as a diplomat, he had never dedicated as much time to any other country as he did to Ukraine. He recalled that when Germany chaired the EU in 2007, he was the one to initiate the talks on preparing an Association Agreement with the EU. In 2013, when the riot began on the Maidan, he brokered the talks between Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition. That’s how it was, indeed. Importantly, a half-truth is worse than a lie. In fact, Mr Steinmeier left out some important episodes and turning points in the events that he mentioned. First, the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU provided for the transition to zero tariffs for the vast majority of goods. By the time this Agreement had already been in the works in 2013, we reminded our Ukrainian colleagues that we also have a free trade area with them as part of the CIS. We introduced significant protections against European goods when we joined the WTO. So, if they have zero tariffs with Europe, and we have long had zero tariffs for most goods with Ukraine, then goods from the EU will pour into our country freely contrary to the agreements that we reached when joining the WTO. We told them we need to sit down and decide on this issue so that we are not impacted by their relations with the EU.
However, the EU, which (as Steinmeier says) started the talks on the Association Agreement on his initiative, told us that this was not our business and that they would reach an agreement with Ukraine as they see fit. After that, Yanukovych realised that this would be a problem and Russia would be forced to build a barrier on the border with Ukraine against Ukrainian-made goods. The President of Ukraine asked to postpone the signing for several months so that we could resolve these problems taking into account the interests of Ukraine, Russia and the EU.
It was after this that Europe, which Mr Steinmeier was so proud of when he said that Ukraine aspired to European values, provoked the Maidan. They rallied the people under the banner of fighting Yanukovych who allegedly wasn’t letting Ukraine join the EU.
Mr Steinmeier did not mention that he did not just broker the talks between Yanukovych and the opposition, but also took part in concluding them by signing a settlement agreement. On behalf of Germany and the EU, Steinmeier signed this agreement as a guarantor alongside the foreign ministers of Poland and France. The next morning, they spat on his signature. The opposition tore up the agreement and, from day one, advocated the abolition of the special status of the Russian language (contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine), called for Russians to “get out” of Crimea, sent “friendship trains” there with armed thugs who wanted to storm the Supreme Soviet. After that there was a referendum. Eastern Ukraine completely refused to recognise the coup. They did not attack anyone, but they were declared terrorists and an anti-terrorist operation was announced.
Mr Steinmeier forgot to say that Germany, France, Poland and the entire European Union showed total helplessness and lack of self-respect. Their signatures were trampled on. Tacitly, they even began to encourage this whole thing when they realised that the thugs who came to power would help the West in every possible way and manipulate it. They remained silent when these people burned dozens of innocent people in Odessa’s House of Trade Unions and when, on June 2, 2014, Ukrainian Air Force bombed central Lugansk. They just remained silent. Later, during the attempts to resolve the situation months and years later, we asked them how they allowed a coup to happen. They told us it was “not quite a coup.” Then what? “The costs of the democratic process.” How can you say that with a straight face?
Frank-Walter Steinmeier forgot to mention February 2015, when, alongside the Normandy format leaders, he co-authored the Minsk agreements. Soon after the signing, actually the next day, Petr Poroshenko and his team, speaking in the Verkhovna Rada, refused to act on them. They called the Minsk agreements a “political declaration” which allegedly was not binding. Then we unanimously approved the Package of Measures at the UN Security Council. It has become part of international law and thus binding. They ignored it and in every possible way encouraged the Ukrainian regime as it continued to sabotage its obligations.
We continued our efforts to find compromises, and were ready to make additional concessions and encourage the republics with which Kiev refused to talk to directly to do so as well. At some point during the talks we supported what was called the “Steinmeier formula” as a sign of our flexible approach. When we had to decide what should be done first - granting a special status or holding elections - he came up with a solution that suited everyone and became known as the “Steinmeier formula.” A couple of weeks after the “formula” had been approved and everyone welcomed it, it was consigned to oblivion as well. Petr Poroshenko and Vladimir Zelensky after him were vehemently opposed to following it.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier has to live down a diplomatic disgrace for the second time in several years if he considers himself the initiator (as he proudly stated in that interview) of many things related to the state of Ukrainian society.
It was after this that Europe, which Mr Steinmeier was so proud of when he said that Ukraine aspired to European values, provoked the Maidan. They rallied the people under the banner of fighting Yanukovych who allegedly wasn’t letting Ukraine join the EU.
Mr Steinmeier did not mention that he did not just broker the talks between Yanukovych and the opposition, but also took part in concluding them by signing a settlement agreement. On behalf of Germany and the EU, Steinmeier signed this agreement as a guarantor alongside the foreign ministers of Poland and France. The next morning, they spat on his signature. The opposition tore up the agreement and, from day one, advocated the abolition of the special status of the Russian language (contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine), called for Russians to “get out” of Crimea, sent “friendship trains” there with armed thugs who wanted to storm the Supreme Soviet. After that there was a referendum. Eastern Ukraine completely refused to recognise the coup. They did not attack anyone, but they were declared terrorists and an anti-terrorist operation was announced.
Mr Steinmeier forgot to say that Germany, France, Poland and the entire European Union showed total helplessness and lack of self-respect. Their signatures were trampled on. Tacitly, they even began to encourage this whole thing when they realised that the thugs who came to power would help the West in every possible way and manipulate it. They remained silent when these people burned dozens of innocent people in Odessa’s House of Trade Unions and when, on June 2, 2014, Ukrainian Air Force bombed central Lugansk. They just remained silent. Later, during the attempts to resolve the situation months and years later, we asked them how they allowed a coup to happen. They told us it was “not quite a coup.” Then what? “The costs of the democratic process.” How can you say that with a straight face?
Frank-Walter Steinmeier forgot to mention February 2015, when, alongside the Normandy format leaders, he co-authored the Minsk agreements. Soon after the signing, actually the next day, Petr Poroshenko and his team, speaking in the Verkhovna Rada, refused to act on them. They called the Minsk agreements a “political declaration” which allegedly was not binding. Then we unanimously approved the Package of Measures at the UN Security Council. It has become part of international law and thus binding. They ignored it and in every possible way encouraged the Ukrainian regime as it continued to sabotage its obligations.
We continued our efforts to find compromises, and were ready to make additional concessions and encourage the republics with which Kiev refused to talk to directly to do so as well. At some point during the talks we supported what was called the “Steinmeier formula” as a sign of our flexible approach. When we had to decide what should be done first - granting a special status or holding elections - he came up with a solution that suited everyone and became known as the “Steinmeier formula.” A couple of weeks after the “formula” had been approved and everyone welcomed it, it was consigned to oblivion as well. Petr Poroshenko and Vladimir Zelensky after him were vehemently opposed to following it.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier has to live down a diplomatic disgrace for the second time in several years if he considers himself the initiator (as he proudly stated in that interview) of many things related to the state of Ukrainian society.
Question: Is it possible to speak about a change in the positions of the sides at the Russia-Ukraine talks after the provocations in Bucha and Kramatorsk and considering the collective West, primarily the US, is doing all it can to prolong hostilities?
Sergey Lavrov: President of Russia Vladimir Putin emphasised more than once that we prefer talks. During the very first round of talks when Ukraine suggested contacts and we agreed to arrange them, President Vladimir Putin ordered a pause in the special military operation. When we realised that the Ukrainians were not going to reciprocate, we decided not to make any pauses for subsequent rounds of talks until the final agreement was reached and signed.
The provocations are outrageous. Our military personnel provided chronological arguments and videos made in Bucha (excuse me for going into details but they depicted the positions of corpses and how they looked). They presented all the evidence they could. I don’t understand how adults who consider themselves politicians and diplomats can try to say otherwise without any support.
It is revealing that they tried to keep Bucha going as a story for several weeks but quickly stopped talking about Kramatorsk. Evidence was presented on the same day, including ballistic trajectories, the absence of Tochka-U systems in our forces and the like. More provocations will follow.
Recently, the Defence Ministry and the National Defence Management Centre of Russia submitted intelligence data revealing the plans of the Ukrainian regime to stage new provocations with direct support of Western intelligence services, for instance, involving the use of toxic chemicals, mass executions and burials. There will be more provocations. We must respond to them with facts. Our main argument is what is taking place on the ground.
I don’t see reasons that could prevent us from continuing the talks even though Ukrainians keep making an about face and rejecting what they have just suggested.
We are patient and persistent.
Question: What are conditions like for our diplomats working now in unfriendly countries and the UN Headquarters? We are seeing a worrying surge in Russophobic attitudes. Families with children abroad are receiving threats. Did you have to harden security for the employees? How can the interests of our compatriots be protected against the backdrop of mounting Russophobia?
Sergey Lavrov: Diplomats live and work in difficult conditions. There are attacks, actually terrorist acts against our offices and their physical security but our diplomats are more or less protected by their status. We often do not advise people to go out alone.
We are most of all concerned over the situation of our compatriots, citizens, simply Russians living abroad. They are subjected to regular physical attacks. I know that Western capitals and Western embassies in Moscow are discussing this issue. EU ambassadors hold meetings from time to time for this purpose. Some of our good acquaintances said that EU ambassadors in Moscow are expressing serious concern over examples of Russophobia in Europe. They think this is wrong because it spoils the EU’s image. I wouldn’t say spoil but rather further reveals it for what it is now.
The speed with which the Russophobic wave was set in motion shows (as a US scholar put it) that “latent racism” is alive and well in Europe. At one time, Adolf Hitler mobilised his own society and other European countries against the Jews (and Slavs, for that matter). Now the command to attack is against Russians. The gloves have come off, the pretense and political correctness are gone. Nothing remains.
Ukrainian politicians say “a good Russian is a dead Russian." All other Russians are bad. Ministers are saying that Europe must discriminate against all Russians without distinction. They want them ostracised whether or not they support Putin because there is no time to determine that. They are openly saying this.
Sergey Lavrov: President of Russia Vladimir Putin emphasised more than once that we prefer talks. During the very first round of talks when Ukraine suggested contacts and we agreed to arrange them, President Vladimir Putin ordered a pause in the special military operation. When we realised that the Ukrainians were not going to reciprocate, we decided not to make any pauses for subsequent rounds of talks until the final agreement was reached and signed.
The provocations are outrageous. Our military personnel provided chronological arguments and videos made in Bucha (excuse me for going into details but they depicted the positions of corpses and how they looked). They presented all the evidence they could. I don’t understand how adults who consider themselves politicians and diplomats can try to say otherwise without any support.
It is revealing that they tried to keep Bucha going as a story for several weeks but quickly stopped talking about Kramatorsk. Evidence was presented on the same day, including ballistic trajectories, the absence of Tochka-U systems in our forces and the like. More provocations will follow.
Recently, the Defence Ministry and the National Defence Management Centre of Russia submitted intelligence data revealing the plans of the Ukrainian regime to stage new provocations with direct support of Western intelligence services, for instance, involving the use of toxic chemicals, mass executions and burials. There will be more provocations. We must respond to them with facts. Our main argument is what is taking place on the ground.
I don’t see reasons that could prevent us from continuing the talks even though Ukrainians keep making an about face and rejecting what they have just suggested.
We are patient and persistent.
Question: What are conditions like for our diplomats working now in unfriendly countries and the UN Headquarters? We are seeing a worrying surge in Russophobic attitudes. Families with children abroad are receiving threats. Did you have to harden security for the employees? How can the interests of our compatriots be protected against the backdrop of mounting Russophobia?
Sergey Lavrov: Diplomats live and work in difficult conditions. There are attacks, actually terrorist acts against our offices and their physical security but our diplomats are more or less protected by their status. We often do not advise people to go out alone.
We are most of all concerned over the situation of our compatriots, citizens, simply Russians living abroad. They are subjected to regular physical attacks. I know that Western capitals and Western embassies in Moscow are discussing this issue. EU ambassadors hold meetings from time to time for this purpose. Some of our good acquaintances said that EU ambassadors in Moscow are expressing serious concern over examples of Russophobia in Europe. They think this is wrong because it spoils the EU’s image. I wouldn’t say spoil but rather further reveals it for what it is now.
The speed with which the Russophobic wave was set in motion shows (as a US scholar put it) that “latent racism” is alive and well in Europe. At one time, Adolf Hitler mobilised his own society and other European countries against the Jews (and Slavs, for that matter). Now the command to attack is against Russians. The gloves have come off, the pretense and political correctness are gone. Nothing remains.
Ukrainian politicians say “a good Russian is a dead Russian." All other Russians are bad. Ministers are saying that Europe must discriminate against all Russians without distinction. They want them ostracised whether or not they support Putin because there is no time to determine that. They are openly saying this.
These are serious things. We will use all legal channels at our disposal to protect our citizens. There is the Foundation for Supporting and Protecting the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad. For the most part, it helps hire attorneys for people abroad. We are substantially increasing its financing.
This is a huge problem. We will discuss it.
This is a huge problem. We will discuss it.