The Ukrainian military has honoured its military journalists for risking and in some cases sacrificing their lives to tell the stories of what is happening on the frontlines of the war.
The Ukrainian military has taken today, Thursday, 16th February, to honour the memory of its military journalists who have given their lives “so that the whole world knows the truth about the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war…”
The footage shows a number of Ukrainian military journalists turning the camera around for once and saying their bit.
One Ukrainian military journalist said: “Our press officers work so you know the truth from the news and so our enemy doesn’t know about our positions and intentions!”
Another one can be seen saying: “What I love most about my job is the people!”
While a third one says: “We create and write the history of this war!”
Another military journalist said: “If there was no such publicity, countries would not help as much as they help now.”
And another said: “Press officers, are always near our brigades, we are the voice of our army! And we will have the honour of telling about our victory!”
One journalist said that the job was “a calling”, while another said: “I wish all journalists only positive news. I am sure very soon we will announce the most important news – news about our victory! Glory to Ukraine!”
And one said: “Congratulations to my brothers with the weapons of information! Eternal honour to all fallen journalists who gave their lives to do their professional duty!”
The images were obtained from the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 16th February, along with a statement saying: “On this day, Ukraine honours the memory of military journalists who gave their lives so that the whole world knows the truth about the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war…
“Press officers and military journalists are those people who, putting their lives and health at risk every day, fearlessly and selflessly inform the society about the war crimes of the Russian Federation and the horrors that happen on the front every day.
“These are the people who receive dozens of calls every day from a wide variety of media representatives from around the world and ensure their productive work.
“Thanks to them, you will learn about the war, and the world will learn about the need to increase the supply of weapons. They are the ones thanks to whom the world supports us and stands side by side with us in one formation.
“Happy Military Journalist Day of Ukraine!
“Glory to Ukraine!”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Joint Forces Task Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and by Operational Command ‘East’ of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, among others.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 358th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 16th February 2023, Russia had lost about 140,460 personnel, 3,296 tanks, 6,517 armoured combat vehicles, 2,306 artillery units, 466 multiple launch rocket systems, 239 air defence systems, 298 warplanes, 287 helicopters, 2,012 drones, 857 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,167 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 219 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said that 97 per cent of the Russian army is now estimated to be in Ukraine. He reportedly said Russia’s forces are suffering “First World War levels of attrition”.
Ukraine’s allies have said that they probably will not manage to supply Kyiv with the number of tanks they had previously promised to provide.
Boris Pistorius, the German Minister of Defence, said they would not even be able to form a battalion – which is typically about 50 tanks.
The announcement comes after a meeting of Western defence ministers in Brussels.
While NATO countries are increasing their production of 155 millimetres artillery rounds to help Ukraine, Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, said it is “obvious that we need to spend more”.
The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) has calculated that Russia has most likely lost between 40 and 50 per cent of its tanks compared to before the invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine, however, is thought to have increased its number of tanks thanks to the number of enemy war machines it has captured and supplies of Soviet-era tanks it has received from its allies.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the notorious Russian mercenary organisation Wagner, has confessed that his group is facing difficulties in eastern Ukraine. He said: “The number of Wagner units will decrease, and we will also not be able to carry out the scope of tasks that we would like to.”
His announcement comes amid reports that Moscow is moving to curb his political influence in the Russian capital.
Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence, has said that Russia is launching “round-the-clock” on Kyiv’s positions in eastern Ukraine. She added: “The situation is tense. Yes, it is difficult for us.”
The office of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has also said that the situation in Luhansk continues to be difficult.
Serhiy Haidai, Ukraine’s Governor of the Luhansk region, has said that Russia is sending mobilised troops and heavy equipment into the area but Ukrainian military forces continue to defend the frontlines.
The Russian Ministry of Defence had earlier claimed that its troops had punched through fortified Ukrainian defences in two locations in Luhansk and that Ukrainian troops had retreated, but they did not say where exactly these gains allegedly took place.
Governor Haidai said that Moscow’s claim that Ukrainian troops had retreated “does not correspond to reality”.
A British man killed in Ukraine has been named by friends and family as Jonathan Shenkin from Glasgow. The 45-year-old “died as a hero in an act of bravery as a paramedic”, his family have said.
