These images show Ukrainian forces training under real shelling conditions to protect the Kyiv region from an attack from the North.
The images were obtained from the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 16th March, along with a statement saying: “Training of units defending the northern borders of the capital.”
The images were also relayed by the Separate Presidential Brigade named after Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with a statement saying: “Kyiv’s defence forces are constantly improving and preparing for the defence of the northern border.
“Work out day and night march, work at a firing position, evacuation of the wounded.
“The training is close to the conditions of a real battle, with the simulation of shelling and rapid changes in the situation.
“We are establishing interaction between units, improving the work of headquarters.
“Kyiv region is protected!”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 387th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 17th March 2023, Russia had lost about 163,320 personnel, 3,506 tanks, 6,823 armoured combat vehicles, 2,552 artillery units, 504 multiple launch rocket systems, 265 air defence systems, 305 warplanes, 290 helicopters, 2,145 drones, 907 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,401 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 258 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has said that his country is sending four MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, adding that “the rest are being prepared, serviced”.
The move makes Poland the first country to provide Ukraine with fighter jets since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.
The White House has said that Poland’s move was a “sovereign decision” and would not cause US President Joe Biden to provide Ukraine with American F-16 fighter jets.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said that Poland’s move “doesn’t change our calculus with respect to F-16s”.
Poland has said that it has detained nine Russian spies on its territory who were gathering intelligence on weapons supplies to Ukraine and making plans to sabotage deliveries.
Six of the alleged Russian spies have already been charged and charges are being prepared for the three others.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has released a report backed by the United Nations that states that Russia has committed a wide range of war crimes in Ukraine including systematic torture, wilful killings and deporting children.
Russia has dismissed the report.
The Kremlin has said that China’s President Xi Jinping will be visiting Russia between 20th and 22nd March.
Moscow said: “During the talks, they will discuss topical issues of further development of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic cooperation between Russia and China.”
The Kremlin added that a “number of important bilateral documents will be signed.”
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, has said that he spoke with senior Chinese diplomat Qin Gang by phone and that they talk about the “significance of the principle of territorial integrity”.
Kuleba said: “I underscored the importance of [Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s] peace formula for ending the aggression and restoring just peace in Ukraine.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Qin told Kuleba that China “hopes that all parties will remain calm, rational and restrained, and resume peace talks as soon as possible.”
The Pentagon has released footage showing the encounter between a US Reaper drone and two Russian Su-27 fighter jets showing the planes approaching the drone very closely and releasing fuel in front of it.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that the decision to retrieve the downed US Reaper drone from the Black Sea is up to the Russian military, saying: “If they deem it necessary to do that in the Black Sea for our interests and for our security, they will deal with that.”
