Daily News: Policy № 25e, 25.01.2024
Content
Germany and Ukraine are preparing a bilateral agreement on security guarantees – Scholz
Rada discussing introduction of basic military service in Ukraine instead of conscription - Cherniev
PACE urges to recognize deportation of Ukrainian children by russia as genocide
EBRD invests record-breaking EUR 2.1 billion in projects in Ukraine in 2023
SSU investigating crash of IL-76 plane in Belgorod Oblast of russia
SSU is behind attack on oil refinery in russian Tuapse - sources
Number of enemy missile carriers in Black Sea changed
Coalition of drones already includes 4 countries: Sweden and UK join - Defense Ministry
Russians looking for new tactic for use of Shaheds - Humeniuk
Occupiers begin using new type of banned grenades with poison gas - Center for Weapons Research
Kolomoiskyi's business partner Mykhailo Kiperman arrested
Occupiers attack Ukraine with drones and S-300 missiles; Air Defense down 11 Shaheds
Night Shahed attack on Odesa; residential buildings damaged, casualties reported
Naftogaz announces large-scale cyberattack on one of company's data centers
Ukrposhta and Ukrtransbezpeka report large-scale technical failures
NBU retains GDP growth forecast by 3.6% and improves inflation forecast by 1.2 pp to 8.6% in 2024
NBU retains discount rate at 15% and may return to its reduction from H2
President
Germany and Ukraine are preparing a bilateral agreement on security guarantees – Scholz
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 14:03:00)
Berlin and Kyiv complete negotiations on security guarantees.
On Wednesday, January 24, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this at a joint press conference with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
The press service of the German government noted that on this day, Scholz had a conversation with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The issue of "partnership in the field of security" played an important role in it.
"I assume we'll be finalizing it soon... The nature of the matter requires that we both talk about it when we've finished working on the document together, not before it's finished. But I have a feeling that we are on the verge of concluding the negotiations," said Scholz.
He also assured that Berlin will support Kyiv as long as necessary.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Chancellor Scholz called the military aid that European countries are going to give Ukraine this year insufficient.
On January 4, the country's government announced the transfer of a package of military aid to Ukraine, which included Marder armored personnel carriers, missiles for air defense systems, radar stations, and other military property.
And on January 17, it became known that Germany sent another package of military aid to Ukraine. It included armored personnel carriers, shells for Leopard tanks, drones, and road transport.
On January 20, the Bloomberg agency reported with reference to its sources that the European Union wants to reform the military aid fund to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy on downing of russian plane and exchange: all facts must be established, Ukraine will insist on international investigation
(Ukrainian News, Martynova Ludmyla, 25.01.2024 14:17:00)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the alleged downing of a russian plane with Ukrainian prisoners, said that all the facts must be established and that Ukraine will insist on an international investigation.
Zelenskyy said this in his traditional evening video address, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
He said that he had listened to the reports of security forces and intelligence.
"I called Umierov, Zaluzhnyi, Shaptala, Budanov and Maliuk - they reported on the situation with the plane and the exchange. It is obvious that the russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, with the feelings of their relatives and with the emotions of our society. It is necessary to establish all the clear facts. As much as possible, given that the plane crash happened on russian territory - beyond our control. 'Facts' is the key word now," he said.
Zelenskyy also said that he had heard from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhii Shaptala, regarding the use of the Air Force.
The President added that the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense is engaged in finding out the fate of all prisoners, the Security Service of Ukraine is investigating all the circumstances.
Zelenskyy also announced that he had instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, to inform international partners about the data available in Ukraine.
He emphasized that Ukraine will insist on an international investigation.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on the morning of February 24, social media and mass media reported that a russian Il-76 military transport plane had crashed in the Belgorod Oblast.
Russian officials and propagandists began to claim that 65 captured Ukrainian servicemen were allegedly on board the plane, who were being transported to the Belgorod Oblast for exchange. The crew was russian.
The Defense Intelligence confirmed that the exchange of prisoners was planned for today, but it did not take place.
The Defense Intelligence also stated that Ukraine does not have reliable and comprehensive information about who exactly was on board the russian IL-76 aircraft and how many.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made an official statement that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue to take measures to destroy means of delivery, control the airspace to destroy the terrorist threat, including in the Belgorod-Kharkiv axis.
Parliament and Parties
Rada discussing introduction of basic military service in Ukraine instead of conscription - Cherniev
(Ukrainian News, Martynova Ludmyla, 25.01.2024 15:57:00)
The Verkhovna Rada is discussing the introduction of basic military service in Ukraine for all citizens under the age of 25 instead of conscription.
According to the press service of the Verkhovna Rada apparatus, MP from the Servant of the People faction, deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence Yehor Cherniev reported this.
"Currently, conscript service in the army lasts from 12 to 18 months, depending on whether a person has a higher education or not. We propose to replace it with a three-month training course - this is a basic course, as well as two months of professional training. We also propose that a person, who turned 18, chose the time when is ready to undergo such training from the age from 18 to 25. That is, the person will decide that is ready to undergo such training next year or two years later," he said.
According to him, this approach will make it possible to plan the load on training grounds and training centers.
"The main idea of basic military service is that with such a neighbor as the russian federation, all our citizens should have basic military training. In general, this is one of those links that should start at school and end with the military department in universities," said the MP.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in December, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, reported that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine asked the Ministry of Defense to dismiss conscripts, as they are no longer needed.
On December 25, the Cabinet of Ministers submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill on mobilization, which, in particular, provided for reducing the minimum conscription age for mobilization from 27 years to 25 years. On January 11, after consultations with MPs, the Cabinet of Ministers withdrew this bill for revision.
This bill, among other things, provided for the abolition of conscription and the introduction of basic military service in its place, which citizens must complete before reaching the age of 25. It was assumed that citizens would be able to choose the year and period of basic military service before reaching the age of 25. Accordingly, after reaching the age of 25, a conscript can be mobilized, regardless of military experience or education.
PACE urges to recognize deportation of Ukrainian children by russia as genocide
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 20:14:00)
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted the resolution ‘Situation of Ukrainian Children’, which called on member countries to recognize the deportation of Ukrainian children by the aggressor state of russia as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Member of Parliament, president of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons in PACE Oleksii Honcharenko announced this on Thursday, January 25.
"Adopted unanimously! An important document that is another step towards punishment and accountability for the crimes of russians against Ukrainians. Kidnapping of our children, illegal deportation, as well as adoption into Russian families is the forced destruction of Ukrainian identity," Honcharenko said.
The resolution also called on member states to continue to provide all the necessary to Ukrainian refugees with children. In addition, the document takes into account the amendment on the preservation of assistance to internal immigrants in Ukraine, Honcharenko noted.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in October 2023, PACE called on the international community not to recognize the legitimacy of the president of the terrorist country of the russian federation vladimir putin after the end of his presidential term in March 2024.
Also in October, PACE recognized russia as a dictatorship, and russian president putin as a dictator.
Recall that in January 2023, PACE supported a resolution on the creation of an international tribunal over the military-political leadership of russia and Belarus.
Foreign Policy
EBRD invests record-breaking EUR 2.1 billion in projects in Ukraine in 2023
(Ukrainian News, Zholobetskyi Serhii, 25.01.2024 14:05:00)
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided a record-breaking EUR 2.1 billion to Ukraine in 2023, after EUR 1.7 billion in 2022.
This follows from a statement by the bank, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
The EBRD has significantly increased the volume of investments since the russian invasion in February 2022 and already, in October 2023, exceeded its goal of investing EUR 3 billion in Ukraine during the years 2022-23.
Also, in 2023, EBRD managers decided to increase the bank's paid-up capital by EUR 4 billion to EUR 34 billion in order to provide further support to Ukraine.
Investments in Ukraine during the war are planned to continue at around EUR 1.5 billion per year, with the capital increase providing the opportunity to double this amount when the time comes for recovery.
In 2022-2023, the EBRD also managed to mobilize about EUR 1.6 billion of donor funds for Ukraine, including unfunded guarantees.
In 2023, the EBRD committed EUR 1 billion to the private sector, including EUR 600 million in loans through partner financial institutions in Ukraine and EUR 400 million under its Trade Facilitation Programme.
The EBRD currently has five priority investment areas in Ukraine: energy security, vital infrastructure, food security, trade, and private sector support.
In addition to financing, the EBRD continues to support reforms in Ukraine, the implementation of which is an important guarantee not only of further private sector investments but also of Ukraine's further movement towards EU membership.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the EBRD invested EUR 1 billion in the economy of Ukraine in 2021.
The EBRD reduced investments in Ukraine by EUR 300 million and provided EUR 812 million in 2020 compared to 2019 (EUR 1.1 billion).
SSU investigating crash of IL-76 plane in Belgorod Oblast of russia
(Ukrainian News, Bosak Serhii, 25.01.2024 14:40:00)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) opened a criminal investigation into the plane crash of the IL-76 aircraft of the russian air force in the Belgorod Oblast of russia.
Ukrainian News Agency was informed about this by the SSU.
The investigation is carried out under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).
The Security Service of Ukraine is carrying out a series of measures to clarify all the circumstances of the plane crash.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
No further details were specified.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the alleged downing of a russian plane with Ukrainian prisoners, said that all the facts must be established and that Ukraine will insist on an international investigation.
On the morning of February 24, social networks and mass media published information about the crash of a russian Il-76 military transport plane in the Belgorod Oblast.
Russian officials and propagandists began to claim that 65 captured Ukrainian servicemen were allegedly on board the plane, who were being transported to the Belgorod Oblast for exchange. The crew was russian.
The Defense Intelligence confirmed that an exchange of prisoners was planned, but it did not take place. The Defense Intelligence also stated that Ukraine does not have reliable and comprehensive information about who exactly was on board the russian IL-76 aircraft and how many.
SSU is behind attack on oil refinery in russian Tuapse - sources
(Ukrainian News, Bosak Serhii, 25.01.2024 14:56:00)
An oil refinery in the russian city of Tuapse was attacked by drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU).
This was reported to the Ukrainian News Agency by sources in law enforcement agencies.
Our sources confirm that it was the drones of the Security Service that attacked this important object for the enemy.
According to interlocutors, after two powerful explosions, a large-scale fire started there tonight.
Sources specify that the primary oil processing facility, namely the vacuum and atmospheric columns, was damaged.
"The SSU is striking deep into the russian federation and continues attacks on objects that are not only important for the russian economy, but also provide fuel to enemy troops. There will be many surprises to come, systematic work continues," the source said.
We will remind that a few days ago the SSU conducted a special operation at the oil terminal Ust-Luga Oil in the Leningrad Oblast.
According to the media, after attacks of the SSU, sea deliveries of crude oil from russia fell to a minimum.
This severely affects russian exports, which means that it reduces the resources that the russian federation can spend on war.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the russian federation reported a large-scale fire at an oil depot in Tuapse, the height of the flame reached 70 meters.
Number of enemy missile carriers in Black Sea changed
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 16:30:00)
As of 08:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, russia keeps 4 ships on combat duty in the Black Sea, including 2 Kalibr cruise missile carriers with a total salvo of up to 8 missiles.
This was announced by the command of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
"There are 4 enemy ships in the Black Sea, including 2 Kalibr cruise missile carriers, a total salvo of up to 8 missiles; in the Sea of Azov - 1 enemy ship; in the Mediterranean Sea - 2 enemy ships, including 1 Kalibr cruise missile carrier, the total salvo is up to 8 missiles," the message says.
During the day, in the interests of the russian federation, passage through the Kerch Strait was carried out by:
- to the Sea of Azov - 11 ships, of which 1 was moving from the Bosphorus Strait;
- to the Black Sea - 14 ships, of which 2 continued their movement in the direction of the Bosphorus Strait.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, as of the morning of January 24, 10 enemy ships were in the Black Sea, including 3 carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo of up to 16 missiles.
Earlier it was also reported that the South Operational Command explained why the russians are forced to save Kalibr missiles. This may be due to the problems of replenishment of their supplies and logistics for the enemy fleet due to the actions of the Defense Forces in the Black Sea region.
It is also reported that the russian Navy still keeps them closer to Novorossiysk.
Meanwhile, the aggressor state of the russian federation will open a permanent base of the Navy in Abkhazia as early as 2024, the secretary of the Security Council of the unrecognized republic Sergey Shamba said.
MONITORING: Il-76 aircraft crash. Russian VIPs were supposed to be on board, at last moment they were forbidden to board - Yusov
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 16:39:00)
High-ranking officials of the russian federation were supposed to be on board the Il-76 plane that fell in the Belgorod Region, but at the last moment the FSB forbade them to board.
The representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Andrii Yusov has said this in a comment to Radio Svoboda.
According to him, this became known to Ukrainian intelligence after the crash of the plane.
"On board really had to be several official VIPs from the military-political representation of the aggressor state. Their names are known and will be named, materials will be provided as part of an international investigation. But at the last moment, the FSB actually ordered them not to board this board and use other modes of transport. This information has already been clarified after the incident occurred, "says Yusov.
He also adds that russian rescuers were not allowed to inspect the crash site of the plane.
"Representatives of the russian Ministry of Emergency Situations who came to the scene were actually expelled by representatives of the FSB and the military, and they were not given the opportunity to carry out, according to the protocol, an inspection of the place and localization of this accident," said the representative of the Defense Intelligence.
Yusov also says that no remains of human bodies are visible in the video from the plane crash site. And only five bodies were delivered to the local morgue in Belgorod the day before.
"It is known from agency data in particular that as of yesterday, only five bodies had come to the Belgorod morgue. Actually, this number corresponds to the number of crew personnel of that very Il-76, that very aircraft that was part of the russian Military Space Forces," he says.
Recall that the SSU is investigating the crash of the Il-76 plane in the Belgorod Region of the russian federation.
Coalition of drones already includes 4 countries: Sweden and UK join - Defense Ministry
(Ukrainian News, Martynova Ludmyla, 25.01.2024 16:52:00)
Sweden and the United Kingdom said they were joining the newly formed coalition of drones.
This is stated in the message of the Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
The Ministry of Defense notes that the coalition of drones and EW was created by Ukraine and Latvia.
The decision was made during the visit of Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds to Kyiv in December 2023.
This coalition now has four participating countries.
"Technology has to fight, not people. The coalition of drones will be another step towards the implementation of this idea. It will save a lot of lives. Strengthening and developing the production of unmanned systems will transform the army and make the latest technologies a today's reality," said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy advocated the production of FPV drones in Ukraine and said that 1 million drones will be made in Ukraine over the next year.
AFU destroy 950 occupiers, 30 tanks and 42 armored vehicles. General Staff reports losses of russians per day
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 16:58:00)
As of the morning of Thursday, January 25, russia's losses in the war in Ukraine increased to 950 occupiers, the total number of losses of the russian army since the invasion began is 379,610 troops. In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out successful attacks, which resulted in the destruction of 30 tanks, 42 armored fighting vehicles and 59 artillery systems.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Facebook.
The total combat losses of the enemy from 02/24/22 to 01/25/24 were approximately:
personnel - about 379,610 (+ 950) people eliminated; tanks - 6,257 (+ 30) units; armored fighting vehicles - 11,621 (+ 42) units; artillery systems - 9,067 (+ 59) units; MLRS - 972 (+ 1) units; air defense equipment - 660 (+ 1) units; aircraft - 331 units; helicopters - 324 units; operational-tactical level UAVs - 7,033 (+ 35) units; cruise missiles - 1,844 (+ 2) units; ships/boats - 23 units; submarines - 1 unit; motor vehicles and tank trucks - 12,044 (+ 39) units; special equipment - 1,420 (+ 4) units.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, as of Wednesday morning, January 24, russia's losses in the war in Ukraine amounted to 840 invaders, and the total number of losses of the russian army since the beginning of the invasion reached almost 378,660 troops. In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 61 artillery systems, 49 vehicles and 37 drones.
Lubinets appeals to UN and ICRC that representatives of these organizations join inspection of crash site of Il-76 plane in Belgorod Oblast of russia
(Ukrainian News, Martynova Ludmyla, 25.01.2024 18:08:00)
Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, appealed to the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for representatives of these organizations to join the inspection of the crash site of the IL-76 plane in the Belgorod Oblast of russia.
Lubinets announced this on the Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
"Ukraine demands a transparent international investigation into the downing of the Il-76 plane! Therefore, I have already sent official letters to the UN and the ICRC: 1. With the question of whether they were informed by russia about the transfer of prisoners of war by plane; 2. With a request that the representatives of these organizations join to inspect the scene," he wrote.
At the same time, he is convinced that, as in the case of the tragedy in Olenivka, where the russian federation blamed Ukraine, this time russia will also make accusations, but no one will be allowed to the scene of the incident.
Lubinets noted that on the day of the plane crash, January 24, the exchange of prisoners was indeed planned. He emphasized that according to the Geneva Conventions, full responsibility for the life and health of prisoners of war rests with those who keep them. Also, the country that transports prisoners of war must fully ensure their safety and notify and inform the ICRC about the movement of prisoners of war.
Therefore, he emphasized, in this case - this responsibility lies with russia.
Lubinets also emphasized that at the moment there are no signs that there were a large number of people on the plane.
"In my opinion, this is a vivid example when the russian federation planned a propaganda information campaign against Ukraine. I believe that the enemy will continue to use the issue of prisoners of war to destabilize the situation inside Ukraine and reduce the support of our state by its partners," he said.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the alleged downing of a russian plane with Ukrainian prisoners, said that all the facts must be established and that Ukraine will insist on an international investigation.
On the morning of February 24, social networks and mass media published information about the downfall of a russian Il-76 military transport aircraft in the Belgorod Oblast.
Russian officials and propagandists began to claim that 65 captured Ukrainian servicemen were allegedly on board the plane, who were being transported to the Belgorod Oblast for exchange. The crew was russian.
The Defense Intelligence confirmed that an exchange of prisoners was planned for that day, but it did not take place. The Defense Intelligence also stated that Ukraine does not have reliable and comprehensive information about who exactly was on board the russian Il-76 aircraft and how many.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made an official statement that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue to take measures to destroy means of delivery, control the airspace to destroy the terrorist threat, including in the Belgorod-Kharkiv axis.
Russians looking for new tactic for use of Shaheds - Humeniuk
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 18:23:00)
Russian invaders are looking for a new tactic to use Shaheds for future attacks on Ukraine.
Natalia Humeniuk, the head of the joint coordination press center of the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, announced this on the air of the Espresso TV channel.
She noted that during the night attack in the south of Ukraine, the russian occupiers resorted to "tactical tricks."
"It (the enemy) used the low passage of drones over the water, making it as difficult as possible to detect them for air defense, and they came from the direction of actually residential areas, although they maneuvered among industrial ones," the spokeswoman said.
During the attacks, she said, Shaheds now fly in smaller groups.
"The last waves of strikes consist of 2-8 (drones), that night we counted up to 14. But the direction of Shaheds is quite branched, or vice versa - abundantly concentrated, as it was in the Odesa Region, very tightly in a row, not allowing orienting. This is a search for new tactics. The enemy, obviously, is trying to scout the readiness and accuracy of air defense systems, their location in order to plan future powerful actions," said Humeniuk.
The spokeswoman for the Southern Defense Forces noted that after the downing of the russian А-50 aircraft, which conducted reconnaissance, the emphasis on the enemy's intelligence activities was significantly shifted.
"They have resorted to an increase in the number of unmanned aerial vehicles, are trying by tactical aviation to compensate for the gaps in intelligence, and therefore do not have a clear idea where their future goals should be. Therefore, they obviously try to use in small parties for understanding," Humeniuk concluded.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on the night of Thursday, the invaders fired 14 attack drones of the Shahed-131/136 type and five S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles in Ukraine, the air defense forces managed to destroy 11 drones.
10 drones were shot down in the Odesa Region, but there were hits.
The enemy hit with a Shahed the warehouse of a furniture plant in an industrial district of Odesa.
In addition, one of the downed drones hit a partially populated multi-storey new building in the Khadzhybeiskyi District of Odesa and caused a fire.
Another hit drone in the fall broke through the roof of a two-story residential building in the Prymorskyi District of Odesa.
Six people were injured.
Recall that russian terrorists launched two waves of Shahed kamikaze drones to the south of Ukraine on the night of January 25, and Odesa became the main target of the attack. Residential buildings and storage facilities were damaged and six people were injured in the attack.
Occupiers begin using new type of banned grenades with poison gas - Center for Weapons Research
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 19:01:00)
In December 2023, the russian occupation army first used RG-Vo grenades, which contain a chokehold substance chloroacetophenone, banned by the Geneva Protocol.
The representative of the Center for Research of Captured and Advanced Weapons and Military Equipment Andrii Rudyk announced this at a briefing in Military Media Center, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
According to Rudyk, in December 2023, a total of 81 cases of the use of russian grenades with poisonous substances were recorded, which at that time amounted to 17% of the total number since the start of the full-scale aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine.
"In December 2023, the Armed Forces of the russian federation for the first time used new RG-Vo gas grenades against Ukrainian defenders. The RG-Vo grenade uses a much more toxic chemical compound - chloroacetophenone or CN," said a representative of the Center.
The Center for Weapons Research suggests that if such ammunition hits a closed space, for example, a dugout, it takes 5 minutes to kill a person.
The enemy drops the indicated grenades from UAVs.
Chloroacetophenone is prohibited by the Geneva Protocol on the use of suffocating, poisonous or other similar gases and bacteriological agents in war (1925), and is also prohibited for use in combat by UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/2603 (1969).
"Let me remind you that the Russian Federation is still a participant in both documents. The fact that one of the initiators of the aforementioned 1969 resolution was the Soviet Union adds to the particular cynicism in the use of chloroacetophenone by the aggressor state," Rudyk adds.
He also stressed that the use by russian invaders against Ukrainian defenders of chloroacetophenone is significant in two contexts:
this is the first recorded case of the use of this poisonous substance in combat since 1969; mass production of RG-Vo gas grenades may indicate that the russian federation provided false information, stating in 2017 the complete destruction of chemical weapons stocks and their production facilities, which it committed to in accordance with the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention.
In particular, the Center for Research on Captured and Advanced Weapons and Military Equipment established that the marking "862" on the existing spent trophy sample means the Research Institute of Applied Chemistry in the city of Sergiev Posad, located in the moscow region of the russian federation.
Also, according to the marking, the existing grenade was made in 2023.
"This fact may indirectly indicate the preservation of appropriate capacities for the manufacture of more deadly poisonous substances, which violates the obligations made by Russia in accordance with the already mentioned 1993 convention," Rudyk added.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, russian invaders are looking for a new tactic to use Shaheds for future attacks against Ukraine.
Court
Kolomoiskyi's business partner Mykhailo Kiperman arrested
(Ukrainian News, Bosak Serhii, 25.01.2024 14:29:00)
The High Anti-Corruption Court arrested Mykhailo Kiperman, business partner of Ihor Kolomoiskyi, in absentia.
This was announced in the anti-corruption prosecutor's office, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
The NABU and SACPO suspect him of organizing a scheme to seize the electricity of PrJSC NEC Ukrenergo and legalize the funds received from its sale. The implementation of this scheme caused Ukrenergo UAH 716 million in losses.
At the court session, the SACPO prosecutor read correspondence that allegedly confirms Kiperman's control of United Energy LLC and other companies involved in the investigation.
The court granted the request of the prosecutor and ordered the suspect to be remanded in custody.
After the suspect is detained and brought to the place of pre-trial investigation, the investigating judge will decide on the application of this preventive measure.
The decision can be appealed to the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, businessman Ihor Kolomoiskyi agreed to provide the investigation with important documents in his case, but the court still extended his arrest until January 26, but reduced the bail to UAH 2.7 billion.
In 2023, the Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv allowed a group of prosecutors from the Prosecutor General's Office to search and seize documents in the office of Ukrenergo.
Law Enforcement Agencies
Occupiers attack Ukraine with drones and S-300 missiles; Air Defense down 11 Shaheds
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 14:02:00)
Overnight into January 25, russian invaders attacked the territory of Ukraine with 14 attack UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type and five S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles.
This follows from a statement by the Telegram channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
It is noted that the occupiers launched Shaheds from the area of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, russia, and Cape Chauda, temporarily occupied Crimea. They also used S-300 missiles from the Belgorod Oblast and occupied Donetsk Region.
Earlier, the Air Force warned about the movement of several UAVs of the Shahed type from the Black Sea in the direction of Odesa.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, meanwhile, the number of injured as a result of the russian missile attack on Hirnyk in the Donetsk Region has increased to nine, including two children. In addition, two people were killed as a result of the attack. The search and rescue operation has been completed.
In addition, today, January 24, defenders destroyed two russian missiles over the Dniprovskyi District of the Dnipropetrovsk Region. Debris fell on an enterprise in the regional center. In addition, a man was injured.
Night Shahed attack on Odesa; residential buildings damaged, casualties reported
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 14:04:00)
Russian terrorists launched two waves of Shahed kamikaze drones into southern Ukraine overnight into January 25, and Odesa became the main target of the attack. As a result of the attack, residential buildings and warehouses were damaged, and six people were wounded.
This follows from a statement by the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine posted on Telegram.
It is noted that 11 kamikaze drones were successfully shot down by air defense systems: 10 in the Odesa region and one in the Mykolayiv Region.
The enemy used advanced tactical techniques, performing low-flying maneuvers and fighting defense systems.
One of the downed drones hit a residential building in the Khadzhybeiskyi District of Odesa, causing a fire. Several apartments were damaged, and one person received burns and was hospitalized.
Another mentioned drone, having fallen, broke through the roof of a two-story building in the city's Prymorskyi District.
Another UAV also crashed in the same residential area, near a house that had already been damaged by a previous attack. The explosion shattered the glazing of nearby buildings, destroying a car parked in the yard and damaging others.
In addition, the enemy targeted the warehouse of a furniture factory in the industrial District of Odesa. The ignition of flammable substances caused a huge fire.
A man riding a bicycle fell to the ground as a result of the impact. He was injured by debris from the explosion. The victim was given medical assistance.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, overnight into Thursday, January 25, the russian army attacked the Dnipropetrovsk Region with Shaheds. Two enemy drones targeted the territory of the enterprise in the Kryvyi Rih District, as a result of which a fire broke out.
Ukraine has right to defense and to destroy aggressor’s means of air attack - Air Force Commander Oleshchuk
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 17:25:00)
The Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk, commenting on the crash of the Il-76 aircraft in the Belgorod Region (russia), said that Ukraine has the right to defense and to destroy the means of air attack of the aggressor country.
He wrote about this on his Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
The Lieutenant General noted that during the day of January 24, russian propaganda directed a fake flow of information to the external audience, thus trying to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of the world community.
"The goal is obvious - they want to reduce international support for our state. It won't work! Ukraine has the right to defense and to destroy the means of air attack of the aggressor," he wrote.
Oleshchuk stressed that cities such as Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia are under fire every day and every night from enemy missiles, bombs and drones.
The Air Force does everything to get the enemy both in the sky and on the ground.
"The Air Force was beating, is beating and will be beating the enemy wherever it is, protect our citizens from terrorist attacks by the enemy," he said.
Oleshchuk noted that lots of russian aircraft together with crews will never be able to terrorize Ukrainian people thanks to the successful work of the Air Force.
According to him, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have more and more tools and capabilities to get the enemy where it does not expect it.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on information about the alleged downing of a russian plane with Ukrainian prisoners, noted that it is necessary to establish all the facts, and said that Ukraine will insist on an international investigation.
On the morning of February 24, information appeared on social networks and the media about the fall of the russian Il-76 military transport plane in the Belgorod Region.
Russian officials and propagandists began to claim that there were allegedly 65 captured Ukrainian troops on board the plane, who were transported to the Belgorod Region for exchange. The crew was russian.
The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine confirmed that an exchange of prisoners was planned for Wednesday, but it did not take place.
The Defense Intelligence also said that Ukraine does not have reliable and comprehensive information about who was on board the russian Il-76 plane and in what number.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made an official statement that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue to take measures to destroy the means of delivery, control over the airspace to destroy the terrorist threat, including in the Belgorod-Kharkiv direction.
Russian ship Olenegorsky Gornyak damaged in August transferred from Novorossiysk to occupied Sevastopol - Navy
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 19:32:00)
Russian invaders have transferred the large landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak damaged in August 2023 from Novorossiysk to the Sevastopol Bay.
The spokesman for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Dmytro Pletenchuk announced this on the air of the national telethon, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
The Navy noted that due to significant damage, it is unlikely that the ship will be seen during combat missions in the near future.
"As for its possible participation in the protection and defense of the water area or other training and combat activities, it can hardly do this,” said Pletenchuk.
According to him, it is likely that the ship was transferred to the occupied Crimea to carry out repairs.
"After the damage received last season, it is in repair. Most likely, it was for this purpose that it was brought there from Novorossiysk. Therefore, you should not expect any more exploits from it," said the spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy.
Pletenchuk also said that the russians tried to disguise the damaged ship.
"You can mask in different ways. For example, half of the ship can be painted in a different color. And from afar it will seem that this is a different object. But, of course, such a huge ship as the 775th project is virtually impossible to disguise," the Navy spokesman added.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on August 4, 2023, naval drones attacked the naval base in Novorossiysk and damaged the large landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak, the special operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense of the terrorist country of russia recognized the attack, but, as always, announced its "repulse." After some time, footage of the ship hit the network. Agency sources in the SSU confirmed a special operation in Novorossiysk Bay, as a result of which the Olenegorsky Gornyak landing ship was damaged.
Economics
Naftogaz announces large-scale cyberattack on one of company's data centers
(Ukrainian News, Usachov Olexandr, 25.01.2024 14:49:00)
The Naftogaz of Ukraine national joint-stock company announces a large-scale cyberattack on one of the company's data centers.
This is stated in the company's message, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
"Dear clients of Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gas distribution networks of Ukraine. A large-scale cyberattack has been recorded on one of the data centers used by our companies. Currently, websites and the call center are not working. We will inform you further about the terms of service restoration," the message reads.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on December 12, Kyivstar mobile communications operator was subjected to a powerful hacker attack.
Ukrposhta and Ukrtransbezpeka report large-scale technical failures
(Ukrainian News, Mazur Oleksandr, 25.01.2024 15:46:00)
On Thursday morning, due to a technical failure, the Shliakh information system and the website of the State Transport Safety Service (Ukrtransbezpeka) temporarily stopped working, and the Ukrposhta joint-stock company also reported about a large-scale technical failure in IT systems.
This was reported by the press services of Ukrtransbezpeka and Ukrposhta, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
"To the attention of international car carriers and drivers. As a result of a technical failure in the operation of the data center, access to the Shliakh system and the official website of Ukrtransbezpeka is temporarily unavailable," the press service of Ukrtransbezpeka reported.
It is noted that the technical department is already solving the problem and the system will resume work in the near future.
In addition, Ukrposhta reported a significant technical failure in IT systems, as a result of which only the services of accepting payments and receiving parcels are available in the branches.
"Dear customers, please pay attention! Our IT systems experienced a significant technical failure. Our specialists are actively working to eliminate the problem and restore full operation, but it may take some time. Branches are now able to give out parcels and accept payments. Provision of other services will be restored later," the company said in a Facebook post.
Ukrposhta apologized to customers for the inconvenience.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on Thursday, December 25, the Naftogaz of Ukraine national joint-stock company reported a large-scale cyberattack on one of the company's data centers.
Due to the attack, the company's call center and the websites of Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gas distribution networks of Ukraine are currently down.
On December 12, Kyivstar, a mobile communications operator, suffered a powerful hacker attack.
A russian hacker group claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on Kyivstar.
NBU retains GDP growth forecast by 3.6% and improves inflation forecast by 1.2 pp to 8.6% in 2024
(Ukrainian News, Zholobetskyi Serhii, 25.01.2024 18:22:00)
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) retained the GDP growth forecast by 3.6% and improved the inflation forecast by 1.2 percentage points to 8.6% by the results of 2024.
This is stated in the message of the NBU, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
According to reports, inflation will be within the target range of 5% ± 1 pp in the coming months.
From the middle of the year, it will accelerate somewhat due to the exhaustion of the effects of last year's high harvests.
Further pressure on prices will come from a further recovery in consumer demand, as well as the pass-through of business costs to consumer prices, in particular due to still high security risks and rising wages.
However, inflation will remain moderate, including thanks to the NBU's measures to ensure exchange rate stability and the attractiveness of hryvnia assets.
It is expected to be 8.6% at the end of the year.
Inflation will return to the target range in 2025, slowing to 5.8% by the end of the year, and to the 5% target in 2026.
This will primarily be facilitated by the reduction of security risks assumed in the forecast.
This will provide an overall improvement in expectations, as well as allow for better logistics and production processes.
Interest and currency policy measures of the NBU will remain important factors in reducing price pressure.
The economy recovered throughout last year thanks to the high adaptability of business and the population to the conditions of the war and a soft fiscal policy supported by large-scale international financing.
In the fourth quarter, real GDP growth exceeded expectations primarily due to higher harvests of late crops and the development of alternative export routes.
This became the basis for improving the estimate of real GDP growth in general for 2023 - up to 5.7%.
Despite the war, economic growth will continue.
In 2024, real GDP will grow by 3.6% primarily due to the maintenance of high budget expenditures against the background of the expected volume of international aid at a sufficient level.
However, the rate of economic growth will be lower than last year, due to the expected decrease in harvests and the strengthening of disparities in the labor market in the conditions of the war.
In 2025-2026, economic growth will accelerate to 4-6% per year thanks to the reduction of security risks, which is the main assumption of the NBU forecast, the improvement of consumer and investment sentiments, and the implementation of European integration reforms.
In the post-war period, soft fiscal policy will continue to support the economy, while the budget deficit will be significantly reduced thanks to the strengthening of the domestic resource base.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in 2023, consumer prices rose by 5.1%.
NBU retains discount rate at 15% and may return to its reduction from H2
(Ukrainian News, Zholobetskyi Serhii, 25.01.2024 18:32:00)
The Board of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) decided to retain the discount rate at the level of 15%.
This is stated in the message of the NBU, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
This decision is consistent with the need to further maintain exchange rate stability, maintain moderate inflation in 2024 and bring it to the target range of 5% ± 1 pp on the horizon of monetary policy.
Despite the continuation of russian aggression, last year the inflationary pressure decreased significantly.
In November, inflation slowed to 5.1% in annual terms and remained at this level in December.
The weakening of price pressure was largely facilitated by high harvests and a decrease in global energy prices.
An important role was played by the moratorium on raising tariffs for certain housing and utility services.
The basic scenario of the NBU forecast, which assumes the receipt of a sufficient amount of international financing and the reduction of security risks from next year, foresees a slight decrease in the discount rate from the second half of 2024.
At the same time, the NBU will adapt monetary policy in the event of a change in the balance of risks for inflation and exchange rate stability.
Further decisions regarding the discount rate will depend on the dynamics of inflation, the state of the foreign exchange market, the rhythm of the receipt of international aid, the evolution of security risks and other factors.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in October 2016, the NBU reduced the discount rate from 15% to 14%, in December 2016 and January 2017 - it was kept at the level of 14%, in April 2017 - it was reduced to 13%, in May 2017 - it was reduced to 12.5%, in October 2017 - increased to 13.5%, in December 2017 - to 14.5%, in January 2018 - to 16%, in March 2018 - to 17%, in July 2018 - to 17.5%, in September 2018 - to 18%, in April 2019 - reduced to 17.5%, in July 2019 - to 17%, in September - to 16.5%, in October - to 15.5%, in December - to 13.5%, in January 2020 - to 11%, in March - to 10%, in April - to 8%, in June - to 6%, in March 2021 – increased to 6.5%, in April - to 7%, in July - to 8%, in September - to 8.5%, in December - to 9%, in January 2022 - to 10%, in June 2022 - to 25%.
In July 2023, the NBU reduced the discount rate from 25% to 22%, in September - to 20%, in October - to 16%, in December - to 15%.
NBU worsens forecast for growth of international reserves from USD 44.7 billion to USD 40.4 billion in 2024
(Ukrainian News, Zholobetskyi Serhii, 25.01.2024 18:38:00)
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) worsened the forecast of the growth of international reserves from USD 44.7 billion to USD 40.4 billion according to the results of 2024.
This is stated in the message of the NBU, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
Thanks to external support and the consistent policy of the NBU, Ukraine's international reserves increased by 42% in 2023 and reached USD 40.5 billion.
International aid will continue to be the main source of capital inflows into the country.
Despite delays in the arrival of international aid at the beginning of the year, it is expected that its rhythm will be restored in the coming months.
According to the basic scenario of the NBU forecast, Ukraine will receive about USD 37 billion in the form of external loans and grants in 2024.
As security risks are expected to decrease in the coming years, Ukraine will restore its ability to independently finance its own needs, so the volume of official external financing will gradually decrease (to about USD 25 billion in 2025 and USD 12 billion in 2026).
At the same time, this aid will be sufficient to maintain a sufficient level of international reserves.
It is predicted that their volume will fluctuate between USD 37-42 billion during 2024-2026 and will be sufficient to ensure exchange rate stability.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Ukraine's international reserves as of January 1, 2024, according to preliminary data, amounted to USD 40,507.9 million, which is 42% more than the previous year.
