Armed Forces of Ukraine Come Back Alive CF Mine clearance Ukraine Volunteers War with Russia
The Come Back Alive Foundation has supplied pickup trucks and mine clearance equipment to 20 engineering and demining teams of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Come Back Alive Foundation announced this on Tuesday, November 7, on its social media pages.
The transfer took place within the “We Live Here” project, implemented jointly with Kyivstar.
The total cost of this equipment is UAH 26,541,104.
The Come Back Alive Foundation reported that 16 sets of such equipment were transferred to the units of the 48th Engineer Brigade. Another four were sent to the 143rd Joint Training Center “Podillya”. In addition, six explosive protective suits were distributed among 20 teams.
Each of the 20 sapper teams of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received:
a pickup truck;
Autel EVO Nano+ quadcopter;
a tablet with a protective case and memory card;
3 Motorola radios;
personal and group mine clearance kits;
a metal detector;
a blasting unit with a charger;
an ohmmeter;
probes;
sappers kits;
2 coils of wire.
A total of 96 sapper teams have already received equipment from the Foundation as part of the “We Live Here” project.
The Foundation notes that Ukraine is currently the most mined country in the world: approximately 30% of our territories need demining.
That is why one of the Foundation’s priorities is to assist the sappers of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Everything needed is purchased due to donations from concerned citizens and responsible businesses.
UAH 175 million is being raised within the “We Live Here” joint Come Back Alive project with Kyivstar, launched in May this year, toprovide 146 sapper teams with the necessary equipment to enable demining specialists to clear Ukrainian land of Russian mines and shell remnants faster, more efficiently, and safely.
The sappers of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are operating both in the already liberated territories and in the areas where active hostilities with Russian invaders are taking place.
Counterintelligence Europe Security Service of Ukraine Ukraine War with Russia World
The Security Service of Ukraine detained a Russian agent of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU), who was involved in adjusting the strike on Kharkiv on October 6, 2023.
The Security Service of Ukraine reported on this.
The SSU cyber specialists were able to expose a Russian GRU agent who was using a messenger app to transmit the coordinates of so-called geo-referenced targets to the Russian Armed Forces.
After that, the Russian invaders attacked the regional center using the Iskander missile system, killing two civilians, including a 10-year-old child.
In addition, dozens of civilians were injured. Several residential buildings in the Kharkiv city center also sustained significant destruction and damage.
According to the investigation, the traitor was a local resident of Kharkiv who worked as a foreman at a local company involved in the construction of highways and bridges.
The Russian secret service recruited him remotely via the Telegram messenger.
The traitor traveled around the city and the region under the guise of business trips and recorded the movement of Ukrainian troops in the region. He passed the information to the Russian GRU through a “liaison” from the temporarily occupied territory in the east of Ukraine. He turned out to be one of the former leaders of the LPR terrorist organization, nicknamed “Shaman,” who had previously been served a notice of suspicion by the SSU.
During the search of the traitor’s apartment, SSU officers discovered:
4 mobile phones and 7 sim cards of different mobile operators with evidence of correspondence with the aggressor;
bank cards that received money transfers from the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation;
more than USD 10 thousand of the proceeds of crime.
Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators served the enemy agent a notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).
He is currently held in custody. The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime. The offender faces life imprisonment.
The SSU officers in the Kharkiv region carried out complex measures under the procedural supervision of the Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Militarnyi previously reported that the SSU counterintelligence officers detained an FSS agent who had taken a job at the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.
The agent’s task was to collect and transmit information about the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the south.
Air Force of Ukraine Belgium Europe Fighter jet Romania Training Ukraine War with Russia
The first Dutch F-16 fighter jets arrived at the new European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) at the Romanian Baza 86 Aeriana Fetesti airbase.
Scramble magazine reports on this.
Three F-16AM fighter hets with tail numbers J-010, J-019, and J-366 and two F-16BMs with tail numbers J-064 and J-210 arrived in Romania from the Belgian Gosselies air base.
The EFTC will primarily use F-16s to improve the training of instructors and then train Ukrainian pilots.
According to information provided by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the aircraft will remain in Dutch ownership.
Judging by the photo, the marking of the Dutch aviation units was removed, and only the silhouette of the Royal Air Force insignia remained.
Militarnyi reported in October on the planned dispatch of Dutch F-16 fighter jets to Romania to train Ukrainian pilots.
In July, it was announced that Romania would create a regional training center for F-16 fighter jet pilots. Ukrainian pilots would also be able to study there.
Thus, Romania joined the “aviation coalition,” which supports the training of Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel, as well as the transfer of modern multifunctional fighter jets within the framework of military assistance.
The center was created together with other allies and Lockheed Martin, a manufacturer of these American combat aircraft. It was to meet NATO member training requirements.
In addition, it was reported that Ukrainian pilots would enter the “first wave” of training on F-16 fighter jets in the new Romanian training centers.
The US Department of Defense also plans to start training Ukrainian pilots for F-16 in America. It is known that the preparation can take between 5 and 9 months.
Air Defense Europe NASAMS SAM Ukraine War with Russia World
New NASAMS air defense systems have been put on combat duty as part of Ukraine’s air defense reinforcement ahead of winter.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on his official Telegram page.
During the review of the report, the President of Ukraine emphasized that, in addition to the transfer of ammunition and equipment, new NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems had been put on combat duty over the 24 hours.
Ukraine received these systems from its Western partners, who are currently allocating funds for the purchase and transfer of anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine to strengthen its air defense capabilities ahead of the cold season.
In addition to the NASAMS systems themselves, Ukraine actively receives AIM-120 missiles from the United States and other NATO countries, which are used by these systems. The most common versions of these missiles are AIM-120B and AIM-120C.
These missiles in the air forces of some countries are currently being replaced by more modern versions so that countries can organize their uninterrupted transfer to Ukraine.
The latest military aid package from the United States announced on November 3, 2023, notes the transfer of an additional amount of this ammunition. The exact number of missiles ready for transmission is not reported.
In addition to NASAMS systems, Ukraine should receive other fixed air defense systems. One of these systems will be the Terrahawk Paladin.
On October 11, 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom announced the transfer of Terrahawk Paladin anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine to provide close air defense from drones.
The system is characterized by complete autonomy, as well as the availability of appropriate sensors and systems for searching, detecting, capturing, and destroying air, land, and sea targets at short range.
A gun is used to destroy targets, the caliber of which can be changed at the request of the customer. As standard, the unit is equipped with a 30-mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II gun with a possible increase in caliber to 40 mm.
In addition, in early autumn, the German government announced a large package of military assistance worth EUR 1 billion, which will be aimed at strengthening the air defense of Ukraine in the run-up to winter.
It should include Patriot, IRIS-T, and Gepard air defense systems to protect Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
NATO member states suspend their participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.
This is outlined in a statement issued by the Alliance on Tuesday, November 7.
This decision was made after Russia announced its final withdrawal from the Treaty.
All NATO members supported the suspension, condemning Moscow’s move.
The statement emphasizes that Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) is “the latest in a series of actions that systematically undermine Euro-Atlantic security.”
It is noted that Russia continues to demonstrate disregard for arms control and undermines the rules-based international order.
“While recognizing the role of the CFE as a cornerstone of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, a situation whereby Allied States Parties abide by the Treaty, while Russia does not, would be unsustainable. Therefore, as a consequence, Allied States Parties intend to suspend the operation of the CFE Treaty for as long as necessary, in accordance with their rights under international law,” the statement reads.
The statement also emphasizes that the Allies remain united in their commitment to effective conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security.
On November 7, 2023, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Russia’s final withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).
The Alliance states that at midnight Moscow time (23:00 Kyiv time on November 6), Russia officially withdrew from the CFE Treaty and that the Treaty is now “history.”
It is worth noting that Russia’s participation in the Treaty was suspended in July 2007 by a decree of the aggressor country’s president, and on November 29, 2007, a corresponding law was passed there.
The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was signed in November 1990 by 16 NATO countries and 6 Warsaw Pact states. It entered into force on November 9, 1992. The Treaty set limits on the number of conventional weapons and military equipment (tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, combat aircraft, and helicopters) for the participating countries.
The United States plans to provide Israel with SPICE precision-guided bombs worth about $320 million.
The Wall Street Journal reported on this.
According to the agreement, the bombs will be manufactured by Rafael USA and subsequently transferred to its Israeli parent company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, for use by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Official sources confirmed that Israel had formally requested the weapon prior to October 7, citing its strategic defense needs.
SPICE (Smart, Precision Impact, Cost-Effective) bombs are a family of autonomous air-to-surface weapons systems designed for high-precision strikes in the conditions of no GPS signal.
Militarnyi repeatedly reported on the transfer of military aid from the United States to Israel.
At the end of October, it was reported that the United States would transfer Iron Dome anti-aircraft systems to Israel to strengthen the country’s air defense amid constant rocket attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah militants.
Israel also received David armored vehicles within the Foreign Military Sale program.
At the same time, the Israeli defense industry does not stop its development and continues signing export contracts.
Recently, it was reported that the Czech Republic entered into a defense agreement with the Israeli government to purchase I-Derby-ER long-range anti-aircraft missiles manufactured by Rafael Systems. The missiles are due to arrive by 2027.
In addition, it was reported that the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems will build a factory to produce artillery shells for an unnamed country.
The contract provides for the establishment of the said enterprise within two years.
The value of the agreement between the Israeli company and the international customer is $135 million.
BAE Systems has been awarded a $211 million contract to supply 40 amphibious combat vehicles (ACVs) to the US Marine Corps.
The U.S. Department of Defense stated this in its reports.
The order is a continuation of previously concluded contracts with a total value of $2.5 billion.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 40 vehicles will be produced in the transporter version for the transportation of personnel.
They will be able to carry 16 soldiers, including three crew members.
The agreement also covers related production and operating costs, as well as support and test equipment.
Most of the work within the contract will be performed in Pennsylvania, with an expected completion date of February 2026.
In March, Militarnyi reported on an additional purchase of ACVs for the needs of the United States Marine Corps, with the contract valued at $256.8 million.
Amphibious Combat Vehicles
The ACV program is a further development of the Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) program for the acquisition of a new type of wheeled armored personnel carrier with the 8×8 formula for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The vehicle is available in ACV-P, ACV-R, and ACV-30 versions.
The ACV-P is an armored personnel carrier with a 12.7 mm machine gun.
The ACV-R vehicle will replace the outdated Assault Amphibian Vehicle, Recovery, Model 7A1 (AAVR7A1).
The ACV-30 Amphibious Combat Vehicle is additionally equipped with a stabilized KONGSBERG MST-30 remote-controlled combat module with a 30-mm automatic cannon.
In total, the US Marine Corps is to receive 204 vehicles under the first phase of the ACV program (ACV 1.1) in the ACV-P armored personnel carrier version for a total cost of $1.2 billion.
And in the second phase (ACV 1.2), the plan is to purchase another 666 modified vehicles.
Ukraine will establish a new camp for prisoners of war due to the increasing number of invaders captured.
Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, announced this on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine will open an additional camp for Russian prisoners of war in the near future. The new camp will be set up on the premises of the Mohyliv-Podilskyi corrective colony in the Vinnytsia region.
Due to a large number of Russian prisoners of war, a new POW camp will be opened in Ukraine in the near future. At the same time, preparations are underway to launch another camp, the statement reads.
Previously, this corrective colony detained men sentenced to imprisonment for the first time. Now, according to the Cabinet of Ministers’ order No. 1005-r of November 3, 2023, the Ministry of Justice has been allocated UAH 3,198.6 thousand from the state budget reserve fund to implement measures to re-profile the state institution.
According to the document, the Ministry of Justice must approve a list of expenses related to the implementation of the measures within three days, in agreement with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance.
It is also reported that, as in the case of the Zakhid-1 prisoner of war camp, the conditions in the new camp will meet all the requirements of international humanitarian law.
The Russian military will be provided with medical care, three meals a day, communication with their families, and constant access to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In addition, according to the Geneva Convention, the camp is located in the deep rear.
Militarnyi previously reported that Russian prisoners of war have been satisfied with the attitude towards them in places of detention in Ukraine, some were even surprised [with it].
This was stated by Alice Jill Edwards, UN Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
“Ukrainian authorities made efforts to treat Russian prisoners of war with respect. Prisoners of war are placed in barracks-type buildings, they are provided with bed linen, clothes, hygiene products, and food,” said Edwards, speaking about visiting a prison camp in the Lviv region.
Donetsk MLRS Occupants elimination Ukraine War with Russia
Ukrainian artillery launched a missile attack on the Donetsk “Republican Center of Unmanned Aerial Systems DPR named after Vladimir Zhogi.”
According to numerous eyewitness videos and Russian media, several missiles destroyed a building in Donetsk at 49 Chelyuskintsev Street.
The abovementioned UAS is located at this address, as evidenced by records in the official registers of the Russian Federation.
Russian propagandists have attempted to deny the presence of a military facility in the building. However, videos disseminated by them reveal a memorial plaque bearing Vladimir Zhoga’s name. The plaque was officially unveiled in March 2023, as reported by Russian propagandist Semyon Pegov.
Russian media had previously shown a video confirming that FPV drone operators for the Russian Armed Forces were undergoing training inside the building. The video demonstrated up to 10 operators simultaneously receiving training on simulators in the training class.
Additionally, the building was used for assembling FPV drones and equipping them with ammunition.
The Center was also involved in the production of ammunition shanks used by UAVs. These shanks were 3D printed in the destroyed building.
It’s worth noting that prior to the attack, the Center organized a concert featuring Russian propagandist singer Yuliya Chicherina. A video proving this fact was published on the Telegram channel of the Center.
Although efforts were made to blur the video, the view of the building across the street remained partially visible. The shape and number of windows seen in the frame corresponded to the building across from the Center.
Russian propagandists, in this manner, unintentionally provided additional confirmation that the concert took place in a significant military facility.
According to Russian media, over 10,000 specialists have already completed training programs at the Center.
Sappers of the Presidential Brigade demonstrated the most common anti-personnel mines of Russians.
The commander of the Engineer Platoon said that the Ukrainian Forces captured many mines from the invaders.
Military engineers are one of the essential parts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces both in defense and in the offensive.
They work with what most people avoid: explosives.
Trap mines
The Presidential Brigade’s sapper says that the booby traps ML-8 of anti−lift action most often fell in their hands.
“They are mainly placed on exits from positions, put under ТМ-62 anti-tank mines, under different boxes,” the sapper says.
When the military enters the Russian positions, he needs to inspect each area, take nothing with his hands, look at his feet, and pull each object with special hooks.
“If you see a clip, then it is initially charged and discharged and only then can it be taken away,” the sapper said.
The Russian military also uses MS-3 trap mines, which are designed as an anti-handling for anti-tank and other mines.
Structurally, the mine MS-3 resembles a PMN mine, with only a difference: there is a protrusion in the center of the upper side of the MS-3 mine.
The principle of triggering for these two mines is different: the PNM mine detonates its cover after pressing, and the MS-3 mine – on the contrary, blows on pressure release.
PMN and POM
The Russian military is actively using PMN-4 anti-personnel mines against the infantry.
A person may receive a foot injury after stepping on the target sensor (the entire upper plane of the mine).
Usually, when a mine explodes, a soldier may lose his foot completely.
Russia had mined Ukrainian territory with PMN-2 mines that were not in service with Ukraine even before the full-scale invasion.
Five kilograms of weight are enough to trigger the PMN-2 high-explosive anti-personnel mine of pressure action. The plastic body of this mine is green or brown, with a detonator in the form of a cross. They are placed into the ground or at the soil surface.
To protect themselves, the Russian military uses POM-2 mines in Ukrainian positions’ mining.
“The mine is of remote mining, after being fallen, it opens and releases four stretches by 8-10 meters and stands in combat mode for 24 hours and then self-liquidates, sometimes it can stand for two weeks,” the military says.
POM-2 is placed in a cluster munition of four pieces, each of which is placed in a metal cylinder. The process of their installation is carried out by tools of remote control.
The invaders used this principle of mining Ukrainian positions even before the full-scale invasion. In 2021, a new version of the Russian POM-2 mine was found in the Donbas.
Being captured by Ukrainian sappers, those mines later were used against the Russian invaders, added the sapper from the Presidential Brigade.
“Those uncharged [mines], we know that they are safe, we take it for ourselves. Many of us use captured Russian mines,” said the sapper.
If Ukrainian soldiers manage to capture too few mines, they use them for training personnel.
Recall that in October, a ST1 drone, which is designed to search for mines developed in Ukraine.
