Ukraine/Russland/NATO – der Sammler am 22. Juli 2022 (Ergänzung: Europol)

Veröffentlicht am von

Die Ukraine wehrt sich gegen den Vorwurf, gelieferte westliche Waffen würden aus dem Land in dunkle Kanäle abfließen. Nach britischen Angaben setzen die russischen Streitkräfte zunehmend Flugabwehrwaffen gegen Ziele am Boden hin, was auf einen Mangel an anderer Munition hindeute. Der Sammler am 22. Juli 2022:

• Angesichts der im Westen aufkommenden Diskussion über einen möglichen Abfluss der an die Ukraine gelieferten Waffen in dunkle Kanäle geht die Ukraine in die Kommunikationsoffensive: Das Land bemühe sich bislang erfolgreich, einen solchen Waffenschmuggel zu verhindern, sagte der Sekretär des Nationalen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsrats, Oleksij Danilow, am (heutigen) Freitag. Zugleich äußerte er den Verdacht, die Anschuldigungen gegen die Ukraine seien zumindest teilweise von einer russischen Desinformationskampagne angefacht worden:

Looking forward to a substantive discussion with @Europol
official representatives – with facts and evidence for statements on the alleged cases of “trade in firearms and military goods on the black market” from Ukraine. We’re most interested in quick info exchange and instant response.
I draw your attention to the fact that the publication on “arms smuggling” in the Western media coincides with the deployment of russia’s large-scale special information operation “MakZim” to discredit Ukraine; it’s goal is to stop the supply of weapons from allies.
The operation is being carried out precisely in the period when qualitative changes are coming in the course of the war in favor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – exactly due to the arrival of advanced Western weapons.

Bereits am (gestrigen) Donnerstag hatte Danilow zusammen mit Verteidigungsminister Oleksij Resnikow ein System zur Überwachung der gelieferten Waffen und Munition angekündigt:

Today, together with @oleksiireznikov, we presented the IAS “COTA” module on monitoring the supply of weapons to Ukraine from partner countries. The module allows monitoring new arms deliveries by status and donor countries, as well as analyzing deliveries by various criteria.
russia is now trying to discredit our state regarding Ukraine’s alleged sale of weapons to third countries, in order to disrupt supplies. But thanks to the “COTA” system, we know for sure that every item is under control, not a single bullet supplied has disappeared anywhere.

Die europäische Polizeibehörde Europol hatte ebenfalls am Donnerstag (erneut) von Hinweisen gesprochen, auch schwere Waffen könnten Terroristen oder der organisierten Kriminalität in die Hände fallen:

Die europäische Polizeibehörde Europol hat Hinweise auf Waffenschmuggel aus der Ukraine. Es gebe Fälle von Schwarzmarkthandel mit Schusswaffen und militärischen Gütern, bestätigte der Sprecher von Europol, Jan Op Gen Oorth, Den Haag gegenüber Medien. Ermittler aus den EU-Mitgliedsstaaten hätten auch Hinweise auf den Handel mit schweren militärischen Waffen. „Das Risiko besteht, dass diese in die Hände des organisierten Verbrechens oder von Terroristen fallen“, sagte der Sprecher.

Allerdings warnte auch die Behörde, kursierende Informationen über angebliche Schwarzmarkt-Angebote von Waffen seien oftmals nicht bestätigt: Europol schließt nach den Worten des Sprechers nicht aus, dass die Angebote Teil der russischen Propaganda sind, um Stimmung gegen westliche Waffenlieferungen zu machen.

Ergänzung: Europol veröffentlichte am Freitag eine Stellungnahme zu dem Thema:

Europol is working closely with Ukrainian officials to mitigate the threat of arms trafficking into the European Union. We have full confidence in them as they implement new measures to monitor and track these firearms.
Europol has benefited from an excellent relationship with Ukraine since our operational agreement was signed in 2017. We continue to be in close contact as the situation on the ground in Ukraine changes, and we are grateful to our Ukrainian colleagues for this. They continue to follow leads and cooperate on cases of interest for EU internal security, in spite of the continued Russian military aggression.
A potential threat observed in war zones in the past is that firearms can fall into the wrong hands. Regarding the war in Ukraine, Europol has warned that the proliferation of firearms and explosives in Ukraine could lead to an increase in firearms and munitions trafficked into the EU via established smuggling routes or online platforms. This threat might even be higher once the conflict has ended.

• Das britische Intel Update:

In the Donbas, Ukrainian forces continue to repel Russian attempts to assault the Vuhlehirsk power plant. Russian artillery remains focused on areas around the cities of Kramatorsk and Siversk.
On 21 July 2022, Vitaly Kim, governor of Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region, said that Russian forces had used seven air defence missiles to strike infrastructure, energy facilities and storage areas.
Russia has increased its use of air defence missiles in a secondary ground attack mode because of critical shortages of dedicated ground-attack missiles.
Russian has almost certainly deployed S-300 and S-400 strategic air defence systems, designed to shoot down aircraft and missiles at long ranges, near Ukraine from the start of invasion.
These weapons have relatively small warheads, designed to destroy aircraft. They could pose a significant threat against troops in the open and light buildings but are unlikely to penetrate hardened structures.
There is a high chance of these weapons missing their intended targets and causing civilian casualties because the missiles they are not optimised for this role, and their crews will have little training for such missions.

• Das Morgenbriefing des ukrainischen Generalstabs:

Operational update regarding the #russian_invasion as of 06:00, on July 22, 2022
The one hundred and forty-ninth (149) day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a russian military invasion continues.
The situation has not undergone any significant changes in the Volyn and Polissya directions. The deadlines for checking the combat readiness of the armed forces of the republic of belarus have been extended until July 31 of this year.
In the Siversky direction, in order to demonstrate their presence, the enemy is shelling the positions of our units and civilian infrastructure in the areas of the settlements of Kamianska Sloboda and Mykolaivka of the Chernihiv oblast and Volfyne and Pavlivka of the Sumy oblast. Conducted aerial reconnaissance of tactical-level UAVs.
In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy shelled the areas of Mospanove, Ruski Tyshky, Dementiivka, Zolochiv, Stara Hnylytsia, Ridne, Rtishchivka, Pushkarne, Velyka Babka, Petrivka, Slatyne and Lebyazhe settlements with artillery.
In the Slovyansk direction, the occupiers fired artillery near Dibrovne, Chepil, Adamivka, Karnaukhivka, Mykilsky, Kurulka, Khreshtyshe and Mazanivka.
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy’s main efforts are concentrated in the Kramatorsk and Bakhmut directions. Carries out systematic shelling of the positions of our troops along the contact line to prevent the transfer of reserves to other directions. Attempts are being made to replenish stocks of ammunition and fuel and oil.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy carried out fire from tanks and rocket artillery in the vicinity of Donetsk, Serebryanka, Verkhnyokamyanske, Spirne and Ivano-Daryivka. It launched an airstrike near the latter. Conducts assault operations in the direction of Verkhnokamyanka – Verkhnokamyanske, hostilities continue.
In the direction of Bakhmut, the enemy fired at our troops from available firepower in the areas of the settlements of Berestove, Bakhmut, Kostyantynivka, Bilohorivka, Pokrovske, Kodema, Vesela Dolyna, New York, Yakovlivka, Vasyukivka, Klishchiivka and the territory of the Vuhlehirska TPP. Made an airstrike near Straipivka.
Assault actions in the directions Dolomitne – Novoluhanske and Straipivka – Soledar ended with losses for the enemy. Our soldiers drove the disorganized units of the invaders back. The enemy continues to attempt an assault in the direction of the Vuhlehirska TPP and near Pokrovske, hostilities continue.
On the Avdiyivka, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia directions, the enemy fired artillery in the areas of Pisky, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Prechistivka, Zaliznychne, Pavlivka, Vremivka, Novoandriivka, Shevchenko, Ternuvate, Volodymyrivka, Novoyakovlivka, Mali Shcherbaki, Kamianske, and Poltavka. An airstrike was recorded near Prechistivka.
In the South Buh direction, the enemy is defending the previously occupied positions, is concentrating its efforts on preventing the offensive of the Defense Forces, and has introduced reserve units.
Artillery shelling was noted in the areas of the settlements of Ivanivka, Tokarevo, Trudolyubivka, Partyzanske, Kobzartsi, Posad-Pokrovske, Andriivka, Stepova Dolyna, Tavriyske, Olenivka, Shevchenkove, Prybuzke, Lymany, Kiselivka, Novomykolaivka, Velyke Artakove, Mykolaiv and Tetyanivka.
All attempts of enemy assaults in the direction of Mala Semeydynukha – Andriivka and Davydiv Brid – Bilohirka were immediately suppressed by our soldiers. The occupiers left.
There are three Kalibr sea-based cruise missile carriers outside the bases.
Ukrainian aviation and missile and artillery units continue to fire successfully at concentrations of manpower, military equipment of the russian occupiers, and warehouses with ammunition. As a result of the losses, the enemy’s personnel in many areas refused to go into battle and resorted to sabotage.

• Das Briefing des russischen Verteidigungsministeriums (einschließlich der Aussage, es seien vier der bislang zwölf von den USA gelieferten HIMARS-Raktenwerfer zerstört worden – Belege dafür wie eindeutige Fotos gibt es meines Wissens bislang nicht):

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine
The enemy is suffering considerable losses of armament delivered by Western countries.
From July 5 to 20, 4 launching ramps and 1 reloading vehicle for the U.S.-manufactured HIMARS MRLS delivered to Ukraine were eliminated by high-precision ground- and air-based armament.
Among them, 2 launching ramps were destroyed near Malotaranovka, 1 HIMARS and 1 reloading vehicle was destroyed near Krasnoarmeysk, as well as 4th launching ramp at the eastern suburb of Konstantinovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
Attacks by high-precision ground-based armament have resulted in the elimination of a provisional base of Black Hundred nationalist group deployed in the school №23 in Kramatorsk (Donetsk People’s Republic). Up to 300 nationalists and over 40 units of special equipment have been eliminated.
Attacks launched by high-precision armament of Russian Aerospace Forces have resulted in the elimination of a missile and artillery armament depot of 59th Mechanised Infantry Brigade of the AFU deployed at an industrial area in the eastern part of Nikolayev. The enemy has lost up to 30 servicemen, 6 armoured and motor vehicles, over 2,000 projectiles for Grad MRLS, about 1,000 projectiles for Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers.
Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery continue launching attacks at the military facilities in Ukraine.
The list of neutralised targets includes: 6 command posts, including one of 92nd Mechanised Brigade near Rogan (Kharkov region), 1 command and observation post of 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU near Serebryanka (Donetsk People’s Republic), as well as 5 missile and artillery armament and munitions depots near Zaytsevo (Donetsk People’s Republic), Vishevoye and Uspenovka (Zaporozhye region).
Within the counter-battery warfare, 4 Grad MRLS plattoons, 24 D-20 howitzer and 13 D-30 cannon plattoons have been neutralised.
Operational-tactical aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has destroyed 1 launching ramp of Buk-M1 air defence system near Cherevkovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
Russian air defence means have shot down 12 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Malaya Kamyshevakha, Vernopolye, Oknino, Balakleya, Verbovka, Slatino, Dolgenkoye, Chervony Oskol, Peschanoye (Kharkov region), Petrovskoye and Zlatoustovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
In addition, 2 projectiles launched by Uragan MRLS have been intercepted near Topolskoye and Malaya Kamyshevakha (Kharkov region).
In total, 260 airplanes and 144 helicopters, 1,589 unmanned aerial vehicles, 357 air defence missile systems, 4,141 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 762 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 3,176 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 4,453 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

• Die USA haben, wie bereits erwartet, weitere Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine angekündigt:

Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $270 million in additional security assistance for Ukraine. This includes President Biden’s announcement of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $175 million, as well as $95 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.
The Presidential Drawdown is the sixteenth such drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine that the Biden Administration has authorized since August 2021. Capabilities in this package include additional quantities of weapons systems and equipment that Ukrainians have been using so effectively on the battlefield to defend their country, including:

• Four additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and additional ammunition for HIMARS;
• Four Command Post Vehicles;
• 36,000 rounds of 105mm ammunition;
• Additional anti-armor weapons, spare parts, and other equipment.
Under USAI, the DoD will also provide Ukraine with:
• Up to 580 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Unlike Presidential Drawdown, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DoD stocks. This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

• Das Abendbriefing des ukrainischen Generalstabs:

Operational update regarding the #russian_invasion as of 18:00, on July 22, 2022
The one hundred and forty-ninth (149) day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a russian military invasion continues.
The situation remained unchanged in the Volyn and Polissya directions.
In the Siversky direction, the enemy, in order to constrain the actions of the units of the Defense Forces and demonstrate their presence, shelled the districts of Kamianska Sloboda and Mykolaivka in the Chernihiv oblast and Volfyne in the Sumy region with barrel artillery.
In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy used barrel and rocket artillery for shelling in the areas of the settlements of Kharkiv, Prudyanka, Zolochiv, Dementiivka, Udy, Ivanivka, Stary Saltiv, Borshcheva, Ruski Tyshki, Pytomnyk, Kutuzivka, Chuguyiv, Petrivka, Ruska Lozova, Slatine, Cherkasy, Tyshki, Bazaliivka, Duvanka, Mospanove, Lebyazhe, Peremoha and Rtyshchivka. Airstrikes were recorded near Verkhniy Saltiv.
In the Slovyansk direction, the enemy shelled the areas of 18 settlements – in particular, Dolyna, Dibrovne, Bohorodychne, and Nortsivka. Conducted aerial reconnaissance with an unmanned aerial vehicle near Velyka Komyshuvakha.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy used barrel and rocket artillery in the areas of Donetske, Starodubivka, Zakitne, Siversk, Hryhorivka, Kramatorsk, Zvanivka, Ivano-Daryivka, Vyimka and Spirne settlements. Near the latter, the occupiers also carried out an airstrike.
Our soldiers nullified all the enemy’s attempts to advance in the directions of Verkhnokamyansk and Ivano-Daryivka. The occupiers left.
In the direction of Bakhmut, the enemy fired from barrel and rocket artillery in the areas of the settlements of Berestove, Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, Vesele, Yakovlivka, Soledar, Bakhmut, New York and others. Carried out airstrikes near Berestove, Bilohorivka, Pokrovsky and Vesela Dolyna.
The enemy tried to advance in the direction of Pokrovsky with assault actions, but without success, retreated. He made another unsuccessful attempt to establish control over the territory of the Vuhlehirska TPP.
The situation has not undergone significant changes in the Avdiyivka, Novopavlivka and Zaporizhzhia directions. The enemy launched airstrikes near Kamianske and Chervone.
Assaulting operation in the direction of the villages of Vesele and Vodyane was repelled by Ukrainian soldiers successfully and the enemy was driven back to previously occupied positions.
The enemy launched an airstrike near Potemkine in the South Buh direction. Tried to advance in the direction of Andriyivka and Bilohorivka. Received a strong rebuff and left.
In the waters of the Black Sea, the enemy keeps two carriers of high-precision weapons ready with a total volley of up to 16 cruise missiles of the „Kalibr“ type.
The threat of missile strikes on military facilities and critical infrastructure facilities on the territory of Ukraine remains.
The moral and psychological state of the occupiers remains low, systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages and disobedience to officers is noted. Enemy personnel complain about the ineffectiveness of their attacks on the positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The number of soldiers who resort to sabotage and deliberately disable combat equipment is increasing.

• Unter Vermittlung der Vereinten Nationen wurde eine Einigung erreicht, den Export von Getreide aus ukrainischen Häfen zu ermöglichen. Ob das funktioniert, bleibt abzuwarten. Aus der Übersicht der New York Times:

Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on Friday to free more than 20 million metric tons of grain stuck in blockaded Black Sea ports in Ukraine, a deal aimed at bringing down soaring grain prices and alleviating a mounting global hunger crisis.
(…)
Under the terms of the deal, Ukrainian captains will steer the vessels with grain out of Odesa and neighboring ports of Chernomorsk and Yuzhne through safe passages mapped by the Ukrainian Navy to avoid mines.
A joint command center with Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials will be set up in Istanbul as of Saturday, the U.N. officials said, and teams from all three countries and the United Nations will jointly inspect the vessels to ensure that they are not carrying weapons back to Ukraine once they have unloaded their cargo of grain.