Victory Chronicles-DAY 700

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has revealed details of a successful operation carried out by a Ukrainian reconnaissance unit in Russia. The unit, led by Colonel Oleh Babiy, managed to enter Russian territory and destroy a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber, disabling two others. 

The operation disrupted the plans of the Russian military and political leadership to launch missile strikes on Ukraine’s territory and disrupted the operations of airfields and long-range aviation bases. Colonel Babiy had a distinguished record, participating in numerous successful reconnaissance missions to the rear of Russian troops and organizing support for the resistance movement in occupied territories. 

Tragically, during the retreat, Colonel Babiy’s unit was ambushed and engaged in an unequal battle with Russian forces. He was mortally wounded but was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star for his brave actions.

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In the past day on the Tavria front, 200 Russian drones were either damaged or destroyed, according to Oleksandr Tarnavsky, the commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group. Ukrainian Defense Forces also destroyed 1 ammunition depot, 1 fuel and lubricants depot and 1 other important enemy facility.

The Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko, presented state awards to the families of the fallen fighters who defended our country in the eastern part of Ukraine. 

According to the Decrees of the President of Ukraine, 23 National Guardsmen were awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree (posthumously) and 7 – the Order “For Courage” of the II degree (posthumously) for personal courage and selfless actions in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath. 

“Every fighter who is killed is a heavy loss. I can assure you that we are doing a lot of work and will do everything necessary to honor those who gave their lives while performing tasks to repel armed aggression who selflessly and courageously defended the state. And also to ensure that the families who lost their loved ones receive proper support. This is the task of the local commanders and one of the priorities for the National Guard, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the state level,” said Oleksandr Pivnenko. 

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The Ukrainian Armed Forces published a video showing the first time a heavy ground drone was used to hit an enemy bridge. Donetsk sector. “It is not possible to give details yet, but the enemy will have logistical problems on a significant length of the front,” the Armed Forces said in a statement.

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Western states reiterated their support for Ukraine and their commitment to the development of Ukraine’s defense industrial base (DIB) at the 18th Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 23. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Belgium plans to provide Ukraine with 611 million euros (about $663.4 million) worth of military aid in 2024. 

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that the US believes that Ukraine is appropriately using military aid and stated that the United States continues to monitor and account for US security assistance delivered to Ukraine. Austin stated explicitly that the US has seen “no credible evidence of the misuse or illicit diversion of American equipment provided to Ukraine.”

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Inspector General published a report on January 11 that stated that the failure to document certain aid provided to Ukraine in a timely manner was largely due to DoD limitations but that did not suggest that any of the material air had been misappropriated.

Austin reiterated US support for strengthening Ukraine’s defense industrial base (DIB). Umerov stated that Ukraine is ready to co-invest in technologies and joint production with interested companies in order to facilitate breakthroughs on the battlefield with ”innovation and significant technological progress.”

Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (MoD) Press and Information Department Head Illarion Pavlyuk stated that Ukraine and unspecified officials discussed ways to increase weapons and ammunition production, the creation of an artillery production coalition, and the development of Ukraine’s air force and air defenses.

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Senior Sergeant Ruslan Lushchevskyi, with the call sign Hrek, was killed while performing a combat mission near the village of Masiutivka in Kharkiv Oblast. The warrior’s life was cut short by enemy artillery fire. The defender is forever 43.

Ruslan was born in Rivne Oblast. He studied at the Oleksandriya school. He worked at construction sites and was also a trucker. Before the outbreak of the Great War, he worked as a driver at Avtotranscom.

During the full-scale war in September 2022, the man was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. He held the positions of commander of a combat vehicle, and commander of the mechanized division of the 3rd mechanized platoon of the 4th mechanized company. During his service, he was awarded the Golden Cross by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“He was a wonderful man and a reliable support in the family. A good son, a good friend and a wonderful brother. All his life he was in a hurry to live, to do good to people, to help. He was in a hurry to build and equip a house, buy a car, and see the world. The only thing this war did not allow him to do was live,” wrote his wife Iryna Lushchevska. 

“He was the best dad, he fulfilled all our whims,” the son and daughter added.  “Ruslan was a man of his word, devoted to his family, friends, and family, always coming to the rescue. With the start of the full-scale invasion, he could not sit still and rushed into battle. According to his comrades, he was smart and brave, the best commander,” said Anastasia Liakhovych, the deceased’s sister.

You will live long because you will live in the memories of not only your family. Many people will remember you because you were always sincere and kind,” the family said.

Posthumously, Ruslan was awarded the badge “For Exemplary Service” and the Order of the Princely Cross of the Hero “Forever in Service.” The serviceman was buried in the village of Kamianna Hora, Rivne Oblast. The defender is survived by his wife Iryna, daughter Marharyta, son Illia, mother, two sisters and a brother.

*Ruslan’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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• Pentagon: We cannot help Ukraine with repairs of previously provided equipment without funding
• Ukraine’s Foreign Minister: Ukraine needs Taurus missiles but not for attacks on Moscow
• UK Defence Secretary: Ukraine’s future is in the West’s hands
• Pentagon expects Ukraine to receive first F-16s this year
• Oksana Markarova on Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia, U.S. aid, and her country’s future