Victory Chronicles-DAY 758

The United States has reportedly urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure due to concerns over rising energy prices and escalating tensions. According to anonymous sources cited by the Financial Times, the US has repeatedly warned senior Ukrainian officials responsible for unmanned aerial vehicle programs. 

The White House is said to be growing increasingly frustrated with Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, terminals, and other energy infrastructure in western Russia, which have impacted Russian production in the region. 

The US is concerned that a decline in Russian exports could lead to a global rise in fuel prices, potentially influencing the upcoming US presidential election. Additionally, Washington fears that Russia could retaliate by damaging crucial energy infrastructure that serves Western countries. 

Russia is reportedly creating a group of more than 100,000 people, possibly for a summer offensive, according to Commander of the Land Forces Oleksandr Pavliuk. He mentioned this during a televised interview and clarified that the group may not necessarily be formed for offensive purposes, but rather to replace current losses. Pavliuk stated that there is a chance Russia could have forces for offensive operations in a specific area by the beginning of summer, although these are speculative predictions. He emphasized that the Defense Forces of Ukraine will do everything in their power to inflict significant losses on the enemy and provide an opportunity for fresh forces to join the battle.

The Ministry of Defense is developing special footwear called anti-explosive boots for sappers in order to reduce the risk of leg injuries during demining. These boots, which have Kevlar insoles, are being tested by the Central Logistics Development and Support Directorate and the Support Forces Command. The main goal of these boots is to save the limbs of sappers by trapping debris in the sole and preventing serious injuries. The mine-resistant boots are designed to prevent the damaging effect of certain types of anti-personnel explosive devices. The Central Directorate is studying various samples of this footwear and working on improving its tactical and technical characteristics. Once a reference model is approved and positive test results are obtained, these mine-resistant boots will be supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, using drones and missiles to target power plants, power lines, residential buildings, and even a trolleybus. President Zelenskyy posted a video of the destruction and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. However, affected cities have already mobilized services like rescuers, power engineers, authorities, police, and utilities to provide assistance. Power supply has already been restored in several cities. President Zelenskyy highlights the efficiency of Russian attacks compared to delays in receiving humanitarian supplies and indecision from some politicians. He emphasizes the importance of implementing air defense systems, such as the Patriot systems, to protect cities like Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also calls for support from international partners and stresses the need to protect lives from Moscow’s aggression.

Bloomberg reported on March 20 that an unspecified source close to the Kremlin stated that the all-Russian pro-Ukrainian incursions into Belgorod Oblast are forcing the Russian military to divert forces from the frontline to Belgorod Oblast, although ISW has not observed such claims.

It is unclear what forces Bloomberg’s source is referencing. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian airborne conscripts repelled recent raids in Tetkino, Kursk Oblast and that elements of the 2nd Spetsnaz Brigade repelled recent raids in Belgorod Oblast.[38] Russian officials stated that Russian military, Federal Security Service (FSB) border personnel, and Rosgvardia personnel repelled recent incursions into Russia, and Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that units of the Chechen “Zapad-Akhmat“ Battalion repelled raids from Kharkiv Oblast.

Russia previously deployed similar forces to defend against Russian pro-Ukrainian border incursions in June 2023. ISW continues to assess that the Kremlin must balance between the reputational cost of accepting that pro-Ukrainian forces will sometimes be able to conduct minimally effective cross-border raids into Russia while conserving its military resources for use in Ukraine and the resource cost of allocating additional forces and means to border security to reassure the Russian populace at the expense of its military operations against Ukraine. The Kremlin may not suffer as high a reputational cost for limited border incursions in 2024 as it did in 2023 due to ongoing censorship efforts, however.

On March 27, 2022, 27-year-old Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Karabanov died in a battle with the occupiers near the village of Kamianka in the Izium district of Kharkiv Oblast. He was reported missing until October 2023, when DNA testing confirmed his death.

Oleksandr was born in the village of Hayshyn, Kyiv Oblast. He graduated from the Pereyaslav Center for Vocational Education and learned the profession of a cook. In his spare time, he loved to play football. In 2016, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and has defended Ukraine in the ATO/JFO since then. He received honors and awards.

At the time of the full-scale Russian invasion, the man was serving as a platoon combat medic in the 95th separate airborne assault brigade. From the very first days, he continued performing his duties and resisting the invaders with his fighters-in-arms.

“Sasha has always been and remains our true Hero,” said his sister Svitlana. “He will forever remain for us a true warrior, a man of his word. He could always come to the rescue and did even more than was necessary,” his comrades-in-arms added.

On November 29, 2023, the paratrooper was buried in his native village. Oleksandr is survived by his parents, sisters, brother, wife, son born in 2021, other relatives, friends and fighters-in-arms.

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

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• Ukraine receives last two Mi-24 helicopters from Czechia
• Bloomberg: Germany allocates $325 million to Czech-led initiative for Ukraine
• French general: Support for Ukraine could go beyond delivery of weapons