Russia’s scaled-down Victory Day military parade on Tuesday showed not only Russia’s insecurities over possible Ukrainian attacks, according to analysts, but also highlighted the country’s depleted military resources as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Russia commemorated on Tuesday the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, but events in Moscow and beyond were far more downbeat than usual.
In other news, the UK is reportedly considering whether to designate the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary force fighting in Ukraine, as a “terrorist organization,” with France separately calling on the EU to recognize the group as such.
Russian infantry unit on outskirts of Bakhmut driven out, Ukraine says
The Russian 72nd Separate Motor-rifle Brigade stationed on the frontlines of fighting near Bakhmut sustained heavy damage and fled the area, a Ukrainian military unit said, according to Reuters.
“The 6th and 7th squadrons of this brigade were almost entirely destroyed, brigade intelligence was destroyed, a large number of fighting vehicles were destroyed, and a considerable number of prisoners were taken,” Andriy Biletsky, a leader in Ukraine’s Third Separate Assault Brigade, said, according to Reuters.
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said Tuesday that the Russian 72nd Brigade “pissed away three square km,” and that his forces lost 500 men, the news wire reported.
Russia did not comment on the movement of its 72nd Brigade, Reuters said. A Ukrainian military leader said Russia was still trying to capture Bakhmut, and the situation “remains difficult.”
Wagner chief worried about Bakhmut encirclement
The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin said he is concerned his forces could become surrounded in Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
“In view of the lack of ammunition, the ‘meat grinder’ is now threatening to turn in the opposite direction,” Prigozhin wrote on Telegram on Wednesday evening.
“There is now a serious danger of encirclement of Wagner due to the collapse of the flanks,” Prigozhin wrote. “And the flanks are already showing cracks and crumbling.”
The mercenary group has been at the forefront of Russia’s efforts to take Bakhmut.
EU countries to discuss new Russia sanctions
The European Union states started discussions on new sanctions that would crack down on the circumvention of Russian trade curbs, but a quick deal is not expected, according to several diplomats that spoke to Reuters.
The proposed sanctions would target Chinese and Iranian firms and allow export curbs on other countries for breaking existing trade restrictions, Reuters reported.
The new sanctions would highlight that oil tankers are not allowed to offload in the high seas or arrive in ports with their GPS trackers off, an attempt to push back against Group of Seven nations’ Russian oil reading restrictions, according to Reuters’ sources.
The EU would also stop transit via Russia of more of its exports, including advanced tech products and aircraft parts, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the Reuters report.
“If we see that goods are going from the European Union to third countries and then end up in Russia, we could propose to the member states to sanction those goods’ export. This tool will be a last resort and it will be used cautiously,” she said.
France launches war crimes probe after AFP reporter’s death
France’s anti-terrorism prosecution office announced that it had opened an investigation for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity after AFP video journalist, Arman Soldin, was killed on Tuesday by Grad rocket fire near Chasiv Yar, in eastern Ukraine.
Prosecutors said the probe would be handled by a specialist investigative unit that would seek to determine the circumstances of Soldin’s death.
At least 11 journalists, fixers or drivers for media teams have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine more than a year ago, according to advocacy groups.
Victory Day parade highlighted the Kremlin’s challenges, UK says
The make-up of Russia’s annual Victory Day Parade in Red Square highlighted the material and strategic communications challenges the military is facing 15 months into the war in Ukraine, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said Wednesday.
“Over 8,000 personnel reportedly took part in the parade, but the majority were auxiliary, paramilitary forces, and cadets from military training establishments,” the ministry said on Twitter, adding that “the only personnel from deployable formations of regular forces were contingents of Railway Troops and military police.”
The sole tank on parade — a vintage T-34 from a ceremonial unit — could also have been deliberate, the UK noted.
“Despite heavy losses in Ukraine, Russia could have fielded more armored vehicles. The authorities likely refrained from doing so because they want to avoid domestic criticism about prioritizing parades over combat operations.”
Zelensky thanks Biden for latest security assistance package
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked US President Joe Biden for the latest security assistance package worth $1.2 billion.
“More good news from our partners. From what can be said publicly, there is a new defense package from the United States,” Zelensky said on his official Telegram channel.
“Artillery, protection against missiles and terrorist drones, other things to strengthen our defenders. Thank you to president Biden, bipartisan Congress, and every American family for your continued support and for the American strength that keeps us strong,” he added.
The new weapons package brings the US’ total commitment to more than $36.9 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked invasion last February.
Kyiv says counteroffensive won’t be the last
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has talked down the idea of a planned counteroffensive being a guaranteed turning point in the war, adding that Ukraine will not stop launching counteroffensives until it has reclaimed all of the territory occupied by Russia.
“Do not consider this counteroffensive as the last one, because we do not know what will come of it,” Kuleba told Germany’s Bild newspaper in comments published on Wednesday.
He said if the counteroffensive doesn’t achieve Kyiv’s goal of liberating all Ukrainian territory, “it means we have to prepare for the next counteroffensive.”
Kuleba said Ukraine is still seeking more equipment for its resistance against Russia.
“Because to win the war, you need weapons, weapons and more weapons,” he said.
Kuleba also called on Germany to help persuade the United States to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
