Ukraine updates in English

[US7IGN]

Feb. 24, 2024
Today I learned that the thread about Ukraine in English, which existed on the QRZ.COM forum for exactly two years, was deleted. I'll try to continue it on this forum.

This forum was created when there was a peak of russian influence in Ukraine and the interface was in russian. However, this is not its biggest drawback. The forum has not been supported for a long time, but it works.

How to register:

[US7IGN]

After two years of war, support from Western politicians remains mostly lip service. This was expected, but probably not for our politicians, who bet exclusively on Western support.

Projects implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (US AID) in Ukraine are at risk due to a delay in Congress approving additional funding for Ukraine. This was stated by the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Samantha Power - https://www.holosameryky.com/a/usaid-poperedzhaje-shcho-jikhni-projekty-v-ukrajini-pid-zahrozoju-cherez-neskhvalennia-kongresom-dopomohy-dlia-ukrajiny/7501176.html

The National Bank optimizes a number of currency restrictions to prevent unproductive capital outflows to protect Ukraine's international reserves and preserve the stability of the foreign exchange market. https://bank.gov.ua/ua/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-utochniv-nizku-valyutnih-obmejen

Perhaps the business will optimize financial flows, although this may lead to a decrease in the activity of importers and exporters, lead to an increase in the price of goods or their shortage. It should not be forgotten that every restriction worsens the already bad state of the economy.

The Verkhovna Rada approved the presidential law on the release of conscripts into the reserve after completing their military service during martial law.
After martial law and general mobilization were declared in Ukraine, conscripts for military service were not carried out, but conscripts called up for martial law remained in service all this time.
The new law stipulates that military personnel who have served their term of conscript military service will be released to the reserve. A separate presidential decree will be required for this.
https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cpvr0k4z3x3o

This does not solve the problem of fair mobilization, but it is an important step in that direction. The demobilized can fill the labor market. It is surprising that fair rotation was not implemented immediately as it was after the 2014 invasion. On the other hand, due to the ambiguous perception of the conditions of mobilization in the society, it can also cause additional tension and conflicts between the demobilized and civilians.

Everyone is busy reminiscing about the beginning of the great invasion and comparing the changes in their lives during the last two years of the war. For those for whom the war began in 2014, the situation looks a little different.

[US7IGN]

The weather is changing, sometimes it rains, the mood is not very good.

Today it is quiet in Kyiv, which cannot be said about the front-line territories. I have been to almost all corners of Ukraine and I remember many of the cities I am reading about now.

On the night of February 25, the russian terrorists hit with rockets and destroyed the railway station in the city of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, as well as the church, administrative buildings, private and apartment buildings. https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3831866-rosiani-vdarili-s300-po-kostantinivci-na-doneccini-zrujnovanij-vokzal.html

Zelensky gave another interview, which I can't bring myself to watch. It's good that there are people who do it for a good salary and then briefly write what it was about - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68397525 . But these stories sound too unreal to be believed. Somewhere I heard the opinion that the president's faith in victory and the absence of other plans is based on the understanding that in case of defeat he is guaranteed to lose power and very likely his freedom and life. From this point of view, it is really necessary to go to the end. The main thing is to find enough people willing to die for victory.

The government's idea to reduce the number of educational institutions was continued in the form of a proposal to accommodate internal refugees in the vacated premises - https://meta.ua/uk/news/politics/130991-primischennya-optimizovanih-navchalnih-zakladiv-mozhna-vikoristovuvati-dlya-rozmischennya-vpo/ . I thought it would be reasonable to build a new home for them, including with their own resources. I remember the stories of my ancestors who after the WW2 lived in houses built by their own hands. The state provided the materials, and they did everything else themselves. One by one, together they built quickly houses for each other. This solves the problem of housing and employment of people. But I am not a minister and I do not understand this.

[N0TZU]

It looks like I’m approved to post here!

Im glad to hear that some steps have been taken to relieve those who have been fighting for so long.

I share the concern about capital controls. As much as possible the economy should be allowed to operate freely. Even in the case that people might partially turn to use euros or dollars, then at least the economy can still function with them. What good is protecting the currency if it gets to the point that nobody wants to use it and the economy grinds to a halt?

That western support has dwindled seems to be from two causes. First, the supply of munitions has been severely depleted.  New factory capacity has been approved and is being developed but it takes a long time to  deliver the additional munitions.

Second, the ability of the United States to provide additional weapons and ammunition is currently being delayed by the extreme right wing of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives in the name of fiscal responsibility. Since the US is by far the biggest such supplier, this is a terrible problem, plus it makes us  look weak to other adversaries and damages our reputation and leadership in the world.

The public here, especially those on the right, do not understand that most of the money allocated for Ukraine goes to American industry to produce the matériels, and their favorite “news” outlets won’t tell them. Hell, even the center-left media doesn’t usually bother to mention it. Many people now rely on their equally misinformed social media friends for news, like a gossips over the backyard fence.

I had breakfast with two fairly conservative friends the other day who were ignorant of this. They are generally well informed, but naturally thought the money was simply shipped to Ukraine. Theyare much more concerned about what they view as a literal war and invasion of refugees across our border with Mexico. While a serious problem, it’s a pimple on a flea compared to what will happen if Putin succeeds.

(Denver, capitol of Colorado, is having to reduce some services because of budget money being spent to care for tens of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers that have arrived here over the last year. They were bussed here by the governor of Texas so they don’t have to pay for them).

I hope that the less extreme Republicans in the House will join with a few Democrats to convince the Speaker to allow the Ukraine funding. But I also think it quite possible that Trump will loudly torpedo any such attempt  as he did with the bill to modernize part of our woefully antiquated immigration laws. The reason being that he wants it to be a campaign issue against Biden, and then be able to “fix it” when he is in office.

[PA0MHS]

Hi Wlad,

I'm glad you found another way of communications. I hope all the other "usual suspects" will find this place too. I cannot remember all the calls from the top of my head and maybe you have pointed them to this place already. Otherwise I'd be glad to help.

73, Meindert - PA0MHS

[US7IGN]

Hello my friends!
I am very happy to see you here. May be not the best place, but there are any restriction except terrorists and their supporters. I don't know how to inform others from QRZ.COM about this place, I posted the link on my page there. I hope someone else from Ukraine also will join us.

The weather is so great today! The sun is shining, it's warm and the birds are singing. I was able to chat with Colin G3ZAF and Tony M7TPA and have a quick QSO with Martin PP5WX on 28. The last two had only 25 watts.

The economy has its own laws that work regardless of the wishes of politicians, and those of them who do not understand this only make things worse. Over the past week, the National Bank of Ukraine has increased the sale of foreign currency, and banks have brought even more cash dollars and euros into Ukraine. Ukrainians have long been accustomed to inflation and other problems that the government constantly creates for them, so they have learned to live separately from it, perceiving it as an inevitable natural disaster. The fact that the government is almost never held accountable makes it very difficult to protect people's rights. Wounded and relatives of dead soldiers will now be especially vulnerable in case of any material claims. Even if you receive a court decision in your favor, you will not be able to collect anything from the state.

I must admit that the conditions of the social contract are very specific in a terrorist state, but at least they are always fulfilled and people believe and trust the authorities in this. As well as their relations with allies. Instead, it seems to me that the United States has lost confidence in itself on the part of most of the world.

[ke6sls]

Hi Wlad,

I registered two days ago and forum said I had to wait for administrator.

Today, I just logged in and I guess it all worked.  I didn't receive anything from the site.

I am glad to be able to say hello again.

73
Jaye

[US7IGN]

I am glad to be able to say hello again.

73
Jaye

You are welcome Jaye!

It's spring again in Kyiv. The sun is shining and it's warm.

Two more russian planes were shot down today, eight in a week. Of course, this reduces the russians' capabilities in the air, but the concern remains that every day Ukrainian troops are retreating little by little on the ground. This site shows situation on the front line https://deepstatemap.live/#10/48.1400/37.4648

On the occasion of the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by russian troops, the Office of the President of Ukraine organized the "Ukraine-2024" Forum, or, as presidential spokesman Serhii Nikiforov said in the announcement, "an honest conversation about our way forward." According to the plan, something similar to a press conference or discussion should have taken place. But the schedule of the event was so short that there was no discussion, and the journalists rarely had time to ask questions to the speakers. Part of the communication took place behind the scenes, and many journalists who could ask uncomfortable questions were not allowed in at all. According to the journalists, what was announced as a serious and mature conversation with society turned into a series of briefing reports, where key officials from different directions showed presentations with various good numbers and talked about success in their work. And almost no chance to ask questions, except for a few comments from those who managed to catch after the performances. In a word, the "serious adult" conversation resembled a parade of briefings on the topic "what have I been doing for the past two years." https://detector.media/infospace/article/223495/2024-02-27-forum-ukraina-2024-yak-proyshla-chesna-rozmova-vlady-z-narodom/

Zelensky also gave an interview to CNN, in which he stated that Trump does not know Putin, and that without US aid, Ukraine will not only struggle to make any new gains on the battlefield, but it will also find it difficult to keep defending itself this year. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/26/europe/zelensky-interview-ukraine-war-aid-trump-intl/index.html

Iran has provided russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, six sources told Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-sends-russia-hundreds-ballistic-missiles-sources-say-2024-02-21/

French President Emmanuel Macron has said it is key for Europe's security to defeat russia in Ukraine, amid urgent pleas for more weapons from Kyiv. He was speaking in Paris where he said that European leaders had agreed to set up a coalition to give Ukraine medium- and long-range missiles and bombs. He added that there was "no consensus" on sending Western troops to Ukraine but "nothing should be excluded". https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68410219

These statements caused a mixed reaction and most European leaders, the White House and NATO immediately denied the intention to send their troops to Ukraine.

[US7IGN]

As for the situation inside the country, business was again attacked by law enforcement officers. Court applied to the former People's Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Serhiy Pashynsky a preventive measure in the form of detention with the alternative of paying a bail of UAH 272.520 million. The politician is suspected of illegal possession of oil products. Instead, Pashynsky himself rejects the accusations and calls them "provocations by the russian special services through corrupt law enforcement agencies in Ukraine" in order to discredit and block his work as the head of the National Association of Defense Industry Enterprises of Ukraine in organizing the supply of ammunition to the Armed Forces. https://www.dw.com/uk/vaks-zaarestuvav-pasinskogo-z-alternativou-vnesenna-272-mln-grn-zastavi/a-68379029?maca=ukr-rss-ukrnet-ukr-all-3816-xml
Personally, I do not see the persecution as accidental, since Pashynsky was part of the team of former President Poroshenko.

One of the largest chains of medical laboratories, Sinevo Ukraine, reported on February 27 that the State Bureau of Investigation seized its head office and the building of the central laboratory. As a result, the company said that its laboratories will be forced to stop working. The State Bureau of Investigation, for its part, noted that they did not want to interfere with the work of the laboratory. Currently, both parties are trying to resolve the issue of the seizure of the company's office.
https://24tv.ua/sinevo-aresht-ofisu-27-lyutogo-kompaniya-dosyagla-zgodi-dbr-pro_n2503681

[PA0MHS]

Hi Wlad,

Thanks for the updates again.

I found a thread on QRZ that was sort of a precursor to the recently deleted thread:
https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?conversations/we-support-ukraine.657358/

This thread contains a list of all conversation participants and if you click on the picture of each entry, it takes you to the QRZ page of that amateur. Most of them have an e-mail address listed, so you could send them an invitation to join this forum. If you want help with that, it would be my pleasure.

73, Meindert

[US7IGN]

Hi Wlad,

Thanks for the updates again.

I found a thread on QRZ that was sort of a precursor to the recently deleted thread:
https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?conversations/we-support-ukraine.657358/

This thread contains a list of all conversation participants and if you click on the picture of each entry, it takes you to the QRZ page of that amateur. Most of them have an e-mail address listed, so you could send them an invitation to join this forum. If you want help with that, it would be my pleasure.

73, Meindert

Thank you Meindert!
I think it’s better not to write anything more on QRZ.COM. I posted a link to this thread on my page there and everyone who was really interested in the disappearance of the original thread has already asked me about it. I don't want to seem intrusive.

Today I spent the whole day listening to a conference organized by a friend of mine who went to Scotland and is trying to continue his legal practice there. It mostly interested me because there were a lot of speakers there that I know personally. I discovered that my English is not so bad at the level of other colleagues from Ukraine and is clearly better than those who do not know it at all.
However, the topics and conversations were mainly about digital assets and their regulation. Perhaps this is the only thing that was not damaged by the war in Ukraine. But the experience of colleagues from Great Britain and their legislation was very interesting.

[US7IGN]

In the evening I checked the news and found that China and Turkey have stepped up diplomacy aimed at ending the war. Other news is even worse.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 28. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning announced on the 28th: Li Hui, the special representative of the Chinese government for Eurasian affairs, will visit russia, the headquarters of the European Union, Poland, Ukraine, Germany and France, starting from March 2. He will contribute to the political conduct of the second round of shuttle diplomacy to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. http://www.news.cn/world/20240228/8c4ce9782f2747f0a25a031ed5ddcb71/c.html

Erdoğan: Diplomacy and dialogue should be given a chance to end Russia-Ukraine war
During a video message to the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan underscored that diplomacy and dialogue should be given a chance to end the war. "I still hold firm to my belief that utilizing diplomacy and dialogue is key in achieving a just and enduring resolution to the war," Erdoğan stressed in his comments. https://www.anews.com.tr/diplomacy/2024/02/28/erdogan-diplomacy-and-dialogue-should-be-given-a-chance-to-end-russia-ukraine-war

The European Commission proposes to direct the assets of the russian rederation to weapons for the Armed Forces. According to Ursula von der Leyen, the purchase of weapons for Ukraine at the expense of profits from frozen russian funds will bring the greatest benefit to the security of Europe. https://www.dw.com/uk/evrokomisia-proponue-spramuvati-aktivi-rf-na-zbrou-dla-zsu/a-68394954?maca=ukr-rss-ukrnet-ukr-all-3816-xml

At a repair base in Ukraine, mechanics patched together Western artillery guns using parts scavenged from the battered carcasses of some 20 damaged howitzers scattered outside. The need to create such “Frankenguns” comes after two years of war that have meant many of the weapons donated by the West are now destroyed, damaged or in need of new components. https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-plunders-howitzer-graveyard-to-keep-big-guns-firing-94967fee

Farmers' protests will not fade away. Disinformation and the EU's communication disaster are to blame.
Farmers' anger is the result of the lack of consultations on the Green Deal, and the ongoing protests across the EU are of a dignity nature. EU officials are reaping the rewards of their nonchalance - the implementation of the Green Deal is in question. Russian disinformation is also contributing. https://www.rp.pl/rolnictwo/art39910901-protesty-rolnikow-nie-wygasna-winne-dezinformacja-i-katastrofa-komunikacyjna-unii

[US7IGN]

Yesterday my blood pressure rose again and I had a headache, so I went to bed early. Today it is already easier, although there is a burning smell in the air and they announced that it is better not to go outside. Apparently some natural fires outside Kyiv. There have been no air raid raids for a couple of days now. Apparently the terrorists have changed their tactics again, or the lack of downed A-50 aircraft, which previously provided support for missile attacks, is having an effect. Perhaps because of their absence, attacks on russian planes that bombed the front and cities near the front line were also successful. https://www.slovoidilo.ua/2024/02/29/novyna/bezpeka/povitryani-syly-zbyly-shhe-dva-rosijski-su-34

Nevertheless, the Russians continue to put pressure on the front, and at the same time bomb all the cities they can reach. As a result of the rocket attack on Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, on the night of March 1, at least 18 civilian objects were damaged, in particular, a hospital and kindergartens. https://www.slovoidilo.ua/2024/03/01/novyna/suspilstvo/raketnyj-udar-rf-po-kostyantynivczi-poshkodzheno-budynky-likarnyu-ta-dytsadky

Ukrainians whose homes were damaged as a result of the armed aggression of the russian federation have received the first billion hryvnias from the state for major repairs under the compensation program. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the head of the Committee on the Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, head of the "Servant of the People" party, Olena Shulyak. According to her, Ukrainians have submitted 5,053 applications for this type of compensation, and 4,733 applicants have already agreed to pay a total of 1.6 billion hryvnias. Moreover, 83% of the owners of houses that were severely damaged have already received these compensations, and the total amount of payments reached 1 billion hryvnias (approximately 25 million dollars). https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/derzhava-pererahuvala-ukrayintsyam-kapitalni-1709316544.html

This is good, but something tells me that the destruction is happening much faster than the restoration. However, these figures do not say anything about the real number of victims, not all of whom filed claims, nor about the amounts of compensation relative to the amount of damage. I love statistics. It can convince you that you are full even if you haven't eaten for three days.

[US7IGN]

Ukraine has already signed six security agreements with European countries. The list includes Great Britain, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, and Italy. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Telegram of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/ukrayina-pidpisala-bezpekovi-ugodi-vzhe-iz-1709281408.html
The good thing about this news is that Ukraine has signed a bunch of worthless agreements (remember, for example, the Budapest Memorandum) and that this news is posted on the russian Telegram messenger, which the parliament is unsuccessfully trying to ban in Ukraine, but the president continues to use it.

Another interview was given by Ukrainian military intelligence chief Lt.-Gen. Kyrylo Budanov. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-war-budanov-1.7127990
He doesn't say much to the point, but sometimes you can read something between the lines. Instead, it is more important what he will do next. It seems to me that he already has more real power and opportunities than most politicians, and his publicity looks suspicious.

It's funny to read about the failure of the counteroffensive because the russians found out about it. It was advertised by everyone, including the president, at least six months before the start, and the soldiers said that they stood at the starting positions for weeks and everyone knew about them.

In his annual state of the nation address, President pootin accused the West of trying to drag russia into an arms race and has warned Western countries against sending troops to Ukraine. The consequences of such a decision would be "tragic", he said. He also said that an "absolute majority" of russians supported his decision to invade Ukraine, and that the russian people were now united against what he called Western attempts to weaken the country. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68435163

Those who disagree today came to Navalny’s funeral. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68450219

If all over the world he is considered the personification of "good russians", then Ukrainians remember all his statements regarding Ukraine. If you think you know a "good russian", just ask him how he feels about returning all russian-occupied territories to his neighbors and compensating for the damage caused.

[US7IGN]

Today it is warm and sunny again, but the news from the front, where everything is steadily bad, does not allow us to be happy. There is little information, but it is impossible to hide the slow retreat. A woman and her three-month-old child became the victims of the russian drone attack on Odesa. Currently, seven people are known to have died as a result of an enemy strike. https://hromadske.radio/news/2024/03/02/znayshly-tila-mamy-ta-nemovliaty-kilkist-zhertv-v-odesi-zrosla-do-simokh

Today I read that as a result of uncontrolled use of self-made means of radio-electronic warfare, own drone operators began to suffer, whose signals are also jammed. As well as Starlinks and GPS. Without proper coordination and skill, soldiers turn into a regular mob with the same effectiveness. Instead, everything ends only with the replacement of commanders. The President also believes that every day the Commander-in-Chief and commanders should be at the front, exactly where they are needed. https://war.obozrevatel.com/ukr/vsi-komandiri-mayut-znati-front-zelenskij-dav-sirskomu-kart-blansh-na-kadrovi-zmini-v-zsu.htm

They say that two more russian planes were shot down. It seems that some new weapon is being used, against which the terrorists have not yet found a countermeasure. But again, this does not affect the situation as a whole and cannot compensate for the lack of fortifications or artillery and other ground combat vehicles.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that NATO might have to send troops to Ukraine made things worse. According to French officials, Macron’s comments were meant to galvanize Western powers and ignite debate over what’s needed to prevent a russian victory. But if the French leader’s remarks were meant to send a firm warning to the Kremlin, they failed spectacularly — in fact, they achieved the complete opposite. To the Kremlin’s chortling delight, Macron’s comments exposed Western splits and rifts, communicating panic over the military state of play in Ukraine. https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraines-dire-position-emmanuel-macron-gaffe-made-things-worse/

A political scandal erupted in Ukraine due to the fact that the opposition, represented by ex-president Petro Poroshenko, complained to the EU about the authorities violating their rights to unimpeded travel abroad. The authorities did not like it, because, they say, it can harm the process of joining the EU - they say, you should not complain to Brussels about internal problems.

However, it is precisely this policy of the state towards the opposition that can harm European integration. And numerous cases of very strange bans on Petro Poroshenko are noticed in the European Union. And it was even mentioned in a separate resolution of the European Parliament. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c4nkev3g75zo

What can we say about ordinary people, if even leading politicians and very rich people are limited in their basic rights. It is unclear just how this brings Ukraine's victory in the war closer?

My wife found yesterday that the battery in the car was discharged, but this is not a problem for someone who has lived so many years with a radio amateur. Today she charged it from the power supply unit of the transceiver.