WAR IN UKRAINE: January 23, 2023
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 334
The head of Russia's State Duma has said that the promised deliveries of additional weapons to Kyiv by Western countries could heighten the war in Ukraine to a new level that could result in a "global catastrophe." Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel on January 22 that "if Washington and NATO countries supply weapons that will be used to strike civilian cities and attempt to seize our territories...this will lead to retaliatory measures using more powerful weapons." The comments by the head of Russia's lower house of parliament were broadly taken to mean nuclear weapons, and added to the list of high-ranking Russian officials who have recently threatened a significant escalation of the unprovoked war the Kremlin launched against Ukraine 11 months ago.
A senior Ukrainian official in the east of the country says the armed forces are in control of current positions but that "moving forward is very difficult" because the Russians have brought up substantial reserves. Serhiy Hayday, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, told Ukrainian television Sunday: "Very fierce fighting continues in our Luhansk region. It is difficult. But the situation is absolutely stable and controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Referring to the north-south frontline running between Svatove and Kreminna, Hayday said: "Moving forward there is very difficult because the occupiers have brought up huge reserves. And as I have said many times before -- everything is very thoroughly mined there." But he added: "No matter how difficult it is, the Luhansk region is being de-occupied step by step, meter by meter” - CNN
The dramatic fight for Soledar, part of the Battle of Bakhmut, is over — although Ukraine's leadership is still reluctant to acknowledge the loss. As a result of a localized offensive operation in January, Russian forces managed to gnaw through Ukrainian defenses and, after fierce urban fighting, seize what's left of the industrial town of 10,000. Although fighting in the area continues, The Kyiv Independent sources, as well as international monitors, all fully agree Ukraine doesn’t control the town. It's the first noticeable Russian success since their forces captured Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk after fierce fighting in June and July. It is also a massive vanity project for Yevgeniy Prigozhyn, the Kremlin insider in charge of the notorious Wagner Group. And it's a long-desired present for Russian war propaganda, which had been craving for at least some progress to show. The loss of Soledar is largely the result of relentless human wave attacks exhausting Ukrainian defenses, as well as of crushing knockout blows by regular forces. The setback also indicates long-lasting Ukrainian issues with chaotic command and control and also the lack of centralized approach and coordination in the area - Kyiv Independent
Polish PM: Ukraine, Europe to win the war 'with Germany or without.’ Germany “should not weaken or sabotage" other countries’ activities, Mateusz Morawiecki said, adding that Poland would not look on passively while Ukraine bleeds - Kyiv Independent .
NABU, the anti-corruption bureau of Ukraine, has confirmed the arrest of the Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Lozynskyi for receiving a bribe of $400,000. According to the investigation, he received money for assistance in concluding contracts for the purchase of "equipment and equipment." As previously reported by UP sources, it is related to generators. The bureau reported that one of the participants of the scheme, who was trying to leave abroad, was also detained at night - Suspilne
Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand says she has “no news to share” on whether Canada is willing to send some of its battle tanks to Ukraine — should Germany greenlight the export — following a meeting of 50 allied defence leaders this week. Canada has 82 German-made Leopard 2 tanks, in various states of serviceability, but it needs permission from Germany to send them to Ukraine, consent it has yet to receive. Anand told CTV’s Question Period host Vassy Kapelos in an interview airing Sunday, Canada is committed to sending what it can in military aid to Ukraine, but when pressed, she wouldn’t say definitively whether Canada would send the battle tanks Ukraine is requesting if Germany signs off on it. “I have no news to share today on this,” Anand said “We're taking this and our aid to Ukraine step by step,” she said, adding the federal government is “engaging industry” in Canada and “examining all options” - CTV
Former CIA director and retired U.S. Gen. David Petraeus said he was “a bit, but not entirely” surprised the allies did not reach a decision about tanks following their meeting Friday. But, he added, he anticipates a decision will come down soon, possibly in just a few days. “The battle lines have been quite static,” he told Kapelos, also in a CTV’s Question Period interview airing Sunday. “If anything, Russia has had incremental, very costly incremental gains in recent months….Both countries are poised for offensives in the spring,” he said. “We need to do everything we can to ensure that Ukraine is successful in their counter offensive this spring and can liberate more of the country as they did last fall.” Petraeus added with the exception of failing to come to a decision around tanks, Friday’s meeting of defence leaders showed a “staggering additional commitment and staggering additional unity.”
Russia is expanding its army due to a possible future military threat, but staffing and equipping the planned expansion will be difficult for the Russian leadership - says the UK Ministry of Defense citing intelligence data. The agency recalled that on January 17, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans for major changes in the structure of the armed forces to be implemented in the period from 2023 to 2026. This includes an increase to 1.5 million people - an increase of 11% on top of the previously announced expansion to 1.35 million. Shoigu also announced the restoration of the Moscow and Leningrad military districts, a partial return to the Soviet organization of troops in Western Russia. A new army corps is planned to be created in Karelia, near the Finnish border - Suspilne