WAR IN UKRAINE: February 3, 2024
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 345
Security Service: Top police officer suspected of leading prostitution ring in Kyiv. Law enforcement authorities detained 15 people suspected of setting up a large-scale network of brothels in Kyiv on Feb. 1, Kyiv’s Prosecutor’s Office and the Security Service reported. Meanwhile, the Ex-deputy minister of culture, and six others suspected of dubious asset takeover. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine said on Feb. 1 that seven suspects, including two former Culture Ministry officials, allegedly illegally took over 14 buildings and structures on the outskirts of Kyiv worth over $1 million in total. Meanwhile, the Security Service detains Ukroboronprom employee suspected of collaborating with Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, said on Feb. 1 that it had detained a 48-year-old employee of Ukroboronprom, Ukraine's state defense concern, who was suspected of collecting data on Ukraine’s military for Russia. Meanwhile, the President of Motor Sich cooperated with, paid taxes to Russian proxies. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Feb. 1 that Viacheslav Bohuslaiev, president of Ukrainian aviation engine giant Motor Sich, financed Russian proxies in Donetsk Oblast even after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, by paying taxes and fees as well as by cooperating with a company that was supplying aircraft components to Russian military-industrial enterprises - Kyiv Independent
The National Police eliminated a large-scale embezzlement scheme of state funds allocated for the purchase of humanitarian and military goods in Odesa. This was announced by Ivan Vyhivskyi, acting head of the National Police. "Among those involved is the former deputy head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, the head of one of the departments and the head of the Regional Military Administration department. Under just one contract for the purchase of products, the individuals involved "earned" more than UAH 7 million (about $190,500)", – Vyhivskyi says.
Vladimir Putin has compared Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the fight against Nazi Germany, in a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle of Stalingrad. Citing Germany's decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, he claimed history was repeating itself. "It's unbelievable but true," he said. "We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks” - BBC
The US is expected to include longer-range missiles in a new Ukraine security package worth approximately $2.2 billion, according to a senior administration official and multiple US officials. The package will include a commitment to provide Ukraine with the Ground-launched Small Diameter Bomb, a guided missile with a range of 90 miles, two officials said. Though the missiles will effectively double the range of Ukrainian weaponry, the package won’t include the long sought-after ATACMS missile with a range in excess of 200 miles. The US has constantly rebuffedUkraine’s requests for that system over concerns they may be used to hit targets deep inside Russia - CNN