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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• Russia Mounts Largest Airstrike of War on Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure VOA 22 Mar 2024 -- Russia on Friday mounted its largest airstrike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure of the entire war, hitting a dam and a gas company, killing at least five people, and leaving more than 1 million people without electricity, authorities in Kyiv said.
• Ukraine Hit By Widespread Blackouts After Massive Russian Assault RFE/RL 22 Mar 2024 -- Many parts of Ukraine were experiencing blackouts after a massive wave of Russian strikes on March 22 targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, killing at least four people, hitting the country's largest dam, and temporarily severing a power line at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant.
• Ukraine's Energy System Subjected to Largest Attack of All Time - Ukrenergo Head Sputnik 22 Mar 2024 -- Ukraine's energy system was subjected to the largest attack of all time with group strikes hitting the country's thermal and hydroelectric power plants, Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo head Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said on Friday.
• Kremlin Uses Word 'War' For Ukraine Invasion RFE/RL 22 Mar 2024 -- Russia is now at "war" with Ukraine because of Western interference in what Moscow previously called a "special military operation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told the Argumenty i Fakty media outlet, which is owned by the Moscow municipal government.
• Statement by Russian Defence Ministry Russia MoD 22 Mar 2024 -- At around 07:30 Moscow time, the Russian Armed Forces have foiled attempts by the Kiev regime to launch terrorist attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation using RM-70 Vampire MLRS projectiles.
• Russia Conducts 49 Strikes Across Ukraine, Deploys Kinzhal in Retaliation for Shelling: MoD Sputnik 22 Mar 2024 -- The retaliatory attacks disrupted the operation of industrial enterprises producing and repairing weapons, military equipment, and ammunition in Kiev and other regions, according to Russia's military.
• Ukraine 'Lacks Capacity, Personnel & Resources' to Build Own HIMARS Sputnik 22 Mar 2024 -- As NATO countries have hesitated to further boost assistance to Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted his Western partners for the "unacceptable" holdup in the delivery of new arms assistance. Meanwhile, reports have indicated that Ukraine is hoping to ramp up military production on its own soil.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council President of Russia 22 Mar 2024 -- The President held a briefing with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.
• Russia Reportedly Plans New Wave Of Military Mobilization RFE/RL 22 Mar 2024 -- The Vyorstka Telegram channel on March 22 cited four sources close to the presidential office and Defense Ministry as saying that Moscow plans to soon announce a new wave of military mobilization that would seek to enlist up to 300,000 people to bolster its troops involved in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• Pacific Fleet's submarine Volkhov launches Kalibr cruise missile at coastal target Russia MoD 22 Mar 2024 -- The Pacific Fleet's diesel-electric submarine Volkhov crew carried out the Kalibr cruise missile launch from the submerged position in accordance with the combat training plan in the Sea of Japan.
• FAB-3000: Russia Turns Deadly Dumb Bomb Into Standoff Smart Munition Sputnik 22 Mar 2024 -- Russia's military factories have begun churning out the FAB-3000 - a three-ton high-explosive aerial bomb with a 1,400 kg warhead. What will the development mean for the ongoing proxy war in Ukraine?

Foreign Policy

• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question about the results of the EU summit held on March 21-22 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Mar 2024
• Foreign Ministry statement on the introduction of personal sanctions against Canadian citizens Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Mar 2024
• Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution on Imperative of Immediate, Sustained Ceasefire in Gaza, Owing to Vetoes Cast by China, Russian Federation UN Security Council 22 Mar 2024 -- The Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution that would have determined the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza due to a veto cast by two permanent members of the Council — China and the Russian Federation — while some speakers criticized the text for being ambiguous and lacking attribution to the Israeli authorities in several key areas.
• At UN, Russia and China Veto US Effort at Gaza Cease-Fire VOA 22 Mar 2024 -- The U.N. Security Council failed again Friday to demand a Gaza cease-fire after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting a halt to the fighting.
• Russia and China veto US resolution stating imperative of 'immediate and sustained ceasefire' in Gaza UN News 22 Mar 2024 -- A draft resolution tabled by the United States was vetoed in the UN Security Council on Friday by China and Russia.
• Russia, China veto US-drafted UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire Press TV 22 Mar 2024 -- Russia and China have vetoed a US-drafted resolution calling for, but not directly demanding, a ceasefire in the Israeli campaign of death and destruction in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Western banks warn of consequences if EU seizes Russian assets Press TV 22 Mar 2024 -- Several Western banks are actively opposing the EU's plans to appropriate billions of euros in interest accrued from frozen Russian assets, Reuters news agency has reported.
• UK and others invoke Vienna Mechanism on political prisoners in Russia: Joint Statement to the OSCE UK FCDO 22 Mar 2024 -- UK and 40 other countries invoke the OSCE Vienna Mechanism in respect of serious human rights concerns including arbitrary detention and political repression as well as torture and mistreatment of prisoners.
• President Putin is creating a Russia that is geared for constant war: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 22 Mar 2024 -- Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Thomas Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.
• CENTCOM chief says 'very concerned' about Iran-China-Russia alliance Press TV 22 Mar 2024 -- The head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has expressed concerns about the growing alliance between Iran, China and Russia.

News Reports

• The President is being informed on the developments at the Crocus City Hall and measures being taken in this regard President of Russia 22 Mar 2024
• Islamic State Group Claims Attack on Moscow Concert Hall; 60 Dead VOA 22 Mar 2024 -- Assailants opened fire at a large concert hall in Moscow on Friday, killing more than 60 people, injuring more than 100 others, and setting fire to the venue.
• Dozens Dead After Gunmen Storm Moscow Concert Hall; Islamic State Claims Responsibility RFE/RL 22 Mar 2024 -- Camouflage-clad gunmen killed at least 62 people and injured scores of others when they opened fire at a crowded concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow in an attack quickly condemned around the world as an act of terrorism.
• 60 Russians killed, 150 injured in Moscow terrorist attack; Iran condemns Press TV 22 Mar 2024 -- A terrorist attack at a concert hall in a Moscow suburb has left dozens of Russians dead and injured. Iran and several other countries have condemned the deadly incident.
• 40 people killed, over 140 wounded in terror attack in Moscow IRNA 22 Mar 2024 -- At least 40 0eople have been killed and 140 wounded according to unofficial reports in the worst terror attack in Russia in years, as gunmen in combat fatigues opened fire and detonated explosives in a big concert hall in Moscow.
• Ukraine Denies Role In Deadly Attack On Russian Concert Venue RFE/RL 22 Mar 2024 -- A senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said late on March 22 that Kyiv was not involved in the attack on a Moscow-area concert hall the same evening that left dozens dead and many more injured after gunmen stormed in and fired at concertgoers.
• Death of Alexei Navalny: EU sanctions 33 individuals and two entities under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime EC/CEU 22 Mar 2024 -- Today, the Council decided to impose restrictive measures against 33 persons and two entities linked to the sudden death in a strict penal colony of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. This decision was taken in the framework of the European Union's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.
• EU Sanctions Russian Officials, Prison Guards Over Navalny's Death RFE/RL 22 Mar 2024 -- The European Union has sanctioned dozens of Russian officials and two correctional colonies over the death last month in prison of opposition politician and outspoken Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny.
• The Week In Russia: The 87 Percent Solution RFE/RL 22 Mar 2024 -- Putin claims a landslide victory in what a monitoring group calls Russia's "dirtiest, most falsified" election ever. The predictable vote was dominated by the death of the Kremlin's biggest foe, Aleksei Navalny, and the defiance of the citizens who turned out to mourn him.