Russo-Ukrainian war, day 743: Allies collect required funds for 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine

The required funds have been collected to purchase 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine from countries outside the European Union, Czech President Petr Pavel announced on 7 March. The UK boosts its military aid to Ukraine with an extra $160 million, raising the total package to $416 million for over 10,000 “cutting-edge” drones.

Mar 7, 2024 - 19:46

Russo-Ukrainian war, day 743: Allies collect required funds for 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine

Exclusive

Putin falsely claims Belgium exists largely “thanks to Russia”. Russian President Putin falsely claims Belgium owes its statehood to Russia, continuing his pattern of distorting history to emphasize Russia’s importance in world events.

Taurus leak reveals Germany’s dilemma as Europe awakens to new security reality. The German Taurus leaks shed light not only on the technical details of a possible Taurus strike on the Crimean bridge, but Europe’s shifting security landscape, as France and Germany compete for leadership amid evolving US priorities and the urgent need to support Ukraine’s defense.

Military

UK intel: Seizing Chasiv Yar Russia’s objective at Bakhmut axis, but no full-scale assault imminent. Russian forces continue attacking near Bakhmut, occupied parts of Ivanivske. Objective is Chasiv Yar but unlikely to attempt full-scale assault currently despite gradual gains, per UK intelligence.

Ground Forces Commander: Ukraine plans counteroffensive actions in 2024. Ukraine’s Ground Forces commander says counteroffensive actions are planned for 2024 to seize initiative, stabilize frontlines, destroy enemy forces, regroup units, and conduct counterattacks.

Lithuania intel: Russia can wage war in Ukraine for at least two years at current intensity. Lithuanian intelligence reports that high oil prices and support from allies enable Russia to sustain its war in Ukraine for two more years, while Russia also receives matériel from Iran, North Korea, and microchips from China.

As of 07 Mar 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

- - Personnel: 421430 (+1160)
  - Tanks: 6695 (+17)
  - APV: 12779 (+51)
  - Artillery systems: 10350 (+42)
  - MLRS: 1009 (+1)
  - Anti-aircraft systems: 701
  - Aircraft: 347
  - Helicopters: 325
  - UAV: 7963 (+42)
  - Cruise missiles : 1919 (+1)
  - Warships/boats: 26
  - Submarines: 1
  - Vehicles and fuel tanks: 13532 (+53)

Intelligence and technology

Ukrainian Intel: Top collaborator killed in car explosion in occupied Berdiansk. Svitlana Samoilenko was reportedly involved in organizing the sham Putin elections in the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

UK tank museum helped reverse-engineer Soviet-era parts for firm supplying materiel to Ukraine. The UK Bovington Tank Museum collaborated with Cook Defence Systems to produce and supply Soviet-era tank tracks for Ukraine’s military vehicles, following a request from the UK Ministry of Defence.

International

Pavel: Required funds collected for 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine. Artillery shells for Ukraine are set to be delivered in the coming weeks, Czech President Petr Pavel confirmed.

UK commits $416 million to supply Ukraine with 10,000 drones. The UK boosts its military aid to Ukraine with an extra £125 million ($160 million), raising the total package to £325 million ($416 million) for over 10,000 “cutting-edge” drones.

Former commander-in-chief Zaluzhnyi appointed as Ukrainian ambassador to UK. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as the next Ukrainian ambassador to the UK.

Norway allocates $153 million to Czech-led artillery initiative for Ukraine. “Ukraine has an urgent need for large quantities of artillery ammunition to withstand the Russian war of aggression,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said.

Greek PM urges Europe to unite for support to Ukraine amid Odesa missile attack. Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that all European states should unite and provide stable assistance to Ukraine during a visit to Odesa.

France to expand Ukrainian military training with air and naval programs. In total, France has trained nearly 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers since the onset of the Russian full-scale invasion, with 8,800 trained in 2023 alone.

Humanitarian and social impact

Russian missile strike on Sumy damages hospitals, school. One civilian was reported injured as a result of the attack.

Russian attacks kill seven, injure at least 14 Ukrainian civilians in four regions on 6 March. On 6 March, Russian attacks in Ukraine killed seven civilians and injured at least 14 more, with homes, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure damaged in Odesa, Kherson, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

India busts human trafficking ring sending Indians to fight against Ukraine. Authorities in India uncovered a trafficking network deceiving citizens with lucrative job offers, only to dispatch them to Russia’s war against Ukraine as mercenaries. Indian media reported two confirmed Indian fatalities among those recruited.

Political and legal developments

ISW warns of escalating Russian hybrid operations in Moldova ahead of EU accession talks. The operations may target EU accession talks and the 2024 presidential election, according to a new report.

New developments

WP: US House Democrats probe SpaceX over Russia’s alleged use of Starlink in Ukraine. US House Democrats have initiated an investigation into Elon Musk’s SpaceX regarding the alleged use of Starlink terminals by Russian troops in Ukraine, citing “a serious threat to Ukraine’s security, Ukrainian lives, and US national security.”

Read our earlier daily review here

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