[Lục Tuyết Kỳ]

US may deploy special forces troops to protect embassy in Ukraine, report says  

The United States military and other Biden administration officials are considering sending special forces troops to Ukraine to guard the recently reopened U.S. embassy in Kyiv as the Russian invasion continues.

According to U.S. officials, President Joe Biden has not been approached about the plans yet, but if they are approved, the special forces troops would only serve as defense and security of the embassy, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Officials may also reinstate the Marine security guard detachment that typically provides security at embassies around the world.

While officials weigh sending dozens of American special forces troops to Ukraine, the State Department will provide its own security for the embassy, which will be comprised of guards in the Diplomatic Security Service.

There have been no official proposals on security at the Kyiv embassy delivered to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley or Biden.

“We are in close touch with our colleagues at the State Department about potential security requirements now that they have resumed operations at the embassy in Kyiv,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement. “But no decisions have been made, and no specific proposals have been debated at senior levels of the department about the return of U.S. military members to Ukraine for that or any other purpose.”

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv shut down weeks before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in late February. Officials initially moved some functions and diplomats to Lviv, but the conflict eventually pushed all embassy personnel and operations into neighboring Poland.

On May 2, the U.S. charge d’affaires Kristina Kvien told reporters in Lviv that embassy personnel will “listen to the security professionals, and when they tell us we can go back [to Kyiv] we will go back.”

Kvien and several U.S. diplomats who were forced to relocate to Poland returned to Kyiv one week later to commemorate Victory in Europe Day with Ukrainian authorities. The American officials were escorted by U.S. Special Forces on assignment from Joint Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, N.C., marking the first time American forces entered Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.

When Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced last week that embassy operations would resume in Kyiv, he asserted that the U.S. is “committed to confronting the challenges ahead” as “the war rages on.”

“Russia’s forces inflict death and destruction on Ukrainian soil every day.  Millions of Ukrainians are displaced from their homes and mourn the loss of their loved ones,” he said in a statement. “With strength of purpose, we reaffirm our commitment to the people and government of Ukraine, and we look forward to carrying out our mission from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.”

https://traffic.americanmilitarynews.com...XJ08bPfBYE

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-we...1653237183

[Lục Tuyết Kỳ]

'Quad' talks in Japan open with eyes on China and Ukraine



Leaders from the US, Japan, India and Australia are in Tokyo looking to bolster a group that's billed as uniting the major democracies of the Indo-Pacific. Longer term, China is the focus, but Ukraine's sure to feature.

The leaders of Japan, India, Australia and the United States — or the "Quad" grouping — pledged to stand work towards a free and open region, and focus on fighting climate change, at the start of a summit in Tokyo on Tuesday. 

Formally the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the group was resurrected in 2017 amidst changing attitudes towards China’s growing influence in the region. A pivotal part of the US' focus on the Indo-Pacific region, the latest summit is also aimed at paving over differences on issues including Russia.

"This is about democracies versus autocracies, and we have to make sure we deliver," US President Joe Biden said as the summit began.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged members to "listen carefully" to regional neighbors, including the Pacific islands, "to help resolve the immediate challenges they face". 

"Without walking together with countries in the region, the Quad cannot be successful," he said, a reference to China's efforts to build ties with Pacific nations including the Solomon Islands. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the group had gained a significant place on the world stage in a short span of time, saying it had "ensured peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific."

Biden, Kishida, Modi, and new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

US to woo India over 'commonalities'
India's decision to break with the Western allies' stand on Ukraine and the Russian invasion has been a source of frustration for the US, but experts say Biden will push Modi on the issue gently and privately. 

India has abstained at three major UN General Assembly votes on the war in Russia — on two resolutions that held Russia either fully or primarily responsible for the conflict and on a motion to suspend it from the UN's Human Rights Council. All the motions passed but India, which has deep historical ties to Russia rooted in no small part in Cold War politics, was the only quad member to abstain on any of them.

A key challenge is weaning India off Russian-supplied military equipment and oil supplies. A day earlier, New Delhi said the US was considering "investment support" of $4 billion for India in addition to billions of dollars extended earlier. The statement came after the countries signed an agreement for healthcare, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, financial inclusion and infrastructure.

However, the US has sought to emphasize the countries' shared views on China, which Washington views as a bigger long-term challenge than Russia.

Taiwan expected to be key topic
While Taiwan was not an official item on the Quad agenda for this summit, Biden’s decision to break with convention and volunteer US military support for the self-governed island has pushed it to the limelight. 

Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo a day earlier, Biden said the US stands by its One China policy that sees Taiwan as a part of China, but Washington would intervene if Beijing was to use force against the island.

Japanese officials sought to downplay Biden's comments on Taiwan, with Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara saying that "Japan and the United States have not made any policy shift on Taiwan."

With close to 55,000 US troops based in Japan, mainly in Okinawa, which is just 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Taiwan, Japan is a major stakeholder in the equation.

Albanese's first summit 
Biden will also meet Australia's new Prime Minister Albanese, who was sworn on Monday. He flew to Tokyo immediately after for the summit. Both leaders also spoke on the phone after the center-left Labor Party leader defeated incumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison, ending nine years of conservative rule in Australia.

At the summit, Albanese pledged more support for Pacific nations including aid to deepen "our defense and maritime cooperation."

India, the US, and 11 other countries also this week announced they would be joining the new proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), unveiled on Tuesday when Biden held bilateral talks with Kishida in Tokyo.

https://www.dw.com/en/quad-talks-in-japa...l-1573-rdf

[Lục Tuyết Kỳ]

Đồ chơi xịn rang muối hàng loạt cua.  

The legendary #Azov leaves no chance for the invaders!

There are three units in the video: #AzovDnepr #AzovKharkov (#KRAKEN) and special operations forces Azov.

There is not a single #Russian occupier who has not heard about #Ukraine heroes and is not afraid to fight with them!

https://twitter.com/UkraineNewsLive/stat...CKiOhDsvrA

[Lục Tuyết Kỳ]

Against Russia's grain blockade: Denmark is now supplying Ukraine with anti-ship missiles   

 Russia has been blocking Ukraine’s ports in the Black Sea for months. As a result, grain deliveries required worldwide cannot be delivered. Now Denmark is apparently delivering Harpoon anti-ship missiles to Ukraine. This is reported, among other things, by CNN, citing US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The US missiles are intended to break the blockade.

The Danish delivery is therefore part of new aid packages that several countries had promised on Monday. The Harpoon missiles have a range of up to 300 kilometers.

https://www.merkur.de/politik/kaempfer-u...1653361634

[Lục Tuyết Kỳ]

Ukraine war: Melitopol residents resist Russian occupation

Russian forces met fierce resistance from residents when they arrived in the southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol in February.

Locals tried to block armoured vehicles as the convoy of soldiers rolled in to occupy the city, and people flooded the streets waving Ukrainian flags.

When the Russians started cracking down on the protesters, the resistance movement was forced to evolve and new groups emerged.

Melitopol, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War, is an area where partisan warfare has been active since at least the middle of March.

Ukraine's Military Intelligence Directorate has reported that from 20 March to 12 April "partisans eliminated 70 Russian soldiers during their night patrol".

These groups are continuing to carry out attacks.

Last Wednesday a Russian armoured train was reportedly derailed. Days earlier, two Russian soldiers were found dead in the street. Last month a bridge near Melitopol - used to deliver supplies to the Russian army - was blown up.

Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of Melitopol, says these attacks were organised by partisan groups. "It's the job of our partisans, our secret services and our soldiers. They do this job together," he tells the BBC.

Mr Fedorov himself was abducted by Russian forces and later released as part of a prisoner exchange.

The Russians are desperately trying to crush all resistance. They are searching houses and detaining people, residents say, often at random.

On 29 April, armed men in military uniform with white armbands - the marking used by Russian soldiers - abducted Boris Kleshev, the head of a local fire brigade in Melitopol.

For two weeks his relatives heard nothing about his whereabouts. A few days ago, a pro-Russian Telegram channel posted a video showing Mr Kleshev and other Ukrainian men admitting that they were sharing information on Russian movements with the Ukrainian military.

Mr Kleshev was speaking with a low voice, clearly under duress. But even if it looked like a forced confession, those who made the video were unlikely to have cared - their aim is to break the resistance spreading through Melitopol.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61525477

[005]

Putin khoe với đạo diễn phản chiến Mỹ Oliver Stone là Soái Ca đã bị ám sát hụt ít nhất 5 lần, và yên hùng tuyên bố cóc cần lo lắng cho sự an toàn của mình.

Nếu ai đã quên, xem lại vụ án Stauffenberg mưu sát Hitler nhưng không thành, rất hấp dẫn, có dựng thành phim ở thập niên 2000, tài tử Tom Cruise đóng vai Stauffenberg.  Còn dưới đây là phần phim tài liệu:

[005]

US may deploy special forces troops to protect embassy in Ukraine, report says  

 Chà chính phủ Biden muốn tham chiến hả?  Nga pháo kích làm sao bảo vệ nếu không có .... phòng không? 

[005]

 Several countries announced new donations of critically needed artillery systems and ammunition including Italy, Greece, Norway, and Poland.

Highlights: 2nd Contact Group (#Ukraine) meeting: 
20 countries new mil. packages
DNK: 1 Harpoon coastal missile launcher & missiles 
CZE: attack helicopters, tanks, rocket systems
ITA, GRE, NOR, POL: artillery & ammo
UK: key coordinating role
Next meeting: 15 June, Brussels

Hôm qua có tin Đức sẽ giao đến cuối tháng Tám 30 chiếc Gepard. Chứ không phải chỉ có 15 chiếc vào trung tuần tháng 7. Nhưng chỉ có 59 ngàn viên đạn.  Đạn đang là vấn đề đau đầu.  Các quốc gia này mua đạn ở đâu? 

[005]

Against Russia's grain blockade: Denmark is now supplying Ukraine with anti-ship missiles   

 Russia has been blocking Ukraine’s ports in the Black Sea for months. As a result, grain deliveries required worldwide cannot be delivered. Now Denmark is apparently delivering Harpoon anti-ship missiles to Ukraine. This is reported, among other things, by CNN, citing US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The US missiles are intended to break the blockade.

The Danish delivery is therefore part of new aid packages that several countries had promised on Monday. The Harpoon missiles have a range of up to 300 kilometers.

https://www.merkur.de/politik/kaempfer-u...1653361634

 Đan Mạch qua mặt đại ca hử? Hôm qua hôm kia mới nghe Mỹ đang cân nhắc cung cấp Harpoon. Và hôm qua nghe chủ tịch Liên Hiệp Quốc nói Putin: "nếu có lương tâm hãy mở cảng".

[005]

Slovakia T-72 tanks handed over to Ukraine spotted in the Donbass



After Slovakia handed over the T-72M2 tanks that were previously in service to Ukrainian units a few days ago, it became known that these vehicles had already been transferred to the Donbas. A video shared by many users in twitter on which Slovakia T-72M2 tanks can really be seen.

Information about the transfer of T-72M2 tanks by Slovakia was unofficial. However, the fact that this equipment was transferred to Ukraine became known just a few days ago. Nevertheless, if it was assumed that the tanks would be in the central part of Ukraine, it turned out that they were promptly transferred to the eastern direction.

On the presented video frames, you can see military equipment moving through one of the settlements, allegedly in the Donbass. Not only Slovak T-72M2s, but also Ukrainian T-64BM were seen in the convoy. The exact number of tanks transferred to the Donbass is not disclosed, however, according to a number of data, Slovakia could provide Ukraine with up to 24 main battle tanks of this type.

Earlier, Poland also announced its intentions to transfer up to 100 T-72 tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Earlier it was reported that  shortly after Slovakia supplied an S-300 air defense system to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia’s invasion, Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď has announced his country is in talks with the Ukrainian government over a potential sale of Zuzana 155 mm self-propelled howitzers.

“We are also discussing the possibility of having damaged Ukrainian combat vehicles and T-72 or T-55 tanks come to our territory, and our military repair plants would repair them and send them back to Ukraine,” Naď said, as reported by local news agency SITA.

About T-72M2

The T-72M2 Moderna is a Slovakian upgrade of the Soviet T-72 main battle tank. The T-72M was license-produced in the former Czechoslovakia. It entered service with the Czechoslovakian army in 1981. In the early 1990s after the dissolution of the Czechoslovakia, various upgrade programs were developed both in Czech Republic and Slovakia to keep their fleets of T-72 MBTs operational and combat capable. First prototype of the T-72M2 Moderna was revealed in 1993. Development of this tank is completed. For a number of years this upgrade was actively proposed for Slovak Army as well as export customers. However, it received no production orders. Slovakia never ordered this tank due to funding problems. Only few prototypes were built for trials and evaluation.

The T-72M2 Moderna has improved protection. The tank is fitted with DYNAS explosive reactive armor. The second prototype is fitted with a cage armor that provides protection against RPG rounds. The tank has a laser warning receiver. It notifies when the tank is illuminated by a laser beam and identifies direction of the threat. Then smoke grenades can be discharged to hide the tank. The tank is fitted with new automatic fire suppression system.

The tank is fitted with a modernized 2A45MS 125 mm smoothbore gun. The gun is fitted with an autoloader.

There is a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The first prototype of this tank was fitted with two Swiss 20 mm cannons, mounted on either side of the turret. These could engage air and ground targets. The second prototype was fitted with a single 30 mm cannon, from the Soviet BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle.

The tank has got new VEGA fire control system, new ballistic computer and new sensors of Belgian and French origin. Vehicle commander uses panoramic sight. The same sight is used on the French Leclerc, and some other modern MBTs. This tank has got a hunter-killer engagement capability. Once commander spots and identifies the target, he lays the gun and lets the gunner complete all the aiming and firing process. During that time commander looks for the next target.

This main battle tank has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.

The tank is fitted with a more powerful S12U turbocharged diesel engine, developing 850 hp. It is a Polish modernized version of the Soviet V-46-6 tank engine. It was used on the Polish PT-91 Twardy main battle tank. Even though upgraded tank is heavier it has improved cross-country mobility over the original T-72M.

https://military.news131daily.com/slovak...gKX_n1B9Xk

 

Compensation - cân bằng:  

 Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Nad' during his meeting with his German counterpart Christine Lambrecht stated that Slovakia is ready to hand a battalion of 30 T-72M tanks to Ukraine. In addition, some other armored Soviet-era equipment could go to aid the embattled country.

But for that to happen, Slovakia would like to receive compensation, in particular – the German-made Leopard 2s.

/* src.: https://en.defence-ua.com/news/how_germa...-2840.html

[005]

EU embargo on Russian oil is expected "within days"


Robert Habeck, German Economic and Climate Protection Minister, at the World Economic Forum 2022 in Davos, Switzerland, May 23, 2022. / Photo credit: Arnd Wiegmann, Reuters

The European Union will likely impose ban on russian oil imports in the coming days, as Germany's economy minister Robert Habeck told German broadcaster ZDF "We will reach a breakthrough within days," he said, according to Reuters. However, he warned that an embargo would not automatically weaken the Kremlin's war machine. After the United States announced an embargo on russian oil, the global prices rose, so russia could have more income while selling lower volumes of its resources.
That's why the effective way for the European Commission and United States would be to manage global oil prices, Habeck said.

/* src.: https://en.defence-ua.com/news/day_90th_...-3041.html

[phai]

 

Compensation - cân bằng:  

 Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Nad' during his meeting with his German counterpart Christine Lambrecht stated that Slovakia is ready to hand a battalion of 30 T-72M tanks to Ukraine. In addition, some other armored Soviet-era equipment could go to aid the embattled country.

But for that to happen, Slovakia would like to receive compensation, in particular – the German-made Leopard 2s.

/* src.: https://en.defence-ua.com/news/how_germa...-2840.html

Tôi nhớ cách đây 1 tháng Slovakia gửi hoả tiễn phòng không S-300 qua cho Ukriane để đổi lấy giàn Patriot của Mỹ có những thằng ngu ngồi hí hửng và mỉa mai giống như Slovakia khôn nên tống hàng cũ đổi lấy hàng mới.

Nhưng chúng đâu có hiểu xa hơn một chút là quân đội Ukraine dùng đồ chơi của Nga quen rồi nên khi có là họ xài được ngay trong khi những đồ chơi của phương Tây cần thời gian để huấn luyện. Vũ khí của phương Tây tối tân hơn nên sự huấn luyện cũng khó hơn. Và thứ hai nữa là vấn đề thời gian, thí dụ như tanks của Đức sẽ mất nhiều thời gian để tới Ukraine hơn từ những nước có chung biên giới mà chiến trường thay đổi từng giờ từng ngày nên thời gian cũng là một yếu tố rất quan trọng.

[005]

Tôi nhớ cách đây 1 tháng Slovakia gửi hoả tiễn phòng không S-300 qua cho Ukriane để đổi lấy giàn Patriot của Mỹ có những thằng ngu ngồi hí hửng và mỉa mai giống như Slovakia khôn nên tống hàng cũ đổi lấy hàng mới.

Nhưng chúng đâu có hiểu xa hơn một chút là quân đội Ukraine dùng đồ chơi của Nga quen rồi nên khi có là họ xài được ngay trong khi những đồ chơi của phương Tây cần thời gian để huấn luyện. Vũ khí của phương Tây tối tân hơn nên sự huấn luyện cũng khó hơn. Và thứ hai nữa là vấn đề thời gian, thí dụ như tanks của Đức sẽ mất nhiều thời gian để tới Ukraine hơn từ những nước có chung biên giới mà chiến trường thay đổi từng giờ từng ngày nên thời gian cũng là một yếu tố rất quan trọng.

 Đúng rồi, làm vậy tiết kiệm được vụ huấn luyện xe tăng nữa. Bọn cuồng Nga trí thấp dưới mắt cá. hihihi

 PS: Tuy nhiên hôm nay tổng thống Ba Lan than phiền Đức hứa lèo, họ giao xe tăng họ cho Ukraine, mà chưa thấy Đức cung cấp xe tăng cho họ để cân bằng. Làm mình cũng sốt ruột, cứ mang tiếng lèo đồng minh hoài quá sức quê xệ.

[005]

Tweet


Mykhailo Fedorov
@FedorovMykhailo
Ukraine government official

Caught @BradSmi in Davos. Ukraine will cooperate with @Microsoft team on documenting damages & war crimes for UN agencies. Company will participate in rebuild process by leading digital industry. And long-waited news for our gamers: @Xbox will go Ukrainian. accounts & store.

 Kỳ này Ukraine qua chiến tranh đã lôi kéo được nhiều đại công ty hỗ trợ họ. 

[phai]

 Kỳ này Ukraine qua chiến tranh đã lôi kéo được nhiều đại công ty hỗ trợ họ. 

Đứng đầu những đại công ty đó hẳn có những đầu óc chắc hơn hẳn tụi cuồng Nga bất cần thân thể   nên họ phân biệt ở đâu mới thật sự có "phát xít" phải không?

Một thí dụ là Elon Musk, không hề bị ai bắt buộc, nhưng ngay từ đầu đã ủng hộ Ukraine bằng những phương tiện của ông ta. Không lẽ cái khả năng phân biệt, phán đóan của của Elon lại không bằng những ku bò đỏ trong và ngoài nước   .