A “mysterious” explosion in occupied Crimea destroyed multiple Russian cruise missiles being transported by rail that likely were being readied to devastate Ukrainian cities, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry says.
Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs, posted video on social media of an explosion, apparently in the city of Dzhankoi in northern Crimea. Ukraine hinted at responsibility; military spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk described the strike as a signal to Russia that it should leave the Black Sea peninsula it took from Ukraine by force in 2014.
“Right now, the way ahead is clear – they (Russian forces) need to make their way out by rail already,” she said Tuesday on Ukrainian TV.
Russia has been firing the missiles, which have a range of 1,600 miles or more, from ships in its Black Sea fleet. The defense ministry statement said the blast “continues the process of Russia’s demilitarization and prepares the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea for deoccupation.”
Russian state media made no mention of the missiles but said a 33-year-old man was injured by a falling drone in Dzhankoi. Mayor Igor Ivin said multiple drones were reported and the attack also damaged power lines, a house, a store and a college building.
‘FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR’:China’s Xi visitsMoscow; Russia cites ‘monstrous consequences’ of Putin arrest warrant
Developments:
►NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance has no proof that China is providing weapons to Russia, but officials are aware that Russia has sought military equipment from Beijing, German news outlet Deutsche Welle reports.
►Ukraine received another $1.6 billion from the European Union’s 18 billion aid package, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced. “Our support helps keep Ukraine running while defending itself,” she said. “Together, we’re writing Ukraine’s European future.”
►30,000 tons of wheat arrived in Kenya as part of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. “Despite Russian aggression, we won’t give up our participation in overcoming global challenges,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted.
Pentagon plans speedier delivery of Abrams tanks
The Pentagon is speeding up its delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine with the aim of getting the 70-ton vehicles to the war zone in eight to 10 months, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The original plan was to send Ukraine 31 of the newer M1A2 Abrams, which could have taken a year or two to build and ship. But officials said the decision was made to send the older M1A1 version, which can be taken from Army stocks and will be easier for Ukrainian forces to learn to use and maintain. The officials spoke on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because the plan has not yet been publicly announced. Still, the tanks won’t arrive for Ukraine spring offensive, expected to begin next month.
The Abrams, among the most advanced tanks in the world, has thick armor, a 120 mm main gun, armor-piercing capabilities, advanced targeting systems and features a top speed of about 42 miles per hour
Russia’s spring offensive could end soon
Russia’s spring offensive in Ukraine is “likely approaching culmination” and Kremlin forces appear to be intensifying efforts to consolidate modest gains realized in recent weeks before losing the initiative, a Washington-based think tank reports. The Institute for the Study of War says in its most recent assessment that Russian forces made marginal gains in and around the brutally contested eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut and stepped up fighting around nearby Avdiivka.
Russian advances could prompt Ukraine to withdraw from Bakhmut or Avdiivka, the assessment says, but adds that neither retreat appears likely.
“This increased tempo of Russian operations in the Avdiivka area has reportedly led to major losses and is likely a misguided effort to pull Ukrainian forces away from other areas of the front,” the assessment says, adding that it is unlikely that Russian forces will be able to sustain this increased tempo.
Russia to begin releasing recruited convicts
Thousands of Russian convicts who have fought with Wagner Group mercenaries are likely to be pardoned and released within the next few weeks. Wagner prisoner recruitment peaked in autumn 2022, and inmates are being offered commutation of their sentences after six months, the British Defense Ministry says. Although approximately half of the prisoners recruited have likely been killed or wounded, evidence from Russia suggests the group is “following through on its promise” to free survivors, the ministry said in its most recent assessment of the war.
Wagner mercenaries have led the Russian charge in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, particularly in the battered city of Bakhmut. The region has been the scene of the war’s most brutal battles in recent months.
“With Wagner now likely banned from recruiting more prisoners, this exodus will worsen its personnel problems,” the assessment says. It adds that the “sudden influx of often violent offenders with recent and often traumatic combat experience will likely present a significant challenge for Russia’s war-time society.”
Japan PM Kishida pays homage to victims of atrocities in Ukraine
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida placed flowers outside a church in Bucha, the town outside Kyiv that became a symbol of Russian atrocities, hours after arriving for a surprise visit to Ukraine. Kishida is the last of the Group of Seven leaders to visit the war-torn nation since Russia’s invasion 13 months ago.
“I’m outraged by the cruelty,” he said. “I represent the Japanese citizens to express my condolences to those who lost their lives.”
Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova welcomed Kishida, joining him in Bucha and at a memorial to soldiers in Kyiv.
“Ukraine is grateful to government of Japan for helping us to overcome difficult winter & providing generators to our people,” Dzhaparova tweeted. “With such partners as Japan, we will rebuild our country.”
Kishida arrived hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel issued a statement saying Xi “stands with a war criminal” while Kishida stands for freedom.
“Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is making a historic visit to Ukraine to protect the Ukrainian people and promote the universal values enshrined in the U.N. charter,” Emanuel said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
