Russian invasion of Ukraine: tanks and rocket attacks on the cities. Breaking news

Russian troops have abducted Chairman of the Melitopol District Council Serhii Pryima, Melitopol Regional News Agency reports.

“At 7:30 AM, the Russians raided the house of Serhii Pryima, the Melitopol District Council chairman. Having searched his house, they abducted him. Eight people search the house, taking documents, all mobile devices, and demanding they are given passwords to them,” the publication wrote.

The New York Times reaction to the death of a reporter in Irpin:

Response from a New York Times spokesperson in regard to the death of Brent Renaud in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/K11eW685yr

— NYTimes Communications (@NYTimesPR) March 13, 2022

Units of the 155th Independent Marines Brigade (unit number 30926, Vladivostok) have been almost completely destroyed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, journalist Roman Tsymbaliuk has said.

Reportedly, as a result of ill-considered decisions of the brigade's command, the losses amounted to about 600 servicemen killed and the same number of wounded. At the same time, the brigade's personnel have no access to food and housing. 

Russians openly beat up the population of the town right in the streets. Sometimes they take away the vehicles, sometimes – pile people into a car, and their whereabouts remain unknown, - National Nuclear Energy Generating Company reports.

Now the townspeople aren’t bothered by the “deep concerns” of the international partners. https://t.me/energoatom_ua/2981

The Kyiv Region police have ensured the safe passage of children from Obukhiv District to safe areas.

Police officers, local authorities, and emergency response teams evacuated from the community's territory about 50 children with their mothers and teachers.

Melitopol to the occupiers: this is our home! 

“Melitopol to the occupiers: this is our home! 

Melitopol to the occupiers: where is our Mayor? 

Melitopol shows in all ways possible: get the hell outta here, occupiers, before we start giving answers instead of asking questions. 

Everything will be Ukraine!”

Why have the official Russian casualty figures not changed for several days so far?

Estimating the enemy's losses during the active phase of the war is complicated and it is very difficult to establish an exact figure. Data comes from different sources, often several days late, explained Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine Hanna Malyar:

"In addition, the situation is changing dynamically on a daily basis and as of today the enemy has been stopped and there is no such intense active confrontation as there was just a few days ago".

The occupiers fired a Point-U at civilians in Avdyivka municipality, the head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, has said.

There were no casualties or destruction. Shelling also continues in the Ocherety community: many damaged houses in Kamyanka, exact information cannot yet be ascertained. Verkhnyotoretske remains without electricity - a high-voltage line there was damaged the day before. 

“This week, the city named after Virgin Mary—Mariupol—became the martyr of violent war that ravages Ukraine. No reasons can justify the vicious killing of children and innocent, unarmed civilians,” Pope Francis said.

He also called on all eparchial and monastic communities to pray for peace in Ukraine: “The God is the God of peace, not of war, and those who spread violence are desecrating his name,” the pontiff added.

The occupiers launched an artillery attack at the Pushcha-Vodytsia psycho-neurological boarding house, - Kyiv City State Administration reports.  

One of the shells hit the boiler room. There is both the roof and inside damage. The second shell hit the morgue. At the time of the shelling, the wards of the facility and the staff were evacuated to a safe place.

Russia continues to recruit mercenaries in Syria and Libya, according to Ukrainian intelligence.

In particular, the Russian Federation opened 14 recruitment centres for mercenaries in Syria in the territories controlled by the regime of Bashar al-Assad (Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor). After a short training, the mercenaries will be transported to Russia via Khmeimim Air Base by two Tupolev Tu-134 airliners (passenger capacity up to 80 passengers) and Tu-154 (up to 180 passengers) to the Chkalovsky Air Base, in the Moscow region.

In recent days, the Russian Federation has already recruited thousands of Syrian mercenaries into the ranks of the occupying forces. In particular, these are members of the so-called “the National Defense militia” and units of the Fifth Attack Troop Corps of the Syrian Army. It is assumed that the Syrians will use heavy artillery and sniper weapons against the Ukrainians.

Also, information was confirmed that Russia conducts the preparation of mercenaries from Libya to use them in hostilities in Ukraine.

Russia will pay foreign mercenaries $300 to $600 per month.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that Russia prepares additional units to wage warfare on the territory of Ukraine.

Thus, according to available information, 800 servicemen of the 102nd military base (Gyumri, Armenia) have been moved to the Russian Federation during March 9-10. Up to 1,500 people of the 40th Separate Naval Infantry Brigade (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky) are sent by train to Belarus. In The 820th Main Centre for Missile Attack Warning (Solnechnogorsk), the selection is being conducted.

In addition, the Russian Federation overturns part of the “peacekeeping” contingent from Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan) to Ukraine. A large number of mercenary fighters from other countries (Syria, Serbia) are attracted too.

The Ukrainian Stugna-P anti-tank guided missile operator has destroyed the fifth Russian tank.

“The launch permit! The crew is fucked up! Yes, got them! Topclass!

The occupiers are cynically killing even the international media journalists who are trying to show the truth about the atrocities of the Russian troops in Ukraine. A 51-year-old correspondent of the world-famous media "The New York Times" was shot dead in Irpin today. Another journalist was injured. Now they are trying to take the victim out of the combat zone. Of course, the profession of journalist involves risks but the US citizen Brent Renaud paid his life for trying to expose the insidiousness, cruelty, and ruthlessness of the aggressor.

The situation on the ground: General Staff’s noon update.

The Armed Forces of Belarus are still likely to get directly involved in the war. However, no offensive actions on their part have been spotted so far.

A war equipment repair and restoration facility has been deployed on the territory of Belarus—17 km from the Ukrainian border, near Kulichikha.

In the direction of Polissia, the invaders hold their positions near Poliske, Invankiv, Lypivka, Motyzhyn, Buziv, Horenychi, Irpin, Syniak, Kazarovychi, and Sukholuchchia.

In the Novhorod-Siverskyi direction, the enemy is holding on near Liubech, Slavutych, Kovryta, Zolotynka, Mena, Baranytsia, Kalyta, Bohdanivka, Lukashi, Romny, and Nedryhailiv. 

In the direction of Brovary, the invaders are blocking the E95 highway.

In the Slobozhanshchyna direction, the occupiers hold positions near Severodonetsk, Svatove, Kupiansk, Velyka Pysarivka, Moskovskyi Bobriak, and Lebedyn. They are regrouping, restoring the combat effectiveness of their troops, and restocking to block Kharkiv and capture Izyum.

In the Donetsk and Tauric directions, the enemy holds positions near Borove, Ternove, Novokrasnianka, Luhanske, Horlivka, Panteleimonivka, Novotroitske, and Huliaipole.

No offensive actions have occurred in the Southern Buh direction thus far, but the enemy’s air reconnaissance operations are underway. Also, the invaders keep pushing toward Kryvyi Rih.

Russian troops have used phosphorus munitions in Popasna. This was announced by the Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Haidai.

“It is a destructive, devastating, and hideous force. This is what the fascists used to call Brennende Zwiebel (a burning dome, - ed.). It inflicts inconceivable suffering and causes fire."

The use of such weapons could lead to extremely dreadful and painful injuries or lingering death. The Additional Protocols of 1977 to the 1949 Geneva Conventions prohibit the use of white phosphorous munitions if they pose a threat to civilians.

March 12, about 10 p.m. St Uspenska St Mountain Lavra and the bridge connecting the banks of the River Siverskiy Donets were hit by a missile, - an abbot of the church informed.

As a result, windows were broken in Uspenskiy Temple, Pokrovskiy Temple, and a hotel of Lavra (also all the doors were knocked out on three floors) where 520 refugees from Kharkiv and Izyum were located, more than 200 of them were children. Some of them were shrapnel wounded. Now people are in Lavra’s basements.

Altogether there were 10000 civilians on the territory of the town: “There was no military formation on the territory of the town and Lavra. So the strike was [intentionally] done onto a peaceful town and one of the three Ukrainian holies ”, the abbot stressed.

The fourth round of the negotiations between Ukraine and russia can take place on March 14-15. Ukrainian delegation talks on the issue of compensation for the infrastructure destructions – “amounts can be calculated in billions dollars”, Advisor to the Head of the President’s Office Mychailo Podolyak, one of the negotiations' participants informed.

The meeting will be scheduled once mutual counter legal formats prepared: “It can be tomorrow, the day after tomorrow (March 14-15). Probably, there is no necessity to go further, just for having conversations”.

Podolyak believes that a peace agreement should be “multicomponent”, including:
1) the termination of the war as it is
2) the procedures and the time of the russian troops’s exit from the Ukrainian territory
3) a peace treaty: how peace will be guaranteed.

Zelenskiy: It's Sunday today... But who cares about it right now?...8 years of the long war in Donbas, 18 days of the full-scale Russian aggression in Ukraine, almost 13,000 occupiers killed. This is already more than in both Chechen wars. Russia has lost thousands of units of military equipment, 74 aircraft, 86 helicopters.

We do realise they have more, but it's also clear for us that we will keep on defending ourselves. Ukraine isn’t giving up, the military and the people aren’t giving up.

We have already taken nearly 125,000 people to safety through the humanitarian corridors. Today's key priority is Mariupol. Our humanitarian cargo is only two hours (70 km) away from Mariupol. We are doing everything possible to overcome the resistance of the invaders. They are blocking even the priests of the Orthodox Church who are accompanying the cargo. Ukraine has sent one hundred tons of the most essential things to its citizens: food, water, medicines.

All the diplomatic efforts are being made to have the cargo delivered. We'll see if Moscow is able to hear us. We understand that all the 40 million of Ukrainians are going through rough times, but we will win! I'm 100% sure we will. Glory to Ukraine!

Zelenskyy's new address: We will win. And that's 100%.

Glory to Ukraine!

The Security Service of Ukraine has tapped a conversation of a Russian invader who complained that "it is not terrible that we are killed but that we are stiffed on the money".

He said that the leadership had promised to pay out the "combat" $2000 only next month. "Fellas are escaping out of here but I want my money first", it was said in the tapped conversation.

NATO will reconsider its stance concerning its noninterference in the war if Russia launches a chemical attack.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said. According to Duda, the use of weapons of mass destruction will be a game changer as it will threaten not only Europe but the whole world, so NATO will have to think seriously what to do.

Operational command Pivnich has revealed what remains of an occupier's tank unit in Chernihiv Region. 

The residents of Kherson have joined a rally on the Freedom Square to show the occupier that “Kherson is Ukraine!”

The Yavoriv military training ground was, preliminarily, hit with cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea water area. Oleksii Arestovych, Advisor of the Head of the Office of the President, has told about it in his daily video address.

It was initially reported that Russian warplanes to have taken off from Sararatov fired more than 30 missiles. Air defense shot down half of them.

As the result of the blockade of Mariupol by the Russian forces, 1,582 civilians have died, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reports.

In the evening, aviation of the Russian Armed Forces shelled Svyatogorsk Lavra in Donetsk Region. The most severe damage was inflicted on the premises where refugees have taken shelter. There were casualties, the Security Service of Ukraine has said.

A country telling everywhere about its special Orthodox path is dropping bombs and missiles on one of Ukraine's main Christian shrines!

Учора окупанти пробили чергове дно – пізно ввечері ракетно-бомбова авіація російських збройних сил обстріляла Святогірську лавру на Донеччині.

Найбільших пошкоджень зазнало приміщення, де знайшли прихисток біженці. Є поранені.

Ніколи цього не забудемо! pic.twitter.com/4NHdFpaXhN

— СБ України (@ServiceSsu) March 13, 2022

Chernihiv is 60 per cent supplied with water, city mayor Vladyslav Atroshenko has said. But the state of the networks is such that in the future it will be impossible to raise water above the third or fourth floor. He asked to request water by phone 0504169932 for the microdistricts.

At the same time, the city is 20 per cent supplied with light. Because of technical problems and existing capacity, it will be impossible to restore electricity to most parts of the city, Atroshenko said. There is gas in 75% of residential houses in the city.

The defenders of Mariupol have destroyed three enemy tanks T-72 and one “Tiger” armoured vehicle, according to the Azov Battalion of National Guard, which is holding defense of Mariupol.

The Azov Battalion members have destroyed a total of six tanks and two BTRs, one “Tiger” and enemy infantry. They have also taken 12 prisoners.

According to the last data, 35 persons died and 134 injured in different ways stay at the hospital as the result of the occupiers’ night shelling of the International center of peacekeeping and safety in Yavoriv (Lviv region). It was reported by Maksim Kozytskyi, head of Lviv Regional State Administration.

Also according to his words, as of 12:00 a.m. almost all fires on the territory of the International Center are liquidated, explosive technicians and other professionals investigate the territory additionally, major part of blockage is disassembled.

Moldova started to accept digital documents in Diia, the Minister of digital transformation of Ukraine Myhailo Fedorov informed. This is the first country that recognizes digital identifications of the Ukrainians.

Serhii Shefir, Assistant to the President, is in Ukraine. He is currently working with a working group of the Ukrainian government to ensure the logistics of humanitarian goods across the country. Ivan Bakanov is also in Ukraine.

Source: Presidential Office Press Service.

Deminers from the Interregional Center for Humanitarian Demining and Rapid Response continue to eliminate the consequences of enemy shelling in the Kharkiv region.

Photo by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

In the past 24 hours, Russian troops have launched about 50 artillery, mortar and shelling attacks on residential areas of Kharkiv, Chuguyev, Izyum and Rogan, Kharkiv Region head Oleh Sinegubov said:

"The enemy continues to attack the Izyum district and hit a complex gas treatment plant near the village of. Glazunovka. There was an intense burning of gas. According to rescuers, 1 worker was injured.

In Oskol, where the occupants attacked the psychoneurologic boarding school, the functioning of the institution has been resumed. 350 wards and workers are staying there," writes Sinegubov.

He also said that they are currently working on the evacuation of civilians in Kharkiv Region.

A two-week supply of essential foodstuffs has been formed in Kyiv for the two million residents remaining in the city, the Kyiv City State Administration has said.

The Kyiv city authorities also noted that salaries and pensions are being paid in the capital.

Since 15 March, the majority of refugees from Ukraine will only have to show passports to enter the UK, Michael Gove, the UK Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, has told Sky News.

Gove also said that Ukrainians will be able to come into the UK through the family scheme, which will be adapted to the new conditions. The secretary also spoke about the new Homes for Refugees scheme that will offer £350 a month to Britons hosting Ukrainian refugees. He added that children who came to the country would be entitled to education in schools, and that all refugees from Ukraine would be offered full NHS services.

As of 10:00, there were no queues on the border with Hungary, Moldova, and Romania, the Western Administration of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports.

On the border with Slovakia, there are 20 passenger cars near the Uzhhorod checkpoint.

At the Rava-Ruska checkpoint on the way to Poland, there are 10 buses, and 100 pedestrians at the Uhryniv checkpoint. No queues are reported at other checkpoints.

The bombing of Mykolaiv on 13 March resulted in the deaths of 9 people, the Head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration Vitalii Kim reports.

Anastasiia Merkushyna, a Ukrainian biathlete and Junior World and European champion, who represented Ukraine at two Olympics, is now also defending her country.

Merkushyna is a senior lieutenant of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

In Melitopol, the invaders declared a curfew from 18:00 to 6:00 and prohibited rallies and demonstrations.

In a brief update on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK Ministry of Defense Intelligence reports that Russian forces are suffering heavy losses but are still attempting to advance to Odesa and seize Mariupol.

British Intelligence notes that the Russians are trying to envelop the AFU in the east of the country, as they advance simultaneously from the directions of Kharkiv and Mariupol.

At the same time, the Russians are looking to circumvent Mykolaiv to drive towards Odesa. The British believe that the RF forces are "paying a high price for each advance" over the territory of Ukraine and that the AFU offer staunch resistance across all directions.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 13 March 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/eTyMwvnz4V

The occupants have shelled the Holy Christ Christmas Cathedral in Severodonetsk, according to the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Haidai.

"Over ten funnels, shell fragments have broken many windows in the cathedral and the administrative house where the diocesan office and outbuildings are located. In the basement of the cathedral, where the statutory church services used to be held - windows have been broken. Where city residents are located for shelter from shelling," Haidai noted.

He added that there was no electricity, water and gas supply for the tenth day already.

During еру 12 days of blockade of Mariupol and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, 1582 civilians have been killed by Russian troops, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reports.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has called on NATO to close the skies over Ukraine after the attack on the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Lviv Region.

"Foreign instructors work here. Information about the victims is being clarified. This is new terrorist attack on peace&security near the EU-NATO border.Action must be taken to stop this.Close the sky!" - Reznikov wrote on Twitter.  

russia has attacked the International Center for Peacekeeping&Security near Lviv.Foreign instructors work here.Information about the victims is being clarified.This is new terrorist attack on peace&security near the EU-NATO border.Action must be taken to stop this.Close the sky!

— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) March 13, 2022

The airstrike on the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security (Yavoriv Military Range) located 30 km away from Lviv resulted in 9 dead and 57 injured. The alert system had gone off timely, preventing more casualties. According to preliminary data, Russian planes took off from Saratov and fired more than 30 missiles. The air defense system shot down part of the missiles.

As of the morning of 13 March, Russia's armed aggression in Ukraine has already killed 85 children and left around 100 wounded, the Prosecutor-General's Office has said. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy, Kherson, Mykolayiv and Zhytomyr regions suffered the most casualties.

Dniprorudne town mayor Yevhen Matveyev has been kidnapped, the head of the Zaporizhzhya regional administration, Oleksandr Starukh, has reported.  

Russia disrupts the evacuation of people, reports the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration Serhii Haidai.

He says that buses cannot depart due to shellings. Kreminna, Rubizhne, and Severodonetsk are under fire, explosions are also heard in Popasna and Hirske.

Writer Stephen King has called for the wall of disinformation created by the Russian authorities to be destroyed.

To do so, he suggested going after the hashtag #PutinLies, where you can see evidence of the Russian president's crimes

This is Putin's war.
Women and children are dying at his hands.
It's vital that the Russian people understand this is happening.
It's vital to break down the wall of disinformation.
If you can get through: #PutinLies.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 13, 2022

Gas supply company Naftohaz Trading LLC has started supplying natural gas to ensure operation of three Ukrainian thermal power plants. This was reported by Naftogaz's press service.

The government has assigned the company with special responsibility for natural gas supplies to twelve thermal power plants until April 30, 2022. Supply contracts have been signed with four power plants, with the rest under review.

"There is enough natural gas resource to meet the needs of all consumers of the company," Naftogaz said.