First dose of antibiotics is in, I slept most of the afternoon, so we’re making limited progress.
Before we get going, Carlo emailed and asked about the announcement that Trump and Team Clown Shoes are going to deploy the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from its home port in Japan to the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). I’ve seen several overlapping reports, but this is clear as mud right now. That said, what appears to be happening is that they’re sending the float aboard The Tripoli. Whether it’s the entire MEU, which would be between 2,500 and 5,000 Marines depending on their current force strength, or a smaller detachment, such as their rapid response battalion, or something in between is not know. It appears that they don’t have any long range fires or modern air defense capabilities within the MEU. I expect they’re being sent to their slaughter.
On a related note, I’ve yet to see anything from a legitimate source concerning The Abraham Lincoln. Until I do, there’s nothing worthwhile to say.
❤️🩹🇺🇦 Ukraine returns seven more children from temporarily occupied territories
They all experienced pressure, humiliation and attempts to impose someone else’s identity on them. Today, these children and adolescents are finally safe.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Among those rescued is 6-year-old Nika, who was forced to march under the supervision of armed guards in kindergarten.
Also, 18-year-old (now) Dmytro, whom the Russian authorities tried to draft into the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces, despite serious health problems.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Trump had some thoughts today about drones:
TRUMP: Ukraine has to pay for everything, and they pay through NATO.
KILMEADE: Are they helping us with drone defense?
TRUMP: No, we don’t need the help in drone defense. We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually.
🤷♀️
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 1:15 PM
They’re not good thoughts. They’re not accurate thoughts. But they’re thoughts.
President Zelenskyy went to France today and met with President Macron.
Aww, look at these two sharing an umbrella!
France has another ‘umbrella’ it could share, though… 🇫🇷😏— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 11:48 AM
The former did not do a daily address, but he did make a prepared statement at the beginning of their joint press conference. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Statement by the President of Ukraine During a Joint Press Conference with the President of France
13 March 2026 – 16:28
Thank you very much personally, Emmanuel. Thank you for everything.
Dear Mr. President,
Distinguished journalists!
I am grateful for this visit, for all of France’s support for Ukraine and for Ukrainians, and for your personal support, Emmanuel. We in Ukraine know all this and value it greatly. We also value the fact that we can always coordinate with France and stand together on many issues – that is so important, especially during wartime. Today, Emmanuel, his team, and I – we are also grateful to our colleagues – focused primarily on security. Our security – that of Ukraine, of Europe, and global security, particularly in light of developments in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
Yesterday in Iraq, a French serviceman was killed in an Iranian strike – please accept my personal condolences, my deepest sympathies, and those of all Ukrainians, to his family and loved ones. Soldiers were also injured, and we hope for their speedy recovery. And it is extremely important for everyone around the world that, through joint efforts, we succeed in stabilizing the situation and prevent this war from spreading further as well. Everyone sees the loss of life, everyone sees the destruction, and the threats to different countries in the region; everyone sees the destabilization of global markets due to the effective halt of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Opinions may vary regarding this U.S. campaign against the Iranian regime, but it is hard for anyone to argue with the fact that the regime in Iran is terrorist in nature, and the entire region – and Iran itself – certainly needs far greater respect for life and stronger protection of life, first and foremost from this regime in Iran.
Ukraine can contribute to stabilization. More than ten countries have already approached us for support in defending against “shaheds” – Iranian attack drones. These are essentially the same attack drones that the Iranian regime supplied to Russia and taught the Russians to use them against the civilian population of Ukraine. Today, we in Ukraine have the greatest expertise in the world in countering “shaheds” – because of this war, and certainly because of all these massive attacks: this includes the development of interceptors, our new expertise, and a systemic defense against drones, primarily Iranian ones. It is not enough simply to obtain interceptors somewhere – there must also be experience in using them. Our warriors have such experience. There must also be proper systemic work with radars and with the entire air defense system.
Ukraine is ready to share this experience for the security of those partners who are helping us. Naturally, we went over this with Emmanuel, and naturally, we will coordinate all our efforts. Of course, we believe that Europe must also put such defenses in place. Russia’s war against Ukraine and Iran’s strikes against countries in the region demonstrate what modern warfare looks like, what the threats are, and how partners must cooperate to ensure protection. The President of France and I have also discussed this in detail, and we are ready to work together with France. It is important that France takes a leading role in these joint defense projects for Europe.
Of course, today and always, Emmanuel and I maintain substantive coordination on issues related to our protection in Ukraine and our defense. Emmanuel is clearly informed about all aspects of the situation on the frontline, and I am grateful to you for your support and grateful for your advice.
And today we are devoting significant attention – just now, in an expanded format with our teams, and in the one-on-one conversation that will take place a little later, after the press conference – to joint defense production. We discussed both bilateral projects and the SAFE instrument. All of this represents significant potential that can strengthen both our states and all of Europe. Ukraine is grateful for France’s defense support throughout all these years, and today we identified steps and specific decisions that can deliver strong results. This concerns both air defense and combat aviation.
We discussed our cooperation with France at the European Union level and within the Coalition of the Willing. We remember how effective the leadership of France and Emmanuel personally was in enabling Ukraine to obtain candidate status for accession to the European Union. It was a historic step, a historic event. I am very grateful to you, Emmanuel. Now, France’s leadership can also be decisive in many respects for Ukraine’s future accession to the European Union. We are discussing possible formats; there must be a clear date for such accession – at least we strongly want this – so that Russia has absolutely no opportunity to block Ukraine through Russian accomplices somewhere here in Europe.
It is important to continue putting pressure on Russia over this war in order to achieve genuine security and a lasting peace. We must overcome the blocking of the European Union’s 20th sanctions package against Russia. Emmanuel has already spoken about this. This is all the more important in light of the U.S. decisions to partially ease sanctions on Russian oil currently on tankers at sea. This easing alone on the part of the United States could provide Russia with around ten billion dollars for the war. This certainly does not help peace. And that is why the European Union’s resolve, and that of other partners around the world, must remain firm – it must work in a way that leaves Russia with no illusions. Russia must end this war. And I am grateful to everyone who is helping us in this effort.
One more point. For us, support for the €90 billion package for Ukraine over the next two years is crucial – it is our financial security guarantee. And now, ahead of the European leaders’ meeting in Brussels next week, we are coordinating our positions to secure the unblocking of these funds. At a time when Russia is effectively gaining additional resources due to yet another wave of destabilization, Ukraine must receive what Europe has already decided on. It is important that Europe’s decisions work. France supports us in this.
Thank you for this, Emmanuel! Thank you!
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
Protest nights on Rustaveli Avenue are often musical.
Day 471 of daily, uninterrupted, nationwide protests in Georgia.
🎶 Bella Ciao
— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Day 471 of #GeorgiaProtests
1. Further isolation of the regime, a Russian proxy and sanctions evasion enabler, pro-Iran, pro-CCP;
2. Further targeted sanctions;
3. Aid to CSOs and independent media;
4. International investigation into chemicals use against protesters;📷 MOSE
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 2:59 PM
GD police in Tbilisi are searching the bags of protest participants before allowing them to enter the area in front of Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue.
#GeorgiaProtests Day 471
#TerrorinGeorgia— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 1:13 PM
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 3:22 PM
This is how the Georgian Dream’s Russian propaganda works.
24 @OSCE member states expressed support for the @osce_odihr Moscow Mechanism report on Georgia.
32 others simply did not comment.
Imedi TV card👇🏻, implying the majority of OSCE states condemn the report.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Hungary:
“You pesky Ukrainians, how dare you get invaded and disrupt my cheap Russian oil supply, which I sell to my people at a markup and pocket the difference.” – Peter translated.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
The EU:
🇪🇺❗️🇺🇸 EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused the U.S. of trying to weaken the EU, saying Washington “wants to divide Europe” and “doesn’t like the European Union.” – FT
— The Ukrainian Review (@theukrainianreview.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Kallas is, unfortunately, correct in her assessment.
Canada:
Carney: “Canada’s position is to maintain sanctions on Russia, including on the shadow fleet which is moving it’s oil.
There has been very tight cooperation between Russia and Iran at great cost to the people of Ukraine and a great threat to peace and security in Europe.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:59 PM
The coalition of the willing has stood up to that — in providing the framework for security guarantees, in providing support and training and materiel to Ukraine, and in terms of sanctions which we stand by and will continue to do so.”
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Germany:
Germany continues taking concrete steps to build its defence against the Russian threat to Europe:
🔹Rheinmetall will increase production from 70k to 1.5m artillery shells per year by 2030
🔹Ukrainian instructors will use their experience fighting Russia to train German soldiers— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Merz: We discussed Russian oil and gas deliveries with the US President in the G7 this week. Six members clearly said this sends the wrong signal.
This morning we learned the US government apparently decided otherwise.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 9:59 AM
We think this is wrong — there’s a price issue, not a supply shortage. I’d like to know what other motives are behind this temporary decision.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 9:59 AM
France:
Macron: In no case should an increase in the price of oil lead us to change our position with regard to Russia. That is the position of the G7 and, of course, that of France and Europe.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 9:34 AM
The US:
Cause:
BESSENT: The Russian barrels are on the water, and it is a quick source for the Indian refineries. The other way to think about it is, those barrels are going to end up in China anyway.
HOST: But is it a shame that Russia benefits?
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 3:57 PM
BESSENT: Again, it is unfortunate, and we hope that it will be in a micro-period that they will benefit.
THAT OIL WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLD MUCH CHEAPER, FFS. BY MAKING IT LEGAL, YOU ARE REMOVING DISCOUNTS!
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Effect:
The war in the Middle East is bringing Russia up to $150 million per day in additional oil revenue, – FT.
Rising oil prices after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz boosted demand for Russian crude from India and China.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Extra tax revenues have already reached $1.3-1.9 billion and could grow to $3.3-4.9 billion by the end of March.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Back to Ukraine.
Exilenova+ ran the numbers for early March. Russia launches about 124 drones a day at Ukraine, Ukraine sends about 202 back. Most are cheap decoys to probe air defenses, but the scale is massive both ways, they note.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Ukrainian robot aircraft manufacturer Wild Hornets denied reports that Saudi energy giant Aramco is in direct talks to buy tens of thousands of Ukrainian interceptor drones, calling claims of a deal “inaccurate.”
www.kyivpost.com/post/71885
— Kyiv Post (@kyivpost.com) March 13, 2026 at 10:21 AM
From The Kyiv Post:
Recent reports that the Saudi energy giant Aramco is in direct talks with a major Ukrainian drone manufacturer to sell tens of thousands of interceptor drones are not true, a Friday statement from the major Ukrainian robot aircraft manufacturer Wild Hornets said.
The Ukrainian company is not negotiating the export of its interceptor drones with any country or company from the Persian Gulf, and a recent Wall Street Journal article reporting that a deal like that had been agreed to with Aramco is inaccurate, the statement said.
The Wall Street Journal, on March 12, reported that the world’s largest oil company, Saudi Aramco, is in talks with at least two Ukrainian companies – SkyFall and Wild Hornets – to purchase interceptor drones.
Wild Hornets is in contact “daily by many representatives from the Middle East and European Union countries regarding the possible export of STING drones. However, our efforts are currently focused on cooperation with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Main Intelligence Directorate,” the company statement said in part.
SkyFall had not responded to a Kyiv Post request for comment by the time this article was published.A fast-flying, $2,000 aircraft about the size of a coffee machine, the Wild Hornets-manufactured STING drone, in the past six months, has become a critical component of Ukraine’s multi-layered national air defense system, which defends Ukrainian airspace against an average 100-200 Russian drones every night, and up to 800 aircraft during the heaviest strikes.
Skyfall’s recently developed P1-SUN interceptor drone is advertised to be even cheaper, at $1,000 an aircraft. SkyFall’s premier products are a first-person view (FPV) drone called Shrike and a bomber drone called Vampire, which is widely used across Ukraine’s armed forces.
Company representatives are currently participating in Ukraine government-led talks with other countries on training operators and supplying drones, and Wild Hornets is “ready to join such assistance within the framework of diplomatic initiatives,” the statement says.
If and when a deal is reached to deliver Wild Hornets drones to a foreign purchaser, deliveries would take place without compromising aircraft deliveries to Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) users, the statement said.
More at the link.
Ukrainian intercept team on combat duty, ready to take down Russian Shaheds with Sting drones.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Ukrainian SBS operators bagged four rare Merlin aircraft, a Buk-M1 and a Nebo radar on Friday the 13th. From March 1-13, SBS birds have downed 21 Russian air defense elements. Army-level Merlin-VR recon planes were also taken out near Hulyaipole.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Ukrainian SBS drones hit a Buk-M1 (possibly a mockup) near Kurakhove and a Nebo-55Zh6 radar in occupied Crimea, Magyar reports. These strikes are coming so often it’s almost routine.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Ukraine’s SBU thwarted a Russian attempt to assassinate the commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps, Andriy Biletsky. A Ukrainian serviceman recruited by Russian intelligence was detained for trying to gather information to guide a missile-bomb strike on the general’s location.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:32 AM
The man planned to leak the locations of his brigade’s headquarters and training centre. He was reportedly recruited through his ex-wife in Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia and now faces life imprisonment for treason.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:32 AM
🇺🇦 The story of the rescue of two wounded infantrymen of the 63rd brigade with the help of ground drone.
The operators of the battalion of unmanned systems were forced to work without navigation, in terrible weather, with a huge risk of being hit by drones.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 12:55 PM
🇺🇦🤖 The rescue of ground drone is also a special operation.
The 25th Airborne Unmanned Systems Battalion showed how they rescue ground troops injured on the battlefield.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 6:35 AM
🔥 A heavy bomber of the Armed Forces of Ukraine covered the Russian Armed Forces’ ammunition warehouse.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM
❗️❗️❗️
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast:
Pani Natalia, 70 evacuated her husband in a wheelchair from the killzone.
They walked 13km (!) until they got to the Ukrainian defenders on the outskirts of Kostiantynivka.
“We’ve been together for 51yrs. I will never leave him”.
Impossible to watch this w/o tears.
Video by Vadym Heiko.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 11:25 AM
That is one bad ass 70 year old!
🛡️Border guards of the Phoenix unit thwarted an attempt by the occupiers to launch a massive assault in the direction of Kostyantynivka: enemy infantry, vehicles, armored vehicles, and tanks went on the attack, but were left to burn out in the fields of Donetsk region.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Bohuslavka, Kharkiv Oblast:
Four Ukrainian paratroopers from the 77th Brigade’s 2nd Air Assault Battalion raided an enemy position near Bohuslavka, Kharkiv. Four occupiers surrendered. A fifth resisted and was eliminated.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast:
Russia has struck the Kremenchuk oil refinery with over 60 missiles and 260 drones during the war, Ukraine’s Energy Minister says. The total number of targets launched was much higher, he added.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Russian occupied Crimea:
💥 Krymskyi Veter reports that UAV struck radar positions in the village of Uyutnoye near Yevpatoriya.
❗️Two powerful explosions in Simferopol
❗️Powerful explosions near Kerch
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 6:12 PM
💥💥💥 There have already been at least eight explosions in Simferopol, Crimea!
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
🔥 There were two powerful explosions near Tavriya Thermal Power Plant near Simferopol (Crimea)
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast:
😍🔥 Yesterday in the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region, the forces of the 422nd separate regiment stopped the plunder of Ukrainian land by destroying moving railway transport in the amount of 2 locomotives.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Krasnodar Krai, Russia:
Ukrainian drones hit a military airfield in Maykop, Krasnodar region, overnight. Locals report over ten explosions at the Khanskaya base as air defenses fired for over an hour. Sites in Nevinnomyssk and Kirovo-Chepetsk were also struck.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 5:48 AM
🔥 Confirmation of strike on AT-22/4 unit at the Afipsky refinery, – CyberBoroshno
One of the columns of the unit is burning, as well as a gas leak from the accompanying overpass.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
🔥🤩 Footage of burning Afipsky refinery filmed dozens of kilometers away!
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Yesterday’s drone strike on the Tikhoretskaya oil terminal in Krasnodar region burned out two storage tanks, Dnipro Osint reports.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Another satellite shot of Tikhoretsk, apparently while it was still burning.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 8:20 AM
The Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia:
An oil well in Kendektamak, Bashkortostan, Russia, suddenly caught fire for “unknown reasons.”
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 6:42 AM
Belgorod Oblast, Russia:
🔥😎 Footage from the Belgorod region, where a safari is going on against enemy Pantsirs with strike drones.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 3:37 PM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.
Here is some adjacent material.
💙😻 His face is turned up to the sun with such bliss, as if he has just heard that today there will be light and water at the same time all day long.
I wish I could live as happily as this cat! 😃— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Open thread!
