We Need the Proceeds of the Aggressor’s Assets to Work for Real Defense Assistance Against the Aggressor – Address by the President

21 August 2024 – 20:44

Dear Ukrainians!

The key points for today.

First. There have already been several reports by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. The frontline – our positions, primarily it is the Pokrovsk direction, our Donetsk region. We understand the enemy’s steps and we are getting stronger. We have checked the ammunition supply. And it is very important that our partners really fulfill their obligations. On each package, on all our agreements. This is fundamental for our defense. Our operation in the Kursk region – our combat work continues; steps are being taken. We control the designated areas. And I thank all our guys, all our units for continuing to replenish the exchange fund.

Second. I had a long, very detailed meeting with Government officials and representatives of the Verkhovna Rada. There were several issues. We are planning decisions that need to be made to support our Defense Forces. And also, to support economic activity in the country. So that we can not only save jobs, but also give the Ukrainian economy more opportunities, more potential for growth. These are important issues, and so are the conclusions drawn after meetings with entrepreneurs in the regions. The Government will provide all the details when the relevant draft decisions are prepared. But we can already say that we have agreed with the Government: the Ministers will look for alternative solutions without putting pressure on legitimate business. And we have also agreed on additional national steps for de-shadowing. In addition, today we discussed our work with partners on advancing real decisions on the promised $50 billion from the frozen Russian assets. There have already been many political statements from our partners. There is still a lot being said about this. But we need a real mechanism. We need the proceeds of the aggressor’s assets to work for real defense assistance against the aggressor – for all of this to work for Ukraine and Ukrainians in the coming months. The relevant discussions have been ongoing for too long, and we finally need decisions.

And one more thing for today.

I spoke with Patriarch Bartholomew. I thanked him for his support of Ukraine and Ukrainians, our defense, our independence. I informed him about the law passed to strengthen our spiritual independence. It is very important that we share a common understanding of the unifying potential for Ukrainian Orthodoxy that this passed law provides, and everything is provided for it, in sufficient measure, to really eliminate dependence on Moscow and to add unity to Ukraine.

I thank everyone in the world who stands with Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Oleksandr is one of the Ukrainian defenders of the skies.
Since the beginning of the russian invasion, his battery has shot down 75 aerial targets. His first destroyed target was a russian helicopter in the Kyiv region on February 2, 2022. The most impressive result is seven… pic.twitter.com/MdY7sE2Y9f

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 21, 2024

Oleksandr is one of the Ukrainian defenders of the skies.
Since the beginning of the russian invasion, his battery has shot down 75 aerial targets. His first destroyed target was a russian helicopter in the Kyiv region on February 2, 2022. The most impressive result is seven destroyed cruise missiles during a single missile attack.
Glory to Ukrainian heroic warriors 🇺🇦

📷: West Air Command

Some stats from Ukraine’s top commander Oleksandr Syrsky:
-Since Feb 2022, Russian missiles + drones have hit 11,879 Ukrainian facilities; 6,203 civilian; 5,676 military
-Russia fired 9,590 missiles (2,429 intercepted); 13,997 drones (9,272 downed)
More: https://t.co/LLeV3B7JtL

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) August 21, 2024

From Defense Express:

During his report to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Sirsky, published extremely interesting data on the use of long-range means of defeat for strikes on Ukraine. They were broken down into types of rockets and drones, specifying the number of launched and intercepted, as well as the number and type of objects affected.

According to her, the enemy used 9,627 rockets and 13,997 drones for strikes on Ukraine, of which a total of 2,429 rockets and 9,272 drones have been intercepted since February 24, 2022. A total of 11,879 objects were affected during the entire period, most of which were civilian – 6,203, military – 5,676.

But in any case, the efficiency of interception of cruise missiles such as “Caliber”, X-555/101 and P-500 to OTRC “Iscander” was 66.62%. Controlled missiles X-59, X-35, X-31 and other similar – 22.02%. The difference in the interception of these two similar types of targets is due to the fact that guided missiles are usually launched by the enemy at frontline or border facilities, where it is not possible to echelon air defense facilities.

Ballistic missiles to OTRC “Iscander”, “Point-U” and KN-23 produced by the DPRK were generally used by the enemy of 1368 units, of which only 4.53% were intercepted. To these should be added anti-aircraft missiles from the SBS S-300 and S-400, 3008 units were fired, and only 0.63% were intercepted. With these missiles, the enemy was hit by a total of 4,293 objects, of which 3,196 were civilian and 1,097 military.

Among the enemy missiles that require modern interception complexes are the X-22 and X-32, which are used with the Tu-22M3. All of them were launched 362 and knocked down 2, ie 0.55%. High-speed “Oysters” was used by the enemy 211, of which 12 – 5.69% intercepted.

In the category of hypersonic weapons: X-47M2 “Kinjal” the so-called “VKS” of the Russian Federation was used 111 times, of which 28 -25.23% were intercepted. At the same time, these missiles were mostly aimed at civilian infrastructure, out of 83 affected facilities, only 15 were military. Indeed, the hypersonic “Zircon” was used only 6 times, 2 times it was intercepted, 4 times it affected civilian objects.

As for drones, Shahed-136 in statistics was combined with “Lancets”, the overall figure of this group – 13,315 units released and 8,836 units intercepted – 63.36%. Another 682 of them were knocked down – in the category other drones.

The EU:

Ukraine’s Kursk offensive is a severe blow to Russian President Putin’s narrative.

Lifting restrictions on the use of capabilities vs the Russian military involved in aggression against Ukraine, in accordance with international law, would have several important effects:

1/3

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 21, 2024

As I conveyed to Ukrainian FM @DmytroKuleba, the EU fully supports Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.

I look forward to meeting him in Brussels and to a discussion with EU Foreign and Defence Ministers next week, to move forward in our support to UA.

3/3

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 21, 2024

OTD, August 21, 1968, Soviet Armed Forces, thousands of soldiers and officers invaded the Czechoslovakia that was trying to break free from the shackles of the communist regime and build its own, freer course. Moscow’s was and remains the center of the Russian imperialism. It’s… pic.twitter.com/wdwFBisGc6

— Sergiy Kyslytsya 🇺🇦 (@SergiyKyslytsya) August 21, 2024

OTD, August 21, 1968, Soviet Armed Forces, thousands of soldiers and officers invaded the Czechoslovakia that was trying to break free from the shackles of the communist regime and build its own, freer course. Moscow’s was and remains the center of the Russian imperialism. It’s deeply ingrained in the mindset of the Russians who through centuries invaded and colonized neighboring countries, exploited and meticulously conducted policy of Russification of non-Russian peoples of colonized territories “subjects” of the “Federation”. This ideology remains manifestly present in narratives of political activist of many who call themselves “opposition”. Decolonization will never be achieved as long as the mindset of the Russians isn’t decolonized.
Video credit RFE/RL
@CzechUNNY

Tatarigami has some thoughts regarding the video of an officer from the Russian 155th Brigade waving a Ukrainian POW’s head on a pike.

Around August 16th, a video circulated on Telegram, showing a Ukrainian soldier’s severed head on a pole, reportedly filmed by a member of the 155th Brigade. This should be seen not just as an isolated act of cruelty but as part of a larger, systematic approach.

🧵Thread:

2/ Before discussing the issue, let’s clarify several points. The video went viral after the notorious Russian unit “Rusich” posted it on their Telegram channel on August 16th. They praised the 155th Brigade, stating that this was an appropriate response to “pigs.”

3/ This is not the first instance of the 155th Brigade engaging in such cruelty. In March 2022, the same brigade was involved in the occupation of Bucha, an event documented in the official report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

4/ While isolated cruelty can occur in a war involving over a million troops, encouragement of such crimes is a different level of severity. For instance, following the notorious Bucha massacre, Putin awarded the 155th Brigade an honorary title after their withdrawal from Bucha.

5/ The issue extends beyond the 155th Brigade itself. There are multiple reports and videos of acts of torture, execution, dismemberment, sexual violence, and castration committed by other Russian forces. These actions occur with minimal or no repercussions at all.

6/ One aspect of this approach is that violence is not just intended to terrorize Ukrainians into submission – few would be swayed to surrender by such brutality. Instead, the goal is to provoke a violent response from Ukrainians, thus discouraging RU troops from surrendering 

7/ Despite the cruelty and torture endured by Ukrainians, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have shown remarkable restraint. This is evident in the Kursk region, where, unlike the Russian actions in Izyum, Bucha, and other towns, there have been no acts of revenge or massacres. 

8/ This not only debunks the “bothsidesing” fallacy but also shows the world that Ukraine holds the moral high ground and remains committed to its international legal obligations. Unfortunately, this significant fact seems to be frequently overlooked. 

9/ States that encourage systematic violence and crimes should be treated similarly to ISIS, with a comparable response to completely stop such behavior.

Verbal condemnations have proven ineffective against ISIS and are unlikely to be effective against Russia. 

The Kursk counteroffensive:

Just witnessed how Russian POWs are treated, and it’s a world apart from what Ukrainians go through in Russian captivity.

Prisoners from Kursk are split into groups—conscripts, contracts, newcomers. They’re fed three times a day, taken to the bathhouse, given time for walks. Red… pic.twitter.com/GdozBc1paG

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) August 21, 2024

Just witnessed how Russian POWs are treated, and it’s a world apart from what Ukrainians go through in Russian captivity.

Prisoners from Kursk are split into groups—conscripts, contracts, newcomers. They’re fed three times a day, taken to the bathhouse, given time for walks. Red Cross has notified their families about their fate.

One POW, a 19-year-old conscript from Bashkiria drafted six months ago, shared his story. On August 8th, he and 27 others surrendered—one guy didn’t even have a weapon. They had 24 conscripts and 4 commanders, including some from Akhmat, who told them to lay down their arms. He never expected this kind of treatment, especially after being told they’d face torture and humiliation in Ukraine.

Ukrainian officer involved in delivering POWs and participating in exchanges said it’s hard to see the contrast—what Ukraine returns and the condition our soldiers are in when they come back—exhausted and broken after inhumane treatment.

Ukrainian Warriors from the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade take care of a Russian grandma in Kursk region. pic.twitter.com/5LtMkChSoh

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 21, 2024

A video released by @SOF_UKR shows the destruction of pontoon crossings in the Kursk region. Also, the russian field ammo stockpile, an EW vehicle, and a 152 mm howitzer were damaged. pic.twitter.com/BabxKe1stw

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 21, 2024

NAFO in Sudzha https://t.co/vueHQEPwr1

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 21, 2024

Locals in Sudzha, Kursk region think that the war for them started on August 6, 2024 – before that, it was “some sort of conflict going on.”

Journalists spoke to locals who confirmed that the Ukrainian Army brought them food, water, and gave medical care.

📹: Radio Liberty pic.twitter.com/4cRsM6BMY9

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 21, 2024

Pokrovsk:

The General Staff of the Ukrainian military said there were 46 Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk area over the course of day on August 21. https://t.co/Gl0ZtpBNvn

— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) August 21, 2024

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has the details:

Ukraine’s military said its forces came under repeated attack on August 21 around the town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces are pressing for a breakthrough.

In a statement, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military said there were 46 Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk area over the course of day. Of these, 44 were repelled and two were ongoing into the evening hours local time.

It also said 238 Russian troops were killed or wounded in the same area on August 21. It did not disclose Ukrainian losses, and it was not possible to verify the number of Russian soldiers killed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s military was responding to the Russian push by strengthening its forces around Pokrovsk, one of the hottest areas of the front.

The Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine has ordered a forced evacuation of children with their parents or legal representatives from certain districts of the Donetsk region, including Pokrovsk.

There were dozens of other clashes across the front line on August 21. Most of them were repelled, according to the General Staff, but some continued into the late evening hours.

Kyiv:

Was at the Ukraine children cardiac center this morning. Assessing the damage done by #russia missiles on 8
July. @Cardioukraine pic.twitter.com/r6w3l9CSuF

— Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) August 21, 2024

Today, the Ukrainian Parliament ratified the Rome Statute. Ukraine has become the 125th member of the International Criminal Court @IntlCrimCourt.

This has been a long journey full of challenges, myths, and fears. None of them have been true. And today, we are finally there,…

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) August 21, 2024

Today, the Ukrainian Parliament ratified the Rome Statute. Ukraine has become the 125th member of the International Criminal Court @IntlCrimCourt.

This has been a long journey full of challenges, myths, and fears. None of them have been true. And today, we are finally there, thanks to President @ZelenskyyUA‘s leadership, years of systemic work by the Foreign Ministry and other institutions, and the will of Ukrainian parliamentarians.

By taking this step, Ukraine demonstrates its unwavering commitment to strengthening international justice. Ukraine has already worked effectively with the ICC to ensure comprehensive accountability for all Russian atrocities committed in the course of Russian aggression. This work will now be even more effective.

With the ratification of the Rome Statute, Ukraine also took another significant step toward joining the EU.

I am grateful to all of my colleagues in the Ukrainian government, Prosecutor General @AndriyKostinUa, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office @IrynaRMudra, Verkhovna Rada Chairperson @R_Stefanchuk, and all MPs who helped make this historic decision.

And it is done ✅ #Ukraine parliament votes to ratify Rome Statute. 281 “Yes” votes pic.twitter.com/YpcUzETzfT

— Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) August 21, 2024

I’m pretty sure Bibi is never going to visit Ukraine now.

Kherson Oblast:

Interesting that Ukraine Air Force claimed this storm was in Kursk when it’s been clearly geolocated now in occupied southern Kherson region: https://t.co/udOKOa6fYu

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) August 21, 2024

Last night I listed this strike as being in Kursk Oblast, Russia. That was based on what was being reported last night. We now know that the strike occurred in Kherson Oblast.

Nova Khakovka, Kherson Oblast:

AASM strike on the Russian positions in Nova Kakhovka area, Kherson region.
(46.7515190, 33.3146735)https://t.co/Ev4b4XFRd9 pic.twitter.com/VE4UCJc383

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 21, 2024

Kirovohrad Oblast:

Для мене завжди особлива честь – поспілкуватися з нашими воїнами. Сьогодні відвідав одну з лікарень Кропивницького, у якій лікуються після поранень наші захисники. Відзначив їх державними нагородами.

Дякую за захист України, її свободи та незалежності! Ми всі пишаємося вами. pic.twitter.com/L9vEXHtAQR

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 20, 2024

It is always a special honor for me to speak with our warriors. Today, I visited one of the hospitals in Kropyvnytskyi where our defenders are recovering from their injuries and presented them with state awards.

I am grateful to our warriors for defending Ukraine, its freedom, and independence. We are all immensely proud of them.

Кропивницький. Відвідав підприємство «Ельворті», що спеціалізується на сільськогосподарському машинобудуванні, та поспілкувався з людьми, які тут працюють.

Дякую всім підприємствам за робочі місця та підтримку людей. Це допомагає зберегти нашу країну. pic.twitter.com/KPTTrSwJdx

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 20, 2024

Moscow:

Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow in one of the largest such attacks on the Russian capital early on August 21, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram, adding that air defenses shot down 10 of the drones. https://t.co/sE2MOqbyGM

— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) August 21, 2024

From Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:

Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian capital in one of the largest such attacks, adding that air defenses shot down 10 of the drones.

“This is one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow with drones of all time,” Sobyanin wrote, adding no casualties or material damage were reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry separately said its air defense systems shot down 45 Ukrainian drones.

“Eleven drones were destroyed over the Moscow region, 23 over the Bryansk region, six over the Belgorod region, three over the Kaluga region, and two over the Kursk region,” it said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones are attacking a strategic airfield in Russia’s Murmansk region.

Yes, the one that lies beyond the Arctic Circle.

That’s some 2,000 kilometers away from Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/LVJClsV7mX

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) August 21, 2024

Murmansk region of Russia has been under drone attack for the fourth day in a row.

Another threat of drone attack was reported by the head of the region Andrey Chibis. The airports of Murmansk and Apatity have suspended operations for reasons of “safety for civilian aircraft.”… pic.twitter.com/xqu63vGTt8

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 21, 2024

Murmansk region of Russia has been under drone attack for the fourth day in a row.

Another threat of drone attack was reported by the head of the region Andrey Chibis. The airports of Murmansk and Apatity have suspended operations for reasons of “safety for civilian aircraft.”

Eyewitnesses have published a video of a drone flying near the closed military settlement of Vysoky. By the way, the Olenya air base, from which bombers attacking Ukraine take off, is also located there.

The distance from Murmansk to the border with Ukraine is about 2,000 kilometers. This was the decisive factor for the new location of Russian long-range aviation.

Ukrainian drones keep improving all the time, though…

Rostov Oblast, Russia:

/12. It exploded again… pic.twitter.com/ZHDqN6a9d5

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 21, 2024

The strike of Ukrainian Defense Forces on an S-300 air defense position near Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov region of Russia – Ukrainian General Staff.

“A missile flew in, blew up the air defense,” people in the video say. pic.twitter.com/7BYm9X9CJ6

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 21, 2024

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

First, some adjacent material.

Found these guys in one of Kharkiv parks. Maybe it’s going to be their page now idk🤷‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/xtBfxVgxNt

— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 21, 2024

Ukrainian soldier shares his water with the dogs abandoned in Russian villages in Kursk region. pic.twitter.com/WVKsPcm2zn

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 21, 2024

Combat robot dogs love our Defenders, too!

Medoid Tactical Group of the 3rd Special Operations Forces Regiment, Pokrovsk direction. pic.twitter.com/UDxqd1nd7n

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 21, 2024

And a new video from Patron’s official TikTok:

@patron__dsns

🐶✨🌝 #песпатрон

♬ suara asli – ˢᵃᵈⁿᵉˢˢ – ˢᵃᵈⁿᵉˢˢ

Open thread!