Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine has entered its 491st day, and the situation continues to escalate. Here are the key events that have unfolded on this day:
– The death toll in a rocket attack in Kramatorsk has risen to 12, with rescue operations coming to an end. Ukraine claims to be making advances towards Berdiansk and Mariupol.
– Ukraine reports slow gains in “fierce” fighting around the embattled city of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region.
– Surprising news emerges as the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organization, announces that they will no longer fight in Ukraine. The group’s chief refuses to sign contracts with the Kremlin, according to the head of the Duma defense committee. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin greets crowds in a rare walkabout.
– In a tragic incident, a missile strike orchestrated by Russia kills 11 people, including three children, in a popular Ukrainian pizza parlor. Ukraine’s counterintelligence service arrests a man accused of helping Russia direct the deadly attack.
– The occupied region of Crimea, which was unlawfully annexed by Russia in 2014, remains heavily militarized. Ukrainian leaders vow to reclaim all territories seized by Russia, but Moscow has prepared extensive defensive measures, particularly in Crimea, making it one of the most fortified zones in the conflict.
– Russia is facing internal turmoil as the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his allies face punishment from President Putin. General Sergei Surovikin, who had ties to Prigozhin, goes missing, and there are speculations about his role in the recent uprising.
– The failed Wagner coup exposes the strength of Putin’s regime despite internal dissent. US President Biden acknowledges that Putin has been weakened, but refrains from gloating over the uprising.
– The Wall Street Journal reports that the Wagner Group’s leader, Prigozhin, planned to capture Russia’s military leadership as part of the mutiny. Putin moves to seize control of the Wagner Group’s global empire and offers assurances to nations in Africa and the Middle East that Russia will manage the group’s forces.
– Satellite images reveal rapid construction at a deserted military base in Belarus, indicating that it could potentially be the new home for Wagner mercenaries. Poland expresses rising concern over the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus, fearing that it may intensify conflict between the two nations.
– NATO declares that it is ready to face the threat from both Moscow and Minsk. The alliance has strengthened its eastern flank and vows to protect every inch of NATO territory.
– The Belarusian leader, Lukashenko, attempts to burnish his global image after the failed coup in Russia, but his actions are met with skepticism.
– Cyber warfare intensifies as Russian hackers target various entities. Dozor-Teleport, a Russian satellite communications provider, is reportedly hit by hackers aligned with the Wagner Group. Meanwhile, researchers suggest that a hacking group known as “Anonymous Sudan” is actually promoting Russia’s interests in cyberattacks against Sweden, Israel, and the US.
– The US Patent and Trademark Office notifies filers of a years-long data leak where private addresses were exposed. Researchers also discover new crypters attributed to the TrickBot/Conti syndicate, which are crucial in tracking cybercrime factions.
– The emergence of a new ransomware threat called 8Base poses a significant danger. The group has seen a massive spike in activity and has already leaked the data of 67 victim organizations.
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, the international community remains concerned about the ongoing conflict and the potential implications it may have on regional stability. The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to engage in military operations and cyber warfare. The future remains uncertain, with the Wagner Group potentially relocating to Belarus and the threat of further violence looming.