Ukraine intelligence agency says sea drones carried out Kerch Bridge attack | The Guardian - Aug. 16, 2023 |

Spy chief says remotely controlled drones, developed internally, were behind 17 July attack

Ukraine's SBU intelligence service has claimed responsibility for an attack on the Russian-built Kerch strait Bridge connecting Crimea to the mainland last month, saying it had been conducted by remotely controlled sea drones.

Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the agency, told CNN the drone, called "Sea Baby", was developed internally and that two were packed with 850kg warheads when they exploded and damaged the road and rail bridge on 17 July. Two people were killed in the attack.

"Using these drones we have recently conducted a successful hit of the Crimean Bridge," Malyuk said, as well as more recent attacks on a Russian warship and an oil tanker, said by Kyiv to be supplying fuel for Russia's military.

Until now, Kyiv has been coy about taking responsibility for attacks on Russian infrastructure, or in Crimea or in Russia itself, but the intelligence chief was keen to talk up the maritime threat to its enemy.

"We are working on a number of new interesting operations, including in the Black Sea waters. I promise you, it'll be exciting, especially for our enemies," said Malyuk in the television interview.

Russia inflicted more terror and death on Ukraine with a missile attack on the Chernihiv drama theater in the city center, killing 7 people and wounding 117 others, Ukrainian authorities say. Russian forces appear to have targeted a drone exhibition. pic.twitter.com/A5iVeMk70s

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) August 19, 2023

Ukraine SitRep: Chernihiv Drone Exhibition - Coming Russian Offensive | MofA |

'Sapere aude'

Russia's war against Ukraine: text broadcast
August 19 | Pravda UA |

20:06 Ukrainian pilots, engineers and technicians "in a certain number" began training on the F-16. The program also includes training in specific terminology in English, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told Channel 24 . According to him, the minimum training period for pilots is six months.

19:10 There will be no mass events on Independence Day in Kyiv, KMDA reported. At the state level, only an exhibition of damaged enemy equipment is planned to be held in Khreschatyk.

18:47 A search and rescue operation has been completed in Chernihiv after a Russian attack on the Drama Theater building in the center of the city, where the drone exhibition was taking place. As a result of the enemy attack, 129 people were injured, seven died. Among the injured are 15 children and 15 police officers, reported the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko. 

18:14 The German concern Rheinmetall will start repairing tanks in Ukraine in the coming days, its head, Armin Papperger, said. He also expects to start production of tanks in Ukraine as soon as possible. According to Papperger, 12 Ukrainian specialists are currently studying in Germany, another 12 will arrive later. They are being prepared to repair Western tanks such as the Leopard.

17:01 Zelenskyi said that test trials of the Swedish Gripen aircraft have already begun with the participation of Ukrainian pilots: "This is the pride of Sweden, and I am sure that the Gripen can make our freedom much more secure."

The president also announced that the transfer of a new, 13th package of Swedish military aid is being prepared, which will include "what is important: ammunition for anti-aircraft defense and combat vehicles, spare parts for armored vehicles, equipment for demining. Everything that will add strength to Ukraine on the battlefield". 

13:50 Zelensky said that during the talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, he will discuss, in particular, defense cooperation. According to the president, the Ukrainian military effectively uses Swedish CV-90 BMPs on the front lines, and now it is planned to produce them in Ukraine.

13:36 A drone struck the Russian Soltsi airfield in the Novgorod region, where the Tu-22M3 strategic bombers that strike Ukraine are based. One of the planes was damaged, journalist Andrii Tsaplienko reported. According to his information, after the attack, several Tu-22m3 aircraft were redeployed to the base in Olenya.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation confirmed that today around 10:00 a.m., Ukraine attacked a military airfield in the Novgorod region with a helicopter-type drone, a fire broke out at the aircraft parking lot, one aircraft was damaged, and there were no casualties.

11:49 The Russians fired at the center of Chernihiv, probably with a ballistic missile, Vyacheslav Chaus, head of OVA, said.

11:22 Zelensky announced that he is visiting Sweden today and will hold meetings with the prime minister, the king and queen, the speaker and heads of parliamentary parties. "Our primary task is to strengthen Ukrainian soldiers on the ground and in the sky, develop bilateral cooperation, in particular in the defense industry, European integration of Ukraine and common security in the Euro-Atlantic space," the president added.

11:17 Russians shelled Tokarivka in the Kherson region in the morning, one person was killed, OVA reported.

10:18 SBU head Vasyl Malyuk said in an interview with NV that 21 tons of hexane were used for the attack on the Kerch bridge in October 2022. It was masked with plastic wrap so that scanners at Russian checkpoints would not detect the explosives. In addition, the SBU managed to bypass special jammers that confuse GPS coordinates.

09:29 At night, the enemy attacked one of the infrastructure facilities of the Zhytomyr region with kamikaze drones, reported the head of the OVA Vitaliy Bunechko. As a result of falling fragments of the downed drone, a fire broke out, which was contained. There are no victims or injured.

Russian retaliation was swift and deadly ...

'Sapere aude'

Russia hit Chernihiv during drone manufacturers and aerial reconnaissance gathering | Pravda UA - Aug. 19, 2023, 14:14 |

Mariia Berlinska wrote that everyone who had taken shelter was safe, including her. However, some people went outside.

The co-organiser of the event later added: "No, this is not a commercial event, it's a closed meeting of engineers, military and volunteers on military technology for the battlefield."

Quote from Berlinska: "The event was officially agreed upon in advance with the local authorities, and they provided the venue.

The announcement of the event was available to the public. But the specific place was announced only (!) to registered and verified participants a few hours before the event. All information about the participants has been provided to the relevant authorities.

We are currently cooperating with Ukraine's Security Service and providing all the necessary information needed for an operational investigation."

Mariia Berlinska wrote on Facebook:
According to the situation in Chernihiv. And to avoid manipulations, which some bloggers are already hyping.

1. There was a strike, but where and when the official bodies should declare.
   
2. As soon as the air raid warning was announced, the event was stopped and the participants were told several times about the need to take shelter. ...

Reporter: Maria Berlinska 
is a combatant, public activist, founder of the Air Intelligence Support Center

Maria Berlinska: How to lose a war correctly | 25/09/2022 |