Russia has been moving a large number of missiles toward Ukraine, including from as far away as St. Petersburg, one of the most crucial areas for Russian air defence, as shown by satellite images obtained by Finish public media Yle.
The transfer of equipment has not previously been publicly reported in Russia or western countries.
St Petersburg — Russia’s second–most important city — has long been surrounded by a protective ring of 14 anti–aircraft missile bases. Now several of them stand empty.
«Based on the pictures, four anti–aircraft bases have been emptied of equipment,» military expert, retired major, Marko Eklund told Yle.
In addition to the completely emptied bases, anti–aircraft missile equipment has been moved from other bases around St Petersburg during the summer, most likely toward Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in his nightly address on Sunday, 18 September, vowed there would be no letup in fighting to regain territory lost to Russia.
«Perhaps it seems to some of you that after a series of victories we now have a lull of sorts. But there will be no lull. There is preparation for the next series … For Ukraine must be free. All of it,» as reported by British news media The Guardian.
Zelensky also said that he expects more Ukrainian cities, including those in Crimea, to be liberated following a successful counter–offensive by the Ukrainian army in Kharkiv Oblast.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on Monday, 19 September, that Russia continues to struggle to recruit manpower for the war and has turned to Russian convicts.
Reportedly, 400 prisoners from Tambov were sent to fight in Ukraine.
The General Staff also reported that Ukrainian forces repelled three Russian attacks and conducted airstrikes against Russian positions, informs Ukrainian media The Kyiv Independent.
According to The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian forces continue consolidating their positions across the Oskil River in Kharkiv Oblast. The ISW also says that Russian forces are likely retreating to more defensible positions in Kherson Oblast to avoid the collapse seen in Kharkiv.
Meanwhile, the top U.S. general cautioned on Sunday it remained unclear how Russia might react to the latest battlefield setbacks in Ukraine and called for increased vigilance among U.S. troops as he visited a base in Poland aiding Ukraine’s war effort, as reported by the news agency Reuters.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Oleksandr Starukh informed, that Russian forces fired eight projectiles targeting infrastructure facilities. There is no information on casualties available at the moment, as reported by The Kyiv Independent.
Prosecutor General’s Office reports that since the beginning of the war 395 children have been killed or injured. However, the numbers are expected to be higher since they do not include casualties in the Russian-occupied territories and areas where hostilities take place.
In the meantime, the Ukrainian military hit Russian strongholds, control points, and air defense systems. Ukraine’s Air Force has carried out 20 airstrikes, successfully hitting 15 Russian strongholds and four sites with its air defense systems. Ukraine’s artillery has also hit nine Russian strongholds and seven control points.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Sunday, 18 September, wrote on her Twitter that she condemns «in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by Russia in Izium.»
She reacted to the mass burial site reportedly containing around 440 graves in the liberated town in Kharkiv Oblast. According to Ukraine’s officials, almost all the exhumed bodies showed signs of violent death. «These war crimes must be answered by justice,» said Zourabichvili.
I condemn in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by Russia in #Izium. These war crimes must be answered by justice. Ukraine will not fall, and peace will prevail. #SlavaUkraini
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) September 18, 2022
According to news network CNN, in a new clip of his 60 Minutes interview, US President Joe said that «thus far» there’s been «no indication» that China has put forward weapons or «other things Russia has wanted» to aid in their war in Ukraine.