|
Drone Attack On Sevastopol
This morning at 4:20 local time the Russian fleet in the Crimean port of Sevastopol was attacked by nine unmanned aerial vehicles and seven autonomous maritime drones. Earlier a maritime drone that had run aground in Crimea and had been found and pictured.
bigger
During today's attack a large U.S. drone had flown circles south of Crimea. It likely relayed data from and to the drones.
The maritime drones are British and Russia alleges that British specialists had trained the Ukrainian navy in using them. It also says that British soldiers were involved in the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline.
The Ukrainians published two videos shot by the maritime drones while attacking. One of the video shows extensive gun fire impacts near the drone from a Russian helicopter that is attacking it.
The Russians say that all the aerial drones and 4 of 7 maritime drones were defeated before they could caused damage. They also say that one mine seeking ship was damaged in the harbor. It is possible that the damage is greater than Russia admits.
As a consequence of the attack Russia declared that the deal which allowed for grain exports from Odessa has been suspended. That deal had already been in danger as the 'west' had not fulfilled its part of the deal which would have allowed for the export for Russian fertilizer to third parties.
I find it likely that Russia will take additional measures to punish the Ukrainian navy for the brazen attack. Additional attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure is another possibility.
Meanwhile all recent attempts by the Ukrainian army to penetrate the Russian held lines have failed. It is notable that these are now much smaller in size with just a battalion or in some cases just two companies in the lead.
It is now definitely mud season in Ukraine during which it is impossible to cross most farmland even on feet. This will hinder the attacking forces on both sides until winter sets in.
Putin participated in trilateral talks with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi and held a presser afterwards. The negotiations went well but more still must be done before a peace treaty can be signed. As might be expected, there was more interest in Ukrainian events than the talks:
Vladimir Putin: Good evening.
Please, what are the questions?
Lyudmila Samsonia: Good afternoon, Mr President.
Lana Samsonia, Interfax.
I would like to ask about the results of the trilateral summit. You have already called the meeting useful and creating an atmosphere for further agreements. A joint statement was adopted, but part of it, as you yourself said, was removed from this statement. If possible, tell us what the parties failed to agree on and how the results of this meeting correlate with the results of the meeting that took place in Prague without Russia’s participation.
Vladimir Putin: As for the meeting in Prague without Russia’s participation, why without participation is clear to us, and no one needs to explain: our European partners conduct their policy in such a way as to try to exclude Russia from all formats. It is absolutely clear that in some situations this is absolutely unrealistic, impossible – as, for example, in this case. But for our part, we always welcome any efforts aimed at a settlement. Therefore, as for how this correlates, it correlates in a completely natural way, and we support everything that is aimed at reducing the confrontation and resolving it, as I have already said.
As for the issues that could not be agreed upon, can this be said? Can. But you don’t have to. Because if they have not yet been settled, then, in my opinion, there is no need to focus the attention of the press and the public on them, but we just need to calmly seek approval in a closed mode. These are very subtle things that are sensitive for both parties, and I do not consider myself entitled to highlight them without coordination with partners.
Kirill Panyushkin: Good afternoon. Konstantin Panyushkin, Channel One.
Could you please tell us what is the fate of our peacekeepers in the region? First.
Second. Not much has been said today about the delimitation of the border, when and how will it be organized?
And the third. There are few statements about this, but still – what is the fate of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan?
Vladimir Putin: As for peacekeepers, this is spelled out in our joint statement in November 2020, when the conflict was terminated. There’s nothing to add here.
According to the peace treaty, there is none yet. It is too early to talk about the main components of this document, because after all, this is the subject of compromises for sure, which should be reached on both sides through mediation, if both contracting parties want, including our country.
Demarcation, delimitation of the border is the most important issue, you are absolutely right, I agree with this. Indeed, we talked a lot about this today. There are some prerequisites that in general the way has been found. If you carefully read today’s statement, you will find preliminary assessments, preliminary – if not agreements, then the prerequisites that these agreements can be reached.
I repeat, we have talked a lot about this: we are ready to provide the maps of the General Staff of the Soviet Army that we have at our disposal. These are the most accurate maps, as we understand. And we are ready to move on this basis, discussing with both sides. We have agreed that these contacts, these talks, these consultations will continue.
Anything else?
Kirill Panyushkin: You said that there is nothing to add to the peacekeepers. Just Pashinyan on the eve of his trip to Russia said that he would like to extend the mandate from five years at once, maybe even to 20. Did he offer that to you? How was this discussed?
Vladimir Putin: We talked about this. But this requires our joint agreements.
You know, this will also depend on other questions that you have just asked: the possible conclusion of a peace treaty and the issue of demarcation and delimitation of borders.
If these issues are resolved, then the issue of peacekeepers will be different. If they are not resolved or resolved to some extent, then the fate of our peacekeeping contingent depends on it. But in any case, both sides expressed their gratitude to Russia for the work we are doing there.
Pavel Zarubin: Good evening. Pavel Zarubin, Rossiya TV channel.
Vladimir Putin: Good evening.
Pavel Zarubin: One of the main global issues is the suspension of Russia’s participation in the grain deal. And of course, a new powerful chorus of voices from the leaders of Western countries has already risen. They all accuse Russia of provoking world hunger. Biden generally called Russia’s decision outrageous.
Yes, we have already heard the statement of the Russian Defence Ministry, but I can ask you: why did Russia make this decision? How do you feel about these accusations of disruption of the agreements?
After all, the UN and Turkey have announced that they will continue to produce ships, and then what next? In your opinion, how can this process take place further?
Vladimir Putin: This whole process of exporting grain from Ukraine was organised under the pretext of ensuring the interests of the poorest countries. We did this in the interests of the poorest countries.
I don’t remember the data of the last hours and last days, but in general it looks like this: [about] 34 percent of the grain goes to Turkey; 35, a little more, to the EU countries. And only 3–4 percent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture – maybe sometimes a little more – up to 5 percent, this figure fluctuates because more are exported back and forth – only 3–4, well, maybe 5 percent, went in favor of the so-called poorest countries according to the UN classification. Look, did we do everything for that?
But that’s not the point. And the fact is that the attack that was undertaken – unsuccessful, but nevertheless it was undertaken – on the part of Ukraine on the ships of the Black Sea Fleet – we must pay tribute to our sailors and thank them, of course, for the fact that they were at the height of the situation, repelled all the attacks – but these drones – both underwater and air – partially went in the corridor. through which grain is exported from Ukraine. Thus, they created a threat to our ships, which should ensure the safety of grain exports, and to civilian vessels that are engaged in this. And we have committed ourselves to ensuring that security.
But if, you excuse me for the simplicity of the expression, Ukraine slaps on these courts? We will be to blame just as everyone is now cracking about what Russia is doing, not remembering what caused it, but caused it by the creation of a threat to this humanitarian corridor.
I have not seen the defence ministry’s statement in its final form, but I know that the Defence Minister found an opportunity for me to report my position today during the day, and I agreed with it. He rightly says that they pose a threat to our ships and to civilian vessels. And we must ensure the safety of civilian vessels.
Therefore, we are not saying that we are terminating our participation in this operation, no. We’re talking about what we’re suspending.
One of the organizers of this work was the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and UN staff take an active part in this work, for which we are grateful to them, of course. But then let them work with Ukraine, and Ukraine must ensure that there are no threats to civil courts and to Russia’s support vessels.
Look, I don’t know whether the Defence Ministry gave it or not, but this is not a joke – these underwater vehicles are six meters long, I think, 500 tons of explosives. If it gets there, there will be nothing left of the grain or the ship. And we will be to blame.
Therefore, the Russian Defense Ministry correctly raises the question of conducting additional work with the United Nations, and they, in turn, with Ukraine, so that Ukraine guarantees the security of this corridor. I do not see anything unusual here, this is a matter of coordinating positions, work and obligations – in this case, on the part of Ukrainian partners.
Andrei Khristenko: Alexander Khristenko, Rossiya Tv Channel.
Mr President, mobilization in Russia was announced by your Executive Order. Defense Minister Shoigu announced its completion. Should we wait for your executive order on this as well?
Vladimir Putin: No, I think, from a legal point of view… Yes, of course, this was done by my Executive Order, because it is impossible to do otherwise according to the law. But this was done at the suggestion of the Ministry of Defense, this is natural, and now the Ministry of Defense has proposed to complete the mobilization measures.
I’ll talk to lawyers, by the way. Frankly, I didn’t even think about it. I will talk to the lawyers whether it is necessary to announce by decree that it has been completed. But it’s over. The point has been made. The Ministry of Defense initially called a much smaller figure, but then in the end they came to the conclusion that 300,000 people were needed to be mobilized. I would like to draw your attention to what the Defence Minister said during the report: 41,000 people are in the Armed Forces’ combat formations. This means that 260,000, or rather, 259,000 – some of them are in the troops, as part of the grouping, but do not take part in hostilities, but carry out coordination, and the rest is on the training grounds. That is, almost 260 thousand people do not participate in hostilities at all, but are trained. One way or another, to one degree or another. That concludes the mobilization.
Irada Rudneva: Good evening. Ilona Rudneva, RIA Novosti.
Recently, you proposed to create a gas hub in Turkey, [President] Erdogan supported this idea. Is there any news now on this issue? At what stage is the process? Maybe there are possible buyers of gas?
Vladimir Putin: There are always gas buyers. In the world, this product is very much in demand. This is the most environmentally friendly hydrocarbon and the ideal primary source of energy for the transition period to “green” energy, ideal. The least emissions from its use. Therefore, I think – I don’t think, I know that there are a lot of consumers and there are also a lot of people who want to buy Russian gas.
As for the choice of Turkey as a possible hub for supplies to Europe in this case, it seems to me that it is clear why we are doing this, why we proposed it. Because it is very difficult to work directly with European partners. In addition, we are still aware of the tragic events associated with the explosion of gas pipelines.
The Europeans, as is often the case, as is almost always the case, have closed their mouths and remain silent as if this is the right thing to do, despite the fact that this is real, fundamentally undermining their interests. Moreover, someone else had the audacity to think that it was Russia itself that blew up. It’s hard to imagine such nonsense that anyone has thought of it, but, nevertheless, they invent all such nonsense.
Miller reported to me today in the morning that they examined – by the way, they allowed Gazprom to examine the site of the explosion. Two craters – three and five meters deep – maybe Gazprom has already given this information, I don’t know. A 40-meter-long pipe was torn out. The gap is, the whole pipes have diverged by 259 meters, I think. And this piece of pipe that was torn out, it was bent 90 degrees and thrown 40 meters to the side, just in the direction of Nord Stream 2, which also turned out to be damaged, apparently, by this explosion, and fragments, the remains of this pipe. So it’s an obvious terrorist attack.
It is difficult for us to control this, because it is all in the special economic zone of Denmark, Sweden, and then further than Germany.
In this sense, it is easier for us to work with Turkey. Firstly, because President Erdogan is a man of his word: if we agree on something, it may be difficult to agree, but if we agree, we try to fulfill it. First. And secondly, it is easier for us to control the Black Sea.
So it’s a realistic project, and we’ll be able to do that pretty quickly. And there will be enough people who want to conclude contracts. There’s no doubt about that.
Let’s see what happens this winter, next winter. But I am sure that the contracts will be concluded. There is no doubt. In the end, we and European countries can be used as transit countries for supplies to other regions of the world. But I have no doubt that there are many people in Europe.
What else? Please, Andrew.
Andrei Kolesnikov: The Kommersant newspaper.
Vladimir Vladimirovich, you are seeking a peace treaty for Armenia and Azerbaijan, but I would like to ask, what about your own country?
You have repeatedly said that Russia is ready for negotiations with Ukraine, but Volodymyr Zelensky, for example, by his decree forbade himself to talk with you, and in my opinion, there are no points of contact, an intersection at which it would be possible to agree.
Still, from your point of view, what exactly could Russia offer Ukraine at such negotiations from what can be agreed?
Vladimir Putin: In order to start proposing at the talks, it is necessary that they take place, and it is not always advisable to put your negotiating position on the table in advance in order to achieve your national goals. Sometimes this needs to be done one last time or by making demands that diplomats call “request”, and then gradually move towards a common denominator that would satisfy both sides.
But in order to reach agreements, you need to sit down at the negotiating table and negotiate. We reached an agreement with them in Istanbul, they took everything and threw it in the trash, and now, as you rightly noted, they have forbidden themselves to talk about anything with us. How can we now discuss possible agreements if there is not even a desire on the other side to talk to us?
We will wait, maybe some necessary conditions will ripen, but our goodwill is known, it is not subject to any changes and doubts.
Pavel Zarubin: After the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge, you said that in the event of a repetition of such terrorist attacks, Russia’s response would be proportionate. Are today’s massive strikes on the territory of Ukraine a response to the recent events in Sevastopol?
Vladimir Putin: In part, this is true. But that’s not all we could do.
Alexander Yunashev: Good afternoon. Alexander Yunashev, “Life”.
Vladimir Vladimirovich, in continuation of [the question of] possible or impossible peace talks with Zelensky. You’ve been asked several times if you’re going to go to the G20, where Zelensky might be. You’ve said several times that a decision hasn’t been made yet. Maybe it’s already accepted?
And what about Thailand? Will you go to the APEC summit?
Vladimir Putin: No, these decisions have not yet been made.
But since we are moving further and further away from the topic of today’s talks and from the subject of today’s talks, it seems to me that this could be the end of this.
Thank you very much.
Posted by: karlof1 | Oct 31 2022 22:07 utc | 307
|
