Victorious news of 820th day of war: drone attack on Russian military facilities in Tatarstan, Ukrainian sabotage in Smolensk

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry registers 13 new models of weapons and equipment in one week

Last week, the arsenal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was updated with 13 new models of weapons and military equipment.

The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported the information. 

It stated that 13 samples of weapons and military equipment have been registered, and one sample has been adopted by the Ministry of Defense.

In total, over 80 samples of domestically produced weapons and military equipment were approved for use in the army in the first three months of 2024. The approval of a domestically produced weapon or piece of military equipment for operation, along with the assignment of a NATO nomenclature number, allows it to be purchased from manufacturers using the state budget for Ukrainian Defense Forces units.

Weakened air defense system: guerillas carry out sabotage in Russia’s Smolensk

Atesh guerilla movement reported the information.

It noted that one of their agents destroyed the external telecommunication cabinet of a communication tower in the village of Stanichki near Smolensk.

As a result of the damage to the equipment, the communication systems of the 49th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, which were located on this tower, ceased to function.

“The stability of the military command and control system in the region may be disrupted. The Russian air defense system in the region will be significantly weakened, which allows for more effective strikes on military facilities in the Moscow Military District,” the guerrillas added.

Blinken calls on the White House to allow Ukraine to use U.S. weapons on Russian territory

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is calling on President Joe Biden to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S. weapons, allowing Kyiv to strike at Russia’s territory.

The New York Times reported the information.

“There is now a vigorous debate inside the administration (of the U.S. - ed.) over relaxing the ban to allow the Ukrainians to hit missile and artillery launch sites just over the border in Russia,” the article says.

It noted that Blinken is urging Biden to allow Kyiv to strike Russian territory with American weapons. According to officials who discussed this issue in particular, the Secretary of State changed his position due to Russia opening a new front and following his visit to Kyiv.

Ukraine's military intelligence uses drones to attack Russian military-industrial complex facilities in Tatarstan

RBC-Ukraine reported the information, citing intelligence sources.

The outlet noted that the attack drones have already reached Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, where several strategically important enterprises are located that produce goods for the military industry.

Local media reported explosions in Nizhnekamsk. In addition, employees are being evacuated from such enterprises as Nizhnekamsk Thermal Power Plant, Nizhnekamskugol, Orgsintez, Taneko, TAF-NK, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, and Nizhnekamskshina. 

Both airports in Kazan and Nizhnekamsk have ceased operations in the region. Sources said that information on the results of the damage to the facilities is being clarified.