Victorious news on 341st day of war: Ukrainian paratroopers repel assault near Mariinka, and Poland considers sending F-16 fighters

Ukraine seizes assets of Russian oligarch Deripaska worth UAH 1 billion

Ukraine has seized the assets of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who is under EU and US sanctions. His companies served the needs of the Russian military and industrial complex.

At the request of Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office, the assets of Ukraine's largest producer of metallurgical alumina and aluminum hydroxide were seized. The seized property includes 12 land plots, a seaport complex, apartments, administrative buildings, production workshops, 46 vehicles, and 240 pieces of special equipment. The total value of the seized assets exceeds UAH 1 billion.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense signed 16 state contracts with drone manufacturers

The Ministry of Defense has signed 16 government contracts with Ukrainian drone manufacturers. According to Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, applications for 75 different types of UAVs have been received from Ukrainian manufacturers. In 2023, the Ministry of Defense will increase purchases of UAVs for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It plans to spend about UAH 20 billion on this segment. 

"We are talking about developing a market for drones with a wide range of use - air, land and water. This includes adjusting artillery, striking the enemy (attack drones), delivering ammunition, evacuating the injured, etc.," Reznikov wrote.

Poland is willing to transfer F-16 fighters to Ukraine 

Poland is willing to give Ukraine its F-16 fighter jets if it is agreed upon at the NATO level. These aircraft will help the Armed Forces of Ukraine repel a possible Russian offensive.

"As it was a few months ago in the context of MiGs, any other air power will be realized and possibly transferred in coordination with NATO countries. Here we will act in full coordination," said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, commenting on the possibility of transferring F-16 fighters to Ukraine.

Ukrainian agricultural producers open 12 new markets in a year 

Despite the war, last year was fruitful for Ukraine in terms of expanding international markets: the country's exporters opened 12 new markets for livestock products in 2022 and received 22 international veterinary certificates for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products.

In particular, live rabbits and ornamental freshwater fish were supplied to Israel, and milk and dairy products to the Dominican Republic and Kenya. 

During the year, the number of enterprises producing animal products that have the right to export their products to the EU increased to 432, which is 53 more than at the beginning of 2022. For comparison, in 2021, 23 companies received this right.

Ukrainian paratroopers repel an assault near Mariinka

Paratroopers of the 79th separate airborne assault brigade of Mykolaiv repelled an Russian assault on several positions near Mariinka, inflicting significant losses on Russian troops. According to the AFU General Staff, Russia's infantry, up to a company size, tried to approach the paratroopers' positions unnoticed, but aerial reconnaissance of Mykolaiv paratroopers detected their movement. Fire, including drone fire, resulted in Russian forces suffering losses on the town's outskirts. The fire from small arms and grenade launchers completed the job: after significant losses, Russian troops fled, leaving their dead on the battlefield.