Victorious news on 350th day of war: more missiles and Gepards for AFU, new sanctions against Russia and fallen Chkalov

Germany to provide Ukraine with Gepard guided missiles and self-propelled artillery systems

By the end of February, Germany will provide Ukraine with guided missiles, five Gepard self-propelled artillery systems and other equipment. 

This was reported by Handelsblatt with reference to a statement by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

"Ukraine will receive more than 100 used Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks from a group of several European countries," he said.

Pistorius noted that by the first or second quarter of 2024, at least three battalions of Ukrainians should be equipped with such tanks. 

According to the German Defense Minister, by the end of this month Ukraine will receive more guided missiles, as well as five Gepards and five Pioneer 2A1 Dachs engineering vehicles.

UK imposes new sanctions against Russian military enterprises

On Wednesday, February 8, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 6 Russian organizations that supply military equipment, as well as on 8 individuals and one company that help maintain Putin's wealth.

New sanctions "target organizations that Putin's army relies on to support its illegal invasion of Ukraine." 

The following organizations were sanctioned:

• CST, a manufacturer of Russian drones that have been used to destroy Ukrainian military equipment;
• RT-Komplekt, a company that produces spare parts for helicopters;
• Oboronlogistika, which organizes the transportation and delivery of Russian military equipment;
• Universalmash and Lipetsk, which produce and modify tracked chassis for anti-aircraft missile systems;
• Topaz, a software company that deals with military aviation.

Soviet monument to pilot Chkalov dismantled in Kyiv

On Wednesday, February 8, a monument to Soviet pilot Valery Chkalov was dismantled in Kyiv.

This was reported by the Kyiv City State Administration.

"The dismantling of the monument was carried out by the Shevchenkivskyi district utility company. A team of five people, a car with a crane and a truck were involved in the work. According to the decision of the Kyiv City Council, after dismantling, it will be moved to the Antonov Museum of Aviation of Ukraine," the Kyiv City administration wrote.

Ukraine will start training personnel for Crimea

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said that Ukrainian agencies will soon start preparing personnel reserves for Crimea.

"The prospect of de-occupation of Crimea shows that it is necessary to start preparing personnel for Crimea right now: law enforcement, justice, education and other civil servants. In the near future, the relevant agencies will be instructed to prepare personnel reserves for Crimea."

Ukrainian aviation carried out 21 strikes against occupying Russian forces

Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces carried out 21 strikes on the areas of concentration of Russian personnel and military equipment and 3 strikes on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems. Ukrainian artillery and rocket launchers hit 2 enemy control points, 2 areas of concentration of manpower, an ammunition depot and a fuel and lubricant depot.

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.