Victorious news on 547th day of war: Ukrainian troops land in Crimea, Norway to provide Ukraine with IRIS-T missiles, F-16 fighters

Ukrainian flag flies in Crimea, 30 occupying Russian soldiers neutralized 

A joint special operation of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine with the support of the Ukrainian Navy took place in the temporarily occupied Crimea at night.

"Special forces landed on the shore in the area of Olenivka and Mayak settlements on watercraft. While performing the task, Ukrainian defenders clashed with the Russian troops. As a result, the enemy suffered losses among its personnel and had its equipment destroyed. Also, the state flag was waving again in the Ukrainian Crimea," the intelligence officers noted.

According to the military intelligence, all the goals and objectives of the special operation were achieved, and after its completion, Ukrainian defenders left the scene without losses.

"The occupation administration of Crimea does not comment on the events, despite massive appeals from local residents. The only message is about the alleged 'destruction of ammunition according to the established schedule'. The Ukrainian Defence Forces will continue to assist the occupying Russian forces in the destruction of ammunition, equipment and manpower," the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine added.

Ukrainian forces damage three Russian SAM launchers in Kherson region

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have damaged three launchers of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in the Kherson region, which is used by the Russian army to strike ground targets, said Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the South Military Command.

She confirmed the information that the Russian S-400 system was targeted and noted that it is a powerful means of air defense, but the Russian occupiers have other means for Ukraine to destroy.

"They (Russians - ed.) have many more weapons that we will have to destroy. That is why the explosive season continues. We announced it back when they were expecting the holiday season. And as the weather permits, we will continue," said Humeniuk.

"In our area of responsibility, we worked on air defense systems and three S-300 launchers were destroyed and damaged. That is, they can no longer be used either as a means of defense in the Kherson region or as a means of attack," she added.

According to the General Staff, Ukrainian aviation conducted one strike on the control center, 13 strikes on the areas of personnel concentration and 3 on the anti-aircraft missile systems.

Missile and artillery units struck 1 command post, 1 area of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, 3 artillery pieces in firing positions, 1 air defense system, 1 ammunition depot and 1 enemy electronic warfare station.

Missiles, drones and ammunition from international partners

Norway will provide Ukraine with IRIS-T missiles and F-16 fighters. It will also provide demining equipment.

"Ukraine now needs urgent military and material support. They have a great need for missiles and ammunition for air defense. Here Norway is supporting them as much as it can," the Norwegian government's press service quoted Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store as saying.

"We are planning to transfer Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and will provide further information on the transfer, quantity and delivery time in due course," he said.

Norway thus becomes the third NATO country after the Netherlands and Denmark to provide Ukraine with F-16 combat aircraft. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is on an official visit to Kyiv on Thursday, Ukraine's Independence Day.

The Patriot missiles, drones and ammunition were provided by Germany. The new aid package also includes 10 drone detection systems, 40 RQ-35 HEIDRUN reconnaissance drones, 16 Zetros trucks, and 510,000 rounds of ammunition.

The government noted that the supplies come from industry stocks funded by German security capacity building funds.

A gift from Baykar Makina

On the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, the Turkish company Baykar Makina presented the reconnaissance officers with a Bayraktar TB2 attack UAV.

"Baykar Makina has donated a Bayraktar TB2 attack UAV to Ukrainian reconnaissance officers on the occasion of the Independence Day," the statement reads.

"This is not the first such gift. In particular, on January 25, Baykar Makina also handed over two Bayraktar TB2 drones to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine," the agency added. 

They noted that the best gift for the holiday is a new weapon that will help destroy the enemy and defend independence.

New package of sanctions from the US

Biden announced a new package of sanctions for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. According to him, the US is now working with all countries to bring Russians to justice for the war crimes they committed in Ukraine. In particular, the forced transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia.

"These children have been stolen from their parents and kept apart from their families. It’s unconscionable. And today, we are announcing new sanctions to hold those responsible for these forced transfers and deportations to account, and to demand that Ukrainian children be returned to their families," the US President said.

New restrictions against Russia, including 11 individuals, including the mother of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. 

Victory for Ukrainian blind athletes

Ukrainian powerlifters set 11 world records at the World Blind Games

Powerlifters from Rivne won twelve medals and set eleven world records at the World Blind Games in the UK

"On the first day of the competition of the world's strongest athletes in Birmingham (UK), the trainees of the Rivne regional center Invasport won nine gold and three silver medals. We are proud of our athletes!" Vitaliy Koval, Head of the Rivne Regional Military Administration, wrote on his Facebook page.