Latest news with #AntsKiviselg
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine struck Russian Tu-95 bombers prepared for missile attacks
The Russian Tu-95 bombers targeted during Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web were preparing to launch missile strikes on Ukraine, Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defence Forces' Intelligence Centre, reports. Source: Estonian public broadcaster ERR, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kiviselg said that all the damaged aircraft had been actively involved in missile attacks on Ukraine. He stated that Ukraine struck at least five strategic airfields deep inside Russia, completely destroying at least seven long-range bombers and damaging at least two more. "The bombers that were hit were preparing for strike missions, and it can be said that Ukraine targeted the most combat-ready segment of Russia's strategic air force," Kiviselg said. He noted that restoring the aircraft will require significant additional resources from Russia. "Above all, this means bolstering internal security and force protection measures within Russia," the intelligence chief added. Kiviselg also noted the importance of Ukraine having carried out a series of simultaneous special operations in Russia's most remote regions, calling it a strong signal to the Putin regime about the potential Ukraine possesses to force Russia into genuine peace negotiations. In such a situation, he said any retaliatory actions by Russia appear weak and unconvincing, merely highlighting its inability to respond effectively. Kiviselg reiterated that Russia responded with a strike using 407 attack drones and 44 missiles but stressed that Russia is currently incapable of doing more than that. Background: Axios reported that US President Donald Trump is supposedly enthusiastic about Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web but concerned about Russia's possible response. A senior official in the North Atlantic Alliance hailed Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web targeting Russian strategic aircraft as highly successful. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine conducts successful counterattacks on Pokrovsk front, Estonian Intelligence says
Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre has reported successful Ukrainian counterattacks on the Pokrovsk front, while Russian troops have made some progress in Russia's Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces are conducting an operation. Source: Estonian public broadcaster ERR, citing Ants Kiviselg, Head of Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kiviselg noted that Russian troops still hold the initiative, with the number of daily attacks remaining consistent with last week, averaging 109 attacks per day. Quote: "However, the Russian Federation has not managed to occupy as much of the Ukrainian territory as in December and January. The pace of advance has slowed down. Nevertheless, [Russian forces] are, unfortunately, still making gains at a tactical level," he said. Commenting on the situation in Kursk Oblast, Kiviselg noted that North Korean troops are again actively involved in hostilities. "Although Ukraine is conducting active defensive and offensive operations in Kursk Oblast and still holds 350-380 sq km, the Russian Federation has managed to recapture some territories, approximately 20-40 sq km, over the past week," he added. Kiviselg also highlighted that Russian troops have become more active in Ukraine's Sumy Oblast, likely aiming to weaken the Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast. He explained that Russia has intensified its efforts to advance towards the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, attempting to break through Ukrainian defence lines. "Some tactical success has been achieved [by Russian forces], though in general, Ukrainian defensive lines are holding," Kiviselg said. In addition, Ukrainian troops carried out successful counterattacks near the city of Pokrovsk, stabilising the front line and liberating several villages in the area. Background: Earlier, UK Defence Intelligence reported that Russian forces in Ukraine have suffered 90,000 casualties killed and wounded since the beginning of 2025. UK intelligence also assessed the state of the Russian Armed Forces as of the third year of the full-scale war against Ukraine, detailing Moscow's losses. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russians losing valuable equipment in Donetsk Oblast, reports Estonian intelligence
The Intelligence Centre of the Estonian Defence Forces has reported that hostilities on the front lines in Ukraine, as well as in Russia's Kursk Oblast, remain intense. However, Russian forces are struggling to advance and are sustaining losses, including valuable military equipment. Source: Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Intelligence Centre of the Estonian Defence Forces, cited by ERR, an Estonian public broadcaster, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kiviselg noted that the main Russian assault is still concentrated on the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast. Quote: "Russian troops continue their offensive: they have reached the southern outskirts of Pokrovsk and have taken control of the village of Kotlyne, southwest of Pokrovsk." Details: On the Kurakhove front, Russian forces have captured the villages of Dachne and Ulakly, and their next likely target is the village of Kostiantynopil. There is a risk of Ukrainian units being encircled in this area, but the presence of the Vovcha River to the north of the potential "cauldron" serves as a natural defensive barrier, he added. Kiviselg emphasised that Russian advances have been slow, with an average territorial gain of just one sq km per day in February, at the cost of losing valuable equipment. Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed a Russian S-350 Vityaz air defence system and, for the first time, a TOS-2 heavy flamethrower system. Both were neutralised in Donetsk. Kiviselg estimates that Russian forces appear to be facing issues with artillery supply and deployment. Quote: "There are reports that Russia is expecting new deliveries of 122 mm and 152 mm artillery ammunition from North Korea, as well as various types of missiles." More details: Kiviselg added that Russia's reliance on ammunition supplies, personnel transfers and equipment from North Korea and other allied countries indicates a significant dependence on external support, despite Russian efforts to present a different narrative. Background: UK intelligence previously highlighted data from the Russian independent outlet Verstka, which reported that Russian military command is pressuring men mobilised in 2022 to sign contracts with the Defence Ministry. Additionally, the Estonian Defence Forces' Intelligence Centre estimated that in January 2025, Russia lost 100 soldiers for every sq km of Ukrainian territory it occupied. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Estonian intelligence: Ukraine takes advantage of Russian troops regrouping to advance in Kursk Oblast
Colonel Ants Kiviselg, Head of the Estonian Defence Forces' Intelligence Centre, has reported that after a limited success in Donetsk Oblast, Russia began reorganising its forces. Source: Kiviselg during a briefing on 7 February, as reported by European Pravda, citing ERR, an Estonian public broadcaster Details: Kiviselg stated that Russia has reduced the frequency of attacks over the past week, primarily due to the reorganisation of its armed forces. He stated that after capturing the settlements of Velyka Novosilka and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, Russia started replenishing and restoring its units in the area. The settlements of Velyka Novosilka and Kurakhove on the map. Screenshot: DeepStateMap Kiviselg noted that Russian troops' offensive focus remained unchanged, continuing to target the Pokrovsk area in Donetsk Oblast. "Russian forces have made gradual progress in the area, advancing by approximately 10 sq km over the past seven days," Kiviselg said. Kiviselg warned that Russia might deploy additional units near the city of Pokrovsk in the coming weeks to cut off supply routes and fully isolate the city. Quote: "To conclude, the war of attrition continues and the most notable event last week was a significant precision strike on targets in Ukraine on 1 February. Russia employed strategic bombers, long-range bombers and Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea region, along with Iskander ballistic and cruise missiles from Crimea and mainland Russia." Details: Meanwhile, Kiviselg mentioned that Ukraine has continued successful strikes on key infrastructure in Russia. Quote: "These attacks mainly targeted oil industry infrastructure, reducing financial resources that would otherwise support Russia's military industry and aggression against Ukraine." Details: Kiviselg reported that North Korean units stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast are undergoing replenishment, leading to a decrease in military activity in the region. Quote: "Ukrainian forces took advantage of this by launching successful attacks in Kursk Oblast yesterday (6 February), capturing new settlements and areas, particularly southeast of the city of Sudzha." Russia's Kursk Oblast on the map. Screenshot: DeepStateMap More details: However, Kiviselg said, this has not hindered Russian forces from continuing their offensives on the northern and central parts of the front line. Kiviselg highlighted that Russian troops maintained a foothold north of Kupiansk at the village of Dvorichna, across the Oskil River. "It is likely they aim to expand this bridgehead to tie down Ukrainian forces and potentially disperse them across multiple fronts," he added. The settlements of Kupiansk and Dvorichna on the map. The settlements of Kupiansk and Dvorichna on the map Screenshot: DeepStateMap Currently, the Russian bridgehead across the Oskil River comprises about one hundred soldiers, though Kiviselg emphasised that Russia has managed to hold this position for a considerable time. Background: On 6 December, Ukraine's General Staff reported that during the Kursk operation, which began six months ago on Russian territory, Russia lost nearly 40,000 personnel, over 16,000 were killed and 909 were captured. In late January, Kiviselg stated that North Korea might send more troops to aid Russia by the summer. Additionally, Gert Kaju, head of the Estonian Defence Ministry's Preparedness Department, indicated that despite heavy losses, Russian forces in Ukraine continue to push forward gradually while maintaining combat momentum. Support UP or become our patron!
