Ukraine’s Air Force Spokesman Says Airfields Are Being Upgraded For Western Fighter Jets

A Ukrainian Air Force Base. (Oleg V. Belyakov/wikicommons)  

Warzone/The Drive: Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Improving Airfields Anticipating Western Fighters  

Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman says work is underway to upgrade airfields for Western fighter jets even though none have been promised yet. 

Unlike the recent influx of promises for western tanks, Ukraine has yet to receive any solid offers of modern fighter jets from allies like the U.S., France, the Netherlands, Denmark and others. But it’s preparing airfields across the country in anticipation of deliveries of multi-role jets like U.S.-made F-16 Fighting Falcons or French Mirage or Rafale fighters. 

To integrate jets like those into the Ukrainian Air Force would not only require training for pilots and maintainers, but it would also require making sure more modern jets have safe places to operate from. 

“We have to prepare the airfield infrastructure so that pilots could land safely on the airstrips,” Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Col. Yuri Ignat told reporters Friday at a press briefing in Ukraine. “The works are in progress in different regions of Ukraine with the support of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Defense and other government agencies to support us in the creation of this airfield network.”  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The problem that Ukraine will have if they get deliveries of these fighter jets is that their airfields will only become priority targets for Russian missiles.

Top Aide To Ukraine President Zelensky Says Kyiv In Talks With NATO Allies About Getting Long-Range Missiles

A live fire test of an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMs) launches at the White Sands Missile Range in N.M., on Dec. 14, 2021.John Hamilton / White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs  

Reuters: Ukraine in talks with allies about getting long-range missiles - aide 

Expedited talks are under way among Kyiv and its allies about Ukraine's requests for long-range missiles that it says are needed to prevent Russia from destroying Ukrainian cities, a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday. 

Ukraine has won promises of Western battle tanks and is seeking fighter jets to push back against Russian and pro-Moscow forces, which are slowly advancing along part of the front line. 

"To drastically reduce the Russian army's key weapon - the artillery they use today on the front lines - we need missiles that will destroy their depots," presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Ukraine's Freedom television network. 

He said on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula there were more than 100 artillery warehouses.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: As today's updates on the Russia - Ukraine war revealed (link here), Ukraine is under pressure along most of the front lines. Bottom line. They need better and more effective weapons. 

A prediction. 

After missiles and fighter jets, Ukraine will be demanding the stationing of NATO troops. 

 Top Aide To Ukraine President Zelensky Says Kyiv In Talks With NATO Allies About Getting long-Range Missiles  

Ukraine: ‘Fast-track’ talks underway for missiles, planes -- AP  

Ukraine in talks with allies to negotiate supply of long-range missiles -- France 24  

Ukraine and allies discuss fast-tracking weapons, as Moscow blames Kyiv for fatal hospital missile strike -- ABC News Australia  

Ukraine in talks with West to fast-track missiles for war -- Evening Standard

Ukraine Threatens To Boycott Paris Olympic Game If Russian And Belarusian Athletes Are Allowed To Compete

Euronews: Ukraine threatens to boycott Paris Olympic Game if Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete 

Ukraine’s sports minister has warned the country could boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete. 

This warning has been echoed by the nation’s President of the National Olympic Committee Vadym Guttsait. "We have done, are doing, and will continue to do everything we can to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from going to international competitions - even under a neutral flag or under any conditions," he wrote on Facebook.  

Read more .... 

Update: Russia’s path to 2024 Olympics takes shape, Ukraine objects (AP)  

WNU Editor: Russian and Belarusian athletes have already been invited to the Asian Games .... Russia, Belarus invited to Asian Games, an Olympic qualifier (AP).

New RAND Study Warns Against "Protracted Conflict" In Ukraine

Ukrainian servicemen fire a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system towards Russian positions on a frontline near the town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 15, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak

Zero Hedge: New RAND Study Breaks From US Hawks, Warns Against "Protracted Conflict" In Ukraine 

The famous Pentagon and US government-linked think tank RAND Corporation has finally attempted to inject some rare realism into the Washington establishment's thinking and planning regarding the Ukraine war. 

So far throughout eleven months of conflict which remains largely stalemated, though the last few days have seen Russian military momentum and advance grow in the Bakhmut offensive, US and NATO officials have unhesitatingly and enthusiastically cheered on every major escalation of the West's involvement. 

 But the new 32-page RAND document has sounded the alarm over the dangers of this approach, which is unusual given the think tank is notorious for being the hawkish academic arm of the military-industrial complex. This was especially the case in the Vietnam war era, when RAND became infamous for its fueling the policy behind various insurgency and counterinsurgency fiascos in Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. RAND now argues that in Ukraine "US interests would be best served by avoiding a protracted conflict," and that "costs and risks of a long war...outweigh the possible benefits." 

 Read more ....  

Update #1: Pentagon think tank warns against ‘long war’ in Ukraine (RT)  

Update #2: Neither Ukraine nor Russia to achieve absolute victory in this war RAND (Ukrayinska Pravda) 

 WNU Editor: Even the RAND Corporation is realizing that if the Russia - Ukraine war continues, there will be no good outcome for the US. In short. They are admitting that this is a war that Ukraine (i.e. the West) cannot win, and that the military situation for Ukraine is worsening. Unfortunately. The leadership in the West is not listening, and this RAND report will be avoided. 

The RAND report is here .... Avoiding a Long War: U.S. Policy and the Trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict (RAND Corporation).

CNN Goes To The Front Lines Of A Recent Major US And Israel Joint Military Exercise (Video)

 

WNU Editor: The George H.W. Bush carrier strike group have just concluded their participation in this exercise .... Carrier George H.W. Bush concludes largest joint exercise with Israel (Navy Times).

Indian Air Force Fighter Jets Crash In Mid-Air. Pilot killed. Two Other Indian Air Forces Pilots Injured In Crash

Two Indian Air Force fighter jets crashed in an apparent mid-air collision while on exercises south of the capital New Delhi © - / AFP  

FOX News: Indian Air Force fighters jets crash in mid-air, killing pilot: See the wreckage  

Two other Indian Air Forces pilots injured in crash 

A plane crash involving two fighter jets in India has killed one pilot and severely injured the other. 

"Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior this morning. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission," the Indian Air Force (IAF) wrote in a statement on Twitter. 

"One of the three pilots involved sustained fatal injuries." "An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident." 

Read more .... 

Indian Air Force Fighter Jets Crash In Mid-Air  

2 Indian fighter jets crash, killing pilot -- AP  

Two Indian military jets crash, one pilot killed -- France 24 

India: Pilot killed after 2 fighter jets crash -- DW Two Indian Airforce Aircraft Collide Mid-Air in Central India -- Bloomberg  

Mirage, Sukhoi collide in MP, instructor killed -- India Times  

Sukhoi, Mirage Fighter Jets Crash Near Gwalior, 1 Pilot Dead -- NDTV

Peru's Congress Rejects President Boluarte’s Request For Early Elections

 

Al Jazeera: Peru Congress rejects president’s early elections request  

Peru has been embroiled in a political crisis with near-daily protests since December 7. 

Peru’s Congress has rejected a request by embattled President Dina Boluarte to bring forward elections to December 2023, as protests that have killed dozens rage on against her leadership. 

Lawmakers agreed last month to bring forward elections from 2026 to April 2024. But in a plenary session held during Saturday’s early hours, Congress rejected the proposal, with 45 votes in favour, 65 against and two abstentions.

Left-wing parties demanded that the advancement of elections be accompanied by a constitutional convention – something protesters have repeatedly called for. 

“With this vote, the constitutional reform proposal for the advancement of elections is rejected,” Congress President Jose Williams said, after more than seven hours of debate.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Peru: Congress rejects bill to bring general elections forward to 2023 (Andina)  

Update #2: Peru's parliament opposes postponement of presidential elections (News.am)  

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediciton. The protests are going to continue.

Tehran Says Drones Attack Military Plant In Isfahan. Reports Of Blasts In Other Cities

#BREAKING: Explosion reported at an Iranian Defense Ministry's ammunition facility in Isfahan. Some reports suggest the blast was caused by a drone. pic.twitter.com/WfQ9aUHDfS

— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) January 28, 2023

Warzone/The Drive: Iran Claims It Has Come Under Drone Attack Following Explosions  

The Iranian Ministry of Defense claims drones struck a facility in Isfahan as reports of blasts in other cities cause alarm.  

This is a rapidly developing story and details are bound to change, but as it sits now, explosions rocked an Iranian Ministry of Defense ammunition plant in the central Iranian city of Isfahan amid reports of blasts in three other cities. 

Video captured one of the explosions in Isfahan as security forces swarmed the area around the facility. The Iranian Ministry of Defense later claimed three drones targeted the installation in a “failed attack” that caused no casualties and damaged only the building’s rooftop.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The above tweet showing an explosion is from the Iranian city of Isfahan. There are reports of blasts in other cities, but so far there has been on independent confirmation. 

Tehran Says Drones Attack Military Plant In Isfahan 

 Iran reports drone attack on defense facility -- AP  

Iran Says It Repelled Drone Attack On Military Site -- AFP 

Iran thwarts drone attack on military site - state media -- Reuters  

Drones attack military plant in Iran: Tehran -- CNN 

Iran: Massive blast reported at military plant in Isfahan -- i24 News

Iran 'repels' drone attack on Isfahan military site -- TRT World

Retired NATO Army General Petr Pavel Wins Czech Presidential Election

 

BBC: Petr Pavel: Ex-general beats populist rival in Czech election 

Retired Nato general Petr Pavel has been elected as the new president of the Czech Republic, seeing off his populist challenger Andrej Babis. 

The 61-year-old took 57.6% of the vote, initial results released by the state statistics office showed. 

Mr Babis - who served as prime minister between 2017 and 2021 - conceded defeat in a speech to supporters soon after the results were announced. 

The ex-general will replace Milos Zeman, whose second term ends in March. 

The second-round runoff between Mr Babis and Mr Pavel was portrayed as a contest between populist oligarchy and liberal democracy. 

The elections' results follow an ill-tempered campaign marred by alleged death threats and disinformation.   

Read more .... 

Retired NATO Army General Petr Pavel Wins Czech Presidential Election  

Retired Czech army general Pavel wins presidential election -- AP

Retired NATO general Petr Pavel elected president of Czech Republic -- France 24

Pro-western Petr Pavel sweeps to landslide win in race for Czech presidency -- The Guardian  

Czech election: Ex-NATO general Pavel defeats ex-PM Babis -- DW  

Retired Czech general Petr Pavel wins presidential election -- CNN  

Petr Pavel to become next Czech president -- Politico.eu

Russia - Ukraine War: Military Summary And Analysis For 28.1.2023 (Video)

 

WNU Editor: A lot updates on the Russia - Ukraine war from the Military Summary channel. Alexander Mercouris gives his update on the war below.