Update from Ukraine | ATACMS used again | Is Avdiivka the second Bakhmut to Ukraine?

The 2014 article about Portnov is most interesting. In the whole morass of corruption in both nations, one finds a politician who so far has threaded the needle. Still in office, as of October 2023.

Kind of a funny larger story. Seemingly pro-Putin before 2022, he turned away when elected mayor of Odessa. And then is caught up in corruption scandals in Ukraine.
"A Ukrainian crime gang used offshore firms in British tax havens to secretly invest millions of pounds in the UK, a BBC Panorama investigation has found. The gangsters, and in some cases family members, bought luxurious property in prime London locations, including a £12.5m flat. The daughter of a man dubbed the 'Don of Odessa' is the registered owner of three homes in one expensive block." 23 April 2018
Paradise Papers: Ukraine crime gang hid proceeds in luxury London flats
"Trukhanov defended his pivot in a Tuesday interview with the English-language Independent. He explained that when he became mayor of Odesa, Ukraine's third-largest city, he 'took an oath of allegiance' to the Ukrainian people, which he said is important to him." 17 May 2022
Pro-Russia Mayor of Ukraine's 'Crime Capital' Turns His Back on Putin
"Trukhanov is a controversial politician who was elected to the top office in Odesa, a center for Ukrainian shipbuilding and trade, in 2014. In the early stages of his career, he was aligned with pro-Moscow political parties, but in recent years he positioned himself as an advocate of Odesa's economic growth. His critics have accused him of running a corrupt city hall. The NABU has investigated a number of alleged embezzlement cases in Odesa municipality, with Trukhanov’s involvement."
Mayor of Odesa Gennadiy Trukhanov Arrested in Connection with Embezzlement Charges 4 May 2023
"The central government hopes to use the provisions of martial law to root out corruption at the local level while getting rid of inconvenient regional politicians at the same time. It’s true that Ukraine’s mayors are often corrupt, but by targeting individuals, the government is increasingly undermining the very idea of local self-government." 25 May 2023
Ukraine’s Other Battle: Zelensky vs. the Mayors
Most recently....
"The Italian Ambassador to Ukraine, Pier Francesco Zazo, and the Special Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Davide La Cecilia, are today on a mission to Odessa together with the President of the Triennale, architect Stefano Boeri, the President of MAXXI, Alessandro Giuli, the Mayor of Odessa, Gennadiy Trukhanov, and the Head of the UNESCO Desk in Ukraine, Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi. The visit is part of an initiative by the Triennale and MAXXI, supported by Italian Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Ministry of Culture, to set up a Workshop on the Reconstruction of Ukraine."
Italy for the reconstruction of Ukraine: working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Triennale and MAXXI in Odessa to rebuild the Transfiguration Cathedral and the city’s cultural heritage
And apparently still mayor...
"According to Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov, the decision to restore access to Primorsky Boulevard was agreed with the military. This decision will allow Odesa residents and guests to enjoy walking in one of the most beautiful places in the city without any obstacles." 8 October 2023.
https://visitukraine.today/blog/2709/prymorskyi-boulevard-in-odesa-is-being-reopened-for-odessans-and-tourists

Sure seems like corruption is found overall. Most interesting that many of these "invested" in London properties as well. And some legal actions are underway in Switzerland to attach oligarch funds there, though it goes slowly.

state.gov
PRESS STATEMENT
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
OCTOBER 26, 2023

Biden Allots Additional $150 million U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine

Today, the United States is announcing a new tranche of weapons and equipment to help Ukraine succeed on the battlefield and protect its people from Russia’s brutal invasion.

This new package of arms and equipment includes air defense, artillery, anti-tank, and other capabilities which will further enhance Ukraine’s capacity to defend its territory against Russian offensives while continuing its counter-offensive against Russia’s forces. Ukraine’s forces are fighting bravely to reclaim territory seized by Russia’s forces, and this additional support will help them continue making progress.

This package provides $150 million of arms and equipment authorized under previously directed draw-downs for Ukraine.

snip

defense.gov
Immediate Release
Oct 26, 2023

Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine

Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration’s forty-ninth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. This package includes additional air defense capabilities, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and fight for its independence and freedom.

This package utilizes assistance previously authorized for Ukraine during prior fiscal years under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) that remained after the PDA revaluation process concluded in June. This security assistance package is another visible signal of the United States’ continued commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.

The United States remains committed to working with Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs, and the Biden Administration calls on Congress to meet its commitment to the people of Ukraine by passing additional funding to ensure Ukraine continues to have what it needs to defend itself against Russia’s brutal war of choice.

Security assistance for Ukraine is a smart investment in our national security. It helps to prevent a larger conflict in the region and deter potential aggression elsewhere, while strengthening our defense industrial base and creating highly skilled jobs for the American people.

The capabilities in this package, valued at up to $150 million, include:

• Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
• AIM-9M missiles for air defense;
• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin anti-armor systems;
• More than 2 million rounds of small arms ammunition;
• Night vision devices;
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing;
• Cold weather gear; and
• Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.

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