Explaining complex things in simple words: HUR operations abroad, Ukrainian fleet development, prisoner exchange between Russia and West

The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.       

HUR OPERATIONS ABROAD

Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), confirmed that Ukraine conducted special operations in Sudan, Mali, and Syria.

  • Recent events in Mali and Syria undermine the military potential of the Russian Federation and cause reputational losses to the aggressor state.
  • Russian war criminals will not feel safe, not only in Ukraine, but also anywhere in the world.
  • There is no longer a monopoly of the Russian special services (under the guise of PMC Wagner and others) on operations in Africa and the Middle East.
  • Ukraine will work to undermine Russian strategic positions in the world, weakening the enemy's stability and its ability to continue an aggressive war.
  • Ukrainians have many friends in the countries where Russian militants operate. 

UKRAINIAN FLEET DEVELOPMENT

On August 1, the launching ceremony of the Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky corvette, built in Turkey for the Ukrainian Navy, took place.

  • The Ukrainian Navy updates its ship fleet, building new-generation ships that will replace outdated Soviet models.
  • Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky is already the second corvette built for the Navy of Ukraine in Turkey. The first one, Ivan Mazepa, is already undergoing tests in the Black Sea.
  • Ukraine was, is, and will be a maritime state with its own fleet, capable of defending national interests in the maritime waters.
  • After our victory, the renewed Ukrainian Navy will become an integral part of the NATO naval grouping in the Black Sea. 
  • The Defence Forces have already defeated the enemy fleet in the Black Sea, even without having a ship group commensurate with the Russian one. 

PRISONERS EXCHANGE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST

On August 1, an exchange of prisoners took place between the Russian Federation and Belarus on the one hand and the United States, Germany, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom on the other.

  • It was the largest exchange between the West and Moscow since the Cold War.
  • The exchange confirmed the moral degradation of Russia: the Kremlin received its killers, spies, and fraudsters in exchange for the release of decent people who were actually hostages of the Russian Federation.
  • Citizens of foreign countries should consider the risks and threats of staying in the territory controlled by Moscow, so as not to become hostages for future exchanges.
  • Western countries liberated not only their citizens, but also Russians, who are victims of political repression by Putin's regime.
  • Ukraine welcomes the release of Kremlin prisoners known for their anti-war positions. We hope for the continuation of their anti-war activities already in freedom.
  • Russian authorities are holding hundreds of Ukrainian political prisoners and journalists. We are also working on their exchange and hope for help from Western countries to liberate Ukrainians, as in this case.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security