Provocation in Transnistria and drone attack on Russian refineries - Weekend brief

Russia's war against Ukraine

News for March 16th:

• Drones attacked two oil refineries in Samara region, causing fires
• Partisans stage sabotage during pseudo-elections in occupied Skadovsk - Russian occupiers injured
• Russian volunteer troops announce massive strike on military targets in Belgorod
• Russian army likely attempt new summer offensive in Ukraine - ISW

News for March 17th:

• Russia's losses in Ukraine as of March 17: Over 1100 invaders and 49 motor vehicles
• Russian volunteer units claim entry into new settlement in Belgorod region
• Night Shahed raid in Odesa: Air defense downed over 10 drones, but some hit targets
• Explosions and fires erupt again in Belgorod on last day of Putin's 'elections'

Explosions in Russia

On the night of March 17, Russia was restless. Explosions were heard in at least seven regions of the Russian Federation, including the Moscow region.

Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin said that two drones had allegedly been shot down near Domodedovo airport, which he said were flying toward the Russian capital. In the morning, flights were restricted at three Moscow airports.

Also, an oil refinery was on fire in the Krasnodar region of Russia. It was a refinery in Sloviansk-on-Kuban.

In addition, on March 16, RBC-Ukraine's sources reported that Ukraine's Security Service attacked three oil refineries in the Samara region of Russia that night. These are Rosneft refineries.

More about whether strikes on oil refineries can "bleed" Russia and help Ukraine at the front - in the article by RBC-Ukraine.

Transnistria reports hit at military unit. Ukrainian intelligence and Moldova respond

On Sunday, a drone crashed into a military helicopter in Transnistria. Russian and Transnistrian media immediately began reporting on the "drone attack on a military unit in Tiraspol."

However, Chisinau denies the attack. At the same time, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Andrii Yusov, said that the incident was part of a Russian provocation.

Ukraine is negotiating security assurances with 10 states

The President's Office said that Ukraine is currently negotiating security guarantees with ten states.

"Countries are even competing to see who can sign the agreement with Ukraine the fastest. To date, 7 such agreements have already been signed, 5 of them with the Group of Seven countries," Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva said.

SpaceX builds spy satellite network for US intelligence

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a classified contract with the US intelligence agency.

According to the sources, the network is being built by SpaceX's Starshield business unit as part of a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office, the intelligence agency that operates spy satellites.

The source notes that if successful, this program will significantly expand the ability of the US government and military to quickly identify potential targets almost anywhere in the world.

Biden pokes fun at Trump's age: 'One candidate is too old, other one is me'

US President Joe Biden joked about his future election opponent, Republican Donald Trump. The leader pointed out the age of his opponent, informs Reuters.

Biden made the corresponding statement at the annual dinner of the Gridiron club. This is an annual event held in Washington since the 1880s. Each American president during their tenure is expected to participate in the event.

Overall, Biden's speech lasted about 10 minutes. The dinner was attended by over 650 guests, including Irish President Leo Varadkar, Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.

"One candidate (for president of the US, - ed.) is too old and mentally unfit to be president. The other one is me," said 81-year-old Biden about 77-year-old Trump.

Zelenskyy on Putin's 'election': He should end up on trial in Hague

After all the crimes he has committed, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin should be in the dock in The Hague, states Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"These days, the Russian dictator is imitating the next elections. It is clear to everyone in the world that this person, as has happened so often in history, is simply addicted to power and is doing everything he can to rule for life. There is no evil he will not commit to prolong his personal power. And no one in the world is immune to this," the President emphasized.

He thanked all states and leaders, as well as all international organizations that "call and will call things by their proper names".

The Head of State noted that there is no legitimacy in today's "elections" in Russia and cannot be.

"This person must end up in the dock in The Hague - this is what we must ensure. Everyone in the world who values life and decency," the president summarized.