Formation of assault brigades, dismissal of deputy defense minister: last nigth's highlights
The Ministry of Internal Affairs began forming assault brigades called the Offensive Guard, Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Liyev resigned, and another casualty was found at the site of a missile attack in Kramatorsk. Here is what you may have missed from the previous night.
"Offensive Guard"
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has started forming assault brigades called the "Offensive Guard" aimed at strengthening the Defense Forces and liberating the occupied territories of Ukraine. Volunteers will be able to join them.
The ministry said that these assault brigades of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will liberate Donbas and Crimea, and for those who want to join, "they guarantee combat clashes on the front line." The "backbone" of these brigades will be made up of current and former military and law enforcement officers.
Resignation of Liyev
Ukrainian media reported that Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Liyev allegedly has a Russian passport. The ministry says there is no evidence to support this. Nevertheless, Liyev decided to resign of his own free will.
US court authorizes seizure of Russian oligarch's funds
A U.S. court has authorized prosecutors to confiscate $5.4 million belonging to sanctioned Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeyev. These funds may be transferred to Ukraine.
This decision of the federal court in Manhattan was the first order to confiscate the assets of a Russian oligarch since the U.S. Department of Justice launched a task force in 2022 to "squeeze" the finances of the Kremlin's allies.
Another woman found dead in Kramatorsk
Another body has been found at the site of the missile attack by Russian troops on the city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast – a woman who was being searched for by rescuers. The death toll has risen to four. Also, 14 people were injured. Some of them are in serious condition and are undergoing surgery. 51 high-rise buildings (670 apartments), a school, a clinic, stores and offices were damaged.
Zelenskyy on fight against "internal enemy"
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked law enforcement officers involved in the cleansing of the government and announced "new steps" in the fight against the "internal enemy."
Zelenskyy said that on February 2, he held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff in a dual format. First, it was traditionally held in full, where the situation at the front, army supplies, training, and other issues were discussed.
And then, in the afternoon, an additional meeting of the members of the Staff was held in a narrow format "for a particularly important conversation."
Other news:
- A French court postponed the extradition hearing of Ukrainian businessman and politician Kostyantyn Zhevaho for the third time.
- Russian troops continued shelling Sumy Oblast, resulting in 120 hits in the region over the day. Three private houses and a power line were partially destroyed.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that Ukraine will be able to start negotiations on membership in the European Union in 2023.
- Over the past day, Russian occupation forces fired 14 times at Kherson. Two people were killed, including a 23-year-old man who had no relatives. Five people were also injured, including one child.
- From the temporarily occupied Lysychansk, Luhansk Oblast, Russian occupiers took about 50 eleventh-graders to Russia "to prepare and pass exams".