【Updated from time to time】Russia invades Ukraine militarily (movement on the 16th)

Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues.

Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians have fled the country. We will update the situation in Ukraine on the 16th (Japan time), including the status of the battle and diplomacy of the countries concerned.

(There is a 7-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and 6 hours from Moscow, Russia.)

Russia, China, and Iran launch joint naval exercises

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 15th that it had started joint military exercises by the navies of three countries: Russia, China and Iran.

Military exercises will be held in the Gulf of Oman near the port of Chabahar in southeastern Iran, and a frigate that is said to have deployed a sea-launched hypersonic missile "Tsirkon" from Russia in January will participate in tactical exercises with missile destroyers of the Chinese Navy.

Russia just held joint naval exercises with China and South Africa in South Africa late last month.

Russia is also expected to show off its military power by appealing its solidarity with friendly countries and to restrain the Western side, which is deepening its confrontation over the invasion of Ukraine.

Drone crash "evidence of direct involvement in US military operations" Putin's aide

While the U.S. side announced that the U.S. drone collided and crashed after being sabotaged by Russian fighter jets, President Putin's close aide, Secretary of the Security Council Patrushev, criticized the drone in Moscow on the 15th, saying, "This drone is evidence of the direct involvement of the United States in the military operation of Ukraine," and said that "we will strive to recover the fragments of the drone."

In addition, another aide to President Putin, Naryshkin, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, strongly rebuked the U.S. side by stating, "We have the ability to recover and study drones," and indicated one after another the idea of recovering the crashed drones and obtaining military secrets.

Russian Defense Minister and US Secretary of Defense Talk on Telephone Talk Over Drone Crash

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 15th that Defense Minister Shoigu held a telephone conversation with US Defense Secretary Austin.

It says that the telephone talk was conducted at the suggestion of the U.S. side, but did not disclose details.

The U.S. military announced on the 14th that a Russian fighter jet interfered with and collided with a US Air Force reconnaissance drone flying in international airspace over the Black Sea facing southern Ukraine, causing the drone to lose control and crash into the sea.

White House Strategy and Public Relations Coordinator: "Recovery may be difficult"

Regarding the crashed drone, White House Strategy and Public Affairs Coordinator Kirby said in an interview with CNN television on the 15th, "The aircraft is sinking very deep, and we are still evaluating whether it can be recovered, but it may be difficult," and expressed the view that the U.S. military may not be able to recover the aircraft.

"Even if the drone falls into the hands of others, we have taken all possible measures to minimize the leakage of information," he said.

The New York Times also quoted a former Air Force official as saying that the U.S. has lost drones of the same type in Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere, and that it is certain that the parts are going to hostile forces.

For this reason, this time, as long as the drone is not equipped with special sensors, even if the Russian side recovers the aircraft, it will not be a big loss for the American side.

President Zelensky defends Bakhmud and emphasizes the idea of total resistance

President Zelensky of Ukraine held a meeting of senior officials responsible for security administration on the 14th, after which he said, "All commanders have shown a clear position, we will strengthen the current direction and inflict the greatest possible blow to the occupiers," and reiterated his intention to defend the Ukrainian stronghold of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine and fight a thorough war.

However, the Washington Post, a leading American newspaper, reported that many soldiers with a lot of combat experience have been killed and wounded by the Ukrainian army, and some people are questioning whether a large-scale reversal offensive can be carried out.

In addition, Western officials estimate the casualties of soldiers at 12,20 on the Ukrainian side and about <>,<> on the Russian side, and it seems that enormous damage has been inflicted on both sides.