--- title: "Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine Is About To Begin Its 19th Day" description: "Here's a full update on the current state of play in Ukraine as the conflict approaches the three-week point." date: "2022-03-13" modified: "2022-03-14" authors: - name: "Stetson Payne" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/stetson-payne" url: "https://www.twz.com/44732/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-is-about-to-begin-its-19th-day" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Europe" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Ukraine" tags: - "Ambush" - "Bent Renaud" - "invasion" - "OSINT" - "russia" - "Ukraine" - "Update March 13th" - "War" --- # Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine Is About To Begin Its 19th Day ![]() *www.twz.com* As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued Sunday with unprecedented missile strikes [near the Polish border]() and ongoing clashes, the fighting reportedly killed an American journalist and documentarian Brent Renaud. Journalists at and near the frontlines have reportedly been shot by Russian forces, as evidenced in a harrowing video of a [SkyNews crew’s ambush]() near Kyiv. Renaud’s death and the serious wounding of another American reporter, Juan Arredondo, as they passed a checkpoint in the contested city of Irpin represent the latest instance of noncombatants targeted in the war. Be sure to check our [most recent rolling coverage]() update to get up to speed. Now here are the most recent developments out of Ukraine: ## The Latest: ***UPDATED—*** Readers can find our continuing rolling coverage of the conflict in Ukraine [here](). ***POSTED: 5:00 PM EST—*** News of Renaud’s death spread quickly after Andriy Nebytov, Kyiv’s regional police chief, posted a graphic photo of Renaud’s body on Facebook, along with Renaud’s *New York Times* press badge and passport. Arredondo, who was taken to a Kyiv hospital, reportedly told first responders he and Renaud went to get footage of people leaving Kyiv and were shot by Russian troops after passing a checkpoint. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502989171585163264 https://twitter.com/_/status/1502994498602868739 You can read our full report on Russia's cruise missile strikes against weapons shipments right next to the Polish border by clicking below: https://twitter.com/_/status/1503065879612833795 The latest information from the British Ministry of Defense indicated continued Russian efforts at encirclements and heavy losses in those attempts. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502957751831511044 ![message-editor%2F1647203384523-fntf5q9xeai2zik.jpeg]() **UK MOD** One avenue of getting more S300 air defense system capability to Ukraine could be opening up: https://twitter.com/_/status/1503013937893285893 Zelensky is out and about more than ever, for better or worse, this time visiting the wounded in a local hospital: https://twitter.com/_/status/1503058935145807874 No Sweden will not be fast-tracked into NATO just this minute: https://twitter.com/_/status/1502958439013797890 First we have seen of weaponized hobby/commercial drones in Ukraine: https://twitter.com/_/status/1502931898733113345 Russia appears to be attempting a bridging operation in hotly contested Hostomel to the northwest of Kyiv: https://twitter.com/_/status/1503016182990921734 Open-source tracking of Russian losses to date now indicates at the very least 200 Russian tanks have been knocked out in the war. The real number is likely quite higher. Those losses are also reflected in continued efforts by Ukrainians to recover abandoned or damaged military vehicles. This video shows a tractor pulling a T-72, or what’s left of it, after a large explosion blew away its turret. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502975610418827266 https://twitter.com/_/status/1502972031536611329 The losses may further have pushed Russia to seek help from one of its few, if seriously influential, remaining allies: China. [The Financial Times reported]() Sunday afternoon that U.S. officials said Russia had asked for military assistance and aid from Beijing. https://twitter.com/_/status/1503100496550236167 While Sunday in Ukraine began with reported cruise missile strikes on western Ukraine, at least one Russian aircraft was shot down early Sunday morning. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502889003510550528 Chechen fighters loyal to leader Ramzan Kadyrov have been documented in clashes with Ukrainian forces and reportedly taken heavy casualties in those clashes. But videos circulating on Twitter appear to show Kadyrov himself meeting with Chechen commanders near the front in Ukraine. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502992782675390467 Russia continued its foray into the information war, releasing further footage of strikes by UAVs against Ukrainian rocket artillery. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502985163529199616 In Russian-occupied territory, many citizens remain defiant. Large protests against occupying Russians continued in Kherson and Berdyansk, with reports that Russian forces shot at least one protester in Kherson. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502983916545794050 https://twitter.com/_/status/1502982217169002503 The protests come as it appears Russia is attempting to consolidate control over its occupied territories in southern Ukraine in the form of a new government with a supposed “referendum” on the Kherson People’s Republic. In name and suspected function, it appears similar to the puppet governments established in Donetsk and Luhansk in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502879082987593733 https://twitter.com/_/status/1502670773475065860 After the reported kidnapping of the mayor of Melitopol by Russian forces, a local lawmaker made a video plea against continued protests. It isn’t immediately clear whether this is an impassioned effort to stop violence in occupied territory, made under duress, or the emergence of collaboration with the Russian forces. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502917272658231298 Lastly, it appears Russian amphibious landings near Odessa are back in play. After loitering off Crimea for some time, an amphibious assault failed to manifest last week. Now satellite imagery reportedly shows that the Russian landing craft are back at sea from Crimean ports. https://twitter.com/_/status/1502944456777117696 We will continue to update this post until it’s noted otherwise. Contact the author: Stetson.payne@thewarzone.com ### Author social links