When the war began, Russia cut off fuel supplies to Ukraine and attacked oil storage and stations. At that point, Ukraine had less than two weeks' worth of fuel.
Here's a story of a company that adapted, survived, and ensured Ukraine's essential fuel supply 1/
OKKO, now a market leader, has flourished under the new CEO Vasyl Danylyak, a personal friend of mine, guiding it through wartime transformation.
Today, at the Kyiv School of Economics we're publicly discussing for the first time the case we have written about OKKO 2/
But the story of the company is that of people
When the missiles struck on day one, OKKO's managers didn't abandon their jobs, but acted. With the Russians everywhere, they checked on their teams and prepared evacuation plans 3/
The case highlights manager Olena, who asked her colleagues, "Can I count on you?" and everyone answered yes
I still get emotional recalling those days. That type of determination was everywhere; people had families to save but wouldn't abandon their jobs 4/
But some people did flee. At Andriy's station near Kyiv, only 3 people stayed. Andriy, however, took charge of 2 sites, running between two sites through war-torn streets to oversee operations. "As we focused on our duties, customers calmed," he recalls 5/
Iryna, near the shelled Chernihiv, took charge of 4 stations, fueling the military defending the city. "We are not afraid!" she declared. Though without an official title, she led
Chernhiv later was encircled by the Russians but never fallen 6/
By keeping stations open, OKKO teams kept Ukraine moving. “That our reality now,” Oleksandra thought
Despite the risks, they served customers with positivity, still remembering - I kid you not - to say OKKO's values: "Service with a smile." 7/
Across OKKO, exceptional teams banded together, communicating constantly to adapt. Lawyers & marketers ran stations. Drivers risked their lives delivering fuel. Some died.
Everyone became everyday heroes. Later OKKO created a campaign “Our Heroes” to tell their stories 8/
I could discuss the company's strategy and changes in supply chain management, including finding new suppliers worldwide and bargaining over shipping slots to keep the country running. 9/
I witnessed oil depots attacked and oil tankers driving at night through hidden routes to evade Russian surveillance.
But I think the story is people! Thank you for being human! 10X
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If Trump wants to hurt Putin's war machine, he should tighten, not ease, sanctions on Russia's tantalum imports, says David Axe in Telegraph.
Russia's weapons production depends on this rare mineral. Its factories need 4.5 tons but have just 2, with no means to close the gap. 1/
Previous sanctions disrupted Russia’s tantalum supply after Kazakhstan blocked the facility that processed imported raw material from Africa, China and South America.
Russian domestic deposits are limited and lack the technology to produce high-grade powder. 2/
Russian industry attempts to bypass sanctions by purchasing "dual-use" tantalum components through intermediaries [in countries outside the sanctions regime].
The parts arrive slowly, at higher cost, but can still be used in missiles, drones and radios. 3/
Putin: In Ukraine, unlike in Russia, there is forced mobilization [oh yeah? But in Russia there is forced murder of Russian soldiers by Russian soldiers. Rape too]
Putin: People are being rounded up like dogs on the street. 1/
Putin: While in Ukraine they are catching 30 thousand people, in Russia 50-60 thousand people voluntarily come to sign contracts [and die next month, because you lie to them] 2/
Putin: By 2019, Russia's agricultural sector began to meet all domestic needs and started requesting that Western food products not be allowed back in. [Brezhnev used to say the same] 3/
Bloomberg: If Putin backs out of meeting with Zelensky or Russia won’t agree to a cease-fire on Thursday, European leaders will urge Trump to follow his threat to impose sanctions on Moscow.
Kremlin hasn’t yet announced whether Putin will attend the meeting. 1/
Kremlin remains silent on the Istanbul meeting with Zelensky. It signals about uncertainty, usually they respond swiftly.
This hesitation underscores that Trump and Zelensky now have the upper hand, both geopolitically and publicly. 2/
Peskov said that the Russian side continues to prepare for the talks in Istanbul.
Peskov: Kremlin will announce who will represent Russia at the talks with Ukraine as soon as President [Putin] deems it necessary. 3/
BBC: US and Saudi Arabia signed what the White House calls the largest defense sales agreement in history.
The total value's $142 billion. [Can Ukraine please do the same?]
At the same time, SA pledged to invest $600 billion in the US [hmm, not sure Ukraine can afford that] 1/
The $142B defense deal includes five areas:
- Air and missile defense
- Air force and space systems
- Maritime and border security
- Ground force modernization
- Upgrades to communications and IT. Over a dozen US defense firms are involved.
2/
The deal also provides for extensive training and support to Saudi forces.
It includes new programs for Saudi military academies and medical services.
This comes after the US resumed offensive weapons sales to the kingdom last year. 3/