Russia

The negatives...

if anyone is still reading this thread, you know I support Ukraine's fight against Putin's evil invasion and think NATO (including the US) needs to continue providing support to Ukraine. However, it is not all a "rose garden."

There has been, and continues to be, some misuse of the funding provided to Ukraine...yes, government corruption. For instance, the incident in Pokvosk where the mayor took money intended to build defensive works east of the city and used it to build sports facilities and improve a public park because he thought that would help his reelection bid. The construction company, with a family connection to a provincial politician in Kharkiv, that got a huge advance payment to build defensive works, trenches, bunkers, etc. and did nothing but drop off all the materials and just left without doing much of anything...sans about 4 miles of incomplete trenches. President Z has done an AWESOME job of rooting out corruption at the national level, in Kyiv, but he has to depend on the provincial and local government leaders to do their part (much like our own state and local governments) and that is where some corruption has continued.

And there is this. President Z has refused to implement a change to the draft laws still preferring to protect 18-29 year olds. I know that sounds ridiculously backwards, as our drafts start with 18-year-olds and is usually capped at 25. Ukraine's population is upside down with the percentage of that demographic group representing 11% of the population. The thought is they are the future of the country and cannot be sacrificed on the battlefield. I do not like the images of Kyiv showing young men, in their 20's, enjoying leisurely activities like sitting in coffee shops on their phones, and/or engaged in sporting events removed from the horrors and reality of the front in the eastern portion of their nation. Makes no sense to me. Ukraine's parliament passed legislation giving President Z the authority to order military drafts down to 18, but he has not done so (yet). The average age of the typical Ukrainian soldier right now, is 48. That means there are guys into their 60's who are fighting on the frontlines.

In my opinion, while I know Putin must be defeated, it is past time for Ukraine to "go all in." Mobilize the entire population, including all these young men, and greatly increase the ranks of their military, and also require civilians to volunteer in building defensive works and providing other non-combat duties, like medical professionals and logistic and supply. Yes, some of that is already happening with hundreds (thousands?) of patriotic Ukrainians stepping up to help in the war effort. But it needs to be a national effort. This should be a requirement if Ukraine wants the US to continue to provide taxpayer funded aid.

That said, please, do not lose sight of the truly heroic efforts of those Ukrainians who have put it all on the line defending their nation. Against impossible odds they have bravely stood against a major world power, for 2 1/2 years now, and have accomplished remarkable things. Referring to them as "heroes" simply does not do them justice. Surely history will remember them with all the accolades and reverence they have earned.

I'm still reading - keep the updates coming!!!

Since taking Vulhedar the Russians have made further gains in what is considered the "Southern Front," as they have turned north in three separate advances along major roads. Their next target is a large town, with some industry, and that is currently serving as a Ukranian supply/reserves depot. It's still another town that begins with a "K" which I will post.

Some good news along the "Eastern Front" as Ukran units have swept in and retaken large parts of the city of Toretsk. How long they can hold it remains to be seen. Ukraine is much superior to the Russians in intelligence (yes, that term used two ways!) and reconnaissance and struck a weak point in the Russian line. Russian troops retreated for more than 2 miles, abandoning much of the city. Surely, they will mount an attack in an effort to again take Toretsk.

Unconfirmed reports of the Russian anti-Putin militia groups striking in Belgorod and in Kursk. The Kremlin played down the reports saying they have all been contained, but they always say that.

And the biggest news (bad news for the average Russian), Ukran drones have struck and utterly destroyed four Vodka distilleries. Pronounced "wodka" by the Russkis. Huge fires are raging at the four facilities. This will greatly anger the Russian populace.

And there is this report, unconfirmed. Seems several anti-Putin Russians deliberately drove trucks with North Korean soldiers in them, infantry, to a predetermined location, stopped and fled into the woods, leaving the trucks parked on an open road. Minutes later Ukan drones came in and destroyed the trucks and most of the NKs in them were killed, with a few able to get out but are wounded. There is video footage, released by Ukraine, clearly showing three trucks being hit by drones and blowing up. But the Russian propagandists claim this was old footage from an attack many months ago. The "information war" is always raging, which is why it is often hard for me to discern the truth. There have already been several conflicting reports on North Korean soldiers' participation in this war.

More reports of 11 Russian SU-34s shot down overnight. This seems hard to believe given how cautious Putin has gotten with what is left of his air force. Maybe one SU-34 was downed last night, that is very believable, but 11? Nah.

200 North Korean defectors, former soldiers and currently residing in South Korea, have requested permission to go to Ukraine and join the army there. They want to fight for Ukraine. This while South Korea ponders what they might do officially. Led by the US State Department, NATO countries are asking SK to stay out of that war. There is a private, mercenary group of South Koreans making final preparations to travel to Ukraine to join the Foreign Legion there. Perhaps those 200 NK defectors can join this group.

Croatia is sending 50 M-84 tanks to Ukraine. These are older Soviet T-72s that have been modified and improved by Croatia. They are sending a like number of Soviet BMPs, which is their version of the Bradley. These too have been improved.

More video footage released by Ukraine, this of the 47th Armored Brigade fighting in Kursk. One Abrams Tank with a single Bradley in support, wiped out a Russian garrison in a village holding a crossroads. There was one Russian tank, said to be a T-64, and two armored vehicles, and about 20 Russian soldiers dug in with mortars, RPGs, and machineguns. The Ukran vehicles were "ambushed" by the hidden Russians, but no damage was done to either vehicle and they quickly returned fire eliminating the position. Several Russian soldiers were seen fleeing up the road toward a wooded patch. As usual, the Bradley was the main factor. It has become the best vehicle on the battlefield, more effective than tanks, even the Abrams and Leopard IIs. In this case the Abrams engaged the Russian tank and took it out and then placed one shell into a house being used by the Russians. The Bradley handled the rest. It destroyed both armored vehicles and annihilated the Russian infantry and their defensive position with its 30mm automatic cannon. The entire fight took place about 1/2 mile apart as the Ukrans were careful to stand off and use their superior weapons to win the day. Later, Ukran infantry arrived and occupied the position. They took two prisoners, wounded Russians found hiding in a ditch.

Ukran drones struck in Chechnya for the first time, attacking and severely damaging campus buildings of the Chechnyan Special Operations University. The dictator of Chechnya is Ramzan Kadyrov. He's been an on-again/off-again ally and supporter of Putin, when it benefitted him. His fat, 16-year-old son is the Director (Commandant) of the Special Ops school, pictured in a military officer's uniform covered in medals. Keeping it all in the family, as dictators are prone to do. His fat son was present but reported not to have been wounded in the attack. The main classroom building, a large structure, was still burning as apparently firefighting equipment/personnel is limited in Chechnya. Of course, Kadyrov is quite pissed and vowing to extract revenge on Ukraine. Hmmm...it's not like his thugs haven't already been murdering POWs and civilians and burning to the ground every Ukrainian village and town they have occupied.

Kadyrov is also threatening civil war against some of Putin's sometime supporters/detractors, namely the wealthy oligarchs, who he blames for lack of supply and logistical support for his troops operating in Ukraine, and now in Kursk too. It's quite a web of intrigue with allies turning on each other, then reuniting because someone else has insulted them or something. If civil war does erupt in Russia it won't be a case of Side A vs. Side B, instead there will be Sides, C, D, E, F, etc. In some instances, Side D will ally with Side B, against Side A, then turn on each other, and later Side D will ally with Side A (whom they had just been killing) because Side E had become a bigger threat. Won't be able to tell the players without a program!

What many pundits are seeking, and advocating for, is the Russia-Ukraine war to continue for as long as it takes until the powder keg in Russia explodes and they all start killing each other.

Reports (unconfirmed by reliable sources) are the Russians have amassed 200,000 soldiers in southern Ukraine and are about to launch a major offensive, larger than any other yet launched in a single province. I don't believe those numbers. Putin spin masters have made wild claims before, later proven to be just propaganda. It is confirmed, by reliable western sources, of reinforcements concentrating near Vuhledar, but those number between 8,000-10,000, and there are no other large concentrations of Russian troops. But, what is clear is Ukraine is in trouble on the Southern Front. The only thing that can save two key cities from falling to the Russians is bad weather. Rains have started and temperatures are dropping, but the roads and ground remain mostly dry and usable. This is why the Russians are trying to mount a large attack, while they still hold the advantage, and the weather (ground) remains favorable.

Some Ukrainian bloggers are screaming loudly for the return of all Ukran units from Kursk. Some of Ukraine's best troops are in Kursk, meanwhile portions of the front are cracking under relentless pressure from the Russians. Not just on the Southern Front, but on the Eastern Front too. There has been a stalemate along the entire front, all 900 miles of it, for the past 5-6 months. But now the Russians are trying to beat the coming winter and are making a huge push.

Even in a worse-case scenario, Putin will not be able to occupy all of Donbas before winter sets in. So, unless something happens politically/diplomatically over the winter, this war will come back to life in the spring. Putin wants all of Ukraine, but more realistically, he can seize and occupy all of Donbas, the three eastern provinces, and hold Crimea, giving him control of 4 of the 24 Ukrainian provinces, called "Oblasts." Some experts think this will satisfy Putin (at least for the time being) and he can save face in the world, and at home, by claiming a major victory stating this was always his goal, to establish a buffer zone along his western border with Europe. Of course, we all know that is bullshit. Putin still wants all of Ukraine and won't stop trying to seize it all.

Don't believe your eyes...believe the propagandists!

We know the BS the media/political propagandists can dish out, just look at all the lies told about our "secure southern border." Well, the commies, foreign and domestic, excel at this. Another case in point re: the Ukraine-Russia war. Putin's and Fat Boy's apologists have been putting out fake news regarding North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia. Their side maintains NK soldiers HAVE NOT YET been involved in combat but are just going through training. About a week, or more, ago I posted about an entire company of NKs wiped out in Kursk, eight officers killed. There was silence from the Putin side on this, and even Ukrainian sources were fairly quiet about it. But, I trusted the source I got it from because it has been smack on in its reports. Well, both The Kremlin and North Korea are still, to this day, claiming there have been no, none, zilch, NK soldiers involved in actual combat yet. Except...

this morning a Ukrainian TV Network interviewed the commander of a NK unit which was utterly destroyed, 40 wounded and now POW NK soldiers in a Ukrainian hospital. Through an interpreter the NK officer motioned to his wounded soldiers and quipped, "we didn't do this to ourselves," when asked about the reports that no NK soldiers have seen combat.

Russian economy is on verge of collapse. Right now it has entered stagflation, both production and consumption are down, stagnant, and the head of the Russian Central Bank, Ms. Nebuliya (sp?) has warned a "deep depression" looms. Nebuliya, yes, a woman, is considered to be an extremely smart and talented economist, with advanced degrees in economics and banking from western universities. I think she studied in Germany and England. When Putin convened a meeting of all of Russia's leaders, including Nebuliya in December, 2021, and announced his plans of military conquest in eastern Europe, Nebuliya protested and resigned her position. But Putin threatened her (and her family) with being charged with treason, so she backed off and stayed on as head of the central bank.

Russia just announced the end of government subsidies for housing cost. Presently the Russian government pays 8% of the 21% average mortgage rates but is phasing that out effective January 1, 2025. Putin's government is also reducing the bonuses offered to morons volunteering to join his army. Leading to fears of a pending massive draft, instead of relying on volunteers. There is already growing unrest across Russia against Putin's war. There have been numerous demonstrations/protests, including a large one in Moscow this weekend, but so far, they have remained mostly peaceful, carefully controlled by Putin's police. Western pundits say a forced, nationwide draft will result in violent protests erupting. Putin knows this and that is why he has had only limited drafts, all confined to his remote provinces where peasants live on farms and/or work in coal mines and such.

Ukraine, supported by NATO, needs to hold on. Most pundits say Putin has the resources to continue his war in Ukraine for maybe two more years, through the end of 2026. After that Putin will be out of resources to conduct his evil war. And, that is why other former Soviet states, namely Georgia and Moldova, are watching, ready to make their leap to total separation from the Russian Federation.

Putin is losing. We need to make sure his loss is total, complete, his end.

Get your story straight, sheesh! Putin just last night on Russian national TV denied that there are North Korean soldiers in Russia. He said it was all lies, disinformation from the West so as to give NATO an excuse to send combat troops to Ukraine and to invade Mother Russia. But! his very own propaganda machine, the Kremlin's communication department, was proudly heralding the presence of their strong ally, North Korea and showed actual video footage of NK troops being fitted with Russian uniforms and under-going training with Russian units.

This morning, the Kanal13 YouTube channel released drone footage, shot by Ukran surveillance drones, of NK soldiers engaged in actual combat with Ukrainian units in Kursk. The town is clearly identified, as the Ukrans always document everything for posterity's sake. Then the captured/wounded soldiers are interviewed and they themselves say they are North Koreans. Thus far, the North Koreans have gotten their asses kicked. As one blogger pointed out, all the NK soldiers have ever known are goose-stepping military parades in front of Fat Boy, and this is REAL life combat.

Putin's lying on national TV is so much like our own lamestream media and the democrap politicians...like "the border is secure"...BS!

The more I follow this war the more I have come to admire and respect the average Ukrainian soldier. Much like the Kurds and the Israelis, fighting against the odds, out-numbered, and yet not just holding their own, but actually winning. Amazing.

Wow! Putin's KGB tried to pull off a terrorist attack against the United States.

They placed two explosive devices on cargo planes, DHL planes, I think in both cases, with them timed or set to explode when they were on final approach into a US airport. One of those being Chicago, the other destination I hear was Atlanta. Their evil plan, if successful, would have resulted in the two planes exploding when less than 1,000 feet in altitude and passing over residential areas and/or over commercial areas with heavy traffic highways. This would have killed hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans.

Fortunately, one of the devices went off while sitting in a warehouse in Germany, that package scheduled to be loaded onto a DHL cargo plane headed for the US. The other was discovered, and has been disarmed, at a warehouse at Heathrow Airport, London. How they know Russia's KGB is responsible, I don't know. But the reports come from very reliable sources.

For now, let's assume this is all true, as being reported. For you pro-Putin/anti-Ukraine crowd out there what do you think of Vladimir Putin now? Just wondering.

Reaching out and touching someone, or something. Ukran kamikaze drones struck Russian ships in the Caspian Sea. These were the large, long-range drones, about 2/3 size of a plane. Distance covered was 900 miles. They hit in broad daylight, offering some great footage. Russians were totally unprepared for the attack. The anti-aircraft guns and missiles were unmanned, actually covered by tarps. Instead, all the Russians could do was run as the drones came in rather slowly, as they are prop engines. One frigate and two supply ships were struck, as were fuel tanks on shore. No reports of casualties.

The Caspian Sea is landlocked, a large lake, actually.

The reaction to Trump's victory has spawned quite a mixed bag of emotions. The Kremlin is thrilled making statements that Trump will end all aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian bloggers are heart-broken, for the same reason. One pundit, who I started following months ago for his accurate reporting, has taken a pragmatic view of this. He says, fine, if Trump takes away support for Ukraine, that just means that European nations will need to do what they should have been doing all along, become the largest suppliers of support for Ukraine. This dude is Polish, born and raised in Poland, speaks very good English (with only a slight accent) and has the best grasp on the situation and the correct outlook on not only European, but world affairs.

Dennis Davyoz, the Ukrainian YouTuber, offers up-to-date and accurate information on the war, and for that reason, I will continue to follow him and watch his videos. But, I grew tired of his whining and Trump-bashing. Talk about a sense of entitlement, sheesh! As if, somehow, the US OWED Ukraine military/financial support. He put out a special 16-minute video on the election results, in it, he was not as anti-Trump, and was VERY complimentary of the US and the American people. But then, at the end, remarked that Biden was still POTUS for 2+ months and could "send us (Ukraine) many $billions in support."

President Macron, France, echoed the sentiment that the European members of NATO should have been leading the charge in defending Ukraine, and maybe now, with Trump's election, Europe will step up. Macron has been a hawk in this war.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

The reaction to Trump's victory has spawned quite a mixed bag of emotions. The Kremlin is thrilled making statements that Trump will end all aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian bloggers are heart-broken, for the same reason. One pundit, who I started following months ago for his accurate reporting, has taken a pragmatic view of this. He says, fine, if Trump takes away support for Ukraine, that just means that European nations will need to do what they should have been doing all along, become the largest suppliers of support for Ukraine. This dude is Polish, born and raised in Poland, speaks very good English (with only a slight accent) and has the best grasp on the situation and the correct outlook on not only European, but world affairs.

Dennis Davyoz, the Ukrainian YouTuber, offers up-to-date and accurate information on the war, and for that reason, I will continue to follow him and watch his videos. But, I grew tired of his whining and Trump-bashing. Talk about a sense of entitlement, sheesh! As if, somehow, the US OWED Ukraine military/financial support. He put out a special 16-minute video on the election results, in it, he was not as anti-Trump, and was VERY complimentary of the US and the American people. But then, at the end, remarked that Biden was still POTUS for 2+ months and could "send us (Ukraine) many $billions in support."

President Macron, France, echoed the sentiment that the European members of NATO should have been leading the charge in defending Ukraine, and maybe now, with Trump's election, Europe will step up. Macron has been a hawk in this war.

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With the Trump victory (Awesome for the USA), I am concerned about his level of support for Ukraine. I would like to see us continue our support to stop Putin, but I think Trump will try to negotiate a deal to end the war. Personally, I want Putin to be shut down and annihilated, but I think Trump will make a deal to end the war (he promised “world peace” and he is the only politician that keeps his word). Going south, China is pissed that Trump won and I hope Trump “re-builds” our coalition in Asia to stop Xi’s quest to take our spot as the top super power. Postpones WWIII at least 4 years…..

Dawg80, please continue your posts. I read them everyday and you are my main source of news regarding the war with Putin/Russia.

Gotcha covered Boomer!

I am still perplexed by those who cite our support for Ukraine vs. closing our southern border. This is not an "either/or" situation, the US is capable of doing both.

As for Xi and the rest of the world, all you have to do is see the statements already made by friends and foes alike. The world KNOWS Trump's return is a game-changer. Our friends, allies, and yes, those "weaker" nations are THRILLED Trump is back. And our enemies, all those "evil-doers" are scared chitless. They know they have to behave themselves and all of them are making overtures to the US in wanting to talk, etc. Nothing to talk about all you bad guys, stop your evil behavior and join the world as peaceful members. That's it.

Since this is the Russia thread...as for Putin, the situation is a tad more complex as it pertains to what Trump can do. Trump cannot "end this war in 24 hours" as he said he could. Not happening. What Trump can do, and what I hope he does, is make it 101% clear to Putin that he is done, his evil dreams of conquering eastern Europe is not happening. Offer Putin a face-saving way out of the mess he has created for himself, for Russia, and gawd dammit! for the good people of Ukraine who did not cause this war and deserve peace!

As for the latest, Russia is still pushing hard in two theaters of the war, the eastern front toward Povrosk, and the southern front north of Vuhledar. Russia is pouring reinforcements into their attacks trying to seize as much ground as possible before the worst part of winter sets in. Right now, the Russians are benefitting from bad weather in the form of low clouds, this makes the use of drones much harder, which is Ukraine's primary advantage they hold.

Meanwhile, in Kursk, just last night Russia launched another concerted offensive attacking the southern line of the Ukan salient. Usually the Russians realize initial success as they greatly out-number the Ukrainians at the point of attack, but then each and every time, the Ukrans rally and halt the Russians in their tracks. The units Ukraine has in Kursk are among their best. Like the 47th Armored Brigade...as a US military pundit said of the 47th, they are one of the best brigades in the world...period. Not just one of Ukraine's best.

Moscow is burning as Ukran drones struck targets throughout the city.

North Koreans are clueless as several learned the hard way. They shot down a Ukran kamikaze drone and then walked up to it...wrong! Kaboom! not enough left of those NKs to pick up with a sponge. Those kamikaze drones carry warheads that destroy tanks and buildings. They will certainly turn people into mincemeat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Moscow is burning as Ukran drones struck targets throughout the city.

North Koreans are clueless as several learned the hard way. They shot down a Ukran kamikaze drone and then walked up to it...wrong! Kaboom! not enough left of those NKs to pick up with a sponge. Those kamikaze drones carry warheads that destroy tanks and buildings. They will certainly turn people into mincemeat.

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Just saw a report that 34 Ukran drones struck Moscow, and apparently, not just obvious military or infrastructure targets. For instance, and it might have been an accident, but a shopping mall in Moscow was hit and is now burning. One of the stores is an electronics' store. One video shows local residents, of an apartment complex, watching the mall on fire and cussing that they are not protected against attacks.

Another report claims the Russians "abandoned" a unit of North Korean infantry (company? battalion?) by not providing aerial coverage or intelligence and leaving them vulnerable to drone attacks. It was in this group that the above incident might have happened. Reports lack details since this just happened and the Russians/North Koreans simply don't care enough about the average soldier to bother to investigate it. Maybe later the Ukrans will send surveillance drones and do a body count.

BTW, a British military think tank just released their latest report and say the Russians have suffered 750,000 KIA in this war since its inception, going on 3 years come February. Ukraine has lost 57,000 KIA in the war.