Russia

Many, if not all, of the MAGA bloggers/YouTubers are advocating Rick Scott be selected to replace McConnell as Senate leader. Benny Johnson, one very popular YouTuber, posted a video warning about Thune, who is also a candidate for the position, saying he is a warmonger. Scott may be the best MAGA choice, and that's fine, but I don't think it behooves us, the US and our allies, to abandon Ukraine. Y'all know my opinion on this matter.

If Trump can work a deal whereby Putin leaves all Ukrainian territory he invaded and holds, fine, great, awesome, do it! The Ukrainians don't want this war, and they have the most to gain by such a deal being struck. But, I just can't see Putin agreeing to that.

We have not abandoned the Kurds, and the US is actually putting our people at risk as we are providing air cover in Iraq and Syria for the Kurds, in addition to $money and equipment/supplies/ammo. That's great, we should be. But you never see the "anti-war" (really, anti-Ukraine) crowd screaming for an end to our participation in Syria/Iraq. The same crowd yells loudly for the US to support Israel...again, we should! The US has flown some combat missions in the Middle East region, against the Houthis, and in Syria too, in support of Israel and for the sake of international trade in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. We are spending taxpayer money AND putting some of our folks at risk, yet...dead quiet in protest about any of that. It is ONLY our financial assistance to Ukraine that seems to grate against some people.

I wonder if these anti-Ukraine/pro-Putin people would agree to the premise of the Allies ending WWII by appeasing Hitler and the Imperial Japanese. Say, in 1943, if this was proposed: yo! Adolf and Emperor Hirohito, let's agree to end the war and ya'll can keep all lands you have invaded and seized at this point. I think both Hitler and Hirohito would have been thrilled with such a proposition. Some people....lots of people...are advocating something similar be afforded to Putin, in exchange for ending the war. If this happens, the US and our allies, would have surrendered the moral/ethical high ground.

Russians obliterated! Getting desperate to turn the tide in Kursk the Russians launched a big assault using BMPs (APCs) sending 30 of them, packed with infantry inside and riding on top, racing across an open field toward a woods line where Ukrainian troops were dug in. All 30 vehicles, the BMP 82-A which is Putin's very latest version, his best, were utterly destroyed by mines and drones. The 300+ soldiers were wiped out to a man. Drone footage shows about 25-30 Russians who survived the initial destruction, limping back across the field but the Ukrans sent grenade-dropping drones to chase them, hunt them down, and it appears none escaped. In Kursk neither side has been able to properly dig in building trenches, defensive works as the front is fluid, there is active combat all along the frontlines so neither side can send out bulldozers, excavators and build trenches or bunkers. Instead, both sides have to use natural barriers, like woods and walls and buildings and establish defensive lines the best they can. In this case, the Ukrans used drones and US-built artillery to blanket the open field with mines. The Russians thought, planned, to crash into the Ukrans in the woods using their BMPs and deploy the 300+ infantry to capture the position. Might have worked if not for the mines. Not a single Russian BMP or soldier got within 100 yards of the woods, they were all slaughtered in the open field. Ukrainian infantry in the woods used mortars, RPGs, and machineguns to finish what the mines started. It was murder, plain and simple.

This incident is being repeated a lot, and the Russian dead continues to pile up in huge numbers. Of course, not all 750K+ dead Russians are "Russian" as foreign nationals from many countries have made the mistake of joining Putin's army just to end up dead. The poor souls sent by Fat Boy from North Korea are joining the casualty list quickly. The lucky ones are able to survive and be captured by Ukrainian forces. If wounded, they are getting proper medical treatment, and then they quickly announce they want to defect to Ukraine. They have been videoed begging their captors for asylum.

Ya know...as I watch the parade of morons who keep saying, "Ukraine CANNOT win this war!" I wonder what their true motive is. Reminds me of the lamestream media who knowingly lied about Harris' chances saying it was close, when it was NEVER close. Not only CAN Ukraine win this war, they effectively are winning right now.

ANKA News (YouTube Channel) is another good one to subscribe to. They are pro-Ukrainian but place accuracy ahead of sensationalism/propaganda.

On one recent video, ANKA, they showed an excerpt from a Russian TV Network which was covering the war and trying to provide morale-boosting news with a live telecast from the front, in this case in Luhansk, one of the occupied eastern Ukrainian provinces. Two Russian mobile missile launchers, huge rubber-tired vehicles capable of launching powerful, long-range missiles, were parked on a highway, and they just finished sending several missiles off. The battery commander was standing with the camera crew during a live interview, the two launchers about 100+ yards behind him on the road. He was boasting about how powerful his missile launchers are and how successful his command has been. Then...you can see two Ukran drones coming across the open field behind the launchers. Just before they hit the interviewer says loudly something to the effect of "Oh, shit!" and points toward them, the commander, who had had his back turned, turns around in time to see, Kaboom! and Kaboom! both launchers destroyed, all crewmen near them killed instantly in the huge fireball explosions. The Russian commander then looks back into the camera, all color gone from his face, his jaw on his chest in utter shock. LOL! The ANKA YouTuber then quips, "I don't think that live telecast helped to boost Russian morale."

As usual, it's not all good news. The town of Kurakhove is in danger of being captured by Russian forces. This is the general region of Vulhedar-Avdiivka, on the Eastern Front, which is the only area where Putin's forces are enjoying a measure of success. Yesterday Ukrainian combat engineers destroyed the causeway, a raised roadway that traverses a man-made lake, a reservoir, which serves as a barrier guarding the northern flank of Kurakhove. This morning the Russians launched a big attack with tanks and infantry, and they were able to seize the outer defensive works in the east side of the town. Other Russian forces are operating, and slowly taking ground north and south of the town, and probably within a week, the Ukran units there will have to withdraw to avoid being encircled. There is nothing special or strategic about Kurakhove except it represents another town, another spot on the map, which would have fallen to Russian forces.

It is this portion of the front that specifically has drawn concerns and criticism of Ukrainian high-command, and of President Z as well. While Ukraine has sent some of its best units into Kursk, they have left mostly militia units (like our National Guard) and under-strength regular army units to try to defend the Eastern Front. The question is why? In addition to the elite 47th Armored Brigade, Ukraine has also sent the much-respected 33rd Mobile Infantry Brigade into Kursk. Meanwhile, the single best unit, the vaunted 3rd Assault Infantry Brigade (the Azov Brigade) is being mostly held back in reserve, only occasionally having a battalion sent in to clean up a mess, then quickly recalled. There has been no mention of other elite units in action, like the 107th Brigade or the 82nd "Storm Trooper" Brigade. Where are they? Why are they not deployed where the need is greatest?

On this topic one pundit offered a "theory" that these elite units are under-going some refit, being reinforced, getting some much-needed R&R, and will be held back until the spring. There is hope that the winter weather will halt or greatly slow down the Russian advances and for now Ukraine is content to allow their weaker units to just make life hard for the Russians, stopping them where they can...like they have done east of Povrosk...and biding their time until the elite units, fully rested and refit, can be unleashed onto the unwary Russians. Sounds good, if true.

Meanwhile, by stark contrast, Ukraine has committed and put at risk several of their elite units deployed in Kursk. Of course, it seems to be working out okay, thus far.

ANKA reporting that 200 North Korean soldiers have made their way into Ukrainian lines, wanting to defect, and wanting to fight for Ukraine. Great, if truly true. ("truly true"???) Just had a thought they could be plants, faking wanting to defect, then after inside of Ukraine's forces they could suddenly attack causing a huge problem. But, nah, most likely they are looking to escape the oppressive Fat Boy's regime.

MI6, the British CIA, has leaked a report that Trump plans to offer Putin a face-saving way out of his mess, but the offer comes with very strict conditions and a short timeframe to accept, or else... This does sound exactly like something Trump would do, so it is plausible, but I question this so-called "leak" from MI6. That is NOT something this very professional organization is prone to do. So, it is probably just a fake news story. I am, however, curious of the MI6's official response to the leak. Instead of vehemently denying it, they responded "no comment." This so-called "leak" has led to a lot of speculation on the blogs/YouTube channels, such as Trump is giving Putin a way out, to quickly end the war, or face stepped-up US support and participation on behalf of Ukraine.

More info on the recent Ukran drone strikes into Russia. Being reported by reliable sources that Ukraine sent 120 drones, of which 84 struck their intended targets. The others were either shot down by Russian air defenses or suffered a mechanical issue and crashed in the countryside somewhere. The targets were in three separate areas, one being Moscow, the other two Russian army training bases and supply depots in western Russia. Moscow was the most distant of the targets.

Showdown! Putin has committed one of his best units, the 150th Armored Division, of the 49th Army, and specifically, according to sources, the 120th Rifle "Red Banner" Regiment and the 20th Special Mechanized Brigade, both are considered Russian elite units. They have been sent all the way around the Kursk salient, to the southwest portion, because that is where the Ukran 47th Armored Brigade has been positioned and apparently the Kremlin wants their best to engage the 47th Brigade. To get into position these units, and there is a report that the 8th Armored Battalion, also of the 150th Division, is there, had to go over 150 miles to circle around the salient to get to where they are. Why weren't they sent in to attack the northern flank which they passed by several days ago? Pundits think Putin wants his elite units to defeat the 47th Brigade and has purposely sent them to this portion of the line.

Early reports say these Russian elite units have enjoyed an initial success capturing two villages and about 3 miles of front overwhelming some advanced Ukranian troops. Now they are ready to face the 47th Brigade head-to-head. Stay tuned for reports.

Two high-ranking Russian officers were assassinated yesterday.

In separate incidents, a Russian general (admiral) who commanded one of the fleets of the Black Sea was blown to bits when a bomb placed in his staff car exploded, killed his driver too. Ukrainian special forces are being blamed, or credited!!!, with this attack. Putin propagandists say it was a "cowardly" attack by Ukran special ops. But other sources say it was more likely anti-Putin Russian partisans. The incident occurred in Russia, across the Kerch Strait.

The other was a lieutenant colonel, a battalion commander, known as being a "butcher" of Ukranian POWs, civilians and his own men. He was taken to a spot near the front line in Donbas, and then his commanders, who took him there because he was told he had to see something critical, all quickly departed leaving him and his adjutant standing there, then bam! an artillery shell, just one shell from a Ukranian howitzer bulls eyed the very spot he was standing. Bloggers are saying it was a setup, and his commanders wanted him gone. This Lt Col was shown shooting a Russian soldier, it was videoed, for shirking his duties.

Whoever is responsible, scratch two more Putin evil thugs.

A little more good news, Ukran missiles struck and destroyed the Maslove Bridge, a key Russian supply route crossing a river separating Crimea from Donbas (Kherson Oblast). There was a Russian supply convoy on the bridge when it collapsed, and there is also a key railroad line that passes under that bridge, it is now blocked by tons of concrete from the collapsed bridge. Good job!

Ukrans ambush hapless, stupid Russians. In the northern part of Kursk salient, the Ukrans pretended to be overwhelmed by a Russian armored spearhead, down a very narrow road, flanked by wooded hills. I bet you already see the obvious trap. Well, the goofy Russians didn't and took the bait. 18 Russian armored vehicles were destroyed, with 300+ casualties. A Ukranian officer laughed at the stupidity of the Russians, saying "they are like children...they know nothing."

The much-anticipated showdown in the southwestern sector of the salient between the Ukran 47th Brigade and the elements of the "elite" 150th Russian Division, began last night. In a limited thrust, 8 Russian armored vehicles were destroyed with no losses incurred by the Ukrans. Round 1 goes to the 47th Brigade. But, the Russians are piling in additional forces, with another armored battalion said to be on its way. The unit designation is not known, but it is assumed to be another from the 150th Division.

Rounds 2 through 5 also won by the Ukrans, specifically the 47th Armored Brigade, but also fighting in support of the 47th is a Ukran Marine Brigade, the 10th, I think she said...yes, that YouTube channel, a good one, has a woman spokesperson and her very thick eastern European accent is often hard to understand. The focus of the Russian advance is on a town named Novakianko (or something like that) which sits on a river. The Ukrans destroyed all the bridges in the area, save one across that river, at this Nova...town. The Russians reinforced the 150th Division units with its own marine brigade, designated the 810th Naval Brigade (marines). They were put in rubber rafts and sent across the river north of the bridge as a diversion, while the mechanized units of the 150th tried storming the bridge with an armored assault. No Russian marine reached the other bank, all either killed in the river, some of them drowning, or turned back. The Russians, of their so-called "elite" units suffered the loss of 38 armored vehicles and an estimated 400+ killed. Not a single Russian vehicle so much as reached the bridge. The Ukrans litter the fields and roads with mines, which they can quickly deploy and replenish with the use of the US-made artillery shells which "explode" scattering mines across a wide swath, and the Ukrans also use drones to deploy mines. The Russians never learn, they will drive their tanks and APCs straight into these minefields, and then other Russian goofballs who just watched their comrades blown to bits will stupidly drive their own vehicles into the minefields. As one Ukran commander says, "They are mindless zombies."

The Ukrans have placed additional artillery batteries near the town of Nova...just daring the stupid Orcs, or zombies, to try again.

More reports of Ukran drones striking targets deep inside of Russia, including another air force base.

Now this...

had the occasion to meet and speak with a recently retired US Air Force fighter pilot, he flew F-16s for nearly 30 years, also trained in the F-15 Eagle. I asked him for his obvious expert opinion on how the Ukrainians will do if they ever get the full compliment of 80+ F-16s and actually start getting aggressive in aerial attacks into Russia. First thing he said was, it will depend on the quality of their pilots. The F-16 Falcon is very capable of defeating any fighter in the world, when in the hands of an experienced and skilled pilot. He said, not to knock the Ukrainians, but they have not had the F-16 long enough to have reached that level of expertise. That is not a knock on them he emphasized, it is just a matter of having flown the F-16 for years and years and years, not something any of them have had a chance to do yet.

So, I said, okay, let's talk about the plane itself, in the hands of a skilled pilot. How will it fare against the Russian SU-35? He paused and then said, if I were piloting an F-16 and knew I was heading into a dogfight vs. a SU-35, I would fly low, 40 feet off the ground until I was within 20 miles of the SU-35, then it becomes a "knife fight." He said the SU-35 is equipped with a very good long-distance radar but they do not work well trying to detect objects near the ground. Says the Russian radar has difficulty identifying targets close to the ground because of the interference of the ground clutter. He said buildings, church steeples, trees on hills, and other moving objects, like tanks, would flood the SU-35's radar and the pilot would be blinded to an F-16 skimming along tree top level. He added the American radar, such as carried by our advanced fighters, and the F-15 which he also flew, has superior radar to the Russians and can distinguish planes flying low. Anyway, he said, once inside of 20 miles the F-16's radar is just as good as the SU-35s and the F-16 is simply a better plane overall. IF in the hands of an experienced pilot.

Then, after glancing at his wife, who was engaged in her own conversation with some ladies, he kind of whispered to me. Said, he has been contacted by his former commanding officer, also retired US Air Force, thinking about putting together a mercenary unit of skilled F-16 pilots and going to Ukraine. Said they are offering to pay 5X as much as his Air Force salary was. I didn't respond, just let him think about that for a moment. Then he said, "My wife wouldn't like that." I agreed saying, no, I don't think she wants to risk losing you, even for that kind of money. Then, it was time for all of us to go eat! (it was a reception). I thanked him for his service to our nation and wished him the very best...no matter what he decided to do.

Joined by elements of the 38th Armored Brigade, the 47th Brigade engaged the elite Russian units near the town of Nova...[whatever it is] and utterly routed the Russkis. One source reports the Russians are finished.

Which makes this even more poignant. Displaced Russian residents of the Kursk Oblast appeared in a video, pleading with President Z to recall his troops since, they said, "our fellows will never be able to do it." President Z is shown watching the video, with members of his leadership team and reporters around him. He was in the presidential palace. After watching the video, which lasted about 3 minutes, President Z said without looking up, "No thanks, we're staying in Kursk." And then, as if to rub salt in Putin's wounds, President Z announced Ukrainian units have crossed the Russian border further south, in southern Belgorod Oblast. This marks the third time Ukran forces have entered Belgorod, they were driven out the previous two times. So, we'll see.

Biden has authorized Ukraine to use US-made ATACMS missiles as they see fit, which means all targets in Russia, within range, are now fair game. This is a game-changer as Ukraine has been in a boxing match with one hand tied behind their back, while Putin operated without any constraints. Of course, the Kremlin Krazies have gone nutso in their rants saying the US has effectively declared war on Russia and now "all bets are off." Oh well...

"Useless" is how the Kremlin describes the North Koreans sent by Fat Boy. Now Fat Boy, deflecting the total ineptness of his troops being slaughtered in Kursk, claims he did not send any of his best troops, just average, inexperienced units. Well, ALL of his troops are inexperienced since North Korea has not seen real combat since 1953.

Germany gets "cold feet." In the immediate wake of Biden's announcement allowing Ukraine to strike inside of Russia, German Defense Minister Boris Pistrorius (sp?) held an emergency press conference to say Germany will not be supplying Ukraine with any more German-made Taurus Cruise Missiles, which have the range to strike deep inside of Russia. This occurred two hours after German Chancellor Scholz held a phone call directly with Putin. The Kremlin cited this as a "chink" in NATO's armor, saying, see! NATO is weak and afraid of mighty Russia.

Biden made the announcement then boarded Air Force One for a vacation trip to the Amazon. Maybe he'll end up like his uncle, eaten by cannibals.

News is flowing this morning. Overnight Ukran drones struck and utterly destroyed another Russian ammo plant, some 1,000 miles inside of Russia. Citing this, one western news source (France) questioned the need for Ukraine to even use long-range missiles and "escalate" the war. Because as effective as Ukranian drones are, they are slow and limited in their capacity to carry warheads. Usually, the long-range drone strikes do only minimal damage since the warheads are small since the drone has to carry enough fuel to reach those targets 1,000+ miles away. Drones cannot penetrate hardened bunkers either, unless they can fly through an open door or vent, as the skilled Ukrans have managed to do on occasion. There is no doubt the US-built ATACMS missiles represents a huge threat to Russia. They know it, which is why the Putinites are having a hissy-fit. There is no defense for the ATACMS missiles. The Russians have been able to shoot down Ukran drones, when the goofballs have some kind of defenses and are ready, and their crews are not sleeping off a drunken "Wodka" stupor.

It'll be "interesting" to see even IF Ukraine uses the US ATACMS missiles...maybe just the threat of them will drive Putin to the negotiating table...and IF they do, what Russia's response will be. One source claims Putin said he will "gift" the world with World War III by Christmas if Ukraine uses the missiles to attack inside of Russia. Well, Vladimir, why wait until Christmas? Maybe because you are full of shit and you think beating your chest makes a difference?

And this...

the real issue, according to sources out of Russia, is not the use of the ATACMS per se, but rather the notion that it is actually US service personnel operating those missiles. The Kremlin has repeatedly said Ukrainians are "too stupid" to operate the sophisticated ATACMS systems and therefore it is actually US technicians. Thus, this represents an attack directly by the USA itself. Bullshit. The Ukrainians have proven to be very capable of mastering anything in technology and have in fact rewritten modern war doctrine, they lead the world in tech advances in drones, and jamming technology, and robotics, etc. To say Ukran soldiers cannot be trained to operate ATACMS systems is ludicrous and just an excuse by Russia to respond.

Well, we'll have to see if Ukraine actually does use the ATACMS to attack inside of Russia. They haven't yet. And, if they do, well then, the ball will be in Putin's court. Will he hit it back or allow it to pass and it's game, set, match for Ukraine.