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The Russians deployed drone units to try to counter the Ukran incursion into Belgorod, but it had only very limited effect. So, Putin is moving troops from Kursk into Belgorod, which is exactly what Ukraine was hoping for. We'll see how this plays out.
A Ukrainian defense minister is quoted saying, since Europe won't stop buying Putin's oil and gas, and thus funding his war against us, we will just shut down his entire oil and gas industry. So far Ukraine has struck, with various results, 20 of Putin's 30 oil refineries. The 10 unscathed so far are either east of the Ural Mountains or nestled up against the Urals and located in a dense population center. Heretofore Ukraine has tried, and has done remarkably well, to avoid collateral damage to Russian civilians. But given little choice, Ukraine now plans to strike at these O&G facilities and risk harming Russian civilians.
Update on the huge Kaboom at the Engles airbase. Seems Russian first responders knew what was about to happen to the missile warehouse after Ukran missiles stuck it. The big kaboom didn't happen for about 20 minutes as fires reached the warheads. The civilians in those houses that were completely wiped out by the shockwave of the huge explosion had been evacuated to a safe distance. There were only a few injuries reported. But, the Russian officials then drove away abandoning all those people standing on a highway miles from their homes...which some have none to go back to anyway.
Could it be that Ukraine is getting some "extra assistance" to destroy energy sources? That's the first thing Putin asked to be stopped in the cease fire agreement.
While considering that possibility consider that Biden stopped sending US fuel to Europe which forced them to purchase it from Russia.
Biden and the rest of the swamp were in on this from the start. Follow the money...
Nothing would surprise me by what Biden et al did...yes, follow the money.Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
But, Trump needs to throw down the gauntlet and get squarely behind Ukraine and placate the paranoid Europeans. Why, because that would benefit Europe? Nope, because it will benefit us.
More success and some very good news from the Pokrosvk area. The much-maligned French-trained 155th Brigade which had previously performed poorly trying to defend the region, had its day to shine today. Supported by the elite unit known as the "Scorpion Battalion" which are crack Ukrainian special forces, the 155th Brigade routed the Russians out of the village of Shevrenko, on the southern front of that battle. More of the shirkers and deserters of the 155th that fled the battlefield months ago are returning. They were offered an opportunity to return and avoid being sent to prison as deserters (or worse), and reports are nearly 700 of the 1,300 who walked away, have returned. This is causing a swell of emotion and confidence and smartly the Ukrainians are playing it up as a positive. Overall, the strategic status is improving for Ukraine. Putin's advances have ground to a halt in Donbas, Ukraine is still holding a chunk of Kursk and now have a foothold in Belgorod too. Basically, most of the Russian troops, the rank & file on the ground, are simply exhausted after months, and years, of fighting. They are disillusioned by the whole invasion thing and want to go home.
Now is the time to throw in something new, some fresh weapons, fresh troops, anything to push those exhausted Russians over the edge so they'll say, "f**k this, I'm going home."
Good video of two Russian truckers, sitting in the cab of their delivery truck and watching a roaring fire destroy a small town. They had a truckload of food intended for the local market. But they were stopped about 1/2 mile from the town by local police as Ukran drones struck diesel/gasoline storage tanks in the town which were located close to the highway. The two truckers speak to each other and sometimes to one of the police officers. They lament the war and how Putin has failed to protect "we Russian citizens." After a while another police officer walks up to the truck and tells the drivers they might as well turn around because the market (grocery store) in town has completely burned down, nothing left. Everyone, including good ole Russian truckers, carry cell phones these days and record everything. Yes, there are English subtitles. I have only a very basic grasp of po Russki (Russian language). The Russian people, for the most part, have not supported Putin's evil invasion, and after three years and with Ukraine taking the fight into Mother Russia, the populace is growing even more restless.
Laughable, is how a British military think tank described the Russians' pathetic movement into Belgorod. Ukran drones and artillery obliterated a Russian column composed of one tank, two fighting vehicles, and 10 trucks, those mostly civilian delivery trucks commandeered by the Russian army. They were ordered to drive to a village located about 5 miles from where Ukrainian forces have dug in in Belgorod. The Brit shakes his head as he watches Ukran recon drones record the destruction. He says the Russians are so "mechanical," "predictable," they have no sense of awareness, no respect for what the Ukrainians, and their drones, are capable of. This is exactly what Ukraine was hoping for. They want to relieve the pressure on their defensive lines still holding in Kursk by Putin pulling troops from there to attack in Belgorod. This supply column was sent in ahead of Russian troops ordered to move there. Now, they'll have to bring their own supplies.
And, this very latest, Ukraine has opened a third vector into Belgorod. At least a battalion of infantry, supported by tanks and Bradleys, penetrated the border about 10 miles north of the other Belgorod incursions. They advanced about 4 miles seizing a farming village and appear to be digging in. Most importantly this places these units within artillery range of a major highway that the Russians were probably planning to use to attack the Ukranians further south.
And in Kursk, the elite Ukrainian 47th Armored Brigade mounted an overnight counterattack driving the Russians back along a 2-mile stretch of the recently established lines of battle. They are not expected to try to hold that seized ground, this was just a not-so-gentle reminder for the Russians not to get too comfortable in their trenches. And, one Ukrainian YouTuber strongly mocked Trump and Putin, showing their stupid comments from a week+ ago that all Ukrainian troops in Kursk were completely surrounded and about to be wiped out. Trump either needs better advisors, or if he has some, he had better start listening to them, instead of the Putin-propagandists.
I do not understand why Trump, Vance, Rubio, Hegseth, etc. go around repeating the lies of the Putinites. Hell, they can call me, and I will steer them to one of several YouTube channels that publish only verified factual information. It has taken me years to sort through all the BS and just follow reliable sources. And YES!!! there are several stupidly one-sided pro-Ukrainian YouTubers out there too. I don't waste my time with them either. Don't Trump and his team understand how stupid they look when they repeat verified lies as the truth?
How would it benefit us? They (Ukraine and Europe) need us. Not sure how we need them. Please tell me.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Trump finally finds the possibility of an end to the black hole we pour money in to and you are more concerned about Ukraine than turning off the endless source of funds from US taxpayers.
Gonna delve deeper into this, but for now, I'll start here. In the 1930's the US went isolationist, that was a terrible idea back then and is even worse an idea today. Not talking about being "globalist" but being involved in the world for many, many reasons. We emerged from World War II as a superpower and are the only superpower today. In fact, I think we have always been the only superpower since World War II. The Soviet Union never achieved true superpower status, and China, while trying, is falling short too. Why would we want to surrender that? Please explain why you think the US should walk away from being the lone superpower. How would that make the world safer? What happens to the US dollar as the world's reserve currency? What happens when China, in particular, starts invading countries, including valuable allies and trading partners?Quote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
I like how Trump ties payback to our involvement. I like the idea of getting access to some of Ukraine's REMs. I like how Trump pushes NATO to step up their defensive spending. All good things. But, the US needs to lead from the front. When we do the world follows and the US benefits.
Oh, and this tidbit. Yes, the US has sent $350 billion to Ukraine. But, hello, there is $4.7 trillion unaccounted for missing from the US Treasury. Bigger fish to fry...
We are already the world leader and already giving more than our fair share to Ukraine. Trump and his people are NEGOTIATING. You don’t go all in on negotiating by “throwing down the gauntlet” for your side (Ukraine).
I think we finally have real intelligence at work in this situation instead of swamp intelligence trying to keep things stirred up while they skim at much as they can off the top. I’m surprised some federal district judge hasn’t ruled against Trump’s ability to seek a settlement.
Shhh! don’t give some on-the-take judge any ideasQuote:
Originally Posted by PawDawg
And a little more on why the US needs to be leading on the Ukraine matter.
In his first term Trump urged, coerced Europe not to agree to the Russian gas pipeline deal. Trump told them they'd become too dependent on cheap Russian natural gas and then Putin would have them by the balls. All Trump/US offered as an alternative was more expensive US LNG. Europe said, look, Putin is no real threat and we'll take the cheaper gas, thankyaverymuch. Well, now Europe sees what Putin really is...although they knew he could be a wolf in sheep's clothing, they were kind of hoping....
How does this apply to US interests/benefits? Europe is WAY more open to purchasing more expensive US LNG these days. But, with Trump being belligerent and demanding more from Europe, they are making a....[drum roll, please]...a business decision. Imagine that! The Europeans are weighing the cost of upping their national defense spending, plus continuing to buy Putin's cheaper gas vs. ditching Putin's gas and buying US LNG. If the US punts on being the leader in the Ukraine matter, plus other problems to come in Europe down the road, the Europeans will say, heck! the US has removed itself from the picture and thus all decisions we make must exclude the US...and her security, economic interests. And, why shouldn't they?
Economic Point 2: Ukraine's minerals and the rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure, and their military for future defense. If Trump takes us out of the picture, then Europe will support Ukraine enough leading to a victory for Ukraine and then they, and the rest of Europe, will tell the US to go take a hike when the time comes to share in the spoils. I guarantee the argument the US has provided $350 billion in aid will fall on deaf ears. Ukraine will say, hey, you guys took your ball and went home and we won without you. Now, don't show up now expecting to be rewarded.
Point 3: Already we are seeing the negative effects of Trump's rhetoric on the rest of the world. Australia just joined the growing list of nations cancelling arms' purchases from US companies. They are saying, the US is no longer dependable as an ally, so we better look elsewhere. These contract cancellations are happening now. This is a real consequence of Trump's position on supporting our (former?) allies. China, and India too, and France as well are loving this. All three of those have seen new overtures to make arms' deals and open up other avenues of trade.
Point 4: Taiwan, Japan and other Pacific region nations are really nervous about the US's (Trump's) dependability should China do something. As such they are all making overtures toward China, hoping to establish a cooperative relationship with Beijing. Yep, China can't be trusted to live up to any agreements, but those nations think they have little choice right now.
Point 5: And this is the really sad part of this, it doesn't take much for Trump(the US) to maintain its leadership role. As of now, with all the stupid talk, nothing has changed. The Biden administration had already sent enough $money/equipment to Ukraine to get them through the summer. So, all this goofy rhetoric from Trump has had ZERO effect on US tax dollars. None, nada, zilch. Of course, Trump can cutoff future assistance. But, that's the point. Trump can still negotiate, make demands, etc. and by coming to a deal, do not turn off the spigot, and keep the US in the role the whole free world wants of us: leader.
Point 6: This is the moral point, but that doesn't seem to concern you
Anti-Ukraine protests erupt in Germany. Well, they don't want Germany providing support to Ukraine. Several hundred malcontents clashed with riot police, burned some parked cars (Teslas??), and caused other vandalism. Then, a report has come out linking the Open Society Foundation (OPS), the George Soros, to hiring the thugs. The BBC reporter breaking that news says the Soros connection has not yet been confirmed. But...come on, man.
Who are these pro-Putin, pro-commie lunatics?
Ukraine to get AWACS? That's the rumor. If true it would be a huge difference-maker for their F-16s, huge!
The past 72 hours have been good for the good guys.
Led by a battalion of the 3rd Assault Brigade Ukrainian forces drove Russian units clear back across the border in the Luhansk Oblast. There's a river that serves as the border between the countries. During the night the Russians were building pontoon bridges to evacuate their defeated troops. Only the Ukrans were not going to simply allow them to leave. Using their night vision Ukrainian troops attacked the engineers building the bridges. As of this morning there are no bridges and there are about 300 Russians trapped on the Ukrainian side of the river. Some of the Russians were able to escape using small boats.
Ukraine continues to expand the incursion in Belgorod and are also pushing back the Russians in Kursk. In Kursk the vaunted 47th Armored Brigade is kicking butt. Ukraine is advancing along several vectors, centered south of Pokrosvk and around Toretsk. These are mostly small gains. Have to remember even while Ukraine enjoys success on the battlefield they are still outnumbered in each theater of operation. Around Toretsk, for instance, there are about 15,000 Ukrainian troops combating about 35-40,000 Russians. Being outnumbered the Ukrans have to be careful not to overextend themselves else they could fall victim to a counterattack. So, they are taking these small incremental gains, solidifying their position, before pressing on.
Ukrainian drones or missiles struck an exclusive high-rise condo building in the very heart of Moscow. This building collapsed during the night, not known how many casualties there might be. It was home to Russian officials, like Moscow politicians, some from the Kremlin, and their families. This marks the very first attack on what is considered to be a "civilian" target. It came after Putin struck an apartment complex on the outskirts of Kyiv which is (was) home to Ukrainian politicians and their families. Early reports show some fatalities, including the 5-year old daughter of a Kyiv city councilman. He was killed too in the attack. The Ukran attack on that building in Moscow was precision. Ukran drones or missiles (not identified as which was used) crashed through the roof of the building and did only very minimal damage to the buildings next door. Shows you how deadly accurate modern weapons are. The Ukrans, in particular, can place their drones/missiles precisely where they want to, even when launched from hundreds of miles away.