Russia

Germany has sent 100 Leopard I tanks to Ukraine. First introduced in 1965 it served as Germany's main battle tank until the Leopard II was produced. These 100 tanks received updates in the 1980's and have just gone through additional improvements. The Leopard I is a powerful/lethal offensive tank, it packs a punch, but it also has a glass jaw, namely thin armor. Another asset is its speed, with recent enhancements to its diesel engines, the Leopard I will be the fastest tank on the battlefield in Ukraine, hitting top speeds of 45mph on roads and flat fields. It sports a 120mm smoothbore main gun, like the Abrams, and has state-of-the-art targeting electronics and optics.

Ukran officials expressed concerns over the thin armor, but say they see a role for the Leopard I's in combat support roles.

Germans are sending 49 Gerard mobile anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine. These guns are excellent against drones, cruise missiles, and helicopters, probably not so much against fast jet fighter-bombers, but the Russians have already lost so many jets and the Ukrans have other weapons to deal with jets, so the Russians are not using them very much lately. Germany is also sending more ammo and supplies as part of this aid package.

Lots of crazy reports of extreme Russian losses in the past 24 hours. One report from a YouTuber, which was echoed by official Ukraine sources, claims the Russians lost 55 tanks and 1,400 soldiers KIA just yesterday around Avdiivka. There is no independent confirmation of such numbers. Yes, the Russians tried another attack north of the town and were completely stymied and suffered losses, but nowhere near such figures. The only released drone video footage shows 10 Russian armored vehicles, 3 tanks, 7 APCs, being pummeled by Ukran artillery, four of those managed to escape, and they were hit and damaged, and the crews of the 6 destroyed vehicles were apparently all killed, as no Russians emerged from the stricken vehicles prior to them exploding. There was also some Russian infantry, on foot, in this attack and they were hit with cluster bombs and suffered losses too.

The Ukrans made some progress south of Bakhmut in their on-going attempt to encircle that place and trap the Russian garrison defending it. The elite 3rd Assault Brigade, operating in squads, captured a Russian defensive position which consisted of a trench and a concrete bunker. This gave the Ukrans about a 100 meters of liberated ground. This is a key position, however, as machineguns and mortars positioned there commanded a large field and a small farm road crossing the area. Now in Ukran hands, they should be able to gobble up additional ground soon.

No news from the Verboze region. Across the Dnipro River, the Ukrans have pulled back to a defensive line north of Poima. The Ukrans lacked sufficient forces to hold that place against a heavy Russian counter-attack, so they thought it prudent to retire 2 km and try to build a stronger beach head. Poima is right at the extreme range of Ukran artillery situated across the river so they could not properly support Ukran troops trying to hold Poima. They will have to advance artillery batteries further south, but that is presently very risky as there is only flat, open ground in the river valley and so artillery batteries will lack proper cover and could easily be targeted themselves.

Finally, in the northern segment of the front, in the Karkiv region, sparring continues as both sides are using small units to probe the other's line.

Sweden has provided Ukraine 10 of their "Star 122" tanks, which is an enhanced Leopard II with thicker armor and a better main gun and electronic targeting. It has an effective range... i.e. can destroy any Russian tank, including the T-90m, at a distance of 8 miles. That is incredible! They also have a special armor-piercing round made of tungsten that can punch a hole through trees and buildings and maintain its trajectory onto a target. They use these rounds very sparingly! Pundits say the Star 122 tank is the best in the world. So far, the Ukrans have used these 10 only in special circumstances trying not to lose any of them. The commander of this company of tanks says they are very confident of always being successful and that the Russians fear these tanks, as entire Russian battalions have retreated with the mere mention that the Star 122s were close by. As with any tank, even the Star 122 is not invincible, but by all accounts, it is quite a beast.

Both Sweden and Ukraine kept the donation of these 10 tanks as a closely guarded secret. Ukran tank crews spent 2 months in Sweden training in them, and another month in more training once the tanks arrived in Ukraine. The only reason Ukraine is now releasing information about them is because Russian sources have already made it known they are in Ukraine and have been involved in combat. They have been fully operational with the Ukrans since early June. The Star 122s are credited with 14 Russian tank kills, plus 45 armored vehicles, and 22 artillery pieces. Their kill rate has greatly decreased because the Russians run away when they learn of the proximity of these Swedish tanks.

More success for the Ukrans and failure for the Russkies.

The reports of 3 Russian armored columns attacking north of Avdiivka was true, and all ended in utter destruction. The man-made mountain is called "Terrikon" and the Ukrans are defending it very well, thankyaverymuch!

More details on the 3rd Assault Brigade's advance north toward Bakhmut. In addition to the trench/bunker they also cleared another 400 meters of Russian defenses along the railroad berm. The Russians have abandoned any pretense of trying to hold more ground there and certainly have no intention of trying to counter-attack as they have pulled back to another defensive line about a km to the east.

The Ukrans have established a third beach head south of the Dnipro River in Kherson, crossing and liberating a small town on the shore, Krynky. This place is about 5 miles to the east of the larger beach head which is threatening Poima. The river is actually named Dnieper, although referring to it as Dnipro refers to the city on the river and where the river splits into separate channels. Some call the river Dnipro between the town back to Kyiv, and use the name Dneiper from the City of Dnipro south to the Black Sea, but it is really the same river.

If the Putinites are winning this war, they have a strange way of showing it.

Release the KRACKEN!

Using the name of the mystical creature as their namesake, this regiment has earned its reputation, which admittedly, is pushing the envelope of standards set forth by the Geneva Convention. The Kracken Regiment was formed by former members of the Azov Regiment when it went mainstream and was completely incorporated into the regular Ukrainian army. The Azov is now a full brigade consisting of two combat regiments, a support regiment, and a mobile artillery regiment. It now numbers about 4,000 soldiers. It has the designation of the 3rd Assault Brigade.

Some officers and non-comms of the Azov Regiment were not happy with the Azov Regiment being "normalized," so they resigned and joined the National Corps, which is Ukraine's version of our National Guard. Soon, one officer, a major, approached Ukrainian leadership, both political and military, with a proposal/request to form a new unit, designed to be "elite" and be a part of Ukraine's special forces. This has manifested into the Kracken Regiment, 1,800 soldiers, and it has become one of the finest, hardest-fighting units, not only in the Ukrainian army, but in the world.

Recently, the Krackens were pulled from the front lines on the eastern front, after being in the middle of it for over 6 months. They were sent to the rear for R&R and to recruit and refit. Yesterday they showed up in the north, in the Karkiv region, where the Russians had launched an offensive near the Belarus border. The Russians had some success gaining about 2km of ground, but not anymore. That entire Russian force has been obliterated. The Kracken Regiment has no numerical designation, such as XXth Regiment, because it operates outside of the Ukrainian regular army command structure. There are articles written about it, many (most) not very flattering regarding its, ahem, conduct in battle. One thing is certain, the Russians fear the hell out of it!

Very latest, like 10 minutes ago...

Russians launched 82 separate attacks all along the front. Most, if not all, of these were quickly contained and/or destroyed. There are two mapping internet sites that YouTubers use to show the ebb and flow of the ever-changing front line. Russian-held ground is colored red, Ukrainian in green, and ground in dispute where active combat is ongoing is shown in gray. If you register and log in to one of these sites, the "live" computer-generated map is changing by the minute. It is important to remember that the two sides conduct operations differently. The Ukrans care about their soldiers, the Russkies don't give a chit! So, for instance, when the Russians mount an attack often the Ukrans, if a position is lightly held, quickly withdraw so as to keep friendly fire from hitting their own troops. One example happened west of Verboze this morning. The Russians suddenly attacked with 3 tanks, 6 APCs, and some infantry on foot against a wooded fence line held by Ukran light infantry. The Ukrans left as fast as their legs could carry them and the Russians gleefully occupied the woods. Less than 10 minutes later Ukran artillery rained down on the position. Soon, drone footage will be released showing destroyed Russian vehicles and bodies blown to pieces, and those same Ukran soldiers will reoccupy the position. The Putin propagandists will freeze the mapping of that ground as red for the next couple of days claiming a great Russian success!

It's not that the Ukrainian side doesn't have some biased YouTubers too, they do. But I don't waste my time on them. Unfortunately, for we truth-seekers, there are no, none, nada, zilch honest YouTubers on Putin's side. There was one, a woman, who had her own channel and she tried to be honest. She was arrested by Putin's Gestapo and later sentenced to 6 years in prison for being a traitor. She's lucky she wasn't shot...or pushed out of window in a high-rise, as others who dared question Putin's so-called leadership have.

The front has settled/stabilized and with winter looming, this will probably be the reality until next spring/summer.

The Putin propagandists were right about one thing, the world has turned its attention to Israel-Gaza and practically forgotten about Ukraine. Yesterday's news, I guess.

Russian advance. North of Avdiivka the Russians appear to have advanced to the railroad berm toward the village of Stepove, a distance of about 2km. Russians held the highest ground in that area and used it to their advantage. Ukran forces have retired back across the RR berm, or more accurately, to it. Beyond the berm is open, flat ground, so a further Russian advance will be under intense drone and artillery attacks. Putin propagandists are hailing this as a major breakthrough, but if this follows the same pattern, a bunch of Russian tanks/vehicles and dudes are about to be shot to pieces in the open ground.

Ukran 56th Brigade achieved a small breakthrough north of Bakhmut. Using converted anti-aircraft guns mounted on trucks, they surprised and overwhelmed a Russian infantry company holding a ridge line. The firepower delivered by the two guns was enough to decimate the Russians and send the rest in a hasty retreat. Such weapons are excellent anti-infantry and anti-lightly armored or unarmored vehicles, like trucks. The guns are rapid-fire delivering up to 60 rounds/per minute with the heavier gun, and over 400 rounds per minute for the lighter gun. The shells fired by these guns explode sending shrapnel in every direction, that's how they bring down airplanes. Obviously, such rounds exploding near infantry does a lot of damage.

If you know your history then you know the famous German 88 gun was designed/built as an anti-craft gun but in an emergency situation, some desperate Germans turned them against advancing British tanks and infantry. They wiped out the whole British unit and both sides realized the Germans had a devastating and versatile weapon. The Ukrans took a page from that history with this conversion.

A group of anti-Putin Siberians have formed a battalion, numbering about 500, and joined the Ukrainian army to fight the evil regime. Their commander was interviewed, said it saddens them all to have fight against Mother Russia, but really, it is the regime, not the country they are fighting. Moscow has a crooked history of dealing with Siberia anyway, it's not like Siberians owe Moscow and the government there any respect.

Just reported by a reliable source. Appears the Russians have seized Terrikon, the man-made "mountain" (really a hill) on the north flank of Avdiivka. A Russian YouTuber gleefully showed a Russian flag and a regimental flag flying atop the heights. Video shot by a drone. Reports from other sources speculate that the Ukrans shifted reserves north toward Stepove and the Russians took advantage of this with a quick assault. If this is true, the Russians will next try to get artillery on top of that hill which will give them command of the northwest area of the Avdiivka theater. The railroad runs along the bottom of the hill so that whole section is under severe threat of capture by the Russians. Just across the RR berm is the industrial complex, including coal mines and some steel manufacturing. Ukraine has mostly managed to keep these facilities operational for the duration of the invasion. It is very important to Ukraine's economy in general and the war effort in particular, which is why Putin has been trying to capture Avdiivka and its industry since the beginning of the war. At best, even failing to capture it, Putin could have the complex destroyed, especially if they get artillery on Terrikon.

All of this is breaking news in the past hour. It is now midnight there, so the fighting has ended until the morning, except maybe for some special ops, which are not halted by darkness. If true, it is imperative the Ukrans retake the mountain tomorrow.

Latest...

no one occupies Terrikon right now. The Russians who did briefly were blasted by artillery and drones and even their flags were targeted and blown to shreds. The Ukrans may try to reoccupy it but while they were off of this high ground the Russians were able to move more artillery closer to it, so most likely neither side will be able to hold it. Right now, it is pure suicide for both sides to send men up there.

Why are the Russians trying so hard to capture Avdiivka? Well, in addition to the pragmatic reasons I mentioned previously, much like Bakhmut, this city has taken on symbolic meaning for Putin. He plans/hopes to feature his taking/holding both Bakhmut and Avdiivka as center pieces of "success" when he runs for re-election next year. The Putin propagandists who have total, 100% control of the domestic media, including social media, have spun the capture of these two cities as the most critical in the whole Ukraine war. Of course, that is completely stupid and wrong, but that is the crap the Russian populace is being fed. This, of course, assumes Putin doesn't lose Crimea, which would greatly over-shadow anything else.

The Russians have made some advances, grabbed some ground, in this offensive at Avdiivka, but at a very high price. Putin doesn't give a chit about any silly Russian soldiers, they are just pawns in his twisted game of imperialism, useful idiots. But, the reality is terrible for those poor saps, the average Russian soldier, and for the overall Russian army. They have actually started using old trucks, some of WWII vintage, to transport men and supplies. There is actual, verified, drone footage of 1940's era trucks bringing troops and supplies into Ukraine...video footage of these old trucks just before Ukran drones destroyed them. The commentary made by a Ukran drone operator is both comical and sad. The Russians have refurbished, the best they could, T-55 tanks and even some earlier models, all dating back to the 1950's. They are just sitting ducks on the modern battlefield, standing zero chance of surviving and also of inflicting any damage to the tanks and armored vehicles the Ukrans have. One Bradley Fighting Machine can defeat a dozen of these T-55s by itself and emerge from the fight with hardly a scratch.

Pundits have made the case that at the equivalent of less than 5% of our Pentagon budget the Ukrans have reduced the Russian military's assets by close to 60%. That is a good ROI.

Being widely reported that the 71-year-old Putin has suffered a heart attack. No details, except he was admitted to a hospital.

A former aide to President Z and now a political opponent is predicting Avdiivka will fall to the Russians. Just wishful thinking by someone seeking the presidency in next year's election.

Ukrans unveil their latest domestically engineered and manufactured high-tech weapon, a "land drone." Designed to be driven under tanks/vehicles or into bunkers or against artillery pieces. Little "tanks" as they have track wheels to negotiate rough terrain. Ukraine has completely changed the modern battlefield and how battles will be fought from now on. Heck, even the Israelis have built cages on their tanks, designed to repel grenades dropped by drones.

While the Ukrans are pioneering technological advances, the Russkies are driving 1940's trucks. Expect to see horse-mounted Cossacks engaged in a saber charge soon!

73 dead, over 200 wounded Russian soldiers when a hotel in Donetsk was struck by a HIMARS missile. The hotel was being used as a barracks.

The losses suffered by the Russians the past 4 days just at Avdiivka are staggering, if true. And multiple sources, including Putin propagandists, appear to confirm these figures. They are 1,600 KIA, 3,000 wounded, another 400 missing or captured (and probably some desertions included). They have lost 175 tanks and armored vehicles, another 300 "other" vehicles, mostly trucks, and have had 24 aircraft, a mix of jets and helicopters, shot down and lost. One source claims the Russians are suffering 900 casualties per day, with most of those coming near Avdiivka and Bakhmut. This would include all categories, KIA/wounded/captured. Another YouTuber pointed out both sides try to hide their real losses, so Russian losses could be even higher. Ukraine has not veered from its policy since the beginning of the invasion of not officially reporting casualties, and just shrugging when asked about reported Russian losses. Ukran spokesmen will comment on proven/documented Russian losses, but they don't speculate. Drone video footage allows some verification of losses, especially vehicles. But there is not video proof of 175 tanks/armored vehicles lost in 4 days; some extrapolation is used to guesstimate losses.

Putin did have a heart-attack and is in serious but stable condition in the hospital. Wait, one has to have a heart first, er, right?