Russia

Ukrans destroyed another Putin oil storage facility. They are striking deeper and deeper into Russia with their sophisticated, state-of-the-art drones. This latest was a storage facility, not a refinery, but of the 12 large storage tanks, 8 are burning and are a total loss and the fire is so intense, no attempts are being made by local firefighters to try to save the remaining four tanks, so maybe they will be lost too. One poster says each of these tanks holds 100,000 barrels of oil. And this facility also has some smaller storage tanks but no mention if any of those were destroyed or are in danger of catching fire.

The Biden administration sent another "cease and desist" request to Ukraine, asking them to stop targeting Putin's oil industry. The Bidenites are concerned about rising prices at the pump in this election year. It's a good thing they are not just thinking about their own selfish political aims, eh :icon_roll:

A correction to post #1365 re: the shot-down bomber. It was not a Patriot missile. They lack the range to strike 200 miles into Russia. Instead, it was an old, 1970's Soviet-made S-300 missile, greatly improved by the Ukrans.

And more about the event. The TU-22 bomber was one of several launching cruise missiles randomly into Ukrainian cities. This particular one had just launched a cruise missile that struck an apartment building, killing 8 civilians and injuring dozens more. Another example of the evil Putin terrorists and their naked aggression against Ukrainian people. They don't even try to strike military targets, just allow their cruise missiles to randomly hit civilian areas.

BTW, this was the third TU-22 bomber destroyed by the Ukrans, the other two were parked at an airbase and taken out by drones. The Russkis are really proud of the TU-22 still citing it as their answer to US aircraft carriers, saying the bomber would absolutely and easily sink our carriers. Ah...nope! Also known as the "Backfire" bomber, maybe because the use of it tends to backfire on the Russkis.

How stupid do you have to be to think that defeating Putin in Ukraine will lead to a wider war in Europe? Anyone care to address this?

The Ukrans have bottled up Putin and are...really already have...defeating his imperialistic goals of conquering all of eastern Europe. I mean it's not like he and his inner circle of thugs have not repeatedly stated that is their goal: total eastern Europe conquest. When a lunatic tells you he wants to do something, believe him! Putin had hoped and had expected to easily conquer Ukraine, all of it, and then invade other eastern European nations. In his delusional dreams, Putin still thinks his evil goals are obtainable. He's done and it's all thanks to the gallant Ukrans, and those from around the world (including US taxpayers) who have supported them.

This latest aid package, which also includes aid to Israel and Taiwan, has invoked a predictable and lunatic (and evil) reaction from the thugs of the world. Russian propagandists, joined by the Chicoms', North Korea, and Iran and its horde of evil-doers, have all condemned the US aid package saying it will "destabilize the world, making the situation more dangerous." Oh really, why is that? For instance, why would the Chicoms make such a statement about Taiwan being better able to defend itself? You will note most of the world sees no threat in that. But then the rest of the world has no designs on trying to invade Taiwan.

Mike Johnson may lose his Speakership when the extreme right pulls their crap again. But he did the right thing. He and those who voted for this aid package are on the right side of history.

Another Russian ship, a supply ship, was struck by a missile, said to be a Ukrainian Neptune missile. Ship was loading/unloading at the dock in Sevastopol. Video of ship burning and civilian dock workers expressing displeasure with the Russian military's incapability of protecting them and the facilities.

The Ukrans launched a pre-emptive strike against Russian units gathering in the Belgorod region, just north of Kharkiv, said to be the next target of a major Russian offensive, coming in the summer. Sources say Putin is gathering up to 100,000 troops just across the border. Ukrans used long-range artillery and drones to strike the camps and depots where equipment and supplies are being stored. Early reports reveal only limited success in the attack, well limited in actual tangible damage, but it did scatter most of the troops, many of whom commandeered vehicles, against orders, and were last seen speeding away from the area in a panic. These are mostly green troops, most conscripted against their will, and panicked when the shells started exploding and the drones were dropping grenades on the camps. Video footage shows some vehicles, including at least one tank, burning and various structures, tin temporary barracks, collapsed and burning. No reports of casualties. The Ukran commanders did say they were hoping to cause panic and to delay the build-up/training of these new Russian troops. Mission accomplished.

News of the passage of the aid package has bolstered Ukran morale. A member of President Z's military advisor committee was interviewed, and his reaction was a "Whew!" With a big thanks to America.

The Ukrans actually targeted and damaged the Kommuna, a submarine retrieval, repair, and support ship. The supply ship also damaged happened to be tied up to it when the Neptune missile struck. The Kommuna is the oldest ship still in active service, first launched in 1913. Yes, pre-WWI. It has been overhauled, improved, modernized over the 111 years of service, of course. Most of the damage was confined to one control room and other parts of the superstructure. Maybe because the supply ship served as a guard for the hull of the ship, so the missile passed over the smaller ship, hitting the upper deck of the Kommuna.

Fire destroys an important electronics component plant in Voronezh, Russia. Early reports of 5 deaths, with the death toll expected to rise, and total destruction of this plant. Like many of Russia's manufacturing plants this one had two divisions, one for civilian products and one for military components. No cause of the fire has been determined, but it is very likely the result of an accident...like Ivan smoking a cigarette where he was not allowed to...and due to Russia's lack of OSHA-like standards, normal, sensible practices such accidents tend to quickly get out of control. Pundits say this will have an impact on Russia's weapon and military equipment industry as this plant manufactured critical electronics.

Poor ole Putin...

Ukrans struck another Russian oil storage facility over night, this one west of St. Petersburg. No casualties reported but the storage tanks are burning out of control, total destruction. The Biden Admin. had again, requested Ukraine ceasing attacks on Putin's oil industry in the wake of the recent aid package passed in the House. Ukran officials responded 1) the package has not passed the Senate, nor has Biden signed the bill yet, and 2) this attack had been planned and Ukranian operatives, the drone operators, had already moved into position, so the attack was made.

Russian forces are advancing along the railroad berm northwest of Avdiivka, now some 8 miles along the RR. You may remember posts about the Ukrans using the thick concrete walls that flank the RR track at Avdiivka for cover, well, the Russians are doing the same thing. This provides good cover for advancing troops, but it has also confined the Russian advance to the RR and thus it has become a long, narrow advance making them vulnerable to a counter-attack cutting off the advanced units. The railroad track/berm/concrete walls continues for another 60 miles going deep into Ukrainian-held territory. BTW, the concrete walls are for noise abatement, as it passes through numerous villages and towns. But now the walls serve as "death" abatement for those troops using it as cover.

Ukrans struck two more oil storage facilities and another electronics components plant overnight. One in Smolensk and the other in Lipesky. TV interviews with the two regional governors were, well, they better stay away from upper story windows or they too will "fall out of a window," as all critics of Putin seem to do. I am glad to see Ukraine is ignoring the Biden Admin.'s request to leave Putin's oil industry alone. F**k you Joe Biden and your concerns about your flailing re-election bid.

Ukrans launched a surprise offensive southwest of Bakhmut! No way they can sustain this advance, but it did shake up the Russians and put a hold on their offensive scheme in that region, as they had to deploy units to address this attack. Actually, the attack is continuing right now, but again, the Ukrans will reach a point where it becomes recklessly dangerous to continue and they will withdraw. In the bigger picture the Ukrans are smartly using offensive tactics as part of the greater defensive strategy. It is classic military strategy to cause your enemy to have to change their tactics in reaction to your offensive thrusts. Again, these attacks by Ukraine are NOT meant to be offensive, they are meant to force the Russians to have to react to them and move troops from their offense to their defense. Using drones to scout the Russian deployments, the Ukrans identify weak points along the line and launch these attacks.

Meanwhile, fearful of the renewed support for Ukraine from the US and NATO, Putin has ordered an all-out offensive ASAP to gobble up as much territory possible while the Ukrans are still short of critical ammo/weapons. But, the US had already sent a bunch of ammo/supplies/equipment to Poland months ago in anticipation of approval of this recent aid package and so it won't take long to get it to the Ukrainians. And FINALLY!!! the Poles have opened the border at the checkpoints arresting the protestors who had been blocking aid to Ukraine coming from Poland. About effing time. As for Putin's plans, expect to see very heavy combat as the Russians try to advance. They will enjoy success in terms of seizing ground, and they will pay a very high price in losses too.

Finally! the Ukrans have a reliable long-range weapon to strike Russia with. The US has actually delivered ATACMS missiles and this morning the Ukrans launched the first barrage. Ya gotta love it!

Today, the Ukrans adhered to the Biden admin. mandate that these missiles cannot be used to strike targets inside of Russia, only in occupied territory. Well, that includes Crimea, so this will be a huge help in that area. For now, the ATACMS with an effective range of 200 miles, are being kept away from the front, back in western Ukraine for safety against Russian attacks, and were fired at Russian targets in Donbas. This alone is a huge step up since Russia has been making a concerted effort to locate and attack the HIMARS and Patriot launchers which have to be placed close to the front lines.

The whole stupid "rules of engagement" crap imposed by the Biden admin. on the Ukrans is total bullshit. This is a f**king war, one which Putin has not followed any rules since day one. Putin has dozens of arrest warrants against him for his war crimes, and we can hope he makes the mistake of traveling outside of Russia to a country that will exercise an arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, all glory to Ukraine! Beat that POS evil dictator.

Russians gaining ground along the eastern front, mostly west of Avdiivka, but as always they are paying a heavy price for each square foot of it. According to Ukrainian sources (not independently verified) the Russians have lost another 360 vehicles, a mix of tanks, APCs, trucks, etc.. and another 1,400 KIA and many more wounded/captured just this past week. Whether these numbers are accurate or not, it is very obvious from drone footage the Russians are suffering huge losses. It is also obvious the Russians are gobbling up chunks of ground. The Ukrans have implemented a new "destroy as much as possible and then get the hell out of there" tactic. Ukraine is doing its best to bleed the Russians while absolutely minimizing their own losses in equipment and soldiers. So, after some brief but VERY HEAVY combat and the Russians getting pummeled, the Ukrans pack up and leave, allowing the Russian reserves to occupy the vacated ground and claim victory for the day.

How long will the Ukrans employ this strategy? One British think tank surmises the Ukrainians are falling back to prepared defenses along ridges (high ground) in a line that runs from north of Bakhmut to south toward Robotyne, in which Avdiivka is pretty much in the middle. The Ukrans are holding firm in both the north (Kharkiv) and in the south (Kherson) and only using this tactic along the eastern front. This will eventually create a bulge with Russian occupying a pocket to the high hills and large rivers in western Donbas, but still in Donbas. The risk is if this does occur the Russians will be on the doorstep of Dnipro City and within 100 miles of Kyiv.

So, projecting into the future, are the Ukrans trying to set up the Russians allowing this bulge for flank counter-offensives? If, big IF, Ukraine ever has the manpower and equipment to pull it off, then yes, the Russians are taking a huge risk creating this bulge.

Russians targeting Ukrainian railroad lines, switching sites, and terminals with drones and cruise missiles designed to prevent the shipment of equipment/supplies/ammo flowing in from Poland and Romania. Obviously, sufficient damage to RR infrastructure could greatly delay the influx of much needed military supplies. The Ukrans have been doing the same thing targeting existing as well as under-construction RR lines supplying the Russian army in Ukraine. If successful, such interruption of the flow of equipment/supplies will greatly hinder Ukraine's efforts to stem the tide of the recent big push by the Russians.

Ukrans sent 66 drones to strike Putin oil facilities and a Russian air base just across the channel from Crimea. Very successful attacks, as nearly 60 of the drones struck intended targets, an indication of the depleted Russian air defenses. Fires still burning at all attacked locations. No reports(details) of casualties, but there were some at the air base.

To try to stem the attacks on his oil storage tanks, Putin has ordered screens be built over all the tanks. Pundits say the screens, made of heavy metal mesh, kind of like chain-link fencing, will work against most of Ukraine's drones, which are lightweight and will explode on the screens, unable to punch a hole in the screens. Well...don't sell the Ukrans short. They lead the world in drone innovation, so I expect to see them solve this problem. One of Putin's largest oil storage facilities, located north of Moscow, has 44 large tanks and 20 smaller ones. The Ukrans have attacked this facility twice with drones, destroying 8 large tanks and 2 of the smaller ones. Thus far the Russkis have mounted those screens on just 7 of the remaining large tanks. The process is proceeding, but slowly.

Necessity is the mother of invention...and innovation too apparently. And so too is going back to the egg where old stuff can be used in new ways. Leave it to the ever-clever Ukrans to do just that.

Modern jet fighters are fast, sophisticated and woefully unfit to deal with the slow, plodding drones, the bane of the modern battlefield. So, turn back the clock to much slower but more maneuverable prop planes...prop fighters, born in the early 20th century and perfected during WWII, and the rebirth of a Soviet-era fighter, the Yak, in this case the Yak-52, occurs. Arming the Yak-52 with a simple machinegun and in the hands of a skilled pilot, the plane makes short work of drones. One Yak-52 demonstrated this very nicely, taking out a flight of 12 Russian drones heading toward civilian targets in Ukraine. This operation can only be done inside of Ukraine, away from the front, since the slow-moving Yak would be an easy target for anti-aircraft rockets. But, it has its place in Ukraine's and other nations' defensive regimen.

BTW, Ukrainian civilians watching their Yak-52 shoot down the Russian drones was videoed and they cheered on the pilot with every kill.


Ukrainian officials have released a statement saying the demise of the American-built Abrams tank has been much exaggerated. They have NOT been pulled from the front lines and are instead still kicking the Russkis' asses. They say it is pro-Putin propagandists who are spreading the lies in an attempt to demoralize Ukrainians and their western allies. Reliable sources, though, report one Abrams destroyed and four more damaged by Russian drones. There is no doubt, except for the drones, the Abrams tank is far superior to anything the Russians can put out there. They need proper drone protection.

Ukran commandoes surprised and captured advanced Russian troops stationed on an island in the Dnipro River delta, Kherson region. The area has been quiet for months and apparently the Russians had grown complacent. Now, they are POWs. No shots were fired in this operation. However, a Russian patrol sent to check on the outposts was ambushed by those commandoes. All those Russians either killed or captured. Now Ukranian marines have been sent to occupy the island and they are digging in against potential counter-attacks. And the Russians sent three APCs to probe Ukran defenses at Krynky and were all wiped out. That area has been quiet for over a month too and so did the Russians think the Ukrans had abandoned the town? Well, they haven't.

Russians are making headway west of Avdiivka. The terrain favors them at this point. Ukraine had failed to construct any defenses in that area, as they were concentrating on their counter-offensive last year and I guess they thought they would not have to defend this region. Many, many square miles of territory will be seized by the advancing Russians until they reach prepared Ukran defenses further west.

A British think tank says the version of the F-16 Ukraine is receiving and will have to use stands ZERO chance vs. the Russian SU-35 advanced fighter jets in a dogfight. The SU-35 has far superior long-range radar and superior long-range air to air missiles. The F-16s will be shot down before they even detect the SU-35s. That's what this Brit think tank claims. Well...if true, then something has to be tweaked before the F-16s are deployed for combat. Keep in mind the F-16 is NOT the US's main fighter jet, rather it is designed for close air-support for ground troops. Is anti-helicopter and yes, is effective against older jets like most of the MIGs used by many countries. But it was never intended to take on advanced fighter jets in one-on-one dogfights.

Telegram social network channel, the platform most of the YouTubers use to get and share information about the war in Ukraine, has announced a new policy shutting off any and all users "creating violence" with the dissemination of information that leads to attacks, etc. This is how that Russian major was taken out as he was broadcasting over a Telegram channel which was monitored by Ukranian intelligence, located him and sent a drone to blow him up. Telegram says they no longer want any part of this war, or any war, and are systemically terminating accounts of users contributing to the violence. This will also mean I will lose access to a bunch of information...believe it or not that I do not share here. YouTube itself banned graphic images of the war last year, and also restricted, not ended, what YouTubers could publish about the war. Appears the world has grown weary of this war and wants to pretend it isn't happening.

The "turtles" are working. Today, for the first time, the Russians sent an entire column of "turtles" which included 3 tanks and 4 APCs all fitted with the umbrella-like, or "turtle shell" extra armor, in a rapid assault against a Ukran held town on the eastern front. It's still another town with a long name that begins with the letter "K." What's up with that?

The lead tank struck two land mines on the road and was disabled, but that was all the mines so the rest continued. The Russians drove through an old stone wall that surrounded the old section of the town, easily bashing through it and then deploying ground troops, about 20 soldiers, from the APCs. The remaining two tanks provided covering fire with their main guns as the APCs moved off. Emboldened by this success, the Russians continued to press into the town, the two tanks and one of the APCs, sporting machineguns, escorted the ground troops in. A firefight erupted near a church and graveyard and after about 30 minutes the Russians decided it was time to depart. One tank was hit by several Molotov cocktails which had no effect, but an RPG struck a track disabling the turtle tank. The APC, now empty, picked up the stranded tank crew and made a hasty retreat out of there. Not clear what has happened to the deployed Russian ground troops as all the vehicles able to, raced back to their own lines. Guess they are still there, those still alive, hoping for reinforcements to reach them soon.

Unless one of these turtles is struck directly, artillery has no effect as the high-explosive shells lack armor-piercing power and the shrapnel bounces off the extra armor. The small Ukran drones which can only drop grenades have even less effect. They look funny and these early versions of "turtle" tanks and APCs are the result of some hurried welding of armor plating. But they have the right idea and I see this becoming the new normal for all armored vehicles, with well-engineered and fitted armor done in factories.

The war in Ukraine is a labatory of future warfare and the realities of the modern battlefield. I hope the Pentagon, and our allies, are taking notes.