Russia

"Monsters, beasts, scum, savages..I don't know what else to say." - Mayor of Odesa, Ukraine

The evil Putinites struck "The Harry Potter Castle" as the old mansion was called by locals. It housed a law school and residences for professors and their families. Five confirmed dead and more than a dozen others in serious condition, including a 4-year-old girl. This building, really a complex of buildings, sat in a fairly remote area, away from the city of Odesa, nowhere even close to any military facilities or key infrastructure. No reason for the POS Russians to target the school, but they did.

President Z commented on this news saying Ukraine could very easily retaliate, you know strike the historic buildings of The Kremlin in Red Square, Moscow, or the historic buildings in St. Petersburg, some of the structures are over 1,000 years old. Or any number of historic structures throughout Russia. The city of Novgorod (which I have been to, twice) is older than Moscow dating back to 850 A.D. The Germans attacked there during their Russian invasion but were stopped just short of the city in fierce combat. President Z said Ukraine will refrain from such pointless, evil attacks concentrating instead on military and critical industries that support the Russian war machine. Yes, there has been some collateral damage as much of Russia's military industry is in factories in towns, closely surrounded by apartments, etc. Such damage and casualties are an unfortunate occurrence in war.

Putin and his thugs are pure evil. He must be destroyed.

Cuban mercenaries weary of being sent in as cannon fodder rebelled and killed their Russian regimental commander. Apparently, all that has happened, according to the earliest reports, is the Cubans were admonished and then promised a better commander.

Russians again repelled trying to retake the island in the Dnipro delta.

Putin turns up the rhetorical heat on Moldova, the small country bordering Ukraine to the southwest. The eastern most province of Moldova is controlled by pro-Russian politicians and there are Russian troops stationed in that province. But Moldova as a whole has approached the EU and then hopefully NATO for membership. Putin is pissed about these developments and has issued warnings of a Russian full-scale invasion to seize Moldova. It is a small country, smaller than the four eastern provinces of Ukraine: Donbas. And with bases already there, it would be possible for Putin to send in troops...except they would have to be brought in by air transport as Ukraine has the sea and land channels blocked. Question is though, how safe would the huge, slow transports be? They would be easy targets for anti-aircraft Ukranian missiles.

Ukraine claims Russians suffered 6,000 KIA just this past week in the fighting west of Avdiivka. That number has not been independently confirmed. But, it is clear the Russkis have been losing a bunch of soldiers in that area of fighting. However, even with the losses the Russians have advanced, seizing ground. One Ukrainian company commander, a captain, openly complained and criticized Ukran high command blaming them for the Russian breakthrough along the eastern front. This officer says they knew for months this Russian offensive was coming and they ignored pleas from the area commanders to send in reinforcements and provide the requested equipment. The Ukrans are trying to defend a 900-mile front, divided into three sectors: north, south, and east, and with the uncertainty of the US keeping our promise to Ukraine (made in 2014 by obummer), I can see why Ukran high command was hesitant to commit too much resources to the eastern front. The Russians are also building up troops in the north (Kharkiv region) and maintaining pressure in the south (Kherson region). Ukraine can ill-afford making big strategic blunders. Unlike Russia, Ukraine does not have an unlimited supply of men they can just throw away. Much like the South in the "War of Northern Aggression" Southern commanders had to out-think and beat the Yankees tactically and strategically, because the population discrepancy (28 million to 4 million) greatly favored the North, who could refill their ranks after losing a battle and just try again.

Another all-out Russian attack aimed at a key city: Vuhledar. This city sits in the bend in the lines, right as the eastern front, which runs on a north-south line, turns 90 degrees to the west, creating what is called the southern front. The Russians briefly occupied Vuhledar back in February, 2022, and then left it unoccupied as the situation changed during the early, chaotic weeks of the invasion. Ukranian troops rushed in to occupy Vuhledar and have held it against repeated Russian attacks for 2+ years now. Yesterday the goofy Russians tried AGAIN!!! their stupid tactics of sending tanks and APCs across open ground in an attack north of the city. They used a wooded line, a road along the railroad in that area, covered by dense forest, but had to emerge onto open fields to continue to the city. When they did, the Ukrans were simply waiting on them, then Bam! no more Russians or their vehicles. Drone video footage of the aftermath confirmed 2 tanks, 6 APCs and 44 Russian soldiers were all kaputted!

Further north along the eastern front, near the town of Ochetyne, the Ukrans employed their "defense by offense" tactics launching a limited counter-attack on the flank of the advancing Russians. These attacks are meant to force the Russians to react to the attacks, and thereby suspend their offensive operations in that area, at least for a period of time, usually about a month. Then satisfied they have disrupted the Russian advance, the Ukrans pull back and will strike again another place and time. Often a week-long battle like this causes delays of a month+ for the Russians who find it difficult to disengage, then get themselves reorganized again for their offensive push. This is reflective of the Russians have green troops and inexperienced officers. Not to mention the lousy Russian logistics.

The Russkis forgot that the ATACMS missiles have a much longer range than the HIMARS and thus the Ukrans can now reach out and touch them deep into Russia. Over 160 Russian recruits were killed while target practicing at a training camp, this one about 75 miles inside of Russia. Was beyond the range of Ukran missiles they might use against such targets, but well within range of the US-built ATACMS missile. Using a cluster-bomb warhead the Ukrans ended the very short military career of those new recruits.

Two more Putin oil facilities attacked overnight. One a refinery which has been left burning, and the other an oil storage facility, several tanks destroyed.

"They're coming," said one Ukrainian general, referring to the Russian build-up near Kharkiv. For several months the Russians have been building up units in Belgorod, just across the border from Kharkiv, Ukraine, with the clear intent of launching a major offensive. Pundits estimate the Russians will be ready in early June, with sufficient forces and better weather by then. The Ukrans have been trying to disrupt this build-up with drone and cruise missile attacks, and it's had some effect, but the build-up continues in earnest. The Russians have launched attacks closer to Bakhmut, just to the south, in hopes of drawing Ukran units away from Kharkiv as they react to those offensives. And, the Ukrans have had no choice but to shift some units to meet that threat. However, said advances have been limited in scope, as they are just obvious diversions. and so the Ukrans immediately send units back to the Kharkiv region once the Russians are slaughtered, which has happened each time.

Although Putin continues to talk tough boasting he will conquer all of Ukraine, most pundits agree his real goal now is to seize all of Donbas, the three eastern provinces, hold Crimea, and then make overtures of peace to end the war. Putin knows how pathetically weak the west (NATO) has become and he knows the puzzy political leaders in Europe and the US will quickly grasp whatever straw he offers them. Many Americans will jump on his offer and urge the US to agree...heck, many Americans are ready to make concessions to Putin now, even as he continues his dangerous rhetoric of invading other European countries. If Putin softens his position (outwardly) we will see anti-Ukrainian protests explode on college campuses, hailing Putin as an international hero and peace-maker. George Soros will happily fund said protests too.

I might be a lone voice hollering in the wilderness, but I am not fooled by any peace offers from Putin, should they come. The Russians have stepped into a mess in Ukraine never expecting such resistance and Putin is now seeking a face-saving way to end the current war, declare victory, then bide his time rebuilding his shattered military, and then try again, next time we have another weak-ass POTUS. NOPE! I advocate turning up the heat. No peace agreements with Russia until every one of their thugs are out of Ukraine, including Crimea, and Putin has been deposed. Peace with Russia and the Russian people, yes. No peace with Putin.

"Meanness," is how the mayor of the small town of Kryvyi Rih described it. The mayor was commenting on the Russian drone attack against the small town, which happens to be President Z's hometown. The town is off the beaten-path, no strategic value, but apparently with some symbolic value to the evil Putin. Several houses were reported on fire, but all the residents got out safely, no casualties occurred.

Two other non-descript towns were attacked overnight, with no apparent reason for it. Probably just random attacks designed to terrorize the Ukrainian population. Standard MO for terrorists, which the evil Putinites are.

On another note, Russia is DEMANDING that Latvia disclose any cooperation it has with nations supporting Ukraine. There were some thinly-veiled threats included. Latvia has not responded yet, but I have a suggestion for a reply: "Bite me!"

YES! The UK has finally okayed Ukraine to use British-supplied long-range cruise missiles in attacks into Russia itself. About effing time!

Russia is really pressing hard along the eastern front. They are compelling the Ukrans to give ground to avoid having their troops cut off and surrounded. Of course, the Russians continue to pay a very high price for each acre they seize. In fact, it's gotten ridiculous...no way would any western nation, the people, tolerate such losses for such little gain. But, Putin doesn't care and the Russian population is mostly lied to by the Putin propagandists who control all the news and social media channels in Russia.

Nearly cutoff Ukran units just fought their way out of a closing trap near the city of Ochertyne. The Russians backed off when the Ukrans launched an attack to clear the way and the bulk of the Ukran troops made good their escape. The Russians seemed glad to see them leave. Obviously, the Ukrans are more motivated to fight for their lives and their invaded country than the pathetic pressed-into-service average Russian soldier is.

Putin has ordered the arrest and execution of President Z and other Ukrainian high officials. This is not really new since Putin was boasting he was going to kill President Z, his family, and other officials and their families as the war started two years ago. But, this makes it official. Putin's regime has declared President Z and the others war criminals for the attacks on his infrastructure and the collateral damage that has occurred. Putin also continues to blame Ukraine for the domestic terrorist attacks, like the one at the theater in the shopping mall, even though the rest of the world knows it was conducted by Islamic terrorists.

This also ends any notion of a peace deal being made. Some, especially morons (peaceniks) in the west, were hoping for a negotiated settlement and an end to the war, but Putin has now made President Z et al execution part of any deal. That is not going to happen. I think Putin did this purposely to put to rest, for good, any thoughts of a negotiated settlement. He doesn't want one. He's a madman bent on the complete and utter destruction of Ukraine, and he and his evil henchmen keep saying as much. When lunatics tell you they want to do something...believe them!

The Russkis rolled out their latest version of the "turtle" tank, what a monstrosity! It is still vulnerable to anti-tank mines, and actually, can still be blown to bits by a direct hit from an Abrams tank, or an anti-tank rocket, the kind F-16s carry, for instance. They have packed on layers of armor and metal screens (anti-drone measure), and they have put one of those mine-blowing-up rollers on the front, which will work for one mine, but then another mine in its path will take it out. Because of the additional weight, it is very slow and clumsy. Still, it represents the kind of innovation required on the modern battlefield, so have to hand it to the "cabbage heads" or "Orcs" as the Ukrans call them.

Look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq5QCZRP73o

One pundit insists Ukraine is NOT losing the war. Can't really say they are exactly winning it either, if a win is to be measured by Ukraine launching an offensive that sweeps the Russians out of the country. But, despite the lack of ammo, which is now being rectified, the Ukrainians are holding their own.

Last year Ukraine launched their much-heralded counter-offensive, which was declared a failure, based on Russia's ability to hold on to some Ukrainian territory. Now, since January, 5 months in, Russia's latest offensive has been declared a resounding success and there are calls for Ukraine to capitulate, go to the negotiating table, their hats in their hands. Yes, Russia has taken Avdiivka, but that has been their only success thus far. They also suffered 17,000 KIA and the loss of 1,000+ vehicles taking it. Russia has been fighting just as hard and suffering just as many losses in their offensives aimed at Kharviv, Charis Viy, Robertyne, Vuledhar, and Krynky, all total failures so far. And here's another telling stat: Ukraine's declared offensive failure averaged 10+ miles of ground taken (liberated) per month, while Russia's 2024 offensive, declared a success, has averaged only 1 mile per month of ground seized, and held. During this "successful" Russian offensive, they have also given up previously held territory, especially southwest of Bakhmut. There is a pro-Putin bias in the world press, always singing the praises of the Russians, and always casting a pall over the poor ole Ukrainians.

And added to this, are the staggering numbers of losses suffered by the Russians as compared to the very low losses of the Ukrainians. Even when on the offensive the Ukrans suffered fewer losses than the defending Russians.

Some Hollywood lefties attended Putin's "inauguration" including fat-azz Steven Seagal, who calls Putin the "greatest western leader of all time."

The Ukrans have succeeded in damaging the Kerch Bridge; so much so the Russians have suspended all military-related traffic across it, pending investigation of the damage and possible repairs. The decking of the roadway has been smashed and buckled by repeated cruise missile strikes and now portions of the concrete deck is hanging precariously on steel rebar rods. Good job Ukraine!

Another assassination attempt on President Z has been thwarted. This one is (was) particularly concerning as it involved two high-ranking officers (colonels) in Ukraine's security force. The plot was foiled by loyal agents, both traitors have been arrested, and they have provided some details of the plot. Basically, they were to cooperate with Russian agents providing the exact location of President Z for a Russian cruise missile strike. This was Part B of the plot as Part A was to be a kidnapping of President Z and any other officials and/or family members they could grab, and then have President Z presented to Putin as a gift on his inauguration day. Then Putin would have ordered President Z's immediate execution on public Russian TV. However, it became clear that security was too tight to pull off a kidnapping, so it switched to a missile strike. One pundit surmises that the recent strike on Z's hometown might have been part of this plot as he has been known to return to visit family in his hometown. President Z uses body-doubles and decoys to cover his travels and perhaps the Russians thought, well just in case it was him, strike his hometown. One of the missiles just missed the house of some of President Z's relatives. So that is plausible. According to one YouTuber this was the 14th assassination attempt/plot that has been made against President Z dating back to prior to the invasion.

Anyone still think Putin is an "okay kind of fellow" or the "greatest western leader of all time"?