Russia

Poland delivered the first batch of F-16s intended to be fully operational as part of Ukraine's regular air force. Report didn't say how many, but talk has been of two squadrons, so 32 planes. There were 10 F-16s in Ukraine being used for training, and according to a report, Ukran pilots flew a mission using four Falcons, over Kherson. As has been their practice with new weapons/equipment Ukraine will test the F-16s in actual combat, but in as controlled a situation as possible. Then the Ukran pilots will share the real-world experience with their fellow pilots.

Pundits say Ukraine needs a bare minimum of four squadrons, 60+ planes, to have an impact on the war. Others, like the many military think tanks, say Ukraine needs 12 squadrons, over 180 F-16s to win the war and then defend against future aggression. Taiwan has 160 F-16s, but they have a much smaller territory to defend, and they also have other modern fighter jets, like the Indian version of the French Mirage Fighter Jet.

No doubt Russia will attack the airbase(s) where the F-16s are assigned.

EU threatening sanctions against China if the Chicoms continue to support Putin in his war with Ukraine. Of course, given that they are commies, the Chicoms are lying saying they are not supporting Russia. They say that even as Russian TV proudly shows Chinese weapons/ammo/supplies arriving in Russia. China wants Putin to continue the war knowing Russia cannot win as they want Russia to become so weak China can seize more Russian territory and replace Russia as the other world power. News flash for the Chicoms...mission accomplished already. China has already passed Russia as "the other" world power. Will EU sanctions have any impact on China's economy? Yes, most definitely, as long as some EU members don't cheat. We are seeing cheating happening now with the sanctions on Russia.

Well, hopefully the EU sanctions will have some influence and the Chicoms will stop supporting Russia. Putin's evil regime must be crushed. Putin needs to face a Nuremburg type trial, he and his circle of henchmen, then be hung for his war crimes.

Russia has removed all ships from Crimean ports. Got tired of trying to protect them and failing miserably.

Not much going on along the front, mostly minor skirmishing. Some pundits surmise Putin is pulling back and waiting for Trump to become prez and then he thinks he'll be awarded all of eastern Ukraine on a silver platter. Most pro-Ukrainian YouTubers agree, bellyaching that Vance is even more pro-Russia than Trump. If true then Ukraine has six months to win the war. Might as well disregard Biden's ban on using US weapons in attacks inside of Russia (save for within 100km in the Kharkiv region) and attack! attack! attack!

Rumors flying of Poland being the first to send combat troops to Ukraine. Poland did activate a combat brigade and are sending them to the border with Ukraine. Doesn't mean they will cross the border. Meanwhile, one of Putin's allies, and one of a few friends he still has, Belarus, has withdrawn combat units away from their border with Ukraine. No official reason given but media sources inside of Belarus are reporting Belarus leaders want to avoid any accidental encounter with Ukran units that might suck them into a war. Curious, since Belarus actually invaded Ukraine in the early months of the war and only withdrew when Russia got its ass kicked and retired from northern Ukraine. Belarus expected Russia to easily defeat Ukraine and by cooperating thought Putin would give them a slice of the pie. More and more Putin is finding himself isolated, his evil friends all looking out for themselves and disavowing support for Putin's evil invasion/war.

As for Trump-Vance I hope the US will not turn our backs on Ukraine. Biden has been heavily criticized, and rightfully so, for his abandoning our friends in Afghanistan. The US is still supporting the Kurds, but probably only because the Kurds don't require much support, and we are not spending much money supporting them. But Ukraine is facing a "world power," a country 8-10 times larger and ruled by a maniac.

More isolation for Putin..

the Baltic states and Poland have taken the final steps to sever all ties to Moscow's control of the electric grid, physically cutting power lines between themselves and Russia and Belarus. In a deal going back to 2001 the four countries were 100% dependent on the Moscow-controlled power grid, but now all accommodations have been made for them to be served by the central European power grid system. Latvia had already stopped buying electricity from Russia, relying on domestically produced power since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But the power grid worked both ways and during lean times or when Russia needed more power than they could produce Russia was able to draw power from Latvia and the other countries. Not anymore, the lines are cut. How long will Belarus continue to stand with Putin? They would be better served breaking ties and joining with Europe.

Ukraine pulls out of Krynky abandoning their foothold across the Dnipro River. They were not pushed out as for over 6 months they have easily beaten off Russian attacks. The river crossing was meant to draw Russian reserves away from the crucial city of Vuhledar, and that worked, but then Ukraine found success and decided to stay. President Z fired his overall commander, and the new guy decided it was time to pull those troops out. In the big picture this move is insignificant as Ukraine was not in a position to expand that foothold. The ground around Krynky is marsh, open, flat, no trees, no cover, except for a small, wooded area, recently burned and so troops crossing through are easy targets. Ukraine would have suffered losses launching an attack across that ground just like Russia has been clobbered crossing through it. Ukraine is still holding various islands in the Dnipro River delta.

Ukraine struck a Russian airbase, about 40 miles inside of Russia. Had to use drones since the dumb Biden admin. denying use of ATACMS missiles for attacks in Russia. Ukrans used 35 drones, 8 of which survived and hit the base. Early reports show damage to fuel tanks, hangars, and a few planes.

More skirmishing along the front, no significant results for either side. Seems activity has really slowed and both sides are waiting for something to happen, perhaps the POTUS race here. Very "All Quiet on the ______ Front."

They’re waiting for Trump to be elected so they can end this waste of humanity, money and time. No one is going to win, no one wanted to win. The Satanic Globalists made this whole thing happen to waste the world’s money and cause trouble around the world.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

They’re waiting for Trump to be elected so they can end this waste of humanity, money and time. No one is going to win, no one wanted to win. The Satanic Globalists made this whole thing happen to waste the world’s money and cause trouble around the world.

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Disagree. Putin wants to win, and nothing has changed regarding his ambitions. It's just that the war is not going like he planned and he's facing a reality check on that. I do think Putin thinks Trump will pull the rug out from under Ukraine and want a negotiated ending of the war, as it stands now. There is plenty of talk along those lines and it's reasonable for Putin to be counting on it. Putin needs a pause in the war to rebuild his depleted military and if he can receive a gift in the form of eastern Ukraine as well, well then, all the better for him. Make no mistake about this, Putin has larger designs on expansion, way beyond eastern Ukraine.

I support Trump because of his America First agenda, but placating Puddin' head will have a long-term price.

Russia returned to a large-scale attack over night...results: got clobbered. Ukraine's elite Kracken Brigade ambushed a Russian column of armored vehicles, including tanks. Of the 27 vehicles in the column, 18 were destroyed, rest damaged, and the Russians hunted down by drones as they retreated. I honestly don't understand Russian commanders repeating mistakes again and again. Neither side can successfully mount large-scale advances without the other side knowing about it days in advance. Surveillance drones, satellite images are a reality now and massing units for a large-scale move is easily detected. Ukraine uses US-made mines deployed by drones and long-range artillery to mine roads and fields prior to any advances by Russia. Artillery and drones are used to attack convoys with the proven tactic of destroying the lead and rear vehicles, trapping the column and forcing them to try using the fields, littered with mines...kaboom!...or abandoning the vehicles and fleeing on foot.

Russia has returned to the meat-grinder infantry attacks which has been successful in the past. Three Ukran battalions are in danger of being cut off in one sector. Russians sent several thousand infantry in a 2-prong attack via some woods for cover and have almost encircled 3 Ukran units. Last night Ukraine counterattacked keeping a corridor open for the 3 units to withdraw. But, Ukran sources admit they were surprised by this assault.

After a lull for days, combat increased in the last 24 hours with 172 separate engagements reported along the 900-mile front.

Ukraine continued long-range attacks into Russia with drones and French and UK supplied cruise missiles. Two Russian airbases and a large ferry boat at Kerch were all struck last night. This is no ordinary ferry, but rather a very large vessel designed to carry railcars and large trucks. Russia had two such ferry vessels in the Black Sea and Azov Sea region, one was severely damaged by a Ukran drone strike months ago and is in dry dock under repair, this second one was set ablaze when a fuel truck blew up on it after a drone attack. Russia is afraid to depend on moving supplies via the Kerch Bridge as Ukran drones have easily destroyed vehicles trying to cross.

Romania has begun shooting down Russian drones, not only in their airspace but over Ukraine as well. Romania is a NATO member and they have had enough of Russia's aggression. After trying to remain neutral and especially not escalate the war dragging NATO into it, Romanian leaders said they can no longer sit idly by and do nothing. Good for Romania! Unlike some of the appeasement-niks here and elsewhere Romania has stepped up. Didn't help matters for Russia that a Russian drone crashed into a Romanian village after an engine failure causing casualties. That was 3 months ago which caused Romania to first "ask" Russia to cease using their airspace for attacks on Ukraine, then "begged," and finally said "eff Russia" and they have taken action. Romania purchased several German-made Gepard anti-aircraft systems, which are mobile, highly-effective weapon systems which can easily shoot down slow-moving drones. It's significant that Romania is not just firing on Russian drones in their airspace, but also in Ukrainian airspace across the border.

Speaking of drones, there is some great footage of Russian soldiers being attacked by Ukran drones. Very revealing on the daily struggle of Putin's thugs, including bodycam video from a Russian soldier, an infantry commander. In one sequence he's on the radio with HQ and reports "birds" in the air near them. "Birds" is what the Russians call Ukran drones, those that drop grenades on them, and the other versions. The Russian commander radios, "we hear birds, are they ours?" HQ responds, "no, sorry they are not." The Russians try to hide in some brush near the road, but the Ukran drones had already pegged them. The Russians use their AK-47s trying to shoot down the drones, but to no avail. Grenades rain down on them, one soldier loses half his face, an eye missing and complains to his officer, who shrugged it off. Looked like there were about 15 Russians in the group, half of which were killed or wounded in the drone attack.

Drones rule the modern battlefield, controlled from many miles away by operators in bunkers "playing video games," which is what it looks like.

Ukraine struck a Russian airbase, destroying one TU-22 nuclear bomber and damaging two more, plus causing damage to buildings as well. The airbase is located 1,230 miles inside of Russia and represents the longest attack by drones.

Also, anti-Putin domestic forces, Russians, destroyed 5 Russian helicopters at a base near Moscow.

Just reported, huge explosion on the Kerch Bridge. With both large ferry boats damaged and out of service the Russians have returned to truck convoys using the bridge for supplying Crimea. This morning one of those convoys were hit, probably by Ukran drones, and apparently one truck was carrying ammo of some kind...kaboom! Traffic is closed going both ways, and Russian officials say the railroad bridge is open. Ukraine needs to find a way to destroy the bridge, both for vehicles and rail. Won't be easy, as previously mentioned it is a well-engineered/constructed bridge, and the Russians have reinforced it, making it even harder to destroy.

"Don't be in such a hurry to die," a Russian colonel warned his soldiers as some hurriedly jumped into their vehicles eager to get to the front.

The elite Ukrainian unit, the 79th Aerial Assault Brigade, crushed a Russian advance, destroying over half of the 70 armored vehicles and killing 2/3 of the infantry. In a matter of just over one hour the Russian advance was turned back.

Russians are enjoying a measure of success west of Avdiivka, having advanced halfway to the important city of Pokvosk, an industrial city located at the juncture of major highways and two railroads, one of which connected to Avdiivka. It is 25 miles between the two cities. Putin needs to capture Pokvosk intact as he needs the heavy manufacturing located there. But he desired the same thing in taking Avdiivka, and suffered enormous losses trying not to damage the industrial plants there. One day after Ukraine abandoned Avdiivka, the elite 3rd Assault Brigade sent in to cover the withdrawal of Ukran units, and Putin gleefully declared a major victory, Ukraine destroyed the plants with cruise missiles. Months and months of combat, many thousands of Russian soldiers killed, many hundreds of armored vehicles lost, dozens of planes and helicopters shot down, all for naught when Ukraine sent the cruise missiles.

Anyway, here we go again. Russia has advanced about 12 miles west of Avdiivka, with Pokvosk, another 12-13 miles away, their goal. Heretofore the terrain has favored the Russians, but that is changing as low, wet valleys with numerous creeks and rivers lie between the Russians and Pokvosk. Russian advance has created a bulge, 12 miles long by 8 miles wide, and Ukraine has begun moving units along the flanks of the bulge. Measured against their other advances, Avdiivka has been a success for Russia. Sources have criticized Ukran efforts here, two commanders have been relieved of duty, but the real blame lies with Ukran high command, back in Kiev, who ignored warnings and failed to build proper defenses west of Avdiivka. Instead they gambled on Avdiivka being held. Since then Ukan forces have heroically fought well delaying the Russian advance, even as Russia has had the advantage of high ground and continue using glide bombs, which should change once the F-16s join the fray.

Ukraine is "showing off" its F-16s by flying them over western Ukraine, drawing ire from many Ukrainians, especially troops in the trenches, asking when will the Falcons see combat. One pundit explained the current reality facing Ukraine in the deployment of F-16s, namely the high maintenance requirements and the need for very smooth runways. Also, the Biden administration just complicated matters with a fuzzy promise of delivering advanced weapons designed for F-16s which none of our NATO allies have. So, now, Ukran officials are saying they should wait for these new, advanced weapons before deploying the F-16s. As it stands right now, with their current weapons, F-16s are far superior to anything Russia can deploy, with the one caveat (which is being addressed) that Russian SU-35s and SU-57s, their very best fighter jets have long-range radar, much superior to radar in F-16s, which would give those Russian jets an advantage in aerial combat allowing them the first shot. However, missiles carried by F-16s are far superior to Russia's, and F-16s are equipped with the very best defensive measures meaning F-16s are very likely to survive that Russian first shot.

In other news about weapons, Germany has delivered another 40 Leopard I tanks, enhanced with improved armor and anti-drone cages. The Ukrans are thankful for the delivery but given the failure of Leopard Is are less than enthusiastic. Leopard Is have been very vulnerable to drones.

Putin agrees to prisoner swap with US, including several high-profile detainees. Why now after refusing for years? I think Putin is trying to help Harris win and he also wants this matter settled in the likely event of a Trump win. Regardless, happy for those Americans who have been held illegally.