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Ukraine has sunk Russian sub "Rostov." Same sub that was damaged during a cruise missile attack in 2023 while docked in Sevastopol. Just out of dry dock and on sea trials to verify repairs Ukraine hit it again with missiles, this time Sub Rostov sunk, had only a small crew onboard, no word on their fate.
Abrams tanks have returned to the battlefield, this time with enhanced armor, including the explosive armor which directs explosions away from the tank. Ukrans experimented with anti-drone cages, as they did on the Challenger and Leopard tanks, but opted for this enhanced armor. Yesterday a lone Abrams and two Bradleys easily destroyed a Russian defensive position, sending the surviving Russians running for their lives. Actually, intercepted Russian radio communication showed how much they fear US-built equipment. The Russian commander broadcast, "that is an American tank approaching, every man for himself." Ukran infantry captured a 1/2 mile of trench and two bunkers without hardly firing a shot. The Abrams fired two rounds, smashing two Russian tanks, but it appears the crews had abandoned them when they saw the Abrams approaching. The Bradleys have been, overall, the best fighting armored vehicle in the war, on either side. Their kill ratio, including against Russian tanks, is about 15 to 1. The Tow missile and 30mm automatic cannon, combined with the speed and agility, make the Bradley an effective fighting machine.
More on the F-16. Ukraine is fitting an Israeli-built radar/detection/defensive system to the Falcons, increasing their survivability. Right now all Ukraine has in the way of offensive air-to-air missiles for the F-16 is the US-built 1st generation, Version A, missiles. Very effective but have a relatively short range, something like 12-15 miles. Ukraine is requesting Version C, but the Biden admin. has not responded. Last week there was a report, from the AP, that the US has already agreed to sending updated weapons for the F-16. So...???
Together with anti-Putin militia, Ukraine has invaded Russia! They have penetrated over 15 miles across the border, seizing an important supply base at Sudhza, a town in the Kursk Oblast. Russia had only a thin line of border guards, conscripts who quickly and gleefully surrendered to the Ukrans and gave interviews for Ukrainian TV saying they do not agree with Putin's war. Then Russia sent regular army units to drive the Ukrans and militia out, but they were ambushed losing two of their best attack helicopters, K-52s, and four tanks which were on lowboys. The regular Russian soldiers wanted no part of it, abandoned their vehicles and were last seen running into woods, pursued by Ukran drones dropping grenades on them. Ukran/militia units have cut both major roads leading into and through Sudhza, and at last report are still holding all ground seized. How long can Ukraine/allies hold this ground? Probably until Russia sends in serious forces, like they have done in Belgorod and other Russian territory taken by anti-Putin forces.
Best defense is a good offense! Ukraine has used such advances before to compel Russia to move units away from offensive operations, providing relief for strained Ukran units on defense. This is probably the case here as well. Ukraine noticed weak defenses on the border, knew Sudhza to be an important supply base, and seized this opportunity to deliver a blow. Good job!
Ukrans have pushed 25 miles into Russia along one highway. Russia had no units or defenses inside of their country passed the border. In fact, presently Russia has nothing between Kursk and Moscow! No, no way can/will Ukraine try to advance all the way to Moscow. But it is funny to see the shock and panic of the Russians. And this...Putin is calling on the international community to condemn Ukraine's "invasion" of Russia, LOL!
More friendly fire incidents by the goofy Russians! Russian helicopters attacked and destroyed a Russian convoy being rushed to Kursk, thinking it was Ukrans. Gawd, they are so stupid! And, to make it even better members of the convoy fired back, damaging one of the helicopters which later crash landed. Gotta love it!
Pundits are praising Ukraine's incursion saying it is a huge strategic success. But, to what end? Better have a rapid withdrawal plan ready.
Ukrans advancing on three vectors, one of which is now within 20 miles of a huge nuclear power plant, third largest in Russia. Speculation that Ukraine will seize power plant, holding it as a bargaining chip in future negotiations. I don't see that happening. Russia has nothing in the area, no regular army units, no tanks. What little was there has been destroyed already. This is a well-planned, executed incursion by Ukraine and is, at this point, very successful. I'm not clear on what the ultimate strategic goal is. Guessing it's threefold: 1) to draw Russian forces out of Ukraine, 2) to embarrass Putin and cause more internal political issues for him, and 3) to show the world, and especially idiots like Tucker Carlson and others, Ukraine can win this war and should be supported.
Putin was on Russian TV last night offering 10,000 rubles ($90 US) to each displaced family in Kursk Oblast. Needless to say, the Russian populace is alarmed, scared, and are blaming Putin and his regime of clowns for all of this (see #2)
Ukrans are digging in in their captured Russian ground. Mining all the side roads leading into the area. Have brought in artillery, combat engineers, reserves, logistics, medical units, etc. Looks like Ukrans are planning to stay and/or make it very, very expensive for Russians to drive them out. I think that is Ukraine's real aim, force Russia to commit large forces away from Ukraine, relieving pressure on Ukran defense units.
It is very clear this was a carefully planned incursion, not some spur-of-the-moment "oh look! let's attack." Ukrans have scouted the region, knew every bridge, every road, all the geography, where Russia had units, and are implementing a plan which has been, so far, VERY successful. Good stuff!
Ukrans have secured Sudhza, with help from locals. Yes, Russian people, tired of the war, through with Putin, aided Ukran forces offering information on Russian troops in area, leading to surrender of a Russian battalion. Putin's evil regime is collapsing. Shame on all those morons who have been against aiding the gallant people of Ukraine, who have been fighting pure evil. Glory to Ukraine! History will remember the Ukrans with heroic awe.
Ukrans have crossed Russian border in Belgorod Oblast, which is borders Kursk Oblast on the south. Russian ant-Putin groups, militias, have been operating in Belgorod since war began. Now Ukraine has sent some of their regular units to support those "rebels." Meanwhile, Ukrans continue to advance in Kursk. A small commando unit rushed ahead, up a highway, some 12 miles, but reported Russian units digging in, so they returned. Ukrans have slowed their advance in favor of digging in themselves.
An elite Chechnyan unit, Ahmat Battalion, walked into an ambush in Kursk, sent by Russians to liberate Sudhza. After a brief firefight, realizing they were surrounded by superior Ukranian forces, they surrendered. The commander of all the Chechnyan Army blamed Russian "intelligence" who assured the Ahmat commander the road into Sudhza was clear. It wasn't, Ukran forces had advanced for miles north of the town and easily trapped the helpless Chechnyans.
Goofy Russians tried to convince the world via propaganda that Ukraine had dangerously attacked the nearby nuclear power plant, causing an ecological disaster. This nuclear plant was built by the same company responsible for Chernobyl...yikes! But, just more lies from Putin's regime. Russians had piled tires on the plant's ground, near one of the cooling towers, and set a fire. Ukran drones videoed the Russians engaged in this hoax. Ukran forces are still some 20 miles away from this power plant.
Putin is growing more and more desperate as he sees his evil plans falling apart. In January 2022 he confidently announced Russia would sweep through all of eastern Europe reestablishing the old Soviet Union. Now, he is seeing Ukrainian forces advancing in Russia. Ya gotta love it! Now, no one expects Ukraine to be able to hold this ground, but this is a game-changer for sure. Russia no longer holds all the cards and will have to deploy regular units to guard the border. Finland is also tweaking Putin by holding military training near the border. Caused such an alarm for the Kremlin when the Russian commander panicked and sent an emergency request for reinforcements saying the Finns are invading! Poor ole Russkis...seems the whole world is against them. Need more neighboring countries making Putin and his circle of clowns nervous.
President Lenkoshenko (sp?) of Belarus is thumping his chest threatening to invade Ukraine to relieve pressure on his good pal, Putin. Belarus has moved troops to the Ukrainian border area and is talking tough. You might recall that Belarus invaded Ukraine as an ally of Putin in February 2022, wanting to secure a piece of Ukraine for itself, but quickly tucked its tail and fled when the Ukrans kicked their ass, and it was clear Putin is not going to win this war. This is just mere posturing by Belarus.
In Russia, where the war currently is, Hah! Ukrans have continued their slowed advance along three vectors. Late yesterday, one of the Ukran columns was hit hard by Russian Lancet drones, destroying three Ukran armored vehicles and causing a halt to that advance.
But, Ukran commandoes appeared all the way in L'gov, a small town just 6 miles (northwest) of the Kursk nuclear power plant. They ripped down the Russian flag on L'gov's town hall and posted video on social media of them in L'gov. This is a small unit, about 12-15 soldiers, and they will not stay there. This is designed to embarrass Putin and his lackluster regime and demonstrate to the Russian people they are not safe, Putin can't protect them. And to show the Russian people, and the world, that Putin is full of shit, Russia is not some all-powerful country that needs to be feared.
WOW!!! Ukran warplanes operating over Russian territory. Last night Ukraine attacked a Russian airbase, not with drones or missiles, but with aircraft. Reported that two MIG-29s escorted two SU-27s attack bombers and they struck a Russian base some 40 miles inside of Russia itself. Ukraine operates mostly Soviet-era planes, as a former Soviet state. SU-27s are good attack aircraft, but they are very vulnerable to anti-aircraft missiles, and the hand-held Stinger missiles too. Surprised Ukraine used SU-27s in this attack. Must have known, for sure, Russia had no anti-aircraft weapons in the area.
Also being reported that Ukraine shot down a Russian SU-57 fighter jet last night. This has not been independently confirmed, but if true then that's another WOW!
Anyway, if Ukran SU-27s can safely operate in Russia, then the F-16s will have an absolute field day.
On the ground, not much movement overnight. Ukrans appear to be digging in rather than trying to advance any further. Being reported that Ukraine is rushing reinforcements into Kursk. One report claims Ukraine is sending three brigades, some 10,000 troops. I doubt that is true. But, we shall see.
On a similar note, but not totally related to current events; I watched an absolutely fascinating, just released video, some 2 hours, of actual footage from 1942 of the German 6th Army's advance to Stalingrad. Footage covers from June to September, 1942. It was originally shot in color. Yes, the Germans had color film in 1942.
I was riveted, but then I do love history. Most of the footage is "boring" daily life of the average German soldier, which is fascinating in itself. One segment shows German soldiers fishing, with makeshift cane poles and delighting when they caught a fish. I'm sure it was for supper. The combat footage, of actual combat, is from a distance. The camera crew didn't want to put themselves in harm's way, obviously, so all there is are shots of German tanks, and sometimes German planes, engaged in combat, and infantry moving forward, but never in actual fighting. There is, however, shots of the aftermath of combat. Some very gory and rather disturbing images. Plenty of dead Russians...by the hundreds.
Then a good portion of the footage is from the German 6th Army's taking of Stalingrad, which they did fairly easily. There are some disturbing shots of the hospitals, where women and children injured during the fighting are being treated. It was, however, satisfying to see German Army surgeons and medics working together with Russian doctors and nurses in civilian hospitals treating all the wounded and injured, including Russian soldiers (POWs), German soldiers, and civilians. In one scene, Russian nurses hug and kiss a German surgeon, an officer, as he is departing the civilian hospital after treating injured people there. This film was a Nazi propaganda piece intended to show the German people back home that 1) Germany was defeating the Soviets, and 2) Germans are good people who treat their foes humanely (which we know was not always true).
In case you are not familiar with the whole Battle of Stalingrad, which occurred from July, 1942 to February, 1943 it is considered one of the bloodiest, most desperate battles in all of human history. Started out well for the Germans, but Hitler ordered a good portion of the 6th Army to move and attack further south, leaving only, initially, a small German garrison holding the city. But, Joseph Stalin, for whom Stalingrad was named, was determined to take "his city" back. Soviets amassed a huge army across the Volga River, and when ready, they launched a counterattack and that would result in intense, street to street, house to house combat for months. Eventually, the Soviets introduced two more armies to the fight, and they fought their way through German defenses to surround the city. Portions of the 6th Army had fought its way back into Stalingrad trying to relieve the trapped garrison, but they got trapped too.
The camera crew who shot all that great footage of the 6th Army's advance across Ukraine and Russia, into Stalingrad, had departed for Germany prior to the Soviet counterattack. Luckily for them, eh.
There is confirmation of a SU-34 Russian fighter-bomber being shot down last night.Originally Posted by dawg80
I wouldn’t be surprised if they are some American military behind some of what’s going on. There’s no doubt we can hit what we aim at. You send a few rednecks over there and Russia will be second thinking everything they’ve got planned.
Australia is donating Slingers to Ukraine. What is a Slinger? It's an anti-drone weapon, armed with a 30mm chain gun (automatic cannon) and a 7.62mm machinegun. Well, great, but drones are small and hard to hit. So! the Slingers are not just a regular weapons' platform. It is built and engineered by Australia-based Electo Optics, Inc. This company builds the state-of-the-art tracking system where "space junk" in orbit can be identified and tracked. This is VERY important because there are 6,000 satellites in orbit which are vulnerable to being damaged/destroyed by "space junk." Their system can track junk smaller than 1mm moving at speeds 10X faster than a bullet and do so hundreds of miles straight up in orbit. So, drones, which are fairly slow and at least 18 inches in size, is nothing to this system. More, the whole system weighs just 700 pounds and can be mounted in the back of a pick-up truck, and on armored vehicles too, of course. And, one guy on the computer monitor operates the whole system. Drones can be detected up to 5 miles away, depending on their size, speed, altitude, and programmed into the targeting system. Then the system tracks and destroys each drone. Combined with longer-range radar working with the Slinger's operator, incoming swarms of drones, can be lined up and attacked. And, since the Slinger is highly mobile, it (they) can rapidly move to intercept enemy drones.
Sweden is sending more equipment to Ukraine, including 180 APCs, 12 more Leopard II tanks, and most importantly some 2 million rounds of 155mm artillery shells. And this is just some of Sweden's aid to Ukraine. They are sending $4 billion in aid, which is half of their $8 billion annual defense budget, currently. Sweden's parliament has upped their 2025 defense budget to nearly $12 billion, which is well over NATO's 2% of GDP mandate.
Finland has just sent both of their AWACS planes to Ukraine. Finland's president says this is a calculated risk as the real threat is Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Said, if Putin is successful in Ukraine he will attack other European countries and Finland shares a long border with Russia.
Reports are that Ukraine is continuing to advance deeper into Russia, specifically in Kursk and Belgorod as there is still no concentrated resistance offered by Russia. Putin's propaganda machine, TV networks, have been very quiet the past 24 hours. In fact, very little news at all. Ukrainian leaders have been very guarded with their official press releases the past week, probably so as not to provide intelligence to the Russians. How far can Ukraine advance into Russia? And, well, they had better be very, very careful not to over-extend their incursion. Have to think at some point even the hapless Russians will get their act together and launch a comprehensive counterattack.
Ukraine did release a video on one of their commando units, which is operating very deep inside of Russia. It's a team of 12 commandos, wearing the best camouflage I have seen...think bushes/shrubs...but even that doesn't do it justice. They ambushed a Russian convoy of 6 armored vehicles and 10 trucks carrying troops and ammo and supplies and those 12 Ukran soldiers totally wiped out the whole convoy, not a single Russian vehicle escaped destruction. Many of the Russian soldiers escaped with their lives as they quickly abandoned their vehicles when the attack began and ran for their lives. The Ukrans carry automatic weapons, grenade launchers, and have their own drones. But those uniforms...er, bushes...they wear. One Ukran was laying in the road ditch with a machinegun as the convoy approached, he got up to his knees to open fire, and when he layed down again I swear you could not see him, even though you knew where he was now.
Putin held an emergency meeting with his circle of clowns, his military advisers, which was televised on Russian TV and of course picked up by worldwide networks. Saw clips of it, a lot of casual exchanges between all these goofy generals, with Putin very politely saying "spasiba" (thank you) a lot as they reported. Then Putin nonchalantly said, Kyiv will pay a heavy price for their "illegal incursion" and spoke of some vague counters, of which one of the world's TV guys speculated Putin was referring to nuking Kyiv. Doubtful.
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