Russia

[FriscoDog]

Apparently the Russians are executing soldiers, even up to squad or platoon size if they do not follow orders in Ukraine war..

WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The United States has information that the Russian military is executing soldiers who do not follow orders related to the war with Ukraine, the White House said on Thursday.
"We have information that the Russian military has been actually executing soldiers who refuse to follow orders," White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.
"We also have information that Russian commanders are threatening to execute entire units if they seek to retreat from Ukrainian artillery fire," Kirby said.


https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...rs-2023-10-26/

[dawg80]

A Chechnya official commented on a national TV news show that the Russkies have lost over 1 million men, killed and permanently wounded, defined as unable to return to duty. There are many thousands of Russian amputees because their lousy/over-worked surgeons find it easier just to amputate a damaged limb. Of course, we have American soldiers amputees too, but their wounds to limbs were severe, mangled beyond repair. Recently the Putinites put out a plea for private doctors to volunteer to serve at field hospitals (M*A*S*H) to help with the hundreds of wounded being brought in. No reports on how many doctors have responded.

In February, 2022, just before the invasion, the Russian Army was considered to be the #2 army in the world by some, but really, they were 4th behind the US, China, and India. Regardless, they had one of the largest, most powerful armies in the world and certainly little ole Ukraine stood no chance against them. They have been degraded by over 60% to the point that one pundit now ranks them 10th and dropping. North Korea is now 4th, followed by Pakistan, South Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Turkey, and either Russia or Egypt, depending on how reserves are counted. Our allies, France, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, Japan, Canada, Israel don't maintain a large standing army which is why they don't make the Top 10, but they all have technology and the resources to field a larger army in relatively short order. And if all combined together, they would be in the Top 10.

I think, while terrible on a human basis, this war in Ukraine, totally stupid by Putin, is paying dividends. Evil dictators are learning a valuable lesson about imperialistic ambitions, Hello Xi!, and I think the world will be, ultimately, a safer and saner place. At least, let us hope and pray something good comes out of this.

[dawg80]

Is Putin dead!? That's the rumor being reported by a YouTuber, with an emphasis on "rumor."

[dawg80]

Former Ukrainian politician, was leader of their parliament, and considered a powerful and influential figure, Oleg Tsaryov, proved to be a traitor, pro-Russian POS. He was working behind the scenes with the Russians to betray Ukraine with the promise he would be made the puppet president of Ukraine once it fell to Putin. The plans went awry when the Russians were halted, and then Ukrainian intelligence uncovered the plot. Two of Tsaryov's operatives, fellow conspirators, were arrested and are now serving 20-year sentences. He escaped to Crimea where he owns a hotel; he's a businessman owning hotels and other assets. Well, last night he was shot twice outside of his hotel, where he is currently residing, in what is being termed as an assassination attempt by Ukrainian agents. Latest reports say he is in critical condition in the hospital. Ukrainian officials deny they had anything to do with this shooting. Regardless of who is responsible: DEATH TO ALL TRAITORS.

The Russian offensive at Avdiivka has ground to complete halt. The Ukrans launched a counter-offensive against the Russian right (northern) flank with a small force of a few tanks and supporting infantry, but it was enough to cause the Russians to pause their own attacks to the southwest. Mostly, the Russian advance has reached, or almost reached, the railroad berm and beyond that is open, flat ground. The Russians know the Ukrans have brought up more artillery and are just itching to unleash it against Russian units out in the open. One Russian unit refused to advance there, and it is one of those rumored to have been executed.

In the Kherson region, the Ukrans have fed more troops across the Dnieper River in their beachhead. But, it is more light infantry so no major offensive/advance is expected to be made...yet.

No more information pro or con has been released about Putin's health. It has been 48 hours since the rumors started flying about his death from a heart attack. You would think, if not true, Putin's inner circle would make an official statement denying the rumors. But there has been nothing but silence so far.

[dawg80]

Another Russian ship exploded. The Kirti, a mine sweeper, was patrolling the mouth of the Bay of Sevastopol, I guess searching for mines, when it suddenly exploded. Maybe it found a mine! But reports point to an accident or mechanical failure as drone video appears to show an internal explosion, like the engine just blew or something. Nothing new for Russian ships to sink themselves.

The Ukrans have lost a second Leopard II tank. In both cases the crews survived but the tanks are a total loss. This one was struck by a Russian lancet drone, a suicide drone designed to destroy tanks. It is, unfortunately, an excellent weapon, one of the few recent innovations by the Russians that works well. The Russians are claiming 4 destroyed Leopard IIs, but the other two, while damaged, have been repaired and are returning to duty.

[dawg80]

By Ukraine war standards the past 72 hours have been fairly quiet. There are always artillery exchanges and sparring along the 600-mile front, but nothing significant has happened. One very pro-Ukran YouTuber (known for exaggerations) released a video this morning on the events in the Kherson region, along the Dnieper River. I have stopped watching her videos since they tend to be pure propaganda, but out of curiosity I watched this one, about 8 minutes long. Nothing new really, the Ukrans are pushing more troops across the river and trying to expand their foothold on the east bank. It is true that Putin (or one of his inner-circle thugs) has fired the commanding general of the Kherson operation zone for his recent failures to halt the Ukran advance.

The Ukrans have enjoyed a measure of success expanding their hold around Krinky. The ground to the east and north is impassable wetlands, akin to Louisiana swamps, so the Russians have not been able to bring up reinforcements. The Ukrans hold the only highway and high ground in the vicinity, and they have only light infantry, no tanks or other heavy vehicles, so they are able to advance on soggy ground. But! to what end? To ultimately be successful, beyond this foothold, the Ukrans will need armored vehicles too.

In other news, it is again being reported that the Russians, via an official communication from Putin's Foreign Minister, are seeking peace talks. The Ukrans have not commented or responded to this overture. Months ago President Z made a statement there will be no peace talks until every Russian invader is off of Ukrainian ground, including Crimea. I agree with President Z, what is there to talk about? The evil Russkies just need to go home, and then peace will naturally follow.

[dawg80]

U.S. News and World Report has declared Russia's army to be the #1 most formidable in the world, ahead of the US and China, and all others. I thought this article might have dated from years ago, but nope, was just written and published today. Guess that explains the #1 army getting its ass kicked by the Ukrans. Russia has never been #1...except maybe briefly in mid-1945 as they had several million men in arms, but even then, the US had a much, much superior navy, air corps, and we had the bomb too. In February 2022 most in-the-know pundits ranked Russia #4 in the world, some had them #2 or #3, but then again, those sources underestimated India's military capability. Well, whatever their status might have been in February 2020 they are no better than 10th today. I wouldn't place much faith in anything U.S. News and World Report publishes...

[dawg80]

Rumors flying regarding Putin's death. One of the latest, coming from a usually reliable source, claims Putin died this past weekend, and his inner circle is parading his body double as him. On Sunday the Kremlin released a short video alledgly of Putin, from his private rural palace, making a few statements but it was actually his body double. It is confirmed his body double portrayed Putin in some public appearances over the past couple of years, for security reasons, and no one noticed it wasn't him. So, it is very possible for them to continue the charade that Putin is still alive, if they want to. I suppose they can pretend to the point the fake Putin announces his replacement and says he is retiring.

President Lukashenko of Belarus has distanced himself from Putin/Russia saying this war must be ended and both sides need to be prepared to make concessions. Also, due to some disputes between them, all Russian units are being withdrawn from Belarus. Ukranian officials cite this as a relief as they have kept a sizeable force along the Belarus border to guard against another invasion from there. Remember that Russian units invaded Ukraine directly from Belarus back in February 2022, accompanied initially by Belarus forces too. But when things quickly turned sour for the Putinites, Belarus withdrew its troops and has mostly stayed out of the war since.

Ukrans have advanced southwest of Robotyne marking the first such advance in a month. They are trying to seize a line of Russian defenses along a low ridge, in a wooded area, prior to the winter setting in.

The Russians are doubling down, really tripling down, on their attempted encirclement of Avdiika, again with an eye on the pending winter weather. More Russian units have been sent to both flanks making the Ukrans nervous about a big push. The Russians don't have to complete the encirclement if they can seize two major highways which are the supply lines into Avdiika. They are 1.5 miles away in the north and less than a mile from the southern route. But to accomplish this will require Russian units crossing open ground through recently enhanced minefields. It can be done, but at a very, very heavy price. Could come to a head in the next few days.

[dawg80]

British military think tank reporting that Ukraine lacks the manpower, the boots on the ground, necessary to launch and sustain a major offensive. So, while western equipment/technology keeps Ukraine in the game making it impossible for Russia, sans a huge buildup of 6 million new recruits, to win the war, Ukraine can't win the war either since it takes troops to actually hold territory gained.

According to this analysis and others similar to it, a stalemate has been reached where it's Ukran tech vs. Russian manpower. Russia is a country of 145 million people, Ukraine has 33 million. But, because Russia lacks the means to outfit and supply an army of 6 million, it can't happen even if the evil leadership wanted it to. Hell, Russia can't adequately equip/supply the army it has in the field right now. Another 6 million is impossible! The report provides details how they arrived at the 6-million-man figure. They had to make assumptions which may or may not prove to be accurate.

So...does this mean neither side can win, as has been stated by pundits/sources? Nope! because what is not being considered are the intangibles and how one defines "winning." First, there's the willingness of either side continuing. Did the US "lose" the Vietnam War? One can say that given the results, but in reality from a military viewpoint, no, we did not lose...we simply quit. We walked away after winning every major battle fought. There were 23 major battles fought, as defined as a "battle" in military science, and we were a perfect 23-0. There were scores of major "skirmishes" where we won 90%+ of those, and many minor skirmishes, where we won well over 75% of those. Yet...we lost the war? No, we lost the willingness to continue fighting in Vietnam. All the Viet Cong needed to do was "not lose," i.e. not quit. Well, the same can be said for Ukraine, just don't quit and eventually Russia will tire of this and simply quit/leave. They did so after 10 years in Afghanistan, and they will again here.

And, there is also how either defines "winning" vs. "losing." For Russia they can quit on trying to hold Donbas and settle on the pre-2022 status of holding Crimea. Doing this will cause Ukraine to lose support from the rest of the world and Ukraine will have no choice but to accept that reality. For Ukraine, they can take the initiative of defining victory as liberating Donbas and claim they will retake Crimea later. Being pro-active like this may cause the world (NATO) to agree to equip Ukraine enough to liberate Donbas. As it stands now NATO realizes that Crimea will be a very tough nut to crack and are analyzing the situation with an eye on Ukraine's current determination of liberating Crimea too. NATO also knows that a true threat of losing Crimea will cause the Putinites to really dig their heels in and could cause the war to escalate. Taking that off the table makes supporting Ukraine more palatable for NATO.

[dawg80]

Is Putin dead!? That's the rumor being reported by a YouTuber, with an emphasis on "rumor."

Still a rumor. Has not been proven he is dead nor have they presented any evidence he is alive. Makes me think he is dead as reported. Another thing, the inner circle has named a successor, um, for such time as Putin really dies. Find it odd they would release such a statement and qualify it with "at such time when Putin dies." Again, makes me think he has died, or is about to. Maybe that's it, his condition is critical and it's just a matter of time now.

Also, there are news leaks that the new leadership will truly seek a ceasefire and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. If that is true, it will be welcomed by the whole of the civilized world.

[dawg80]

Russian offensive at Vuhledare completely crushed, obliterated! Seems they never learn.

In the biggest news of the day, Ukrainian officials admit a stalemate has been reached. But the Kremlin quickly rejected that notion saying it just shows that Soviet strategy is superior to "NATO doctrine." Whatever that means; what "NATO doctrine" is being employed by the Ukrans? And while this exchange of "diplomatic nonsense" was on-going, the Russkies proceeded to prove the point by ceasing offensive operations at Avdiivka and there were less than 20 combat events along the whole 600-mile front. Usually there are between 80-100 firefights, artillery dules, or drone operations, but recently it has greatly slowed down. Now, this alone doesn't prove anything as it could be a lull before a storm, but thus far the Russians have not shown they can successfully carry out a major offensive. Every time they have tried their forces get wiped out in a one-sided rout.

China and North Korea are supplying Russia with ammo/supplies, most notably 1 million artillery shells, while NATO has slowed its re-supply to Ukraine to a mere 10,000 shells monthly. Of course, the NATO ammo actually works while that old Soviet-era crap from North Korea has proven to be hit or miss, sometimes it works, sometimes they are duds.

One pundit, a YouTuber who has been one of my reliable sources since he doesn't spin or sugarcoat the news, is surmising this is headed toward a Korean-style stalemate, a DMZ, where the two sides remain officially at war but there is no actual combat. If this happens that will mean Ukraine cannot be admitted into NATO as a nation presently at war cannot join NATO. That might be enough to convince the Russkies to accept a true ceasefire and adopt a Korean-style stand-off.

[dawg80]

Waited for confirmation but it appears the Ukrans destroyed a key train station, supply depot, and railroad hub, and a fuel train of over 40 tanker cars of fuel for tanks and other vehicles, in the city of Donetsk. They used HIMARS. This will turn out to be a big thing when Russian units in the field call for fuel and supplies. Oops!

And I love this one! Russians have developed and deployed a GPS jamming electronic system, mounted on a truck, designed to jam the global system whereby long-range drones are guided. It is, in theory, designed to blind the drone operators, not being able to use GPS to guide the kamikaze drones onto a target at distance. Sounds awesome, but... just one problem, the truck/system was destroyed by a [drum roll please] GPS-guided drone! Ya gotta love it! Hmmm, why wasn't that drone's GPS guidance system jammed? That is another oops!

[dawg80]

France sent 40 rubber-tired, 6-wheel drive mobile artillery units. They also have machineguns and can carry 4 soldiers to be deployed. They are fast but lightly armored and are vulnerable to drones and any type of anti-tank weapons. France had retired this vehicle deeming it unsuitable for the modern battlefield. But they offered them and Ukraine said, sure, send them. They do pack a 105mm howitzer which is a good gun.

Russians have begun digging in on the flanks of Avdiivka indicating they are settling in for the winter. One funny thing happened, a Ukran drone was flying around videoing the Russians building defenses and a kamikaze drone comes along, not seeing a better target, the drone destroyed an outhouse. Yes, a "shitter"! Guess the Russkies will have to crap in their trench.

[dawg80]

Russians had two small advances this morning, basically seizing woods along a fence line which was held by just 8-10 Ukran soldiers. Minor skirmishes resulting in nothing really important. The Ukrans will send in more troops and retake both positions today. Russians have stepped up their artillery barrages in several sectors indicating the million shells sent by North Korea have reached the front lines. The Ukrans lack the shells to respond in kind, have to be more selective with their supply, so they are just hunkering down and/or relocating their own artillery batteries to avoid being destroyed.

Otherwise, another mostly quiet night.

[dawg80]

Ukran cruise missiles struck and have apparently damaged a Russian corvette which was anchored at the Kerch shipyard, which is near the Kerch bridge. Russian sources claim the Ukrans sent 15 cruise missiles, 13 were shot down, but two got through and both struck the ship. No official word from Ukranian sources.

The Ukran 47th Brigade produced evidence they have destroyed 140 Russian tanks/armored vehicles at Avdiivka sent October 15. Sources say the Russians have lost close to 200 heavy vehicles, thanks to the 47th Brigade, which is made up of Bradley Fighting Machines and Leopard II Tanks. The brigade's spokesman says they have proof of 140 kills. The Russians have lost so many vehicles that their new tactic is to speed in with APCs and trucks, quickly drop off infantry and then try to hurry away. But even then they are losing vehicles to drones and artillery. Then the poor saps in the infantry are helpless against long-range weapons, like artillery and drones. One YouTuber showed drone video of about 100 Russian soldiers completely wiped out from artillery strikes. They were dropped off and hurried up a road along a woods line, open fields on both sides. Artillery struck causing the survivors to seek cover in the woods, which has already been targeted/zeroed-in by the Ukrans. The entire woods exploded in overlapping artillery blasts, no way could anyone have survived that. And as proof, Ukran drones hovered around for some 24 hours and not a single Russian soldier was seen emerging from the woods.

Word is the Russians are amassing 40,000 fresh troops to attack at Avdiivka. I don't believe those numbers, just stupid propaganda from Putin apologists trying to spin the situation. This is what they have stooped to now, making these stupid claims that, okay, now Putin is getting serious and the poor ole Ukrainians stand no chance. All meant to continue to fool the Russian populace into thinking they aren't losing the war.

President Z expressed extreme displeasure with General Z over his statements that a stalemate has been reached. Yes, the general's name also begins with a Z, another long name. The Prez Z is threatening to fire the general, but hasn't yet. Pundits say that General Z is the reason Ukraine is winning, or at least NOT LOSING the war. That General Z has managed the Ukran war effort masterfully with a pragmatic approach. Yes, General Z has done all that could be done given the uneven contest, and has performed brilliantly.

General Z gave his reasons, and most pundits agree. The Ukrans simply lack the manpower, the sheer number of boots on the ground, to seize and hold territory. We see this all along the front, Russians advance, get clobbered, but find that weak point where only a few Ukran soldiers are holding several hundred meters of the line and are compelled to retreat. The Russians seize that trench or woods line, and then less than 24 hours later are slaughtered by artillery and drones. For the Ukrans to advance and hold large sectors of territory in Donbas and eventually in Crimea they will have to have the numbers for both offensive operations and defensive garrison duty. They need, by estimates, another 300,000 infantry and all the logistical support to accomplish this.