Russia

[dawg80]

Whoa! brutal. Ukrans have started using a flamethrower drone. Video has been released and it is brutal. Some kind of gelatin fuel that clings to whatever it touches and burns. Water won't put it out, maybe some kind of foam would work. Video shows such a drone hovering over a strip of woods along a road where Russian soldiers were hiding, with an emphasis on WERE! Those not set ablaze were seen scurrying in every direction, as the drone slowly passed overhead raining fire. It went about 250-300 yards before it ran out of fuel, then departed back to base to be refilled. The woods were set on fire too, removing the cover the Russians had enjoyed.

Russians are deliberately attacking civilians with no pretense of striking a military target, they are using chemical weapons*, they have executed POWs, all violations of the Geneva Convention. So, if Ukraine is using a brutal, but legal weapon, so be it.

*a Ukrainian soldier has died from exposure to Putin's chemical attacks. Many more are in hospitals, some in serious conditions, as a result of the illegal chemical attacks.

[dawg80]

Putin murdered 41 more Ukrainian civilians overnight, with his cruise missile strikes on a town. No military or critical infrastructure targets, just random hits in residential areas.

Putin is in Mongolia, which is a member of the UN and International Criminal Court Treaty, which obligates it to arrest and detain Putin. Instead, they rolled out the red carpet in a welcoming ceremony. Mongolia wants to buy Russian oil and are hoping for a better price than current market. Follow the money...

In other news (better), Ukranian forces continue to enjoy success in the Kursk incursion. Progress has slowed as Russia has been rushing units to Kursk, but thus far, the Ukrans are still winning every engagement. And, in good news, Ukraine has turned back Russia's advance west of Avdiivka, the "Avdiivka Bulge," retaking key high ground along the southern edge of the bulge. And, Russia has made no further gains toward Pokvosk in the past 2 days. A stalemate has developed about 5 miles east of that key town. Now that the Ukrainian army has built defenses, rather than planting pretty flowers .

Death toll is up to 51 with 217 injured. You use "injured" when it's civilians (and "wounded" when it's military). Some of the casualties include college students at a local community college. This happened in a town named Poltava. President Z has finally been pushed over the edge. He says Ukraine will now retaliate with direct strikes against Russian civilians. Up till now President Z/Ukraine has demonstrated incredible fortitude restraining from stooping down to Putin's level. Yes, some Russian civilians have been killed/injured by Ukran strikes, but none of them were targeted; they were part of collateral damage.

I understand how pissed off President Z is with these criminal attacks against his citizens, but I hope his reaction today was one of the knee-jerk variety and after thinking on it, he'll refrain from retaliating in kind.

BTW, the Russians are bombing their own towns and villages with heavy, dumb bombs, their glide bombs and utterly destroying the places and inflicting casualties on Russian civilians. A Russian spokesman said the people were told to evacuate, were offered a $150/family to cover expenses (yep!), and if they chose to remain, then sorry, but the Ukrainians occupying these towns must be attacked. Ukraine has taken over 120+ towns/villages in Kursk in this incursion. Putin will slaughter his own people; little wonder he doesn't care about murdering Ukrainians.

[dawg80]

Ukraine will be the first nation to deploy into combat the German-built RCH 155. This is a Remote-Controlled-Howitzer (in 155mm). It is self-propelled, of course, and operators will drive them, fire them, from distances as great as 30 miles. The vehicle is compact, fast, and because there is no crew compartment and need to accommodate soldiers, it is one giant computerized weapon, which can carry over 10X the number of shells, in a variety. The autoloader is faster than human loaders, and the operator, with a push of some buttons can quickly select the type of warhead needed and set the propellant to hit the target at various distances. It can fire a shell up to 35 miles with deadly accuracy and can fire 8 rounds per minute. These RCH 155s will work in tangent with scout/targeting drones, which will locate/identify enemy targets and instantly feed that to the operator. There is also a two-man crew option, not fully automated. Several of these will be battle-tested in the coming months in Ukraine.

German officials say the Ukrans are the most experienced/skilled operators of remote weapons, like drones, and will easily adapt to this system. Initially, Germany is sending 56 of these units and sources say they will be fully deployed and in active combat in 5-6 weeks. There is a training regimen and a logistical regimen to iron out first.

Ukraine has designed and produced its own APC and 25 of them are expected to go into action in the next couple of weeks. This vehicle is the direct result of experience gained by the Ukrans over the past 2 1/2 years. Have only seen a photo of a prototype. Doesn't look that different than the APCs currently in use in Ukraine/Russia, but it is said to be very different where it matters most. Like Israel, and Taiwan, and other nations living under the threat of a bully, Ukraine has initiated its own domestic military manufacturing/design industry.

[dawg80]

Belarus shot down two Russian long-range, Shahed drones, as they passed through their air space this morning. Up till now, Belarus has allowed Russian drones and cruise missiles to fly over their territory bound for Ukraine. But this is a huge 180 Belarus change of policy. This is a "you're on your own Putin" move. I think Belarus knows Putin/Russia is losing the war and Belarus now wants to not be shunned by Europe and the rest of the world. This is no small story. Belarus actually invaded Ukraine back in 2022, then withdrew when operations didn't go as planned, and since then has been a passive ally of Russia. Not anymore, apparently.

[dawg80]

Ukraine has sent reinforcements to the Avdiivka bulge, the Russian advance threatening Pokvosk, and has halted the Russians' progress. In fact, there have been three reversals, in "the front" i.e. the western edge, and along both flanks, north and south. Yesterday the biggest reversal occurred at the village of Selydove, which is about 5 miles east of Pokvosk. Ukrainian units stormed in and completely routed the Russians sending them retreating and clearing, not only the village, but up to a 1/2 mile beyond. One of Ukraine's elite units, he 79th Brigade, struck the northern flank capturing key high ground and inflicting 150 casualties and destroying 6 armored vehicles, including two tanks. Russians outnumber Ukrainians in the Avdiivka bulge 5 to 1, but many (most?) of the Russians are conscripts and/or green rookies, while the Ukrainians are mostly combat veterans. Units like the 79th Brigade, along with others like 59th, 24th, and of course the heralded 3rd Assault Brigade, kick ass every time they engage. The Russians are literally afraid of these units and often retreat when they learn they are in the area.

At Selydove the retreating Russians tried to block the main highway east of the village by parking three armored vehicles under a train passage. The highway passes under a hill, where the RR tracks are, via a short tunnel. The Russians left three perfectly good armored vehicles crossways "blocking" the tunnel. Only, it didn't work because....get ready for this...the Ukrans simply got inside and drove the vehicles off, thankyaverymuch, as one of them was a self-propelled howitzer, one of the better artillery pieces Russia has. The Russian "rookies" easily panic when they face adversary.

Russia made small gains toward another key location, Vuhledar, a town that sits where the eastern front meets the southern front. Russia has been trying since the war began to capture Vuhledar, but have failed thus far. Russia has suffered enormous losses and recently finally stopped the foolish direct attacks in favor of working the flanks. They have made some small gains both north and south of the town, obviously they are trying to encircle it, much like they did Avdiivka.

Reports from reliable sources say Putin is amassing 60,000 troops near Kursk for his counter-offensive to retake the lost ground, now some 500 square miles and 120+ towns and villages. Best estimates place Ukrainian numbers in Kursk at 8,000 soldiers, with some limited reinforcements joining almost daily. Of course, most of this vast 60,000-man Putin army will be conscripts/green troops, but perhaps they will be more motivated to fight since they are defending Mother Russia ground. Putin, and his military advisors, said they would not weaken their forces in Ukraine to retake Kursk, so they have been busy raising this new army. We shall see how effective this new bunch will be. One thing is certain, many of them won't live to celebrate success, should there be any.

[dawg80]

More reversals for Ukraine. The town of Niu York (yes, pronounced New York) has been taken back less than 2 weeks after it fell to Russian forces. This victory courtesy of the 3rd Assault Brigade (Azov).

[dawg80]

Ukrans blow up a warehouse stocked with North Korean cruise missiles and other types of missiles, like those used by Russia's S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft systems. Anti-Putin partisan spies alerted Ukraine on the shipments of missiles coming in from NK and being stored in a large warehouse. When the warehouse was full, Bam! Ukraine hit it with long-range drones, which they flew in via an open skylight on the roof of the warehouse. Huge explosion(s) rocked the area and now the warehouse and several adjacent buildings are engulfed in raging infernos. No reports of casualties, but there probably are some.

[dawg80]

Paladin, another private mercenary organization, like Wagner, has turned against Putin and his regime. Their leader has taken his life in his hands by going public in criticizing Putin and calling for his removal. Look for that dude to be found dead soon. Paladin is smaller in number, about 300 soldiers, but they have been very active up till now fighting for and supporting Putin. Paladin joins an ever-growing number of organizations/people calling for a regime change in Russia.

[dawg80]

Putin's engineering marvel, his pride and joy, the Kerch Bridge, is starting to succumb to the pounding it has taken from Ukrainian drones. Atesh, the anti-Putin partisan group operating behind enemy lines, reported a large section of the Kerch Bridge collapsed overnight. Well, some of the repair work, patch work done by Russian crews is not holding. And, sources say the constant strikes by explosives, delivered by drones, has weaken the structure itself. The structural integrity of the bridge is rapidly deteriorating due to support beams missing or weakened by the attacks.

The Kerch Bridge is 12 miles long spanning the channel between Crimea and Russia. It has both a highway and railroad bridge and is absolutely critical for commerce and especially for re-supplying Crimea, both the Russian military and Russian civilians who relocated there after Putin's 2014 seizure of the peninsula. The Russians have resorted to using boats and ferries to supply Crimea anticipating the closure/loss of the bridge. But these crafts are even more vulnerable, and thus less reliable, than the bridge. Ukrainian drones have preyed upon the boats/ferries with relative ease.

Putin sent his very latest, most-modern anti-aircraft system, the S-500, to Kerch to try to protect the bridge. Together with an array of S-300, S-400, and the recently developed/deployed Pancry-S1 (anti-drone system) the Kerch Bridge is better guarded than the Kremlin itself. Yet! Ukrainian drones continue to sneak through the veil of protection and strike the bridge. Ukraine has also been attacking the defense systems, having already destroyed over a dozen S-300 and S-400 missile batteries.

Note: the Pancry-S1 anti-drone system was also mounted on track vehicles, the chassis of T-72 tanks, and deployed to the front in Donbas, this several months ago. The Ukrans accepted the challenge and attacked the anti-drone vehicles with drones. Both vehicles were destroyed after 72 hours of off and on drone attacks. Yes, the Russians shot down many drones that were attacking the two vehicles, but these were drones that lost less than $1,000 each, and the Pancry-S1 system cost Putin well over $100 million to develop, build, and deploy. In addition to the systems themselves, the Russians also deployed other anti-drone measures trying to protect the two expensive vehicles. But, in three days both systems went kaboom!

Reportedly, the Russians learned their lesson....you cannot beat Ukranian drones, period...and have positioned the Pancry-S1 batteries at Kerch in hardened, what they hope are, anti-drone structures. Just better not have any openings, like a vent or window, because the skilled Ukran operators will fly drones into the structure and kaboom! again.

[dawg80]

Update on Kerch Bridge. Photos released showing the decking on the RR portion sagging badly! Metal railings along a walkway fell into the sea, and the tracks are visibly buckled. Pundits say, yes this can be repaired, but it will take time and will shut down the rail line for several months. That is, in peace time. But right now construction crews will be under constant attack, so very likely the Kerch Bridge will be closed for the RR until the war is over...or during an extended ceasefire.

[dawg80]

Ukrainian drones over Moscow. That's the early report this morning, but the whole report has not been independently confirmed by reliable sources yet. The early reports are of more attacks at Moscow International Airport, shutting down commercial air traffic again, and attacks in residential areas, including a huge shopping mall/business office complex in a suburb of Moscow. Ukraine has refrained from deliberate attacks against purely civilian targets in Russia, but as mentioned, there has been collateral damage. So, until confirmed otherwise I will chalk up these reports as either misinformation or more collateral damage with the real target being Russian military or important infrastructure for the war effort.

Speaking of collateral damage...the attack on the warehouse with North Korean missiles was in a town named Voresch. The fire has spread from the destroyed warehouse out of control and a report from yesterday says 75% of the town has been burnt to the ground, and the fire is still not contained. No reports of deaths or injuries.

[dawg80]

Ukrainian drones over Moscow. That's the early report this morning, but the whole report has not been independently confirmed by reliable sources yet. The early reports are of more attacks at Moscow International Airport, shutting down commercial air traffic again, and attacks in residential areas, including a huge shopping mall/business office complex in a suburb of Moscow. Ukraine has refrained from deliberate attacks against purely civilian targets in Russia, but as mentioned, there has been collateral damage. So, until confirmed otherwise I will chalk up these reports as either misinformation or more collateral damage with the real target being Russian military or important infrastructure for the war effort.

Speaking of collateral damage...the attack on the warehouse with North Korean missiles was in a town named Voresch. The fire has spread from the destroyed warehouse out of control and a report from yesterday says 75% of the town has been burnt to the ground, and the fire is still not contained. No reports of deaths or injuries.

One civilian death, three injured in the drone strikes in and around Moscow. By all unbiased accounts the drone that struck a high-rise apartment building and killed a 40-something year old woman had been damaged and knocked off course by Russian anti-drone fire. The incident happened about 20 miles outside of Moscow in a small city. These long-range drones are some 7 feet in length, 10-foot wingspan, weigh a couple hundred pounds, and pack a warhead of 75-100 pounds of pop. If knocked off course they will plow through/into most buildings and the warhead is set off with an impact firing pin.

Of course, the Putin propagandists and those anti-Ukrainian SOBs sympathetic to Putin elsewhere are condemning this as a terrorist attack and calling on the west to stop supporting Ukraine. Not even a nice try there ole Puty baby, we know the truth. Eat it.

[dawg80]

Tough night for Ukraine. Russians enjoyed success in both the Avdiivka Bulge and in Kursk. In Kursk the anticipated Russian counterattack has begun in earnest. Clever tactics used by the Russian commander on the ground on the eastern front of the Kursk Pocket, as it is called. Russia has amassed 60,000 troops around Kursk, held by 8,000 Ukrainians. The Russian forces are a mix of conscripts and veteran troops, including units of the "elite" Russian 1st Paratrooper Division. The Russians mounted on armored vehicles began to advance toward lightly held Ukrainian positions, spanning 4 villages across about 8 miles of front. The Ukrans immediately launched drones, and the Russian vehicles turned away, withdrawing. The Ukran drones did not pursue being recalled, and then suddenly, the whole Russian column, pulled a 180 and raced at full speed following the drones toward the Ukrainian positions. Before they knew it Russian APCs and their version of the Bradley, were crashing through the light defenses. Russia captured four villages and took Ukrainian prisoners. In this area the Ukrans have not been able to mine the fields, which are flat and dry, so even wheeled vehicles can move rapidly without fear of striking a mine. But, the Ukrans have been busy building strong defenses further in the Kursk Pocket.

[FriscoDog]

Clint Russell on X: "It is expected that Blinken will announce tomorrow that the US has given Ukraine the greenlight to strike deep inside Russia using Western made Storm Shadow missiles. This would mean NATO & the US are at war with Russia. Putin explains their position here https://t.co/NYJnN13Ru3" / X


It is expected that Blinken will announce tomorrow that the US has given Ukraine the greenlight to strike deep inside Russia using Western made Storm Shadow missiles. This would mean NATO & the US are at war with Russia. Putin explains their position here

These people are about to start WWIII as part of some political stunt and attempt to keep power. They are extremely dangerous.

[FriscoDog]

Some more information coming out about how the current admin really hoping for war...


Ivan Katchanovski on X: "Wow! Nuland basically admits that Ukraine-Russia peace deal, which was close to being finalized in spring 2022, “fell apart” because US, UK & other Western governments “advised” Zelensky government that it was not “good deal” even though even members of Ukrainian delegation https://t.co/HPsrpOzQNf" / X