Russia

[dawg80]

Putin tried to sink a ship he says was carrying military equipment and supplies to Ukraine. The cargo on the ship is non-military and belongs to an Italian company, an exporter, and the ship was flying a Panama flag as it has been leased and is operated by a Panamanian shipping company. The ship was about to make port in Poland, I think, when the hypersonic missile struck. There was a huge explosion, one that rattled windows in that port city and sent people screaming and scurrying for cover. Reports say two crewmen were injured, some of the cargo destroyed, and the ship damaged but did manage to dock safely.

So! Italy and Panama should declare war on Putin! er...Russia. Oh, and Poland too.

[dawg80]

Waiting on more details, but overnight Russia launched two attacks across the border into Sumy, which is one of Ukraine's eastern provinces Putin wants badly. Pro-Putin sources are claiming a huge success with a deep penetration, but they always do that. Have to wait for the reliable sources to post something.

Also, last night, more of Putin's oil infrastructure was hit by long-range drones. One oil refinery struck, and set ablaze, is 1,000 miles inside of Russia, city of Ufa. The other attack was a small oil storage site which had just been completed to replace another site destroyed earlier.

[dawg80]

A Swiss cargo ship was hit by a Putin missile as it was entering port at Odesa, Ukraine. Reports are there was a huge explosion with catastrophic casualties. Putin also attacked and severely damaged a British cargo ship as it was approaching Poland on the Baltic Sea. In all these cases Putin CLAIMS the ships were delivering military equipment, ammo, supplies for Ukraine. So far, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Now, of course, we all know European countries have been sending military assets to Ukraine, so maybe Putin is just guessing which ships are carrying what. What will Europe do about this?

[dawg80]

Putin has returned to his ultra-evil ways deliberately attacking non-military targets in Ukraine. No way were these mistakes because even Russia's cruise missiles and long-range ballistic missiles are accurate. A children's hospital and two boarding schools, with kids, were hit last night. The worst case is in Odesa. Early reports say dozens of children are dead, many dozens more injured. One of the schools' dormitories collapsed and the death toll is expected to rise. There were 80 kids in that dorm. Putin is emboldened by Trump's rhetoric and his suspension of US military aid to Ukraine.

But...we are told Putin is the good guy, President Z is the bad guy.

Guess I will slowly lose interest in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The news coming out won't be good. But, heck, we don't care, right?

[DallasDog]

I think Ukraine is pretty far down the average Americans problems list. It's been documented in a lot of studies over recent years, that the average American suffers war fatigue from constantly being active somewhere in the world. It doesn't mean being there is right or wrong etc. they just have gotten to the point where it is tuned out, and to add the economy making it harder for more and more Americans to stretch their dollar, it's just not high on their radar.

That being said I don't think anyone actually thinks Putin is the good guy or right side here.

Celebrities can rail at the wind and anything else, and the media needs content, but joe blow in the Midwest not so much. They are more focused on the tariff arguments and domestic issues.

I know the last time a threat to Europe came about they either under heal quickly or took the appeasement route and were run over (exception UK), although their appeasement almost did them in as well. At some point in history the current configuration of the EU and UK will have to stand up and put their money and their men where their mouth is. If they do I would like to think we would be right there again with them, but the age of the U.S. Hegemony leading is coming to an end, it is just how fast or slow that it happens.

[DallasDog]

Most of Europe has allowed themselves to feel comfortable with having a US shield and several spend less than the EU target of 2% GDP on defense. The EU today announced a plan to increase defense spending and measures to relax rules about countries and the EU banking mechanism itself loaning monies for military spending and loans to defense contractors etc. Even if everything passes it will still take considerable time to ramp it all up. The good news is it only has to pass through certain commissions and doesn't require ratification from all 27 members.

We supply roughly 20% of the arms to Ukraine and Europe roughly 25%, but what we have provided are the biggest and most powerful options they have, and which we are the only makers of in the world. Germany, the UK, France have similar missiles, but quite as good and they already have a drawdown of munitions from their current support. No one wants to deplete their own stock by a significant amount.

[dawg80]

The EU has spent more on buying Putin's oil & gas than funding Ukraine's war efforts.

Speaking of Putin's O&G...three more oil refineries struck last night: Baza, Kostov, and Syzran. Fires raging.

Ukran F-16s and two Mirage 2000 fighter-bombers were videoed attacking Russian forces on the ground, and a Ukran F-16 scored an air-to-air hit on a Russian SU-30 fighter-bomber, pilots bailed out, the jet crashed. The Russians seemed surprised, even oblivious to the presence of Ukrainian planes in the air. Back in 2022 when the war started, Ukraine had plenty of planes in the air, those old Soviet Migs, and for months the sky was filled with dogfights. But out-numbered and flying inferior jets, the Ukrans eventually gave that up. But now, the tide has turned.

More "wins" for Ukraine yesterday and last night on the ground. As usual these were small gains, like taking a tree line, portions of a town, a small farming village, and in one case, some empty fields.

[DallasDog]

Europe was never going to stop buying Russian oil. Everyone knew that. Petrol prices soar and Politian's lose jobs. If EU and its citizens didn't care enough to actually send troops to stop Russia, they certainly don't care where their heating oil and gasoline are coming from. They just don't talk about it.

The more seat time the pilots get in those planes the more imbalanced the air campaign will become too.

[dawg80]

More wins yesterday and last night for Ukraine. These are all minor successes, but for a country "that can NOT win this war," any such positive outcomes are welcomed.

Finally got a reliable report on Russia's "big offensive" into Sumy Oblast. It was total BS. The Russians sent some commandos, supported by a company of regular infantry. They did penetrate the Ukran line in two places. They placed explosives, damaging a bridge, and took down some poles that supported wired communications. There were a few brief firefights, but in the end, the Russians retired back across the border.

In some bad/sad news. About 150 Ukrainian recruits were killed, another 100+ wounded, in a cruise missile attack that hit their training camp. The camp was well-hidden, disguised, so the Ukrans suspected an inside job that tipped off the Russians. A Ukrainian army officer, rank of major, has been arrested and charged in this case. Seems he is from Donbas and has a Russian-sympathetic lean. One pundit reports this traitor went over to the Russians as a spy, getting paid, about a year ago when he thought Russia would win and he wanted to be on the winning side. Can't stand traitors.

[dawg80]

Russian Cossacks on the attack! Yes, in 2025, Putin has resorted to mounted cavalry. Saw video from Ukran drones attacking, the stupid Russians riding horses into battle. Feel sorry for the horses, poor creatures don't want any part of war. Whole Russian cavalry unit wiped out by drones and artillery. Russians are retreating on three fronts in Donbas, but did have a success piercing Ukrainian line on the northwest portion of the Kursk salient. There about 1,000 North Korean infantry supported the few tanks Putin has left, and some fighting vehicles, and they caused about 1/2 mile gap in the Ukran line and poured through. Ukrans counter-attacked to check the penetration, fighting still on-going this morning.

Ukran Mirage 2000 jets shot down two Russian jets (not identified as type, but they are thought to be SU-25 fighter-bombers).

[dawg80]

Russians are threatening to cutoff the bottom 1/3 of the Kursk salient. The salient, as it stands now, is about 25 miles north-south (tall) and about 9 miles east-west (wide). Russian infantry using a heavily wooded creek bottom sliced nearly across the 9-mile width about 8 miles up. The Ukran units in that southern portion are not trapped as there are two good roads that lead back into Ukraine, the Sumy Oblast. After the Russians attacked in the NW sector of the salient the Ukrans moved reserves up to support the other units. The Russians used that opportunity to attack in the southeast sector. Fighting is still raging so the matter is not settled. In the bigger picture word has leaked from Ukrainian HQ in Kyiv that all Ukrainians will be withdrawn from Kursk in about two weeks. The concern is Putin (and Trump) will joyfully announce the withdrawal as a HUGE!!! Russian victory. The plan was never to hold the Kursk salient for any length of time. In fact, the original objective back in August, 2024 was to conduct a raid into Sudzha and destroy the supplies and equipment stored there. But, the Ukrans were surprised, shocked! even, how easy it was and the lack of any resistance. So, they kept going and when the Russians did try a counterattack the Ukrans easily wiped it out. The decision was then made to move reinforcements into Kursk and Ukraine has held the salient for the past 6+ months.

In Donbas the Ukrans enjoyed the fourth straight day of successes. Small gains, small victories, but a promising trend is developing.

[dawg80]

Using French and Polish recently donated fighting vehicles, the Ukrans crushed the Russians in the southern part of the key city of Chasiv Yar. Europe is stepping up and many in Ukraine are saying, "f**k Trump, f**k America." Some project the US will be cut out of the minerals' deal. Well, if that happens Trump will just get our minerals' deal with his pal, Putin. That should make many happy who love Putin and hate Ukraine.

More Ukran drone strikes on Putin's oil infrastructure, the latest near St. Petersburg.

[dawg80]

I posted previously that the current Ukrainian army structure is based on the individual brigades which are the largest organized units. There are no divisions or corps. Well, there is now! The recently formed "Azov Division" made its first appearance on the battlefield delivering a severe blow to the Russians at Toretsk.

The "Azov Division" is composed of the 3rd Assault Brigade, the 12th Brigade Ukrainian National Guard, the 43rd Mobile Artillery Brigade, and the 40th Battalion Aerial Assault (drones). The 12th Brigade, National Guard, is an elite unit. Do not be fooled by its affiliation in the National Guard. The rank & file of the 12th is composed of former regular army, reservists, veterans, who are true patriots, motivated to defend Ukraine. Now, the division can field 8,500 infantry. The 43rd artillery is the very best with HIMARS missiles, the towed 155mm US-made howitzers, and the awesome German-made PzH 2000, self-propelled 155mm howitzer. The 40th drone battalion is renowned for its successes and innovations.

What this division lacks is a heavy armored brigade. Well, hello! the 24th Armored Brigade, with its Leopard IIs, Abrams, and Bradley Fighting Vehicles has made overtures to join the Azov Division. Right now, most of the 24th is heavily engaged in the Kursk salient. But word is Ukraine plans to abandon the Kursk salient and withdraw all units back into Ukraine, probably in the next two weeks.

This type of conglomeration is needed as Ukraine pushes on. Even though the individual brigades have done a good job of cooperating and communicating in coordinated operations, you can understand the gaps that can occur in communication and logistics.

[dawg80]

More good news. Three crucial Russian radar/communication stations have been totally destroyed. Using their F-16s, the Ukrans attacked all three installations simultaneously destroying them, the equipment, and killing a total of 75 Russians who are (were!) trained and highly skilled engineers. One of the radars was a mobile unit in Donbas, the other two were fixed installations about 5 miles inside of Russia, and about 120 miles apart. This has totally eliminated Russia's "eyes" in that sector. They will have to risk sending something else in, either mobile units, or their version of the AWACS. But Ukraine has already shot down three of Putin's very expensive AWACS planes. Will he dare risk the few he has left?

The F-16s released the US-made laser-guided "glide" bombs about 50 miles from the targets, not putting themselves at risk. Direct hits, kaboom!

[dawg80]

Early reports are the Russians are trying to shift the front back into Kharkiv, hoping their sometime ally, Belarus, will cooperate in a joint operation. This is definitely a sign of desperation and weakness by Putin, if these reports prove to be true.