Russia

[dawg80]

Back to politics. Reliable sources report Ukrainian and American delegations are scheduled to meet this week, March 11 and 12, to settle the agreement on the proposed deal. However, word is Trump won't move until President Z publicly apologizes. Jesus Christ! what stupid-ass babies they are. They are both, Trump and Z, so hung up on themselves, their own stupid egos, they let some so ridiculous, so irrelevant stand in the way of a much needed, for both countries, deal.

Personally, I have lost a measure of respect for both of them. Overall, I like them both. Overall, I think they are both doing a great job for their respective nations. But to allow something so stupidly petty as a "Gee, I'm sorry" stand in the way of this agreement, critical to Ukraine, and very important to the US, is simply stupid-ass. Get over yourselves.

[dawg80]

Reports are the Russians have unleashed a MASSIVE offensive against the Kursk salient. Already knew there were on-going attacks, but that has been true for 6+ months. The Russians have enjoyed a couple of breakthroughs along the Kursk front, confirmed. But this latest report, about 4 hours old and released through a usually accurate and dependable YouTuber is something different. What we do know is that Ukraine has about 10,000 troops in the Kursk salient and Russia has committed at least 80,000 troops (which includes 12,000 North Koreans) to take back Kursk territory. Report says the news is not good for Ukraine.

Should get more reports later today.

[dawg80]

The big "gas pipeline" debate is on! What? Well, it seems Russian soldiers walked 7+ miles through an abandoned gas pipeline, have to hunch over as it is about 4 1/2 feet in diameter. And then according to pro-Putin sources, emerged in Sudzha and surprised the Ukrainian garrison there. A complete victory for Mother Russia! Of course, pro-Ukrainian sources dispute this claiming the Ukrans detected the Russians in the pipeline and ambushed them, wiping the whole bunch out. Obviously, both scenarios can't be true.

What really happened? I suppose we'll have to wait for more reports, but one poster did point out that the Ukrainians are in possession of the Russian soldiers' cell phones who recorded their 4-day journey through the pipeline and then waited to launch their surprise attack. If the Russians won, how is it the Ukrans have their cell phones and are releasing video footage on YouTube?

Other questions. No gas pipeline is 4 1/2 feet in diameter. And in the video released so far, there is no smaller pipe, like 8-12", running through this larger pipe. At least none shown, so far. One poster questioned the existence of lingering methane gas in the pipeline since it was shut down less than a year ago, actually about 4 months ago. One short video clip shows a Russian wearing a gas mask, but other segments, well, heck! one Russian lights up a cigarette! Not very smart in a GAS pipeline that might have some lingering gas floating about.

This episode, and all the YouTubers chiming in, is typical of the BS that I, and others seeking the real story, have to wade through to get to the truth. What we do know is that Russia has turned up the heat in the Kursk salient and is trying to drive the Ukrans back across the border ASAP.

[dawg80]

By the preponderance of the evidence, it appears the Russians who walked through the pipeline are dead. About 100 Russians made the trek, detected by the Ukrans who set a trap for them. Ukrainians are in possession of cell phones from those dead Russians, who recorded video/audio of themselves while in the pipeline.

But, the Kursk salient is under tremendous pressure. Both sides "credit" Trump for this. The Ukrans blame Trump, the Russians applaud Trump. They say Trump ordered the cessation of sharing intelligence gathered by US spy satellites, which the US was sharing with the Ukrainians. I am not sold on this "story." First, I have not seen where Trump ordered such a thing. And even if he did, Ukraine has recon drones they heavily depend on for intelligence. The Ukrans would have detected the build-up of Russian troops with their drones. No, it just seems Putin knows the end is coming soon, the end of the war, or at least this phase of it, and does not want to go into final negotiations with Ukraine still holding Russian ground. There are 80,000 Russians (and NKs) attacking 10,000 Ukrainians and the pressure is on. Ukraine will save those troops, most of them elite units, and withdraw from Kursk soon. Then Putin will thump his chest, Trump/Vance will do a happy dance, joined by Tucker Carlson and others, and Putin-lovers will scream, "we told ya so!"

Meanwhile, back in Ukraine, the good guys continue to enjoy successes. The Azov Division liberated more ground near Toretsk.

[dawg80]

I find myself in a strange place on several blogs. Trump and the US is under so much criticism, hate, really, I am defending Trump's position on Putin/Ukraine. Politics makes for strange bedfellows, the old saying goes. Yeah, I know, these are just clueless bloggers/posters, but holy moly! The prevailing view is that the US "needs to be taken down as a superpower." Can't be trusted any longer, they say. Now, these clowns posting this can't/won't do a single thing, and their weakazz countries won't either. This crap needs to end soon.

[dawg80]

Biggest attack yet! Overnight Ukraine launched thousands of drones and struck 6 different Russian cities, all east of Moscow. Oh, they hit military targets, key infrastructure, and more of Putin's O&G facilities. The Ukrainians do not deliberately target civilians.

And this just reported, Moscow itself has been struck. Dozens of drones hit targets around Moscow, they include a civilian airport on the outskirts that also services military aircraft. And several warehouses of military supplies/ammo, and two more O&G storage sites.

More "tough" news from the Kursk salient as the Russians are pouring tens of thousands of troops into the fight. It is clear Ukraine cannot hold the salient against such odds. No reports of Ukrainian withdrawals happening, but at some point, to protect those elite units, a strategic withdrawal will be needed.

More good news from Donbas, especially around the three key points of contest: Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Povrosk. The Russians are getting whipped and they are falling back. Progress is slow as the Ukrans are being methodical in their advances.

[dawg80]

The ever-clever Ukrainians strike again!! Ya gotta love it!

In Donbas (eastern Ukraine) the Russians have dug in and have done a credible job of protecting their positions, their critical supply depots, camps, etc. They have done this with a tremendous amount of radar sites and literally hundreds of anti-drone/anti-aircraft missile batteries and guns. Got to the point the Ukrans stopped attacking these sites because the economics wasn't working, that is, the Ukrans were having about 70-75% of their drones shot down. So, what to do? Well, the Ukrans discerned that all of the Russian anti-drone defenses made one assumption: the drones would come directly from Ukraine. So! the Ukrans created the "submarine sea drone armed with attack aerial drones."

These crafts travel under water avoiding detection, then when near their targets they surface and release drones that attack targets on land. kaboom! Four critical Russian anti-drone sites were completely destroyed in the past 24 hours. The Russians are scrambling to try to meet this new threat. Hah! with drones coming from both directions the Russians are effectively surrounded.

Don't know about you, but I like the idea of these clever Ukrainians being our allies. But, I suppose that is just me.

[dawg80]

Putin has his own domestic political issues to deal with. The ultranationalists are pushing hard for the war to continue in Ukraine, not even a 30-day ceasefire, and for Russia to invade Poland and other countries. Then there are the opposition parties calling for an end to the war and no more imperialism. If a real poll were conducted, I think about 75% of the Russian people (maybe more) will call for an end to this war, and no more wars after that.

Ukraine is retiring from Kursk. All kinds of BS hitting the Net. Pro-Ukrainian sources say Ukrainian forces are holding their ground, defeating the attacking Russians. Pro-Putin sources claim Kursk has already been "liberated" and all is left are trapped Ukrainian troops in pockets. What has been confirmed by a reliable source is that Ukraine is conducting a fighting withdrawal and have the matter in hand. This is a controlled withdrawal, Ukran units slowly falling back, dealing the Russians losses, and retiring in good order. Ukraine sent in two groups of reinforcements to secure the two main roads out of Kursk. These troops have not been identified as to unit and their numbers. One source speculates it is the one battalion of the 24th Brigade which had recently rotated back to Ukraine for R&R and refit, and likely a battalion of the 36th Marines which had been relocated into Sumy and is encamped near the Kursk salient. Whoever they are it is clear from satellite imagery, just restored last night by the Trump administration, that fresh Ukran units are holding open the two major highways.

Meanwhile, while the Putinites and the Ukraine haters cheer Russia's big "win" in Kursk, Russians are in full retreat at several key points in Donbas. Maybe...hopefully!...both sides will pull their troops out of each other's country. Nah! no way will Putin agree to that, and there is not a damn thing anyone can do...short of all-out war...to make him.

[PawDawg]

Looks like our “allies” in Europe are about to be forced to pick a side by either paying the bill or not.

[DallasDog]

"Nah! no way will Putin agree to that, and there is not a damn thing anyone can do...short of all-out war...to make him."

See, I think we all agree that is the only way to stop him. Where I think the disagreement comes in for a lot of people is should we put boots on the ground or let Europe handle their problem from the front of the line. We all know there are some solid militaries in Europe and then some poor ones. Some of the countries people would think are powers aren't and vice versa. I recently saw and article discussing was it time to let Germany have nukes, and to let Japan have more than their defense force. If we are pulling back from being the wall between the rest of the world and all the bad guys, then its hard to keep hamstringing them.

You know Poland and the Finnish would love a shot to rough up Putin. Turkey would probably like to put a boot up his ass too. Although with Turkey its the lesser of evils. I am fine with supplying intelligence and quality weapons to Europe and Ukraine and letting them expend the people for a change. We can always come in if needed like WW I.

[dawg80]

Russians enter Sudhza. Confirmation of a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the city of Sudhza, the original target and the reason Ukraine enter the Kursk oblast. As it stands now, latest updated from one hour ago, is that Ukraine still "holds" the southern 1/3 of the salient and all the ground west of Sudhza in the northern 1/3. But, Ukraine is actively withdrawing so it is just a matter of a few days until Ukraine is completely out of Kursk.

So, now what? Pundits are saying Putin will secure this region by placing strong troops on the border, as opposed to the weak national guard troops and police he had there before. Putin has about 80,000 troops currently engaged in a running battle with the 10,000 retiring Ukrans, who are expected to occupy defensive positions in the Sumy Oblast. The 12,000 North Koreans are expected to be the troops Putin deploys on the border, as it is doubtful North Koreans will cross the border into Ukraine.

Ukrans continue to enjoy success driving the Russians back in three key regions in Donetsk. But, now Putin will soon have close to 70,000 troops he can release into Ukraine. The game is about to change.

[dawg80]

Yo Trump! are you listening to what Putin is saying? I doubt it. Trump is all about Trump and only wants to be able to hang a trophy on his wall. Look at me, I ended the war. Well, Trump, Putin is not interested in ending the war. How do I know this? Because Putin said it yesterday.

Ukrainians are still holding on in Kursk. The Russians have been stymied in the last 24 hours. Both sides have hunkered down. I think Ukraine will withdraw from Kursk at some point, but right now they are dealing the Russians losses, and this keeps those Russians out of Ukraine.

More successes in Donetsk for Ukraine at the three key points.

Also 20 of Putin's 30 oil refineries have now been put out of service. More attacks on Moscow by Ukran drones. The Russian people are growing ever weary of this war. Plenty of Russians going on social media calling for an end to the war. Unrest is brewing.

[PawDawg]

Right…everything Trump does is about himself.

[dawg80]

Right…everything Trump does is about himself.

Yep, in some way in every event. Trump is a narcissist, which of itself doesn't have to be a bad thing, but Trump is all about Trump. Yes, he can (and is) do a lot of great things that benefit a great many people, but Trump is going to make sure he gets credit and everyone, and he hopes historians too, make note of it. In this case he keeps saying (ad nauseum) this war would not have happened if he were president when it started in 2022. Maybe, maybe not. But, goddammit, STFU, it doesn't matter now. Question is, what is Trump going to do about ending the war...while not selling out Ukraine?

I can say with 100% certainty Putin doesn't give a chit about Trump, the US, or what we might do. He wants Ukraine...thinks he's entitled to it. Putin is as big, and probably bigger, a narcissist than Trump is.

[PawDawg]

Whatever…it’s becoming more and more evident with your unreasonable evaluations of ANYTHING not 100% Ukraine that Ukraine is more important to you than America.