Russia

[dawg80]

The UK is sending a new anti-drone weapon to Ukraine. Called the "Rapid Destroyer" it is an electronic warfare unit, sends out electromagnetic waves designed to disable drones. Causes all electronics on drones to cease thus rendering the drone dead. Has a limited range, up to about 1 km (.6 miles), but does cover a wide swath so a swarm of drones can be bought down with one burst of the electromagnetic wave. Mounted on a truck for mobility and quick redeployment. It has been field-tested in Ukraine, and it worked. The Brits are sending 8 of these units just as soon as they are built.

The modern battlefield has forever changed. The US needs to remain on the cutting edge of military technology.

[dawg80]

Narva

Narva, Estonia is where Putin plans to strike next. Only he can't because Ukraine is kicking his ass. Estonia is a NATO country but is in his plans to seize all of eastern Europe.

Narva is a historical city, to say the least. And it has suffered mightily in the past. Narva was utterly destroyed in both world wars, and during WWII it was the site of some of brutal combat between the retreating Germans and advancing Soviets. Nearly 500,000 civilians were killed there, trapped between the Nazis and Soviets. Narva sits on the Narva River which is the physical border between Estonia and Russia. On the Russian side is the ancient city of Ivangorod, and is only 130 miles from St. Petersburg, Russia. At Narva-Ivangorod is the so-called Friendship Bridge, the only bridge across the Narva River for 200 miles. So! the bridge is key to remain standing for the Russians to use. But, Estonia has other plans. They placed metal boxes designed to hold explosives, on their side of the bridge. This would allow Estonian engineers to quickly place explosives. The Russians protested saying that heightened tensions in the region. However, the Estonians have a change of plans, they no longer need to destroy the bridge the old-fashion way, they have French-built "Hammer" cruise missiles. Just one would collapse the bridge.

Estonia is preparing for a Putin invasion. They are building defenses and bunkers along their 180-mile border with Russia. Estonia now has the largest military budget in NATO in terms of percentage, with their recent announcement of increasing it to 4% of GDP.

Putin has built up the infrastructure in Ivangorod, the base there can house 200,000 troops, with barracks, warehouses, etc. Putin had 52,000 troops in Ivangorod back in 2022, but there are fewer than 15,000 currently as Putin has needed to shift troops to Ukraine. This is a shining example of why the free world needs to support Ukraine. They are bleeding Putin dry. Putin's evil plan to annex all of eastern Europe is being thwarted by the gallant Ukrainians.

[dawg80]

More dumb rhetoric out of Trump and his team. Saying if a deal can't be done then the US will walk away. Well, that is exactly what Putin wants. So now tell me why Putin would be agreeable to negotiate. Please, someone...anyone?

Trump can be stupid at times, and this is one of those times.

[dawg80]

Ukraine destroyed a Shahed drone assembly plant which was turning out 9,000 drones per month. 8 large Ukran drones were sent, 5 hit carrying 250-pound bombs. This was in Yelabuga, Russia about 750 miles inside of Russia. Good job! This will put a dent in Putin's terrorism.

[dawg80]

Ukraine lost the village of Gormah, which was the key point anchoring the southern, or right flank, of the Ukran line in Kursk. The village itself is small, but it was a defensive position, and now lost, the Ukrans will have to fall back on that flank.

In Belgorod, the situation has gotten precarious for some Ukran troops. They occupy a ridge, the high ground, but behind them is a large, wide, deep lake. If things turn sour, those Ukrans will be pressed trying to evacuate that ridge. Pundits are calling for Ukraine to withdraw those troops now, while there is still time to get them out safely.

This is the current situation in Kursk and Belgorod. It is getting hairy, but the Kremlin has lied about the Ukrainians having been completely driven out. Nope, they are still clinging to Russian ground. I suppose one can say the Ukranian plan to force Putin to send more troops there is a success. One source says Putin reinforced the units fighting in Kursk and Belgorod by sending in additional 62,000 troops. That number is probably exaggerated, but Putin did have to deploy additional units in both places. And, the Ukrans are still there as of April 28, 2025. How much longer? Most pundits give the Ukrans no more than two weeks more. We'll see.

[dawg80]

Australia announced they are delaying the delivery of 59 decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine. These tanks were purchased by Australia from the US in 2007 and never saw any combat. Now that Australia is buying the latest version of the Abrams tank they were going to donate these to Ukraine. Asked why the delay, an Australian military spokesman simply replied, "we were asked to...actually we were told to by the US." The standard US contract/agreement with any/all nations buying US military equipment is they must secure permission from the Pentagon before transferring it to a third country. This is to prevent an ally sending US equipment to an adversary. The Pentagon told Australia to hold off on the transfer.

One can speculate why this is. The US (Biden administration) sent 31 US Abrams tanks to Ukraine of a similar vintage, around the same 2007 version. For their part a Ukrainian spokesman said they are not really that keen on receiving the Abrams tanks since they require a lot of modifications to give them a chance to survive on the modern battlefield. Maintenance is also troublesome and very costly. Many of the Abrams tanks already in Ukraine are off the battleline due to routine problems, like engine issues.

Later the Australian spokesman says he expects the transfer to occur sometime in 2025.

[dawg80]

More on the US's true "donations" to Ukraine. A British YouTuber, who has proven to be accurate and reliable, calculated the US has donated/transferred $179 billion to Ukraine. Most of this in the form of "junk," that term used loosely. The bulk of the value of the donation lies in old, retired, surplus US equipment, including the M102 howitzer which was first produced for the US Army in 1939. Used in WWII, Korea, and in Vietnam it has proven to be a very reliable, durable field-artillery piece. Other old equipment include the M113 APC, M109 mobile howitzer, and the 105mm howitzer (towed), first used in Korea. All of this so-called "junk" has been very effective in Ukraine. They are simple machines, easy to repair and maintain, and extremely reliable and durable. The US did send 600 advanced fuses meant to be used on the 155mm howitzer. This fuse is "cutting edge" and makes the howitzer "programmable" delivering pin-point accuracy and consistency. But, with only 600 such fuses Ukraine has used them sparingly.

The question can be asked, what value is old, World War II, Korean War equipment really? The Pentagon placed a value on it, like you would on your old used car you're selling to a neighbor. Give me $2,000 for my 1970 Pontiac! If you were to give it away, maybe to a nephew, then the value you place on it is a mere guess.

Now, before someone gets their panties in a wad, it is true the US has sent 200 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, with the latest package authorized by Biden, set to send 100 more. Trump may block the latest scheduled delivery. No official decision has been made. The US has also sent 2 Patriot Missile Launchers and a few score Patriot missiles. Germany has donated one Patriot system to Ukraine. The main issue with the Patriot is the US produces ONLY 600 Patriot missiles per year. Yes, the US has a stockpile stored in warehouses, but the missiles are not readily replaceable.

The Stinger missiles sent to Ukraine are all 1980's technology and have been retired by the US Army. The Javelins sent are later technology, but the US no longer uses it either.

The US has not sent a single F-16 Falcon to Ukraine, even though we have about 200 sitting mothballed. Sweden is stepping up providing Ukraine 15 VERY latest versions of the Falcon.

[dawg80]

President Z says he is pleased with the way the negotiations are going with the US re: the REM deal and other economic/security matters. He says the deal has gotten stronger and has told his team to keep at it. Trump just said to Z, sign this deal and do it now.

No details have been released but it is GREAT to see negotiations are on-going and a deal should be signed soon.

Trump, and Vance, only have themselves to blame with their childish, stupid stunt they pulled on President Z back in February or March, whenever it was. That was the absolutely best deal the US was going to get with Ukraine and stupid-ass Trump tossed it away. Now his team is having to make concessions just to get a measure of a deal. Yes, it needs to happen. Getting "our hands on" all those Ukrainian resources, especially the REMs, is huge!

BTW, France, Germany, and the UK are not pleased that President Z has returned to the negotiating table with the US, with Trump. They want access to all of those Ukrainian resources for themselves. However, as one British spokesman said, being 100% honest, the US still drives the bus. He says the US can do things for Ukraine that all of Europe combined cannot deliver. That's quite an admission.

[PawDawg]

Wow, you are REALLY lost on this deal if you think Trump and Vance were at fault in the White House.

Do this…watch that 5 minute clip with the volume muted. Watch Z’s body language compared to Trump. Surely you can see who blew up.