Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[mapuc]

Western sanctions sting but don’t cripple Russia’s economy
While sales of oil and gas are down, revenues are up — raising questions on the effectiveness of EU sanctions.

https://www.politico.eu/article/western-sanction-stinging-hammering-russian-economy-data-show/

Markus

[Catfish]

https://www.politico.eu/article/western-sanction-stinging-hammering-russian-economy-data-show/
Markus

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, China and India have ramped up their purchases of Russian energy at discounted prices. Meanwhile, Russia has been reeling in handsome profits from its sales in which it made $24 billion in just three months to the end of May from selling energy to the two countries.

But with demand from China dropping, those profits could take a hit. According to new data, China's purchases of Russia oil dropped 14% from May as COVID lockdowns hit the economy again.

The drop-off in Chinese oil purchases raises the issue of whether Russia's economy can successfully find Asian buyers to replace barrels that no longer ship to Europe.

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/china-russia-oil-biggest-refiner-cut-purchases-russian-crude-2022-7

[Jimbuna]

Himars strike closes key bridge into Russian-occupied city of Kherson

Authorities in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Kherson have closed the city's only bridge across the Dnieper river after it came under fire from US-supplied high mobility artillery rocket systems (Himars), according to Interfax and TASS reports on Wednesday.

The Antonovsky bridge has been closed for civilians but its structural integrity has not suffered from the shelling, Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russian-appointed city administration, told Interfax.

Separately, TASS quoted the official saying that Himars had targeted the bridge.

A Ukrainian counteroffensive to recapture the southern region from Russia could potentially benefit from the destruction of the bridge.

[Skybird]

Best thing is IUndia re-sells their cheaply bought Russian energy to Europe - with a big plus on the price tag of course.



When that became known, first they tried to deny or hide it, but it nevertheless got confirmed soon enough.


For the going of the war and its outcome, I fear the financial and economic sancitons are almost or exactly irrelevant. Which I expected. You cannot sanction a big and strong bully like Russia if you yourself are weaker and depend on him. We need their gas for energy and chemistry more than they need our money, that simple it is. Plus we are a sensible shaky conflict-scared democracy, they are an authoritarian command-dictatorship. The long breath is Putin's, not ours I fear. As long as we do not dramatically and drastically boost our delivery of weapons.



What do people think Putin will do if he is in danger to lose the war? That he will just quit and withdraw, just accept the outcome? Of cpoiurse we must make Russia loose the war - but we must prepoare orusleves to face the frontally and stop them in their starzing blocks if their reaction to a decisive defeat in Ukraine results in them doing something stupid beyond the Ukraine. We need to prepare for the worst.



"Hope is no strategy." (Israeli General Sharon).

[Rockstar]

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, China and India have ramped up their purchases of Russian energy at discounted prices. Meanwhile, Russia has been reeling in handsome profits from its sales in which it made $24 billion in just three months to the end of May from selling energy to the two countries.

But with demand from China dropping, those profits could take a hit. According to new data, China's purchases of Russia oil dropped 14% from May as COVID lockdowns hit the economy again.

The drop-off in Chinese oil purchases raises the issue of whether Russia's economy can successfully find Asian buyers to replace barrels that no longer ship to Europe.

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/china-russia-oil-biggest-refiner-cut-purchases-russian-crude-2022-7


Maybe not exactly related to your post but what the hell. Back in March the opinion Hu Wei, the vice-chairman of the Public Policy Research Center of the Counsellor’s Office of the State Council, is of the view that Russia is doomed to economic collapse and political disintegration from Putin’s failed war.

In advising Beijing to dump Putin immediately and start rebuilding ties with the West, Hu is swimming against mainstream China and President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy.

Hu calls for “unloading the burden of Russia as soon as possible” so that China can begin “safeguarding its own best interests.”

Hu, who is also the chairman of the Shanghai Public Policy Research Association, warns:“The power of the West will grow significantly, NATO will continue to expand, and US influence in the non-Western world will increase.

“China will become more isolated,” he wrote, according to a translation of his paper published by the US-China Perception Monitor (USCNPM) on March 12. The online publication is produced by the Carter Center founded by former US president Jimmy Carter.


https://uscnpm.org/2022/03/12/hu-wei-russia-ukraine-war-china-choice/

[mapuc]

Thou more I read your comments thou more convince I become that we will see boots on the ground in Ukraine and most likely a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

If we get a harsh winter where Russia has shot down it's gas to Europe or lowered it to 10-20 % of max. Then Europe is in for a treat and can chose from plaque or cholera. That's the choice EU has.

Give in and end the sanction and let Ukraine on the own.
Stand up and go all in

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZT4Q-QONcE

[Jimbuna]

Gas prices have soared after Russia further cut gas supplies to Germany and other central European countries after threatening to earlier this week.

European gas prices are up almost 2% trading above an earlier all-time high after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Critics accuse the Russian government of using gas as a political weapon.

Russia has been cutting flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany, with it now operating at less than a fifth of its normal capacity.

Germany imports 55% of its gas from Russia and most of it comes through Nord Stream 1 - with the rest coming from land-based pipelines.

Russian energy firm Gazprom has sought to justify the latest cut by saying it was needed to allow maintenance work on a turbine.

The German government, however, said there was no technical reason for it to limit the supply.

Ukraine has accused Moscow of waging a "gas war" against Europe and cutting supplies to inflict "terror" on people.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62318376

[Skybird]

Germany imported 55% of its gas from Russia
Corrected. :D

[Jimbuna]

Corrected. :D

:):03:

[Jimbuna]

German government agreed to sell 100 PzH 2000 self-propelled guns to Ukraine

The Federal Government of Germany has approved the sale to Ukraine of 100 self-propelled artillery units Panzerhaubitze 2000 manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW).

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the European Pravda.

On July 13, German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habek gave his consent to the sale of self-propelled guns, but this information was confirmed by KMW only now. Ukraine sent a request for the purchase of PzH 2000 back in April.

A representative of KMW stated that the total value of the contract for 100 self-propelled artillery units for Ukraine is 1.7 billion euros - this is several times more than the total value of all weapons provided by Germany (600 million euros).

It is expected that the production of all self-propelled guns will last several years, the German manufacturer notes. He indicates that the process will begin immediately and, although it will depend on the supply of the necessary materials, all its nuances have already been agreed with the Ukrainian side.

We can all live in hope I suppose :hmmm:

[Dargo]

Thou more I read your comments thou more convince I become that we will see boots on the ground in Ukraine and most likely a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

If we get a harsh winter where Russia has shot down it's gas to Europe or lowered it to 10-20 % of max. Then Europe is in for a treat and can chose from plaque or cholera. That's the choice EU has.

Give in and end the sanction and let Ukraine on the own.
Stand up and go all in

MarkusRussia's 80-90% they do not sell to Europe Russia can not sell all to other countries because they do not have the pipeline capacity for it to build, those will take years. For energy, we do not need gas solar and wind energy is cheaper than energy by gas next year Russia will be another economy it already has an effect production is almost halved. Putin thinks his economy is the old soviet economy that could survive this, but their economy is a global one if it gets isolated it will halt especially when more foreign investments leave Russia, mostly the bigger ones from the west. Do not think China will help them, China will only invest when their exports to the west are not disturbed, this will happen because we will sanction China in this case. Why do you think Russia made the grain deal or is on a beggars tour of Africa, it has troubles big troubles?

[Jimbuna]

Relatives of Russians killed in war also threatened to "come and kill" Ukrainians, - Fedorov. DOCUMENT

During the active fighting in Kyiv region and Chernihiv region, the Ministry of Digital began to use facial recognition services.

Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov told about this in an interview with UP, Censor.NET informs.

"For the entire time, we received about 300 photos of the killed occupiers. We found the accounts of most of the soldiers in social networks and 14 thousand accounts of their friends, relatives, acquaintances - on Facebook, Instagram, VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. At first, the task was to find relatives of Russians who died in order to notify about this and that they could take away the body of the murdered man," Fedorov said.

Communicators wrote: "Good afternoon, are you a relative of such and such a person? He died in the war in Ukraine. If you want to collect the body, here is the contact of the military."

According to the minister, the absolute majority of Russians wrote "we will also come and kill you."

"When after Buchi, photos and videos appeared that horrified everyone, we began to find people who committed these crimes. And they wrote: "Look, these people were most likely killed by your brother." We were answered: "If he did it, then yes was necessary".

Statistics on the answers we received from the Russians during the conversation: 68% - support the war, 21% - against the war, but are not ready to act, because "it does nothing" and "everything has been decided for us", 11% - against war, are ready to act and are persuading their relatives not to go to war in Ukraine," the minister said.

[Dargo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZT4Q-QONcEAntonovskiy Bridge is now impossible to cross, even for cars.

[Jimbuna]

I would have thought so after viewing the aftermath.

[Dargo]

Problem is western people do not feel to be at war themselves, they feel affected by two other sides war. The willingness to provide financial and material basis to continue that war, will shrink. Its unrealistic to expect it wont. Putin knows that. So he waits, and increases stress for the West. Again, neizher corona nor the war have caused inflation and our illusion-made other inner problems, they only accelerate these processes, are catalysing them. And btw, european military ressources are limited, too. I cannot see that we are about to switch to war production. Russia has, and is in the switch, as far as it can.Russia's war production has troubles what they us on the front is stock will take them more than 5 years to rebuild their army as it was before this failed invasion. Russia is to depended on us, their production needs a lot of western parts they do not get now.

[Jimbuna]

Provision of food and ammunition to Russian military on front line is in question, - Khlan

Ukrainian soldiers keep all crossings across the Dnipro near Kherson under fire control.

This was announced by the adviser to the head of the Kherson military administration, Serhii Khlan, Censor.NET reports with reference to Espresso.

According to him, after the attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the bridges near Kherson, panic is growing among the occupiers. If after the first shelling of the Antoniv bridge, the occupation authorities carried out partial repairs. Trucks with a tonnage of up to 10 tons could move along the bridge, the Russian military transported ammunition, even tracked vehicles drove by.

After the shelling of the bridge on the evening of July 26, the road surface was already destroyed and one of the supports was damaged, so passage became impossible.

"The occupiers say that they will rebuild the crossing, but there is a raging flow of the river, which makes it impossible to build the crossings. The pontoon bridge is not a strong structure, but it is a good target for the Armed Forces. Then the occupiers started saying that they will rebuild the ferry crossing," Khlan said.

After shelling by the Armed Forces of the bridge over the Kakhovska hydroelectric dam, the Dariiv and Antoniv bridges, the channels for the supply of weapons and food to the front line were finally cut off for the occupiers. According to Khlan, the occupiers cannot receive reinforcements and have already announced that there will be no humanitarian shipments for the next three days. This means that the provision of the Russian military on the front line is in question.

[Dargo]

In my recent posts, here and here, I have been arguing that the war with Russia has shifted in Ukraine’s favour. This is because of Russia’s difficulties in replacing its lost equipment and recruiting more men for the front as Ukraine takes advantage of an influx of modern Western weapons. Ukraine’s Defence Minister Olesky Reznikov has praised his ‘gunners’ for using HIMARS multiple rocket launchers ‘very precisely – they work like a surgeon with a scalpel.’ Over recent weeks these gunners have successfully attacked more than a hundred ‘high-value’ targets, including, according to a pentagon official Russian command posts, ammunition depots, air-defence sites, radar and communications nodes, and long-range artillery positions. In response the Russian military have been told that the elimination of HIMARS and other long-range artillery system is a high priority. In this effort, and despite Moscow’s occasional claims to the contrary, they have as yet been unsuccessful. They have been thwarted, at least so far, by the ability of these systems to ‘shoot and scoot’ (get away from their firing positions in minutes).

https://samf.substack.com/p/the-battle-for-kherson-and-why-it?r=15i4j0&s=w

[Jimbuna]

Territorial concessions are inadmissible for 84% of Ukrainians, according to KIIS survey. INFOGRAPHICS

Only a tenth of Ukrainians believe that it is possible to give up some territories in order to achieve peace.

This is evidenced by the KIIS survey, Censor.NET informs.

"For 84% of respondents, no territorial concessions are acceptable. Only 10% believe that in order to achieve peace and preserve independence, it is possible to give up some territories. Compared to May, the mood of the population has practically not changed," say sociologists.

Even among residents of the East, which is currently experiencing intense fighting, 77% are against concessions (ready for concessions - only 16%), and among residents of the South - 82% are against concessions (ready - only 10%).

At the same time, among Russian-speaking Ukrainians, 76% are against territorial concessions (14% support it). Among Russian-speaking Russians, the overwhelming majority - 68% - oppose any concessions (19% support).

Sociologists also used the "imagined acquaintance" method.

Respondents were asked the question "Now there will be a slightly unusual question. Please think of someone whom you know well - it can be yourself, a family member, a colleague at work, a friend, an enemy, etc. Have you thought of it? AFTER "YES" : In your opinion, with which of these statements regarding possible compromises to achieve peace with Russia would this thoughtful person agree to a greater extent?".

"Using the "imagined acquaintance" method, we get almost the same results - 80% are against any concessions, and 14% support concessions. Although with this method, we have slightly more people who are ready to make concessions, but the difference is insignificant and does not actually change the overall picture public sentiments", - noted in KIIS.

[vanjast]

We need a real balance on what's really going on.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/BuEhszXerND1/

But lets go up a few levels, away from the battlefield.
Ukraine is but a show, Taiwan is next...

These battles (and other methods of killing populations) were all planned by the people in the video below, but fortunately for a lot of us that are far away from these battlefields, there is a larger group of people that have intercepted these 'criminals'.
Yeah.. people laugh at this.. but look carefully at these 'people' if/when you see them on TV..etc :03:

I see Putin has been added to the latest list on the website. I heard a year ago that he was probably one of Soros's boys.. who knows we'll see.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/1qqk5RW21Uas/

[Catfish]

re vanjast: "Bitchute" is a joke.
"Taiwan is next"? Russia can well be next on China's todo list. Russia is already facing a multi-frontier war with Kasachstan uprising and a Chechen rebellion (with a majority wanting to get rid of Putin's lapdog and tiktok poser Ramzan Kadyrov, and who would not understand this), apart from Ukraine and the "three-days-war-to-occupy-Kyiv" somehow not working out.

Why do you want to live under a despot suppressing free will and speech, do you think this is productive for its people or the russian society in the future? Do you think anyone wants to live in North Korea or Ruzzia, then please tell me why?

[Dargo]

Following is a part from an article in Danish magazine.

Rest of the article is behind a pay wall.



MarkusUkraine said, in spring, their offensive would begin after the summer also see the number of Russian loses rising again that we have not seen for a couple of months.

[Dargo]

re vanjast: "Bitchute" is a joke.
"Taiwan is next"? Russia can well be next on China's todo list. Russia is already facing a multi-frontier war with Kasachstan uprising and a Chechen rebellion (with a majority wanting to get rid of Putin's lapdog and tiktok poser Ramzan Kadyrov, and who would not understand this), apart from Ukraine and the "three-days-war-to-occupy-Kyiv" somehow not working out.

Why do you want to live under a despot suppressing free will and speech, do you think this is productive for its people or the russian society in the future? Do you think anyone wants to live in North Korea or Ruzzia, then please tell me why?China has some eyes on Russian regions that they consider Chinese (Sino-Soviet border conflict), so now Russia is the lapdog of China all can happen funny thing the west would cheer them on. :D

[Dargo]

A large campaign has been launched in Poland to collect funds for weapons for Ukraine. The first project is to gather funds to buy three evacuation helicopters for Ukraine’s intelligence. The aim of the newly-founded Zbroimy Ukraine (“Arming Ukraine”) initiative is multiple fund-raising so that all willing Poles can contribute to the victory of Ukraine, the initiative’s web page states.
“We want to regularly buy effective weapons that will help our neighbors defend themselves and expel Russian bandits from the territory of Ukraine,” the campaign description states.
https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/07/28/polish-initiative-starts-crowdfunding-for-three-helicopters-for-ukraines-intelligence/?swcfpc=1

[August]

https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTJuly26%2C2022.png

[August]

https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20July%2026%2C2022. png

[Jimbuna]

Russian economy ‘crippled at every level’ despite Putin’s propaganda

Russia’s economy is being “catastrophically” crippled by Western sanctions according to experts, despite Vladimir Putin’s efforts to hide the damage.

Analysts at Yale looking at “private Russian language and unconventional data sources” say imports have “collapsed” and domestic production “has come to a complete standstill”.

Russia has lost companies representing around two-fifths of its GDP amid an exodus of Western businesses, they claim, undoing about three decades of foreign investment.

The pressures are tipping Mr Putin into “unsustainable, dramatic” fiscal and monetary interventions, the report says, claiming “Kremlin finances are in much, much more dire straits than conventionally understood”.

The report, from Yale’s Chief Executive Leadership Institute, describes itself as “one of the first comprehensive economic analyses” of how Russia’s economy is faring five months on from the invasion of Ukraine.

It belies claims that the West, where many countries are grappling with surging inflation spurred by the conflict, is coming off worse than Russia in the war of economic attrition unleashed by unprecedented sanctions.

Analysts, led by Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, said Russia is much more economically damaged than many in the West realise. The Kremlin has curbed the number of official data releases it produces since the invasion and subsequent backlash in a bid to cover up the impact.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/russian-economy-crippled-at-every-level-despite-putins-propaganda/ar-AA103vpJ?ocid=mailsignout&li=AAnZ9Ug

[Jimbuna]

A Ukrainian counter-offensive in Kherson is gathering pace, UK defence officials say.

A key bridge into the southern city is out of action after Ukrainian forces struck it with long-range rockets.

The MoD adds Kherson - the first city to fall to Russian forces - is now "virtually cut off from other occupied territories"

Russia is moving forces to the south and their focus to strategic defence, according to a Ukrainian presidential adviser.

Russian-installed officials say the attack complicates the lives of residents - but play down its wider significance to the conflict.

In eastern Donetsk, Russian forces say they have captured the country's second-largest power station.

[Skybird]

Russian economy ‘crippled at every level’ despite Putin’s propaganda

Russia’s economy is being “catastrophically” crippled by Western sanctions according to experts, despite Vladimir Putin’s efforts to hide the damage.

Analysts at Yale looking at “private Russian language and unconventional data sources” say imports have “collapsed” and domestic production “has come to a complete standstill”.

Russia has lost companies representing around two-fifths of its GDP amid an exodus of Western businesses, they claim, undoing about three decades of foreign investment.

The pressures are tipping Mr Putin into “unsustainable, dramatic” fiscal and monetary interventions, the report says, claiming “Kremlin finances are in much, much more dire straits than conventionally understood”.

The report, from Yale’s Chief Executive Leadership Institute, describes itself as “one of the first comprehensive economic analyses” of how Russia’s economy is faring five months on from the invasion of Ukraine.

It belies claims that the West, where many countries are grappling with surging inflation spurred by the conflict, is coming off worse than Russia in the war of economic attrition unleashed by unprecedented sanctions.

Analysts, led by Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, said Russia is much more economically damaged than many in the West realise. The Kremlin has curbed the number of official data releases it produces since the invasion and subsequent backlash in a bid to cover up the impact.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/russian-economy-crippled-at-every-level-despite-putins-propaganda/ar-AA103vpJ?ocid=mailsignout&li=AAnZ9Ug
Obviously I am not as optimistic on the effectiveness of sanctions, but see the costs-versus-effects ration more balanced (or twoi-sided, to out it this way), but I would love to be completely wrong here. :yep:

[Jimbuna]

Obviously I am not as optimistic on the effectiveness of sanctions, but see the costs-versus-effects ration more balanced (or twoi-sided, to out it this way), but I would love to be completely wrong here. :yep:

I for one certainly hope you are :03:

[Jimbuna]

"Baykar" will give UAV Bayraktar TB2, for which funds were raised in Poland, to AFU for free

The Turkish company Baykar will hand over to Ukraine a UAV for which Polish citizens raised funds for free.

This was announced on Facebook by the initiator of fundraising in Poland, journalist Slawomir Sierakowski, Censor.NET reports.

He published a letter from the board of directors of Baykar.

"We want to be part of this human gesture of solidarity... We will hand over the Bayraktar TB2 to the Ukrainians so that they can defend their Motherland in the best possible way," the company said.

At the same time, Serakovsky added, 22.5 million zlotys collected in Poland will be used for humanitarian aid to Ukraine in agreement with the Ukrainian and Turkish parties.

It is noted that it was possible to collect even more than planned. That is, with a surplus of PLN 1,800,000 (plus proceeds from the auction). These funds will be transferred to the AFU fund account at the National Bank of Ukraine.

By the end of the week, when the collection is closed, this amount may increase even more.

"To sum up: in general, our financial assistance to Ukraine amounts to about 50 million zlotys ($10.6 million)," the initiator of the fundraising concluded.

[Jimbuna]

Both parties of US Congress support transfer of ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine, - member of Committee of House of Representatives Slotkin

Elissa Slotkin, a member of the US House Armed Services Committee, said that both parties in Congress support the transfer of long-range missiles to Ukraine. In particular, we are talking about the ATACMS operational-tactical missile system.

This type of weapon can hit targets at a distance of up to 300 km. Slotkin stated this during a briefing, Censor.NET informs with reference to CNN.

According to members of the US House Armed Services Committee, both Republicans and Democrats in the United States Congress are in favor of providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with ATACMS missiles.

Slotkin explained that Ukraine needs such weapons, as highly mobile HIMARS artillery missile systems can hit targets at a distance of about 80 km. At the same time, ATACMS allows you to destroy enemy targets at a much greater distance.

[mapuc]

We are being lured The market take advantage of the war

From a Swedish article

Study:
High food prices unmotivated the price increases on food are greater than what is actually motivated by the war in Ukraine, according to a new study from Sweden's Agricultural University.
The study has investigated how the loss of production affected food prices globally. For example, the price of wheat rose by 30 percent in Sweden when the war broke out, despite the fact that Ukraine only accounts for a few percent of world production.

- You should have expected a price increase of maybe ten percent, not more, says Torbjörn Jansson, docent in national economics and one of the researchers behind the study.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Situation is changing significantly in favor of Ukraine. I believe that the AFU will be able to push Russian troops back to the February 23 line by the end of the year, - U.S. General Hodges

The battlefield situation with Russian troops launching a large-scale invasion of Ukraine is already changing significantly in Ukraine's favor.

This was stated by Ben Hodges, ex-Commander of U.S. Forces in Europe, in an interview with РBK-Ukraine, informs Censor.NЕТ.

"I believe that if the West/U.S. continues to deliver everything promised at a faster pace, then Ukrainian forces will be able to push Russian troops back to the February 23 line by the end of this year. The situation is already changing significantly in Ukraine's favor. I expect that active fighting will continue into the winter .Ukraine will probably want to keep up the pressure on Russian forces, which I believe are depleted... And the Russian logistics system is particularly debilitated," he said.

According to Hodges, the "cold phase" of the war benefits only Russia.

"I assume by 'cold phase' you mean a fall with less fighting? I don't think Ukraine will or should allow that to happen... It only benefits Russia," the ex-commander of U.S. forces added.

He noted that AFU could repel the southern part of the country and limit the theater of Russian military action in eastern part of Ukraine.

"I'm sure they can do it, provided that we, the West, continue to deliver everything we have promised. The key is more far-range weapons, as well as help with improving logistical networks inside Ukraine... Perhaps bringing in a commercial logistics company from the U.S. or the U.K.?" - he said.

[Dargo]

We are being lured The market take advantage of the war

From a Swedish article



MarkusHigh prices for oil and gas led Shell to record profits in the second quarter. At the bottom line, profits reached $18 billion in the past three months, also thanks to the reversal of earlier write-downs. The company is going to buy back $6 billion worth of its own shares in the coming months. This is in addition to the 8.5 billion dollars in treasury shares that the company bought in the first half of this year. Buying back its own shares gives the stock price a boost. Shell is reversing earlier asset write-downs because it assumes that prices will remain high for an extended period. This results in a windfall of $4.3 billion for this quarter.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOROtoAYtWk

[Dargo]

The Russian ruler’s entire invasion strategy was based on the flawed assumption that any opposition could be overcome by decapitating Ukraine’s government and replacing it with a Kremlin-friendly alternative. In essence, Putin fell into the trap of believing his own propaganda. He expected Ukrainians to demonstrate the same kind of passivity he has come to expect from Russians. Instead, he now finds himself an international pariah at war with a nation of forty million.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putin-believed-his-own-propaganda-and-fatally-underestimated-ukraine/

[Skybird]

FOCUS:
In the course of its war in Ukraine, Russia is showing interest in the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone, which has also been successfully deployed there by Kiev. The issue of military-technical cooperation will also be discussed at Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on the Black Sea on Aug. 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had dismissed speculation that it wanted to buy drones from Iran. Putin and Erdogan had met last week in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Now Peskov said the fact that the two sides also talked about such sensitive issues showed how close the two countries' cooperation was.

Russia had previously sold its S-400 missile defense system to Turkey, which is a NATO member, to the annoyance of the United States. Now, according to reports, there will be a quid pro quo from the Turkish side.

Earlier, Erdogan had reported Putin's interest. Putin had proposed to work together with Turkey on the drones of the company Baykar, Erdogan had said on Tuesday, according to the broadcaster CNN Türk. A corresponding factory could be established in the United Arab Emirates, he said. The Emirates had offered this, Erdogan said.

Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 combat drone is considered an export hit. The drones have been used in several conflicts, for example on the side of Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is also considered precise and effective and can stay in the air for up to 27 hours.

Ukraine also uses Bayraktar drones. At the beginning of Putin's war of aggression, videos of Russian tanks presumably destroyed by these drones circulated on the Internet. Should Russia develop the drones together with Turkey, Moscow would thus also gain access to the technology of a NATO member state.
-------------------
If Turkey proceeds with delivering Russia weaponry like this, this must mean that NATO finally kicks this treacherous nation out. We must demand and expect an immediate, final and unconditional refusal by Erdoghan. If he does not accept, Turkey must be thrown out.

[Jimbuna]

FOCUS:
In the course of its war in Ukraine, Russia is showing interest in the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone, which has also been successfully deployed there by Kiev. The issue of military-technical cooperation will also be discussed at Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on the Black Sea on Aug. 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had dismissed speculation that it wanted to buy drones from Iran. Putin and Erdogan had met last week in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Now Peskov said the fact that the two sides also talked about such sensitive issues showed how close the two countries' cooperation was.

Russia had previously sold its S-400 missile defense system to Turkey, which is a NATO member, to the annoyance of the United States. Now, according to reports, there will be a quid pro quo from the Turkish side.

Earlier, Erdogan had reported Putin's interest. Putin had proposed to work together with Turkey on the drones of the company Baykar, Erdogan had said on Tuesday, according to the broadcaster CNN Türk. A corresponding factory could be established in the United Arab Emirates, he said. The Emirates had offered this, Erdogan said.

Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 combat drone is considered an export hit. The drones have been used in several conflicts, for example on the side of Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is also considered precise and effective and can stay in the air for up to 27 hours.

Ukraine also uses Bayraktar drones. At the beginning of Putin's war of aggression, videos of Russian tanks presumably destroyed by these drones circulated on the Internet. Should Russia develop the drones together with Turkey, Moscow would thus also gain access to the technology of a NATO member state.
-------------------
If Turkey proceeds with delivering Russia weaponry like this, this must mean that NATO finally kicks this treacherous nation out. We must demand and expect an immediate, final and unconditional refusal by Erdoghan. If he does not accept, Turkey must be thrown out.




Sky, see https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2819995&postcount=5230

[Dargo]

FOCUS:
In the course of its war in Ukraine, Russia is showing interest in the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone, which has also been successfully deployed there by Kiev. The issue of military-technical cooperation will also be discussed at Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on the Black Sea on Aug. 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had dismissed speculation that it wanted to buy drones from Iran. Putin and Erdogan had met last week in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Now Peskov said the fact that the two sides also talked about such sensitive issues showed how close the two countries' cooperation was.

Russia had previously sold its S-400 missile defense system to Turkey, which is a NATO member, to the annoyance of the United States. Now, according to reports, there will be a quid pro quo from the Turkish side.

Earlier, Erdogan had reported Putin's interest. Putin had proposed to work together with Turkey on the drones of the company Baykar, Erdogan had said on Tuesday, according to the broadcaster CNN Türk. A corresponding factory could be established in the United Arab Emirates, he said. The Emirates had offered this, Erdogan said.

Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 combat drone is considered an export hit. The drones have been used in several conflicts, for example on the side of Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is also considered precise and effective and can stay in the air for up to 27 hours.

Ukraine also uses Bayraktar drones. At the beginning of Putin's war of aggression, videos of Russian tanks presumably destroyed by these drones circulated on the Internet. Should Russia develop the drones together with Turkey, Moscow would thus also gain access to the technology of a NATO member state.
-------------------
If Turkey proceeds with delivering Russia weaponry like this, this must mean that NATO finally kicks this treacherous nation out. We must demand and expect an immediate, final and unconditional refusal by Erdoghan. If he does not accept, Turkey must be thrown out.


The factory will not deliver any to Russia also will not allow production in Russia. In the meantime, Ukraine got another for free
A new Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aircraft system, with three drones and a ground control station, has been handed over to the Ukrainian military from the team of the “Come Back Alive” Foundation.

The handover took place in Ukraine earlier this month and was conducted in a ceremony attended by lawyer and First Deputy Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Fund Ruslana Velychko and director of Come Back Alive Taras Chmut.

“The “Come Back Alive” Foundation implemented its largest project. With your help, we purchased the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system at a total cost of $16,502,450,” the news release says.

https://defence-blog.com/bayraktar-drones-from-volunteers-handed-over-to-ukrainian-military/

[Jimbuna]

About 1,600 bodies have been found in de-occupied territories. The National Police appeals to relatives of the missing to give DNA samples

National police appealed to relatives of the missing to give DNA samples in order to speed up the process of identifying those who died in the war.

As informs Censor.NЕТ, it was reported by Head of Ukraine National Police Ihor Klymenko.

"A total of about 1,600 bodies of Ukrainians have been found. Some of them have not yet been identified. That is why I ask direct relatives of the missing or dead to come to the police and take a DNA test, so that we can speed up this work," he said.

Klymenko emphasized that forensic specialists of the National Police showed their effectiveness during their work at the sites of enemy rocket attacks in Kremenchuk and Vinnitsa, where many people were killed and injured.

In particular, thanks to the equipment received from foreign partners, which includes two mobile DNA-laboratories, specialists conduct such tests on site and establish the identity of the dead. Head of the agency also said that the U.S. side will soon hand over another 26 such DNA-laboratories to Ukrainian National Police.

[mapuc]

Can anyone of you say how Putin interpreter these steps taken by Türkiye. Friend to both Russia and Ukraine. Giving advanced stuff to Ukraine and not to Russia ?

Furthermore can you predict what kind of response Putin will come up with if Ukraine get these 300 km Range rockets/missiles ?

Markus

[Jimbuna]

To answer that Markus would be pure speculation and guesswork at best.

[mapuc]

You're right Jim would be a lot speculation.

Have read this a few second ago in a Danish news paper.

Putin's brilliant oil trick
The EU and the US want to buy oil from Saudi Arabia, but not from Russia. But Saudi Arabia would very much like to buy Russian oil
- We are brilliant.
This is how Vincenzo S. writes in a comment on the media Euractiv.com's Facebook profile about the effect of the sanctions that the West has introduced against Russia - especially the sanctions that deal with Russian oil.

EU president cheered
Two months ago, EU leaders agreed to 'immediately' ban ship-transported oil from Russia. EU President Charles Michel thus cheered on Twitter:

- This (ban, ed.) applies with immediate effect to over two-thirds of oil imports from Russia and thus removes a huge source of financing for the country's war machine, wrote Michel.

Asked Saudi Arabia for help
Russia is the world's second largest oil producer, second only to the US (with Saudi Arabia in a close third), and the EU and US plan was then to ask the Arabs to increase production.

Joe Biden will discuss oil at Arab summit

And immediately it seems that Saudi Arabia can supply more oil to the EU - the other day the Reuters news agency was able to say that Saudi Arabia has doubled its purchases of oil from Russia.

And that the oil port in the emirate of Fujairah seems to receive almost one million tons of Russian oil in the month of July alone.

Oil laundering
Reuters has shown through Refinitiv Eikon ship tracking that Saudi Arabia imported 647,000 tonnes (48,000 barrels per day) of fuel oil from Russia via Russian and Estonian ports in April-June this year, writes Euractiv. This is an increase from 320,000 tonnes in the same period a year ago.

- It's just oil laundering, writes Aries S. in another comment.

- Yes, buy cheap and sell at a higher price.

- They are not our friends. We must drill for our own oil, writes Richard H. and Edwin C. has written this descriptive sentence:

- It seems that some are playing chess, while others are shaking hands with imaginary friends, writes Edwin.


It made me laugh when I read it.

Markus

[Dargo]

Can anyone of you say how Putin interpreter these steps taken by Türkiye. Friend to both Russia and Ukraine. Giving advanced stuff to Ukraine and not to Russia ?

Furthermore can you predict what kind of response Putin will come up with if Ukraine get these 300 km Range rockets/missiles ?

MarkusTurkey can do a lot and has in the past Putin has always sorted it out with Erdoğan, Turkey holds the keys to the Black Sea Putin does not want to lose that.

[Jimbuna]

They (Turkey) also want to remain a NATO member and join the EU....spin a coin.

[Dargo]

You're right Jim would be a lot speculation.

Have read this a few second ago in a Danish news paper.



It made me laugh when I read it.

MarkusIf this would happen on large scale, oil price will drop result will be Russia will have to sell more below market price to Saudi Arabia in the end Putin will lose more money.

[Dargo]

They (Turkey) also want to remain a NATO member and join the EU....spin a coin.Joining the EU they will never with Erdoğan in power.

[mapuc]

If this would happen on large scale, oil price will drop result will be Russia will have to sell more below market price to Saudi Arabia in the end Putin will lose more money.

I wasn't thinking in those terms I was thinking this is hilarious EU has sanctioned Russian oil and then EU buy it via Saudi-Arabia.

Markus

[Skybird]

Joining the EU they will never with Erdoğan in power.
And not without him either.

[Skybird]

Oooops, that did not last long. Spiegel reports that first systems of the German PZH2000s already are so worn out that they need a break for repairs and maintenance. :o

Not really a good advertising, assuming that the reason is no misuse by the crews.


------


Edit:
And Die Welt writes this:

The Bundeswehr assumes that the problems are related to the high rate of fire at which the Ukrainian forces use the guns in the fight against the Russian invaders; this puts enormous strain on the howitzer's loading mechanism. In the German army, even 100 rounds per day is considered high-intensity use, but the Ukrainians apparently fired far more shells. In addition, the soldiers at the front are said to have initially tried to fire special ammunition at too great a range.

100 rounds per day with a system like this - "high intensity" ? I am underwhelmed. What did they think they were up against if the cold war 1.0 would have turned hot?

It gets also reported that the ammo produced in Norway for the Gepards delivered to the ukraine, causes probelms. The Gepards do not recognise it, it cannot be loaded. Soldiers learning this in battle will cheer and applaude.

Tip of the day: next time test the stuff before making statements and delivering stuff.

I must admit: both problems are typical for the German way of doing things these days. Endless tinme con suming procedures, monumental planning lousy execution. Infrastructure, rail, monumental landmark buildings, its always the same and costly and enduring mess. We have currently tow census running, and both have problems with the software, becasue they did not realistically test it. One of the census (what the plural of "census"...? :) ) is at risk of getting shut down, with all money wasted, the other will likely be extended over time.

The Germans simply cant do things anymore they once were hailed, feared and/or admired for: effectively organizing.

[Jimbuna]

And not without him either.

True that :yep:

[Jimbuna]

China has not funded any new infrastructure projects in Russia for months as Beijing focuses its attention on preventing a financial crisis at home.

Financing and investment through the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) fell to $28.4bn (£23.6bn) over the first half of 2022, down from $29.4bn during the same period last year, according to a study by the Green Finance & Development Center at Shanghai’s Fudan University.

No money went to new projects in Russia, Sri Lanka or Egypt, all of which had previously been key beneficiaries of Chinese spending. The lack of engagement with Russia suggests Chinese businesses may be afraid of falling victim to secondary sanctions introduced against Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine, and comes despite the pair insisting that their friendship had "no limits" shortly before the war began.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/blow-for-putin-as-china-abandons-investment-in-russia/ar-AAZWPMp?ocid=mailsignout&li=AAnZ9Ug

[Jimbuna]

VDL Russia strategy backfires as EU energy plan financing Putin war with 'much more money'

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen's energy plan - meant to counter dwindling Russian gas deliveries - falls short of the EU's aim of reducing Vladimir Putin's war chest, the New York Times' Europe Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Steven Erlanger says. As Russian-state gas giant Gazprom has steadily dropped gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the EU has reached an agreement to reduce its gas consumption by 15 percent for the upcoming winter. But as Russian gas exports have dipped to a 20 percent record low via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, gas prices have risen, meaning Europeans will pay more expensive gas for fewer quantities.

Mr Erlanger told Times Radio: "The European Union has tried to pull together a plan to reduce gas use, gas consumption because it's been in general 40 percent dependent on Russia for gas.
"The biggest country involved, as you known is Germany. But Germany's managed to cut its dependency already from 55 percent to about 30 percent.

"But the big game everywhere is filling up the tanks preparing for winter.

"And Russia is being very clever about this because it's reducing its gas supplies. But with gas prices so high, it's making much more money from even that reduction.

"So, the financing of the war goes on just fine."

"But Russia's pushing on Europe, hoping it can divide people from their government, get people very angry and undermine the sense of solidarity about Ukraine.

"That seems to be the game. As you say, it's pretty obvious but that seems. But it's happening despite its best efforts."

However, Mr Erlanger pointed out that this strategy cannot work indefinitely, as EU countries are finding alternative supplies and Russia will eventually lose one of its most important clients - and the bulk of its revenue from gas and energy.

"Also, people are moving, as we all know, too much more sustainable energy that's permanent, more wind farms, etc." Mr Erlanger said.

To make up for that potential loss, Mr Erlanger added, Russia is turning towards other potential clients such as China and India.

"But for the moment, it works Russia's way pretty well. But in the long run, it will put Russia in deep trouble.

"It will have to shift markets. And that's not so easy, as I say, with gas because you need pipelines."

The possibility for the EU to trigger a compulsory 15 percent cap on gas consumption has been a point of discord among some European countries.

https://i.postimg.cc/MH8F8701/AA103R5e.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Spain and Portugal, which have little connection to the EU's gas pipeline network, have expressed reservations about imposing mandatory gas reductions.

Greece also said the plan would be too much of a burden on its economy and citizens.

Hungary, which still imports 80 percent of its gas from Russia, questioned "the legal basis" of a proposal that "decides how much member states can consume from which supplier."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/vdl-russia-strategy-backfires-as-eu-energy-plan-financing-putin-war-with-much-more-money/ar-AA103HVs?ocid=mailsignout&li=AAnZ9Ug

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKavhwM4zv4

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_-0LUZl5kk

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K375zeJnTe4

[Bilge_Rat]

The rouble is soaring and Putin is stronger than ever - our sanctions have backfired

Western sanctions against Russia are the most ill-conceived and counterproductive policy in recent international history. Military aid to Ukraine is justified, but the economic war is ineffective against the regime in Moscow, and devastating for its unintended targets. World energy prices are rocketing, inflation is soaring, supply chains are chaotic and millions are being starved of gas, grain and fertiliser. Yet Vladimir Putin’s barbarity only escalates – as does his hold over his own people.



https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/29/putin-ruble-west-sanctions-russia-europe

sanctions were sold to the West on the basis that it would crater Russia's economy and be painless to western consumers. That turned out to be the "Big Lie". Russia is making more money now from Oil and Gas sales and sanctions are pushing North America and Europe into recession.

Pretty obvious that the US and EU are about to drop Ukraine like a hot potato. That is why you are seeing more and more of these types of articles popping up "preparing" the public for a policy shift.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ_QuiOazok

[Jimbuna]

Truss promises increased military aid to Ukraine if she becomes British prime minister

British Foreign Minister Liz Truss has announced an increased military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine if she becomes the country's prime minister.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to Reuters.

She also intends to make her first call in her new position to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

"As Prime Minister, I will be Ukraine's best friend, follow in Boris Johnson's footsteps, and fully commit to ensuring that Putin fails in Ukraine and suffers a strategic defeat," Truss said.

According to her, the war in Ukraine is far from over and now is not the time to think about concessions and compromises with the President of the Russian Federation.

Truss is leading in opinion polls among members of the Conservative Party, who have to decide who will become the next prime minister of Great Britain.

[Dargo]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/29/putin-ruble-west-sanctions-russia-europe

sanctions were sold to the West on the basis that it would crater Russia's economy and be painless to western consumers. That turned out to be the "Big Lie". Russia is making more money now from Oil and Gas sales and sanctions are pushing North America and Europe into recession.

Pretty obvious that the US and EU are about to drop Ukraine like a hot potato. That is why you are seeing more and more of these types of articles popping up "preparing" the public for a policy shift.Read this (An interview with Boris Kagarlitsky arrested under [Leonid] Brezhnev for publishing samizdat (clandestine dissident materials), and then under Putin for attending an illegal demonstration.) (https://jacobin.com/2022/07/russia-ukraine-war-media-public-apolitical-vladimir-putin?mc_cid=dae6ee9231) and The first detailed academic paper about the impact of economic sanctions on the Russian economy. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4167193)

[Dargo]

The Ministry of Defense of North Macedonia confirmed the transfer of T-72 tanks to Ukraine after footage of a convoy of vehicles appeared on social media. The Ministry of Defense noted that the tanks were in service of the unit, which will soon be disbanded. The decision to transfer them to Ukraine was additionally based on the fact that this equipment will become obsolete in a few years, and it still needs to be replaced with modern ones. It is not specified how many tanks are transferred to Ukraine. In general, as far as it is known, the army of North Macedonia has about 30 T-72 tanks in service.

[Bilge_Rat]

Read this (An interview with Boris Kagarlitsky arrested under [Leonid] Brezhnev for publishing samizdat (clandestine dissident materials), and then under Putin for attending an illegal demonstration.) (https://jacobin.com/2022/07/russia-ukraine-war-media-public-apolitical-vladimir-putin?mc_cid=dae6ee9231) and The first detailed academic paper about the impact of economic sanctions on the Russian economy. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4167193)

opinions are a dime a dozen. :03:

No one knows what is going on inside Russia. The only thing we can really tell is that the Russian economy does not look like it will collapse in the next 6-12 months or that sanctions are having any appreciable effect on Russia's will or capacity to carry on this war.

The only real question is who will blink first and we all know the will to absorb economic shocks is a lot lower in the EU and USA than in Russia, so they are more likely to cry uncle first.

OTOH we do know that Ukraine's economy is cratering, their government is bankrupt and they are only able to keep hanging on due to massive western aid. As soon as that goes, Ukraine will be forced to surrender.

[Catfish]

[...]
sanctions were sold to the West on the basis that it would crater Russia's economy and be painless to western consumers. That turned out to be the "Big Lie". Russia is making more money now from Oil and Gas sales and sanctions are pushing North America and Europe into recession.
Who said that it would be painless to the west? We accept and expect this.
Pretty obvious that the US and EU are about to drop Ukraine like a hot potato. That is why you are seeing more and more of these types of articles popping up "preparing" the public for a policy shift.
The US sure, when the Reps win. Europe? Mabye Hungary and Turkey :haha:

[Dargo]

opinions are a dime a dozen. :03:

No one knows what is going on inside Russia. The only thing we can really tell is that the Russian economy does not look like it will collapse in the next 6-12 months or that sanctions are having any appreciable effect on Russia's will or capacity to carry on this war.

The only real question is who will blink first and we all know the will to absorb economic shocks is a lot lower in the EU and USA than in Russia, so they are more likely to cry uncle first.

OTOH we do know that Ukraine's economy is cratering, their government is bankrupt and they are only able to keep hanging on due to massive western aid. As soon as that goes, Ukraine will be forced to surrender.Boris Kagarlitsky knows he is a rusky and I talk with several people in Russia, they feel the pain of the sanctions. Russian economy has a couple of months to collapse, we in the west can go on for decades as shown in the Cold War, and we will help Ukraine buildup their economy in the meantime.

[mapuc]

When I saw the video Jim had posted a page back I picturing a massive cannon barrage from the Ukrainian forces-Where they use their own 152 mm and ours 155 mm shells and HIMARS and MLRS. Before the tanks start moving with SU25 as close air to ground support and with other fighter jet as air support.

Maybe it's not done this way.

Markus

[mapuc]

Boris Kagarlitsky knows he is a rusky and I talk with several people in Russia, they feel the pain of the sanctions.

No doubt the ordinary citizens in Russia feel the sanction, how about those in power, oligarks etc.

Do they feel it too ?

Markus

[Dargo]

No doubt the ordinary citizens in Russia feel the sanction, how about those in power, oligarks etc.

Do they feel it too ?

MarkusThey will production is slowing hard, so the elite will feel it soon if they gone lose their investments in Russia.

[Dargo]

As a result of the business retreat, Russia has lost companies representing ~40% of its GDP, reversing nearly all of three decades’ worth of foreign investment and buttressing unprecedented simultaneous capital and population flight in a mass exodus of Russia’s economic base.

Putin is resorting to patently unsustainable, dramatic fiscal and monetary intervention to smooth over these structural economic weaknesses, which has already sent his government budget into deficit for the first time in years and drained his foreign reserves even with high energy prices – and Kremlin finances are in much, much more dire straits than conventionally understood.

Russian domestic financial markets, as an indicator of both present conditions and future outlook, are the worst performing markets in the entire world this year despite strict capital controls, and have priced in sustained, persistent weakness within the economy with liquidity and credit contracting – in addition to Russia being substantively cut off from international financial markets, limiting its ability to tap into pools of capital needed for the revitalization of its crippled economy.

The Russian car industry is on hold, for example. It’s just not producing anymore, because it’s so dependent on German, Japanese, and South Korean parts. The military-industrial complex is also suffering because they’re not getting enough spare parts. The same is true in aviation: many domestic companies are already bankrupt and now being cannibalized by the larger carriers like Aeroflot and S7.

[mapuc]

They will production is slowing hard, so the elite will feel it soon if they gone lose their investments in Russia.

As I have posted earlier Putin & Co is earning truckload of money due to the high price on Gas and Oil. Even when they sell to SA under the market price they earn money.

Even now when they have lowered the Gas flow to Europe they earn money-Not so much though.

What will be a problem as the war goes on will be hardware. Because of these sanction embargoes Russia will soon be in need of important things to their military.

Markus

[Dargo]

As I have posted earlier Putin & Co is earning truckload of money due to the high price on Gas and Oil. Even when they sell to SA under the market price they earn money.

Even now when they have lowered the Gas flow to Europe they earn money-Not so much though.

What will be a problem as the war goes on will be hardware. Because of these sanction embargoes Russia will soon be in need of important things to their military.

MarkusPutin’s illusions that Russia can return to a Soviet-era state of economic self-sufficiency, the Russian economy has become highly globalized over the past three decades with significant reliance on western technology and international supply chains – and is thus more vulnerable to external shocks and disruptions. On the flip side, modern Russia’s economic allies in Belarus and Eritrea are unlikely to add as much value to the economy as the former COMECON, and Russia’s current dependence on European markets and entry into the global economy has been dependent, to a much greater extent, on western technology and know-how.

Russian economy is that of an internally corrupt, western technology-dependent resource behemoth, which provides both the revenue to sustain the Kremlin’s foibles while also saddling the country with a natural resource curse accompanied by a self-serving oligarchic elite trying to reap as much economic value as possible from the oil and gas sectors. But this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the insolvable, systemic problems facing the Russian economy.

Europe has long been the destination of choice for Russian commodity exports, particularly energy exports, and once again, these energy exports are far more important to Russia than they are to Europe, with 83% of Russian natural gas exports received by Europe, although Europe has a far more diversified supply base drawing 54% of its gas imports from non-Russian sources, including LNG from Norway, Qatar and Algeria in addition to significant domestic supply from sources such as the giant Groningen gas field in the Netherlands as of 2021.

Europe has already become an open playing field for other LNG producers such as Qatar, the United States and Australia which can come in
and fill the void at great national profit, and they will essentially be guaranteed a stable place in the European market, as long as gas remains a bridge fuel in the European energy transition. Given the recent decision of the European Commission to label gas and nuclear (under some preconditions) as sustainable energy sources, the other players in the LNG market are set to benefit handsomely from Russia’s self-inflicted destruction of its export-oriented gas sector.

De een zijn dood is de ander zijn brood. ( One man's death is another man's bread )

[Jeff-Groves]

I'm kind of surprised the Russian supply of Air Guns has not dried up here in the US.
May be that they were massively imported before the Invasion.
:hmmm:
The EDGuns and Atamans are still available and go for BIG BUCKS!
:o

[Dargo]

US sanctions on Alexey Mordashov have put the steel magnate’s empire in peril, underlining how the war in Ukraine is upending the businesses of some of Russia’s wealthiest billionaires.

The move against 56-year-old Mordashov and his family on Thursday comes after the European Union imposed sanctions against the tycoon and his steelmaker Severstal PJSC in early March. By threatening to choke off remaining export routes, the US sanctions deal another blow to the fourth-richest Russian, who 16 years ago was close to becoming Arcelor SA’s biggest shareholder before being outbid by Lakshmi Mittal.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-03/us-sanctions-threaten-empire-of-russian-steel-mogul-mordashov

[Dargo]

According to Russian propaganda “interviews”, 53 Ukrainian POWs were killed by Zelenskyy’s order. This Russian propagandist campaign is aimed to discredit the Ukrainian authorities in the eyes of Western partners and to suspend deliveries of heavy weapons.

and...

Backfired, there is already talk on more deliveries.

[Skybird]

Who said that it would be painless to the west? We accept and expect this. :haha:
Not on this scale. Nobody mentioned before that Ruassia could bite back. Also nobody predicted the counterintuitive currency and exchange effects. And they based their predictions of gas security on that Putin would not cut gas, for "that would damage Russia's income".

Maybe you expected this, and certainly I expected to Russia not sitting still and just take the beating. But official politics did not told these results in advance, and I think for most they indeed came as an unwelcomed surprise.That is the continuation of a long established pattern: that is to expect that Russia balks, but not bites, that Putin means not serious what he says, that it complaies with Western demands to act in its disadvanatge, and that one could trump Russia with ones own superior moral posture to which it then will comply.

Now Germany is subject of a brutal reality check. And it fails completely. In all regards. Energy. Military. Diplomatic beliefs. Emplyoment. Finances. Diplomatic influence. As a commentor yesterday wrote somewhere: The authority to set guidelines for German political action does not lie in the chancellor's office (and certainly not there, since the chancellor is not even the head of his own party, and the other two are dancing on his nose), but in Moscow. The post of German chancellor is still vacant. Baerbocks many visits produced no reuslts, she stands there with empty hands. I gave her the benefit of doubt and wrote that sonme weeks ago, that moratorium of criticising her is over. Her visit in Turkey was a desastere, the Turkish foreign minister wiped the floor with here moral-dripping presence. The morlaisaiton of foreign politlics, the Greens "promised". Rohrkrepierer! Habeck's record is mixed, some claims he made were simply wrong, and some advances he claimed simply are lies. Especially his babblinmg abpout Quatar and his stand on nuclear popwer I take extremely queer. And that he poses a sa victim al,lt ehntime and looks sadly around to cheaply catch sympathies.

Two lead figures of the Greens, the vice president of the parliament and the ministress for something, in the recent 36 hours have categorically ruled out again an extension of nuclear power, not to mention reactivating the other three reactors that were switched off last Decembre and still are fit to be reactivated.

I hope that the Europeans simply refuse to deliver any gas aide to Germany as long as these six nuclear powerplants are not running in Germany again. We still use gas for producing eletricla popwer. In a record quantity this May. Record quantity!

"Lights off", "cold showers", "tempo limit". Populistic BS. Nothing of this nonsense is relevant for a solution of this crisis. Nothing. Pure populism and mass propaganda. The Nazis had their torchlight marches and processions, the SED had its flags and mass marches, and the scum today has these things now to activate the masses and switch off its brains. "Every kW-hour counts, says" Habecks and looks sadly into the camera like a pissed poodle. Populistic Idiot. And that we should switch off the ready-mode of the TV set, that has 1.5 Watts over here. Yeah, I do it, see how important I am, how much I do for the climate!

They run around like chickens that have had their heads cut off, clucking and wagging their wings before they make the exit.

[Dargo]

According to Russian propaganda “interviews”, 53 Ukrainian POWs were killed by Zelenskyy’s order. This Russian propagandist campaign is aimed to discredit the Ukrainian authorities in the eyes of Western partners and to suspend deliveries of heavy weapons.

and...

Backfired, there is already talk on more deliveries.Today's HIMARS o'clock is dedicated to fallen soldiers of Azovstal. Ukraine has reportedly destroyed a number of Russian ammunition supply bases this evening in occupied southern Ukraine. As the Russian army's logistical position continues to worsen, the Kremlin escalates its campaign of war crimes against prisoners of war and civilian targets. Something just went BOOM in Russian-occupied Nova Kakhovka.

[Dargo]

Not on this scale. Nobody mentioned before that Ruassia could bite back. Also nobody predicted the coutnerintuitive currency and exchange effects. And they based their rpedictipons of gas securit yon that Putin would nto cut gas, for "that would damage Russia".



Maybe you expected this, and certainly I expected to Russia not sit sitll and just take the beating. But official politics did not told these results in advance, and I think for most they indeed came as an enwelcomed surprise.Thats is the contiunation of a long establiushed pöattern: that is to expoect that Russia balks, but not bites, that Putin means not seriopsu what he says, and that one could trump Russia with ones own superior morla posture to which it then will comply.



Now Germany is subject of a brutla reality chekc. And it fails completely. In all regards. As a commentor yesterday wrote somewhere: The authority to set guidelines for German political action does not lie in the chancellor's office (and certainly not there, since the chancellor is not even the head of his own party, and the other two are dancing on his nose), but in Moscow. The post of German chancellor is still vacant. Baerbocks many visits produced no reuslts, she stands there with empty hands. Habeck'S record is mixed, some claims he made were simply wrong, and some advances he claimed simply are lies.



Two lead figures of the Greens, the vice presient of the parliament and the ministress for something, in the recent 36 hours have categorically ruled out again an extension of nuclear power, not to mention reactivating the other three.



I hope that the Europeans simply refuse to deliver any gas aide to Germany as long as these six nuclear powerplants are not running in Germany again. We still use gas for producing eletricla popwer. In a record quantity this May. Record quantity!



"Lights off", "cold showers", "tempo limit". Populistic BS. Nothing of this nonsense is relevant for a solution of this crisis. Nothing. Pure populism and mass propaganda. The Nazis had their torchlight marches and processions, the SED had its flags and mass marches, and the scum today has these things now to activate the masses and switch off its brains. "Every kW-hour counts, says" Habecks and looks sadly into the camera like a pissed poodle. Populistic Idiot. And that we should switch off the ready-mode of the TV set, that has 1.5 Watts over here. Yeah, I do it, see how important I am, how much I do for the climate!



They run around like chickens that have had their heads cut off, clucking and wagging their wings before they make the exit.Then it is only Germany I see no other country reacting like Germany.

[mapuc]

When science take a political standpoint

https://www.iflscience.com/hackers-make-russian-charging-stations-display-putin-is-a-dickhead-message-62799

They put it under technology... I still see it as ifl-science has taken a political standpoint.

This is how I see it.

Markus

[Skybird]

Then it is only Germany I see no other country reacting like Germany. I am a native German. Nevertheless, there are reasons why I despise my "compatriots" so much and get upset about them. Living in Germany, I live as a stranger in a strange world. I am inevitably very isolated, there is hardly anything that still connects me with the thinking of the Germans.

Beautiful landscapes. Terribly beautiful and terribly terrible history and culture. Terribly narrow-minded people. If I had moved away, I would miss the land and nature, and much so. But not the people and society, not one bit.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APzu_OcM7O4

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9gwiMJsCZI

[Jimbuna]

Russian army made crossing instead of damaged Antoniv bridge, - British intelligence

This is stated in the intelligence report of Great Britain, Censor.NET informs.

"In the Kherson area, Russian forces likely installed two pontoon bridges and a ferry system to compensate for the fact that nearby bridges were damaged by recent strikes," the report said.

Scouts also report that Ukraine successfully repelled small-scale Russian attacks from the long-established front line in the Donetsk region.

It is also noted that in the occupied territories of southern Ukraine, the occupation administration is under pressure from Moscow to strengthen its control over the region and prepare for a "referendum" on joining Russia at the end of this year.

Currently, Russia classifies the captured territories as those under temporary "military-civilian administration." The local government forces the population to disclose personal data for the compilation of voter lists.

[mapuc]

What would be the most likely outcome when Europe goes into blackout due to lack of Gas and Oil ?

1. The west drop Ukraine-Meaning lifting all sanction and embargoes on Russia?

2. To shorten the war-put boots on the ground ?

These question came into my mind when I read Skybirds article about France in our crazy economy news thread.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Well I'd discount no 1 immediately and especially the dropping of sanctions bit.

[Jimbuna]

Pentagon buys NASAMS air defense system for Ukraine

The Pentagon is currently in the process of purchasing Norwegian NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems for Ukraine.

This was stated by a representative of the Pentagon, Censor.NET reports with reference to TSN.

According to him, the process of procurement of air defense systems is currently underway.

"I do not have detailed information about the specifics of the contract conclusion process, but we are already in the process of purchasing the system," he said.

The representative of the Pentagon clarified that the USA took up the issue of purchasing NASAMS complexes for Ukraine after the announcement of the Security Promotion Initiative.

As a reminder, Ukraine will receive two batteries of NASAMS air defense systems. It is about batteries, and not two systems, as previously reported by the media. It is not yet possible to name the exact number of anti-aircraft missile systems that Ukraine will receive.

[Jimbuna]

Russian energy giant Gazprom says it has suspended gas supplies to Latvia - the latest EU country to experience such action amid tensions over Ukraine.

Gazprom accused Latvia of violating conditions of purchase but gave no details of that alleged violation.

Latvia relies on neighbouring Russia for natural gas imports, but gas forms only 26% of its energy consumption.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62359890

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyZhh0qlULQ

[Bilge_Rat]

Boris Kagarlitsky knows he is a rusky and I talk with several people in Russia, they feel the pain of the sanctions. Russian economy has a couple of months to collapse, we in the west can go on for decades as shown in the Cold War, and we will help Ukraine buildup their economy in the meantime.

By all indications, Russia's economy is purring along, no doubt the sanctions are having some effect, but Oil and Gas revenues which fund the Russian Govt and the War are higher than before the war. There is no indication the Russian economy will collapse in the short term.

OTOH, western capacity to absorb economic shocks is very low. The Biden White House is freaking out over high gas prices, even though they are still low by world standards. EU countries are already turning on each other to negotiate who can buy and keep Russian Gas.

This is a game of chicken and it is pretty obvious western governments will blink first.

[Skybird]

The Biden White House is freaking out over high gas prices,
Not, its freaking out over enraged American consumers not willing to pay these prices. ;) Thats not exactly the same.



And ther eis little Biden can do about it.



Solution: build a time machine, go back by 50 years and shoot those who installed the new paper money system after Bretton Woods,

and then stand guard against everybody trying to do later on.



Putin and Corona accelerated the processes around the FIAT currency and inflation, but they did not cause the problems. The system itself is the problem. Without the war and the pandemic, these problems would have come anyway, just later on, delayed.

[Bilge_Rat]

Europe has already become an open playing field for other LNG producers such as Qatar, the United States and Australia which can come in
and fill the void at great national profit, and they will essentially be guaranteed a stable place in the European market, as long as gas remains a bridge fuel in the European energy transition. Given the recent decision of the European Commission to label gas and nuclear (under some preconditions) as sustainable energy sources, the other players in the LNG market are set to benefit handsomely from Russia’s self-inflicted destruction of its export-oriented gas sector.



Not really, there are technical roadblocks. To import LNG, you need specialized LNG terminals and there are not enough in Europe to supply all the EU needs. The EU has known about this vulnerability for years, but every new LNG terminal project gets held up for years by environmentalists. Even if the EU went on a crash program, it would take at least 3-5 years or more likely 5-10 years to build enough LNG terminals. Until then, the EU needs Russian gas and Russia can use this as a bargaining chip.

As far as Russia is concerned, for the past 10 years, it has been busy building pipelines to export its natural gas to China. China will buy all the gas that Russia can produce and will replace Europe as its main customer.

[Bilge_Rat]

According to Russian propaganda “interviews”, 53 Ukrainian POWs were killed by Zelenskyy’s order. This Russian propagandist campaign is aimed to discredit the Ukrainian authorities in the eyes of Western partners and to suspend deliveries of heavy weapons.


That story looks a bit screwy to me. A prison in Donetsk exploded, 50+ UKR POWs were killed. Russia is claiming it was a strike by a HIMARS shells. Ukraine is counter-claiming Russia blew up the prison on purpose to blame Ukraine.

Either story could be true, but it seems to me the most likely explanation is that the Ukrainians screwed up and hit the wrong target.

[Skybird]

Radio excerpts were published, two Russian soldiers near the site exchanging their opinions and saying that both of them never heard any incoming missile.

Mass murder is more in line with Russian practices, than Ukrainian ones. Putin has ordered the terror attacking of schools and cities near the Chechnyan border to fabricate a case for waging war against "Chechnyan terrorists". To deliberately kill POWs to make claims for propaganda or to send a message of terror to intimidate his enemies, would be typical for him.



The US on the other hand has repeatedly said that the Ukrainian gunners have become lethally accurate with target identification and putting down precision fire on them.

Chances overwhelmingly are that it were the Russians, and I say: likely intentionally, not accidentlly. Could have been the Wagner group that now is responsible for areas at the frontline, too, and is known for torturing prisoners and murdering them. Just today I read that they castrated a Ukrainian prisoner while he was fully conscious.

The benefit of doubt does not apply to Russians anymore. Not after the past months, and their horrifying record in Syria, and Chechnya, and their intentional surprise bombing of civilian blocks in Georgia at night woith residents asleep.

[Jimbuna]

British MP called for entire Russian embassy to be sent to Moscow after tweet about killing of "Azovs"

Labor MP Chris Bryant believes that Britain should expel the entire Russian embassy after a tweet calling for the hanging of captured soldiers of the Azov Regiment.

As reported by Censor.NET with reference to "European Truth", Labor Party MP Chris Bryant stated this.

"It should be illegal. It's a call for war crimes. It's time for the UK to send the entire Russian embassy back to Moscow. Liz Truss, what are you going to do?" - he wrote on Twitter, commenting on the post of the Russian embassy.

[Jimbuna]

Russia intends to completely erase Ukraine from world map - US Ambassador to UN Thomas-Greenfield

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that Russia intends to dismantle Ukraine and "completely erase it from the world map."

Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council that there are increasing signs that the Kremlin is laying the groundwork for an attempted annexation of all eastern Ukrainian regions, as well as the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions "in order to hold sham referendums" or decrees on joining Russia, as Censor.NET reports with reference to Ukrainian Pravda.

She also reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov "even stated that this is Russia's military objective."

The comments came after Lavrov told US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that the "continuous pumping" of US and NATO weapons into Ukraine's armed forces only "prolonged the agony of the regime in Kyiv, prolonging the conflict and increasing casualties."

[Dargo]

That story looks a bit screwy to me. A prison in Donetsk exploded, 50+ UKR POWs were killed. Russia is claiming it was a strike by a HIMARS shells. Ukraine is counter-claiming Russia blew up the prison on purpose to blame Ukraine.

Either story could be true, but it seems to me the most likely explanation is that the Ukrainians screwed up and hit the wrong target.Sure dream on, Ukraine hitting a POW camp with a guided missile HIMARS where there no guards are injured is the true story. Still waiting for a single lie-free day on Russian state media.
https://i.postimg.cc/cC6cYy16/waiting.jpg

[Dargo]

Not really, there are technical roadblocks. To import LNG, you need specialized LNG terminals and there are not enough in Europe to supply all the EU needs. The EU has known about this vulnerability for years, but every new LNG terminal project gets held up for years by environmentalists. Even if the EU went on a crash program, it would take at least 3-5 years or more likely 5-10 years to build enough LNG terminals. Until then, the EU needs Russian gas and Russia can use this as a bargaining chip.

As far as Russia is concerned, for the past 10 years, it has been busy building pipelines to export its natural gas to China. China will buy all the gas that Russia can produce and will replace Europe as its main customer.For LNG we use floating LNG terminals we got them already it will be connected to the shore, and we use that for this winter. Europe buying all the LNG there is on the moment, we & other countries will convert it to our used gas and distribute it to the rest of the EU. As for the pipelines to China they are not ready, will take years to complete for gas distribution and with the lack of western parts it will take longer till they ready.

[Jimbuna]

AFU repelled assaults in Avdiivka, Novopavliv, and Sloviansk directions, Russian Federation has partial success in Bakhmut direction, - General Staff

The combat, numerical composition and nature of actions of the enemy group remain without significant changes. The Russian occupiers have not stopped air and missile strikes on military and civilian objects on the territory of Ukraine.

This is stated in the operational information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 6:00 on 07/30/2022 regarding the Russian invasion, Censor.NET reports.

"The situation has not changed in the Volyn, Polissia, and Siversk directions. On the latter, in the border areas, the engineering equipment of the positions and the conducting of aerial reconnaissance by UAVs continue.

In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy shelled the positions of our troops and civilian objects from tanks, barrel and jet artillery in the areas of the settlements of Kharkiv, Svitlychne, Ruski Tyshki, Duvanka, Pischane, Verkhniy Saltiv, Korobochkine, Lebiazhe, Petrivske, Nortsivka, and Zalyman. Conducted an airstrike in the Mospanove area.

In the Slavyansk direction, the enemy launched artillery fire in the areas of Dolyna, Krasnopillia, and Mazanivka. The enemy tried to conduct an assault near Brazhkivka, but was unsuccessful and retreated.

In the Donetsk direction, the enemy is concentrating its efforts on hitting military facilities and infrastructure elements, trying to create conditions for an offensive in the Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Novopavliv directions in order to improve the tactical position.

Carries out systematic shelling of the positions of our troops along the contact line to constrain actions and prevent the transfer of reserves to other directions. The enemy's aviation group conducts systematic combat operations in order to support the actions of ground groups.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy launched artillery fire in the districts of Kramatorsk, Verkhnyokamiansk, Ivano-Daryivka, and Pereizne. Conducted an airstrike near Ivano-Daryivka.

In the Bakhmut direction, the enemy fired at our troops from all available firepower along the contact line in the areas of Berestove, Bilohorivka, Soledar, Bakhmut, Kodema, Travneve, Zaitseve, and New York settlements. Airstrikes near Yakovlivka and Zaitseve. He led assault operations in the directions Pylypchatyne - Pokrovske and Dolomytne - Travneve, was unsuccessful, withdrew.

He tried to establish control over the settlement of Semihiria by storming from three directions, he was partially successful, and he established himself on the outskirts of the settlement.

In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy fired at the positions of our troops from tanks, barrel artillery, rocket salvo systems along the contact line and in the areas of Novobakhmutivka, Yasnobrodivka, Avdiivka, Nevelske, Pervomaiske, and Krasnohorivka settlements. Made an airstrike near Avdiivka.

In order to improve the tactical position, he led assaults in the directions of Novoselivka Druha - Krasnohorivka, Spartak - Avdiivka, he was unsuccessful, and withdrew. Conducted aerial reconnaissance of the positions of our UAVs troops.

In the direction of Novopavlivsk, shelling near Novosilka, Mariinka, Mykilsky, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Velyka Novosilka, and an airstrike near Mariinka were noted. The enemy carried out assaults in the direction of Iehorivka - Pavlivka, was unsuccessful and retreated.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the enemy did not conduct active hostilities, but shelled the positions of our troops with the use of barrel artillery, MLRS and tank weapons in the areas of Zaliznychne, Novomykhailivka, Bilohiria, Novoandriivka settlements. Conducted aerial reconnaissance of the position of our UAVs troops.

In the Southern Bug direction, the enemy conducted aerial reconnaissance, shelled the positions of our troops with barrel and jet artillery in the areas of the settlements of Trudoliubivka, Potemkyne, Kamiane, Karierne, Novohryhorivka, Velyke Artakove, Lozove, Kobzartsy, Shyroke, Kyselivka, Zoria, Posad - Pokrovske, Stepova Dolyna, Tavriiske, Mykolaiv, and Solonchaky.

He tried to create favorable conditions for the offensive in the direction of Bruskinske - Bilohirka. As a result of fire damage inflicted by our units, he refused to perform the task.

In the Black Sea and Azov sea zones, the enemy's naval group focuses its main efforts on blocking civilian shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea and damaging military facilities and infrastructure elements deep within the territory of Ukraine.

Two sea-based cruise missile carriers are ready to use high-precision weapons.

We believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine! We will win together!" the message reads.

[Dargo]

By all indications, Russia's economy is purring along, no doubt the sanctions are having some effect, but Oil and Gas revenues which fund the Russian Govt and the War are higher than before the war. There is no indication the Russian economy will collapse in the short term.

OTOH, western capacity to absorb economic shocks is very low. The Biden White House is freaking out over high gas prices, even though they are still low by world standards. EU countries are already turning on each other to negotiate who can buy and keep Russian Gas.

This is a game of chicken and it is pretty obvious western governments will blink first.
You are wrong our economies are vastly bigger and stronger than that of Russia, what in fact only an economy size has as the economy of Spain. Our economies are and will work together to tackle this, do not see Russia has any economy big enough to help them do not tell me "but China..." they have not and will not help weak Russia China is too dependent on western markets and do not want sanctions.

[Dargo]

The Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that on July 30, two field ammunition depots, two company strongholds, up to twenty units of armored combat vehicles, and dozens of soldiers of the Russian Army were destroyed.

[mapuc]

The Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that on July 30, two field ammunition depots, two company strongholds, up to twenty units of armored combat vehicles, and dozens of soldiers of the Russian Army were destroyed.

As one who support Ukraine it's good news...then the question popped up..what did Ukraine lose in this and here I'm not talking about the missiles/rockets/or shells.

Markus

[Dargo]

That story looks a bit screwy to me. A prison in Donetsk exploded, 50+ UKR POWs were killed. Russia is claiming it was a strike by a HIMARS shells. Ukraine is counter-claiming Russia blew up the prison on purpose to blame Ukraine.

Either story could be true, but it seems to me the most likely explanation is that the Ukrainians screwed up and hit the wrong target.location: 47.828530, 37.710802 the Olenivka prison near Donetsk has been used to house many of the Ukrainian soldiers who were surrendered at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol several months ago. Compare the pictures looks like a bomb blast, blown from inside outwards... No damage to surrounding buildings and a single hit on a single building. Any artillery expert can see this is not done by Ukraine, only could be done by Russians themselves.
https://i.postimg.cc/Y06n7XBb/1.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/X7W1L09h/2.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/BvyPZ4qn/3.jpg

[Dargo]

As one who support Ukraine it's good news...then the question popped up..what did Ukraine lose in this and here I'm not talking about the missiles/rockets/or shells.

MarkusUkraine loses 25% of arable land which means around 30 million tonnes less, 35-40% less due to Russian invasion an estimated 500,000 tonnes of grain had been stolen by Russian forces the United Nations predicts that there will be a “hurricane of hunger” as a result of the conflict, as 15 African countries affected by widespread poverty import over 50% of their wheat exclusively from Ukraine and Russia. 12,000–28,081+ killed civilians at least 345 children had been killed during the war, with a further 644 wounded.

[mapuc]

Ukraine loses 25% of arable land which means around 30 million tonnes less, 35-40% less due to Russian invasion an estimated 500,000 tonnes of grain had been stolen by Russian forces the United Nations predicts that there will be a “hurricane of hunger” as a result of the conflict, as 15 African countries affected by widespread poverty import over 50% of their wheat exclusively from Ukraine and Russia. 12,000–28,081+ killed civilians at least 345 children had been killed during the war, with a further 644 wounded.

I didn't mean in the entire war. I meant in the strike which destroyed the things you mentioned two field ammunition depots, two company strongholds, up to twenty units of armored combat vehicles, and dozens of soldiers of the Russian Army were destroyed.

And there are African countries who's suffering due to this war. This is a different discussion.

Markus

[Dargo]

I didn't mean in the entire war. I meant in the strike which destroyed the things you mentioned two field ammunition depots, two company strongholds, up to twenty units of armored combat vehicles, and dozens of soldiers of the Russian Army were destroyed.

And there are African countries who's suffering due to this war. This is a different discussion.

MarkusIn the strike they lost a couple of missiles artillery shells, but that's worth it and Ukraine do not tell of their losses both sides do not.

[mapuc]

In the strike they lost a couple of missiles artillery shells, but that's worth it and Ukraine do not tell of their losses both sides do not.

Thank you. Yes your right they do not tell us about their own loses on the other side their exaggerate the enemies loses.

You're right losing some missiles and shells in proportion to what damage they have inflicted on the enemy is always positive even if the Russian loses may be lesser than said

Markus

[Dargo]

Images from the Olenivka Prison where 50 PoWs were killed seems shows possible graves dug near the north wall. The possible graves appear to be open and recently dug on the 27th (2 days prior to the explosion) and covered on the 29th (1 day after).
https://i.postimg.cc/vZcFssDB/4.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/ZRz1pvHB/5.jpg

[Jeff-Groves]

Which is which?
Your not saying the bottom is most recent I hope.
Grass don't grow THAT quick.

Also pretty impressive growth on the near by trees for just a few days.

[mapuc]

Which is which?
Your not saying the bottom is most recent I hope.
Grass don't grow THAT quick.

They could have been used rolling grass.

Markus

[Dargo]

Which is which?
Your not saying the bottom is most recent I hope.
Grass don't grow THAT quick.

Also pretty impressive growth on the near by trees for just a few days.That is the difference in weather it gives another light on the ground and picture are not exact the same.

[Jeff-Groves]

Oh PLEASE!
:/\\!!

It's CLEARLY obvious stuff don't grow that FAST!
And which picture is claimed to be before and which is after?

[Jeff-Groves]

They could have been used rolling grass.

Markus

Yeah. I'm sure they would.
:har:

Any idiot can see the images don't make sense given the so called time line.

I'd also ask. Where is the ORIGINAL source of the images?
Not your tiny link BS.

Here's the thing. I'd like to see the Bandits kicked outta the Ukraine as much as anyone.
But devolving to FALSE information to post here makes one as BAD as them.

So prove what you claim as true and I'll go away.

[Dargo]

Yeah. I'm sure they would.
:har:

Any idiot can see the images don't make sense given the so called time line.

I'd also ask. Where is the ORIGINAL source of the images?
Not your tiny link BS.

Here's the thing. I'd like to see the Bandits kicked outta the Ukraine as much as anyone.
But devolving to FALSE information to post here makes one as BAD as them.

So prove what you claim as true and I'll go away.images are from https://www.maxar.com/

[Jeff-Groves]

So your gonna make me wade through a web site and not give a Direct link.
How kind of you.
:roll:

I call BS! You have your agenda so your just as bad as any others with an agenda.

[Dargo]

Times of India reports that New Delhi will retire its MiG-21 fleet by 2025 due to recent accident. The decision also reflects growing shift towards Western sources for new planes, as well as inability to get MiG-21 parts from Russia due to ongoing sanctions. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-ground-mig-21-fighter-jets-by-2025-report-2022-07-30/

[Dargo]

So your gonna make me wade through a web site and not give a Direct link.
How kind of you.
:roll:

I call BS! You have your agenda so your just as bad as any others with an agenda.Sure I have an agenda, it is definitely not the authoritarian terror from Putin.

[Jeff-Groves]

The deliberate, and admitted, postings by You, with an agenda?
Ok. Others can suck up your postings of BS.
Here's a Clue for You and others of your kind.

Prove to me the truth and I'm all for you!
Play BS Games and be all 'dodgey'?
Screw you and the Horse you ride on.

You are the type that causes others to decide NOT to support Ukraine!
Lies will be uncovered and then all hell will break loose!

And I don't recall you at the 2008 Subsim meet in Texas.

[Reece]

Screw you and the Horse you ride on.

Oh no!! Not the poor horse Jeff!! :Kaleun_Sick:

[astvitaliy1982]

If you want, I can create a branch on a Subsim (If Jimbula doesn't mind) on which I will place the addresses of telegram channels of the city of Donetsk.(and not only) In these channels we write to each other about what is happening on the street at the moment. This is the real primary source of news without global filters and political censorship.
One caveat. These channels are in Russian and Ukrainian. But if desired, I'm sure there is a way to translate parts of messages to have a general picture of the situation. They also have photos and videos from the "first hand". Also, the time of the information that was available is always indicated.
Perhaps someone will throw similar telegram channels from the other side of the conflict into this branch of the forum.

How do you like the idea?)

[Catfish]

^ You had said that Ukraine had waged a war and genocide in the Donbas region from 2014 on until "Russia was forced to invade". All those mass graves and millions killed by Ukraine or so Russia says. Really?
How about some evidence?
You said you were living there, while international commissions have stated that is was a lie by Russia to have a pretext to invade.
So you saw it?

There are hundreds of articles and pictures, films, reports of how Russia undermined normal life in those two regions, from agents provocateurs to assassinations, to false flag operations, bombing and terror. So you say this was all the Ukrainians?
I would like to write here what i think of this, but it would probably get me a permanent ban :)

Post some pictures, well. Pictures can lie, this is especially true for russian propaganda. While the west tries to debunk claims painstakingly, Russia produces a thousand new more by the minute. Nope, no interest in keeping me occupied with that sh!t, old russian tactic in disinformation and diversion.

Russian propganda works well, i give you that. It is targeted at keeping the west in disarray and scrap with each other instead of concentrating of what Russia does.
So you say you can post pictures, probably with propaganda texts? Go ahead.
I call bullsh!t on anything coming from Russia right now, sorry. Thank your 'president' and his lapdog Lavrov.



Not directly connected, wanted to post this here before i saw your post.

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-disinformation-africa-europe-sergey-lavrov/

[astvitaliy1982]

A reminder to all people during the information war

1. Any war will end.

2. Every nation is made up of different people. Not everyone participates in the war - do not
insult everyone in a row.

3. The politicians will come to an agreement, and you will be left with
the slop that you poured over "your ideological opponents."

4. During the war, EVERYONE lies. Do not distribute information that you are not 101% sure of
(or cannot verify). If you want to write something, write only about what you saw with your
own eyes. It's honest. The rest is participation in lies.

5. If you want to express your attitude to politics - express it, and it is not necessary to insult someone.

6. You don’t like the opinion of another person, but you really want to express yourself -
speak out about this opinion, and not about this person, because most often you don’t know
him personally.

7. To hate people you don't know is a pathology.

8. Relationships between people are very complex, even at the level of a family or a work collective.
Between states is still more difficult. Everything is simple and understandable only to fools.
Don't jump to conclusions - don't be a fool.

9. Always be Human and remember point 1.


I wish peace to everyone!

[Skybird]

A drone attack should have spoiled fleet day in Sewastopol, Russia is snapped for having gotten its fleet staff being bombed. What do they think? That their military is immune and untouchable for Ukrianioan defenders of their territories? Every Russian unit and uniform is a valid target, everywhere.

I'm hoping for the chance that the Ukrainians could indeed break through at Cherson, and moving further south, to the coast. Then they have the harbour of Sewastopol in reach of their Harpoons, although the missiles possibly must stretch their legs. The bridge of Kertch as well. And who says that Western deliveries leave it to Harpoons.

Because, of course, all Russian units anywhwere on the globe are legitimate targets for Ukrainian counterstrikes. The only question is the reach of Ukrainian forces and agents.

[Jimbuna]

Southern Ukraine city Mykolaiv heavily shelled by Russians

Ukraine says the southern city of Mykolaiv suffered "massive" Russian bombardment overnight.

One of Ukraine's richest men, Oleksiy Vadatursky, and his wife Raisa were killed, the governor said.

Mr Vadatursky, 74, owned Nibulon, a major agricultural firm.

The mayor of the city called the shelling "probably the strongest of all time". There was damage to a hotel, a sports complex, two schools and a service station, as well as homes.

Mykolaiv is on the main route to Odesa, Ukraine's main port, and has been hit repeatedly.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62367356

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjLrwSu79V4

[Jimbuna]

Navy of AFU on alleged attack of Ukrainian drone on headquarters of Black Sea Fleet of Russian Federation in Sevastopol: Russian Federation recognizes its anti-aircraft defense as incapacitated and questions existence of Crimean bridge

With statements about the alleged attack of a Ukrainian drone on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation in occupied Sevastopol, Russia recognizes its anti-aircraft defense as incapacitated, and casts even greater doubt on the existence of the Crimean bridge.

As reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press center of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"The Russians in Crimea are afraid of the AFU. A clear example of this is the news from the Russian media! It is about the fact that in Sevastopol, which is temporarily occupied by the enemy, one of the military units of the invader was attacked by an apparently Ukrainian drone. According to the enemy's version, an unidentified flying object flew this morning to the territory of the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation and apparently injured 5 people," the message reads.

As noted later, in reality, the enemy did not risk holding the day of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, but in order not to be ashamed again in front of the whole world, fearing the Armed Forces of Ukraine, invented an excuse to cancel the events on the occasion of the so-called holiday.

"With such statements, the enemy recognizes its anti-aircraft defense as ineffective, and casts even greater doubt on the existence of the Crimean bridge. We remind you that the Defense Forces of Ukraine are taking measures to liberate our occupied territories, using available weapons for this purpose. Our targets are exclusively military facilities of the Russian Federation. "We do not launch strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation. Crimea is Ukraine," the Navy added.

It will be recalled that an unknown object allegedly flew to the yard of the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation in occupied Sevastopol in the morning of July 31.

Serhii Bratchuk, the spokesman of Odesa RMA, called this message an outright provocation.
https://censor.net/en/news/3357634/navy_of_afu_on_alleged_attack_of_ukrainian_drone_o n_headquarters_of_black_sea_fleet_of_russian_feder ation

[Jimbuna]

First caravan with Ukrainian grain, which will consist of 16 vessels, may arrive in Istanbul as early as August 3, - Turkish media

The first caravan with Ukrainian grain may arrive at the port of Istanbul as early as August 3. After that, the food will go to Somalia.

As reported by Censor.NET with reference to CNN Turk.

According to the publication, the caravan will consist of 16 vessels. The first stop will be Istanbul. Ships will be tracked by drones and satellites.

It is expected that the first grain exported from Ukraine will be sent to African countries, in particular to Somalia. The way there, according to UN forecasts, will take about one and a half months.

[Bilge_Rat]

Interesting analysis on how the Russians are using UAVs and their heavy artillery to counter the advanced systems supplied to Ukraine. HIMARS and other systems are very good, but there are not enough of them to make a difference. Based on other reports, Russian artillery apparently outnumbers the Ukrainians by a factor of 5-10x depending on the sector.

https://medium.com/@x_TomCooper_x/ukraine-war-q-a-24-july-2022-fbaa25166f0e


Q: ….related to the issue above (i.e. to the fact that Ukrainians still have far too few advanced multiple rocket launchers and artillery pieces) is something that’s, actually, not a question, but an issue several Ukrainian contacts have requested me to address. That’s the topic of the most powerful Russian weapon of the last four months: the combination of Orlan-10 UAVs and MSTA-S self-propelled howitzers calibre 152mm.

Fact is: since they have withdrawn from northern Ukraine and focused on the Donbass and Kherson, and since they’re ‘fighting frontally’, the Russians are deploying large numbers of Orlan-10 UAVs for reconnaissance. In turn, these are connected to their artillery with help of what’s called an ‘automatic tactical management system’. Called USS TZ, the latter is, essentially, very similar to the Ukrainian Kropyva ATMS, described in an earlier feature, nearly two months ago.

Point is: contrary to the situation during the first 2–3 months of this war, Russians are meanwhile ‘printing’ Orlan-10. Manufacturing them in huge numbers. They can do so because they are made of commercial parts easily obtained from the West and the PR China. They are deploying them in large concentrations over relatively limited combat zones to track down Ukrainian artillery in particular.

This is resulting in two major problems for Ukrainians.

The first is that they actually have no weapons to counter Orlan-10s (photo below). Sure, MANPADs — whether Martlet, or Stinger and Strela — are effective, but there are simply not enough of them. Light anti-aircraft guns are too short-ranged (Orlan-10s are mostly flying above the 1,000–1,500-metre-altitude they can reach), and there are not enough of them around, either.

The second is that the Russians not only have lots of Orlan-10s, but even more of their MSTA-S howitzers, and then at least as many BM-27 Uragan and BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launchers. This ‘combination’ is making the situation so bad that, on average, an Ukrainian artillery team has something like 1 minute — between 46 and 60 seconds, to be more specific — from the moment it positions its towed M777, or self-propelled Caesar, or Krab, or M109, and fires the first shell, until the Russians start hitting back. Arguably, Russian artillery is not particularly precise, but it’s firing back with so many shells, that ‘at least one of them is going to cause some damage’. And that’s happening too often.

Pay attention: not only that Ukrainians have no means to counter this combination, NATO has none, either. Sure, NATO would try to counter with electronic warfare systems, and ‘anti-UAV rifles’ and similar wizardry, but it would simply not be enough — because of sheer numbers of Orlan-10s and Russian artillery pieces.

This is why there is a serious need for an urgent solution. Not only that Ukrainians need lots of artillery, and lots of electronic warfare systems, but the entire NATO needs a ‘solution’ at least for that ‘Orlan-issue’. Since I doubt anybody can pack an anti-aircraft gun calibre 57–60mm (because this would offer a range sufficient to combat Orlans flying at 2,000–3,000 metres altitude) to a platform the size of Toyota Hilux (because combating Orlan-10 needs a platform that can move at high speed, while a gun calibre 57–60mm is too big and too heavy) — any time soon, and then in anything like sufficient numbers… this means that not only Ukrainians, but the entire West needs a different solution.

[Skybird]

^ There are also Ukrainian field commanders who insist on that the Western systems acchieved regional compensation for the Russian superior numbers. They talk of artillery parity in their sectors. The Russians still fire more rounds, but the ukrainian rounds hit harder and much more precise. Accoriding to a text with interviews of field commanders I red somewhere a few days ago.
Also, aretillry can not fire if it ha sno ammo, and the ukrainians currently pinpoint ammo depots of the Russians with HIMARS in significant quantities.

I am cautiously, very cautiously optimistic as long as the Western supply in ammo and heavy weapons does not stop. And there lies the crux. I am not optimistic at all that Western motivation to continue that support will live on over months and months to come.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZf1NVdKNUI

[mapuc]

I am cautiously, very cautiously optimistic as long as the Western supply in ammo and heavy weapons does not stop. And there lies the crux. I am not optimistic at all that Western motivation to continue that support will live on over months and months to come.

...which could be if we get a harsh winter and Russia Close or lower the gas and oil flow to Europe.

Well I don't know how far they have come with the repair of the Danish gas field Tyra. If they fix the repair and maintenance If they fix it before winter then Denmark is self supplying with gas and can even sell.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Largest number of cases of sexual violence by Russian military were recorded in Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions, - National Police

The National Police is investigating 21 criminal cases of sexual violence by the occupiers. In total, more than 50 statements were written to the police, but this picture is incomplete.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko said this during the telethon, Censor.NET reports with reference to UP.

"This topic is very latent, because people who have experienced sexual violence under occupation usually do not want to talk about it, we should not force them to do so under any circumstances.

The activities of the National Police are aimed at recording, investigating and providing comprehensive assistance to people affected by these crimes as much as possible," she said.

Most cases of sexual violence were recorded in Kyiv region, Sumy region, and Chernihiv region.

According to her, the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Security Service of Ukraine deal separately with cases of sexual violence.

Pavlichenko said that at the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, mobile police teams were created to detect cases of sexual violence. These groups work in the de-occupied territories.

We would like to remind you that the facts of rape committed by Russian soldiers on the territory of Ukraine are being investigated as war crimes.

The UN is considering more than 150 appeals regarding rapes committed by the Russians during the war in Ukraine.
https://censor.net/en/news/3357668/largest_number_of_cases_of_sexual_violence_by_russ ian_military_were_recorded_in_kyiv_sumy_and_cherni hiv

[Dargo]

A drone attack should have spoiled fleet day in Sewastopol, Russia is snapped for having gotten its fleet staff being bombed. What do they think? That their military is immune and untouchable for Ukrianioan defenders of their territories? Every Russian unit and uniform is a valid target, everywhere.

I'm hoping for the chance that the Ukrainians could indeed break through at Cherson, and moving further south, to the coast. Then they have the harbour of Sewastopol in reach of their Harpoons, although the missiles possibly must stretch their legs. The bridge of Kertch as well. And who says that Western deliveries leave it to Harpoons.

Because, of course, all Russian units anywhwere on the globe are legitimate targets for Ukrainian counterstrikes. The only question is the reach of Ukrainian forces and agents.According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the night of Friday to Saturday, a high-precision HIMARS strike destroyed a train of more than 40 wagons, which arrived from Crimea with manpower, equipment and ammunition at the Brilevka railway station, Kherson region. The results of the HIMARS strike on Brilevka, Kherson region: 80 dead and 200 wounded Russian servicemen transferred by rail from Crimea. Think we will see more of this in coming weeks and the offensive on Kherson oblast do not know if they have the power to push on more, but we will see in coming months.

[Dargo]

...which could be if we get a harsh winter and Russia Close or lower the gas and oil flow to Europe.

Well I don't know how far they have come with the repair of the Danish gas field Tyra. If they fix the repair and maintenance If they fix it before winter then Denmark is self supplying with gas and can even sell.

MarkusI am not so concerned, we have always the Groningen gas field that can be used to help other countries in Europe. We got trouble with it, but if it is needed we must help each other and the Dutch will help.

Gas extraction resulted in subsidence above the field. From 1991 this was also accompanied by earthquakes. This led to damage to houses and unrest among residents. It was decided to phase out gas extraction from 2014 onwards. The Groningen gas field is expected to be closed between 2025 and 2028, with the possibility of bringing this forward. The reinforcement operation and damage settlement as a result of the earthquakes are progressing slowly. The National Ombudsman called this a "national crisis" in 2021

[Jimbuna]

New bill on recognizing Russia as Sponsor of Terrorism is introduced in U.S. Senate

After the State Department abstained from the "non-binding" Senate resolution recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism, Republican Congressman Ted Lew introduced a new bill, this time in the House of Representatives.

The document was published on the official page of Congressman, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to Ukrinform.

"Under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, the government of the Russian Federation has carried out and continues to commit acts of international terrorism against political opponents and nation states," the bill reads.

The document recalls the crimes committed by the Kremlin regime in the international arena and in Russia itself, including the mass destruction of civilians during the "second" Chechen war, the support of criminal entities in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and the terror unleashed on Ukrainian citizens there, terrorist actions with Russian state support in Syria, Sudan, Libya, terrorist attacks in Britain and the destruction of Malaysian flight MH17.

The bill also recalls Russia's terrorist actions in Ukraine already after the military invasion in February of this year, including the use of mercenaries from the so-called "Wagner Group," the mass murder of civilians in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

"The United States has a list of tools to hold Russia accountable, limit its war machine, isolate it economically and diplomatically, including recognizing it as a state sponsor of terrorism and applying appropriate sanctions," the draft says.

The author of the document especially emphasizes that nothing in the bill provides grounds for sanctions against persons involved in the export of agricultural products from Ukraine or in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

[Dargo]

Interesting analysis on how the Russians are using UAVs and their heavy artillery to counter the advanced systems supplied to Ukraine. HIMARS and other systems are very good, but there are not enough of them to make a difference. Based on other reports, Russian artillery apparently outnumbers the Ukrainians by a factor of 5-10x depending on the sector.

https://medium.com/@x_TomCooper_x/ukraine-war-q-a-24-july-2022-fbaa25166f0eUAVs for reconnaissance are massively used by Ukraine also easy to get for Ukraine they can get more and easier than the sanctioned Russians.

[mapuc]

UAVs for reconnaissance are massively used by Ukraine also easy to get for Ukraine they can get more and easier than the sanctioned Russians.

If Russia doesn't get theirs from either Iran or China.

Markus

[mapuc]

Just read following on a friends wall
(Have censured it-removed some words which is not allowed here)

"
I'm probably stupid, but at the same time that Zelenskyy is painting the devil on the wall and practically begging people to evacuate, they show pictures of people sitting peacefully drinking tea, people on bike rides in idyllic surroundings and cities where people are peacefully walking around and enjoying the good weather.
Well, there's so much I don't understand.
"

I wanna answer her-cause she's both right and wrong.

Here is what I answered with

"The war is real enough-Have seen enough of the war on various live streams from Ukraine.
The war is not being fought on every square meter of Ukrainian land.
For example, almost all of Kyiv is free from fighting and the people are enjoying the nice weather. However, it happens that the Russians send some missiles towards the capital.
There is also peace on the Crimean peninsula.
Here the people also enjoy the fine weather. In the areas where war is being waged, the people do not let themselves be intimidated, they try to make everyday life go into a higher unity.
"
Markus

[Dargo]

The deliberate, and admitted, postings by You, with an agenda?
Ok. Others can suck up your postings of BS.
Here's a Clue for You and others of your kind.

Prove to me the truth and I'm all for you!
Play BS Games and be all 'dodgey'?
Screw you and the Horse you ride on.

You are the type that causes others to decide NOT to support Ukraine!
Lies will be uncovered and then all hell will break loose!

And I don't recall you at the 2008 Subsim meet in Texas.I do not need to prove anything satellite images support Ukrainian reading of attack on prison camp, it is all over in the news images I showed were from a journalist. There are many clues that refute the scenario of a Ukrainian missile attack. Satellite photos by the U.S. company Maxar, taken shortly before and shortly after the attack, provide no evidence of an artillery bombardment. At the walled prison complex, only one building was damaged, and only slightly: although the roof had collapsed, the walls were still standing. That's not the kind of damage one expects when the 91 kilograms of explosives from a GMLRS missile have been detonated. Images taken inside the complex show extensive fire damage and charred corpses, but no signs of a powerful explosion: the metal bunks are still neatly lined up.

You don't recall me at the 2008 Subsim meet in Texas because I was at the 2004 Subsim meet in Texas part of the Dutch gang, you can ask Neal.

[Catfish]

Putin loves escalation, or is it a diversion from his special-permanent-operation in Ukraine?

Russia has announced it will from now on treat NATO navy as a threat (whatever that means)
and declares the arctic territory and all its resources as russian.

[Dargo]

If Russia doesn't get theirs from either Iran or China.

MarkusThose UAVs for reconnaissance are of another kind than those from Iran, and no war is won by drones alone.

[Dargo]

Putin loves escalation, or is it a diversion from his special-permanent-operation in Ukraine?

Russia has announced it will from now on treat NATO navy as a threat (whatever that means)
and declares the arctic territory and all its resources as russian.This is all he can on all other fronts he loses, so he goes back to bully the world next will be the US and EU have been provoking Russia again via Kosovo.Russia calls on Pristina and the US and EU who are behind it to stop their provocations and observe the rights of Serbs in Kosovo.

[Skybird]

The russians are in the lead for the race in the Arctic, they started early. And that new weapon technology of hypersonic missiles they are leaders in, too, and it is a problem, currently the US, Europe anyway, struggle to copy it, or to find a remedy to it. We must get that homrework done. Quickly. China has this technology as well. And carrier killing former ICBMs. At the sdame time the US finds it more and more difficult to fulfill its targets for the numbers of Navy units it wants to build and maintain in the coming twenty or thirty years.



Putin does what he always does: he escalates. I told you so he would, and will ever again.



Its a race, and currently we are falling back, and rapidly. That Russia collapses any time soon I beleive when it happens - I heard this every single year in the past twenty years or so, always Russia was close to economic collapse and Putin was lethally ill and soon will be gone or the oligarchs conspire against him.



And what of that has ever turned out to be true...?

[Bilge_Rat]

UAVs for reconnaissance are massively used by Ukraine also easy to get for Ukraine they can get more and easier than the sanctioned Russians.

...which actually has nothing to do with my post...do you actually read posts before you reply to them?:ping:

Russia is manufacturing the ORLAN drones which they use for artillery observation using 3d printers, so no problem producing as many as they want.

[Jimbuna]

The first ship carrying grain has left a Ukrainian port under a landmark deal with Russia.

Turkish and Ukrainian officials say the ship left the southern port of Odesa early on Monday morning local time.

Russia has been blockading Ukrainian ports since February, but the two sides agreed a deal to resume shipments.

It is hoped the deal will ease the global food crisis and lower the price of grain.

Turkey said the Sierra Leone-flagged vessel, the Razoni, would dock at the port of Tripoli in Lebanon, adding that further shipments were planned over the coming weeks.

The Joint Co-ordination Centre, set up in Istanbul under the deal, said the ship was carrying some 26,000 tonnes of corn and was expected to arrive in Turkish waters for inspection on Tuesday.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the departure of the ship and hailed Turkey for its role in working to implement the agreement.

"Today Ukraine, together with partners, takes another step to prevent world hunger," Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Alexander Kubrakov wrote on Facebook.

"Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year."

Mr Kubrakov added that 16 other ships were waiting to depart in the ports of Odesa Region in the coming weeks.

Last month's deal - brokered by the UN and Turkey - took two months to reach and is set to last for 120 days. It can be renewed if both parties agree.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62375580

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJrDvxa_BCc

[Jimbuna]

I can't imagine we have anything worthy of use going spare.

Britain will hand over several warships from its fleet to Ukraine in near future - Ambassador Prystayko

Great Britain will soon provide Ukraine with several warships. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are already undergoing relevant training.

The Ambassador of Ukraine to Great Britain Vadym Prystyko said this in a comment to "Suspilne", Censor.NET informs.

According to Prystyko, he visited a military naval ship that will be handed over to Ukraine in the near future.

"Our military personnel are already training on it. They control the ship, they control the weapons. There will be several such ships," the diplomat said.

Prystayko reminded, that after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Turkey completely closed the Black Sea straits for warships.

"Our priorities have shifted. We now need anti-mine ships. 2 is the initial number we are currently working with. These are combat ships that are in service with Her Majesty's naval forces," the ambassador noted.

According to him, these ships will be reworked, updated, and equipped with special equipment needed by Ukraine.

"But these are not only 2 ships. They have more of the same class. And our officers and sailors are currently being trained on the existing ships," the ambassador concluded.
https://censor.net/en/news/3357726/britain_will_hand_over_several_warships_from_its_f leet_to_ukraine_in_near_future_ambassador_prystayk o

[Jimbuna]

Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war - about 41,030 people, 223 planes, 190 helicopters, 1,768 tanks and 4,011 armored vehicles. INFOGRAPHICS
News Censor.NET War in Ukraine
The Russian invaders, who invaded the territory of Ukraine, continue to suffer losses. As of the morning of August 1, the loss of enemy personnel are approximate 41,030.

As reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As noted, the total combat losses of the enemy from 24/02 to 01/08 are approximate:

personnel - about 41,030 (+200) people were liquidated,

tanks - 1768 (+5) units,

armored combat vehicles - 4011 (+7) units,

artillery systems - 932 (+16) units,

MLRS - 259 (+0) units,

air defense equipment - 117 (+0) units,

aircraft - 223 (+0) units,

helicopters - 190 (+0) units,

UAVs of the operational-tactical level - 736 (+1),

cruise missiles - 174 (+0),

ships/boats - 15 (+0) units,

automotive equipment and tank trucks - 2912 (+10) units,

special equipment - 82 (+2).
https://censor.net/en/news/3357739/total_combat_losses_of_russian_federation_since_be ginning_of_war_about_41030_people_223_planes_190_h elicopters

[Catfish]

^^^ A bit astonishing Putin has not mentioned making the moon his territory

[Skybird]

^^^ A bit astonishing Putin has not mentioned making the moon his territory

He certainly claims all the Arctic for Russia, and then implies Russian claim for the rest of the globe:

The endless Ifs and Whys of Russian politics - or How to set up a trap and catch yourself in it.

https://snyder.substack.com/p/putins-rule-is-weakening?utm_campaign=auto_share

Should one hope the author is right, or not? I am not certain. But then I am not certain about any alternative ending, too.

[Jimbuna]

Could this be the beginning of the latest Holy War?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LVPthUeC9k

[mapuc]

Putin loves escalation, or is it a diversion from his special-permanent-operation in Ukraine?

Russia has announced it will from now on treat NATO navy as a threat (whatever that means)
and declares the arctic territory and all its resources as russian.

I had to make a search to find a Danish article cause there wasn't anything about in the news on tv.

In this Danish article there was a link to an English homepage

https://www.civitas.org.uk/publications/the-next-front/

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTej48KE1bc

[Dargo]

The purpose of the invasion is not just to capture territory but to cleanse Ukraine of its separate identity, which threatens the identity of Russia as an imperial nation. Along with its punitive forces, the Kremlin has also dispatched hundreds of schoolteachers to re-educate Ukrainian children in the occupied territories. It equates an independent sovereign Ukraine with Nazism. Either Ukraine will cease to exist as a nation state or Russia itself will be infected by the idea of emancipation that will destroy its imperial identity.

The bleakest of all is the outlook for Russia. Mr Putin did not plan on a war of attrition. He imagined that a strike on Kyiv would rapidly lead to a new regime in Ukraine and the submission of Ukrainian society to his will. So far, Mr Putin has failed to defeat Ukraine. But he has succeeded in defeating Russia. https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/07/28/vladimir-putin-is-in-thrall-to-a-distinctive-brand-of-russian-fascism

[Dargo]

Ukraine has more than doubled the volume of cheap electricity it can export to EU markets as the country continues to advance its European energy integration despite Russia’s ongoing invasion. The July 30 expansion of export capacity is likely to prove particularly welcome as consumers in neighboring EU countries struggle with record high prices. Ukraine’s interconnection capacity with Romania and Slovakia rose from 100 megawatts (MW) to 250MW at the end of July, with this expanded capacity equally split between the two EU member states. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraine-defies-russian-invasion-and-advances-european-energy-integration/

[mapuc]

Heard that UA got 4 more of these HIMARS System.

Markus

[Dargo]

Heard that UA got 4 more of these HIMARS System.

MarkusAnd 75,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition;
Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

[mapuc]

And 75,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition;
Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

Read following on twitter

"- Russia is bombing the stuff Nato sends into Ukraine-The Ukrainian never get their hands on it."

I know they have tried to bomb and is trying to..I would say without success.

Markus

[Dargo]

Read following on twitter

"- Russia is bombing the stuff Nato sends into Ukraine-The Ukrainian never get their hands on it."

I know they have tried to bomb and is trying to..I would say without success.

MarkusThey destroyed a couple howitzers, but that is all. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims it destroyed two of Ukraine's HIMARS rocket artillery systems, and posts video to prove it. Apparently, the two 16.2 ton, 7 m long, 3.2. M high, 2.4 m wide HIMARS vehicles were hidden in a room on the second floor of a building in Kharkiv. :D

[Dargo]

Russians have gathered about 30 battalion tactical groups in the south for the attack on Kryvyi Rih and Mykolaiv, - Oleksii Arestovych reports. Adviser to the head of the President’s Office also adds: "We have a certain idea, which suggests that the more Russia will transport personnel and equipment to the Kherson direction - the better".

[mapuc]

It's dangerous to criticize Putin

Anatoly Chubais, who resigned as a high-ranking adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin and left Russia shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, was reported to be in intensive care in a European hospital on Sunday for a neurological disorder.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/putin-adviser-chubais-reported-european-hospital-87713671

Markus

[Catfish]

^ Yes. There was also at least one threat in this forum already.

" [...] the MARS 2 Systems from Germany comes with a COBRA Counter battery radar which may be important.
It is the most sophisticated radar system to detect positions of mortars, artillery and rocket launchers. It reaches 100km and can identify 40 enemy positions in only two minutes within a 40km range.
The data is transmitted to PzH-2000, Mars2 and HIMARS.
In case of PzH2000 and MARS2 it can attack the enemy position in automated mode at a very high accurracy."
edit: "The crew doesn't have to do much".

[Skybird]

FOCUS writes:


The Russian army is experiencing a deadly inferno in Ukraine. Putin's troops will struggle with the aftermath for a long time, according to two military researchers. An example case shows what happened on the battlefield.

In March 2022, Viktor Shayga volunteered for the. 752nd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment. Russian Army. He wanted to fight in Ukraine.

His unit came to the Izjum region, east of Kharkiv, a city of over a million people. Shayga and twelve comrades were to help capture the village of Dovhen'ke. A short time later, another 13 men arrived for the regiment.

Then it was off. "One morning our political officer came. He said we were going to hell. Those who didn't want to fight could stay in camp. Only one of us stayed behind. Everyone else went to fight."
"Eighty percent of us - or even more - refused to fight. So did I."

The group moved from Sulyhivka toward Dovhen'ke. But the Ukrainians were waiting for them. The enemy's artillery took Shayga's regiment under fire. "When the second salvo rained down on us, I was already saying goodbye to my life. I thought the next bomb would either tear off my legs or kill me instantly."

The attack was postponed until the next day. "Many commanders of the two battalions told their soldiers that they were going to certain death because the Ukrainians were well prepared," Shayga recounts in a diary. "So they said - decide for yourselves whether you want to go or not. Eighty percent of us - or even more - refused. Including me. I couldn't take it anymore."

Those who did go to fight came under massive fire. Many died. Others were wounded. Among them was Shayga's commander.
Destroyed Russian military vehicles lie in a garbage dump in
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett Destroyed Russian military vehicles.

The battalion's leader instructed everyone to fight. But a senior soldier advised them to retreat. Shayga recounts, "Many just ran away. They were supposed to help the wounded, but they didn't." The next day, almost everyone in his unit refused to fight.

Other units attacked Dovhen'ke again. But special units did not get through either. Shayga recounts: A unit of well-trained reservists besieged the village for a month. "340 of them had come to Ukraine. After a month, only 57 were still alive. And they didn't have one real battle. All the losses came from Ukrainian artillery."

Two months after the attack on Dovhen'ke began, he said, all the officers were either dead or wounded or had refused to fight.

Shayga and other refuseniks had then been used as laborers. They dug trenches and built dugouts. Every day, he said, more refuseniks were added. "Many had even worse stories than ours," Shayga said.

For military researcher Chris Owen, this story is exemplary. He writes, "This war is unlike anything the Russians have experienced before. Even those who have fought in the Caucasus or the Middle East have not seen anything like this." The likelihood of dying is far higher than in previous conflicts, he says.

Owen says, "Russian soldiers are motivated by money, ideology, camaraderie or experience. But none of that matters when you come home in a coffin. Motivation often breaks down in the face of death. Especially when leadership is poor."

It was a very bad sign, Owen said, that leaders - as in Shayga's case - didn't want to fight themselves. Even experienced sergeants refused to fight.
"This is the story of a military generation being destroyed"

Dara Massicot of the U.S. think tank Rand Corporation goes a step further. She looks at the long-term damage of the deadly war in Ukraine. "The long-term damages to the Russian army are immense. They go far beyond the number of dead or equipment destroyed. This is the story of a military generation being destroyed."

Those who survive would become a particular problem. "They bring the war traumas home with them. The war crimes. The stress. They bring those problems right into the barracks. It's going to be a toxic brew for all those who come into the Army in the future."

Owen sees it that way, too. The military historian writes, "Russia is destroying its army."

While Shayga's narrative is now some time ago, much has happened on the battlefield. In their offensive in the east, the Russians initially managed to circumvent the Ukrainians' successful war tactics. Through massive attacks, supported by heavy artillery fire of their own, the Russians prevented the Ukrainians from inflicting heavy damage on their part through artillery.

But most recently, that tide has turned again. In particular, the use of the American Himars guns allowed the Ukrainian artillery to return to the old, successful "corrosion" tactics. Now they are again hitting Russian troops and their supplies sensitively far behind the front line. The burgeoning morale of Putin's warriors is once again weakened.


----




With all these zombies coming home to Russia, and all these demons in their heads, an already very brutal civil society like the Russian one, that sees a lot of dysfunctional and violent families with alcoholic and beating male alphas in them, will turn worse regarding inner violence and brutal social structures.

If you are Russian and young, leave Russia, if you can. Forever. Its a dark place, and it will become much darker. And Putin will be followed by somebody like him - or somebody worse than Putin.

[Catfish]

^ not that i do not believe there are russian soldiers who experienced that and acted accordingly.
However how comes that Russia was able to capture the southern coast and almost all of Donbas?
The special (permanent) operation is far from over.

[Skybird]

Already significant presence of separatist forces form beginning on, and much treason and collaboration. Crimea by majority is pro-Russia, in Luhansk and Donbass it never was a majority, but a huge group. (Refering to census data from 2002, the last census they did).


Yes its far from over, Russia so far compensates its infantry fighting weakness with artillery and the willingness to let the body counter run away. Their advance currently is very slow again, getting countered. Just today I red in a German onlpine apper the ukrainian generals say that due to HIMARS the Russian artillery is down to one fifth or even one sixth of the rounds it fired per day before the HIMARS arrived. Before, the Russians were said to have fired 5-10 times more rounds per day tha the Ukrainians. Consideirng thta the Wetsenr systems are also more precise than th eRussian systems, another ukrainian field officer some days ago described it as "One could say we have parity now".

[Jimbuna]

The world is one misstep from devastating nuclear war and in peril not seen since the Cold War, the UN Secretary General has warned.

"We have been extraordinarily lucky so far," Antonio Guterres said.

Amid rising global tensions, "humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation", he added.

His remarks came at the opening of a conference for countries signed up to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-62381425

[Jimbuna]

Partisans have become active in occupied Crimea, the peninsula is preparing to return to control of Ukraine, - Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Partisans became more active on the peninsula

This was stated by Vadym Skibitsky, the representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Censor.NET informs.

"Regrouping is now underway - the enemy continues to regroup its forces in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia directions. A battalion tactical group of Russian paratroopers has arrived in occupied Crimea to be sent to the mainland of Ukraine," he noted.

In addition, Skibitsky continued, the invaders are strengthening the air defense system on the occupied peninsula.

"Against this background, the partisans and the movement against the occupiers became more active. People are preparing for the fact that we will return there," added the representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmIyyYa1skA

[Catfish]

Since this keeps coming up time and time again (though having been debunked, privately and before court), maybe interesting for some here.

"Let’s debunk the biggest fake widely used by kremlin to justify the russian invasion in Ukraine. You hear it from russian media, you read it in the commentaries left by russian bots, but what do the official numbers say? Let’s check out the report of the OHCHR that russians themselves are often referring to."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-YKRc_b7CE

[Commander Wallace]

I'm not sure if this information has been featured in this thread or any others.

Apparently, The Russian leadership feels they have the right to reclaim what they feel is Russian property, namely the 49th state of the U.S, Alaska. Russia feels it belongs to them and they have the right to " reclaim " it as the U.S has seized Russian assets abroad. This is essentially retaliation against the U.S.

Quote: A prominent ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and member of Russia’s legislature threatened last week to invade Alaska and reclaim the former Russian territory. Vyacheslav Volodin said Russia could “take back” Alaska, the same language Moscow used to describe its invasion of Ukraine (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a39881211/neon-shortage-supply-chain-russo-ukrainian-war/). Despite the bluster and Russia’s proximity to Alaska, Volodin’s threat is an utter fantasy, the incompetence of the Russian armed forces laid bare by the war in Ukraine.Russia’s invasion force would quickly run into a high-tech buzzsaw. The United States military in Alaska would be formidable even without reinforcements from any other state. The U.S. Army’s brand-new 11th Airborne Division is stationed in Alaska, and although not fully fitted out, its two available combat brigades have considerable striking power—and the ability to rapidly deploy by aircraft and helicopter (https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/g2977/most-important-helicopters/).

The U.S. Air Force stations only its best fighters in Alaska, a mixed force of 36 F-22A Raptors (https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a36421838/air-force-plans-retire-f-22-raptor-downsizing-fighter-fleet/) and 54 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/04/18/arrival-of-final-2-f-35s-completes-complement-at-alaska-base/). All are fifth-generation fighters, the most advanced in the world, with the benefit of stealth, the ability to cruise above Mach 1 without the use of afterburners, and advanced radar and electro-optical sensors. The fighter force would easily overpower Russian fighters, bombers, and transports, and then go on to sink the aging Russian battle fleet. (The U.S. Navy doesn’t maintain a permanent presence in ships in Alaska, but the California-based Third Fleet is only a few days’ sailing time away.)

I think the only way Russia makes an attempt to reclaim Alaska is through brute force which would ignite WW3. I think Russia would find that the U.S is far more formidable than the Ukraine is and any attempts would be doomed to failure.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/what-putin-has-said-about-russia-taking-back-alaska/ar-AAZmwRP



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/what-would-happen-if-russia-tried-to-take-alaska-back/ar-AAZz784


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/alaska-gov-sends-message-to-putin-allies-after-russia-demands-state-back/ar-AAZlJfO


https://news.yahoo.com/russian-politicians-want-back-alaska-164300954.html

[Skybird]

I'm not sure if this information has been featured in this thread or any others.

Apparently, The Russian leadership feels they have the right to reclaim what they feel is Russian property, namely the 49th state of the U.S, Alaska. Russia feels it belongs to them and they have the right to " reclaim " it as the U.S has seized Russian assets abroad. This is essentially retaliation against the U.S.

Quote: A prominent ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and member of Russia’s legislature threatened last week to invade Alaska and reclaim the former Russian territory. Vyacheslav Volodin said Russia could “take back” Alaska, the same language Moscow used to describe its invasion of Ukraine (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a39881211/neon-shortage-supply-chain-russo-ukrainian-war/). Despite the bluster and Russia’s proximity to Alaska, Volodin’s threat is an utter fantasy, the incompetence of the Russian armed forces laid bare by the war in Ukraine.Russia’s invasion force would quickly run into a high-tech buzzsaw. The United States military in Alaska would be formidable even without reinforcements from any other state. The U.S. Army’s brand-new 11th Airborne Division is stationed in Alaska, and although not fully fitted out, its two available combat brigades have considerable striking power—and the ability to rapidly deploy by aircraft and helicopter (https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/g2977/most-important-helicopters/).

The U.S. Air Force stations only its best fighters in Alaska, a mixed force of 36 F-22A Raptors (https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a36421838/air-force-plans-retire-f-22-raptor-downsizing-fighter-fleet/) and 54 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/04/18/arrival-of-final-2-f-35s-completes-complement-at-alaska-base/). All are fifth-generation fighters, the most advanced in the world, with the benefit of stealth, the ability to cruise above Mach 1 without the use of afterburners, and advanced radar and electro-optical sensors. The fighter force would easily overpower Russian fighters, bombers, and transports, and then go on to sink the aging Russian battle fleet. (The U.S. Navy doesn’t maintain a permanent presence in ships in Alaska, but the California-based Third Fleet is only a few days’ sailing time away.)

I think the only way Russia makes an attempt to reclaim Alaska is through brute force which would ignite WW3. I think Russia would find that the U.S is far more formidable than the Ukraine is and any attempts would be doomed to failure.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/what-putin-has-said-about-russia-taking-back-alaska/ar-AAZmwRP



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/what-would-happen-if-russia-tried-to-take-alaska-back/ar-AAZz784


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/alaska-gov-sends-message-to-putin-allies-after-russia-demands-state-back/ar-AAZlJfO


https://news.yahoo.com/russian-politicians-want-back-alaska-164300954.html
Volodin and other ultranationalist fascists have raised these claims already earlier, and over the years, on various occaisons, already in the years before.


Russian logic is a bit like Islamic logic. Whereever a Muslim/Russian ever has put his foot on, that then forever until the end of time is Islamic/Russian, rejecting that is heresy.

[Rockstar]

Volodin and other ultranationalist fascists have raised these claims already earlier, and over the years, on various occaisons, already in the years before.


Russian logic is a bit like Islamic logic. Whereever a Muslim/Russian ever has put his foot on, that then forever until the end of time is Islamic/Russian, rejecting that is heresy.



Russia should be careful. China feels the same way about the lands Russia swindled from them in East Asia.

[Skybird]

The people without shame - Russians. The author of this essay in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung is Nikolai Klimeniouk, born in 1970 in Sevastopol in the Crimea and now living as a freelance writer in Berlin.

------------

Russian society is by no means coming to terms with the Ukraine war, which is getting out of hand, but it is craving absolution. The opposition likes to portray Russians as enslaved by the regime. When in fact Putin has freed them: from the pressure of morality and the burden of norms.

On Friday, July 22, Russia signed an agreement not to impede grain exports from Ukraine and not to attack Ukrainian ports. Early on Saturday, Russia shelled the port of Odessa. Then the Russian leadership denied shelling Odessa. Then it claimed that they destroyed a warship and a stockpile of Harpoon missiles, as if, even if it were so, it would justify breaking the treaty.

That Russia breaks treaties is not new. That it concludes such treaties without the slightest intention of abiding by them should have become clear to most international actors by now. Every single attack on civilian targets, be it the theater in Mariupol, the city center of Vinnitsa, or the shopping mall in Kremenchuk, Russia has justified on the grounds of having destroyed military objects. Every Ukrainian child seems to be a military object for Russia. One wonders, however, what exactly the purpose of the attack on the port of Odessa could be.

Russia can only hold the occupied territories with great difficulty right now, and the Ukrainian military is apparently using modern Western weapons against Russian ammunition depots and supply infrastructure very efficiently. Over a thousand Russian soldiers have been encircled near Kherson. It seems only a matter of time and arms supplies before Ukrainian forces launch a counteroffensive that, according to many analyses, may well be successful.

Militarily, the liberation of at least some occupied territories is unlikely to be averted, so Russia is trying to prevent it through a "diplomatic solution," which its lobbyists and sympathizers are now tirelessly promoting. Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer has probably articulated the Russian effort most aptly with his suggestion that the conflict should be frozen. For that to happen, however, Russia would have to pretend, at least for a brief moment, that it is capable of negotiating. Instead, it is performing just the opposite.

One wonders what strategic or tactical advantages this insidiousness might bring Russia, and by no stretch of the imagination can one find any. Self-defeating actions have long become the hallmark of the Russian regime, and the temptation to regard this extreme audacity as its special characteristic is correspondingly great.

The Russian population, however, does not seem to mind it. All recent opinion polls, both those published by the relatively independent Levada Center and those leaked by the state-run Vziom, show strong support for the war, with figures ranging from 57 to 75 percent.

Prominent Russian sociologists and analysts from the liberal camp attribute this to the regime's propaganda bombardment and brutal repression of the population. Opposition figures, such as Alexei Navalny and Ilya Yashin, like to refer to Russia as an "occupied country" and call the regime "occupiers," as if Putin and his henchmen, of whom there are at least 2.6 million in the organs of violence alone, according to figures last published in 2018, were aliens, an alien power that has nothing to do with Russia proper.

This is a reassuring notion that frees the Russian population from the burden of shared responsibility. "Unfortunately for all of us, there is nothing particularly malevolent about the Russians, because if there were, it would be enough to simply isolate them, build a high wall, and safely protect the planet from them. Unfortunately, the Russians are not the problem. The problem is that Vladimir Putin has understood all too well how the modern world works - he has recognized the weaknesses and levers that need to be operated in order to steer it," Russian philosopher Grigory Yudin wrote in an essay titled "Another Russia is Possible" in the NZZ.

The popular Russian news portal Medusa, with editorial headquarters in Riga, Latvia, interpreted the essay not as an analysis of the complicity of people like Gerhard Schröder, but as a complete acquittal, and published it in Russian with the title "Sorry, it has nothing to do with the Russians. On the Moral Responsibility of the Western Leadership for the War in Ukraine."
This mood is in the Russian air. The smaller liberal part of society craves absolution for itself and for Russians as a whole, while the less liberal rest brims with self-satisfaction and pride. Social networks are full of texts, memes and videos with the hashtag "We are not ashamed"; the saying is often available as a T-shirt motif or bumper sticker.

These things didn't just emerge in the months of the invasion, but after Feb. 24 at the latest, shamelessness officially became a central part of state doctrine. "Someone who is ashamed to be Russian is not one," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared shortly after the start of Russia's major offensive. Large and small media outlets loyal to the Kremlin devoted countless columns and talk shows to the issue.

The message is well received and inspires creative minds. For example, the more niche bard Dmitri Lik released a song titled "I'm not ashamed to be Russian" on the streaming service Spotify (which, ironically, has already withdrawn from Russia). The disproportionately more popular pop singer Shaman came up with a video just a few days ago, where he roars "I am Russian, in defiance of the whole world" while strolling through an iconic Ukrainian landscape: a yellow wheat field under a blue sky; a rogue who thinks evil of that. In just four days, the video has sparked more than three million views on YouTube and some 50,000 mostly enthusiastic comments.

The jingoistic hit song is also so well received because it serves another important element of Russian self-perception. To be a Russian is to draw one's strength, one's almost superhuman strength, from nature, from the treasure-rich depths of Russia's earth and its infinite, literally boundless expanses.

"Russia's borders never end," Russia's ruler Putin declared back in 2016. According to quite a few studies, most Russians consider themselves superior to other peoples. Former Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky once claimed in all seriousness that Russians have an extra chromosome.

But mostly the Russian megalomania is not fed by vulgar genetics, but rather by the almost pagan belief of being part of the natural phenomenon. In this image, Russia must become bigger and bigger, and its natural resources, such as gas, are not a commodity but a kind of elixir of life: We have it qua nature, and the others cannot do without it and are dependent on us.

These ideas are not an invention of Putin and his entourage: they can be traced back to the 19th century, they played an important role in Soviet ideology and are expressed in officially approved art as well as in popular literature, Internet memes or folklore.

As recently as May, Foreign Minister Lavrov asserted that Russia was not seeking a change of power in Ukraine. Finally, on July 24, he declared that that was precisely the goal of the Russian invasion: "We are helping the Ukrainian people free themselves from this anti-people, anti-history regime."

The notorious liar has thereby betrayed more truth than he should be aware of. The Russian regime does not see itself as a liberator without good reason. It has freed the Russian population from shame and from the annoying necessity of bending to any norms and laws. Under Putin, the Russians can enjoy themselves unhindered and uninhibited. The regime also wants to give this gift to the Ukrainians, whom it already considers to be Russians confused by the West, and never ceases to wonder how anyone can voluntarily renounce this freedom, this superiority, this limitless power.
-----------------------

[Dargo]

The people without shame - Russians. The author of this essay in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung is Nikolai Klimeniouk, born in 1970 in Sevastopol in the Crimea and now living as a freelance writer in Berlin.

------------

Russian society is by no means coming to terms with the Ukraine war, which is getting out of hand, but it is craving absolution. The opposition likes to portray Russians as enslaved by the regime. When in fact Putin has freed them: from the pressure of morality and the burden of norms.

On Friday, July 22, Russia signed an agreement not to impede grain exports from Ukraine and not to attack Ukrainian ports. Early on Saturday, Russia shelled the port of Odessa. Then the Russian leadership denied shelling Odessa. Then it claimed that they destroyed a warship and a stockpile of Harpoon missiles, as if, even if it were so, it would justify breaking the treaty.

That Russia breaks treaties is not new. That it concludes such treaties without the slightest intention of abiding by them should have become clear to most international actors by now. Every single attack on civilian targets, be it the theater in Mariupol, the city center of Vinnitsa, or the shopping mall in Kremenchuk, Russia has justified on the grounds of having destroyed military objects. Every Ukrainian child seems to be a military object for Russia. One wonders, however, what exactly the purpose of the attack on the port of Odessa could be.

Russia can only hold the occupied territories with great difficulty right now, and the Ukrainian military is apparently using modern Western weapons against Russian ammunition depots and supply infrastructure very efficiently. Over a thousand Russian soldiers have been encircled near Kherson. It seems only a matter of time and arms supplies before Ukrainian forces launch a counteroffensive that, according to many analyses, may well be successful.

Militarily, the liberation of at least some occupied territories is unlikely to be averted, so Russia is trying to prevent it through a "diplomatic solution," which its lobbyists and sympathizers are now tirelessly promoting. Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer has probably articulated the Russian effort most aptly with his suggestion that the conflict should be frozen. For that to happen, however, Russia would have to pretend, at least for a brief moment, that it is capable of negotiating. Instead, it is performing just the opposite.

One wonders what strategic or tactical advantages this insidiousness might bring Russia, and by no stretch of the imagination can one find any. Self-defeating actions have long become the hallmark of the Russian regime, and the temptation to regard this extreme audacity as its special characteristic is correspondingly great.

The Russian population, however, does not seem to mind it. All recent opinion polls, both those published by the relatively independent Levada Center and those leaked by the state-run Vziom, show strong support for the war, with figures ranging from 57 to 75 percent.

Prominent Russian sociologists and analysts from the liberal camp attribute this to the regime's propaganda bombardment and brutal repression of the population. Opposition figures, such as Alexei Navalny and Ilya Yashin, like to refer to Russia as an "occupied country" and call the regime "occupiers," as if Putin and his henchmen, of whom there are at least 2.6 million in the organs of violence alone, according to figures last published in 2018, were aliens, an alien power that has nothing to do with Russia proper.

This is a reassuring notion that frees the Russian population from the burden of shared responsibility. "Unfortunately for all of us, there is nothing particularly malevolent about the Russians, because if there were, it would be enough to simply isolate them, build a high wall, and safely protect the planet from them. Unfortunately, the Russians are not the problem. The problem is that Vladimir Putin has understood all too well how the modern world works - he has recognized the weaknesses and levers that need to be operated in order to steer it," Russian philosopher Grigory Yudin wrote in an essay titled "Another Russia is Possible" in the NZZ.

The popular Russian news portal Medusa, with editorial headquarters in Riga, Latvia, interpreted the essay not as an analysis of the complicity of people like Gerhard Schröder, but as a complete acquittal, and published it in Russian with the title "Sorry, it has nothing to do with the Russians. On the Moral Responsibility of the Western Leadership for the War in Ukraine."
This mood is in the Russian air. The smaller liberal part of society craves absolution for itself and for Russians as a whole, while the less liberal rest brims with self-satisfaction and pride. Social networks are full of texts, memes and videos with the hashtag "We are not ashamed"; the saying is often available as a T-shirt motif or bumper sticker.

These things didn't just emerge in the months of the invasion, but after Feb. 24 at the latest, shamelessness officially became a central part of state doctrine. "Someone who is ashamed to be Russian is not one," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared shortly after the start of Russia's major offensive. Large and small media outlets loyal to the Kremlin devoted countless columns and talk shows to the issue.

The message is well received and inspires creative minds. For example, the more niche bard Dmitri Lik released a song titled "I'm not ashamed to be Russian" on the streaming service Spotify (which, ironically, has already withdrawn from Russia). The disproportionately more popular pop singer Shaman came up with a video just a few days ago, where he roars "I am Russian, in defiance of the whole world" while strolling through an iconic Ukrainian landscape: a yellow wheat field under a blue sky; a rogue who thinks evil of that. In just four days, the video has sparked more than three million views on YouTube and some 50,000 mostly enthusiastic comments.

The jingoistic hit song is also so well received because it serves another important element of Russian self-perception. To be a Russian is to draw one's strength, one's almost superhuman strength, from nature, from the treasure-rich depths of Russia's earth and its infinite, literally boundless expanses.

"Russia's borders never end," Russia's ruler Putin declared back in 2016. According to quite a few studies, most Russians consider themselves superior to other peoples. Former Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky once claimed in all seriousness that Russians have an extra chromosome.

But mostly the Russian megalomania is not fed by vulgar genetics, but rather by the almost pagan belief of being part of the natural phenomenon. In this image, Russia must become bigger and bigger, and its natural resources, such as gas, are not a commodity but a kind of elixir of life: We have it qua nature, and the others cannot do without it and are dependent on us.

These ideas are not an invention of Putin and his entourage: they can be traced back to the 19th century, they played an important role in Soviet ideology and are expressed in officially approved art as well as in popular literature, Internet memes or folklore.

As recently as May, Foreign Minister Lavrov asserted that Russia was not seeking a change of power in Ukraine. Finally, on July 24, he declared that that was precisely the goal of the Russian invasion: "We are helping the Ukrainian people free themselves from this anti-people, anti-history regime."

The notorious liar has thereby betrayed more truth than he should be aware of. The Russian regime does not see itself as a liberator without good reason. It has freed the Russian population from shame and from the annoying necessity of bending to any norms and laws. Under Putin, the Russians can enjoy themselves unhindered and uninhibited. The regime also wants to give this gift to the Ukrainians, whom it already considers to be Russians confused by the West, and never ceases to wonder how anyone can voluntarily renounce this freedom, this superiority, this limitless power.
-----------------------
Russians are not interested in any kind of politics whatsoever. The whole spectrum of political opinion represents maybe 15 to 20 percent of the population, probably less than 10 percent. The rest are totally apolitical. The number of people who agree to respond to opinion polls is totally unrepresentative 5 to 7 percent of those 5 percent, about 65 to 70 percent, support the war most people don’t have any opinion at all. They care about their jobs, their families, their closest friends, and maybe their houses and pets what’s important to them is having their family life intact, then you can tolerate the rest.

[Jimbuna]

First grain ship out of Ukraine cleared to sail to Lebanon

The first grain ship to depart Ukraine since Russia invaded has arrived in Turkish waters and completed inspections, Ankara says.

Carrying 26,000 tonnes of corn, the Razoni was inspected by officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN.

It is unclear how quickly the ship will be able to sail onwards to Lebanon, its final destination.

Russia has been blockading Ukraine's ports since it invaded in February, intensifying global food shortages.

Under the terms of a deal brokered by Turkey and the UN last month, both sides have agreed shipments can resume.

Ukraine said its naval vessels will guide cargo ships through waters which have been mined.

In his usual evening address on Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to see grain exports become regular again.

"Our goal now is to have regularity: so that when one ship leaves the port, there are other ships as well - both those loading and those approaching the port," he said.

In addition to easing food shortages elsewhere, he hoped exports would encourage Ukrainian farmers to sow seeds for next season.

"This is a matter of food security for our country as well - we are now ensuring next year."

The Razoni left the Ukrainian port of Odesa on Monday, bound for Tripoli in Lebanon via Turkish waters.

The Sierra Leone-flagged ship has now been inspected for prohibited goods and can transit through the narrow Bosphorus strait, according to the Turkish defence ministry.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62401342

[Jimbuna]

Russia accuses US of direct role in Ukraine war

Russia has accused the US of direct involvement in the war in Ukraine for the first time.

A spokesperson for Moscow's defence ministry alleged the US was approving targets for American-made Himars artillery used by Kyiv's forces.

Lt Gen Igor Konashenkov said intercepted calls between Ukrainian officials revealed the link. The BBC could not independently verify this.

Russia previously accused Washington of fighting a "proxy war" in Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the Pentagon said it provided the Ukrainians with "detailed, time-sensitive information to help them understand the threats they face and defend their country against Russian aggression".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62389537

[Jimbuna]

Combat work of four MLRS "HIMARS" at front. VIDEO

Video Censor.NET Society

A video of a fragment of the combat work of the MLRS "HIMARS" at the front has been published on the Internet.

According to Censor.NET, on the recording, the missiles are launched at once from four "HIMARS" installations.
https://censor.net/en/video_news/3358311/combat_work_of_four_mlrs_himars_at_front_video

[Catfish]

"Sick of running away from Putin"[...] "it really is good against evil" [...] "The west has to stand up against Putin."
Hope he is right regarding Ukraine's chances.

https://youtu.be/XxAAIhy4B5Y?t=36

[mapuc]

I have begun to mistrust these "predictions" about Putins life and so on.

I think he is doing fine and has a very strong health, beside that I also think he is in a strong position as Russians President.

The Country may be weak due to all these sanctions and embargoes.

Markus

[Catfish]

Guerilla warfare against Z russians is stepping up

https://youtu.be/498xQMiYjSY

[Skybird]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/08/01/britain-helps-ukraine-hunt-russian-spies-eyeing-western-military/

Asked how the US-provided Himars multiple-launch rocket systems have so precisely targeted Russian fuel and ammunition depots, as well as battlefield headquarters in eastern Ukraine, Gen Skibitsky said “in this case in particular, we use real-time information”.
US officials are not providing direct targeting information, which would potentially undermine their case for not being direct participants in the war, Gen Skibitsky said.
However, he suggested there was a level of consultation between intelligence officials of both countries prior to launching missiles that would allow Washington to stop any potential attacks if they were unhappy with the intended target.
“I can’t tell you whether [we are directly tasking] British and American satellites, but we have very good satellite imagery,” he told The Telegraph.
“We have very good cooperation with our partners in the UK in this field. We have very good communication with all the sister intelligence agencies.”
Oooops.

[Rockstar]

Combat work of four MLRS "HIMARS" at front. VIDEO

Video Censor.NET Society

A video of a fragment of the combat work of the MLRS "HIMARS" at the front has been published on the Internet.

According to Censor.NET, on the recording, the missiles are launched at once from four "HIMARS" installations.
https://censor.net/en/video_news/3358311/combat_work_of_four_mlrs_himars_at_front_video

Well, that certainly explains all those fires in Russian controlled areas picked by NASA’s FIRMS Map :D

https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:24hrs;@37.7,46.1,7z

[Rockstar]

Not sure who this fella is, but he touch’s a bit on the problems Russians may be having with incoming HIMAR launched missiles.

https://youtu.be/ceskPbDtTzY

[Jimbuna]

Until territories of Ukraine are freed at least until line of February 24, there will be no truce, - Deputy Head of PO Zhovkva

The truce with Russia should not be waited for until the front line returns at least to the state it was in before February 24.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva said this in an interview with Lb.ua, Censor.NET reports.

According to him, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing for a counteroffensive, calls for a ceasefire begin to appear. He emphasized that at the official level, such calls do not come from Ukraine's key allies.

"We have never heard anything like this from US President Joe Biden or his administration. On the contrary, in Washington, they tell us that Ukraine will determine the conditions for the start of any negotiations. The same words are heard from the G7 leaders," Zhovkva said. .

The official noted that Ukraine will not agree to "negotiations for the sake of negotiations", especially on Russia's terms. He stated that until the moment when Ukraine does not liberate its territories and does not push back the front line at least as of February 24, there is "no question" of any agreements regarding the regime of silence.

"That is, a ceasefire in itself cannot be a prerequisite for conducting peace negotiations. Today we say that any negotiations can be conducted only on the battlefield. And no one - no analysts or former statesmen - will succeed in breaking Ukraine's readiness to resist, until the liberation of all its territories," said the deputy head of the PO.

[Jimbuna]

Putin 'embarrassed' as hackers launch cyber war on Russian President over Ukraine invasion

Cybersecurity specialist Jeremiah Fowler said hackers Anonymous have declared a "cyber war" on Russia by targeting it in six different and clever ways. He said Moscow may have been the "Iron Curtain" but the hackers were making them look like a "paper curtain".

The most effective strategies have seen Anonymous hack into Russian databases and leak the information online.

Mr Fowler, co-founder of the cybersecurity company Security Discovery, told CNBC: "Anonymous has made Russia's governmental and civilian cyber defences appear weak.

"The group has demystified Russia's cyber capabilities and successfully embarrassed Russian companies, government agencies, energy companies and others."

"The methods Anonymous have used against Russia have not only been highly disruptive and effective, they have also rewritten the rules of how a crowdsourced modern cyberwar is conducted.

He said information collected from the database breaches could show criminal activity as well as "who pulls the strings and where the money goes".

Mr Fowler revealed how Anonymous has hacked over 2,500 Russian and Belarusian sites, leaking stolen data online with database hacks.

Hackers have also targeted companies around the world, who are continuing to do business with Putin despite his war in Ukraine.

[mapuc]

In war it is interesting who's asking for a ceasefire and why.

Markus

[Reece]

Until territories of Ukraine are freed at least until line of February 24, there will be no truce, - Deputy Head of PO Zhovkva

The truce with Russia should not be waited for until the front line returns at least to the state it was in before February 24.\

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva said this in an interview with Lb.ua, Censor.NET reports.

According to him, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing for a counteroffensive, calls for a ceasefire begin to appear. He emphasized that at the official level, such calls do not come from Ukraine's key allies.

"We have never heard anything like this from US President Joe Biden or his administration. On the contrary, in Washington, they tell us that Ukraine will determine the conditions for the start of any negotiations. The same words are heard from the G7 leaders," Zhovkva said. .

The official noted that Ukraine will not agree to "negotiations for the sake of negotiations", especially on Russia's terms. He stated that until the moment when Ukraine does not liberate its territories and does not push back the front line at least as of February 24, there is "no question" of any agreements regarding the regime of silence.

"That is, a ceasefire in itself cannot be a prerequisite for conducting peace negotiations. Today we say that any negotiations can be conducted only on the battlefield. And no one - no analysts or former statesmen - will succeed in breaking Ukraine's readiness to resist, until the liberation of all its territories," said the deputy head of the PO.
The truce with Russia should not be waited for until the front line returns at least to the state it was in before February 24.
I don't believe Russia should determine the conditions of a ceasefire, look at the damaged infrastructure, the billions in lost money, import/export losses, human lives, homes etc etc etc!! :shifty::dead::down::nope:
I would agree that a ceasefire should be under Ukrains terms and conditions. :timeout::hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

I don't believe Russia should determine the conditions of a ceasefire, look at the damaged infrastructure, the billions in lost money, import/export losses, human lives, homes etc etc etc!! :shifty::dead::down::nope:
I would agree that a ceasefire should be under Ukrains terms and conditions. :timeout::hmmm:

Precisely!

[Jimbuna]

Amnesty International accused AFU of violating rules of war: Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that organization creates "false balance between criminal and victim"

The human rights organization Amnesty International stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine endanger the civilian population by placing equipment and weapons in residential areas.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the report.

"Ukrainian forces have put civilians at risk by establishing bases and deploying weapons in residential areas, including schools and hospitals, while repelling the Russian invasion. Such tactics violate international humanitarian law and put civilians at risk because they turn civilian objects into military targets The following Russian strikes on populated areas led to the death of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," the organization noted.

"Being in a defensive position does not exempt the Ukrainian military from complying with international humanitarian law. The Ukrainian government must immediately ensure the deployment of its forces away from populated areas or evacuate the civilian population from areas where the military operates," Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamar said.

The organization also noted that "the Ukrainian military's practice of placing military facilities in populated areas in no way justifies Russia's indiscriminate attacks."

At the same time, the Ukrainian office of Amnesty International emphasized that, as an international organization, AM is engaged in the investigation and documentation of war crimes during the Russian-Ukrainian war.

"In particular, the attack on the Mariupol Drama Theater, the attack on a residential building and a beach resort in Serhiivka, war crimes in the Kyiv region, etc. Amnesty International will hand over the documented data to the International Criminal Court, which will contribute to international justice and bringing the guilty to justice," they informed there. .

The director of the Ukrainian office of Amnesty International, Oksana Pokalchuk, said: "The Ukrainian office advocates the investigation and helps to involve criminal investigators of other countries in the investigation of war crimes on the territory of Ukraine."

The head of the Foreign Ministry, Dmytro Kuleba, commented on the organization's report: "Just like you, I saw Amnesty International's statement. Just like you, I am outraged by it and consider it unfair. I understand that in response to criticism, Amnesty will say: "So we criticize both sides of the conflict ". But let's clearly agree on the understanding of simple things. This behavior of Amnesty International is not about finding and bringing the truth to the world. It is about creating a false balance between the perpetrator and the victim. Between a country that destroys the civilian population of cities and territories by the hundreds and thousands. And a country that desperately defends itself, saving its people, the continent from this influx. So please stop creating a false reality where everyone is a little bit guilty of something. Engage in reporting the truth about what Russia is today."

Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the OP, also reacted to AM's accusations. He stated that the only thing that threatens Ukrainians is the Russian army of executioners and rapists.

"People's lives are an absolute priority for Ukraine, which is why we are evacuating residents of front-line cities. Russia is making every effort to discredit the Armed Forces and disrupt the supply of weapons, using its entire network of agents of influence. It is a pity that such an organization as Amnesty participates in this disinformation and propaganda campaign," Podoliak said.

amnesty,international
The human rights organization Amnesty International stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine endanger the civilian population by placing equipment and weapons in residential areas.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the report.

"Ukrainian forces have put civilians at risk by establishing bases and deploying weapons in residential areas, including schools and hospitals, while repelling the Russian invasion. Such tactics violate international humanitarian law and put civilians at risk because they turn civilian objects into military targets The following Russian strikes on populated areas led to the death of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," the organization noted.

See more: As result of Russian shelling in Zaporizhzhia region, houses and agricultural machinery were destroyed, - National Police. PHOTOS

"Being in a defensive position does not exempt the Ukrainian military from complying with international humanitarian law. The Ukrainian government must immediately ensure the deployment of its forces away from populated areas or evacuate the civilian population from areas where the military operates," Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamar said.

The organization also noted that "the Ukrainian military's practice of placing military facilities in populated areas in no way justifies Russia's indiscriminate attacks."

At the same time, the Ukrainian office of Amnesty International emphasized that, as an international organization, AM is engaged in the investigation and documentation of war crimes during the Russian-Ukrainian war.

"In particular, the attack on the Mariupol Drama Theater, the attack on a residential building and a beach resort in Serhiivka, war crimes in the Kyiv region, etc. Amnesty International will hand over the documented data to the International Criminal Court, which will contribute to international justice and bringing the guilty to justice," they informed there. .

The director of the Ukrainian office of Amnesty International, Oksana Pokalchuk, said: "The Ukrainian office advocates the investigation and helps to involve criminal investigators of other countries in the investigation of war crimes on the territory of Ukraine."

The head of the Foreign Ministry, Dmytro Kuleba, commented on the organization's report: "Just like you, I saw Amnesty International's statement. Just like you, I am outraged by it and consider it unfair. I understand that in response to criticism, Amnesty will say: "So we criticize both sides of the conflict ". But let's clearly agree on the understanding of simple things. This behavior of Amnesty International is not about finding and bringing the truth to the world. It is about creating a false balance between the perpetrator and the victim. Between a country that destroys the civilian population of cities and territories by the hundreds and thousands. And a country that desperately defends itself, saving its people, the continent from this influx. So please stop creating a false reality where everyone is a little bit guilty of something. Engage in reporting the truth about what Russia is today."

Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the OP, also reacted to AM's accusations. He stated that the only thing that threatens Ukrainians is the Russian army of executioners and rapists.

"People's lives are an absolute priority for Ukraine, which is why we are evacuating residents of front-line cities. Russia is making every effort to discredit the Armed Forces and disrupt the supply of weapons, using its entire network of agents of influence. It is a pity that such an organization as Amnesty participates in this disinformation and propaganda campaign," Podoliak said.

See more: In Kherson region, occupiers kidnapped school principal, head of community and volunteer, - National Police. PHOTOS

Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Tamila Tasheva said that AM's report looks "very cynical".

"I'm sorry that in order to somehow preserve the "balance" there, Amnesty resorts to this. "Ukrainian combat tactics endanger the civilian population." Are you serious? Ukraine is trying to wage a conventional war, that's why our offensive in the south is so careful, that's why we constantly we are talking about the evacuation of the population," Tasheva emphasized.

Amnesty International's statement also sparked a backlash online.

Редактор "Європейської Правди" Сергій Сидоренко : "Amnesty International завжди були унилим гавном, з мінімальним зв'язком мозку із реальністю та стійким бажанням боронь боже не образити пусню. Але зараз вони поставили дуже високу планку навіть на своєму рівні. Не так щоб дивно, але гидко.

People's deputy of "EU" Oleksii Honcharenko emphasized on Twitter that the Armed Forces protect Ukrainians: "So who harmed civilians? Russian soldiers who invaded my country, or Ukrainian forces who defend it?".

Activist Serhii Sternenko said that Amnesty International "stubbornly ignores the war crimes of the Russians. In particular, they ignore the facts and statements of the occupiers themselves about how they turn civilians into human shields."

Journalist Tetiana Nikolaienko said that the Russian occupiers almost shot her in the village: "In a village where the Armed Forces were 60 kilometers away? Isn't that very suitable for smearing Russia? And the mobile crematoriums where they burned their own? And about shooting their own, so that did not retreat?".

The editor of "European Truth" Serhii Sydorenko wrote: "Amnesty International has always been a dejected piece of ****, with a minimal connection of the brain with reality and a persistent desire for God's sake not to offend the wild. But now they have set a very high bar, even at their level. It's not surprising , but ugly.

However, the problem is that all kinds of governments and other pacifists in the West listen to and believe these scumbags (no matter how wild it sounds to us). This is the reality that Ukraine, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc. have to work with. What will you do? And they can't write what they think about these freaks with the letter m and what, for example, I wrote."
https://censor.net/en/news/3358598/amnesty_international_accused_afu_of_violating_rul es_of_war_ministry_of_foreign_affairs_said_that_or ganization

[Dargo]

Putin 'embarrassed' as hackers launch cyber war on Russian President over Ukraine invasion

Cybersecurity specialist Jeremiah Fowler said hackers Anonymous have declared a "cyber war" on Russia by targeting it in six different and clever ways. He said Moscow may have been the "Iron Curtain" but the hackers were making them look like a "paper curtain".

The most effective strategies have seen Anonymous hack into Russian databases and leak the information online.

Mr Fowler, co-founder of the cybersecurity company Security Discovery, told CNBC: "Anonymous has made Russia's governmental and civilian cyber defences appear weak.

"The group has demystified Russia's cyber capabilities and successfully embarrassed Russian companies, government agencies, energy companies and others."

"The methods Anonymous have used against Russia have not only been highly disruptive and effective, they have also rewritten the rules of how a crowdsourced modern cyberwar is conducted.

He said information collected from the database breaches could show criminal activity as well as "who pulls the strings and where the money goes".

Mr Fowler revealed how Anonymous has hacked over 2,500 Russian and Belarusian sites, leaking stolen data online with database hacks.

Hackers have also targeted companies around the world, who are continuing to do business with Putin despite his war in Ukraine.OpRussia has caused the biggest leaks of Russia https://ddosecrets.com/wiki/Category:Russia more than Wikileaks ever published... oh Wikileaks has never leaked any Russian hacks :D Anonymous also claimed hitting Supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADA) used in industry. Worldwide all kind of crews, security people joined this is the biggest operation of none state hacker collectively, and it shows the Russians are not that good as we thought.

[Dargo]

Russian troops plan to remove 12,000 tons of ammunition from the territory of Belarus by the end of August, Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It seems that the HIMARS strikes on the ammunition depots put Russia in an awkward position.

Russian Gazprom has been burning gas near the Portova compressor station and the LNG terminal of the same name since May Satellite images of the NASA fire monitoring system show that fires began to be recorded at the LNG terminal on May 22, when Gazprom reduced transit to Europe through the Ukrainian gas transmission system and stopped using the paid and booked capacities in full.

The current anti-Russian sanctions prevent the successful resolution of the situation with the transportation and repair of Siemens gas turbine engines for the" Portova" compressor station accord Gazprom at the same time according to Siemens Energy this equipment for Nord Stream is ready for operation, and the Germans can send it.

WNBA star Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in jail on drug charges in Russia. This is theater. Russia and US can't do a prisoner swap with an unsentenced prisoner. Russia has done this in order to make a deal to get one of their own.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkCvbS_n2aU

[Jimbuna]

Ukrainian office of Amnesty International did not take part in preparation and distribution of report, in which it is said that AFU put civilians at risk, - spokeswoman

The Ukrainian office of the human rights organization Amnesty International did not participate in the preparation and distribution of the report, which claims that the Ukrainian army puts civilians at risk.

As Censor.NET informs, with reference to Interfax-Ukraine, Amnesty International Ukraine spokeswoman Kateryna Mityeva reported this in a comment to "Hromadske".

"The Ukrainian office did not participate either in the preparation or in the distribution of this information. According to the rules of the organization, during armed conflicts and wars, only the Department of Crisis Response deals with the documentation of violations and crimes," Mityeva said.

The organization's press service notes that a distinction should be made between war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), which regulate the laws and customs of war. Only serious violations of IHL are considered war crimes and require the perpetrators to be held criminally responsible.

"The team of the Crisis Response Department of Amnesty International did not record a single war crime committed by the Ukrainian military," Amnesty International Ukraine emphasized.

The organization also notes that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Amnesty International has been advocating the investigation by Ukraine and other states of Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine.

"As an international organization, Amnesty International is engaged in investigating and documenting war crimes of all parties participating in the war. Since February 24, the organization's researchers have documented dozens of war crimes on the territory of Ukraine and proved that they were committed by the Russian military," it is said in the message.

Earlier, the international human rights organization Amnesty International published a report from which it follows that Ukrainian troops violate the laws of war by placing military equipment and weapons in schools, hospitals and residential areas.

[mapuc]

So they are fighting from private homes- If there was citizens in them while fighting went on, It sadden me.

If the houses were empty-Well then I don't see any problem using them as....

Material can always be replaced life can't

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fF-BAwe-y8

[Dargo]

History will show that Vladimir Putin’s fatal miscalculation was his belief that Europe would buckle if he invaded Ukraine because of its excessive dependence on Russian energy. It didn’t. He also failed to understand that excessive dependence works both ways: The Euros needed his oil and gas but he, in turn, completely relied on their market. Put another way, Putin should have parked his Imperial ambitions in the West until he had diversified his customer base and built pipelines and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in the East to export to China, the world’s biggest energy buyer. Instead, he invaded Ukraine then blackmailed and abused the rest of Europe, which sent it scrambling to sign up new suppliers and alternative energy sources. Europe is finding new sources more easily, and Russia cannot replace Europe with new customers. He has lost economically. https://dianefrancis.substack.com/p/russias-suicide

[Skybird]

In war it is interesting who's asking for a ceasefire and why.

Markus
The tsar is currently sending his proxies like Gerhard Schroeder to prepare the ground for "negotiations". This is only to conceal the current weakness of the Russian hordes, to consolidate their territorial conquests, and to give them the opportunity to consolidate before they attack again.
There are enough stupids in the West, including politicians and political leaders, who all too willingly walk into this trap - and enthusiastically so.

[Dargo]

The tsar is currently sending his proxies like Gerhard Schroeder to prepare the ground for "negotiations". This is only to conceal the current weakness of the Russian hordes, to consolidate their territorial conquests, and to give them the opportunity to consolidate before they attack again.
There are enough stupids in the West, including politicians and political leaders, who all too willingly walk into this trap - and enthusiastically so.Gerhard Schroeder or any traitor can try what he wants, but it is Ukraine who decide to negotiation or not Ukraine is boss not Gerhard Schroeder

[Skybird]

Gerhard Schroeder or any traitor can try what he wants, but it is Ukraine who decide to negotiation or not Ukraine is boss not Gerhard Schroeder
But Western government can stop sending Ukraine stuff it needs and shut down financial supplies. Rheinmetall for exaple says - andn tzat is confirmed by polticla insiders and opposition polticians - that they have several dozen Marder IFV plus additional Fuchs APCs ready and operaitonal - and could ship them any day to Ukraine, its just that Bubble Olaf strictly prohibits this, olike he also rejects any dleivery of wepaoisn that could allow the Ukraine to offensively counterattck Russia nd dlöeievr them rela hurting defeats becasue for yxounbterattacks o9f this kidn you do not only need artillery support, but, you need "Beweglichkeit": provided by tanks, both MBTs and APCs/IFVs.



Germany does not want Ukraine to have this ability. Ask yourself why.



What I mean is Ukriane is where it is only due to substantial weapon support by the West. If that support is to end, Ukraine can pack its things once the last PZH2000 round and HIMARS missile has been fired. Courage alone is not enough.



Do not trust Bubble-Olaf. He plays foul. He always has done, and always will. I watchnjhim since many years. He never has disappointed my assessment of the man. There ar reasons why I dispise him so very very much.

[Skybird]

Bad news for Olaf the turbine-whisperer:


Russian state-owned Gazprom is apparently flaring some of the gas that was supposed to be delivered to Germany at its turbine station near St. Petersburg. Photos first published by the Finnish news site "Yle" and circulating on Twitter reportedly show the so-called compressor station in Portovaya, Russia, with a large flame blazing above it.

The photo is said to have been taken from the Finnish side, and the flame is said to be so high that it can be seen across the national border.

The authenticity of the photographs cannot be verified. However, data from Nasa show that, of all things, larger fires have been seen consistently on the site of the Nord Stream 1 station since the day on which delivery volumes to Germany were curtailed for the first time.

Gazprom had first reduced deliveries through the Baltic Sea pipeline to 40 percent of the agreed volumes from June 16, and now only 20 percent of the possible capacity arrives in Germany. Data from the U.S. space agency Nasa's Fire Information for Resource Management Systems (Firms) show that from the time of the curtailment, larger fires are constantly visible at the Portovaya station site.


Gas fields cannot easily be shut down, they must have some of the gas that is under high pressure being allwoed to escape. Thats why siome German commentors until yesterday optimistically said that Russia will never brign gas epxorts to nil. I do not get this why they always assume the best - my first thought was exactly what now gets reported: "Why wouldn't they just burn it?" Thats was my very first thoguht on this.



The Germans handed Russia another easy satisfaction score when they went to Canada and made Canada breaking its own sanction to release the turbine. The Russians OF COURSE never had the intention to deliver gas again at higher quantities. The sanction on gas turbines is an original Canadian one, not an EU sanction. The naive laymen in Berlin stepped right into the wide open trap. And they still pose and talk as if the Russian behaviour were not predictable and is a surprise.


Has anyone really expected, seriously, that Russia would just sit still and swallow sanction after sanction and not try to hurt Europe back? How stupid is that...?

[Skybird]

Die Welt:


Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan plan to meet this Friday in the Russian resort of Sochi. The talks are to begin around 2 p.m. CEST, the Turkish presidential palace said Thursday.

According to the Kremlin, possible sales of combat drones by NATO member Turkey are also on the agenda. Turkish sources did not confirm this for now. The communications ministry said that current global and regional issues would be discussed. In addition to the war in Ukraine, Turkish plans for a new offensive in northern Syria are also likely to be discussed. Moscow has recently clearly advised against this.

Erdogan had already said shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine that he would not rule out arms deals with Russia. Russia is interested, for example, in the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone successfully used by the Ukrainian military. Putin had suggested working with Turkey on the Baykar drones, Erdogan said, according to the CNN Türk channel.


Hehehe. I almost would wish Turkey does sell Russia drones, only so that politicians in Western NATO capitals see their stupid facial expressions in the newspaper next day. I wpoudl cut them out and hang them up in a long line on my wall, and whenever I am in an angry mood again I look at them and then can laugh again. More stupid Western dreams busting. Turkey also pushes escalation with Greece over Greece Aegean islands and gas fields at Cyprus to extremes not seen since decades between the two countries.



Wait for the thunderous tirades from Brussels! That will put grins on my face.

[Dargo]

But Western government can stop sending Ukraine stuff it needs and shut down financial supplies. Rheinmetall for exaple says - andn tzat is confirmed by polticla insiders and opposition polticians - that they have several dozen Marder IFV plus additional Fuchs APCs ready and operaitonal - and could ship them any day to Ukraine, its just that Bubble Olaf strictly prohibits this, olike he also rejects any dleivery of wepaoisn that could allow the Ukraine to offensively counterattck Russia nd dlöeievr them rela hurting defeats becasue for yxounbterattacks o9f this kidn you do not only need artillery support, but, you need "Beweglichkeit": provided by tanks, both MBTs and APCs/IFVs.



Germany does not want Ukraine to have this ability. Ask yourself why.



What I mean is Ukriane is where it is only due to substantial weapon support by the West. If that support is to end, Ukraine can pack its things once the last PZH2000 round and HIMARS missile has been fired. Courage alone is not enough.



Do not trust Bubble-Olaf. He plays foul. He always has done, and always will. I watchnjhim since many years. He never has disappointed my assessment of the man. There ar reasons why I dispise him so very very much.I see only Germany that does not support the rest supports Ukraine even Switzerland has sanctions but that all is not so important if the US/UK supports the west will. Germany has no power if it is isolated that is shown now.

[Skybird]

Doubts about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are apparently growing in the USA. This is reported by the "New York Times" with reference to government circles. U.S. officials are "clearly more concerned about the Ukrainian leadership than they officially admit," according to an article in the newspaper. There is "deep mistrust" between the White House and Selenskyj, it said.

In particular, recent dismissals of Selenskyj's entourage - the attorney general and his intelligence chief - are causing concern in the United States. The New York Times reports there is still no convincing explanation for this harsh move. Columnist Thomas L. Friedman writes: "It seems to me that we would rather not look so closely under the hood in Kiev because we are afraid that we will discover corruption or escapades there now that we have invested so much.

I said in the past Selensky is a win for ukraine due to his integrative power from his appearance and speeches, seen that way he is a case of luck. But he is also a product of a corrupt political regime and a failed state run by criminal gangs and oligarchs, and he has not believed in the war coming until the day it broke loose, preventign much better preparation that way.

I never said I trust him, right. I don't. Never have. We should make good use of him, let him work his influence magic over Ukrainians to keep the motivated. And thats all. I have an absolutely sober, pragmatic view of the man.
BTW, this all is the reason why I am against giving the Ukraine a cheap and easy ride to EU membership. Or NATO. Hell, no, we really shouldn't! Not before the viper of corruption has been slain. And that is still many, many years away - if it ever happens.

[Skybird]

I see only Germany that does not support the rest supports Ukraine even Switzerland has sanctions but that all is not so important if the US/UK supports the west will. Germany has no power if it is isolated that is shown now.
France rejects to send heavy weapons, too, othes as well. Currently no Western heavy fighting vehicles are in Ukraine, not even American.



Artillery and fighting vehicles are not the same, they serve different tactical and operational purposes. Those purpsoes allowing Ukriane to defend lines and psoitions and hurt Russia logistically, are allwoed ot go ion. But the ability for huge armoured mobile counteroffensioves is not suppprted by major Western powers. Only the Easteuropeans sent their T-72 and some APCs and IFVs. Old ones.



Add to this, as I posted yesterday, that the US has a VETO right in target selection for the HIMARS batteries.



Many Western nations do not want the Ukraine to be too successful, it seems to me, especially France, Germany.



Planning for relations with Russia after the war is the likely answer to me. But planning on grounds of illusions, I woudl say.

[Dargo]

Doubts about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are apparently growing in the USA. This is reported by the "New York Times" with reference to government circles. U.S. officials are "clearly more concerned about the Ukrainian leadership than they officially admit," according to an article in the newspaper. There is "deep mistrust" between the White House and Selenskyj, it said.

In particular, recent dismissals of Selenskyj's entourage - the attorney general and his intelligence chief - are causing concern in the United States. The New York Times reports there is still no convincing explanation for this harsh move. Columnist Thomas L. Friedman writes: "It seems to me that we would rather not look so closely under the hood in Kiev because we are afraid that we will discover corruption or escapades there now that we have invested so much.

I said in the past Selensky is a win for ukraine due to his integrative power from his appearance and speeches, seen that way he is a case of luck. But he is also a product of a corrupt political regime and a failed state run by criminal gangs and oligarchs, and he has not believed in the war coming until the day it broke loose, preventign much better preparation that way.

I never said I trust him, right. I don't. Never have. We should make good use of him, let him work his influence magic over Ukrainians to keep the motivated. And thats all. I have an absolutely sober, pragmatic view of the man.
BTW, this all is the reason why I am against giving the Ukraine a cheap and easy ride to EU membership. Or NATO. Hell, no, we really shouldn't! Not before the viper of corruption has been slain. And that is still many, many years away - if it ever happens.Do not think Ukraine gets an easy ride to EU membership, they have to do the same as other countries. EU members approved this so quickly because of the war as support and to pester Putin.

[Jeff-Groves]

Need to cleanse the Nest of Vipers from NATO.

[Skybird]

Do not think Ukraine gets an easy ride to EU membership, they have to do the same as other countries. EU members approved this so quickly because of the war as support and to pester Putin.
Yes, sure. But better do not ignore that there are powerful political subgroups that want them being rushed into the EU better today than tomorrow. And Brussels is not known to be a centre of rationality and sense of realism. The quota-girly at the top of the EU central committee, Super-Uschi, wants them to be in early.

[Dargo]

France rejects to send heavy weapons, too, othes as well. Currently no Western heavy fighting vehicles are in Ukraine, not even American.



Artillery and fighting vehicles are not the same, they serve different tactical and operational purposes. Those purpsoes allowing Ukriane to defend lines and psoitions and hurt Russia logistically, are allwoed ot go ion. But the ability for huge armoured mobile counteroffensioves is not suppprted by major Western powers. Only the Easteuropeans sent their T-72 and some APCs and IFVs. Old ones.



Add to this, as I posted yesterday, that the US has a VETO right in target selection for the HIMARS batteries.



Many Western nations do not want the Ukraine to be too successful, it seems to me, especially France, Germany.



Planning for relations with Russia after the war is the likely answer to me. But planning on grounds of illusions, I woudl say.The US has a VETO right in target selection for the HIMARS batteries because this was the deal to prevent escalation globally Russia is still a nuclear power. Sending tanks, fighters or other heavy armor will take time to train, Ukraine must take Kherson in the coming months with the HIMARS they seriously disturb Russians supply lines that is their chance to start the counteroffensive. I wonder how Putin explains the liberation of Kherson to his people.

[Dargo]

Yes, sure. But better do not ignore that there are powerful political subgroups that want them being rushed into the EU better today than tomorrow. And Brussels is not known to be a centre of rationality and sense of realism. The quota-girly at the top of the EU central committee, Super-Uschi, wants them to be in early.All EU Member States have to agree unanimously parliaments not Brussels decides.

[mapuc]

The US has a VETO right in target selection for the HIMARS batteries because this was the deal to prevent escalation globally Russia is still a nuclear power. Sending tanks, fighters or other heavy armor will take time to train, Ukraine must take Kherson in the coming months with the HIMARS they seriously disturb Russians supply lines that is their chance to start the counteroffensive. I wonder how Putin explains the liberation of Kherson to his people.

If they manage to take Kherson, would they still have enough to withstand a Russian counter attack ?

From what I understand-Russia has moved a lot of men and material to Kherson and Kherson Oblast.

If these Russian men are those who only have a month training behind them then I don't think they can stand up against Ukrainian forces.
The material-Read somewhere that most of what Russia has is from 70's 60's and 50's well they have some newer stuff from 80 and 90's

I think that Ukrainian forces has the ability to both take Kherson and hold it-That is if they get a lot of ammo and weapons

Markus

[Dargo]

If they manage to take Kherson, would they still have enough to withstand a Russian counter attack ?

From what I understand-Russia has moved a lot of men and material to Kherson and Kherson Oblast.

If these Russian men are those who only have a month training behind them then I don't think they can stand up against Ukrainian forces.
The material-Read somewhere that most of what Russia has is from 70's 60's and 50's well they have some newer stuff from 80 and 90's

I think that Ukrainian forces has the ability to both take Kherson and hold it-That is if they get a lot of ammo and weapons

MarkusRussian sends allot, but they need to unload from trains out of distance of the HIMARS we saw all how great Russian truck supply is after that they need to cross the Dnieper again easy shooting will be hard to swallow for 30 days trainees I do not think Ukraine starts this without the personnel and material. The trick is to wear out the Russians that they start walking home, that moral will start a whole other chapter for Putin.

[Skybird]

Numerically, Russia still has the egde. Roughly by around 10:1, media usually say. And it still has many reserves across all Russia, that it so far has not started to touch, not wanting to compromise its military presence in these other regions, too.



That could change, maybe. And if their stand becomes too desperate, I do not rule out they even consider tactical nukes. I see that risk if Crimean becomes liberated by Ukraine. What Putin (or Lavrov) recently said about not using nukes first (just weeks ago they implied the opposite), does not interest me. I do not waste time listening to them anymore, they are lying from first to last hour of the day.

[Skybird]

The US has a VETO right in target selection for the HIMARS batteries because this was the deal to prevent escalation globally
Nevertheless the Ukriane hangs at the drip of thew West and vitally depends on the good will of the US.



And the will of the US can - and sometimes does: ask Afghans - change. Biden will not be the next president anymore, so much I am certain of.

[Dargo]

Numerically, Russia still has the egde. Roughly by around 10:1, media usually say. And it still has many reserves across all Russia, that it so far has not started to touch, not wanting to compromise its military presence in these other regions, too.



That could change, maybe. And if their stand becomes too desperate, I do not rule out they even consider tactical nukes. I see that risk if Crimean becomes liberated by Ukraine. What Putin (or Lavrov) recently said about not using nukes first (just weeks ago they implied the opposite), does not interest me. I do not waste time listening to them anymore, they are lying from first to last hour of the day.You are counting the personnel that would be activated in a war as this is an operation only Russia only send contract soldiers to Ukraine, and they touched their reserves you can have numeral advances but if the moral is bad you do not have anything

[mapuc]

You are counting the personnel that would be activated in a war as this is an operation only Russia only send contract soldiers to Ukraine, and they touched their reserves you can have numeral advances but if the moral is bad you do not have anything

Doesn't Putin have to declare full war on Ukraine in order to mobilize the reserve ?

Markus

[Dargo]

Nevertheless the Ukriane hangs at the drip of thew West and vitally depends on the good will of the US.



And the will of the US can - and sometimes does: ask Afghans - change. Biden will not be the next president anymore, so much I am certain of.The west always depended on the US and yes policy can change, but both sides in the US are willing to support Russia will stay an enemy and threat to the US.

[Dargo]

Doesn't Putin have to declare full war on Ukraine in order to mobilize the reserve ?

MarkusReserve material, I meant they used a lot of their new stuff and I think if Putin could have mobilized he would have done it he fears he gets in trouble when does that.

[mapuc]

About Skybirds comment about Crimea and use of tactical nukes.

I truly hopes Skybird is wrong. Russia will not use nuke.

The question is how eager is the Ukrainian in liberating Crimea ?

Zelenskyy has said their goal is to push Russia back to how the border was 1991.

Here I'm 110 % Sure that Biden and UK will say-You have liberated what Russia toke in the 25th of February invasion now it's time to stop-Because you will not get anymore weapon and ammo from us.

Not meaning that Ukrainian wouldn't try to retake Crimea.

Markus

[mapuc]

Reserve material, I meant they used a lot of their new stuff and I think if Putin could have mobilized he would have done it he fears he gets in trouble when does that.

I think it was you who said He would get into a lot of problems on the homefront if he did that-started to mobilize the reserve.

Markus

[Dargo]

I think it was you who said He would get into a lot of problems on the homefront if he did that-started to mobilize the reserve.

MarkusNot only me Russian people are not willing to sacrifice their sons and husbands also there is a large part that has the means leaving Russia.

[mapuc]

Take a look at this pro-Russian yt video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jou9yL3AL1g

I like what one wrote in the comment field

"Napoleon said "Never interrupt your enemy when they are making a mistake." I would love to see Russia isolate their own troops without supply. I want to see and end to this whole thing soon "

Markus

[Skybird]

You are counting the personnel that would be activated in a war as this is an operation only Russia only send contract soldiers to Ukraine, and they touched their reserves you can have numeral advances but if the moral is bad you do not have anything
In artillery pieces Russia is and always will be superior by factors. So in tanks and IFVs, helicpoters, bombers. If they start to "cannibalise" units staged
at the border sof other parts of the Russia perimeter, they will have more platforms moving than there are HIMARS missiles to fire.


So far Puton tries to keep the bad side of war away form getting percieved from the orindary social middle class in the metropüoles by not mobilising. But a hige poart fo that class is supporting Putin. I never bought the claim that many Russians, a majority are agfainst himn, and just that thgeir voices get suprerssed. Now, if thigns go bad for Russia and they lose much of Ukriane again or even the Crimea, mobilization might become an option on the ground of telling narrations about NATO threatening the Rodina and that all Russians must unite to battle for the big Momma lik,e the forfvathersa did against the German Nazis, and aren't the ukrainians Nazis as well?


Lets face it, Russia has what it takes to show up with much longe rbreath than the Wetsenr support. And Western public's support is already waning. Germany saw in recent weeks a slow trend, but the recent poll, published just yesterday, shows a dramatic drop in willingness to support ukriane. And I predicted that, if you remember. 'Thge more the gas problem in Germany comes to the full awareness, the more the German willingness to support the war will drop as well. Physical needs trump idealism.



And it is like this in many other countries.


Also, the US. It has a strong opinion groupo in its civil society that sympathise with isolationsim and asking what this or other wars have to do with Amereic aand why Americna tax payer is endlessly paying for this. A populist and opportunist like Trump and many on the Republican side could very well consider pulling the plug on Ukrainian support and money transfers, even more so with the conflict with China sharpening up. Possible that such a president cuts ties even to Taiwan. In American politics, nothing could surprise me anymore - not after Trumps term and the years after that, and no folly or erosion I consider impossible to imagine to become reality.



That is the big dilemma that maybe will seal the West'S doom: that Europe desperately depends on America, but America having become completely untrustworthy and unpredictable, while Europe not being willing or capable to take care of its own military protection.



Well, I do not hide since years that I think Europe is falling, so I can leave it here.

[mapuc]

^ This is one of the reason to why Ukrainian forces is concentrating their HIMARS rockets, MLRS and M777 artillery on Russian weapon and fuel depot.

Cause they know Russia is outnumbering them when it comes to artillery and tanks.

Secondary targets for the Ukrainian is roads and bridges.

Ukrainian is hitting them where it hurt most.

Markus

[Jeff-Groves]

but America having become completely untrustworthy and unpredictable, while Europe not being willing or capable to take care of its own military protection.

Don't know about other Americans, But this American is tired of bailing you out of situations you Europeans created!
Should have let you sink or swim back around July 28th, 1914

All you've done since is whine.

Maybe even left you living under Hitler's Rule or as a part of the USSR.
Seems the People in Power in your Country are in collusion with Putin anyway.

[MaDef]

I wouldn't go that far Jeff-Groves, but yeah, the majority of the people I know see the Russian/Ukrainian conflict as a primarily European problem, and Europe should take the lead on dealing with it.

[Skybird]

Sag ich doch!

Dont bite me, I did not mean to criticise you. Havent you noticed that I am tired of the Europeans porked priorities myself, top, and of the Germans? Whether US isolationism would be wise or even realistic, is something different, but the emotion wanting to stay out I can understand very well.

[Reece]

Sky is correct in saying this Jeff, He often talks down about "bumbling Olaf" :doh:

[Jimbuna]

Russian forces at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have likely undermined the security and safety of the plant's operations, the UK's defence ministry says.

Europe's largest nuclear plant has been under Russian control since March but is still operational.

The UK defence ministry says Russian troops are probably using the plant as a shield to deter Ukrainian attacks.

The UN nuclear watchdog has warned the plant is "completely out of control".

The nuclear plant lies in the south-east of Ukraine along the eastern bank of the Dnipro river. It is currently still being operated by Ukrainian employees, though Russia is occupying the plant and the region around it.

It consists of six pressurised water reactors and stores radioactive waste.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62432873

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOd7Oy0xJ-s

[Skybird]

As expected: Russia threatens to reduce grain deliveries to global markets due to missing spare parts for the harvesting machines it has. Of course it makes big words of that it is only due to the Wesat, and that the sanctions foster and increase global starvation.


It does not take a rocket scientist to forsee that if Russia reduces its grain exports, they will insist on that the Ukraine is not allowed to export, too. The grain deal is a wide open invitation for Russia to seek maximum propaganda exploitation from it in order to upset the world against the West and its barbaric inhumane sanctions that illustrate that the West does not care for human loives and bla and bla and blablabla. Also, Russia cna live without the money from selling all its grains. Ukraine cannot afford that, and also sees its next harvest threatened.

[Skybird]

North Korea to enter the war? Merkur.de writes:


Russia may soon receive massive reinforcements in the Ukraine conflict. North Korea has apparently offered military support to Vladimir Putin's troops.

The embattled Donbass with the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where the majority of the population feels that they belong to Russia, will belong to Vladimir Putin's country in the future: At least the Kremlin leaves no doubt about this thesis. The Ukrainian army, on the other hand, is defending the disputed areas, also supported by Western arms deliveries (current developments in the news ticker).

To realize its ambitions, Russia could apparently soon receive support: A broadcast on Russian state television discussed the possibility of an entire armada of forces from North Korea arriving for reinforcements. Russian military expert Igor Korotchenko spoke on the Rossiya-1 channel about how "great" it would be if volunteers not only helped rebuild infrastructure left fallow by the war. There is also talk of fighting alongside Russia. A corresponding recording was published by BBC reporter Francis Scarr via Twitter.

"There are reports that around 100,000 North Koreans are being prepared to join the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and support Vladimir Putin's army," Korotchenko said. In response to another studio guest's comment that this sounds like a joke, the 62-year-old replied, "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. The gist: North Korea has made its position clear politically, and North Korean aid workers seem willing to help us rebuild the cities that were destroyed by Ukraine." As an example, he cites cities like Kherson, which were "liberated" by Russia and should remain so.

Whether troop reinforcements from North Korea have already been initiated? Unclear. TV stations like Rossiya-1 are known to be pro-Kremlin mouthpieces. After all, the Ukraine conflict has long since degenerated into an information war in which the warring parties involved accuse each other of lying.

Korotchenko stated that it was an offer from President Kim Jong-un, but made no secret of his opinion: "We should accept it. Why be shy and not embrace this offer?" Korean workers, he said, are "robust and undemanding."

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warns of a rising risk of nuclear annihilation. The danger, he said, is as great as it was at the height of the Cold War:

It has long been clear that the People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK) is one of the Russian side's supporters in the Ukraine conflict. The country was one of five to vote against the UN resolution condemning the Ukraine war. China is also among the countries backing Russia's invasion of its neighbor to the west. Beijing abstained on the resolution.

Korotchenko further explained that North Korea has artillery systems and self-produced large-caliber multiple rocket launchers, in addition to which it has enormous experience. According to him, the offered support in eastern Ukraine is a kind of friendly service: "We once helped North Korea (in the Korean War against South Korea, ed.), now they want to return the favor, fight Ukrainian fascism with us," said the military expert.

[mapuc]

"the possibility of an entire armada of forces from North Korea arriving for reinforcements. "

This surprised me-I have thought that if there was some country who would send military aids to Russia it would be China.

We have to wait to see if NK does send help and how much.

Markus

[Dargo]

Putin and Erdoğan have agreed that Turkey will henceforth pay for gas from Russia partly in rubles. This is reported by the Russian branch of the Interfax news agency. "Unfriendly countries" must pay for their gas in rubles. This applies to all countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia. Turkey is not on the list of those unfriendly countries, but will now do so in part anyway. The leaders also agreed to cooperate more closely in the fields of transport, agriculture, trade, energy and construction.

The big question was whether Putin and Erdoğan would also talk about a possible delivery of Turkish combat drones to Russia. However, according to the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti, there was no discussion on this issue.

[Jimbuna]

The big question was whether Putin and Erdoğan would also talk about a possible delivery of Turkish combat drones to Russia. However, according to the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti, there was no discussion on this issue.

My money would be on this was discussed.

[Jimbuna]

War in Ukraine is entering new phase, Russian Federation is massively shifting troops to south, - British intelligence

Russian forces are concentrated in the south in anticipation of Ukraine's counteroffensive or in preparation for a possible offensive. Long convoys of Russian military trucks, tanks, artillery and other weapons continue to move away from the Ukrainian Donbas and head southwest.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain on Twitter.

"Russia's war with Ukraine is about to enter a new phase, when the fiercest battles will move to the front line with a length of approximately 350 km, which stretched southwest from Zaporizhzhia to Kherson parallel to the Dnipro River," the message reads.

According to British intelligence, there is information about the transfer of equipment from Russian-occupied Melitopol, Berdiansk, Mariupol and from the Russian mainland via the Kerch bridge to Crimea.

Battalion tactical groups (BTGs), numbering 800 to 1,000 servicemen, have been deployed to Crimea and will almost certainly be used to support Russian forces in the Kherson region. In addition, on August 2, a new BTG was transferred to Crimea, and the BTG from the Eastern Group of Forces is also being redeployed. Most likely, they will be sent to the Kherson region in the coming days, according to the British Ministry of Defense.

According to British intelligence, Ukrainian forces are concentrating their strikes on bridges, ammunition depots and railway tracks, which are increasingly being attacked in the southern regions of Ukraine. The targets include a strategically important railway line linking Kherson with Russian-occupied Crimea to try to affect Russia's ability to resupply.

[Catfish]

I would pretend to take Kherson until all russian troops are there, but go forth in the east. Southern Ukraine can be controlled via the bridges, just take time and harrass and decimate there until later.

[Bilge_Rat]

Here is one of the estimate on the current disposition of Russian forces. Current thinking is that the Russians want to keep their dispositions flexible so they can quickly react if the Ukrainians launch an attack.

https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1555513448506736640

Problem with launching an attack in the east is that the lines in the Donbass have been heavily fortified since 2014.

[mapuc]

Before I went to bed I saw a video about the war in Ukraine and this man who explained things said something that made me go

WOW the Ukrainian army has fully deceived the Russians. The Ukrainian has been bombing targets in Kherson area to fool the Russian thinking they would go into offensive in that area.

What this man said-Russia has moved huge amount of weapon and men to Kherson Oblast area but the Ukrainian Army didn't start their offensive there-They did it here-He pointed on the Eastern part of Ukraine-Near Kharkiv.

I can't say if it's true-If it is then Russia has been fooled.

Markus

[Reece]

What if Russia reads Subsim posts etc?? :hmmm:

[mapuc]

What if Russia reads Subsim posts etc?? :hmmm:

Or watch the same video as I did.

Markus

[Skybird]

NZZ writes:


Just a moment ago, Ukrainian forces had felt on the upswing: after the devastating June battles in the east of the country, the daily blood toll had dropped sharply, the Russian offensive seemed to have run out of steam, and thanks to high-precision American Himars missile launchers, the Ukrainians were able to disrupt enemy supply routes in the southern province of Kherson. But the bad news caught up with the defenders again.

President Volodimir Selensky, in one of his evening video addresses this week, called it "simply hell" what is currently happening on some front lines in the Donbass. Selensky was referring to the hail of enemy shells pounding the towns of Avdiivka and Piski. The two towns are close to the Donetsk metropolis, which serves as the capital for the Moscow-affiliated separatists of the "Donetsk People's Republic."

On this section of the front, the Russians made a potentially momentous breakthrough this week. The Ukrainians had to retreat along a length of about 20 kilometers. Piski has apparently fallen for the most part, and the situation is becoming precarious for the defenders of Avdiivka. On the map, the Russian territorial gains do not look spectacular; it is a matter of a few dozen square kilometers. That is why the military leadership in Kiev and some Western experts are downplaying the setback.

But the Russian advance, which came as a surprise to many observers, is significant because it involved one of the most heavily fortified sections of the country's front. Since the 2015 ceasefire, known as the Minsk Agreement, the Ukrainians had built a system of trenches here to arm themselves against the separatists of the Donetsk "People's Republic." While the Russians were able to break through the old ceasefire line in many places after the February 24 invasion, the positions near Piski held for more than five months.

But now the Ukrainians have had to abandon, among other things, a coal mine used for defense and the parts of Donetsk International Airport they control. The Russian advance does not constitute an actual breach of the dam. This is because the attackers lack the necessary forces to quickly gain further ground. However, corresponding reinforcements must be expected. Russia has an interest in pushing the Ukrainians further back in order to improve Donetsk's strategic position. The outer quarters of the large city have so far been almost directly on the front line.

For the Ukrainians, the challenge now is to build a new defensive disposition in the shortest possible time. Otherwise, Avdiivka, once an industrial city of 30,000 people, known primarily for the country's largest coke factory, could be surrounded. According to its mayor, Vitaly Barabash, some 2,500 civilians are still holding out in Avdiivka. They are living in terrible, inhumane conditions, he told Radio Liberty on Wednesday. There is no gas or water, he said. When shelling the city, he said, Russia uses heavy flamethrower systems, one of the most feared weapons in the Russian arsenal because their missiles have a tremendous heating effect and can burn everything in larger areas.

The Ukrainian generals have obviously been taken by surprise by the Russian offensive. Although reinforcements are said to have arrived in the meantime, the defenders were fatally undermanned beforehand. The testimony of a young non-commissioned officer, who posted the following cry for help on Facebook on Tuesday, is profound: "What else can be taken from me on the sixth day of my personal hell in Piski? The bodies of those who were dearer to me than a family lie under the heat in the destroyed trenches."

Every day 6500 shells fell on this locality, wrote the squad leader of a volunteer unit. His weakly armed infantry battalion was barely able to respond, he said. Counterattacks with artillery, so-called counterbattery fire, failed to materialize. As a result, the enemy systematically eats through the strongest defensive positions. He feels like cannon fodder; his soldiers can oppose the attacks "only with bare bodies."

The report suggests that the Ukrainians still have not found a recipe to stop Russian artillery - a veritable machine of destruction. The destruction of several dozen Russian ammunition depots by American Himars missiles has caused a stir, but it has by no means depleted Russian supplies of shells. At Piski, moreover, the Ukrainians lacked any artillery, let alone Western precision guns.
-------------

I said it some time ago. I dont think a few HIMARS systems scattered along a very long frontline will have what it takes to really fundamentally change the inner dynamic of the war.
How do certain bees kill Japanese giant hornets? They flock around and hang on to them, and start moving their wings and create a lot of muscle activity, that heats them up. They create warmth thta way, and then warmth turns into heat - and that heat then makes the much bigger giant wasps overheat, they get "cooked", and die. Thats what Russia can do. It only has to throw Russian artillery shells and Russian bodies onto the ukrainians until they are completly covered and cannot move or breath anymore. And thats what they are doing. That Russia traditionally has no respect whatever for its own soldiers' lives and wellbeing, of course helps tremendously with this strategy.

Westernr strategist imo are too much focussed on surgical precision strikes. What it really takes is is not only a few scalpels, but two hand broadswords and heavy war axes - and plenty and plenty of them. Nicht kleckern - KLOTZEN. (means: dont spill it - make it count).

[Dargo]

My money would be on this was discussed.If Russians deny it happened!

[Dargo]

What if Russia reads Subsim posts etc?? :hmmm:They would make the same assumptions as they did before NATO and the West as whole will fall apart because of the glorious deeds of Putin... it did not!

[Bilge_Rat]

Good summary of what happened at Pisky a few days ago:



Time to talk about what has happened in Pisky aka Pisky crisis. This is my personal opinion of what has happened there in the last few days.

General crisis of UKR Artillery

As we all know UKR artillery suffers from lack of soviet caliber ammo and tubes. However, it appears the problem has become worse recently (end of July), and RU started to notice it in different parts of the front. The situation could be especially hard at Donetsk direction due to alleged RU strikes of UKR warehouses a s@Haiduk told us.

As I understand UKR Command tries to mitigate it by creating NATO caliber arty groups (Girkin talked about them few times). There are not a lot of them (maybe even 1). When this group is present UKR have either relative parity with RU offensive arty group or some superiority over RU defensive arty group.

Probably this is the reason we do not see serious UKR pushes and collapses of RU defenses so far. UKR arty group can suppress RU local defending arty, but it cannot CB large amount of arty RU can concentrate in one place. So, if there is major UKR push RU concentrate arty there and effectively stops everything.

Cause of the crisis in Pisky.

According to RU discussions UKR Command removed the arty group from Pisky around week ago. As I see it was calculated risk - they do not have enough groups, and this is supposedly the most heavily fortified portion of front (I have not seen fortifications/defense myself, cannot comment). RU banged their head at UKR defense here like 6 days and still did not penetrate it completely.

RU on other hand had a real crisis - the progress was negligible. Despite local penetration somewhere else they were stalled by critical Avdiyvka defenses and the only way to deal with them is to encircle Avdiyvka through Pisky and Vodiane (North of Pisky). The inaccurate and inflexible but heavy RU artillery hammer was dropping on Pisky.

As per previous experience UKR defenses could withstand significant RU battering and continue to fight. However, for this offensive RU had little know but very influential trump card - more widely available drone teams prepared by RU volunteer groups in previous months. They started to feed observation videos directly to arty observers allowing RU arty to discover and hammer even pinpoint UKR targets. The RU hammer became significantly more accurate (judging by RU standarts).





Pisky Crisis 1-2 August

For several days RU kept drones above Pisky and relentlessly hammered any movement on UKR positions. For the feel here is the sample video of that work. UKR Squad commander Sergey Gnezdilov commented that Pisky was receiving 6500 rounds per day from RU. UKR arty fire was weak. No CB. And only 120mm and 82mm tried to answer occasionally. The only local UKR command could do was to hold the line patching it with fresh reinforcements.

On the 1-Aug while artillery kept UKR defenders in cover first RU assault groups managed to reach the outskirts of Pisky from the Airport direction. They overran a small UKR outpost taking half-dozen of UKR POW. Yet, it seems RU assault group was weak and preferred not to push forward into small arms fight with UKR defenders relying instead on artillery fire. UKR defenders on other hand became too weak to dislodge it. UKR defense started to crack but still was holding.

Until 2-Aug. On 2-Aug probably after RU arty caught fresh UKR reinforcement and from 15 hloptcev 14 became casualties, morale cracked and UKR command started to lose control over forward positions.

We do not know what happened there (push from RU assault groups or too eager withdrawal). What we do know though is that UKR forces pulled back from Cowshed and the eastern part toward western part. RU immediately followed UKR on both sides of ponds.

However even this modest effort was too much for RU forces. Seems to be exhausted and weak after the previous 5 months fighting RU decided not to pursue UKR into UKR rear defensive zone and to dig in at the area reached by nightfall - Dam.

The sudden loss of control caused Sergey Gnezdilov to write an emotional Facebook post describing difficult situation and heavy losses. Shock waves amplified by UKR volunteers reposts reach both UKR public and RU Nats. Word of imminent UKR defense collapse and RU breakthrough caused quite a stir everywhere. Yet, there was neither UKR collapse no RU breakthrough.

Quiet Endgame 3-Aug

Unlike stormy UKR social networks situation in Pisky was relatively calm. RU was probing and hitting anything suspicious very hard at western part. UKR side on other hand seems decided to withdraw toward Donetsk Ring Road and Bridge Republic positions. Also, according to Sergey Gnezdilov vague new post UKR command decided to return the arty group and RU became uninterested in further major pushes.

It was all back to the old arty Ping Pong game.




https://community.battlefront.com/topic/140931-how-hot-is-ukraine-gonna-get/?do=findComment&comment=1941444

note the summary was written by a pro-Ukrainin blogger.

What is helping the Russians , as noted above and elsewhere, is that they are making greater use of drones to spot targets for their artillery.

[Dargo]

Don’t believe Vladimir Putin’s hype. The Russian economy is not OK. With western sanctions jeopardising up to 40 per cent of the country’s GDP, Putin’s assurances of an economic pivot to the East are a sham. And his weaponising of gas supplies to Europe is the financial equivalent of strapping on a suicide vest. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/sanctions-are-working--whatever-putin-says

[Dargo]

In St Petersburg, a banner was spotted attached to the fence of the Russian Navy Staff building: “Sailor! The enemy is in the Kremlin, not in Ukraine”
https://i.postimg.cc/GhH8vgSb/FZf7T5RX.jpg

[Dargo]

New polling data from Moscow indicates that Russian public support for the country’s invasion of Ukraine is growing. However, with the war now in its sixth month, there is little sign of similar enthusiasm within the ranks of Vladimir Putin’s invading army. Instead, much of the available evidence points to mounting demoralization among the Russian troops currently fighting in Ukraine.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russian-army-faces-morale-problems-as-putins-ukraine-invasion-drags-on/

[mapuc]

However, with the war now in its sixth month, there is little sign of similar enthusiasm within the ranks of Vladimir Putin’s invading army. Instead, much of the available evidence points to mounting demoralization among the Russian troops currently fighting in Ukraine.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russian-army-faces-morale-problems-as-putins-ukraine-invasion-drags-on/

An army in decline is mostly because the officers is made of bad stuff and the material is no good
(not the words I wanted to use, could not find/remember them)

Markus

[Dargo]

An army in decline is mostly because the officers is made of bad stuff and the material is no good
(not the words I wanted to use, could not find/remember them)

MarkusThe Russians are sent in with bad or hardly any equipment generals do not care they never cared and tell their higher up all is going to plan, this is the Russian army doing for centuries.

[mapuc]

The Russians are sent in with bad or hardly any equipment generals do not care they never cared and tell their higher up all is going to plan, this is the Russian army doing for centuries.

This made me wonder how they manage to take so much land as they did the first couple of weeks of the war.

Only reason-The best soldiers and material was used

Markus

[Dargo]

This made me wonder how they manage to take so much land as they did the first couple of weeks of the war.

Only reason-The best soldiers and material was used

MarkusThe Kherson oblast maybe whole south was so easy taken because of treason in the SBU, Russian infiltration of its security services and it is a vastly open terrain where tanks can do their job, but Russians had high losses, but that is not important for the general staff.

[Jimbuna]

In St Petersburg, a banner was spotted attached to the fence of the Russian Navy Staff building: “Sailor! The enemy is in the Kremlin, not in Ukraine”
https://i.postimg.cc/GhH8vgSb/FZf7T5RX.jpg

:haha: