Here we go again-Ukraine once again pt2

[mapuc]

The Russian MoD appears to be relying on a combination of Russian conscripts already operating in Kursk Oblast, elements of the Northern Grouping of Forces, and elements redeployed from lower-priority frontline areas in Ukraine to defend against the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast, likely exacerbating the disorganization of Russia’s chosen response.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-10-2024

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Pope’s Advice to Ukraine Sparks Worldwide Controversy and Criticism

Pope Francis made controversial remarks about the Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting that Ukraine should consider a peace deal despite the consequences for its nation.

The head of the Catholic Church made comments that concerned the UK’s Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, along with NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Pope Francis told Ukraine President Volodimir Zelenskyy in a statement that he should consider waving “the white flag” and negotiating a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Despite a negotiation meaning an end to the brutal fighting, it’s common knowledge that this would mean giving up a large portion, if not all, of Ukraine to the hands of the Russian President.

Pope Francis’s comments were translated to say “The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has dismissed Pope Francis’s suggestion that Ukraine should seek peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin.

Stoltenberg argued that “It’s not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians,” as countries in the organisation, including the UK, provide more financial support to Ukraine’s military.

Ukraine President Volodomir Zelenskyy has made it clear to the world that Ukraine will not be surrendering any of its lands to Russia even as the war enters its third year.

“This is the period of our maximum concentration, our maximum initiative to ensure that it is Ukraine that determines a just end to this war,” Zelenskyy said in response to the Pope.

Zelenskyy insisted that negotiations were not an option, insisting that Ukraine would not give up, “We can endure. We have to win,” he said.

Following the Pope’s intervention, the United Kingdom has reiterated its full support for Ukraine as Security Minister Tom Tugendhat echoed Stoltenberg’s comments.

When asked about the Pope’s comments, Tugendhat said, “I’m just going to say ‘We stand very firmly with Ukraine and its right to defend itself.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/pope-s-advice-to-ukraine-sparks-worldwide-controversy-and-criticism/ss-AA1oBtzO?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=d69df5b7e4844b66899a1fe467b97dc1&ei=10#image=23

[mapuc]

It's not only the war on the battlefield it is also the battle of economy. Who has the strongest economy of these two combatant I can't say.

Both is lacking manpower to their factories, where Russia are the one with the highest number of lacking manpower.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Country comparison Ukraine vs Russia

https://countryeconomy.com/countries/compare/ukraine/russia

[mapuc]

Country comparison Ukraine vs Russia

https://countryeconomy.com/countries/compare/ukraine/russia

Thank you Jim. I have been told that Russia have more corruption than Ukraine, here on this page it show Ukraine has an index on 33 while Russia has 28.(Don't ask me what this index means and the numbers)

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Thank you Jim. I have been told that Russia have more corruption than Ukraine, here on this page it show Ukraine has an index on 33 while Russia has 28.(Don't ask me what this index means and the numbers)

Markus

I admit those figures take some getting your head around like.

[mapuc]

Even in Russia they are second best

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ts0hXxlSw

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut8vJYzO3Yo

[mapuc]

How far into Russia are Ukraine ?

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

Markus

[Skybird]

How far into Russia are Ukraine ?

Reports say ~ 30km.



And still I am hesitent about all this. It lengthens the front, and the deeper the Ukrainians advance, the longer their supply lines become, the more supplies are needed, and the more vulnerable their flanks become. The lengthening of the front in a war of attrition favours Russia, it simply has more material and manpower: and we will see that once it has sufficiently shuttled troops into the emergency zone.

Maybe this all is an attempt by Kyiv to escape from a suicidal deadlock in static attrition warfare and enforce the initiative again by mobile warfare, where in the past Ukraine was superior to Russia. I would not be surprised if they retreat as fast as they advanced, after they have caused regional havoc, and before Russia could fixiate and pin them down in place and get a grab on them to annihilate them.

Maybe the Ukrainian overall situation is so desperate that Kyiv put all on this card in a bid to enforce a fundamental change of the deadlocked situation that slowly suffocates it to death in attritional warfare.

Maybe its all theatre thunder to impress the donators in the West.

We simply do not know for sure. We only know that the industrial and economic differences between both war parties have not all of a sudden changed over night. The Russian weight still weighs heavy.

[mapuc]

Why I asked was because of the video I posted above your comment and then we have this on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILsdO91pPuc

It seems like the main forces are longer inside Russia than these 30 km and their military spearhead are even deeper inside Russia.

I think that the Ukrainians are very well aware of its flanks and how to protect them

The different between NATO warfare and Russian warfare is clearly to see.

Markus

[Rockstar]

https://youtu.be/kndAdLxnasM

[Skybird]

For classification.


https://i.postimg.cc/k4gdBzYV/Unbenannt.png (https://postimages.org/)


In chess, some people like to talk a lot about psychology and how to bluff the opponent. Problem is: if the opponent plays correctly, every bluff gets called, you cannot bluff in chess.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvBjMDbai60

[Reece]

Pope’s Advice to Ukraine Sparks Worldwide Controversy and Criticism

Ukraine President Volodomir Zelenskyy has made it clear to the world that Ukraine will not be surrendering any of its lands to Russia even as the war enters its third year.

“This is the period of our maximum concentration, our maximum initiative to ensure that it is Ukraine that determines a just end to this war,” Zelenskyy said in response to the Pope.

Zelenskyy insisted that negotiations were not an option, insisting that Ukraine would not give up, “We can endure. We have to win,” he said.

Following the Pope’s intervention, the United Kingdom has reiterated its full support for Ukraine as Security Minister Tom Tugendhat echoed Stoltenberg’s comments.

When asked about the Pope’s comments, Tugendhat said, “I’m just going to say ‘We stand very firmly with Ukraine and its right to defend itself.”

The pope should keep his nose out of it!! :timeout:

[Jimbuna]

Amen :yep::)

[mapuc]

I toke a look at the map Marc posted in his latest post. How reliable is it or how old is it ? The Ukrainians are moving forward continually so the frontlines keeps on changing.

I think one of the purpose of this Ukrainian incursion into Russia, is to getting Russia to withdraw troops from the frontline in south and southeast and move them to Kursk oblast.

Only the top officers in the Ukrainian military know the real answer.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Lithuania to hand over first FPV drones to Ukraine in September

"It is planned that the first FPV drones to be purchased (from Lithuanian manufacturers - Ed.) may be transferred to Ukraine in the second half of September," the Ministry of Defence said.

Earlier, the ministry said that combat drones from five Lithuanian manufacturers had been tested in frontline conditions and would be sent to Ukraine.

This was the second test, the Lithuanian drones failed the first one.

FPV drones from eight Lithuanian companies were tested in Ukraine in two stages, and technical problems arose at the initial stage of flights in an operational environment.

Ukraine is to be supplied with Lithuanian-made UAVs worth EUR 5 million, as well as drones worth up to EUR 3 million for the needs of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The remaining funds under the €10 million programme will be used to purchase reconnaissance drones for Ukraine.

According to the ministry, the vast majority of drones will be delivered this autumn, with the rest to be delivered in early 2025. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3504250

[Jimbuna]

Putin: Russian Defence Ministry must "dislodge enemy from Kursk region"

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has convened a meeting on the situation in the regions bordering Ukraine and instructed the Russian Defense Ministry to "dislodge the enemy" of the Kursk region.

"The main task of the Ministry of Defense is to push, drive the enemy out of our territories and, together with the border service, provide reliable coverage of the state border," he said.

Putin also instructed the FSB and Rosgvardia to ensure the counterterrorism operation in the Kursk region and to effectively counter sabotage groups of the Armed Forces.

"The main thing now is to solve the urgent tasks that are being developed at this time and based on forecasts of the situation," Putin added.

According to the Russian dictator, "the pace of offensive operations of the Russian armed forces, volunteer fighters, and veterans has not only not decreased, but on the contrary, has increased by one and a half times."

"Along the entire front line, our armed forces are advancing," Putin said.

According to the Kremlin leader, the Ukrainian military allegedly attacked the Kursk region in order to try to stop the Russian offensive in the Donetsk region.

What is happening in the Kursk region
As reported, on Tuesday, 6 August, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that fighting was continuing in the Kursk region. The invaders are pulling in reserves there.

The authorities of the Kursk region reported "attempts to break through the border".

Subsequently, the Russian Ministry of Defence assured that there was no advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces deep into the territory of the Russian Federation in the Kursk region.

A video was posted online showing a group of Russian prisoners of war walking under escort on a road in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation

Dictator Vladimir Putin called the events "another large-scale provocation".

The Ukrainian side has not yet officially commented on the situation.

Meanwhile, the head of the Bundestag's defense committee, Faber, wished the Ukrainian Armed Forces good luck near Kursk. According to the French Ministry of Defense, "the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region is an initial success". The Washington Post reports that Ukraine has taken control of the Sudzha gas station.

At the same time, the UN Secretary-General has no information about the events in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation: "We have no representatives in the area".

Forbes wrote that at least three brigades, each with up to 2,000 soldiers, are involved in the operation in Kursk region. One of them, the 80th Air Assault Brigade, is one of the most powerful in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3504313

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEsUdNghXQ0

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Poland signs contract with US for production of 48 Patriot launchers

The Polish company Huta Stalowa Wola and the American concern Raytheon have signed an agreement to produce 48 M903 launchers, which are part of the Patriot air defense system.

"These launchers... will be produced in Poland," said Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National DefenseWladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz during a visit to Sokhachev.

It is noted that the contract for 48 Patriot launchers worth $1.23 billion will be another in a series of agreements under the so-called Phase II of the Vistula program, which provides for the purchase of six batteries of Patriot anti-aircraft missile defense systems for the Polish army.

As part of the first phase of the program, Poland ordered two such batteries.

The M903 launchers, developed by the US-based Raytheon, will be produced by Poland's Huta Stalowa Wola.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has made defense a priority for NATO's eastern flank, and Poland has increased spending this year to about 4% of GDP in an effort to bolster its armed forces.

Earlier, Poland signed an agreement with the United States to purchase several hundred AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. Supplies will be made after 2029. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3504311

[Dargo]

I toke a look at the map Marc posted in his latest post. How reliable is it or how old is it ? The Ukrainians are moving forward continually so the frontlines keeps on changing.

I think one of the purpose of this Ukrainian incursion into Russia, is to getting Russia to withdraw troops from the frontline in south and southeast and move them to Kursk oblast.

Only the top officers in the Ukrainian military know the real answer.

MarkusMost of those maps of the Ukraine advance are based on Russian mil bloggers (so basically when Russian start to shyte their paints they go berserk on telegram and tell us where they fail :)) do not think this operation was meant to go deeper in Russia said before the purpose was already achieved second, third day. Think Ukraine are consolidating and digging in to wait for the Russian so they can hurt them the best but do not think they gone hold it for long, that was not the purpose either. Ukraine picked this location for a reason to be manoeuvrable, it has a lot of roads not much forest good to advance fast and this was the same location Russia invaded into the Sumy oblast in 2022.

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foMNBHVGW4Y

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Russians are redeploying some units from Zaporizhzhia region to Kursk region, but their number is small - OGT Tavria

Russia is moving some of its units from Zaporizhzhia region to the north.

This was reported by Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesman of the Tavria operational grouping of troops, on the Espresso TV channel, Censor.NET reports.

Lykhovii emphasized that the number of units that the invaders are currently redeploying is small enough to speak of a weakening of the enemy's offensive in the southern direction.

"Yes, it is confirmed that some Russian military units are being redeployed from the Pridniprovskyi axis and from Zaporizhzhia region in general to the north. However, it should be understood that the Russians have accumulated a large number of personnel, including in Zaporizhzhia region, and the number of units they are redeploying is relatively small to speak of any weakening or removal of the barrier to continue the offensive in the southern direction," the spokesman said.

In addition, Lykhovii said that 13 enemy assaults were recorded in the operational area of the Tavria operational group of troops yesterday. According to him, this is the most since the beginning of August.

"In July, they were not very active at the end of the month either. Perhaps these are their demonstration actions to show that they can try to attack in such conditions, when they are replacing certain units. However, we need to be vigilant, not only for the military command, which by default sees and understands all this, but also for that part of our society that has an active position and follows the course of actions on the front line. We want to avoid the impression that we are already winning and that Kursk is ours. This is not the case at all. We emphasize that every segment and every area is important. These are all Ukrainian territories, and they need to be held," added the spokesman of OGT. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3504342

[Dargo]

The head of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirms to President Zelensky that Ukraine now controls approximately 1,000 square kilometres of Russian territory.

https://i.postimg.cc/2SGd26Qt/itsalaska.jpg

[mapuc]

1. How far into Russia are they planning on going ?
2. Was this incursion a masterpiece ?

Markus

[Dargo]

1. How far into Russia are they planning on going ?
2. Was this incursion a masterpiece ?

Markus
Till they meet the resistance that they are stopped, then they will fall back in defence.
This kinda operations take a lot of planning and knowledge, the logistic alone is an art apart result was successfully Ukraine walked like a boss into Russia, so yeah would say this is a masterpiece of warfare.

[Skybird]

I toke a look at the map Marc posted in his latest post. How reliable is it or how old is it ? The Ukrainians are moving forward continually so the frontlines keeps on changing.

I think one of the purpose of this Ukrainian incursion into Russia, is to getting Russia to withdraw troops from the frontline in south and southeast and move them to Kursk oblast.

Only the top officers in the Ukrainian military know the real answer.

Markus
I posted the map only to give a visual illustraiton how tiny the disputed area really is in the greater picture. And how vulnerable it becomes the more it stretches its "fingers". The current Russian vulnerability in that area will not last forever. Sooner or later the industrial-economic weight and higher troop numbers of Russia will make themselves felt.



Ukriane runs the risk of loosing too many precious troops when defending that area for too long. If the Russians can cut the advance off, the Ukrainians could get encircled completely. In thw worst case scneairo I could ikagine Uklriane will loose those troops in that area that it needed to staiblise the front in the Donezk region, and Donzek and Donbass see major Russian breakthroughs.



Its a high risk stunt the Ukrainians are trying at Kursk. I may have done something like that, too, with the idea only to see it as a massive raid for search&destroy, then retreat before the enemy reaction hammers back.


High risks involved.

[Skybird]

2. Was this incursion a masterpiece ?


So far not really, since Russian presence was not there. What they have masterfully achieved however is to have kept the preparation hidden from Russia over several weeks and months, although drones and satellites make it all the so-called "transparent" battlefield.

[Rockstar]

1. How far into Russia are they planning on going ?
2. Was this incursion a masterpiece ?

Markus

1. 80 to 100 kilometers maximum

2. I would say yes, they pulled off a sneaky salient attack. Not all that confident they can maintain the ground though.

[Dargo]

1. 80 to 100 kilometers maximum

2. I would say yes, they pulled off a sneaky salient attack. Not all that confident they can maintain the ground though.The Ukraine army dug in twice prepared for Russian counter what never happened so they picked up gear and advanced further.

[mapuc]

Thank you for your answers
I can see you disagree on my point 2. Was this incursion a masterpiece ?

We must not forget that around 1000 Russian soldiers has been captured and huge number of Russian soldiers have fled. Which makes me wonder what different does the industrial-economic weight and higher troop numbers of Russia if they flee or getting hammered down or captured.

Markus

[Skybird]

I think they do not plan to keep that terriotory. As I already said earlier - LINK (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2921675&postcount=4260)- , it might be they are so desperate of loosing the attrition war with static fronts that they try to enforce a return to where they showed to be strong: to mobile manouver warfare. An attrition war Russia must win, its economy and industry weighs much heavier than Ukraine's. And Russia gained the upper hand 18 months or so ago when it managed to enforce its attrition warfare on Ukraine that until then was very successful in conducting high mobility warfare. Ukraine started to clearly loose the momentum and initiave when Russia managed to drag it down into static attrition warfare.

[Rockstar]

The Ukraine army dug in twice prepared for Russian counter what never happened so they picked up gear and advanced further.

Sure, they’ll take what they can as the opportunities open.

All I’m saying, in my opinion 80 to 100 kilometers is the maximum distance they can safely advance and still have a reasonable chance at protecting their supply lines.

They go any further they run the risk of getting cut off.

[mapuc]

But a top Ukrainian official who works in the security field told the AFP news agency that the figure is not accurate.

- It is much more...Thousands, says the source, who requires anonymity to speak.

The source says the aim is to expose Russian weaknesses and destabilize the country.

- We are on the offensive. The goal is to stretch the enemy's positions, inflict maximum losses on them and destabilize the situation in Russia while they are unable to defend their own border, the official said.

https://ekstrabladet-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/krigogkatastrofer/rusland-varsler-haardt-modsvar/10328815?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Markus

[Skybird]

in my opinion 80 to 100 kilometers is the maximum distance
https://i.postimg.cc/RhjZK165/Unbenannt.png (https://postimages.org/)


:D

[mapuc]

The Russian response will come before they have reached that far into Russia.

As a host said in a livestream-Why Putin haven't declared war is because he is not interested in giving up his power to the military, which will be in charge if Putin declare war on Ukraine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y19iLGgmK7c

Markus

[Skybird]

https://www.nzz.ch/international/putins-reaktion-auf-ukrainischen-vorstoss-in-kursk-er-spielt-herunter-ld.1843282?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de

The feeling that the course of events does not depend on you anyway is the main reason for this indifference. The constant tightening of repression through new laws and regulations tempts people to conform, at least outwardly. Paradoxically, loyal commentators are now criticizing the lack of initiative among the people and also within the army structures. Yet the past two decades of Putin's rule have been a lesson in this: activism independent of the Kremlin is not encouraged, but punished.

The expectation of some Western and Ukrainian commentators that the Ukrainians' advance would embarrass Putin in front of his people, show him the dead end into which he had led Russia with the war, and could speed up peace negotiations, was unconvincing from the outset. Among those affected in the border region in particular, there is - and has been for some time - bitterness about the fact that their suffering receives little attention elsewhere in the country. The state leaves tens of thousands to their fate. However, their resentment is not usually directed at Putin, but at local officials and the Ministry of Defense, whose corruption scandals and failures are denounced.

There is also often a complete lack of understanding among those affected as to how they themselves could have become victims of this war. And these people - as well as those who help them with donations - often conclude that Russia must now show the Ukrainians and the West all the more. Their support for the war does not waver, but is actually reinforced by events. Russian political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann, who lives in exile, sees no threat to the regime for the time being. The nature of authoritarian regimes is to focus primarily on their own survival. As long as this is guaranteed, even subliminal dissatisfaction is not a problem.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKHn903rzcI

[Jimbuna]

UK does not allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Kursk region

The British government has not granted Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles to hit targets in the Kursk region of Russia. This decision is also influenced by the position of France.

"There have been no changes," a British government source said, adding that London's position remains unchanged.

The Storm Shadow missiles, with a range of about 250 kilometres, could allow the Ukrainian army to attack airfields and logistics centres used by Russia to strengthen its positions in the Kursk region. However, London continues to deny Kyiv permission to use them.

Last month, during a visit to the UK, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lobbied British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to support the lifting of the restrictions.

Former British tank commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon noted that Storm Shadow is capable of hitting "railway junctions and key roads leading to Kursk, as well as any airfields within a 100-mile radius".

He also added that allowing the use of these missiles would show the West's determination to support Ukraine.

However, the position on Ukraine's use of the missiles depends not only on the UK, as the Storm Shadow missiles are produced jointly with France. Thus, Paris also has a say in the terms of their use.

In addition, Ukraine has asked the United States to allow the use of long-range ATACMS missiles to attack the Kursk region, but has so far been denied.

Earlier it was reported that Starmer proposed to ease restrictions on the use of British Storm Shadow weapons for strikes against Russia. Zelenskyy later welcomed the decision. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3504410

[mapuc]

Are they hunger for more land ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u6A-F6997g

Markus

[Skybird]

Kyiv said they had no intention to hold Russian territory after their offensive.

As I said earlier, its possibly more a raid to cause confusion and destruction, and then retreat before a Russian counteroffensive's hammer falls. That's wise, I think. What will be until that Russian counteroffensive comes however... who knows how much damage this "excursion" can do until then.

[mapuc]

" a Russian counteroffensive's hammer falls."
With what? It seems like they are being hammered them self when they try to attack the Ukrainians.

Well here's more info on this incursion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uISuJODX8w

Edit
Is it possible for Russia to use its air force against the invaders ? Seem to recall someone mention that Russia's huge/mighty air force could be used to bomb the invaders back where they came from
End edit

Markus

[Dargo]

Ukraine and US explore deeper cooperation in the critical minerals sectorThe governments of Ukraine and the United States are considering deeper cooperation in the critical materials sector to encourage American businesses to invest in Ukraine’s mining and processing industries. This initiative was discussed during a meeting between Ukrainian Ministry of Economy officials and a US delegation on 12 August 2024.

First Deputy Minister of Economy Oleksiy Sobolev emphasized Ukraine’s potential in this sector, stating, “Ukraine is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of mineral resources. The government is interested in cooperating with the US in the field of critical materials, which can help accelerate the green transition and improve the security situation in the region.”

As per Ecomonichna Pravda, Ukraine boasts deposits of 22 out of 34 minerals defined as critical by the EU. The country ranks among the top ten producers of titanium, zirconium, graphite, and manganese globally. Notably, Ukraine holds approximately 5% of the world’s reserves of raw materials essential for semiconductor and high-tech production in the US and EU.

Ukraine is the world’s second-largest producer of gallium after China, which recently banned the supply of this metal to the US and Germany. It also ranks fifth globally in germanium production after China, Russia, the US, and Japan.

According to the State Geological Survey, Ukraine is among the top five countries worldwide in terms of explored graphite reserves. Currently, six graphite deposits are known, but only one – part of the Zavallia deposit in the Kropyvnytskyi Oblast – is being exploited.

The meeting also touched upon the use of frozen Russian assets to benefit Ukraine. The Ukrainian government expressed gratitude to the US, G7 countries, and the EU for providing $50 billion in financial support from future revenues of frozen Russian assets. Sobolev highlighted the necessity of seizing all Russian state assets located abroad.

This potential partnership in the critical materials sector could significantly boost Ukraine’s economy while providing the US with a reliable source of essential minerals, strengthening the strategic relationship between the two nations. https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/08/13/ukraine-and-us-explore-deeper-cooperation-in-the-critical-minerals-sector/

[Dargo]

" a Russian counteroffensive's hammer falls."
With what? It seems like they are being hammered them self when they try to attack the Ukrainians.

Well here's more info on this incursion

Edit
Is it possible for Russia to use its air force against the invaders ? Seem to recall someone mention that Russia's huge/mighty air force could be used to bomb the invaders back where they came from
End edit

MarkusI heard that Ukraine air defence is strong in this operation, even that there are patriot batteries deployed, maybe that is the reason we did not see much Russian air activity.

[mapuc]

If this video is to be believed then Russia is on a path to a huge defeat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTqN6vfTc70

Markus

[Skybird]

" a Russian counteroffensive's hammer falls."
With what? It seems like they are being hammered them self when they try to attack the Ukrainians.[quote]

Media report that in the past 2-3 days the pace of the Ukrainian advance has slowed down due to them meeting growing Russian resistance. Some Australian analyst said they now just "crawl" forward. The element of surprise is over. Russia adapts.

[quote]Is it possible for Russia to use its air force against the invaders ?


Media wrote that in the initial beginning of Ukraine's attack indeed Russian drones and air force were for the most the only resistance they encountered. However, I think its a safe bet that knowing they still do not have air supeirority again, Ukrainian units got stuffed up with air defences as best as possible for Ukraine.

Currently Russian reinforcements are hurrying there from all directions. They may not have yet bogged down the ukrainian advance completely, but I think that is just a question of time - and mathematics. After that, after a brief consolidation or not, the Russians will try to counterattack.

I doubt Ukraine can afford to see all those tropps getting lost just for those some hundred squarekilometers of Russian territory. They will pull out in time, and Russia will try to prevent them from escaping. I see this as an attempt to go back to mobile warfare, and so I think the Ukrainians have prepared well for swiftly moving in and out. If however they lose too many vehciles, then that might become difficult. Past two days saw a growing number of images of destroyed ukrainian equipment, too. Their losses of the first 2-3 days were said to be not more than "just" 10%, but from now on they will grow.

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZhnfA4fIdE

Markus

[Skybird]

[Focus] The Ukrainian advance in the Russian region of Kursk has surprised many - including Vladimir Putin. Now the pressure on the Kremlin leader is growing. In an interview with FOCUS online, political scientist Thomas Jäger explains how Putin will react.

Ukraine's surprising advance into the Kursk region has caught the Kremlin unprepared. Ukrainian units are stepping up their pressure in the Kursk region in western Russia and expanding the territories they have gained. In view of these developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin is faced with the challenge of demonstrating strength in both domestic and foreign policy.

According to political expert Thomas Jäger, Putin will probably respond in two ways. Firstly, he has already announced that the reconquest of the territory currently occupied by Ukraine is his top priority. “The time factor will play a role here. If this is achieved quickly, his position will be more secure,” explains Jäger in an interview with FOCUS online.

A quick success would strengthen Putin's position, while a protracted reconquest could complicate his domestic political situation. The restoration of the state border is crucial for Putin in order to maintain his authority. On the other hand, Putin will probably intensify the bombing of civilian targets in Ukraine.


Jäger explains: “But this is, if you like, only a gradual extension, because targets in Ukraine are being bombed all the time, civilian targets.” This tactic serves to demonstrate strength and to punish those who have provoked Russia. For Putin, it is crucial to sell this action as an expression of his power and to restore Russia's territorial integrity, explains Jäger.

However, the foreign policy situation remains complicated for Putin. The surprise success of the Ukrainian troops has made it clear that Russia is vulnerable in this way. “It will be difficult for him to make up for this,” notes Jäger. However, Putin will continue to be courted by those who want something from him and his status as an international pariah will remain unchanged.

In terms of the domestic political impact of the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, Jäger therefore sees no immediate danger to Putin's position. “I don't think it's likely that the Ukrainian offensive will lead to Putin's position being called into question among the population,” says Jäger.


Instead, responsibility is shifted to other actors. Jäger explains: “There is always someone who is held responsible. Someone who wasn't able to do their job.” These people could be punished, “and in the end it will mean that Putin has made up for everything that others here were unable to do professionally.”

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnBv9oxQqtg

[Jimbuna]

AFU operation in Kursk region shows that Ukraine is tired of Western restrictions - The Times

Ukrainian troops have been advancing in the Kursk region, a strategically important part of Russia, for a week. Ukraine is seeking US permission to use US weapons during the fighting in Kursk.

It is noted that over time, Ukraine will want to use more Western weapons, such as US-made ATACMS missiles, to hit airfields deep inside Russia. If so requested, Washington could signal approval without explicitly agreeing.

"This will give Ukrainians some leverage in future peace talks. Or Zelenskyy can simply move on," said Roger Boyce, a journalist with the newspaper.

The newspaper believes that the Ukrainian president's ambition is to force Putin to redeploy Russian troops from eastern Ukraine to defend Kursk, and thus force the Russian dictator to face the politically uncomfortable choice of increasing the number of troops through general mobilisation.

What is happening in the Kursk region

As reported, on Tuesday, 6 August, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that fighting was continuing in the Kursk region. The invaders are bringing reserves there.

Subsequently, the Russian Ministry of Defence assured that there was no advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces deep into the territory of the Russian Federation in the Kursk region.

A video was posted online showing a group of Russian prisoners of war walking under escort on a road in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation

Dictator Vladimir Putin called the events "another large-scale provocation".

Forbes wrote that at least three brigades, each with up to 2,000 soldiers, are involved in the operation in the Kursk region. One of them, the 80th Air Assault Brigade, is one of the most powerful in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Later President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine controls 74 settlements in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.

The spokesperson for the OGT Tavria, Dmytro Lykhovii, said that as the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, the occupiers withdrew a relatively small number of troops from the temporarily occupied districts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Ukrainian defenders have completed the search and elimination of the enemy in the town of Sudzha, Kursk region Source: https://censor.net/en/n3504688

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogmZ6dBoLmg

Good question: Is Russia planning the unthinkable ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVVBoIl39es

Markus

[Skybird]

Russian sabotage on military bases in Germany.


https://www-tagesspiegel-de.translate.goog/politik/sabotage-verdacht-an-bundeswehr-standorten-12194282.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu9TPsHIzDw

[Dargo]

"The ship is scheduled for September." The roschnikovs are pulled to KurskEarlier this week, dozens of messages from relatives of Russian conscript soldiers began to appear on the Internet that the command plans to send them to the Kursk region, where the offensive of the Armed Forces continues. Radio Svoboda spoke with human rights defenders and mothers of conscripts to find out the geography and scale of the planned transfer of troops to the regions bordering Ukraine, as well as military experts to understand whether Ukraine managed to delay Russian forces from Donbass and reduce tensions on the "hest" areas of the front. The pace of the Ukrainian offensive in the Sudzhansky district of the Kursk region in recent days has slowed down, the Armed Forces are fixed in occupied positions, and the Russian military, apparently, is also preparing here for protracted battles: satellite images show that they began digging trenches and build fortifications about 45 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, in particular near the Kursk nuclear power plant and along the highway of the L.

As military experts have repeatedly noted since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, no defensive lines will not be sufficiently effective without saturating them with personnel, and with this on both sides in the war problems. One of the goals of the Ukrainian operation may be an attempt to delay Russian forces from the Kharkiv region and from the Pokrovsky direction in the Donbass. Evidence of their transfer from there, albeit rare, is indeed there. At the same time, Russia decided to use very young conscript soldiers in the Kursk region. They took the main blow of the APU at Suja on August 6-7 and were quickly taken into Ukrainian captivity. Now relatives of conscripts from other Russian regions have begun to report on the transfer of the transfer - both already held and planned - to the Kursk region. They actively write about it in social networks, contact the media and ask for the help of human rights defenders. Grigory Sverdlin, the founder of the project "Go with the Forest," which helps the Russians to avoid participation in the war, told Radio Liberty that according to the law, soldiers of military service can be sent to participate in hostilities under two conditions: he served for at least four months and was trained in a military-accounting specialty. Most of the conscripts, who themselves or through relatives turned to "Go Forest" for help in recent days, were called up in the spring of 2024. "They managed to serve two or three months, we are not talking about any four months. There was no training in the military-adopports. Therefore, it is impossible to formally send them all to the combat zone, but obviously now their commanders are much more concerned about what they will receive on the hat, if they do not quickly comply with the order," says Sverdlin.

Radio Liberty found several messages on the social network "Vkontakte," written by relatives of recent conscripts, most of whom joined the army immediately after school this spring - some of them have already served those 4 months, others will have this term in September. The mother of one of the soldiers (we do not publish her name because of the law on "undesirable organizations") told Radio Liberty that her son was called up for urgent service in the 200th separate motorized rifle brigade, based in the military town of Lower Lowstari in the Murmansk region. "They started talking about sending. I called the military commissariat, the military officer checked the information and said that this order from above, he could do nothing. On Monday, the children were transported to Alakurtti (the 80th separate motorized rifle brigade is based here, as well as a new military base is being built. RS). Sending is scheduled in September. Other parents said that their sons were pressured to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense. There was no pressure on my son. And other guys were threatened, they say, here do not sign - in Kursk will be forced," - says the interlocutor of Radio Liberty.

Sverdlin notes that some conscripts are really forced to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, while others are transported or are going to be transported to the Kursk region without contracts. "I think it depends on the unit's particular commander. They, regardless of the events in the Kursk region, have orders for the number of contracts, which, according to the amendments to the law adopted in April 2023, can be concluded in the first month of military service. But now, at least, those who are approaching us, for the most part, it is the conscripts, they did not sign any contracts with the Ministry of Defense," says Sverdlin. The dispatch of military personnel from the Murmansk region to the Kursk on Monday was reported by the Russian telegram channel "Caution, news." Close conscripts told the channel that we are talking about the employees of the 80th OICBR in Alakurtti. They wrote an open letter, which is asked to be distributed through social networks. "We ask you to prevent our children from being sent to the Kursk region. It's not border guards, it's infantry. They shouldn't be at the border. Moreover, without serving 4 months and not receiving a military-adary specialty," - stated in the letter.

In one of the comments under another repost of this letter, it is said that the conscripts are planned to be sent to the Kursk region also from the 15th motorized rifle brigade stationed in the village of Roshchinsky near Samara. In "Lend the forest" received a total of several dozen appeals from the Kursk, Leningrad, Moscow, Belgorod and Kaliningrad regions. Grigory Sverdlin says that the project employees are in contact with those who contacted them, and in most cases, fears about sending to the Kursk region are confirmed. According to the project, 250 military servicemen from the Leningrad region are already in Kursk, they were transferred there after the beginning of the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region. Now are preparing lists for the transfer of another group from the same military unit.

According to Sverdlin, there is no talk of any additional military training before sending to the combat zone. At the same time, it is reported that the conscripts are sent not to the front, but to the "defense of Kursk." They are concerned about the fate of their sons and mothers of conscripts, who at the time of the Ukrainian offensive have already served in the Kursk region and took on the main blow of the AFU (almost, as evidenced by the Ukrainian military videos, they surrendered without serious resistance). A resident of Voronezh Oksana Deeva posted a petition on Change.org, in which she urged Vladimir Putin to "preserve the lives of children" - such as her son, who was drafted into the army in 2023 and served in the area of the village of Korenevo. Korenevo has already tried to capture the Ukrainian military several times, so far there is no evidence that they have succeeded. At the time of publication of this material, the petition was signed by more than 8,000 people. "We ask you to remove the guys of soldiers of conscripts from the territories of military operations. They have no military experience, no weapons. On our territory from today there is a full-scale offensive. Take care of the lives of unprepared soldiers to act. You promised your parents that they would not participate in the hostilities!!!! We believe in you. We ask you to see the situation seriously. We are the Patriots!! Our sons and their every life are still useful for the creation of a strong state," - said the petition, which at the time of publication of this material has already been signed by almost 8 thousand people. Oksana Deeva herself did not respond to the request of Radio Liberty for comment.

To date, journalists have established the names of at least 22 soldiers of conscript service, with whom after the beginning of the Ukrainian offensive, their relatives lost contact. As Verstka wrote, some conscripts evacuated from the Russian-Ukrainian border are forced to sign contracts to send back to the battle zone. Grigory Sverdlin says that a conscript turned to "Fly" and turned to the conscript, who managed to get out of the encirclement at Sudge together with his colleagues. The soldiers were in Kursk, and now they are going to leave them for the defense of the city. Telegram channel "Blockbute Russia 18+" conducted a survey among its subscribers about whether to send soldiers of military service to participate in battles with the Armed Forces. 88% of the 14 thousand voters answered categorical "no," 12 percent voted for the shipment.

Grigory Sverdlin told Radio Liberty that he does not yet see the readiness of relatives of conscripts sent to the Kursk region for active protest. "A lot of time has passed. I think that if this whole story drags on, we will see a wider protest from the relatives of these conscripts. As it was, for example, in March 2022, when it was a wide public resonance that led to the fact that 600 conscripts who found themselves in the occupied Ukrainian territory still returned to serve in the territory of Russia," Sverdlin said. He recalls that those soldiers who did not serve 4 months of service and did not receive training in the specialty, have a chance to defend their rights in legal ways: through filing complaints to the prosecutor's office and the Investigative Committee. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to Sverdlin, this has helped many mothers pull their children out of the combat zone. "But there are also illegal methods: refuse to execute the order and desert from your part," says the founder "Go for the forest." Sverdlin suggests that the use of conscripts to plug holes in the defense of the Kursk region does not exclude imminent mobilization. "It takes time for mobilization measures, more chances that this will happen in the autumn, when it should earn an electronic register of conscripts. And now the bill goes to the days, the conscripts are at hand and you can plug them holes. It is clear that special hopes on them are not placed, but still, as if for the number and for the reserve, they can be used. It seems to me that logic is such," - believes Grigory Sverdlin.

Military experts, with whom Radio Svoboda spoke, agree with the mothers of soldiers of conscript service in the fact that the sense of them on the front line is not much, but for Russia now it is important to postpone the transfer to the Kursk region of combat-ready units from Donbass, the Kharkiv region and other areas, where the Russian army comes to the positions of the Armed Forces. "As a rule, conscripts are considered incompetent and, at best, used for auxiliary tasks. Such units are usually inexperienced, not sufficiently equipped and do not have stability in combat situations, - notes in a conversation with Radio Liberty, a military analyst, a researcher at the Carnegie Foundation for the International Peace Foundation, notes in a conversation with Radio Liberty. The tasks of conscripts in the Kursk region may include the preparation of fortifications and support of regular units. At this stage, Russia was unable to stabilize the front in this area and it has no reserves behind the advanced units. The Russian army lacks the strength in the Kursk direction, and as the area of the occupied AFU increases, it will have to use more troops to contain the further expansion of the Ukrainian army.

Remand Ukrainian Army officer, military analyst and founder of the Frontelligence Insight project, writing on the social network X under the name Tarigami_UA, notes that neither Russia nor Ukraine were ready for such a successful advance of the APU in the Kursk direction.

"Given that the Russian army also has contractors undergoing active training in the centers in Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar, they may soon be sent to Kursk as well. I think that initially they [the Russian command] did not realize the scale of the attack, which exceeded the expectations of both sides. Despite the fact that we are seeing some movements and the transfer of units, such as the 810th Marine Brigade, the main forces involved in the offensive on Pokrovsk, Toreck and even Jar Clocks still continue to fight there," the expert said. He adds that the interpretation of "reinforcement" messages may be problematic. "Now quite often, both sides are not transferring units in whole, but their units, such as a battalion or two. Therefore, when we read reports that Russia moved a certain unit from Ukraine, because its soldiers were seen and identified in the Kursk region, you need to be careful with the conclusions: it can be both an understated battalion of 250 people, and a brigade of 4,000 soldiers.

The Russian authorities continue to claim that the situation in the Kursk region is under their full control, acknowledging that the main purpose of the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine could be to divert Russian forces from the offensive in the Donbass. "The main goal of diverting the Russian armed forces from Donbass and Slobozhanshchyna - the Zelensky regime has not achieved. Currently, Ukrainian militants who have broken into the territory of the Kursk region are receiving a decisive rebuff from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday. At the same time, the correspondent of the publication Severa, which three days ago visited Kursk, managed to talk to one of the Russian soldiers transferred to the city, who admitted that he was transferred there "from the Avdeev direction" (it is note that now Avdeevka is already in the rear, 30 kilometers from the advanced positions of the Russian army, advancing to Pokrovsk).

The mothers of Russian conscripts, meanwhile, are discussing the statements of the State Duma, Lieutenant General of the Reserve Andrei Gurulev. On August 11, on the talk show "Sunday evening with Vladimir Solovyov" Gurulev said that he sees no problem in the use of conscripts to participate in the battles in the Kursk region. "Everyone says, "What do you, how can you use conscripts?" This is our territory. They're our soldiers, they took the oath. According to all our laws, they are obliged to perform their military duty. What are we talking about now? Pity of the boys - of course. But we used to fight them. There were no contractors in Afghanistan," Gurulev said. "Let him go to fight, not pants sit," - commented Radio Liberty his words mother of one of the soldiers, who should be sent to Kursk. https://www.svoboda.org/a/otpravku-planiruyut-v-sentyabre-soldat-srochnikov-styagivayut-k-kursku/33078621.html

[Skybird]

[Focus] The former Nato general Erhard Bühler is of the opinion that Ukraine was forced to advance on Kursk due to Western demands. The region is a “training area” and a “base for air operations” for Russia, Bühler explains in an MDR podcast. Therefore, an “immediate threat to the Ukrainian region of Sumy” emanated from there.

All of the targets were within range of the Atacms missiles, which Ukraine is not allowed to use to attack the region. The use of stand-off weapons is the “least risky” option, but is not possible for Ukraine not possible due to Western restrictions. That is why they were more or more or less forced to send ground troops to Kursk.

Bühler concludes from this “that it is highly probable that this attack probably would not have happened if Ukraine had had other means at its had other means at its disposal”.

However, the invasion had other effects than missile attacks. “It has shown the Russians that the war has arrived in Russia,” notes the general. In addition, Russian troops in the north are tied down. However, these are not the reasons for the operation, also because this limitation now also applies to the numerically inferior Ukrainians.

[Dargo]

Belarusian media report that the Ukrainian Defense Forces Operation in Kursk region has led to a collapse in rail traffic in the western and central regions of russia: russian Railways is not accepting trains from Belarus on the Moscow and Bryansk routes https://x.com/EuromaidanPR/status/1823750427399123327

This only relates to cargo trains and passenger trains. The necessity to move Russian troops to the frontline has ensured no locomotives are available to move cargo and passenger trains.

The operation of the Ukrainian Defence Forces has led to a collapse in railway traffic in the western and central regions of the Russian Federation: Russian Railways does not accept trains from Belarus in the Moscow and Bryansk directions

A telegram was sent to BZhD about the necessity to stop sending goods trains from 12.08.2024 from all BZhD stations to the stations of the Orlovsko-Kursk department of the Moscow railway (RZhD). This telegram is not limited by the validity period, but is marked ‘until cancelled’. There is an accumulation of a large number of ‘abandoned’ trains* (code 12 - absence of locomotive) at the stations of Smolensk region of MZhD. This circumstance also affects the rhythmicity of goods trains dispatch from BZhD to the direction of MZhD and leads to the violation of the traffic schedule.

13.08.2024 telephone calls with requests not to send trains in the direction of the Smolensk region (through the junction Krasnoye) came directly from the traffic control office of MZhD to the management of BZhD. The need for urgent troop movements and the removal of refugees led to the fact that there were no locomotives left for freight trains. Civilian recipients could no longer count on the delivery of goods on time. https://t.me/thebulbaa/21254

[mapuc]

1. It seems like it's everyone's guesses what Ukraine is up to in Kursk oblast area.
2. No train-Then they have to walk to the front.

Markus

[Dargo]

1. It seems like it's everyone's guesses what Ukraine is up to in Kursk oblast area.
2. No train-Then they have to walk to the front.

MarkusNo public trains system collapsed all locomotives are being used to transport military and military goods. I think Ukraine wants a buffer zone to prevent Russia do an offensive in the Sumy oblast see this as a pre-emptive strike to lure extra resources to another +1000 kilometre front that is the result Russia will have to man the front they considered save from an attack from Ukraine.

[Dargo]

Russian regime authorities have issued urgent evacuation orders to all remaining civilians in the Glushkovsky District (area in green), Kursk Region. It is likely that Ukrainian forces have already crossed into that region
https://i.postimg.cc/q75nyvbZ/Glushkovsky.jpg
https://x.com/Tendar/status/1823812618127335931

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH8vG7CsqlM

Markus

[Rockstar]

[Focus] The former Nato general Erhard Bühler is of the opinion that Ukraine was forced to advance on Kursk due to Western demands. The region is a “training area” and a “base for air operations” for Russia, Bühler explains in an MDR podcast. Therefore, an “immediate threat to the Ukrainian region of Sumy” emanated from there.

All of the targets were within range of the Atacms missiles, which Ukraine is not allowed to use to attack the region. The use of stand-off weapons is the “least risky” option, but is not possible for Ukraine not possible due to Western restrictions. That is why they were more or more or less forced to send ground troops to Kursk.



It’s an opinion that doesn’t make sense to me. Because it’s western trained soldiers, armor and weapons that are being used by Ukraine for the invasion of Russia. Ukraine doesn’t have air superiority and ATCAM or Stormshadows aren’t wonder weapons that can control Russian supply routes like boots on the ground can. This is show the world Ukraine still has the will to fight and IMO they made big statement here.

So far it appears successful still though my concern is their ability to hold the ground.

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B5gFRhfg3c

Markus

[Skybird]

ItÂ’s an opinion that doesnÂ’t make sense to me. Because itÂ’s western trained soldiers, armor and weapons that are being used by Ukraine for the invasion of Russia. Ukraine doesnÂ’t have air superiority and ATCAM or Stormshadows arenÂ’t wonder weapons that can control Russian supply routes like boots on the ground can. This is show the world Ukraine still has the will to fight and IMO they made big statement here.

So far it appears successful still though my concern is their ability to hold the ground.
It was not about "controlling" Russian supply routes, Russian airfields, Russian troop accumulations, Russian command centres, Russian warehouses - it was about shattering and annihilating them. "Kill" would have been the mission. Not "control" - but "kill". Like in search&destroy. S&D missions in Vietnam were not meant to occupy or to control - but mere destruction was the objective.



The ukrainian troops already are making their absence felt further to the south - there the Russian advances have won in speed in recent days, the Ukrainian liens are thinned out. You don't do that if you have alternatives to destroy the Russian ressource base in Kursk.


Also, the Ukrainian troops in Kursk are streztcjhignt heir,oiuens, and widn eing their flanks. They run an operation of extremely high risks for suffering deciding losses at the endm, if they get their timing wrong. You dont do that if you have alternatives.



Western militaries and governments were not even given a hint in advance. I am quite certain that Biden and Scholz woudl have said "No" if Kyiv would have told them the plan in advance. You don't go after thre Russian's throat, stupid. Thats too provocative, you know.



The Wets wants to wage the war lead by politicians. Ukraine wants to wage it by military needs for winning the war. Both is all too often incompatible. The West's detemrinaiton to really defeat Russia must be put in question. Ukraine's behaviour is a votum of mistrust. And Ukraine is right with that mistrust.



I hope they get their timing right, and until then maximise the destruction.



One thing is clear. With ATACMS Ukraine could have acchieved this, too. And without its own losses. And without needing to take the risk to thin out its front lines elsewhere, putting these at risk. The troops in Kiursk did not just fall down from neaven,m the yhave been moved away form othe rpoarts of the frontl, not one brigade is operatign there, but many different units from many different brigades from up and down the generla frontline - this observation is a constant in Western reports about the troops in Kursk.

[Rockstar]

ATACMS and Stormshadows can’t do what Ukraine just did. Humiliating Putin and his fanboys by invading Russia, killing the enemy, taking prisoners, controlling towns, villages and key supply routes in Putins own backyard. That is big.

Planners, might be privy to intel which leads them to believe it was time to invade. No doubt this action has further shaken the Russian regime’a stability quite a lot. Dangerous time right now imo.

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cBVXrGTZhs

Markus

[Jimbuna]

A UK source has confirmed to the BBC that Challenger 2 tanks have been used in Ukraine's surprise incursion into Russia.

This comes as the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) says Ukraine has a "clear right" to use weapons donated by Britain for its self defence – and that "does not preclude operations inside Russia"

The latest move comes as Kyiv says it is making deeper inroads into Russian territory, as its incursion into the Kursk region enters a tenth day.

Ukraine says it will set up humanitarian corridors to let civilians leave the area where its troops are on the offensive.

Russia has insisted that it is pushing Ukrainian troops back.

[Jimbuna]

While Kyiv is making progress in Kursk region, Russians are gradually occupying Donetsk region

Since the start of the operation in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, the situation in certain parts of the frontline in Ukraine has deteriorated.

"While the successes of the unexpected Kursk offensive have boosted Kyiv's morale, Russian troops are striking back, seizing more territory in Ukraine's Donetsk region," the newspaper writes.

Since the start of the Kursk operation, the situation in certain parts of the frontline in Ukraine has deteriorated, the military say.

For example, Ivan Sekach, spokesman for the 110th Separate Mechanised Brigade (stationed in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region), said: "I would say that the situation on our side of the front has worsened. We are receiving even less ammunition than before, and the Russians are putting pressure."

Politico notes that, according to DeepState, it has occupied the villages of Zhelanne and Orlivka over the past 24 hours, and advanced towards New York, Krasnohorivka, Mykolaivka and Zhuravka in Donetsk region.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has neither confirmed nor denied this report. The General Staff reports that fighting is ongoing in these areas, with most of the Russian attacks taking place in the Pokrovsk sector.

Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in Kursk region
As reported, on 6 August, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that fighting was continuing in the Kursk region. The invaders are bringing reserves there.

Subsequently, the Russian Ministry of Defence assured that there was no advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces deep into the territory of the Russian Federation in the Kursk region.

A video was posted online showing a group of Russian prisoners of war walking under escort on a road in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation

Dictator Vladimir Putin called the events "another large-scale provocation".

Forbes wrote that at least three brigades, each with up to 2,000 soldiers, are involved in the operation in Kursk region. One of them, the 80th Air Assault Brigade, is one of the most powerful in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Later, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine controls 74 settlements in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.

The spokesperson for the Tavria unit, Dmytro Lykhoviy, said that as the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, the occupiers withdrew a relatively small number of troops from the temporarily occupied districts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Ukrainian defenders had completed the search and destruction of the enemy in the town of Sudzha, Kursk region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will establish military commandant's offices in Kursk region if necessary.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said that Ukraine plans to open humanitarian corridors in the Kursk region to evacuate civilians. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3504892

[Rockstar]

https://i.ibb.co/02VBWd7/IMG-0357.jpg

[Dowly]

While Kyiv is making progress in Kursk region, Russians are gradually occupying Donetsk region



^ The Kursk offensive is looking more and more like a failed gambit. Ukraine's chances of actually keeping the ground captured is slim, unless they can somehow straighten the line in that direction. The bulge will become under growing pressure from all flanks as time goes on, needing to be reinforced from other parts of the front.

The Russian offensive in the south is looking pretty grim and is getting worse by the day. Having seen no weakening on the Russian side by the Kursk operation, unlike Ukraine who have moved troops from that area up north to support Kursk, it won't be long before Russia can start turning either south or north and begin to threaten the rear of the neighbouring Ukrainian sectors.

[Dargo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_iQ2xmFWjw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw8ICAgE-uE

[Dargo]

ATACMS and Stormshadows canÂ’t do what Ukraine just did. Humiliating Putin and his fanboys by invading Russia, killing the enemy, taking prisoners, controlling towns, villages and key supply routes in Putins own backyard. That is big.

Planners, might be privy to intel which leads them to believe it was time to invade. No doubt this action has further shaken the Russian regimeÂ’a stability quite a lot. Dangerous time right now imo.That border is only defended by national guard, border troops, conscripts and FSB security forces almost 400k but heck this FSB can only pester old man and woman all these troops are not willing or can really fight. This Kursk oblast location was the weakest, all their defence lines were overrun in hours what Ukraine has taken now Russia would do decades to gain. Russian military command is already bad now they must organize all those different armies into a counter this will never work the FSB will never give away command to the MOD vice versa. What Russia gains in the Donetsk oblast is no comparison to what Ukraine gained in a week Putin announced a buffer zone of 80 kilometre months ago it did not work that goal was again not reached oh yeah he has one only it is on his doorstep of about 100 kilometre ;). Can not say Ukraine can hold it, but they already dug in and defence is a better position than offensive so they could keep it longer than we think, but that is it we think Ukraine this or that but were 80% wrong about that from the beginning. As for Russia it falters for 3 year, do not think the problems they had will be solved and that is their downfall. Russia (Putin) is only getting weaker with every problem that arise, a leader that not dare to mass mobilize hast lost from the begin

[Skybird]

https://www-nzz-ch.translate.goog/international/nord-stream-sabotage-war-es-doch-die-ukraine-und-was-wusste-selenski-ld.1843917?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_hist=true

Victory celebrations, alcohol and a big conspiracy in private: did the Ukrainians blow up Nord Stream after all? Two new revelations fuel the suspicion of a Ukrainian-led plot against the German-Russian gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Western intelligence services are said to have had information to this effect at an early stage.
----------------

I said it back then and I stick to it. If this turns out to be Ukraine'S attack, then Germany must stop immediately all aid, support and delivery of ammo and weapons to Ukraine and withdraw from such ambitions completely., it also must drop out of the logistcs hub for NATO partner'S delieveries to Ukraine. I do not forgive such military, martial attacks on a friendly supporting power when that power nevertehless is expected to help them out. Germany was with billions into that pieline, and it was part of its socalled critical infrastructure.

If this story turns out true, then to hell with Ukraine. And right that is the reason why the German government will deny or suppress it at any costs.

You dont drive a knife into the back of that somebody whom you demand to help you. I dont forgive such underhanded treason.


Its also an issue of state reason at its most essential, vital basis. It cannot get any more fundamental.

[Dargo]

This could be the reason why Zelenskyy sacked Zaloezjny
Ukrainian President Zelensky knew about the plan to blow up the Nord Stream gas pipeline between Russia and Germany and initially agreed. The Dutch intelligence agency MIVD heard about the plan and informed the CIA. The CIA asked Zelenskyy to pull the plug, after which the Ukrainian president banned the operation. But Ukrainian commander Zaluzhny ignored that order and went ahead with the plan anyway.

https://www-nzz-ch.translate.goog/international/nord-stream-sabotage-war-es-doch-die-ukraine-und-was-wusste-selenski-ld.1843917?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_hist=true

Victory celebrations, alcohol and a big conspiracy in private: did the Ukrainians blow up Nord Stream after all? Two new revelations fuel the suspicion of a Ukrainian-led plot against the German-Russian gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Western intelligence services are said to have had information to this effect at an early stage.
----------------

I said it back then and I stick to it. If this turns out to be Ukraine'S attack, then Germany must stop immediately all aid, support and delivery of ammo and weapons to Ukraine and withdraw from such ambitions completely., it also must drop out of the logistcs hub for NATO partner'S delieveries to Ukraine. I do not forgive such military, martial attacks on a friendly supporting power when that power nevertehless is expected to help them out. Germany was with billions into that pieline, and it was part of its socalled critical infrastructure.

If this story turns out true, then to hell with Ukraine. And right that is the reason why the German government will deny or suppress it at any costs.

You dont drive a knife into the back of that somebody whom you demand to help you. I dont forgive such underhanded treason.


Its also an issue of state reason at its most essential, vital basis. It cannot get any more fundamental.Ok... but... it wont happen here policy of the US if russia invades ukraine guess wo stood next to him yep Olaf Scholz.

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

Why are people so naive to travel to blyat Russia?
A Los Angeles woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in Russia for donating to Ukraine. The 33-year-old Ksenia Karelina holds Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship and was arrested while visiting family in Russia. She donated $52 to a Ukrainian aid organisation. Because of Karelina's dual citizenship, she was prosecuted in Russia for treason. According to Russian authorities, the money was used to fund the Ukrainian army.

[Jimbuna]

^ The Kursk offensive is looking more and more like a failed gambit. Ukraine's chances of actually keeping the ground captured is slim, unless they can somehow straighten the line in that direction. The bulge will become under growing pressure from all flanks as time goes on, needing to be reinforced from other parts of the front.

The Russian offensive in the south is looking pretty grim and is getting worse by the day. Having seen no weakening on the Russian side by the Kursk operation, unlike Ukraine who have moved troops from that area up north to support Kursk, it won't be long before Russia can start turning either south or north and begin to threaten the rear of the neighbouring Ukrainian sectors.

Agreed :yep:

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss9BH-i19PA

[Dargo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uQkFKLiomA

Putin, after 10 days of Kursk catastrophe, summons Stalin’s ghost :
Stalin: “What’s happened?”
Putin: “Nazis are at Kursk! My army is beaten! What should I do?”
Stalin: “Do like me, 1943. Send the best Ukrainian troops to the front, and ask the US for arms!”

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqXrYGt4flc

Edit
They have different view on this, these video hosts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ5_56VpVqM
End edit

Markus

[Reece]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fCSvV0dhnQ

[Jimbuna]

Ukraine has told residents to evacuate the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Officials say Russian forces are "rapidly approaching" following heavy fighting there in recent days.

It comes as Ukrainian forces continue their 11-day incursion into Russia's Kursk region.

An aide to the Kremlin has claimed that Nato and the West were directly involved in the planning for Ukraine's attack.

The White House says Kyiv did not provide advance notice of its incursion and that Washington had no involvement.

Meanwhile Ukraine has set up a military office inside Russia, which it says will "meet the immediate needs" of the population in the area.

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTNou2pUMw

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWcAOBl1j0Q

[Dargo]

Russian Food Suppliers Warn of Price Hikes Up to 40%

Suppliers of bread, dairy, chocolate and beer in Russia have informed retailers of impending price increases of up to 40% over the next month, the business daily Kommersant reported Thursday, citing price-increase notices from at least 13 companies. The price hikes, slated for August and September, are being attributed to a combination of high inflation and expensive loans, as well as the rising costs of shipping, personnel, packaging and raw materials.

A retail market source who spoke to Kommersant on condition of anonymity blamed the Russian Central Bank’s ongoing interest rate hikes for rising borrowing costs. The source described the price-increase notices as “atypical” and not driven by seasonal factors. Karavai, a bread producer, said its products would see a price increase of 10% due to rising raw material costs. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/08/15/russian-food-suppliers-warn-of-price-hikes-up-to-40-a86026

All goes well accord the plan under Putin leadership! This is the real state of the Russian economy this is Putin scam of his social contract with Russians another crisis to add to the pile of crisis there is a limit even Russia has a limit this winter will be interesting in Russia.

[Jimbuna]

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

[Dargo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYFGfKQEZcURussia has made three strategic failures over Kursk:

Ordinary Russians have not defended the country.
Logistics is dire. "Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars." - John J. Pershing and with being on the outside of the logistic circle, Russia has greater distance to cross.
Putin has failed to rally the country.

If this continues, the Kremlin is in trouble.

[Jimbuna]

As much as I hate myself for saying it, I just can't see how Putin can lose.

[Dargo]

Putin just broke with tradition, he appointed the FSB above the army the centuries long triangle of power (military, Secret Service, Elite/Politics with dictator within controlling the in fight) dating from the czars is gone. He probably made a deal but would not trust the FSB they are the ones that said sure go invade no problem in 3 days it is done they backstab him like they always have in the past. His economy is going to the drain, his logistics are still FUBAR, his army can not take in months what Ukraine can take in a week and his biggest backer the one that keeps him alive is realizing they can not keep going on without bringing themselves into problems. I see it coming, when? I do not know, but Russia is coming nearer to its limit to go on with this war as it is.

https://i.postimg.cc/Sx2GhxFY/stalin-georgy-zhukov.gif

[Dargo]

Ukrainian Army Destroys Bridge in Russia's Kursk RegionUkrainian forces on Friday destroyed a key bridge in Russia’s southwestern Kursk region, disrupting a link between Russian-controlled areas and those where Kyiv has made incremental advances, according to pro-Kremlin media and military bloggers.

The bridge, which spanned the Seym River near the town of Glushkovo, was partially damaged earlier in the day in an attack that killed two volunteer workers from the All-Russia People’s Front, pro-war bloggers said. Later on Friday, the bridge collapsed after being struck by a U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket, the Kremlin-aligned Mash Telegram news channel reported, publishing images of the destroyed structure. Acting Kursk region governor Alexei Smirnov later confirmed the bridge collapse, adding that he was “in touch with the local authorities.” He did not provide further details.

The independent investigative news outlet IStories reported that the Russian military had been using the bridge to supply its forces with arms and equipment in the Glushkovsky district, an area under a mandatory evacuation order. The bridge was located approximately 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) north of the Ukrainian border. Military blogger Roman Alekhin, an adviser to Smirnov, suggested that Ukrainian forces destroyed the bridge as part of a broader strategy to gain control of the Glushkovsky district. The district, which is near an area believed to be under Ukrainian control, is largely separated from the rest of the Kursk region by the Seym River. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/08/16/ukrainian-army-destroys-bridge-in-russias-kursk-region-a86053

Good news: bridge destroyed so 700 troops can’t run away from Ukrainians.

Bad news: They can surrender instead of dying like others. https://x.com/DarthPutinKGB/status/1824492669256732986

[mapuc]

As much as I hate myself for saying it, I just can't see how Putin can lose.

If and when they win it will be a pyrrhic victory that's for sure.

Edit
Someone mentioned sabotage and other things happenings in Europe and USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2DkseOnL2M
End edit

Markus

[Rockstar]

If and when they win it will be a pyrrhic victory that's for sure.

Edit
Someone mentioned sabotage and other things happenings in Europe and USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2DkseOnL2M
End edit

Markus

Ya but what about Trump? :har::har::har:

[mapuc]

Ya but what about Trump? :har::har::har:

Last time I heard about him, he was doing well

Markus

[Skybird]

https://www-focus-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/ukraine-krise/ukrainische-operation-war-tueroeffner-experte-deutsche-reaktion-auf-pipeline-sabotage-war-zu-mild-das-raecht-sich_id_260229712.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de


Focus: Back to the biggest attack on Germany's critical infrastructure in the history of the Federal Republic: The WSJ article describes in detail why the American secret service had nothing to do with it. Do you believe this part?

Thiele: I think it's a smokescreen by the intelligence services. Of course the American secret service was involved. After all, it was aware of the planned operation.

There was an intervention with the Ukrainian government. There were inevitably upstream research activities, presumably also in conjunction with friendly intelligence services, which undoubtedly continued to monitor the events.

In this context, it is striking that the Polish security authorities let the execution of the arrest warrant for a suspected Ukrainian diver residing in Poland slide for weeks. The report in the WSJ came immediately after the whole affair became public. This is a strange collection of coincidences. What I'm trying to say is that we've only revealed the tip of the iceberg. There is much more to come.

[mapuc]

https://www-focus-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/ukraine-krise/ukrainische-operation-war-tueroeffner-experte-deutsche-reaktion-auf-pipeline-sabotage-war-zu-mild-das-raecht-sich_id_260229712.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de


Focus: Back to the biggest attack on Germany's critical infrastructure in the history of the Federal Republic: The WSJ article describes in detail why the American secret service had nothing to do with it. Do you believe this part?

Thiele: I think it's a smokescreen by the intelligence services. Of course the American secret service was involved. After all, it was aware of the planned operation.

There was an intervention with the Ukrainian government. There were inevitably upstream research activities, presumably also in conjunction with friendly intelligence services, which undoubtedly continued to monitor the events.

In this context, it is striking that the Polish security authorities let the execution of the arrest warrant for a suspected Ukrainian diver residing in Poland slide for weeks. The report in the WSJ came immediately after the whole affair became public. This is a strange collection of coincidences. What I'm trying to say is that we've only revealed the tip of the iceberg. There is much more to come.

Now when they have taken, some town in Kursk oblast in which the hub for the gasline is. It's the one who goes through Ukraine. One may think that it was Ukraine who was behind the sabotage of N.S 1 and 2 and then take control over the gasline on the Russian side and thereby putting a pressure mostly on Russia and even Europe.

But Europe is starting to be self self-supporting when it come to natural gas.

Markus

[Rockstar]

I have a hard time believing Ukraine could carry out such a mission considering Ukraine’s military was called “decrepit” by one U.S. national security analyst, and its navy was in “a sorry state.” Add to that Ukrainian General Victor Muzhenko, a former top commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, went as far to say that the military was “an army literally in ruins.

Since Biden first endorsed and allowed NS2 then shortly afterwards suddenly didn’t. Makes me think it was the Brits or Norway.

[mapuc]

I have a hard time believing Ukraine could carry out such a mission considering Ukraine’s military was called “decrepit” by one U.S. national security analyst, and its navy was in “a sorry state.” Add to that Ukrainian General Victor Muzhenko, a former top commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, went as far to say that the military was “an army literally in ruins.

Since Biden first endorsed and allowed NS2 then shortly afterwards suddenly didn’t. Makes me think it was the Brits or Norway.

We should ask our self-Which of these 3 countries, Russia, Ukraine and USA has the best motive to conduct such an operation to destroy N.S 1 and 2

Markus

[Dargo]

We should ask our self-Which of these 3 countries, Russia, Ukraine and USA has the best motive to conduct such an operation to destroy N.S 1 and 2

MarkusIn 2022, when Russia waged its war of choice against Ukraine and used energy as a weapon to undermine European security, the U.S. and the European Commission formed a Joint Taskforce to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels organize its efforts around two primary goals: (1) Diversifying LNG supplies in alignment with climate objectives; (2) Reducing demand for natural gas.

In 2022 and 2023, over 60% of U.S. LNG exports went to Europe in 2022 and 2023 and the U.S. has worked with the E.U. to successfully economize consumption and manage its storage to ensure that unprovoked acts of aggression cannot threaten its supply. https://www.energy.gov/articles/unpacking-misconceptions-surrounding-does-lng-update

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ5Yu0cR7J4

Markus

[Reece]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok8VxbAkwzs

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt1pRhtwF_M

[Skybird]

Ukrainian attempts to attack north-west and south-east of the currently contested region in Kursk have already been stalled in the early stages by Russian troops who have now taken up positions there. This means that the flanks of the main Ukrainian attack remain at risk. The threat is increasing. The main advance by the Ukrainians slows down further and is accompanied by growing losses. The fighting is reported to be furios and extrenmely heavy. Russia still cannot bring the offensive to a full stop, but it makes Ukraine - as well Russian conscripts who are reported to be sent there - increasingly pay.
---------------
The German government is unable to agree on a constitutionally compliant budget, leaving a gap of 12 billion euros, which has not been closed even after fierce disputes during the budget renegotiations, as the Greens and Reds insist on suspending the debt brake enshrined in the Basic Law and categorically reject budget cuts. Babble Olaf has therefore announced that Germany will no longer provide its planned aid to Ukraine of 3 billion this year and half a billion in each of the next two years. The delivery of a further Isis-T system has already been canceled.

[Jimbuna]

Time to withdraw me thinks.

[Skybird]

They seem to aim at disrupting the psychological support base for Putin. If that is the case, it is a giant miscalculation, the same that many in the West fall for: to assume that the hardship of the war would drive the population away from Putin and that he woulk be held accountable.



I think the regime seats safer in its saddle than ever before. I think it should be clear that the overwhelming majority of Russians buy the Kremlin's narrative and believe Putin and thus support the war. I think the opposition has never been so completely suppressed and wiped out since Putin took over, than now.

I think state intimidation by a tough security apparatus, arbitrary justice, secret police all three meeting a population that by historical tradition used to be utmost subservient and resignated, work wonders for securign the power of a dictatorship. In other words: brute force trumps wellmeant wishes for the opposite.

And I worry for the name succeeding Putin one day. I fear things then will turn worse. The new one will need to fight to secure his power in the shark pool. And he will need to let the West know some things. At least the transition phase when the new regime comes in will be worse than Putin is now.

[Jimbuna]

Agreed :yep:

[August]

I'm so glad that you two armchair generals have got it all figured out. :roll:

[Jimbuna]

:roll: Indeed.

[Dargo]

These flanks are defended by war experienced troops, these brigades were pulled back because they have fought too long got renewed and trained for this operation. On the other side we have conscripts that get paid $0.75 per day for the last 6 months at least if they are in for 6 months learning to dig trenches, carry shells and being used by their higher ups as slaves this are kids there are already many appeals from the parents to ask to stop this. Russia can only stop this if they get troops from the Ukraine front that will take time but do not know if they are willing to stop their offensive to get parts of Russia back, in that case they need to send a lot more than now is reported. Ukraine is also hitting key supply lines and hubs, so Russia can try it, but it will cost them more than it will cost Ukraine again this was the plan of this operation they will retreat to give Russia territory back but at a very high cost same as in the Donetsk oblast Russia will pay in thousandfold in men and equipment again one of the goals of this operation. This operation is already won in tenfold for Ukraine and its effect in Russia will be huge now real Russian will die now Russia humiliation will come home in Moscow and St Petersburg.

[mapuc]

I'm so glad that you two armchair generals have got it all figured out. :roll:

The problem is that none of us ordinary people have a real clue on what's happening in Ukraine and in Kursk oblast.

As explain many times before - We have a standpoint and we use the experts who come closest to our standpoint as a support to this.

We have people who have a positive stand on the Ukraine war-They are convinced Ukraine gonna win.
We have people who have a negative stand on the Ukraine war-They are convinced Ukraine gonna lose(They are not pro-Russian)

I don't see anything wrong in this, we should however ask our self-Is it me or is it this expert who's talking ?

Markus

[Dargo]

The problem is that none of us ordinary people have a real clue on what's happening in Ukraine and in Kursk oblast.

As explain many times before - We have a standpoint and we use the experts who come closest to our standpoint as a support to this.

We have people who have a positive stand on the Ukraine war-They are convinced Ukraine gonna win.
We have people who have a negative stand on the Ukraine war-They are convinced Ukraine gonna lose(They are not pro-Russian)

I don't see anything wrong in this, we should however ask our self-Is it me or is it this expert who's talking ?

MarkusWe know a lot of what is happening and with experts you have many sure they leaned about warfare, but the ones I follow are the ones that really fought in wars and these commanders all tell it is not lost before it even has started they say this operation was needed and brilliant executed sofar. War is complicated, this operation is on a level the Russians are not capable of organizing as shown in Ukraine fronts Russia can hardly organize a battalion lever of battle Ukraine shown it can organize and execute a brigade level battle if Ukraine would have the air equipment they would fight like we do this level the Russian will never capable of this with this klepto system. This is not optimism, this is fact.

[mapuc]

We know a lot of what is happening and with experts you have many sure they leaned about warfare, but the ones I follow are the ones that really fought in wars and these commanders all tell it is not lost before it even has started they say this operation was needed and brilliant executed sofar. War is complicated, this operation is on a level the Russians are not capable of organizing as shown in Ukraine fronts Russia can hardly organize a battalion lever of battle Ukraine shown it can organize and execute a brigade level battle if Ukraine would have the air equipment they would fight like we do this level the Russian will never capable of this with this klepto system. This is not optimism, this is fact.

We know only what we have been told in the news and from these experts*

I admit I personally don't know what's exactly going on in Ukraine I use expert like this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-tZiZt67Jg

* Of course they are not called expert for nothing, but even they have only access to what's happening in Ukraine from the news-They can however make a possible scenario of what they have heard and seen.

Most important-I'm not criticizing my friends here far from it. We have our belief.

Markus

[Dargo]

We know only what we have been told in the news and from these experts*
* Of course they are not called expert for nothing, but even they have only access to what's happening in Ukraine from the news-They can however make a possible scenario of what they have heard and seen.
MarkusThere are many other ways to get intel not only from the media even the Russians (expats, milbloggers) themselves tell us a lot and those "experts" are having it wrong for months us is told if Russia takes this village/city they will take Donetsk, so after Bakhmut fell Donetsk did not fall into Russian hands after Avdiivka fell the big supply hub into Donetsk, Donetsk did not fall into Russian hands. The times they said now the Russians breakthrough here or there in tenfold the Russian army did not breakthrough, and Ukraine front did not crumble. I have it with those so-called "experts" with their always gloom and doom give me an expert who really experience war who really commanded troops in the field they are mostly right in their annalistic those I follow.

[Jimbuna]

The problem is that none of us ordinary people have a real clue on what's happening in Ukraine and in Kursk oblast.

As explain many times before - We have a standpoint and we use the experts who come closest to our standpoint as a support to this.

We have people who have a positive stand on the Ukraine war-They are convinced Ukraine gonna win.
We have people who have a negative stand on the Ukraine war-They are convinced Ukraine gonna lose(They are not pro-Russian)

I don't see anything wrong in this, we should however ask our self-Is it me or is it this expert who's talking ?

Markus

Well said Markus but to put it in an even simpler context....SUBSIM is a forum and as such every member has an opinion of their own and a platform to express said opinion.

[Skybird]

We work with the info we have and try to make best sense of it. That info has gone through many filters before it reaches our streets. Each of our governments and their attached media brew their own soup.

[mapuc]

Well said Markus but to put it in an even simpler context....SUBSIM is a forum and as such every member has an opinion of their own and a platform to express said opinion.

And I totally agree. This is why I love our forum here we can freely express our opinion in a properly manner.

Markus

[Dargo]

The Myth of Endless Manpower: Russian Soldiers’ Average Age Approaches 38 as Trends PersistWhen Russian forces make gains in Eastern Ukraine, these successes are often attributed to factors such as numerical advantage in vehicles, artillery, and manpower, along with a stronger recruitment situation in Russia compared to Ukraine. This creates the perception that Ukraine is uniquely struggling with manpower shortages and that Russia has a seemingly endless pool of manpower reserves. However, our recent research uncovers growing recruitment challenges in Russia, affecting both the quantity and quality of recruits. Our findings indicate that the average age of Russians killed in Ukraine is approaching 38 and continues to rise. This might have serious implications on the battlefield and the course of war, which we are discussing in today’s report... https://frontelligence.substack.com/p/the-myth-of-endless-manpower-russian

[mapuc]

The Myth of Endless Manpower: Russian Soldiers’ Average Age Approaches 38 as Trends PersistWhen Russian forces make gains in Eastern Ukraine, these successes are often attributed to factors such as numerical advantage in vehicles, artillery, and manpower, along with a stronger recruitment situation in Russia compared to Ukraine. This creates the perception that Ukraine is uniquely struggling with manpower shortages and that Russia has a seemingly endless pool of manpower reserves. However, our recent research uncovers growing recruitment challenges in Russia, affecting both the quantity and quality of recruits. Our findings indicate that the average age of Russians killed in Ukraine is approaching 38 and continues to rise. This might have serious implications on the battlefield and the course of war, which we are discussing in today’s report... https://frontelligence.substack.com/p/the-myth-of-endless-manpower-russian

It does cost the Russian a lot of men, young men, to take 100 meters each time and I haven't mentioned the lost of materials.
For how long can Russia keep on losing men at this speed with volunteers and not using conscript in Ukraine ?

Markus

[Dargo]

It does cost the Russian a lot of men, young men, to take 100 meters each time and I haven't mentioned the lost of materials.
For how long can Russia keep on losing men at this speed with volunteers and not using conscript in Ukraine ?

MarkusAccording to their findings, between February 2022 and May 2024, the average age of Russian soldiers killed in action increased from 30.2 in early 2022 to 37.8 by July 2024.III. Implications and Conclusions
This trend indicates that as the war continues, older recruits are increasingly being sent to the front lines, which signals serious problems that have a direct influence on the overall combat effectiveness of Russian forces. This raises questions about the sustainability of Russia's recruitment approach and the long-term viability of its war if the average age of its soldiers continues to rise.

The key point is that the individuals signing contracts come from civilian demographics, not from career military personnel who might regularly pass fitness tests. While precise data on the general fitness of these recruits is lacking, the World Health Organization reports that the pre-war life expectancy at birth for Russian males was 65.6 years, with a healthy life expectancy of 58.2 years.

This suggests that the Russian government not only has to offer significantly higher payments to recruit individuals but also ends up with recruits who may be less fit for combat roles, either partially or fully.

While the data presented may still contain some inaccuracies, errors, or potential duplicates, the trend is consistent with findings from other investigations and metrics reported by investigative groups, as well as with the anecdotal observations we reported earlier. Although Ukrainian demographics are anything but better than Russian ones, the extensive focus on Ukrainian manpower issues has fostered a perception that Ukraine is doomed due to seemingly endless Russian human resources and high recruitment numbers. Our research has demonstrated that this perception is misleading and indicates that Russia’s ability to conduct large-scale offensive operations with territorial gains, based on a manpower advantage, is not as sustainable as it seems in the long run.

[Jimbuna]

Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war - about 598,180 (+1,230 per day), 8,501 tanks, 16,985 artillery systems, 16,473 armoured combat vehicles.

As noted, the total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 17.08.24 are approximately:

personnel - about 598,180 (+1,230) people,
tanks ‒ 8501 (+5) units,
armored combat vehicles ‒ 16,473 (+12) units,
artillery systems – 16,985 (+58) units,
RSZV – 1160 (+1) units,
air defense equipment ‒ 923 (+1) units,
aircraft – 367 (+0) units,
helicopters – 328 (+0) units,
UAVs of the operational-tactical level - 13,714 (+55),
cruise missiles ‒ 2432 (+3),
ships/boats ‒ 28 (+0) units,
submarines - 1 (+0) units,
automotive equipment and tank trucks – 22,913 (+65) units,
special equipment ‒ 2844 (+15).
Source: https://censor.net/en/n3505188

[mapuc]

According to their findings, between February 2022 and May 2024, the average age of Russian soldiers killed in action increased from 30.2 in early 2022 to 37.8 by July 2024.

If this increasing of average age keep on going we will within the next couple of years from now see 55-60 years old Russian volunteers in Ukraine.

Even the Ukrainians has their problems with the manpower. They have also seen an increase in the average of men's age.(This I'm pretty sure of)

Markus

[mapuc]

Is a 2nd Ukrainian offensive on its way ? Wouldn't it be better to use these forces around Donetsk where Russia have the momentum ?

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

Markus

[Dargo]

Is a 2nd Ukrainian offensive on its way ? Wouldn't it be better to use these forces around Donetsk where Russia have the momentum ?

MarkusMilitary no in Donetsk Russian have a large troop concentration if you do an offensive you do it on the weakest spot of your enemy, you do not want to run into a wall of fire.

[mapuc]

Military no in Donetsk Russian have a large troop concentration if you do an offensive you do it on the weakest spot of your enemy, you do not want to run into a wall of fire.

I didn't mean they should conduct their offensive there in Donetsk, I meant use them as defense.

On the other hand-Offensive against Crimea may force Russia to withdraw huge amount of troops from areas like Donetsk.

Markus

[Dargo]

Exactly, but I do not think Ukraine will go into Crimea they do not have the equipment to do a landing keep supplying that kinda bridgehead remember they do not have a navy or the air support to pull this off. Amphibious warfare is always risky. Since the 20th century, an amphibious landing of troops on a beachhead is acknowledged as the most complex of all military manoeuvres. The undertaking requires an intricate coordination of numerous military specialities, including air power, naval gunfire, naval transport, logistical planning, specialized equipment, land warfare, tactics, and extensive training in the nuances of this manoeuvre for all personnel involved. In Donetsk, it still a stalemate Russia is crawling forwards but only at huge cost sending more by Ukraine will not change anything give a month or two and Russia is crawling out of steam there everything has its limits.

[mapuc]

Exactly, but I do not think Ukraine will go into Crimea they do not have the equipment to do a landing keep supplying that kinda bridgehead remember they do not have a navy or the air support to pull this off. Amphibious warfare is always risky. Since the 20th century, an amphibious landing of troops on a beachhead is acknowledged as the most complex of all military manoeuvres. The undertaking requires an intricate coordination of numerous military specialities, including air power, naval gunfire, naval transport, logistical planning, specialized equipment, land warfare, tactics, and extensive training in the nuances of this manoeuvre for all personnel involved. In Donetsk, it still a stalemate Russia is crawling forwards but only at huge cost sending more by Ukraine will not change anything give a month or two and Russia is crawling out of steam there everything has its limits.

I didn't think in those terms. Which mean if there is a 2nd offensive on its way it must be either in the Kursk oblast or a second front somewhere near the Russian-Ukrainian border.

Markus

[mapuc]

He has always a positive view on the situation-Nothing wrong with that, I have a positive view myself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-FiXTZZlZo

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFbfhhQ0iBw

[Jimbuna]

Germany freezes military aid for Ukraine leaving Kyiv facing air strikes

Germany has stunned Ukraine after announcing a freeze to military aid, as Kyiv's forces struggle to repel a Russian advance in the Donbas.

Olaf Scholz's government claims a budgetary crisis means it can no longer afford to supply Ukraine with new weapons.

However, opponents have accused the German Chancellor of "hypocrisy" and of making a cynical play to win votes in federal elections this autumn.

Scholz reportedly told his Defence Minister Boris Pistorius that no more money for weapons would be forthcoming earlier this month, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper.

Pistorius had drawn up a wish list for €4billion (£3.4billion) in additional military supplies to Ukraine.

But he was told by the Finance Ministry that the government's priority had switched to cutting federal spending and that no more money would be forthcoming.
The freeze in military aid will not affect outstanding orders but has already impacted new ones.

After a Russian air strike on a Kyiv children's hospital in July, Diehl Defence, the arms manufacturer, offered to supply an IRIS-T air defence system to help defend the Ukrainian capital's airspace.

Scholz, however, reportedly refused to pay for the missile system, despite the deal being backed by his Defence Minister.

The move is said to have caused severe friction inside the German government, with both the defence and foreign ministries opposing the freeze.

The news could not come at a worse time for Kyiv's army, which is coming under severe pressure in the Donbas, where Russian troops are advancing on the city of Pokrovsk - a strategic road and rail hub.

Ukraine's army says it is running short of critical ammunition and spare parts for its German-supplied tanks and armoured vehicles.

On its official website, the German government says it has so far provided or committed for future years military assistance with a value of approximately €28billion (£24bn).

Scholz's political opponents have accused him of trying to win over voters in Germany's eastern states, who are opposed to the war in Ukraine.

This September, voters will go to the polls in state elections to elect new regional governments.

Ingo Gädechens, an MP for the centre-Right Christian Democrats, said that Scholz had engaged in an "unprecedented spectacle of hypocrisy" by promising Kyiv unconditional support while trying to pose as a "peace chancellor" at home.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/germany-freezes-military-aid-for-ukraine-leaving-kyiv-facing-air-strikes/ar-AA1oYyd0?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ENTPSP&cvid=1a50782505dc4ec7a8fdb81e32afa54d&ei=66

[mapuc]

Why does Ukraine have success in Kursk oblast, while they are on the defensive in Donetsk oblast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRNRntC1EGE

Markus

[mapuc]

I didn't knew they were so desperate

The law comes after the flow of volunteers to the army has dwindled. It is now necessary to force men into the army to keep the Russians in check on the more than 1,000 kilometer front where Putin's troops are looking for a breakthrough.

https://ekstrabladet-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/krigogkatastrofer/analyse-kan-ukraine-bevare-sammenholdet/10331030?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Markus

[Skybird]

Population before the war:
Russia 114.1 million
Ukraine 43.8 million

Population end of 2022:
Russia 114.2 million
Ukraine 38 million (in Ukraine)

Source: World Bank

Guess who has bigger problems to found troops. Please nobody makes this complicated again.

And the Russian economy? It has significantly more weight than that of Ukraine, of course, already before the war, and now with much of Ukraine's critical infrastructure, energy and production in ruins, even more so. Many hope Russian economy nevertheless will collapse in the future. That is possible if they turn to peacetime standards again, but I am not so optimistic. In fact Russia will have little problems with the economy in the long term even after a formal end of the hostilities in Ukraine if Russia continues to maintain a wartime production economy. In other words, it is very likely that even after the war it will continue to stay in a very high military production modus operandi. In other words: a new massive arms race for which Europe is not mentally (nor practically) prepared. The US is mentally better prepared, but even its production capacities have limits. Cheap mass wepaons are easier to produce than the sophisticated, overly expensive super high tech gadgets the West prefers to have - in much smaller quantities.

Europe must take a crahs course in learning to forsee this and adapt to it by finally, FINALLY, getting its stupid acts together. The situation will not relax after the war in Ukraine "ended". And the reason is as simple as it is logical: Russia cannot afford peace anymore.

[mapuc]

I let him speak for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_80rUKItGc

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNkrBvB2wN8

[Skybird]

Can private people even reach a diving depth of 70-80m without logistical and support preparations skyrocketing high?

Yes, they can. And easier than I would have expected.

https://www-nzz-ch.translate.goog/international/tauchexperte-zu-nordstream-man-kommt-problemlos-in-eine-tiefe-von-80-metern-ld.1844231?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_hist=true

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9MFOfNNb8Y

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Denmark allows Ukraine to use transferred weapons in Russia

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has assured that Ukraine has the right to use Danish weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation.

According to the foreign minister, Denmark's support for Ukraine remains unchanged despite the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in the Kursk region.

"Self-defence may well involve entering the aggressor's territory," he says. - "If, as part of this, you attack the infrastructure or military facilities of the attacking party, then this is fully in line with the rules of war," Rasmussen said.

He noted that Ukraine should not be restricted in its use of weapons.

Assistance to Ukraine from Denmark
Today, on 19 August, Denmark announced the 20th military support package, which was based on the wishes and needs of Ukraine.

The new aid package will increase the industrial pool by DKK 300 million in 2024, which will strengthen the Ukrainian defence industry. An additional 112 million kroons will be allocated to finance procurement through Ukrainian defence companies. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3505530

[Dargo]

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

[mapuc]

I do not understand their way of thinking. They lack soldiers and still they use brigades to hold a little part of Kursk oblast, while Russia is advancing around Donetsk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNT8YRlIR4I

Markus

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSj-9bDSgcY

Markus

[Skybird]

As is to be expected, Col. Reisner has a far more sober look on the events in Kursk and their relevance for the situation in Donezk and Donbass, than the enthusiastic voices in certain propaganda videos. And in the words of the ukrainian High Command: In Donezk, Russia still advances 4.8 km per day, no sign of getting weakened by the Ukrainian counter attack in Kursk. Reisner points out that Ukraine has neither the equipment nor the time to dig itself deep in and to prepare for the inevitable Russian counterattack. Ukraine has around 6000 troops in Kurks. Russia will need 20-25 thousand for a counterattack. They currently collect these troops and relocate them there. Reisner also points out that currently the energy production in Ukriane is 50% reduced, this means havoc regarding the coming winter, and the industrial war goods production.

I again feel confirmed by the Colonel. The situation is far more complex and dangerous for Ukraine as recent hooray reports indicate. That Ukrainian troop contingent in Kursk is very exposed and its vulnerability grows form day to day, while it represents a very precious part of their forces and reserves, quality-wise. Russia still controls the sky, and has artillery superiority. Ukraine seems to be unable to deeply dug itself in, and to prepare defences against heavy attacks. They do not have the needed heavy engineers equipmen in Kursk. Or in Reisner's words: they had the material to take the ground, but it seems they dont have the material to keep it.



Its a very high risk operation that Ukraine tries out here. The initial successes in no way predict the final outcome.


https://www-n--tv-de.translate.goog/politik/Die-Kursk-Offensive-ist-ein-Hochrisikospiel-der-Ukraine-article25168189.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N7CJLCqI9U

[Reece]

^ unable to watch this on my computer, seems more like propaganda!! I hope not! :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Take everything from either side with a pinch of salt mate.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MeDxYGIxB4

[Skybird]

https://www-focus-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/beitrag-unseres-partnerportals-economist-nach-dem-kursk-angriff-steht-ein-dramatischer-kriegsmoment-bevor_id_260238567.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp




To assess Ukraine's shocking attack and its chances of success, The Economist interviewed soldiers involved and sources familiar with the decisions of Ukraine's commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky.

The picture that emerges is of a risky operation carried out out of desperation and in the utmost secrecy. It has boosted morale and shown that Ukraine has developed effective new tactics.

But after twelve days, the advance has slowed and the outlines of a new front line are emerging. It is unclear whether the troops are able to dig in or whether they are overwhelmed by other front lines. The greatest danger is in the Pokrovsk region in the Donbass in Ukraine, where the Kremlin's troops are rapidly gaining ground.

Soldiers from the 82nd Brigade, the second of the four brigades involved in the opening attack, report that the fighting became increasingly fierce after the initial euphoric successes.

[mapuc]

Can both be correct ?

These links Marc have provided give a negative view on the situation in Kursk oblast for the Ukrainians

While the latest video posted by Jim, tells another story a more positive one.

Can both be right ? Or is one of them wrong/almost wrong.

I do not know I'm not there and watch it with my own eyes.

Time will tell.

Markus

[Skybird]

The authors of these videos all have an agenda and have obviously chosen a side, are not neutral.

A few journalists and correspondents as well as experts like Col. Reisner try to see things sober and without wishing and judging. Many journalists however also report wishful thinking.

Much on youtube is simply propaganda, done for a variety of motives.

I stopped watching these channels many, many months ago. I dont like being targetted for influencing and manipulation, even if the author of such efforts thinks his cause justifies them. I dont need my thinking being supervised by somebody.

The only voice I learned to always carefully listen to, is that of Col. Reisner. Some other, even higher ranking ex-militaries posing as experts on TV and in interviews, have made repeatedly complete caspers of themselves now, and their optimistic predictions simply having been demasked as reality denial. That Reisner is an academical historian who has published works, helps him, of course, in thinking the facts beyond their immidiate present context. He rarely has something positive to say, and some see his soberness as being boring. But he is on the point, he hammers home certain basic truths time and again, and he is too careful as to easily let his mouth lead him into the realm of optimistic speculations and wishful thinking. He knows from his historical studies how easily things can suddenly take another direction in war, and he repeately has referenced to examples for that. His "phobia" :) of just wishful thinking, is what founds his analytical strength. And he avoids to speculate.

Thats why I often quote him or link to him.

[Jimbuna]

Can both be correct ?

These links Marc have provided give a negative view on the situation in Kursk oblast for the Ukrainians

While the latest video posted by Jim, tells another story a more positive one.

Can both be right ? Or is one of them wrong/almost wrong.

I do not know I'm not there and watch it with my own eyes.

Time will tell.

Markus

As I said a few posts above in response to Reece "Take everything from either side with a pinch of salt mate."

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MeDxYGIxB4&t=6s

[mapuc]

The authors of these videos all have an agenda and have obviously chosen a side, are not neutral.

A few journalists and correspondents as well as experts like Col. Reisner try to see things sober and without wishing and judging. Many journalists however also report wishful thinking.

Much on youtube is simply propaganda, done for a variety of motives.

I stopped watching these channels many, many months ago. I dont like being targetted for influencing and manipulation, even if the author of such efforts thinks his cause justifies them. I dont need my thinking being supervised by somebody.

The only voice I learned to always carefully listen to, is that of Col. Reisner. Some other, even higher ranking ex-militaries posing as experts on TV and in interviews, have made repeatedly complete caspers of themselves now, and their optimistic predictions simply having been demasked as reality denial. That Reisner is an academical historian who has published works, helps him, of course, in thinking the facts beyond their immidiate present context. He rarely has something positive to say, and some see his soberness as being boring. But he is on the point, he hammers home certain basic truths time and again, and he is too careful as to easily let his mouth lead him into the realm of optimistic speculations and wishful thinking. He knows from his historical studies how easily things can suddenly take another direction in war, and he repeately has referenced to examples for that. His "phobia" :) of just wishful thinking, is what founds his analytical strength. And he avoids to speculate.

Thats why I often quote him or link to him.

And I do read them. Like you I expect the worse and hope for the best.
However time is, as you have stated so many times, on Russian side-Ukraine is both lacking boots on the ground and the supplies from West isn't enough and arriving in a slowly stream.

It is funny Ukraine had* luck in Kursk oblast, while they are defending Donetsk with all they got from ongoing attacks from the Russian

* I wrote had, cause I don't know if the offensive has been stopped or if they still have success

Markus

[mapuc]

As I said a few posts above in response to Reece "Take everything from either side with a pinch of salt mate."

You're right. As mentioned before I have taken a more sceptic position when it comes to Ukraine winning the war-Or said in other words Expect the worst, and hope for the best.

Markus

[Dargo]

Russia best "buddy" does not play ball LOL

Construction of the crucial "Power of Siberia-2" gas pipeline from Russia to China has been halted, - The South China Morning Post. The pause is expected to be lengthy, as Moscow no longer believes it can secure the desired deal from Beijing. One of the reasons is the disagreement over gas prices. China demanded to lower the price to $60 per thousand cubic meters, aligning it with domestic Russian rates. Currently, China is buying Russian gas at $260 per thousand cubic meters.

Geopolitical factors have also caused rifts between Beijing and Moscow. China is concerned about secondary sanctions from Western countries imposed on those deemed to be aiding Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The second phase of the "Power of Siberia" pipeline was planned to pass through Mongolia. The country intended to build 2,500 km of pipeline, but the authorities have not included it in their national development plan through 2028.

[mapuc]

It's not only Russian who defect to the Ukrainian. It's also the other way around

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbj1-HAZta4

Markus

[Jimbuna]

In south, 91 occupiers and 39 units of weapons and military equipment were destroyed during day, 5 military supply points were damaged

The defence forces of the south will continue to inflict fire damage on enemy locations, firing positions, and rears. During the day, 91 occupiers were destroyed.

The Russians also lost 39 pieces of weapons and military equipment, including:

1 anti-aircraft vehicle;
1 portable radar combat station;
12 artillery systems;
15 units of armored vehicles;
6 reconnaissance UAVs;
2 boats;
1 complex of video surveillance;
1 motorcycle.

Ukrainian defenders also hit 5 field supply points, 4 observation points, 11 dugouts, and 4 residences of enemy personnel.

Also remind, in general, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian soldiers eliminated 60,3010 Russian invaders. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3505826

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z94DufYHsY

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3HzFBypeT0

[Dargo]

Dutch Ministry of Defence acquires mobile radars for drone detection in UkraineThe Dutch Ministry of Defence has announced the purchase of 51 mobile radar systems designed to detect drones. The contract was signed with Robin Radar Systems, a company based in The Hague. These advanced radars can identify small drones and distinguish them from other objects, such as birds. A key feature of these radars is their ability to operate while in motion, mounted on a mobile platform. Later this year, the Ministry will donate these systems to Ukraine. The mobile radars are capable of monitoring their surroundings for the presence of drones, even while moving at high speeds. This mobility makes it more difficult for adversaries to locate and neutralize the radars, allowing for continuous detection and targeting of enemy drones.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has previously purchased radar systems from Robin Radar Systems, which were static and are currently in use at various locations. Feedback from users highlighted the need for the ability to detect drones while on the move. In response, further development of the radar system has led to this new capability. The 51 radar systems are expected to be donated to Ukraine in the final quarter of 2024, with delivery occurring in phases. These radars will play a crucial role in countering drone attacks from Russia, providing essential defence capabilities to Ukraine.

[Skybird]

Whatever Kyiv wants to acchieve in obvious and hidden goals in Kursk, one hope has not materialised: that the operation would ease the Russian pressure southeast of Kursk in Donbass and Donezk. The pressure there has not eased but intensified, and the pace of Russian advance there has not stagnated or slowed down, but increased. They advance 5 km per day on their main attack axis'.

Putin may have weighted the Kursk situation versus the Donezk situation, and came to conclusions that fulfilling his declared goal/promise of seizing all the Ukrainian four oblasts he has partially occupied after the Crimea annexion is more relevant and important than the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk. If so, that spoils the ukrainian calculation.

In Kursk, the fighting intensifies, so does the Russian resistence. The losses are mounting for Ukraine, they still advance, but at a creeping speed now and at growing costs. I think Putin simply wants to let the entire Ukrainian operation starve to death on his outstretched arm. He has realistic chances to succeed with that. But certain it is not. Russia demonstrates to have the reserves, somehow, to drag down Ukrainians in Kursk AND raising the pressure at other parts of the front.

The current question now is: how much more can the Ukrainians bring up? Numerically and in material and production potential they are outnumbered. As I see it, then Ukrainians took a gamble with Kursk, born out of despair. And they are at risk of loosing the gamble they made, Russia does not get affected as much as was hoped. But again, certain that still is not. Lets put it this way: they now seem to need even more luck than at the beginning of the operation.

The Ukrainians have to step up their game in Kursk, otherwise the fire will sooner or later go out again.

Can they?

[mapuc]

I've been thinking the same-Shouldn't the Russian move troops from Donetsk to Kursk oblast? Wasn't this not the plan by the incursion into Russia ?
Instead Russia is sending young conscript to Kursk oblast

Or was this land taking to be used in upcoming negotiation ?

Markus

[Dargo]

I've been thinking the same-Shouldn't the Russian move troops from Donetsk to Kursk oblast? Wasn't this not the plan by the incursion into Russia ?
Instead Russia is sending young conscript to Kursk oblast

Or was this land taking to be used in upcoming negotiation ?

MarkusBoth I think, and there are units arriving from the Ukraine fronts, so the plan worked to weaken the fronts south. Btw these conscripts are hardly trained with no combat experience so they are sending cannon fodder, it will take Russia months to build up any force to counter this Ukrainian offensive.

[Skybird]

Young conscripts were stationed in Kursk when the Ukrainains attacke,d the more experienced troops were elsewhere. Parts of these experienced troops now get shuttled to Kursk. With NO weakening effect visible to the Russian advanc ein Donezk so far. So the Ukrainian plan may work on paper: Russia shttled battle-hardened troops for Denzek to Kursk. And the Ukrainian plan works not: doing so does not weraken the Russian advance in Donezk. They have speeded up instead.

The ukrainian plan would have worked better, more visibly, if the Russian logistical status would have been more critical, more prone to getting shaken. But obviously it is none of that. The Russian side sesm to have the mnpower and supply to handle both situation.

Bad surprise. But as I said: the ukrainian decision to attack into Kursk likely was born out of despair. They just HAD to try something different, something new, to escape the situaiton they were dealdocked in, since they are getting slowly worn down by simple math.


The many prisoners Ukraine took - that is trading mass for negotiations. I wonder whether Putin will trade them right now. They are unexperienced conscripts who by Russian law aree not even allowed to be used for front service, and were sent there unprepared. Why wanting these back when Ukraine gets trained experienced prisoners in return. Bad deal for Russia.

[Dargo]

Young conscripts were stationed in Kursk when the Ukrainains attacke,d the more experienced troops were elsewhere. Parts of these experienced troops now get shuttled to Kursk. With NO weakening effect visible to the Russian advanc ein Donezk so far. So the Ukrainian plan may work on paper: Russia shttled battle-hardened troops for Denzek to Kursk. And the Ukrainian plan works not: doing so does not weraken the Russian advance in Donezk. They have speeded up instead.

The ukrainian plan would have worked better, more visibly, if the Russian logistical status would have been more critical, more prone to getting shaken. But obviously it is none of that. The Russian side sesm to have the mnpower and supply to handle both situation.

Bad surprise. But as I said: the ukrainian decision to attack into Kursk likely was born out of despair. They just HAD to try something different, something new, to escape the situaiton they were dealdocked in, since they are getting slowly worn down by simple math.There are Russian units seen in Kursk that are from the front in the south of Ukraine. And we do not know the goals of this operation or what Ukraine has in reserve, this had to happen it was no desperation. This operation has had more positive effect for Ukraine that the operation is a success, and again it is a problem more to deal for Russia the more the merry. Ukraine can always decide to withdrawal any time, but Russia need to organize a new front to secure that will have its effect. It loses on the moment more than they can recruit so do not see that glorious manpower russia supposed to have it hardly can moblilize those troops. War is taking risks.

[mapuc]

Rumour say a 2nd Ukrainian offensive is on its way or may have already startet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVxgNk40qIo

Markus

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4nF5AJe0cg

According to this host the 2nd offensive should be on its way in the south
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krLPsj-Jhyk

Markus

[Skybird]

Sporadically Western media report that Putin mulls to retaliate for Kursk by doubling the total troops level in the Urkaine. The potential personnel pool for doing so is existent, even without a general mobilization.

The logistical supply chains of the Ukrianains into Kursk are reported to be "under strain". Slowly, their advance gets brought to a grinding halt. Russian defences north of the front are being massively improved. The plan seems to be to fixiate the ukrainians in a frozen front and simply leave it to that then, while raising the pressure in the East and advancing further. Russia stands 10km before Prokowsk. Blogger describe the Ukrainian defence as "shaking". In the past couple of weeks Russia was able to push its offensive faster and to gain more territory in that than in the past 18 months together. The events in Kursk so far have zero effect on the Russian advance in the Donzek and Donbass region. Quite the opposite: the Russian advance has accelerated.

As I said earlier: I think Putin plans to fixiate the Ukrainians in Kursk and then using his bigger numbers' weight to simply keep them there and letting them starve on his outstretched arm. Freeze the Kursk front and pushing it forward in Donezk, I think thats the plan. In the end, what can the Ukrainians further do in Kursk? Nothing. As long as they let no further rabbits appear out of their magic hats and start a renewed and even stronger offensive from Kursk. Stronger it would need to be, since Russian defences now are stronger, too, and growing.

[mapuc]

Well this gonna be interesting since this 2nd Ukrainian offensive should be around Donetsk/southern frontline.(Says the rumour)-I take this with huge tons of salt

When it comes to Kursk oblast I take the info who is coming to my knowledge with a huge tons of salt.

Do remember Russia does not have unlimited number of soldiers-Sooner or later Putin have to mobilize

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EjfniPFrf8

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DERO8G_41Sc

Markus

[Rockstar]

I reckon the UKR invasion of Kursk oblast have emboldened others to act. It’s also a blow to Russian draft dodgers and others in Kyrgyzstan that depend on their MIR bank card.

Almost all major banks in Kyrgyzstan stopped transfers to Russia

https://www.moscowtimes.ru/2024/08/21/pochti-vse-krupnie-banki-kirgizstana-ostanovili-perevodi-vrossiyu-a140007

Large banks in Kyrgyzstan have suspended transfers between Russian and Kyrgyz banks due to new anti-Russian sanctions. According to 24kg, this list includes: Bakai Bank, Demir Bank, Dos-Kredobank, Keremet Bank, Bank of Asia, Optima Bank, Eldik Bank (RSK Bank), Kyrgyzkommertsbank, MBANK and Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB).

The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan explained that commercial banks are obliged to comply with the laws on combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering. This includes checking customers within the framework of the Know Your Customer (KYC) policy and providing documents confirming the legality of operations and sources of funds. Banks are responsible for the safety of deposits and are obliged to assess and reduce risks, including compliance with the norms in the field of countering the financing of terrorism (TFT) and the legalization of criminal proceeds (LPD).

In response to anti-Russian restrictions, the banks of Kyrgyzstan began to take additional measures to avoid falling under secondary sanctions. In particular, the inspection of customers and counterparties for their presence/absence in the sanctions lists was strengthened, the Kyrgyz National Bank was summed up.

In April, the banks of Kyrgyzstan stopped servicing Russian Mir cards, the operator of which fell under blocking American sanctions at the end of February. The local national payment system "Elkart" announced the termination of payments through Mir. Russian cards, which began to be issued shortly after the annexation of Crimea, can no longer be paid in retail outlets in Kyrgyzstan, transactions through ATMs, as well as card-to-card transfers.

Since the beginning of March, most Armenian banks have refused to work with Mir, and at the end of the month the Mir Pay mobile application (OS) was removed from the Android Google Play store. At the same time, Samsung reported that from April 3, users will not be able to use and add Mir cards to Samsung Pay. Kazakhstani Bereke Bank and Freedom Finance also abandoned Mir, and the Chinese payment system UnionPay blocked the work of MIR-UnionPay co-baging cards outside the Russian Federation.

[Jimbuna]

Russian army suffers from acute shortage of human resources - Hodges

Russia's use of conscripts to deter Ukraine's advance in the Kursk region indicates an acute shortage of personnel in the Russian Armed Forces.

This opinion was expressed by the former commander of the US Army in Europe, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges.

"It seems like the Russians are always trying to repeat the same thing. They have definitely lost thousands of experienced soldiers and commanders, who are now being replaced by less experienced and trained people," Hodges said.

According to him, Russia is not able to replace not only the wounded and killed on the battlefield, but also the equipment lost in the battles. "I do not see the Russians introducing any significant changes or innovations in this regard," the general emphasized. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3506115

[mapuc]

Russian army suffers from acute shortage of human resources - Hodges

Even this one is going to be interesting-since there isn't any lack of Russian soldiers according to this post https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2923139&postcount=4413

And then we have Lieutenant General Ben Hodges statement about Russian acute shortage.

If Ben Hodges should be correct in his statement, then Putin have no other option than mobilize.

Markus

[Dargo]

Even this one is going to be interesting-since there isn't any lack of Russian soldiers according to this post https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2923139&postcount=4413

And then we have Lieutenant General Ben Hodges statement about Russian acute shortage.

If Ben Hodges should be correct in his statement, then Putin have no other option than mobilize.

MarkusYou can have a large population, still you have to decide to send them to the fronts means your labour force will have a shortage, and they already have a shortage of a couple of millions so you want to keep your economy and war production running you can not send what you have. And demography show they do not have that many in that age group above 40 certainly those healthy Russians will not survive long. To mobilize, Putin must make sure public opinion does not turn against him public opinion of Moscow, St Petersburg turning against you is totally different from the ones of your colonies in Moscow, St Petersburg revolutions happen in colonies' rebellions easier to crush.

[Skybird]

https://www-tagesschau-de.translate.goog/ausland/europa/ukraine-offensive-kursk-gruende-risiken-100.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

[Dargo]

https://www-tagesschau-de.translate.goog/ausland/europa/ukraine-offensive-kursk-gruende-risiken-100.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wappIn the meantime. The third assault brigade is advancing in the Kharkiv region.

[mapuc]

Here is Ben Hodges view on the incursion into Kursk oblast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vILmdDOeTQ

Markus

[Catfish]

So the 3rd assault brigagade has attacked and won some territory at Kharkiv, and is holding this line - for now.

https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-s-3rd-assault-brigade-reveals-details-1724349423.html

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N02X2t5GQf4

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnM-TevfXLg

Markus

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jkb5kctm4Y

Markus

[Skybird]

https://www-tagesspiegel-de.translate.goog/internationales/die-ukraine-setzt-alles-auf-eine-karte-was-passiert-gerade-in-kursk-oberst-reisner-12244211.html?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp


Mr. Reisner, more than two weeks ago, Ukraine made a surprise advance into the Russian region of Kursk. A daring maneuver - but now the soldiers actually seem to have taken hold. Has the operation been a success?

We should take a look at the goals that Ukraine set itself. In the short term, Ukraine wanted to get out of the negative headlines generated by Russian successes in the Donbass in recent months.

It also wanted to boost the morale of its own population and armed forces. I think we can clearly say that this has been achieved.

What about medium and long-term goals?

That's where it gets more challenging. The medium-term goal is to force the Russians to move forces out of the Donbass and thus stop the momentum that the Russians currently have there. The bad news is that this is not yet apparent.

In response to the Ukrainian advance, Russia has now moved forces from the area north of Kharkiv to the Kursk area as a first reaction force and is still sending additional forces. However, we do not see that there has been a significant transfer of forces from the Donbass to Kursk.

Why do you say that?

We would have been able to determine such a transfer because in this case the Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine would have decreased. But that is not the case - on the contrary.

[mapuc]

They, the Ukrainians seems to have miscalculated the Russian troop movement when they entered Kursk oblast and toke around 1250 square kilometer of Russia.

Nothing is bad, since Ukraine have taken advantage of this troop movement from Kharkiv, by use 3rd assault brigade to engage the Russian in an offensive in that area-They have already taken 2 km of the occupied and destroyed massive of Russian war materials.

Markus

[Dargo]

Okay they did not take the bait. But the overall picture is more complicated. Available information confirms that Russian units are being withdrawn to Kursk from other Ukrainian fronts, but not from the front near Pokrovsk. And media platform Meduza reports that the Kremlin assumes that Ukrainians cannot be driven out of Kursk for the time being and has ordered TV propagandists to portray the occupation of this piece of Russia as ‘the new normal’. Putin is keen on success in the Donbas. But meanwhile, those Ukrainian attacks continue across the border, including in the area west of the captured territory where the bridges over the Sejm have been blown up, and the replacement pontoon bridges reportedly as well. In some places, fierce fighting is reported, indicating that Russian defences are up and running.

In the West, too, the Kursk invasion is now viewed somewhat differently. One can no longer speak of a ‘raid’ but of a counter-offensive, ‘based on the effects the Ukrainians are trying to achieve. It will change the momentum and narrative of the war and disrupt Russian command, transport, oil and gas infrastructure, air base operations and domestic politics'. This ‘counteroffensive’ transcends the Kursk region. Thus, Ukrainian units would also advance along the front in the Kharkiv region, taking advantage of the Russian weakening there due to the movement of units to the Kursk region.

But the real blow being dealt on Russian territory, at the same time as the ground attack in Kursk and barely reported on are the missile and drone attacks on Russian air bases, oil terminals and munitions warehouses deeper into Russia. These have intensified dramatically over the past 10 days, and in doing so, for the first time, thanks to improved Ukrainian drones, appear to include the airbases from which the devastating slide-bomb attacks are launched. These are precisely the targets Kyiv is not allowed to hit with Western weapons by Washington for fear of escalation. The effect Ukraine aims to achieve by doing this is at least threefold: disrupting the Russian war machine and thus complicating the Russian offensive in Donbas, showing Western partners that their restrictions are unnecessary and that they should intensify their aid, and gaining a better starting position for eventual negotiations.

This fight extends over more than a thousand kilometres of frontline, now also touches southern Russia and may also lead to new developments in occupied Crimea, where Ukraine is systematically destroying Russia's anti-aircraft defences, driving back its fleet and cutting logistical ties between Russia and Crimea. This week, a missile strike on the port of Kavkaz destroyed the last operational Russian ferry capable of carrying rail cars to Crimea, including the fully loaded rail cars on it. The outcome of the intense fighting on all these fronts is uncertain, but it seems Ukraine is using all its available resources to free itself from the double scourge of Russian war of attrition and half-hearted Western aid.

[mapuc]

The Ukrainians is far from beaten in Ukraine, on the contrary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk0276fa0Lw

Markus

[Reece]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENnznu7BsUw

[Skybird]

As Dargo already piunted at, I think the most signficangt relevance of all events has the stepping up of longer range attacks on Russian infrastructure and logstics networks. These sort of attacks indeed have dramatically increased and seem to leave marks on the whole Russian economy and its income as well.


The Kursk offensive and landtaking there I still see as undecided and fragile for a slong as the Russians have not tested it in seruousness and Ukriane showed it could sustain the efforts there. And this is a longterm perspective. The longer Ukraine stays there, the more difficult the logistical situation probably becomes, even more so that it is threatened for the time after the US elections. It is no self-runner that Harris will win, the race is absolutely open.



Lets not forget that all what Ukraine currently does, it can do only due to hanging on the drip of the Western supporters. And that drip is - well... not of a sort to make you feel safe and comfortable.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9oKlYHdMw

[Jimbuna]

Von der Leyen on Independence Day: "Europe will always be on side of Ukraine, because Ukraine is Europe"

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen congratulated the citizens of Ukraine on Independence Day.

"Your freedom is our freedom. Your security is our security. We have been with you from day one. And we will continue to do so for as long as it takes. I wish our friends a proud Independence Day. Glory to Ukraine," she said.

"Europe will always be at Ukraine's side, because Ukraine is Europe.

Your freedom is our freedom.
Your security is our security.

We've been standing with you since day one. And we'll continue to do so, for as long as it takes.

I'm wishing our friends a proud Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/scAPsxL8fv

- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) 24 August 2024" Source: https://censor.net/en/v3506383

[Skybird]

^ Pah.

von der Leyen... My disgust for this toxic witch has no limits. Underhanded, dishonest, totalitarian, cold as ice. I rather trust petting a black mamba during mating season. 'nuff said.

[Jimbuna]

Here's me thinking she was your favourite pinup girl :)

[Skybird]

^ No, my favourite Voodoo needle doll. And nail doll. And nail pistol doll. Before I wrapped a strap around the doll's neck and swung it like a lasso over my head. Afterwards I drowned it in turpintine and set it ablaze. :O:

--------------
EU military trainers in Ukraine?

https://www-welt-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/article253154452/Ukraine-EU-treibt-Plan-zur-Entsendung-von-Ausbildern-voran.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

If they get targetted and killed, what'S the EU's reaction then? Entering the war, as Ukraine wants to provoke? Okay, then I'm fine with sending advisors and trainers. But if this readiness to enter the war against Russia and make this formally a NATO-Russia war with all unpredictability and risk involved is not given, I am against sending trainers.

You do not pull a tiger's tail if you are not prepared to fight and kill it. And just hoping Russia would not target them, is no strategy, but is negligent.

[Jimbuna]

Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war - about 606,490 people (+1,160 per day), 8,542 tanks, 17,349 artillery systems, 16,620 armoured combat vehicles.

Ukrainian defense forces have eliminated 606,490 Russian invaders since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

As noted, the total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 24.08.24 are approximately:

personnel - about 606,490 (+1,160 people)
tanks - 8542 (+9) units;
armored combat vehicles - 16,620 (+21) units;
artillery systems - 17,349 (+42) units;
MLRS - 1169 (+2) units;
air defense equipment - 1169 (+2) units;
aircraft - 367 (+0) units;
helicopters - 328 (+0) units;
UAVs of operational-tactical level - 14064 (+39);
cruise missiles - 2444 (+2);
ships/boats - 28 (+0) units;
submarines - 1 (+0) units;
automotive equipment and tank trucks – 23,383 (+54) units;
special equipment - 2911 (+1). Source: https://censor.net/en/n3506361

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDA2337lsJg

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENnznu7BsUw

[Reece]

Gee, I wished I'd have thought of posting that Jim!! :03:

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2923454&postcount=4432

[August]

You guys ought to broaden your sources. There are many more than just the same ones you guys keep posting. Of course with all those anti-free speech laws maybe those are the only ones your governments allow you to see?

[mapuc]

You guys ought to broaden your sources. There are many more than just the same ones you guys keep posting. Of course with all those anti-free speech laws maybe those are the only ones your governments allow you to see?

We use the sources who is closest to our belief.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VEyGaxiNjM

Markus

[Skybird]

A victory for fighting morale is not yet a strategic and tactical victory, by a long shot. As I see it, the strategic and tactical fruits of the Kursk operation may - or may not! - manifestate themselves in the future. Right now, the fate of the operation is undecided and uncertain, its future outcome and benefit for either side cannot be forseen. The chance that in the longtem Ukraine will have to regret it and will see precious reserves havngn been wasted, is real and realistic. The psychological effect on the Russian civilian population and the associated reduction in regime stability is, in my opinion, hopelessly overestimated:


https://www-n--tv-de.translate.goog/politik/Was-genau-plant-die-Ukraine-in-Kursk-article25175795.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp


On August 6, Ukrainian soldiers crossed Putin's reddest of all lines: They invade Russia with tanks, conquering and controlling a part of the Kursk region for almost three weeks - around 1200 square kilometers, slightly larger than Berlin. For two weeks, military observers have been speculating about the motive behind this impressive but also risky offensive.

Last Sunday, Volodymyr Selensky commented on the background for the first time. The Ukrainian president said that Kiev wanted to create a “buffer zone” on the territory of its opponent. In other words, the Ukrainian troops marched across the border to prevent Russian attacks from the border area on the north of Ukraine and to get back into a better position on their own territory.
One thing is already certain: The surprise attack - up to 35 kilometers inland according to Ukrainian sources - is a great moral success for Ukraine, its troops and the population. The offensive is also impressing and influencing supporters in the West. The advance proves that, two and a half years after the start of the war, Ukraine is capable of conducting large-scale operations with combined arms. It also gives it military breathing space. “Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been testing and pushing the limits set by the West. It did so again in Kursk,” says Russia expert Stefan Meister from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in an interview with ntv. “In the end, it always came down to the Americans and the Germans allowing Ukraine to do more after all. If they had done this earlier, Ukraine would not be in such a precarious military situation.”

What was never possible in the summer of 2023 is now possible. The small but effective advance into Russian territory “reflects significant operational improvements” in the Ukrainian armed forces, analyzes the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). The Kursk offensive is in “stark contrast” to last year's botched summer offensive.

The better coordination between the various groups in the military is striking - the cooperation between artillery, armor, electronic warfare, drone support and elite units such as the 80th Airborne Brigade made the surprise success in the Kursk region possible.

But what comes after the surprise? “Ukraine is now trying to hold on to the space it has gained,” explains Colonel Markus Reisner from the Austrian Armed Forces on ntv. “This means that Ukraine is now switching from the offensive to the defensive in order to buy itself time and be able to react to possible Russian counterattacks.” Ukraine has begun destroying bridges along the Sejm River, which runs through the Kursk region. “This river offers itself as a possible line of defense against Russian attacks,” Reisner analyses.

Ukraine is also trying to keep its supply lines open in order to send ammunition, equipment and more soldiers. However, this will be difficult for Kiev's troops because the Russians can exploit their air superiority and the Ukrainians have hardly any heavy engineering equipment at their disposal.

But the longer the Ukrainians stay in Kursk, the more problematic the situation could become for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Because Ukraine is suddenly bringing death and destruction to Russia. This is presumably also one of the aims of the offensive: Putin can no longer hide the war from his people.

Moscow has already had to evacuate around 120,000 Russians from the Kursk region because of the Ukrainian attack. Even young conscripts suddenly have to fight. Until now, Putin wanted to spare the recruits from the war. “That was the promise the Kremlin made. But right at the beginning of the attack on the Kursk region, we saw that there were conscripts on the border. They were shown as prisoners of war on Ukrainian television and in the social media,” reports ntv correspondent Rainer Munz from Russia.

“Russian exile media are reporting that conscripts are being put under pressure to sign contracts as regular soldiers for a year. You can sign a contract after four weeks of basic military service,” Munz explains. However, he does not expect a widespread wave of conscripts to be recruited in order to avoid causing unrest in the country. “That would cause uproar among many parents here in Russia.”

The Kremlin troops have not yet succeeded in regaining control of Kursk. According to reports, Ukraine has sent around 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers to the region. If Russia wants to recapture it, Colonel Reisner estimates that the army would have to deploy around 20,000 to 25,000 soldiers for the counter-offensive. Moscow has not yet done this, but it is a realistic scenario for the near future - as is the Russians pushing back the Ukrainians through sheer mass bombardment.

“It could be that the Russians simply bet on the timeline and bomb the Ukrainians in the next few weeks to such an extent that they have to go back to their territory,” Reisner presents the worst-case scenario from Kiev's point of view. In this case, Ukraine would have “used up a lot of reserves that it could possibly have deployed more intelligently in the Donbass”, Reisner explains. “But that remains speculation at the moment. We'll just have to wait and see over the next few weeks.”

However, military experts do not believe that the creation of a buffer zone is Ukraine's only goal. Reisner is also convinced that Ukraine sees further opportunities in the Kursk offensive, such as a better starting position for possible ceasefire negotiations at some point in the future.

However, this also means that Ukraine would have to control and defend the area for months or perhaps even years. Logistically, this would be a mammoth task - and therefore unlikely. “At the moment, it's a wind-up, because it's not at all foreseeable that Ukraine will be able to hold on to these territorial gains in Russia,” says military expert Ralph Thiele in an interview with ntv. “They took everyone by surprise, broke into Russia and can move relatively freely. But the free movement is slowly coming to an end and they are now digging themselves in.”

Even if the Ukrainians have taken the Russians by surprise with the Kursk offensive, the success or failure of the operation will only be decided in the coming weeks. It will then become clear whether Kiev's march across the border can provoke a partial withdrawal of Russian soldiers from other critical locations on the front in the Donbass, allowing the Ukrainians to benefit on a broad front. So far, the Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine have not abated. However, according to observations by the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian military leadership has now moved the first troops from at least the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia in order to strengthen the defense of Kursk.

“General Syrskyi, the Ukrainian supreme commander, recently said that the Russians are advancing an average of 4.8 kilometers a day in the Donbass, while at the same time Ukraine is advancing 3.2 kilometers a day in the Kursk region. This shows that the Russians' momentum has not yet been broken,” Reisner analyzes the dilemma on ntv. Ukraine must now wait and see whether Russia will have to shift forces significantly in the coming days and weeks. “If this is not the case and Russia is able to control Kursk from its pool of strategic reserves, then the offensive will be nowhere near as successful as Ukraine intended.”

It is far from certain that the moral success for the Ukrainians will turn into a strategic and tactical one. The Kursk offensive remains impressive, but risky. After all, Kiev has proven to its Western allies that it is worth continuing to support the Ukrainian army.

[Jimbuna]

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

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVsNz3hXlTc

Markus

[Dargo]

Brutal butcher or brilliant general? Meet Ukraine’s top soldier taking the war to Russia
Meat general, sovok, the Butcher of Bakhmut... Many unpleasant things were said about Oleksandr Syrsky when he succeeded Valery Zaluzhny as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces in February. He was too conservative, too controlling, too willing to spend his men’s lives – above all, some Ukrainian soldiers grumbled, too Soviet. Now, the 59-year-old’s daring invasion of Russia’s Kursk region has shifted that view – up to a point. Instead of berating him for being stubborn, unimaginative, and sacrificing lives for pointless tactical gains, he is being praised for planning and executing one of the biggest, most audacious, and, so far, most successful surprises of the war... https://archive.ph/u3avB#selection-2809.0-2845.244

Origin: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/08/24/meat-general-sovok-butcher-bakhmut-zhukov-oleksandr-syrsky/

[mapuc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4CbGXVXEkU

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuVg9mNt52c

[Jimbuna]

At least five people have been killed after Russia launched a massive attack across Ukraine, wiping out some power and water supplies.

Explosions rocked several cities including Kyiv earlier, as more than half the country's regions came under attack.

Another air raid alert has been issued for the capital and people are being told to seek shelter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that more than 100 missiles and about 100 attack drones were launched by Russia overnight.

Russia claims it used high-precision weapons to hit critical infrastructure.

Power outages have been reported in many Ukrainian cities and water supplies disrupted.

[Reece]

I can't understand why Ukraine can't use long range weapons against Russia!!:/\\!!
They are the aggressors and they can use long range weapons and even from other countries like North Korea!! :doh:
It totally sucks and certainly unfair!! Makes my blood boil!! :nope::huh::Kaleun_Mad:
Somebody should give some nukes to Ukraine!

[Jimbuna]

Somebody should give some nukes to Ukraine!

I wonder what might happen then :)

[mapuc]

Are Belarus thinking on trying to invade Ukraine, to help Russia's problems in Kursk oblast ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11xZ-6s__os

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFaU3BIAgmI

[mapuc]

We may questioning the Russian strategy. However they are on the move in Donbas/Donetsk area and it's only a matter of time before they have taken the town Pokrovsk. Read somewhere that they advanced around 5 to 1000 meters per day. It is with a huge cost of life and materials.

Which generate next question-Wouldn't it not have been better to place these 2-3+ brigade there to defend Pokrovsk instead of use them to invade Russia ?

Markus

[Dargo]

We may questioning the Russian strategy. However they are on the move in Donbas/Donetsk area and it's only a matter of time before they have taken the town Pokrovsk. Read somewhere that they advanced around 5 to 1000 meters per day. It is with a huge cost of life and materials.

Which generate next question-Wouldn't it not have been better to place these 2-3+ brigade there to defend Pokrovsk instead of use them to invade Russia ?

MarkusThese brigades are trained for offensive not for static fronts, their whole equipment is not for this kinda of defence. The Ukrainians focus on movement, a strategy known in the West as manoeuvre warfare. In doing so, they constantly try to exploit the movement capability of their troops. In places where the Russians are leaving gaps, such as at Kupyansk, Ukrainian manoeuvre warfare is well suited to regaining ground. So they look for offensive opportunities to exploit their manoeuvrability, while Russia applies its bulldozer tactics in places like Pokrovsk. It is a clash of two different world views, with divergent philosophies, leadership and doctrines.

The Russians send their troops to the front relatively quickly, often after only four to six weeks of training. Ukraine, on the other hand, chooses to train their brigades thoroughly. They were given that time because the major Russian offensive never really took off. Ukraine deliberately gave up ground to gain time so they could train their reserve brigades in agility and flexibility. You can see the results of those highly mobile brigades now in Kursk and Kuyansk. They have no other choice either, as they do not have the same mass of troops as the Russians. Ukraine is currently constantly confronting the Russians with dilemmas, constantly posing new threats so that Russia is forced to make choices about where to deploy its troops. This increases Russia's vulnerability with its presence in Pokrovsk, Russia risks having no reserves left for other critical areas. It remains to be seen how this develops. Since the advance in Kursk, we are seeing a dynamic in the war that we have not seen until now. In military terms, this is a particularly fascinating phase.

Still, this does not mean that Pokrovsk is easy to conquer do not think that the Ukrainians will give up Pokrovsk easily. And besides, once the Russians approach the outskirts of the city, their advance will slow down. This is because there is a big difference between warfare in the countryside and in a city like Pokrovsk itself. It is a fairly large city, and it will take the Russians a lot of men and equipment to make progress there. Russia has to make choices about where to deploy its troops and scarce resources. If they continue to deploy to Pokrovsk, they will not be able to mount a major offensive in Kursk. That is a logical military trade-off. However, the question is how likely it is to succeed in Pokrovsk. As I said, fighting in the city itself is quite different from the current trench-to-trench fight. It is also possible that the Ukrainians left their positions around Pokrovsk to prepare to defend the city. We do not know that at the moment. If the Russians do manage to take control of Pokrovsk, they will reverse the initiative and force Ukraine to respond. This brings the war to a culmination point the coming weeks and months will be decisive for the situation on the ground.

[mapuc]

Dargo wrote:
"Ukraine, on the other hand, chooses to train their brigades thoroughly."

I have been told from the news here-An Ukrainian goes through a 3-4 weeks ground training, before being send to a brigade where his training is fulfilled, thereafter he is with the others send to the front.

It's not a question whether Pokrovsk will fall or not. The question is:

1. How many thousand of soldiers would it cost for the Russian to take this town ?


Here are more about the Russian army, who according to this video is on the brink of collapse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF62wy1x8uY

Markus

[mapuc]

This video is incorrect in its information

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwZy9fhcJ8c

Through a search "Shahed drone in Poland" one will find out that the drone had entered the Polish air space but no info about explosion.

Markus

[Skybird]

Russia is collecting the price for Ukraine's Kursk operation. It is high, and could become devastating if the dam north of Kyiv breaks. Ukraine must pay this price.

Ukraine's energy supply has been wiped out in further parts. And winter is coming. Ukraine will need to pay the price.


The West still forbids long range attacks with the weapons it delivered and wich therefore now are no longer Western but Ukrainian weapons. Ukraine must pay the price for this Western consideration for Russia.

The West still lags behind declarations of that it wanted to deliver more air defences by now. Ukraine must pay the price.

https://www-n--tv-de.translate.goog/politik/Bricht-der-Damm-droht-Kiew-eine-Flutkatastrophe-article25183255.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

[mapuc]

All these fancy words around - We stand with Ukraine until the end - echoes empty.

Markus

[Buddahaid]

https://youtu.be/miRlTzDPxFw?si=UE0GVnsyxjDIaAx_

[Dowly]

The Kursk offensive seems to have halted. No advancements since Friday the 23th.

[mapuc]

Several users connected to the Russian intelligence service state on the Telegram messaging service that Ukrainian forces have attacked a border crossing in the Belgorod region

https://ekstrabladet-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/krigogkatastrofer/rygterne-svirrer-ukraine-i-ny-offensiv-paa-russisk-region/10346433?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwDyQ0JH05s

[Reece]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wXhgeLJbXk&t=2s

[Jimbuna]

Situation in Pokrovsk sector is quite difficult. Everything is being done to stabilise situation - Syrskyi

In the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk region, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to repel the assault actions of the Russian occupiers.

This was stated by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi during the forum "Ukraine 2024. Independence" forum.

"The situation in the Pokrovsk direction is quite difficult. In recent weeks, an average of more than 50 combat engagements have been taking place daily. The enemy is using its superiority in manpower, weapons and equipment. It is actively using artillery and aviation. It also uses armoured vehicles. In general, offensive actions are conducted by assault infantry groups. They are trying to seize a section of the Kostiantynivka - Pokrovsk motorway, thus disrupting the logistics of the Defence Forces," he said.

According to Syrskyi, the enemy is advancing at a high cost.

"The Defence Forces are doing everything possible to stop their advance. On average, our soldiers neutralise up to 300 invaders in this area every day. We are actively working on engineering equipment of our positions and defence lines. The situation is under our control despite the complexity. The Command of the Defence Forces is doing everything possible to stabilise the situation in this area," the Commander-in-Chief added. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3506868

[Jimbuna]

Lavrov: Ukraine’s demand to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russia is blackmail

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described Ukraine's demands to use British Storm Shadow missiles for attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation as blackmail.

According to Censor.NET, his statement was quoted by the TASS propaganda agency.

Lavrov also noted that the West is "stumbling" into an escalation with Russia and does not want to avoid it.

The Russian minister reminded that Russia has a doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons, "which is currently being clarified".

Earlier, the media reported that the United Kingdom has been waiting for more than a month for the United States to agree to Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russia.

At the same time, the United States said that it had not received a request from the United Kingdom for permission for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3506883

[mapuc]

- Russia is under maximum pressure because Ukraine has driven into Russia and has conquered an area in Kursk, where the Russians cannot get them out again. That's why they react in a different way, and that's why we're now seeing these attacks, says Associate Professor at the Norwegian Defense Academy Peter Viggo Jakobsen.

https://ekstrabladet-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/krigogkatastrofer/voldsomme-bombardementer-igen-de-er-max-presset/10346342?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Markus

[Dargo]

https://ekstrabladet-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/krigogkatastrofer/voldsomme-bombardementer-igen-de-er-max-presset/10346342?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

MarkusThese missiles, drones were shot at Ukraine any way they are produced for this not for any kinda revenge it was time Russia attack in time periods after they produced enough missiles.

[Jimbuna]

These missiles, drones were shot at Ukraine any way they are produced for this not for any kinda revenge it was time Russia attack in time periods after they produced enough missiles.

Yeah, my feeling/understanding as well :yep:

[Jimbuna]

Lukashenko says he is offered to side with Ukraine in war against Russia

The dictator of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has said that someone is allegedly offering him to turn away from Russia and side with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

The self-proclaimed president of Belarus said this during the Republican Pedagogical Council, Censor.NET reports.

Lukashenka claims that he is allegedly being "thrown up proposals from outside" to "spit on this Russia" and "turn away" from it. According to him, Belarus cannot accept such proposals "by 99%".

"We are now being advised, thrown in from the outside (I am getting all this): 'Give up here, give up there'. Starting here and ending there: "**** this Russia, and turn your back on this Russia. Let's fight with Ukraine against Russia. And we will bring NATO troops to the border near Smolensk." It is coming to this. Today, I am receiving proposals from all sides, which we cannot accept by 99%," said the self-proclaimed president of Belarus.

At the same time, the Belarusian dictator did not say who exactly was offering him the above-mentioned ideas.

He also added that the country is living in "extremely difficult times". Lukashenka also said that it was necessary to "turn" Belarus from west to east.

"We need to ensure that you are accepted in the East. Thank God, we are succeeding, but it is hard work," the illegitimate president of Belarus added. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3506958

https://i.postimg.cc/vTRtgYP7/liaranimatedanimationli-1.gif (https://postimages.org/)

[mapuc]

These missiles, drones were shot at Ukraine any way they are produced for this not for any kinda revenge it was time Russia attack in time periods after they produced enough missiles.

You could be right for what I know, I'm not an expert on psychological warfare I just found the article interesting and wanted to share it with you.

Markus

[mapuc]

Yes what will this mean for the war ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHWL9FL6NZY

Edit
If I got a dollar for each time this has been said, I would be a millionair today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drNguUR2BjI
End edit

Markus

[Dowly]

Russian advance seems to continue without much resistance in the Donetsk area. Novohrodivka was captured in 24hrs without much of a fight and the latest (unconfirmed) reports are that Ukraine has completely withdrawn from Hrodivka. Fairly sizeable chunk of land is slowly getting encircled on the southern flank of the advance as well. :nope:

https://i.imgur.com/qjXVtWP.png

[Skybird]

In February, Russia was 60 km away from Pokrowsk. Now it is less than 10km away and has started shelling the outskirts of the city. It will most likely fall, this seems to be certain. Being one of two logistical key hubs of Ukraine in the Donezk region, the city marks a stronghold in the third and last defence line. Behind it is just open, undefended land, and it is described as not being as supportive for the defender as the areas were east of it. Once Russia took Prokrowsk, this will mark the beginning of a major operational breakthrough then, the first event of this kind in this war worth to be described as that. Ukraine's situation will become incredibly more difficult. The importance of Pokrowsk is described as being higher than that of Avdijivka. Ukrainian troops must pull back and give ground since they have no more sufficient troops to hold their lines, also, their soldiers are hopelessly exhausted, most being in battle without break since over 70 days. Imagine that - every single day in battle, 10 weeks long. The artillery advantage of Russia is said to be 3:1, they have very much improved their ability to spot and lay down counter battery fire (artillery, drones) on Ukrainian artillery.

Also, Russia sends 30,000 troops to Kursk - but it does not move troops from the Pokrowsk sector. The Ukrainian calculation to ease the pressure by making the Russians doing that, has not worked. Quite the oppposite, Russian increases the pressure in the Pokrowsk sector.

I think an operational major disaster is on the horizon here. Mijnd you, this is the third and last Ukrainian defence line. Changes and increases in Western support and an end to Western restrictions for weapons use are needed here. Without these changes - good night.

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

Western analysts assume that only around ten F-16s are already in Ukraine - and not even all of them can be crewed by qualified pilots already. Being very intense in maintenace and needing to rotate them constantly so that Russia cannot track their locations and bomb them, means that major efforts must be undertaken to secure their maintenance and hiding. Said analysts say that an effective F-16 fleet in Ukraine and all around 100 promised planes handed over, will most likely not be established before end of next year.
-------------
Russia degrades the powerplants and powergrid constantly. Ukraine tries to repair what it can, but with every attack wave the number of completely destroyed powerplants that cannot be repaired anymorte increases. Over 50% of the needed total energy capacity of Ukraine has vanished and cannot be replaced, and foreign electricity imports aleady are calculated into that, and the Russian attacks on the powergrid continue. This will effect the civilian population in winter, but also limits military production.
------------------------
Ukraine says it has build a new self-developed ballistic missile. Question is in what quantities it can be produced. I wonder whether they also work on nuclear warheads. I would, if I were in their place.

[mapuc]

I really don't understand the Ukrainian strategy in and around Donbas/Donetsk They lack soldiers, materials and ammo. Russia have the momentum in the said areas. I say it would be better for Ukraine to withdraw the soldiers from Kursk oblast and insert them in the Donbas/Donetsk oblast area where they are needed.

Yes they are trained for offensive warfare and are not trained for defensive warfare, but still

The Russian has, as said the momentum, however their losses is huge. It is Russia, they don't care how many men they lose, they get new meat to be send into the meatgrinder

Markus

[Dowly]

Yes they are trained for offensive warfare and are not trained for defensive warfare, but still
Even if they would somehow be incapable of defensive warfare (which is nonsense) there's almost 30km long flank they could be used to strike at.

[Skybird]

I really don't understand the Ukrainian strategy in and around Donbas/Donetsk They lack soldiers, materials and ammo. Russia have the momentum in the said areas. I say it would be better for Ukraine to withdraw the soldiers from Kursk oblast and insert them in the Donbas/Donetsk oblast area where they are needed.

Yes they are trained for offensive warfare and are not trained for defensive warfare, but still

The Russian has, as said the momentum, however their losses is huge. It is Russia, they don't care how many men they lose, they get new meat to be send into the meatgrinder

Markus
They tried to escape a deadlock that slowly wears them down. Doing as you implied seems to have them losing in the longer run, the numerical weight of Russia simply is too big, the weight of Russian industry simply is too heavy.

Problem is their attempt did not work as hoped.

It was also a desperate demonstration to their western supporters (who 1. have increasing doubts, are 2. tired of the war, and see 3. increasingly political constellations at home that are critical of the support for ukraine) that Ukraine nevertheless is a potent option worth to invest in.

But again, problem is it seems to not work. Russia refuses to weaken its effort at Pokrowsk.

NATO-Ukraine summit to start soon. Plenty of lukewarm words will be told, no doubt. I doubt the substantial changes desperately needed will be announced.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzbGyg1nQw0

[Rockstar]

https://youtu.be/SNd4PGnj6zI

[Jimbuna]

Germany and UK have no new decisions on lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s strikes against Russia

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that their countries had not made any new decisions to restrict the use of the weapons they had handed over to Ukraine.

Starmer and Scholz said this at a press conference in Berlin.

They were asked whether during the meeting they discussed lifting restrictions on weapons provided to Ukraine, which would allow them to use them to strike Russia.

To this, Starmer replied that "we support Ukraine, we provide them with weapons and we provide them with support".

He stressed that "no new or different decisions have been made".

"I'm not going to get into tactical issues about the use of weapons for obvious reasons, but no new decisions have been made," the British prime minister said.

Scholz added that Germany is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine in Europe and intends to continue this support.

"As far as the supply of weapons is concerned, there are no new decisions on the part of Germany," the German Chancellor concluded. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3507116

[Jimbuna]

Stoltenberg: NATO to increase military assistance to Ukraine after latest Russian shelling

At a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on 28 August, members of the North Atlantic Alliance condemned Russia's latest strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and pledged to increase military assistance.

Thus, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who chaired the Council meeting, stressed the need for more support for Kyiv to enable it to repel Russian attacks.

"In the wake of Russia's latest attack, Allies today confirmed that they are stepping up their military assistance to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

He added that NATO must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and ammunition it needs to defend itself against Russian invasion, as "this is vital to Ukraine's ability to continue the fight". Source: https://censor.net/en/n3507160

Russia classifies information on production of petroleum products

Rosstat has completely stopped publishing data on the production of petroleum products in Russia.

In particular, the agency no longer provides information on monthly production volumes of diesel fuel, fuel oil, liquefied propane and butane, coke and semi-coke from hard coal. The report also does not contain data on the production of stable gas condensate.

Rosstat stated that "information on the production of petroleum products is not published based on the decision of the Russian government".

At the end of May, Rosstat stopped publishing statistics on the production of motor petrol in Russia. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3507170

[Dargo]

More Americans want the US to stay the course in Ukraine as long as it takesA strong majority of Americans across the political spectrum sympathize more with Ukraine than Russia in the ongoing war: 62% of respondents express more sympathy with Ukraine than Russia, including 58% of Republicans and 76% of Democrats. At the same time, just 2% of respondents said they sympathized more with Russia in the conflict, including 4% of Republicans and 1% of Democrats. Republicans (20%) were more likely than Democrats (7%) to say they sympathized with neither side, while equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats (5%) said they sympathized with both sides equally... https://www.brookings.edu/articles/more-americans-want-the-us-to-stay-the-course-in-ukraine-as-long-as-it-takes

[mapuc]

I think we have similar numbers where a majority sympathize more with Ukraine than with Russia

sympathizing with Ukraine does not win wars.

Markus

[Skybird]

sympathizing with Ukraine does not win wars.


^ This.


Phrases of sympathy are just alibis, even if they are well-trained with great routine. All too often "I'm so sorry for what happened to you" means nothing else but "Thank God it hit you and not me."


Steady supply. No more distance restrictions. Even with these two conditions fulfilled at a Ukrainian victory now would be anything but certain. But as things are being handled right now, Ukraine is on the road of losing.



And as I said and implied several times before: several nations in the West maybe do not even want Ukraine to win. It has the potential to change the power balance between and the influences of these nations in Europe too disadvantageously.

[mapuc]

If true then it will only be a matter of time before the first ballistic hit Moscow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2FPAuYb65A

Markus

[mapuc]

It would mean the end of Belarus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FhjKnzMEtU

Markus

[Gorpet]

^ This.


Phrases of sympathy are just alibis, even if they are well-trained with great routine. All too often "I'm so sorry for what happened to you" means nothing else but "Thank God it hit you and not me."


Steady supply. No more distance restrictions. Even with these two conditions fulfilled at a Ukrainian victory now would be anything but certain. But as things are being handled right now, Ukraine is on the road of losing.



And as I said and implied several times before: several nations in the West maybe do not even want Ukraine to win. It has the potential to change the power balance between and the influences of these nations in Europe too disadvantageously.

Well,Our politicians and yours wanted this war.So we have a choice, Accept fate.And the planet dies, Or we find Greta,And she can parachute from the sky.And save Planet earth where is Greta when we need her.? Is she eating roots and living in a cave? Today your government has said, We will be there to the end.Apparently these warmongers have a safe place to go to.So citizens should be watching their every move.This is a war,NATO against RUSSIA,The smartest University 20 yr olds that America has are playing a war game against.People they have know idea about. So will the world let the Americans burn the world to a crisp? Or will the people across the planet.Let it happen?

[mapuc]

Well,Our politicians and yours wanted this war.So we have a choice, Accept fate.And the planet dies, Or we find Greta,And she can parachute from the sky.And save Planet earth where is Greta when we need her.? Is she eating roots and living in a cave? Today your government has said, We will be there to the end.Apparently these warmongers have a safe place to go to.So citizens should be watching their every move.This is a war,NATO against RUSSIA,The smartest University 20 yr olds that America has are playing a war game against.People they have know idea about. So will the world let the Americans burn the world to a crisp? Or will the people across the planet.Let it happen?

No European or NATO countries wanted this war, nor would Ukraine.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2QnWKERYzI

[Dargo]

Commander of the Netherlands Armed Forces Onno Eichelsheim ‘We have placed no restrictions on the use and range of the F-16, provided that the law of war is adhered to.’ The Netherlands' top military officer considers the Ukrainian attack on Russian territory “brilliant on a practical level”. ‘They took a large area quite quickly in a good way, with new techniques. In doing so, they created a dilemma for Putin,’ Eichelsheim said. The Commander of the Armed Forces would have no problems if such offensive actions included the use of Dutch weapons. ‘The resources we provide can be used by Ukraine as it wishes, provided humanitarian law of war is adhered to.’ The Americans partly agree, says Eichelsheim.

‘They have other restrictions, but they have also supplied other weapons systems. At least we have the same line to make sure Ukraine wins the war. I think we are putting all our efforts into making that happen.’ According to Eichelsheim, the question now is how Ukraine can ‘strategically’ exploit its presence in Kursk. ‘You can use it as a bargaining chip, then you have to do something with negotiations,’ he said. ‘Or you use it to make sure Russia has to pull units out of the Donbas region. We don't see the latter happening, so time is yet to tell to what extent it will have a strategic impact.’ According to Eichelsheim, the raid is ‘at least the beginning of possibly a strategic adjustment of the fight between Russia and Ukraine’.

[Dargo]

I think we have similar numbers where a majority sympathize more with Ukraine than with Russia

sympathizing with Ukraine does not win wars.

MarkusOh it does western public opinion determine the military aid to Ukraine politicians even dictators have to keep public opinion in their favour else they lose the job.

[Jimbuna]

Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashes while repelling Russian missile attack, pilot killed - General Staff

The General Staff confirms the loss of an F-16 fighter jet during a Russian missile strike on Ukraine.

"F-16 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were used to repel a missile attack by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, together with units of anti-aircraft missile troops. During the air battle, the F-16s demonstrated their high efficiency, shooting down four enemy cruise missiles with their onboard weapons," the statement said.

It is noted that during the approach to the next target, one of the aircraft lost contact with one of the planes.

As it turned out later, the plane crashed and the pilot died.

A special commission of the Ministry of Defence has been appointed to investigate the causes of the crash and is working in the area where the plane went down. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3507371

[Jimbuna]

AFU General Staff: 98 combat engagements took place since beginning of day, enemy is particularly active in Pokrovsk direction

Since the beginning of the day, as of 4:00 p.m., the total number of combat engagements along the entire frontline has increased to 98. The occupiers continue to use aviation, including GABs, and carry out attacks in all directions, especially in Pokrovsk.

The situation in the north

The occupants do not stop using artillery and aircraft in the northern regions of Ukraine. The areas of Bratenytsia, Druzhba, Bobylivka, Dmytrivka, Prohres, Studenok, Ponomarenky and Khrinivka were hit by enemy shelling. Vodolahy, Bilopillia, Mykytivka and Bondarivshchyna came under enemy air strikes. So far, five air strikes involving 16 GABs have been reported. Moreover, the enemy aviation does not stop bombing its territory, having carried out 11 air strikes today, dropping 16 bombs on the Kursk region.

Hostilities in the Kharkiv region

Two combat engagements took place in the Kharkiv direction today. Our troops prevented a Russian attack near Vovchansk. Another enemy attack is being repelled in the same location.

In the Kupiansk direction, our defenders repelled nine enemy attacks near the settlements of Synkivka, Kolisnykivka and Lozova. Another five attacks are ongoing near Miasozharivka, Kolisnykivka, Stepova Novoselivka and Lozova.

Hostilities in Donbas

The enemy's attack near Makiivka continues in the Lyman direction. Since the beginning of the day, Defense Forces units have repelled 12 aggressor assaults in this area near Tverdokhlibove, Cherneshchyna, Druzheliubivka, Nevske, Torske and in the Serebrianskyi forest.

In the Siversk direction, the occupiers failed in three attempts to storm our positions near Verkhnokamianske and Vyimka. At the moment, two combat engagements are still ongoing.

In the areas of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Chasiv Yar in the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy, with the support of aviation, is trying to advance on the positions of Ukrainian defenders, four attacks were repelled.

In the Toretsk direction, the enemy, supported by attack aircraft, attacked the positions of our troops nine times. Currently, fighting continues near Toretsk and Sukha Balka.

The situation is the most intense in the Pokrovsk direction. Fierce fighting is taking place in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, Myroliubivka, Hrodivka, Novohrodivka, Karlivka, Marynivka and Mykhailivka. So far, the enemy has made 23 attempts to storm Ukrainian positions.

In the Kurakhove direction, six firefights are ongoing in the area of Krasnohorivka. Eleven enemy attacks were repelled near Heorhiivka and Kostiantynivka.

In the Vremivka direction, two enemy assaults towards Kostiantynivka were repelled. At the same time, the enemy continues to try to break through our defenses in the direction of Vuhledar and Vodiane, where six enemy attacks are currently underway.

Hostilities in the south

In the Orikhiv direction, three unsuccessful enemy attacks were repelled by our defenders near Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne.

In the Prydniprovske direction, no active occupiers' actions have been recorded so far.

"The Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is taking all necessary measures to deter the enemy's offensive," the General Staff assured. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3507344

[mapuc]

Oh it does western public opinion determine the military aid to Ukraine politicians even dictators have to keep public opinion in their favour else they lose the job.

A voter is bound to do his or her duties when it is an election-Which mean if a party change course from pro-Ukraine to anti-Ukraine, people will still put their vote on this party or some other parties. To make something clear I'm talking about a huge majority around 85 % of a countries voters

Markus

[Dargo]

A voter is bound to do his or her duties when it is an election-Which mean if a party change course from pro-Ukraine to anti-Ukraine, people will still put their vote on this party or some other parties. To make something clear I'm talking about a huge majority around 85 % of a countries voters

MarkusIn western electoral system, there are no majorities around 85 % for one party in the Netherlands it's the biggest party that is not, so Ukraine minded has about a third of the votes, but the majority of the government is pro Ukraine so we support Ukraine and MH17 of course is the biggest Dutch reason.

[mapuc]

In western electoral system, there are no majorities around 85 % for one party in the Netherlands it's the biggest party that is not, so Ukraine minded has about a third of the votes, but the majority of the government is pro Ukraine so we support Ukraine and MH17 of course is the biggest Dutch reason.

No you misunderstod me-I'm talking about the entire population in a country. In Denmark 80-85 % of its citizens do their duty and vote. How high percentage do this in the Netherlands I don't know.

Markus

[Dargo]

No you misunderstod me-I'm talking about the entire population in a country. In Denmark 80-85 % of its citizens do their duty and vote. How high percentage do this in the Netherlands I don't know.

MarkusHouse of Representatives election 2023 turnout rate was 77.7%. Out of 13,473,750 eligible voters, 10,475,203 cast their votes. We have not those turnouts of 80-85% in last decades.

[mapuc]

House of Representatives election 2023 turnout rate was 77.7%. Out of 13,473,750 eligible voters, 10,475,203 cast their votes. We have not those turnouts of 80-85% in last decades.

Thank you.

A majority of the parties in the Danish Parliament is pro-Ukraine. I guess there's only one party who isn't they are not exactly pro-Russia either

My point is-Whether one or more of these parties should change course-Their supporters will still put their vote on them.

There's more to it than the war in Ukraine

Markus