Here we go again-Ukraine once again pt2 [Archive] - Page 24

Skybird

12-28-24, 04:13 AM

[Frankfurter Rundschau] With Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House, some are growing hopeful of a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict. Trump has repeatedly emphasized in the past that he could end the war in Ukraine within a day.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the war against the neighboring country and would also be in a position to end it, must also play along for such a solution. However, Putin seems to think little of Trump's ideas and proposals for ending the Ukraine conflict.

After a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 26, Putin answered questions from the Russian press. Journalist Pavel Tsarubin asked Putin a question, as evidenced by a Kremlin transcript of the event: “The Trump team mentioned and directly stated that the conflict could possibly be frozen if there was a guaranteed delay in Ukraine joining NATO by 10 to 20 years. What do you think of this proposal?”

Putin's response was that he was “not aware of such discussions in the new team of the President-elect of the United States”. He added that it did not matter to him whether Ukraine joined NATO “today, tomorrow or in ten years”, as this was “only a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of history”.

Putin also commented on Trump's upcoming presidency and his possible role in ending the Ukraine conflict: “I am not sure how the situation will develop and what instructions the president-elect will give to his colleagues in government. Time will tell.”

The “Institute for the Study of War” in the USA interprets Putin's statements as consistent with his earlier comments. Putin has repeatedly made it clear that he will not compromise in negotiations on the Ukraine conflict. The demands he had made since his invasion of Ukraine would continue to apply: “These demands include forcing Ukraine to become a permanently neutral state that will never join NATO, the imposition of strict limits on the size of the Ukrainian military and the removal of the Ukrainian government.”

Sergei Lavrov, Putin's Foreign Minister, also reiterated that Russia was not prepared to negotiate peace in Ukraine with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In an interview with Russian and foreign media on December 26, Lavrov picked up on Putin's previous false claims that Zelensky was illegally in office. Before negotiations can take place, Ukraine must elect a new president, Lavrov said. Otherwise, the Ukrainian government would have no legitimacy.

In a Kremlin statement on December 16, Putin claimed that it was unlawful for Zelensky to suspend the presidential election in 2024 due to the ongoing war. According to Putin, the postponement of the elections due to martial law was only legal for the Ukrainian parliament, but not for the Ukrainian president.

However, the “Institute for the Study of War” contradicts this claim. According to the Ukrainian constitution, it is expressly forbidden to hold presidential, parliamentary and local elections under martial law. “Zelenskyi was required by law under these provisions to suspend Ukrainian elections in 2024, and did so,” the US experts said.

However, Putin and other Kremlin officials repeatedly claim that Zelensky is no longer legally in office. The Kremlin has recently increasingly taken up this narrative again. In doing so, Putin probably wants to reaffirm that “the Kremlin sees a regime change in Kiev as a necessary prerequisite for negotiations with Ukraine”.

The ISW experts therefore assume that Russia has no interest in entering into “sincere negotiations” with Ukraine, regardless of the upcoming Trump presidency. “The country will only sit down at the negotiating table if it feels it has achieved maximum concessions with regard to Ukraine's sovereignty. This includes the removal of the legitimate Ukrainian government and the complete exclusion of Ukrainian actors from the talks.”

The fact that Putin currently has no interest in a ceasefire in Ukraine is also made clear by the massive Russian attacks on Ukraine around Christmas. A passenger plane from Azerbaijan is even said to have been accidentally hit during the war.

Jimbuna

12-28-24, 11:33 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFImgrt2_4A

Jimbuna

12-28-24, 11:39 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aHMZZt2BIo

Catfish

12-28-24, 11:44 AM

^ russian humor.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/27/pro-kremlin-media-share-video-showing-russian-missile-shooting-down-santas-sleigh-a87472

“Hi, Russians! Here are your presents,” says Santa Claus, sipping a Coca-Cola as the camera zooms in on his sleigh, which is loaded with rockets bearing NATO logos.
“Happy New Year,” Santa says before a missile shoots into his sleigh, causing it to explode mid-air.

The video was broadcasted by pro-Kremlin Telegram channels after Russia shot down the civilian jet from Azerbaidjan.

Jimbuna

12-28-24, 11:51 AM

Catfish

12-28-24, 02:21 PM

^ indeed this is so low bullsh!t propaganda from the 1930ies it is hard to believe anyone would still use this today to try to brainwash the people.
I am sure that no normal educated russian believes this bull, but what can they do.

mapuc

12-28-24, 02:38 PM

Warning: Content bad language

The government in Kyiv's primary focus has so far been getting more Western weapons to the front lines, but the Russian advance means that the lack of combat-ready Ukrainians has become a massive problem for the war-torn country.

This is reported by TV 2's correspondent in Ukraine, Claus Borg Reinholdt.

"It's going really, really badly. The front line is collapsing in several places due to a lack of soldiers. Even if the US were to decide to continue supplying Ukraine with weapons, it wouldn't change the fact that Ukraine is running out of soldiers," he says.

https://nyheder-tv2-dk.translate.goog/udland/2024-11-29-ukrainsk-soldat-sender-noedraab-fra-fronten-vi-har-ingen-maend-jeg-er-****ing-alene?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

I thought this article would fit nicely here in our Ukraine thread-Despite some ugly words being used. If this bad language is to much-Then feel free to remove this post.

Markus

Dargo

12-28-24, 06:52 PM

Article is gone or there was an error in the url but after November the Russian offensive has slowed down that can be of several reasons 1. Ukraine has sent reinforcements to the hot spots of the front. 2. Winter is here, conditions on the front is hard to even survive, let alone the conditions for fighting. Russian lack the winter gear and are old men not fit to fight and sleep in the open, no one is at that age. 3. In general the Russian army is exhausted, they fight since summer no army can go on that long in an offensive. There are no breakthroughs the frontline has hardly changed, certainly after November it is minimal. Claus is not on the frontlines he does not know anything you really think Ukraine army allows journalist on the front what he is reporting is the war gossip clickbait he has no idea what happens on the front only Ukraine HQ knows not even the units knows it they only know the situation of their location at the front that is OpSec a security and risk management process that prevents sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands.

mapuc

12-28-24, 11:00 PM

Tried again same result. So I copied and altered some of the text(removed bad language)

Ukrainian soldier sends distress call from the front: - We have no men, I'm all alone
Putin has thrown all his energy into the fight to conquer as much ground as possible before the incoming US president, Donald Trump, takes office.

The Ukrainian army is completely crushed in eastern Ukraine and is bleeding soldiers to an unprecedented extent .

The government in Kyiv's primary focus has so far been getting more Western weapons to the front lines, but the Russian advance means that the lack of combat-ready Ukrainians has become a massive problem for the war-torn country.

This is reported by TV 2's correspondent in Ukraine, Claus Borg Reinholdt.

"It's going really, really badly. The front line is collapsing in several places due to a lack of soldiers. Even if the US were to decide to continue supplying Ukraine with weapons, it wouldn't change the fact that Ukraine is running out of soldiers," he says.

Observers point out that Putin has recently thrown all his strength – and men – into the fight to conquer as much ground as possible before the incoming US president, Donald Trump, takes over the White House on January 20.

Trump announced during the election campaign that he would make peace between Russia and Ukraine with the stroke of a pen within 24 hours .

- I'm all alone.
Several soldiers in Ukraine's 15th National Guard confirm to CNN that the situation with personnel shortages on the front line is critical .

"We lack soldiers to fight and hold our ground. That's why we see the enemy entering vulnerable areas," says the soldier nicknamed 'East'.

His comrade 'Koshei' votes in:

- I have no idea how much time we have. If we have any at all. Right now the enemy is pushing as many troops towards the front line as possible and is advancing rapidly in no time.

Soldier 'Kotya' implores his peers to pull up their shirts and join the worn-out units at the front.

"We don't have any men. I'm all alone, I'm so tired. I love my job - regardless of all the bad things that come with it. But we need other young men who also love this job," he tells CNN.

The Economist estimated the other day that Ukraine has lost between 60,000 and 100,000 soldiers since the war began in November 2022. The media outlet writes that up to 400,000 Ukrainians have been so badly injured that they cannot fight any longer.

The US is pressuring Zelensky
Several media outlets – including the Financial Times and ABC News – report that President Biden's administration has now begun to put maximum pressure on the Kyiv coup to lower the military draft age from 25 to 18 years.

The calculation is that Ukraine is not training enough soldiers to cover the heavy losses the army is suffering on the battlefield. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has spent billions of rubles recruiting volunteer soldiers and has increased the manning level of Russia's army to 1.5 million active soldiers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week refused to lower the age of military service despite pressure from the United States. It would be almost a year before the president agreed in April of this year to sign an unpopular law lowering the age from 27 to 25.

- It will be a political deathblow for Zelensky if he lowers the age further to get more young Ukrainians into the army, and he knows that, says correspondent Claus Borg Reinholdt.

The Ukrainian president has therefore been forced to find alternative methods to get his people to go to war.

In May, he signed a new law that allows certain inmates in Ukraine's prisons to serve in the army. The law does not apply to prisoners convicted of crimes against humanity or crimes involving sexual violence, murder, or violations of national security laws.

In addition, Zelenskyy signed a controversial law on mobilization earlier this year that means that soldiers after long service cannot leave the army, as they could under previous rules. The law has caused resentment and disappointment among many soldiers and their families.

Fleeing from the battlefield
However, it is not only a problem to get Ukrainians to sign up for military service. The Ukrainian army also has major problems with soldiers fleeing from duty on the battlefield.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and entire army units have deserted, the AP news agency writes , based on interviews with two Ukrainian deserters, three Ukrainian lawyers and 12 Ukrainian officials and commanders in the army.

The officials and one deserter have chosen to remain anonymous.

Some desert by taking medical leave never to return to the front, while others refuse to carry out orders from superiors – even during direct firefights, it is said.

More than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been charged with desertion since the war began, according to the Ukrainian prosecutor's office. Almost half have deserted in the past year.

The Russian advance in eastern Ukraine is partly due to the occupying power sending constant waves of soldiers against Ukrainian positions. A tactic that was used in World War I and that Russia has used since the start of the war. Among other things, in the battle for the "meat grinder" Bakhmut, which the Russians captured after months of bloody fighting in the spring of 2023.

Mines must stop human waves
To stop the waves of Russian soldiers, the United States last week gave permission for Ukraine to use American so-called anti-personnel mines against the enemy.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in his justification for the authorization, said that Russian ground forces now play such a central role in the war that weapons are needed that are targeted at this type of soldier.

"Because the Russians have been so unsuccessful in the way they have fought, they have changed their tactics. It is no longer their mechanized forces that are leading the way. Now the foot soldiers are leading the way and paving the way for the mechanized forces," Lloyd Austin told CNN last week .

Markus

Jimbuna

12-29-24, 05:15 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtGXS4qhbVk

mapuc

12-29-24, 07:54 AM

^ I say chances for this is very little at least within the next 5-10 years. Most his troops are tied up in Ukraine.

Markus

Jimbuna

12-29-24, 11:34 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzRp6FCfRW4

Jimbuna

12-29-24, 11:54 AM

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

August

12-29-24, 12:46 PM

^ I say chances for this is very little at least within the next 5-10 years. Most his troops are tied up in Ukraine.

Markus

Perhaps, but remember that most of Hitlers troops were tied up in Poland, Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, the skies over Britain, Yugoslavia, Greece and North Africa when they invaded Russia in June of '41.

I think invading a NATO member nation is probably what makes a Russian invasion of the Baltic nations unlikely. Such an incursion would give the Poles all the reason they need to bounce them out of Konigsburg permanently.

Dargo

12-29-24, 01:55 PM

^Operation Barbarossa consisted of 150 divisions, roughly 3 million soldiers. This included 19 Panzer divisions totalling 3,000 tanks; 7,000 artillery pieces; and 2,500 aircraft. It was the largest invasion force assembled in history. Hitlers troops were not tied up elsewhere, it basically sent about half of its army into this operation. The peak size of the German Armed Forces was reached in the middle of 1943 at about 10 million. On September 1,1939 it was approximately 4.6 million, and in June 1941 about 7.3 million.

August

12-29-24, 02:55 PM

mapuc

12-29-24, 04:00 PM

3 million nazis is not half of a 7.3 million strong nazi army.
600K Russians fighting in Ukraine is not half of the 1.7 million strong Russian army.

My point stands.

You could be right-However it would be suicide if Putin order general mobilization which is needed if he want to fight another NATO country.

Markus

Catfish

12-29-24, 05:54 PM

Putin does not care about that, only he is personally affected. Killing thousands of russians does not count for him.

mapuc

12-29-24, 06:10 PM

Putin does not care about that, only he is personally affected. Killing thousands of russians does not count for him.

You forgot his Oligarch who support him and if Putin give the order, it would mean many of their children would be drafted. So cities in western Russia is no go to mobilize from.

Markus

mapuc

12-29-24, 06:49 PM

If true what will happen with Trump peaceplan ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQc7n5KXEkY

Markus

Catfish

12-30-24, 11:34 AM

^ Good video. Whatever, Trump will not end this war in a day.
Maybe Putin and Lavrov are afraid Russia could be held accountable [GASP!] for their war of aggression when/if the war ends. I also think there will be no forgiving, the whole world looks at Russia and its actions, and it will act accordingly. Maybe not North Korea, maybe not China, and maybe not India.
But even then they know exactly what is going on.

Jimbuna

12-30-24, 12:37 PM

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

Jimbuna

12-30-24, 12:40 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-doDxehsXw

mapuc

12-30-24, 05:32 PM

it has truly been a bad year for the Russians in Ukraine. Here in the end of 2024 they have gained a lot of momentum in Luhansk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-wrXZLT3DY

Markus

mapuc

12-30-24, 06:14 PM

One can only hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHaDxlp4adQ

Markus

Dargo

12-30-24, 07:36 PM

it has truly been a bad year for the Russians in Ukraine. Here in the end of 2024 they have gained a lot of momentum in Luhansk.

MarkusLuhansk? So they crossed the Oskil if not it means nothing btw Luhansk was already in majority occupied do not see any momentum.

Jimbuna

12-31-24, 11:41 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDNATDNCV9c

Jimbuna

12-31-24, 11:47 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMZD05GOYDw

Dargo

12-31-24, 12:18 PM

After Putin in his wisdom said that the central bank should let him do it, after he basically printed 2 trillion and pumped it in the Russian economy. We see on the last day of 2024 how delusional Putin plans are. The Ruble just got past the peak it hit back in November. :D So, the cost of a single roll of toilet paper is less than a Ruble.
https://i.ibb.co/R9HFV0q/Ruble122024.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

Jimbuna

12-31-24, 12:55 PM

There were 117 combat engagements in frontline, enemy attacks mostly in Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk and Lyman directions

Since the beginning of the day, as of 4 p.m., 117 combat engagements have taken place at the front.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The situation in the north
Today, hostile artillery shelling from the territory of Russia hit areas of the settlements of Sumy, Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions, such as Demianivka, Vidrodzhenivske, Tymofiivka, Studenok, Stiahailivka and Medvedivka.

Hostilities in the Kharkiv region
Today, in the Kharkiv direction, Russian occupiers stormed the defensive lines of Ukrainian troops once near Vovchansk.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy actively attacked the positions of our troops seven times in the areas of Lozova, Nova Kruhliakivka and Zahryzove. Ukrainian soldiers are holding steadfastly, six firefights are still ongoing.

Hostilities in Donbas
Today, in the Lyman direction, the invading army launched 16 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Nadiшa, Pershotravneve, Zelenyi Hai, Novoшehorivka, Yampolivka, Terny, Dibrova and in the directions of Druzheliubivka, Cherneshchyna and Novoserhiivka. Five combat engagements are ongoing.

In the Siversk direction, the occupiers tried three times to advance on the positions of our troops in the areas of Bilohorivka and Hryhorivka, but were rebuffed.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers stormed our units 22 times in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, Bila Hora and Predtechyne, 13 combat engagements are still ongoing.

In the Toretsk direction, the Russians tried to force our units out of their positions near Shcherbynivka and in Toretsk, where the Defense Forces repelled five attacks. Four more attacks are still ongoing.

Since the beginning of the day in the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy has already made 30 attempts to push our defenders from their positions near the settlements of Zelene Pole, Baranivka, Novotoretske, Promin, Lysivka, Myrnohrad, Dachenske, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Vovkove, Pishchane and Novovasylivka. Defense forces are holding back the attack and have repelled 23 enemy attacks so far. The enemy's losses are being clarified.

Fighting continues near the settlements of Petropavlivka, Ukrainka, Shevchenko and Kurakhove in the Kurakhove direction. According to the updated information, nine attacks of the occupation army have been repelled so far, and five more attacks are ongoing.

Four combat engagements are ongoing in the Vremivka direction, and the enemy attacked seven times today near Kostiantynopolske, Dachne, Rozlyv, Velyka Novosilka and Neskuchne, and the enemy also launched a GAB strike on Zelene Pole.

The situation in other directions
In the Orikhiv direction, the enemy tried to advance toward Novoandriivka three times, but was repulsed.

In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, Ukrainian defenders repelled four offensives by the invaders.

No major changes in other directions. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3527917

Dargo

12-31-24, 12:57 PM

If true what will happen with Trump peaceplan ?
MarkusUkraine has enough money to fund all of 2025 and part of 2026. They have enough weapons and ammo to last most of 2025, and with aid from other nations (plus that money) they will be able to fight through 2025 without issue. Trump will have little leverage over Ukraine. Trump can not stop this war if Ukraine does not get the securities from trump than they will fight on. But much more leverage over Russia. Particularly with sanctions. If the oil and gas complex, military complex, ...complex say Ukraine is in our advantage, he'll likely toe the line. They don't want competition from Russia.

Jimbuna

12-31-24, 01:05 PM

Trump would most likely have to put US boots on the ground to shore up any agreement with Putin and I seriously can't see that happening.

Jimbuna

12-31-24, 01:28 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6RR3gUmwcI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adxuSJ9_j-o

Dargo

12-31-24, 02:00 PM

Trump would most likely have to put US boots on the ground to shore up any agreement with Putin and I seriously can't see that happening.No need for boots on the ground we have enough air force we can bombard all Russian targets in Ukraine so that Ukraine forces can sweep up what is left of that mighty army. The pentagon would like this, it is always their first plan, bomb the hell out of the enemy.

Jimbuna

12-31-24, 02:06 PM

No need for boots on the ground we have enough air force we can bombard all Russian targets in Ukraine so that Ukraine forces can sweep up what is left of that mighty army. The pentagon would like this, it is always their first plan, bomb the hell out of the enemy.

I fear a direct attack militarily by either the US or NATO would turn Putin to go for the nuclear option.

Dargo

12-31-24, 03:06 PM

Skybird

12-31-24, 03:24 PM

There are more more precious metropoles in the West than in Russia. There are more precious and sensible economies in the West than in Russia. There are bigger population numbers living in the West than in Russia.

Who is the more vulnerable one here...? The one with much or the one with less to lose?

:03:

mapuc

12-31-24, 03:51 PM

I'm glad that I ain't the one who has to give the order to bomb Russian position in Ukraine-'cause I may open Pandoras box with this executive order.

We think we know how Putin tics under certain situation-But he hasn't been in such a situation where his troops are being bombed by NATO in Ukraine.

We have more to lose than they have-I say it's wrong thinking-In a case of an exchange of nukes, would mean we all are big losers.

Markus

Dargo

12-31-24, 03:59 PM

If Russia launches, NATO will react, Russia knows that they really will not go calculate first. Both side know that they can not survive and hit St Petersburg, Moscow and you hit the majority of Russia. When Putin launched the Oreshnik he told NATO before the launch any ballistic missile is seen and if they do not warn there will be a reaction it is still Mutual Assured Destruction no matter how many cities each side has.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xthzy1PxTA

mapuc

12-31-24, 04:18 PM

I seem to recall something with we will not response with nukes if Russia fire some nukes against us, instead NATO will engage Russia in massive conventional warfare.

If Russia goes all in-Well then NATO has to response with the same.

Markus

Dargo

12-31-24, 04:26 PM

^That is when tactical nuclear weapons are used, the other scenario is none stoppable if ICBM's are in air.

Jimbuna

01-01-25, 06:54 AM

Do not think they want to risk that, the game is nuke bluff poker Russia has already been warned that if they try to go nuclear it will have consequences and not only by the US. Russia will lose its only ally that can save them from going broke, and do not forget MAD.

There are more more precious metropoles in the West than in Russia. There are more precious and sensible economies in the West than in Russia. There are bigger population numbers living in the West than in Russia.

Who is the more vulnerable one here...? The one with much or the one with less to lose?

:03:

Food for thought nonetheless.

Jimbuna

01-01-25, 07:01 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWpr43K6CdA

Skybird

01-01-25, 08:50 AM

We think we know how Putin tics under certain situation
Look, we have completely underestimated and misinterpreted Putin since give and take TWENT-FVE years. And when the truth jumped into our faces and bit our nose, we denied it.

Just saying.

Jimbuna

01-01-25, 01:26 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZhLYq3BzkA

Jimbuna

01-01-25, 01:39 PM

Dutch Defense Minister Brekelmans: January 1 shelling only emphasizes need to continuously support Ukraine

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for continued support for Ukraine.

He announced this on the social network X, Censor.NET reports.

"Russia celebrated the new year by launching more than 100 drones in Ukraine. This only reinforces good intentions for 2025:

To continuously support Ukraine against Russian aggression. And at the same time, to quickly and significantly strengthen our armed forces in Europe," he said.

Shelling on January 1, 2025
On the morning of January 1, air defense was operating in the capital. Russians attacked Kyiv with drones. There are 2 dead and 7 injured.

It is known that on the night of January 1, 2025, the Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with 111 attack UAVs and other types of drones. Air defense forces destroyed 63 targets, 46 were lost locally (did not reach their intended targets). Source: https://censor.net/en/n3528029

Skybird

01-01-25, 11:38 PM

[Frankfurter Rundschau] Russia apparently drew up detailed target lists for a possible war with Japan and South Korea more than ten years ago. According to the Financial Times, this emerges from secret documents available to the US media outlet. The targets include nuclear power plants.

The majority of the 29 secret Russian military files, which were created between 2008 and 2014, describe the training of officers for a possible conflict on Russia's eastern border. According to the documents, Russia is concerned about its eastern flank, which Moscow perceives as unprotected in the event of a war with NATO. A total of 160 potential targets in Japan and South Korea are listed in the documents, including roads, bridges, factories and military installations. Attacks on these locations are intended to protect the eastern flank by disrupting the “regrouping of troops in operationally relevant areas”. According to the Financial Times, the analyses are still considered relevant to Russian strategy.

The report also includes details on how Russia tested Japanese and South Korean air defenses in the past. According to the report, Moscow launched two Tu-95 bombers on February 24, 2014, which circled South Korea and Japan for 17 hours and recorded the reactions. The mission coincided with the Russian annexation of Crimea in violation of international law and a joint US-South Korean military exercise called Foal Eagle in 2014, according to the Financial Times. In 2024, two Russian Tu-142 reconnaissance aircraft flew an almost identical route to the Tu-95 at the time.

The secret military documents also show the close links between Europe and Asia. Analysts argue that neither Asia nor Europe would remain unaffected by conflicts on the other side. Moscow and Pyongyang have intensified their political and military cooperation since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last year, North Korea sent around 12,000 soldiers to the war in Ukraine. South Korea observed this with great concern.

“The consequences of a long-term alliance between Russia and North Korea extend far beyond the battlefield in Ukraine and could have long-term implications for the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Asia-Pacific region,” an analysis by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also stated. Due to the conflict over islands in the Kuril archipelago, Japan and Russia have not signed an official peace treaty to end the Second World War.

Jimbuna

01-02-25, 08:13 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VDk-TEebA8

Jimbuna

01-02-25, 09:53 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu26xbKSTs0

Skybird

01-02-25, 11:09 AM

Dargo

01-02-25, 11:58 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8IKcYKK2l4

Dargo

01-02-25, 12:15 PM

Oh oh... I read rumours about the 155th' detoriating internal situation, but the plot is thickening, and things seem to be worse than previously reported.

https://www.nzz.ch/international/ukraine-krieg-und-frankreich-die-155-brigade-bringt-neue-hoffnung-ld.1860951?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wappThe State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) is investigating the facts reported in the media regarding the 155th mechanized brigade Anna Kyivska, the case is being investigated under articles on abuse of authority and desertion, Communications Adviser to SBI Tetiana Sapyan told Interfax-Ukraine. "The SBI is indeed studying the facts presented in the media in the framework of criminal proceedings initiated under Articles 426-1 (abuse of power or official authority by a military person) and Article 408 (desertion) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing. It's too early to talk about any preliminary results," Sapyan said.

Earlier, editor-in-chief of the Censor publication, Yuriy Butusov, wrote on his Telegram channel that in December 2024, the SBI opened a criminal case on the circumstances of the formation of the 155th mechanized brigade Anna Kyivska, which joined the battle near Pokrovsk. According to Butusov, the case is under the control of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "One of the leaders responsible for the formation of the brigade died of a heart attack, and the brigade commander was dismissed immediately after the brigade joined the battle. Before the brigade fired the first shot, 1,700 soldiers had arbitrarily left it," wrote the editor-in-chief of Censor. https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1038128.html

We do not know all, but this is a organisational FUBAR by the military.

Jimbuna

01-02-25, 12:33 PM

72 combat engagements took place in frontline, enemy attacks mostly in Pokrovsk direction - General Staff

Since the beginning of the day, as of 4 p.m., 72 combat engagements have taken place at the front.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The situation in the north
Border settlements continue to suffer from shelling from the territory of the Russian Federation, in particular Bachivsk and Porozok in the Sumy region; Tymofiivka in the Kharkiv region. The invaders conducted air strikes with GABs in the areas of Taratutyne and Pokrovka in the Sumy region.

Hostilities in the Kharkiv region
Ukrainian troops repelled two attacks near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv direction today.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy carried out three assault attacks near Zapadne, Dvorichna and Kruhliakivka. One combat engagement ended, two more are ongoing. Pishchane and Ivanivka came under air strikes by GABs.

Hostilities in Donbas
In the Lyman direction, the invading army attacked ten times near Nadiia, Makiivka, Terny, Hryhorivka and in Serebrianskyi forest. Seven of the enemy's attacks were repelled, and three combat engagements are ongoing.

In the Siversk direction, enemy aircraft attacked Dronivka, Pazeno and Siversk using four GABs.

In the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled the occupiers' attempts to advance in the area of Chasiv Yar and in the direction of Stupochky.

In the Toretsk direction, the enemy attacked four times near the settlements of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. Two battles ended without success for the occupiers, two more are ongoing. Kostyantynivka came under attack with three guided aerial bombs.

In the Pokrovsk direction, since the beginning of the day, the occupants have made 20 attempts to push our defenders from their positions in the areas of Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Pishchane, Shevchenko, Uspenivka, Solone and Novovasylivka. The defense forces are holding back the enemy's offensive and repelled 18 attacks, two firefights are still ongoing. Yablunivka came under an air strike.

In the Kurakhove direction, the enemy attacked 13 times today near Kurakhove and Shevchenko. 11 battles were completed, two more are still ongoing.

In the Vremivka direction, the occupiers unsuccessfully attacked the positions of our troops 13 times near Yantarne and in the direction of Kostiantynopol and Novosilka. The enemy conducted air strikes in the areas of Ulakliv, Andriivka and Novopil, dropping four GABs and using free-flight aerial rockets.

The situation in other directions
In the Orikhiv direction, the enemy continues to shell the positions of our troops and civilian infrastructure, and launched an air strike with free-flight rockets at Mali Shcherbaky and Piatikhatky.

In the Prydniprovske direction, Russian invaders stormed the positions of our defenders twice without success. The situation is under control.

In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, Ukrainian defenders repelled one attack by the invaders, and two more clashes are ongoing. The Russians also conducted five air strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation, dropping five GABs.

The situation on other directions of the front has not changed significantly. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3528179

Dargo

01-02-25, 01:37 PM

^The advance south of the city is part of an attempt to encircle Pokrovsk. Although Russia has been slowly advancing in the Pokrovsk area since late summer, there is no question of a complete encirclement for now. Ukraine still has some supply routes to the west and north of Pokrovsk. Russian ground gains around Novovasylivka endanger one of these routes.

mapuc

01-02-25, 03:40 PM

For almost three years they have been saying Ukraine can't win this war-Now here where we are entering the fourth year of fighting, Ukraine is still doing almost fine.

As I said to a friend-For almost three years the Russian hasn't been able to win the war. When he said Ukraine can't win this war.

Markus

Skybird

01-02-25, 04:43 PM

Ukraine is still doing almost fine.

Na jaaaa.... "doing fine" is somethign different, imho. Ukraine desperately hangs on to the fight, but its doing not fine at all. Its energy production is reduced by almost 90%, many cities have been annihiliated, industry and eocnomy are in a terirbel state, between 20 and 40% of its agricultural and industrila potential is in danger to be lost forever, and over one quarter of its population is gone away.

The are dying hard, but they die.

Zelensky one was one of their biggest asset, dueto him mobilising donations in arms form the west. He cnanto do that anymore, has tremedopsuly lost in value, more, it seems to me he has become part of a problem at their leadership top. Ex top general Zalushnyi has reached a lot to change and prepare and reorganize the army, they said before the war, but practically nothing of that is left now. Its as if he never has been there. - Or he was tremendously overestimated. I dont know.

mapuc

01-02-25, 05:32 PM

mapuc

01-02-25, 05:55 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9a5KvZ28F4

Markus

Dargo

01-02-25, 05:59 PM

yada defeat horror defeat Götterdämmerung blah blahUkraine will survive this winter like the UK survived the blitz, it still has his key 23 cities under Ukraine control, it has still trillions of minerals for its industry, 80% is still Ukraine I can go on, and I have not started how bad Russia is on the moment but keep up your defeatism you will win us a war. Not!

https://i.postimg.cc/prmsmys2/2024-Ukraine-v4.gif
https://i.postimg.cc/hvR0tMQ0/feb22dec24.webp

Skybird

01-02-25, 06:46 PM

I spot a serious case of ostrich syndrome. I dont think the patient is therapeutically available anymore.

mapuc

01-02-25, 06:58 PM

I spot a serious case of ostrich syndrome. I dont think the patient is therapeutically available anymore.

Had to look this up
'The ostrich effect, also known as the ostrich problem, is a cognitive bias that describes how people often avoid negative information, including feedback that could help them monitor their goal progress. Instead of dealing with the situation, we bury our heads in the sand, like ostriches.'

Markus

Jimbuna

01-03-25, 06:23 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eO_TnsHlI0

Jimbuna

01-03-25, 06:29 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLPRSiY7TXo

Dargo

01-03-25, 06:19 PM

Berlin sees signs of Russia’s war collapse in 2025 (https://english.nv.ua/nation/german-government-s-analysis-economic-strain-in-russia-hints-at-war-s-end-50478854.html)

An "internal analysis" conducted by the German government has revealed some signs pointing to a possible shift toward an end of the Russian war against Ukraine in 2025, Bild reported on Jan. 3. This is seen as a possible scenario, with the deteriorating economic situation in Russia seen as a major factor. Rising interest rates and food prices, along with a more than 20% drop in the value of the ruble against major currencies, indicate a deepening crisis in the country.

The three-shift operation of Russia's military-industrial complex can no longer hide the crisis in other industries. If in 2024 economic growth was just under 4%, in 2025 it is expected to be around 1%. The preparation of the Russian presidential administration for the "post-war" election campaign to the State Duma, which will be held in September 2026, could be considered another sign of the possible end of the war.

Bild zeitung source (German, paywall):https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland-und-internationales/interne-analyse-der-bundesregierung-putin-koennte-bald-den-krieg-gegen-ukraine-beenden-67766442d37eab5a7ad63ba0
copy/paste from Bild in English: https://www-nau-ch.translate.goog/news/ausland/ukraine-krieg-putin-konnte-ihn-schon-bald-beenden-66888571?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

mapuc

01-03-25, 06:49 PM

Was about to write-Happy news, when I came to think of how many times expert here in the West have said the Russian economy is on the brink of collapse.

It would be welcomed though

Markus

Dargo

01-03-25, 06:55 PM

^How Russia might want to end the war in Ukraine is not the subject of the analysis. Bild also stresses that this is just a scenario. "The signals sent out by the Kremlin could, as usual, mean something else, the opposite or nothing," it says. Even shortly before the Russian invasion almost three years ago, the Kremlin said that such an invasion was not planned.

But all the signs are near that the economy is crashing, the public indicators do not lie it is happening this year. Even Russian economists warned for this, the CEO of the Russian bank has offered her resignation because of this last year. Going from 4% growth to 1% is not a signal that it goes okey-dokey.

Dargo

01-03-25, 07:07 PM

Na jaaaa.... "doing fine" is somethign different, imho. Ukraine desperately hangs on to the fight, but its doing not fine at all. Its energy production is reduced by almost 90%, many cities have been annihiliated, industry and eocnomy are in a terirbel state, between 20 and 40% of its agricultural and industrila potential is in danger to be lost forever, and over one quarter of its population is gone away.

The are dying hard, but they die.

Zelensky one was one of their biggest asset, dueto him mobilising donations in arms form the west. He cnanto do that anymore, has tremedopsuly lost in value, more, it seems to me he has become part of a problem at their leadership top. Ex top general Zalushnyi has reached a lot to change and prepare and reorganize the army, they said before the war, but practically nothing of that is left now. Its as if he never has been there. - Or he was tremendously overestimated. I dont know.Orly? Your 90% is also delusionalUkraine hits $24.5 billion in agro-exports, nearing pre-war levels, Agriculture Ministry reports (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hits-24-5-billion-in-agro-exports-nearing-pre-war-levels-agriculture-ministry-reported/)Ukraine's agricultural exports reached $24.5 billion in 2024, accounting for 59% of the country’s total exports, the Agriculture Ministry reported on Jan. 3. This marks a significant recovery, nearing pre-war levels and achieving the second-highest record after 2021’s $27.7 billion. Ukraine, a global agricultural powerhouse, exported 78.3 million tons of products in 2024, including grains and sunflower seeds critical to markets across Africa and Asia.

Sunflower oil led the exports at 21%, with nearly 6 million tons worth $5.1 billion. Corn matched this share, with 29.6 million tons exported for $5 billion. Wheat followed at 15%, totalling 20.6 million tons worth $3.7 billion. Other notable exports included rapeseed (7%, $1.8 billion), soybeans (5%, $1.3 billion), and oilcake and residues (4%, $1 billion). Meat and poultry products accounted for 4% ($958 million), while barley and sugar each made up 2% of exports at $557 million and $418 million, respectively.Ukraine to produce 3,000 cruise missiles and 30,000 long-range drones by 2025 (https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-to-produce-30-000-drones-and-3-000-cruise-missiles-in-2025-shmyhal-announces-50478966.html)Ukraine aims to manufacture at least 30,000 long-range drones and approximately 3,000 cruise missiles and missile drones in 2025, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Jan. 3 during a Cabinet meeting. “Today, I will outline the government’s key priorities and directions for 2025. First and foremost, these include defense and security. We have a record budget to strengthen our military and bolster the defense industry, with a total of 2.23 trillion hryvnias allocated for defense and security,” Shmyhal said.

Direct defense budget expenditures on weapons and military equipment will amount to at least 739 billion hryvnias, while Ukrainian defense industry enterprises plan to expand production capacities to $30 billion. “As part of the Victory Weapons project, we will introduce long-term contracts with manufacturers for three to five years. Special attention will be given to long-range capabilities and the missile program. The president has tasked us with producing at least 30,000 long-range drones. Ukrainian enterprises also plan to manufacture around 3,000 cruise missiles and missile drones,” Shmyhal added.

Ukrainian-made weapons and equipment

On Sept. 13, presidential advisor Oleksandr Kamyshin announced Ukraine had started producing 155mm artillery shells domestically.
On Oct. 2, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine would prioritize the production of drones, long-range weapons, and ballistic missiles in 2025. The same day, he hinted at significant updates on Ukraine’s missile program by late 2024 or early 2025.
By Oct. 5, the Defense Ministry reported codifying and approving over 900 weapons and equipment samples between January and September 2024, including 600 Ukrainian-made items.
On Oct. 14, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that one million Ukrainian-made drones had been delivered to the front. Later, on Oct. 30, he noted that Ukraine was producing nearly 20 Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems per month.
On Jan. 2, Piotr Lukasiewicz, Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Ukraine, stated that a Ukrainian defense enterprise had secretly built a weapons production plant in Poland to support the Defense Forces. The collaboration between Ukraine and Poland includes drone production, tank repairs, and advancements in high-tech weaponry.
What is the annihilated, industry doing?

Skybird

01-03-25, 08:16 PM

The share of all agricultural production in the Russian-occupied oblasts in Ukraine's total agricultural production can be roughly estimated at 30-40%. In some years, the majority of wheat and corn production comes from the five occupied oblasts. Also a considerable part of the sunflower oil production. Most vegetables come from Crimea.

40-50% of the coal that Ukraine consumed before the war came from the occupied territories. Before the war, Ukraine was the eighth largest steel producer in the world, with the majority of production in the Mariupol region and Azov Steel, as well as Donetsk. The Luhansk region is rich in iron ore and various metal deposits. Western estimates confirm Russian data, according to which the share of the occupied regions in Ukraine's total capacity in heavy industry and ore deposits could also be as high as 40-50%.

I mentioned this a few weeks ago, and I don't believe that the overall picture has changed significantly since then.All this will be lost for Ukraine.

In addition, 90% - or even more, in the meantime - of the electricity and heating power plants are no longer repairable, but destroyed. NINETY percent.

If you shrug off such losses of industrial and agricultural potency and claim that it means nothing, then I really can't help you. That's just a denial of reality.

Ukraine's financial situation is a disaster.

To reinterpret the mere fact that Ukraine is perhaps getting away with just surviving and paying for this with disastrous losses as a "victory" is impertinent and highly disrespectful. One could just as well claim that the Jews won the Holocaust, because they were still there afterwards. Russia's own high losses do not mean anythiugn for Ukrane if they do not trnalste in reconquests. If Ukraine cannot take back what Russia has taken away from them, then the gains for Russia are real.

War always is also about money and economy, and I am certain that oart of Putin'S motivation was to cripple Ukraine as a rival on the global wheat market, because Russia is the biggest wheat producer in the world and holds de facto kind of a monopoly - that Ukraine seriously challenged. Now no more. The wheat price is higher now than ebfoere the war (250-300 dollar per ton before the war, 350-450 over 2022-2023, and last year relaxing a bit at prices between 300-350.

Summary of the Ukrainian wheat harvest in the years 2021-2024:

2021 (before the war): 33 million tons
2022 (start of the war): 19 million tons (decline of around 40%)
2023 (recovery): 20 million tons (slight recovery compared to 2022, but still below pre-war levels)
2024 (further recovery): 22 million tons (further increase, but still below the normal production level of 2021)

That is one third less than with the occupied territories before the invasion.

Jimbuna

01-04-25, 07:52 AM

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

Jimbuna

01-04-25, 07:53 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJZz8KQu-os

Dargo

01-04-25, 12:33 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhS-Gi4mrwk

mapuc

01-04-25, 12:49 PM

This will be interesting to see how Trump can make Putin stop the war.

Markus

Dargo

01-04-25, 12:53 PM

As he said, sent all tools that the US has mothballed to Ukraine :D.

Dargo

01-04-25, 12:57 PM

Slovak state energy company to continue supplying electricity to Ukraine despite Fico's threats (https://kyivindependent.com/slovak-state-energy-company-to-continue-to-supply-electricity-to-ukraine-despite-ficos-threats/)Slovakia's state-controlled transmission system operator SEPS said it will continue supplying electricity to Ukraine as part of an emergency assistance contract, despite threats from Slovak Prime Minister Roberto Fico, the iRozhlas media outlet reported on Jan. 3. Fico said on Dec. 27 that his government would consider halting electricity supplies to Ukraine after a deal to transit Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine expired on Dec. 31. Kyiv had repeatedly warned it would not renew the transit agreement to avoid financing Russia’s war. Due to Russia's ongoing attacks on the energy system, Ukraine has turned to neighboring countries, including Slovakia, to supply additional electricity from abroad.

SEPS will continue to cooperate with the state-owned energy company Ukrenergo under a valid contract extended last spring for another 12 months, the media outlet reported. According to the contract, the Slovak company can supply Ukraine with up to 150 megawatts of electricity for emergency assistance. SEPS has committed to ensuring the cross-border electricity transmission on "standard terms." SEPS also provides cross-border electricity transmission via high-voltage lines. In the first 11 months of last year, net electricity exports from Slovakia to Ukraine reached 2.43 terawatt-hours, which is three and a half times higher than in the same period in 2023, according to iRozhlas.

Slovakia's former Economy Minister Karel Hirman said previously that electricity is sold to Ukraine by traders, not the state, iRozhlas reported. Hirman added that Slovakia would be drawn into a conflict within the European Union if the electricity supply to Ukraine was stopped. Apart from threats to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine, Fico also said Slovakia could reduce aid for Ukrainian refugees in response to Ukraine's decision to terminate Russian gas transit.

Another cunning Putin plan backfires in Putin's cronies faces :har:.

Jimbuna

01-04-25, 01:04 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2p8OwjkMg

Jimbuna

01-04-25, 01:09 PM

Ukrainian drones tried to attack largest commercial sea port of Russian Federation - Ust-Luga in Leningrad region

Today, on January 4, 2025, Ukrainian drones tried to attack the largest sea trade port in the Russian Federation, Ust-Luga, in the Leningrad region.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the ASTRA telegram channel.

According to the publication, most of the drones that attacked the Leningrad region today were shot down over the terminal of Novatrans LLC on the territory of the Ust-Luga seaport.

As a preliminary result, windows in one of the buildings at the port were damaged. In turn, local authorities reported 4 downed UAVs and said there were no casualties or damage.

As reported, on the morning of January 4, St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport suspended flights. Source: https://censor.net/en/v3528481

Catfish

01-04-25, 01:17 PM

Some say this and some say that, while some german Bundeswehr and Nato generals openly speak about Russia intending to attack Europe in 5-6 years. This is not a joke it seems.

sh3rules

01-04-25, 01:42 PM

Some say this and some say that, while some german Bundeswehr and Nato generals openly speak about Russia intending to attack Europe in 5-6 years. This is not a joke it seems.

All the more reason to give Ukraine the equipment and ammo that it needs to defeat Russia. Ukraine is doing wonders with equipment that was about to be decommissioned. Send Russia back to the 90s now, otherwise it will be Europe losing soldiers and critical infrastructure. Not to mention how easy it would be to go from there to a world war.

Jimbuna

01-04-25, 01:47 PM

All the more reason to give Ukraine the equipment and ammo that it needs to defeat Russia. Ukraine is doing wonders with equipment that was about to be decommissioned. Send Russia back to the 90s now, otherwise it will be Europe losing soldiers and critical infrastructure. Not to mention how easy it would be to go from there to a world war.

Surely you don't expect western governments to have that much foresight :o

mapuc

01-04-25, 02:35 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAzca3jqTns

Markus

mapuc

01-04-25, 03:35 PM

Some input to todays Denys video.

May the day where Moscow and St Petersburg is getting hit on daily basis, come sooner than later. This could make thing worse for Putin.

New fighter jet has arrived

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgnKpm1xIlg

Edit
Now it should be the military who is facing a meltdown-I believe it when I see it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP6dck4w_h4
End edit

Markus

Skybird

01-05-25, 08:32 AM

Ukraine is reported to have surprised Russia with a regional offensive in the Kursk area. Russian losses are high, but thats nothing new. It remains to be seen what Kyiv hopes to acchieve with this. I think the Russian gains in the area of Pokrovsk and the East in general are still more tactically and strategically relevant. And if Kyiv wants to accumulate "negotiation mass" at Kursk, it can onyl function if Putin even wills to negotiate (no signs for that), and if Kyiv does not lose more than it gains when comparing the give and take on the ground in both front sectors. And that is where I have doubts. Finally, it must be capable to hold the grounds it takes. From their first offensive in Kursk, they have lost around 50% of gained grounds again.

The time is surprising, however.

Jimbuna

01-05-25, 09:56 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx7Ud2b1EZU

Skybird

01-05-25, 12:00 PM

[NTV] The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russia may want to conserve its main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles in light of dwindling Soviet stocks. In February 2024, the British think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) stated that Russia would probably be able to maintain its vehicle losses for at least two to three years by mainly refurbishing vehicles from Soviet warehouses. However, the ISW now considers this estimate to be no longer valid - due to the extremely high losses.
According to independently unverifiable information from Kiev, over 3,500 Russian main battle tanks and almost 9,000 armored vehicles such as infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed or damaged in 2024. Loss figures that, according to ISW, are probably “not sustainable in the medium term” for the Kremlin troops.

“It seems increasingly unlikely that the Russian military can sustain a current annual loss rate of nearly 9,000 armored vehicles in 2025,” the US think tank says. This could mean Russia may use fewer vehicles in attacks in order to avoid the risk of its stocks becoming ominously small.

Michael Kofman from the US think tank CNA told Forbes that the Russians would rely primarily on infantry “to reduce equipment losses, but also because of the general inability to overcome prepared defenses, aided by ubiquitous intelligence and drone strikes”. Scattered infantry is harder to hit than long columns of vehicles, Kofman said.
-------------
Its like I once estimated early 2024 or late 2023 - that Russia could, if it goes to extremes, sustain its then current loss ratios for another 2-3, until late 2026, I estimated. Whether it is wise for them to excessively go this far, is something else, it would mean to cannibalise their other army groups in other regions of their huge territory.

Personally I see a chance that somehow the war may wear down in late 2025. But I dont engrave that in stone, of course. And not without hurting concessions by Ukraine. Thats not meant to say they should make these concessions. Its their decision. They had three hellish years.

Jimbuna

01-05-25, 12:23 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc_JY--nuFQ

Dargo

01-05-25, 02:29 PM

According to Russian military bloggers, the army is surprised by the offensive. Mechanised units are said to be attacking from different sides, but the centre of gravity of the offensive is said to be northeast of the town of Sudan, which has been occupied by Ukraine for five months. Ukrainian authorities have not yet officially confirmed the attack, but the head of the presidential office, Andri Jermak, seems to be referring to it with a post on social media. ‘Kursk region, good news: Russia gets what it deserves,’ he wrote on Telegram.

According to Russian reports, Ukrainian units are trying to advance from the occupied town of Sudan with tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to the east and northeast, including towards Bolshoye Soldatskoye. That town lies some 70 kilometres southwest of the city of Kursk. In their operation, Ukrainian forces are said to have used elaborate electronic warfare to disable most Russian drones over the battlefield. The fighting took place Sunday, mainly near the village of Berdin, not far from the main road leading to the regional capital Kursk, according to Russian war bloggers.

https://i.ibb.co/j3XK1SQ/kursk2-0.jpg (https://ibb.co/8PZ3SHf)
The Kursk attack is in the Russian's 810th area, where they reportedly being rotated by another unit. If the Ukraine army can get a breakout and go east and west, they would be in the Russian's rear supply area that would cause panic. Wait, I thought Ukrainian morale was collapsing and Russia was an unstoppable steamroller… Russians spent 100+ days attacking through mud uphill into occupied Kursk now Ukraine is attacking down hill over frozen hard ground into the tired Russians. Remember when Putin said he will push Ukraine out of Kursk by October? Then it became January 2025 this will not happen keeping Kursk is more important for Ukraine than holding areas in the Donetsk oblast because it hurts Russia more much more. Ukraine is the first country that in history occupies areas of a nuclear power!

mapuc

01-05-25, 04:32 PM

In some part of the frontline, there are Ukrainian soldiers who is tired of the war and some may even flee.

It is good news coming from Kursk Hope they can retake what they have lost the last couple of month.

Markus

Skybird

01-05-25, 06:05 PM

mapuc

01-05-25, 06:46 PM

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

Markus

Dargo

01-05-25, 10:24 PM

[FOCUS] Although Russian troops continue to suffer heavy losses in eastern Ukraine, they are still advancing steadily. According to military observers, the Ukrainian defenders had to give up three more villages near the city of Pokrovsk in the Donbass, which has been embattled for months.

The Ukrainian military blog “DeepState” named the villages of Datschenske, Nowyj Trud and Wowkowe a few kilometers south of Pokrowsk. The blog “Liveuamap” painted a similar picture, while the official situation report from the General Staff for Friday evening still described Novyi Trud as embattled.

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

The renewed Kursk attack by Ukraine probably is another hope to pull Russian troops away from the embattled areas in the East. I think they will succeed with that as much as the first time in autumn: not at all. They may bind the troops that already are in Kursk, yes, but only at the cost of having to support Kursk with their own tens of thousands of troops. The losses not mentioned.Where do you think DeepState gets his data (delayed data) from it is from the ukraine defence Liveuamap gets it data from X that is not an accurate method to do the more conservative, but I think most accurate is https://map.ukrdailyupdate.com/ it fact-check claims via satellite images. For Pokrovsk Russia needs months to get this city rather encircle it, they have not even got other small cities where they fight for more than a year. Kursk is either a diversion or/and yes to pull Russian resource's no not from the east but from the reserves that than can not be used in the east. This cost the Russian resources thinking this has no use or is only based on hope, you need to read what Russian military bloggers biaach how great their army is doing. Russia on its max war production only could gain a couple of thousand square Km, means it would take 13 years to gain those so called 4 Russian oblast's 99 year to advance to Kyiv. This will all cost that Ukraine will not mention like Russia does not mention it, like we would not mention. Syrskyi is not stupid he and its staff has planned this they know what they have in reserve they are the professionals, Syrskyi is good at this like we saw in Augustus 2024 this commander could hold of Russia in 2024. Russia has not even been close to their goals 2025 will not be different 2026 also not.

Raf1394

01-06-25, 12:50 AM

I personally think we will have a sudden peace deal in 2025.
The region Russia captured will stay in Russian hands.

If Russia gives up the land they took. The war was for noting and would backlash hard to Putin.
The US and Europe can't support Ukraine for ever... and especially with Trump moving in office. US support will be less.

This war can't last for ever, both countries and especially the Russian and Ukrainian population are getting fed up about the war

Reece

01-06-25, 03:06 AM

. . . and a few years later Putin will start a new offensive! :doh:

Jimbuna

01-06-25, 08:51 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpImt5eEuNA

Jimbuna

01-06-25, 08:53 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HTcL6tckgQ

Skybird

01-06-25, 09:34 AM

[NTV] According to Russia, it has thwarted attempts by Ukraine to achieve a breakthrough in the Kursk region in western Russia. The Ukrainian forces were repulsed near the village of Berdin, writes the Russian news agency Tass, citing the Ministry of Defense. This led to the loss of soldiers and tanks on the Ukrainian side.
---------------------

Says Russia - we await further confirmation.

However, unbelievable the claim is not. One wonders how Ukraine, under Russian surveillance and in its current state, could have conjured up the necessary reserves for a sustained offensive like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a top hat. Scepticism and a healthy sense of realism are called for. And Kyiv has run publicity operations to drum for more Western support before, and repeatedly. So: is it possible they are runnign their claimed offensive deep and successfully? Yes, maybe, but we cannot say for sure. Should we blindly believe it? Hell, no. In war, scepticism is a good companion.

Dargo

01-06-25, 01:15 PM

^I saw the evidence of their claim and guess what there is no snow in Russia mid-winter. Just wait 48 hours, then more will become clear how it is going.

mapuc

01-06-25, 05:47 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWil428G-WM

Markus

Skybird

01-06-25, 05:58 PM

^I saw the evidence of their claim and guess what there is no snow in Russia mid-winter. Just wait 48 hours, then more will become clear how it is going.
Its a desperate demonstration for Trump, to win him over. I mean, the timing is too obvious, isn't it.

mapuc

01-06-25, 11:54 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtUGkLYW9lw

Markus

Jimbuna

01-07-25, 06:36 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDpfvH1wI-4

Jimbuna

01-07-25, 06:40 AM

Rushing to find peace could lead to bad settlement that will only encourage Putin

Russia's full-scale invasion has reached a tipping point. The next few weeks will decide whether Ukraine can remain a sovereign state within its pre-war borders or close to them, with full security guarantees for its citizens. Or Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will be rewarded and further encouraged in his war for territorial expansion.

This is stated in the material of The Washington Post, Censor.NET reports.

The outcome of this war will have consequences far beyond Ukraine, despite the fact that some American isolationists say it is a European problem. At stake is the credibility of the US and NATO, which have pledged to continue their support "as long as it takes" to defeat Russian aggression.

WP notes that time is the most important resource that Ukraine is losing. Donald Trump will take office on 20 January 2025 and promises to end the war quickly, but does not offer any specific details of his plan.

Another time constraint for Ukraine is the growing fatigue in Europe and the desire to find an end to the war, which is consuming a significant portion of the continent's scarce military equipment stocks. Europeans are gradually moving towards the idea of negotiations based on the "land for peace" formula as the best way to resolve the war if US aid is stopped.

"Ukraine can hardly survive another year of this devastating war. But the haste to find a negotiated settlement could produce a bad one that would reward Mr. Putin for his land grab and guarantee he will launch a new attack for more territory once he has a chance to rebuild his depleted arsenal," the article states. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3528915

Reece

01-07-25, 06:51 AM

Quite agree with that. :yep: I say keep supporting Ukraine and review the situation after a few months. :hmmm:

Jimbuna

01-07-25, 06:59 AM

"Disturbing geopolitical combination" of Putin and Trump poses security challenges for Europe

A security crisis is brewing in Europe. In 2025, two dangerous elements may combine: the growing threat from Russia and the growing indifference of the United States and Donald Trump.

This is stated in the Financial Times article, Censor.NET reports.

It is noted that European countries need to urgently respond to this "disturbing geopolitical combination" and strengthen their own defence.

This includes increasing defence spending. It is also necessary to have a realistic understanding of what is really happening in Russia and the United States.

The publication recalls the words of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that "Russia's economy is on a military track".

"The danger is coming at us at full speed," he said. Rutte was one of those who called on NATO countries to rapidly increase defence production and "switch to a military mindset".

Christopher Cavoli, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, also warned of the danger of Russia. In particular, he said that Russia "has no intention of stopping in Ukraine". Source: https://censor.net/en/n3528897

Skybird

01-07-25, 07:23 AM

Media report that Ukrainian high command as well as field commanders expect that Russia will give the order for a full frontal assault on Pokrovsk "within one week". Around on third of all combat activity along the full 1200km frontline is already now focussed on Pokrovsk alone. Western observes say that in this case the town most likely will suffer the fate of Bakhmut.

One can only hope that Ukrainie traded its losses well for time to establish new defense lines behind Pokrovsk. Just weeks ago the land behind Pokrovsk was described to be practically "naked".

Jimbuna

01-07-25, 09:45 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBRTkRmSj7s

Dargo

01-07-25, 11:26 AM

Its a desperate demonstration for Trump, to win him over. I mean, the timing is too obvious, isn't it.In military it is a tactical need if you see the possibility to advance, and you have the means any army will do this counteroffensive. It is a political demonstration to the west, yeah we can still beat the Russians if we have the tools... Trump will not get a deal this year in this war, I doubt it will have a cease fire next year. Putin still thinks everything goes biggly great all accord the plan and Ukraine will never cede to Putin terms because they are delusional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1SB2DcOrbk
George Barros has a good point here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDc2hgcf4vI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAZFN7-BkIU

Media report that Ukrainian high command as well as field commanders expect that Russia will give the order for a full frontal assault on Pokrovsk "within one week". Around on third of all combat activity along the full 1200km frontline is already now focussed on Pokrovsk alone. Western observes say that in this case the town most likely will suffer the fate of Bakhmut.

One can only hope that Ukrainie traded its losses well for time to establish new defense lines behind Pokrovsk. Just weeks ago the land behind Pokrovsk was described to be practically "naked".That media is soo wrong it will be a pincer movement all generals say this for months and if you look at the maps you see the forces simultaneously attack both flanks. This would also the only tactic here, street to street fighting cost too much, better go around the town and starve it.

Skybird

01-07-25, 12:07 PM

According to the Ukrainian air force, an F-16 fighter pilot shot down six Russian cruise missiles in December - using four missiles and the on-board cannon. The mission is said to have taken place in December. There is only speculation as to who the soldier now honored on X is.

Ukrainian air force posted this portrait on X.

https://img.welt.de/img/politik/ausland/mobile255060012/1187938337-ci23x11-w200/Image-677d39427e327551e938d822.jpg

The story has not been confirmed by independent sources.

Jimbuna

01-07-25, 12:15 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abs7ThJ18gg

Dargo

01-07-25, 12:22 PM

The Eagle S, the ship that damaged submarine cables between Finland and Estonia on Christmas, also carried out suspicious activities off the Dutch coast. Investigations by the Dutch newspaper NRC showed that the ship sailed over the Atlantic Crossing 1 telecommunications cable for about two hours at minimum speed on 24 November 2023. That is a data link between Europe and the United States. Spy ship Eagle S sailed near the submarine cable in the North Sea in late 2023. ‘This is without any doubt suspicious,’ says Rob de Wijk, professor of international relations at Leiden University and founder of the think tank The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS).

https://i.ibb.co/vvqKw5j/Eagle-Sroute.webp (https://ibb.co/Kzh30Zr)
onderzeekabel = submarine cable
uur = hour

Swedish Navy Recovers Anchor of Tanker Suspected of Baltic Sea Cable DamageThe Swedish navy said Tuesday it had recovered from the Baltic Sea the anchor of an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" and damaging four underwater telecoms cables and one power cable on Dec. 25. Sweden sent a submarine rescue vessel to assist Finland in the investigation last week. "The HMS Belos has located and lifted the anchor and handed it over to Finnish authorities," Swedish navy spokesman Jimmie Adamsson told AFP. The Eagle S, flying the Cook Islands flag, is suspected of having damaged the EstLink 2 electricity cable between Finland and Estonia in the Baltic on Dec. 25, putting it out of action. Finnish police said on Dec. 29 that they had found a trail from the anchor stretching dozens of kilometers along the seabed... https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/07/swedish-navy-recovers-anchor-of-tanker-suspected-of-baltic-sea-cable-damage-a87527

‘The location where the anchor was found is along the route of the Eagle S,’ authorities said in a statement. Last week, Finnish police released a photograph of the tanker. The photo, taken close to the bow of the Eagle S, shows damage suspected to have been caused by the ship's anchor chain.
https://i.ibb.co/x8JPr59/Anchorchain.jpg (https://ibb.co/5xBtJcp)

Jimbuna

01-07-25, 12:41 PM

Pentagon official in charge of Ukraine aid Cooper resigns

A senior official of the US Department of Defense, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs Laura Cooper is resigning.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to Voice of America.

"Her departure reflects a growing sense of anxiety in the Pentagon about the new administration and how it plans to treat career civil servants and military officers," Politico commented.

Cooper was considered a leading expert on Ukrainian and Russian issues and a key official in coordinating US military assistance and organizing international support for Ukraine. She has been in charge of Ukraine and Russia since the first Trump administration and has spent more than two decades at the Pentagon. She once testified before Congress as part of Trump's impeachment trial, including on alleged attempts by then-President Trump to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.

The Defense Department did not disclose the reason for Cooper's dismissal, but media reports suggest that the possible reason was the uncertainty of the policy toward Ukraine.

Cooper played a significant role in coordinating the massive delivery of US military aid to Ukraine after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Politico recalls. Pentagon and State Department officials told the publication that she may fear retaliation from Trump "for her testimony and ties to Biden-era Ukrainian policy."

At the 2023 congressional hearings, Cooper stated that Ukraine was ready for the upcoming liberation of the Russian-occupied territory: "Ukraine is well prepared and equipped. Although the course of the war is dynamic and unpredictable, we have great confidence in the capabilities and readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine." She also emphasized that Russia's aggressive war is a serious danger not only for Ukraine but also for Europe, as well as for the basic principles of sovereignty and democracy.

On Ukraine's Independence Day, 2024, Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Laura Cooper the Order of Princess Olha, II Class. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3529001

Dargo

01-07-25, 01:05 PM

Heating Failures Hit Russia's Far East Amid Subzero TemperaturesThousands of people in the Far East city of Chita have been left without heating and hot water amid subzero winter temperatures following an accident at a local heating plant on Tuesday. The leak at the Mashinostroitelny plant came as temperatures plunged to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), the Chita.ru news website reported. The Mashinostroitelny heating plant has been plagued by frequent breakdowns — the most recent occurring on Dec. 29 — and failed to obtain a winter-readiness certificate this year. In 2023, regional authorities noted that the plant's operations were hazardous and responsible for over 200 tons of harmful emissions.

Its owner, former Chita mayor and United Russia member Vladimir Zabelin, had promised residents that repairs would be carried out last winter. But in March 2024, he offered to sell the facility to the city administration for 107 million rubles ($1.2 million). The administration declined the offer, citing budget constraints. Meanwhile, in the Far East republic of Sakha (Yakutia), residents of the Zhigansky district lost heating for six days amid temperatures of minus 50 C (minus 58 F) after a fire on New Year's Eve forced the shutdown of the district's central heating plant.

Temperatures inside some homes dropped to 5-7 C (minus 41-45 F), causing pipes and radiators to burst. Local shops quickly ran out of space heaters and blankets, the regional news outlet SakhaDay reported. The Zhigansky district's heating plant is operated by a company headed by United Russia deputy Vitaly Chikachev... https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/07/heating-failures-hit-russias-far-east-amid-subzero-temperatures-a87528

August

01-07-25, 02:48 PM

Pentagon official in charge of Ukraine aid Cooper resigns

:haha: "You can't fire me because I quit!"

The sound you hear is the swamp starting to drain. :03:

Catfish

01-08-25, 02:08 AM

I guess he should have staid. I also think that Trump probably told him what he intends to do with Ukraine. You can guess what that is.

Skybird

01-08-25, 05:48 AM

To classify the "offensive" of Ukraine in Kursk. The hatched blue area is held by Ukraine, the pink area marks the territorial gains it made at the beginning of the Ukrainian Kursk offensive last year, but has since lost again.

https://static.dw.com/image/71231070_906.jpg
Source: DW

I would point out that so far, the footage intended to document the advance has been limited to showing a handful of armored Rovers driving around here and there. No visible evidence of the advance of any large armed mechanized units. Ukraine is shrouded in secrecy. Russian bloggers and other Russian sources have lost their initial excitement and seem relaxed, there seems to be confidence that the Ukrainian attack is under control.

A small movie showing four or five armoured rovers driving over a narrow field path in the snow does not yet convince me of anything decisive going on.

Jimbuna

01-08-25, 09:05 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ4JLPOBR-g

Jimbuna

01-08-25, 09:12 AM

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

Dargo

01-08-25, 05:22 PM

Commander arrested from Ukrainian unit plagued by desertionA commander suspected of desertion has been arrested in Ukraine. The special investigation service writes that he had also urged his subordinates to desert. The man was a commander in the French-trained brigade, from which many hundreds of soldiers reportedly fled or did not show up at all. The commander commanded a company, which usually consists of 100 to 150 soldiers. As far as is known, he is the highest-ranking soldier in the brigade, with several thousand soldiers, who has so far been detained in the scandal. Earlier, the brigade's supreme commander was suspended.

The lieutenant had been detained in northwest Ukraine. According to the so-called State Bureau of Investigation, it was established that he had ignored orders to hand over his troops to another unit last year. ‘Instead, he ordered his soldiers to flee without their weapons,’ the statement read. The man has been transferred to the capital Kyiv, where he will be prosecuted for desertion. The commander risks a prison term of at least 10 years. The problems at the 155th mechanised brigade were revealed late last year by a prominent Ukrainian journalist. He claimed that at its peak, 1,700 soldiers were no longer at their posts. Later, only 500 were missing. With that, it is unclear how many soldiers actually fled. A French officer told AFP news agency that ‘a limited’ number of soldiers had disappeared during their training in France.

The authorities announced an investigation last week. Today, a Ukrainian general acknowledged that the brigade was suffering from a variety of structural problems. According to The Kyiv (https://kyivindependent.com/ground-forces-chief-reports-to-zelensky-on-155th-brigade-names-those-responsible-for-systematic-shortcomings/) Independent newspaper, he said there was ‘poor management’, ‘mistakes in recruitment’ and ‘imperfect training planning’. The general indicated that the middle layer of commanders was inefficient and unmotivated. The journalist who publicised the matter put the responsibility of the problems on the army chiefs. ‘They continue to waste lives and money on new projects, instead of strengthening experienced brigades,’ he told British newspaper The Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/02/ukrainian-soldiers-go-awol-before-shot-fired/) recently. The 155th brigade had been established last year.

Dargo

01-08-25, 05:28 PM

The Dutch navy is increasingly escorting suspected Russian ships in the North Sea. In the past year, the number almost doubled, from 11 Russian ships in 2023 to 20 in 2024. The fact that more Russian ships are being monitored in the North Sea is due to the changing security picture, according to Defence. In the past year, the navy monitored several Russian naval vessels, such as the Admiral Golovko and the Soobrazitelny. But Russian research vessels like the Yantar were also monitored. Formally, Yantar does maritime research, but analysts say Russia uses this kind of research vessel to map vital infrastructure at sea.We see that this deterrent works, when we are in the vicinity, ships sail through.That vital infrastructure in the North Sea consists of gas pipelines, as well as undersea power and data cables. Earlier, the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) warned that Russian ships are investigating opportunities for espionage and sabotage of this infrastructure. ‘We see Russian research ships sailing back and forth over these kinds of cables for long periods of time,’ said HCSS defence specialist Patrick Bolder. ‘That's just a military operation, there are armed soldiers on those research ships.’ On board, the Yantar has several unmanned submarines, with which it can access submarine cables, for example. According to Defence press officer Lonneke van Kollenburg, monitoring suspicious ships helps against such actions. ‘We escort ships because of monitoring, deterrence and possible evidence. If we see something happening that is not allowed, we can intervene and have direct evidence of it. We also see that this deterrence works, if we are nearby, ships sail through.’

The bar for actually boarding a suspected ship is high, Bolder explains. ‘At sea, ships are allowed to sail freely. That is an important principle for international trade at sea and also a Dutch principle. Hugo de Groot coined that.’ Therefore, Russian ships also have the right to free passage and the navy can often only follow and accompany them. Intervention is only possible if they are caught red-handed in sabotage attempts. ‘But for that you have to be in the neighbourhood,’ says Bolder. This is also what makes the outcome in the Eagle S case so interesting, according to the defence specialist. That oil tanker, according to Finland, is responsible for damaging important cables in the Baltic Sea and has since been held by Finnish authorities. Bolder: ‘This is going to be important for how we deal with suspect ships in the future and what legal options there are to deal with them.’ In addition, Bolder said it could affect how other countries treat European ships.

Besides research ships and naval vessels, the Dutch navy also tracked civilian Russian ships, for example the fishing vessel Atlantida and the oil tanker Geral Skobolev. According to Russia's maritime doctrine, such civilian ships may also be used for military purposes. One challenge in tracking ships is the large size of the Dutch exclusive economic zone, the area at sea where the Netherlands has special rights and responsibilities. There are some 10,000 kilometres of pipelines and submarine cables. This makes it difficult to monitor and be physically present everywhere. To better carry out these tasks at sea, Defence is getting several new ships. These include support ships and ships that can detect and combat submarines. According to Bolder, it is crucial that the Netherlands has its security at sea in order. For instance, the Netherlands is increasingly dependent on offshore wind energy, which requires undersea power cables. In addition, the Netherlands is an important transit and trading country. Bolder: ‘If our data cables get damaged, it could affect our services. And thus for the reliability of the Netherlands for international trading partners.’

Zr.Ms. Tromp has just departed (04-01-2025) from Den Helder as the flagship for the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). This is 1 of the 4 NATO Fleet Groups available 24/7 for Alliance missions. SNMG1 operates mainly in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Remarkably, a Dutch commander is in charge of the maritime group for almost all of 2025. ‘As soon as I have taken over command of SNMG1 from my Danish colleague, we will start working immediately. We have an intensive exercise programme ahead of us. With that, we are going to maximise the readiness of the international staff and task force.’ So said Commander Arjen Warnaar at the Trump's departure. On 9 January, he will take command of SNMG1. Warnaar will take over from his Danish counterpart Thomas Stig Rasmussen. This will take place at the Haakonsvern naval base in Norway. The presence of naval vessels in the Baltic Sea could help prevent sabotage operations, Patrick Bolder believes. He is a defence specialist at the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. ‘The best thing is to catch saboteurs in the act. But then you need ships to get there quickly.’

mapuc

01-08-25, 06:36 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgjPqsE025U

Markus

Skybird

01-08-25, 07:26 PM

https://www-n--tv-de.translate.goog/politik/Die-Ukraine-versucht-eine-Art-Befreiungsschlag-article25470500.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

You say "attempt at a counter-offensive" - is it not one?

I would be cautious with the term "offensive". The counterattack in the Kursk area currently involves units from two brigades. An offensive would require larger units, and would have to involve all branches of the armed forces working together. It is not that massive at the moment. You also need at least local air superiority. That is also lacking.

[...]

Ukraine has endured another year of war. 2024 was supposed to be a defensive year with a focus on building up new forces. Has that been achieved?

In the defensive, Ukraine has lost significant areas of territory. Two figures are being circulated: 3,500 square kilometers of lost territory are generally mentioned, but the US think tank Institute for the Study of War puts the figure at 4,000 square kilometers. Converted to individual days, this often means that the Russian troops have gained up to ten square kilometers of territory per day. The Russians made the greatest progress in Donetsk on the line from Avdiivka to Velyka Novosyolka, where they occupied around 2,400 square kilometers.

The Russians' goal was an operational breakthrough. They didn't manage that, did they?

No. Moscow had intended such a breakthrough, especially south of Pokrovsk, but it did not succeed.

However, the Russians have regained momentum in their offensive, albeit with heavy losses. Ukrainian sources speak of 430,000 dead and wounded. The ratio is about 1 to 3. For every three wounded there is one dead. In addition, there are up to 1,500 battle tanks, almost 3,000 infantry fighting vehicles and a lot of other equipment. The Russians do not have resources forever and their economy is coming under increasing pressure. The decisive factor, however, is that despite this pressure and these enormous losses, the Russians have advanced. And in the end, the decisive factor is not how long Russia can hold out in the war, but how long Ukraine can hold out.

The red part sums it all up in nutshell.

Jimbuna

01-09-25, 08:01 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-EaxlHSV00

Dargo

01-09-25, 11:46 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LzZY3JMMQ

Ukraine may start supplying coal to Transnistria, which is facing an energy crisis after losing Russian gasUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to replenish Moldova's coal reserves as the renegade Transnistria region struggles with an energy crisis. He said this in a video address. Earlier today, Zelenskyy spoke to Moldovan President Maia Sandu about the gas shortages caused by the loss of Russian gas. Although an alternative route is available via Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania to continue supplying Transnistria with gas, Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom refuses it, claiming Moldova has a debt outstanding for previously delivered gas. While Russia speaks of hundreds of millions, Moldovan authorities talk of €8 million.

The plant in Transnistria has now switched to coal in an attempt to go through gas supplies less quickly. The Moldovan government earlier warned that coal supp

mapuc

01-09-25, 12:56 PM

^ One has to be careful from where one get the news from

Edit
On the other hand-Russia can afford losing thousands of men each day, but not forever. Ukraine can't afford such lost per day.
End edit

A modern IFV would it make any different ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JATnvF6YtaE

Markus

Dargo

01-09-25, 01:04 PM

^ One has to be careful from where one get the news from

A modern IFV would it make any different ?

MarkusRussian propaganda is copy/past by the western media it is all Ukraine losing but in the real Ukraine is not losing it can defend longer and doing it better than Russia that is losing this war and in the future his economy. Without a healthy economy no strong army it can not even win on max war production and needs for more than 50% from outside shyte production that still not win them this war. All what comes from their allies, even China send his bad stuff what China send we will never buy because we find it shyte. Ukraine is very effective with his drones this is drone race every week, month they counter what Russia drones high-tech produce, and we see now Ukraine also winning this race not surprising they were the backbone of the USSR without Ukraine and his people the USSR would not exist long. The only answer Russia has is mad max like creations with tree trunks as anti drone protection.

Skybird

01-09-25, 01:08 PM

Yeah. Reisner is just Russian propaganda. Sure.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2021/01/28/04/19/ostrich-5956970_1280.jpg

mapuc

01-09-25, 01:26 PM

Dargo

01-09-25, 01:33 PM

Amount of Ukrainian territory under Russian control during the conflict:
22 February 2022 7.0%
22 March 2022 27%
25 September 2023 18%
December 2024 about 20%
That all with war production at his sealing, nearing end of stock, an economy in a loop of destruction and none of the goals of the plan possible in the next 10 years. Dream on that Russia will win this.

August

01-09-25, 02:32 PM

I would not classify the military expert Reisner as being a supporter of Russia. He knows what he talks about. What you can ask yourself is: Have Reisner interpreter the information right, cause some other military expert are saying something different.

Markus

Markus,

Colonel Reisner is a staff officer in the army of a nation that has not fought a real shooting war in over 100 years (and they lost). I would not take anything that he says as military gospel, especially when it conflicts with officers from other nations that have.

mapuc

01-09-25, 03:08 PM

Markus,

Colonel Reisner is a staff officer in the army of a nation that has not fought a real shooting war in over 100 years (and they lost). I would not take anything that he says as military gospel, especially when it conflicts with officers from other nations that have.

You could say this with every military expert here in the West, being a staff officer or former, who are being used by our media.

In the end it all sum up on where we each of us stand in this war, it is this standpoint who we believe is telling us the truth.

Markus

Dargo

01-09-25, 03:16 PM

I am not saying that anybody is Russian newspeak but that the Western media copy/past the Russian disinfo propaganda do not know if this is willing or not. And I get my info from many military sources and yes from veteran battle hardened generals.

Ukraine's 47th Brigade releases video of 'massive' Russian attack repelled in Kursk OblastUkraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade said on Jan. 9 that it had, together with other units, repelled a "massive" Russian assault in the embattled Kursk Oblast, releasing footage of the engagement. The report came days after Ukraine reportedly launched renewed offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, which is seen as a crucial bargaining chip for potential peace negotiations. Almost 50 Russian ground assaults were repelled in Kursk Oblast over the past day, the General Staff said.

The Russian attack reportedly involved about 50 vehicles, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, and buggies.

mapuc

01-09-25, 03:44 PM

I am not saying that anybody is Russian newspeak but that the Western media copy/past the Russian disinfo propaganda do not know if this is willing or not. And I get my info from many military sources and yes from veteran battle hardened generals.

I try to get as much info from different angle of this war story..Some may be Russian propaganda and some may be Ukrainian propaganda. I even read the link Skybird post here and I try to watch as much video clip as I can.

In one of your former post you wrote: "Dream on that Russia will win this."
Can we say the same around Ukraine-Dream on that Ukraine will win this ?

As I understand it-None of the side are in position to win the war.

Markus

Dargo

01-09-25, 04:00 PM

On the moment, it is a stalemate that will last for years, scenarios for the future I think will be a Korea war / Finland winter war / BDR, DDR solution or a combination of those.

mapuc

01-09-25, 04:14 PM

On the moment, it is a stalemate that will last for years, scenarios for the future I think will be a Korea war / Finland winter war / BDR, DDR solution or a combination of those.

For years you say-Here I'm thinking on all these videos about the coming collapse of Russia. If true or somehow true, then the war could end with Russia losing the war at home. It's also a question on the manpower, for how long can Russia keep on losing thousands of boots each day ?
The same goes for Ukraine for how long can they fight ?

Markus

Dargo

01-09-25, 04:29 PM

I can not see in the future Russia is having so many problems that it can happen tomorrow but also next years. With Moscow in 1 day we saw that the army did absolute nothing to stop it, it was the FSB, Putin's inner circle. Russia system has always lived in chaos, it can go any way. Even Stalin was not sure of his position after Germany invaded Moscow in 1 day was that kinda moment for Putin. That is also the reason he does not want general mobilisation, he fears that will cause so much resistance that factions will get the courage to do a Moscow in 1 day 2.0.

mapuc

01-09-25, 05:51 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGP8h6Z-LAs

Markus

Jimbuna

01-10-25, 05:45 AM

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

Jimbuna

01-10-25, 05:53 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jE0NG130Iw

Dargo

01-10-25, 11:41 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOEk9B93S7U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjrFqBHJPq0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyVCmNhS57A

Jimbuna

01-10-25, 12:51 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtjiWg0w6qM

Dargo

01-10-25, 01:05 PM

U.S. Unveils Sweeping Sanctions Against Russia’s Oil SectorWashington on Friday imposed some of its most sweeping sanctions on Russia’s oil industry since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, targeting two Russian oil majors, as well as Russian oil executives, traders, oilfield service providers and insurers. Oil prices soared to more than $80 per barrel ahead of the news on Friday, as rumours swirled that the anticipated sanctions package on Russian crude exports would tighten supplies in global markets. The U.S. Treasury identified Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, with more than two dozen of their subsidiaries around the world including Luxembourg, as “two of Russia’s most significant oil producers and exporters.” The sanctions also target a shadowy network of traders willing to ship and sell Russian oil and 183 vessels, including “shadow fleet” tankers, that Russia uses to sidestep a Western embargo on oil exports. Insurance providers Ingosstrakh and Alfastrakhovanie were also designated in the sanctions. The two insurers cover most of the ships that supply Russian oil to India, which has become the country’s biggest buyer since Russia was cut off from European markets over the war... https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/10/us-unveils-sweeping-sanctions-against-russias-oil-sector-a87570

Why Russia tolerate this? Russia should introduce counter-sanctions that will affect the US on a similar level. A great superpower should certainly be capable of this. Right?... :hmmm:

mapuc

01-10-25, 05:39 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1xeYwmGIX4

Markus

Skybird

01-11-25, 07:09 AM

Dargo

01-11-25, 07:28 AM

Demographics.

https://www.nzz.ch/meinung/in-der-welt-von-morgen-wird-russland-ein-territorialer-riese-und-ein-demografischer-zwerg-sein-das-ist-es-was-putin-umtreibt-ld.1864340?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wappEurope is currently experiencing an ageing population and slowing population growth of both the total and working-age populations. These trends are likely to continue. Even though population ageing will affect all European regions, different regions will be affected in different ways. European Countries by population
(https://www.worldometers.info/population/countries-in-europe-by-population/) “The impact on Russian society is devastating,” said Harley Balzer, emeritus professor of government and international affairs at Georgetown University. “From Russia's perspective, (winning the war in Ukraine) is the smaller problem. The bigger issue is, is it going to be a viable country afterward regardless?”. “The Russian Federation was trapped long before its invasion of Ukraine in what I described as a demographic straitjacket,” Nicholas Eberstadt, who holds the Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). “Life expectancy for young men is on par with a fourth-world country. Life expectancy at age 15 for a Russian man right before the (COVID-19) pandemic was about the same as his counterpart in Haiti.” large study into why Russian males had such short life expectancies published in 2014 concluded one of the main factors in early deaths was excessive alcohol consumption. Other factors, cited in a more recent investigation last year by the independent Russian media outlet Cherta, included high rates of murder, suicide, car crashes, and other fatal accidents.

Dargo

01-11-25, 08:15 AM

What we Europe has to do is inspect every Russian oil tanker entering the Baltic Sea, we now allow the risk happening an oil disaster any time.

An oil tanker with some 100,000 tonnes of oil on board went adrift near the German island of Rügen, in the Baltic Sea, on Friday afternoon. The ship, the Eventin, was on its way from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Port Said in Egypt, when it ran into trouble near the German coast after a power failure on board. The ship was unable to sail, and all lights were switched off. The ship is being held in place by a German tug for the time being, but stormy weather developed near the ship during the evening. To prevent the ship from sustaining damage and leaking oil, several tugs are now on their way to keep the ship in place off the coast of Rügen. According to a German crisis team, there are already waves 2.5 metres high in the area and wind gusts of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. During the evening, wind force 9 is expected in the area. The German government fears an oil spill.

The Eventin is a 274-metre-long oil tanker sailing under the Panamanian flag. According to the German government and environmental organisation Greenpeace, the ship belongs to the Russian ‘shadow fleet’, consisting of ships designed to circumvent sanctions against the country. A spokesman for environmental organisation Greenpeace called the problems around the Eventin ‘yet another example of how ships from Russia's shadow fleet threaten the Baltic coast on a daily basis. Every day, rickety tankers sail from Russia's oil ports Primorsk and Ust-Luga to the southwest,’ or into the Baltic Sea. ‘An oil spill in the Baltic Sea would be a disaster for the marine mammals, seabirds and other species that live here.’

We do not allow those of the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ in our ports because they do not meet our security safety the Baltic Sea is under our control NATO control, so blockade those ancient oil tankers and blockade Russian oil shipping in one go.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/11/germany-races-to-secure-stricken-russian-shadow-fleet-oil-tanker-2-a87574

Jimbuna

01-11-25, 08:39 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0zKKfx_5_4

Jimbuna

01-11-25, 08:47 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7GZBpPaGRU

Dargo

01-11-25, 08:52 AM

The Dutch navy tracked two Russian warships in the Dutch part of the North Sea on Friday, the Ministry of Defence reported in a press release. They were a submarine, named Novorossiysk, and a corvette, a small warship named Boikiy. The ships passed the so-called Dutch Exclusive Zone (EEZ), reports Defence. Submarine Novorossiysk was on its way north from the Mediterranean Sea when the corvette joined it. This is not exceptional; within the EEZ, it is internationally agreed law that (Russian) vessels are allowed to pass through here, so this happens more often. Nevertheless, Defence decided to shadow the vessels; a spokesperson told Dutch Broadcasting Foundation (NOS) that Defence had been working on this all day. The patrol ship Zr.Ms. Friesland and the combat helicopter NH90 were deployed for this purpose. ‘This is to emphasise vigilance and gather information,’ Defence writes on its website. ‘We want to show our presence, show that we have them in our sights,’ the spokesperson told NOS. Among other things, the crew of the NH90 took a picture of the Russian submarine.

This was published on the Defence website (https://www-defensie-nl.translate.goog/actueel/nieuws/2025/01/10/marine-schaduwt-russische-onderzeeboot-en-korvet-op-noordzee?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp). Shadowing ships of countries that are not members of NATO is one of the Navy's regular and formal duties (https://www-defensie-nl.translate.goog/actueel/nieuws/2023/07/07/defensie-krijgt-grotere-rol-bij-bescherming-infrastructuur-noordzee?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp) and is part of Defence's larger role in protecting the North Sea since July 2023. Previously, Defence shadowed the Russian ship Admiral Vladimirsky, for example - officially a research vessel, but regularly linked to espionage.

Jimbuna

01-11-25, 08:58 AM

Zelenskyy holds meeting of Headquarters: He ordered to increase number of orders for drones

Today, on January 11, 2025, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Zelensky announced this in his telegram channel, Censor.NET reports.

"The main thing is our operations with drones and procurement for this year, procurement of everything the Defense Forces need.

Today we reported on contracts - those that are already being implemented and those that are planned. It is a common task of arms manufacturers, our government officials and all those involved to make this year a record year for drones of all kinds, as well as to significantly increase the production of Ukrainian missiles, artillery, and all the necessary equipment," the statement said.

It is also noted that Zelenskyy has instructed to increase the number of orders for drones.

"This is already being implemented. Our arsenals are one of the guarantees of independence, as is the accuracy of our soldiers.

I am grateful to all the units that strike at the territory of Russia: on military facilities, on the occupier's military logistics. There should be more and more of these important results," the statement said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3529728

Dargo

01-11-25, 11:41 AM

The ongoing battle in the Kursk region has seen Russian forces desperately attempting to halt the Ukrainian counteroffensive at any cost, resorting once again to their North Korean allies for help. This left Ukrainians unimpressed as they steam rolled through another North Korean human wave, even after they ran out of ammunition. The main Russian objective is to prevent Ukrainian forces from penetrating deeper into strategic areas, particularly the larger village of Bolshoye Soldatskoye. Should Ukrainians gain control of this settlement, they would solidify their hold over the salient, complicating Russian logistics and making counteroffensives even costlier and less effective. This is because the many houses in Bolshoye Soldatskoye and the surrounding settlements provide excellent concealment for both Ukrainian soldiers and their logistics, allowing them to spread out their forces more. The stakes are high, as Ukrainian consolidation in this area would make it significantly harder for Russian forces to slice off sections of the salient or encircle its northern part without incurring devastating losses.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kursk serves both military and political objectives. Militarily, the goal is to disrupt Russian operations around the Kursk salient and force Russia to divert troops from other critical fronts, such as Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Politically, the offensive aims to expose the weakness of Russian authorities and create domestic discontent. Each Ukrainian gain in Kursk is a symbolic blow to Russian leadership, undermining President Vladimir Putin’s image at home and abroad. Military experts estimate the operation’s objectives to be 30% military impact and 70% political impact, reflecting Ukraine’s strategic approach to warfare. Overall, the repeated obliteration of North Korean units in Kursk exemplifies Ukraine’s ability to exploit Russian vulnerabilities, such as lack of support with artillery and mechanized vehicles, while maintaining momentum in its renewed offensive.

The battle underscores Russia’s growing reliance on poorly supported units and the unsustainable nature of their defensive strategies. This failure left the North Koreans isolated and vulnerable, reducing their role to little more than cannon fodder. By advancing on Bolshoye Soldatskoye, Ukrainians threaten to reshape the tactical landscape and deliver a powerful political message; Russian forces are faltering, and their grip is not as strong as projected by the Kremlin.

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/01/10/frontline-report-north-korean-human-waves-fail-to-stop-ukrainian-advance-to-key-kursk-logistics-hub/

This result in reserves and resources meant for other fronts diverted to the Kursk front and better defending positions basic, sound and sober military planning of the Ukraine army. Funny is we heard that the Russian developing fibre optic drones oh the horor now they gone win fact is that in this Ukraine counter used these fibre optic drones in mass resulting in collums of destroyed Russian armour (visually confirmed videos). Every action has a reaction! With the drones on the moment this almost happen weekly. This is the technical energering level on the fronts they adept like crazy what does the russian come up with? Rubber mad max turtle anti drone protection. :)

Dargo

01-11-25, 12:11 PM

https://youtu.be/dhwukP-TvLM

mapuc

01-11-25, 01:36 PM

Some of the common denominators who are critical of Ukraine are their statements that Ukraine is fundamentally corrupt. Have told them that there is corruption in Ukraine, but this fundamentally corruption is Russian propaganda

Markus

Dargo

01-11-25, 01:40 PM

Yes, "Ukraine is corrupt" is a frame of the totally corrupt Russia disinfo machine is an oxymoron. Ukraine does more against corruption because they want EU membership, it is one of the main rules to get EU membership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZh_x29XOf4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZh_x29XOf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXmmrPiaiG4

mapuc

01-11-25, 01:53 PM

Yes, "Ukraine is corrupt" is a frame of the totally corrupt Russia disinfo machine is an oxymoron. Ukraine does more against corruption because they want EU membership, it is one of the main rules to get EU membership.

Which I also tell my fb-friends, the Ukrainian government is fighting corruption very hard, as they want to become a member of EU and NATO.

What are the North Korean doing in Russia, Kursk Oblast ?? They are worthless And they don't get any help from their allied the Russians either.

Markus

Dargo

01-11-25, 01:58 PM

Gubarev, the former head of the occupation administration of Donetsk, publicly acknowledged the significant losses of the Russian army in the war against Ukraine. According to him, the total losses of the Russian military amount to about 700 thousand people, of which approximately 200 thousand were killed.

The following theses can be highlighted from Gubarev's interview:
Three years of war, colossal casualties: The army was not ready for such a protracted conflict, the soldiers' morale is falling, and the army is "rusting".
Daily losses: Every day we lose hundreds of people, today we have about 300 "two hundredths". We can no longer fight like this, it leads to tens and hundreds of thousands of victims.
The army is not changing: The problems that existed at the beginning of the so-called "SVO" have not disappeared. We are now in the same position as we were three years ago.
Losses: We have already lost about 700 thousand people, maybe more. My colleagues, who know the situation better, call even higher figures.
Gubarev also noted that continuing the war to a victorious end is a bad idea, as the army has exhausted its resources and is incapable of an effective offensive. In Russian:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zzHHqXBL1Q
In English, a short from twitter HeyGen, translations include lip-syncing & voice cloning:
https://app.heygen.com/share/09d1535556c943b0bf077e3ee2f56934?sid=twitter-bot

So from 700k to 1M if the figures are higher according to his sources de facto tells us like the western intel does that Ukraine numbers are nearer the truth. Oh look, another Russian with direct experience admitting what Russia simps strenuously deny.

mapuc

01-11-25, 04:40 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqyEn3uTn7A

Markus

Skybird

01-11-25, 09:10 PM

Jimbuna

01-12-25, 08:51 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RABj7jsRVCM

Jimbuna

01-12-25, 08:57 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytvq2c-HPRs

Skybird

01-12-25, 09:59 AM

https://www-welt-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/article255104572/Selenskyj-Berater-Ist-Deutschland-bereit-fuer-eine-erhebliche-Zunahme-von-Chaos.html?icid=product.animatedbanner.free.8&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

WELT: In an interview with US podcaster Lex Fridman, (https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=de&client=webapp&u=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Du321m25rKXc) President Selenskyj's statements sound as if Ukraine is prepared to give up territory if the country receives tough Western security guarantees in return.

Podolyak : The Ukrainian president says something different. He says that Ukraine is of course ready for peace as such, but for a peace based on fair conditions. Of course Ukraine is ready to negotiate, but only if Russia is forced to negotiate. Forced, not invited. If Russia loses the economic viability of the war. If Russia understands that it has to pay a price for this war. Anyone who believes that peace is only possible at the expense of Ukraine - that Ukraine has to give up something while Russia wins in this war - is calling the entire global legal order into question. Then they are openly saying that there is no longer any international law and that aggressors do not have to pay a price as long as they see an aggressive war through to the end. Let me add one more point so that you in Germany are clear about one thing.

WELT: Please.

Podoljak: The Russian Federation has transformed its country; it is no longer the country with which Germany has been cooperating for decades. The Russian Federation is a classic militaristic, authoritarian state. And so, if this war is ended unfairly, Europe will have to live in a constant state of risk. Russia will provoke the other countries, interfere in internal processes, and engage in large-scale sabotage (https://www-welt-de.translate.goog/article253994632?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp) . Are European countries, including Germany, ready for a significant increase in instability and chaos on the European continent?

Dargo

01-12-25, 11:37 AM

So they get one - one - piece of SPA. Well, that is practically meaningless and probably no more than a field demonstrator.

Meanwhile, the Russians are still producing and fielding every three months: about as many MBTs as the Bundeswehr has MBTs in total. 1200-1300 per year, four times as many as Germany has (and refuses to increase, like all other Europeans except the Polish).

It makes no difference whether these Russian tanks are all newly produced (they are not) or modernised mothballed tanks (many are). With such war production capacities, Germany and Europe will sooner or later face existential problems once Russia is finished with Ukraine. All the more so as the changes in European production volumes can only be described as "symbolic".

Russia has understood the sign of the times, it wants to enforce. Europe still has not - after three years of war.We only do not see them on the front, so those numbers are being taken with a grain of salt and tanks out of stock refurbished or producing new tanks takes much longer with war production on max, work force shortage that will not grow. That production capacities will not grow in Europe, it will. New production lines are being build, but that takes time at least 2 years, but it is growing.

Jimbuna

01-12-25, 12:46 PM

Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war are about 808,250 people (+1750 per day), 9756 tanks, 21,839 artillery systems, 20,289 armored combat vehicles.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian defence forces have eliminated 808,250 Russian invaders.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press centre of the General Staff.

As noted, the enemy's total combat losses from 24.02.22 to 12.01.25 are estimated at:

personnel - about 808250 (+1750) people,

tanks - 9756 (+5) units,

armoured combat vehicles - 20289 (+18) units,

artillery systems - 21839 (+22) units,

MLRS - 1260 (+0) units,

air defence systems - 1042 (+0) units,

aircraft - 369 (+0) units,

helicopters - 331 (+0) units,

Operational and tactical level UAVs - 22021 (+63),

cruise missiles - 3018 (+1),

ships/boats - 28 (+0) units,

submarines - 1 (+0) units,

motor vehicles and tankers - 33598 (+64) units,

special equipment - 3694 (+2) Source: https://censor.net/en/p3529782

Jimbuna

01-12-25, 12:52 PM

Slovak MPs went to Russia to talk about gas supplies: Poland did not allow them to fly over its territory

On Sunday, January 12, a delegation from the National Council of the Slovak Republic, headed by parliamentary vice presidents Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar, traveled to Russia for talks on gas supplies. The airplane carrying the delegation had to fly over the Czech Republic and Germany, as Poland banned flights over its territory.

This was reported by SME.SK, according to Censor.NET.

It is noted that the delegation included deputies from the Smer party Marian Carey, Jan Majgut and Richard Gluck, as well as Adam Lucansky from SNS.

The plane of the Slovak delegation was supposed to fly to Russia via Poland. However, Warsaw banned the plane from flying over its territory. So the plane changed its route, flying over the Czech Republic and Germany.

"I don't understand Poland's position, but I accept it as reality," Danko said.

Slovak MPs intend to meet with representatives of the State Duma and members of the Russian government. The key issue that will be raised by the Slovak side is whether Gazprom can supply gas to their country despite Ukraine's decision to stop transit through its territory.

In addition, Danko said that the war in Ukraine will also be discussed.

The Slovak delegation will stay in Russia for several days and return on Wednesday, January 15.

Stopping Russian gas transit
As a reminder, at 07:00 on January 1, 2025, the transportation of Russian natural gas through Ukraine was stopped in the interests of national security.

The Cabinet of Ministers said that Ukraine had duly informed the European Commission about the termination of gas transit. European countries are prepared.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has also previously threatened to stop exporting electricity to Ukraine and significantly reduce support for Ukrainian refugees in response to the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3529847

Trump may lift restrictions on long-range weapons for Ukraine to force Putin to negotiate - Waltz

The United States has leverage that can force Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table to end the war against Ukraine.

This was stated by Mike Waltz, the future national security adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, in an interview with ABC News, Censor.NET reports.

Waltz spoke about the actions that the United States could take to force Russian dictator Putin to negotiate. In particular, the Trump administration could lift restrictions on long-range weapons for Ukraine.

Another lever of influence voiced by Waltz is the strengthening of energy sanctions against Russia.

Waltz also said that preparations are already underway for a meeting between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3529851

Trump has recognized this reality - Waltz considers it unrealistic for Ukraine to return all territories occupied by Russia

Mike Waltz, an adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, said that the war in Ukraine should end diplomatically. He believes that the scenario in which Ukraine regains control of all the territories occupied by Russia is unrealistic.

A representative of the Trump team said this in an interview with ABC News on Sunday, January 12, Censor.NET reports.

The Trump adviser says it is now time to move on.

"Now let's move on - how not to escalate this conflict, how not to allow it to escalate, how not to drag the whole world into it," he added.

Waltz also said that in order to reach an agreement in the war, the front line in Ukraine needs to be stabilized. He believes that Ukraine should lower the age for mobilization. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3529850

Dargo

01-12-25, 01:04 PM

Russian elite disappointed that war against Ukraine did not end in 2024A few days ago, Meduza wrote about the disappointment of the Russian ‘elite’ that the war that has been going on for almost three years now did not end in 204. A totally unnecessary war that has now left more than 700,000 young Russians dead or seriously wounded. Meduza still has reliable contacts close to the Kremlin and the Russian government. These told immediately after Russia's murderous attack on 24 February 2022 that it was also totally unexpected for the Russian government, including the prime minister. This proved that the invasion was decided by a tiny group around Putin, and perhaps even by him alone. And that in turn shows that the invasion was certainly not the wish of the Russian people. Incidentally, this was also evident from the many calls in early 2022 by Russian citizens not to start a war with Ukraine, as did opposition politicians, analysts, political commentators, civil society organisations and even former soldiers who once held high positions in the military.

Meanwhile, we are almost three years on and Meduza writes, ‘many among Russia's “elite” are disappointed that Moscow's war on Ukraine did not end in 2024.’ As a source in the Russian government put it, ‘The main emotion is disappointment. We expected the war to end... For a long time we have actually felt only fatigue. It feels like sinking deeper and deeper every day. We also expected an easing and lifting of sanctions in exchange for peace. Now these are causing more and more pain.’ Others cited the poor state of the Russian economy, which reached a ‘stress point’ in late 2024, with high inflation, a 21 per cent interest rate, labour shortages and sharply rising wages. According to a consultant working with large companies, ‘most companies survive somehow, everyone puts on a brave face’. Some even grow, but only through ‘cannibalisation’ of the assets of companies forced to leave Russia. ‘Everyone understands that this will not last forever. It will certainly not get better in the future.’ Hopes for a ‘quick peace’ and the easing of sanctions disappeared after Ukraine invaded Russia's Kursk region in August 2024. Kremlin officials believe the Kursk raid could continue for months. But even without that counteroffensive, the war would likely have continued into 2025.

‘The president likes fighting, it's exciting for him. Why stop halfway when you can give them the final blow?’, a source close to the government suggested. At the same time, it said some ‘patriots’ in Russia's elite (especially senior security officials) are dissatisfied with Putin's approach. ‘What they have is not enough ... They need a mobilisation, a full transition to a state of war, and that is not happening.’ Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election gave senior Russian government officials ‘some hope’ for peace Now there actually is none: Putin has his demands - the entire territory of four Ukrainian regions - and Trump's terms do not seem to match them. Then it is not clear ‘where a compromise can lie.’ According to sources in Putin's domestic policy team, ending the conflict in 2025 could also still be a crisis for the Kremlin, despite ‘war fatigue’. After all, what to tell civilians once the war ends? Now the situation is clear to everyone. But after that? Late last year, the Kremlin had organised a seminar for Russia's regional governors to brainstorm on ‘how to present an image of victory to the population’. After all, it is clear to all concerned that however the end of the war turns out, it will be a ‘victory’ in Kremlin propaganda. Many specifics were discussed by the participants, for ‘how can you prepare for peace if the terms of that peace are unclear?’

This anticipation in government circles of a possible end to the war in 2025, by the way, corresponds to the mood among the Russian population. The latest opinion polls indicate that the majority of Russians favour starting negotiations, signing a peace deal and ending the war with Ukraine. Even data from a pro-Kremlin NGO that runs public relations and disinformation campaigns for the Russian defence ministry show that two-thirds of Russians were dissatisfied with the 2024 results.

Dargo

01-12-25, 01:34 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56Pi6Ft_UgY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XUj6w8ReB0

mapuc

01-12-25, 04:59 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP8Gy1eAiIQ

Markus

Jimbuna

01-13-25, 05:45 AM

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

Skybird

01-13-25, 06:43 AM

According to Der Spiegel, Bubble Olaf is currently actively blocking a EUR 3 billion aid package for Ukraine planned by the Greens and the FDP. According to internal reports, Der Spiegel says that the sneaky little Olaf considers this aid to be “obviously superfluous” (original quote).

More likely the truth is that he serves according to the left Russia-loving wing in his party, and eyes the votes of Eastgermans who miss their Russian buddies so very much and prefer to make peace by words and Ukrainian sacrifices - and do business with Russia again.

Jimbuna

01-13-25, 08:50 AM

Germany hands over first of 54 ordered RCH 155 howitzers to Ukraine

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius handed over the first new RCH 155 wheeled howitzer to Ukraine. A total of 54 howitzers of this type are planned to be transferred to Ukraine.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to Stuttgarter Zeitung.

"Ukraine can count on us, and this is a signal. And Germany is ready to assume responsibility in Europe," the minister said in Kassel, where the KNDS tank company manufactures the system.

The first six systems will remain in Germany for now and will be used to train Ukrainian soldiers.

In January 2023, it was reported that a German engineering company had begun production of RCH 155 self-propelled artillery systems for Ukraine.

The 155-mm Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 artillery pieces have a barrel length of 52 caliber. The RCH 155 is based on the GTK Boxer wheeled armored personnel carrier chassis with an 8×8 wheel configuration.

The system has an automated AGM turret artillery module with the artillery part of the German PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer.

The crew of the system consists of only two people. The AGM module has a 30-round ammunition capacity. The manufacturer claims that the range is 40 km and up to 52 km with V-LAP shells. The self-propelled gun is also capable of using long-range VULCANO and EXCALIBUR shells. The total combat weight of the vehicle is 39 tons, the weight of the AGM module is 12.5 tons. The vehicle is powered by an 815 hp MTU diesel engine. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3529956

Dargo

01-13-25, 01:12 PM

Russia’s war economy is a house of cardsThe most important thing Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to impress on Ukraine’s western friends is that he has time on his side, so the only way to end the war is to accommodate his wishes. The apparent resilience of Russia’s economy, and the resulting scepticism in some corners that western sanctions have had an effect, is a central part of this information warfare. The reality is that the financial underpinnings of Russia’s war economy increasingly look like a house of cards — so much so that senior members of the governing elite are publicly expressing concern. They include Sergei Chemezov, chief executive of state defence giant Rostec, who warned that expensive credit was killing his weapons export business, and Elvira Nabiullina, head of the central bank.

This pair know better than many people in the west, who have been taken in by numbers indicating steady growth, low unemployment and rising wages. But any economy on a full mobilisation footing can produce such outcomes: this is basic Keynesianism. The real test is how already employed resources — rather than idle ones — are being shifted away from their previous uses and into the needs of war. A state has three methods to achieve this: borrowing, inflation and expropriation. It must choose the most effective and painless mix. Putin’s conceit — towards both the west and his own public — has been that he can fund this war without financial instability or significant material sacrifices. But this is an illusion. If Chemezov’s and Nabiullina’s frustrations are spilling into public view, it means the illusion is flickering.

A new report by Russia analyst and former banker Craig Kennedy highlights the huge growth in Russian corporate debt. It has soared by 71 per cent since 2022 and dwarfs new household and government borrowing. Notionally private, this lending is in reality a creature of the state. Putin has commandeered the Russian banking system, with banks required to lend to companies designated by the government at chosen, preferential terms. The result has been a flood of below-market-rate credit to favoured economic actors. In essence, Russia is engaged in massive money printing, outsourced so that it does not show up on the public balance sheet. Kennedy estimates the total at about 20 per cent of Russia’s 2023 national output, comparable to the cumulative on-budget allocations for the full-scale war.

We can tell from the Kremlin’s actions that it sees two things as anathema: visibly weak public finances and runaway inflation. The government eschews a significant budget deficit, despite growing war-related spending. The central bank remains free to raise interest rates, currently at 21 per cent. Not enough to beat down inflation driven by state-decreed subsidised credit, but enough to keep price growth within bounds. The upshot is that Chemezov’s and Nabiullina’s problems are not an error that can be fixed but inherent to Putin’s choice to flatter public finances and keep a (high) lid on inflation. Something else has to give, and that something else includes businesses that cannot operate profitably when borrowing costs exceed 20 per cent.

Putin’s privatised credit scheme, meanwhile, is storing up a credit crisis as the loans go bad. The state may bail out the banks — if they don’t collapse first. Given Russians’ experience of suddenly worthless deposits, fears of a repeat could easily trigger self-fulfilling runs. That would destroy not just banks’ but the government’s legitimacy. Putin, in short, does not have time on his side. He sits on a ticking financial time bomb of his own making. The key for Ukraine’s friends is to deny him the one thing that would defuse it: greater access to external funds... https://www.ft.com/content/61adaed4-ac9a-4891-afb6-b3ad648c58ad

Jimbuna

01-13-25, 01:20 PM

NATO Secretary General Rutte: Future of European and global security depends on outcome of war in Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte believes that the future of European and global security depends on the outcome of the war waged by Russia against Ukraine.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

"The future of European and global security depends on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. We all want this war to end. But most of all, we want peace to last. I do not know how and when the war will end, but I know that peace will not last long if Putin gets his way in Ukraine, because then he will move forward," Rutte said.

The NATO Secretary General also believes that peace will not last long if "the war ends with an agreement in which Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un and the regime in Tehran high-five each other." "A deal in Ukraine that serves their interests paves the way for global instability. Therefore, I am convinced that peace can only last if Ukraine comes to the negotiating table from a position of strength," he explained.

In this regard, Rutte reiterated that Ukraine needs help to do so. "More weapons and faster, so that they (Ukrainians) can better defend themselves and negotiate for Ukraine, Europe and the world," the NATO Secretary General added.

The NATO Secretary General reminded that he participated in the Ramstein Group meeting, during which the United States and European allies announced further assistance to Ukraine. "NATO and the European Union have a lot to do together. And I can count on you as members of the European Parliament to continue to support Ukraine, them and our freedom," he said to the MEPs.

Rutte also believes that if Europeans are safe today, "in five years we will not be safe." "So we have to start today. Spend more, increase production, build resilience and support Ukraine," he said.

"I have said it before and I will say it again: I am deeply concerned about the security situation in Europe. We are not at war, but we are not at peace. The good news is that we know what to do to protect our people and way of life, now and in the long term. We just need to do it. This means we need to invest more in defense and develop more capabilities. This cannot wait. We must increase the resilience of our societies and critical infrastructure. And we must maintain and strengthen our support for Ukraine to change the trajectory of the war and deter further Russian aggression in the future. In all of this - defense, resilience - Ukraine, NATO and the EU must work side by side," Rutte said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530027

Jimbuna

01-13-25, 01:30 PM

Support for Ukraine should not be increased at expense of other German expenditures - Scholz

Germany cannot increase aid to Ukraine while reducing spending on other needs.

This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrayinska Pravda.

"I am against taking it from pensions, I am against doing it by cutting local budgets, I am against investing less money in railways and roads. So you have to finance it additionally," Scholz explained.

At the same time, he noted that there is no majority in parliament that would support suspending Germany's strict borrowing limits, known as the debt brake, to finance aid to Ukraine and other policies.

Scholz's own three-party coalition government collapsed after months of fierce negotiations failed to reach an agreement on the 2025 budget. Early elections are scheduled for February 23.

Earlier, Censor.NET, citing Der Spiegel, wrote that Scholz was blocking a new aid package for Ukraine. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530026

mapuc

01-13-25, 01:32 PM

Someone once wrote in this thread "It's all about boiling the frog" I wonder if this is the case. Is it in the West interest seeing a weak Russia winning the war ?

Boiling the frog-Make Russia weak will not prevent Russia from winning the war-Only massive aid to Ukraine and/or an economical collapse of the Russian economy would most likely mean a Russian defeat.

Russia can lose 2000 men per day the next couple of years-Which Ukraine can't they need boots on the ground, so far it is filled up with volunteers and mercenary but Ukrainian soldiers is hard to get by. Leaders in the west has said Ukraine should lower the minimum age from 25 to 18 years of age.

Markus

Dargo

01-13-25, 03:22 PM

Russia’s resources aren’t infinite. It already faces manpower shortages that will likely translate to a smaller military force in the future. Russia suffered significant losses due to incompetent leadership, insufficient training, technological backwardness, poor supply logistics, corruption, low troop morale, and poor discipline in most of his wars.

August

01-13-25, 03:58 PM

Russia can lose 2000 men per day the next couple of years-Which Ukraine can't they need boots on the ground, so far it is filled up with volunteers and mercenary but Ukrainian soldiers is hard to get by. Leaders in the west has said Ukraine should lower the minimum age from 25 to 18 years of age.

Markus

Just remember that Russia is loosing about 10 troops for every Ukrainian so 2000 Russian casualties is only about 200 Ukrainian ones.

mapuc

01-13-25, 04:05 PM

Just remember that Russia is loosing about 10 troops for every Ukrainian so 2000 Russian casualties is only about 200 Ukrainian ones.

True, however these 200 dead and wounded Ukrainians hurts more for the Ukrainians than 2000 dead and wounded Russian is for Russia.

They are lacking boots on the ground Dargo wrote-So far Russia haven't got any problem filling the gap with fresh meat.

He is right the Russian does not have unlimited resources of manpower.

What do I know-Above is taken from memory from video clips I have seen and article I have read, so we could see a Russian collapse this year or next year.

Markus

Skybird

01-13-25, 04:18 PM

[FOCUS] Ukrainian soldier on the bloodbath in Kursk: “You can't even comprehend it”

A few days before Donald Trump takes power, the situation in the war in Ukraine is coming to a head. In the Russian border region of Kursk, the Ukrainians are trying to hold their ground and are coming under increasing pressure. Soldiers from there have now commented on the situation.

Russia and Ukraine continue to fight fiercely in the Russian border region of Kursk. The question is: for how much longer? US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he wants to end the war quickly. How exactly and on what terms is completely unclear.

Ukraine, however, hopes to be able to use conquered Russian territory as a bargaining chip. Russia, in turn, is trying to wrest the territory back from the Ukrainians - with North Korean support.

The New York Times has now spoken to Ukrainian soldiers who are in Kursk. “The Russians have to take this territory at all costs and are putting all their forces into it, while we are doing everything we can to hold it,” says Oleksandr. He is 46 years old and the leader of a Ukrainian infantry platoon. “We're holding out, destroying, destroying, destroying - so much that it's hard to comprehend.”

30-year-old Oleksii says that the situation has deteriorated significantly with the arrival of the North Koreans. “They are exerting mass pressure on our fronts, finding weak points and breaking through them.”

North Korea has provided Russia with around 12,000 soldiers for the fight against Ukraine. Just a few days ago, the Ukrainians captured two North Koreans.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, recently suggested handing them over to North Korea in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia.

Oleksandr says the bloodbath in Kursk was as terrible as everything else he has experienced since joining the army in 2014.
“You look and you can't even comprehend where you are when you see how many people we destroy every day.”

He compares it to fighting in the Ukrainian town of Bachmut, where machine gunners had to be replaced regularly because they could not cope with the pace of the killings. “It's worst for the infantry,” he says. “When you're sitting there and they're coming at you and everything is flying at you.”

Military analysts warn that the Ukrainian armed forces could be increasingly overwhelmed by the deployment in Kursk and lose ground in the eastern Donbass region.

However, according to the New York Times, many of the soldiers in Kursk are convinced that the losses in eastern Ukraine would have been even worse without the operation in Kursk.

“We have to understand that the Russians are using their best elite soldiers and reserve soldiers in this area,” says 30-year-old Captain Oleksandr Shyrshyn, a battalion commander. “Considering what they could do in other parts of Ukraine, that's good.”

Dargo

01-13-25, 04:22 PM

They have problems on the moment their army shrinks, so many loses they have they can not mobilize those lose. 10:1 is a disaster not only on the front but also for their economy. Avoiding mass mobilization to prevent local dissent and protests, Russia instead offers numerous benefits for joining the military. Military pay can be five times the average Russian monthly wage, with high bonuses should a soldier be wounded or killed. Volunteers receive the same benefits, with the ability to leave the service after their contracts expire. Prisoners are recruited with promises of amnesty. Payments to volunteers and to families of those killed in action are mushrooming. Russian economic analysts have stated that the high pay rates are unsustainable beyond 2026. This will be another pressure point for Moscow to wrap up the war. Russia has peaked in terms of its military production, finances, human resources, and information warfare this all folks. Putin has begun secretly forcing Russia's banks to finance the war, to the tune of around $250-400 billion in loans, at suicidal interest rates. This is what all those recent emergency Central Bank meetings were about. Unsustainable!

Russia’s Hidden War DebtMoscow has been stealthily funding much of its war costs with risky, off-budget financing overlooked by the West. That funding is now under pressure, offering new leverage to Ukraine and its allies. https://navigatingrussia.substack.com/p/russias-hidden-war-debt

Jimbuna

01-14-25, 08:21 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcmPLtOQw20

Jimbuna

01-14-25, 08:26 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN9pklQ6dpo

Dargo

01-14-25, 11:20 AM

A major Ukrainian drone attack has caused a fire at a chemical plant in the Russian city of English, on the Volga, more than 630 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. According to local authorities, a lot of smoke is released and schools in the area, including the major city of Saratov, remain closed. There were reportedly no injuries. According to Ukrainian authorities, a ‘massive attack’ was carried out on Russian oil refineries, warehouses and weapons factories in English, as well as in Brjansk, Kazan (more than 1,200 kilometres from the border with Ukraine), Saratov and Tula. Ukrainian media report that Ukraine has targeted the infrastructure of Russian airbase Engels in a ‘multi-day, comprehensive operation’.

Russian Telegram channels and pro-Russian bloggers report a major drone attack by Ukraine on Russian regions. US ATACMS missiles were also fired. Russia reportedly downed more than 200 drones and five missiles. The Russian defence ministry, on the other hand, has not yet released any reports. Indeed, the governor of the Saratov region, also over 600 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, says the cities of Saratov and English were hit by a massive drone attack. In the process, he said, two industrial sites were damaged. A Ukrainian intelligence source said there were major fires at a chemical plant and an oil refinery. Another chemical plant was also reportedly damaged by the attack.

Last week, according to Ukrainian media, the strategic oil depot near Engels-2 was also hit by Ukrainian drones. The fire was reportedly extinguished only on Monday, almost six days after the attack. From the depot at Engels-2, the strategic Tupolev bombers are supplied with fuel. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the attack on the Kristall oil depot near Engels-2 airport was part of a ‘multi-day’ operation, one of the aims of which is to ‘reduce the strategic capability of the enemy air force’. ‘We are doing our best to ensure that the Engels fire brigade, which had just extinguished the flames from the previous attack, does not run out of work during the increasingly difficult economic conditions in Russia.’

Dargo

01-14-25, 11:34 AM

The Russian army is trying to prevent a bloody capture of strategically important Pokrovsk by surrounding that Ukrainian city. Ukraine, meanwhile, is trying to disrupt Russian operations with precision attacks on command posts. Russia wants to achieve the encirclement of Pokrovsk, by cutting off highways. With supplies to the Ukrainians thus compromised, it is hoped that they will eventually give up the fight and leave the city in time. Heavy fighting has been going on around Pokrovsk for months. The Ukrainian high command is trying hard to hit Russian attacks in this part of the Donetsk by disrupting planning and leadership from local headquarters. Air strikes should also hit Russian supply lines. There have been at least three such attacks with Western precision weapons since last week. The Russian army is slowly advancing in this part of the battle zone, but at the cost of heavy losses.

The Ukrainian military confirmed on Monday that Russians are trying to cut off supply lines to Pokrovsk by taking sections of highways. According to the US military think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), verified images show that Russian troops have taken positions on two key highways in recent days. The Ukrainian army desperately needs the roads and railway lines around Pokrovsk to transport troops and equipment in and out. The highways that have been cut off are east and southwest of Pokrovsk. Russian military bloggers, who are well aware of the Russian army's movements, also report that parts of both highways have been taken. The Russians are also advancing southwest of Pokrovsk in their attempts to encircle the place. According to the ISW, images from Monday show that infantry units have indeed taken the town of Pishchane in this area, as the defence ministry in Moscow earlier claimed. A Ukrainian army spokesman confirmed that the Russian army has set its sights on, among other things, the highway leading to Dnipro, a major city in central Ukraine. ‘So far they have not achieved their goal, just as they have not succeeded in other attempts to bypass the city,’ Major Viktor Trehoebov told AP news agency on Monday.

According to the army spokesman, Russian commanders may have changed their strategy because of the large loss so far of soldiers and equipment to take Pokrovsk. Ukrainian President Zelensky reported very heavy fighting near the city on Sunday. ‘They are acting more cautiously now,’ Trehoebov said. According to military experts at the ISW - which has been surveying the war in detail since the Russian invasion - Moscow hopes that the Ukrainians will choose eggs for their money and withdraw from Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnohrad in the coming months. ‘The Russian military command probably estimates that this will allow Russian troops to avoid costly urban combat operations to take the city,’ the ISW said.

Besides the Russian brigades south of Pokrovsk, the Ukrainians are also trying to ‘cripple’ the combat brigades below Pokrovsk, near Kurachove, and northeast of the city with their precision attacks on local headquarters. On Sunday, the Ukrainian Supreme Command reported an attack on the regional command post of the Second CAA army force in Novohrodivka, which is southeast of Pokrovsk. According to the army command in Kyiv, the airstrike was part of a major campaign to raze tactical headquarters in Donetsk. Last week, similar attacks were carried out on two command posts of the Eighth CAA Army and the Third Army Corps. These three army forces lead the Russian army's operations south of Pokrovsk, near Kurachove and near Cheyassiv Yar, another major flashpoint along the frontline. ‘Ukrainian attacks on tactical command posts and positions close to the front line are likely to be designed to disrupt Russian tactical operations and directly complicate Russian command on the battlefield,’ the ISW concludes. It turns out that about 800 thousand tons of fuel burned up. If we divide this by the number of flights of the Tu-95 MS and Tu-160, it turns out that the burned fuel would be enough for about 3,300 sorties of these aircraft,” Aviation expert Konstantin Krivolap said. We will not see results immediately in the first days, but in the future, if the Russians are unable to establish supplies of fuel, which is produced by three or four plants in the Russian Federation, then we can observe a significant reduction in the number of flights of aircrafts.

Jimbuna

01-14-25, 12:31 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhT-B4jhSmo

Dargo

01-14-25, 12:38 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pQfdQZ-C6w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3aZ9EIMtw4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-h9F0YzlDU

Jimbuna

01-14-25, 12:47 PM

More than 60 tankers with Russian oil drop anchor after US imposes new sanctions - Reuters

At least 65 oil tankers are drifting off the coasts of China, Russia, Singapore and the Far East after the United States announced a new package of sanctions on January 10.

This is reported by Reuters with reference to ship tracking data, Censor.NET reports.

According to Reuters' analysis based on MarineTraffic and LSEG data, five of the tankers were near Chinese ports, while seven more anchored off Singapore and the rest stopped near Russia in the Baltic Sea and the Far East.

"On Friday(January 10 - ed.), the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions against Russian oil companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, as well as 183 ships carrying Russian oil, as it targets the revenue Moscow used to finance its war with Ukraine," the agency writes.

Stopping the trade in these tankers increases pressure on ships that have already suffered from previous US sanctions, as 25 oil tankers have already been idle in various places, including near Iranian ports and near the Suez Canal, according to an analysis of ship tracking.

It is noted that some ports had taken a number of measures even before the imposition of US sanctions on January 10. Thus, last week, traders said that Shandong Port Group had banned tankers under US sanctions from entering its ports.

Analysts estimate that about 10% of the world's oil tanker fleet is under US sanctions.

On January 10, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced new sanctions against the "shadow" tanker fleet, which allows Russia to export oil bypassing restrictions imposed by the G7 countries. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530249

Dargo

01-14-25, 01:34 PM

More than 100 brigades on battlefield, each needs additional equipmentMore than 100 brigades are currently deployed on the battlefield and each of them requires additional equipment before the number of personnel is increased, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Tuesday. "We have heard the signals regarding the age of our servicemen, the draft age and so on many times. [Â…] From both the former [U.S.] administration and NATO representatives. [Â…] I will not give you the exact figure, because this is dangerous, but we have more than 100 brigades deployed on the battlefield and each of these brigades needs additional equipment every day," he told reporters ahead of a meeting with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Kyiv.

According to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, the head of state also pointed out that a large number of brigades "constantly need to repair something" and that is why there is always a lack of some equipment. "Th

mapuc

01-14-25, 04:11 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImSl0_DqfOM

Markus

mapuc

01-14-25, 05:42 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DariyLpX-M8

Markus

Jimbuna

01-15-25, 07:56 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPG9QrEkNcg

Jimbuna

01-15-25, 08:05 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk0E-78hj1g

Dargo

01-15-25, 10:49 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhLDg2hHD6M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhnECX78atE

Dargo

01-15-25, 12:32 PM

Ukrainian armed forces currently number 880,000 troopsZelenskyy also said that Ukrainian forces face 600,000 Russian troops, who maintain numerical advantages in specific areas due to concentrated deployments. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine’s military currently consists of 880,000 service members defending the entire country, while facing approximately 600,000 Russian troops on Ukrainian territory. Speaking at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Kyiv on 15 January, Zelenskyy provided insight into the military balance between Ukrainian and Russian forces, Ukrainska Pravda (https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2025/01/15/7493695/) reported. “Currently, there are 600,000 members of the Russian contingent on our territory. As for the Ukrainian army, it stands at 880,000 [personnel] today,” Zelenskyy stated. “However, our 880,000 are defending the entire territory. Russian forces are concentrated in several directions, giving them numerical advantages in some areas.” About 33-34% of the weapons currently in Ukraine are domestically produced. https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/01/15/zelenskyy-ukrainian-armed-forces-currently-number-880000-troops/Ukraine will not engage in direct negotiations with Putin: the ban remains in effect Ukraine will not make concessions on the issue of the right to join NATO during the upcoming negotiations on ending the war. The only effective guarantee for Ukraine is NATO membership. Moreover, Ukraine's membership is a guarantee of NATO's security itself.

Jimbuna

01-15-25, 12:40 PM

NATO must prepare for war. It’s time to think like wartime - Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on members of the North Atlantic Alliance to prepare for a war with Russia, which could be in 4-5 years, and to strengthen support for Ukraine.

He said this during a session of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels on January 15, Censor.NET reports citing Voice of America.

"We need to support Ukraine more to change the trajectory of the war, we all want it to end, but above all we want peace to last," the official said.

"We are safe only today, but four or five years will pass, and if we do nothing, we will not be safe anymore. So finish your 'Christian language courses' or go to New Zealand... And this debate needs to be concluded within three to four months in order to stay safe in this part of the world and to protect ourselves," Rutte emphasized.

The NATO Secretary General said that his priority as Secretary General is "to make sure that we do what we need to do and that we are active on Ukraine and the partnership, fully and quickly. And to do that, I count on your continued engagement and support."

Rutte added that Allies must cooperate with partners around the world.

He noted that Russia's threatening actions against European countries are gaining momentum and the Alliance must protect its people.

"We must continue to do everything we can together to protect all our people. Our future security is under threat, Russia's war against Ukraine continues, Russia's hostile actions against our own countries are gaining momentum through cyberattacks, assassination attempts, acts of sabotage, etc. We used to call it hybrid actions, but these are destabilizing actions and campaigns," Rutte said.

According to Rutte, Russia "is trying to weaken our democracies in order to gradually undermine our freedoms. And it is not alone, China, North Korea, and Iran are with it". Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530461

Jimbuna

01-15-25, 12:56 PM

Zelenskyy: Strongest support for Ukrainian army is to provide 250 billion of Russia’s frozen assets

The strongest support for the Ukrainian army would be to receive $250 billion in frozen Russian assets.

This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.

The President noted that as part of the implementation of the G7 decision, Ukraine was allocated $50 billion in proceeds from frozen Russian assets, of which $20 billion is provided by the United States, $18 billion by the European Union and other partners. However, support for Ukraine is spread over time, so pragmatic decisions need to be made.

"The safest guarantees, the cheapest guarantees of security for Ukraine are provided by NATO. And the strongest support for the Ukrainian army is to allocate 250 billion. Ukraine will take this money and allocate a large amount for domestic production and imports of the types of weapons that Ukraine does not have," Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530463

To end war, both Ukraine and Russia must make concessions, - US Secretary of State candidate Rubio

Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who was elected by Donald Trump to the post of US Secretary of State, said that in order for the Russian-Ukrainian war to end, both Ukraine and Russia must make concessions.

Rubio said this during a Senate hearing on the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump's nominees for positions in his administration, reports Yevropeiska Pravda, Censor.NET.

Speaking about the prospect of ending Russia's war against Ukraine, Rubio said that "it will not be easy."

"It's important to remain realistic: there will be concessions needed - both from Russia and from Ukrainians... It's important that there is some balance on both sides," the senator said.

According to Rubio, Ukraine will not be able to liberate all of its territories seized by Russia. At the same time, he expressed his belief that Russian troops are not capable of capturing the entire territory of Ukraine.

"Russia will never be able to capture the whole of Ukraine. Ukrainians are too brave, they fight too hard, the country is too big. This will not happen. But it's also unrealistic to believe that somehow a country the size of Ukraine... can push these people(Russian troops - ed.) back to where they were before the invasion," Rubio said.

The State Department candidate believes that both sides have leverage that they could use to strengthen their positions in possible future peace talks.

Rubio also said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's goal may be to "impose neutrality" on Ukraine, regain strength and return in 4-5 years, which is "not a scenario that any of us would prefer."

The senator also said that the Trump administration will seek "bold diplomacy" to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

"This war must end... It won't be easy, but it will require bold diplomacy," Rubio added.

As a reminder, the day before, Pete Hagel, Donald Trump's nominee for US Secretary of Defense, said that Washington wants the Russian war in Ukraine to end with the most favorable outcome for Kyiv. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530471

Dargo

01-15-25, 02:52 PM

Consequences of war in Ukraine shake up Russian gas giantRussia's Gazprom is suffering billions in losses and has to lay off more than a third of its employees. The loss of the European market is proving to be a sensitive loss for the once-mighty state-owned gas company. The plan for a massive round of lay-offs leaked through Russian Telegram channels early this week and was later confirmed by Gazprom. Management is about to lay off more than 1,600 of the 4,100 employees at its headquarters, which towers almost half a kilometre above Tsar Peter the Great's low-rise building in St Petersburg. It would be the biggest round of lay-offs in Gazprom's existence. The bad news about the company is piling up. In 2022, Gazprom's hugely expensive Nord Stream pipeline to Western Europe was blown up. In 2023, the company made its first loss in over 20 years: a whopping €6.7 billion. This year began with the end of decades of gas exports to Europe via pipelines through Ukraine.

The company with hundreds of thousands of employees across Russia is in trouble, mainly because a large part of the European market has been lost. Before the invasion, in the era when European government leaders teamed up with Kremlin leaders to commission gas pipelines that bypassed Ukraine, and when Gazprom was the main sponsor of the Champions League - 45 per cent of EU gas imports came from Russia. By 2023, that had dropped to 15 per cent. The flow of gas through pipelines in particular has declined, which is disastrous for the company that has a monopoly over Russian gas exports by pipeline. Gazprom itself initially shut the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, but said it would reopen them if European countries withdrew sanctions. This allowed the company to keep political pressure on Europe, one of Gazprom's main tasks. But explosions in the pipes a few weeks later were the unexpected death knell for Gazprom's multi-billion-dollar pipelines to Germany.

For now, Gazprom still has limited gas exports left to the EU. Turkstream, a Russian pipeline to reach Europe via Turkey, allows Gazprom to supply Hungary with gas. But even that pipeline is vulnerable. According to Russia, Ukraine carried out a failed drone attack on a compressor station at Turkstream early this week. Russia also depends on transit country Bulgaria, and that country recently announced it was reconsidering transit due to US sanctions against Gazprom. For Russia's flagship economy, the last remaining route to Europe is by sea: liquefied natural gas (lng) is still welcome at European ports. Russian tankers even exported a record amount of Russian lng to the EU last year. But Gazprom does not have a monopoly over lng exports in Russia and faces a shortage of tankers and terminals for lng. Moreover, Brussels wants to get rid of all Russian fossil fuels by 2027 10 EU member states are lobbying for a ban on Russian lng imports.

The outlook for Gazprom is downright poor, according to a report a research firm conducted last year on behalf of Gazprom's management. Western sanctions against the Russian energy sector are simply leading to ‘a contraction of export volumes’, the report said. Recovery, Gazprom need not expect ‘any earlier than 2035’. The company is trying to shift gas sales to other customers. This is not going smoothly with a product that requires thousands of kilometres of pipelines. Sales to China have increased in recent years with the construction of the Power of Siberia in 2019, the first pipeline from Russia to China. A yet-to-be-constructed, second pipeline should increase those exports from 2030. But even then, the volume cannot match that of the old gas flows to Europe. Moreover, China has alternative suppliers, so it negotiates a low price. Instead of dictating, Gazprom is now forced to hold up its hand.

Skybird

01-15-25, 04:47 PM

North Koreans - just incompetent and just cannon-fodder? No way, according to these reports.

https://www-focus-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/dagegen-sind-wagner-soeldner-kinder-neue-aussagen-von-ukrainern-zeichnen-jetzt-voellig-neues-bild-von-kims-truppen_886ccec5-6c28-4507-8d2f-740d41451fd1.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

mapuc

01-15-25, 04:56 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zC3nURzVJM

Markus

August

01-15-25, 09:31 PM

"Not a question of if but when"

https://youtube.com/shorts/hmeG75bFbpg?si=CX3kbkQiobpf4Tv7

mapuc

01-16-25, 05:45 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lg6JZEtnOk

Markus

Jimbuna

01-16-25, 06:49 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xofQ7pONMwQ

Skybird

01-16-25, 06:55 AM

Their economy and money system cant show early enough signs of cracks and overburdening. :yeah: When the war started, I guessed for myself that there was no way economic sanctions could seriuosuly put them in danger before 3-4 years. The overheating due to going to war economy I expected, but not on this scale as it is now. I still have doub ts, however, that these are the factors that will decide the war and force them to stop, nor do I see dangerous levelos of destabilising in civil society, by that I mean none that the regime could not deal with by use of brute force. And approval rates for Putin himself, his narratiuve of justice and glory, and for the war, still are high.

Russians are born fatalists after these many centuries of always the same. They have learned to suffer. And to bow to the state. The "democratic oppositions" always has been overestuimate in the wets, and never was as weak and as suppressed as it is currently. Putin must not react to it politically. Controlling it by the use of police measures will perfectly contain it.

I expect from Trump that he will stay unpredictable, and put both the candy and the whip on the table. Maybe Russia will start to move by a threat of the US to "disinhibit" its arms deliveries to Ukraine. Yet, its still Russia he is dealing with. Nobody should believe that Russia will move quickly and easily. - I do not believe that he will let Ukraine just drop like a too hot iron and leave it behind like many seem to fear, stopping all support and aid.

Jimbuna

01-16-25, 08:30 AM

I think the grass has grown too thick to let Trump simply walk away because amongst other things the loss of trust and credibility to the US would be quite damaging at home and abroad.

I also take note that the idiot from No 10 has taken the opportunity to visit Kyiv to try and score a few cheap brownie points.

Skybird

01-16-25, 11:36 AM

mapuc

01-16-25, 12:01 PM

No coal - no steel.

https://www-nzz-ch.translate.goog/international/ukraine-krieg-mine-in-pokrowsk-schliesst-stahlindustrie-bedroht-ld.1866212?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true

No translation and you can only read a part of the article.

Would it mean the end of Ukrainian coal if Prokrovsk falls into Russian hands ?

There must be other places where Ukraine are mining coal.

Markus

Dargo

01-16-25, 12:04 PM

^Bollocks coal is so inefficiency (Natural gas is less expensive, cleaner and more efficient than coal. In addition to burning cleaner than coal, natural gas is cheap), we use natural gas and go to hydrogen for our steel production. Look at the steel prize it is low very low, China dumps it on the world market so converting to natural gas or hydrogen is the only way to produce efficient. The German steel industry is hanging by a thread. Demand for German steel has collapsed, and forecasts suggest the industry will not show signs of recovery until 2025. But even that will not be enough to return the industry to its pre-Corona boom days. The problems are mainly attributed to fierce competition from China and falling steel prices. Same goes for Tata Steel, it will deinvest in their European steel production. So it is cheaper for Ukraine to import steel than make it with coal.

Dargo

01-16-25, 12:05 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnQD8eEEtuE

mapuc

01-16-25, 12:13 PM

Dargo

01-16-25, 12:23 PM

May be so, it is however countries like China who use coal

https://www.worldometers.info/coal/coal-consumption-by-country/

MarkusChina can produce that way only because the state subsidize it, they have deep pockets and the goal is to become 1st, all financed by the state. Rising exports from 2023-2024 led to global oversupply, price drops, and tariffs, prompting China to halt new steel mill approvals and encourage overseas investments. China's central government has also worked to phase out unprofitable "zombie" companies while pushing for stricter environmental controls on steel production. China produced over 1 billion tonnes of crude steel in 2022, 52.9% of the world's total production. Ukrainian iron and steel industry accounts for around 2% of worldwide crude steel output.

Skybird

01-16-25, 12:43 PM

No translation and you can only read a part of the article.

Would it mean the end of Ukrainian coal if Prokrovsk falls into Russian hands ?

There must be other places where Ukraine are mining coal.

Markus
Ah, NZZ at it again, I forgot.

Pokrovsk has three main mines for coal, the first of it was shut down already in mid-Decembre, the last one around New years eve. That is a problem because it is a sort of coal they need for steel production. Importing this special coal puts even more strain on their finances, is expensive, and cannot compensate the loss in full. Steel production therefore is expected to drop by one half and even two thirds. If things go wrong, even more. This effects both export steel, and production for military demand. The coal production cannot be shifted to another mine - there is none left.

They have started to blow up the mine tunnels so that Russians cannot use them to infiltrate, or to hide in ambush. No need for civilians (=workers) being around anymore, the city is almost completely evacuated now and taken over by the military.

Again, Ukraine has lost its last coal production suitable for fuelling steel making. And even if the mine were still open, Russia has disrupted the railway lines to transport it, the railway is under full shelling, any remaining stockpiles of coal have been stopped to get moved out already weeks ago.

It is now expected that the Russians will not try to take the city but simply will completely obliterate it by bombing it into oblivion, like they did with other cities before. Ukrainians expect it will be wiped off the map like said cities before.

Dargo, with all sympathy for your bright future vision and ideal design of an energy infrastructure that is environment friendly and sexy - but what Ukraine needs is not what maybe will be in a couple of years (or not, look at their fiscal status), but what they need NOW. Their remaining steel production is like it is: coal-depending. Wrong time to follow the German way and blow up your powerplants. Those they still have, I mean, which are not that many. 90% of their energy production is gone. Not just damaged and repairable, but destroyed.

They needed that coal desperately. Donbass was the centre of coal mining.

Dargo

01-16-25, 01:00 PM

The top exports of Ukraine are Corn ($6.02B), Seed Oils ($5.54B), Wheat ($3.27B), Iron Ore ($2.97B), and Rapeseed ($1.55B), exporting mostly to Poland ($6.7B), Romania ($3.94B), Turkey ($3.02B), China ($2.6B), and Germany ($2.43B). Agricultural products are Ukraine's most important exports. In 2021, they totalled $27.8 billion, accounting for 41 percent of the country's $68 billion in overall exports. Ukraine is normally the world's top producer of sunflower meal, oil, and seed and the world's top exporter of sunflower meal and oil. So no they do not need coal, they have plenty of natural gas or can make hydrogen. On the moment, it is cheaper to buy steel than to make it with the surplus on the world market. In March 2017, the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko signed a decree that banned the movement of goods to and from territories controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, which stopped coal from the Donets Black Coal Basin being used in the rest of the country. So after 7 years they now suddenly need it to survive, yeah ppfff.

Dargo

01-16-25, 01:31 PM

https://youtu.be/wh46PuUJC5E

Putin has just signed a decree to call up Russian reservists for military training in 2025.

https://i.ibb.co/wLJ9ZxZ/Russianreservists-ru.jpg (https://ibb.co/wLJ9ZxZ)
https://i.ibb.co/gmL8DJ0/Russianreservists.jpg (https://ibb.co/PFvy5g2)

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an annual decree, calling up military reservists for training in 2025, according to the document uploaded to the national database of legislative acts. Russian citizens in reserve are to be called up for military training in the Armed Forces, the National Guard, state protection bodies and the federal security service, reads the decree uploaded to the portal of legal information. The Russian government and regional authorities are instructed to ensure the implementation of measures related to the call-up of citizens for military training and the conduct of these training sessions. The decree is effective as of the day of its publication. The training of Russian reservists is a routine activity conducted annually. The decree on the call-up of reserve servicemen for training is signed by the Russian president. On the basis of the decree of the head of state, the mobilization department of the Defense Ministry prepares a corresponding directive to the military enlistment centers in regions. After that the distribution of summonses to reservists begins. https://tass.com/defense/1900377

mapuc

01-16-25, 01:43 PM

Dargo wrote:
"president Petro Poroshenko signed a decree that banned the movement of goods to and from territories controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, which stopped coal from the Donets Black Coal Basin being used in the rest of the country."

I guess this decree was removed when he was kicked out from office which happened around 2014. Could it not be so that they started to use this coal in the rest of the country after 2014 ?

Markus

Dargo

01-16-25, 02:06 PM

^He was in office, 7 June 2014 – 20 May 2019. Poroshenko actively and financially supported the Euromaidan protests between November 2013 and February 2014. You got the rong prez :D

Jimbuna

01-16-25, 02:07 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_CBkl4AO_A

Jimbuna

01-16-25, 02:09 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ODZXY5F_UY

Dargo

01-16-25, 02:43 PM

Chinese business has started buying out distressed assets from Russian entrepreneurs, Russian media report. According to them, a Chinese company has decided to buy out 100% of LLC Inskaya Mine in Russia's Kemerovo region, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. Moreover, the potential owners have already found to whom and where to sell coal, the company's representative Tatyana Silenko said in court. The Federal Tax Service (FTS) has filed claims against the mine in the amount of 230 million rubles ($2 244 460). Due to the difficult financial situation, the agency granted an installment plan for tax payments. The relevant concessions from the FTS are valid until 2027. In October 2024, Denis Nemykin, general director of Inskaya, reported that four Chinese companies are ready to finance the enterprise for 2.4 billion rubles ($23 420 455). China will make the most of Russia's weaknesses. https://glavny.tv/last-news/russia/kitayskiy-biznes-nachal-vykupat-u-rossiyskih-predprinimateley-problemnye-aktivy/

Economically weakened Russia is being cheaply bought by China. Russia has mortgaged its future and its considerable resources to them. China wants Outer Manchuria back, Chinese cartographers already include the southeastern most area of Russia on Chinese maps.

https://i.ibb.co/qg3FMyJ/Gh-Znw-U4-Wg-AAJzpa.jpg (https://ibb.co/DMHgDVr)

Jimbuna

01-17-25, 08:44 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K31Zgfm5Q8I

Jimbuna

01-17-25, 09:12 AM

North Korean soldiers did not know they were going to fight against Ukraine - South Korean Ambassador Hwang

The DPRK soldiers who were sent to Russia did not know that they were going to take part in hostilities against Ukraine. They believed that they were going to participate in military exercises aimed at simulating combat operations.

This was stated by South Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Hwang Jun-kook, Censor.NET reports.

Jun-kook noted that the two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine did not realize that they were at the front and were misled about their true tasks.

"Russia and North Korea continue to refuse to recognize the dispatch of North Korean soldiers and falsely claim that military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang is fully in line with obligations under international law," Jun-kook said.

What preceded it?

Earlier, South Korean intelligence said that about 300 DPRK soldiers had already been eliminated in the Kursk region.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Defense Forces had captured two DPRK soldiers. They are already communicating with the SBU.

Later, the SBU reported that they were conducting investigative actions with the DPRK prisoners. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530803

Dargo

01-17-25, 02:43 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia1S6IGmD_o

Dargo

01-17-25, 04:19 PM

Four signs Putin’s empire is crumbling:
A demographic collapse. Russia is dying out. The population is decreasing by 1 million annually, and the demographic potential needed to maintain the empire has already been exhausted. This decline disproportionately affects ethnic Russian regions, while the Caucasus maintains population growth – a pattern that intensifies ethnic and religious tensions, setting the stage for future conflicts.
The geography trap. Russia’s vast geography has become its burden. The state struggles to maintain coherent control with sparse populations spread across immense territories. The centralized management model turns the periphery into a financial burden, making logistics in remote regions unsustainable. The costs of maintaining such a structure are too high. Thus, more compact states have a strategic advantage in terms of survival capability.
Corrupt state model. Under Putin, Russia has devolved into pure kleptocracy, with national resources concentrated in the hands of a tiny elite. This corruption-feudal system paralyses normal economic development, replacing the rule of law with a network of personal loyalties and informal agreements.
A broken society. Putin has achieved unprecedented levels of social demotivation, creating exactly what he sought: an atomized, opportunistic society. The result is a population stripped of meaning, motivation, and unity. The war in Ukraine has only deepened this crisis, producing a massive class of armed, traumatized criminals who will struggle to reintegrate into civilian life.
https://ukrainetoday.org/why-russias-collapse-is-inevitable-and-what-comes-next/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-iip9J1MWs

Ukraine boosts exports by 15% in 2024, agroexports account for half of revenue
In 2024, Ukraine increased its goods exports by 15%, reaching $41.7 billion, with agricultural exports contributing $20.9 billion, or 50% of total export revenue. This data was highlighted in a monthly report on Ukraine's wartime economy by the Centre for Economic Strategy (CES) in collaboration with the German Economic Team (GET). Analysts noted that the mining and metallurgical complex generated $6.9 billion (17%) in export revenue, the food industry $3.7 billion (9%), and machinery $3.6 billion (9%). Sugar exports reached 750,000 tonnes, earning $420 million – the highest figure since 1997, when statistical records began.

The top 10 export products that brought the highest revenue included sunflower oil and corn ($5.1 billion each), wheat ($3.7 billion), iron ore ($2.8 billion), steel and rolled products ($2.4 billion), rapeseed ($1.8 billion), soybeans and soybean meal ($1.3 billion each), timber ($1.1 billion), poultry meat ($1 billion), furniture ($0.8 billion), steel pipes and barley ($0.6 billion each), and pig iron ($0.5 billion). Imports rose by 11% in 2024 to $70.7 billion. Key imports included oil and petroleum products ($6.8 billion, 10%), passenger cars ($4.4 billion, 6%), pharmaceuticals ($2.0 billion, 3%), mobile phones ($1.3 billion, 2%), fertilizers ($1.2 billion, 2%), and drones ($1.1 billion, 2%). https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/1041570.html

Metinvest's Zaporizhia refractories manufacturer boosts production by 25% in 2024PrJSC Zaporizhvohnetryv (Zaporizhia Refractories), Ukraine's largest manufacturer of refractory products and part of the Metinvest Group, increased its production by 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching 96,000 tonnes. According to the company, despite challenges caused by the full-scale war, the team at Zaporizhvohnetryv continues to operate steadily, produce refractory products, and provide high-quality services. In 2024, the company produced approximately 96,000 tonnes of refractory products, 25% more than in 2023. The main consumers are industries such as metallurgy, food processing, energy, and coke chemistry. To maintain high production levels, the company systematically monitors and upgrades its equipment and introduces new operational approaches. As a result, the number of emergency and unplanned equipment downtimes in 2024 decreased by more than 20% compared to 2023.

"Our strategic goal for 2025 is to retain our markets and, together with our partners, continue supporting Ukraine's economy," said Zaporizhvohnetryv CEO Artur Ivanchenko. Zaporizhvohnetryv is Ukraine's largest manufacturer of high-quality refractory products and materials, including chamotte, mullite-silica, mullite, mullite-corundum, periclase, and periclase-chromite items, as well as silicon carbide heaters and unshaped refractory materials. Its products are widely used in Ukraine and exported to countries in the CIS, Europe, Asia, and Africa. According to data from the National Depository of Ukraine for Q3 2024, Metinvest B.V. (the Netherlands) owns 50.7899% of Zaporizhvohnetryv's shares, while Zaporizhstal owns 49.2101%. https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/1041544.html

"Metinvest's management is implementing an emergency action plan to ensure the supply of essential raw materials (coal and coke) for steel production at the group's metallurgical assets (Kamet Steel and the Zaporizhstal joint venture). These measures include increasing the supply of coking coal from the group's United Coal Company in the United States, utilising recently accumulated coal stocks while arranging additional supplies of raw materials from third-party suppliers," the statement said. https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/1040692.html

Catfish

01-17-25, 04:46 PM

Dargo

01-17-25, 04:59 PM

^^ re Dargo further up - this means general mobilisation for Russia.
Let's see how the fascist bigmouth 'milbloggers' react wen they get their conscription to die for their czar Putin.
Send Sokolov first! I want to see him reach the Atlantic ocean.They already prepare for general mobilisation. Russian president signs annual decree to call up reservists for training (https://tass.com/defense/1900377)

Skybird

01-17-25, 05:25 PM

And yet, Russia can carry on, unchanged.

https://www-t--online-de.translate.goog/nachrichten/ukraine/id_100575976/ukraine-krieg-kursk-donbass-luftangriffe-die-lage-an-der-front.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true

Dargo

01-18-25, 05:37 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOxxO29gOr0

Jimbuna

01-18-25, 07:22 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59-W5mOMBRY

Exocet25fr

01-18-25, 07:55 AM

The United States, Kyiv's main military backer, has called on Ukraine to lower the conscription age from 25 to 18 as the country struggles to fend off advancing Russian forces amid a shortage of new recruits.

In April, Ukraine reduced the mobilization age from 27 to 25. But in November 2024, the Biden administration pushed Ukraine to lower the draft age again -- this time, to 18 :D. On January 12, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s designated national-security adviser Mike Waltz repeated the message.

Reactions on the streets of Kyiv were entirely negative.

The 18-25 age group is the weakest of Ukraine’s working age demographics. A dramatic fall in the birth rate in the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, continued into the 2000s amid ongoing economic hardship.

In December 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made scathing remarks to journalists during a visit to Brussels. The problem, he suggested, was not troop numbers but insufficient arms and equipment.

But Zelenskiy has also admitted that the army needs younger fighters, and videos of Ukrainian press gangs dragging men off the streets underline the problem.

Political pressure may force Zelenskiy to change his mind. Trump has already made it amply clear that he is not inclined to support Ukraine militarily and wants to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace.

As Zelenskiy tries to keep Trump’s favor, he may be forced to make concessions somewhere.

https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-conscription/33275293.html

Dargo

01-18-25, 08:15 AM

In total, four oil depots are currently burning in Russia:

https://i.ibb.co/YR9VM7b/4.jpg (https://ibb.co/TvXNSBr)

After the New Year, Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drones attacked an incredible number of Russian targets on the territory of the Russian Federation:
The largest Russian sea trade port in Ust-Luga, Leningrad region.
The Taneko oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Russia.
Bryansk Chemical Plant
The Saratov oil refinery.
The Russian oil depot in Engels.
Russian oil depot in Liski, Voronezh region
The Russian oil depot in Lyudinovo, Kaluga region
The Russian oil depot near Dedilovo station in the Tula region

Skybird

01-18-25, 08:55 AM

Many Wetsenr media currently report: in 2024, despite Western sanctions, Russia again generated more revenue for the state budget from oil and gas sales. Last year, they rose by more than 26 percent to 11.13 trillion rubles (107 billion euros). In 2023, revenues fell by 24 percent due to lower oil prices and falling gas exports.

Over the past ten years, oil and gas sales have always been the Kremlin's most important source of money, which is also used to finance the war of aggression against Ukraine, which has now lasted almost three years. They accounted for about a third to a half of the federal budget's total revenue.

Last year's profits are about half the total costs of the war over the past three years combined.

Jimbuna

01-18-25, 11:59 AM

Merkel: Ukraine will not survive as independent state without US support

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Ukraine will not be able to remain an independent state without the support of the United States and NATO.

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

Shortly before Donald Trump was sworn in as US president, Merkel emphasized that the transatlantic partnership is even more necessary today than before.

After Russian dictator Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine, the basic principle of the European post-war order - territorial inviolability - ceased to apply, she said during a speech at a reception of the Christian Democratic Union in Düsseldorf.

According to Merkel, it is only with the United States and within NATO that "Putin will not win the war and Ukraine will remain an independent state."

Merkel also called Trump a "special president" who protects the "legitimate interests" of the United States, but in multilateral cooperation does not believe in "win-win situations" and is convinced that there is always a winner and a loser.

"We will not change Donald Trump, but we can react to him," Merkel said.

She added that the US would also be foolish not to seek allies in Europe. "We are also a strong factor," she said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3530989