War in Ukraine

Excellent article on Ukrainian pilots, their struggles, their triumphs, and their camaraderie with California Air National Guard's144th Fighter Wing. After reading this article, I may have to reassess my stance on the futility of providing Ukraine with fighter jets. It's quite likely that my understanding of modern air combat, little as it is already, is also heavily biased by evidence that arise from a lack of an actual peer threat.

DISPATCH: Interview With a Ukrainian MiG-29 Pilot

 

Good stuff, but still unsure why the Russians were not able to suppress Ukrainian ground AA and generally dominate through superior avionics, which I thought they has

 

It's more than just China.

Russia Pushes Its SWIFT Alternative to India for Ruble Payments; All Eyes on Lavrov's Visit

With both Russia and Saudi Arabia selling oil in currencies other than the dollar, one of the pillars of our national strength is being undermined. This can hurt us much more than letting Russia take over Ukraine ever would.

 

I hear you. And I say, give them planes, give them tanks, give them artillery.

 

Putin's war has triggered an exodus out of Russia -- but the escape options are shrinking - CNN

Article about Russians leaving Russia & how there's a good portion believing propaganda.

 

Russians lied? No way . Cnn live

"Chernihiv under "colossal attack" despite Moscow’s claim of scale-back in operations, mayor tells CNN

From CNN's Lindsay Isaac and Lianne Kolirin in London

The mayor of the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv has dismissed Moscow’s claim of a scale-back in operations, following what he describes as a "colossal attack."

His words came as it emerged that the city was “under fire” from Russian airstrikes while shelling continued through the night, according to Viacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv regional administration.
....

"This is yet another confirmation that Russia always lies," he told Berman.
Russia made the claim on Tuesday following talks it had with Ukrainian representatives in Turkey. The suggestion appeared appeared to show signs of progress towards an off ramp to the conflict. But according to Atroshenko, hostilities actually increased in Chernihiv since the claim was made.

He said: "They're saying reducing intensity, they actually have increased the intensity of strikes. Today we have a colossal attack on the center of Chernihiv. Twenty-five people have been wounded and are now in hospitals. They're all civilians. So whenever Russia says something, this needs to be checked carefully.""

 

Cnn live...from Irpin which was just liberated

"In Irpin, Ukrainian forces had discovered many mines and booby traps — including booby-trapped bodies — as they cleared the area, Denysenko said. That claim could not be immediately verified.

"Therefore, a huge request to all who want to return to their homes, please wait," Denysenko said. "It will be officially announced when you can enter the city.""

 

'I can fight with a keyboard': How one Ukrainian IT specialist exposed a notorious Russian ransomware gang | CNN Politics

 

Just when you think Russians can't get dumber then they do this.

 

Said it before, Putin can only the hide the Russian losses in Ukraine for so long. As the bodies of Russian soldiers killed in action are returned to the Motherland, the effectiveness of the propaganda will decline.

 

Putin himself may have no idea what is actually occurring in Ukraine.
Putin misled by advisers on Ukraine, US intel determines

Not all that surprising since Putin almost certainly doesn't like to hear bad news and could end up killing the messenger(s) if he doesn't like the message.

 

THey could do the world a favor and take themselves and pootie pie out

 

Putin thinking ahead. He saw that Ukraine destroyed his other ammo depot, there is no way they would consider attacking a depot next to nuclear plant.

Four dimensional chess....i mean checkers, i mean hungry hungry hippos

 

That and a treaty between former Warsaw pact members, to defend each other from a

Perhaps we have been over estimating Russian military might for years. We tend to do that. We believe all the Saber rattling nonsense. It sells ads when we have a strong enemy and it allows us to increase military spending.

 

Cnn live

"First on CNN: Mariupol Red Cross warehouse hit by military strikes, satellite imagery confirms

From CNN's Paul P. Murphy, Nathan Hodge and Sandi Sidhu

The Red Cross warehouse in central Mariupol was hit by at least two military strikes, new satellite images from Maxar Technologies confirm.

On Wednesday, the Azov Battalion — a unit that began as an ultra-nationalist militia but has since integrated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces — claimed on their Telegram channel that the warehouse had been hit by Russian military strikes, posting an image of the larger complex as evidence.

CNN has obtained a satellite image from Maxar Technologies that confirms the allegation. "
.....

Just in case folks want to excuse things or discount them because it's that infamous battalion, it's been verified and satellite photos clearly show a giant Red Cross logo on the roof.

 

Cnn live

"Zelensky asks for more weapons and urges port closures in address to Norwegian parliament

From CNN's Anastasia Graham-Yooll in London

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more weapons and for Europe to close its sea ports to Russia in an address to the Norwegian parliament on Wednesday.

Zelensky asked for anti-ship missiles, Harpoon rockets, anti-air missile systems and anti-tank guns. “All weapons you can help us with will be used only to protect our freedom, your freedom,” he said.

Zelensky said Russia is blocking Ukraine’s sea ports, amounting to piracy.

“Russia should not be able to use the world ports freely. This is a matter of global maritime security,” he said."

 

Of course they are. Not shocked.

"Russia has used banned anti-personnel landmines in Ukraine, according to Human Rights Watch

From CNN's Chris Liakos

Russian forces fighting in Ukraine have used banned anti-personnel mines in the eastern Kharkiv region of the country, according to Human Rights Watch.

The international organization said that the anti-personnel mines were located by Ukrainian explosive ordnance disposal technicians on March 28.

“Russia is known to possess these newly deployed landmines, which can indiscriminately kill and maim people within an apparent 16-meter (52 feet) range,” HRW said, adding that Ukraine does not possess this type of landmine or its delivery system.
“Countries around the world should forcefully condemn Russia’s use of banned antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine,” said Steve Goose, the arms director of Human Rights Watch. “These weapons do not differentiate between combatants and civilians and leave a deadly legacy for years to come.”"

 

What a shame. Not.

Russian oligarchs flocked to the Bay of Billionaires and Cap d’Antibes. Now their French Riviera mansions are in the sanctions spotlight

 

Russia facing internet outages due to equipment shortage

Not only equipment shortages but qualified IT leaving Russia.