I think it's much more likely that foreign parents who are working in Russia signed up their kids for a week of summer camp at Lake Marx (or Lake Lenin), and then found out as the bus was leaving town that the lake was considered too dangerous after it was poisoned by American tourists. So the summer camp had to be moved to some place that was protected against American tourists. And then the kids were diverted to Crimea. On the plus side for Russia, they are now even on the total number of children that have been removed from and added to Crimea. In Putin's mind, this little act offsets the kidnappings of Ukrainian children a few months ago. So he did put children back into occupied Ukrainian territories, just not the same children.
The good news for Russia? They are on the verge of capturing (and leveling) the last bit of Bahkmut! Now for the bad news. Ukraine is on the verge of surrounding what's left of Bahkmut and destroying the only part of Russia's forces that understand how to fight. Looks like Prigo might get caught with his pants down. Ukraine threatens Bakhmut encirclement, Wagner forces may end up trapped (yahoo.com) Amazing that Ukraine has been able to do all this, without a single mention of a western tank or infantry fighting vehicle.
Time to play, caption this photo: "I can defeat Russia with one hand, and work farm with the other." "I could destroy Russians with watermelon, but missile does not taste so good."
As Russia draws down on its missile stockpiles, it will soon only be able to fire what it can make, which is 67 missiles a month. So it will only be able to fire an average of about two per day, with maybe three on the weekends. Probably just as well, since Ukraine is getting very good at shooting them down. Ukraine knows that Russia is running out of missiles because many of the recent missiles were manufactured earlier this year. Russia able to produce 67 missiles monthly – Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (yahoo.com)
How is this one different from the previous 85 proclamations they've made before about Russian missile depletion?
It may be too far away, and there may be more than one missile plant. You have to remember, Russia has always been scared of NATO, so putting weapons factories of significant value to close to their western border would be unlikely, as they would be the first to be bombed.
It's either that, or they offered music awards and then kidnapped the children at the airport. Do you have a better explanation as to why or how Putin would send children into a war zone?
Do you have any other sourcing for this besides the Lithuanian military police? It's rather unbelievable that Israeli parents are going to send their children to Crimea, even if it's just for a few days. That is unless you think Israelis are extremely gullible people. Further, is there any evidence to suggest Putin would hold the children hostage after the music contest and not let them return home? Other than the Lithuanian military police says it so it must be true? If that was Putin's masterplan, why wouldn't he have sent Russian children in droves to Crimea already instead of paying the price of further international scorn by holding foreign children hostage? He would risk what's left of his diplomatic relations with Israel for that? You see, none of this makes a damn bit of sense. That's because it's propaganda.
Those missiles keep patriot batteries in kyiv instead of attacking ammo depits, bridges, fuel depots, C&C centers, etc far behind the line Uk has already proven they can push Russian launch craft back with patriots forward. More or similar units much closer to the lines along with f 16 to launch missiles from the uk side is what is required to change the dynamic. Distance is everything as it easily strains logistics that are razor thin already.
It appears that Uk controls the high ground and the supply lines in and out of the city. I have to wonder if Wagner will surrender or if they will die. Would they be subject to war crimes trials outside of pow rules?
Wait, I thought like a week ago Ukraine was pushing Russians out of Bahkmut, now Russians have completely taken the city and Ukraine is out, but they have the high ground? Did Ukraine not have the high ground surrounding the city before they were driving Russia out of the city center? If so, why would we assume Russia/Wagner's capitulation is imminent when Ukraine have lost ground?
Would be impressive tactically if Ukrainians did indeed pull the Russians into the city in large numbers, then cut off the supply lines behind them. That would be a near catastrophic error for the Russians/ Wagner.
Compared to the rest of Russia's tactical errors in this war, it's practically a success story! And it does Putin the favor of shutting up Prigo.
Ukraine has taken quite a bit of land on the flanks while losing ground in bakhmut as every building was targeted with artillery. In a way, Wagner dug its own grave if uk can close the gap. It is a russian Mariupol with no steel plant or tunnel network to hide in. this may be the Russian military or Kremlin way of ridding themselves of their biggest critic and threat to take Putin's throne. Russian forces in retreat near Bakhmut, Ukraine and Wagner say | Reuters But he accuses commanders of Russia's regular forces of abandoning ground north and south of the city, raising the risk of troops inside being encircled. "Unfortunately, units of the Russian Defence Ministry have withdrawn up to 570 metres (1,880 feet) to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks," Prigozhin said in his latest voice message on Thursday. "I am appealing to the top leadership of the Ministry of Defence - publicly - because my letters are not being read," Prigozhin said, addressing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. "Please do not give up the flanks." The Russian defence ministry has acknowledged some withdrawals from positions near Bakhmut over the past week but denies Prigozhin's assertions that flanks are crumbling, or that it has withheld ammunition from Wagner.
The Black Sea just became a little blacker. Russia has something new to worry about with its naval forces. {Cue the music from "Jaws".} Ukraine has a new underwater drone that is described as a loitering torpedo. Exploding underwater drone set to be unleashed against Russian Navy (yahoo.com)
So now Russia “warns” us not to provide F-16s. Russia warns West sending F-16s to Ukraine ‘carries enormous risks’: TASS Is this as grave and consequential of a warning as those not to provide Patriots, Abrams, MLRS, or Javelins? Or is this, like, an even more severe form of empty threat?
seems like Ukraine would make an excellent test ground for this system THOR Microwave Anti-Drone System Downs Swarms In Test (msn.com) The U.S. Air Force recently conducted a first-of-its-kind test of the Tactical High-power Operational Responder, also known as THOR. A high-power microwave counter-drone system, the containerized THOR is designed to engage multiple drones at short ranges in a point defense role. This comes as the threat of drones, particularly ones operating in large groups or fully-networked swarms, becomes increasingly urgent around the globe. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) conducted the demonstration on April 5 at the Chestnut Test Site, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, according to a recent AFRL press release. During the demonstration, Capt. Eric Plummer, a test engineer with AFRL’s Directed Energy Directorate (DED), was responsible for aiming the THOR system as it “engaged a swarm of multiple targets,” the press release reads. This marks a significant moment for AFRL’s DED, which has been field-testing THOR for several years now, with the press release describing the demonstration as “the first test of this scale in AFRL history.” At present, we do not know exactly how many drones or what kind(s) were involved in the demonstration. The War Zone has reached out to AFRL for more details on this.
