Putin hopes desperately for outdated North Korean weapons and ammunition. It may be his only hope, even if they are unreliable. Putin is desperate for North Korea's stockpile of weapons, but they're outdated and unreliable, say experts
Video shows Ukrainian soldiers taking out a Russian aircraft with a missile in a critical area of its counteroffensive (msn.com)
Russia Arrests Generals in Charge of Moscow's Air Defenses (msn.com) High-ranking Russian military officers have been arrested on corruption charges, according to state media reports. News agency Tass reported on Wednesday that Major General Konstantin Ogienko, the former commander of the Special Purpose Air Defense Army which is in charge of Moscow's air defenses, had been detained. Major General Dmitry Belyatsky, commander of Russia's 4th Air Defense Division, was also placed under house arrest. The news agency said that a bribery investigation was underway into claims that at the end of June in the city of Dolgoprudny, in the Moscow Region, Belyatsky had received 500,000 roubles ($5,100) from the head of the Nadezhda organization on behalf of Ogienko.
MSN On the morning of Thursday, September 7, loud explosions occurred in Mariupol and the area. They were followed by a fire behind the Port City shopping center, with the occupiers allegedly sending their aircraft up into the sky, according to the Telegram of the adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko. "Mariupol. Very loud. Two explosions. Mangush and the area. Loud. One explosion. Good morning," he wrote. According to the mayor's adviser, after the explosions in Mariupol and the area, a fire was reported behind Port City (a destroyed shopping center in Mariupol - ed.) and near a concrete mini-plant. In addition, the occupiers report the alleged operating of their aviation.
Things are getting pretty desperate in Russia when a general will sell out his country and risk his job for $5000.
The Russians lose an ammo dump near Bahkmut. Lost about five truck loads of Ka-52 helicopter missiles (9M127 Vikhr type) to a HIMARS strike. Video shows massive HIMARS strike on an ammo dump used by Russia's powerful Ka-52 attack helicopters, Ukraine says
Russia claims that the U.S. supplying depleted uranium tank rounds to Ukraine is an "indicator of inhumanity", even though Russia also has (and presumably uses) these kinds of rounds. Coming from one of the most inhumane nations on earth, I find it a bit ironic. Russian torture centers in Ukraine are arguing with Russian missile operators targeting kindergartens and apartment buildings over which one is more humane, I'm sure. The U.S. has suggested that Russia consider removing their tanks from Ukraine if they are that concerned. Note for Russian propagandists on this board: there will be additional propaganda coming out exaggerating the health concerns of these tank rounds, so pay attention! Russian generals can just 'withdraw their tanks' if they're worried about Ukraine's new depleted-uranium ammo, US official says
Ukrainian military laughs at Russia's dragon's teeth, as well as their third line of defense. He said the dragon's teeth do not stop their tanks. The guy gave a lot of credit to the minefields for the difficulties they presented, but he is much less impressed with the rest of their defenses. He said the third "line" is mainly for resupplying the first two lines. Russia's infamous 'dragon's teeth' defenses are a joke and were easily overcome, says Ukrainian ex-commander Sounds like Russia might be defeated by Christmas. Woohoo!
Russia is being forced by a shortage of artillery shells to consider the benefits of aiming at actual targets instead of firing randomly day and night. Most of Russia's older artillery is designed for area bombing, and not precision bombing, so this effort will be limited. Russian artillery bombing doctrine is based on old WWII saturation bombing of enemy positions. Not only is it not working for hitting their targets, but their artillery barrels are getting worn out after 18 months of fighting, and they are running out of shells. The war in Ukraine is pushing Russia away from its WWII-style artillery strategy, and experts say it's 'a concerning trend'
Elon Musk wins a battle for Russia. He decided that he doesn't want Starlink to be used for war, so he shut it down in the vicinity of Crimea, which prevented an attack on the Russian fleet there. I'm not sure Musk wants to go down in history as the guy that kept a modern-day Hitler's dreams of conquest alive. At some point, he should realize that he's either part of the problem (Russian aggression), or part of the solution (Ukraine's military victory). It may be a long time before anyone in Ukraine is willing to buy a Tesla. Commander of Russian Air Defence Forces which protect Moscow arrested for bribery
I admire the optimism, but you and I both know that Russia will not be “defeated” by Christmas. This is a marathon. Ukraine seems to be on the best track available by keeping military pressure on the Russian-occupied areas, maximizing Russian casualties, and forcing Russia to do that next round of mobilization that it really, really does not want to have to do. Except for a rapid, unanticipated domestic unraveling in Russia (possible but not currently in evidence) Ukraine’s strategy takes time, patience, and bloody sacrifice.
I think by Christmas is optimistic but Russia will be fighting until they just collapse. I think about the Fourth of July next year is more likely but it’s going to happen. Hopefully before our next election where traitors may be running for president.
As I have said ad naseum, as much as Jake Sullivan wishes it were otherwise, hope is not a strategy. If you want faster results, then we need to increase pressure on Russia (or to decrease pressure on Ukraine). And there is still plenty we could be doing that remains short of direct combat with Russia. If another year goes by and this Administration has not done more, then I am going to be very unsympathetic to its complaints about “traitors” who want to get out altogether instead of supporting half-ass like we are now.
I didn't say which Christmas! I think it is possible that Ukraine gets to the Sea of Azov by this Christmas and cuts the Russian army in half. Then it is probably a matter of time before Russia has to give up, as the outcome would be a fait accompli.
I’m no military expert but I’ve always kind of thought that the notion that Ukraine could run the Russians out of town with a major offensive as likely implausible. It seems to me their best strategy is to keep sitting back and taking selective pot shots and exhausting Russian troops and resources, and perhaps limited tactical offensives. As to s escalating our support to include aircraft and other things, I generally support the idea but it isn’t risk free and could be just expending more resources into a black hole.
A lot of experts are saying that once Ukraine gets behind Russia's defenses, things will unravel rather quickly for Russia. Expect large numbers of troops to surrender when they can't get any more ammo because their supply lines are cut. Russia is having trouble getting ammo to troops now, and their supply lines are largely intact, except for the occasional drone attack on a supply depot. Of course, we could see some advancing by Ukraine, and then see it halted by the rainy season, which gives Russia time to set up more mine fields and defenses, and what we saw over the summer will have to repeat itself once the weather clears. That would be my greatest concern, aside from Ukraine running out of troops. As far as the black hole issue goes, I would say that if spending 3% of one year's defense budget on Ukraine has resulted in a 50% reduction in the capabilities of the Russian military, we owe it to ourselves to see what another 3% could do. If you are doing something that's wildly successful (for the goal of weakening Russia's military), why would you stop? We can certainly afford it.
Breakthrough on the second line near Robotyne is "considerable". The defense official gives Ukraine a 40-50% chance of breaking through the third line by the end of the year. Ukraine Situation Report: Breakthrough At Russia's Second Defensive Line
