Ukraine War Thread Part 2

[RedToo]

First surface vessel attack on Crimea (September 2022) failed as Musk turned off connection.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/01/1/7435389/

[fdr]

Damn, we are in the poo again :E



https://twitter.com/CaptCoronado/status/1741902897191764324

​​​​​​​Does this include Russia?

[NutLoose]

Well that’s different.

https://twitter.com/Vaclovas_V/status/1740656242790642026

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Vaclovas_V/status/1740656242790642026

[DogTailRed2]

Well that’s different.



https://twitter.com/Vaclovas_V/status/1740656242790642026
Gun to the left looks decidedly WW2 vintage?

[GeeRam]

Gun to the left looks decidedly WW2 vintage?

Pre-WW2 possibly.
It looks to be a DP/DPM/RP-46 LMG, first entering Soviet service in the late 1920's, and modified during WW2 to be belt fed, but could still make use of the old pre-war 'pancake' mags seen here.....although, it doesn't look to have the heavier barrel of the later RP-46 version, so most likely a pre-war DP/DPM.

[rattman]

Pre-WW2 possibly.
It looks to be a DP/DPM/RP-46 LMG, first entering Soviet service in the late 1920's, and modified during WW2 to be belt fed, but could still make use of the old pre-war 'pancake' mags seen here.....although, it doesn't look to have the heavier barrel of the later RP-46 version, so most likely a pre-war DP/DPM.


Yeah Ukraine has LOTS of them. Early in the war they were giving them out to anyone. A good friend of mine his 86 year old grandfather lives in odesa. Early on he and his younger neighbor (in the 70s) went down to a local armory and they filled his 'suitcase' with guns and ammo. One of them was a dpm-46, they are also trained up as a maxim crew, they go down every 1-2 weeks to range and practice

[NutLoose]

Kyiv under massive air attack. It looks like a Russia is launching all those stored up missiles to try to break the will of the people and to reduce the AD stockpiles, while the US dithers in keeping Ukraine supplied.

Hitler tried similar near the end of the war with the V1 and V2 and look where it got him, a hot bath outside his bunker.

https://twitter.com/NakedPueblo63/status/1742081291489821107

https://twitter.com/NakedPueblo63/status/1742081291489821107

https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1742086139974922345

https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1742086139974922345

https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1742058207319580924

https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1742058207319580924

​​​​​https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Kyiv&src=trend_click&vertical=trends​​

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Kyiv&src=trend_click&vertical=trends

https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742091790205714869

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742091790205714869

​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

Kharkiv

https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742084635482362162

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742084635482362162

[NutLoose]

Kyiv

https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742081663503352260

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742081663503352260

[NutLoose]

Kharkiv

https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742100722894672209

https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1742100722894672209

[NutLoose]

Further sea baby video

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1741795009131606365

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1741795009131606365

[NutLoose]

Gulp…. Air defense destroyed 72 air targets! Kudos to those protecting the cities from these attacks.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x1280/image_159909e76e5ac5cc087baecfb91b20ec3c769ecc.jpeg

[NutLoose]

A suspected IRIS T that failed to intercept.

https://twitter.com/Ramy_Sawma/status/1742185490055369213

https://twitter.com/Ramy_Sawma/status/1742185490055369213

[NutLoose]

More on Kyiv strikes.

https://twitter.com/The_Real_Fly/status/1742195059938730372

https://twitter.com/The_Real_Fly/status/1742195059938730372

[Beamr]

That aged well:
in the morning: Russia announces its latest counter artillery radar being deployed
In the evening: Ukraine releases video of them destroying said radar with HIMARS

https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1742219166579294343

https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1742219166579294343

[ORAC]

Poland has deployed F-16 fighters to its border with Ukraine, these have been tasked with destroying any Russian missiles heading towards or penetrating Polish territory.

[Lonewolf_50]

Poland has deployed F-16 fighters to its border with Ukraine, these have been tasked with destroying any Russian missiles heading towards or penetrating Polish territory. Seems a sensible precaution. With the volume of missiles that the Russians are launching of late, I'll estimate that there will be a few stray rounds.

[ORAC]

🤔🤔🤡

Russian authorities have confirmed that a Russian missile fell in the Russian Voronezh region.

The information was officially confirmed by the Voronezh regional governor who described the incident as "an emergency descent of ammunition."

[BlankBox]

Poor man'a AcK-AcK??

https://t.me/Ukraine_365News/69292

[NutLoose]

About bloody time, Kharkiv was hit today from Belgorod and Belgorod is now reaping what it sowed. And these are the people that used to cross the border to shop in Kharkiv.

https://twitter.com/banderafella/status/1742306952636403862

https://twitter.com/banderafella/status/1742306952636403862

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/astraiaintel/status/1742299241551151453

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/astraiaintel/status/1742299241551151453

[NutLoose]

:(

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1742296165511565730

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1742296165511565730

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1742210714054385963

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1742210714054385963

[NutLoose]

Meanwhile in Belgorod.

https://twitter.com/KVrungel/status/1741948069392851162

https://twitter.com/KVrungel/status/1741948069392851162

[ORAC]

ATACMS?

”US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will independently decide on the range of strikes carried out with the help of HIMARS rocket launchers, which the American authorities plan to transfer to the Armed Forces in the near future.”…

[NutLoose]

It’s looking like a Storm Shadow / Scalp strike has just hit Sevastopol striking multiple targets.

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1742315707918938158

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1742315707918938158

​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

Fire and explosion in Moscow tonight.

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1742327896251768964

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1742327896251768964

[NutLoose]

Turkey has blocked the pair of Ukrainian minesweepers entering the Black Sea that were sold by the U.K.

https://twitter.com/paros4/status/1742254366999093315

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/paros4/status/1742254366999093315

[NutLoose]

Search, identify and stick his sorry arse on a plane back to the sh*t hole he came from.

https://twitter.com/victoriaslog/status/1742313897590173863

https://twitter.com/victoriaslog/status/1742313897590173863

[Winemaker]

ATACMS?

”US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will independently decide on the range of strikes carried out with the help of HIMARS rocket launchers, which the American authorities plan to transfer to the Armed Forces in the near future.”…
About bloody time......

[NutLoose]

Interesting to see the heat generated in Russia’s hypersonic missiles.

https://twitter.com/Ramy_Sawma/status/1742117353419125241

https://twitter.com/Ramy_Sawma/status/1742117353419125241
​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

ATACMS?

”US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will independently decide on the range of strikes carried out with the help of HIMARS rocket launchers, which the American authorities plan to transfer to the Armed Forces in the near future.”…


Does that include striking targets inside Russia?

[NutLoose]

What is happening around Avdiivka

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1741849171886326141

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1741849171886326141

[NutLoose]

A Russian bmp dragging what looks like a body is hit by a Bradley Tow missile, then is opened up on by the Bradley’s gun.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1741816527089790991

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1741816527089790991

[fdr]

Turkey has blocked the pair of Ukrainian minesweepers entering the Black Sea that were sold by the U.K.



https://twitter.com/paros4/status/1742254366999093315

Turkey is following their protocol correctly, and there would be more impact if they didn't. Hard to complain when they are following their word.

[jolihokistix]

Surely it's in Turkey's own interest to have mines swept throughout that area.

[NutLoose]

But if you let one country enter the sea, you would have to offer the same to the other side.


i cannot find anything to verify this.

https://twitter.com/PrepperCanadian/status/1742387206659187027

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/PrepperCanadian/status/1742387206659187027

[Ninthace]

The rules for the straits are in the Montreux Convention
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreux_Convention_Regarding_the_Regime_of_the_Straits

[ORAC]

NutLoose: i cannot find anything to verify this.


​​​​​​​See my post #7526.

[GeeRam]

Turkey is following their protocol correctly, and there would be more impact if they didn't. Hard to complain when they are following their word.

Indeed, I'm surprised they even tried to go that route.
I'm surprised, given their relative small size, they didn't try and route them via the Rhine and Danube rivers to the Black Sea, but I suppose that would have meant Hungary saying yes as well, and given Orban's stance on Ukraine, that wasn't likely an option either.

[NutLoose]

See my post #7526.

​​​​​​​I had seen that, but I did a search on the ambassador and couldn’t find anything web wise nor news wise to verify it.

[NutLoose]

Russian army destroy HIMARS………or Russian military kill a field, it might be me but I cannot see squat in either fields.

https://twitter.com/warintel4u/status/1741853893431308375

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/warintel4u/status/1741853893431308375

[langleybaston]

A Russian bmp dragging what looks like a body is hit by a Bradley Tow missile, then is opened up on by the Bradley’s gun.



https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1741816527089790991

What my sniffy elder daughter calls war porn. Like the main news channels she shuts her eyes and puts her fingers in her ears about "such things". That generation have no idea that Ukraine is fighting a just fight, and the "free world" is giving minimalist aid in a war that may yet engulf Europe.

As for war porn I only see the bad guys getting a real beasting. I hope one [only one] gets back to Russia and tells the story.

[jolihokistix]

Nutloose, @#7538, so-called 'Canadian Prepper' gives off anti-US, pro-Russian vibes, stirring the pot with panic-raising capital letters and obtusely calling Kyiv 'Kiev'.

[NutLoose]

The advantage of providing Patriots to Ukraine.


Jan Kallberg, Ph.D. (https://twitter.com/Cyberdefensecom)
@Cyberdefensecom (https://twitter.com/Cyberdefensecom)
Every Ukrainian downing of Russian hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal with the Patriot missiles will improve the Patriot missile intercept algorithm - and increase accuracy for all Patriot systems, a benefit for the US, the rest of NATO, and other Patriot AD users. The same goes for any RUS aircraft that is shot down. Data quality is high because it is live tested; it is not a desk job or theoretical calculation; this is data from a successful intercept. The value of the data is really high as it can kick the success rate in the long run from, let's say, 85 % to 99 % against a type of target, so if RUS in a continued war launches 20 low-yield tactical nukes using 47M2 Kinzhal against NATO targets, with improved data likely no missile makes it to target. If the data had been unimproved - 3 would have made it through AD and detonated. Therefore, providing UKR with Patriot missiles is an investment in any provider's defense and gives high defense ROI as the improved algorithm upgrades its existing systems.

[ORAC]

Lots of reports of her statement in the Ukrainian and Russian press. Quote is taken from an interview the Ukrainian online newspaper Strana.news.

Unfortunately the paper is just in Russian and Ukrainian and I can’t pinpoint the article referenced.

Russian media generally dismissive saying she said the same thing last year and her statement doesn’t reflect WH policy.

https://ctrana.news/

​​​​​​​https://x.com/jurgen_nauditt/status/1742197766397239357?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A

[Tocsin]

Indeed, I'm surprised they even tried to go that route.
I'm surprised, given their relative small size, they didn't try and route them via the Rhine and Danube rivers to the Black Sea, but I suppose that would have meant Hungary saying yes as well, and given Orban's stance on Ukraine, that wasn't likely an option either.

That was my first thought, probably no problem length or breadth, but the mast height (and possibly other bits) would be an issue. At least Orban couldn't pray in aid the Montreaux Convention...

[ORAC]

but I suppose that would have meant Hungary saying yes as well,


And Serbia….

Ukraine is a Danubian state so the second paragraph applies.

The current member states of the Danube Commission are Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Croatia.

Russia’s was stripped of it’s membership after the invasion of Ukraine.

https://www.danubecommission.org/dc/en/danube-commission/convention-regarding-the-regime-of-navigation-on-the-danube/

Article 30

Navigation of the Danube by the naval vessels of any non-Danubian country shall be prohibited.

The naval vessels of Danubian States may not navigate the Danube beyond the frontiers of the respective countries whose flags they fly save by arrangement between the Danubian States concerned.

[RedToo]

Russian army destroy HIMARS………or Russian military kill a field, it might be me but I cannot see squat in either fields.



https://twitter.com/warintel4u/status/1741853893431308375
A good analysis of this here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOknfMClPT4&t=243s

Seems unlikely that a HIMARS was destroyed.
​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

Russias aim is getting better, some reports have them downing another of their own fighters.

Do they have IFF? Or is it Identification Foe or Foe?

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1742050712098672742

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1742050712098672742

[RedToo]

Thousands of migrants detained in Russia to recruit “volunteers” for war.

https://mil.in.ua/en/news/thousands-of-migrants-detained-in-russia-to-recruit-volunteers-for-war/

[NutLoose]

This is my worry for Ukraine, if Russia has stockpiled enough Missiles and with the west cutting off supplies.

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1742098196711788755

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1742098196711788755

[fdr]

Indeed, I'm surprised they even tried to go that route.
I'm surprised, given their relative small size, they didn't try and route them via the Rhine and Danube rivers to the Black Sea, but I suppose that would have meant Hungary saying yes as well, and given Orban's stance on Ukraine, that wasn't likely an option either.
'
bridge clearance on the Danube is down to 5.8mtrs, they would need some work to fit the whole way.

[Video Mixdown]

Indeed, I'm surprised they even tried to go that route.
I'm surprised, given their relative small size, they didn't try and route them via the Rhine and Danube rivers to the Black Sea, but I suppose that would have meant Hungary saying yes as well, and given Orban's stance on Ukraine, that wasn't likely an option either.
This seems to be making a mountain out of a molehill. The transfer of the two minesweepers to Ukraine has been in the pipeline since well before the Russian invasion. From that date it will have been obvious to all concerned that actually getting them to the Black Sea would be impossible whilst the war continued and has not been attempted. The Turkish statement is simply a response to inaccurate media reports. That does not prevent the transfer of ownership from being completed as planned and the start of a training programme to prepare the Ukrainian Navy for a vital post-war role.

[ORAC]

That does not prevent the transfer of ownership from being completed as planned and the start of a training programme to prepare the Ukrainian Navy for a vital post-war role.


Already all completed, handed over formally in June and completed combat work-up in July.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraines-new-sandown-class-minehunters-conclude-mcm-training-with-sea-breeze

https://en.topwar.ru/228685-peredannye-v-sostav-vms-ukrainy-dva-byvshih-britanskih-tralschika-prodolzhajut-nahoditsja-u-beregov-velikobritanii.html

Next batch of sailors now training on Dutch donated minehunters.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukrainian-crews-to-receive-training-on-dutch-minehunters

[Lonewolf_50]

Turkey has blocked the pair of Ukrainian minesweepers entering the Black Sea that were sold by the U.K.
https://twitter.com/paros4/status/1742254366999093315 Turkey was involved in orchestrating the grain deal last year, and the mine sweepers are doubtless aimed at keeping the port cities accessible. They are also small enough to fit within Montreaux Convention tonnage limits.
But, I guess, they are classified as warships. If they want to pass through the Strait, warships must provide advance notification to the Turkish authorities, which, in turn, must inform the parties to the convention.
In wartime, if Turkey is not involved in the conflict, warships of the nations at war may not pass through the Straits, except when returning to their base
When Turkey is at war, or feels threatened by a war, it may take any decision about the passage of warships as it sees fit. While I tend to agree with Video Mixdown on this, I can also appreciate Turkey's caution here.

[Ninthace]

In wartime, if Turkey is not involved in the conflict, warships of the nations at war may not pass through the Straits, except when returning to their base.[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreux_Convention_Regarding_the_Regime_of_the_Straits#cite _note-auto1-9)

Since they ships have never entered the Black Sea before, it is arguable that they returning to base. Are the tonnage limits a peacetime rule?

[Lonewolf_50]

Since they ships have never entered the Black Sea before, it is arguable that they returning to base. Are the tonnage limits a peacetime rule? IIRC, yes. My familiarity with Montreaux Convention stems from a few FON ops in the 80's in the Black Sea. (Freedom of Navigation).
We were joined as we sailed about the Black Sea right at the 12 mile limit by a Hungarian Griesha (IIRC) corvette, and then by a Slava Class cruiser and a Krivak FF from the Soviet Navy. Got over flown by Backfires a few times. Good times.

[GeeRam]

'
bridge clearance on the Danube is down to 5.8mtrs, they would need some work to fit the whole way.

That definitely would preclude the Danube as an option then :ok:

[GlobalNav]

Russias aim is getting better, some reports have them downing another of their own fighters.

Do they have IFF? Or is it Identification Foe or Foe?



https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1742050712098672742
Clearly their expertise is without question.

[ORAC]

A kill’s a kill….

[ORAC]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x634/image_a6fc599beda5a8c5bcd2261007c0786c7f4460c6.png

[ORAC]

https://x.com/thestudyofwar/status/1738283209236881585?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


NEW: Putin needs the US to choose inaction in Ukraine, otherwise Russia cannot win. If Russia wins in Ukraine, @nataliabugayova says in a new essay, US adversaries will learn that America can be manipulated into abandoning its own interests in a winnable fight.

​​​​​​​https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine-part-2-—-military-threat-and-beyond

[ORAC]

https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1742660857631515018?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


​​​​​​​Russia: Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Plant belonging to Rusal on fire after a massive explosion.

[Wokkafans]

Somewhat graphic.

Possible the maggots kept him alive by eating the dead/damaged tissue? They are certainly used clinically to manage ulceration and other conditions with damaged tissue: https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Larvae-therapy-Using-maggots-to-help-your-wound-to-heal-ML3770.pdf

https://twitter.com/worldonalert/status/1742684697941922117?s=20

https://twitter.com/worldonalert/status/1742684697941922117?s=20

[NutLoose]

Translation:

The thing that's selling well at the moment, in #Ukraine (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hashtag_click) , is this: masks for old people, to avoid forced mobilization. It's a good thing, at least until the Ukronazi authorities raise the age of forced recruitment to 80...

​​​​​​​ https://twitter.com/revoltes/status/1740463516396696050

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/revoltes/status/1740463516396696050

[NutLoose]

Absoluitely f 'ing nuts

https://twitter.com/razomforukraine/status/1742615730112061736

https://twitter.com/razomforukraine/status/1742615730112061736

[NutLoose]

Su 34 destroyed by partisans.

https://twitter.com/UkrReview/status/1742869963998728288

https://twitter.com/UkrReview/status/1742869963998728288

[NutLoose]

They just do not seem to have any idea.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1742837123961491684

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1742837123961491684

[meleagertoo]

Russia: Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Plant belonging to Rusal on fire after a massive explosion.
Krasnoyarsk is 2500 miles from Ukraine - Outer Mongolia way. Its hardly credible that UKR had anything to do with that.

[NutLoose]

Russian based total bullsh*t but I will post in anyway.

https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1742133832961200549

https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1742133832961200549

[NutLoose]

Russian pontoon bridge being constructed and shown off.... very pretty, but try doing that over a contested waterway and see how well it goes together and also how long it lasts.

https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1742469290983334241

https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1742469290983334241

[t43562]

Ground Launched ASRAAM Achieving 90% Hit Rate In Ukraine:

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/ground-launched-asraam-achieving-90-hit-rate-ukraine

The air defense system was developed by a joint team from the UK defense ministry and MBDA and fielded in just four months, defense officials announced in late December.Details have finally emerged following the August 2023 publication of a single image of the system on the front line in Ukraine. That image showed the Asraam missiles mounted on launch rails fitted to a Supacat high-mobility vehicle and possibly cued by an electro-optical system.

[NutLoose]

BAe to put the M777 artillery back into production. Not bad for a Vickers design.

BAE Systems is gearing up to resume the production of components for the M777 (https://www.armyrecognition.com/united_states_us_army_light_and_heavy_weapons_uk/m777_155mm_ultra_light_lightweight_field_towed_howitzer_data .html) howitzer, a move driven by a surge in demand for this artillery piece after its remarkable performance in the Ukraine conflict, according to Sylvie Pfeifer's report in the Financial Times (https://www.ft.com/content/60dddcf2-8f0f-43c7-abe5-02f4223505fa). BAE Systems has inked an initial $50 million agreement with the US Army to kickstart a fresh program while they finalize the specifics of a more extensive contract.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link (https://news.google.com/publications/CAAiEGdigDrSiGyA41zIZWTKyuMqFAgKIhBnYoA60ohsgONcyGVkysrj/sections/CAQqKggAIhBnYoA60ohsgONcyGVkysrjKhQICiIQZ2KAOtKIbIDjXMhlZMrK 4zCP_9YG?oc=3&ceid=US:en)The M777 (https://www.armyrecognition.com/united_states_us_army_light_and_heavy_weapons_uk/m777_155mm_ultra_light_lightweight_field_towed_howitzer_data .html), weighing in at 4,200 kg (9,300 lb), is 41% lighter than its predecessor, the 7,154 kg (15,772 lb) M198 howitzer, thanks in large part to the extensive use of titanium. Its gun barrel doubles as a towing bar, with the connecting ring forged as an extension of the muzzle brake. The M777 can be transported via helicopter sling-load, transport aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, or towed by air-braked vehicles weighing over 2.5 tonnes (5,500 lb). The minimum required gun crew has been reduced from nine to five, with a normal crew size of eight. However, the rate of fire decreases with a minimal emergency crew. The M777A1 and M777A2 (https://www.armyrecognition.com/united_states_us_army_artillery_vehicles_system_uk/m777a2_lw155_lightweight_155mm_towed_howitzer_technical_data .html) utilize a digital fire-control system similar to that found on self-propelled howitzers like the M109A6 Paladin, which enables quick deployment through navigation, pointing, and self-location capabilities.

BAE noted a substantial increase in global interest in this weapon from countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022. The US, Canada, and Australia have all provided M777s to Ukraine, where they have proven highly effective against Russian invasion forces. Currently, over 1,250 M777 howitzers are in service with ground forces in Australia, Canada, Colombia, India, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and the United States, with its first combat use in the War in Afghanistan.

BAE anticipates that the new contract and the revitalized production line for components will lead to orders for complete M777 howitzers. While the primary manufacturing takes place in the UK, the assembly often occurs in the US, Sylvie Pfeire mentions. The company intends to collaborate with suppliers in both the UK and the US to manufacture the essential M777 titanium structures forming the core of the weapon, with the first parts expected to be delivered in 2025. This contract "creates the ideal conditions for the resumption of M777 production in the UK and offers an opportunity for new and existing users to participate in a new M777 production initiative, benefiting from a well-established production line and economies of scale," stated the company on January

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2024_global_security_army_industry/bae_systems_to_resume_production_of_m777_howitzer.html

[Wokkafans]

They just do not seem to have any idea.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1742837123961491684

Ran over quite a few of their own in the process - from 50sec onwards.

[DuncanDoenitz]

Ran over quite a few of their own in the process - from 50sec onwards.
Must be quite the dilemma for the targetted troops; stay in the tank and wait for the inevitable next explosion, or bail out and get run over by your mates.

[Winemaker]

Russian pontoon bridge being constructed and shown off.... very pretty, but try doing that over a contested waterway and see how well it goes together and also how long it lasts.



https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1742469290983334241
Interesting,, especially the hard hat diving rig and the mention of a steam train. Is hard hat diving still done? Is this an old film?

[Lonewolf_50]

Absoluitely f 'ing nuts Did you bother to read the Newsweek article? (FWIW, I tend to agree with General Hodges' assessment).
A lot hinges on just how far past the expiry date a weapon is, but a missile could have even years of life left in it past this date, said Hodges. Not sending ATACMS based on shelf life is a political decision, rather than one concerned with safety, he added. A given shelf-life is not always an accurate indicator of whether a missile is functional, agreed Fabian Hinz, a research fellow specializing in Middle East defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.
The ATACMS provided to Ukraine are thought to have a range of around 100 miles. Around 1,650 of the Block I missiles—the type supplied to Ukraine—were made in the decades since they were introduced, according to Reuters. Fewer than 1,114 M39 and M39A1 warheads are still in U.S. stores, the news agency reported in mid-October, with many having been used in U.S. operations or having undergone modification.
The key part is keeping the motor of a solid-propellant rocket in good condition, he told Newsweek. This all depends on the manufacturing quality and the conditions under which the missiles are stored, he said, as it is "not very forgiving when it comes to minor issues."

With ATACMS—which use a single-stage solid propellant motor—there would need to be some quality control, but the shelf life "could be higher than advertised," Hinz said. Longer-range MGM-140 ATACMS are still used by the U.S., presenting a different and more difficult political and military challenge, Rice said. But there are "tens of thousands" of outdated rockets of various types that Ukraine could fire from HIMARS waiting to be destroyed, he said, and the U.S. is also looking towards its new Precision Strike Missile to take the ATACMS' place.

With enough M39s, Ukraine could disrupt Russian supplies from Crimea to its forces in southern Ukraine, also known as the land bridge, Rice said. From where the front lines are currently located in the south and the east of the country, Ukraine's M39 ATACMS can reach the Sea of Azov and target key assets in Russian-occupied territory, he added. With more ATACMS, Ukraine can make "prime targets" out of Russian bases, infrastructure and troop formations across tens of thousands of square miles of territory, he said. With nearly 1,000 sub-munitions in each M39 rocket, more cluster ATACMS mean higher Russian casualties, Rice added.

But cluster variants have shorter ranges, and are not suited to striking Russian infrastructure or assets close to inhabited areas like the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, Hodges said. The operational requirement for more ATACMS, including the unitary warhead version, is "absolutely there," he said.
If Ukraine is willing to accept the risk that some of the 'shelf-life-expired' missiles may not perform up to spec, then I'd say it's their risk to take and that disposing of the missiles is a needless waste. (Or someone needs to be paid to perform the upkeep mentioned in the article).

Be aware of something else: there is about a 99.9% chance a DoD contract is on file, and active, written before the 2022 invasion began (5 years contracts are common), that programmed money for some company to dispose of overage / non-serviceable munitions.
Whomever is to be paid for that work is going to get all up in the grill of their Congressman (and DoD) if their services contract is terminated, but, I am pretty sure that there are ways around that for DoD if someone bothers to put in the effort.
(I recall some provisions for "termination at convenience of the government" and a fee structure attending that, but it's been so many years since stuff like that was in my job description that I'll not further comment).

[Fly-by-Wife]

Be aware of something else: there is about a 99.9% chance a DoD contract is on file, and active, written before the 2022 invasion began (5 years contracts are common), that programmed money for some company to dispose of overage / non-serviceable munitions.
Whomever is to be paid for that work is going to get all up in the grill of their Congressman (and DoD) if their services contract is terminated, but, I am pretty sure that there are ways around that for DoD if someone bothers to put in the effort.
(I recall some provisions for "termination at convenience of the government" and a fee structure attending that, but it's been so many years since stuff like that was in my job description that I'll not further comment).
Interesting - presumably if the US Army fired them off themselves in the event of being actively involved in a war at the time and needing to use time-expired munitions, there would be a get-out clause. It's unlikely that any army would decline to use time-expired missiles if the cupboard was otherwise bare in an actual hot war scenario.

Perhaps there's a market for "refurbished" missiles, where only time-expired components are replaced (indeed this may be what's done already). :)

[fdr]

Ran over quite a few of their own in the process - from 50sec onwards.

Must be quite the dilemma for the targetted troops; stay in the tank and wait for the inevitable next explosion, or bail out and get run over by your mates.

they can always object to management by fragging command. The survival rate for taking on command is starting to look better than following commands criminal orders.

The lead tank in that push was fitted with mine clearing equipment, but looks like it was taken out by a mine. That should be of concern to what passes as "brains trust's" in RuZZia.

[balsa model]

(...) Perhaps there's a market for "refurbished" missiles, where only time-expired components are replaced (indeed this may be what's done already). :)

(...) The key part is keeping the motor of a solid-propellant rocket in good condition, he told Newsweek. This all depends on the manufacturing quality and the conditions under which the missiles are stored, he said, as it is "not very forgiving when it comes to minor issues. (...)
Just to paint the picture of what may be involved with those solid-propellants, as I understand them. They are not that solid, inspite of designers' best efforts. Over time, the material may dry up, re-crystallize differently, or shrink for a variety of other reasons. The key consequence is that it progressively develops more and more internal cracks. When the flame-front reaches a crack, it's an instant increase in burn surface area. This means temporary overpressure spikes. At some point it's not just thrust vibrations but it could become dangerous to the structure.
I'm sure someone will offer to 'refurbish' but my guess is that it's cheaper to manufacture a brand new motor.

[ORAC]

https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1742841146919801273?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


​​​​​​​Ukrainian agents burned down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber last night at an airfield in Chelyabinsk, deep inside Russia near the Ural Mountains.

The plane was worth USD 35 million

Striking deep behind enemy lines is always a good idea…

[ORAC]

North Korean missiles being used in Ukraine.

WH response to reports 3 months ago “there will be repercussions”.

Dont hold your breath….

https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1743012307654062302?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


​​​​​​​https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1743012560033697981?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A
​​​​​​​

[DogTailRed2]

Turning into quite the proxy war. China, Russia, Iran, North Korea versus America, UK, Europe and probably a few more to add to each list.
Is a proxy war a world war and when does a war become a world war. Seems pretty global at the moment. Throw into the mix Israel and Taiwan and it looks to be an interesting, if not worrying few years ahead.

[ORAC]

https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1743196635843174574?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


BREAKING:

Incoming reports of General Valery Gerasimov having been killed in Ukrainian missile strikes against Crimea yesterday.

Gerasimov is Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and Russia’s First Deputy Minister of Defence.

The information is unconfirmed at this point.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/905x1368/image_decd1520535fada687cdb4a559d5b4499ebfb7a1.jpeg
​​​​​​​

[golfbananajam]

BREAKING:

Incoming reports of General Valery Gerasimov having been killed in Ukrainian missile strikes against Crimea yesterday.

Gerasimov is Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and Russia’s First Deputy Minister of Defence.

The information is unconfirmed at this point.



​​​​​​​seems things must be desperate in Moscow if Gerasimov was in Crimea.

[ORAC]

Looks like a false rumour - unfortunately.

[B Fraser]

Perhaps there's a market for "refurbished" missiles, where only time-expired components are replaced (indeed this may be what's done already). :)

That's exactly what happens.

'nuff said.

[NutLoose]

The fact Russia is using Korean missiles sort of wipes out US and Germany's arguments against providing long range missiles for fear of escalating the war. Russia and N Korea have already done that.

[tdracer]

Just to paint the picture of what may be involved with those solid-propellants, as I understand them. They are not that solid, inspite of designers' best efforts. Over time, the material may dry up, re-crystallize differently, or shrink for a variety of other reasons. The key consequence is that it progressively develops more and more internal cracks. When the flame-front reaches a crack, it's an instant increase in burn surface area. This means temporary overpressure spikes. At some point it's not just thrust vibrations but it could become dangerous to the structure.
I'm sure someone will offer to 'refurbish' but my guess is that it's cheaper to manufacture a brand new motor.

I have a great deal of experience with AP (Ammonium Perchlorate) solid fuel rocket motors (we use them almost exclusively in high power amateur rocketry). If stored properly, they are very, very forgiving. Cracks are very uncommon (unlike motors made from black powder, where temperature swings can readily induce cracks) - AP propellant is rather flexible in nature (similar to a pencil eraser). The main issue with 'old' AP is that some of the components can oxidize if exposed to air - this results in reduced performance and difficulty in getting the stuff to ignite.
That being said, AP rocket motors are fairly inexpensive to produce. If (and that's a big if) the missile is constructed so that the rocket motor is physically separated enough from the rest of the components that it is easily removed and replaced, refurbishing old missiles with new rocket motors could be done relatively inexpensively. Unfortunately, that sort of thing is not a design objective, and often everything is so integrated together that replacing just the rocket motor is very difficult and as expensive and making an all-new missile.
AP motors can occasionally suffer a casing failure during launch (meaning they go 'boom' - usually shortly after motor ignition since that's typically when they have the highest chamber pressures). However the biggest danger when that happens is shrapnel from the casing - once the casing fails, the pressure drops way off and the AP propellant itself doesn't detonate (with the sudden lack of pressure, the rate that the propellant burns drops way off). While some form of protection for the launch crew is in order, it doesn't require the level of protection required for a liquid propellant rocket motor - where a failure can cause a near instantaneously detonation of the entire volume of fuel.
That's all a long winded way of pointing out that there isn't much risk in using a solid propellant military missile that is past it's use by date, other than it failing to perform as intended.

[fdr]

Looks like a false rumour - unfortunately.

That may be fortuitous. Both Shoigu and Gerasimov are the gift that keeps giving, with their removal, even Miss Piggy in captions could be more competent that these two. The concern is their circus recalls them due to a shortage of clowns.

The corruption of Shoigu was emulated down to unit level and gave breathing space to Ukraine from day 1. Gerasimov turns up as eye candy for Gerasimov in photos, (Mrs G may be a bit worried).

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/280x180/images_ab49fa74a6d0c2a95a5c98ad519964f73a6bb164_5f909b27d29e a1112954d370b32f571d0b20adb7.jpg

[ORAC]

https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/1743283164217266369?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


The Governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has asked Russians to evacuate from Belgorod

"Today we are ready to transport you to Stary Oskol and Gubkin, where you will be in fairly comfortable conditions, in warm and safe rooms. You will stay there as long as necessary," the governor said.

Stary Oskol is located 140 km from Belgorod, and Gubkin is 120 km away.

[fdr]

The Governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has asked Russians to evacuate from Belgorod

"Today we are ready to transport you to Stary Oskol and Gubkin, where you will be in fairly comfortable conditions, in warm and safe rooms. You will stay there as long as necessary," the governor said.

Stary Oskol is located 140 km from Belgorod, and Gubkin is 120 km away.


Would it not be easier to ask Vlad to stop dropping ordnance on their own people?

A couple of recon drones to Stary Oskol and Gubkin's local FSB offices would be welcome to all, assist in the decision making of the populace.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1022x910/screenshot_2024_01_06_at_8_46_26_am_37fc66890f3932e6e430b157 9f90c9da18dede05.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1246x1016/screenshot_2024_01_06_at_8_45_16_am_83f3bf197254ce668622869d d807619c23e38115.png

[fdr]

Turning into quite the proxy war. China, Russia, Iran, North Korea versus America, UK, Europe and probably a few more to add to each list.
Is a proxy war a world war and when does a war become a world war. Seems pretty global at the moment. Throw into the mix Israel and Taiwan and it looks to be an interesting, if not worrying few years ahead.

Indeed. The West objects to Iran giving drones to Russia, and there are sanctions breaches of the UN Charter related to that. The West also objects to the NOKkians giving Vlad missiles and their best of their best of their best ammo, and that also breaches long standing sanctions that Russia also signed off on, as they did on Iran. (Russia only lies when they are not asleep). The US, UK, EU and other UN signatory countries provide munitions and support to Ukraine, as is an express right if not obligation under the UN Charter, and Russia bitches and whines about losing a 40 year old rust bucket to a SCALP, furnished by the UK. Seems that Russia may need to reread or at least get a copy of the UN Charter, after all, they are a signatory member.

Russia whinges when the deck is not stacked in their favour. Hardly a sign of confidence.

If nations that provide munitions are going to be held accountable for their actions, then can we please start with Russia and the AK47, and all variations on that theme? Russia is responsible for more deaths around the world than the plague. Russia has of course evened the table slightly by being the primary cause of death to Russians for centuries. recall that the greatest death toll in Round II was of citizens of the USSR, and the majority of those died due to the actions of the person that Vlad wishes to emulate.

[NutLoose]

Fantastic!!!

https://twitter.com/PatriaeFilius/status/1741503235947475259

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/PatriaeFilius/status/1741503235947475259

[NutLoose]

Kinzhal uxb disposal

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1743383071808770176

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1743383071808770176

[NutLoose]

How thoughtful! In #Russia (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hashtag_click), an MP in #Chelyabinsk (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chelyabinsk?src=hashtag_click) placed an advert for the army (giving a New Year greeting) next to an undertaker's It won't surprise you the parliamentarian in question, United Russia's Vitaly Mizhevikin, also owns the funeral enterprise. Always money in death!​​​​​​​

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x960/image_0a02e2684f31b7f9eb4b4c3f035475b0b0a93613.jpeg

[NutLoose]

Ukrainians operating in Russia’s Belogrod region.

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1743385747778941162

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1743385747778941162

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/657x961/image_8fd32824a1d47d277e129cc1d6b08f7424cc1082.jpeg
​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

Crimea is under a massive Ukraine aerial attack.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743431058794955111

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743431058794955111

[NutLoose]

From Random Guy

23 Russian soldiers killed in yesterday’s Ukrainian missile strike against the Russian airbase in Saky, Crimea. 9 of them special forces, 5 high-ranking commanders.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1742937754399613354

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1742937754399613354

[NutLoose]

This sort of shows how tenuous Russia’s hold over Crimea is.. the fact they believe they do not have the capability to protect it.

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1743363979475571196

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1743363979475571196w

[NutLoose]

:D:D:)

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1743389348006097113

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1743389348006097113

[NutLoose]

Tough, if they think that’s bad, they want to think of the poor Ukrainian troops outside in trenches defending their Country, I would give them priority heating and warmth over any of Moscow’s population.

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1743367721059041572

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1743367721059041572

[NutLoose]

Translation
Propagandist Simonyan uses taxpayers' money to make trashy propaganda about how Europe is freezing without gas, and hungry Europeans are secretly eating their pets from their children I didn’t make a video about how millions of Russians go to the toilet in a cesspool on the street in the cold

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/vlad_zhukovskiy/status/1606609924188000256

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/vlad_zhukovskiy/status/1606609924188000256

[NutLoose]

Re the Gerasimov death news :E

https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1743234247702233252

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1743234247702233252

[NutLoose]

Interesting comments.

https://twitter.com/BBCSteveR/status/1742915014045106471

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/BBCSteveR/status/1742915014045106471

[NutLoose]

:)

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743507088846856621

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743507088846856621

[fdr]

Re the Gerasimov death news :E



https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1743234247702233252


Valeri Gerasimov has had to endure the torture for 68 years of waking up and realising he is still Russian, just another meat sack for a despotic would be Tsar, and to have to put up with the nausea that Ms Simonyan puts out to bolster the support of a genocidal sociopaths ego trip, the 3-day wonder.

RT puts out their version of Christmas cheer, which was not evident in my most recent travels there, but then, I'm not certain that she is transmitting from the same planet that we inhabit.

Vlad chats about a cease fire (A.K.A. rearmament break) while his tankers seem to become more adept at running over their own conscripts than actually achieving anything other than warcrimes. It is telling that the recent video of the cream of Russia's population shooting themselves in the head rather than return and listen to Ms Simoyan's voice wraps up a quick overview of "Vlads x'lent adventure", taking Rus back a millennia in a single 3-day outing.

Whether Ukraine prevails is in the hands of the rest of the world, so who wants to see Vlad menacing more of Europe, Baltics, Finland, Norway, apparently UK, Bessarabia, and the 'Stans, than he has done to date.

Vlad can't explain away his war crimes and breaches of the treaties that his country have entered into, he is one of the final products of the USSR's education system, post his generation, his ilk were quite happy to economise on everything that wasn't grifted to their own pockets.

Happy New Year Russia, while you are fertilising Ukraines summer crops, how is it going in the SE and East? Had a look at where China is starting to show pointed interest?

[NutLoose]

:sad:

The poor Girl, I do hope she blooms again.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743529925766734180

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743529925766734180

[NutLoose]

Denmarks F-16 deliveries have been delayed by up to six months. They were due delivery about now :confused:

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743657086582473185

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743657086582473185

[NutLoose]

Ammo warehouses and Radar set ups were the targets for the other nights attacks in Crimea.

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1743651886593368198

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1743651886593368198

[NutLoose]

Shipping present in NOVOROSSIYSK

https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1743694457659408615

https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1743694457659408615
​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

Finland has announced it will ban imports of Russian LNG gas from next year.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743519107696243199

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1743519107696243199

[NutLoose]

I can’t find the link at the moment but Ukraine has started to inflate the damaged dinghies with expandable foam so they can put them back in service

https://twitter.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1743599017362067806

https://twitter.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1743599017362067806

[NutLoose]

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x1200/image_f7738f277f69a739678a166e15d54720cd89d00d.jpeg

[NutLoose]

Meanwhile in the background Ukrainian supporters keep on working :D:ok:

https://twitter.com/Heroiam_Slava/status/1743733157390639143

https://twitter.com/Heroiam_Slava/status/1743733157390639143


​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/RomaniaEconomic/status/1743645148016169332

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/RomaniaEconomic/status/1743645148016169332

[NutLoose]

Update on Crimean shipping.

https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1743694460146602335

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1743694460146602335

[NutLoose]

Noooooooooooooooo…. bollox

https://twitter.com/SororInimicorum/status/1743661307063095547

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/SororInimicorum/status/1743661307063095547

[ORAC]

Further to the delay in the delivery of the Danish jets - this is attributed to…

”Sources in the country's Ministry of Defense reported this;is due to the failure to fulfill a number of conditions, including the training of Ukrainian pilots, the training of mechanics and ground personnel, the condition of airfields and the organization of supplies of ammunition and spare parts.”

[NutLoose]

Tank crew tossing!

https://twitter.com/raging545/status/1743388871918837884

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/raging545/status/1743388871918837884

[NutLoose]

More on the F-16

​​​​​ ​​ https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743635809465405787

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743635809465405787

[ORAC]

https://x.com/mylovanov/status/1739751484512694367?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhniy, gave a press conference on mass mobilization. He also spoke about the state of the war in Ukraine.

His answers were tough, to the point. Not a word about a ceasefire, but what’s next on the battlefield 1/

​​​​​​​https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1739751484512694367.html

[ORAC]

https://x.com/mylovanov/status/1743591462162288716?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


Ukraine society has become polarized by mobilization. Almost no one is covering this in English speaking social media, but that’s topic # 1 in Ukraine. The implication are huge: Ukrainians will either unify even more or there will be polarization

This is what’s happening 1/

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1743591462162288716.html
​​​​​​​

[Sepp]

Noooooooooooooooo…. bollox



​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/SororInimicorum/status/1743661307063095547

It's the old, empty, Singer factory. Recently-bought empty industrial buildings "mysteriously" burn down (seemingly, the more protected, the more liable to sponaneous combustion) just after being sold all the time ... and then the insurance owners build lucrative apartment developments on the rubble. Look there first.

[BlankBox]

Misfit's...Misfire... :E

https://t.me/Ukraine_365News/69500

[pattern_is_full]

It's the old, empty, Singer factory. Recently-bought empty industrial buildings "mysteriously" burn down (seemingly, the more protected, the more liable to sponaneous combustion) just after being sold all the time ... and then the insurance owners build lucrative apartment developments on the rubble. Look there first.

Yaaah... Russia isn't the only place prone to "mice with matches."

Doubt there was anything of military value there - nothing "cooked off," and it is so socked in by other buildings that the only way one could store vehicles inside would by driving them through the brick walls. ;)

There is an old pre-revolutionary Singer Sewing business tower (Singer House, a.k.a "House of the Book") in St. Petersburg, RF - maybe that's the connection that caught the attention of the GRU internet sock puppets.

[Tartiflette Fan]

Noooooooooooooooo…. bollox



https://twitter.com/SororInimicorum/status/1743661307063095547

Transiting via a civilian airport ? Doesn't sound likely for many reasons.

[ORAC]

Very strange, no windows involved at all….
Russia: Propagandist Zoya Konovalova, editor-in-chief of the Kuban State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, found dead in her home with her ex-husband.

​​​​​​​Cause of death: Poisoning by an unknown substance.

[Beamr]

Very strange, no windows involved at all….
Probably tea as both of them left the bulding, virtually.
Unless they shared their underwear of course, in which case its Vlad the panty poisoner at it again.

[ORAC]

https://x.com/noelreports/status/1743942037794070749?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


The German Bundeswehr constantly sights drones over its locations. It suspects Moscow is behind the drone flights but can't prove it because it didn't manage to take a single drone down.

It particularly affected locations where Ukrainians are trained.

https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/kolumne/alarm-spionage-drohnen-alarm-ueber-bundeswehr-stuetzpunkten-86659216.bild.html

​​​​​​​

[ORAC]

https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1743803485626503457?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


Insightful report from Russia about the devastating Ukrainian Storm Shadow strikes on occupied Crimea that occurred on January 4-5, including the likely reason the rumor of Gerasimov's death began: A Russian General was killed.

On 04 JAN 2024, a large-scale attack on the territory of Crimea was carried out.

At lunchtime, due to the activity of the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) tactical aviation, the signal "Aviation Alert" was announced on the territory of Crimea.

At 17:00, information about the approach of ten cruise missiles to the airspace of the peninsula began to arrive.

At 17:12, a strike was made against an object in the territory of the settlement of Uyutne, near Yevpatoria. The target was a radar unit of the 31st Air Defense Division of the Russian Air Force. As a result of the strike, the radar station and the communications center were destroyed. There are serious problems with the ability to conduct radar reconnaissance in the region. Three wounded conscript soldiers are reported.

The strike was carried out by one Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile.

At 17:18, a strike was conducted on a facility in the city of Sevastopol. The target was a protected command post of the 31st Air Defense Division of the Russian Air Force (military unit 03121, Sevastopol). As a result of the strike, 12 servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces were killed and 9 others were wounded. In total, more than 80 servicemen of the division were under the rubble.

Among the lists of the dead there is one serviceman with the rank of General, however, his name is not specified (this is to the rumors about the death of Gerasimov, although I believe that this is just a rumor). Also, the death of the commander of the 3rd Radio-Technical Regiment of the Russian Air Force has been confirmed. As a consequence of the strike, the Division's communications center was destroyed.

The strike was carried out by two air-launched cruise missiles "Storm Shadow."

It is noted that during the attack, first the AFU used decoy missiles. The type is currently being established, there is reason to believe that they were "ADM-160A."This was followed by a strike of Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Further (expectedly) at around 23:30 there was a UAV (drone) attack on the territory of Pervomaiskiy and Sakskiy districts. About 35 attack drones are reported to have been used. I do not have information about the damage caused by UAVs at the moment. However, it is worth noting the successful work of the air defense. For the most part, the UAVs were suppressed by REB (electronic warfare, signal jamming) means. No serious "hits" were observed.

On the night from 05 to 06 JAN 2024 was a strike at the airfield "Saki."It is reported that the command post of the 43rd Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment (military unit 59882) was hit. As a consequence of the strike four servicemen of the regiment - 200 (code for Killed In Action). There is no information about the wounded.

The strike was carried out by four Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles. Two of them were intercepted by air defense forces. Two reached their target.

​​​​​​​

[ORAC]

https://x.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1743952464699650535?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


​​​​​​​Russia's Federal Security Service claims a GUR agent who set fire to an SU-34 at an airfield in Chelyabinsk has been found.

He allegedly turned out to be a 16-year-old Chechen schoolboy from Dagestan. They want to jail him for 20 years.

[Beamr]

There hasn't been that many videos of Abrams MBT's in Ukraine so far, but here's one.

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1743985660426334432

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1743985660426334432

[NutLoose]

Ukraine is shelling the Russian strongholds in Bakhmut.

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1744011080701993217

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1744011080701993217

[NutLoose]

Remember that Railway Russia was building to link across occupied Ukraine, well they let them get a bridge half up and now they have dropped it along with destroying other equipment.

https://twitter.com/Heroiam_Slava/status/1743959852487999685

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Heroiam_Slava/status/1743959852487999685

[NutLoose]

Japan is sending funding to NATO to fund drones for Ukraine

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743980616121548804

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743980616121548804

[NutLoose]

Good old Sweden. "Sweden's main foreign policy task in coming years is support to Ukraine,"

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743980085835608295

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743980085835608295

[NutLoose]

Surrounded by a circle of kamikaze drones taking turns to attack you.

https://twitter.com/OSINTNic/status/1743975713185706327

https://twitter.com/OSINTNic/status/1743975713185706327

[NutLoose]

Romania is looking to increase its army by 20,000 more troops in response to the war in Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/OSINTNic/status/1744012639494095128

https://twitter.com/OSINTNic/status/1744012639494095128

[ORAC]

"It is reported about the death of a 23-year-old pilot of the MiG-29 with the call sign ("Blue Helmet") during a recent flight" Kyiv resources writes.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported on 29.12 that aviation and air defense forces shot down a group of aircraft, including 1 MiG-29, during the week.
.https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1088x1585/image_d7f8a84fa72e0c631affd4c87f6075e5f280bf16.png

[NutLoose]

Russia has transferred an amphibious ship to Sevastopol.

https://twitter.com/OSINTNic/status/1744010737738043863

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/OSINTNic/status/1744010737738043863

[NutLoose]

No words…:ooh:

https://twitter.com/mila__alien/status/1742945597823373797

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/mila__alien/status/1742945597823373797

[Herod]

Japan is sending funding to NATO to fund drones for Ukraine



https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743980616121548804

Good for Japan, but since NATO is not officially involved, where will that money go?

[NutLoose]

I think it might be a plan to avoid Japan’s stance on providing military assistance to a country involved in a conflict, by providing it to NATO they are doing it through a middleman who will purchase the drones for delivery to Ukraine, rather like sending Patriots back to the USA thus backfilling stocks and freeing up USA stocks to be forwarded on.

There was a comment in the thread similar.

The first time that Japan spends money on military assistance? I only remember them sending money for civil purposes. Would be a big change in my opinion.

[ORAC]

https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1744083026227970459?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


Accidental Russian Hero:

​​​​​​​ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun operator in Rostov mistook the Russian paratrooper landing exercises at the Kuzminsky training base for a Ukrainian invasion and opened fire. The Russian hero killed at least 13 Russian fascists.

[NutLoose]

I can’t fault his logic.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1744037649927537060

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1744037649927537060

[NutLoose]

Russian commentating on lack of confidence and ammo amongst the Ukrainian troops.

https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1742761169515925923

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1742761169515925923

[NutLoose]

More pressure being applied to release Taurus.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743949056169136446

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1743949056169136446

[NutLoose]

This is GRAPHIC, but it needs to be and makes a point, every one of them not fighting against the occupation are equally responsible.

Quoted link only

https://twitter.com/LevHavryliv/status/1743748595512418349

[NutLoose]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x1200/image_385a1f22e3d6ba9434c94c458880c598d23643a3.png

[ORAC]

https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1744235518953488770?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


BREAKING:

Russia is firing everything it has at Ukraine right now.

Cruise missiles from bombers, sea-launched cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, suicide drones & S-300 missiles against Kharkiv.

It's -10C in Ukraine.

They are going after the energy grid.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1213x1224/image_715444fdd32d4fe3de3ec41a809536cbbc0768c8.png
​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

They are making hay while the West dithers, they need the missiles to respond in kind, one wonders how long their stocks of Anti Air missiles will last at the current rate.
Let’s hope it is as with Hitler in the dying moments of the war, lobbing his Wonder Weapons at the U.K. in a desperate and futile attempt to stave off the inevitable.

[NutLoose]

Re the attacks.

https://twitter.com/NakedPueblo63/status/1744253143276507526

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/NakedPueblo63/status/1744253143276507526

[NutLoose]

Russian troops attempting to take down a UFO ( Ukrainian Flying Object ) while firing vertically in the air and no doubt getting those rounds back, a couple of grenades ceases their activity, though how that little mouse survived is beyond me.

https://twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1744286350847738079

https://twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1744286350847738079

[NutLoose]

Meanwhile back in Russia, ballistic testing is underway. Don't try this at home folks unless you are Russian and then donations of Ammunition accepted.

https://twitter.com/osint_69/status/1743698994029555792

https://twitter.com/osint_69/status/1743698994029555792

https://twitter.com/bigSAC10/status/1743875263228674314

https://twitter.com/bigSAC10/status/1743875263228674314

[NutLoose]

Russia has lost a pontoon bridge as it decided to defect. ;)

https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1743951077467156751

https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1743951077467156751

[NutLoose]

Deal struck, so hopefully the blockade of the Polish Ukrainian border may cease.

https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1743692264428257745

https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1743692264428257745

[NutLoose]

When the Sea Babies were on the way to hit the Crimean bridge, they had a chance to sink the Admiral Eessen, but the logistics route was more critical.

https://twitter.com/PStyle0ne1/status/1744325668848968043

https://twitter.com/PStyle0ne1/status/1744325668848968043

[NutLoose]

This takes some incredible guts and sense of honour

https://twitter.com/LvivJournal/status/1744081398003048566

https://twitter.com/LvivJournal/status/1744081398003048566

[NutLoose]

Boom.

https://twitter.com/PatriaeFilius/status/1744363291546095654

https://twitter.com/PatriaeFilius/status/1744363291546095654

[NutLoose]

I hope they are ok :(

https://twitter.com/intermarium24/status/1744351717745885674

https://twitter.com/intermarium24/status/1744351717745885674

[NutLoose]

AVIATION CONTENT: ... Low...

https://twitter.com/UkraineNewsLive/status/1743880931566399695

https://twitter.com/UkraineNewsLive/status/1743880931566399695

[NutLoose]

A screwed up kid and his mom is having none of it.

https://twitter.com/SororInimicorum/status/1744386800297111989

https://twitter.com/SororInimicorum/status/1744386800297111989

[NutLoose]

Another colonel vacancy in the Russian Airborne Forces

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1744341562841067843

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1744341562841067843

[NutLoose]

A Russian direct rail track has been allegedly blown up.

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1744338502005710853

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1744338502005710853

[NutLoose]

Hahahahaaa

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1744103754205450580


https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1744103754205450580

[Ninthace]

AVIATION CONTENT: ... Low...



https://twitter.com/UkraineNewsLive/status/1743880931566399695
IFR!
I follow roads, rivers and railways

[DogTailRed2]

Boom.



https://twitter.com/PatriaeFilius/status/1744363291546095654
That landscape can only be described as dystopian.

[Lonewolf_50]

Fifth Column Activity in Occupied Ukraine (https://www.newsweek.com/putin-forced-dispatch-national-guard-occupied-territories-uprising-ukraine-1858798)
Interesting article from Newsweek. Rear area security and anti-partisan activity saps combat power, or it can.

​​​​​​Russian President Vladimir Putin has deployed nearly 35,000 national guardsmen to curb Ukrainian resistance in occupied territories under Moscow's control, according to Kyiv's Nation Resistance Center (CNR).
The Kremlin currently occupies large swathes of south and eastern Ukraine, where Putin has established illegitimate Russian districts after holding sham elections in the fall of 2022. Ukraine launched the CNR in March 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion a month prior. The CNR, under the direction of Kyiv's Special Operation Forces, helps coordinate and train Ukrainian partisans living under Russian occupation.

According to the CNR, Russia's National Guard—also known as the Rosguard—is the "second-most important component" of Putin's forces in occupied Ukraine. Those deployed to the territories are tasked with suppressing Ukrainian civil resistance by "filtering activities among the civilian population and identifying members of the underground movement," according to Ukrainian sources.

As of January, at least 35,000 Rosguard members have been sent to occupied territories. About half of Putin's guardsmen have been organized into "regular formations," Kyiv's military said, including a brigade, five battalion tactical groups, and 44 tactical groups. The other half of the Rosguard is made up of guardsmen who were transferred from Russia's Special Purpose Police Detachment and the Special Rapid Response Unit, read a release from the CNR on Sunday.

Those deployed from Russia come equipped with tanks, artillery systems and helicopters to "use this entire range of weapons to subdue those who disagree with the Russian occupation," said Kyiv's resistance center. Putin's guardsmen also reportedly played a role in protecting the polling stations used during Russia's illegitimate elections in occupied Ukraine in September 2022 and 2023.

[fdr]

Fifth Column Activity in Occupied Ukraine (https://www.newsweek.com/putin-forced-dispatch-national-guard-occupied-territories-uprising-ukraine-1858798)
Interesting article from Newsweek. Rear area security and anti-partisan activity saps combat power, or it can.

Does Vlad consider Russia (the federation and the little bitty bit that includes Moscow and St Pete) as being occupied territory I wonder...

[ORAC]

Tech stuff…

https://x.com/danielr33187703/status/1744494760491176023?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


Oops! Russians shot down a Ukrainian [sic] #drone and provided nice photos - but it is a Russian Ghoul repeater drone. I had planned to discuss a Ghoul drone previously: the Russian report makes this post much more detailed.…

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1744494760491176023.html

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1163x985/image_6df04c18f39107789d758fc8ce9a376c9667ff47.jpeg
​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

One of Russias failed missiles that landed in Russia.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1744452119363534931

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1744452119363534931

[Rockie_Rapier]

Tech stuff…



Oops! Russians shot down a Ukrainian [sic] #drone and provided nice photos - but it is a Russian Ghoul repeater drone. I had planned to discuss a Ghoul drone previously: the Russian report makes this post much more detailed.…

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1744494760491176023.html

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1163x985/image_6df04c18f39107789d758fc8ce9a376c9667ff47.jpeg

Amateur drone builders can buy some of the nav hardware, extremly cheaply from Ali Express and others.
https://www.yeggi.com/q/iflight+m8q+5883+gps/
Maybe an option for supporters? Is there a build a drone for the Ukraine campaign?

[B Fraser]

The problem is that a rogue builder can fit a tracker and hey presto, Vlad knows where the drones are being stored.

[Tartiflette Fan]

Amateur drone builders can buy some of the nav hardware, extremly cheaply from Ali Express and others.
https://www.yeggi.com/q/iflight+m8q+5883+gps/
Maybe an option for supporters? Is there a build a drone for the Ukraine campaign?

Plenty: here are two. many, many more for buying manufactured drones.

https://www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/drones-for-ukraine
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/26372

[Rockie_Rapier]

Here's an interesting Telegram channel:
https://t.me/s/UAVDEV/4067
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1052x1240/screenshot_2024_01_09_at_11_17_15_0aab7bb7a11fbdcbb11204f7a1 16e8d182967856.png
Google does a great job translating...

[NutLoose]

Estimated Russian missile stockpiles

https://twitter.com/ukraine_map/status/1744320749265957074

https://twitter.com/ukraine_map/status/1744320749265957074

https://twitter.com/21aar_show/status/1744349817017598360

https://twitter.com/21aar_show/status/1744349817017598360

[NutLoose]

What a way to fight a war.

https://twitter.com/legion_svoboda/status/1741034609117175993

https://twitter.com/legion_svoboda/status/1741034609117175993

[NutLoose]

France to supply another 85 Scalp on top off previous 50 delivered.

https://twitter.com/jurgen_nauditt/status/1744580983880315297

https://twitter.com/jurgen_nauditt/status/1744580983880315297

[NutLoose]

Putins nephews house has mysteriously burst into flames :)

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1744329318854176906

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1744329318854176906

[ORAC]

https://x.com/front_ukrainian/status/1744452614337491131?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


The first downed 🇷🇺Russian kamikaze UAV Shahed-238 marked "MJ 0", given the "M" series, the drone is probably manufactured in Iran and it is not known whether the Russian Federation will localize its production.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1214x683/image_2b457a126a605e5dc562ee1e0b5bc9556d7ee8e9.png

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/843x651/image_35ab1eb005b154208edbbe3df817342d4816f503.png


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1068x666/image_aab686bd78aa7f4c3cf80b668a0745471955dbe6.png
​​​​​​​

[PPRuNeUser0211]

Estimated Russian missile stockpiles



https://twitter.com/ukraine_map/status/1744320749265957074



https://twitter.com/21aar_show/status/1744349817017598360
To put the second post by "arms show tracker" into context, they have failed to take into account missile production (6-10 a month seem to be the various estimates around the open source world) so firing 20 and having 6 less available would make sense for about 2 months.

[NutLoose]

Sweden is telling the population they must prepare for WAR!

There's a threat of war, and all citizens "must act to strengthen the country's defense," according to the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, Micael Bydén, and the Minister for Civil Defence, Carl-Oscar Bohlin.
According to Minister Bohlin, the situation is very serious. He has expressed concern that the modernization of civil defense is not happening quickly enough.

The minister emphasizes that "Sweden may face war, and all Swedes must act to strengthen the country's defense."

This sentiment is echoed by the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces.

"Now it's about moving from words and understanding to action," says Bydén.

He mentions that in recent years, much has been done to strengthen Sweden's security through significant investments in defense.

However, Sweden is still on the threshold of NATO membership, and Bydén believes that the sooner the country becomes a full member of the Alliance, the better.

"We must realize how serious this situation is. Look at the news from Ukraine and ask simple questions: if this happens here, am I prepared? What should I do? The more people who think, reflect, and prepare, the stronger our society," he emphasizes.

The Swedish Army's Supreme Commander adds that in the event of war, "a strong civil society is more important than ever."

Sweden's recent statements regarding war aren't new

Recently, the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström, stated that Russia would remain a serious threat to the security of Sweden and Europe in the foreseeable future.

"We must prepare for a long-term confrontation that will continue as long as Russia violates the UN Charter and the European security order," he said.

The minister also emphasized that Sweden's military and political support for Ukraine would continue, welcoming the EU's decision to accept Ukraine as a member.

"Ukrainian soldiers are also fighting for our freedom and values," he said.


Sweden states all citizens must be prepared for war (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/sweden-states-all-citizens-must-be-prepared-for-war/ar-AA1mDVoB)

[B Fraser]

The same has already happened in Finland............but not officially. Estonia has always been prepared.

HS: Half of Finns say Finland should prepare for war in coming years (helsinkitimes.fi) (https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/24687-hs-half-of-finns-say-finland-should-prepare-for-war-in-coming-years.html)

[Spunky Monkey]

Meanwhile the UK is scrapping ships, making troops live in accommodation that even the Russians would turn their nose up at, an Air Force that can decide if its a fighting force or a social movement and no credible plan to restock ammunition and supplies.
In the event something sinister happens against NATO, the UK will be square behind Europe, only sat on the island wishing the problem would go away.
We couldn't even have the conversation that the Swedes, Finns and Estonians are having, for fear it might upset some people and trigger emotional responses from the youth and RAF Regiment.
Poor lambs.

[NutLoose]

How can you ever conquer and rule a country when it has a population like this grand old lady doing her bit. :ok:


​​​​​ ​https://twitter.com/Oksii33/status/1744674733017227673​

https://twitter.com/Oksii33/status/1744674733017227673

[ORAC]

Looks wayyyy older - but that’s Russian life for you…
https://x.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1744757932401529359?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


It seems that the Kremlin is trying to get rid of Russia's most influential General Teplinsky.

The commander of the Russian Airborne Forces, General Mikhail Teplinsky, is very influential and popular among the Russian military.

Recently, the Russian media have resumed a campaign to discredit him.

After Prigozhin's mutiny and his confrontation with Shoigu and Gerasimov, Teplinsky was put under surveillance because of his ambiguous behavior. He could not be removed immediately like Surovikin because he was popular with the troops. So they decided to get rid of him gradually, first of all by destroying his image and support from the army, especially in the Air Forces.

Some sources claim that, for this purpose, a special group was created from among the officers of information counteraction of the Russian Armed Forces. They established a network of channels and groups on social media that create and distribute materials aimed at discrediting Teplinsky.

Teplinsky was also assigned to one of the potentially most difficult areas of the war. At the end of October, he became the head of the Dnepr group of troops, whose area of responsibility includes the occupied Kherson region and part of Zaporizhzhia.

Teplinsky has great ambitions, and he is unsuccessfully trying to eliminate our Ukrainian stronghold at any cost. That is why the Russians are suffering huge losses in equipment and personnel, especially in airborne units. Of course, this hurts Teplinsky's reputation, as previously it was believed that he valued the lives of Russian soldiers above all else.

Also, the Russian web pages discuss the subject of the general having two families. In addition, mental health issues are often mentioned, which allegedly also raises questions.

By the way, today he turned 55 years old. And there are no official congratulations, which may also indicate disgrace.
.
​​​​​…https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1094x1105/image_5b6d534a026732bdea21fd62dce8a9973ac3be49.jpeg

[cheekychimp]

We couldn't even have the conversation that the Swedes, Finns and Estonians are having, for fear it might upset some people and trigger emotional responses from the youth and RAF Regiment.
Poor lambs.
What do you mean by that? I'm certainly not a youth, but I am in the RAF Regiment. I imagine you don't know what conversations are going on right now about the defence of this country.

[Beamr]

The same has already happened in Finland............but not officially. Estonia has always been prepared.

HS: Half of Finns say Finland should prepare for war in coming years (helsinkitimes.fi) (https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/24687-hs-half-of-finns-say-finland-should-prepare-for-war-in-coming-years.html)
Finland has always been prepared for war. From military point of view Finland never gave up conscription, has one of the biggest artillery in Europe, invests in all branches from the navy to the air force, fom K9 Thunders and M270 MLRS's to F35's. Latest purchase decision worth noting is the David's sling.

From civilian defence point of view, there are bomb shelters for every citizen, actually it is mandatory for any apartmemt building above given size to have a bomb shelter and the law requires the owners to take care of them as well.

All these investment decisions and legislatory decisions were made prior to February 2022. However, the threat of Russia has been worded more directly since then.

There is of course a lot that can always be improved, but I have no hesitation to say that Finland has always been preparing for a hostile invasion, however it was done in silence during the cold war. The Russians have attacked Finns at least twice a century for the past thousand years, why would this century be any different?

[ORAC]

https://x.com/romaniau93389/status/1744711570415063296?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


The Romanian Army receives a huge budget in 2024… almost 45% higher than the amounts allocated in 2023…

Below are some ongoing programs (contracted):

• 32 x F-35 Lightning II

• 32 x additional F-16 Fighting Falcon in the M6.5.2 configuration, spare engines and logistical support.

• 21 x Watchkeeper X UAV.

• 18 x Bayraktar TB2 combat drone.

• 2 x Airbus H215M military helicopters.

• 54 x M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tanks.

• 2 x Scorpene submarines.

• 2 new OPVs/Corvettes.

• 2 upgraded and armed T-22 frigates.

• 3 upgraded Missile Carriers (NPR) with NSM missiles.

• 2 new diver starships and new tugs.

• 7 x Patriot missile air defence battery.

• 54 x HIMARS launchers and 81 GMLRS and 81 alternative warhead GMLRS; 54 x ATACMS and 24 x AFATDS.

• 58 x K2 Thunder Artillery.

• 377 x Pirahna V.

• 16 x Assault Amphibious Vehicle AAVP-7A1.

• 1059 x JLTV and French with Sherpa 4x4.

The main infrastructure investment objectives are:

• The static infrastructure of HQ MNC-SE, Sibiu.

• Infrastructure of the 57th Air Base, M.Kogalniceanu.

• Campia Turzii Air Base 71 Infrastructure.

• Infrastructure Mihai Bravu (HSAM).

• Infrastructure Base 86 Aeriana.

​​​​​​​Source: https://www.economica.net/armata-primeste-un-buget-urias-in-2024-circa-30-de-miliarde-in-plus-pentru-achizitia-de-armament-cati-bani-merg-spre-aparare-in-5-ani-si-ce-cumparam-de-ei_712421.html

​​​​​​​

[NutLoose]

Estonia promises .25% of GDP to Ukraine for the next 4 years.

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1744746879622025692

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1744746879622025692

[NutLoose]

Ukraine wanted to move before Russia built their defences, but the US was against it. So they end up against a formidable defence line, a stagnated front and blame from the West for not going further, and then to cap it all, a stranglehold on the support they now need, you couldn’t make it up.

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1744764315792506984

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1744764315792506984

[NutLoose]

Ukraines attacks on oil storage etc.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1744841361176612875

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1744841361176612875

[Buster Hyman]

Recent Russian plane losses, Patriot or F16?
Watched an interesting video (Unfortunately one of those AI narrated ones) that posed the question that these strikes may have been directed by the RAAF Wedgetail rather than the ground based system & that led to the success. Clearly not my area of expertise & I couldn't see any previous discussion about it. (Apologies if already covered)
https://youtu.be/xoM2oThDKFk?si=EsV6m2NivMnW5Ln6

[rattman]

I know it ukrainian source and high chance of being propaganda but deep down hope its true

2 women poisoned 30 orks

killed 3 fsb trying to arrest them

escaped and currently on the run

https://www-dialog-ua.translate.goog/war/287918_1704821530?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

[Tartiflette Fan]

Ukraine wanted to move before Russia built their defences, but the US was against it. So they end up against a formidable defence line, a stagnated front and blame from the West for not going further, and then to cap it all, a stranglehold on the support they now need, you couldn’t make it up.



https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1744764315792506984

So when exactly, time-wise , does that fit around the Ukrainian offensive of September 2022 ? Why wasn't the US against that very successful offensive ?

Just to addd howeve, that I think the US (Biden ) made major , unnecessary blunders in delaying delivery - at different times - of DIPCM shells, Abrams and Bradleys ( and in foolishly low numbers ) and ATACMS. If the armour and ATACMS had been available three months earlier, UFA would not have had to delay their attack as they did. I have to admit that I was/am split about the F16's, as I was not previously in favour of their delivery, but now believe that was wrong. Hopefully the US AMRAAM missiles will have the range to kill/dissuade the frequent launches of glide-bombs 50+ km behind the Russian front-line.

[NutLoose]

Looks like a letter has been put in to neuter Orban and get the EU funds flowing to Ukraine under article 7. The problem that may occur is that Oban may be the temporary president as the incumbent has resigned.

https://www-dialog-ua.translate.goog/world/287936_1704856339?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

[DogTailRed2]

Ukraine wanted to move before Russia built their defences, but the US was against it. So they end up against a formidable defence line, a stagnated front and blame from the West for not going further, and then to cap it all, a stranglehold on the support they now need, you couldn’t make it up.

You are making the assumption that Ukraine would be successful. US may have apposed an offensive because in their assessment they would not be.

[NutLoose]

You are making the assumption that Ukraine would be successful. US may have apposed an offensive because in their assessment they would not be.

I do wonder though, Ukraine was taking large areas from Russia in the area of Lyman and the Russians were fleeing, then they stopped, now I realise it take time for your supply lines etc to catch up, but one does wonder if the stopping was partly at the behest of the USA.

[NutLoose]

Another vacancy for a Colonel

https://twitter.com/PStyle0ne1/status/1745034254919061523

https://twitter.com/PStyle0ne1/status/1745034254919061523

[DogTailRed2]

I do wonder though, Ukraine was taking large areas from Russia in the area of Lyman and the Russians were fleeing, then they stopped, now I realise it take time for your supply lines etc to catch up, but one does wonder if the stopping was partly at the behest of the USA.
I guess we will never know until the historians analyse the data. Could Ukraine have pushed forward alone if they felt they had the advantage?

[ORAC]

I know it ukrainian source and high chance of being propaganda but deep down hope its true

2 women poisoned 30 orks, killed 3 fsb trying to arrest them, escaped and currently on the run

https://www-dialog-ua.translate.goog...en&_x_tr_hl=en (https://www-dialog-ua.translate.goog/war/287918_1704821530?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en)


​​​​​​​https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1744987357781352906?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


Heroic story of two young Ukrainian women who've now single-handedly killed 49 fascists in occupied Crimea, as retold by the Russians themselves - even the FSB spetsnaz were impressed.

The FSB tried to arrest two young Ukrainian women in Crimea who previously killed more than 46 Russian soldiers with poisoned food in Simferopol and Bakhchisarai.

Everything happened a few days ago. The police received information that two girls, whose attributes were almost exactly the same as those of the wanted saboteurs, were spotted in one of the private houses in Yalta. The information was passed to the FSB, and special forces were sent.

"The saboteurs turned out to be well armed (we did not expect this!) and perfectly prepared. Plus, someone may have warned them about our visit. As soon as the special forces arrived to apprehend them, the women fired on the FSB with assault rifles and handguns as they made their getaway. We only managed to fire back a few shots. The women fled the scene in a car. They abandoned the car on the outskirts of Yalta. We don't know where the saboteurs are now" - FSB source

As a result of the shooting, three FSB officers were killed. Two more were wounded, one of them seriously.

It is possible that one of the women is wounded, but it is unlikely to be a serious injury as she fled the scene of the shooting on her own. The search for the saboteurs continues.

Military personnel in Crimea, in order to avoid additional poisonings, were asked not to take food or drinks from strangers. They are asked to detain any suspicious young women who try to give them something to eat or just talk to the servicemen….

[rattman]

KIU has confirmed the death of one of the people who was alleged to have been killed in the same airstrike with Gerasimov

https://twitter.com/KilledInUkraine/status/1745029720880648273

Considering its a week today and they haven't even done weekend at uncle putin with Gerasimov. Starting to strongly consider his death, this guy was linked to strike within days and at the same time as gerasimov

[NutLoose]

Well, they make interesting reading re the Russian troops.

https://twitter.com/markito0171/status/1745205742406177178

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/markito0171/status/1745205742406177178

[NutLoose]

A little piece of sanity in all of this.

https://twitter.com/trajaykay/status/1745285552444752355

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/trajaykay/status/1745285552444752355

[Saab Dastard]

Folks, a reminder that this thread is about the war in Ukraine, and what's happening there, so items of interest about politics and what's happening in Russia should go to the thread in JB.

Thanks

SD

[NutLoose]

North Korea to possibly supply new guided missiles to Russia.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745405966336577827

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745405966336577827

[NutLoose]

Estonia is calling for the removal of restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, so they can take the war to Russia.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745398174078931269

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745398174078931269

[NutLoose]

EU believes they could still reach their goal of 1 million artillery rounds by spring which will be sent to Ukraine, surely they are already sending them and wouldn't send them all at once?

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745031511101878662

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745031511101878662

[NutLoose]

Russia has repaired a pumping station in Mariupol and are working on a pipeline to steal the Ukrainian gas.

https://twitter.com/Tatarigami_UA/status/1744808370316472735

https://twitter.com/Tatarigami_UA/status/1744808370316472735

[NutLoose]

`Troops being transported on a tank get hit with clusters.

https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1745384634790085098
https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1745384634790085098

[NutLoose]

Showing possible proof that North Korean missiles are being used.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1743246390434660431

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1743246390434660431

[NutLoose]

Ukraine trying to improve unmanned machines to use.

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1745173666055307709

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1745173666055307709

[ORAC]

Nutloose,

I think the gas pipeline is the renovation and restoration of an old pipeline into Mariupol and points west.

The suggestion is that this is to get the steel plant working again and make the place a stronghold.

https://www.gem.wiki/Taganrog-Mariupol-Berdyansk_Gas_Pipeline

[NutLoose]

Russia Fascist indoctrination camp for children on fire.

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1745255106151587934

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1745255106151587934

[Tartiflette Fan]

EU believes they could still reach their goal of 1 million artillery rounds by spring which will be sent to Ukraine, surely they are already sending them and wouldn't send them all at once?



https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745031511101878662

Of course not. They have been sending monthly, but falling 30%+ below agreed quantities and it's very difficult to see how that can be made up unless shells are going to be bought in from outside the EU which is something that France contested bitterly.

[NutLoose]

??

https://twitter.com/Flash_news_ua/status/1745520995283185747

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Flash_news_ua/status/1745520995283185747

[ORAC]

Cobra meeting for strike on Yemen yesterday evening, in Ukraine this morning. With the timings I don’t think he took the train…….

https://www.politico.eu/article/rishi-sunak-arrives-in-kyiv-with-2-5b-and-a-security-deal/

Rishi Sunak arrives in Ukraine with £2.5B and a security deal

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Ukraine on Friday morning, bringing with him the promise of £2.5 billion in military support, as well as humanitarian aid and security guarantees.

Commending Ukraine for its "unfaltering" determination to repel the "brutal Russian invasion" over the past two years, Sunak said: "I am here today with one message: the U.K. will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come."

Ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sunak said the U.K. would provide a total of £2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in the 2024/25 financial year, an increase of £200 million on the previous two years.

At least £200 million of the funding from the U.K. is to be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones, according to a statement by No. 10 announcing Sunak's trip to Kyiv.

It would be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation, the statement said, with most expected to be manufactured in the U.K.

Sunak will also sign a security cooperation agreement with Zelenskyy on Friday, after G7 nations agreed to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances at last year's NATO summit in Vilnius.

“The U.K. is already one of Ukraine’s closest partners, because we recognize their security is our security," Sunak said in remarks briefed to the press on Friday morning. "Today we are going further — increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.”

The U.K.-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, to be signed by Sunak and Zelenskyy, comes after G7 nations agreed to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances at last year's NATO summit in Vilnius. According to No. 10, it "formalises a range of support the UK has been and will continue to provide for Ukraine’s security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation."

It also commits the U.K. to provide “swift and sustained” assistance for Ukraine's defense, should Russia attack the country again.

[NutLoose]

Winter camo for the Leo 1A5

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745719916471214523

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745719916471214523

[NutLoose]

Update on Krynky

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745577575194226883

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1745577575194226883

[NutLoose]

A slight shift in airpower in the Dnieper region.

https://twitter.com/StevanBolton/status/1745487053364642094

https://twitter.com/StevanBolton/status/1745487053364642094

[UWAS]

When I read this at first I thought he'd arrived with £2.58p in his pocket

[NutLoose]

Sorry if we are not posting as frequently, but with the more or less dug in freeze on advances, it is difficult to bring fresh material to the thread, unless you want to see repetitive vehicle and troops strikes.

[NutLoose]

Ermmmmm.. Not what I would call hardened.

https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1745578214724931740

https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1745578214724931740

https://twitter.com/baadwoolfff/status/1745582045189783903

https://twitter.com/baadwoolfff/status/1745582045189783903

[NutLoose]

Rybar is complaining about the Dnipro River situation, says any decisions for Russian artillery fire are way too slow, and Ukrainian aircraft brazenly fly right over Krynky. EW is also lacking. General Terpinskiy who was placed in command here is not helping the situation.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1048x1422/gdbwupxxmaahog1_0e5d20279973105cc270f38644d9c7e4dca7b53e.png

[NutLoose]

You'll get weapons and ammo off the dead as you advance!!

https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1744471348611629300

https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1744471348611629300

[NutLoose]

F*^k

https://twitter.com/JayinKyiv/status/1745642505180152196

https://twitter.com/JayinKyiv/status/1745642505180152196

[NutLoose]

Never a truer word....

Zelensky sums it all up in Estonia today. "We will not run anywhere - give us more shells, and we will go forward. If we go back, our children will die there," Ukrainians will do all the work, because there's no choice. The West has been handed a golden opportunity to destroy its worst enemies and lose not a single soldier. Ukrainians are willing to do all the work. And the West is STILL blowing it.

[NutLoose]

Ukraine has asked Australia for the retired Helicopters.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1745791315860725860

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1745791315860725860

.. (https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1745791315860725860)

[Just a spotter]

Ukraine has asked Austrailia for the retired Helicopters.



https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1745791315860725860

Maybe the 22 soon to be retired Australian Tigers could be an option too.

JAS

[NutLoose]

A kadyrovite describes the state of affairs at the front.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1745816391154843930

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1745816391154843930

[NutLoose]

First? pictures of the Russian FAB-1500M54 aerial bomb, equipped with a universal airframe-correction module

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1745798941579321629

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1745798941579321629

[NutLoose]

Ukraine using a new combat drone to destroy Russian positions.

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1745786486497157253

https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1745786486497157253

[NutLoose]

Ok, what is happening on the various fronts.

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745446096917405850

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745446096917405850

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745571761033261060

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745571761033261060

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745442312703091196

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745442312703091196

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745431069707354453

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745431069707354453

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745280219546628442

https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1745280219546628442

[Obba]

Are those men moving around @1:40sec in post 7740, with that Road Drone footage...?

[EXDAC]

Ok, what is happening on the various fronts......

You seem to select references that indicate Ukraine is at least holding its own. I, on the other hand, have been following reporting that seems to indicate Russia has been progessively encircling Avdiivka.

https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20January%2011%2C%202024.png

If something doesn't change soon I suspect Avdiivka will suffer the same fate as Mariupol.

[rattman]

Maybe the 22 soon to be retired Australian Tigers could be an option too.

JAS


Tigers aren't retired yet. 2025 before first apaches arrive, late 2026, early 2027 is guessemated planned retirement date

Taipans are being stripped for parts atm buy airbus employees. These parts are being shipped to europe

A better option is the 23ish blackhawks that retired in Dec 2020. Blackhawks have a much better parts and maintainence trail. Theres massive amount of parts and personal to get them and keep them flying available world wide

[NutLoose]

Are those men moving around @1:40sec in post 7740, with that Road Drone footage...?


It’s difficult to say, it could be ir signatures of the round strikes, or bodies.

[ORAC]

T-90 getting taken out by a Bradley…

https://x.com/andrewperpetua/status/1745945349187854737?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


Imagine losing this hard. This footage is very edited, its over 8 minutes uncut. but most of the uncut stuff is the bradley composing itself between absolute ass kickings. Full video is linked in the thread below.

​​​​​​​

[PPRuNeUser0211]

You seem to select references that indicate Ukraine is at least holding its own. I, on the other hand, have been following reporting that seems to indicate Russia has been progessively encircling Avdiivka.

https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20January%2011%2C%202024.png

If something doesn't change soon I suspect Avdiivka will suffer the same fate as Mariupol.
​​​​​​If you've been following that reporting you'll remember that this is what it looked like back in the beginning of November, and the end of August, vs today. There might be some progress on the part of the Russians, and Advika may well eventually fall, but I'd hardly say Ukraine isn't holding it's own.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1240x2000/donetsk_20battle_20map_20draft_20august_2030_2c2023_800ee2bd 5aa58459ddf8a5b9ba2f4354812b4cee.png


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1400x2000/avdiivka_20and_20donetsk_20city_20battle_20map_20draft_20nov ember_2001_2c_202023_3d48c7772e8241c260c0991f34caa15e713e9c6 d.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x2000/avdiivka_20and_20donetsk_20city_20battle_20map_20draft_20jan uary_2012_2c_202024_bdb6b45fadcd5522a00f8a50fe8ced2920d19e64 .png

[DogTailRed2]

It's a first world war stalemate with modern weapons.

[FUMR]

It's a first world war stalemate with modern weapons.

Perhaps yes, but it doesn't have to stay that way. It will, however, depend on the military support given to Ukraine.

[Big Pistons Forever]

General Winter should favour the Ukrainians as equipping the Russian grunts with suitable clothing and protection from winter weather does not seem a high priority for the army leadership.

[NutLoose]

Here is an interesting quandary, you cannot harm him and rightly so, Russia will probably not accept him back, he probably has no docs to send him home and he is not a POW, what do you do?

https://twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1745902783381844251

https://twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1745902783381844251

[Tartiflette Fan]

General Winter should favour the Ukrainians as equipping the Russian grunts with suitable clothing and protection from winter weather does not seem a high priority for the army leadership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzH2cr7a7Uc

From 1:00. This shows that at least some of the Russian trenches are very well constructed, warm and dry and proof against anything except a direct artillery hit.

[NutLoose]

Some positivity.

Translation:
Greetings to all readers. I want to share with you the first experience of driving a Prosthesis. I am in rapture.

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Danilets_25DWV/status/1745827664777117734

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Danilets_25DWV/status/1745827664777117734

[NutLoose]

It might just be a pair of F16, but they are being flown by Ukrainians. :ok:

https://twitter.com/golub/status/1724055557387010403

https://twitter.com/golub/status/1724055557387010403

[NutLoose]

A forcibly deported child tells his story.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1746280440778908103

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1746280440778908103

[NutLoose]

One of Kherson’s looted artworks spotted on Russian TV.

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1746306348453609722

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1746306348453609722

[fdr]

One of Kherson’s looted artworks spotted on Russian TV.



https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1746306348453609722


at the risk of repetition, that is an express war crime. surprise! Frankly, I'm more perturbed at the continued war crimes that Russia commits by deliberately targeting civilian populations. It's one thing to accidentally hit civilians, it is another to deliberately target them.

​​​​​​​

[talby33]

You'll get weapons and ammo off the dead as you advance!!



https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1744471348611629300
Honour, dignity, traditional values, families and children.........but murdering Ukrainians on behalf of a terrorist state, these people aren't "normal", they deserve to die like the monsters they are.

[NutLoose]

British combat medic killed in Ukraine , RIP Katherine..

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1746549732456149476

​​​​​​​https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1746549732456149476