Is Ukraine about to have a war?
It's also a bit of grim news, in terms of how long this war may last.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/d...rvice.a464196/
Latvia Reintroduces National Service
….Pabriks also announced plans to reintroduce national military service for males from 2023, first on a voluntary basis and then in compulsory form at a later date. This comes despite reservations about national service being expressed by Latvia's defense chief in February this year.
The information provided to the media by the Ministry of Defense shows that the defense service will be gradually introduced over the course of five years. From January 1, 2023, the first phase of implementation will take place, for which it will be possible to apply voluntarily.
It is expected that recruitment to the service will take place twice a year - on January 1 and July 1.
It is planned that after a five-year transition period, the service will be compulsory for men aged 18 to 27. However, if a person at the age of 18 is still studying, they will be able to defer their service until after graduation.
National service will last for 12 months, but one month of that will be holiday, and people can expect to be paid 400 euros plus travel expenses per month, slightly less than the national minimum wage of 500 euros.
Women will be able to apply to the National Defense Service voluntarily, the Ministry of Defense plans.
Only citizens of Latvia will be admitted to the service and individuals will also have to meet health requirements, which are analogous to those of the National Guard.
Latvia abolished mandatory military service in January 2007, fully switching to a professional military service backed up by a National Guard militia.
Latvia Reintroduces National Service
….Pabriks also announced plans to reintroduce national military service for males from 2023, first on a voluntary basis and then in compulsory form at a later date. This comes despite reservations about national service being expressed by Latvia's defense chief in February this year.
The information provided to the media by the Ministry of Defense shows that the defense service will be gradually introduced over the course of five years. From January 1, 2023, the first phase of implementation will take place, for which it will be possible to apply voluntarily.
It is expected that recruitment to the service will take place twice a year - on January 1 and July 1.
It is planned that after a five-year transition period, the service will be compulsory for men aged 18 to 27. However, if a person at the age of 18 is still studying, they will be able to defer their service until after graduation.
National service will last for 12 months, but one month of that will be holiday, and people can expect to be paid 400 euros plus travel expenses per month, slightly less than the national minimum wage of 500 euros.
Women will be able to apply to the National Defense Service voluntarily, the Ministry of Defense plans.
Only citizens of Latvia will be admitted to the service and individuals will also have to meet health requirements, which are analogous to those of the National Guard.
Latvia abolished mandatory military service in January 2007, fully switching to a professional military service backed up by a National Guard militia.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...rs-2022-07-05/
Russian separatists seize two foreign ships in Mariupol
LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) - Russian-backed separatists have seized two foreign-flagged ships in the eastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, saying they are now "state property", in the first such moves against commercial shipping, letters seen by Reuters showed.….
The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, via its foreign ministry, informed two shipping companies that their vessels were the subject of "forcible appropriation of movable property with forced conversion into state property”, without any compensation to the owners, according to two separate letters.
Donetsk officials did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment, while others could not be reached by phone.
Liberia registered Smarta Shipping, the owner of the Liberia-flagged Smarta bulk vessel, one of the two vessels taken, said it was informed of the seizure by email on June 30, calling it unlawful and "against all norms of international law".
"Such forced appropriation is in breach of fundamental human rights in so far as property rights are concerned," the company said in a statement. "Such action is a serious threat to shipping and to maritime safety."
The other vessel seized was the Panama-flagged Blue Star I, according to the letter. An official with the vessel's Odesa-based manager Fetida Maritime declined to comment, adding that Ukraine's security service had all the information.
A Ukrainian foreign ministry official said it was aware of an announcement by "the Russian occupation authority in Donetsk to create a ’national’ fleet comprised of ships they had stolen in Mariupol”, adding they were checking on the vessels seized…..
Russian separatists seize two foreign ships in Mariupol
LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) - Russian-backed separatists have seized two foreign-flagged ships in the eastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, saying they are now "state property", in the first such moves against commercial shipping, letters seen by Reuters showed.….
The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, via its foreign ministry, informed two shipping companies that their vessels were the subject of "forcible appropriation of movable property with forced conversion into state property”, without any compensation to the owners, according to two separate letters.
Donetsk officials did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment, while others could not be reached by phone.
Liberia registered Smarta Shipping, the owner of the Liberia-flagged Smarta bulk vessel, one of the two vessels taken, said it was informed of the seizure by email on June 30, calling it unlawful and "against all norms of international law".
"Such forced appropriation is in breach of fundamental human rights in so far as property rights are concerned," the company said in a statement. "Such action is a serious threat to shipping and to maritime safety."
The other vessel seized was the Panama-flagged Blue Star I, according to the letter. An official with the vessel's Odesa-based manager Fetida Maritime declined to comment, adding that Ukraine's security service had all the information.
A Ukrainian foreign ministry official said it was aware of an announcement by "the Russian occupation authority in Donetsk to create a ’national’ fleet comprised of ships they had stolen in Mariupol”, adding they were checking on the vessels seized…..
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Russia reportedly preparing mobilization in occupied Berdiansk.
According to the National Resistance Center, a Ukrainian government website, Russia started preparing to forcibly conscript men into the Russian Armed Forces in occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The center added that the pace of illegal mobilization is increasing in occupied Luhansk, where recently all men working at a local meat processing plant and a culture academy have been conscripted.
According to the National Resistance Center, a Ukrainian government website, Russia started preparing to forcibly conscript men into the Russian Armed Forces in occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The center added that the pace of illegal mobilization is increasing in occupied Luhansk, where recently all men working at a local meat processing plant and a culture academy have been conscripted.
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A good write up as to the state of play etc I won't copy it over as it is huge.
https://www.understandingwar.org/bac...essment-july-5
https://www.understandingwar.org/bac...essment-july-5
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Russia blocks Kazakhstan's oil transit to Europe.
According to the Russian news agency Interfax, a Russian court has closed the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal for 30 days under alleged technical issues. The terminal is Kazakhstan's main exit point for Kazakh oil.
According to the Russian news agency Interfax, a Russian court has closed the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal for 30 days under alleged technical issues. The terminal is Kazakhstan's main exit point for Kazakh oil.
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The World should see this and wake up to what is happening.
I am well aware that this is happening. What the world needs to wake up to is that the good times are over. Our governments are cowards and inept. It's time the west confronts Putin's Russia head to head whatever the consequences. Not doing so will make those consequences inevitable in the end anyway!
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UK to send 10 more AS90 self propelled 155mm guns to Ukraine
W. T. Sherman's observation about the nature of war applies here.
From that extensive analysis at ISW: (caveat, mostly Ukraine based sources inform the analysis)
The Russians, provided that this summary is accurate, are taking a "we are here to stay" position.
There is a limit to what sanctions (which were applied in the 2014 case, and were also applied for this war) can do as a form of political leverage. More importantly sanctions take substantial amounts of time to have the effect of bringing a party to the table. I suspect that this limit of effectiveness has been reached, but there may still be some pressure points worth prodding.
The related post about the pipeline being shut off for 30 days looks like a counterattack in terms of economic warfare. (ORAC, thanks for the link) So does this measure, reported by ISW at the link.
From that extensive analysis at ISW: (caveat, mostly Ukraine based sources inform the analysis)
The Ukrainian Resistance Center claimed that Ukrainian partisans discovered a network of pro-Russian collaborators in occupied Kherson Oblast on July 5. The report indicated that this network of collaborators informs occupation forces about Ukrainian activities, which suggests that Russian authorities are continuing to leverage pro-Russian sentiment to extend control over occupied areas. However, the Ukrainian Resistance Center also claimed that Russian authorities have failed to find enough collaborators to form an occupation government in Kherson Oblast and are therefore installing officials directly from Russia. This claim is consistent with previous reports that proxy leadership in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) has imported several Russian public administration officials to the DNR government to shape its policies under a Russian framework. Despite the number of Ukrainian collaborators in Kherson Oblast, Russian occupation authorities likely prefer Russian officials in administrative roles to align occupied areas with the Russian system on an administrative level. This phenomenon may indicate that the Russians are preparing to annex the occupied territories directly to the Russian Federation rather than establishing one or more independent statelets.
Originally Posted by FUMR
It's time the west confronts Putin's Russia head to head whatever the consequences. Not doing so will make those consequences inevitable in the end anyway!
The related post about the pipeline being shut off for 30 days looks like a counterattack in terms of economic warfare. (ORAC, thanks for the link) So does this measure, reported by ISW at the link.
Russian authorities continued to consolidate control of Ukrainian energy assets. The Ukrainian Resistance Center reported on July 5 that Russian authorities intend to restaff the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) with Russian employees, likely mostly from Rosenergoatom. The Ukrainian Resistance Center claimed that Russian authorities intend to disconnect the NPP from the Ukrainian power grid by the end of September, which indicates that Russian authorities intend to fully divert Ukrainian energy to the Russian Federation.
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I read somewhere that part of the offensive was to regain control of the nuclear plant.
IF true this is frightning and probably why the diver that was murdered refused to dive in the pools. This is posted by a Ukrainian MP
Russia are going to have all sorts of problems re putting industry on a war footing, spares and parts often from the west and used by their military will not be available to them in possibly sufficent quantities ( there is always illegal imports )
The reliance they built up from car parts, to washing machines, to tanks and aviation might come back to bite them in the ass, that is one reason why they have been generating T62 tanks over the more modern T80's in stocks, as the T62 despite its short comings is a Soviet era tank built in Russia without a real reliance on western technology.
A classic example of the problems they face, Russia has just introduced a new 100 Ruble note... Slight problem though, a lot of the ATM machines in Russia are western manufactured and are unable to dispense the new currency.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/...mersant-a78175
IF true this is frightning and probably why the diver that was murdered refused to dive in the pools. This is posted by a Ukrainian MP
At the occupied #Zaporizhzhya NPP, russian are going to drain the cooling pools. They are looking for fictional weapons. And this could lead to nuclear danger. The world must unite in response to the nuclear threats of the rashists.
Russia are going to have all sorts of problems re putting industry on a war footing, spares and parts often from the west and used by their military will not be available to them in possibly sufficent quantities ( there is always illegal imports )
The reliance they built up from car parts, to washing machines, to tanks and aviation might come back to bite them in the ass, that is one reason why they have been generating T62 tanks over the more modern T80's in stocks, as the T62 despite its short comings is a Soviet era tank built in Russia without a real reliance on western technology.
A classic example of the problems they face, Russia has just introduced a new 100 Ruble note... Slight problem though, a lot of the ATM machines in Russia are western manufactured and are unable to dispense the new currency.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/...mersant-a78175
Russia’s new 100-ruble bill will not be introduced into circulation anytime soon due to difficulties stemming from Western ATM and point-of-sale service providers' exit over the war in Ukraine, the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday.
Russia’s Central Bank introduced the new 100-ruble banknote — depicting the Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower on the front and the Rzhev Memorial to the Russian Soldier on the back — with higher durability and upgraded security features this Thursday.
Concerns over the new bill’s circulation arose after the leading U.S. ATM and point-of-sale terminal manufacturers NCR and Diebold Nixdorf left Russia in retaliation to its invasion of Ukraine.
“Given the geopolitical situation, it is difficult to imagine that development for the Russian market will be a priority,” Kommersant quoted an unnamed payment market source as saying.
They warned that the new banknotes could be impossible to use because of the service providals’ refusal to issue updates for them.
Central Bank deputy chief Sergei Belov said it would take between six months and a year for Russian ATMs and cash registers to update equipment that would recognize the new banknotes.
The Association of Russian Banks, an NGO that represents the interests of 145 members, had asked to delay the introduction of the new notes this spring, Kommersant said.
The association estimates that 60% of Russian ATMs and all of its cash registers are imported.
Russia last introduced newly designed currency in 200 and 2,000 ruble denominations in 2017.
The Central Bank plans to introduce 1,000 and 5,000 ruble notes next year.
Russia’s Central Bank introduced the new 100-ruble banknote — depicting the Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower on the front and the Rzhev Memorial to the Russian Soldier on the back — with higher durability and upgraded security features this Thursday.
Concerns over the new bill’s circulation arose after the leading U.S. ATM and point-of-sale terminal manufacturers NCR and Diebold Nixdorf left Russia in retaliation to its invasion of Ukraine.
“Given the geopolitical situation, it is difficult to imagine that development for the Russian market will be a priority,” Kommersant quoted an unnamed payment market source as saying.
They warned that the new banknotes could be impossible to use because of the service providals’ refusal to issue updates for them.
Central Bank deputy chief Sergei Belov said it would take between six months and a year for Russian ATMs and cash registers to update equipment that would recognize the new banknotes.
The Association of Russian Banks, an NGO that represents the interests of 145 members, had asked to delay the introduction of the new notes this spring, Kommersant said.
The association estimates that 60% of Russian ATMs and all of its cash registers are imported.
Russia last introduced newly designed currency in 200 and 2,000 ruble denominations in 2017.
The Central Bank plans to introduce 1,000 and 5,000 ruble notes next year.
Last edited by NutLoose; 6th Jul 2022 at 14:02.
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Ii appears the war is hitting Russian finances.
https://www.hardwo.com/2022/07/04/ru...s-and-science/
Russia launches total budget cuts. The government of the Russian Federation will “put under the knife” spending on science, industry and roads.
As writes moscowtimes.eu, in the next three years, the Ministry of Finance proposes to reduce the costs of the federal treasury by 1.6 trillion rubles. In particular:
Recall, earlier it was reported that due to the full-scale war unleashed in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin found himself in complete isolation and exile. If he loses this war, then he will be “ended,” Russian political scientist Dmitry Oreshkin is sure.
As writes moscowtimes.eu, in the next three years, the Ministry of Finance proposes to reduce the costs of the federal treasury by 1.6 trillion rubles. In particular:
- the infrastructure construction plan is reduced by 390 billion,
- the industrial development program will be cut by 200 billion,
- 150 billion will be saved on science,
- agriculture will be deprived of 25 billion from the budget,
- they will spend less on space by 21.4 billion,
- 15.8 billion will be saved to the state program for the development of the occupied Crimea,
- 11.5 billion will lose state programs for the development of an innovative economy.
Recall, earlier it was reported that due to the full-scale war unleashed in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin found himself in complete isolation and exile. If he loses this war, then he will be “ended,” Russian political scientist Dmitry Oreshkin is sure.
Well, even more than lack of financial reserves, may be lack of soldiers. As ORAC showed above, the Russians are now conscripting - more honestly shanghaing - men from the pro-Russian areas into their army.. There are apparently protests about this, but it will probably take months until we learn f they are effective.
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They are also offering prisoners their freedom and 2000ish dollars if they join Wagner and serve 6 months in Ukraine and survive. I don’t know if they have limitations on what crimes will be offered the freedom but it has to be a worry what nutters they are letting out, it also shows the mobilisation of manpower issues they are having.
They are also offering prisoners their freedom and 2000ish dollars if they join Wagner and serve 6 months in Ukraine and survive. I don’t know if they have limitations on what crimes will be offered the freedom but it has to be a worry what nutters they are letting out, it also shows the mobilisation of manpower issues they are having.
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They are from Russian prisoners and basically are canon fodder.
During WW2 the Russians used to calculate the Germans max rate of fire and the time it would take to cross the ground, say 1000 rounds per minute and ten mins to cross the ground meaning a maximum possible kill rate of 10,000, they would then send 11,000 troops over it knowing that no matter how much the Germans fired at least 1000 would reach and breach their lines… canon fodder to attain the objective.
Similar using forced Ukrainian males from the held regions means the Ukrainians are sadly carrying out extermination of their people for the Russians who are protecting their own troops and expending Ukrainian munitions.
According to Osechkin, members of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and Wagner Group – a network of mercenaries and a de facto private army of Russian President Vladimir Putin – are trying to recruit prisoners in Russia to fight in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
Osechkin said: “I bring to your attention that in the colony IK-7 Yablonevka of the Federal Penitentiary Service for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, FSB officers are currently recruiting volunteers to Donbas among prisoners.”
He added: “Motivational work is carried out with them, they are promised freedom for participation in military operations and in operations to clear mines and restore buildings on the territory of Donbas.
“At the same time, they are openly told that they will not have any documents or a token, and their bodies will not be given to their relatives. They promise money to those who survive. They were practically not given time to think and consult with their relatives.
“On July 3, the first ones who passed the selection will be taken out of prison,” he said.
As previously reported, the Wagner Group have struggled to make an impact in Ukraine for President Putin, hence the need for further recruitment.
https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/07/0...ers-in-russia/
During WW2 the Russians used to calculate the Germans max rate of fire and the time it would take to cross the ground, say 1000 rounds per minute and ten mins to cross the ground meaning a maximum possible kill rate of 10,000, they would then send 11,000 troops over it knowing that no matter how much the Germans fired at least 1000 would reach and breach their lines… canon fodder to attain the objective.
Similar using forced Ukrainian males from the held regions means the Ukrainians are sadly carrying out extermination of their people for the Russians who are protecting their own troops and expending Ukrainian munitions.
EXILED Russian Activist Vladimir Osechkin shared information on his Telegram channel on Sunday, July 3 that accused Russia’s FSB and Wagner Group mercenaries of recruiting prisoners in Russia for the war in Ukraine.
According to Osechkin, members of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and Wagner Group – a network of mercenaries and a de facto private army of Russian President Vladimir Putin – are trying to recruit prisoners in Russia to fight in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
Osechkin said: “I bring to your attention that in the colony IK-7 Yablonevka of the Federal Penitentiary Service for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, FSB officers are currently recruiting volunteers to Donbas among prisoners.”
He added: “Motivational work is carried out with them, they are promised freedom for participation in military operations and in operations to clear mines and restore buildings on the territory of Donbas.
“At the same time, they are openly told that they will not have any documents or a token, and their bodies will not be given to their relatives. They promise money to those who survive. They were practically not given time to think and consult with their relatives.
“On July 3, the first ones who passed the selection will be taken out of prison,” he said.
As previously reported, the Wagner Group have struggled to make an impact in Ukraine for President Putin, hence the need for further recruitment.
Last edited by NutLoose; 6th Jul 2022 at 23:27.
They are from Russian prisoners and basically are canon fodder.
During WW2 the Russians used to calculate the Germans max rate of fire and the time it would take to cross the ground, say 1000 rounds per minute and ten mins to cross the ground meaning a maximum possible kill rate of 10,000, they would then send 11,000 troops over it knowing that no matter how much the Germans fired at least 1000 would reach and breach their lines… canon fodder to attain the objective.
Similar using forced Ukrainian males from the held regions means the Ukrainians are sadly carrying out extermination of their people for the Russians who are protecting their own troops and expending Ukrainian munitions.
https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/07/0...ers-in-russia/
During WW2 the Russians used to calculate the Germans max rate of fire and the time it would take to cross the ground, say 1000 rounds per minute and ten mins to cross the ground meaning a maximum possible kill rate of 10,000, they would then send 11,000 troops over it knowing that no matter how much the Germans fired at least 1000 would reach and breach their lines… canon fodder to attain the objective.
Similar using forced Ukrainian males from the held regions means the Ukrainians are sadly carrying out extermination of their people for the Russians who are protecting their own troops and expending Ukrainian munitions.
https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/07/0...ers-in-russia/
Absolutely correct, now if Russia were to withdraw from its invasion of an independent, sovereign, self governing nation, the slaughter would stop. And they could get back to the joyous activity of loving procreation.
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The other thing they did during the war was if you failed to take your objective, lost your weapon, or did something else wrong, the Russians would put you in a penal battalion, they were then marched in line (with any dissenters failing to carry out the task shot from the rear) across the likes of minefields, if you were wounded it was deemed you had served the Motherland and were released from the penal battalion, if you survived you would carry on in the role.
That's the mentality you are up against, even now they have troops behind the frontline tasked with shooting deserters or sending them back to the front.
https://stalingrad.net/russian-hq/th...spenalbat.html
That's the mentality you are up against, even now they have troops behind the frontline tasked with shooting deserters or sending them back to the front.
https://stalingrad.net/russian-hq/th...spenalbat.html