What's going on in Ukraine?

[Uncle fester]

[Uncle fester]

The "ceasefire" announcement is an obvious merk.
This is as good a speculative reason as any.

[TB63]

[tabascoboy]

[Niegs]

Fascinating that the 'leader' of the anti-colonial movement has been the most aggressive colonizer of sorts in the last 30 years.

[tabascoboy]

Makes Mad Drunken Nad look very benign

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday warned the United States that hypersonic missiles would soon be close to NATO's shores after the U.S. embassy said in a video it stood in solidarity with Russians who opposed the war in Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered one of the most deadly wars in Europe since World War Two and the deepest crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

"The main gift for the New Year with an ammunition package of Zircon missiles left yesterday for the shores of NATO countries," Medvedev said, referring to President Vladimir Putin's deployment of a warship with hypersonic cruise missiles to the Atlantic.

Medvedev said the missiles could be placed 100 miles (160 km) off the U.S. coast, adding: "So rejoice! It will bring to their senses anyone who poses a direct threat to Russia and our allies."

He was speaking after the U.S. embassy to Russia released a video that it called an "an appeal to the people of Russia". The 50-second video included images of the impact of bombing in Ukraine, saying what was happening there "is not worthy of you".

"We stand in solidarity with each of you who are striving to create a more peaceful future," the video said, showing an image of the slogan "No to war" in Russian sprayed on a wall.

"Throughout history, our countries have been united by the commonality of cultures and our achievements," the video said, adding that Russia and the United States had "competed and collaborated" for decades.

The video showed images of Soviet cosmonauts, writers such as Fyodor Dostoevsky and leaders such as Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. Putin was not included.

Medvedev, a close Putin ally, lashed out at the video, describing the U.S. government as cynical "freaks" and "sons of bitches" who he said were using the tricks of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.

Since the war began, Medvedev's rhetoric has become increasingly vitriolic though his published views sometimes chime with thinking at the top levels of the Kremlin elite.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Edmund Blair)

[Niegs]

Makes Mad Drunken Nad look very benign

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday warned the United States that hypersonic missiles would soon be close to NATO's shores after the U.S. embassy said in a video it stood in solidarity with Russians who opposed the war in Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered one of the most deadly wars in Europe since World War Two and the deepest crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

"The main gift for the New Year with an ammunition package of Zircon missiles left yesterday for the shores of NATO countries," Medvedev said, referring to President Vladimir Putin's deployment of a warship with hypersonic cruise missiles to the Atlantic.

Medvedev said the missiles could be placed 100 miles (160 km) off the U.S. coast, adding: "So rejoice! It will bring to their senses anyone who poses a direct threat to Russia and our allies."

He was speaking after the U.S. embassy to Russia released a video that it called an "an appeal to the people of Russia". The 50-second video included images of the impact of bombing in Ukraine, saying what was happening there "is not worthy of you".

"We stand in solidarity with each of you who are striving to create a more peaceful future," the video said, showing an image of the slogan "No to war" in Russian sprayed on a wall.

"Throughout history, our countries have been united by the commonality of cultures and our achievements," the video said, adding that Russia and the United States had "competed and collaborated" for decades.

The video showed images of Soviet cosmonauts, writers such as Fyodor Dostoevsky and leaders such as Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. Putin was not included.

Medvedev, a close Putin ally, lashed out at the video, describing the U.S. government as cynical "freaks" and "sons of bitches" who he said were using the tricks of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.

Since the war began, Medvedev's rhetoric has become increasingly vitriolic though his published views sometimes chime with thinking at the top levels of the Kremlin elite.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Edmund Blair)

A Russian accusing someone else of using Nazi propaganda techniques....

[Niegs]

One can probably guess how, but it's almost unfathomable from an army that's meant to be modern... (supposedly this is from mid-Dec)

[Uncle fester]

One can probably guess how, but it's almost unfathomable from an army that's meant to be modern... (supposedly this is from mid-Dec)

Had to zoom in to convince myself what it was.

In other news, despite rumours that Poland was about to announce leopard 2's for Ukraine, they said "not yet but we're working on it"

[fishfoodie]

I suppose the result of a full on HIMARS barrage, with anti-personnel missiles. Sitting in shallow foxholes, they were dead meat.

[tabascoboy]

Russia MoD claiming they struck with a loss of 600 UA soldiers as "revenge for Makiïvka", seems very unlikely that UA would gather so many in a location that has had missile strikes for months ( a few days ago a skating rink was destroyed). This may be simply a propaganda attempt to deflect anger in Samara where there was an outcry over the UA attack that led to a claimed 400 losses previously with troops primarily from that region.

The information about the alleged base was quite specific which could come from collaborators but while a large strike clearly happened info is still unconfirmed

[tabascoboy]

[Hellraiser]

The thinking man's money is on Dmitry positioning himself for a post Putin world and avoiding the Russian hotel bungee jump in the meantime

Medvedev is a non-entity. He's a running joke among the siloviki. He has no powerbase at all.

[tabascoboy]

[TB63]

Sweeeeeeeeeet......

[fishfoodie]

That's a lot of pisstapes

Any FSB Officer who's had to watch piss tapes with Clare Daly, & Mick Wallace, should be shot in the head for humanitarian reasons.

[petej]

Sweeeeeeeeeet......

That's a lot of pisstapes

Think it was oz katerji and NAFO informing the venue about hosting a putin shill.

Looks like the UK are considering sending challenger 2s to ukraine. Ukraine is a good retirement home for the challenger 2s we weren’t going to upgrade.

T62s against challenger 2s seems fair.

[tabascoboy]

Strong rumours that UA forces are abandoning Soledar, Russia throwing absolutely everything at it overnight apparently with no concerns at all about losses on their own side

[TB63]

[tabascoboy]

[yermum]

savage lelos got to love those guys

[tabascoboy]

[tabascoboy]

The true situation in Soledar seems to be still unclear. Both sides insisting that their version is true and the other's are lies. Seems likely that Russia, even with some successes, are attempting psyops with claims of mass surrender of defender who are in bad physical condition and frostbitten, as an exercise to demoralise. Another claimed pic of Wagner troops in the salt mine was posted which is slightly more convincing and that they have issued an ultimatum to the remaining defenders to surrender. Of course, capture and control of the town and mine was already claimed a few days ago which was clearly not the case since battles continue.

[tabascoboy]

[tabascoboy]

[Niegs]

savage lelos got to love those guys

Related... spare a very small thought for any Russian who runs afoul of this cat!

[tabascoboy]

Plenty of reports today that Soledar has fallen to the Orcs and UA had to make a messy retreat that resulted in many casualties. Can't be certain of anything atm, this report of Q & As doesn't paint so grim a picture ( long series of tweets and image in the original). There do appear to have been issues related to unit rotation and inexperience of new units leading to breakthroughs by the Orcs for sure



or https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1613 ... 31041.html

[tabascoboy]

[tabascoboy]

Russia wanting to create the impression that no matter how many of them die, they will just keep sending more, they truly have no regard for human life. We probably need to take into account now that the norms of what is and isn't operationally feasible applies less and less when a command is so single-mindedly ruthless and uncaring about anything other than the immediate goal.



And added to destroying more HIMARS than have actually been sent ploy:

[Raggs]

Is it completely unreasonable to imagine that the west are giving the Ukraine enough to keep them in the war winning to a small degree, but not enough to win decisively, since that way Russia uses up more and more of its resources weakening it in the longer term?

[weegie01]

Ukraine confident UK will send Challenger 2 tanks to help war effort

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... war-effort

Call me cynical, but 10 tanks make no difference, and cause an issue in maintenace, training etc. But they get the Germans out of a hole and let them authorise exports of Leopards from anyone wishing to supply them as they have a precedent set by the Challengers.

[Flockwitt]

Ukraine confident UK will send Challenger 2 tanks to help war effort

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... war-effort

Call me cynical, but 10 tanks make no difference, and cause an issue in maintenace, training etc. But they get the Germans out of a hole and let them authorise exports of Leopards from anyone wishing to supply them as they have a precedent set by the Challengers.

You can be as cynical as you like, it is all about getting tanks to Ukraine now. They need something to break the trench deadlock. It's either a decent combined arms force which with the Bradleys and whatnot they should be able to put together for a post spring mud offensive, or a bombing capable airforce which won't be happening.

[petej]

Is it completely unreasonable to imagine that the west are giving the Ukraine enough to keep them in the war winning to a small degree, but not enough to win decisively, since that way Russia uses up more and more of its resources weakening it in the longer term?

Yes and no. The West biggest advantage is in airforces where we haven't given the Ukrainians any nato planes (though we have given them weapons systems). I don't think there is much holding back on artillery systems and ammo we just don't produce enough shells. Bugger all point putting in new systems if we can't supply them. To have so many nato systems in use in Ukraine is damn impressive in under a year considering supply, training and maintenance requirements.

[tabascoboy]

One reason why it's so difficult to sort fact from fiction

[_Os_]

Is it completely unreasonable to imagine that the west are giving the Ukraine enough to keep them in the war winning to a small degree, but not enough to win decisively, since that way Russia uses up more and more of its resources weakening it in the longer term?

Yes and no. The West biggest advantage is in airforces where we haven't given the Ukrainians any nato planes (though we have given them weapons systems). I don't think there is much holding back on artillery systems and ammo we just don't produce enough shells. Bugger all point putting in new systems if we can't supply them. To have so many nato systems in use in Ukraine is damn impressive in under a year considering supply, training and maintenance requirements.

They're starting to tap non-NATO sources now too, quite important as it stops Russia getting hold of them. Rheinmetall Denel just got a large order to supply an unnamed NATO country with 155mm and then got a contract to build a munitions factory in Hungary. Russia doesn't have the cash and value add to do this (SA government is favourable to Russia without outright supporting them, Russia has no ability to turn any neutral-ish country). SA shells have been spotted at the front now too.

[petej]

UK sending 14 challenger 2s and 30 AS90s self propelled howitzers.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-a ... putins-war
Some rumors about sending 4 apache helicopters as well.

[TB63]

And Germany.....

[Niegs]

A good article about Crimean history and its ties to Ukraine: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/ ... n-00077746

[tabascoboy]

Ukraine war: Russia's Wagner Group commander requests Norway asylum

A former commander with the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group has claimed asylum in Norway after deserting from the mercenary outfit.

Andrey Medvedev, 26, crossed the border into Norway last Friday, where he was detained by border guards.

He is currently being held in the Oslo area where he faces charges of illegal entry to Norway, his lawyer Brynjulf Risnes told the BBC.

Mr Risnes said his client left Wagner after witnessing war crimes in Ukraine.

The Norwegian Border Guard confirmed to the BBC that a Russian man had been detained after crossing the country's 198km (123miles) long border with Russia, but said it could not comment further for "reasons of security and privacy".

Tarjei Sirma-Tellefsen, police chief of staff in the Norwegian region of Finnmark, said a man had been detained by a border patrol and said he had applied for asylum.

But the Russian human rights group Gulagu, who helped Mr Medvedev leave Russia, confirmed his identity. His escape is believed to be the first known instance of one of the group's soldiers defecting to the West.

Gulagu's founder Vladimir Osechkin told the BBC that Mr Medvedev had joined the paramilitary group in July 2022 on a four-month contract, but had deserted after witnessing a host of human rights abuses and war crimes while serving in Ukraine.

He said that Mr Medvedev is a former soldier in the Russian army and that he later served time in prison between 2017 and 2018 before joining the Wagner Group.

He was placed in charge of a Wagner division in Ukraine, where the mercenary group supplied him with around 30-40 troops every week, Mr Osechkin said.

In a video posted by Gulagu to its social media channels, Mr Medvedev said he fled Ukraine in November after being informed that the group intended to extend his contract indefinitely.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64296979

[fishfoodie]

Ukraine war: Russia's Wagner Group commander requests Norway asylum

A former commander with the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group has claimed asylum in Norway after deserting from the mercenary outfit.

Andrey Medvedev, 26, crossed the border into Norway last Friday, where he was detained by border guards.

He is currently being held in the Oslo area where he faces charges of illegal entry to Norway, his lawyer Brynjulf Risnes told the BBC.

Mr Risnes said his client left Wagner after witnessing war crimes in Ukraine.

If the limit of his involvement is just witness, then maybe they should give him asylum; but if it goes a millimeter beyond that, they should hog tie him, lube him up, & send him back to Mother Russia !