Oh now we all know that Russian ship blew itself up ... the Russians said so

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it just needs more voltage

A Ukraine allied group of 50 contributing nations, led by the USA, is now operational in a German city. It coordinates procurement and logistics to Ukraine.

Britain, which has trained 22,000 Ukrainians, on British soil, in the last seven years, is running an international effort to train in Britain, a minimum of 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers every 120 days.



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Slava Ukraini!

Nine, count'em, nine Russian aircraft destroyed in Crimea. Poor l'il Putin.

Ukraine says 9 Russian warplanes destroyed in Crimea blasts | AP News

Those careless Russian smokers!

seems to go along with a series of deep strikes on the southern front. another ammo dump ignited and a weapons depot ... Russia needs to be more careful about where they smoke and drink

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it just needs more voltage

Excellent!!
Not his only aircraft problem. The Russians are now cannibalizing commercial aircraft because sanctions cut off supplies of spare parts.

"Russia started to dismantle Sukhoi Superjet 100, Airbus 350 and Boeing 737s for parts due to sanctions | gagadget.com" Russia started to dismantle Sukhoi Superjet 100, Airbus 350 and Boeing 737s for parts due to sanctions | gagadget.com



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Slava Ukraini!

Please, all these negative reports
are beginning to make me feel
sorry for Russia.

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Ubi Est Mea

Did you notice in the photo accompanying the Crimean airfield explosion story that there are some hardy people still hanging out at the beach: "No nearby exploding airbase is going to spoil my hard-earned vacation!"

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What, me worry?

They're Ukrainians, Europe's Texans.

The Russian National airline is Aeroflop.

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No baby we aint

That would be quite a concept for them even without a war.

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Release the Kraken

on a somewhat related note of alcohol driven antics, I'm not seeing much from the Garage 54 youtube channel in my feed since this all started.
A guy could marvel at how many ways a Russian grease monkey can find to butcher a Lada.
With the reduced income from youtube, I imagine the content has suffered as much as the cars

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it just needs more voltage

Saw this story that combines info on the strike on the Russian held airfield in Crimea with the info I just posted on US anti-radar missiles now in Ukrainian hands.

"OSINT analysts from the international intelligence community first suggested the use of long-range rockets ATACMS hours after the airfield was bombed. Experts suggested that the Armed Forces of Ukraine disarmed the air defense system with AGM missiles - 88 HARM. After that, ATACMS projectiles were launched.

The version with the use of long-range missiles returned after the publication of satellite images of the consequences of the strike on the airbase in Crimea. Analysts admit that the Armed Forces of Ukraine used two ATACMS missiles with a cluster warhead. They were launched not from HIMARS, but from M270 MLRS.

InformNapalm sources confirm that the strike destroyed eight Su-27 and four S-30SM fighters, as well as five Su-24 bombers, six Mi-8 helicopters and one Il-20 aircraft."



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Slava Ukraini!

If I smoked, I'd light up and smile over that news.

I'm sure Snubbyfan will fill in for you

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

Until a few months ago, I'd have fired up a vintage briar bowl of Borkum Riff, but I've pretty much quit.

I still have a little Samuel Gawith "Squadron Leader" I could rehydrate for the odd time I'd like to light up. But I can't get any decent pipe tobacco in Bellingham anymore as the two decent shops shut down a few years ago and everywhere wants gov't issued age ID now to order online "for our own protection" I suppose.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

On the contrary. Throw caution to the winds and have at 'er!

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

Marina Ovsyannikova has been charged with spreading false information about the Russian army after she interrupted a live broadcast to denounce the military action in Ukraine

A Russian former state TV journalist who in March interrupted a live television broadcast to denounce the military action in Ukraine, has been charged with spreading false information about the Russian army, an offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Article here

The charges relate to a protest last month, when Marina Ovsyannikova held up a poster that read “Putin is a murderer, his soldiers are fascists” on the Moskva river embankment opposite the Kremlin. Three “blood-soaked” toy dolls were laid on the ground in front of her.

Ovsyannikova, who was born in Ukraine, came to prominence in March when she barged on to the set of a live evening news broadcast on Russia’s flagship Channel One, holding a poster reading “No War” in English.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

Marina Ovsyannikova. Few of us have the courage to stand up for what is right, especially under such a repressive and brutal regime.

A courageous woman. Honor and respect.

I hope she lives through it.

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protocalldesign.com

I hope Putin doesn't.

Some various reports showing up online that appear to indicate an impressive escalation of Ukrainian capabilities.

One event is reports of strikes on the Chungar Straight Bridge, connecting Crimea with Russian held mainland Ukraine.

A second event is strikes on a Belorussian airfield used by Russia to launch attacks on Ukraine.

This is one report of the airfield events:

"The Belarusian military on Thursday denied reports of explosions overnight near a military airfield in the Gomel region of southeastern Belarus, not far from the border with Ukraine.

"On 10 August, near 23:00 (20:00 GMT), during a control run, a vehicle caught fire after its engine was replaced," the Belarusian defence ministry said in a statement.

"The fire was quickly brought under control. No one was injured," the statement said.

A Belarusian Telegram channel, which specialises in monitoring the conflict in Ukraine, said earlier in the day that "at least eight explosions" occurred near a military airfield in Ziabrovka, in the Gomel region.

Franak Viacorka, an adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said Russian military aircraft are often stationed at the airfield."




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Slava Ukraini!

Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the Netherlands have all announced they are assisting Britain's efforts by sending military trainers to bolster British forces training Ukrainian soldiers at bases in England. This additional effort is intended to expand the number of forces trained beyond the British commitment of 10,000 troops graduated every 120 days.

After more than 1.5 billion Euros was raised in Copenhagen for Ukraine's military support, at the Conference for Northern European Defense Allies in Support of Ukraine, Britain announced it was sending Ukraine three more M270 rocket launchers and associated rockets.



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Slava Ukraini!

I am reading comments about Offensive Operations ending soon due to winter arriving. “Mother Russia” winter stopped the Germans and largely saved the Russians in W.W. II. I wonder how it will play out with modern equipment and more determined Country?

"Screaming Eagles" on the way. Nearly 2,400 101st Airborne being sent to NATO members Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia to "reassure our Allies, and deter our adversaries."




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Slava Ukraini!

Now now .... his mom things he's a real swell guy.

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it just needs more voltage

The estimated deaths and injuries are stalling Russia’s progress in eastern Ukraine, military experts say, as fighting intensifies in the south.

Gift NY Times article here.

The staggeringly high rate of Russian casualties in Ukraine means that President Vladimir V. Putin may not be able to achieve one of his key war objectives: seizing the entire eastern region of the country this year, officials in the Biden administration and military experts say.

With 500 Russian troops killed or wounded every day, according to the latest estimate by American intelligence and military officials, Russia’s war effort has decelerated to a grinding slog, the officials said....

...Two American officials said that estimate of Russia’s losses included about 20,000 deaths. Of that number, 5,000 are believed to be mercenaries from the Wagner Group...

...American officials say their casualty estimates are based on satellite imagery, communication intercepts, social media and on-the-ground media reports...

...Ukraine has also sustained heavy casualties, the officials say. The Ukrainian government has been reluctant to disclose figures but has said 100 to 200 of its troops were being killed a day...

,,,Mr. Putin has also augmented his ranks with former soldiers. But the battlefield effectiveness of the arrivals “is quite poor,” a senior defense official told reporters last month.

“The Russian Army is seriously depleted,” said Seth G. Jones, the director of the international security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies....

,,,The Russian military has lost so many troops that in some cases units have tried to force captured Ukrainians to fight, according to retired Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, who was NATO’s supreme allied commander for Europe when Russia annexed Crimea.

“They have a tremendous problem of manpower and an even tougher problem that the manpower they have is not well trained,” General Breedlove said in an interview. “Their best units have already been bloodied.”

Hard to know how accurate these reports are, of course. I saw another article somewhere today that claimed many young Russians are saying, "I don't want to fight."

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

The fog of war and propaganda make accuracy difficult, but certain trends have developed.

With 25 western rocket artillery launchers in inventory, Ukraine has the tools to outrange and blunt the Russian's artillery based war fighting doctrine, essentially stopping their ground gaining momentum.

Ukraine's offensive capabilities are on an upward trend, with a 50+ nation allied group contributing systems and training.

Advanced air defense rocket systems will arrive soon, able to shield city-sized areas of Ukraine from most air attacks.





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Slava Ukraini!

Still wonder how many left in Kremlin remember how they supplied North Vietnam, LOL, shoe is on the other foot….

Another war that the US will be involved in for the next ten or more years. If Russia does move out of Ukraine, will the US supply the money and supplies to rebuild it's factories and infrastructure? How about our own country? Other peoples money only goes so far until other people (the US citizens) money runs out.

Satellite evidence suggests Russia suffered its worst aircraft loss since Second World War

Military analysts say the full extent of the damage was yet to be learned, with some suggesting Moscow could have lost as many as 20 jets in the attack

“The satellite imagery presents clear indications that the full tally is higher,” the War Zone website wrote. The assault, experts said, would also sow further doubt among the Russian military over its abilities to withstand an anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive in the south of the country....

...The machines cost tens of millions of pounds each, leaving Russia with an estimated $780 million blow in destroyed aircraft.

Oryx estimates Russia has lost at least 47 aircraft since invading Ukraine on Feb. 24, with a fifth of recorded losses happening at Novofedorivka.

The machines cost tens of millions of pounds each, leaving Russia with an estimated $780 million blow in destroyed aircraft.

Two buildings, believed to contain ammunition for the jets, were also wiped out in the blasts, satellite imagery appeared to show....

The article concludes with this "We call horsepuckey on this nonsense, comrade!" statement from Russia:

Russia’s defence ministry said the explosions at the airfield were caused by a “violation of fire safety requirements” near to the munitions, and insisted its jets were undamaged...

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

The factual end of the Russian sea blockade will be when Ukrainian forces can regularly reach Sevastopol with long-range rockets (120 miles).

I don't know that the evolution of weaponry will change the results too much here.
The conflict will remain, though the tactics will switch to winter misery mode. Both sides thrive within the the full brutal extremes of the same climate and neither have the over extended supply lines the Germans faced. They just go across town to resupply.

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it just needs more voltage

When I first read BWZ's post and InformNapalm's report a couple of days ago I was skeptical:

Twenty-four aircraft! That is one helluva successful attack ... or, um, inadvertent smoking accident!

Better and better!

Here's satellite imagery:

https://twitter.com/Maxar/status/155...tellite-photos

Wonder what weapon wiped out the Russian A/C? Have heard many opinions from S.F. op to some unknown missile? JAWAG is some sub munition dispersing missile?

Not buying the count of 24 from I can see in the photos, but even half that is a good strike.

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Release the Kraken

Dispersal and revetments aren't what they used to be.

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No baby we aint

"We've got an awful lot of Vikings now in England"

From a statement by Ben Wallace, British Defense Secretary, regarding the influx of hundreds of military trainers coming to Britain from every Nordic nation, to buttress the mission of training Ukrainian soldiers.


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Slava Ukraini!

Watching the news every day, I'm reminded of how WW2 evolved...

For the first year or so, the Third Reich was unstoppable, marching across Europe, and the future appeared very bleak for Britain and her allies. There were those in the USA who actually supported Germany, and at least some in England who wanted to make peace with Hitler, even at the cost of letting him keep the nations he had conquered.

We're only six months into what will probably be a long struggle for the Ukrainians, but I remain confident of their ultimate victory.

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

I doubt that Putin wants to occupy all of Ukraine now.......that would be impossible.

All he needs to do to CONTROL Ukraine is to occupy a narrow strip from the east end around the south edge on the Black Sea and control all the seaports.

By so doing he claims for Russia all the oil and natural gas reserves under the Black Sea--a gain of many trillions of dollars.

He also controls Ukrainian shipping of grain and that gives him huge leverage and power over the rest of the country.

He will accomplish these reasonable goals in a few months and can then take many years to absorb the rest of Ukraine.

I think it likely that Putin would like to accomplish these limited goals, having had his military severely mauled trying to take over entire country. But I think Ukraine is now enraged, eager for revenge, and will fight until Russia leaves its territory entirely. I don't think Ukraine will settle for a stalemate.

I do worry that the West may not have the staying power needed to continue to help the Ukrainians defend themselves. I hope we do...

I don't see any evidence that Putin had any intention of taking over the entire country immediately.

We in the West tend to think in terms of immediate gratification and ASSUME others think the same way.

The Eastern mind is much more patient and thinks in terms of decades rather than months.

When the beautiful and historic city of Odessa is reduced to rubble........Ukrainians may start to ponder the cost of their resistance and pro-Russian factions will gain strength.

As for the staying power of the West.......I think we have already began to question the cost (and the wisdom) of propping up this lost cause.

By "trying to take over the entire country," perhaps I spoke loosely. What I meant was that the initial Russian mission, as I understood it, was to occupy Kiev and replace the current government with a Russian puppet government. Putin, I think, believed he could do this quickly. (Everybody else, except the Ukrainians, seems to have believed this.)

Re we in the West and our assumptions of immediate gratification, I'll comment that the Russians were in Afghanistan for 10 years while we were there for 20...

Putin attacked Kiev early on...what was the reason for that, if he didn't intend to take over the entire country?

I agree totally with Onomea...the Ukrainians are enraged and energized, and will never settle for a stalemate. If Russia somehow succeeds in occupying the eastern regions of Ukraine, they will have to fight every single day to maintain control, and they will ultimately lose that battle.

No Russian conscript will fight as hard to take Ukraine as the Ukrainians will fight to keep it...

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

INCOMING!!!!

Ukraine just took delivery of eight new ZUZANA 2 self-propelled 155mm Howitzers, purchased from Slovakia.



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Slava Ukraini!

Fake news. That's my offroad rig for coyote hunting here in Nevada.

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Release the Kraken

This. It doesn't matter if your military takes over the country or you install a puppet government, you still took over. The attempt to take Gostomel (Hostomel if you prefer) was a clear move to execute a "decapitation" of the sitting Ukrainian government, allowing a takeover.

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Release the Kraken

This seems to have been the situation for quite some time. Another dimension worth considering is capacity to fight.
The Eastern front seems to be stripped of capacity.
Emotional disposition and will are likely there. They just cannot do anything with their motivation aside from a Ghandi doctrine movement of passive resistance. I don't believe Russia has assessed much value to the population for that to be as effective as it was in Brit occupied India.
It must be retaken from left to right from the outside.
The same applies to the southern front.

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it just needs more voltage