The Russians have gone in

[bigwheelzip]

Okay comrades, time for a smoke break. Oops.

Tsk tsk. Another Russian ammo dump exploded, but this one is in Russia's Belgorod region, about nine miles from the border with Ukraine.



"Fire breaks out at ammunition depot in Russia's Belgorod region" Fire breaks out at ammunition depot in Russia's Belgorod region

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[venomballistics]

Okay comrades, time for a smoke break. Oops.

Tsk tsk. Another Russian ammo dump exploded, but this one is in Russia's Belgorod region, about nine miles from the border with Ukraine.

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I think i saw three on the map today ... At the rate these smoke break accidents happen, I could swear it was like someone was actually trying to cause trouble

 

[Rudi]

FWIW, look at history and how countries economy result in war(s). China's economy is slipping too. Somewhat concerning….

Wonder when we'll start the "China-Taiwan" thread?

 

[bigwheelzip]

More sabre rattling.

Yesterday, Russia violated Finland's airspace with a pair of MIG-31.

Today, Norwegian F-35 and Swedish Gripen-39 aircraft escorted American B-52 bombers to a Swedish bombing range, where 2000 pound JDAM GBU-31 guided bombs were released.

It was the first time US forces have used live munitions in Sweden.

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[biku324]

Wonder when we'll start the "China-Taiwan" thread?

Guess the rumor that we are weak on China seems exaggerated.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I think i saw three on the map today .

Yes. Looked a bit more and saw another Russian ammo dump "problem" reported back in Kherson, but saw something else interesting back in Russia, in the same Belgorod region where the ammo dump exploded today. There are reports and video out claiming to show another "smoking problem" at Stary Oskol airfield in Belgorod.

The reports and video purport to show flames and explosions at the airfield. The reports claim that this small airfield was being used as a base for helicopters, and that recent satellite imagery shows two dozen choppers based there. Ouch!

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN4JE2tAqvI[/ame]

 

[PALADIN85020]

Watched general Jack Keane on Fox this morning. He says that Ukraine has been planning a re-take of Crimea for some time, but what's holding them back is that they are uncertain if continued and sufficient help from the U.S. with munitions supplies will be forthcoming.

John

 

[bigwheelzip]

And again, last night ....

At least four explosions occurred at the Belbek airfield near Sevastopol Crimea.

Saw something else about the explosions at the Stary Oskol airfield in Belgorod. It is sixty miles inside Russia.

Then saw a piece on how Britain is leading an effort to support Ukraine's covert deep penetration by small teams into Russia's battlespace. It said a retired British General of Special Forces is leading the effort, with support from SAS and MI6, with British trainers very close to the front lines.

 

[venomballistics]

Meanwhile, with the sudden rise in artillery along the southern front, those teams need bring some cigarettes to Kerch and Taman

 

[UncleEd]

I suspect Ukrainian infiltration
into Russian lines is a bit
easier in this conflict because
of the almost universality of
uniforms, similar languages
and familiarity with the area.

Add to that the possible lack of
strong cohesive Russian units
not familiar with each other.

Also, any Ukraine nationals that
remain in the areas can be of
help.

Certainly dangerous but it looks
like commando missions are
quite successful.

As for NATO advisers quite close
to the frontlines, I've always
figured that was most likely.

 

[Beemerguy53]

...Then saw a piece on how Britain is leading an effort to support Ukraine's covert deep penetration by small teams into Russia's battlespace. It said a retired British General of Special Forces is leading the effort, with support from SAS and MI6, with British trainers very close to the front lines.

None of us can know for sure, of course, but I would bet a month's pay that the USA is providing an immense amount of covert, behind-the-scenes help to Ukraine. I wonder how many American men and women whose families know only that they "work for the government" are up to their necks in this fight right now, risking their lives anonymously, because it's the right thing to do.

This war is the starkest good-vs.-evil struggle in Europe since World War II, and the United States MUST be on the right side of history here. There is no excuse for Russia's invasion of Ukraine...no "other side of the story"...this was a naked act of aggression, and it cannot be tolerated or permitted to succeed.

The Western nations, the European Union, NATO, and the United States in particular, MUST do everything we can do -- short of open combat with the Russians -- to ensure Ukraine's ultimate victory and preserve its independence.

Here's a great article from today's Washington Post, an analysis of the Russian intelligence failures and miscalculations that let Putin to think he could actually get away with this invasion...

https://wapo.st/3pOU8MB

 

[biku324]

Indeed. At the end of the day, there is no difference in the effect created by either isolationism or appeasement.

Thank God for the 18th Century resolve of the French in coming to our aid with weapons we did not have and could not afford, especially their fleet (commanded by de Grasse).

 

[UncleEd]

Thanks Beemerguy for posting the
Washington Post story on the spy
agencies' activities.

The story can be seen through
Post #2650.

If there was a way, it should be
required reading for everyone
in this thread who is interested
in the Ukraine war.

I found it very interesting that
the CIA called it very correctly
as to Russia's intentions but
Ukraine was a bit slow in
believing the info.

Still, kudos to the Ukraine
intelligenfce services right
up to present day.

And now a bit of my own
analysis as to why Putin has not
retaliated against the FSB for
its failures. He is solidly in the
clutches of his old friends and
doesn't have the power to get
officially PO'd. His spies can shrug
and he's got to accept it.

 

[biku324]

Well, the Ukrainian military is getting into Black Sea Fleet killing range.

Russia Black Sea Fleet HQ Hit by Drone Strike as Videos Circulate Online

 

[bigwheelzip]

An appropriate greeting for Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov who has taken over as commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.


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[Rudi]

Was listening to Inside the News today. A great radio show. Has anyone heard that puti wants to trade the N. Koreans energy for troops to go to Ukraine? That would not be good. He is also looking to get more high tech from the Chicoms.

 

[biku324]

Yes, both are verified. It would be interesting to see Russia try to hide dead 5'1", 105 lb NK starving conscripts.

 

[UncleEd]

If Putin did get N. Korean troops to
augment his forces, who would
command them? Certainly overall
command would remain with the
Russians.

Some how I feel that those N. Korean
troops would be told their families
would be up a dirty creek if they
didn't give their all.

 

[LVSteve]

The phrase "cannon fodder" springs to mind.

 

[Rudi]

If Putin did get N. Korean troops to
augment his forces, who would
command them? Certainly overall
command would remain with the
Russians.

Some how I feel that those N. Korean
troops would be told their families
would be up a dirty creek if they
didn't give their all.

The people of N .Korea will do what the dictator tells them to.

 

[Greyman50]

Car bomb outside Moscow kills daughter of " head instigator" of Ukraine invasion. nuf sed.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Car bomb outside Moscow kills daughter of " head instigator" of Ukraine invasion. nuf sed.

Video report from DW here (scroll down)

Daughter of Putin ally Alexander Dugin was killed by a car bomb near Moscow. Authorities are investigating the death of Daria Dugina, whose father has been called Putin's "brain." The car she was driving exploded and it has been suggested her father may have been the target.​

And other news; Russia claims to have destroyed Odessa ammo dump with hypersonic missles (alternately, they hit a granay) and a regional head of Ukraine's SBU intelligence services has been found dead at his home in central Ukraine...

 

[Der Verminator]

Odessa is a beloved, historic and beautiful old city.

I suspect that Putin is reluctant to pound this beautiful old city into rubble..........but you know he will if they force him to do it.

I suspect Odessa will surrender rather than see it happen.

He might not have to pulverize it.

A starvation winter with limited heat is coming for Ukraine.
This will be the final test.

 

[biku324]

Putin is reluctant to lose, and is losing. All else are side issues.

 

[Kevin J.]

Was listening to Inside the News today. A great radio show. Has anyone heard that puti wants to trade the N. Koreans energy for troops to go to Ukraine? That would not be good. He is also looking to get more high tech from the Chicoms.

Not that new. The North Koreans have been sending prisoners and other slave labor to Siberian timber camps in exchange for energy and other vital items for years.

 

[Der Verminator]

Putin is reluctant to lose, and is losing. All else are side issues.

Putin does not appear to be losing.

It would seem that time is on his side.

The danger is that IF he does seem to be losing.........what will he do?

Nuclear world war becomes a possibility........even moreso if Putin has a cancer that gives him a short time to live.

He may decide to take us all with him.

This far away war could come to the U.S.

 

[biku324]

I'd respectfully disagree. Putin planned a one-week takeover of 43 million people in a country the size of Texas. Instead he has seen worldwide humiliation of his military and equipment to partially gain 2 oblasts and lose security in Crimea. NATO is united and expanding from the Arctic to the Mediterranean, and Ukraine is being fast-tracked to EU accession. Russia can't trade in worldwide markets, and the American companies that made his gas and oil fields work are gone.

Ukraine will have a tough winter, but recall how vainly Hitler tried to subjugate by force a motivated, well-led UK as well as a stubbornly resistant Stalingrad. The harder you push people determined to be free, the harder they resist.

Not seeing signs of a win.

War could come to us (and NATO) from Russia, from China (over Taiwan or the West Philippine Sea), or from adversaries in the Middle East or South Asia (over Israel or the worsening Shi'a-Sunn'i conflict). Again, isolationism and appeasement have exactly the same effect.

 

[oldbrownhat]

...A starvation winter with limited heat is coming for Ukraine.
This will be the final test.

Not just Ukraine, but much of Europe as well, mostly for fuel, which will really put the West's determination to the test.

As others have said in "the fog of war" it is very difficult to get reliable information from either side.

No doubt Putin thought that taking over Ukraine would be a walk in the park. This has clearly not proven to be the case, and has shown considerable weaknesses in Russia's mililtary strategies and leadership. But people (not just "the good guys") learn from their mistakes.

If this drags on into winter, as it seems very likely, I fear we - all of us - may be faced with something as dangerous, perhaps more so, than The Cold War. We may be involved in an imdirect war with Russia (supplying more and more arms and materials without actually putting boots on the ground) as well as propping up Europe. China is still something of an unknown quantity (although seemingly not as regards Taiwan) watching with its cards very near to its chest; North Korea hardly so.

Let us hope that behind all the headlines there are some very high-level talks going on behind closed doors to avert what could be a very nasty world situation from which we in N. America will not be exempt.

 

[Der Verminator]

Putin planned a one-week takeover of 43 million people in a country the size of Texas.

How do you know that?

Answer: You don't. You're just parroting what CNN and the New York Times tell you.

And they can't read Putin's mind either.

I'd say it's far more likely that he envisioned a ten-year plan that would be finished by the next leader of Russia.

But we don't know, do we?

 

[Der Verminator]

Not seeing signs of a win.

I'm seeing signs of everybody losing..........

Especially the American taxpayer--who is taking huge losses.