The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

[STURM]

There are a lot of questions to consider. For example, we know western PMCs are active

Had no idea Western PMCs were there. Leads to the question of whether any Western SF people are there but maybe not given that it would be somewhat complicated if any were captured.

Russian irregulars, Cossacks from the Don volunteer unit..

So the Russian Cossacks have arrived. Was wondering when they would and I also wonder if Ukrainian Cosacks have are involved in the fighting. Russian Cossack volunteer units were also in Chechnya and apparently in the former Yugoslavia fighting alongside the Bosnian Serbs.

Romania fished a downed Bayraktar out of the Black Sea. This lends some credibility to Russian claims to down Ukrainian UAVs.

The Ukrainians have been doing a far better job in announcing kills and we'd like to believe that the Ukrainians are to be trusted more than the Russians when it comes to announcement and claims but the fact remains that the Russians have been killing UASs.

On the subject of volunteers there has been no news about the Middle Eastern or Syrian unit the Russians mentioned about some months ago.

 

[swerve]

The Soviet army also had the resources to conduct and sustain 3-4 simultaneous drivers on different axis; the operational reserves on hand and the logistics capability. All of these the Russian army lacks. For the past few years Russian planners never thought they'd have to mount a strategic level offensive on this scale.

If we go back tto WW2 the Soviet army at various points also had logistics issues which affected its ability to maintain the momentum. Towards the end of the war it also had manpower issues due to heavy casualties against the Germans who right to the end were still often tactically more proficient.

Indeed. 400,000 trucks from the USA & Canada helped enormously with the logistics (note: more than total German production during the war), & so did spares, lubricants, etc. to keep them running. The Red Army early in the war was all teeth & no tail.

 

[STURM]

The Red Army early in the war was all teeth & no tail.

Indeed but it did it's job and paid a very high price. By mid 1942 it's estimated that almost 80 percent of the pre June 1942 Red Army had disappeared or been destroyed [I think it was mentioned in one of Glantz's books]. Without the Soviet Union's involvement Germany would not have been defeated in 1945 irrespective of what the Western allies had or did. When the Allies landed in Normandy; apart from a handful of Heer and Waffen SS panzer divisions; the Germans had most of theirs in the East and even when the Allies were literally in Germany a large portion of the German strength was concentrated in the East. The problem was until the mid 1990's it was hard to get accurate and extensive info on the war fought in the East; most of what we had was about the war in the West. Even today much of what happened in the East remains largely unknown to even those with a deep interest in WW2.

Trump: US should fund safe schools before Ukraine

Mr Trump rejects calls for gun control, saying Americans must be allowed to defend themselves from "evil".

www.bbc.com

Lets see if Zelensky has something to say about this. He's been very critical on those who appear to propose policies at odd with the interests of the Ukraine.

''Speaking at a pro-gun conference, Mr Trump questioned how the US "has $40 billion to send to Ukraine" but cannot ensure security in schools.''

 

[SAMshot]

Hello all

I am new to the site and I have been reading this thread exclusively for original content on the current Russo/Ukraine War. On this page I noted the references to Ukrainian Neo Nazi groups.

@SAMshot
TEXT AND LINKS DELETED. POLITICS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE FORUM AND THE TEXT AND LINKS WERE PURE POLITICAL MATERIAL. IT COULD ALSO BE CONSTRUED AS RUSSIAN INSPIRED PROPAGANDA IF IT WEREN'T THAT PUTIN'S REGIME IS FASCIST AND THE MATERIAL POSTED WOULD'VE DONE LENIN AND MAO PROUD.

IF SUCH MATERIAL IS POSTED AGAIN, YOU WILL FACE SANCTIONS FROM THE MODERATION TEAM. WE HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF FAIR AND REASONABLE DISCUSSION WITH REPUTABLE RELIABLE SOURCES, NOT POLITICALLY BIASED SOURCES THAT DON'T ALLOW FOR OPPOSING ARGUMENTS.

NGATIMOZART.

Lastly I would like to thank all of the forum members here and the site for its insights on the Russo/Ukrainian War. Its much better then the news channels on USA television.

 

[Feanor]

There are reports that Ukrainian defenses in Severodonetsk are crumbling, and the 115th territorial defense bde is abandoning vehicles and heavy equipment. They might be pulling back across the river into Lisichansk. Russian and rebel forces appear to be in the town.

Kotsnews

Говорить о взятии Северодонецка (как и ранее о вхождении в Лисичанск), мягко говоря, преждевременно. С севера отряд «Ахмат» занял часть городской застройки, включая гостиницу «Мир». С востока только сегодня вошли подразделения российского спецназа. В городе идут бои. Вот фото некоторых трофеев...

t.me

Colonelcassad

Кадыров сообщил https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/2215 о взятии жилой зоны Северодонецка и идущей зачистке города после бегства подразделений 115-й бригады фольксштурма, которая побросала в городе свою технику. Ждем видео из города.

t.me

Kotsnews

Видеоподтверждение того, что российские силы взяли под контроль гостиницу «Мир» в Северодонецке. @sashakots

t.me

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[oldsig127]

Why is a monument commemorating a Nazi SS division still standing outside Toronto? – Canadian Dimension

Long history of Ukrainian-Canadian groups glorifying Nazi collaborators exposed by defacing of Oakville memorial — The Canada Files

.

Good sources. Two radically left "anti-Canadian imperialist " online journals are a perfect vehicle to smear Canada for supporting the Ukrainian fascists. Or not, if you judge them as birdcage liner.

oldsig.

 

[ngatimozart]

Good sources. Two radically left "anti-Canadian imperialist " online journals are a perfect vehicle to smear Canada for supporting the Ukrainian fascists. Or not, if you judge them as birdcage liner.

oldsig.

Said birds would rather suffer constipation than dishonour their crap by crapping on them.

 

[koxinga]

For example, we know western PMCs are active, and I strongly suspect are acting as mercenaries in this conflict.

Are there any evidence (western PMCs) for it?

My skepticism lies with the fact that there are plenty of well documented, ex-military volunteers serving in Ukraine. It would be very easy to mistake this people as PMCs and we would need another level of evidence that they are (1) part of an external, organised company instead of individuals, and (2) being paid explicitly to provide support to Ukraine.

Who would be funding them and what they would be doing would be the next question.

I see Ukraine as having a need for "advisors", especially with the large amount of Western gear being funnelled into the country to train local forces. But having PMCs as frontline combat teams seems to be a waste of money. You would need large numbers to make a difference and if there were thousands of PMCs in those roles, we would have seen evidence by now (and few PMCs in the West can claim to have that many resources)

 

[STURM]

Kaufmann says something which is often overlooked and is something I've often brought up here : there's a whole lot of things we still don't know and the need to thread very carefully analysing what info that does come out. He also spends some time going over points we already know; units which were ostensibly on exercises in Belarus only being told they were crossing the border 48/72 hours prior; units not stocking up with the needed amounts of fuel and other things because they were told that resistance would be light and brief; arty not UASs or missiles which have caused the most attrition on both sides; poor Russian C2 with 4 military districts [with units of varying levels of modernisatio/capabities and TOEs] in charge coordinating 3 "fronts" with multiple axis, etc.

We also know that the Russians have not done anything on this scale for a long time and that for the past decade or so Russian military modernisation was based on the premise that the Russian military would not have to conduct a strategic offensive of this size, duration and intensity.

Another point we have to note is that although there has been a lot of schadenfreude when it comes to the long list of Russian failures and inadequacies; we must not assume that a Tier 1 Western military would necessarily perform any better if faced with the same operational challenges. The Russian are paying a huge price for their hubris and assumptions but hubris and assumptions on the part of certain other countries in another invasion also led to a heavy price being paid; at great long term costs to themselves and to the locals.

On the air war Kaufman points out that the Ukraine is the 2nd largest European country; has lots of medium range SAM's and that SEAD [the speaker in the video below talks about Russian SEAD performance] is one of the hardest things to do. As such; given the well known limitations of the Russian air force it's hardly surprising it has under performed. In his opinion any other NATO air arm with the exception of the U.S's would also have struggled.

 

[Feanor]

If people want to go down the Ukrainian neo Nazi road then they maybe they can explain Russia's neo Nazi problem as well, just to be fair. I am all for a balanced view but this is a side track and playing to Putin's propaganda.

Putin’s fascists: the Russian state's long history of cultivating homegrown neo-Nazis (theconversation.com)

Russia’s support to the transnational far right remains a key enabler of the global movement. In 2020, the U.S. State Department named the Russian Imperial Movement as a “specially designated global terrorist” group — the first time that the U.S. government has taken such measures against a far-right extremist group. The Russian Imperial Movement has served as a catalyst for politically motivated violence from St. Petersburg to Stockholm and beyond. With the Kremlin’s tacit approval, the group has efficiently built an infrastructure that has allowed it to expand its network and train terrorist operatives, as well as facilitate the Kremlin’s war in eastern Ukraine. Russia’s Wagner Group has long played a role in Russia’s hostilities in Ukraine, including alongside Russian Imperial Movement members, and Wagner-linked mercenaries have engaged in conflicts beyond Europe, including in sub-Saharan Africa, the Levant, South America, and the Maghreb. Wagner Group leaders and mercenaries have long shown signs of supporting and following neo-Nazi ideology, including the use of Nazi and other hate symbols on their clothing, on their military vehicles, and in markings left following their operations.

American neo-Nazis and ideologues have also found support for their cause from Russia. The Base is one such. It is a U.S.-based neo-Nazi militant organization with chapters across the world — it has been listed as a terrorist group by several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and has found a home in Russia. Since 2020, the American founder of the group, Rinaldo Nazzaro, has been directing the group from St. Petersburg, where the Russian government has turned a blind eye to his activities on their soil. (Chatter on extremist online channels suggests that Nazzaro may have stepped down from this role since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.)
How Are Putin’s Far-Right Fans in the West Reacting to His War? - War on the Rocks

And a report from the RUSI:
Pro-Putin far-right groups in Russia have gained particular significance in the years following the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the subsequent war in Donbas. A mixture of Russian monarchists, neo-Nazis, Orthodox nationalists, Stalinists, and semi-criminal Cossack groups came together as the anti-Maidan coalition, acting in direct support of the Kremlin’s goals and capitalising on its close proximity to the regime. While Russia did not officially send troops to Donbas and other Russian-speaking parts of Ukraine, it did support and encourage pro-Russian ‘insurgents’ in Ukraine – many of whom were part of the Russian far right and the anti-Maidan coalition. Russian far-right foreign fighters in eastern Ukraine were also joined by members of far-right groups from Europe and elsewhere. For example, between 70 and 300 Serbs, most of whom were linked to far-right and ultranationalist groups, joined the conflict in Ukraine on the Russian side from 2014 onwards.

Overall, far-right actors – recruited both from Russian far-right groups and from groups around the world – played a much more significant role on the Russian side of the conflict than on the Ukrainian side, even though international media rarely picked up on this trend. While the situation in the current conflict is likely different, with lower numbers of foreign far-right volunteers joining the Russian side of the war, mercenary groups such as the Wagner Group – which itself has links to the far-right – are active in the war in support of Russia.
If Russia is Serious about De-Nazification, it Should Start at Home | Royal United Services Institute (rusi.org)

So there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Russia actually has a greater Nazi problem than Ukraine and Putin is more than happy to fund and use far right and neo Nazi groups to further his aims.

I didn't mean to ignore this. You are correct, Russia has an ugly and (the most alarming part) growing trend of domestic extremism. This is part of a wider trend that goes across multiple countries in Europe, and while Russia talks about fighting against Nazis, Putin's government isn't exactly handling their problem at home. Instead they are trying to channel these attitudes for benefit through a sort of reborn pan-Slavist imperial agenda (the idea of a Russian world). Russia's ruling elites suffer from not having any meaningful ideological foundation for their power. They're purely an oligarchical authoritarian elite, and consequently are appropriately unpopular and garner little respect among the population. Putin personally is popular but the rest of them aren't. As a result Russian government has reached for anything they can - Soviet nostalgia, Russian imperial past, pan-Slavism, Russian nationalism, etc.

Is this bigger then Ukraine's problem? I'm honestly not sure. For starters Russia's extremists are a much more diverse bunch. They could quite conceivably end up at each other's throats. They're certainly far less likely to unite and seize political power. This may be an accident, or it may be intentional. The Russian government is also willing and able to crack down on extremists when it suits them (to be clear the Russian government is probably willing to crack down on anyone if they so decide). Russian extremists are also far less visible. Are they really quite widespread and well hidden? It's unclear. Or are they less visible because they are less prevalent? Russian mercenaries in particular are notoriously non-public. No photos of official flags side by side with swastikas here. We do every once in a while get photos of a fighter from the Russian side wearing a symbol with sordid associations (typically right wing extremists). We don't generally get actual Russian military personnel wearing them. Is this better discipline? A better job of hiding the symbols? Or is the ideology behind them less prevalent? There's an argument to be made in each direction. Unless we get a lot more information about Russian mercenaries from the inside, I'm suspending judgement. It would not surprise me if it turned out that they sport some sort of ugly mix of pan-Slavism and Russian great power nationalism a la Dugin. It would not surprise me if it turned out that they don't have any real ideology of any kind and are simply as happy to take right wing nut jobs as anyone else.

Last but not least, while to many in the west a hammer and sickle is also a sign of extremism, this isn't necessarily the case across the former Soviet Union, especially in Russia. To be sure, Russia has left wing extremists as well as right wing ones, but wearing a hammer and sickle or a Soviet flag emblem hardly denotes a hard line Stalinist. It could mean anything from tribute to a past to a personal belief in left-leaning ideology. The modern CPRF is closer to democratic socialists then to state socialists and is still an active party in Russia. This makes it more difficult to untangle what we're looking at. In my assessment, Russia is not at any credible threat of a left-wing extremists takeover.

 

[Feanor]

I realized that I need to clarify my usage of some vocabulary to make my posts more intelligible.

Allegedly - a claim that I can't substantiate
Apparently - a claim where the provided material appears to indicate that but I can't confirm fore sure
Rebel - refers to LNR and DNR service members, but not Russian irregulars like the Cossack units that have been showing up
Fighter - any combatant, typically if we can't be 100% sure about their status

Are there any evidence (western PMCs) for it?

My skepticism lies with the fact that there are plenty of well documented, ex-military volunteers serving in Ukraine. It would be very easy to mistake this people as PMCs and we would need another level of evidence that they are (1) part of an external, organised company instead of individuals, and (2) being paid explicitly to provide support to Ukraine.

Who would be funding them and what they would be doing would be the next question.

I see Ukraine as having a need for "advisors", especially with the large amount of Western gear being funnelled into the country to train local forces. But having PMCs as frontline combat teams seems to be a waste of money. You would need large numbers to make a difference and if there were thousands of PMCs in those roles, we would have seen evidence by now (and few PMCs in the West can claim to have that many resources)

Have you already forgotten? The interview with a Spanish sniper was posted in this thread before...

Spanish sniper in Ukraine reveals 'huge' bonus - Blogtuan.info

Accordingly, this gunman revealed how much he received for each person shot down. The sniper said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper La Razon that he

blogtuan.info

 

[Feanor]

Update.

Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

Ukraine allegedly attempted a counter-offensive near Davydov Brod, Kherson area. The attack allegedly failed. Warning footage of corpses. Russian sources are claiming 20 destroyed armored vehicles, 1 downed helo and 210 KIA, but photos show a handful of corpses and one destroyed BMP-1.

Херсонский Вестник

⚡️Фото с Херсонского направления, недавняя попытка наступления ВСУ⚡️ Все украинские паблики пишут об успешной операции ВСУ около Давыдов Брода, но есть одно "НО"❗️ В результате "успешной" операции националисты потеряли 20 танков, БМП и БТР, один вертолет МИ-8, в свои семьи уже не вернутся 210...

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Kharkov-Sumy.

Battle damage from a Russian strike in Sumy region. Exact location and context unclear.

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Russian sources claim the Russian military is still in control of Ternovoe.

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Production of Ukrainian quadcopters has been set up in Kharkov.

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Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk-Krivoy Rog.

National Guard barracks in Dnepropetrovsk got hit by a Russian strike. Allegedly 30 KIA.

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Vasil'yevka, Zaporozhye region. They look like artillery fire. Iirc the town is in Russian hands.

Romanov Лайт ]ࣩࣩࣩࣩ࣯ࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩࣩ

28.05.2022 - сейчас. Васильевка, Запорожская область, Украина. @romanov_92

t.me

Russian strike on Krivoy Rog.

Colonelcassad

Прилеты по Кривому Рогу.

t.me

There are reports that Ukraine lost 18-25 KIA police SpN in a Russian strike with possibly up to 75 WIA. This was a Russian strike on the base.

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The Izyum Salient.

Note - I'm including the fighter around Belogorovka and Krasniy Liman as part of the Izyum Salient because it's another attempt to form the northern pincer of the planned encirclement. I know that the strictly speaking, if successful, it would form another salient, separate from the one out of Izyum.

Russian MLRS strike near Izyum.

РаZвед_ДоZор

Российская реактивная артиллерия устроила настоящий ад для ВСУ под Изюмом. Не удивительно, что за последнюю неделю большая часть теробороны, отправленной на фронт, сдается или отказывается воевать. @razved_dozor

t.me

Russian UAV spots Ukrainian troops crossing the Severskiy Donets river using a raft and rope.

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Russian strikes near Slavyansk.

ANNA NEWS

Российские военные уничтожают "опорник" ВСУ в районе Славянска Российская тяжелая артиллерия работает по позициям украинской армии в окрестностях Славянска. @anna_news

t.me

Russian strikes near Liman. The second is allegedly Krasnopol'.

Операция Z: Военкоры Русской Весны

‼️ Мощный взрыв: Армия России одной миной уничтожила опорный пункт ВСУ под Лиманом После прямого попадания мины произошёл подрыв боеприпасов. t.me/RVvoenkor

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Destroyed Ukrainian BTR-80, Krasniy Liman. There's a good chance it belongs to the 79th Airmobile Bde.

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Ukrainian 79th Airmobile bde exiting Liman.

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Apparently Ukrainian troops exiting Liman.

Аля улю резерв макар

You can view and join @MakarenkoLive right away.

t.me

Dambiev

"Доброго вечора ми з України. Ми вирвалися з пекла". Далее неконтролируемый истеричный смех. Бегство украинских националистов из Красного Лимана.

t.me

Russian and rebel forces raise victory flags over Krasniy Liman.

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Some sort of Russia or rebel element in Krasniy Liman.

Kotsnews

⚡️Лиман - наш. Кадры зачистки города. Противник бежал от группировки «О» на запад и юго-запад. Огрызается, по традиции, артой. Но это от бессилия. Взятие города подтверждают Отважные участники штурма. @sashakots

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Captured weapons and equipment, Krasniy Liman. We have a rare Ukrainian 40mm grenade launcher, and Starlink equipment, as well as the usual assortment of rocket launchers.

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Crashed Phoenix Ghost UAV near Izyum. Some sources claim it was brought down by AK fire. This seems unlikely.

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РаZвед_ДоZор

Под Изюмом из обычного автомата Калашникова российский солдат сбил очередной американский БпЛА Phoenix Ghost, который вел разведку позиций ВС РФ. Обычно такие беспилотники используются в качестве барражирующих боеприпасов, однако ВСУ экономят дорогие американские «игрушки» и предпочитают...

t.me

Apparently Ukrainian POWs out of Krasniy Liman. I count 12. Again so far no confirmation of mass surrender.

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Russian amateur journalist, with WarGonzo, reports that Liman has fallen to Russia but is now being shelled by Ukraine. Locals are still hiding in basements.

WarGonzo

⚡️Освобождённый Лиман⚡️Обстановка на вечер 28.05.22⚡️ Второй день Красный Лиман по-прежнему Красный и по-прежнему его жилой сектор хаотично обстреливается артиллерией и кочующими миномётами ВСУ. Поэтому жителям пока приходится скрываться в подвалах. Группа @wargonzo попала под один из...

t.me

 

[Feanor]

LDNR Front.

Allegedly a Russian Kub loitering munition strike in Pavlovka, DNR area. Personally I can't make out what's hitting them, it could be some other kind of munition.

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Rebel artillery firing on Ukrainian positions near Novomihailovka.

ANNA NEWS

Работа артиллерии НМ ДНР по ВСУ в Новомихайловке Республиканская артиллерия НМ ДНР работает по позициям ВСУ в Новомихайловке. Источник: @vladlentatarsky @anna_news

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Rebel Sparta btln hits an alleged Ukrainian strong point near Mar'inka.

Военная Хроника

Z

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Ukrainian troop column got hit near Avdeevka. They were allegedly massing for a counter-attack.

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Destroyed Bushmaster between Popasnaya and Tripol'ye.

Военный Осведомитель

В объектив съемочной группы Рен ТВ попал уничтоженный бронеавтомобиль Bushmaster. Кадры были сделаны во время движения на дороге между населенными пунктами Попасная и Триполье в ЛНР. Сами бронеавтомобили Bushmaster поставлялись Австралией для ВСУ еще в апреле, сообщалось о партии в 20 единиц...

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A movie theater in Lisichansk got hit, it was allegedly a staging area for Ukrainian troops.

Colonelcassad

В Лисичанске уничтожен кинотеатр, в котором находилась располага ВСУшников.

t.me

Allegedly a Ukrainian T-64BV destroyed in the arch of a residential building, Severodonetsk. If the footage we have is indicative, it looks like Severodonetsk is damaged almost as badly as Mariupol'.

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LNR forces firing on Severodonetsk. Note the technical using an AGS-17 for indirect fire. This isn't the first time we've seen them used this way.

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Footage of a LNR air defense btln using OSA SAMs and ZU-23-2.

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Russian troops allegedly near Zolotoe. Elements include parts of a recon company and an ATGM crew. They took MANPADS with them because they had reports of Ukrainian aircraft near Lisichansk.

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Footage from Russian troops in overrun Ukrainian positions north-west of Popasnaya.

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Ukrainian forces in Lisichansk. It's unclear whether they're leaving, arriving, or repositioning. But note the assorted civilian vehicles. This is likely indicative of the transportation situation for territorial defense units.

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LNR 6th Cossack Regiment. I suspect these aren't really LNR forces, but rather Russian Cossack irregulars that are working with the LNR. I don't recall the rebel shaving 2S4s before and Cossack volunteers are a notorious feature of the active conflict. I.e. this unit probably didn't exist before this war.

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Russian mercenaries near what appears to be the city administration building of Severodonetsk. Other sources claim this photo is from Popasnaya. It would be a little odd to take those kinds of photos when combat is still very much ongoing.

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Russian Ka-52s near Severodonetsk.

ANNA NEWS

Российский вертолет Ка-52 в районе Северодонецка. Видео: @Ukr_G_M @anna_news

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A column of Russian superheavy artillery heading to support rebel forces near Avdeevka.

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Rebel artillery near Avdeevka.

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Ukrainian technical with a Soviet Maxim gun, Severodonetsk.

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Apparently foreign fighters in Lisichansk-Severodonetsk area.

BelVestnik

⚡️⚡️Агентство SOPA опубликовала любопытный фоторепортаж из Лисичанска и Северодонецка, подтвердив наличие там большого количества иностранных наемников.

t.me

There are reports that Sergey Lapko, a company commander in 5th rifle btln, and platoon commander from the same company Vitaliy Hrus were arrested for disclosing poor training, supplies, and slow CASEVAC in an interview to the Washington Post. This allegedly took place on the morning of May 23rd.

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The Washington post article is here.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/26/ukraine-frontline-russia-military-severodonetsk/

Ukrainian soldiers in Severodonetsk refusing to take their fighting positions due to lack of support and poor command. Allegedly, the positions they're being told to move to in Schedrischevo were already taken by Russia back on the 13th. The soldiers also complain about heavy losses and having to use civilian vehicles to evacuate wounded.

Colonelcassad

Очередные нытики. На этот раз с Северодонецка. Отказываются выходить на позиции, так как нет поддержки, а командование отдает неадекватные приказы. По словам бунтующих, Щедрищево (микрорайон на севере Северодонецка) ВСУ сдали еще 14 мая.

t.me

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Captured Ukrainian weapons, near Severodonetsk.

Денацификация UA

Трофеи наших бойцов на брошенных украинских позициях под Северодонецком (ЛНР)

t.me

The West.

In Ivano-Frankovsk a street musician singing in Russian was assaulted for singing in Russian.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

L'vov region, drivers are being handed draft notices while they are in line for gas.

Readovka

Раздача повесток на львовской АЗС — водителям вручают «билеты» на фронт в очереди за топливом Не самая выгодная акция от киевского режима: водители во Львове на местных АЗС могут получить «подарок» к топливу — «приглашение» на фронт. Представители украинских военкомов раздают повестки всем, кто...

t.me

Russia.

Iskander launches, Belgorod region.

Военный Осведомитель

"Искандеры" из Белгородской области вылетели к целям в Харьковской области.

t.me

115 Russian National Guard service members refused deployment to Ukraine, are being dishonorably discharged.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian National Guard returning home, Center MD.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Training of Russian irregulars continues in Chechnya.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

A train of T-62s out of Crimea heading to Ukraine. It's unclear whether this is the same as the last one, or there are two of them. It's also unclear who the recipients are. Likeliest candidates are Russian irregulars or rebel formations.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

 

[Feanor]

Misc.

Russian troops, VDV, fighting out of trenches. Allegedly this is a captured Ukrainian position. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the breakout at Popasnaya, or somewhere in that area, but no location is available at this time.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian SpN using the Arbalet-DM RCWS on their Tigr-M. Location and context unclear.

Военный Осведомитель

Работа российского спецназа по корректировщику с помощью дистанционного модуля Арбалет-ДМ. Источник — @astrahandm

t.me

Russian Kamaz Tayfun-VDV apparently hit a land mine and allegedly survived. Location unclear.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian strike taking out towed guns. The post claims they are Italian-supplied FH-70s but I can't make it out.

WarDonbass

Точный удар: Армия России уничтожает НАТОвские гаубицы FH70 Мосле мощного удара артиллерии слева наверху отчётливо видно воспламенение боекомплекта, гаубицы уничтожены осколками. FH70 - немецко-британско-итальянская гаубица. t.me/RVvoenkor

t.me

Ukrainian T-84U is allegedly in combat. Note this is not the Oplot BM with the bustle.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

It appears we have the first combat use of US-supplied Mi-17s in Ukraine.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Downed Ukrainian Su-25. Location and context unclear.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

A knocked out AT-105. Not sure if we've seen this one yet.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian 2S7Ms in action, Ukraine.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Allegedly a rebel POW tied and thrown into a river by Ukrainian forces. Warning footage of corpses.

Неофициальный Безсонов

Ещё один факт военных преступлений со стороны украинских ублюдков. Некоторое время назад в Херсонской области группа наших бойцов, из числа мобилизированных, пошла в разведку и пропала. Их начали искать и со временем нашли труп одного из них, которого просто казнили украинские выродки. Ему...

t.me

Russian Iskander cruise missile launch, location and context unclear.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian fighters with anti-UAV weapons. Unclear if these are regulars or irregulars.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian Kornet launch. Location and context unclear.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian SpN apparently zeroing captured Ukrainian sniper rifles.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Russian Mi-8 and Mi-26 being used in the war.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

There are allegedly 4 Russian Cossack volunteer units in Ukraine; Don, Yermak, Kuban', and Tavrida.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Rare uparmored Russian BMP-2s were spotted in Ukraine. ~100 kits of this additional armor were purchased by the Russian military at one point. The ultimate fate of the program is unknown.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Captured Ukrainian weapons, location and context unclear.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Caesar howtizers in Ukrainian hands, location and context unclear.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Ukrainian Su-24MR and MiG-29 low altitude fly-by.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

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vk.com

M-113s in Ukrainian service.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

Ukrainian infantry with wheeled carriage Soviet Maxim guns. Location and context unclear.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

NATO/EU & Others.

Allegedly Israel blocked the transfer of Spike missiles to Ukraine.

IZ.RU

В распоряжении "Известий" появились кадры работы ПТРК на Авдеевском направлении @izvestia

t.me

Израиль не дал согласие на отправку Киеву ПТУР Spike, так как «РФ в ответ может нанести урон израильским интересам в Сирии»

gurkhan.blogspot.com

We have reports that Lithuania will hand over 20 M113s, 10 trucks, and 10 off-road vehicles to be used for mine clearing, to Ukraine.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

The Czech Republic allegedly supplied Ukraine 4-10 Mi-24Ds.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

We have reports that Ukraine has received M109s. Quantity and source are unknown.

VK.com | VK

vk.com

 

[koxinga]

Have you already forgotten? The interview with a Spanish sniper was posted in this thread before...

Spanish sniper in Ukraine reveals 'huge' bonus - Blogtuan.info

Accordingly, this gunman revealed how much he received for each person shot down. The sniper said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper La Razon that he

blogtuan.info

I have checked this link. It is a blog post on some random site, citing a small, local Madrid newspaper, La Razon. Checking La Razon website, I can't see to find the original article as well.

The closest I have seen is this:

Private military firms see demand in Ukraine war

Private military contractors see surging demand in Ukraine - but could the work turn mercenary?

www.bbc.com

but the context is significantly different

And, insiders say, demand is growing. Amid a gut-wrenching war in Ukraine, US and European private contractors say they are increasingly eying opportunities, ranging from 'extraction' missions to helping with logistics.

contractors are being hired for between $30,000 and $6m to help remove people from Ukraine. The higher-end figure is for whole groups of families wanting to leave with their assets, he said.

I would say those types of missions, funded by private individuals and companies are more plausible rather than a frontline sniper. There are no lack of of foreign volunteers for those type of missions. Where a PMC might have value would be a trainer, or some guy with specialised skill to operate say, a HIMARS.

 

[Feanor]

I have checked this link. It is a blog post on some random site, citing a small, local Madrid newspaper, La Razon. Checking La Razon website, I can't see to find the original article as well.

The closest I have seen is this:

Private military firms see demand in Ukraine war

Private military contractors see surging demand in Ukraine - but could the work turn mercenary?

www.bbc.com

but the context is significantly different


I would say those types of missions, funded by private individuals and companies are more plausible rather than a frontline sniper. There are no lack of of foreign volunteers for those type of missions. Where a PMC might have value would be a trainer, or some guy with specialised skill to operate say, a HIMARS.

I believe the original article was posted here before. This is what a quick google search turned up. Either way even your article confirms that western PMCs are active in Ukraine.

EDIT: On Severodonetsk, it appears Russian and rebel forces have taken the residential areas but Ukrainian forces have withdrawn, some into the Azot factory, some into Lisichansk. It's not clear whether they will attempt a last stand or if they will attempt to withdraw. For the time being the road through Seversk is still open (though its will within artillery range). I don't think this was intentional on Russia's part. Rather this is the consequences of that failed river crossing that Belogorovka. It was supposed to have been the northern pincer to meet the breakout from Popasnaya. Ukraine will likely be able to reform defences around Artemovsk and Slavyansk-Kramatorsk. Those will likely be the next targets for the offensive.

 

[Señor Pomidor]

I have checked this link. It is a blog post on some random site, citing a small, local Madrid newspaper, La Razon. Checking La Razon website, I can't see to find the original article as well.

The closest I have seen is this:

Private military firms see demand in Ukraine war

Private military contractors see surging demand in Ukraine - but could the work turn mercenary?

www.bbc.com

but the context is significantly different


I would say those types of missions, funded by private individuals and companies are more plausible rather than a frontline sniper. There are no lack of of foreign volunteers for those type of missions. Where a PMC might have value would be a trainer, or some guy with specialised skill to operate say, a HIMARS.

Here is the link to the original Un francotirador español en Kiev: «Mis opciones de salir vivo de aquí son del 50%» (larazon.es)

La Razon is not a small, local newspaper from Madrid. It is distributed nationwide in Spain and is among the top 10 most read non-sports newspapers in Spain. Source: Periódicos más leídos de España | Statista

I am from Spain too, so I can confirm.

 

[koxinga]

Here is the link to the original Un francotirador español en Kiev: «Mis opciones de salir vivo de aquí son del 50%» (larazon.es)

La Razon is not a small, local newspaper from Madrid. It is distributed nationwide in Spain and is among the top 10 most read non-sports newspapers in Spain. Source: Periódicos más leídos de España | Statista

I am from Spain too, so I can confirm.

Thank you. I stand corrrected and your inputs is much apppreciated.

 

[Vivendi]

Here is the link to the original Un francotirador español en Kiev: «Mis opciones de salir vivo de aquí son del 50%» (larazon.es)

La Razon is not a small, local newspaper from Madrid. It is distributed nationwide in Spain and is among the top 10 most read non-sports newspapers in Spain. Source: Periódicos más leídos de España | Statista

I am from Spain too, so I can confirm.

I have read the google translated version and may have missed it, but I did not see anywhere in this story that the newspaper had performed an independent verification of the information provided by the sniper. So it seems to me that this newspaper is merely reproducing what this single individual is telling them. If the information is correct we should expect others to be able to confirm.

With so much disinformation in this war we need more than one datapoint before drawing any conclusions.

 

[STURM]

With so much disinformation in this war we need more than one datapoint before drawing any conclusions.

As Kaufman [who is Ukrainian by birth and wished to see Russia defeated] states in the video I posted; much we get is pro Western and is on Western platforms like Twitter and others. He used the analogy of watching a replay of a boxing match; a replay that was heavily edited and focuses mostly on one fighter. The Ukrainians have dominated the information war from the onset; sending their message to a wider audience. In contrast the Russians have been focused more on getting the news out to a local audience; Kaufman makes the point that the invasion of the Ukraine or rather the ongoing war has a high level of public support in Russia.

Some weeks ago I pointed out that although some Russians might not be too enamoured of Putin and might disagree with a lot of what he says and does ; doesn't mean they don't buy the narrative of a Russia that needs to stand up for its interests against a West or rather a NATO that wishes to see Russia weak and obliging as it was in the dark days of the 1990's.