The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update. Nov 23rd-24th

The West.

L'vov reportedly got hit and lost power.


Russian cruise missile flying towards Vinnitsa, possibly part of the strike package that hit L'vov.


Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk-Poltava.

Btln Crimea mortar fires, Zaporozhye area.


Russian troops setting up advanced anti-tank mines in Zaporozhye region, btln Crimea.


Fires burn in Zaporozhye, presumably related to Russian strikes.


Russian missiles over Dnepropetrovsk.


Fires burn after strikes in Dnepropetrovsk as well.


Russia hit the Kremenchug powerplant.


The North.

Russia hit targets in Kiev, and a residential building was hit. Russian sources claim it was a failed SAM but the explosion looks too big for the usual suspects.


Kiev stands dark.


Ukraine continues construction of fortifications near Kiev.


Oskol Front.

Allegedly a Ukrainian infiltrator team near Svatovo getting hit.


Russian mortar fires between Kremennaya and Svatovo.


Allegedly a destroyed Ukrainian munition storage facility, Kharkov area.


Bus lines in Kharkov, due to the failure of power, and loss of subway and light rail options.


LDNR Front.

Sparta btln quadcopter munition drops, between Vodyanoe and Pervomayskoe.


Allegedly Wagner KIAs near Artemovsk/Bakhmut. It's hard to tell from the photos.


Apparently Ukrainian vehicles getting hit near Spornoe. We have a bunch of destroyed BMPs (1s and 2s), a ZiL truck, and an M-113. Note, prewar Ukraine had relatively few BMP-2s, and many were destroyed. They disappeared from combat footage almost completely for a while. While we can't be certain about any specific vehicle, in my opinion a substantial portion of Ukraine's current BMP-2 fleet specifically consists of captured Russian vehicles. Even so there aren't enough to form full companies, we're consistently seeing a mix of BMP-1s and 2s. Note the greenery, this is probably old footage.


Some footage from the fighting around Pavlovka, a Kaskad DNR copter drops a grenade and directs mortar fires.


Russian quadcopter grenade drops near Pavlovka.


Some old footage, allegedly from Sep. of the fighting around Spornoe, a failed Ukrainian assault.


Smashed Ukrainian positions by the outer ring road around Donetsk. This is part of the recent gains DNR forces have made in the area west and north-west of Donetsk.


We have unconfirmed reports of Russian troops inching forward in Mar'inka.


Shelling of Donetsk continues.


Wagner Grad and BMP-3 near Artemovsk/Bakhmut.


Wagner fighters show off captured weapons, near Artemovsk/Bakhmut. We can see an M-14, a DP-27, and an M-240.


Russia.

Construction of fortifications along the Ukrainian border, in Belgorod region.


S-300/400 booster stage, after fires against Ukrainian UAVs, Crimea.


Another look at Iranian body armor in Russia. Apparently its better then much of what Russia has been issuing to mobilized personnel.


Reportedly the FSB caught a group of Ukrainian nationalists planning to attack energy infrastructure in Voronezh region.


Misc.

Ka-52 strike against apparently a Ukrainian vehicle. Location and context unclear.


Russian Smerch fires, location and context unclear. Note the tripod sight. No fancy modern equipment here.


Allegedly destroyed Ukrainian positions with a burning BTR-80 and a couple of pickup trucks.


Ukrainian M-777 getting hit by UAV-directed artillery fires.


Allegedly a Ukrainian T-64 burns. Location and context unclear.


A destroyed Krab howitzer, location and context unclear.


Ukrainian Kozak armored car knocked out, location and context unclear.


Russian T-90M hit an anti-tank mine. Location unclear.


Russian 36th Motor-Rifles in action, location unclear.


First video of Ukrainian Stinger DMS in action. These were supplied pre-war so it's likely they were used before, just not publicized.


Western supplied armored vehicles struggling in the mud, Ukraine.


Ukrainian AA machinegun mount designed to counter-act the Shahed strikes.


Russian POWs killed by Ukrainian soldiers, allegedly while trying to escape.


Another prisoner exchange has taken place, 35 for 35. It's interesting to note that these exchanges have become more frequent, as have become video of Russian POWs. I suspect this has to do with mobilized personnel hitting the front line.


And another exchange, this one apparently 50 for 50.


Russian fueltruck, up-armored haphazardly.


Russian T-90M in Ukraine with soft-shell ERA.


NATO/EU.

Ukraine operating a Slovakian Mi-17.


The UK is reportedly supplying 3 Sea King helos to Ukraine.


5 more Dana howitzers appear to be heading to Ukraine.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I don't think they are. I think Russia is stuck. They recently tried to gain ground everywhere, and had a series of minor successes, but no major ones. The Artemovsk/Bakhmut assault in my opinion is pure inertia, with Wagner playing first fiddle. For Prigozhin this is a chance to prove that his organization is more then just shadow forces for Africa and Syria. But all in all, Russian and LNR forces have been just as persistent in trying to advance on Seversk, just less successful. Truth be told, Wagner has good infantry at the squad-platoon level. They can presumably, with recently gained assets (like IFVs, MBTs, and Arty) launch a btln-level op successfully. However they're strategically impotent. Hence their stubborn, persistent, and relatively (emphasis relatively) success full campaign around Artemovsk/Bakhmut. Note their focus on attrition for Ukrainian forces, rather then any real strategic effort to gain ground or win the war. Their advances are all opportunistic.

EDIT: Ukraine recently blew the bridge north-ward out of Artemovsk/Bakhmut. Russian troops are not advancing on that spot. Some observers have suggested that Ukraine is preparing to abandon the town. There were unconfirmed reports that Ukraine was preparing to do this prior to the Russian withdrawal from Kherson but reconsidered as those troops became available. Subsequently we had news of the Ukrainian 35th MarBde arriving in the area. We also had reports of mass casualties from newly arrived Ukrainian troops due to massive Russian artillery strikes (some reports put Ukrainian casualties at 300-500 a day, WIA and KIA combined of course). There are also reports of Russian infiltrator teams operating all over the city, and rounds impacting on even the western side of town. There is a non-zero chance that this bridge demolition is preparation for a withdrawal afterall. So Prigozhin may get his victory. There were reports of secondary defense lines around Chasoviy Yar, a similarly-sized town almost immediately west of Artemovsk/Bakhmut, so there is far less chance that this retreat will lead to Russia being able to exploit it, unlike a previous stubborn assault at Popasnaya.

Personally, I'm far more interested to see if Russia will try for Ugledar, and if they do, how will it go. Mass use of cluster munitions [tiredly and stupidly I wrote "cluster" but meant "loitering", mass use of loitering munitions in a small area and in support of a specific push rather then sporadically against targets of opportunity is of course the key distinction] paid its dividends at Pavlovka and could provide a successful model for future Russian advances assuming the availability is there, and Russia takes away the lesson.
Ukraine blew the rail bridge northward out of Artemovsk/Bakhmut as well. Again the area is not currently threatened by Russian troops. To the best of my understanding the road to Slavyansk is open. The city isn't even a salient at this time. If Ukraine withdraws it will be due to heavy casualties. On the flip side Wagner lost an Su-24M there recently.
 

Vivendi

Well-Known Member
Mobilized Russians are contracting bronchitis and pneumonia at a training camp in Siberia, living in tents at 30 degrees centigrade below zero. They need to buy their own antibiotics. ChrisO_wiki on Twitter: "" / Twitter

CNN also had a story on Russian soldiers training and equipment: Video appears to show Russian combat instructor pleading for more equipment | CNN

I wonder if these are single, unrelated incidences or indications of systemic issues? In any case these things will have a negative impact on the soldiers' performance I would assume.
 

Vivendi

Well-Known Member
Very interesting interview with the EDF intelligence chief. EDF intelligence chief: Russia still has long-term offensive capabilities | News | ERR

Main points:

1. Russia has lost 1,400 tanks but still have 9,000 left, mainly in poor condition. However even if assuming they need 3 tanks to make one functional, it means they have the potential of bringing at least 3,000 tanks to the battlefield. Mostly old but still lethal. They have lost 500 artillery systems, this is however only 10% of total.

2. They have lost 100,000 soldiers (killed or wounded) however are bringing in 300,000 new -- taking into account the losses this is a net increase of 200,000 soldiers -- admittedly with little experience and perhaps poorly trained, but still adds significant mass.

3. They estimate 10 million(!) rounds of ammunition have been spent. However, they estimated Russia had 17 million before the latest invasion and they believe Russia still maintain significant manufacturing capabilities, thus they estimate Russia today has 10 million rounds left, enough for at least another year, probably longer. Precision munitions and missiles are being depleted at a higher rate, but still enough for another nine months.

In general Estonian intelligence services are highly regarded when it comes to Russia. Thus I would put more emphasis on this report than many other reports.

It's good that almost all NATO countries are still fully supporting Ukraine and that they are signaling that they understand this will take a long time and cost a lot. I hope "the West" will not waiver and see this through -- we cannot accept Russian occupation/annexation of Ukraine. At present it still looks not too bad: the Biden administration is asking for another $37 billion, in addition to the $40 billion already committed to Ukraine. Lawmakers from both parties urge more US support for Ukraine | The Hill. If Europe can also continue their support then I am convinced that ultimately Ukraine will succeed in removing Russia from at least Eastern Ukraine and possibly even Crimea.
 

STURM

Well-Known Member
I wonder if these are single, unrelated incidences or indications of systemic issues? In any case these things will have a negative impact on the soldiers' performance I would assume.
I wonder how widespread such incidences actually are [in case anyone see fits to point it out; not disputing that things are bad]; whether some reports are exaggerated and whether when viewed in totality if such incidents actually have a general bearing on Russian performance.

I'm also interested in finding out how things actually are on the other side of the hill so to speak. The Ukrainians have large numbers of men mobilised and are also hard pressed despite Western largesse and not all units are well equipped with Western supplied kit; as many of the units we see. The Ukrainians of course are doing a far better job when it comes to information/PR management; compared to the Russians.

However even if assuming they need 3 tanks to make one
We also have to factor in the possibility that despite being hit by sanctions the industry is still able to produce MBTs; even if in smaller numbers.

In general Estonian intelligence services are highly regarded when it comes to Russia.
I don't doubt it but I would assume that certain countries are better at collecting certain types of intel compared to others.Will be very interested in seeing the next intel assessment released by the Estonians to compare to this one. Also, the problem with releasing intel which is very accurate is that provides the other side with an indication that it needs to undertake preventive measures.
 

Larry_L

Active Member
A while ago I ran across a link stating that the Bakhmut offensive was about about control of water resources. I have been unable to find that link back, although I learned some about water while looking for it. This first link is a general overview that covers some of the damage the war has done to the already disfuncitionel water supply to eastern Ukraine. Interestingly enough the Russian air force damaged one water supply to the Donbas while bombing a Ukrainian barracks back in May. There is also a pretty good map of the canals and pipelines supplying eastern Ukraine. I an guessing that if the Bakhmut offensive is about water control it has something to do with the canal running through Chasiv Yar. Possibly there is a lift station around there.


Another informative link which states that water is a strategic resource in Donbas.


Another informative link with another good map of the water supply.


With Russia's experience with Ukraine's blocking of the Crimean canal, they probably need to control at least these canals in order for their capture of any territory in eastern Ukraine to be of much value. Thus their persistence in the Bakhmut area. I would like to hear any thoughts you all ma have on this theory.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
A while ago I ran across a link stating that the Bakhmut offensive was about about control of water resources. I have been unable to find that link back, although I learned some about water while looking for it. This first link is a general overview that covers some of the damage the war has done to the already disfuncitionel water supply to eastern Ukraine. Interestingly enough the Russian air force damaged one water supply to the Donbas while bombing a Ukrainian barracks back in May. There is also a pretty good map of the canals and pipelines supplying eastern Ukraine. I an guessing that if the Bakhmut offensive is about water control it has something to do with the canal running through Chasiv Yar. Possibly there is a lift station around there.


Another informative link which states that water is a strategic resource in Donbas.


Another informative link with another good map of the water supply.


With Russia's experience with Ukraine's blocking of the Crimean canal, they probably need to control at least these canals in order for their capture of any territory in eastern Ukraine to be of much value. Thus their persistence in the Bakhmut area. I would like to hear any thoughts you all ma have on this theory.
Explain the persistence of the offensive in the Seversk area?

These theories are nonsense. Russia intended, and likely still does, to take the entire Donbass. Whether they can or not is another story. The persistence isn't special. Russia has spent 2-3 months pushing on the Slavyasnk-Seversk-Bakhmut arch. The Slavyansk part was sabotaged by the Kharkov debacle. The Seversk pushes around Spornoe were unsuccessful. Meanwhile around Artemovsk/Bakhmut Wagner managed to gain ground, slowly and painfully. A major breakthrough could be exploited like Popasnaya was, in theory. But not now that Ukraine has had plenty of time to prepare secondary (and tertiary) lines. Even when Wagner had what looked like a breakthrough, there was no follow-through, no operational reserves to exploit the success. There is no grand strategy at work here. It's inertia.

EDIT: If you want to look for strategy, look at the actions around Donetsk. There we have an intentional push and one that has been about as successful in gains over time as the Bakhmut area, it just started later. Russia is clearly trying to push the front-line back from Donetsk, shelling of the city is causing real problems. It suggests Russia recognizes that strategic victory is unlikely across a wider front and is trying to do something about this very real issue locally. Pushing the front 20kms back won't put Donetsk completely out of reach, but mass and indiscriminate Grad and tube-artillery strikes will be out of the question. The resumption of the push at Mar'ink and the actions at Pavlovka can all be part of that.
 
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ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Various updates.

12/14/22 Update Map of Bakhmut
Bakhmut 14-12-22.jpg
Source : War Mapper.

Ukraine 14-12-22.jpg
Source : War Mapper.

Overnight Ukraine claimed it has shot down 13 of 13 UAVs attacking Kyiv.

Field armoured Russian Ural truck in Eastern Ukraine.

Russian BMPT reportedly seen in Ukraine.

Drone jousting.
https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1602819479695679488?s

General Mud.
https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1602796258460065793?s

Engels-2 Airbase announcing their displeasure for satellites to see.
https://twitter.com/thewarzonewire/status/1602783236845113344?s

There was an unexplained explosion in Klintsy, Bryansk Oblast, Western Russia, last night. Left a deep crater.
https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1602592902911246338?s
https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1602593461294833666?s

Russian Tor air defense unit reportedly in Ukraine.
https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1602729632343752704?s

German M113-based Beobachtungspanzer artillery observation vehicle seen in Ukraine.
https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1602726582308716545?s

Ex Russian POW on Russian TV talking about his treatment by the his Ukrainian captors. Not a good look for Russian propaganda and FSB slow to censor it.
https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1602725530691936256?s

A Russians receiving a gift.
https://twitter.com/NLwartracker/status/1602225241891258369?s

The Melitopol bridge has been sabotaged.
https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1602470742926426112?s
https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1602589459933167616?s
https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1602420073557524480?s

The Ukrainians struck a hotel in Melitopol on Saturday night using long range artillery. Approximately 200 - 300 Russians were killed during the attack. There have been claims that the hotel was a HQ and barracks for the Wagner PMC operating in the region.
https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1602260769424699395?s
'Significant loss’ for Russia after Wagner Group attack - Times Radio video.
I am unsure how valid these claims are WRT the Wagner group being the ones hit in this strike, but if they are it will create problems, both for the PMC and for the Russian military in the Eastern Ukraine. It may also create problems for Putin with Prigozhin not likely to take this to well at all.

Putin is running out of troops to launch attacks on Ukraine - Times Radio video.
 
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Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update. Nov. 24th-27th

Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

Russian 76th VDV loitering munition strikes in Kherson region taking out a D-20 towed gun and a Starlink comms station.


Another destroyed Husky TSV, somewhere in Kherson region.


Battle damage from Russian strikes on Kherson.


Russian Black Sea Fleet Marines near Kherson.


DNR forces are digging in along the Dnepr. It's interesting to see them this far west, when they're desperately fighting to push Ukraine back from Donetsk itself.


Footage of a new Ukrainian crossing over the Ingulets.


A power transformer in Odessa blew, apparently overloaded. These incidents are likely to be more frequent as Russia keeps hitting portions of the power grid.


Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk.


Russian strike on Dnepropetrovsk.


Oskol Front.


Russian troops have apparently entered Novoselkovskoe near Svatovo, but the village remains contested.


A Russian missile strike in Kharkov region, we can see a destroyed BMP and scattered munitions.


Russian Uragan unit got taken out in Kharkov region. We can see at least 3 destroyed MLRS and 2 transporter-loader trucks.


A Ukrainian AT-105 hit an anti-tank mine in Kharkov region.


A Russian T-90M with Nakidka, near Svatovo.


Russian fortifications on the Svatovo-Kremennaya line still under construction.


An interesting comparison of where the current front line is on the Oskol front, and where the Wagner line is being built.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
LDNR Front.

DNR 1st Slavyanskaya Bde using T-64BVs for UAV-directed fires against Ukrainian positions.


North of Vodyanoe a Russian SpN recon element takes out allegedly a Ukrainian SpG-9 team, with an ATGM. Fighting in this area has shifted from Peski outward, first into Opytnoe and Vodyanoe, and now apparently north towards Avdeevka. Presumably the logical conclusion is an assault on Avdeevka, but this would likely come after some sort of success at Artemovsk/Bakhmut.


Although... according to this DNR forces have already begun the assault on the industrial side of town, Avdeevka proper.


DNR Forces Giatsint-B fires on Avdeevka.


Ukrainian pickup truck getting hit near Avdeevka, by a Rapira anti-tank gun.


A Ukrainian technical burns near Mar'inka. Possibly a munition resupply vehicle.


Russian T-72B3mod'16 dragging a lost tank tread, Mar'inka.


Russian shelling of Spornoe, we can also see what might be a knocked out tank.


Allegedly Wagner fighters hitting a moving Ukrainian T-72 with a 120mm mortar.


Russia shelling an alleged Ukrainian command post in Ugledar.


Russian artillery taking out a bridge leading into Pavlovka. It's unclear what direction this bridge faces.


Allegedly a Ukrainian GAZ-66 with infantry getting hit by a Krasnopol' strike near Ugledar, possibly part of Russia's continuing efforts at interdiction.


Shelling of Donetsk continues.


Russian strike on Kramatorsk, allegedly a Tornado-S was used. Target is unclear.


Battle damage in the Zabakhmutka neighborhood of Artemovsk/Bakhmut.


Anti-tank barriers inside Artemovsk/Bakhmut.


Russian on-foot casevac of heavily wounded in Mayorsk, using wheelbarrows.


Some footage of Ukrainian troops from inside Artemovsk/Bakhmut. Russia artillery remains the biggest problem there.


Ukrainian trenches near Artemovsk/Bakhmut.


Russian flamethrower unit preparing for an assault Mar'inka area.


Reportedly the DNR is forming a "battalion" of over 50 Ukrainian POWs that want to fight for Russia. In principle it's possible that there are some who are willing to switch sides, but forming them into a separate unit, I think, is a mistake.


A car blew up in Mariupol', only one person died. It's unclear what happened.


10 POWs returned to the DNR as part of recent exchanges.


Russian security forces have detained a number of suspected Ukrainian infiltrators in Lugansk region.


Russia.

Russian mobilized personnel training on T-62Ms, Grad-1s, and early D-30 variants. This is quite old gear, but as we've seen before Russia sent T-62Ms to the front line while having T-72s and 80s available, and the 90th TD had T-72As while T-72Bs were in storage, so it's really unclear. This could be a function of geography.


Personnel from a fresh Russian combat engineers btln heading to Ukraine.


And more Russian mobilized personnel heading to Ukraine.


Russian volunteer btln training in Bashkiriya.


Russian nationalists protesting the surrender of Kherson.


Russia relaying the pavement on the Crimean bridge.


Misc.

Allegedly a Ukrainian BMP-2 getting hit by an ATGM. Location and context unclear.


Apparently Russian towed guns getting hit by allegedly Excalibur strikes.


A destroyed Russian column with a T-90M, two T-72B3mod'16s, a BMP, an IMR-3, and a Kamaz truck. Location and context unclear.


A destroyed BTR-80 and SUV, apparently Ukrainian, a damaged 2B9 stands nearby.


A Ukrainian PzH-2000 damaged, location and context unclear. Note, so far we don't have a single one confirmed destroyed.


Russian forces apparently found and repulsed a Ukrainian infiltrator team that consisted in part of Polish fighters.


Ukrainian forces using M101 howitzers in combat.


Ukrainian M-777 ops, location and context unclear.


Ukrainian MARS II M270 somewhere on the front lines.


An MT-LB, allegedly Ukrainian, with a turret for the gunner, in principle a logical improvement.


A Ukrainian SpG technical, location and context unclear.


Ukrainian infantry carrying a DP-27 to this day, all the foreign aid notwithstanding.


Another POW exchange, this one 12 for 12.


NATO/EU.

Norway is supplying another M-109 howtizer, spare parts, winter gear, and field med-kits to Ukraine.


Luxemburg reportedly handed over 6 Primoco UAVs to Ukraine.


The UK has reportedly finished training pilots for the Sea Kings it intends to transfer to Ukraine. They could be equipped with Brimston missiles. Of course it remains to be seen how effective they are and how long they survive.


Brimstone-2 missiles being shipped to Ukraine.


It appears Poland handed over some Grads to Ukraine.

 

sdin

New Member
I think Russia shouldn't have struck at all. I think Russia should have continued to invest in internal development, while draining Ukraine's population by being an attractive destination for work migrants. Annexing Crimea makes some political and geo-strategic sense. But even that was a very costly move. Anything more and the cost is prohibitive. The cost of annexing Crimea is probably 100+ bln USD to Russia. And that's one area, with a very friendly population of 2.2 mln. Annexing Lugansk and Donetsk regions would easily cost double to triple that, even if Russia had moved in '14. Add Kharkov? It would cost even more. Kherson and Zaporozhye are non-starters.
We can always see cost of war in dollar and cent, but it is beyond that.
Human goes to war or fight are either for desire of a governments, or general population or tribe or ethnic group for power, egoes, territories, wealth, faith, race , survival and etc among others.
So the Russian perhaps of protection of their ethnic safety and wellbeing and also territorial advantageous. The oppressed against fellow ethnics is the justification to annex it as it will be benefial in a long term. US /Nato conducted many wars at all over the world for ideology and control. Their spending in Ukraine and mid east, israel etc were huge but their gain is longterm either in term of ideology, control and financial gains.

So for the Russian they saw the needs in this war in short term and long term. There is financial lost in short term and huge benefit and other goals in long term. The attitude of the Ukrainian , is the route for the Russian to take back what they lost after fall of USSR, to regain their pride and to challenge the west who always treat them as enemy.
So for the Russian the price of this war is justifiable in long term as long they have the vital weapon, have fellow friendly countries, independent, religion and strength .
 

Rob c

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
So for the Russian they saw the needs in this war in short term and long term. There is financial lost in short term and huge benefit and other goals in long term. The attitude of the Ukrainian , is the route for the Russian to take back what they lost after fall of USSR, to regain their pride and to challenge the west who always treat them as enemy.
So for the Russian the price of this war is justifiable in long term as long they have the vital weapon, have fellow friendly countries, independent, religion and strength .
I would disagree with you on this. -The first thing I would mention is that It is totally unacceptable to invade a neighboring countries sovereign territory and I don't care if you are Russian, American or anyone else stay out of your neighbors sovereign territory.
The second thing you have appeared to not factored in is that the current president was born in a Russian speaking part of the country as a Jew and learned Ukrainian at a later date. The idea that you give as justification for the Russian are the same as Hitler in Nazi Germany gave for his expansion into Austria, the Sudation land and Poland. Far from Ukraine acting like Nazi's it is Russia that is acting in this way. Russia , after the break up of the USSR was not considered an enemy by the majority of the West as you put it, it is their actions since then that has gained them suspicion. In past history prior to the Russian revolution they were often considered to be an allied nation to western Europe.
 
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seaspear

Well-Known Member
I would add its not just an invasion but the now refusal to recognise the country of Ukraine as a sovereign country ,the belief that it can add territories from Ukraine from it to its own, that even in its own country Russia it has introduced laws to the media on censorship that do not allow disagreement to the views of the government and will jail citizens for speaking out against the actions of the state
Orwell's 1984 tops Russian bestseller list | The Examiner | Launceston, TAS
 

Vivendi

Well-Known Member
Interesting article in Washington Post about 200th from Murmansk. The 200th was considered one of the most capable Russian brigades. They inflicted significant damage on Ukrainian troops, but also took significant damage themselves. They learned some very hard lessons, including in June: never ever let your guard down! The war in Ukraine has decimated a once feared Russian brigade - The Washington Post
A document detailing a mid-war inventory of its ranks shows that by late May, fewer than 900 soldiers were left in two battalion tactical groups that, according to Western officials, had departed the brigade’s garrison in Russia with more than 1,400. The brigade’s commander was badly wounded. And some of those still being counted as part of the unit were listed as hospitalized, missing or “refuseniks” unwilling to fight, according to the document, part of a trove of internal Russian military files obtained by Ukraine’s security services and provided to The Post.
[....]
The losses created a two-front crisis for the 200th: It was scrambling to find reinforcements back in Murmansk, even as the broken battalions in Belgorod were being ordered to return to Ukraine.

In a sign of growing desperation, the brigade in June began forming what it called a “mixed volunteer battalion” including sailors pulled off Northern Fleet ships, logistics specialists from depots and others often coerced into action despite having little or no experience or training in ground combat, according to Western officials.

The battalion remnants in Belgorod tentatively crossed back into Ukraine in late spring and took positions hugging the Russia border.

Ukrainian military officials described the returning 200th force, though degraded, as more professional than the Russian-backed separatists they had previously faced outside Kharkiv.

The 200th soldiers were less prone to talking on open phone lines, brought far greater firepower and proved adept at targeting, said Taras Shevchenko, commander of an artillery and reconnaissance unitin Ukraine’s 127th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade.

In early June, he said, his unit encountered the 200th in the village of Velyki Prokhody, north of Kharkiv. The Ukrainians were caught off guard by a flurry of strikes, including one that tore off the third floor of a building being used as a base of operations, Shevchenko said, leaving him with a concussion.

After a series of inconclusive exchanges, Shevchenko said, he convinced Ukrainian artillery units to hold their fire for several days, hoping to create the impression they were low on ammunition as quadcopter drones were used to get a clearer fix on Russian positions.

Amid the lull, surveillance images showed 200th troops letting down their guard.

“Nothing was attacking them, so they could safely sunbathe,” Shevchenko said. “They took outdoor showers. They were running around without body armor, without helmets.”

Ukrainian forces took advantage by unleashing a 40-minute barrage involving mortars, tanks and Soviet-era artillery pieces, then launched a follow-on attack the next day after nightfall.
A July article on the 200th: 200th Motorized Rifle Brigade sends mixed volunteer battalion to Ukraine war | The Independent Barents Observer (thebarentsobserver.com)

The 200th had been in Ukraine before, during the 2014 invasion, documented by Bellingcat: Russia's 200th Motorized Infantry Brigade in the Donbass - bellingcat
 
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Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update. Nov. 27th-29th

Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

Russian defensive positions in Kherson region.


Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk.

Russian strikes landing in Dnepropetrovsk.


Russian sources are claiming 100+ Ukrainian service members as casualties after a strike on the rail station at Moiseevka. No footage from the ground at this time.


Russia has forced all Zaporozhskaya NPP employees to either sign contracts with Rosatom or lose their jobs.


Oskol Front.

Russian loitering munition strike in the Kupyansk area against a Ukrainian position.


LDNR Front.

Ukrainian MLS Shield armored car destroyed in Artemovsk area.


LNR 4th Bde is attempting to assault Spornoe again.


A Russian news report from Spornoe, we can see an 2S9 firing, and a look at the front line landscape. Warning footage of corpses.


DNR Interior Troops Kaskad btln dropping munitions from a quadcopter on Ukrainian positions near Pavlovka.


Russian air strikes around Avdeevka.


We have unconfirmed reports of Wagner forces taking Ozaryanovka, Kudryumovka, and Zelenopol'ye, south of Artemovsk/Bakhmut. Note, these are very small hamlets.


A map of the alleged Wagner gains, the source is Russian so grain of salt, etc.


There are continuing reports of heavy casualties for Ukraine from Artemovsk/Bakhmut.


A Ukrainian video from the Artemovsk/Bakhmut area. The speaker is talking Ukrainian and in addition to some unkind comments about his leadership and the president, he mentions that there are 5 people left in his platoon.


A look at battle damage to Artemovsk/Bakhmut, Ukrainian footage.


After a direct intervention from Putin the LDNR are demobilizing college students, many of whom have been at war since February.


Severodonetsk sits dark and in ruins even through the winter. No signs of Russian reconstruction efforts.


Russia.


Russian MiG-31BM with two R-77-1s and two R-37Ms preparing for takeoff from Bel'bek. It's interesting that the type are being used as interceptors in this conflict. One can't help but wonder about their performance.


Russian community-based organizations are donating jeeps, SUVs, and supplies to the Russian war effort, in St. Petersburg.


A Russian volunteer btln from Bashkiriya preparing to go to Ukraine with an improvised armored truck. Note the armor was done by a local enterprise, and looks much cleaner and more professional then most such improvisations.


Russian volunteers preparing to ship out to Ukraine after completing training in Chechnya.


Misc.

3 HIMARS firing, Ukraine. Location and context unclear.


Ukrainian M777 getting hit by a loitering munition. You can see the wings of the munition scattering, suggesting that some of the claimed intercepts of these based on wing fragments are false.


Ukrainian Kraken mortar team attempting to displace, with a near-miss enemy impact. Allegedly Kraken formation, location and context unclear.


A burned out M113 with bodies, warning footage of corpses. Somewhere in the Donbas, allegedly.


Ukraine's 35th MarBde Kipri hits a landmine. This might be near Artemovsk/Bakhmut, where the 35th MarBde has show up recently after being relocated from Kherson region.


Ukrainian T-64BV knocked out and abandoned, location and context unclear.


A Ukrainian SUV stuck in a flooded field. Both sides are suffering from the effects of the weather, and it has serious impact on the movement of troops and supplies.


Russia is using Buk-M2s and M3s in mixed batteries, likely the more advanced systems of the M3 act as force multipliers for the more primitive M2s. They allegedly destroyed 40 targets in the past month.


A rare Russian Zoopark-1M counter-battery radar in Ukraine. The type has allegedly poor performance, though there is just one source claiming this. It's interesting that it's working in support of towed guns. In the past they were only seen together with Msta-S upgrade variants.


Another T-90M in Ukraine. Sightings have steadily become more common.

 

STURM

Well-Known Member
A Ukrainian video from the Artemovsk/Bakhmut area. The speaker is talking Ukrainian and in addition to some unkind comments about his leadership and the president, he mentions that there are 5 people left in his platoon.
Interesting. Nice for a change to hear something from the Ukrainians; apart from what they normally release which says little to nothing about various issues they face. They too have suffered high losses.

Russian MiG-31BM with two R-77-1s and two R-37Ms preparing for takeoff from Bel'bek. It's interesting that the type are being used as interceptors in this conflict. One can't help but wonder about their performance.
The type was designed as a long range high altitude interceptor to replace the MiG-25. Curious as to why it's being used in the conflict and what added value it can provide over the Su-30.
 
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