The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

The North.

Two destroyed T-64BVs in Chernigov. Just as above, this is likely old fighting.


BMPTs are finally headed to the front, near Bryansk. They belong to the 90th Tank Division.


Kharkov-Sumy.

Some explanation of the recent incident where a Russian tank shot at Ukrainian soldiers point blank. It appears Ukrainian troops in the area found an abandoned BMP-2, and though the T-72B3 in question was also an abandoned and captured tank. In the first video you can hear them calling it a trophy. In the second link you can see the abandoned BMP-2 with V markings. The third link is the original video The fourth link contains graphic images of the aftermath (Warning footage of corpses). Note this is listed as Kharkov region so I placed it in this category, but this could very well have been in the Izyum salient which is also in Kharkov region, just the southern portion (towards Donetsk region).


Two Ukrainian T-64BVs captured in Kharkov region. As above regarding location and the Izyum salient.


Knocked out Ukrainian T-64BVmod'17, and BMP-1, Kharkov region. As above regarding location and the Izyum salient.


More shots of the same captured Saxon from Kharkov region.


The Izyum Salient.

A Ukrainian munition storage got hit near Izyum.


Zaporozhye-Dnepropetrovsk.


Smoke rising over the Dnepropetrovsk airport, likely a Russian strike.


Russian forces shot down a UAV near Melitopol'.


Ukrainian Tochka-U shot down near Melitopol'.


Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

A large explosion in Nikolaev, Russian strike, target unclear.


LDNR Front.

Russian strike on alleged Right Sector camp in Novogrodovka, north-west of Donetsk.


Rebel forces engaged near Popasnaya.


Rebel infantry clearing houses, LNR area. Note the helmets and old body armor, these are reservists.


LNR artillery firing.


Russian mortar team, Donbass, firing.


Battle damage in Donetsk, allegedly from Ukrainian shelling.


Nikol'skoe, near Ugledar, was allegedly seized by Russian or rebel forces.


Abandoned Ukrainian 2S3 found in LNR area near Starobel'sk.


Russian forces in Volnovakha.


Russian T-72B3mod'16 BMP-3 near Popasnaya. A number of Russian units have entered the LDNR area to reinforce the rebel offensive. It's possible rebel forces are out of steam for further offensive action, especially against a well entrenched opponent.


Rebel reservists on a captured Ukrainian tank.


Mariupol'.

Fighting in Mariupol'.


Ukrainian APC destroyed by a Russian strike, Mariupol', likely near Azovstal.


DNR artillery firing.


Interesting video, likely Mariupol'. It shows what appear to be rebel crewmen operating a Russian T-72B3mod'16 (based on accent and uniforms). We also see a BTR-82A that took an RPG to the troop compartment but remains in action, likely because there was nobody and nothing inside, leading a clean through penetration.


Rebel sources report the entire seaport has fallen.


Rebel forces, Mariupol' seaport.


Russian and rebel forces in and around Mariupol'.


Misc.

Ukrainian MANPADS team firing, location and context unclear.


Destroyed T-64, location, context, and which side, unclear.


Russian marines with V markings heading to the Donbass. Note based on this being Marines, and the V markings, these are likely Pacific fleet marines. Interesting point, the black yellow and white flag is an old Russian Empire flag.


Russian Iskanders operating as part of the war in Ukraine.


Captured BTR-82A getting repaired in Ukraine.

 

T.C.P

Well-Known Member
South Korea does not want to piss off Russia too much. Russia has refrained from helping NK out with higher tech gear for a while, SK might be genuinely concerned that sending equipment to Ukraine, will result in consequences of Russian shipments to NK. SK did vote against Russia in all the UN resolutions so far including the Human rights council suspension vote, something Singapore abstained from.

The fact that South Korea despite having legitmate security concerns at their border is still sanctioning Russia and following the US's lead in most cases, should be commended. Any nation that borders someone who Russia can influence in a damaging way has legitimate concerns. Israel too has refrained from shipping Ukraine weapons and they depend on US military more than any other nation in the world.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
4. Asked and answered below, instead of just a one-liner passing comment earlier. In late 2020, Russia’s trade relationship with China became strained as China tightened its inspections and controls on imported seafood, after it claimed traces of COVID-19 had been found on the packing of imported seafood products. The result was dramatic. In the first half of 2021, Russian seafood shipments to China decreased 83% by volume compared to 2020, and nearly half in value.

5. South Korea has claimed the top spot, as its Russian seafood imports have increased by 48% to 459,200 MT thus far in 2021 – although some of that total likely entered China. Significantly, China is no longer the top export destination for Russian seafood.
This explains your comment but not why you think this is the key element. However if in fact you are correct about the preference of the average South Korean, then a democratic government should indeed act this way.

6. Glad you made President Moon’s policies on Ukraine look like a failure by asking for clarification. In view of the incredibly grim report from Bucha and Zelenskyy’s address to South Korea's National Assembly, we should also keep in mind that South Korea is not a non-aligned state — it is a US ally and a partner with NATO. President Moon tries to forget that many countries (within NATO) sent troops to fight under the UN flag for the 1953 Korean War — these Europeans, Canadians, Brits and Americans bled for Korea, and the Korean Govt’s answer is to help Russia by being a replacement export destination for Russian seafood?

7. I have also just explained that South Korea does not have anything to gain in its current relations with Russia — "the South-North-Russian (aka Trans-Korean) gas pipeline project," will die a natural death under president elect-Yoon.
South Korea has obligations to certain allies. But which obligations do they have that require them to pass these sanctions? South Korea is a major partner for Russian in electronics including military and space tech. South Korea has involved Russian firms in domestic defense developments, operates Russian military equipment, and even partners with Russia for its domestic space program. Those are all things the EoK has gained in it's relations with Russia. Not being willing to sacrifice all that to the current conflict makes some sense. Let's recall that the RoK was just as reluctant to get involved in '14-'15 too. The other question is this. If the US doesn't bring pressure to bear on the RoK then there's no incentive for them to participate. But if it does, this creates a new world where the US forces it's allies (or satellites?) to push for a foreign policy against their national interests? I'll be interested to see how things develop, but the RoK's stance makes sense. They have no interest in being part of a cordon intended to isolate Russia.
 

OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
Post 1 of 2: Limits to Korean support for more sanctions

1. Sad to say but Koreans are more likely to have a stronger opinion over the concern on BTS performing at the incoming president Yoon Seok-youl’s inauguration — that is precisely the problem — Korea needs leadership to take her place as a powerful member of North East Asian regional order (that President Moon has failed to provide) — instead of being deeply penetrated by Chinese interests. The Korean War, where the PLA fought on the side of Kim Il-sung’s troops is almost out of living memory and Korea is a full of rich, and well cultured people. She needs pay attention to European concerns (which are existential) and become a full regional security player, instead of punching below her weight class. In the latest update, Yoon's inaugural committee says plans for a BTS performance have been scrapped.

The fact that South Korea despite having legitmate security concerns at their border is still sanctioning Russia and following the US's lead in most cases, should be commended. Any nation that borders someone who Russia can influence in a damaging way has legitimate concerns. Israel too has refrained from shipping Ukraine weapons and they depend on US military more than any other nation in the world.
2. Countries are not like people. You certainly can argue that Korea, cannot afford to completely turn their back on Russia — given that certain countries in Europe, like Germany, are still buying and paying for Russian gas. South Korea can deter Russia if it wanted to; but it takes leadership that is not present under President Moon Jae-in. Korea’s President Moon is as much a failure as Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
(a) Vietnam and India, for example are major weapons importers, with ties that can’t be easily cut. But South Korea is not Vietnam, a poor communist country that has an export orientation that needs Russian weapons. South Korea has a bigger army than Russia. It has much better weapons than Russia; and a military industrial complex that the Indians can dream about but never acquire. On 31 Mar 2022, the Indian Express asked in an article: "Which will better spur India’s military modernisation: Continued dependence on Russian weaponry or strengthening security partnerships through the Quad and perhaps Europe?"​
(b) Except for the 24 countries like Iran, North Korea, Laos, & Vietnam who voted against the UN resolution, many Asian and African countries have abstained. They are very concerned about Russian war crimes and are willing to wait a little, for investigations to develop on civilians murdered in Bucha, before they move forward with another UN vote when the evidence is presented. I expect that for the battles to come in Apr/May 2022, there will be another 100,000 civilian deaths. 100,000 civilian deaths is what the British lost, in WWII, at the home front, in total (including Merchant Navy deaths from the Battle of the Atlantic and the German air raids).​
(c) In response to media queries on being one of the 58 who abstained, the Singaporean MFA Spokesperson said:​
“Singapore abstained from the vote as we await the findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry investigating alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Ukraine.​
The Commission was mandated by Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution 49/1 on the “Situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression”, which was adopted on 4 March 2022. Singapore was a co-sponsor of this HRC resolution. Singapore is gravely concerned and distressed by the reports and images from Bucha and other Ukrainian towns of high civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. We strongly condemn any violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and there must be accountability.”​

South Korea is a major partner for Russian in electronics including military and space tech. South Korea has involved Russian firms in domestic defense developments, operates Russian military equipment, and even partners with Russia for its domestic space program.
3. Is the framing as ‘a major partner’ in ‘military and space tech’ correct? Korea, as an American ally, makes its own K-2 MBTs, K-21 IFVs, tracked K-9 SPHs, K239 Chunmoo MLRS, helicopters, SAM systems, SSMs, core tech like insensitive munitions and has its own Nuri liquid-fuelled rocket (as a first domestically built space launch vehicle in Oct 2021).
(a) IMO, Korea is much less reliant on Russian weapons or space technology — rather it is Russia that needs the Korean made electronic sub-components for their weapons. For example, after 2014, the Russians have substituted some western components on their UAVs with South Korean and Chinese-made IR matrix photodetectors. In the area of space tech reliance, on 30 Mar 2022, South Korea's military said it had successfully test-fired a solid-fuel space rocket for the first time. The Mar 2022 test verified the large solid-fuel engine, fairing separation, stage separation, and upper-stage attitude control technology, which are essential technologies for space launch vehicles, the Korean statement added.​
(b) You well know that your view of alleged Russian influence is skewed in a manner that makes a mountain out of a molehill — given that Russia is often hostile to Korea and Russian military aircraft often intrudes into the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ). In Jul 2019, South Korea's military said that in total 3 Russian and 2 Chinese military aircraft entered the KADIZ. South Korea said one of the Russian planes — the A-50 — flew beyond the KADIZ and entered the country's territorial airspace. South Korea said it fired 10 flares and warning 80 rounds during the alleged first violation. It also said the Russian plane then left before circling back round again, when it was met by 10 more South Korean flares and 280 warning rounds.​
(c) Engaging in disinformation warfare after the 26 Mar 2010 sinking of the South Korean corvette Cheonan (in which 46 sailors were killed), a Russian Navy source said, “after examining the available evidence and the ship wreckage Russian experts came to the conclusion that a number of arguments produced by the international investigation in favour of the DPRK's involvement in the corvette sinking were not weighty enough.”​

4. Secondary sanctions is a major concern for Korean chaebols. South Korean tech company Samsung Electronics said:
  • It’s shipments to Russia have been suspended ‘due to current geopolitical developments’
  • Samsung is also donating US$6 million to ‘actively support humanitarian efforts’ and refugees in Ukraine.
5. War, if it comes to North East Asia, will dwarf the number of civilian deaths, and scale of the murders in Ukraine. Meanwhile:

(a) The USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, it’s fighters, JASDF’s F-2s and JS Kongo are operating in waters off the Korean peninsula, the U.S. Navy said, amid tensions over North Korea's missile launches and concerns that it could soon resume testing nuclear weapons. This is the first time since 2017 that a carrier group has deployed to the waters between South Korea and Japan.​
(b) Ukraine is fighting on the front line of European freedom & deserves the full support of NATO. As others have noted, Germany can’t maintain its overly bureaucratic & superior attitude, especially while it is so manifestly failing to provide Ukraine with proper support on weapons.​
 
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koxinga

Well-Known Member
South Korea is a major partner for Russian in electronics including military and space tech. South Korea has involved Russian firms in domestic defense developments, operates Russian military equipment, and even partners with Russia for its domestic space program.
Major is an overestimation.

Indeed, they have managed to acquire significant space and missile technologies from Russia, especially post Soviet Union (something that they kept under wraps, and I find it ironic because their N Korean cousins did the same thing). It was done because America restricted S.K access to missile tech. This was largely scrapped by 2021.

While their first generation SLV like the Naro-1 benefited from Russian tech (with limited success, since the success rate was only 1 out of 3), their next generation of SLVs relied on indigenous technology. This parallels other areas where the Koreans import foreign tech while using them to build their own capabilities.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Major is an overestimation.

Indeed, they have managed to acquire significant space and missile technologies from Russia, especially post Soviet Union (something that they kept under wraps, and I find it ironic because their N Korean cousins did the same thing). It was done because America restricted S.K access to missile tech. This was largely scrapped by 2021.

While their first generation SLV like the Naro-1 benefited from Russian tech (with limited success, since the success rate was only 1 out of 3), their next generation of SLVs relied on indigenous technology. This parallels other areas where the Koreans import foreign tech while using them to build their own capabilities.
Sorry, to be clear, that meant to read "South Korea is a major partner for Russia" not "for Russian".
 

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Off-topic but..

This post comprehensively describes the development history of the South Korean C-STAR (SSM-750K) ASHM, and the S Koreans managing to snag blueprints of the R95TP-300 turbojet engines from Russia (probably illegally). The irony was the same engine ended up with the North Korean Kumsong-3 ASHM. This makes the two ASHMs practically cousins.


S Koreans were mainly interested in Russian missile tech in this area because of the restrictions. Hence their cooperation with Almaz Design Bureau on the KM-SAM and I believe a number of other areas (solid fuel, liquid fueled engines, guidance). But once the Koreans get what they need, it is out you go. Pretty much like China, IMO.
 

QEDdeq

Member
Reports suggesting Ukraine destroys rail line inside Russia to delay troop and material transfers from Belarus to Kharkov.

What Ukrainians are doing is making sense in a war, they destroyed their own bridges to stop Russian advance, in fact this is one of the reasons they were so successful in defending Kiev because they did not hesitate to damage their own infrastructure to cause major delays for the Russian advance. Now, if the above report is confirmed, they actively damage rail infrastructure inside Russia to delay troops and armor transfers from Belarus.

By comparison, I wonder if the Russians are just highly inept or there is some sort of higher game at play here that I do not understand? They are not actively hitting Ukraine's reinforcement and supply lines, they are not destroying bridges and rail. While there were a few strikes that produced damage to nearby rail in various places this was collateral damage caused by a Russian attack on some nearby military depot or fuel storage, not a direct attempt to damage transport infrastructure that is being used for military purposes. Now they announced refocusing on the Kharkov - Donetsk area but they don't attack the bridges and rail bringing weapons and supply on those areas. The question is why? My guess is that this is linked to the legal status of the 'special military operation' which perhaps doesn't allow destruction of mixed purpose (civilian and military) infrastructure. So are they still trying to keep the pretense of this war being a special operation even when inaction on taking down Ukrainian supply infrastructure might increase their loses on the battlefield and even lead to a military defeat? Or is there another explanation that maybe I do not see?
 

Twain

Active Member
Reports suggesting Ukraine destroys rail line inside Russia to delay troop and material transfers from Belarus to Kharkov.

What Ukrainians are doing is making sense in a war, they destroyed their own bridges to stop Russian advance, in fact this is one of the reasons they were so successful in defending Kiev because they did not hesitate to damage their own infrastructure to cause major delays for the Russian advance. Now, if the above report is confirmed, they actively damage rail infrastructure inside Russia to delay troops and armor transfers from Belarus.

By comparison, I wonder if the Russians are just highly inept or there is some sort of higher game at play here that I do not understand? They are not actively hitting Ukraine's reinforcement and supply lines, they are not destroying bridges and rail. While there were a few strikes that produced damage to nearby rail in various places this was collateral damage caused by a Russian attack on some nearby military depot or fuel storage, not a direct attempt to damage transport infrastructure that is being used for military purposes. Now they announced refocusing on the Kharkov - Donetsk area but they don't attack the bridges and rail bringing weapons and supply on those areas. The question is why? My guess is that this is linked to the legal status of the 'special military operation' which perhaps doesn't allow destruction of mixed purpose (civilian and military) infrastructure. So are they still trying to keep the pretense of this war being a special operation even when inaction on taking down Ukrainian supply infrastructure might increase their loses on the battlefield and even lead to a military defeat? Or is there another explanation that maybe I do not see?

It looks like Ukraine is trying to duplicate the defence of Kyiv. Hold the line as much as possible, Destroy or handicap delivery of supplies, then hit them with SOF-ATGM, drones and artillery strikes as much as possible. Basically bend when necessary but don't break, then attrite the russians.


Probable map coordinates

50.388400, 36.831160



Russian logistics are poor enough that even minorly handicapping their supplies can result in significant problems for the RA

edit: additional photo

 

swerve

Super Moderator
Reports suggesting Ukraine destroys rail line inside Russia to delay troop and material transfers from Belarus to Kharkov.

What Ukrainians are doing is making sense in a war, they destroyed their own bridges to stop Russian advance, in fact this is one of the reasons they were so successful in defending Kiev because they did not hesitate to damage their own infrastructure to cause major delays for the Russian advance. Now, if the above report is confirmed, they actively damage rail infrastructure inside Russia to delay troops and armor transfers from Belarus.

By comparison, I wonder if the Russians are just highly inept or there is some sort of higher game at play here that I do not understand? They are not actively hitting Ukraine's reinforcement and supply lines, they are not destroying bridges and rail. While there were a few strikes that produced damage to nearby rail in various places this was collateral damage caused by a Russian attack on some nearby military depot or fuel storage, not a direct attempt to damage transport infrastructure that is being used for military purposes. Now they announced refocusing on the Kharkov - Donetsk area but they don't attack the bridges and rail bringing weapons and supply on those areas. The question is why? My guess is that this is linked to the legal status of the 'special military operation' which perhaps doesn't allow destruction of mixed purpose (civilian and military) infrastructure. So are they still trying to keep the pretense of this war being a special operation even when inaction on taking down Ukrainian supply infrastructure might increase their loses on the battlefield and even lead to a military defeat? Or is there another explanation that maybe I do not see?
I think it's because they want to use the transport infrastructure themselves. If they're planning to take control of an area it makes no sense to destroy bridges within it: it'd handicap their advance.

They do not appear to be averse to attacking infrastructure which would not affect their movements.
 

GermanHerman

Active Member
Allegedly around 1000 ukrainian soldiers in Mariopol surrendered. Among them 300 injured, 90 unable to move. There is some footage of POW's but nothing substantial and I'm unable to tell If it's new or from the former surrender.:


Aiden Aislen, better known under his twitter handle Cossackgundi allegedly surrendered in Mariopol. There is no confirmation of this yet thouth.



Also pictures of Viktor Medvedchuk in ukrainian detention were released.
He is held under suspicion of treason.


He was under court ordered house arrest since 2021 because of alegations of treason and attempted looting of national resources in Crimea. Allegedly he escaped on February 28th and was caught by the SBU.

Noteworthy three of the 12 TV stations banned by Kiev in March were under his control (ZIK, NewsOne and 112)
 

vonnoobie

Well-Known Member
50.388400, 36.831160

Russian logistics are poor enough that even minorly handicapping their supplies can result in significant problems for the RA
I came across one other possible location 50.53287432084282, 36.66272861437893 though both are on the same line. Should be easy enough to clarify if we can get a side on picture of the damaged bridge as they are both different lengths those appear same construction style. Location you sourced is the longer one by about 75% longer.

That aside they are both on the exact same line, A line which very likely brings in supplies to the Kharkov region. There is another branch line the feeds into it but that line according to Ukraine Interactive map - Ukraine Latest news on live map - liveuamap.com has UA forces practically on the border of it making any train prime pickings for some artillery. This sort of strike if accurate could dramatically effect the Russian fires ability to keep pounding awway and give more freedom to UA forces to start advancing more.
 

cdxbow

Well-Known Member
There hasn't been a lot in the public domain about 'cyberwarfare' during the war. This article - Russo-Ukrainian War Highlights Cyber Threats to Satellite Communications, describes a significant attack on the Viasat’s KA-SAT network of high speed satellite services, resulting in partial network outages throughout Ukraine and several European countries at the start of the war. It claims that not only were terminals made inoperable, some were damaged. Lucky Mr Musk stepped up to the plate to help out.
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
Woah, hang on chaps. you're all comparing this to world war II and Putin has expressly confirmed this is a special military operation - not even a war of any sort.

So, a "special military operation" - how much mass bombing would be permissible ? And how much in terms of destruction of housing etc ?
 

surpreme

Member
@Feanor had discussion with you about Ukrainians Forces receiving training by NATO. The videos I seen they look good and I must said the training has help them out. U.S. National Guard has been training with Ukrainians forces. Ukrainian Forces are using textbook fighting against Russian forces and it's working.
 
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OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
Post 2 of 2: Limits to Korean support for more sanctions

…if in fact you are correct about the preference of the average South Korean, then a democratic government should indeed act this way.
6. President Zelenskyy's speech was broadcast in the basement auditorium of the National Assembly Library with approximately 50 of 300 Korean lawmakers reportedly attending. Probably reflects public opinion. Most Koreans don't know what is going on in Ukraine. I suspect, "sad but meh" could be the standard reaction — Korea is still a very inward looking country — housewives and working couples will continue to buy Russian seafood. If an issue doesn't affect exports, the Korean public are not that interested.

7. South Korea craves global attention, support, and recognition — but 83% of its lawmakers can’t even be bothered to turn up for President Zelenskyy's speech.

(a) The same Korean parliamentarians who ask EU to support a declaration of an end to war on the Korean peninsula are unable to show empathy (and a modicum of respect) with a war in Europe. It's a recurring problem to be honest. You can contrast this to the respect shown to President Zelenskyy by Denmark’s Parliament.​
(b) Interestingly, Chosun Biz in an editorial slams South Korea's National Assembly for showing "indifference" in President Zelenskyy's speech — but this is not a mainstream Korean concern. If South Korea ever hopes to achieve the international image it aspires to, it’s National Assembly really needs to start walking the walk.​

8. This is out of step with civil society activism, diplomatic moves and other security realignments, in other parts of North East Asia (like Japan and Taiwan), Europe or AUKUS — in view of increased nuclear brinkmanship. The mass expulsion of over 400 Russian diplomats from Europe in recent days, should be noted. It means that roughly half of undeclared Russian intelligence officers in legal stations in Europe are being kicked out. Likewise, Japan expelled 8 Russian diplomats.

9. I love Korea and Kdramas. They are so good at so many things, such as, gathering intel on China/North Korea and even making weapons like the K-9 (as a huge export success). Unfortunately, geopolitics and foreign policy are not areas of President Moon Jae-in’s competence. Since that's mostly what we discuss in this forum, all you hear from me are complaints. I'm convinced the Korean national security establishment could do a million times better, once President Moon steps down.

10. Most ordinary Koreans don’t realize yet how much NATO/EU need to settle in for the long haul of a hostile Russia that has China’s support. Often, South Korea will not get the chance to pick the time and the place where an attack occurs, the time and the place will be picked by North Korea. All a Korean President and his generals can control is to ensure that the armed forces are ready for the call when it comes.

11. The most capable intelligence agency in North East Asia is not the CIA. A core duty of the very capable National Intelligence Service (NIS) is to collect intelligence on North Korea. The primary goal of this activity is to provide the government with information to formulate inter-Korean strategies that both protect South Korea and lead towards future reunification. In addition, to address Korea’s threat matrix and increase the quality of intelligence gathered, Korea needs to work not only with America but with Japan to enhance its intel gathering capabilities; without revealing sources and methods.

12. President-elect Yoon faces three key foreign policy and national security tasks:
First, North Korea’s accelerating nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities call for resetting Seoul’s countermeasures and North Korea policy. Since January, Pyongyang has conducted nine missile tests, including a de facto intercontinental ballistic missile on 9 Mar 2022.​
Second, as the ongoing war in Ukraine demonstrates, the world faces a Eurasian threat belt that includes China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Each poses different risks and military challenges. While Seoul rightly focuses on meeting an array of threats from North Korea, it also faces rising strategic challenges from China and Russia. In Nov 2021, 7 Russian and 2 Chinese warplanes entered the KADIZ. This wasn’t the first time that Russian and Chinese planes flew into the KADIZ without notice.​
Third, as South Korea faces daunting military manpower shortages due to falling demographics, it has no choice but to accelerate high-tech weapons programs, including offensive and defense capabilities to more effectively counter North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal. It has to also shore up key national security supply chains and elevate trilateral security cooperation between the US, Korea, and Japan. This calls for significantly beefing up ISR capabilities.​
 
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KiwiRob

Well-Known Member
The fact that South Korea despite having legitmate security concerns at their border is still sanctioning Russia and following the US's lead in most cases, should be commended. Any nation that borders someone who Russia can influence in a damaging way has legitimate concerns. Israel too has refrained from shipping Ukraine weapons and they depend on US military more than any other nation in the world.
Then explain the large number of South Korean shipyard workers currently building ARC7 LNG carriers in Russia. There are also more arctic LNG carrier and shuttle tankers under construction in all the major Korean yards for the Yamal to China route, amongst others.
 
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Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

Around Kiev.

Ukrainian S-300PS TEL damaged and abandoned near Kiev.


Ukrainian BTR-80 knocked out near Kiev. Much of this footage is coming out now that Russian forces have left.


The North.

Damaged Russian rail bridge in Belgorod region.


Kharkov-Sumy.

Russian BMD-4M, Kharkov region. This may or may not be the Izyum salient.


Assorted footage of Balakleya, the city is under Russian control.


Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa.

Admiral Essen, 11356 frigate, firing a SAM at allegedly a Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2.


Russian small missile ship firing Kalibrs from the Black Sea.


LDNR Front.

Rebel artillery firing near Novotroitskoe, DNR area.


Allegedly Ukrainian BTR-D destroyed near Donestk, possibly the 25th Airmobile Bde.


Rebel forces found an abandoned BMP-1 in LNR area.


DNR forces posing with a Kozak-2 armored car.


Chechen fighters digging in at Rubezhnoe. Those positions look a tad too pretty and not deep enough for my liking. I'd focus more effort on digging deep and less effort on obviously fake branches stuck into the top.


In Svetlodarsk, there are reports of Ukrainian forces putting explosives into the dam.


Mariupol'.

Combat footage from April 11th, Mariupol', residential area. Footage of a T-64BV, T-72B, and what I think might be a BRM-1 (large turret but single-shot weapon? plus we've seen BRM-1s in action there before).


Russian journalist wounded in Mariupol'.


Mass surrender of Ukrainian Marines in Mariupol'. Allegedly 1000+ prisoners. In the first video Sladkov asks them about chemical weapons, and they say no. Apparently they tried to break out and failed. If the totals are accurate, this is the end of the 36th Marines. The surrender took place at the Il'yich metallurgical plant. Sladkov makes a point to ask the wounded where they are wounded, how, and who provided first aid. Most respond that Russia provided first aid. This first video is of an EW unit. The rest is assorted and less detailed.


Rebels captured a Humvee CASEVAC trying to escape Mariupol', allegedly by painting Zs on it. It allegedly had no wounded, just a driver and soldiers.


Another CASEVAC Humvee captured in Mariupol', but damaged.


One rebel tanker shows off a bullet hole in the barrel of his T-72B3mod'16. The other shows damage to a tank wheel. This is the second video that appears to show rebel tankers driving these imports.


Russian forces in Mariupol'.


Improvised cemetery, Mariupol'.


The Azov Concord, a ship trapped in Mariupol'. Allegedly their navigation equipment was smashed by Azov fighters to prevent the ship from leaving.


Misc.

Russian artillery impacts, UAV footage. Location and context unclear.


Ukrainian Tu-143 shot down by Russian air defense, location and context unclear.


Destroyed technicals, allegedly Ukrainian, location and context unclear. In my opinion, they're probably Ukrainian. Russian and rebel technicals tend to use Russian UAZ pickups, or Ural or Kamaz trucks.


Ukrainian Leleka UAV allegedly downed by Russia (lack of damage suggests it fell on its own). Location and context unclear.


Russian BMD-4M damaged in Ukraine and undergoing repairs. Note the unimpressive armor.


Ukrainian territorial defense with AKs, a Soviet Maxim gun, a DP-27, and an RPG.


Allegedly, Russian SpN with captured NLAWs. Location and context unclear.


300 more Chechen volunteers heading to Ukraine.


Assorted footage of Russian and rebel forces.


NATO/EU.

Reports of Polish T-72Ms delivered to Ukraine.

 
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