Ukraine 4

[Maj. Bill Martin]

I agree.. They really have the courage to stand up to the 2nd largest military. I see it this way. If we support Ukraine now, we are helping Russia (in some way China) to lose. It's going to take a long time for Russia to rebuild its military. If there is Russia left after this war.  Translation, it is expensive now, but if Russia (again in some way China) wins, it is going to be more expensive down the road.

That's exactly why I support continuing to provide Ukraine with weapons and ammo.  Much better use for them than sitting for decades in warehouses until they expire.

[Smokin Joe]

That's exactly why I support continuing to provide Ukraine with weapons and ammo.  Much better use for them than sitting for decades in warehouses until they expire.

Yep. It may look more and more like a proxy war, but for those who have long harbored the Cold War model of NATO countries being swarmed by waves of Russian armour in a neo-blitzkreig, well, that possibility is increasingly rusting/resting in Ukraine, one rusting hulk or captured vehicle at a time.

A lot of gee-whiz weapons systems are being tried and tested, with the opportunity to upgrade or tweak them as this goes, in a face-off with their east bloc equivalents.

The only downside is that there may be 'leakage' of that tech, but much of it has been around or is not the very top shelf stuff, and NATO countries are able to donate that gear to be used (instead of disposed of or decommissioned later, at expense) and devote themselves to further internal upgrades.

From that perspective, it is a win/win/win situation for the West.

[bilo]

Yep. It may look more and more like a proxy war, but for those who have long harbored the Cold War model of NATO countries being swarmed by waves of Russian armour in a neo-blitzkreig, well, that possibility is increasingly rusting/resting in Ukraine, one rusting hulk or captured vehicle at a time.

A lot of gee-whiz weapons systems are being tried and tested, with the opportunity to upgrade or tweak them as this goes, in a face-off with their east bloc equivalents.

The only downside is that there may be 'leakage' of that tech, but much of it has been around or is not the very top shelf stuff, and NATO countries are able to donate that gear to be used (instead of disposed of or decommissioned later, at expense) and devote themselves to further internal upgrades.

From that perspective, it is a win/win/win situation for the West.

I'm in complete agreement with helping Ukraine with weapons and ammo. However, I would like to see a real discussion about withdrawing from NATO and bringing home most of our troops from around the world. Our defense budget is unsustainable and only serves to let other nations coast on our sacrifices.

After WWII we set up a system to encircle the USSR and secured trade. We don't need to keep doing this as it only helps the globalists grow in power.  The USSR is gone and Russia is destroying itself with this war on Ukraine.

[Smokin Joe]

I'm in complete agreement with helping Ukraine with weapons and ammo. However, I would like to see a real discussion about withdrawing from NATO and bringing home most of our troops from around the world. Our defense budget is unsustainable and only serves to let other nations coast on our sacrifices.

After WWII we set up a system to encircle the USSR and secured trade. We don't need to keep doing this as it only helps the globalists grow in power.  The USSR is gone and Russia is destroying itself with this war on Ukraine.

While I agree in part, let's not ignore the growing threat that is China.

But for now, the greatest threat to the Republic is the people running it.

[PeteS in CA]

Whether you support aid to the Ukrainians or not, you have to admire the tenacity with which they have defended their country.  Pretty much the entire rest of the world expected them to be overwhelmed and submit quickly, but they refused.   Not often you see courage like that.

In Putin's fantasy, Ukraine would be overrun in 3 or 4 weeks. He probably planned to celebrate Easter 2022 in Kyiv.

Family history aside, I do not want part or all of Ukraine grafted into Putin's empire.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

@kevindavis007

I am in total agreement,and would like to add I am a HUGE fan of the idea that no US troops will be involved in the fighting.

Seems like for my entire life I have been waiting for Russia to invade Europe,and either being a US soldier sent off to fight  "The Red Peril",or watching other US troops being sent off to a foreign land once again to fight and die.

I am as giddy as a school girl over the possibility of Soviet communism being handed it's ass,and it happening without involving US combat troops.

Amen brother.   Breaking the Russian Empire for good without a single U.S. soldier being lost would be an incredible success.  It would basically end Europe as a front in a potential war.

It also would strengthen ties with Europe to the detriment of China's ambitions.  Solid win all around.

[Smokin Joe]

In Putin's fantasy, Ukraine would be overrun in 3 or 4 weeks. He probably planned to celebrate Easter 2022 in Kyiv.

Family history aside, I do not want part or all of Ukraine grafted into Putin's empire.

Aside from impressive grain growing regions, Ukraine produced a large share of its oil and gas, 87% of which was in the regions Russia invaded (Donbas), along with reserves of hard coal (particularly anthracite), rock salt, lignite, mercury, and various ores.

This was an  attempt at economic seizure, to control food and other resources.

I have a problem with Russia invading a sovereign nation to take their natural wealth, and any increase in Russian ability to use that wealth as an implement of policy.

Aside from that let Ukraine decide its destiny and provide the materiel it needs to fight off the invasion.

Now, if only we would do that for our own country, too, instead of spending king's ransoms catering to those who are invading us.

[DB]

The Democrats don't like America's European ancestry/culture and seek to replace it. Thus far they've been successful.

[Smokin Joe]

The Democrats don't like America's European ancestry/culture and seek to replace it. Thus far they've been successful.

It isn't that they don't like it, they want the throne..

[sneakypete]

It isn't that they don't like it, they want the throne..

@Smokin Joe

EXACTLY!

Hell,the majority  of the DIMs ancestors came from Europe. Only a minority of them came from Israel (and most of THEM were born and raised in Europe) or Asia.

I may be wrong,but I think only a minority of the Asian immigrants or their ancestors vote "Left".

[kevindavis007]

@kevindavis007

I am in total agreement,and would like to add I am a HUGE fan of the idea that no US troops will be involved in the fighting.

Seems like for my entire life I have been waiting for Russia to invade Europe,and either being a US soldier sent off to fight  "The Red Peril",or watching other US troops being sent off to a foreign land once again to fight and die.

I am as giddy as a school girl over the possibility of Soviet communism being handed it's ass,and it happening without involving US combat troops.

@sneakypete




That is where I draw the line. No American troops. Let the Ukrainians kill the Orcs. While China squirm.

[DB]

The "throne" comes with replacing our culture. Replace the culture by replacing the people. Third world culture gets you third world problems. All those third world problems impowers the Democrats to loot the country while there is still something to loot.

[Hoodat]

I'm in complete agreement with helping Ukraine with weapons and ammo. However, I would like to see a real discussion about withdrawing from NATO and bringing home most of our troops from around the world. Our defense budget is unsustainable and only serves to let other nations coast on our sacrifices.

One good thing to come out of this war is that some NATO members are beginning to step up to the plate and pony up more money for defense.  This is especially true for the newer Eastern members who are America's staunchest allies, much more so than Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy.

[Hoodat]

Ukraine hacks Russian Crimea TV

from r/UkraineWarVideoReport

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/140ln8t/tv_channels_in_crimea_have_been_hacked/

[Hoodat]

Wagner Ready To Defend Russia's Border Region After Whole Towns Evacuated

TYLER DURDEN  |  JUN 03, 2023  |  07:00 PM

The war from across the border has impacted citizens in the Belgorod region of Russia to the point that many towns and villages have been evacuated, with some looking like ghost towns--this after armed groups mounted multiple raids since the war's start--as well as increased shelling and rocket fire. Just two days ago the anti-Moscow "Russian Volunteer Corps" said they launched another attack out of Ukraine, after a bigger one nearly two weeks ago left multiple casualties and many saboteurs killed.

The New York Times wrote on Saturday that "Shebekino, a town of 40,000 six miles from the border, has effectively become a new part of the front line as Ukraine has intensified attacks inside Russia, including on residential areas near its own borders." This is all upending the lives of residents in the border region, akin to what already happened long ago on the Ukrainian side of the border. "The spate of assaults, most recently by militia groups aligned against Moscow, has sparked the largest military evacuation effort in Russia in decades," the report underscored. The past days have witnessed area residents move into temporary shelters, including the large Belgorod arena in the oblast capital.  .  .

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/wagner-ready-defend-russias-border-region-after-whole-towns-evacuated

[Smokin Joe]

Wagner Ready To Defend Russia's Border Region After Whole Towns Evacuated

TYLER DURDEN  |  JUN 03, 2023  |  07:00 PM

The war from across the border has impacted citizens in the Belgorod region of Russia to the point that many towns and villages have been evacuated, with some looking like ghost towns--this after armed groups mounted multiple raids since the war's start--as well as increased shelling and rocket fire. Just two days ago the anti-Moscow "Russian Volunteer Corps" said they launched another attack out of Ukraine, after a bigger one nearly two weeks ago left multiple casualties and many saboteurs killed.

The New York Times wrote on Saturday that "Shebekino, a town of 40,000 six miles from the border, has effectively become a new part of the front line as Ukraine has intensified attacks inside Russia, including on residential areas near its own borders." This is all upending the lives of residents in the border region, akin to what already happened long ago on the Ukrainian side of the border. "The spate of assaults, most recently by militia groups aligned against Moscow, has sparked the largest military evacuation effort in Russia in decades," the report underscored. The past days have witnessed area residents move into temporary shelters, including the large Belgorod arena in the oblast capital.  .  .

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/wagner-ready-defend-russias-border-region-after-whole-towns-evacuated

Keeping the military busy handling refugee flows and trying to move among those is an effective way to throw a monkey wrench into the hopes of a Russian Spring offensive. For a minimum of harassment, a lot of troops can be tied up, along with transport that could be bringing in more troops or moving materiel. that doesn't stop them from loafing those same trucks on a return trip, but it consumes time between loads. In the end, it is just that much less ordnance and that many fewer troops at the front.

[Timber Rattler]

Something going on in southern Ukraine today...

Russia says it thwarted major Ukrainian offensive, Kyiv says Moscow spreads lies

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-its-forces-thwarted-major-ukrainian-offensive-2023-06-04/

Russia said on Monday its forces had thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive at five points along the front in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk and killed hundreds of troops while Ukraine accused Moscow of spreading lies.

It was not immediately clear whether or not the attack represented the start of a Ukrainian counteroffensive which Kyiv has been promising for months to drive out Russian forces after the invasion of February 2022.

Russia's defence ministry said Ukraine had attacked on Sunday morning with six mechanised and two tank battalions in southern Donetsk, where Moscow has long suspected Ukraine would seek to drive a wedge through Russian-controlled territory.

"On the morning of June 4, the enemy launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the front in the South Donetsk direction," the defence ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram at 1:30 a.m. Moscow time (2230 GMT).

"The enemy's goal was to break through our defences in the most vulnerable, in its opinion, sector of the front," it said. "The enemy did not achieve its tasks, it had no success."

Reuters was unable to immediately verify the Russian statement and the Ukrainian defence ministry and military did not immediately respond to written requests for comment.

The commander of Ukraine's ground forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Monday that Ukrainian forces continued "moving forward" near the long-contested city of Bakhmut in northern Donetsk. He made no comment on the counter-offensive.

The daily report from Ukraine's General Staff said only that there were 29 combat clashes in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine's Centre for Strategic Communications did not address the Russian statement directly but said, without providing evidence, that Russia would seek to spread lies.

"To demoralize Ukrainians and mislead the community (including their own population), Russian propagandists will spread false information about the counteroffensive, its directions, and the losses of the Ukrainian army," it said.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov published a cryptic message on Twitter on Sunday, quoting Depeche Mode's track "Enjoy the Silence".

EXCERPT

[Kamaji]

'The start of Russian civil war': Wagner mercenaries CAPTURE officer in Putin's regular army and accuse him of ordering his men to fire on their troops as split between groups creates chaos

The Russian soldier admitted shooting at Wagner group vehicles while drunk
It is latest report of infighting between Wagner mercenaries and Russian army

By DAVID AVERRE and WILL STEWART
5 June 2023

Mercenaries from Russia's Wagner group have taken captive a lieutenant colonel from Vladimir Putin's regular forces in the latest example of bitter infighting in Russian ranks.

The captured colonel was seen hanging his head in a humiliating video posted by the Wagner group in which he confessed his 'guilt' and admitted to being drunk on duty after allegedly shooting at a Wagner vehicle.

This follows claims by the mercenaries that the regular Russian army targeted their ranks with mines, as a clip showed their sappers clearing the explosive devices from a road.

Wagner mercenaries have been fighting for Putin in Ukraine and are credited with seizing the embattled city of Bakhmut from Ukrainian armed forces after months of bloody warfare.

But its success has seemingly angered regular Russian army commanders.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has launched several verbal tirades at Putin's military leaders. He has accused them of ordering their troops to retreat from their positions and leaving Wagner fighters unprotected on the frontlines.

*  *  *

Source:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12159689/Wagner-mercenaries-CAPTURE-officer-Putins-regular-army-split-groups-intensifies.html

[kevindavis007]

This is the main reason to support Ukraine. It might have saved Taiwan from invasion:



Russia-Ukraine war has important inspiration for China’s operations against Taiwan
https://www.china-arms.com/2022/02/russia-ukraine-war-inspiration-taiwan/


FWIW, I don't think that the CCP Military is all that good either.

[kevindavis007]

'The start of Russian civil war': Wagner mercenaries CAPTURE officer in Putin's regular army and accuse him of ordering his men to fire on their troops as split between groups creates chaos

The Russian soldier admitted shooting at Wagner group vehicles while drunk
It is latest report of infighting between Wagner mercenaries and Russian army

By DAVID AVERRE and WILL STEWART
5 June 2023

Mercenaries from Russia's Wagner group have taken captive a lieutenant colonel from Vladimir Putin's regular forces in the latest example of bitter infighting in Russian ranks.

The captured colonel was seen hanging his head in a humiliating video posted by the Wagner group in which he confessed his 'guilt' and admitted to being drunk on duty after allegedly shooting at a Wagner vehicle.

This follows claims by the mercenaries that the regular Russian army targeted their ranks with mines, as a clip showed their sappers clearing the explosive devices from a road.

Wagner mercenaries have been fighting for Putin in Ukraine and are credited with seizing the embattled city of Bakhmut from Ukrainian armed forces after months of bloody warfare.

But its success has seemingly angered regular Russian army commanders.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has launched several verbal tirades at Putin's military leaders. He has accused them of ordering their troops to retreat from their positions and leaving Wagner fighters unprotected on the frontlines.

*  *  *

Source:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12159689/Wagner-mercenaries-CAPTURE-officer-Putins-regular-army-split-groups-intensifies.html

Russia is literally a ticking time bomb..

[Kamaji]

This is the main reason to support Ukraine. It might have saved Taiwan from invasion:



Russia-Ukraine war has important inspiration for China’s operations against Taiwan
https://www.china-arms.com/2022/02/russia-ukraine-war-inspiration-taiwan/


FWIW, I don't think that the CCP Military is all that good either.

Well, that article didn't age well.

Here's a sample:

Russian military forces completely paralyzed Ukraine’s overall command capability within an hour and destroyed its airpower almost completely on the ground. Within the next 12 hours, ground and airborne forces completed the occupation of key target areas, and odds are that the war objectives will be achieved within 48 hours. Russia has destroyed a medium-sized country with a standing army of 150,000 and a complete military-industrial system in less than a day.

[sneakypete]

Russia is literally a ticking time bomb..

@kevindavis007

Which can  be defused quickly  by a quick change in the top leadership because Russia IS a state with "One Man Rule".

Yes,that IS a slight exaggeration because some of the "top comrades" have became even wealthier under Putin's rule,but anybody  that doesn't think the "top comrades" will gather up as much of their wealth as they can grab in a hurry and haul ass to the west to seek asylum the first time Putin blinks just hasn't been paying any attention.

The FACT is that Communism is a COLOSSAL scam to enrich and protect the rulers at the expense of everyone else. This is such an obvious fact that Ray Charles used to have to wear shades to even glance at it.

The Soviet leadership had good luck shielding these basic truths from the Soviet population for decades by sealing off Russia from outside news sources back in the days  when all news was printed and distributed via paper,but in today's electronic world,that "shield" has fallen apart. VERY few Russians under 70 years of age believe it,with the exception of the children of the "top comrades",who live VERY well indeed under Communist Rule.

[kevindavis007]

Well, that article didn't age well.

The article aged like milk.

[Kamaji]

The article aged like milk.

[kevindavis007]

@kevindavis007

Which can  be defused quickly  by a quick change in the top leadership because Russia IS a state with "One Man Rule".

Yes,that IS a slight exaggeration because some of the "top comrades" have became even wealthier under Putin's rule,but anybody  that doesn't think the "top comrades" will gather up as much of their wealth as they can grab in a hurry and haul ass to the west to seek asylum the first time Putin blinks just hasn't been paying any attention.

The FACT is that Communism is a COLOSSAL scam to enrich and protect the rulers at the expense of everyone else. This is such an obvious fact that Ray Charles used to have to wear shades to even glance at it.

The Soviet leadership had good luck shielding these basic truths from the Soviet population for decades by sealing off Russia from outside news sources back in the days  when all news was printed and distributed via paper,but in today's electronic world,that "shield" has fallen apart. VERY few Russians under 70 years of age believe it,with the exception of the children of the "top comrades",who live VERY well indeed under Communist Rule.

@sneakypete


We shall see what happens in the next month of two.

[sneakypete]

@sneakypete


We shall see what happens in the next month of two.

@kevindavis007

I think it is going to maybe take a little longer than that because Soviet Communism has had a century to establish itself,but unless something happens that insures the defeat of Ukraine,there is no way the current Soviet Leadership can survive a loss like they are experiencing.

We are already "hearing" of political problems in the Motherland that are no doubt related to that war such as having to draft new soldiers to keep fighting it,wounded soldiers returning to Russia and telling their relatives and friends the truth about how the war is going,and the western media reports "leaking across the border",and maybe most of all,caskets coming back home after months of a war that was supposed to have ended in days with a Soviet victory.

I don't know about you,but I have yet to hear a single person in America discussing this that wasn't shocked at Russia not being able to just "walk in and take over in less than a week",so we can only  imagine how shocked the typical Soviet citizen must be,and how pissed they are to see their sons and the sons of friends drafted to go and fight this war that Russia started.

[kevindavis007]

Looks like the Counteroffensive is about to begin soon:

https://twitter.com/officejjsmart/status/1665480555947802625

[Timber Rattler]

Yep.  It'll be interesting if this is a "deep fake" of Putin's voice, or else produced using AI:

Russian radio broadcasts panicked Putin's address due to "invasion by Armed Forces of Ukraine"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-radio-broadcasts-panicked-putin-s-address-due-to-invasion-by-armed-forces-of-ukraine/ar-AA1c9gkW?ocid=wn_startbrowsing&cvid=7edca27257b8419caf4b48d54928a67d&ei=8

In Rostov, Belgorod and Voronezh oblasts in Russia, radio broadcast an address of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in which he called upon Russians to evacuate to the interior of the country due to the invasion by the Ukrainian army and announced mobilisation. Local authorities and the Kremlin claim that the address is fake.

Source: Russian independent media outlet Meduza, referring to anonymous Telegram channels; Russian Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti, referring to the statement by Putin’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov; Operative Staff of Belgorod Oblast

Quote: "Russians, fellow citizens, brothers and sisters. Today at 4:00, the Ukrainian troops, armed by the NATO bloc, upon agreement and with the support of Washington, invaded the territory of Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts. Our border guards and the armed forces are courageously fighting back against the prevailing forces of the aggressor.

Martial law has been implemented in the territory of Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts according to my order. Today, I will sign an order about general mobilisation, as we will need to unite all forces of the Russian Federation in order to defeat a dangerous and cunning enemy."

Details: In his address to the residents of Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts, Putin called upon them to evacuate deeper into the country.

Peskov called the address fake and claimed that control over the broadcast had been restored. The authorities in the regions believe that the address was intended to spread panic.

[Kamaji]

Yep.  It'll be interesting if this is a "deep fake" of Putin's voice, or else produced using AI:

Russian radio broadcasts panicked Putin's address due to "invasion by Armed Forces of Ukraine"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-radio-broadcasts-panicked-putin-s-address-due-to-invasion-by-armed-forces-of-ukraine/ar-AA1c9gkW?ocid=wn_startbrowsing&cvid=7edca27257b8419caf4b48d54928a67d&ei=8

Did people start to evacuate based on the broadcast?  Getting Russian civilians running around worrying about Ukraine invaders would be a useful confusion tactic.

[sneakypete]

@Timber Rattler

In Rostov, Belgorod and Voronezh oblasts in Russia, radio broadcast an address of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in which he called upon Russians to evacuate to the interior of the country due to the invasion by the Ukrainian army and announced mobilisation. 

There is more than one way to fight and win a war,and this one is the best way. MAYBE even the most effective way,since once you "have" the people's minds,no amount of contrary evidence will convince them they are wrong.

"Converting" them into thinking what you want and need them to think is SOOO much more efficient than destroying their housing and taking their lives.

[sneakypete]

Did people start to evacuate based on the broadcast?  Getting Russian civilians running around worrying about Ukraine invaders would be a useful confusion tactic.

@Kamaji

As well as one that might even save their lives.

[kevindavis007]

I think the Counteroffensive has began.

https://twitter.com/maria_avdv/status/1665733339469213702




I know some Russian operatives are not going to be viewing this site.  But I think it would be wise for us not to post anything that is from Twitter, Ukraine, etc that is exposing Ukraine's position.  Just to be safe. 

[kevindavis007]

Yep.  It'll be interesting if this is a "deep fake" of Putin's voice, or else produced using AI:

Russian radio broadcasts panicked Putin's address due to "invasion by Armed Forces of Ukraine"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-radio-broadcasts-panicked-putin-s-address-due-to-invasion-by-armed-forces-of-ukraine/ar-AA1c9gkW?ocid=wn_startbrowsing&cvid=7edca27257b8419caf4b48d54928a67d&ei=8

I think this is a fake. Trying to scare the people. I hope the people leaving Crimea has enough sense not to go on the Kirch bridge.  If you get my meaning.

[kevindavis007]

@kevindavis007

I think it is going to maybe take a little longer than that because Soviet Communism has had a century to establish itself,but unless something happens that insures the defeat of Ukraine,there is no way the current Soviet Leadership can survive a loss like they are experiencing.

We are already "hearing" of political problems in the Motherland that are no doubt related to that war such as having to draft new soldiers to keep fighting it,wounded soldiers returning to Russia and telling their relatives and friends the truth about how the war is going,and the western media reports "leaking across the border",and maybe most of all,caskets coming back home after months of a war that was supposed to have ended in days with a Soviet victory.

I don't know about you,but I have yet to hear a single person in America discussing this that wasn't shocked at Russia not being able to just "walk in and take over in less than a week",so we can only  imagine how shocked the typical Soviet citizen must be,and how pissed they are to see their sons and the sons of friends drafted to go and fight this war that Russia started.

@sneakypete


I think they are beyond pissed.

[kevindavis007]

https://twitter.com/michaeldweiss/status/1665712318070636546

[Kamaji]

Russia's 'civil war':  Wagner chief blasts Putin's 'disgraceful' army after Ukraine retakes Bakhmut territory – as his mercenaries take Russian officer prisoner amid split between factions

By DAVID AVERRE
5 June 2023

The chief of the Wagner mercenary group has lambasted Russia's military leaders after Ukrainian armed forces managed to retake settlements on the outskirts of Bakhmut. Yevgeny Prigozhin said it was a 'disgrace' that Kyiv's troops were able to push back Russian lines and seize Berkhivka, a town in the northern suburbs of the embattled city. Prigozhin's Wagner group just last month managed to wrest Bakhmut out of Ukrainian hands after months of brutal fighting reminiscent of World War I trench warfare, with tens of thousands killed on both sides.

The mercenary figurehead hit out at Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu and army chief Valery Gerasimov, taunting them and urging them to go to the frontlines and see the failures for themselves as the armed factions spiral towards civil war. 'Now part of the settlement of [Berkhivka] has already been lost, the troops are slowly falling back. What a disgrace! Shoigu, Gerasimov, I urge you to come to the front, raise your pistols at your men to make them go forward. Come on, you can! And if you can't, then you will die as heroes.' Prigozhin's latest tirade comes as his mercenaries captured a lieutenant colonel from Vladimir Putin's regular forces in the latest example of bitter infighting in Russian ranks.

The captured colonel was seen hanging his head in a humiliating video posted by the Wagner group in which he confessed his 'guilt' and admitted to being drunk on duty after allegedly shooting at a Wagner vehicle. This follows claims by the mercenaries that the regular Russian army targeted their ranks with mines, as a clip showed their sappers clearing the explosive devices from a road. Wagner mercenaries have been fighting for Putin in Ukraine and are credited with seizing the embattled city of Bakhmut from Ukrainian armed forces after months of bloody warfare. Pictured: Wagner private army mercenaries caught and filmed an interrogation of a Russian regular army.

*  *  *

Source:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/galleries/article-12160897/Wagner-boss-slams-Putins-army-Ukraine-retakes-parts-Bakhmut.html

[Kamaji]

Russia's defences are 'more fragile than thought' Western officials reveal amid growing signs Ukraine's counter-offensive IS underway

Western advisers warn Russia's defensive line may be 'more fragile than thought'
Ukrainian forces have advanced in Novodonetsk by up to five or six kilometres

By NATASHA ANDERSON
5 June 2023

Russia's defences could be 'more fragile than thought', western officials have warned amid growing signs that Ukraine's counter-offensive has begun.

Ukrainian forces have advanced in Novodonetsk by up to five or six kilometres, it has emerged. Officials claim 'fierce battles are going on' for control of the settlement.

American and European military officials advising Kyiv have claimed that Kremlin defensive lines may be fragile, an insider told The Economist today.

Semyon Pegov, a prominent Kremlin-affiliated 'milblogger', confirmed that Ukraine had 'some success' in an attack in Novoselivka-Ugledar and claimed updates from the Russian-controlled region were 'more and more alarming every hour'.

Pegov, commonly known under his alias Wargonzo, said the war is 'heating up' and that today's attack was 'much more serious than yesterday'.

*  *  *

Source:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12161585/Russias-defences-fragile-thought-officials-say-Ukrainian-counter-offensive-steps-up.html

[Kamaji]

'This may be Ukraine's only chance to liberate its occupied territory': Military expert JUSTIN BRONK explains the importance of Zelensky's much-anticipated counter-offensive against Russia

By JUSTIN BRONK
5 June 2023

The announcement by Ukraine that it is 'shifting to offensive actions' heralds the start of a new and potentially vital phase of the war with Russia that could be its only chance to win back territory, a military expert said today.

JUSTIN BRONK, a research fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute, has analysed the latest situation in an article for MailOnline today and believes it is unlikely Volodymyr Zelenksy's forces will have a better opportunity to take back control of land occupied by the Russians.

Months of heavy fighting around urban areas such as Bakhmut have the exchange of territory between the opposing armies slow to a crawl. But that time has not been wasted, as Ukraine has replenished its elite brigades and been bolstered by the arrival of equipment from European and NATO allies including German Leopard 2 and British Challenger 2 tanks.

Ukrainian officials have kept Russia guessing about when and where it might launch its long-awaited counter-offensive, with commanders cautious about repeating the mistakes made by Russian forces during their attacks which saw entire brigades scuttled.

Mr Bronk said the task ahead for Zelensky's troops will be huge as they have to power through extensive Russian defensive lines that have been months in the making by Putin's troops and feature trenches, minefields and anti-tank defences.

The stakes are high, but after significant Western support and the struggle faced by Russia to adapt to the attritional nature of the war which has left Kremlin troops short of ammunition, spare parts, reinforcements and morale, now could be Ukraine's best chance to make progress.

*  *  *

Source:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-12161047/This-Ukraines-chance-liberate-occupied-territory-says-expert-JUSTIN-BRONK.html

[Kamaji]

Sanctions on Russia may not be working, we now know why

European businesses and third countries are actively circumventing sanctions, providing Russia with sanctioned goods and thus helping its war effort.

Berit Lindeman
Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee

Ivar Dale
Norwegian Helsinki Committee's Senior Policy Adviser

5 Jun 2023

On February 25, 2022, a day after Russia undertook a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union introduced unprecedented sanctions against the aggressor. The measures were intended to send a clear signal to Moscow that there would be severe consequences for its actions.

*  *  *

If the sanctions are not working the way they ought to, it is because we are actively undermining them. A recently released report by Norway-based risk consultancy Corisk reveals how that is done.

Its analysis of customs data from 12 EU countries, Norway, the UK, the US and Japan shows that the circumvention of export sanctions on Russia amounted to an astonishing 8 billion euros ($8.5bn) in 2022.

Of the countries studied, Germany appears to be the largest exporter of sanctioned goods to Russia; the second largest is Lithuania. The two provide half of the Western goods Moscow should not have access to.

The research reveals that European businesses, and especially German ones, use third countries to sell their products to Russia. This is apparent from the analysis of the export data for sanctioned goods, including luxury items such as jewellery and perfumes, typically enjoyed by the elites in Moscow, cutting-edge technology, like advanced semiconductors and quantum computers, machinery and transportation equipment.

*  *  *

Source:  https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/6/5/sanctions-on-russia-may-not-be-working-we-now-know-why

[Smokin Joe]

FWIW, I don't think that the CCP Military is all that good either.

Quantity has a quality all its own.

[Cyber Liberty]

Quantity has a quality all its own.

Didn't help Iran in its war with Iraq.

[DB]

Quantity has a quality all its own.

A sea between them tends to reduce that advantage.

[Smokin Joe]

Didn't help Iran in its war with Iraq.

Nope, but consider Chinese troops coming across the Yalu into Korea to fight (mostly) ours and ROK troops. There were so many of them that keeping ammo supplied was a problem at times, and they attacked in waves (often marching the local villagers line abreast in front of the troops).
Had they not been present, there would have been one Korea.
Those Chinese troops turned that war around for the Communists, and fought ours back to nearly the current DMZ, mixing negotiations with attacks. The war isn't over, technically. What exists there is an agreed-upon cease fire, no surrender, no armistice, to treaty.

[sneakypete]

@sneakypete


I think they are beyond pissed.

@kevindavis007

If not they should be.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1665502788267266049

Graphic.

[Hoodat]

Later in life, these guys will be grateful that they had someone like this medic to save them.

[bilo]

One good thing to come out of this war is that some NATO members are beginning to step up to the plate and pony up more money for defense.  This is especially true for the newer Eastern members who are America's staunchest allies, much more so than Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy.

I agree about the Eastern European nations and firmly believe they would be better off without the Western European nations. The Wester European nations have coasted on their defense commitments and been fair weather allies for way too long.  The USA has got to get out of being the world's "go to defender". We can't afford it.

[Hoodat]

F'n Russians

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1665907533469581313

[Hoodat]

Nova Kakhovka dam in Kherson region blown up by Russian forces - Ukraine's military

Valentyn Ogirenko, Kyiv & Lidia Kelly, Melbourne  |  June 5, 2023  |  11:33 PM EDT  |  Updated 35 min ago

KYIV, June 6 (Reuters) - The Nova Kakhovka dam in the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine's Kherson region was blown up by Russian forces, the South command of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Tuesday.

"The scale of the destruction, the speed and volumes of water, and the likely areas of inundation are being clarified," the command said on its Facebook page.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nova-kakhovka-dam-kherson-region-blown-up-by-russian-forces-ukraines-military-2023-06-06/

[Kamaji]

Nova Kakhovka dam in Kherson region blown up by Russian forces - Ukraine's military

Valentyn Ogirenko, Kyiv & Lidia Kelly, Melbourne  |  June 5, 2023  |  11:33 PM EDT  |  Updated 35 min ago

KYIV, June 6 (Reuters) - The Nova Kakhovka dam in the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine's Kherson region was blown up by Russian forces, the South command of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Tuesday.

"The scale of the destruction, the speed and volumes of water, and the likely areas of inundation are being clarified," the command said on its Facebook page.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nova-kakhovka-dam-kherson-region-blown-up-by-russian-forces-ukraines-military-2023-06-06/

That was expected, was it not?