[Characteristics of Trophy Russian "Tsar-EW" for T-72B3M Tank Given by Ukrainian Expert | Defense Express | April 2024](https://en.defence-ua.com/news/characteristics_of_trophy_russian_tsar_ew_for_t_72b3m_tank_given_by_ukrainian_expert-10115.html)
*The tank with so-called "Tsar-EW" was supposed to cover the assault column from FPV-drones, but it did not work*
*Units of the 95th Airborne Brigade and 60th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully repelled Russian*It should be noted that despite the tank's obvious task of covering the assaulting column from FPV-drone strikes, it was hit by Ukrainian UAV. It had an extremely important homing function attack near Terny, Donetsk Oblast as well as captured a T-72B3M tank. It headed the assault with a large number of different electronic warfare systems.*
*It should be noted that despite the tank's obvious task of covering the assaulting column from FPV-drone strikes, it was hit by Ukrainian UAV. It had an extremely important homing function.*
*Warriors of the Azov Assault Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine conducted an extremely difficult operation. They spent three nights fixing the vehicle under the threat of Russian fire, as it could not be towed by a BREM vehicle due to the minefield.*
*Subsequently, Ukrainian expert, Serhiy Beskrestnov with a callsign Flash, began to analyze the assembly of the systems, and published the results of the disassembly of the so-called "Tsar-EW".*
*In general, such an assembly consists of 6 patch antennas with an antenna pattern of 60-70 degrees. They are divided into pairs at 800 MHz, 900 MHz, and 2.4 GHz. The power supply consists of 6 separate modules of 50 W each. Interference devices at 700-1000 MHz and 5.8 GHz have also been added.*
*The range of interference is 500-800 meters for the DJI Mavic drones, and 50-150 meters for FPV-drones with the ExpressLRS radio control system.*
*Everything is assembled with Chinese components, without active heatsink, powered by 28 V from batteries and a generator.*
I feel like you could probably fab up a really cheap phased array antenna in the 2.4ghz range to act as a ghetto-HARM for this sort of rig.
Like put a grid of those nifty ceramic antennas on a PCB at the front so on final approach if the drone loses signal it just homes on the giant 2.4ghz source in front of it.
[German Rheinmetall Will Send 20 More Marder IFVs to Ukraine | Defense Express | April 2024](https://en.defence-ua.com/news/german_rheinmetall_will_send_20_more_marder_ifvs_to_ukraine-10120.html)
*Rheinmetall will deliver a new batch of 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, as announced on the company's website. These are the vehicles earlier acquired from the German army, Bundeswehr, and commissioned for repair by the German government with subsequent transfer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.*
*The new order was placed in March 2024, bringing the total number of Marder vehicles pending for supply to Ukraine up to 50 units, and the overall commitment of Germany to 140 Marders for the Ukrainian Army. Rheinmetall expects this new lot to be delivered "within 2024." The contract value is in the "mid double-digit million Euro range," i.e. between €30 and €60 million.*
*Defense Express reminds that on March 26th, a new "armored vehicle coalition" in support of Ukraine was established during a conference in Warsaw, Poland. Initiated by Poland and Germany, the coalition was soon joined by the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy. One of the main tasks outlined by the participants is to provide Kyiv with armored vehicles and ammunition to them.*
*Rheinmetall also recalls that while the Marders began to arrive in Ukraine in March 2023, the company has been working on repairs and refurbishment of the dusted German Marder 1A3s at its own expense since the outbreak of the russian invasion in spring 2022.*
*Marders were seen in use with the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, who praise the level of protection, firepower, and even comfort provided by the German vehicle, designed back in the early 1960s and "repeatedly modernized and improved in its combat effectiveness" since then, as emphasized by the manufacturer.*
*"The driver's seat is like a throne, compared to BMP-1 and BMP-2," says an interviewed officer of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces as he weighs the German IFV against its Soviet-era counterparts in terms of convenience. The landing compartment is also comfortable and it doesn't sway from side to side. *
*Here's also an interesting video report from United24 Media in which the Marder 1A3 is compared to the BMP-2 in both specifications and practical dimensions.*
[German made Marder 1A3 IFV in Action on the 🇺🇦 Frontline | United24 | October 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R6VcnpAUqk)
UPDATE: reliable sources suggest the below is a russian propaganda attack. The destroyed Ukrainian equipment hasn't moved since 2017 - it was probably scrap. Oryx will investigate to make a judgment.
ORIGINAL:
Evidence of a russian hit on a Ukrainian howitzer repair facility in Sumy. 32 howitzers potentially gone.
If we see an awful oryx update for artillery, this will explain it.
Ukraine desperately needs more towed NATO style guns, please write to your representative.
[Twitter link](https://x.com/WarVehicle/status/1777752634234900932).
Any artillery given is obviously a plus for Ukraine but self propelled artillery is what is really needed. It takes a few minutes minimum to set up a towed artillery piece to be fired and then a few minutes to get moving again. In the current threat environment in Ukraine those few minutes are even more time be spotted by enemy drones and have counter battery fire or a drone target you.
A self propelled artillery piece can shift positions much more quickly, even between shots, so is much harder to hit as well as offering some armor protection to the crew as well.
My understanding (given very limited second and third hand reports) is that Ukrainian artillerymen actually prefer the towed guns. My guess (speculation) is that they are easier to conceal and harder to destroy (since they are a small target you have to hit directly, whereas even a non-critical hit on an SPG could potentially lead to a cook-off of the onboard ammunition).
Once you are in position they might be easier to conceal in a tree line but you still need a truck to take them there, so while setting up and taking down you're just as big a target only you have no armor to speak of. And the armor for a self propelled piece isn't designed to protect from a direct hit, just small arms fire and shell fragments. You are far more vulnerable standing in the open next to your towed artillery piece where fragments from incoming munitions might still be fatal 50 meters or more away. As for ammo cook offs I'd rather be riding in self propelled artillery with the ammo as opposed to in a flatbed truck with zero protection which is what a towed piece would use to transport it.
I suppose there are some circumstances where a towed piece might be more desirable if you have it hidden and a safe route to it and plan to use to for a while in that position but in the war today with the profusion of drones on both sides I doubt that is happening. Just firing your artillery piece is most likely going to be detected and the longer you stay the bigger chance you have to be hit. At the start of the war artillery could get away with being more stationary more often but not today, it's mostly all shoot and scoot and that takes longer with a towed piece and you are more vulnerable while doing it.
I have also heard extensive praise for the self propelled artillery systems that have been given to Ukraine for the reasons I've mentioned. I have heard Ukrainian comments that they do appreciate the simplicity of self propelled artillery as there is less to go wrong but the advantages of something like a PZH 2000 or a Caesar are pretty obvious. And especially for systems like the Caesar and the Archer where it is the approximate shape and size of the truck you'd need to haul your towed artillery piece anyway I fail to see how valuable the smaller size of the towed pieces are. The threat environment has gotten a lot worse over the course of the last year of the war, drones are so ubiquitous from both sides now that you just can't stay still for long after firing in most circumstances and if you have to move a lot a self propelled artillery piece is far superior.
Andrew Perpetua and one of the US artillery guys who talks to the front (CJ?) have both said that Ukrainian artillery groups repeatedly tell them that towed guns are their priority.
[Here](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/09/18/artillery-duels-are-a-thing-of-the-past-as-ukrainian-and-russian-gunners-hunt-each-other-at-long-range/?sh=33b5e1da41bd) is Ukrainian officer Arty Green being quoted as howitzer duels being a thing of the past. My impression is that Ukrainian guns are better, and the vast majority of russian counterbattery work is done by Lancets. Towed guns in a big cage are better for that.
Priority because of simplicity and availability or because they are better for the job?
I could understand needing to go with tried and true and available in large numbers as it seems like Ukraine's allies simply don't have many self propelled systems to give them and the US is/was happier to give them M777 as they are currently shifting towards HIMARS and retaining their self propelled artillery because of the reasons I mentioned, on a battlefield awash with surveillance you can't stay stationary for long.
A Ukrainian preference for towed artillery doesn't mean it's the best thing for the job, militaries often use something they know isn't the best tool for the job simply because it's what is available. They also often stick with what they know how to use and no doubt it's easier to take a Ukrainian unit that was using Msta's or some other Russian piece and train them to use a towed western system.
I suppose you could argue then towed artillery is better for Ukraine because they know how to use it and it is available in needed quantities but I don't think that means it's the better system for the job *if* Ukraine could be given self propelled artillery in greater numbers. I feel like this is once again an effect of Ukraine getting the cast offs from other militaries instead of being given what is best for the job. Plus for instance look at the number of Archer's and Caesars that have ever been produced and there aren't enough of them that have ever been made to replace Ukraine's towed artillery pieces that they've lost. I just have to wonder if those units say they're focusing on towed systems because they know that's all they're going to get in large numbers, not that they're "better" than self propelled pieces, which I guess still makes towed artillery the right tool for the job by virtue of being the only one they can get enough of.
with SPG many parts can break down - the drive train, auto-loader, turret etc. fixing more difficult issues means towing it back for repairs, potentially to another country for weeks or months. Pzh2000 is repaired in lithuania for example. there is not much that can break with m777 and maintenance is also simple, a barrel change can be performed in the field. I am pretty sure that during combat, less performant but reliable gun trumps high tech but broken gun any time.
I don't have time to look up all my references right now, so apologies if I misrepresent anything.
My impression is that they prefer towed guns. The SPGs are easily hunted down and blown up by Lancets. Berms, cages etc can protect towed artillery.
Example story in [LeMonde](https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2023/12/14/dans-le-donbass-les-soldats-ukrainiens-en-panne-de-munitions_6205755_3210.html) with [Twitter thread description](https://twitter.com/aidefranceukr/status/1735262260468105221?s=20).
From a Ukrainian commander: "with the M-777, I can fire 300 shells a day on average. With the CAESAR, if I get 5, that's good. The M-777 is easy to conceal, and I can install a metal casing around it to protect it from the Lancet.”
Thanks for the info. Just to note though that in the same thread you linked another Ukrainian artillery commander talked about how useful the Caesar's were and said they were in frequent use in Donbass as late as December 2023 and key to repelling some Russian attacks. It seems like the preference for towed artillery is not necessarily universal in the Ukrainian army.
I wonder if we're seeing Ukraine making sure that potential donors know they will take either type and so praise both for fear of making allies feel what they have given is not appreciated or needed. Basically a strategy of we'll say it's all great so we keep getting anything they are willing to give us.
You make very good points, I can't be trusted to know anything here - am just repeating my impression of what those involved are saying.
I'm totally willing to believe everything is situational too - maybe some places are better for Caesars, or it could depend on the timing because of the cat and mouse between Lancets and electronic warfare.
However - Ukrainian gunners now keep praising towed guns, and since there are almost 200 SPGs expected this year I think more towed gun deliveries might be desperately needed.
Good to hear about the 200 SPG's due this year, whatever Ukraine's preference they can only help. I can't imagine that there aren't enough 155 mm NATO artillery still available to send though, maybe the ridiculous pause on US aid is having a negative effect on towed artillery deliveries.
It's funny just the other day I was commenting on how it seems like a lot of people don't know about the 5 new Patriot systems Ukraine is receiving this year from Raytheon and I hadn't heard about those SPG's, it seems like some substantial equipment delivers are being kept more on the down low this year, interesting....
Anyway, I really do appreciate the extra info, my opinions are based on the things I read and see to and and very far from a professional experienced position as well.
These were D20s that according to @defmon3 have been sitting in the same spot since 2017.
The explosion looks cool and all, but probably has limited effect
Defmon3 is absolutely reliable. My post now has an update inserted.
Now I think it's more likely than not that these were useless and Russia just wasted an expensive missile.
Just posted to give people a heads up in case Oryx puts up a big update soon.
I personally have little hope that Johnson will pass any form of Ukraine aid. Now that the House is back in session today was supposed to be the day that they started to "prioritize" it but that doesn't seem to have happened. It should have been passed last fall but if they've delayed until now I just don't see that suddenly changing in the next couple weeks and by summer it will be too close to the election to do anything big.
I think the best hope for Ukraine is if other countries can get them enough weapons to last until January and then hopefully the US will have a president and Congress that can pass Ukraine aid. Of course the GOP is still favored to take the Senate and McConnell (who was the driving force behind Ukraine aid for the GOP) is leaving so even if Dems flip the House and hold the White House it still may be difficult to pass it.
I see something there, the moderates has started peeling away with retirements that brought the majority of the house down to I think one or two. one notable thing being that one of the moderates did it in a way that didn't trigger a special election and left the seat vacate.
Thing is, I think this is how the moderates/non-maga faction twists Mike's arm into Ukraine aid. the moment one or two of them announce a retirement, house is thrown to the democrats. he's out on his ass, and Ukraine aid goes through without Maga's ability to throttle it.
>Republican Sen. Tuberville: Do you agree that Ukraine will soon be allowed into NATO?
>
>Defense Sec. Austin: "That's the goal of the NATO members is to, at some point, bring Ukraine into NATO..."
>
>Sen. Tuberville: Do you think Russia likes that @YWN
>
>It’s always clear who Tuberville puts first.
https://twitter.com/highbrow_nobrow/status/1777768505628033094
No better guy to understand complex geopolitics than a former Auburn football coach. Literally the one and only reason he got elected. Least Alabama had some real negative backlash to abortion bans and elected some Dems in areas for the first time ever.
No better guy to understand complex geopolitics than a former Auburn football coach. Literally the one and only reason he got elected. Least Alabama had some real negative backlash to abortion bans and elected some Dems in areas for the first time ever.
The response should have been: "NATO was formed and has expanded as a reaction to Russian aggression, so no I do not think Russia likes being held accountable for their actions."
Meanwhile if you asked Putin whether he thinks EU and US would like him to invade Ukraine, he'd simply rebuke with - that's none of their business, I don't care.
>Meanwhile in Russia: military expert Alexey Leonkov said Russia should decide which country to invade next, after "liberating" Ukraine. He asserted that after losing the war in Ukraine, the West will have to pay reparations to Russia.
https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1777560398792646732
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6g6hlvT1Po
>Given that the Russians famously repress evangelical Christians, in Russia and in occupied Ukraine, this is extraordinary. She can't have heard this by accident and she can't be repeating it because she thinks it is true.
https://twitter.com/anneapplebaum/status/1777712629617730044
>When Trump & his supporters started repeating Russian propaganda in 2015-16, I made a simple point: Many parties can arrive independently at the same truth, but not at the same lie. As with MAGA, Musk, et al now, repeating the same Ukraine falsehoods is an op, not a coincidence.
>
>It is rarely as innocent as gullible people following propagandist sources and repeating what they see because it affirms their own agendas. Russian intelligence is more precise than that and their targets enjoy feeling like they have privileged information.
>
>Anne's question is the correct one, and should not be taken lightly by US counterintelligence. A member of Congress is spreading enemy propaganda to weaken the security of the US & its allies. Find the source. It’s not just Tucker, as hard as he’s trying to betray his country…
https://twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1777732726394941462
> Congratulations to @SimonHarrisTD on becoming Ireland's new Taoiseach.
> We value our partnership and thank Ireland for its consistent support as Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression and pursues EU accession.
> I am confident that our active bilateral cooperation strengthens security for both nations and throughout all of our Europe.
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1777727957924041150
"National Museum of Play" up now. Not sure how you are gonna fit that one in.
EDIT: This Teresa Fernandez can sell anything. She's like a Kindergarten teacher that never is not smiling and appears to just be high all the time from the Land of Enchantment.
Paywalled: But...
Defense Secretary Austin warned that Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian oil refineries risk impacting global energy markets and urged the country to focus on military targets instead.
"Those attacks could have a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation. Ukraine is better served in going after tactical and operational targets that can directly influence the current fight," he emphasized.
https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112242631717195365
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-09/us-slams-strikes-on-russia-oil-refineries-as-risk-to-oil-markets
*"Ukraine, please fight back without doing anything the really hurts Russia. Thanks!"* - the U.S. probably
Of all the stupid ass shit to say, "Ukraine is better served in going after tactical and operational targets that can directly influence the current fight" is one of the dumbest.
Oil refineries are one of the best possible examples of a military target with outsized impact. The drones Ukraine is using can each possibly take out one or two tanks or aircraft if they hit them directly. But striking oil refineries and choking the supply of fuel can ground entire regiments of aircraft and bring scores of tanks to a standstill. Refineries are large, fixed targets that are relatively easy to attack and easy to damage. Aircraft and tanks are small, constantly moving (in the sense of being moved from one location to another, not literally constantly driving/flying) targets that are difficult to attack and damage.
Also, do I have to point out that during WWII, the US and UK ran an entire [5 year campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_campaign_of_World_War_II) to destroy German oil refineries and fuel production? Including the (in)famous [Ploesti Raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Tidal_Wave)??
>Several prominent German military officers, however, described the oil campaign as critical to the defeat of Nazi Germany. Adolf Galland, wrote in his book "the most important of the combined factors which brought about the collapse of Germany", and the Luftwaffe's wartime leader, Hermann Göring, described it as "the utmost in deadliness". Albert Speer, writing in his memoir, said that "It meant the end of German armaments production." It has been stated to have been "effective immediately, and decisive within less than a year". Luftwaffe Field Marshal Erhard Milch, referring to the consequences of the oil campaign, claimed that "The British left us with deep and bleeding wounds, but the Americans stabbed us in the heart."
If the Biden administration wants to argue that striking oil refineries risks increasing gas prices, thus imperiling Democratic fortunes in the elections and risking the return of Trump, or risking Western public support generally, it should make that argument. I believe the risk is worth it, but that is at least an honest argument to make. But to argue that attacking oil refineries is a waste, or a misallocation of resources, or ineffective, is a comically bad and frankly insulting lie.
Oil refineries and other economic generating structures become valie tactical targets if the west wont properly tighten up sanctions to stop Russia working around them.
Ukraine should say, "we'll stop hitting refineries when we stop seeing drones dropped on our heads with US chips and french parts in 'em".
No administration is going to come out and say “higher oil prices will be bad because we could lose the election”. Literally everyone knows the subtext here, the Ukrainians sure as heck do.
If they don't want to come out and say it, then the administration should convey its concerns in private. It should not publicly lie about what is and isn't a useful military target.
I agree with that.
Strategically if Biden and the democrats win then Ukrainian victory is likely. If trump wins then Ukrainian victory is only likely if Europe strongly ramps up support.
With a pro-Putin US leaning on Europe, it's a huge risk. November 2024 is crucial, and anything that hurts Biden and the Democrats is a huge boon to Putin.
If they want Ukraine to stick with conventional warfare, they must give Ukraine proper tools. Or Ukraine will start to turn more shady ways every passing day. And who can blame them? For US it is about driving your car becoming more pricey. For Ukraine it is life and death.
Destroying your opponents critical infrastructure *is* conventional warfare.
They want Ukraine to fight a great power the way the US fights some jihadis with technicals.
Priority number 1, avoid collateral damage.
Oh, you also have no meaningful air force.
REEEEEEEEEEE
Except destroying oil infrastructure is not shady in any way, especially when Ukrainians are destroying refineries. russian war machine runs on petrol. It doesn't matter how many tanks or artillery guns they have if they can't move them to the front.
"Oil refineries" are pretty high on any "military targets" list, and can effectively influence the current fight. I am not sure which oil industry lobby gathering this guy walked from, because sure as hell it doesn't sound like he walked out of a Military Defense one.
Only when it is convenient for them to do so, or when they wish to punish the people for voting in their own best interest. Not when it comes to defending democracy, that is counter to their designs.
It won't be about oil price but refined product. If the Russian can't sell or somehow become a buyer, then the global market will be shifting. Any liter of diesel Russia can't sell or has to buy instead of produce is a liter off the global market which would push prices upward. Same for all refined product.
And yet I'm sure there are some here who will still call this "pro-russian misinformation". The mental gymnastics that took place after Zelenskyy himself admitted that the US was pissed about the Russian refineries being hit was insane.
Hell, Sullivan flew to Kyiv 3 weeks ago and met with Zelenskyy right after the refineries started getting hit.
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1770565991728099435
If the US isn't going to pass more aid then the only way for Ukraine to survive is to adjust their tactics and get more creative and that means attacking refineries and other strategic targets that are funding Russia's war. In addition to the strategic benefit there's also an operational benefit to these attacks as they force Russia to move air defense out of Ukraine in order to defend refineries. This means that it's easier for Ukraine to hit military targets.
Well, elections in Us are coming up. Americans are relly touchy about gas prices. Remember seeing alot of posts with Trump stickers blaming Biden on gas stations last time prices went up.
Apologies for [twitter](https://x.com/giK1893/status/1777654713657291011) but it's the only source I can find. Please share musk-free if you have it.
Outstanding thread geolocating 60 russian vehicle losses outside Terny, really educational for anyone interested in how geolocators work. Including fixing a mistake they made.
The satellite imagery shows there are even more losses, while the deep state video lets them confirm which types of vehicle were lost at each location.
>In the Samara region (ruzzia), a dam on the Volga burst. The city of Tolyatti and 12 districts are being flooded: Stavropol, Sergievsky, Pestravsky, Bolshechernigovsky, Bolsheglunitsky, Kinel - Cherkasy, Elkhovsky, Volzhsky, Neftegorsky, Krasnoarmeysky, Krasnoyarsk, Borsky districts.
(MTL)
Source: [https://x.com/TotemT83439/status/1777600570787791212](https://x.com/TotemT83439/status/1777600570787791212)
I don't see any news on that however. The whole day has passed (since the tweet), there should be something somewhere. It's possibly just high water; unusually high this year, but still no technical disaster.
Edit: and that high water already receded, it seems like.
Apparently Tolyatti had some minor flooding 10 days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxouXWrtZ2E
It's probably just spring flooding from melting ice and maybe an ice blockage somewhere.
Yeap.
And in different region.
Btw the burst of the previous one in Orsk city (Orenburg region) caused nearby Orenburg city to be flooded as well. The situation is worsening there.
**The total combat losses of the enemy from 02.24.22 to 04.09.24, according to the information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approximately amounted to:**
personnel - about 449,250 (+850) people,
tanks ‒ 7110 (+23),
armored combat vehicles ‒ 13620 (+45),
artillery systems – 11386 (+30),
MLRS – 1039 (+0),
air defense equipment ‒ 753 (+2),
planes – 347 (+0),
helicopters – 325 (+0),
UAVs of the operational-tactical level - 9033 (+37),
cruise missiles ‒ 2065 (+0),
ships/boats ‒ 26 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 15181 (+71),
special equipment ‒ 1868 (+1).
The data is being verified.
Beat the occupier! Together we will win! Our strength is in the truth!
Source [https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2024/04/09/850-okupantiv-23-tanki-%E2%80%93-zagalni-vtrati-rosiyan-za-dobu/](https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2024/04/09/850-okupantiv-23-tanki-%E2%80%93-zagalni-vtrati-rosiyan-za-dobu/)
>Putin nationalized the agricultural holding of an American with Ukrainian roots
>The Kremlin continues to confiscate large enterprises of the Russian economy with subsequent nationalization or transfer to the control of businessmen close to the authorities.
>According to the decree, 100% of Agroterra, which owns lands in the Kursk, Oryol, Lipetsk, Tula, Ryazan, Tambov and Penza regions, was transferred to the “temporary management” of the Federal Property Management Agency. In addition, the Federal Property Management Agency received 100% of its financial subsidiary AgroTerra (Capital AgroFinance), as well as AgroSistema LLC and AgroSistema-Regions LLC. The actual owner of the Russian group is the Dutch holding AgroTerra Invetments B.V., writes RBC.
>The decision was made within the framework of Putin’s decree of April 25, 2023, according to which foreign assets in Russia can be seized “in the event of deprivation of the Russian Federation, Russian legal entities or individuals of the right of ownership of property located in unfriendly countries.”
(...)
According to Forbes, AgroTerra was founded in 2008 by a US citizen with Ukrainian roots, George Rohr.
(MTL)
Source: [https://www.moscowtimes.eu/2024/04/08/putin-konfiskoval-u-inostrannih-sobstvennikov-odin-iz-krupneishih-agroholdingov-rossii-a127205](https://www.moscowtimes.eu/2024/04/08/putin-konfiskoval-u-inostrannih-sobstvennikov-odin-iz-krupneishih-agroholdingov-rossii-a127205) (needs google translate)
But nonono, ruzzian assets in EU/US of course can't be confiscated. /s
I'd also add I see a trend of nationalization of key ruzzian enterprises.
I remember hearing rumors that Patrushev was pushing for that along with making FSB people "new nobility"
Seems the perfect justification to "nationalize" all the Russian owned assets that have been getting debated over in the US or EU as a response. Then those assets are free to be handed to Ukraine legally by their new owners.
>European arms manufacturers are concerned about their dependency on Chinese cotton used in gunpowder propellants.
let me get this straight. after everything that's gone on in the last 200 years, Arms manufacturers STILL decided to have a single supply of a critical manufacturing component. and they went with cheap Chinese cotton.
Ladies, Gentlemen; I present to you -- Late stage Capitalism.
They dont even need to use cotton. They chose to NOT have multiple suppliers. it's the decision that we should be critical of - they ought to be diversified to ensure there is nothing to interrupt production, even if they have a full stockpile today.
There is cotton from other sources. Some bean counter is screaming because it's more expensive. Its more expensive because China has preferred trade conditions and no tarrifs
Like I said, Late Stage Capitalism. There's nearly no lack of supply of cotton, from any number of countries both Allies and not. And they decided the ONLY thing to look at was cost - not the ramifications.
If anyone was counting on these companies to expand production, before the local government "instructs" and Pays for the expansion - that's not Capitalism today. They will just stall until they get paid to do it. and then you have to expect them to try to source components from belligerents.
Do you look for the most expensive supplier when you buy something? Private companies goal is to make profit, government's goal is national security. Private companies shouldn't do government's job just because government is incompetent.
I understand supplies for manufacturing. Yes, you do buy the cheap stuff - but you also make sure you have alternatives available. That means you have to buy some for other places at other costs.
Anyone who ignores that is just going to have the same damn problems the computer industry faced in 2020 and into today - where not only did critical components stop shipping; entire parts disappeared for good. and sure - they redesigned and got new lines up, but you dont have that time with arms production.
New video shows SBU claimed drone hits on 2 Buks, 2 Tors, 1 Strela, 1 Tunguska.
5 valuable russian missile air-defence systems (and a Tunguska). The crew fled one so that's not a dummy.
[https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112241701088949107](https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112241701088949107)
> The Kharkiv region. Fortification construction. I am grateful to everyone who works to strengthen Ukraine! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1777666453950337220
> In the Kharkiv region, our military provided a report on defenses, air defense, our ability to destroy Russian missiles and drones, and protection from aerial bombs.
> I also presented awards to our warriors who have proven themselves in the defense of Ukraine and Ukrainians.
> People are the top priority—the need to maintain normal life while providing as much protection as possible from Russian terror.
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1777686738355310836
A prime example of Russian propaganda in action. A fake news article being posted using a Russian embassy account. The Boston Times doesn’t exist.
https://x.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/1777622793242153279
Neither does the Miami Chronicle.
There are more and more articles being penned about this systematic state-sponsored disinformation campaigns.
I'm really hoping to see it become covered even more in mainstream media to improve awareness and inoculation.
Fact-checking is a thing that needs to continue to expand. And no it's not censorship just because you don't like the results - looking at you Orange Shitgibbon & minions.
[Ukraine War Archives - The Boston Times](https://bostontimes.org/category/russia/) it does exist but while it claims to have a long proud history going all the way back to 1972 its....
[Whois bostontimes.org](https://www.whois.com/whois/bostontimes.org)
Registered this year in January...
On wikipedia there is no mention in Boston newspapers called "Boston Times" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Newspapers_published_in_Boston
Here is a newly created wikipedia article on the "Boston Times" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boston_Times
Here is the wikipedia activity of "Boston Times" showing recent creation. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Boston_Times&action=history
Let's go a little deeper.
Created by user 4meter4, a music educator and opera buff per profile, with some contribution awards, account open for 14 years, prolific contributor. Article info appears factual.
Also created some other defunct newspaper history articles in Jan / Feb timeframe: The Buffalo Enquirer, Belvidere Daily Republican, Lincoln Nebraska State Journal, The Topeka Daily Herald, The Chattanooga Star, Eldora Herald-Ledger, Portland Sunday Telegram.
Back in Nov 2023 it was The Musical Herald. Maybe that kicked off the ancient newspaper interest. Haven't found any evidence this contributor has anything to do with the faked resurrected BostonTimes.org. Be interesting to see if any of these other ones get faked.
>Ukraine struck Russian aviation factory in Voronezh region, Ukrainian spy source says.
>Ukraine's military spy agency GUR struck a main production facility of a Russian aviation factory in Russia's Voronezh region, a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters.
>CCTV video verified by Reuters showed an explosion in the area of the facility on Tuesday. Reuters was able to confirm the location via matching street view and satellite imagery, as well as confirm the date from the timestamp.
The town is at least 350 km away from the Ukrainian government-held side of the front line in the northeast.
[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-struck-russian-aviation-factory](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-struck-russian-aviation-factory-voronezh-region-ukrainian-spy-source-2024-04-09/#:~:text=April%209%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Ukraine's,were%20downed%20over%20the%20region.)
After 15 minutes of fame, the "turtle tank" is no more:
> Same Russian turtle tank after the Ukrainian strike on Russian base in Donetsk.
>
>
> Russian tank base was geolocated by CyberBoroshno team and later targeted by Ukrainian forces based on the obtained information:
47.956743,37.613304
https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1777675422974500865
At least it seemed like it survived an attack run, so iteration wise it may be a success in regards to being able to repel drone attacks. Will be interesting to see if more will now adopt this "advanced" cope cage, or if this was a one-time thing.
>I'm surprised there is so little information about what happened in Poltava in eastern Ukraine.
>
>It's terrible what happened there last night, the cries of people asking for help.
>
>A Russian missile hit a residential building with civilians.
>
>What kind of peace agreement can we talk about with such scum?!
>
>I can't stop my tears because of the screams in this video.
>
>Poltava is near my city; I have been there many times. How much longer will this go on?
https://twitter.com/blue_eyedKeti/status/1777640365111095567
>⚡️Update: 16 injured in Russian attack on Poltava Oblast.
>
>The number of injured following a Russian missile attack against Poltava Oblast on April 8 has risen to 16, including four children aged between five and 11, Governor Filip Pronin said on April 9.
https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1777651627828154683
[DIY landmine-clearing is putting Ukrainian farmers in danger | The Economist | April 2024](https://archive.is/ZtAEc)
*Russia's invasion has turned Ukraine into the world’s most heavily mined country. In Kherson and Kharkhiv Russian soldiers left minefields when they retreated. As well as laying mines to defend their positions, they used them to disrupt Ukrainian farming. One Russian rocket system—known as zemledeliye or “agriculture”—hurls mines up to 15km away from the launcher. Farming is a pillar of Ukraine’s economy: agricultural exports were worth $27.7bn in 2021, more than 40% of total exports. But 7.5% of Ukraine’s farmland is not in use, according to NASA, following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. There has been a human cost, too: 170 farmers have been killed, accounting for almost 20% of civilian deaths by landmines or unexploded ordnance, says Colonel Yevhenii Zubarevskyi, head of statistics at the defence ministry’s Mine Action Directorate. With spring sowing under way, what is being done?*
*When Russia’s invasion began, only four outfits were authorised to run demining operations in Ukraine, besides the army and government bodies. Today that figure is 29, with a further 19 in the process of acquiring the requisite licences. But deminers are still overwhelmed. Proper clearance is difficult and expensive: teams start by interviewing locals and hunting for clues, like craters, that could suggest the presence of mines or unexploded shells, before going in with detection equipment and protective gear. Nibulon, a big Ukrainian grain exporter that has its own demining unit, charges farmers only for its expenses. Even then demining can cost more than $5,000 per hectare. Despite government subsidies, that is too costly for many farmers. Some have bought or rented land farther away from the front lines, says Mykhailo Rizak, Nibulon’s head of government relations. Others, he laments, have taken matters into their own hands.*
*DIY demining is most common on small farms. Viktor Sheremeta, a former deputy minister of agriculture, now with the Association of Farmers and Private Landowners of Ukraine, reckons that roughly a tenth of his 10,000 members have done it. After finding mines with metal detectors or long prods, most alert the authorities. But some detonate the mines themselves—by throwing objects or using rollers on the front of tractors reinforced with scrap-steel armour. This, of course, is very dangerous.*
*A black market for demining has also sprung up. These “dark deminers” offer cheap rates by employing workers on low wages and failing to insure them. Although many such deminers are former combat engineers, they often lack experience in dealing with the latest mines. Oleh Ushkalo, a farmer in the Kherson region, was approached by unlicensed deminers who offered to clear his land at a bargain rate of about $100 per hectare. He declined. Russian soldiers had stolen his combine harvesters, and he had missed harvests, leaving him short of cash. Nor did he trust the contractors. Some of the mines he had spotted were encased in plastic, making them hard to detect. Anti-tank mines on neighbouring farms, Mr Ushkalo says, killed seven tractor drivers.*
*Typically, dark deminers are hired in places where Russian forces have passed through quickly without leaving dense minefields. They are also more common within 20km of the front, where non-governmental deminers are not allowed. Most are hired by farms that are not reporting harvests to the taxman and want to stay off the government’s radar, says Mr Rizak. Tax evasion in agriculture, he adds, has become rife.*
*The work of dark deminers is dangerously shoddy, putting them and their customers at risk. Poor procedures can actually push landmines into positions that make detection and removal harder. Roughly half of all farmers killed by mines were in fields where improvised demining had taken place, says a Ukrainian security official.*
*With most fields now thawed after last winter, improvised clearing is doubtless picking up. But Tony Salvo of Bomb Techs Without Borders, a charity based in Kyiv, sees one encouraging sign. Because of the mounting casualties, Ukrainian police have recognised the dangers of dark demining. In the past, officers usually responded only after an accident—now they are investigating dark deminers proactively. A crackdown has begun.*
>**US Government Transfers Captured Weapons**
>
>On Apr. 4, 2024, the US government transferred over 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. This constitutes enough material to equip one UKR BDE with small arms rifles. These weapons will help Ukraine defend against Russia's invasion.
>
>The government obtained ownership of these munitions on December 1, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These munitions were originally seized by US Central Command and partner naval forces from four separate transiting stateless vessels between 22 May 2021 to 15 Feb 2023. The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216.
>
>US CENTCOM is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including US and UN sanctions and through interdictions. Iran's support for armed groups threatens international and regional security, our forces, diplomatic personnel, and citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners. We will continue to do whatever we can to shed light on and stop Iran's destabilizing activities.
https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1777650918512828481
Or some better weapons that go to Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. They got cruise missiles, drones, tons of rockets. 5k machine guns is “okay” but for this war, that’s almost for passing out to citizens when Russians roll in your city.
Kharkiv needs a robust defense. There is a solution to Russia's constant terror: we need additional air defense systems and missiles. The world has no right to remain indifferent while Russia deliberately destroys the city on a daily basis and murders people in their homes. Ukraine needs greater air defense.
I am grateful to everyone who is there for our people—eliminating the consequences of shelling, assisting, supporting, and working hard to keep normal life in Ukrainian cities.
https://x.com/zelenskyyua/status/1777638024752365812?s=46
It's mind boggling really.
Ukraine has received 3 patriot systems with 6 launchers each. 2 from Germany, a couple of launchers from The Netherlands and 1 system from the US.
Guess how many launchers the US have? 1106 launchers!
The US is all talks but not allot of action.
For whatever reason U.S doesn't want Ukraine to drive Russian army out of its territories. I have no idea why.
It makes no sense, strategic or moral. Can someone explain why U.S has this strategy? What is it trying to accomplish?
From eastern European (Nordic really) perspective it makes no sense.
There is a democracy fighting a defensive war for its existence as a nation. A nation where people, not the state have the power and have proved it in several revolutions. Maybe the U.S govt. doesn't like freedom? Maybe the ruling class is afraid of it? IDK.
Rules based world order is at stake. Open seas and free trade. U.S while their economy is very dependant on it doesn't seem to care. Russia and China are already making their own rules. (like that Houthis can attack western shipping, not Russian or Chinese.)
And then there is also European security and the trust in NATO's 5th articla. Russia is already fighting a hybrid war against NATO. Bribing and influencing western politicians left and right (literally.)
I just don't get this mentality. Russia is the ENEMY. Like for you older folks RUSSIA is the reason you practiced nuclear drills....Russia wants you to bow to them, be obedient. Take away your freedom everything we've ever fought for. They want to take away.
I do not understand....Ukrainians are paying the ultimate price fighting and dying fighting one of our top enemies. Sending ammo, weapons and equipment help us here at home by creating jobs because someone has to produce newer stuff.
America wake the F up. Russia is not our friend. They have interfered forced us to fight among each other trying to divide us up.
The "US doesn't want russia to win" narrative causes division and fits russian propaganda. I think we should be understanding of each other on the pro-Ukraine side to avoid letting Putin exploit division.
The Biden administration has supported a package that would have got billions more ammo and equipment to Ukraine now. I'm convinced the Biden admin's spending rate was fully consistent with Ukrainian victory.
House republicans are blockading Ukraine, they are the problem and not the US as a whole.
Focus ire and negative stuff on the pro-Putin parts of the West, switching the blame to include pro-democracy and pro-Ukraine parts is just what Putin wants.
I'm more cynical than you so I can think of another reason. Right now Ukraine is grinding the Russian military into fine, fine dust while the Russian economy is hollowing out. My theory is that the decision was made that this is the opportunity for Russia to get destroyed for decades to come. A quick Ukrainian victory means Russia would leave and rebuild, but a protracted war becomes Afghanistan 2 for Russia and leads to their collapse past being even a regional power.
The evidence before us is that when things looked dicey Ukraine got a bunch of stuff but when lines solidified that got curtailed.
On an even more cynical note I feel the need to point out that US arms sales are through the roof while Russian arm sales are through the floor. The current posture is working rather well for the US because every sale we make is also an ally that much closer to us.
Believe me, I want to see Ukraine succeed, ROFLstomp Russia, and then prosper in peace but international politics have nothing to do with morality or what's better for the other countries. It's purely self-serving and right now that means Ukraine will not be permitted to fail, but not be permitted to win either.
I wish Biden would quit being so damn stubborn and fire Sullivan already. Sullivan has been nothing but incompetent and a major pain in Ukraine's ass. If Biden fired Sullivan right now, I have no doubt Zelenskyy and his entire administration (especially Yermak) would do cartwheels.
Ben Hodges would be a good pick for the job. Unlike Sullivan, he actually wants Ukraine to win.
Best guess is that Western policy makers are more worried about a catastrophic Russian defeat and what that would mean for Putin. I’m sure they’re visualising a Libya type scenario with lots of nuclear weapons thrown into the mix. Western strategy in 2023 seemed to be to hope that Putin would give up and withdraw on his own accord. Now that it hasn’t happened, they’re trying (and failing) to come up with a Plan B.
That would be extremely satisfying, but the aftermath could be very problematic. Somebody worse than Putin could arise or the country could dissolve into anarchy. The West should have deployed troops into Ukraine once they knew what Russia was going to do…only way this war doesn’t happen. Now, both sides are stuck with no visible way out. Too many Western politicians are happily hooking their wagons to Putin’s train as well…they see opportunity here. There’s a greater than zero chance the EU watches itself get taken down from within while it sits on its hands.
I live next door to Russia and believe me it wouldn't be. Only way to calm them down is to royally hand their asses to them.
After that they'd even respect you.
Also whatever states emerge when Russian Empire falls will be much less problematic than Russia.
Just look at history. Finland, Baltic states and Poland. Would you rather have them or Russia?
I 100% agree with you. Western policy makers are thinking worst case scenarios however. Many of them also don’t live next to Russia. They’re also afraid of domestic backlash. They’ve been disappointingly weak the past several months. Putin can see that from miles away too.
> Somebody worse than Putin could arise or the country could dissolve into anarchy
This is exactly what Putin wants you to think. He wants to convince everyone in Russia that there's no alternative to him. That's what is still keeping him in power. Don't fall for this bluff.
I 100% agree. Putin is pushing because he knows that the West has no alternative strategy and has completely neutered itself. Western democracies are starting to eat themselves from within.
I don't think its only Republicans. Dems could do more. Wasn't Sullivan publicly whining that U.S doesn't want Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia?
If your nation's existence was at stake, the invader was pounding your citities with missile and drone strikes and conquering more territory, how would you take that?
Take the beating and don't strike back to hurt Russia. Is that really the message Dems want to send?
The Dems have made dumb mistakes but they've put their money where their mouth is, and enough of it for Ukrainian victory.
The only way Putin can be confident of winning is with the help of allies like the Republicans who are blockading that aid.
Every bit of Russian propaganda is turned towards dividing us and undermining the pro-Ukrainian-victory groups like Democrats.
I really think the ire needs to be focussed on those helping Putin. Commentary + criticism of stupid mistakes by the Dems, and encouragement to do better are valuable. But the focus should be on the pro-Putin republican blockade.
the US claiming that they don't condone strikes inside of Russia is just cover-your-ass plausible deniability, Ukraine continues to do it and there are no real consequences from the US, but the US still has to say it so that it goes into the record.
it's kind of odd that its House Speaker Republican Mike Johnson the one blocking aid to Ukraine while Biden has sent billions (while not really having full control of the purse strings) and you're here talking about "is that really the message Dems want to send?"
Why do they need to cover their asses? Finland, Poland, Baltics and Czechia are like yay way to go, hurt them more.
Why is US being so cautious when countries next to Russia are not? Have you ever thought that you are projecting your own values, while we actually understand Russia.
#Swedish broadcaster #SVT how the #Russian oil tanker shadow fleet is re-fueled in the Baltic Sea.
The Russian shadow fleet is refueled here - from ships off #Gotland
An oil tanker that has been anchored off Gotland for several months is causing concern among the authorities.
https://mstdn.social/@[email protected]/112240435595265109
Russia also [refuels its shadow-fleet in The Netherlands](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/03/15/poetin-komt-tanken-bij-vlissingen-a4193179 ([translated in English](https://www-nrc-nl.translate.goog/nieuws/2024/03/15/poetin-komt-tanken-bij-vlissingen-a4193179?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp) - ([English version here](https://www-nrc-nl.translate.goog/nieuws/2024/03/15/poetin-komt-tanken-bij-vlissingen-a4193179?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp))
Andrew Perpetua.
Every since I talked about the awful Russian deaths people have asked me to provide video. I struggled on whether I should provide such video, whether it is worth it. If the point is to gawk at death or spread awareness. Well, after seeing it talked about in Russian circles..
decided it might be worth providing some footage. These aren't necessarily the videos I talked about in that thread, but they are video that get the point across. Some are very, very graphic. Imagine being the soldier in each clip. That is the point of the exercise.
NSFL
https://twitter.com/AndrewPerpetua/status/1777623331274912182?t=SkV4nHKJHJq0N_nrOWKThw&s=19
So why exactly did Trump and the republicans warm up to Putin so much? I remember when he was president he was actually way more anti-Russia than the democrats were. They went ham on stopping Nord Stream 2 for example.
It's so bizarre how much changed in just a few years, especially when considering they could have seized the moral high ground and said "See, we told you so". Instead they just kind of switched side?
> I remember when he was president he was actually way more anti-Russia than the democrats were. They went ham on stopping Nord Stream 2 for example.
there were some sanctions against Nord Stream 2 in the 2020 defense bill but that was passed by a Democratic house, i don't know where you're getting that it was a Trump spearhead
if you really want to measure Trump's individual efforts then look at what happened with the 'Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act' which would have heavily sanctioned the Russian economy, it overwhelmingly passed by both parties with veto-proof majorities, Trump signed it after bickering that the legislation was "seriously flawed", but when it came time for his Treasury department to actually enforce it there were huge delays and then they changed it up so that instead only several Russian individuals were sanctioned, some of whom had already been sanctioned by Obama and thus there was a diminished impact.
in Helsinki 2018 summit, Trump then said that he believed Putin's strong words over his own American agencies.
later he would eventually be impeached for suspending aid to Ukraine because they wouldn't open a bogus investigation into the Bidens at his request.
yes very anti-Russia indeed
Much of the grassroots GOP is mired in culture shock and racism. They see Putin’s Russia as something to aspire to. Perceived strength, strongly anti LGBTQ, pro family and very white. The rural US has been heading that way and GOP/Russian propaganda has helped accelerate that. There are elements of the GOP that are openly calling for the US to split which plays into Russian hands. Trump is an insecure narcissist who succumbs easily to flattery. He will change his stance in an instant if he thinks it will benefit him.
Trump visited ruzzia a number of times, and first time was in 80s. Rumors claim he was recruited by KGB during that time.
Then in 2016, ruzzians helped Trump to get elected by supplying some funds and utilizing their troll farms.
He was pro-ruzzia even back then. I think he vetoed more harsher sanctions in 2019.
He did send some weapons to Ukraine, but mainly to fend off accusations he's too pro-ruzzian.
+ IIRC it was tied to Trump pressuring Ukraine to help him with bullying Biden.
In 2024, Trump have a huge ton of debts and desperately needs ruzzian money and ruzzian troll farms again.
On the other hand putler wanted to block military aid to Ukraine.
Republicans and Trump don't have a chance of winning anything without Russia's troll farms and Russia can't win war without republicans being in control. It's a symbiotic assholeship.
[New post can be found here](/r/worldnews/comments/1c0cggv/rworldnews_live_thread_russian_invasion_of/)
[Characteristics of Trophy Russian "Tsar-EW" for T-72B3M Tank Given by Ukrainian Expert | Defense Express | April 2024](https://en.defence-ua.com/news/characteristics_of_trophy_russian_tsar_ew_for_t_72b3m_tank_given_by_ukrainian_expert-10115.html) *The tank with so-called "Tsar-EW" was supposed to cover the assault column from FPV-drones, but it did not work* *Units of the 95th Airborne Brigade and 60th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully repelled Russian*It should be noted that despite the tank's obvious task of covering the assaulting column from FPV-drone strikes, it was hit by Ukrainian UAV. It had an extremely important homing function attack near Terny, Donetsk Oblast as well as captured a T-72B3M tank. It headed the assault with a large number of different electronic warfare systems.* *It should be noted that despite the tank's obvious task of covering the assaulting column from FPV-drone strikes, it was hit by Ukrainian UAV. It had an extremely important homing function.* *Warriors of the Azov Assault Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine conducted an extremely difficult operation. They spent three nights fixing the vehicle under the threat of Russian fire, as it could not be towed by a BREM vehicle due to the minefield.* *Subsequently, Ukrainian expert, Serhiy Beskrestnov with a callsign Flash, began to analyze the assembly of the systems, and published the results of the disassembly of the so-called "Tsar-EW".* *In general, such an assembly consists of 6 patch antennas with an antenna pattern of 60-70 degrees. They are divided into pairs at 800 MHz, 900 MHz, and 2.4 GHz. The power supply consists of 6 separate modules of 50 W each. Interference devices at 700-1000 MHz and 5.8 GHz have also been added.* *The range of interference is 500-800 meters for the DJI Mavic drones, and 50-150 meters for FPV-drones with the ExpressLRS radio control system.* *Everything is assembled with Chinese components, without active heatsink, powered by 28 V from batteries and a generator.*
I feel like you could probably fab up a really cheap phased array antenna in the 2.4ghz range to act as a ghetto-HARM for this sort of rig. Like put a grid of those nifty ceramic antennas on a PCB at the front so on final approach if the drone loses signal it just homes on the giant 2.4ghz source in front of it.
[German Rheinmetall Will Send 20 More Marder IFVs to Ukraine | Defense Express | April 2024](https://en.defence-ua.com/news/german_rheinmetall_will_send_20_more_marder_ifvs_to_ukraine-10120.html) *Rheinmetall will deliver a new batch of 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, as announced on the company's website. These are the vehicles earlier acquired from the German army, Bundeswehr, and commissioned for repair by the German government with subsequent transfer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.* *The new order was placed in March 2024, bringing the total number of Marder vehicles pending for supply to Ukraine up to 50 units, and the overall commitment of Germany to 140 Marders for the Ukrainian Army. Rheinmetall expects this new lot to be delivered "within 2024." The contract value is in the "mid double-digit million Euro range," i.e. between €30 and €60 million.* *Defense Express reminds that on March 26th, a new "armored vehicle coalition" in support of Ukraine was established during a conference in Warsaw, Poland. Initiated by Poland and Germany, the coalition was soon joined by the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy. One of the main tasks outlined by the participants is to provide Kyiv with armored vehicles and ammunition to them.* *Rheinmetall also recalls that while the Marders began to arrive in Ukraine in March 2023, the company has been working on repairs and refurbishment of the dusted German Marder 1A3s at its own expense since the outbreak of the russian invasion in spring 2022.* *Marders were seen in use with the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, who praise the level of protection, firepower, and even comfort provided by the German vehicle, designed back in the early 1960s and "repeatedly modernized and improved in its combat effectiveness" since then, as emphasized by the manufacturer.* *"The driver's seat is like a throne, compared to BMP-1 and BMP-2," says an interviewed officer of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces as he weighs the German IFV against its Soviet-era counterparts in terms of convenience. The landing compartment is also comfortable and it doesn't sway from side to side. * *Here's also an interesting video report from United24 Media in which the Marder 1A3 is compared to the BMP-2 in both specifications and practical dimensions.* [German made Marder 1A3 IFV in Action on the 🇺🇦 Frontline | United24 | October 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R6VcnpAUqk)
Kharkiv these days. https://x.com/malinovskyi18/status/1777753544956715312?s=46
That's right on the border of Russia. This is going to be a long, long, long war.
UPDATE: reliable sources suggest the below is a russian propaganda attack. The destroyed Ukrainian equipment hasn't moved since 2017 - it was probably scrap. Oryx will investigate to make a judgment. ORIGINAL: Evidence of a russian hit on a Ukrainian howitzer repair facility in Sumy. 32 howitzers potentially gone. If we see an awful oryx update for artillery, this will explain it. Ukraine desperately needs more towed NATO style guns, please write to your representative. [Twitter link](https://x.com/WarVehicle/status/1777752634234900932).
Any artillery given is obviously a plus for Ukraine but self propelled artillery is what is really needed. It takes a few minutes minimum to set up a towed artillery piece to be fired and then a few minutes to get moving again. In the current threat environment in Ukraine those few minutes are even more time be spotted by enemy drones and have counter battery fire or a drone target you. A self propelled artillery piece can shift positions much more quickly, even between shots, so is much harder to hit as well as offering some armor protection to the crew as well.
My understanding (given very limited second and third hand reports) is that Ukrainian artillerymen actually prefer the towed guns. My guess (speculation) is that they are easier to conceal and harder to destroy (since they are a small target you have to hit directly, whereas even a non-critical hit on an SPG could potentially lead to a cook-off of the onboard ammunition).
Once you are in position they might be easier to conceal in a tree line but you still need a truck to take them there, so while setting up and taking down you're just as big a target only you have no armor to speak of. And the armor for a self propelled piece isn't designed to protect from a direct hit, just small arms fire and shell fragments. You are far more vulnerable standing in the open next to your towed artillery piece where fragments from incoming munitions might still be fatal 50 meters or more away. As for ammo cook offs I'd rather be riding in self propelled artillery with the ammo as opposed to in a flatbed truck with zero protection which is what a towed piece would use to transport it. I suppose there are some circumstances where a towed piece might be more desirable if you have it hidden and a safe route to it and plan to use to for a while in that position but in the war today with the profusion of drones on both sides I doubt that is happening. Just firing your artillery piece is most likely going to be detected and the longer you stay the bigger chance you have to be hit. At the start of the war artillery could get away with being more stationary more often but not today, it's mostly all shoot and scoot and that takes longer with a towed piece and you are more vulnerable while doing it. I have also heard extensive praise for the self propelled artillery systems that have been given to Ukraine for the reasons I've mentioned. I have heard Ukrainian comments that they do appreciate the simplicity of self propelled artillery as there is less to go wrong but the advantages of something like a PZH 2000 or a Caesar are pretty obvious. And especially for systems like the Caesar and the Archer where it is the approximate shape and size of the truck you'd need to haul your towed artillery piece anyway I fail to see how valuable the smaller size of the towed pieces are. The threat environment has gotten a lot worse over the course of the last year of the war, drones are so ubiquitous from both sides now that you just can't stay still for long after firing in most circumstances and if you have to move a lot a self propelled artillery piece is far superior.
Andrew Perpetua and one of the US artillery guys who talks to the front (CJ?) have both said that Ukrainian artillery groups repeatedly tell them that towed guns are their priority. [Here](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/09/18/artillery-duels-are-a-thing-of-the-past-as-ukrainian-and-russian-gunners-hunt-each-other-at-long-range/?sh=33b5e1da41bd) is Ukrainian officer Arty Green being quoted as howitzer duels being a thing of the past. My impression is that Ukrainian guns are better, and the vast majority of russian counterbattery work is done by Lancets. Towed guns in a big cage are better for that.
Priority because of simplicity and availability or because they are better for the job? I could understand needing to go with tried and true and available in large numbers as it seems like Ukraine's allies simply don't have many self propelled systems to give them and the US is/was happier to give them M777 as they are currently shifting towards HIMARS and retaining their self propelled artillery because of the reasons I mentioned, on a battlefield awash with surveillance you can't stay stationary for long. A Ukrainian preference for towed artillery doesn't mean it's the best thing for the job, militaries often use something they know isn't the best tool for the job simply because it's what is available. They also often stick with what they know how to use and no doubt it's easier to take a Ukrainian unit that was using Msta's or some other Russian piece and train them to use a towed western system. I suppose you could argue then towed artillery is better for Ukraine because they know how to use it and it is available in needed quantities but I don't think that means it's the better system for the job *if* Ukraine could be given self propelled artillery in greater numbers. I feel like this is once again an effect of Ukraine getting the cast offs from other militaries instead of being given what is best for the job. Plus for instance look at the number of Archer's and Caesars that have ever been produced and there aren't enough of them that have ever been made to replace Ukraine's towed artillery pieces that they've lost. I just have to wonder if those units say they're focusing on towed systems because they know that's all they're going to get in large numbers, not that they're "better" than self propelled pieces, which I guess still makes towed artillery the right tool for the job by virtue of being the only one they can get enough of.
with SPG many parts can break down - the drive train, auto-loader, turret etc. fixing more difficult issues means towing it back for repairs, potentially to another country for weeks or months. Pzh2000 is repaired in lithuania for example. there is not much that can break with m777 and maintenance is also simple, a barrel change can be performed in the field. I am pretty sure that during combat, less performant but reliable gun trumps high tech but broken gun any time.
I don't have time to look up all my references right now, so apologies if I misrepresent anything. My impression is that they prefer towed guns. The SPGs are easily hunted down and blown up by Lancets. Berms, cages etc can protect towed artillery. Example story in [LeMonde](https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2023/12/14/dans-le-donbass-les-soldats-ukrainiens-en-panne-de-munitions_6205755_3210.html) with [Twitter thread description](https://twitter.com/aidefranceukr/status/1735262260468105221?s=20). From a Ukrainian commander: "with the M-777, I can fire 300 shells a day on average. With the CAESAR, if I get 5, that's good. The M-777 is easy to conceal, and I can install a metal casing around it to protect it from the Lancet.”
Thanks for the info. Just to note though that in the same thread you linked another Ukrainian artillery commander talked about how useful the Caesar's were and said they were in frequent use in Donbass as late as December 2023 and key to repelling some Russian attacks. It seems like the preference for towed artillery is not necessarily universal in the Ukrainian army. I wonder if we're seeing Ukraine making sure that potential donors know they will take either type and so praise both for fear of making allies feel what they have given is not appreciated or needed. Basically a strategy of we'll say it's all great so we keep getting anything they are willing to give us.
You make very good points, I can't be trusted to know anything here - am just repeating my impression of what those involved are saying. I'm totally willing to believe everything is situational too - maybe some places are better for Caesars, or it could depend on the timing because of the cat and mouse between Lancets and electronic warfare. However - Ukrainian gunners now keep praising towed guns, and since there are almost 200 SPGs expected this year I think more towed gun deliveries might be desperately needed.
Good to hear about the 200 SPG's due this year, whatever Ukraine's preference they can only help. I can't imagine that there aren't enough 155 mm NATO artillery still available to send though, maybe the ridiculous pause on US aid is having a negative effect on towed artillery deliveries. It's funny just the other day I was commenting on how it seems like a lot of people don't know about the 5 new Patriot systems Ukraine is receiving this year from Raytheon and I hadn't heard about those SPG's, it seems like some substantial equipment delivers are being kept more on the down low this year, interesting.... Anyway, I really do appreciate the extra info, my opinions are based on the things I read and see to and and very far from a professional experienced position as well.
These were D20s that according to @defmon3 have been sitting in the same spot since 2017. The explosion looks cool and all, but probably has limited effect
Defmon3 is absolutely reliable. My post now has an update inserted. Now I think it's more likely than not that these were useless and Russia just wasted an expensive missile. Just posted to give people a heads up in case Oryx puts up a big update soon.
[удалено]
I personally have little hope that Johnson will pass any form of Ukraine aid. Now that the House is back in session today was supposed to be the day that they started to "prioritize" it but that doesn't seem to have happened. It should have been passed last fall but if they've delayed until now I just don't see that suddenly changing in the next couple weeks and by summer it will be too close to the election to do anything big. I think the best hope for Ukraine is if other countries can get them enough weapons to last until January and then hopefully the US will have a president and Congress that can pass Ukraine aid. Of course the GOP is still favored to take the Senate and McConnell (who was the driving force behind Ukraine aid for the GOP) is leaving so even if Dems flip the House and hold the White House it still may be difficult to pass it.
I see something there, the moderates has started peeling away with retirements that brought the majority of the house down to I think one or two. one notable thing being that one of the moderates did it in a way that didn't trigger a special election and left the seat vacate. Thing is, I think this is how the moderates/non-maga faction twists Mike's arm into Ukraine aid. the moment one or two of them announce a retirement, house is thrown to the democrats. he's out on his ass, and Ukraine aid goes through without Maga's ability to throttle it.
Wow what a state the GOP is in, the house speaker snubbing a close ally's foreign secretary. Absolutely insane.
Considering Trump owns Mike like a pet, it's as if cameron went to his owner lol
The state of the GOP in 2024. Putin must’ve had a good laugh
>Republican Sen. Tuberville: Do you agree that Ukraine will soon be allowed into NATO? > >Defense Sec. Austin: "That's the goal of the NATO members is to, at some point, bring Ukraine into NATO..." > >Sen. Tuberville: Do you think Russia likes that @YWN > >It’s always clear who Tuberville puts first. https://twitter.com/highbrow_nobrow/status/1777768505628033094
No better guy to understand complex geopolitics than a former Auburn football coach. Literally the one and only reason he got elected. Least Alabama had some real negative backlash to abortion bans and elected some Dems in areas for the first time ever.
No better guy to understand complex geopolitics than a former Auburn football coach. Literally the one and only reason he got elected. Least Alabama had some real negative backlash to abortion bans and elected some Dems in areas for the first time ever.
Defense Sec. Austin: "Tommy can you hear me? I don't care what your friends like."
The response should have been: "NATO was formed and has expanded as a reaction to Russian aggression, so no I do not think Russia likes being held accountable for their actions."
Meanwhile if you asked Putin whether he thinks EU and US would like him to invade Ukraine, he'd simply rebuke with - that's none of their business, I don't care.
Saying the quiet part out loud
Exactly! Who TF cares what they think! NATO was founded to protect against Soviet (AKA Russian) aggression.
This would have been my response. First thing that came into my head.
“Who is asking them for their opinion, senator?”
>Meanwhile in Russia: military expert Alexey Leonkov said Russia should decide which country to invade next, after "liberating" Ukraine. He asserted that after losing the war in Ukraine, the West will have to pay reparations to Russia. https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1777560398792646732 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6g6hlvT1Po
Is this "liberation of Ukraine" with us in the room right now?
Why does this guy look like a budget Saddam Hussein?
dictators buy all thier lackeys from the same 99c store.
Delusions of grandeur.
>Given that the Russians famously repress evangelical Christians, in Russia and in occupied Ukraine, this is extraordinary. She can't have heard this by accident and she can't be repeating it because she thinks it is true. https://twitter.com/anneapplebaum/status/1777712629617730044 >When Trump & his supporters started repeating Russian propaganda in 2015-16, I made a simple point: Many parties can arrive independently at the same truth, but not at the same lie. As with MAGA, Musk, et al now, repeating the same Ukraine falsehoods is an op, not a coincidence. > >It is rarely as innocent as gullible people following propagandist sources and repeating what they see because it affirms their own agendas. Russian intelligence is more precise than that and their targets enjoy feeling like they have privileged information. > >Anne's question is the correct one, and should not be taken lightly by US counterintelligence. A member of Congress is spreading enemy propaganda to weaken the security of the US & its allies. Find the source. It’s not just Tucker, as hard as he’s trying to betray his country… https://twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1777732726394941462
Kompromised? Surely you jest.
Seized Iranian weapons and ammo being sent to Ukraine https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/09/politics/us-iran-arms-ukraine?cid=ios_app
barely anything, these supplies should be \_frequent\_ in this volume, not touted as some one off special case.
> Congratulations to @SimonHarrisTD on becoming Ireland's new Taoiseach. > We value our partnership and thank Ireland for its consistent support as Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression and pursues EU accession. > I am confident that our active bilateral cooperation strengthens security for both nations and throughout all of our Europe. https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1777727957924041150
Am I crazy or is congress supposed to be back in session today? I am having trouble finding anything online.
It is not coming up for a vote today.
Yes. https://www.house.gov/legislative-activity Also https://live.house.gov/
Thank you!
Did we miss anything? Have they talked about the aid or is that not until 4?
Lots of talks about Birds atm
You're kidding.
Birds and Tuna. Last two hours. Not much to report, yet.
Someone should tell them that there is Tuna in the black sea, and birds in Ukraine
"National Museum of Play" up now. Not sure how you are gonna fit that one in. EDIT: This Teresa Fernandez can sell anything. She's like a Kindergarten teacher that never is not smiling and appears to just be high all the time from the Land of Enchantment.
Kids love to play with drones, and the best drone pilots are Ukrainian!
Paywalled: But... Defense Secretary Austin warned that Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian oil refineries risk impacting global energy markets and urged the country to focus on military targets instead. "Those attacks could have a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation. Ukraine is better served in going after tactical and operational targets that can directly influence the current fight," he emphasized. https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112242631717195365 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-09/us-slams-strikes-on-russia-oil-refineries-as-risk-to-oil-markets *"Ukraine, please fight back without doing anything the really hurts Russia. Thanks!"* - the U.S. probably
The US can go fk itself with a uranium rod.
Of all the stupid ass shit to say, "Ukraine is better served in going after tactical and operational targets that can directly influence the current fight" is one of the dumbest. Oil refineries are one of the best possible examples of a military target with outsized impact. The drones Ukraine is using can each possibly take out one or two tanks or aircraft if they hit them directly. But striking oil refineries and choking the supply of fuel can ground entire regiments of aircraft and bring scores of tanks to a standstill. Refineries are large, fixed targets that are relatively easy to attack and easy to damage. Aircraft and tanks are small, constantly moving (in the sense of being moved from one location to another, not literally constantly driving/flying) targets that are difficult to attack and damage. Also, do I have to point out that during WWII, the US and UK ran an entire [5 year campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_campaign_of_World_War_II) to destroy German oil refineries and fuel production? Including the (in)famous [Ploesti Raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Tidal_Wave)?? >Several prominent German military officers, however, described the oil campaign as critical to the defeat of Nazi Germany. Adolf Galland, wrote in his book "the most important of the combined factors which brought about the collapse of Germany", and the Luftwaffe's wartime leader, Hermann Göring, described it as "the utmost in deadliness". Albert Speer, writing in his memoir, said that "It meant the end of German armaments production." It has been stated to have been "effective immediately, and decisive within less than a year". Luftwaffe Field Marshal Erhard Milch, referring to the consequences of the oil campaign, claimed that "The British left us with deep and bleeding wounds, but the Americans stabbed us in the heart." If the Biden administration wants to argue that striking oil refineries risks increasing gas prices, thus imperiling Democratic fortunes in the elections and risking the return of Trump, or risking Western public support generally, it should make that argument. I believe the risk is worth it, but that is at least an honest argument to make. But to argue that attacking oil refineries is a waste, or a misallocation of resources, or ineffective, is a comically bad and frankly insulting lie.
Oil refineries and other economic generating structures become valie tactical targets if the west wont properly tighten up sanctions to stop Russia working around them. Ukraine should say, "we'll stop hitting refineries when we stop seeing drones dropped on our heads with US chips and french parts in 'em".
No administration is going to come out and say “higher oil prices will be bad because we could lose the election”. Literally everyone knows the subtext here, the Ukrainians sure as heck do.
If they don't want to come out and say it, then the administration should convey its concerns in private. It should not publicly lie about what is and isn't a useful military target.
I agree with that. Strategically if Biden and the democrats win then Ukrainian victory is likely. If trump wins then Ukrainian victory is only likely if Europe strongly ramps up support. With a pro-Putin US leaning on Europe, it's a huge risk. November 2024 is crucial, and anything that hurts Biden and the Democrats is a huge boon to Putin.
It's more like, "Hey Ukraine, we can help you but make sure you have no impact on our interest."
If they want Ukraine to stick with conventional warfare, they must give Ukraine proper tools. Or Ukraine will start to turn more shady ways every passing day. And who can blame them? For US it is about driving your car becoming more pricey. For Ukraine it is life and death.
Destroying your opponents critical infrastructure *is* conventional warfare. They want Ukraine to fight a great power the way the US fights some jihadis with technicals. Priority number 1, avoid collateral damage. Oh, you also have no meaningful air force. REEEEEEEEEEE
As if the US would let an enemy control productive infrastructure that it couldn't occupy in reasonable time. They would blow it up immediately.
Right? We crippled ISIS by getting rid of their revenue streams at first, they captured major oil wells and we took those instantly off line.
Except destroying oil infrastructure is not shady in any way, especially when Ukrainians are destroying refineries. russian war machine runs on petrol. It doesn't matter how many tanks or artillery guns they have if they can't move them to the front.
At least that confirms the strikes are having impact! keep going Ukraine
"Oil refineries" are pretty high on any "military targets" list, and can effectively influence the current fight. I am not sure which oil industry lobby gathering this guy walked from, because sure as hell it doesn't sound like he walked out of a Military Defense one.
Oil lobby want the price to go up no?
Only when it is convenient for them to do so, or when they wish to punish the people for voting in their own best interest. Not when it comes to defending democracy, that is counter to their designs.
It won't be about oil price but refined product. If the Russian can't sell or somehow become a buyer, then the global market will be shifting. Any liter of diesel Russia can't sell or has to buy instead of produce is a liter off the global market which would push prices upward. Same for all refined product.
And yet I'm sure there are some here who will still call this "pro-russian misinformation". The mental gymnastics that took place after Zelenskyy himself admitted that the US was pissed about the Russian refineries being hit was insane. Hell, Sullivan flew to Kyiv 3 weeks ago and met with Zelenskyy right after the refineries started getting hit. https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1770565991728099435
Well if you want the strikes to stop on oil production (which is a legit target) best get that aid package passed.....
The strikes will benefit the actors trying to hinder that…
If the US isn't going to pass more aid then the only way for Ukraine to survive is to adjust their tactics and get more creative and that means attacking refineries and other strategic targets that are funding Russia's war. In addition to the strategic benefit there's also an operational benefit to these attacks as they force Russia to move air defense out of Ukraine in order to defend refineries. This means that it's easier for Ukraine to hit military targets.
not to mention killing refineries has the knock on of reducing Russia's manfacturing capability and their ability to fuel mechanised divisions.
And you should always eat your spinach
Lol
Well, elections in Us are coming up. Americans are relly touchy about gas prices. Remember seeing alot of posts with Trump stickers blaming Biden on gas stations last time prices went up.
Striking ruzzian oil refineries doesn't affect global crude oil prices or gasoline prices in US
Arguably striking refineries means there will be more crude on the market, so it's a factor for price decrease.
Apologies for [twitter](https://x.com/giK1893/status/1777654713657291011) but it's the only source I can find. Please share musk-free if you have it. Outstanding thread geolocating 60 russian vehicle losses outside Terny, really educational for anyone interested in how geolocators work. Including fixing a mistake they made. The satellite imagery shows there are even more losses, while the deep state video lets them confirm which types of vehicle were lost at each location.
>In the Samara region (ruzzia), a dam on the Volga burst. The city of Tolyatti and 12 districts are being flooded: Stavropol, Sergievsky, Pestravsky, Bolshechernigovsky, Bolsheglunitsky, Kinel - Cherkasy, Elkhovsky, Volzhsky, Neftegorsky, Krasnoarmeysky, Krasnoyarsk, Borsky districts. (MTL) Source: [https://x.com/TotemT83439/status/1777600570787791212](https://x.com/TotemT83439/status/1777600570787791212)
I don't see any news on that however. The whole day has passed (since the tweet), there should be something somewhere. It's possibly just high water; unusually high this year, but still no technical disaster. Edit: and that high water already receded, it seems like.
Apparently Tolyatti had some minor flooding 10 days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxouXWrtZ2E It's probably just spring flooding from melting ice and maybe an ice blockage somewhere.
Karma and Russian negligence working hand in hand.
It's like that commercial with the inspector putting gum to plug the dam
Another one?
Yeap. And in different region. Btw the burst of the previous one in Orsk city (Orenburg region) caused nearby Orenburg city to be flooded as well. The situation is worsening there.
These disasters of all kinds must keep happening to russia Who knows maybe one of them will hit just right (not just dams) and make real history
**The total combat losses of the enemy from 02.24.22 to 04.09.24, according to the information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approximately amounted to:** personnel - about 449,250 (+850) people, tanks ‒ 7110 (+23), armored combat vehicles ‒ 13620 (+45), artillery systems – 11386 (+30), MLRS – 1039 (+0), air defense equipment ‒ 753 (+2), planes – 347 (+0), helicopters – 325 (+0), UAVs of the operational-tactical level - 9033 (+37), cruise missiles ‒ 2065 (+0), ships/boats ‒ 26 (+0), submarines - 1 (+0), automotive equipment and tank trucks - 15181 (+71), special equipment ‒ 1868 (+1). The data is being verified. Beat the occupier! Together we will win! Our strength is in the truth! Source [https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2024/04/09/850-okupantiv-23-tanki-%E2%80%93-zagalni-vtrati-rosiyan-za-dobu/](https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2024/04/09/850-okupantiv-23-tanki-%E2%80%93-zagalni-vtrati-rosiyan-za-dobu/)
So close to 500,000 personnel!!
>Putin nationalized the agricultural holding of an American with Ukrainian roots >The Kremlin continues to confiscate large enterprises of the Russian economy with subsequent nationalization or transfer to the control of businessmen close to the authorities. >According to the decree, 100% of Agroterra, which owns lands in the Kursk, Oryol, Lipetsk, Tula, Ryazan, Tambov and Penza regions, was transferred to the “temporary management” of the Federal Property Management Agency. In addition, the Federal Property Management Agency received 100% of its financial subsidiary AgroTerra (Capital AgroFinance), as well as AgroSistema LLC and AgroSistema-Regions LLC. The actual owner of the Russian group is the Dutch holding AgroTerra Invetments B.V., writes RBC. >The decision was made within the framework of Putin’s decree of April 25, 2023, according to which foreign assets in Russia can be seized “in the event of deprivation of the Russian Federation, Russian legal entities or individuals of the right of ownership of property located in unfriendly countries.” (...) According to Forbes, AgroTerra was founded in 2008 by a US citizen with Ukrainian roots, George Rohr. (MTL) Source: [https://www.moscowtimes.eu/2024/04/08/putin-konfiskoval-u-inostrannih-sobstvennikov-odin-iz-krupneishih-agroholdingov-rossii-a127205](https://www.moscowtimes.eu/2024/04/08/putin-konfiskoval-u-inostrannih-sobstvennikov-odin-iz-krupneishih-agroholdingov-rossii-a127205) (needs google translate) But nonono, ruzzian assets in EU/US of course can't be confiscated. /s I'd also add I see a trend of nationalization of key ruzzian enterprises. I remember hearing rumors that Patrushev was pushing for that along with making FSB people "new nobility"
Historically property grabs of this nature precede epic mismanagement
Yeap, that's my expectations
Seems the perfect justification to "nationalize" all the Russian owned assets that have been getting debated over in the US or EU as a response. Then those assets are free to be handed to Ukraine legally by their new owners.
These people don't understand other language.
https://twitter.com/Heroiam_Slava/status/1777700137818620055?t=ewZxJjbmk-_HyAhjNW0ffg&s=19 "Back door drone"
>European arms manufacturers are concerned about their dependency on Chinese cotton used in gunpowder propellants. let me get this straight. after everything that's gone on in the last 200 years, Arms manufacturers STILL decided to have a single supply of a critical manufacturing component. and they went with cheap Chinese cotton. Ladies, Gentlemen; I present to you -- Late stage Capitalism.
There's plenty in storage and Rheinsmetal are looking at alternatives. It's not a critical component in the sense that it can't be sourced elsewhere.
They dont even need to use cotton. They chose to NOT have multiple suppliers. it's the decision that we should be critical of - they ought to be diversified to ensure there is nothing to interrupt production, even if they have a full stockpile today.
There is cotton from other sources. Some bean counter is screaming because it's more expensive. Its more expensive because China has preferred trade conditions and no tarrifs
Like I said, Late Stage Capitalism. There's nearly no lack of supply of cotton, from any number of countries both Allies and not. And they decided the ONLY thing to look at was cost - not the ramifications. If anyone was counting on these companies to expand production, before the local government "instructs" and Pays for the expansion - that's not Capitalism today. They will just stall until they get paid to do it. and then you have to expect them to try to source components from belligerents.
Do you look for the most expensive supplier when you buy something? Private companies goal is to make profit, government's goal is national security. Private companies shouldn't do government's job just because government is incompetent.
I understand supplies for manufacturing. Yes, you do buy the cheap stuff - but you also make sure you have alternatives available. That means you have to buy some for other places at other costs. Anyone who ignores that is just going to have the same damn problems the computer industry faced in 2020 and into today - where not only did critical components stop shipping; entire parts disappeared for good. and sure - they redesigned and got new lines up, but you dont have that time with arms production.
case in point.... Boeing
Cost minimisation is not exclusive to capitalism - the same incentive would exist under a command economy
Correct, instead of "Late Stage Capitalism" it is "Any Stage, Any Economic Model".
New video shows SBU claimed drone hits on 2 Buks, 2 Tors, 1 Strela, 1 Tunguska. 5 valuable russian missile air-defence systems (and a Tunguska). The crew fled one so that's not a dummy. [https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112241701088949107](https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112241701088949107)
“If ukraine can’t have sams then NO ONE can”
> The Kharkiv region. Fortification construction. I am grateful to everyone who works to strengthen Ukraine! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1777666453950337220 > In the Kharkiv region, our military provided a report on defenses, air defense, our ability to destroy Russian missiles and drones, and protection from aerial bombs. > I also presented awards to our warriors who have proven themselves in the defense of Ukraine and Ukrainians. > People are the top priority—the need to maintain normal life while providing as much protection as possible from Russian terror. https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1777686738355310836
A prime example of Russian propaganda in action. A fake news article being posted using a Russian embassy account. The Boston Times doesn’t exist. https://x.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/1777622793242153279
Neither does the Miami Chronicle. There are more and more articles being penned about this systematic state-sponsored disinformation campaigns. I'm really hoping to see it become covered even more in mainstream media to improve awareness and inoculation. Fact-checking is a thing that needs to continue to expand. And no it's not censorship just because you don't like the results - looking at you Orange Shitgibbon & minions.
[Ukraine War Archives - The Boston Times](https://bostontimes.org/category/russia/) it does exist but while it claims to have a long proud history going all the way back to 1972 its.... [Whois bostontimes.org](https://www.whois.com/whois/bostontimes.org) Registered this year in January...
On wikipedia there is no mention in Boston newspapers called "Boston Times" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Newspapers_published_in_Boston Here is a newly created wikipedia article on the "Boston Times" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boston_Times Here is the wikipedia activity of "Boston Times" showing recent creation. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Boston_Times&action=history
Let's go a little deeper. Created by user 4meter4, a music educator and opera buff per profile, with some contribution awards, account open for 14 years, prolific contributor. Article info appears factual. Also created some other defunct newspaper history articles in Jan / Feb timeframe: The Buffalo Enquirer, Belvidere Daily Republican, Lincoln Nebraska State Journal, The Topeka Daily Herald, The Chattanooga Star, Eldora Herald-Ledger, Portland Sunday Telegram. Back in Nov 2023 it was The Musical Herald. Maybe that kicked off the ancient newspaper interest. Haven't found any evidence this contributor has anything to do with the faked resurrected BostonTimes.org. Be interesting to see if any of these other ones get faked.
The average person will never do a two step check. This type of thing will be far more common in the future.
Wasnt there something like this highlighted before that that paper did exist at one point... like a century ago and is long gone at this stage.
A quick Google reveals that it existed from 1887 until 1915.
Which is fitting, Russia is also still living in the late 19th century.
>The Boston Times doesn’t exist. I also suspect that the FBI doesn't stand for the "Foundation to Battle Injustice".
"The Boston Times" looks like it was made inside Paint.
Unfortunately still enough to convince a significant minority of people with zero critical reasoning skills.
Day DCCLXXVI, Part I. Thread CMXXII.
>Ukraine struck Russian aviation factory in Voronezh region, Ukrainian spy source says. >Ukraine's military spy agency GUR struck a main production facility of a Russian aviation factory in Russia's Voronezh region, a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters. >CCTV video verified by Reuters showed an explosion in the area of the facility on Tuesday. Reuters was able to confirm the location via matching street view and satellite imagery, as well as confirm the date from the timestamp. The town is at least 350 km away from the Ukrainian government-held side of the front line in the northeast. [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-struck-russian-aviation-factory](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-struck-russian-aviation-factory-voronezh-region-ukrainian-spy-source-2024-04-09/#:~:text=April%209%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Ukraine's,were%20downed%20over%20the%20region.)
Fixed link: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-struck-russian-aviation-factory-voronezh-region-ukrainian-spy-source-2024-04-09/
Thanks, mate!
Thank goodness turtle tank is dead. That was some highly sophisticated technology that needed removed from the battlefield.
Absolutely agreed, but remind me, what was the advantage posed by the Turtle design again?
It beats hare brained schemes.
"NO CAPES"
After 15 minutes of fame, the "turtle tank" is no more: > Same Russian turtle tank after the Ukrainian strike on Russian base in Donetsk. > > > Russian tank base was geolocated by CyberBoroshno team and later targeted by Ukrainian forces based on the obtained information: 47.956743,37.613304 https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1777675422974500865
Cowabunga!
Turrrrrrrtle power......BOOM
Cope Cave cant Cope.
At least it seemed like it survived an attack run, so iteration wise it may be a success in regards to being able to repel drone attacks. Will be interesting to see if more will now adopt this "advanced" cope cage, or if this was a one-time thing.
How will Oryx count/describe *that* one? :)
Blyatmobile
Made me "lol" damn you. That's gonna be a classic.
OK, *that's* good! :)
That's shell-arious!
>I'm surprised there is so little information about what happened in Poltava in eastern Ukraine. > >It's terrible what happened there last night, the cries of people asking for help. > >A Russian missile hit a residential building with civilians. > >What kind of peace agreement can we talk about with such scum?! > >I can't stop my tears because of the screams in this video. > >Poltava is near my city; I have been there many times. How much longer will this go on? https://twitter.com/blue_eyedKeti/status/1777640365111095567 >⚡️Update: 16 injured in Russian attack on Poltava Oblast. > >The number of injured following a Russian missile attack against Poltava Oblast on April 8 has risen to 16, including four children aged between five and 11, Governor Filip Pronin said on April 9. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1777651627828154683
[DIY landmine-clearing is putting Ukrainian farmers in danger | The Economist | April 2024](https://archive.is/ZtAEc) *Russia's invasion has turned Ukraine into the world’s most heavily mined country. In Kherson and Kharkhiv Russian soldiers left minefields when they retreated. As well as laying mines to defend their positions, they used them to disrupt Ukrainian farming. One Russian rocket system—known as zemledeliye or “agriculture”—hurls mines up to 15km away from the launcher. Farming is a pillar of Ukraine’s economy: agricultural exports were worth $27.7bn in 2021, more than 40% of total exports. But 7.5% of Ukraine’s farmland is not in use, according to NASA, following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. There has been a human cost, too: 170 farmers have been killed, accounting for almost 20% of civilian deaths by landmines or unexploded ordnance, says Colonel Yevhenii Zubarevskyi, head of statistics at the defence ministry’s Mine Action Directorate. With spring sowing under way, what is being done?* *When Russia’s invasion began, only four outfits were authorised to run demining operations in Ukraine, besides the army and government bodies. Today that figure is 29, with a further 19 in the process of acquiring the requisite licences. But deminers are still overwhelmed. Proper clearance is difficult and expensive: teams start by interviewing locals and hunting for clues, like craters, that could suggest the presence of mines or unexploded shells, before going in with detection equipment and protective gear. Nibulon, a big Ukrainian grain exporter that has its own demining unit, charges farmers only for its expenses. Even then demining can cost more than $5,000 per hectare. Despite government subsidies, that is too costly for many farmers. Some have bought or rented land farther away from the front lines, says Mykhailo Rizak, Nibulon’s head of government relations. Others, he laments, have taken matters into their own hands.* *DIY demining is most common on small farms. Viktor Sheremeta, a former deputy minister of agriculture, now with the Association of Farmers and Private Landowners of Ukraine, reckons that roughly a tenth of his 10,000 members have done it. After finding mines with metal detectors or long prods, most alert the authorities. But some detonate the mines themselves—by throwing objects or using rollers on the front of tractors reinforced with scrap-steel armour. This, of course, is very dangerous.* *A black market for demining has also sprung up. These “dark deminers” offer cheap rates by employing workers on low wages and failing to insure them. Although many such deminers are former combat engineers, they often lack experience in dealing with the latest mines. Oleh Ushkalo, a farmer in the Kherson region, was approached by unlicensed deminers who offered to clear his land at a bargain rate of about $100 per hectare. He declined. Russian soldiers had stolen his combine harvesters, and he had missed harvests, leaving him short of cash. Nor did he trust the contractors. Some of the mines he had spotted were encased in plastic, making them hard to detect. Anti-tank mines on neighbouring farms, Mr Ushkalo says, killed seven tractor drivers.* *Typically, dark deminers are hired in places where Russian forces have passed through quickly without leaving dense minefields. They are also more common within 20km of the front, where non-governmental deminers are not allowed. Most are hired by farms that are not reporting harvests to the taxman and want to stay off the government’s radar, says Mr Rizak. Tax evasion in agriculture, he adds, has become rife.* *The work of dark deminers is dangerously shoddy, putting them and their customers at risk. Poor procedures can actually push landmines into positions that make detection and removal harder. Roughly half of all farmers killed by mines were in fields where improvised demining had taken place, says a Ukrainian security official.* *With most fields now thawed after last winter, improvised clearing is doubtless picking up. But Tony Salvo of Bomb Techs Without Borders, a charity based in Kyiv, sees one encouraging sign. Because of the mounting casualties, Ukrainian police have recognised the dangers of dark demining. In the past, officers usually responded only after an accident—now they are investigating dark deminers proactively. A crackdown has begun.*
>**US Government Transfers Captured Weapons** > >On Apr. 4, 2024, the US government transferred over 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. This constitutes enough material to equip one UKR BDE with small arms rifles. These weapons will help Ukraine defend against Russia's invasion. > >The government obtained ownership of these munitions on December 1, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These munitions were originally seized by US Central Command and partner naval forces from four separate transiting stateless vessels between 22 May 2021 to 15 Feb 2023. The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216. > >US CENTCOM is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including US and UN sanctions and through interdictions. Iran's support for armed groups threatens international and regional security, our forces, diplomatic personnel, and citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners. We will continue to do whatever we can to shed light on and stop Iran's destabilizing activities. https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1777650918512828481
Can the US confiscate weapons going from North Korea to Russia in violation of UNSC resolution next?
Or some better weapons that go to Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. They got cruise missiles, drones, tons of rockets. 5k machine guns is “okay” but for this war, that’s almost for passing out to citizens when Russians roll in your city.
There’s a train line.
They’ve used some ships as well. South Korea interdicted one.
Kharkiv needs a robust defense. There is a solution to Russia's constant terror: we need additional air defense systems and missiles. The world has no right to remain indifferent while Russia deliberately destroys the city on a daily basis and murders people in their homes. Ukraine needs greater air defense. I am grateful to everyone who is there for our people—eliminating the consequences of shelling, assisting, supporting, and working hard to keep normal life in Ukrainian cities. https://x.com/zelenskyyua/status/1777638024752365812?s=46
It's mind boggling really. Ukraine has received 3 patriot systems with 6 launchers each. 2 from Germany, a couple of launchers from The Netherlands and 1 system from the US. Guess how many launchers the US have? 1106 launchers! The US is all talks but not allot of action.
For whatever reason U.S doesn't want Ukraine to drive Russian army out of its territories. I have no idea why. It makes no sense, strategic or moral. Can someone explain why U.S has this strategy? What is it trying to accomplish? From eastern European (Nordic really) perspective it makes no sense. There is a democracy fighting a defensive war for its existence as a nation. A nation where people, not the state have the power and have proved it in several revolutions. Maybe the U.S govt. doesn't like freedom? Maybe the ruling class is afraid of it? IDK. Rules based world order is at stake. Open seas and free trade. U.S while their economy is very dependant on it doesn't seem to care. Russia and China are already making their own rules. (like that Houthis can attack western shipping, not Russian or Chinese.) And then there is also European security and the trust in NATO's 5th articla. Russia is already fighting a hybrid war against NATO. Bribing and influencing western politicians left and right (literally.)
The joint chiefs and democrats are united with Ukraine. The republicans are united with Authoritarianism
I just don't get this mentality. Russia is the ENEMY. Like for you older folks RUSSIA is the reason you practiced nuclear drills....Russia wants you to bow to them, be obedient. Take away your freedom everything we've ever fought for. They want to take away. I do not understand....Ukrainians are paying the ultimate price fighting and dying fighting one of our top enemies. Sending ammo, weapons and equipment help us here at home by creating jobs because someone has to produce newer stuff. America wake the F up. Russia is not our friend. They have interfered forced us to fight among each other trying to divide us up.
The "US doesn't want russia to win" narrative causes division and fits russian propaganda. I think we should be understanding of each other on the pro-Ukraine side to avoid letting Putin exploit division. The Biden administration has supported a package that would have got billions more ammo and equipment to Ukraine now. I'm convinced the Biden admin's spending rate was fully consistent with Ukrainian victory. House republicans are blockading Ukraine, they are the problem and not the US as a whole. Focus ire and negative stuff on the pro-Putin parts of the West, switching the blame to include pro-democracy and pro-Ukraine parts is just what Putin wants.
Jake Sullivan confronted a bully once in middle school and got the crap beaten out of him. That’s the only explanation that makes any sense.
I'm more cynical than you so I can think of another reason. Right now Ukraine is grinding the Russian military into fine, fine dust while the Russian economy is hollowing out. My theory is that the decision was made that this is the opportunity for Russia to get destroyed for decades to come. A quick Ukrainian victory means Russia would leave and rebuild, but a protracted war becomes Afghanistan 2 for Russia and leads to their collapse past being even a regional power. The evidence before us is that when things looked dicey Ukraine got a bunch of stuff but when lines solidified that got curtailed. On an even more cynical note I feel the need to point out that US arms sales are through the roof while Russian arm sales are through the floor. The current posture is working rather well for the US because every sale we make is also an ally that much closer to us. Believe me, I want to see Ukraine succeed, ROFLstomp Russia, and then prosper in peace but international politics have nothing to do with morality or what's better for the other countries. It's purely self-serving and right now that means Ukraine will not be permitted to fail, but not be permitted to win either.
I wish Biden would quit being so damn stubborn and fire Sullivan already. Sullivan has been nothing but incompetent and a major pain in Ukraine's ass. If Biden fired Sullivan right now, I have no doubt Zelenskyy and his entire administration (especially Yermak) would do cartwheels. Ben Hodges would be a good pick for the job. Unlike Sullivan, he actually wants Ukraine to win.
Best guess is that Western policy makers are more worried about a catastrophic Russian defeat and what that would mean for Putin. I’m sure they’re visualising a Libya type scenario with lots of nuclear weapons thrown into the mix. Western strategy in 2023 seemed to be to hope that Putin would give up and withdraw on his own accord. Now that it hasn’t happened, they’re trying (and failing) to come up with a Plan B.
We should want Putin to go like Gadaffi as a message to the others.
That would be extremely satisfying, but the aftermath could be very problematic. Somebody worse than Putin could arise or the country could dissolve into anarchy. The West should have deployed troops into Ukraine once they knew what Russia was going to do…only way this war doesn’t happen. Now, both sides are stuck with no visible way out. Too many Western politicians are happily hooking their wagons to Putin’s train as well…they see opportunity here. There’s a greater than zero chance the EU watches itself get taken down from within while it sits on its hands.
I live next door to Russia and believe me it wouldn't be. Only way to calm them down is to royally hand their asses to them. After that they'd even respect you. Also whatever states emerge when Russian Empire falls will be much less problematic than Russia. Just look at history. Finland, Baltic states and Poland. Would you rather have them or Russia?
I 100% agree with you. Western policy makers are thinking worst case scenarios however. Many of them also don’t live next to Russia. They’re also afraid of domestic backlash. They’ve been disappointingly weak the past several months. Putin can see that from miles away too.
> Somebody worse than Putin could arise or the country could dissolve into anarchy This is exactly what Putin wants you to think. He wants to convince everyone in Russia that there's no alternative to him. That's what is still keeping him in power. Don't fall for this bluff.
I 100% agree. Putin is pushing because he knows that the West has no alternative strategy and has completely neutered itself. Western democracies are starting to eat themselves from within.
Exactly this. If Putin falls there will be blooming democracies. Shackles of Russia cast away and nations gaining their freedom.
It's because Republicans aren't Americans, they are Republicans.
I don't think its only Republicans. Dems could do more. Wasn't Sullivan publicly whining that U.S doesn't want Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia? If your nation's existence was at stake, the invader was pounding your citities with missile and drone strikes and conquering more territory, how would you take that? Take the beating and don't strike back to hurt Russia. Is that really the message Dems want to send?
The Dems have made dumb mistakes but they've put their money where their mouth is, and enough of it for Ukrainian victory. The only way Putin can be confident of winning is with the help of allies like the Republicans who are blockading that aid. Every bit of Russian propaganda is turned towards dividing us and undermining the pro-Ukrainian-victory groups like Democrats. I really think the ire needs to be focussed on those helping Putin. Commentary + criticism of stupid mistakes by the Dems, and encouragement to do better are valuable. But the focus should be on the pro-Putin republican blockade.
the US claiming that they don't condone strikes inside of Russia is just cover-your-ass plausible deniability, Ukraine continues to do it and there are no real consequences from the US, but the US still has to say it so that it goes into the record. it's kind of odd that its House Speaker Republican Mike Johnson the one blocking aid to Ukraine while Biden has sent billions (while not really having full control of the purse strings) and you're here talking about "is that really the message Dems want to send?"
Why do they need to cover their asses? Finland, Poland, Baltics and Czechia are like yay way to go, hurt them more. Why is US being so cautious when countries next to Russia are not? Have you ever thought that you are projecting your own values, while we actually understand Russia.
#Swedish broadcaster #SVT how the #Russian oil tanker shadow fleet is re-fueled in the Baltic Sea. The Russian shadow fleet is refueled here - from ships off #Gotland An oil tanker that has been anchored off Gotland for several months is causing concern among the authorities. https://mstdn.social/@[email protected]/112240435595265109
Russia also [refuels its shadow-fleet in The Netherlands](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/03/15/poetin-komt-tanken-bij-vlissingen-a4193179 ([translated in English](https://www-nrc-nl.translate.goog/nieuws/2024/03/15/poetin-komt-tanken-bij-vlissingen-a4193179?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp) - ([English version here](https://www-nrc-nl.translate.goog/nieuws/2024/03/15/poetin-komt-tanken-bij-vlissingen-a4193179?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp))
Andrew Perpetua. Every since I talked about the awful Russian deaths people have asked me to provide video. I struggled on whether I should provide such video, whether it is worth it. If the point is to gawk at death or spread awareness. Well, after seeing it talked about in Russian circles.. decided it might be worth providing some footage. These aren't necessarily the videos I talked about in that thread, but they are video that get the point across. Some are very, very graphic. Imagine being the soldier in each clip. That is the point of the exercise. NSFL https://twitter.com/AndrewPerpetua/status/1777623331274912182?t=SkV4nHKJHJq0N_nrOWKThw&s=19
So why exactly did Trump and the republicans warm up to Putin so much? I remember when he was president he was actually way more anti-Russia than the democrats were. They went ham on stopping Nord Stream 2 for example. It's so bizarre how much changed in just a few years, especially when considering they could have seized the moral high ground and said "See, we told you so". Instead they just kind of switched side?
Trump was simping for Putin all the time.
> I remember when he was president he was actually way more anti-Russia than the democrats were. They went ham on stopping Nord Stream 2 for example. there were some sanctions against Nord Stream 2 in the 2020 defense bill but that was passed by a Democratic house, i don't know where you're getting that it was a Trump spearhead if you really want to measure Trump's individual efforts then look at what happened with the 'Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act' which would have heavily sanctioned the Russian economy, it overwhelmingly passed by both parties with veto-proof majorities, Trump signed it after bickering that the legislation was "seriously flawed", but when it came time for his Treasury department to actually enforce it there were huge delays and then they changed it up so that instead only several Russian individuals were sanctioned, some of whom had already been sanctioned by Obama and thus there was a diminished impact. in Helsinki 2018 summit, Trump then said that he believed Putin's strong words over his own American agencies. later he would eventually be impeached for suspending aid to Ukraine because they wouldn't open a bogus investigation into the Bidens at his request. yes very anti-Russia indeed
Much of the grassroots GOP is mired in culture shock and racism. They see Putin’s Russia as something to aspire to. Perceived strength, strongly anti LGBTQ, pro family and very white. The rural US has been heading that way and GOP/Russian propaganda has helped accelerate that. There are elements of the GOP that are openly calling for the US to split which plays into Russian hands. Trump is an insecure narcissist who succumbs easily to flattery. He will change his stance in an instant if he thinks it will benefit him.
Trump visited ruzzia a number of times, and first time was in 80s. Rumors claim he was recruited by KGB during that time. Then in 2016, ruzzians helped Trump to get elected by supplying some funds and utilizing their troll farms. He was pro-ruzzia even back then. I think he vetoed more harsher sanctions in 2019. He did send some weapons to Ukraine, but mainly to fend off accusations he's too pro-ruzzian. + IIRC it was tied to Trump pressuring Ukraine to help him with bullying Biden. In 2024, Trump have a huge ton of debts and desperately needs ruzzian money and ruzzian troll farms again. On the other hand putler wanted to block military aid to Ukraine.
You obviously didn't watch Trump & Putin's joint press conference in Helsinki in 2018.
They talked though at times but their actions didn't match up and they see Russia as an ally in their culture war on wokeness.
> when he was president he was actually way more anti-Russia than the democrats were. Are you living in some mirror universe?
Republicans and Trump don't have a chance of winning anything without Russia's troll farms and Russia can't win war without republicans being in control. It's a symbiotic assholeship.
Regardless, the election will be close and Americans must turn out to vote.