Russian Government Cancels Victory Day Parades.

Warns public to stay away from military facilities. Not sure if worried about attacks, protestors or simply grieving family members.

Fearful Vladimir Putin Cancels Victory Day Parades as Russia's Ministry of Defense Admits Its Concerned About 'Security and Public Discontent' (msn.com) 


Russia staging fake protests, anti-Turkish and Anti-Swedish. Some are deep fakes, some are Russians pretending to be Ukes.

Russia staging protests for anti-Ukraine propaganda — report (msn.com) 



Putin is trying to buy back one of their old aircraft carriers.

Russia Wants to Buy Back Its Old Aircraft Carrier from China (msn.com) 

Launched in November 1988, the unfinished Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Varyag was transferred to Ukraine in 1992 – but Kyiv was unable to complete the vessel, and sold it to China, where it was termed as a pile of scrap metal. The official Chinese plan was to convert it into a floating casino. Instead, Beijing eventually refurbished the vessel as the Shi Lan before it was renamed Liaoning, after its northeastern province. Completed in 2012, the Type 001 allowed the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to begin its first carrier program.

Seems unlikely that China will sell back their training carrier to Russia after all the hard work. It is 1/3 of their fleet. Not sure how it will help either. Russia is literally next door to the Ukraine and they won't risk air craft to fly. If they wanted flanking attacks they could simply use refueling tankers.


Running short on manpower, Russia recruits from it's former Soviet Republics that are economic waste lands. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the primary targets. 

The Russian military is trying to recruit Central Asian migrant workers to fight in Ukraine to avoid another mandatory mobilization, UK intel says (msn.com)

Russians flee area around nuclear power plant

The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant that is occupied by Russian troops was becoming critical."We must act now to prevent the threat of a severe nuclear accident and its associated consequences for the population and the environment," said a statement from the IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

'Mad Panic' As IAEA Warns of a Nuclear Accident at Zaporizhzhia Plant (businessinsider.com)

Russian troops suspend operation of occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (kyivindependent.com)

Meltdown panic grows as Putin evacuates towns near Ukrainian nuclear power plant | Daily Mail Online

If the plant goes up it will likely rival Chernobyl as the world's worst nuclear disaster.

Vladimir Putin has said Russia's future "rests on" the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, during his annual speech to mark Victory Day in Moscow. 

Russia's future rests on Ukraine war, Putin tells Victory Day parade - BBC News

"There is nothing more important now than your combat effort," he said.

The military parade, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, was scaled back this year for security.

Mr Putin also used his speech to justify his invasion of Ukraine, while accusing "Western globalist elites" of provoking conflicts.

Civilization is again "at a decisive turning point", he said in Moscow's Red Square to a crowd composed of just officials and veterans, as the event was not open to the public.

Sounds to me like Putin is putting Russia "all in" to winning.  It could be going from bad to worse.

Wagner CEO Resorts to Naked, Open Blackmail to Improve Logistics (or Wagner CEO Confident Not Enough Tall Buildings Left Standing in Ukraine to be Thrown Off Top Of)

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin says Russian troops are running away from the front lines and threatens to spill more details if Putin doesn't send ammunition (msn.com) 

PATRIOT Shoots Down Hyper Sonic Missile... Maybe

Putin Is Angry: U.S. Patriot Missile Kills Russian Hypersonic Missile (msn.com)


Russian Spy Network Busted

Russian security agents have been using a secret network of corrupted computers to spy on NATO for decades, but the US just busted it open, feds say (msn.com)

Retired NATO Commander General Breedlove Says a Russian Loss in Ukraine May Trigger Nuclear
Armageddon

Retired NATO commander says the West is afraid of a Ukrainian victory (msn.com)

Your daily dose of love courtesy of "Grandpa in his bunker".

After Losing Another MRB Russia says the Special Operation in the Ukraine is Very Difficult

Ukraine says it routs Russia brigade, Kremlin admits campaign 'very difficult' (msn.com)

"Our army is fleeing. The 72nd Brigade pissed away three square km this morning, where I had lost around 500 men,"  Prigozhin said


300,000 Additional Russian Reservists Called up, Putin pinky promises they will never, ever have to go to the Ukraine, even by Accident, It is just some routine training, we swear, and even if they do go we won't tell them first so they don't die afraid


Putin announces call up of Russians to military training camps (yahoo.com)


 
Russian collaborator Volodymyr Saldo records video in Ukrainian and pleads to "forget everything that happened" (msn.com)
Russian collaborator Volodymyr Saldo records video in Ukrainian and pleads to "forget everything that happened" (msn.com)



No Longer Expecting Russian Soldiers to Fight, Soldiers are Ordered to No Shit, Kill Themselves to Avoid Capture.

Russian Fighters Told to Blow Themselves Up to Avoid Ukraine Capture (msn.com)

"When the enemy is approaching, the grenade is removed and pull out the pin. Put a grenade under your body vest or clamp your chin,"

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 10, 2023, 09:31:51 PMNo Longer Expecting Russian Soldiers to Fight, Soldiers are Ordered to No Shit, Kill Themselves to Avoid Capture.

Russian Fighters Told to Blow Themselves Up to Avoid Ukraine Capture (msn.com)

"When the enemy is approaching, the grenade is removed and pull out the pin. Put a grenade under your body vest or clamp your chin,"

It's worse than that.  They're essentially being told to booby-trap themselves.

Quote from: NT2C on May 10, 2023, 09:43:01 PM

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 10, 2023, 09:31:51 PMNo Longer Expecting Russian Soldiers to Fight, Soldiers are Ordered to No Shit, Kill Themselves to Avoid Capture.

Russian Fighters Told to Blow Themselves Up to Avoid Ukraine Capture (msn.com)

"When the enemy is approaching, the grenade is removed and pull out the pin. Put a grenade under your body vest or clamp your chin,"

It's worse than that.  They're essentially being told to booby-trap themselves.

In that light it would be a clear violation of the UN Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices; To which Russia is a signatory. There are already so many war crimes being committed (by both sides) I doubt anyone is paying attention.

Call of Duty Fix. Makes me Glad I'm Retired.

Ukrainian soldiers storm Russian forces on the frontlines in Bakhmut | Watch (msn.com)



The Lorax would be Disappoint.

Occupiers destroy Kinburn Peninsula: 4 million trees affected by fires (msn.com)

The fire affected over 5,000 hectares of the territory of the national park. The fires on the peninsula have affected up to 4 million trees.- That's about 12,000 acres.


Russia's "Bad Luck" With Fuel Storage Internal to the Country Continues

Another large-scale fire breaks out in Russia: storage depots in Norilsk on fire (msn.com)


Not Me, I Totally Believe It.

You won't believe just how bad Russian equipment losses have been (msn.com)

Tanks - 1937
Armored Fighting Vehicles - 838
Infantry Fighting Vehicles - 2317
Armored Personnel Carriers - 309

To put this in perspective, the Germans lost an estimated 2470 Tanks and Armored Vehicles at the Battle of Moscow.

The Call of Duty video...
Looked like Youtube tried to auto generate the close captions. phonetically. Sort of made sense but wasn't a translation.

"you might be that" " 0%"
"Dial said. Dial says the battle."
"Be down himself"
"yeah but you want another party?"
"someone was in ministry"

That Rabbit is Dynamite!

Dramatic video shows Russian soldiers running away from attack | Watch (msn.com)

It's actually a lot worse than that. I wonder if they are going to bring out the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch? Three is the number.


Due to Poor Russian Logistics; Prigozhin Runs Completely out of Fucks to Give

Putin's Problem: Wagner Group Leader Says Ukraine Counteroffensive Having Success in 'Worst Predicted Scenario' (msn.com)

For a guy who is very likely to end up on the wrong side of a war crimes commission, he sure doesn't mind expressing his opinions on Moscow. I can't improve on his statements, good reading.


Trying to Shore up It's Reputation, The Russian Navy Goes to Where Ukrainians Aren't

Russia's navy is flexing its muscles around the world, but it may end up paying for Moscow's losses in Ukraine (msn.com)

Let's Face it, they are a floating catastrophe all on their own. But nukes. Being close counts with nukes.



Professionals Think in Terms of Logistics

Luhansk factory hit in apparent Ukrainian missile strike (msn.com)

"Somehow, a machine-building factory caught fire"  -Governor Artem Lisohor
One of life's little mysteries I am sure.


It's All Good Though, Putin Alters Reality Through Executive Decree

Concerned about exodus from Russia, Putin orders country to be made "attractive" (msn.com)
Concerned about exodus from Russia, Putin orders country to be made "attractive" (msn.com)

The reason is that emigration from Russia increased in 2022 "under the influence of altered social and economic conditions". They should put together an investigatory panel (in a windowless room for safety) to see if they can determine the underlying cause.

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 10, 2023, 10:32:41 PM

Quote from: NT2C on May 10, 2023, 09:43:01 PM

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 10, 2023, 09:31:51 PMNo Longer Expecting Russian Soldiers to Fight, Soldiers are Ordered to No Shit, Kill Themselves to Avoid Capture.

Russian Fighters Told to Blow Themselves Up to Avoid Ukraine Capture (msn.com)

"When the enemy is approaching, the grenade is removed and pull out the pin. Put a grenade under your body vest or clamp your chin,"

It's worse than that.  They're essentially being told to booby-trap themselves.

In that light it would be a clear violation of the UN Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices; To which Russia is a signatory. There are already so many war crimes being committed (by both sides) I doubt anyone is paying attention.

Pretty sure Russia didn't sign any anti personnel mine treaty. Because they have been proven to be using them. Then again it's Russia and well they don't care.

Quote from: Halfapint on May 12, 2023, 09:58:36 PM

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 10, 2023, 10:32:41 PM

Quote from: NT2C on May 10, 2023, 09:43:01 PM

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 10, 2023, 09:31:51 PMNo Longer Expecting Russian Soldiers to Fight, Soldiers are Ordered to No Shit, Kill Themselves to Avoid Capture.

Russian Fighters Told to Blow Themselves Up to Avoid Ukraine Capture (msn.com)

"When the enemy is approaching, the grenade is removed and pull out the pin. Put a grenade under your body vest or clamp your chin,"

It's worse than that.  They're essentially being told to booby-trap themselves.

In that light it would be a clear violation of the UN Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices; To which Russia is a signatory. There are already so many war crimes being committed (by both sides) I doubt anyone is paying attention.

Pretty sure Russia didn't sign any anti personnel mine treaty. Because they have been proven to be using them. Then again it's Russia and well they don't care.

They did and they are. Here is their, 2005 UN Consent to be Bound. This was updated from the original 1996 Treaty. So they can't really wiggle out of it, but there are caveats. But as I noted the number of war crimes are ridiculously high. You would have to read the treaty to get specifics but booby trapping dead (or live) bodies is well out.

UNODA Treaties

He May Not be Dead, but Might Wish He Were When the Dust Clears

Is Lukashenko dead? (msn.com)

Old Soviet ways die hard. If he is gone then the question becomes how much influence will Putin have in picking a successor. There might even be a civil war if the factions can't work it out. Two years ago Putin would have picked... Today, not so sure.


Patriot System 1 5- Russia 0

Russia tried to destroy US-made Patriot system in Ukraine, officials say (msn.com)


PATRIOTs are a national level asset and there are only 12 in the entire US Army. Ukraine was given two of them. The Ukrainian air defenders fired multiple missiles from the Patriot at different angles to intercept the Russian missile, demonstrating how quickly they have become adept at using the powerful system, one official said. It appears the system did better than advertised and the Russian hypersonic wasn't all that.

Russia's Air Force Has a Very Fiery Day at the Border as It Tries to Bomb Ukraine (msn.com)

If it flies, it dies!


The Struggle is Real

Zaluzhnyi recalled what brought him to tears from the beginning of the invasion: I didn't have enough strength (msn.com)

"First of all, I am a normal person with a completely normal heart, and the fact that the emotions on the face and in the behavior do not show human pain, this does not mean anything. In fact, the heart feels it very, very painfully. And even now I would not like to remember those names that have been stolen from my memory. There is no strength to do anything with these records. I guess I'm not ready for that yet. Someday I'll probably do it to get this person off my phone forever, but I can't get it off my mind.

"As the Commander-in-Chief, I don't want to show any weaknesses, but I'm human. Once I cried when a mother was looking for her son. He was a helicopter pilot flying to the city of Mariupol. Even at that moment, while I corresponded with her, I had hoped that he was still alive and everything would be fine. And at that moment I was told that he died, he is gone."

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 12, 2023, 09:54:27 PMThat Rabbit is Dynamite!

Dramatic video shows Russian soldiers running away from attack | Watch (msn.com)

It's actually a lot worse than that. I wonder if they are going to bring out the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch? Three is the number.
snip...

That video of Russian soldiers running away was obviously sped up. People don't move that way naturally. Obvious propaganda is obvious.

Quote from: DarkAxel on May 13, 2023, 09:13:12 PM

Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on May 12, 2023, 09:54:27 PMThat Rabbit is Dynamite!

Dramatic video shows Russian soldiers running away from attack | Watch (msn.com)

It's actually a lot worse than that. I wonder if they are going to bring out the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch? Three is the number.
snip...

That video of Russian soldiers running away was obviously sped up. People don't move that way naturally. Obvious propaganda is obvious.

I considered adding a Yakety Sax sound track to the video but decided it would be in poor taste. Not that poor taste normally stops me. Either way, multiple source reporting, including the Russian MOD, says that the Russian Offensive has culminated and the Ukes are counter attacking on several fronts.

Russian Attempt to Cover Up Bakhmut Retreat Majorly Backfires (msn.com) 

Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed it is retreating forces from Bakhmut, Ukraine, which Russian forces have been trying and failing to seize for months.
Russia has regrouped to "more advantageous defensive positions" north of Bakhmut, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Friday.

General Obvious, NATO Commander, Says Russian Ground Forces Have "Run Into Big Problems"

Russia's 'Eroded' Ground Forces Have Run Into 'Big Problems'—U.S. General (msn.com)

Have to keep that paper tiger alive in years of budget cuts.


The Empire Strikes Back
Ukraine Ammo Storage Site Obliterated Where Huge Fireball Seen (msn.com)
Ukraine hit with "huge fireball" explosions in reported Russian drone attacks (msn.com)
Ukraine hit with "huge fireball" explosions in reported Russian drone attacks (msn.com)

I bet they remember to close the thermal exhaust port doors next time. The thing is, if you put your successful attacks on TV and they are cheap and easy to replicate... even the Russians can do it.

The size of the fireball is a very respectable crowd pleaser (bottom vid for scale). One thing I learned about being inside of a blast is that things fall physics. Light is faster than projectiles which are faster than sound. So if you are inside the blast radius of such a large explosion, seek cover before the debris and shock wave shows up. You might feel dumb for a few seconds but better that than having an iron rod through your forehead.

It's OK, When the Ukrainians Do It

Ukraine 'fires UK missile at city held by Russians' (msn.com)

Scorched Earth isn't just for Russia.

NATO Sees Disney Ending to War in Ukraine

NATO mulls future security guarantees for Ukraine but wary of igniting a wider war (msn.com)

This, from the same guys that spent 20 years losing the war in Afghanistan and leaving in humiliation.



Tired of Being the Kid Nobody Wants to Play with South Africa Makes Friends With Russia

South African army general in Moscow days after country accused of sending weapons to Russia (msn.com)

They are totally not selling them arms either. And if they were, they aren't on "that" boat. They would be on a totally different boat. And Ramphosa isn't taking payoffs from Russia either. He just felt it was time for SA and the ICC to "take a break". And he isn't being impeached. Anybody who says this stuff is a liar and should be sent to prison.



70% of Russians Think That Putin Isn't Completely Insane

Survey reveals nearly 30% of Russians think Kremlin may be prepared to conduct nuclear strike on Ukraine (msn.com)

And 2 out of 3 ain't bad. 6000 years, that's a good run for civilization.

Russian Jobs So Good They Are Mandatory

Putin's Reportedly Had to Ban His Top Officials from Quitting as Ukraine War Falters (msn.com) 

When Putin closes a door he always opens a window.


Russia Attacks PATRIOT Again, Both Sides Claim Victory

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/air-defence-systems-repelling-attacks-ukraine-early-tuesday-officials-2023-05-16/
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/russia-claims-to-destroy-us-made-patriot-air-defense-in-kyiv
Russia Rubs It In With Fierce Kinzhal Attack On Patriot Battery In Kyiv; Aerospace War Heats Up In Ukraine (eurasiantimes.com)

The Russians allegedly shot six hypersonic missiles at the PATRIOT as well as possibly as many as 25 other missiles, all aimed at the PATRIOT system. Note the NSA and other Western Intelligence agencies heavily censor searches and monitors the bottom two news agencies, so use at own risk. Their results are often hidden from normal searches. It is likely they hit "something".


Russia's Terrible Luck With Infrastructure and Factories Going "Boom" Continues Unabated

Explosion thundered on gas pipeline in Russia, one person dead (msn.com)
A fire broke out at the crossroads in southern Moscow. The media reported the explosion (easternherald.com)

They need to get to work polishing that statue of Peter the Great.

I saw today that a claim that Russia has had 200,000 combat casualties. 

Obviously this may be propaganda and not the case (I doubt anyone knows the exact #) but it is clear that they have suffered a lot of KIA and most likely a lot of non-lethal combat casualties.

That said in ww2 1941 - 1945 the US had ~291,000 people KIA in combat. In Korea the KIA were ~ 35,000 and Vietnam ~ 47,000 were KIA. (per wikipedia)

Obviously this ignores the civilian deaths. 

It very clear to me that modern combat is extraordinarily lethal. I knew this; but this really puts it in focus.
  

Quote from: Raptor on May 17, 2023, 05:50:42 PMIt very clear to me that modern combat is extraordinarily lethal. 
 

True.  But so is military incompetence.