Ukraine Loses Five Times More Bradleys to Enemy Fire in a Week Than US Did in Entire Persian Gulf War

Ukraine loses 16 US-made armored vehicles, group says, but still gains territory | CNN 
 
The US lost 3 to enemy forces and 17 to friendly fire in the PGW. The US Air Force Killed more US Soldiers than the entire Iraqi Military in the 1991 conflict. The good news is the Ukes can't lose more than they lost in the Iraq War, at least not yet. The US lost 150 Bradleys over nine years. So far they have only given the Ukes 109. For those wondering, the Bradley is one snappy killing machine. It destroyed more armored vehicles by far than the M1 Tank in the PGW. 

Armor Expert Breaks Down Ukraine's Loss Of Bradleys During Breaching Operation (msn.com)

Also don't go to the flashing light... if you know, you know.


Ukraine Claims to Have Shot Down Nearly 1/3 of Entire Russian Helicopter and 1/5 of Fixed Wing Fleet

How Russia and Ukraine's militaries compare | CNN
Ukraine down its 300th Russian helicopter, reports General Staff (msn.com)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Soviet_aircraft_losses_during_the_Soviet%E2%80%93Afghan_War

Note that this is significantly more total air craft than lost in the 10 year Afghan War. The Helicopters were a lot more expensive too. I've seen estimates on the KA-52 in the $50M range total cost. When you calculate the human cost... you can't. It has to be crushing to pilot morale and a catastrophe of epic proportions.


Russian and Ukraine Commanders Suffer From Commitment Issues

Ukraine appears to be playing a deadly 'game' as the big counteroffensive gets underway, and its main attack is likely still to come (msn.com)

"We haven't committed our main forces," a source in Ukraine's General Staff told the Economist Sunday, adding that "the Russians haven't committed their main forces." He said the Ukrainian and the Russian forces are playing a "chess game" aimed at drawing out the enemy, specifically those reserve forces needed to sustain a fight. The Ukrainian military appears to have formed a dozen counteroffensive brigades, somewhere around nine of which are equipped with Western weapons, and they seem "to have committed only a portion of the large reserve of forces available for counteroffensive operations,"

For those wondering the "Reserve" is an important part of both the Deliberate Attack and the Defense. With the type of attack the Ukraine is conducting, poorly recconed, without significant air power support, they need to probe to find a weakness to exploit. When they locate the weakness they commit the Reserves and move in. The Defense commits their reserve to counter the attacker, if they can. This type of warfare went away for modern armies post WWI or over a hundred years ago. It's back because the Ukraine has no air and the Russians are badly attrited after the 16 months of war.

Anything that knocks out a Leopard 2 (A model or otherwise) will make easy work of a Bradley. 

it is tough to leave wounded and pull back but then so is losing more folks getting to the trapped unit ... Not being a Monday AM quarterback here...I am just grateful that it is not a decision I have to make and live with.

Storing arms in a salt mine seems counter intuitive. But if you were to ask me were to store cashed weapons and ammo I'd've said to ignore the acid vats, lava pits, and salt mines. 

Gotta luv the rusty Barrets 

Ukraine Continues with Stupid Head On Frontal Attack

West confirms successes of Ukrainian counteroffensive, predict further progress (msn.com) 
Ukrainian forces advance on 2 fronts, liberating up to 500 metres in one day (msn.com) 

We dropped to 500 Meters a day. That will push back the liberation of Moscow until 2034. 


Several Occupier Units Hold Change of Command Ceremonies

Top Russian officer killed in Ukrainian counteroffensive, says Moscow-backed official (msn.com)
Senior commander of Chechen forces in Ukraine wounded - Defence Ministry TV channel (msn.com)

"During his career, he fought in the Second Chechen War, commanded a tank brigade, oversaw a Russian military base in Tajikistan and led Russian forces in Moldova's breakaway pro-Russian region of Transdniestria." Shame, He checked all the boxes for a brilliant career in occupier-colonialism, he was on his way up to leading his own invading army in a whole new country.

Adam Delimkhanov, who is a member of the Duma as well as commander of the Chechen division of the Russian national guard, is widely seen as the Caucasian region's second most senior official, behind Ramzan Kadyrov.  In war, to die, you often get wounded first. Maybe he will pull through?


Nuclear Power Plant is A-OK, Probably

Satellite images show water levels around nuclear power plant after dam destruction | Watch (msn.com)

Success has a thousand fathers. A nuclear plant melt down has the first guy that died tried to stop it and died heroically as the one to pin it on.

Twenty Years After the Rape of Chechnya, Chechen Fighter Protect Russian Civilians From Russian Insurgents 

Chechen fighters sent to Russian border with Ukraine, leader Kadyrov says (msn.com)

I'm not even going to pretend to understand it.


Ukrainians Try to Sort Out SHORAD

Ukraine's Armor Appears To Have A Russian Attack Helicopter Problem (msn.com)

The US never anticipated a situation where they would be attacking without air supremacy. Trying to do it without an Airforce at all hasn't be done in over 100 years. Russian Air Power is HOT for the Summer of 2023. Once they get the advanced KA52 and LMUR Missile (if ever), Advantage Russia. It's actually rocket science for reals.


Optimistic Putin Schedules Elections in Occupied Territories for September

Russia tries to signal normalcy as Ukraine forces advance (msn.com)

Russia can go ahead and publish the results of the election today. Looking at the apocalyptic wasteland that is the territories I don't anticipate much voting going on.

I agree the Chechens support of Russia after only 20 years just confuses me also.

That said like many civil wars and ethnic conflicts geography does not always trump other loyalties. In the US civil war southerners fought for the union and northerners fought for the CSA.

Kadyrov isn't exactly known to support democratic efforts, maybe that's all there is to that.

He's also in my opinion a truly evil turd who thrives on the suffering of other people, but that's subjective so I can't say if that plays any role in the decision.

Quote from: tirls on June 17, 2023, 01:30:08 AMKadyrov isn't exactly known to support democratic efforts, maybe that's all there is to that.

He's also in my opinion a truly evil turd who thrives on the suffering of other people, but that's subjective so I can't say if that plays any role in the decision.

Don t know the guy so cannot opine upon him but  based upon what i have read, if he were in the same room as me i would not turn my back on him for a moment.

Zelinsky Challenges Klitchko for Belt in Title Match

Bunker stunt between Klitschko and Zelensky: President threatens with "knockout" - The Limited Times (newsrnd.com)
Bunker stunt between Klitschko and Zelensky: President threatens with "knockout" - The Limited Times (newsrnd.com)
EXPLAINED: Why Zelensky and Klitschko are Having a Public Falling Out (kyivpost.com)

Zelinsky has been looking for an excuse since well before the war started to get rid of him. Klitchko remains popular. The effect on the war effort would be uncertain.


Russia Goes Green, Begins Reducing Population to Ease Burden on the Planet

Demographic disaster: Russia's baby bust was 10 times costlier than its war (msn.com)

All Putin needs is a skeleton crew and his hands on a nuclear apocalypse button to give him a little privacy.


Record Number of Russian Soldiers Apply for Officer Candidate School

To conceal significant losses, invaders sending only officers fortreatment to Russia – General Staff (msn.com)

If my options are between getting my arm sawed off by a drunken orderly in the occupied territories or back in Mother Russia, I'd desert, but that's me.

Ukraine Recapatures .13% of Occupied Territories in Two Weeks

Ukraine advancing in the south: military chiefs (msn.com)
Ukraine reports advances in early stages of counterattack | Reuters

They say the first 100 square kilometers is the toughest. I have no idea who "they" are. Trench warfare was never accused of being speedy. If they simply grind into nothingness there, that is actually a good news story as less of the country will be destroyed and fewer civilians killed.


Ukraine Media Spin a Great Story

Ukrainian troops devastate 4 Russian infantry companies on southern front, officer says (msn.com)
Ukraine lost less than 10% of its Western equipment in clashes with Russia – Estonian intelligence (msn.com)
Russia is 'running out of tanks' as Ukraine pushes back Putin's forces (msn.com)
Ukrainian defence forces hit 5 Russian artillery units (msn.com)
Air Forces destroyed a Russian Ka-52 helicopter (msn.com)

I thought about fixing the typos, but we are going for authenticity here. It's all puppy dogs and ice cream. Don't know if they realize it but losing 10% of your force is considered a loss in the West.


After Being Rehabilitated on the Front Lines in Ukraine, Prisoners are Sent Home

Russia-Ukraine live: UK says Moscow, Kyiv suffering heavy losses | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera

"In an interview last month, Prigozhin said he recruited 50,000 convicts, about 10,000 of whom were killed in Bakhmut."  Hard to say about the numbers of wounded.

Putin on Verge of Declaring Victory

Putin's 'Big Lie' Might Be a Scheme to Exit the Ukraine War (msn.com)

"Indeed, Ukraine was heavily militarized at the time of the beginning of the Special Military Operation. And, as Putin said yesterday, one of the tasks was to demilitarize Ukraine. In fact, this task is largely completed. Ukraine is using less and less of its weapons. And more and more it uses the weapons systems that Western countries supply it with."

"By the same logic, Peskov could claim that NATO enlargement has been stopped because Finland joined the alliance and there's no one to its east."

I like this guy, he knows his stuff: Contributing Editor, Dr. Alexander Motyl is a professor of political science at Rutgers-Newark. A specialist on Ukraine, Russia, and the USSR, and on nationalism, revolutions, empires, and theory, he is the author of 10 books. 


Russia Discovers that Ukraine's Road Side Assistance Doesn't Use Tractors

'Tanks Stolen': Ukraine's Farmers Keep Stealing Russian Tanks with Tractors (msn.com)

Who has egg on their face now? Ukraine says don't worry about the income taxes though: "Have you captured a Russian tank or armored personnel carrier and are worried about how to declare it? Keep calm and continue to defend the Motherland! There is no need to declare the captured Russian tanks and other equipment, because the cost of this ... does not exceed 100 living wages (UAH 248,100)," NAPC's press service


Ukraine Red Legs Discover the True Meaning of Wolf Pussy

Ukrainian artillerymen praise US howitzers outside Russian-held town (msn.com)
Germany only has 20,000 high explosive artillery shells left - report (msn.com)
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/2023/03/28/us-army-eyes-six-fold-production-boost-of-155mm-shells-used-in-ukraine/

If you know, you know. Germany going to near balance on artillery shells is quite a bit concerning. US Production is currently only 14K per month. Although that is expected to increase. Why this is in the news is a cause for wonderment.
 

Russia Makes Explicit Threats Against Non-Existent Targets That it Can't Hit Against the US/UK if They Threaten "Russia's" Oil Reserves

Russia: US and UK 'fully dragged into conflict' if Crimea bombed (msn.com) 

Empirically they don't really have a point or a way to make it; empty threats being empty. Theoretically, it could be something.


Ukraine to Pause Counter-Offense Operations to Reevaluate Tactics

WATCH: Ukraine's counteroffensive mapped out as Kyiv makes gains | Watch (msn.com)

Euro News puts US media spinners to shame.


Russian Soldiers are Found to be Not Immune to Cholera

Vladimir Putin's Army Ravaged by Suspected Cholera Outbreak After Destroying Ukraine Dam (msn.com)

Unintended consequences by their nature are also unforeseen. I think it is fair to say that even if Putin knew for sure it would happen, he would have blown up the dam anyway.

POTUS Confirms Nuclear Threat in Ukraine

'It's Real': President Joe Biden Confirms Vladimir Putin May Deploy Nukes Against Ukraine (msn.com)
Vladimir Putin Vows to Deploy 'World's Most Powerful Nuke' to 'Combat Duty' in Latest Threat Against Ukraine and West (msn.com)

"When I was out here about two years ago saying I worried about the Colorado River drying up, everybody looked at me like I was crazy," Biden began. "They looked at me like when I said I worry about Putin using tactical nuclear weapons," he continued. "It's real."

uhhh... two years ago the Colorado River was in the midst of a 21 year drought so there might have been other reasons. Be that as it is, Putin has been making naked threats of nuclear apocalypse for nearly 18 months, including today, specifically against the Ukraine and NATO allies. At least someone told him that was going on.


Ukraine's 'Iron General' was spotted on video rocking an unusual Baby Yoda patch, and it's not immediately clear why (msn.com)
The tie-in to other existing properties has a really high end profit potential but strangely the stock is down 6% for the week. Writing a happy ending for this nightmare is going to be the long pole in the tent. Disney has released that Chaz Bono has been selected to portray Zelinsky.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/86/7d/71/867d71962c0e6b643cb80089e6e2b32a.jpg


Putin Flouts Russian Censorship Laws and Declares the "Special Operation" a "War"

Vladimir Finally Admits What We've Always Known About His Ukraine Invasion (msn.com)
Putin says 'war' – aloud – instead of 'special military operation' - The Washington Post

Tough to say the quiet part out loud and not be heard. Putin also made it 100% clear that there was no need for martial law, even though no one asked him about marital law.

Russian Revolutionaries Plan March on Kremlin

Attacks inside Russia aim to pressure Putin's regime | Watch (msn.com)
Russia says it downed 3 drones outside Moscow, suspects it was attack by Ukraine (omaha.com)

While these guys are optimists in the extreme, I'd pay attention if I were Putin. It wouldn't be the first time the Russian Government fell after engaging in a stupid war in Europe.


WWI Style Tactics Result in WWI Levels of Casualties

The War in Ukraine Is a Giant 'Bloodbath' (msn.com)

More for the meat grinder. Haven't heard a reliable casualty number in a while. I am going to call it "Lots".

Hoo, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask 'em, "How much should we give?"
Hoo, they only answer, "More, more, more, more"


Ukraine Severs Russian Land Bridge to Crimea

Ukraine hits key bridge to Crimea - Russian officials | Watch (msn.com)
Ukraine strikes bridge to Crimea, says Russia (msn.com)

Thank the Motherland for the Russian Navy, they will stand tall and provide.

Russian Navy Attempts To Disguise Its Most Powerful Warship In Black Sea - Naval News

When my father passes, I hope to take a long delayed trip to eastern Europe. Ukraine is at the top of my list. 

God willing I'll get there and I'm definitely going to visit this restaurant in Lviv. We have to get those UFoZS patches made up because I want to add one to their collection. Along with a US flag patch.

It's  a War-Themed Restaurant, but There Is No Need to Pretend
It's  a War-Themed Restaurant, but There Is No Need to Pretend

Quote from: majorhavoc on June 23, 2023, 11:36:07 AMWhen my father passes, I hope to take a long delayed trip to eastern Europe. Ukraine is at the top of my list.

God willing I'll get there and I'm definitely going to visit this restaurant in Lviv. We have to get those UFoZS patches made up because I want to add one to their collection. Along with a US flag patch.

It's  a War-Themed Restaurant, but There Is No Need to Pretend
It's  a War-Themed Restaurant, but There Is No Need to Pretend

Being of Ukrainian descent, I used to want to go visit Ukraine at some point and see where my ancestors came from, but with the war raging on, it'll likely stay a dream for the foreseeable future.

Prigozhin Calls for Armed Revolt Against Defense Minister to "Restore Justice" (and lots more...)

It all began with some rocket strikes on Wagner, alleged by Russian, big Military.

Moscow Strikes Kill 'Huge' Number of Wagner Forces – Prigozhin (msn.com)

Prigozhin suddenly became weary of being the whipping boy.

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin calls for rebellion, Kremlin orders his arrest - Washington Times

It seems like only yesterday we were talking about this. This thing has the potential to grow legs. However if they kill Prigozhin it goes away.

Quote"In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin was taking the threat, riot police and the National Guard have been scrambled to tighten security at key facilities in Moscow, including government agencies and transport infrastructure, Tass reported."

"The evil embodied by the country's military leadership must be stopped," he shouted, urging the army not to offer any resistance to Wagner as it moves to "restore justice."

https://www.newsweek.com/putin-prigozhin-wagner-group-popularity-war-ukraine-shoigu-1808145

Wagner mercenary boss faces arrest over 'incitement to armed rebellion' - The Washington Post
[color=var(--wpds-colors-gray40)]Earlier Friday, he issued a separate statement claiming that the military leadership had tricked Putin into going to war in Ukraine in February 2022 by alleging nonexistent threats.[/font][/color]

Quote[color=var(--wpds-colors-gray40)]"I ask everyone to remain calm, not to succumb to provocations, to stay in their homes. It is advisable not to go outside along the route of our journey,"[/font][/color]

[color=var(--wpds-colors-gray40)]Prigozhin said, apparently planning to confront Shoigu and the chief of the Russian general staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, both of whom he had bitterly criticized in a video earlier Friday.[/font][/color]

Just to prove he isn't messing around:

Prigozhin says his forces entered Russian city | Watch (msn.com)
Armoured vehicles spotted on streets of Rostov after Prigozhin's statement (msn.com)

This is what you call a "major development". No matter who wins, Russia gets weaker.  The safe money is on Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov. But I wouldn't rule Prigozhin out. He has the capability to cause all kinds of chaos before he goes down in flames.

EU approves massive expansion of artillery shell production
EU approves massive expansion of artillery shell production (msn.com)

Otherwise they might have to stop the war.

Russia to Release Dungeons and Dragons II, Army of Thieves

The Kremlin is changing the rules of mobilization. Whom does Putin plan to call up for war (msn.com)

At least they are dropping all the pretenses of choice.

Prigozhin has taken over the military HQ in Rostov without a shot fired. Things are getting spicy.

It occurs to me that this would be an ideal time for Ukraine to hit the Kerch Strait Bridge again.  It's got to be high up on their target list already and doing so right now would help to add even more chaos, and to potentially cut off any troops being recalled to assist with the situation in Russia. 

Attempting to capitalize on the developing confrontation between Prigozhin and Putin carries significant risks for Ukraine.  Boxed onto a corner, Putin may act out of desperation or use the situation as an excuse/pretext to try something he previously considered unthinkable.