Other than drone innovation, this is my favorite Ukrainian technical idea so far. They probably have a HUD aiming reticle projected on the inside of the windshield.

A couple of months ago I stumbled across another couple of channels on YouTube that do a lot of analysis about the war in Ukraine:

The Icarus Project:  The Icarus Project - YouTube

Paul Warburg:  Paul Warburg - YouTube

The Icarus Project produces longer-form (20-40 minute) videos about various geopolitical topics, with a focus on Russia and Ukraine (although it does cover other areas as well).  Paul Warburg is the person behind the Icarus Project and he has started making shorter videos (usually 10-20 minutes), where he talks directly to the camera about various topics.  These are similar to the daily videos that Peter Zeihan puts out, but generally go into a bit more depth and are usually focused on Russia and Ukraine.  (part of the reason for his focus on the Ukraine war is that he lost a family member in the conflict, so understand that he does have some bias against Russia)

Just putting these out there in case anyone has interests in this area and might be interested in a source of analysis. 

Quote from: EBuff75 on February 20, 2025, 03:25:00 PMA couple of months ago I stumbled across another couple of channels on YouTube that do a lot of analysis about the war in Ukraine:

The Icarus Project:  The Icarus Project - YouTube

Paul Warburg:  Paul Warburg - YouTube

The Icarus Project produces longer-form (20-40 minute) videos about various geopolitical topics, with a focus on Russia and Ukraine (although it does cover other areas as well).  Paul Warburg is the person behind the Icarus Project and he has started making shorter videos (usually 10-20 minutes), where he talks directly to the camera about various topics.  These are similar to the daily videos that Peter Zeihan puts out, but generally go into a bit more depth and are usually focused on Russia and Ukraine.  (part of the reason for his focus on the Ukraine war is that he lost a family member in the conflict, so understand that he does have some bias against Russia)

Just putting these out there in case anyone has interests in this area and might be interested in a source of analysis. 

I'm interested, but this level of analysis is just static right now.  There's not much else I can say at the moment that wouldn't violate forum rules.

Very interesting events going on right now. I am not going to breach the politics rule...that said if you want to see exactly how not to build a coalition of support with a powerful associate all you have to do is look at recent events.

Negotiation rule101..build support for your goal...do not piss off people needlessly...at least until the deal is done.

The other interesting thing is that Russia did not use this as an excuse to be aggressive.

Personal opinion...this "special action" has cost Russia a lot of resources. Looking at history I cannot help but look at the first Finnish Soviet war. Russia learned a lot from its many and constant failures in that campaign. The Germams also logically looked at that as proof that the whole of the USSR was rotten and all they had to do was kick in the door.

Granted this is not 1940 but history has shown many examples of Russia(USSR) not performing well in conflict ... but still being dangerous. 

A country underestimates Russia at it's own risk.
Do not needlessly piss off the bear.

Quote from: Raptor on March 02, 2025, 12:58:35 PMPersonal opinion...this "special action" has cost Russia a lot of resources.

I think it's safe to say that your opinion aligns with established facts. 

Even if we assume that they have the resources to take Ukraine, occupying it would be another matter entirely.  

Tangentially related, Danwatch and Der Spiegel have uncovered two million leaked documents exposing details of Russia actively modernizing its nuclear weapons facilities.

https://danwatch.dk/alvorlig-sikkerhedsbrist-russiske-atomanlaeg-blotlagt/

QuoteOn March 1, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a sensational speech in Moscow for all the country's political spikes.

Here he announced a series of new nuclear weapons systems, which once and for all were to lead the country into the 21st century and bring Russia one step ahead of the arms race against the West.

"No one wanted to listen to us before. So listen to us now," Putin said, addressing those of the West's leaders who had to listen.

What Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, didn't tell much about was how extensive a modernization of the country's nuclear weapons complex Russia was already undertaking.
A gigantic modernization, which had been in the pipeline for more than a decade, and which already, while Putin was standing there on the lectern in Moscow in 2018, was probably underway.

Now, in collaboration with German Der Spiegel, Danwatch, can for the first time reveal previously unknown details about a huge upgrade of the military infrastructure at Russia's most protected facilities.

Together, we have analysed more than two million documents from Russian military tenders that Danwatch has systematically retrieved from a public database over a period of many months. The Russian authorities have limited access to the database on several occasions, but we have managed to gain access to the documents by, among other things, using a network of servers in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Ukraine just claimed a damaging drone strike to the Russian strategic air force.

If true this may heat things up a bit.

https://kyivindependent.com/enemy-bombers-are-burning-en-masse-ukraines-sbu-drones-hit-more-than-40-russian-aircraft/

Not only that, but there were two bridge collapses, plus a train that was hit with what sounds like an IED.  I've wondered why Ukraine wasn't doing more to target railroad bridges, as Russia is completely dependent on rail to get everything (men, vehicles, materials, food, fuel, etc.) to the front.  Maybe they're starting to do more targeting of weak points like bridges.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/russia-bridge-collapses-ukraine-train-rcna210196

Watching the videos of the drone attacks....this is like that pager attack.
Well played strategy.
The drones cost each is estimated at $200 to $1000.
The *White Swan* TU-60 bombers (nuclear capable) cost is estimated at approximately 153 million each.
The drones destroyed or severely damaged 41 of the bombers.

And now Ukraine has hit the Kerch Bridge again, this time by placing underwater demolition charges.  Damage assessment is underway.  

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/03/europe/ukraine-crimea-bridge-russia-underwater-intl

There is still a war in the Ukraine. Ongoing now for four years. Anyone who wishes to track it may do so down to a very low level with this interactive map:

Ukraine Interactive map - Ukraine Latest news on live map - liveuamap.com