Ukraine - Russia's perfidious attack, a chronicle of events

[Alex_Sor]

How the enemy of Ukraine is also learning its lessons, albeit slowly
Everyone learns from war, even Russia. An article by Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds of RUSI shows how her tactics have improved. The authors have published detailed studies of the war, which are avidly read by Western armed forces and defense ministries. Their report is based on interviews with representatives of the Ukrainian General Staff and brigades.
Consider infantry tactics. Russia is now sending small packages of "disposable infantry, a few men each, often under the influence of amphetamines, to "fight ... until they are killed", exposing Ukrainian positions. Then come larger groups of better trained assault infantry supported by armored vehicles, mortars and artillery. If the position is captured, it is fortified within 12 hours. "The speed with which the Russian infantry are digging trenches and the extent with which they are improving their fighting positions is remarkable," say Mr. Watling and Mr. Reynolds. Russian engineers build fortifications, bridges and lay minefields.
Russian artillery is being improved. Drones can be connected to artillery batteries through the Strelok computer system, which allows them to hit Ukrainian targets within minutes of detection. One of the tactics, according to the authors, "consists in the fact that the Russians withdraw from the position they are storming, and then inflict maximum fire damage on it as soon as Ukrainian troops try to occupy it." Such "fire pockets" are one of the biggest risks for the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Russian tanks also make better use of camouflage. They fight at dusk and dawn, when their temperature characteristics are less noticeable. Russian dynamic defense "proved its high efficiency": some tanks can withstand multiple hits
Much derided on social media, Russia's air defenses are gaining increasing capabilities that allow them to share data about incoming threats. They shoot down a large number of GMLRS, the GPS-guided missiles fired from American Hymars launchers that wreaked havoc on the Russians last year.
Russia is moving command and control centers further and further to the rear, dispersing and fortifying them, as well as laying physical cables to brigades located closer to the front. Meanwhile, the Russian Air Force, which has not been involved in the war for most of the time, is increasingly using glide bombs, in which the guidance kit is mounted on the old "blunt" munitions. This poses a growing threat to Ukrainian troops advancing south.
At the beginning of the war, one masked Ukrainian soldier became famous for his words: "We are lucky that they are so stupid." The Russian army faces problems, including a poor recruiting system and a lack of modern equipment. Its elite units were destroyed. It is unlikely that she will have serious offensive potential until the end of this year. The recent short-lived mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin's "Wagner" mercenaries did not raise morale. However, the army remains a serious force. "There is evidence of a centralized process of identifying deficiencies in the use of mercenaries and developing measures to eliminate them," the authors of the RUSI report conclude. Major General Viktor Nikoliuk, who is responsible for the training of the Ukrainian army, says: "It cannot be said that the enemy does not know how to fight. We also learned a lot from them [in the context of] tactics."

[Alex_Sor]

Now they don't talk about it publicly, but the situation with drones in us (Ukraine) is catastrophic.

My friend, who is currently fighting in the Lyman region, says that he has never seen such a concentration of drones. Although he was in the Kherson direction and in Bakhmut.
However, even now, this is a completely different level of war. The enemy's drones (in Russia) are already like a separate independent army.
I ask him: what if compared with the number of our drones? Answers: the difference is ten times. If we save drones and use them for some specific purposes, the Russians do not save them at all and launch them en masse.
He says you have no idea how many problems they create for us. There are those who can hang over a position for 3 hours, and you are afraid to move, so as not to betray yourself. And there are those who are only looking for targets to drop ammunition on their heads.
And I do not tell him that in fact this is only the beginning, and it will be even worse. Because the enemy is rapidly increasing production.
The only thing that is not clear is what our leaders of the economic front are counting on? Why is Zelensky silent?

[Alex_Sor]

Sorry, I'm talking about sad again..
I will say right away - I will not write about losses here, and I will try only absolutely cold and dry conclusions.
So, judging by indirect data (unusually cool weather in the middle of summer), there are active hostilities, and there is a lot of soot and dust in the air due to the fighting.
The impact on the weather is much smaller than in 22, but still very noticeable - well, it's not like summer.
And since the world in general is now constantly talking about meteorological records of heat, and it is unusually cool in our country, when it was always hot at this time, it means that something has a very strong effect locally, and just soot is in the air, very likely.
That is, there is a counterattack.
On the other hand, there is information from various sources that the occupiers dug in very well, equipped not just a defense, but a multi-level defense, and even underground passages for communication.
And unfortunately, this explains why there is so little optimistic information about the advancement of the Armed Forces - fortified defense structures are very difficult to overcome.
Conclusion - it seems that we underestimated the opponent again. And he built such a defense under our noses, in the crosshairs of world intelligence, on our land, which we ourselves did not have (whether it was hacked, or someone ordered to disassemble it, or it simply did not exist, this is a separate question that obviously requires research or even an investigation in the future).
War is not only people and weapons. This is still a lot of construction of defense structures and storage facilities.
I really want to be wrong, but it seems that we need not just Western weapons and Western aid, but very significantly change the very approach to the defense of our native land, so that it is the enemy who has such difficulties in advancing, and not us.
PS I am especially sad because of the well-known proverb that smart people learn from other people's mistakes - because all this is very reminiscent of the notes of the Americans about the war in Korea in the 1950s (and which, by the way, practically ended with the death of Stalin, although it is formally called incorrectly armistice that has been officially in effect since the end of the war).
In more modern literature, this is generally considered obvious and there has been a corresponding technique for a long time.
PPS had a similar problem quite recently in Israel, they say that the Moscow metro builders helped the terrorists to build an extensive underground system.
But their intelligence worked perfectly, and when the anti-terrorist war escalated, officially, the Israeli military destroyed the terrorists' underground ammunition depots (as well as probably some connecting tunnels) with high-precision weapons and thus prevented the terrorists from using these underground passages.
...of course, the question arises why this is a surprise to us.
But let everyone think for himself and answer for himself. I don't want to get into trouble.

[Alex_Sor]

From the evening of July 13 to 4 a.m. on July 14, 2023, the Rashists attacked Ukraine with 17 Iranian-made Shahed-type attack drones from the southeast (Primorsko-Akhtarsk).

As a result of military operations in the southern and eastern regions, 16 "martyrs" were destroyed. Also, one reconnaissance UAV was shot down at night, and six more operational-tactical drones were hit by air defense in the previous day.

 

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 14.07.23 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., July 14, 2023

Day 506 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The russian federation continues to wage its war of aggression. The adversary continues to kill Ukrainian civilians.

Last night, the enemy attacked Ukraine again, employing Iranian Shahed combat UAVs. Information on the aftermath of this attack is currently being updated.

During the day of July 13, the russian occupiers launched a missile and air strike on the territory of Ukraine, using 2x Kalibr cruise missiles, 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile and 20x Iranian Shahed combat UAVs. Air defense of the Ukrainian Defense Forces intercepted 2x Kalibr cruise missiles and 20x attack drones. Also, the enemy launched 52x air strikes and about 50x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the attacks have caused casualties among civilians, including children, as well as destroyed residential buildings and other civilian and administrative infrastructure.

The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high.

The adversary continues to focus its main efforts on Kup’yans’k, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar’inka axes, heavy fighting continues. During the day of July 13, around 30x combat engagements took place.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: during the day of July 13, the adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Veterynarne (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired mortars and artillery at more than 15x settlements, including Kamin’ (Chernihiv oblast), Pokrovka, Ryasne, Velyka Pysarivka (Sumy oblast), Muravs’ke, Oliinykove, Riznykove, and Bolohivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup’yans’k axis: the Ukrainian troops are standing their ground. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kyslivka and Kotlyarivka. Stroivka, Krasne Pershe, Novomlyns’k, Dvorichna, Zapadne, and Kup’yans’k (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.

Lyman axis: during the day of July 14, the adversary conducted unsuccessful offensives east of Nevs’ke (Luhansk oblast) and east of Terny (Donetsk oblast). The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Nevs’ke and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Nevs’ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors’ke, Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Spirne, and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast), were shelled with artillery.

Bakhmut axis: under heavy fire from enemy aircraft and artillery, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all enemy attacks in the vicinity of Berkhivka. More than 15x settlements, including Vasyukivka, Chasiv Yar, Oleksandro-Shul’tyne, Dyliivka, and Pivnichne (Donetsk oblast), suffered from enemy artillery shelling.

Avdiivka axis: under heavy fire from enemy artillery, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled russian troops’ attacks in the vicinity of Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast). The enemy launched an air strike near Avdiivka. At the same time, the invaders fired artillery at more than 10x settlements, including Berdychi, Stepove, and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the russian offensive in the vicinity of Mar’inka. The adversary shelled more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar’inka, and Heorhiivka (Donetsk oblast).

Shakhtars’ke axis: the adversary conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the vicinity of Novomykhailivka. The invaders launched an air strike near Makarivka and shelled the settlements of Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, Novoukrainka, Storozheve, Blahodatne, and Makarivka (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: the adversary focuses its main efforts on preventing further advance of Ukrainian troops. The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Pryyutne, Rivnopil’, Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv, Malokaterinivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), and Kozats’ke (Kherson oblast). The invaders shelled more than 20x settlements, including Novodarivka, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Bilohir’ya, Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast), Zolota Balka, Mykhailivka, Antonivka, Chornobaivka, Kizomys (Kherson oblast), and the city of Kherson. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol’ and Berdyans’k axes, consolidating their positions, firing artillery for effect on the identified enemy targets, and conducting counter-battery fire.

During the day of July 13, Ukrainian Air Force launched 8x air strikes on the concentrations of troops and 2x air strikes on the anti-aircraft missile systems of the adversary.

During the day of July 13, the Ukrainian missile and artillery troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons, and military equipment of the adversary, 2x ammunition depots, 10x artillery systems at their firing positions, 3x air defense assets, 1x counter-battery radar station, and 1x other important enemy target.

[Alex_Sor]

In an interview with CNN, Tarnavsky acknowledged the modest success of the UAF operation so far, especially in the south.

It was assumed that the counteroffensive "should be a quick, lightning-fast movement, the destruction of the enemy, the capture of some lines, some objects, objects of attack and, as a result, the achievement of some goal."

"Successfully, but not in the way that each of us would like," Tarnavsky said.

The reason for such a pace is that, added Tarnavsky, "the Russians have prepared quite powerfully for this event."

Minefields remain a problem, and Ukrainian mine-clearing equipment is often targeted by Russian shelling.
 

More:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/14/europe/ukraine-us-cluster-munitions-intl

[Alex_Sor]

A military expert, development director of the information and consulting company Defense Express, said that the Crimean bridge was blown up from below, since there are no signs of air damage. The crossing will not operate for the foreseeable future.

"The nature of the damage to the bridge indicates that the impact occurred from below, using a powerful explosive device. The explosion led to the fact that one of the spans of the bridge was removed from the support and collapsed. In the near future, the bridge will not operate, which will significantly complicate the supply of the Russian group" , - he added on the air of the Espresso TV channel.

The expert stressed that the strike on the bridge could have been inflicted by a remotely controlled surface or underwater vehicle. This type of damage could be caused by the use of 200 to 500 kg of explosive.

“Of course, the support itself could not help but suffer. It could be a remotely controlled surface or underwater vehicle. There are various types of such vehicles that are being improved, holding a larger radius of use, which allows inflicting more powerful strikes on the enemy,” Ryabykh summed up.

Undermining the Crimean bridge

On the morning of July 17, explosions thundered near the bridge across the Kerch Strait, which connects the occupied Crimea with mainland Russia. As a result, part of the Crimean bridge was destroyed - the span collapsed there.

The SBU has already announced the disclosure of the details of the operation, but it will have to wait for victory. The representative of the Security Service Artem Dekhtyarenko noted that the Ukrainian special service is watching with interest how "one of the symbols of the Putin regime has once again failed to withstand the military load."

 

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Mikhail Fedorov said that on July 17 in the morning, sea drones hit the Crimean bridge.

In Telegram, he noted that while the Russians are flaunting the production of Lancet strike UAVs for their television, Ukrainians are hitting the Crimean bridge with sea drones.

"Yesterday, the network was torn apart by a video on the production of Russian Lancet drones. And today the Crimean bridge was torn apart by sea drones. And so it will be for each type of drones. It is better to act, not to" shoot "photos of our own productions and provide for the Defense Forces. Production has already increased, according to some categories, more than 100 times compared to last year. More drones are needed. And there will be,” Fedorov wrote.

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

Dmitry Polyansky, Deputy Representative of the Russian Mission to the UN, commented on today's withdrawal of Russia from the grain agreement and said that there would be no resumption of negotiations.

His words are quoted by the propaganda edition of RIA Novosti. In response to the question whether the Russian Federation "finally" breaks the treaty, he replied: "Yes, of course."

Commenting on the likelihood of new negotiations on the Black Sea initiative, Polyansky said: "No, I don't know about that."

Zelensky commented on the withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the grain agreement

Recall that on July 17, the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov announced that Moscow was withdrawing from the grain agreement with Ukraine and intended to notify all parties involved (Turkey and the UN Secretariat) about this. The Kremlin made the corresponding statement on the last day of the last agreement, which the parties agreed on May 17.

In response, the press service of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Russian Federation did not scare anyone with such a "move". In particular, Sergei Nikiforov, a spokesman for the department, noted that both sides signed an agreement with guarantors - Turkey and the UN, so Russia, first of all, framed these parties, and not Ukraine.

[Alex_Sor]

Russia has officially refused to extend the "grain deal", which expires today, July 17. This was stated by the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, according to Russian media.

Peskov said that the agreements on the "grain deal" were actually terminated, it was stopped.

At the same time, Russia leaves a loophole for itself to return to the project if its requirements are met.

"Russia will immediately return to the 'grain deal' as soon as the agreements concerning it are fulfilled," Peskov said.

At the same time, Peskov responded negatively to the question of whether the explosion on the Crimean bridge could affect the "grain deal"

Also, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, told RIA Novosti that Russia today officially notified Turkey and Ukraine, as well as the UN secretariat, of its objection to the extension of the "grain deal". She added that a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry with detailed explanations of Russia's position on the "grain deal" would be published soon.

Updated 13.00. A source at the UN in Istanbul told TASS that the organization had already received a notice from Moscow about the suspension of the grain deal.

Also, TASS, citing Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov, reports that the Russian Embassy in Belarus on the morning of July 17 handed over to the Ukrainian side a note outlining Moscow's position on the grain deal.

"In the note handed over to Kyiv, Moscow objects to the extension of the grain deal, its implementation should be terminated from July 18," the message says.

[Alex_Sor]

This summer is decisive for the outcome of the war between Russia and Ukraine and for the further fate of the presidents of the two countries - Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky. Bloomberg writes about it.

Thus, the Russian dictator, after 17 months of war, suddenly found himself in a situation where he had to worry about internal security in the country after the rebellion of Wagner mercenaries.

Against the background of the obvious discontent of the Russian elites, who are increasingly afraid of a Russian defeat in the war, some top generals have disappeared from sight. Now the secret services are investigating whether they were involved in the rebellion of the leader of the mercenaries, who aimed to remove the Russian Minister of Defense and the head of the General Staff.

more:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-07-17/putin-and-zelenski-face-decisive-summer-in-russia-s-invasion-of-ukraine

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 17.07.23 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., July 17, 2023

Day 509 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

Last night, the russian federation launched yet another missile and air strike on Ukraine. Information on the aftermath of this terrorist attack is currently being updated.

During the day of July 16, the enemy launched 11x missile and 49x air strikes, 48x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. The russian terrorist attacks caused civilian casualties, damage to residential buildings, business and administrative buildings, and private vehicles.

The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains very high.

The adversary focuses its main efforts on Kup’yans’k, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar’inka axes, with 28x combat engagements taking place during the day of July 16.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: during the day of July 16, the adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Shpyl’ (Sumy oblast). The adversary fired mortars and artillery at more than 20x settlements, including Seredyna-Buda, Kozache, Stepne, Popivka, Hrabovs’ke (Sumy oblast), Basove, Vysoka Yaruha, Ternova, and Vovchans’k (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup’yans’k axis: the Ukrainian troops are standing their ground. During the day of July 16, the adversary conducted unsuccessful offensives south of Masyutivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Kyslivka. Kam’yanka, Novomlyns’k, Dvorichna, Kup’yans’k, and Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire of the adversary.

Lyman axis: during the day of July 16, the adversary conducted unsuccessful offensives east of Vesele (Donetsk oblast). The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Sivers’k (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Nevs’ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors’ke, Spirne, and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast) were shelled with artillery.

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all enemy attacks in the vicinities of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, and Ivanivske. The adversary also made attempts to regain the positions lost northwest of Kurdyumivka, to no success. The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Pivnichne and New York (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, and Druzhba (Donetsk oblast), suffered from enemy artillery shelling.

Avdiivka axis: the adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of the city of Avdiivka. At the same time, the enemy fired artillery at more than 10x settlements, including Avdiivka, Pervomais’ke, and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the russian offensive in the vicinity of Mar’inka. The adversary shelled more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar’inka, and Heorhiivka (Donetsk oblast).

Shakhtars’ke axis: in the northern part of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast), the adversary made unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost ground. The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novomykhailivka, Vremivka, Blahodatne, and Makarivka (Donetsk oblast). The enemy shelled the settlements of Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, Vuhledar, Zolota Nyva, Velyka Novosilka, and Blahodatne.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: the adversary focuses its main efforts on preventing further advance of Ukrainian troops. The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novodarivka, Mala Tokmachka, and Stepove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The enemy fired artillery at more than 15x settlements, including Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Charivne (Zaporizhzhia oblast),Dudchany, Kozats’ke, L’vove, Ivanivka, Antonivka, Berehove, Kizomys, Rozlyv (Kherson oblast), and the city of Kherson.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct offensive operations on Melitopol’ and Berdyans’k axes, consolidating their positions, and conducting counter-battery fire.

During the day of July 16, Ukrainian Air Force launched 15x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x of which hit an anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary.

During the day of July 16, the Ukrainian missile and artillery troops hit 1x concentration of troops, 20x artillery systems at their firing positions, 2x air defense assets, and 2x electronic warfare stations of the occupiers.

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

On the night of Tuesday, July 18, the Russian invaders vilely attacked the southern part of Ukraine - they launched several waves of attack drones to find and identify anti-aircraft missiles, and then fired six Kalibr cruise missiles at Odessa from the Black Sea.

The air defense forces have eliminated all enemy missiles, the operational command "South" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "Unfortunately, the port infrastructure facilities and several private households were damaged by the fragments of the downed missiles and the blast wave from the damage," the Armed Forces of Ukraine added. An elderly man was wounded in his own house, he was hospitalized.

The Operational Command "South" added that 21 Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drones were destroyed in the Odessa region on approach from the sea, and four drones were eliminated in the sky over the Mykolaiv region.

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

The US does not plan to participate in the military defense of the grain corridor after Russia refused to fulfill guarantees under the so-called "grain deal". This was stated by the representative of the White House Security Council John Kirby at a briefing.

Thus, one of the journalists asked if the option of organizing military convoys that would protect the grain transportation route from Odessa to Istanbul was being considered.

"Basically, what you're suggesting is that we just try to run a blockade - an effective military blockade in the Black Sea. No, that's not an option that's being actively considered," Kirby said.

[Alex_Sor]

China supports a "balanced and fully realized" grain initiative and is ready to negotiate with all parties to ensure food security. This is reported by the Anadolu news agency, citing a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning in the Chinese media.

"China hopes that the Black Sea Grain Initiative will continue to be balanced and fully implemented," Mao Ning said.

She also noted that China has put forward its initiatives for international cooperation in the field of food security.

"The Chinese side is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties to promote greater international consensus and ensure global food security," Mao said.

[Alex_Sor]

===PFM-1===
I want to describe the smallest and most insidious. PFM - Anti-Personnel High Explosive Mine.
     Its insidiousness is that there is no logic when it is installed, it can be anywhere. Lying down, in the grass or on the asphalt, up on the roof or clinging to the treetops waiting for a gust of wind to fall.
      But the most important feature of this mine is that if you find one, there will be at least 63 more of the same ones nearby. This is because PFM is a cluster munition that is installed by means of remote demining and in one, the smallest cartridge, there are at least 64 mines. But this is at best. If they were delivered with the help of a 9M27K3 rocket from the "Hurricane", then there will be 312 of them, and if a pack of 16 shells arrived in the affected area, then this will mean that almost 5 thousand mines will be laid on an area of 150 hectares.
     I will not describe the TTX in detail, I will only tell you what is worth knowing about it.
     The size is quite small 11.9 x 6.4 x 2 centimeters.
     Weight is about 80 grams.
     The case is made of dense, frost-resistant polyethylene (in other words, plastic) in green or brown color.
     Inside the case there is a detonator and 37 grams of liquid explosive VS-6D or similar. It is worth noting that the charge is also the working "body" that sets the detonator into action when loading the mine.
     There are quite a lot of metal parts in the detonator, so a metal detector can see this ammunition perfectly.

[Alex_Sor]

===MON-50 installation on a forest road===
     We continue to understand where the MON-50 is most likely to be found.
     It was the photo in the "Phoenix" group with a mine installed on a tree near the road that caught my eye, which best illustrates our topic. Unfortunately, I did not shoot them, but I saw the results of their work. Therefore, I think that it is worth analyzing this option.
      Let's sort it out. The first is why they use such an installation option. To damage lightly armored enemy vehicles and complicate logistics. There is nothing easier than installing the MONK on one side, pulling the target sensor across the road and securing it on the other side.
      Most often, such stretch marks are placed with the MVE-72 detonator with a target break-off sensor. Even at low speed, it is almost impossible to notice. It is carried out at a height of 2-3 meters, so that passenger vehicles pass under it, but trucks with personnel or supplies touch it, thereby maximizing the enemy's losses.
      The MON-50 is capable of piercing even lightly armored vehicles at close range, and turns army trucks into sieves.
     Take care and remember that we are all mortal.

 

[Alex_Sor]

===PMN-2===
I wish everyone good health.
The first thing I want to say about the PMN-2 mine is really a mine of all times and nations. Due to its simplicity and safety in use, reliability and ability to maintain combat qualities for many years, it is very popular and well-known in the world. In addition to the USSR, PMN-2 mines were used in many countries of the world. If I am not mistaken, production in Russia has not been stopped yet and they continue to be produced together with the more modern PMN-4.
In essence, this is a small explosive device in a plastic case, in the vast majority of cases, green or brown in color with a black crosshair of the target sensor on top. But sometimes you can find a trigger installed against the mountain, do not be afraid, this way of its installation only increases the area of the target sensor, so that the entire surface of the mine causes an explosion when pressed, and not just the cross in the central part.
It differs from its predecessor by an improved long-range device, configuration and a reduced number of BPs inside. The initial filling, consisting of 200 g of TNT, was replaced by 100 g of TNT-hexogen mixture. In terms of its high-explosive properties, this mixture surpasses TNT by 2 times, and therefore the decrease in mass did not affect the killing ability of the mine.
Take care and enjoy life on hard surfaces)

 

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

"Comet" is a problem for EW of Ukraine.
In modern warfare, it is unacceptable to use equipment on combat vehicles that is not protected against obstacles. For many years, Russia has been engaged in and succeeded in developing a series of digital gratings that were supposed to provide protection to military equipment against the effects of interference. The developed "Comet" device is now making it very difficult for Ukrainian radio-electronic warfare systems to jam drones. Also, the Russians began to put the "Comet" on the planning and correction modules for air bombs, so that nothing would prevent them from hitting the desired target.
The problem with GLONASS
With the development of technology, receivers of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are becoming more affordable, their dimensions and weight are decreasing.
This allows us to consider the possibility of installing GNSS receivers on various weapons, military and special equipment facilities.
The presence of an accurate tool allows you to expand the capabilities of weapons, increasing their effectiveness and improving the tactics of their use.
However, the Russian GLONASS radio navigation satellite system has long been vulnerable to interference.
GLONASS signals, like other satellite navigation systems, are easily vulnerable to electronic jamming without special protection.
To correct this situation, in 2008–2013, development of interference-resistant equipment began in Russia.
The prototype of the "Comet" algorithms was first tested in 2007 in equipment weighing 40 kg. Already in 2012, VNIIR-Progress developed a new technology for creating digital grids, as a result of which the weight and dimensions were reduced while simultaneously improving the functional characteristics.
Back in 2012, in contrast to the operation of conventional receivers used at digital substations, during testing, the Comet receiver demonstrated reliable reception of satellite signals even in conditions of interference that exceeded the interference threshold values of conventional (unprotected) GLONASS receivers by tens of thousands of times/ GPS.
Thus, a series of "Comet" products weighing less than 1 kg appeared. Today, the weight of the most modern version is 60 g, which allows this product to be used even on small drones.
Comet vs. REB
The receiver is designed to protect navigation signals from intentional and unintentional interference to stabilize the signals of satellite navigation systems.
The "Comet" series of digital antenna arrays is produced in several designs with many different versions:
"Comet-A" is designed for manned aviation;
"Comet-B" — motor vehicles;
"Comet-N" — in land-based stationary facilities;
"Comet-M" is for drones.
"Comet" digital antenna arrays have four instead of one antenna element, which allows obtaining spatial information about the direction of arrival of interference radiation and its compensation.
It is also worth noting that all elements of "Comet" are created in a single case.
The manufacturer stated that a number of experiments showed that the "Comet" can withstand a level of interference 100,000 times greater than that of a conventional receiver.
Drones equipped with this system are almost immune to radio electronic suppression systems.
"In order to "kill" a sixty-gram "Comet", the enemy will need two obstacles, for a 135-gram one there are already five, and for individual products seven or more. Theoretically, it is possible to install such a number of obstacles on one site, but in practice it is difficult," said the CEO of the Russian company.
Four-element small-sized adaptive antenna arrays provide protection of GNSS navigation signals of the L1 range (GLONASS, GPS, Galileo, SBAS) with open access (Open Service).
Antennas of this series increase resistance to interference by 40-50 dB, which is equivalent to reducing the suppression radius by 100-300 times.
The main results of the first tests showed that "Comet" provides an increase in immunity by 32...56 dB, providing a level of immunity J/S=92...108 dB under the influence of three broadband/narrowband interferences.
Characteristics of "Comet" weighing 1 kg:
Weight 1.0 kg
Dimensions 172*172*42
The number of antenna elements is 4
Operating temperature -40 to +60 °C
Power consumption 12 W
The number of channels is 32
Supported signals GPS/GALILEO/SBAS-L1 1575/42 MHz /GLONASS-L1 1597.5, 1609.5 MHz
Protected range of navigation signals GNSS-1593, 1610.5 MHz (GLONASS L1): 1573, 1578 MHz (GPS L1, Galileo E1, SBAS L1)
Suppression of broadband interference 40-50 dB
Immunity, J/S 90 dB
Physical interface RS422/RS485, PPS, HF output
NMEA data exchange protocol (default), BINR
Composition of digital information, coordinate-time and navigational information, evaluation of the interference situation, diagnostic
Let's also consider an option for drones - "Comet-OEM".
In "Comet-OEM", the antenna is used in the range of GNSS navigation signals with open access L1 and provides simultaneous operation of 3 channels.
Comet-type antennas with a power of 12 W (+15%) work from a power source of constant voltage 8-52 V.

They are shock-resistant, have a dust-proof (IP20) climatic (B5.1) version and work stably at changes in external temperatures.
They also differ in small dimensions (152x152x15 mm) and a weight that does not exceed 0.37 kg.
Application in Ukraine
In Ukraine, the Russian military began using the latest version of Comet-M for drones and aerial bombs to protect them from suppressing satellite communications.
First, the Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone fell into the hands of the Ukrainian military, in which the Comet-M of 2022 was discovered.
This "Comet" uses components from American companies Altera/Intel, Taoglas and Taiwanese Cirocomm. The new "Comet-M" already has dimensions of 100*100*30 and weighs 150 grams.
The Russians would not be able to fully deploy their Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones without these digital antenna arrays. They would immediately fall under the influence of Ukraine's electronic warfare systems.
In 2023, the Russians begin to drop aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions, which are equipped with a planning and correction module and make the bombs more accurate ammunition with an increased range.
In these modules, the defense-industrial complex of Russia also began to install small-sized adaptive antenna arrays "Comet-M".
"Comet-M" on aerial bomb modules should greatly complicate the work of Ukrainian electronic warfare systems, which will try to silence and derail the planning and correction module so that the bomb does not hit its target.
To complicate the use of "Comet", the Ukrainian military should receive more new electronic warfare systems.
Ukraine's allies can also make more efforts and block the supply channels of Western components to these Comet digital antenna arrays.
source: https://mil.in.ua/en/articles/kometa-challenge-for-ukrainian-ew/

 

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 18.07.23 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., July 18, 2023

Day 510 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

Last night, the russian federation launched yet another attack using missiles and Iranian Shahed combat UAVs. Information on the aftermath of this terrorist attack is currently being updated.

During the day of July 17, the enemy launched 5x missile strikes using S-300 air defense systems, more than 40x air strikes, and about 60x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded children and other civilians, destroyed residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.

The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high.

The adversary focuses its main efforts on Kup’yans’k, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar’inka axes, with 36x combat engagements taking place during the day of July 17.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary continues to maintain its military presence. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Bilopillya (Sumy oblast). The invaders fired mortars and artillery at more than 30x settlements, including Chuikivka, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Iskryskivshchyna, Pavlivka (Sumy oblast), Vovchans’k, Karaichne, and Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup’yans’k axis: the Ukrainian troops are standing their ground.

During the day of July 17, the adversary conducted unsuccessful offensives west of Lyman Pershyi (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kyslivka and Kotlyarivka. Novomlyns’k, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kup’yans’k, and Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire of the adversary.

Lyman axis: during the day of July 17, the adversary conducted unsuccessful offensives in the area west of Dibrova and east of Vesele (Luhansk oblast). The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Nevs’ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors’ke, Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Spirne, Berestove, and Rozdolivka Donetsk oblast oblast) were shelled with artillery.

Bakhmut axis: under heavy fire from enemy aircraft and artillery, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled enemy attacks in the vicinities of Min’kivka, southeast of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, southeast of Bohdanivka, and near Ivanivske (Donetsk oblast). The enemy launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bohdanivka and Oleksandro-Shul’tyne. More than 15x settlements, including Kramatorsk, Kostyantynivka, Chasiv Yar, Pleshchiivka, Oleksandro-Shul’tyne, Dyliivka, Pivnichne, and Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast), suffered from enemy artillery shelling.

Avdiivka axis: under enemy aircraft fire, Ukrainian defenders repelled all attacks in the vicinity of the city of Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast).

At the same time, the enemy fired artillery at more than 15x settlements, including Novoandriivka, Novobakhmutivka, Keramik, Avdiivka, Nevel’s’ke, and Karlivka (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully continue to hold back the russian offensive in the vicinity of the city of Mar’inka and near Krasnohorivka. The adversary shelled more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar’inka, Hostre, Veselyi Hai, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast).

Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy launched air strikes in the vicinities of Makarivka, Blahodatne, Novodarivka, and Komar (Donetsk oblast). The invaders shelled the settlements of Blahodatne, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Neskuchne, Novodarivka, and Rivnopil’ (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: the adversary focuses its main efforts on preventing further advance of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The invaders fired artillery at more than 30x settlements, including Vil’ne Pole, Vremivka (Donetsk oblast), Zaliznychne, Verkhnya Tersa, Huliaipilske, Preobrazhenka, Bilohir’ya (Zaporizhzhia oblast), Mykhailivka, Novoberyslav, Mykil’s’ke, Inzhenerne, Kizomys (Kherson oblast), and the city of Kherson. Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast), was also hit.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol’ and Berdyans’k axes, consolidating their positions, and conducting counter-battery fire.

During the day of July 17, Ukrainian Air Force launched 11x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment. Also, our defenders intercepted 3x Shahed-136 combat UAVs and 6x operational-tactical level reconnaissance UAVs of the enemy.

During the day of July 17, the Ukrainian missile and artillery troops hit 1x concentration of the adversary troops, 2x TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” TOS-1A thermobaric artillery systems, 27x artillery systems at their firing positions, 1x ammunition depot, and 1x electronic warfare station of the occupiers.

[Alex_Sor]

On February 24, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian troops are shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities,

conducting massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages.

I am in the capital of Ukraine, the city of Kyiv.
I do not leave the city, I follow what is happening here, reassure my family and friends, explain the situation and follow the press reports.

A lot of panic messages, a lot of fake news from Russian propaganda.
I select only the information that has confirmation.
As a former military man (in the distant past), I have a good understanding of how hostilities are conducted and what weapons are used.

I will answer all your questions.

Since February 24, Russia has attacked Ukraine, many cities of Ukraine have been destroyed.

Because of the war, I lost my business in Ukraine, if you want to help me and my family, my Paypal is: Alex.Sor.2022@gmail.com

[Alex_Sor]

UK Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace told CNN last week that while NATO was poised early on for a “night one, day one” offensive, “no one had really asked themselves the question, well, what if ‘day one, night one’ becomes ‘week two, week three, week four?’ How much of our exquisite capabilities have we actually got in stock? And I think that’s been the broader question.”

more:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/18/politics/ukraine-critical-ammo-shortage-us-nato-grapple/index.html

[Alex_Sor]

Two countries of the world are secretly "fighting" for the return of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to the territory of the Russian Federation: behind-the-scenes discussions on this matter are being conducted by Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Saudi Arabia raised the issue at the G20 meeting in Copenhagen in June, according to the Financial Times. Details about the situation were reported to the publication by 4 diplomatic sources familiar with the negotiations.

According to one of the diplomats, at the meeting, Western leaders endorsed an initiative by Saudi Arabia to mediate the return of Ukrainian children, as well as other important issues, such as the grain deal and Russian nuclear threats.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia act as third parties to solve the problem with the return of the children of Ukraine, the publication indicates. The main difficulty lies in the fact that Ukraine and the Russian Federation refuse to conduct direct bilateral negotiations between themselves.

It is also not known exactly how many children and where Russia took them: "The goal is to count all the children in order to understand how many there are, and then find the best solution for each child," the diplomat said.

At the moment, the “mediation process” has reached a stage that has not been advertised before: Ukrainian and Russian officials are compiling lists with the names of thousands of children who were moved to Russia during the war in Ukraine.

According to the interlocutors of the publication, negotiations on this matter are "extremely delicate" and have been ongoing for several months. Also, two FT sources say that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is participating in the negotiation process (he had previously acted as an intermediary party between Moscow and Kiev).

https://www.ft.com/content/8d20d8be-6975-4497-aa5c-6c74d76b74e0

[Alex_Sor]

The Supreme Court in Johannesburg has ordered the release of a confidential statement by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the arrest of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin under a warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

In a sworn statement, the African leader said Russia had signaled to South Africa that the arrest of its incumbent president would be seen as a declaration of war.

"It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk going to war with Russia. I have a constitutional obligation to protect the national sovereignty, peace and security of the Republic," Ramaphosa said.

He also claimed that allegedly "at the moment there are no legal grounds for the arrest and extradition of President Putin."

"The Cabinet has determined that the BRICS summit will be held in such a way that South Africa adheres to its international and legal obligations," Ramaphosa said in a statement.

Ramaphosa called the prosecutors' "fundamental mistake" the suggestion that South Africa should announce that it would arrest Putin in accordance with the warrant if he appeared on its territory.

"The government knows its obligations. It sees no need to announce it publicly. South Africa has a duty to consider confidentially how it is going to process the warrant," he said.

Ramaphosa also insisted that the prosecutor's office recognized that the obligation to arrest and extradite Putin would only arise "if" he comes to South Africa.

"There was no final decision that he would actually come," the president said, noting that he had had discussions with the ICC that were confidential.

[Alex_Sor]

"Vicious practice": in the Russian Federation they want women not to study, but to give birth

Russian authorities consider it a "perverse practice" that women first want to get an education, and then give birth

The Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko believes that Russian women need to be explained “from the school family” and at the State Services when exactly to give birth - and the sooner the better.

"This is a vicious practice that first study, career, the formation of some kind of material well-being. Unfortunately, when it comes to the implementation of their reproductive tasks, childbearing, a woman is already losing health by this age, and there are difficulties with childbearing, including, in including infertility, etc. Therefore, it is precisely to explain that young age is a priority for childbearing, family formation and the formation of a life path, career, and so on - this is a more correct position," Murashko said.

The Ministry of Health of Russia has developed a draft order to control the circulation of abortion drugs.