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

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 20.12.23 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 20, 2023

Day 665 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The adversary continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine.

During the day of December 19, there were 87x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 1x missile and 26x air strikes, 87x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

During the day of December 19, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine, using 17x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. All of the enemy drones have been destroyed.

Also, during the day of December 20, the adversary launched yet another air strike using 4x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 3x UAVs.

Air strikes hit Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast), Novolyubivka (Luhansk oblast), Mala Tokmachka, and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

More than 110x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolayiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x enemy attacks near Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 6x attacks of the adversary in the vicinities of Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and east of Terny (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 12x attacks of the adversary near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy, and consolidate their new positions.

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the occupiers. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 26x attacks of the adversary east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and 9x more attacks south of Sjeverne, Pervomais’ke, and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Mar’inka, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). 13x adversary attacks were repelled in that area.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 12x adversary attacks west of Novopokrovka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations on Melitopol’ axis to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead. The enemy did not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions and, despite previous failures, made 8x attempts to assault. The attacks were repelled and the invaders retreated having suffered losses. The Ukrainian defenders conduct counter-battery fire, as they strike behind the enemy lines.

Given the shortage of russia-manufactured ammunition, the russian occupation troops are forced to use poor quality artillery shells and mortar charges supplied by north korea. Due to the poor quality, there are numerous reports of the ammunition exploding inside the barrels of the occupiers’ guns and mortars. This causes losses of weapons and personnel of the invaders. The reports included cases that happened in the Dnieper group of troops, under the commanded by General Teplinskiy.

During the day of December 19, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 6x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment of the adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x command post, 3x artillery systems, and 4x ammunition depots of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

Scarier than pirates: Yemeni militants could trigger a global inflationary spike
Shelling of ships in the Red Sea has already "raised" the prices of oil, gas and gold

  The war in the Middle East dealt another blow to global trade in goods and, in particular, energy carriers, which play the role of the "blood system" of the world economy. The British corporation BP announced today that it is stopping the transit of all its tankers through the Red Sea. The reason is the escalation of shelling of ships heading this route by Yemeni Houthi fighters supported by Iran. This is how they show solidarity with Hamas terrorists in the confrontation with Israel.

After that, Brent and WTI oil prices increased during the day by almost 3.5% (to $79.15 and $74, respectively).

On December 15, the world's largest container shipping companies - CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, ZIM and MSC - announced the suspension of operations on the Red Sea and Suez Canal routes. Now the market is preparing for the fact that, after BP, the decision to stop tanker transportation will also be announced by majors such as Shell or Chevron.

And this, writes The Economist, threatens the world economy with a new jump in commodity prices.

https://www.economist.com/international/2023/12/16/a-new-suez-crisis-threatens-the-world-economy

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 21.12.23 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 21, 2023

Day 666 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The adversary continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine.

During the day of December 20, there were 99x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 5x missile and 68 air strikes, 88x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

Last night, the russian occupants launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using 35x Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 34x strike UAVs.

Air strikes hit Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast), Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Ivanivske, Toretsk, Ocheretyne, Orlivka, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Novoukrainka (Donetsk oblast), Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast), Krynky, and Ol’hivka (Kherson oblast).

More than 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 16x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Syn’kivka, east of Petropavlivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). The adversary attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 13x attacks of the occupiers near Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), east of Terny and Spirne (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 7x attacks of the adversary near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the invaders. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 14x attacks of the adversary in the vicinities of Novokalynove, east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 22x more attacks near Sjeverne, Pervomais’ke, and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka, Pobjeda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 10x attacks in that area.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x adversary attacks west of Verbove and south of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations on Melitopol’ axis to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian troops continue to expand the bridgehead. The enemy did not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions and, despite previous failures, made more than 30x unsuccessful attempts to assault. The attacks were repelled and the invaders retreated having suffered losses. The Ukrainian defenders conduct counter-battery fire, as they strike behind the enemy lines.

During the day of December 20, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 16x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 1x anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary. Also, the Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 1x Kh-59 guided missile.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 5x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot, and 6x artillery systems of the adversary.

 

[Alex_Sor]

During the most difficult period - the autumn-winter season, the Russian occupiers began localized offensive operations along the entire front line in the east of the Ukrainian state in order to seize and maintain the initiative.

Adversaries will likely "attempt to maintain or enhance these offensive operations regardless of weather conditions this winter, as they did in the winter of 2022-2023," the US Institute of Warfare (ISW) report says.

“Russian troops began localized offensive operations along the entire front line in eastern Ukraine during the most difficult weather of the autumn-winter season. Thus, the aggressor is trying to seize and maintain the initiative, and not wait for severe frosts...”, analysts noted.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21-2023

[Alex_Sor]

On the night of Friday, December 22, 2023, Russian occupation forces once again attacked Ukraine with kamikaze drones. In Kyiv, UAV debris hit a high-rise building, as well as an unfinished residential building.

According to the State Emergency Service, in the Solomensky district of the capital, as a result of enemy shelling, a fire broke out on the 24th floor of a residential building. The fire was extinguished before the arrival of fire and rescue units. In three apartments, partial destruction of walls was recorded on floors 24-26, and in another three, windows were broken.

“According to preliminary data, two people were injured, one of whom was hospitalized. Information about the victims is being clarified,” the message says.

 

[Alex_Sor]

Now, from a military point of view, there is no need for large-scale mobilization of women. This was stated by ATO veteran, former platoon commander of the Aidar battalion, Yevgeny Diky.

On the air of the Kiev24 TV channel, he emphasized that women have the right to serve. However, the forced mobilization of women will not give anything to the army.

“We are seriously discussing this throughout the country, as if there is some kind of bill. I have not heard such proposals from a single person in the army. From a military point of view, there is no need for the mobilization of women,” he emphasized.

At the same time, Dikiy noted that women who express a desire to serve have this opportunity. However, there is no need to announce the forced mobilization of women or restrict their travel abroad.

“If someone seriously proposed the forced mobilization of women, it would demoralize a lot of soldiers at the front, and there would be no benefit from it,” he stated.

[Alex_Sor]

The announced figure about the additional mobilization of 450-500 thousand people is “the most modest wish,” and it is necessary to recruit this number of people in a few months, not in a year. This opinion was expressed by ATO veteran, former platoon commander of the Aidar battalion, Yevgeny Diky.

“This figure of 450-500 thousand people - the General Staff voiced the most modest wish that can be. I would say that in an amicable way we need to add half a million in a short period. That is, not in a year, do not stretch it out over 40-50 thousand a month, and to get half a million this winter, that is, in about 3-4 months. It’s simply physically impossible even faster,” he explained on the Kiev24 TV channel.

According to Dikiy, to achieve this goal in 3-4 months, you need to “work like crazy.” In addition, it is worth making changes to the legislation “for the New Year”.

“Create the right framework for this mobilization. Next, appeal to society so that this mobilization is not simply opposed, but vice versa. If you simultaneously recruit half a million people in 3-4 months, and I believe that this is a critical need, it will be necessary to appeal both to society and to volunteers to help dress this number of people and so on at the same time,” the ATO veteran summed up.

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 22.12.23 were approximately:

 

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 22, 2023

Day 667 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The russian federation continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine.

During the day of December 21, there were 95x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 1x missile and 61x air strikes, 71x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

Last night, the russian occupants launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using 28x Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 24x strike UAVs.

Air strikes hit Syn’kivka, Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast), Nevs’ke, Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Spirne, Toretsk, Avdiivka, Vesele, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), Novodarivka, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Preobrazhenka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), and Krynky (Kherson oblast).

More than 130x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 19x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel’makhivka (Luhansk oblast). The adversary attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x enemy attacks near Terny (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 7x attacks of the adversary near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the occupiers. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 22x enemy attacks east of Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, and Avdiivka, as well as 13x attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 15x attacks in that area.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x adversary attacks west of Verbove and south of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations on Melitopol’ axis to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite previous failures, the enemy did not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions and made 12x unsuccessful attempts to assault. The attacks were repelled and the invaders retreated having suffered losses. The Ukrainian defenders conduct counter-battery fire, as they strike behind the enemy lines.

During the day of December 21, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 16x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 1x anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 9x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 3x ammunition depots, and 1x artillery system of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

Russian leader Vladimir Putin may attack Europe in 2024 or 2025: he will wait for the moment when the United States finds itself “without a leader” and cannot quickly help its partners contain the Russian strike.

One of the European intelligence services is considering this possibility, writes the German Bild, against the backdrop of assumptions by the current head of the German Ministry of Defense that NATO and the EU have at least 10 years left.

“That is, we are talking about the period between the resignation of the current US President in early November 2024 and the assumption of office by his potential successor in January 2025,” the publication points out the “dramatic scenario” of Putin’s attack.

At the same time, the Russian authorities expect that Donald Trump will again occupy the presidency of the United States, since “anything can happen under him.”

Boris Pistorius, in one of his last interviews with German media, also said that Berlin has 5-8 years to restore the former strength of its army.

It was noted that Germany, as part of strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, plans to redeploy 4 thousand Bundeswehr soldiers to Lithuania by 2027. The brigade will be deployed on the border with Russia, Pistorius announced.

The minister also emphasized that it is necessary to restore compulsory military conscription in Germany.

[Alex_Sor]

In Ukraine, at the age of 77, the famous writer Alexander Mokrovolsky, who gave the nation the world of John Tolkien’s Middle-earth with his Ukrainian translation of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” passed away.

The sad news about the death of an outstanding Ukrainian was reported today by the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy of Ukraine.

They recalled that in addition to the famous fantasy from Tolkien, Mokrovolsky’s “professional baggage” includes “Venus and Adonis” by William Shakespeare, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, “Ulysses” by James Joyce and a number of other famous literary works.

As a translator, Mokrovolsky spoke 5 languages: English, Spanish, German, French and Polish. Alexander was also creative and wrote poetry.

According to the Committee, Mokrovolsky was one of the last “classics” of the Ukrainian school of translation, which arose back in the 1970s on the basis of the Vsesvit magazine.

“The Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy expresses sincere condolences on the death of the talented artist of words, who enriched Ukrainian culture. Blessed memory. Rest in peace, master,” they added.

 

[Alex_Sor]

Due to cuts in American military aid, the Ukrainian army is already experiencing a shortage of artillery ammunition and is forced to cancel offensive operations. The Washington Post writes about this in a report from the front.

"Our artillerymen are given a limit of shells on each target. The guys are tired - very tired. They are still motivated - many people understand that they have no other choice. But you cannot win a war on motivation alone. You have to have some kind of numerical advantage, but with weapons and weapon systems it’s only getting worse and worse. How long can we hold out? It’s hard to say, but it can’t be long. Everyone understands this,” said a soldier of the 128th mountain assault brigade fighting in the Zaporozhye region .

An artilleryman named Artyom told the correspondent that his cannon now fires only 10-20 shells a day at enemy targets, whereas previously it fired an average of 50 shells, and sometimes up to 90.

“What can you do with 10 shells a day? This is barely enough to respond to their advances - we are not even talking about attacking their positions,” explains the fighter.

Ukrainian soldiers stationed at the front also said they did not see similar problems with ammunition among the Russian invaders.

Problems with the supply of American weapons

 due to the internal political crisis in the United States, Congress has been unable to adopt a new arms financing program for Ukraine since the beginning of autumn. The latest military aid package, funded by the previous program, is expected to be released by the end of December.

U.S. lawmakers say there is still hope that a new aid program for Ukraine will be passed in January, when Congress returns to work after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/22/ukraine-ammunition-shortage-russia-war/

[Alex_Sor]

In recent weeks, a problem has arisen on both sides at the front. Both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the occupying forces complain about a large number of rats and mice on the front line.

According to the British Ministry of Defense on Twitter, the increase in the number of rodents was likely contributed to by a mild autumn and sufficient food from fields that remained uncultivated due to fighting.

Now that the weather has gotten colder, mice and rats are looking for warm places, particularly vehicles and defensive positions. According to the British, rodents lead to additional pressure on the morale of soldiers on the front line. In addition, they threaten military equipment by chewing cables. It was recorded in the same area during World War II.

"Unverified reports also suggest that Russian units have begun to suffer from an increase in cases of the disease, which troops attribute to a pest problem," the intelligence agency added.

Problems of the occupiers at the front

 along the line of combat the enemy begins to suffer from trench diseases. The main reason for such epidemics among the occupiers is the lack of hygiene. In the Kupyansk direction the enemy has problems with the so-called mouse fever.

Bild wrote that Ukrainian soldiers at the front faced an infestation of rodents. A large number of videos have appeared on the Internet in which Ukrainian soldiers show how mice, rats and even snakes scatter in the trenches. Because of this, cats “suddenly had their own mission in the war.”

[Alex_Sor]

Russian troops have made small territorial gains on Ukraine's eastern front in recent weeks, using their manpower advantage. The New York Times writes about this, commenting on the situation in the war in Ukraine.

The publication notes that apparently recent events at the front have prompted Ukrainian authorities to consider mobilizing up to 500,000 soldiers to continue the fight next year.

The authorities in Ukraine do not want to resort to mass mobilization, fearing the aggravation of social tension, the publication comments. At the same time, Russian troops came very close to the city of Avdeevka, the “Ukrainian stronghold” in the Donetsk region.

As the NYT notes, capturing Avdiivka would be a strategic success for Russia and a blow to the morale of Ukrainians, since the city has been the linchpin of Ukrainian defense in the region - and a symbol of resistance since 2014.

"Recent Russian offensives near Avdiivka, as well as around other cities such as Kupyansk, Bakhmut and Maryinka, are also further evidence that Russia has firmly seized the initiative across much of the battlefield after the top Ukrainian general (speech) is about the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny) admitted that the summer counter-offensive had stalled,” the article says.

The publication recalls that Russia is “making such progress” against the backdrop of a political struggle in both the United States and Europe related to further military assistance to Kiev, which Ukraine “desperately needs” to maintain its position against Russia.

The seizure of the initiative, notes the New York Times, is associated with increased Russian losses at the front.

“I would say that the motto of their attacks is: “We have more people than you have ammunition, bullets, missiles and shells,” one of the Ukrainian military men said in a comment to the publication.

Mobilization in Ukraine

On December 19, during a press conference on the results of 2023, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that the military proposed mobilizing another 450-500 thousand people. At the same time, he emphasized that he would not sign the law, which deals with the mobilization of women, if it is adopted by parliament.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war.html?searchResultPosition=3

[Alex_Sor]

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, agreed to the transfer to Ukraine of cars that were handed over for recycling as part of the ULEZ program to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The British media are reporting this.

It is noted that Khan agreed to send the scrapped cars to Ukraine at the request of the mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko. He noted that many of them, such as trucks and SUVs, could be very useful for the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the front line. Khan had previously rejected the proposal, citing a lack of benefit to Londoners "from an economic, social and environmental perspective".

We add that under the ULEZ program, London residents can receive up to 2,000 pounds sterling (approximately 2,300 euros) if they scrap their own car due to non-compliance with emissions standards. If not, the car owner will have to pay additional tax.

[Alex_Sor]

Inside The ‘Magic Radio’ Protecting Russian Drones From Jamming

FPV drones are a signature weapon of the Ukraine conflict, and jammers to stop them are a matter of life and death. Both sides have fielded jammers and drone guns firing a beam of radio waves to knock out drone communications, said to take out thousands of drones a month. Now a Russian group claims to have developed a ‘magic radio’ for FPVs which is highly resistant to jamming. A physicist with the handle DanielR evaluated the device minutely in a detailed Twitter thread.

“From a technological perspective there is nothing surprising here,” DanielR told me. But the device does make efficient use of cheap, off-the-shelf components.

Racing quadcopters converted into cheap kamikaze drones are used by both sides. They are capable of diving into foxholes and bunkers, chasing down trucks, and even destroying main battle tanks from five or more miles away. Often jamming is the only protection, but this device claims to nullify it.

Off-The-Shelf Electronic Warfare

The first thing DanielR notes is that while Russian Telegram channels hail the Hermes Anti-interference Communication Kit as an all-Russian creation, it is made with imported parts.

Read More:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2023/12/20/inside-the-magic-radio-protecting-russian-drones-from-jamming/

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

Yuriy Romanenko is a blogger with this one on YouTube.
has 445 thousand subscribers.
(about 1 day ago)
He writes this opinion about the development (possible) of the situation with the War. I don't even know how to comment on this...
........................................................ .........
One can't - the other doesn't need to change anything...

One of the subscribers sent me this text and asked me to post it on my resources:
Umerov’s words about mobilization abroad of Ukraine and the response of the German minister indicate that both are on a different agenda and in a different context. And also that Ukraine does not conduct strategic communication with partners. Besides, both are right.
Without explaining his words, Umerov is afraid of demoralization, voicing reasons that could prompt Ukraine, together with its partners, to develop effective mechanisms for the deportation of Ukrainian citizens from abroad to perform military service in their homeland, and this is:
- due to a significant decrease in financial and military assistance, a breakdown in mobilization, the front breaks through and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in the amount of 0.5-1 million people, retreat to checkpoints on the western border. Ukraine asks its partners to host their army or help with mobilization and military production. In addition, about 20 million more residents are running towards them ahead of the army, among whom it is impossible to mobilize in Ukraine, since the authorities have also fled.
- in the event of delays in adequate actions by partners, the Ukrainian defense forces will be taken prisoner in full force, with weapons and military equipment. After which they will be asked to punish the countries that betrayed them and left them without the promised help on the battlefield, while all those who went over to the side of the Russian Federation will be amnestied and equal in rights with other military personnel, in order to achieve the great goal - the destruction of Western civilization.
Now Germany is in a state of peace and prosperity, since the Russian Federation is bogged down in Ukraine and nothing threatens them, hence this answer, but due to the difference in potentials this will not last long.
...........................................

[Alex_Sor]

Please include subtitles and English translation.
A Ukrainian Armed Forces sniper talks about real losses near the city of Bakhmut.

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 25.12.23 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 25, 2023

Day 670 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The adversary continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine.

During the day of December 24, there were 66x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 2x missile and 61x air strikes, 45x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

During the day of December 24, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine yet again, using 31x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 29x strike UAVs.

Air strikes hit Syn’kivka, Petropavlivka, Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast), Novojehorivka, Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Tors’ke, New York, Ocheretyne, Tonen’ke, Avdiivka, Maksymil’yanivka, Mar’inka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Zolota Nyva, and Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast).

More than 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 21x enemy attacks near Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel’makhivka (Luhansk oblast). The adversary made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.

Lyman axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 5x attacks of the adversary near the settlements of Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the occupiers. The Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 14x enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, as well as 17x attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x attacks in that area.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x enemy attack southwest of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x adversary attacks near Robotyne and south of Hulyaipole (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian troops continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary launched 23x unsuccessful assaults that were repelled and the invaders retreated.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

During the day of December 24, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 12x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot, and 1x anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary. Also, the forces and means of the air defense of Ukraine destroyed 1x russian Su-34 fighter-bomber and 1x Su-30 fighter-bomber aircraft.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x artillery systems and 1x command post of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

After a failed counteroffensive in 2023 that did not lead to the expected radical change in the balance of power in the war, 2024 could be even tougher for Ukraine. CNBC writes about this, consolidating the opinions of Western analysts.

It is noted that intense fighting is likely to continue next year, but Ukraine is unlikely to be able to launch a counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Russia will likely focus on holding onto territory it has already captured, particularly in eastern Ukraine.

“We are now in a situation where, unless there is a clear winner, there will be a stalemate and perhaps a frozen conflict in the future. The scales, in my opinion, could shift if the Ukrainians do not receive supplies, they do not receive funding back, and they won't get the equipment and people they need. Then this war could tip in the Russians' favor," said retired General Stephen Twitty, former deputy commander of US European Command.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/26/what-could-happen-in-the-russia-ukraine-war-in-2024.html