Kiev Is Burning

[Roman Alymov]

Couple of days ago RusMoD reported what seems to be first operation against UkrArmy AD system after spring campaign

"The strike prevented the transfer of foreign-made weapons and ammunition, blocked the movement of reserves to combat areas, and halted Ukraine's defence enterprises producing and repairing weapons, military equipment and ammunition. In the course of repelling the strike by Ukrainian and Western air defence systems, a significant resource was expended on deliberately launched decoys.

At the same time, four radar stations of Ukrainian S-300 air defence systems in the settlements of Andrusovka and Pridneprovskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region), as well as Novotavricheskaya and Nikolay-Pole (Zaporozhye region), have been revealed and destroyed. 

As a result of the unprofessional actions of Ukrainian air defence units, civilian infrastructure on the ground has been damaged." (https://t.me/mod_russia_en/5447)

[Roman Alymov]

Probably old video (too green for current season)

 

[Roman Alymov]

About "untrained unmotivated mobilized soldiers": regional TV on two mobilized men recently KIA

1)38yo, decorated veteran of Chechen war, father of two, worked as brigadier on local steelworks

2)28yo, served conscript term as motor rifle sergant, graduated univercity after service, also worked on local steelworks

Obviously, both are not falling into category of "untrained and unmotivated"

 

[Roman Alymov]

Seems like my version of strange start of events in February this year ( see Kiev Is Burning - Page 2261 - Military Current Events - tanknet.org ) is simmilar to one of this US Cold War veterans (but they do not consider internal struggle in Russia) 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2022 by Roman Alymov

[Dark_Falcon]

33 minutes ago, Roman Alymov said:

About "untrained unmotivated mobilized soldiers": regional TV on two mobilized men recently KIA

1)38yo, decorated veteran of Chechen war, father of two, worked as brigadier on local steelworks

2)28yo, served conscript term as motor rifle sergant, graduated univercity after service, also worked on local steelworks

Obviously, both are not falling into category of "untrained and unmotivated"

 

What does "brigadier" mean in the context of a steelworks.  I ask because I don't understand.

[bojan]

Most often shift supervisor.

[Roman Alymov]

4 minutes ago, bojan said:

Most often shift supervisor.

No, in Russian "shift supervisor" is "начальник смены" ("shift supervisor") while "brigadier" is man in charge of brigade (group of workers), also could be translated as foreman. 

[Dark_Falcon]

18 minutes ago, Roman Alymov said:

No, in Russian "shift supervisor" is "начальник смены" ("shift supervisor") while "brigadier" is man in charge of brigade (group of workers), also could be translated as foreman. 

Thank you both.  I figured it was supervisory but I didn't know the details.  Such a position would be decent preparation for leading a platoon or company in the army.

[Stuart Galbraith]

 

[Roman Alymov]

Patrick Lancaster with DNR tankers (at 7:27 translation error, not "car" but "tank")

 

[Roman Alymov]

As usual, when having problems on frontline, pro-Ukrainians intensify random shelling of Donetsk  - to distract Russian forces from supporting advance to counter-batterry fire. Today central hospital was hit, but since it is Russian hospital - it is ok for Western media.

 

[glenn239]

30 minutes ago, Roman Alymov said:

As usual, when having problems on frontline, pro-Ukrainians intensify random shelling of Donetsk  - to distract Russian forces from supporting advance to counter-batterry fire. Today central hospital was hit, but since it is Russian hospital - it is ok for Western media.

Actually, today CTV (Ontario) for the first time I can ever remember reported on Ukrainian artillery attacks on civilian targets in the Donbas.  

[Stuart Galbraith]

 

[Ssnake]

The display of festive mood by the six Santas was heartwarming.

[glenn239]

4 hours ago, mandeb48 said:

Argentine world champion

Well, they couldn't beat the Falklands, but at least they can beat France.

[Yama]

5 hours ago, Roman Alymov said:

vs moving M777 (may be not new)

I recall seeing a very similar video couple of months ago, this might be the same: though sometimes the footages may simply appear similar due to terrain etc.

  

4 hours ago, Roman Alymov said:

Probably old video (too green for current season)

What is that square earthworks?

Lot of the Russian drone videos seem to be fairly old, probably released sporadically due to opsec, or then the folks who have the footage just don't happen to get access to social media that often.

[Roman Alymov]

3 hours ago, Yama said:

What is that square earthworks?

Old Soviet-time irrigation reservoir, see my previous post 

 

[crazyinsane105]

https://ca.yahoo.com/news/us-officials-tried-stop-ukraine-155335242.html
 

Well, looks like the US didn’t want Ukraine killing a high ranking general back in April. 

[txtree99]

Key inflections in ongoing military operations on December 18:

Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) representative Andriy Yusov reported that the Russian military received a new batch of Iranian-made drones and continues to negotiate with Iran on the acquisition of ballistic missile systems.[17]

Ukrainian and Russian sources reported that positional fighting continued along the Svatove-Kremmina line.[18]

Ukrainian and Russian sources reported ongoing fighting in the outskirts of Bakhmut and to the northeast and south of the city.[19] The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian forces captured Yakovlivka, Donetsk Oblast, northeast of Soledar.[20]

Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces dislodged Russian forces from long-held positions near Bakhmut.[21]

A Ukrainian official stated that Russian forces are redeploying units from the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast and that it is too early to tell whether Russian forces are withdrawing.[22] Russian and Ukrainian forces continued routine artillery and rocket strikes across the Dnipro River.[23]

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces struck two Russian force concentrations and two ammunition depots in Zaporizhia Oblast on December 16, injuring 150 personnel and destroying 10 pieces of equipment.[24] Ukrainian Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov stated that Russian forces are placing dragon’s teeth anti-tank defenses in Melitopol.[25]

Russian forces and occupation authorities continue to struggle to address a severe shortage of medical personnel and supplies.

 

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-18

[seahawk]

10 hours ago, Roman Alymov said:

As usual, when having problems on frontline, pro-Ukrainians intensify random shelling of Donetsk  - to distract Russian forces from supporting advance to counter-batterry fire. Today central hospital was hit, but since it is Russian hospital - it is ok for Western media.

 

How long will Russians living in Russia tolerate this terrorism against fellow Russian in the Donbas? It is time to use all weapons in the Russian arsenal to destroy the pro-Ukrainian faction. Start fighting the war for real and fight to win. 

[Stuart Galbraith]

10 hours ago, Ssnake said:

The display of festive mood by the six Santas was heartwarming.

Yes, I found it quite touching....

[Stuart Galbraith]

T64 Vs T72.

https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2022/12/12/1658069819693578659/640x360_MP4_1658069819693578659.mp4

[Roman Alymov]

2 hours ago, seahawk said:

How long will Russians living in Russia tolerate this terrorism against fellow Russian in the Donbas? It is time to use all weapons in the Russian arsenal to destroy the pro-Ukrainian faction. Start fighting the war for real and fight to win. 

Text from https://t.me/Contora_Pishet/5755   (Yandex-translated)

Apparently, the circles of the highest echelon of power engaged in the management of domestic policy in Russia do not fully understand the mindset of Russian society regarding the conduct of its own, trying to level the thesis "The population is tired of the war."

The growth of moral fatigue of the population does not come from the war, but from its absence. From the lack of clear explanations why we keep leaving territories – and we leave them, no matter how hard we try to explain it by military necessity. From the unpunished shelling by Ukrainian Armed Forces of Donetsk and the border regions of Russia from artillery and MLRS – there is data on the location of batteries, and reconnaissance capabilities, and counter–battery warfare - but it is not actually conducted. From obscure "grain", "ammonia", "oil", "gas", "phosphate" and other kinds of "transactions". From the lack of military successes and breakthroughs. From, finally, the ongoing trade with the opposing regime on transits and supplies.

Can this be called a war? No, of course, this is probably what a special military operation, unprecedented until now, should look like, on which almost the entire Russian opposition has already managed to trample. But it should be noted that the shift in priorities towards weakening the non-systemic (pro-Western-RA) opposition has already exhausted itself: there is practically no non–systemic opposition in Russia, it is fragmented, has no structure, no funding, no influence, and at the same time enjoys contempt from the majority of the population - in this success is undoubted. But what about those who are actively "raising their voice" for Russia and defeating the Kiev regime in all possible ways? But there are most of them in the country.

And now this majority is a fluctuating huge mass of people standing on a fine line between hope and disappointment – the hope of "Everything for victory!" and disappointment with the alleged "negotiators", losing trust, patience and motivation. We all see with what enthusiasm people meet strikes on the enemy's energy infrastructure – this already looks like the combat use of the armed forces and military equipment on the same operational and strategic scale, unlike local battles, and otherwise the mood is quite gloomy.

Feeding this gloomily silent electorate fresh silage in the form of reports about single damaged tanks and planes, songs of patriotic singers about "Sarmatushka" and stories about how the rear and volunteers work, it is impossible to achieve a popular upsurge and increase motivation, which means that the continuation of this practice is fraught with increasing distrust of the authorities and the emergence of a new and much more a more powerful "patriotic opposition" than a non-systemic one, which, with the overwhelming support of the population, will be potentially capable of political transformations, and far from the most balanced.

[seahawk]

19 minutes ago, Roman Alymov said:

Text from https://t.me/Contora_Pishet/5755   (Yandex-translated)

Apparently, the circles of the highest echelon of power engaged in the management of domestic policy in Russia do not fully understand the mindset of Russian society regarding the conduct of its own, trying to level the thesis "The population is tired of the war."

The growth of moral fatigue of the population does not come from the war, but from its absence. From the lack of clear explanations why we keep leaving territories – and we leave them, no matter how hard we try to explain it by military necessity. From the unpunished shelling by Ukrainian Armed Forces of Donetsk and the border regions of Russia from artillery and MLRS – there is data on the location of batteries, and reconnaissance capabilities, and counter–battery warfare - but it is not actually conducted. From obscure "grain", "ammonia", "oil", "gas", "phosphate" and other kinds of "transactions". From the lack of military successes and breakthroughs. From, finally, the ongoing trade with the opposing regime on transits and supplies.

Can this be called a war? No, of course, this is probably what a special military operation, unprecedented until now, should look like, on which almost the entire Russian opposition has already managed to trample. But it should be noted that the shift in priorities towards weakening the non-systemic (pro-Western-RA) opposition has already exhausted itself: there is practically no non–systemic opposition in Russia, it is fragmented, has no structure, no funding, no influence, and at the same time enjoys contempt from the majority of the population - in this success is undoubted. But what about those who are actively "raising their voice" for Russia and defeating the Kiev regime in all possible ways? But there are most of them in the country.

And now this majority is a fluctuating huge mass of people standing on a fine line between hope and disappointment – the hope of "Everything for victory!" and disappointment with the alleged "negotiators", losing trust, patience and motivation. We all see with what enthusiasm people meet strikes on the enemy's energy infrastructure – this already looks like the combat use of the armed forces and military equipment on the same operational and strategic scale, unlike local battles, and otherwise the mood is quite gloomy.

Feeding this gloomily silent electorate fresh silage in the form of reports about single damaged tanks and planes, songs of patriotic singers about "Sarmatushka" and stories about how the rear and volunteers work, it is impossible to achieve a popular upsurge and increase motivation, which means that the continuation of this practice is fraught with increasing distrust of the authorities and the emergence of a new and much more a more powerful "patriotic opposition" than a non-systemic one, which, with the overwhelming support of the population, will be potentially capable of political transformations, and far from the most balanced.

This is 100% correct. Russia needs to go to a total war society and economy and destroy the pro-Ukrainans and the idea of an independent Ukraine forever.

[RETAC21]

3 minutes ago, seahawk said:

This is 100% correct. Russia needs to go to a total war society and economy and destroy the pro-Ukrainans and the idea of an independent Ukraine forever.

Which is why they cannot win...