The court scholar serving Hermann of Thuringia.

The court scholar serving Hermann of Thuringia.
The scholar

2024/09/12

Day 932 War in Ukraine


 

“Russian missile against a wheat cargo bound for Egypt.“ The missile was supersonic and the crew was Turkish. It was attacked in the waters of Romania. Both countries are members of NATO.

Blogger examines why Biden’s NatSec (National Security) staff is incapable of rising to the challenge of dealing with present-day Russia.

First Lady Zelenska gives a speech at the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. President Zelenskyy’s speech follows.

The son of the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine dies at the front.

Putin threatens war if Ukraine is permitted to use long-range missiles against Russia.

US might permit Ukraine to use British and French long-range missiles against Russia. "The source said: 'I think this war can’t be won or stopped by half measures.'" Escalation should be examined in context. Putin threatens direct war if Ukraine is permitted to use long-range missiles.

Kharkiv with glide bombs.

More terrible things happening in Pokrovsk as Russians approach.

...the ICRC has not covered itself in glory in Ukraine. Nor in Gaza. Nor Sudan. Nor anywhere else lately.

Russians launch counter-offensive against Ukraine’s Kursk operation. Ukraine expected and was prepared for it. No sign that the Russian counter-offensive will weaken the Russian advance on Pokrovsk.

The current Russian army “consists of cripples, alcoholics, criminals and old men with conscripts. But this army also causes colossal damage. It is precisely because of this composition that it has no morality and leaves behind a trail of war crimes and scorched earth.”

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/12/war-for-ukraine-day-932-russia-attacks-a-turkish-operated-transport-vessel-in-the-black-sea/

2024/09/11

Day 931 War in Ukraine

 

THAT’S a disappointment! US Secretary of State Blinken and UK Foreign Minister Lammy did NOT go to Ukraine to authorize the use of long-range weapons! They’re “adjusting and adapting” somehow.

Ten and a half years after the invasion of Crimea and almost three years into the full-scale re-invasion of Ukraine and the US doesn’t have “an actual strategy for Ukraine”!

Zelenskyy observes 9/11 commemoration.

Lithuania helps finance the Palantsyia rocket drone.

Does Germany’s Scholzhave a peace plan for Ukraine? If he doesn’t bring Ukraine on board, Zelenskyy doesn’t care.

US and Britain sending a generous aid package over to Ukraine.

Blinken recognizes that Russia is attacking Ukrainian energy.

Congress asks Biden to allow Ukraine to strike targets in russia with long-range weapons.

Apparently, the Biden Administration has just NOW drafted a strategy for Ukraine! The US is still using “crisis management” tools. Many organizations have offered detailed plans. Are we trying to defeat Russia in Ukraine? We should say so. We also need to “win the peace” by having a plan to rebuild, enter NATO, etc. But knowing the desired endgame is VERY important!

North Korean ballistic missiles raining down on Ukraine.

Iran is ALSO sending ballistic missiles to Russia.

Another Russian Su-30 fighter jet shot down!

Russian reconnaissance drone knocked down!

Russians still advancing on Pokrovsk.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/11/war-for-ukraine-day-931-lessons-from-alice/


2024/09/08

Day 927, War in Ukraine

 

A Ukrainian resident of Pokrovsk closes her gate for what may be the last time as Russian artillery moves closer.

Lots and lots of Shahed drones knocked down. None of them hit their target!

Good! Scottish newspaper headline supports Ukraine against Biden’s too-cautious policy.

Ukraine’s Kursk offensive has dented Vladimir Putin’s war narrative and triggered “questions” among the Russian elite about the point of the war…

Intelligence officials: “Both also said it would be wrong to take Putin’s threats of nuclear escalation lightly but that the west should not be unnecessarily intimidated.”

US says that Iran sending ballistic missiles to Russia would be a “dramatic escalation.” But there’s evidence that Iran HAS already shipped those missiles. Earlier, the US said there would be “consequences” if North Korea shipped missiles yo Moscow. But NK has ALREADY done that! So now what?

Ukrainian drones can now strike at a distance of 1.800 km.

Why did the Venice Film Festival accept a film glorifying Russia’s war in Ukraine? Toronto Film Festival also urged to not feature Russian propaganda.

Canada Media Fund gave $340,000 from Canadian taxpayers to an on staff russian propagandist.

Continuing evacuation in Pokrovsk as Russian artillery moves closer.

Dunno why Russia even bothers to build pontoon bridges. Of course, Ukrainians would probably blow up ferries, too.

Ammunition depot burns.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/07/war-for-ukraine-day-927-a-67-drone-swarm/

2024/09/02

Day 922 War in Ukraine


School in shelter, safe from Russian missiles.

Still more mass aerial attacks.

Zelenskyy talks about schools reopening. Presumably he means schools have ben relocated to underground.

North Korean KN-23 missiles were among those that struck Ukraine.

Why are Russian bombers better protected than Ukrainian civilians?

Poland says it will preemptively hit any Russian missile that appears as though it might enter Polish airspace.

Iran planning to provide ballistic missiles to Russia. Good time to release Ukrainian missiles from restrictions.

Defense Minister Umerov calls for restrictions on long-range weapons to be lifted.

UKRAINE’S FRUSTRATION is growing by the day over restrictions that the Biden administration has imposed on the use of American-supplied weapons against targets inside Russia.

The blogger quotes a “devil’s advocate” of permitting long-range strikes into Russia, at length.

Ukraine has some of their best battle-hardened units in the Kursk offensive. So far, not drawing too many Russian units.

Ukraine’s Kursk incursion has raised flagging morale among its troops and restored its initiative along a patch of the front. The attack has also deeply embarrassed Moscow

Moscow is frustrated that the West doesn’t appear to take their nuclear threats seriously anymore and are upping the ante. Russian nuclear threats have successfully frozen the Biden Administration’s response.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/02/war-for-ukraine-day-922-russia-continues-its-glide-bomb-bombardment-of-kharkiv/

 

Result of Ukrainian drone firing thermite at a tree line.

Russians tsk-tsk a Ukrainian mine disguised to look like an ordinary piece of wood, but which contains enough explosive to kill instantly. Yep, sure is terrible to have barbaric enemies.
 

Reuters: "A deputy commander of Russia's Leningrad military district has been detained on suspicion of accepting a 20 million rouble ($224,000) bribe...

When I was in the Navy, the armed service paid for EVERYTHING that we needed to do our job. I've often compared this to the poor state of teachers, who have to buy school supplies without reimbursement. Seems Russian soldiers are required to pay for repairing and refueling cars! 

Huh1 Cool! Serbia hips in to supply MiGs to Ukraine!

Ukrainian occupiers making very good impressions in Kursk district.

Ukrainian General Staff figures Russia has lost 8,600 tanks since February 2022! 

Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov compares modern-day Europe to Napoleonic France and Nazi Germany, seeking to destroy Russia. 

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/9/2/2267373/-Russian-stuff-blowing-up-Ukraine-deploys-flame-throwing-drones-with-thermite?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

 

 

 



  

 

 

2024/09/01

Day 921 war in Ukraine


 

Adding up all of the flying weapons used to strike Ukraine over the past week!

At the July NATO Summit, all sorts of air defense systems were promised. NONE have been delivered yet! A “double-tap” attack was therefore successful.

Denmark wanted to send F-16s right away after Ukraine was hit with the full-scale invasion, but “Frederiksen did not specify who exactly was holding up the delivery of the F-16s.”

Zelenskyy’s definition of peace is to remove all occupiers from the land. Zelenskyy: “to stop this terror, all necessary global forces must be mobilized.”

Russia strikes “a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage” Numerous other civilian centers hit. Strikes are made at noontime so as to maximize casualties.

It’s NICE that the US condemns Russian atrocities delivered by aerial means, but giving Ukraine permission to use long-range weapons on Russian airbases is what they REALLY need!

The town of Kurahove is just being pounded into dust.

People fleeing Pokrovsk are reasonably certain their homes will be obliterated in their absence.

A “fully loaded Russian BM-21 Grad MLRS” obliterated in massive explosion.

Ukrainian drone strikes made near Moscow raises the price of the war for regular Russians.

Moscow oil refinery hit. Truly amazing how weak Russian air defenses are once one gets away from the battle-front.

Moscow is surrounded by S-300, S-400 and Pantsir S1/S2 air defense systems. They should have been able to protect the Kaputnya oil refinery.

Kyiv has a small handful of air defense systems protecting it, Moscow has nearly 50. Funny, but Russian air defenses consistently underperform.

Why does AP blindly repeat Russian propaganda?

The value of attrition: “using a $500,000 drone to destroy an industrial facility that generates $50 million annually has a lasting impact.”

Ukraine hits power plant at Konokovo from a distance of 325 miles.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/01/war-for-ukraine-day-921-kharkiv-and-sumy/

2024/08/19

Day 908 War in Ukraine

 

Natalie, call sign “Cobra,” a medic for 28 years.

“Washington is in effect blocking Britain from allowing Kyiv to fire Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia, amid fears in the Biden administration of an escalation in the Ukraine war.” So not only is Washington holding back US missiles, it’s holding BRITISH missiles as well! Also, Netanyahu seems to be able to do as he pleases without consequence. Worst. NatSec team. EVER!

Kursk operation has now expanded to control 1,250 sq km (777 sq miles) of Russian territory.

Zelenskyy again asks for authorization to use long-range missiles. He lists a number of other requirements for victory.

A volunteer from Finland dies defending Ukraine.

Denmark and Germany step up with packages of military aid.

Film clip of JDAMs used on Russian positions.

Ukrainian and Russians have very different objectives. Ukraine has no desire to permanently occupy Russian territory.

Situation around the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk still difficult. Kursk operation isn’t draining enough from the Pokrovsk area, but it’s having some effect.

A Russian unit “Rusich” with a swastika on their emblem announced a human sacrifice of a Ukrainian POW…

In 1972, Russians exploded a nuclear bomb underground near Kharkiv as a test. It got to the surface and created a mushroom cloud!

Burning oil depot near the Russian city of Rostov. 

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/08/19/war-for-ukraine-day-908-stuck-within-the-system/

 

 

 

2024/08/17

Day 905 War in Ukraine

 

Yike! An M1 Abrams tank seen from the window of a Humvee.

Yeah, truly a terrible answer by Biden’s national security people. Long range strikes help to prevent Russian long range strikes! Long range strikes save Ukrainian lives!

Film clip of drone with Russian AK-74 assault rifle attached.

A year since Ukraine forcibly reopened the Black Sea to its commerce.

700 Russian troops surrounded. Bridge behind them blown up.

Russian Ka-52 helicopter shot down.

Ukrainians and Russians negotiating prisoner swaps.

Russia taking forces away from borders with Baltic states, Sweden and Finland in order to reinforce Kursk region.

Will the Kursk incursion threaten Putin’s hold on power? Ehh, probably not.

This might come to known as the Second Battle of Kursk. The first battle was fought in 1943, so it’s heavy with symbolic significance.

The Russian public, brainwashed by the propaganda it is fed constantly on TV, remains broadly supportive of the war.

As usual, John Mearsheimer is wrong and fears Ukraine’s Kursk incursion is a strategic blunder.

Russians behead a Ukrainian POW and film their doing so.

Ukrainian occupiers leave the Russian town of Sudzha largely intact.

WHAT? “The world’s biggest oilfield services company is expanding in Russia” Yup! Sanctions! Jail terms! Nationalization! The company should severely pay for this!

FBI searches home of Russian agent Dimitri Simes,.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/08/16/war-for-ukraine-day-905-as-the-clock-strikes-twelve-the-bombardments-resume/

2024/08/14

Day 903 of Ukraine War


Alexandra Mulkevych died in the drone strike on the ambulance.

A working, occupied ambulance was struck by an FPV drone, which means the Russians knew exactly what they were aiming at! Alexandra, one of the medical personnel killed, was one day away from returning home.

Another Su-34 destroyed.

Ukrainians are using every British weapon in their possession except for the long range Storm Shadow missiles.

Russian trench-diggers are getting the equivalent of $2,250 per month.

Russia sending conscripts to defend against the Ukrainian Kursk incursion. There are alleged rules concerning how to deploy conscripts. Russia is ignoring those rules. Not many signs that Russians are letting up on some parts of the front in order to stop Kursk incursion. We’re seeing “scores of young Russian conscripts thrown at advancing elite Ukrainian airborne units.”

This would be a very good time to increase ammunition deliveries.

Air assaults on Sumy have primarily come from Kursk region.

Ukrainians are seeing to humanitarian needs of Russian citizens caught behind Ukrainian lines. “Russia has abandoned these communities without essential supplies,”

Starlink doesn’t work in Russia, so communications are a bit challenging for the Ukrainians.

Drones attack three major airbases.

Videos of airfields being hit by drones at night.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/08/14/war-for-ukraine-day-903-another-day-another-horrific-russian-war-crime/

2024/08/12

Elon Musk, dictators and guns

 



I looked into this a number of years ago. It might very well be true in some cases, but Nazi Germany didn’t ban firearms for Jews ***until after*** Kristallnacht. In other words, der Fuhrer waited until Jews were politically powerless and THEN he banned firearms for them! Firearms for non-Jews were never banned. Many Germans kept private firearms all the way through.

Also, Black people kept their firearms as the US adopted Jim Crow in the late 1800s. Massacres like Tulsa 1921 happened anyway.

Laurel Buck, a 26-year-old white bricklayer, was at the county courthouse in downtown Tulsa when the first group of black men arrived in a car, armed with rifles and insisting to police officers they be allowed to protect Dick Rowland.

https://runitback.substack.com/p/020-get-a-gun-and-get-busy


2024/08/10

Day 899 of war in Ukraine


So there are apparently no meaningful “red lines,” so why isn’t Ukraine given permission to use ATACMS missiles in Russian territory?

Russians attacking with drones instead of the usual missiles.

Identifying bodies from the supermarket in Kostiantinivka.

Ukraine has still not received clearance to use US missiles in Russia.

Kursk offensive by Ukraine into Russia appears to have been joined by second strike into Begorod oblast. Russia’s defenses once you break through the border area are quite weak.

General sense being chaos & abandonment [on Russian side] by Moscow. "I want to understand where our state is at all? Where is the administration?”

Russians describe military response to Ukrainian invasion “as a “counterterrorist operation,” giving them the same legal status as law-enforcement actions against Islamist extremist groups in the northern Caucasus.” Russia’s military is NOT in charge of counteroffensive against Ukrainians. Counteroffensive is handled by “the Federal Security Service, Russia’s domestic intelligence agency” FSB will loyally handle the job, but is unlikely to be successful.

Question as to how to secure border as conscripts are currently used.

Ukraine uses marine kamikaze drones to take out Russian naval targets.

Iran will be sending ballistic missile systems to Russia

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/08/10/war-for-ukraine-day-899-belgorod/

2024/08/03

Day 892 of war in Ukraine

 

Ukraine wins first Olympic Gold medal of 2024 games in fencing! Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan defeated Russia’s Olga Smirnova, but refused to shake hands and was thus disqualified.

Russians commit utterly horrific war crime. Blogger assures us the image appears authentic, but we do not need to see it.

Woo hoo! Russians lose Kilo Class Submarine!

Also an S-400 air defense system not completely incapacitated, but badly damaged.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs to carry out long-range strikes against Russia. It needs to be able to hit missile launch sites.

Film on 95-year old woman who makes trench cakes for the troops.

Russian opposition figures urge that sanctions be lifted as they are hurting ordinary Russians. Problem: ordinary Russians are helping to maintain the war. Ukraine asks for acknowledgments that Russia is imperialistic and that they will denounce that in return. No, Putin is not the only driver of the war.

Crew of a T-80 tank.

More oil fields destroyed.

Secretary of Defense Austin seems exceedingly risk-averse. The inmates of Guantanamo were treated horribly, with torture, so they can’t be tried for crimes. They’re effectively serving life sentences in an extrajudicial manner.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/08/03/war-for-ukraine-day-892-a-brief-saturday-night-update/

2024/07/29

Day 887 of war for Ukraine

First Olympic gold medal for Ukraine goes to the fencer Olga Kharlan!

Russian drones are going after individual civilians in Kherson. About 50 civilians have died.

the situation in the Pokrovsk direction remains critical, and some areas of defense have started to collapse.

Commanders being threatened with dismissal.

US sends $200 million aid package.

Progress made in French rail saboteurs. Far-left French anarchists are the main suspects, but they’re looking at everyone. Too many attacks to be happenstance. This is a coordinated attack.

Tuareg rebels defeated Russian state-funded Wagner mercenaries, then took picture of themselves with a Ukrainian flag.

The Pokrovsk front is buckling.

Reserves are getting short, so units cannot be pulled out of the line for rest and relaxation. Good news is that Russians are also in poor shape.

Russia has accelerated its destruction of Ukraine’s front-line cities in 2024 to a scale previously unseen in the war using the glide bombs and an expanding network of airstrips

Russian boat with infantry hit by drone. No survivors.

...officials said the Russian government is engaged in a "whole-of-government" effort to influence the U.S. presidential election and that it favored Trump,

Iran is working for Democrats and against Trump.

West looks at Ukraine-Russia situation.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/07/29/war-for-ukraine-day-887-russia-is-using-drones-to-hunt-civilians-in-kherson/


 

2024/07/14

Day 872, War in Ukraine

As the blogger says “I have questions:”

Ballistic missiles and glide bombs hit Kharkiv.

Kremlin already exploiting attack on Donald Trump to increase chaos and suspicion. Russian TV: “Today Trump quite literally spilled blood for America.”

Like President Biden, President Zelenskyy shows some class and sympathy for Trump being shot at.

Ukraine signs more bilateral security agreements.

Film of “...the niece of Russian Defense Ministry head Andrey Belousov” urging him not to bomb the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital. Members of his family say that Natalia Vertinskaya is not related to Belousov.

51 Nobel laureates call for peace in Ukraine. Problem is that they’re making a general call to both sides. If Russia leaves Ukraine, the war is over, period. If Russian troops remain in Ukraine, the war will, at best, pause until Russia feels refreshed and relaxed and ready to start it up again. The appeal should be made exclusively to Putin. Instead, they’re “blaming the victim.”

Horrible things will happen if Trump wins in November.

“The special battalion ‘Shkval’, consisting of volunteer prisoners” successfully clears an enemy tree line.

The Battle for Novomykhailivka cost the Russians over 300 armored vehicles.

According to Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Russia has lost almost 560k soldiers. Wounded comes to 1677k. Russia, according to Politico, lost 70k soldiers in just two months, the US lost 58k soldiers from 1955 to 1975, fighting in Vietnam. Where is the Russian peace movement?

Of course, we should be aware that a young Russian woman sent $30 to the Ukrainian military. She’s been sentenced to nine years in prison.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/07/14/war-for-ukraine-day-872-glide-bombs-aimed-at-kharkiv/


 

2024/07/11

Day 869 War in Ukraine

 

Since May 10, almost a thousand civilians have either died or have been wounded in Kharkiv.

US intelligence discovered Russian plans to assassinate a German industrialist who was actively supporting Ukraine. Russia has also been carrying out acts of sabotage across Europe. At what point does sabotage and undercover actions become warfare that demands an appropriate response? Further problem with an appropriate NATO response is: Will it deter future action or will Russia be encouraged to commit still more actions or will it start acting in a more restrained fashion?

Interesting. Russia is saying through false news sources “that the Americans are secretly hiring Latin American criminals to fight in Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy again asks that long-range missiles be used to attack targets in Russia. Russians, of course, warn the West against doing that.

Things are better on the battlefield than they were earlier, but Ukraine still has a ways to go.

“Ukraine is very low on ammunition for legacy Soviet systems, whereas Russian drone and missile production rates have increased significantly.” Glide bombs are an increasing problem.

Norway sends air defense system.

“Lithuania's support to Ukraine is long-term & amounts to €1 bn “

Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands all step up to deliver more to Ukraine.

Ukrainians describe being tormented by Russians while they were captives.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/07/11/war-for-ukraine-day-869-russias-wetwork-program/

2024/07/07

War for Ukraine Day 865

 

Hmm, a most interesting alliance.

Air raid alerts all over Ukraine.

Zelenskyy and the UK Secretary of State for Defence visit wounded troops in the hospital.

French left wing wins Parliamentary election. Heh! “split-screen of Team Democracy vs the far right.”

Story of a 102-year old French resistance fighter who was selected to carry an Olympic Torch. She’s unhappy about how much of the vote the far right was able to get.

Blogger: “anyone who tells me they’re not going to vote is if that’s the case then you need to read everything you can about the French partisan underground in WW II, the Bielskys, and Bernard Fall’s Theories of Insurgency and Counterinsurgency. Fall was a member of the French partisan underground.”

An Estonian soldier: “the window of opportunity for russia to achieve anything on the front in 2024 is steadily narrowing.” During Speaker Johnson’s blockade of Ukraine aid was Russia’s best opportunity. With aid now arriving, that window is shrinking.

Statistics on horrendous Russian losses. “Russia is strong but also rigid, and no one knows her breaking point — including Putin since his own people lie to him.”

The Ukrainian drone campaign is a thorn in Russia’s side.

A Russian milblogger examines his own social circle since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Most have died or have been incapacitated.

Another Russian Su-25 jet shot down!

Film clip on how many Russian tanks remain. The easily-repaired ones are long since sent to the front. Those harder to repair were left behind, so it’s likely that their reserves will get more and more useless.

9k square meter ammunition depot set ablaze by drones. The ammo dump continued to detonate hours later.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/07/07/war-for-ukraine-day-865-all-of-ukraine-is-under-air-raid-alert-russian-missiles-are-inbound/

2024/07/02

War for Ukraine Day 860

 

For taking casualties back for identification and burial.

Zelenskyy discusses Viktor Orbán’s visit to Ukraine.

US supplying lots of air defense goods.

For there to be peace, Ukraine must gt back its 1991 borders and to join NATO to deter future attacks. For Zelenskyy, giving up any territory simply extends the war. Secretary of State Blinken says nothing about Ukraine being free of Russian occupiers. Being told Ukraine can never join NATO presents a real problem. Doesn’t that mean Russia can attack again whenever it pleases? Also, Putin is counting on things like Trump’s coming to power in the US.

Trump’s plans for “peace” are much worse than Biden’s as Trump is just straight-up about Ukraine needs to give up territory and to never join NATO. Neither Trump nor Speaker Johnson have any use for Ukraine.

Orbán recommends “peace” talks with Russia.

Erm, wasn’t that the problem at Pearl Harbor? That planes were just lined up nicely, just waiting to be bombed?

Russia stays on the offensive, making small advances.

Strike on Crimea.

“a detailed thread on Russian armor losses in Ukraine.” Armored transport vehicles are depleting quicker than tanks. Russia should start seriously running low on armored vehicles in 2025 or 2026.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/07/02/war-for-ukraine-day-860-compare-and-contrast/

2024/05/30

War for Ukraine Day 827

Iryna Tsybukh, combat medic, dies.

Five-story residential building hit. “There is a fire. There may be people under the rubble.”

Zelenskyy annoyed by Biden’s decision to attend a fundraiser on June 15th rather than Ukraine’s Peace Summit. Xi Jinping won’t attend either. Washington DC concerned over Ukraine’s attack on two Russian early warning radar systems. Washington is very concerned over Russia’s reaction. Ukraine doesn’t want to expand their army still further, but is facing pressure to.

“Zelenskyy ‘thinks they want the war to go away before the [US] election’”

“Biden loves Israel more than Netanyahu does.”

Secretary of State Blinken promises to “’adapt and adjust’ its position on Western weapons strikes against targets on Russian territory.” Okay, but Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are dying every day that the US takes to adapt. Meanwhile, Israel does as it pleases.

The US has allowed a marginal change in how Ukraine can attack its attackers.

“Ukraine, however, is severely restricted by the Biden administration in how it can fight an existential defense against a genocidal re-invasion.”

Danish will permit F-16s to be used on Russian territory.

A Russian self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher,full of ammunition, gets hit.

Ferries crossing the Kerch Strait are hit with ATACMS.

Russia is now using mechanized attacks to attack Chasiv Yar

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/05/30/war-for-ukraine-day-827-kharkiv-is-under-attack-again/

2024/05/27

War for Ukraine Day 823

 

There are several corpses burned beyond recognition after Kharkiv is bombed. 8-year old Mykhailo gives DNA so that they might be able to identify if one of them is his missing father.

An 80-year old picture of a toddler handing another child a flower as they're in line to be gassed. Unfortunately, this resembles many, many other children in today’s world, living life while not realizing their circumstances.

A 12-year old girl finds her father dead in the hospital after Kharkiv is hit with nearly two dozen bombs.

Zelenskyy puts out a film where he asks whether Russia desires to negotiate.

“Ukraine has the world’s greatest experience of deception by Russia in negotiations. Deception, which, in particular, was Russia’s cover for the preparation of this war.”

Sweden gives Ukraine permission to use its weapons to directly strike Russia. US and Germany now have to either follow or get out of the way. The British realize: “International law is quite clear- Ukraine has a right to defend itself & that includes striking cross border”

Baltic countries and Poland will send their troops to Ukraine in the event of serious successes of the Russian military at the frontlines

Biden is engaging with both Russian and Israeli aggression “with only the most tepid and minimal pushback.” Putin is “probing with bayonets. Other than the Ukrainians themselves, he has yet to find steel.”

Sumy Oblast struck with 28 separate attacks.

Somehow, Russia considers itself entitled to have a safe zone.

Short film clip of a scene inside a home when a Russian missile strikes nearby.

Battle assessment.

Tatarigami and his Frontelligence Team have published a new investigation into Russian missile manufacturing.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/05/26/war-for-ukraine-day-823-the-butchers-bill-for-kharkiv/

2024/05/21

War for Ukraine Day 818

 

Tucker Carlson now has a show on “Russia 24.”

Kharkiv is being pummeled by missiles. Ukraine’s soldiers tell me that they cannot adequately fight back without striking inside Russia.” US refuses to permit Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia. We’re essentially asking Ukraine to fight with one hand tied behind its back.

Zelenskyy is getting impatient. Says weapons are arriving, but too late.

Small weapons deliveries have allowed the Russian foe to adapt to Western aid.

The Russian advance toward Kharkiv has slowed down. Detailed summation of what the advance has been able to achieve.

“Here is Tatarigami’s take on The Economist reporting above” What Russian strategy suggests is that they wanted to get within artillery rance of Kharkiv and to reduce the city.

Short film clip demonstrating effect of glide bombs.

Woo hoo! Another Russian ship, a Corvette, converted to a submarine!

Ukrainian naval drone launching unguided missiles in the direction of Russian positions on the Kinburn Peninsula, Mykolaiv/Kherson region.

Russian authorities have made a unilateral decision to change the sea borders of Russia with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea.

Now we wait to see what Lithuania and Finland do.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/05/21/war-for-ukraine-day-818-kharkiv-is-bombarded-while-the-biden-administration-equivocates/

2024/05/05

War in Ukraine 6May2024

 

Wow! Zelenskyy in Easter outfit! So rare to see him in anything but Army green. “We pray for all our cities and villages, that should feel the Lord’s grace, not the constant terror of evil, and which have black clouds hanging over them, and bombs and missiles coming from those who belong in hell, not in the Ukrainian sky.”

Russia hits Kharkiv with glide bombs, hitting the city center and apartment buildings. Sumy suffers massive fires.

Drones used to send Easter cakes to front-line troops.

A while ago, Russia was jamming GPS signals so that planes couldn’t safely land in the Baltic States. Seems that Russian sabotage is spreading. European intelligence agencies, especially those of Sweden, Germany and the Czech Republic, report an increase in Russian sabotage activity. “Russia has attempted to destroy the signalling systems on Czech railways, the country’s transport minister told the FT last month.” and “Putin is currently feeling “emboldened” and will seek to push lines as hard as he can in Europe”

Again, our blogger feels World War III began in 2007, it’s just mostly been a “non-kinetic” war. General Hodges examines things that the West fears about there being an active World War. First thing to understand is that deescalation has been tried and has decisively failed. Russia is “a militaristic adventurous regional power.”

The Russia Black Sea Fleet was dealt with, not through diplomacy, but by force. Force worked and that fleet is not a threat today. Let us not overstate Russia’s willingness to use nuclear weapons. NATO nuclear deterrence appears to be working fine.

Russia doesn’t ratchet down operations for Easter.

Pictures of what used to be the city center of Bakhmut.

Russians do their best to destroy n M1A1 Abrams tank. The tank went down fighting and “went out like a warrior!”

Russian approaching strategic highway.

Easter celebrated on the front lines.

Russian AFVs stored in an open field. The vehicles are more or less outdated and useless.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/05/05/war-for-ukraine-day-803-russia-bombards-continues-its-bombardment-of-ukraine-despite-the-holy-day/