Russian President Putin announces military operation in Ukraine

[Golden Fleece]

Putin is cleaning house. Deviation from the party line will not be tolerated. In totalitarian Russia, even oligarch status does not ensure your safety. In Russia, do not worry about your assets. Worry about your life.

Six figures with ties to the Kremlin have died since Vladimir Putin launched Ukraine war​

Police in Moscow are investigating after a Russian oil executive became the sixth government-linked oligarch to die in mysterious circumstances since Vladimir Putin gave the order for an invasion of Ukraine.

The spate of mysterious Russian oligarch deaths

But do not worry. The Russian police and Russian justice system are "investigating."

 

[Golden Fleece]

The Russians Lost Nearly An Entire Battalion Trying To Cross A River In Eastern Ukraine.​

The better part of a Russian army battalion—50 or so vehicles and up to a thousand troops—in recent days tried to cross a pontoon bridge spanning the Siverskyi Donets River, running west to east between the separatist provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian artillery caught them at the river bank—and destroyed them. The rapid destruction of around three dozen tanks and other armored vehicles, along with the bridge itself, underscores Russia’s deepening woes as its troops try, and fail, to make meaningful gains in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.

The 17th’s shelling destroyed at least seven T-72 and T-80 tanks, 17 BMPs, seven MT-LB armored tractors, five other vehicles and much of the bridging unit itself, including a tugboat and the pontoon span. It’s unclear how many Russians died or were wounded, but it’s worth noting that no battalion can lose three-quarters of its vehicles and remain capable of operations.

The Russians Lost Nearly An Entire Battalion Trying To Cross A River In Eastern Ukraine

 

[polonieth]

The Russians Lost Nearly An Entire Battalion Trying To Cross A River In Eastern Ukraine.​

The Russians Lost Nearly An Entire Battalion Trying To Cross A River In Eastern Ukraine

This may or may not be true. An MSN article about it proves zero. The fact I've just read a thread by a soldier purporting to be the brains behind the attack, makes me think it could well be another piece of famous Ukrainian propaganda that we can file under bullshit.

Can you post about Snake Island? I hear the British planned that mission and it went sour pretty quickly. That one is easy to corroborate.

 

[RealDude]

Finland seeks NATO membership 'without delay'​

Finland seeks NATO membership 'without delay'

Finland said on Thursday it would apply to join NATO "without delay", with Sweden expected to follow suit, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine brings about the very expansion of the Western military alliance that Vladimir Putin aimed to prevent.

www.reuters.com

 

[JohnnyDoe]

 

[MaxFS]

This may or may not be true. An MSN article about it proves zero. The fact I've just read a thread by a soldier purporting to be the brains behind the attack, makes me think it could well be another piece of famous Ukrainian propaganda that we can file under bullshit.

Can you post about Snake Island? I hear the British planned that mission and it went sour pretty quickly. That one is easy to corroborate.

This information from MSN is only part true. i brefly searched information in Ukrainian and Russian TG channels. My verdict: Ukrainian forces managed to destroy pontoon bridge, but there is no information about 50 vehicles and 1000 troops. As proof I've seen only a few screenshots with 5-10 vehicles.

As for Snake island, for now nobody knows exactly what happened there, and for what reason Ukraine attempted to take the island.
Both sides confirm some loses, but the thing is - the island is still under control of Russia. Information about British planning seems to be true, because even in ukrainian channels they mention about it, moreover, i've seen info that ukrainian command was against this mission, but president forced to execute it.
Actually there was no reason to do it, except one - Zelenskiy wanted to show some victory on 9 may (this is very special day for russians)
Ordinary people in comments say in fact this mission was almost suicidal. This island is very tiny. it's like 500x600 meters (0.3 miles х 0.35 miles) literally, and
even if they could capture it and setup some anti aircraft artillery it would be destroyed next day from ships or just bombed by FAB bombs.

 

[Golden Fleece]

This information from MSN is only part true. i brefly searched information in Ukrainian and Russian TG channels. My verdict: Ukrainian forces managed to destroy pontoon bridge, but there is no information about 50 vehicles and 1000 troops. As proof I've seen only a few screenshots with 5-10 vehicles.

As for Snake island, for now nobody knows exactly what happened there, and for what reason Ukraine attempted to take the island.
Both sides confirm some loses, but the thing is - the island is still under control of Russia. Information about British planning seems to be true, because even in ukrainian channels they mention about it, moreover, i've seen info that ukrainian command was against this mission, but president forced to execute it.
Actually there was no reason to do it, except one - Zelenskiy wanted to show some victory on 9 may (this is very special day for russians)
Ordinary people in comments say in fact this mission was almost suicidal. This island is very tiny. it's like 500x600 meters (0.3 miles х 0.35 miles) literally, and
even if they could capture it and setup some anti aircraft artillery it would be destroyed next day from ships or just bombed by FAB bombs.

The island is located in a strategic location. The Ukrainian bombing mission was only designed to destroy all the buildings on the island -- to make them unusable to the Russians. That mission was a success, as demonstrated by the before and after photographs.

____________

On another front, Russia is rapidly running out of critical parts manufactured in the West. Russia is now resorting to putting computer chips from dishwashers and refrigerators in tanks due to US sanctions.

Russia is having to use computer chips intended for home appliances to repair its military hardware due to the impact of US sanctions, according to a US official. "We have reports from Ukrainians that when they find Russian military equipment on the ground, it's filled with semiconductors that they took out of dishwashers and refrigerators," commerce secretary Gina Raimondo told the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday.

Raimondo recently met with Ukrainian officials who told her that they found parts from refrigerators and commercial and industrial machines when searching captured or abandoned Russian tanks, The Washington Post reported.

Russia's military hardware has long relied on technology made by the US or its allies, but US tech companies are now forbidden from exporting their products to Russia. "Our approach was to deny Russia technology — technology that would cripple their ability to continue a military operation. And that is exactly what we are doing," Raimondo told the committee.

The White House said Sunday that US sanctions are stymieing Russian attempts to repair equipment. "Russia is struggling to replenish its military weapons and equipment. Russia's two major tank plants — Uralvagonzavod Corporation and Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant — have halted work due to lack of foreign components," it said.

Russia is resorting to putting computer chips from dishwashers and refrigerators in tanks due to US sanctions, official says

 

[MaxFS]

The island is located in a strategic location. The Ukrainian bombing mission was only designed to destroy all the buildings on the island -- to make them unusable to the Russians. That mission was a success, as demonstrated by the before and after photographs.

Sounds like an excuse, after a failed mission. Let's use our critical thinking.
The location is strategic, but it matters when you have ships to use it strategically.
You said the mission was to destroy buildings. Ok. have you seen those buildings? Do you really think it was worth wasting aircraft and pilots to destroy those sheds?
Let's look at the photo:

The main building is the lighthouse, 6 little storages near docks, just one building looking like barracks (no more than for 100 hundred people, rather much less), and 3 additional buildings (little buildings).
What is the point to bomb it? It's cheap and very easily fixable and it's hard to destroy it completely. Actually i have not seen footage where those buildings were showed as completly destroyed (just damaged but usable). That is strange if Mi6 and CIA provide intel for Ukraine from satellites. If you have it i would appreciate it.
Moreover, even if those buildings were absolutely ruined, Russia would set up a module camp just like if the island was empty. The army of Russia is not terrorists from isis or insurgents from middle Asia who don't have sources to build infrastructure. Look at this АПЛ-500 (Autonomous field camp 500). Number 500 means that its camp can be used by 500 soldiers. it's 5-10 times more than normal garrison for this island. So i think APL 500 even too much for this little island. It would be enough to use something more simple and cheap.

Now lets think further. BBC says (as well as Ukrainian TG channels) that Ukraine lost 3 pilots on 9 may, one of them - Igor Bedzay, he was Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Aviation (Ukraine claims him as one of the best pilot.
When we read "lost" it means aircraft is also lost. And when we understand that aircraft is lost it means that everybody on board are dead (or captured), and forces on land (or sea) were left without air support or evacuation. Now think about consequences for troops without air support. So now we have a big question - was these loses worth to damadge a few old cheap buildings?
p.s Don't forget that every Ukrainian pilot is Irreplaceable loss. Ukraine can't train new pilots, NATO will not allow western pilots to participate in war (even if the could pilot soviet aircrafts).
p.p.s All this information above from western sources. And even from western sources looks pretty bad for Ukraine. I've seen information from Russian Ministry of Defense, it's more detailed, but i didn't provide it to you because you would not believe.

 

[Golden Fleece]

Sounds like an excuse, after a failed mission. Let's use our critical thinking.
The location is strategic, but it matters when you have ships to use it strategically.
You said the mission was to destroy buildings. Ok. have you seen those buildings?

No, I have not seen the buildings -- for a very simple reason. Those buildings no longer exist. The Ukraine air force bombed them out of existence. You will not find the truth on Russian propaganda sites.

You also lack an elemental understanding of military strategy and geopolitical thinking. There are many reasons to bomb a military target. Here is a clue: the Doolittle Raid on Toyyo during WWII. The U.S. knew that it would have a 100% loss of aircraft and a loss of most flight crews. Yet, the military went ahead with the plan and all the flight crews volunteered. Most of them ditched their aircraft in the ocean after bombing Japan.

Although the raid caused comparatively minor damage, it demonstrated that the Japanese mainland was vulnerable to American air attacks. It also served as retaliation for the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and provided an important boost to American morale.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1523031819133857793

 

[MaxFS]

No, I have not seen the buildings -- for a very simple reason. Those buildings no longer exist. The Ukraine air force bombed them out of existence. You will not find the truth on Russian propaganda sites.

Well i think it's always possible to find the truth if you can analyse different sources, compare and think logically. For instance i read 3 type of sources (Western in English, Ukrainian and Russian).

Thank you for the information.
So two storages near docks are destroyed, lighthouse and 3 buildings are destroyed. 3 storgaes near docks still exist. Barracks (or something like this) still in place, 2 buildings in the center still exist.

I still have the same question
were these losses worth it?

Although the raid caused comparatively minor damage, it demonstrated that the Japanese mainland was vulnerable to American air attacks. It also served as retaliation for the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and provided an important boost to American morale.

Yep because of "lack of an elemental understanding of military strategy" I really don't understand how Ukrainian morale can be boosted by death of Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Aviation

 

[RealDude]

Ex-separatist commander says Russian military chief 'criminally negligent'​

A former commander of pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine accused Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Friday of "criminal negligence" over Moscow's stuttering military campaign in Ukraine.

"I directly accuse Sergei Shoigu of, at minimum, criminal negligence," Igor Girkin said in a video interview posted on his Telegram channel. "I have no grounds to accuse him of treason, but I would suspect it."

Ex-separatist commander says Russian military chief 'criminally negligent'

A former commander of pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine accused Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Friday of "criminal negligence" over Moscow's stuttering military campaign in Ukraine.

www.reuters.com

 

[12345]

A restaurant nearby changed its name from russian cuisine to ukrainian cuisine hahaha very smart move from the owner

 

[Golden Fleece]

A well-published professor is discussing the potential breakup of the Russian Federation as a distinct possibility. What if the Russian Federation is following in the Soviet Union’s footsteps and is on the verge of collapse? What if, once again, the process is driven by internal factors and there’s nothing anyone can do about it? Putin has miscalculated horribly -- and Russia will pay the price.

Despite all the portentous changes that Bremmer foresees, Russia’s collapse as a state is not one of them. And yet, it’s perfectly possible, possibly even probable. And the sooner the West starts thinking about what a Russian collapse will look like, the better — not because there is much we can do to stop it, but because it will have earth-shattering consequences for the world.

Putin believes that whatever problems arise within his realm must be the handiwork of foreign forces. Soviet leaders held similar views. In fact, the weaknesses of their states were the products of their dysfunctional political and economic systems and of policy mistakes the leaders made.

Now, as in 1991, the Russian Federation’s provinces and non-Russian autonomous republics will be forced to fend for themselves as they witness the Russian political and economic system crumble around them. There was already a “parade of sovereignties” during the dysfunctional 1990s; there will be another one in the 2020s. The Russian Federation could metamorphose into 10 or more states, only one of which would be known as Russia. That would change the face of Eurasia forever.

This professor and author is no intellectual lightweight:

Alexander J. Motyl is a professor of political science at Rutgers University-Newark. A specialist on Ukraine, Russia and the USSR, and on nationalism, revolutions, empires and theory, he is the author of 10 books of nonfiction, as well as “Imperial Ends: The Decay, Collapse, and Revival of Empires” and “Why Empires Reemerge: Imperial Collapse and Imperial Revival in Comparative Perspective.”

Prepare for the disappearance of Russia

 

[RealDude]

Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest​

President Zelensky hopes to “one day” host the song contest in Mariupol, currently controlled by Russia

Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra has won Eurovision after an outpouring of support from the European public in a phone and online vote

www.rt.com

 

[JohnnyDoe]

Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest​

A well deserved win of the most tragic garbage pop contest ever

 

[azb1]

Finland announces ‘historic’ NATO bid, and Sweden follows​

Finland announces ‘historic’ NATO bid, and Sweden follows

Finland and Sweden reversed long-standing opposition to NATO membership after war in Ukraine led to huge public support.

www.aljazeera.com

countries are overreacting or Putin seriously have plan of "Make USSR great Again" ???

 

[Golden Fleece]

countries are overreacting

More likely they are underreacting. Everyone who lives in Eastern Europe knows the history of Russian aggression and the attempted destruction of local cultures and languages.

Putin has accomplished what President Trump and all former U.S. Presidents could never do -- forcing European countries to increase their military budgets to pay their fair share of NATO expenses.

 

[RealDude]

Ukrainian troops stand at the Ukraine-Russia border in what was said to be the Kharkiv region. Are they going to launch a special operation in Russia now?

 

[Golden Fleece]

Ukrainian troops stand at the Ukraine-Russia border in what was said to be the Kharkiv region. Are they going to launch a special operation in Russia now?

A "Special Mission to Moscow" has a good ring to it. Or the Righteous Pursuit of the Nazi Vladimir Putin.

A "Special Mission to Moscow" has a good ring to it. Or the Righteous Pursuit of the Nazi Vladimir Putin.

_____________

Meanwhile, Russian officers are reportedly shooting their own wounded:

Captured Kremlin soldiers have alleged to Ukrainian forces that their commanders are slaughtering wounded Russian troops rather than seeking medical treatment, Mirror reported. The soldiers claimed that a Russian lieutenant colonel has killed multiple injured troops. Recalling one account, the prisoners said the lieutenant colonel asked one soldier if he could walk, shooting him dead after he replied that he could not.

"It was a young man; he was wounded," a soldier explained to Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Zolkin. "He was on the ground. He was asked if he could walk, so he was shot dead with a gun." Another prisoner jumped in: "The most important thing — this wasn't a single case."He shot four or five like this," a third captured soldier explained, adding that the "young men" could have been taken care of.

Captured Russians: Kremlin Commanders 'Shooting Their Own Wounded'

Captured Kremlin soldiers have alleged to Ukrainian forces that their commanders are slaughtering wounded Russian troops rather than seeking medical treatment, Mirror reported.

www.newsmax.com

A "Special Mission to Moscow" has a good ring to it. Or the Righteous Pursuit of the Nazi Vladimir Putin.


_____________

Meanwhile, Russian officers are reportedly shooting their own wounded:

Captured Russians: Kremlin Commanders 'Shooting Their Own Wounded'

Captured Kremlin soldiers have alleged to Ukrainian forces that their commanders are slaughtering wounded Russian troops rather than seeking medical treatment, Mirror reported.

www.newsmax.com

__________________

If true, this is absolutely astounding -- losing this much military hardware in just 82 days of fighting:

The Ukrainians also claim that Russia has lost 1,228 tanks, 2,974 armored fighting vehicles, 577 artillery systems, 195 multiple launch rocket systems, 89 anti-aircraft systems, 200 warplanes, 165 helicopters, 2,101 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 427 unmanned aerial vehicles, 42 units of special equipment, and 97 cruise missiles in the conflict.

Ukrainian Unit Seizes Russian Commander's Notebook

Pushing back invading Russian forces, a Ukrainian mountain unit known as "The Transcarpathian Beavers" claims it has seized a Russian commander's notebook, among other items, Newsweek reports.

www.newsmax.com

 

[azb1]

Analysis: Neutral Switzerland leans closer to NATO in response to Russia

Switzerland's fabled neutral status is about to face its biggest test in decades, with the defence ministry tilting closer to Western military powers in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

www.reuters.com

Analysis: Neutral Switzerland leans closer to NATO in response to Russia​