Russia-Ukraine War

[notaterran]

Ukraine destroys another ammo depot. Excellent, this should at least temporarily slow down Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Who names a drone after a bun? Perhaps the engineer who designed it loves bread very much

[esd]

Dwarven Battle Scones? (Pterry)

[mr.WHO]

Gepard 1.5:
https://x.com/hartpunkt/status/1836417627075272873


Both Leopard 1 and Skyranger are already tried and tested in Ukraine, so putting them together is quite obvious choice.

[chew-ie]

More 2.0.. That cannon is really impressive...

[clakclak]

Gepard 1.5:
https://x.com/hartpunkt/status/1836417627075272873


Both Leopard 1 and Skyranger are already tried and tested in Ukraine, so putting them together is quite obvious choice.

I will say when I first saw a video by the German army about the KDG-Revolverkanone, back than being showcased as part of MANTIS, I was not yet sure how effective it would be. However it seems to have been the perfect system at the right moment. I am pretty sure we are going to see that cannon get slapped on any chassis they can find until a cheaper option comes along that works as good or better against close range small targets.

[esd]

Russia test-fired an ICBM and it didn't go well judging by the before and after pictures of what used to be a silo.
Kinda takes the wind out of some of their recent threats.

[notaterran]

The Russians have been making empty threats since 2022, if they were going to launch they would've already. We saw Ukraine actually invade Russia, and then we saw ammo depots destroyed in explosions that rival small nuclear bombs.

If Putin is not launching, it's not because he lacks a pretext.

[mr.WHO]

Interesting blunder on Russia side.

Seems like their S-70 Ochotnik stealth drone chosen freedom from ruski mir and wanted to run away to Ukraine, so Russian had to shoot it down.
Despite that, debris fell down resonably deep into Ukraine territory for salvage.

[notaterran]

[...] mandarins and rice from Pakistan's Meskay & Femtee Trading Company will be exchanged for chickpeas and lentils from the Russian company Astarta-Agrotrading, The Moscow Times reported.

"Russia and Pakistan have some difficulties in making mutual payments. Therefore, the two companies decided to launch a barter trade mechanism," Ukrainska Pravda quoted Pakistani Deputy Minister of Trade Nasir Hamid as saying.

Link

So "difficulties in making mutual payments", is that code for "running out of cash"?

[felter]

It's because of sanctions I watched something about it the other day there, unfortunately I can't remember where it was or on what device, so I can't link it, anyway it isn't just Russia and Pakistan it's basically Russia and everyone as Russia can't move cash around like they used to so they are doing more and more barter trade for required goods.

[clakclak]

[...] mandarins and rice from Pakistan's Meskay & Femtee Trading Company will be exchanged for chickpeas and lentils from the Russian company Astarta-Agrotrading, The Moscow Times reported.

"Russia and Pakistan have some difficulties in making mutual payments. Therefore, the two companies decided to launch a barter trade mechanism," Ukrainska Pravda quoted Pakistani Deputy Minister of Trade Nasir Hamid as saying.

Link

So "difficulties in making mutual payments", is that code for "running out of cash"?

It is not that they are running out of money. They are excluded from SWIFT which in todays day and age makes it incredibly difficult to move money internationally. This is however only one of multiple parts of the sanctions that are aimed at making Russia's forgein trade as difficult as possible, so the SWIFT ban alone probably is not responsible here. I know sanctions are often laughed at by the public as a tool to excert pressure, but this is exactly what they do. They do not make it impossible for Russia to trade with other countries or get goods, but they make it far more time and ressource consuming. That is not to say that the sanctions are not also having a financial impact. The EU alone froze 210 billion € in assets from the Russian central bank (this does not include other Russian assets). You can buy a lot of military equipment with 210 billion €.

[burger1]

Another major weapons depot was blown up after the last large one.

Viktor Bout might be arms dealing Yemen. Basically freeing Brittney Griner very likely cost more lives than it saved.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/infamous-rus ... 02222.html

More oil depots blown up and on fire for days. Some mass jet drone attacks. Russia still creeps forward. North Korea either by itself or via China is supplying the majority of Russian artillery shells which are essential to Russia's progression.

[fiksal]

I am not sure I want to dig into what Kadyrov means by blood feud, it's fun to see how little control Kremlin actually has of Chechnya. On the other side, Kadyrov already threatened to kill politicians and police years earlier, and forced several to publicly apologize to him.

Plus he also probably executed one on the Red Square.


Still, a free Chechnya is good asset towards ending the imperialist Russia

[mr.WHO]

Aparently Australia will give dozens of Abrams to Ukraine, that they planned to retire.

France is preparing to deliver Mirage 2000 next year.
There are rumors about Sweden Grippens as well.

Remaining polish Mig-29 will probably be sent to Ukraine next year as well, since we'll receive shipment of F-35.


Ukraine Air Force will be still alive and kicking in 2025.

[mr.WHO]

Seems like North Korean troops might be bigger problem than benefit for Russia due to shortages of officers and translators:
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/25/euro ... index.html

South Korea now analyzing how to react, most probably with support for Ukraine.

[fiksal]

on topic of Ukraine, hopefully both Europe and Ukraine believe in their plan.

all stops should be removed, and any means possible should be applied.

Putin and Trump will most likely work together starting soon

[Falcrack]

on topic of Ukraine, hopefully both Europe and Ukraine believe in their plan.

all stops should be removed, and any means possible should be applied.

Putin and Trump will most likely work together starting soon

Hopefully Biden wakes up from his nap and sends as much aid to Ukraine as he possibly can while his term in office remains.

[fiksal]

good point, there's not much time left to lift restrictions

does he have what it takes?

[mr.WHO]

on topic of Ukraine, hopefully both Europe and Ukraine believe in their plan.

To lighten the mood, I'd like to point out that the world doesn't end with US or Europe.
There are new actors who understand that deterrence (or victory if deterrence fail) in Pacific hinges on Ukraine.

South Korea is investing heavily into weapon production for Europe and with North Korea involvement they might soon open all-you-can-shoot 155mm buffet for Ukraine (plus some nice number of T-80 and BMPs).
Australia is planning to give 100+ Abrams for Ukraine.
Japan is now investing into Nuclear Power plants in Romania and Poland - you can bet that they already do something for Ukraine under the table (to spite Russia and to secure their investments next door).


Both Europe and US were doing "Trump-proofing" for a few months - there are already plans in motion to expand Ukraine domestic weapon production capabilities - early next year, first Ukraine produced (German) Lynx IFV will roll from assembly.

Ukraine drone production is also expanding - this itself is an asset for Europe, US and Pacific nations - Ukraine drones are more sophisticated and daring with every day:
https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1854080507409035764

Ukraine also plan to roll on their own cruise/long range missile production in 2025.


For tradesman Trump, in coming faceoff with China, Ukraine might worth much more than Russia (which took word "special" in Special OperationTM to a whole new level).

Last, but not least, current day Russia, with empty weapon stockpiles, whole industry under sanctions and begging Iran and North Korea for support, might be the weakest prey.
Winne the Pooh might find out that it's much easier to just send a few million "little green men" and declare Syberian Peoples Republic - there is no honor among thiefs

[Observe]

Hopefully Biden wakes up from his nap and sends as much aid to Ukraine as he possibly can while his term in office remains.

I'm sure Biden will do what he can to keep the war going, but obviously there is a rising sentiment to close the purse strings and force Ukraine to face the reality of their losses. Biden will face increasingly fierce headwinds if he seeks to continue his support of the war machine and its dark purposes.