TheOldGuy @TheOldGuy@qoto.org
I am a Democrat who supports Ukraine in their battle against The Russian Z fascist invaders.
I am a 72 year old Covid hermit who
lives on 10 acres in a sparsely populated area of the Ozarks. I heat with wood that is leftover by the lumber industry. When cutting oak for lumber only the trunk is used.
The largest town is population 2992. The county is 13k people scattered over 713 square miles.
Joined Dec 2022
https://kyivindependent.com/tusk-europe-must-spend-big-money-so-no-world-power-will-dare-raise-a-hand-against-it/One of Youngest Azovstal Defenders Killed on Front Lines. 😢🫡🇺🇦
Twenty-one-year-old Ukrainian soldier Nazarii Hryntsevych, also known under the call sign "Hrinka," was killed on the front lines, the Contact 12 special forces group of the Azov Brigade said on May 7.
Hryntsevych was one of the youngest soldiers who defended Azovstal, a steel plant that was the Ukrainian military's last stronghold in Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, before the city became entirely occupied by Russia in May 2022, Suspilne reported.
Hryntsevych was captured by Russia and reportedly held in a prison colony in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast for over four months. He was released during a large-scale prisoner swap in September 2022, along with other 214 Ukrainian and foreign soldiers.
After his release from captivity, Hryntsevych returned to the front lines.
- The Kyiv Independent
From "The Analyst":
TARGET: VUHLEDAR
Ukraine has finally been forced to withdraw from Novomikhailyvka after a near six month fight to defend the town, which no longer exists. Pounded by hundreds of glide bombs there’s simply nowhere left to defend. The bombs also cleared the minefields that eventually allowed the Russians to take the ruins. Over 8 regiments of Russian troops were lost with documented evidence of 314 armoured vehicles and tanks destroyed in this one operation.
Why does it matter to Russia so much?
Located near the southernmost end of the eastern front as it turns west, the town is close to the P0589 highway that supplies much of the front for Ukraine in this relatively rural area. That highway connects Vuhledar to Konstantynyvka, the later now the next target on this south eastern sector. Cutting the road breaks the supply lines for both and largely prevents lateral transfer of forces. It would significantly weaken the defence of both towns.
Vuhledar is seen as a crucial lynchpin in the defence of the south eastern corner of the front - the Russians have exhausted themselves at least a dozen times trying to break it.
Yet again, despite being outnumbered 7:1, Ukraine held out for as long as it could. It’s the glide bombs that are proving to be so effective. Prolonged use of them is devastating to prepared defences and leaves nowhere to hide.
The urgency of getting air defence systems forward to knock out the VKS delivery aircraft is now critical.
In other developments Russia has announced a series of tactical nuclear weapons drills to be held - deployment and practice use.
This they claim, is in response to Britain saying its weapons can be used against Russian targets inside Russia, and France doubling down on the fact it will send army units to fight if it deems it necessary and Ukraine invites them in. Yet another Russian sabre rattling exercise, disproportionate and dangerous as ever.
The Americans don’t like these Anglo-French announcements at all.
They seem to be under the impression that nobody is supposed to let Ukraine use anything donated to them on Russian pre-war territory.
There seems to be a belief in Washington that everyone agreed this early on, whereas the reality is that while America might have said that was its preferred position, and at the time nobody objected, the war has moved on.
America came close to abandoning Ukraine in European eyes and Europe was willing for the most part, to fill the gap. And that meant making changes to previously understood but never actually announced policies on the sanctity of Russian soil.
The logic goes that if you sell or give weapons to a country it’s their right to use what they have where they see fit. It’s not the seller or grantee pulling the trigger- it’s the end user. Americans should understand that better than anyone - their laws explicitly remove handgun manufacturers from liability in mass shootings or other crimes.
If we’re all to be seen as standing up to Russia, then we cannot be seen to be afraid of what they might do. They have to know they don’t frighten us and we will stand up for ourselves.
Meanwhile we will do what we can and must to continue supporting the valiant Ukrainian people and the armed forces against Russian imperialism.
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦!
The SBU exposed a network of agents of the 5th service of the FSB of the Russian Federation who were preparing the assassination of the President of Ukraine: two colonels of the UDO (state security department) were detained
In addition to Zelenskyi, the Russians planned to eliminate the head of the SBU Malyuk, the head of the State Security Service Budanov and other high-ranking officials.
For example, they were going to liquidate the head of the GUR, Kyril Budanov, before Easter.
https://t.me/EveryUkraineWarVideo Subscribe
Today, Ukrainians celebrate Easter, a time of tradition and life. This celebration is made possible by the unwavering bravery of the Ukrainian military. The attached photos show Ukrainian soldiers celebrating Easter.
Glory to the Heroes!
France will send an ambassador to Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration, unlike Germany and the Baltic states, which said they would not be represented, — Reuters.
The Paris decision signals a potential split in the Western camp, with some countries, including the Baltic states, strongly opposed to giving Putin any form of legitimacy.
A French diplomatic source said that Paris had previously condemned the context of repression in which the elections were held, depriving voters of a real choice, as well as the organization of elections in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, which France considers a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Germany has announced that it will not send its representative to Putin's inauguration. The Baltic countries, which no longer have ambassadors in Moscow, have also categorically ruled out their presence at the inauguration.
Two European diplomats said they did not expect the United States to send an envoy to the inauguration, although Washington has not made a public announcement.
"We believe that the isolation of Russia, and in particular its criminal leader, should continue. Participation in Putin's inauguration is unacceptable for Lithuania. Our priority remains to support Ukraine and its people who are fighting against Russian aggression," said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.
US may intervene if Ukraine loses, — Congressman Jeffries
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the United States must continue to support Ukraine to prevent a wider war, blaming a "pro-Putin faction" in the Republican Party for delaying aid to fight Russia.
"We cannot allow Ukraine to lose, because if it does, there is a significant likelihood that America will have to get involved in the conflict — not just with our money, but with the help of our servicemen and women," Jeffries said in an interview with CBS News.
According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to recreate the Soviet Union, threatening NATO allies.
"Are we really supposed to believe that in the face of such consistent aggression, if we allow Vladimir Putin to succeed in Ukraine, he will only stop in Ukraine? Of course not," Jeffries noted.
The possible commissioning of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Russia is absurd. There are no licensed personnel to start up the plant in the occupied ZNPP, and the self-activity of Russian specialists can lead to a nuclear incident. The civilized world must prevent the occupiers from implementing such a scenario, — said Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko.
Only Ukrainian specialists, who are not allowed by the occupiers to work at the ZNPP, have the appropriate license to operate the station.
Galushchenko also emphasized a number of significant technical problems at the occupied ZNPP, in particular, the expiration of the terms of use of nuclear fuel and the lack of sufficient volumes of water for the operation of the reactors.
❗️Bugging device discovered in room where Polish government planned to hold away meeting
The State Protection Service, in cooperation with the Homeland Security Agency, discovered and dismantled devices that could have been used to eavesdrop on a hall in Katowice where a government meeting was to be held.
The spokesman for the commander of the State Protection Service, Pierkovsky, said in a statement that the devices were discovered during a routine check before the meeting, as required by security protocols. The Internal Security Service was then notified and its specialists joined the investigation.
An American soldier traveled to Russia for romance. Was arrested for stealing.
Russian Helicopters were Shooting Ukraine’s Drone Boats—so the Ukrainians Added Heatseeking Missiles
As Ukraine’s explosive drone boats ran down and sank or damaged more Russian warships on the Black Sea starting last fall, the Russian Black Sea Fleet fought back—from the air.
But in war, as in physics, every action has a reaction. So now Ukrainian drone boats are packing surface-to-air missiles—and possibly already firing back at the Russian aircraft.
Videos from the Black Sea, apparently on Sunday or Monday, depict a Kamov Ka-29 helicopter circling a Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicle—either a 19-foot Sea Baby or a slightly smaller Magura—before peppering it with gunfire.
The helicopter-on-drone engagement might be related to a Ukrainian drone boat raid on the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea this weekend. The boats reportedly struck and sank a Russian patrol craft.
It wasn’t the first time a Russian aircraft had destroyed a Ukrainian USV. But that particular USV was notable for its top-mounted twin missile rails—and the 10-foot R-73 infrared-guided dogfighting missile fitted to one rail.
It seems some Ukrainian USVs are traveling with their own air-defense missiles.
The Russian Fighterbomber Telegram channel expressed surprise. “The Ukrainian were able to somehow connect the rocket with the USV’s telecontrol systems.”
An R-73’s seeker is sensitive to heat sources such as an aircraft engine; it doesn’t need telemetry from the launching vehicle for guidance. But Fighterbomber isn’t wrong to wonder exactly how the USV’s crew would remotely aim and launch an R-73.
Fighterbomber speculated that Ukrainian drone boats haven’t yet fired their air-defense missiles in anger. But it’s worth noting that the USV the Kamov crew gunned down Sunday or Monday had two missile rails, but only one rail had a missile on it.
By fitting R-73s to USVs, Ukrainian forces add yet another role to their increasingly versatile drone boats.
Most of Ukraine’s USVs are one-way attack craft: packed with explosives, they ram into Russian warships. There’s also a version of the Sea Baby that can fire unguided rockets for stand-off attacks. It’s possible the largest Ukrainian USV type also carries a radio jammer.
There’s an outside chance the air-defense USVs have already scored their first aerial kill.
At least one, and possibly two, Russian helicopters got into trouble over the Black Sea on April 9 and 10. Ukrainian navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk claimed a Kamov Ka-27 crashed on April 9.
Multiple sources confirmed a second helicopter, a Mil Mi-24, crashed on April 10.
The Kamov crash is unconfirmed. But what’s interesting is Pletenchuk’s claim that the rotorcraft had “been looking for something” and “found it.”
If the Russians did lose a Ka-27 on April 9 and that helicopter was out searching for USVs, did it find a USV armed with surface-to-air missiles?
- David Axe, Forbes
(2/2)
Southern Axis
Zaporhizia/Robotyne Directions
Russian forces recently made confirmed advances in western Zaporizhia Oblast amid continued positional engagements in the area on May 6.
Geolocated footage published on May 6 indicates that Russian forces advanced in southern Robotyne.
Ukrainian and Russian sources stated that positional engagements continued in Robotyne.
Krynky/Kherson Directions
Russian forces recently made confirmed advances in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast amid continued positional engagements in the area on May 6.
Geolocated footage published on May 6 indicates that Russian forces advanced north of Oleshky (southeast of Kherson City).
Positional engagements continued near Krynky.
A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces are increasingly conducting guided glide bomb strikes against west (right) bank Kherson Oblast.
(2/2)
ISW Daily Frontline Update Summaries (May 6th, 2024)
Luhansk Oblast
Russian forces recently marginally advanced northwest of Svatove amid continued ground attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on May 6.
Geolocated footage published on May 5 and 6 shows that Russian forces marginally advanced east of Stelmakhivka and south of Krokhmalne (both northwest of Svatove), respectively.
Donetsk Oblast
Northern Bakhmut Direction
Russian forces continued limited offensive operations in the Siversk direction northeast of Bakhmut on May 6, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces continued offensive operations towards Chasiv Yar on May 6, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.
*One Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces struck a Ukrainian bridge across the Siversky-Donets Donbas canal east of Chasiv Yar.*
Avdiivka Direction
Russian forces recently advanced southwest of Avdiivka amid continued offensive operations west of the settlement on May 6.
Geolocated footage published on May 6 shows that Russian forces advanced along the E50 highway in eastern Netaylove (southwest of Avdiivka).
Donetsk City Direction
Russian sources claimed that Russian forces continued to advance west of Donetsk City, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline on May 6.
Ukrainian Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn reported that small individual Russian groups (likely around squad-size) are trying to storm Krasnohorivka, but that heavy Ukrainian artillery fire is preventing them from consolidating gains and conducting further attacks.
Vuhledar/Marinka Directions
Russian forces continued limited and unsuccessful ground attacks in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on May 6.
Russian and Ukrainian sources reported Russian attacks northeast of Vuhledar near Vodyane and south of Velyka Novosilka near Urozhaine and Staromayorske.
😢💔 Watching this video, it took me a few seconds before I noticed what this child has endured because of the russians and the lasting consequences of their actions.
The SBU informed the head of the occupation camps, where the Rashists teach children to fight against Ukraine, of suspicion
The Security Service has collected evidence on another war criminal from the Russian Federation, who is imposing the Kremlin regime on the temporarily occupied part of the territory of Ukraine.
We are talking about the Kremlin propagandist Dmytro Polkovnikov, the head of the Russian military organization called the Crimean Patriot Center.
This formation has an extensive network of "branches" that function under the guise of children's camps on the territory of Crimea and the left bank of the Kherson region.
In the ranks of the occupation institution, the ideology of racism is imposed on local schoolchildren and they try to "instill" hatred towards Ukraine.
In addition, Russian instructors conduct fire and sabotage-reconnaissance training with teenagers, as well as teach combat tactics.
In this way, Polkovnikov fulfills the Kremlin's instructions regarding the preparation of the younger generation for the war against our state.
It is documented that the person involved came to one of the "camps" in the Kalancha district of the Kherson region, where he personally called on the children to support the occupiers.
He also urged the students to join the regular units of the Russian army, in particular, those currently fighting against the Defense Forces.
In case of refusal to undergo "re-education" in the occupation institution, children are threatened with expulsion from schools, and their parents are threatened with persecution by Russian penal authorities.
Comprehensive measures are underway to bring him to justice for crimes against Ukrainians.
I am a Democrat who supports Ukraine in their battle against The Russian Z fascist invaders.
I am a 72 year old Covid hermit who
lives on 10 acres in a sparsely populated area of the Ozarks. I heat with wood that is leftover by the lumber industry. When cutting oak for lumber only the trunk is used.
The largest town is population 2992. The county is 13k people scattered over 713 square miles.
Joined Dec 2022
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