NPR

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Sun May 21, 2023 12:16 pm

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Sun May 21, 2023 11:53 am Biden just announced at the G7 summit that Russia suffered over 100k casualties at Bakhmut.

Sounds high, but it does appear they quite possibly burned through 40 - 50 000 convicts killed or wounded

"We are Russians just like you. We are people just like you. We want our children to grow up in piece and be free people, so that they can travel, study and just be happy in a free country.

But this has no place in today's Putin's Russia, rotten from corruption, lies, censorship, restrictions on freedoms, repressions. In that Russia where a person's life means less than an official's wallet. In that Russia where a separate railway is being laid to the residence of the bunker grandfather instead of repairing roads in the regions.
In a dictatorial country where children are separated from their parents for calling for peace, and teenagers are given life sentences.

It's time to put an end to the Kremlin's dictatorship. Thanks to all those who support us. To everyone who sends us donations and smokes where necessary. Your support is what every day reminds us of our final goal on Red Square [in Moscow]. Be brave and don't be afraid, because we are coming home. Russia will be free!” — he says

dkm57 wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 2:15 pm WTF?!?

Did anyone expect this?

I suppose it diverts attention and resources from the front line and if the mobiks learn of it the consequences could be interesting, stay in Ukriane to be fed into the meat grinder of the upcoming Ukranian counter offensive or go back and try to save your family.

dkm57 wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 2:15 pm WTF?!?

Did anyone expect this?

I suppose it diverts attention and resources from the front line and if the mobiks learn of it the consequences could be interesting, stay in Ukriane to be fed into the meat grinder of the upcoming Ukranian counter offensive or go back and try to save your family.

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 3:22 pm Seems that between two and three battalions crossed the border, around 1,200 to 1,800 men.

“If the Russian miltary is weak, we may get Belgorod itself,” told me. “If they are able to regroup, we can hold. If they redirect significant forces, we may retreat. The situation is developing.” 2/3
The #Belgorod operation has “symbolic significance and the hope that is being spread among Russian elites and diaspora cannot be overestimated.” 3/3

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 3:28 pm

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 3:22 pm Seems that between two and three battalions crossed the border, around 1,200 to 1,800 men.

Official AFU units or auxiliary units doing a solo (or plausibly deniable) run?

What's the strategy here?
Can imagine that this will make western countries nervous.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 4:33 pm I don't think even the Orcs are stupid enough to store nukes a dozen miles away from a war zone.

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 5:11 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 4:33 pm I don't think even the Orcs are stupid enough to store nukes a dozen miles away from a war zone.

They dug trenches in the Red Forest....

Edit: and HUR just confirmed the Russians still had tactical nukes there and panic evacuated them when the Free Russians approached Grayvoron.

• RU media claims 40 - 50 invaders were killed or taken POW and several vehicles destroyed
  Governor of the oblast says many villages still not under safe control and more evacuations planned, special "counter-terrorist measures" continue
  Some more villages have been under mortar fire this morning
  Downing of helicopter away from the area now appears to be friendly fire incident
  The incursion units appear to have used the dark to move around and evade capture, and claim to be dug-in in places

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Tue May 23, 2023 10:13 am More "fog of war" about the incursion overnight and this morning

• RU media claims 40 - 50 invaders were killed or taken POW and several vehicles destroyed
  Governor of the oblast says many villages still not under safe control and more evacuations planned, special "counter-terrorist measures" continue
  Some more villages have been under mortar fire this morning
  Downing of helicopter away from the area now appears to be friendly fire incident
  The incursion units appear to have used the dark to move around and evade capture, and claim to be dug-in in places

About half (48%) of the Russians surveyed suggest that the elections in their region are more likely to be fair, 39% consider the opposite (rather dishonest). Women are a little more likely than men to be confident in the honesty of the election (50% versus 44%).

Among the respondents of 18-29 years, the opinion about the honesty of the elections was almost equally divided: 41% believe that the elections in the region are fair, 43% suggest that it is dishonest. The least in the transparency of the election are respondents over 60 years old: among them, 49% call the election honest, 33% are sure of the opposite. Also, more educated (50%) and more wealthy (55%) participants in the study are more likely to be sure of the honesty of the election. Skeptics predominate among readers of Telegram channels: 47% consider the election dishonest, 42% - honest. viewers, on the contrary, for the most part believe in the honesty of the election: 58% versus 29% of doubters.

_Os_ wrote: ↑Tue May 23, 2023 8:50 pm Good to know Warstache is both still alive and currently invading Russia! An amusing an intriguing character, keeps surviving and popping up in interesting places.