What's going on in Ukraine?

[tabascoboy]

And I know it's not exactly the primary military target, but here's a $1B+ palace in Krasnodar Krai that could do with a few storm shadows through the skylights.

ETA; I've seen it now, on the NYT frontpage.

ETA2: And not all weapons, and not in all places. It's a start, I suppose, although only a couple of months until Biden is out.

Does seem very limited in fact, but maybe just testing the temperature

Biden has approved the use of long-range American missiles only in the Kursk region, specifically targeting North Korean forces, Axios reports. The President wants to give a signal to North Korea to stop sending their troops to fight against Ukraine.

[Hellraiser]

Finally

And here we have it. The constraints are gone.

Future generations will look back to this episode and will wonder why they couldn’t see the obvious way to victory.

Not seeing that elsewhere?

If true, took his bleeding time.

And I know it's not exactly the primary military target, but here's a $1B+ palace in Krasnodar Krai that could do with a few storm shadows through the skylights.

ETA; I've seen it now, on the NYT frontpage.

ETA2: And not all weapons, and not in all places. It's a start, I suppose, although only a couple of months until Biden is out.

That palace was demolished a few months ago on Putin's orders. He was too cowardly to risk going to a place within missile/drone range, and didn't want to give Ukraine the propaganda win of destroying it.

[Slick]

Finally

Not seeing that elsewhere?

If true, took his bleeding time.

And I know it's not exactly the primary military target, but here's a $1B+ palace in Krasnodar Krai that could do with a few storm shadows through the skylights.

ETA; I've seen it now, on the NYT frontpage.

ETA2: And not all weapons, and not in all places. It's a start, I suppose, although only a couple of months until Biden is out.

That palace was demolished a few months ago on Putin's orders. He was too cowardly to risk going to a place within missile/drone range, and didn't want to give Ukraine the propaganda win of destroying it.

The whole thing was destroyed??

[inactionman]

Finally

Not seeing that elsewhere?

If true, took his bleeding time.

And I know it's not exactly the primary military target, but here's a $1B+ palace in Krasnodar Krai that could do with a few storm shadows through the skylights.

ETA; I've seen it now, on the NYT frontpage.

ETA2: And not all weapons, and not in all places. It's a start, I suppose, although only a couple of months until Biden is out.

That palace was demolished a few months ago on Putin's orders. He was too cowardly to risk going to a place within missile/drone range, and didn't want to give Ukraine the propaganda win of destroying it.

Fark. How much money has he embezzled that demolishing it was an acceptable option?

[inactionman]

Another unfortunate tumble from a high place. They really need to sort their balcony railings out.

Vladimir Shklyarov had made some critical remarks about the SMO a few years back but seemed to have quietened down. Maybe Putin just has a long memory and can bear a grudge. Or maybe it was really an accident or maybe a suicide, but I think most people would raise eyebrows at those suggestions - particularly as there seems to be a slightly disparaging explanation being floated about, which is typically a cover for something more sinister (only 'slightly disparaging' as the drugs were allegedly for back pain that would ultimately require surgery, they didn't have the temerity to suggest he was a closet crackhead).

Local reports suggest he was trying to escape from his apartment - after his ex-wife locked him in there at his request to stop him from buying drugs.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/vladimir-shk ... star-fall/

This is particularly sad as he wasn't some oligarch trying to muscle in on the embezzlement, he was a ballet dancer. Chefs, dancers -it's not just journalists who are on the list.

[inactionman]

Bunch of twats

[Hellraiser]

Not seeing that elsewhere?

If true, took his bleeding time.

And I know it's not exactly the primary military target, but here's a $1B+ palace in Krasnodar Krai that could do with a few storm shadows through the skylights.

ETA; I've seen it now, on the NYT frontpage.

ETA2: And not all weapons, and not in all places. It's a start, I suppose, although only a couple of months until Biden is out.

That palace was demolished a few months ago on Putin's orders. He was too cowardly to risk going to a place within missile/drone range, and didn't want to give Ukraine the propaganda win of destroying it.

Fark. How much money has he embezzled that demolishing it was an acceptable option?

The conservative estimate is north of $200bn.

[Hellraiser]

Another unfortunate tumble from a high place. They really need to sort their balcony railings out.

Vladimir Shklyarov had made some critical remarks about the SMO a few years back but seemed to have quietened down. Maybe Putin just has a long memory and can bear a grudge. Or maybe it was really an accident or maybe a suicide, but I think most people would raise eyebrows at those suggestions - particularly as there seems to be a slightly disparaging explanation being floated about, which is typically a cover for something more sinister (only 'slightly disparaging' as the drugs were allegedly for back pain that would ultimately require surgery, they didn't have the temerity to suggest he was a closet crackhead).

Local reports suggest he was trying to escape from his apartment - after his ex-wife locked him in there at his request to stop him from buying drugs.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/vladimir-shk ... star-fall/

This is particularly sad as he wasn't some oligarch trying to muscle in on the embezzlement, he was a ballet dancer. Chefs, dancers -it's not just journalists who are on the list.

Often times it's not about the person themselves, it's about sending a message to someone connected to them.

[tabascoboy]

[tabascoboy]

Seems to be verified from UA sources too

[sockwithaticket]

If they're engaged in acts of sabotage without officially declaring war, surely it can be sunk or captured by Nato/western countries while also not declaring?

[Hellraiser]

Zelensky announced that Ukraine will build 3,000 cruise missiles and 30,000 long-range drones in the next 12 months.

[fishfoodie]

If they're engaged in acts of sabotage without officially declaring war, surely it can be sunk or captured by Nato/western countries while also not declaring?

Probably less problematic to just do a Rainbow Warrior on it one night, & walk away whistling cheerfully.

The Surface ships are easy, but the Orcs did a massive & expensive refit of one of their nukes, & put in all kinds of features to make it capable of launching drones & submersibles, probably with the express intent of this exact kind of operation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_s ... e_Belgorod

[tabascoboy]

Maybe not RU after all on this one, Chinese cargo ship detained for investigation

[inactionman]

Maybe not RU after all on this one, Chinese cargo ship detained for investigation

I'd read that it was recently bought by the current Chinese owners this month and had a Russian captain.

[tabascoboy]

Russia allegedly hijacking European TV Eutelsat satellite signals with overwhelmingly strong signal to show propaganda on Ukrainian TV also affects some TV channels elsewhere in Europe

Dutch language only

https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/collectie/1390 ... tv-geraakt


...and bombing themselves again

In the Belgorod region, a Russian aircraft dropped a 250-kilogram bomb on a school.

According to Astra, the bomb "accidentally detached" onto a school in the village of Bykovka, Belgorod region, yesterday around 6 a.m. It pierced the roof and is now lodged in a third-floor classroom.

No evacuation of the school took place.

[Hellraiser]

Russian channels are currently reporting that a large-scale leadership purge is underway within Russia’s 3rd Guards Combined Arms Army.

Per reports, the command staff of the 3rd CAA has been fired, and the commanders of the 7th and 123rd Brigades have been arrested.

[Uncle fester]

US has closed it's embassy in expectation of a major Russian retaliation to the long range strike within Russia.

[Biffer]

Another unfortunate tumble from a high place. They really need to sort their balcony railings out.

Vladimir Shklyarov had made some critical remarks about the SMO a few years back but seemed to have quietened down. Maybe Putin just has a long memory and can bear a grudge. Or maybe it was really an accident or maybe a suicide, but I think most people would raise eyebrows at those suggestions - particularly as there seems to be a slightly disparaging explanation being floated about, which is typically a cover for something more sinister (only 'slightly disparaging' as the drugs were allegedly for back pain that would ultimately require surgery, they didn't have the temerity to suggest he was a closet crackhead).

Local reports suggest he was trying to escape from his apartment - after his ex-wife locked him in there at his request to stop him from buying drugs.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/vladimir-shk ... star-fall/

This is particularly sad as he wasn't some oligarch trying to muscle in on the embezzlement, he was a ballet dancer. Chefs, dancers -it's not just journalists who are on the list.

Ballet dancers obviously well known for being clumsy and lacking balance.

[tabascoboy]

Yes you loon, attack Poland - see what happens...

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the U.S. missile defense base in Poland has long been a priority target for potential strikes by Russian forces. She also said that NATO will turn Moldova into a logistics base for supplying the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

[Uncle fester]

Yes you loon, attack Poland - see what happens...

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the U.S. missile defense base in Poland has long been a priority target for potential strikes by Russian forces. She also said that NATO will turn Moldova into a logistics base for supplying the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Interesting that their concern isn't about missiles that can hit them, it's about defences to stop their missiles hitting others.

[Uncle fester]

There are claims that Russia used an ICBM?

[tabascoboy]

There are claims that Russia used an ICBM?

A bit uncertain, may have been a ballistic missile with MIRV launched from Astrakhan region but not an ICBM ( which would be a stupidly expensive way to make a point, but this is Russia we're talking about). Nonetheless the flight time means it's near impossible to detect and nullify with the air defence UA has currently.

If it was, Russia's latest ICBM (RS-26 Rubezh) costs 100-500 million USD per unit.

In comparison, a Russian 3 ton FAB bomb costs 50 000 USD and is more powerful.

[tabascoboy]

Meanwhile, the newest attempt at divide and rule

Living in the lalaland: Dividing Ukraine and offering parts to Poland and Romania

The Russian defense ministry has reportedly unveiled a secret plan up to 2045 that would involve the complete annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia Oblasts, and Crimea.

Central Ukraine would be turned into a pro-Russian puppet state while western Ukraine would be offered to Poland, Romania, and Hungary as part of “bilateral negotiations”.

It reportedly wants to “pitch it” to the west

[Uncle fester]

Meanwhile, the newest attempt at divide and rule

Living in the lalaland: Dividing Ukraine and offering parts to Poland and Romania

The Russian defense ministry has reportedly unveiled a secret plan up to 2045 that would involve the complete annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia Oblasts, and Crimea.

Central Ukraine would be turned into a pro-Russian puppet state while western Ukraine would be offered to Poland, Romania, and Hungary as part of “bilateral negotiations”.

It reportedly wants to “pitch it” to the west

Even less credibility than Israel's "let's get Egypt to be our kapos" plan.

[Uncle fester]

IRBM and Russia "has the right to hit Western countries".

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/ ... dApp_Other

[laurent]

IRBM and Russia "has the right to hit Western countries".

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/ ... dApp_Other

You do not want to check French doctrine on the use of some of their missiles...

would improve some russian cities...

Spoiler

Show

[Uncle fester]

Looks like North Korean officers were the target of the storm shadow strike.
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkherson ... i4nz4ypc2a

[Niegs]

Spotters were able to see the glint off all the medals on their jackets!

[Guy Smiley]

Looks like North Korean officers were the target of the storm shadow strike.
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkherson ... i4nz4ypc2a

I hope there were enough note takers present to please the Dear Leader.

[tabascoboy]

"Russia’s armed forces have recruited hundreds of Yemeni men to fight in Ukraine, brought by a shadowy trafficking operation that highlights the growing links between Moscow and the Houthi rebel group.
Yemeni recruits who travelled to Russia told the Financial Times they were promised high salaried employment and even Russian citizenship. When they arrived with the help of a Houthi-linked company, they were then forcibly inducted into the Russian army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine."

[Uncle fester]

Hundreds of Yemeni lads?
About 3-4 hours worth of meat so.

[inactionman]

The Russians did warn they'd retaliate.

They've banned Rachel Reeves, Yvette Cooper and co. from entering Russia.

That'll learn 'em.

[tabascoboy]

Rouble trouble again

[tabascoboy]

There have been reports of unexpected Shaheed drones into Belarus air space lately - and not just overpassing - so maybe there is truth in this report

Le Monde writes that the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with the help of electronic warfare, have learned to change the coordinates of enemy Shahed drones and redirect them back to Russia and Belarus.

Thanks to "spoofing", 43 attack drones flew into Belarus on November 24-26 alone.

[tabascoboy]

Extracts from the thread

1/ The equivalent of an entire regiment – more than 1,000 soldiers, including two lieutenant-colonels – has deserted from a single Russian division. The huge numbers highlight the normally well-hidden scale of desertions from the Russian army.

2/ 'Important Stories' reports that the division has sent other commands a list of 1,010 people with a request to help find them. They include 858 contract soldiers, 150 mobilized soldiers and two conscripts, with 26 junior officers, one major and two lieutenant colonels.

3/ The Volgograd-based 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division is said to have the reputation of being one of the worst in Russia's army. Its men were sent into Ukraine in February 2022 on the pretext of Ukrainian forces massing on the border, which it soon became clear was a lie.
.
.
.
15/ "1000 people, especially if these are not simultaneous losses, do not look like a critical problem for Russian units. For comparison: the Russian army loses about 1000 or even more soldiers at the front every day – killed and wounded."

16/ "But nevertheless, it continues the offensive."

[Uncle fester]

Russia: "we will strike decision making centres"

Hmmm so why have you been wasting your missiles against civilians for the last two years then?

[tabascoboy]

As the anti Government forces in Syria reportedly enter Aleppo for the first time in many years, their Russian allies seem to have issues of their own. Will they risk redeploying better commanders to Syria at the risk of compromising the "SMO"? Setbacks in Syria would not be good for their self-esteem as a global power

Russian channels covering the situation in Syria are a sight to behold. The mildest description I've seen is: "the growing crisis of government troops' defense." They believe that the Russian armed formations left their weakest militant generals in Syria, as all the capable ones were needed in Ukraine.

[tabascoboy]

It's a plan, a shit plan but it's a plan - I guess just to try and get Putin to negotiate. Still a shit plan though that only encourages a further land grab by RU in the meanwhile

According to CNN, this is Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg’s peace plan: Freeze frontlines with a ceasefire, impose a demilitarized zone, and fund Ukraine's reconstruction via a levy on Russian energy. Russia gets limited sanctions relief, full relief only after a peace deal. Most important: Ukraine pursues reclaiming land only diplomatically which will probably not occur before Putin leaves office.

[tabascoboy]

Things seem to be getting more and more serious in Georgia, after protests being cracked down on heavily by security forces.