PaladinSolo Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Allegedly, Lukashenko promised Putin that Belarus would invade western Ukraine on Mar 21, cutting off Ukraine from Poland (and stopping most of the arms supplies from the west). This would match up with increased Belarusian forces in that area, along with photos of them marking vehicles with red squares and such (similar to the white markings on Russian vehicles). However, it would also match up with the rumours/reports of the Belarusian military no longer being controlled by Lukashenko—apparently they've told him to take a hike, that they are there to defend Belarus, not to invade its neighbours. The military is relatively weak and unprepared, anyway, and would most likely be ripped apart in Ukraine worse than the Russians are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucoe Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 3 minutes ago, CitizenVectron said: The Geneva Convention protocols have become something to point fingers at other nations, but merely a suggestion when it comes to one's own military. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 The IED phase has begun, in occupied areas: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 TB-2 guiding artillery fire and striking targets: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 So possibly between 15% and 20% of their invasion troops are out of action. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Ukraine coming close to encircling the Russian forces northwest of Kyiv: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSpreader Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Give me the bravery of a Ukrainian. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 This is definitely one way to support a currency: Putin: 'Unfriendly' states to pay for gas in rubles WWW.DW.COM Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country would start selling gas to certain nations in Russia's own currency, prompting a rise in the ruble's value on the Moscow Stock Exchange. Quote Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that gas sales to countries deemed unfriendly to Moscow would have to be paid in rubles, noting a freeze on Russia's assets by foreign nations had destroyed Moscow's trust. As of January 27, some 58% of Russian gas giant Gazprom's sales of natural gas to Europe and other countries were settled in euros. In the third quarter of last year, 39% were in US dollars. "Russia will continue, of course, to supply natural gas in accordance with volumes and prices ... fixed in previously concluded contracts," Putin said on Wednesday at a televised meeting with top government ministers. "The changes will only affect the currency of payment, which will be changed to Russian rubles," he said. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 25 minutes ago, Commissar SFLUFAN said: This is definitely one way to support a currency: Putin: 'Unfriendly' states to pay for gas in rubles WWW.DW.COM Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country would start selling gas to certain nations in Russia's own currency, prompting a rise in the ruble's value on the Moscow Stock Exchange. Of course, there's a bit of downside to this idea... Quote "Gazprom would need to ask buyers to agree to change the payment terms in contracts," said Trevor Sikorski, head of natural gas, coal and carbon at Energy Aspects Ltd. "It reopens the contracts, and buyers could ask for shorter-terms for instance." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 22 minutes ago, Commissar SFLUFAN said: Of course, there's a bit of downside to this idea... And in fact this would make it much more politically feasible for central European nations like Germany to offramp from gas. Get a cheaper and shorter-term deal, and then plan for getting it elsewhere or pivoting hard to electric heating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 15 hours ago, Ricofoley said: The fact that this is in the shape of a shipping container makes me hope that they captured this via the Fulton Recovery System Ukraine Just Captured Part Of One Of Russia's Most Capable Electronic Warfare Systems WWW.THEDRIVE.COM Russia's lost Krasukha-4 electronic warfare system command module would be a prize for foreign intelligence agencies. It appears that it will be turned over to the US: 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSpreader Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 2 minutes ago, Commissar SFLUFAN said: It appears that it will be turned over to the US: This makes me think we already have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 FBI advised that hackers scanned networks of 5 US energy firms ahead of Biden's Russia cyberattack warning | CNN Politics WWW.CNN.COM Hackers associated with Russian internet addresses have been scanning the networks of five US energy companies in a possible prelude to hacking attempts, the FBI said in a March 18 advisory to US businesses obtained by CNN. Quote Hackers associated with Russian internet addresses have been scanning the networks of five US energy companies in a possible prelude to hacking attempts, the FBI said in a March 18 advisory to US businesses obtained by CNN. The FBI issued the notice days before President Joe Biden publicly warned that Kremlin-linked hackers could target US organizations as the Russian military continues to suffer heavy losses in Ukraine and as Western sanctions on the Kremlin begin to bite. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger said during Monday's White House briefing that Russia had been conducting "preparatory activity" for cyber attacks, which she said could include scanning websites and hunting for software vulnerabilities." The so-called "preparatory activity" that Neuberger mentioned Monday is likely "not about espionage, it's probably very likely about disruptive or destructive [cyber] activity," US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly said Tuesday on a phone briefing with industry executives and state and local government personnel, according to three sources on the call. There are at least 18 US companies in other sectors, such as defense and financial services that were subjected to the scanning, the FBI said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Not only did Ukraine get the specialized electronic warfare equipment, they captured a Lt. Colonel in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 The most influential man on the planet, apparently: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skillzdadirecta Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 4 minutes ago, PaladinSolo said: What am I looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarSolo Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 4 hours ago, Commissar SFLUFAN said: It appears that it will be turned over to the US: Ukraine found the pee tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 15 minutes ago, skillzdadirecta said: What am I looking at? You're looking at Russian infantry clustered FAR too close together in the open that it would take one single artillery shell , mortar round, or drone missile to kill a whole lotta 'em. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 1 hour ago, CitizenVectron said: A 15 mile pushback is something that I'm gonna need to see a bit more analysis of as that really does imply a Russian collapse in that sector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 22 minutes ago, skillzdadirecta said: What am I looking at? A Russian patrol of sorts with infantry grouped up, and extremely disorderly, when they stop literally 1 guy moves away from others and kneels, while some or standing next to each other on an open street, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Exclusive: Inside a rare US meeting with a Russian general in Moscow EDITION.CNN.COM A rare face-to-face meeting between Russian and US military officials last week led to an "outburst" of emotion from a normally stoic Russian general, a "revealing moment" that the Americans present believe hinted at larger morale problems in Russia's military, according to a closely held US military readout of what transpired. Quote The meeting, held at the Russian ministry of defense in Moscow, is a rare instance of Russian and American defense officials sitting down in person since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The readout describes the meeting as tense, with visible signs of stress on the Russian side. It makes particular note of the behavior of Russian Major General Yevgeny Ilyin, deputy chief of the main directorate of international cooperation who has a long track record of dealing with American officials. In a break from typical practice, Ilyin spoke with no notes or set talking points, according to the readout. As the meeting was breaking up, one US defense attaché "casually inquired" about Ilyin's family roots in Ukraine, and the Russian general's "stoic demeanor suddenly became flushed and agitated," according to the readout. The Americans reported Ilyin responded "yes," and said that he was born in Dnipropetrovsk before moving with his family moving to Donetsk, where he went to school. But the US officials reported Ilyin then added that the current situation in Ukraine is "tragic and I am very depressed over it" -- and then he walked out without shaking hands, according to the readout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_m_b_m_b_m Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote The US believes that the refusal for high-level meetings is due to Kremlin worries that the encounters would show them to be vulnerable if they allowed such meetings, because it risks a tacit admission that an abnormal situation exists, according to the readout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 ISW analysis for 23 March 2022: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 23 | Institute for the Study of War WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG Russian forces continued to settle in for a protracted and stalemated conflict over the last 24 hours, with more reports emerging of Russian troops digging in and laying mines—indications that they have gone over to the defensive. Ukrainian forces c Quote Russian forces continued to settle in for a protracted and stalemated conflict over the last 24 hours, with more reports emerging of Russian troops digging in and laying mines—indications that they have gone over to the defensive. Ukrainian forces continued to conduct limited and effective counterattacks to relieve pressure on Kyiv, although the extent of those counterattacks is likely less than what some Ukrainian officials are claiming. Russian efforts to mobilize additional forces to keep their offensive moving continue to be halting and limited. Russian progress in taking Mariupol city remains slow and grinding. Increasing Russian emphasis on using air, artillery, and rocket/missile bombardments of Ukrainian cities to offset forward offensive momentum raises the urgency of providing Ukraine with systems to defend against these attacks. Key Takeaways Russian forces continue to go over to the defensive, conducting restricted and localized ground attacks that make little progress. Ukrainian forces are conducting limited and successful counterattacks around Kyiv to disrupt Russian operations to encircle the city (which has now become extremely unlikely) and relieve the pressure on the capital. The Battle of Mariupol continues as a block-by-block struggle with fierce Ukrainian resistance and limited Russian gains. Russia is likely struggling to obtain fresh combat power from Syria and elsewhere rapidly. Russian efforts to bring Syrian forces into Ukraine may be encountering challenges. Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) reports that a Russian commander in Syria met with the commander of the Syrian Arab Army’s 8th Brigade to request a list of Syrian personnel ready to fight in Ukraine, but that the Syrian commander promised only to respond after consulting with his colleagues.[1] We have no independent verification of this report. ISW’s Middle East Team is preparing a brief report on Russian efforts to mobilize Syrian forces to support the war in Ukraine and will publish it in the coming days. Russian mobilization efforts are likely becoming urgent given Russian losses in the war. The Wall Street Journal cites an unnamed NATO official claiming that Russia has lost as many as 40,000 troops killed, wounded, or missing of the roughly 190,000 deployed to invade Ukraine.[2] That assessment, which is plausible given previous estimates of Russian combat deaths, must be considered in the context of the assessment offered by an unnamed Department of Defense official on March 21 that Russia had committed a high proportion of its available battalion tactical groups to the war already.[3] The protracting pause of Russian offensive operations in Ukraine and increasing anecdotal reporting of breakdowns in the morale and capability of Russian combat units all accord with these assessments. These reports and assessments collectively suggest that Russia may not be able to find new combat power with which to regain offensive momentum for weeks or even months. Russian forces are increasingly preparing for protracted defensive operations in various parts of the theater. Numerous reports and satellite images of Russian troops digging defensive positions and laying mines suggest that they have gone over to the defensive and do not anticipate conducting renewed large-scale offensive operations in the near future in a number of locations across Ukraine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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