Ukraine Invasion: Part 29

[MagicFox]

Welcome all, part 29

"the americans sent more secretly, but we'll destroy them too!"

🔎 Partisans have intensified in Crimea, preparing for the return of Ukraine — Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine
The regrouping of Russian troops in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia directions is currently underway, and a battalion-tactical group (600-1,000 servicemen) of Russian paratroopers has arrived in Crimea to be sent to mainland Ukraine.
The invaders are also strengthening the air defense system on the peninsula.

❗️ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden summoned the Ambassador of the Russian Federation regarding the post (www.facebook.com/100064560496880/posts/pfbid02CMxqUtyW1NsWJ9DTu34TRpydSmis4HBxCpyTbKYvuNKwMCGsvJMec2VoouP8RCqzl/?d=n) on the official page of the Embassy, where Swedes in the ranks of the Ukrainian army are threatened with execution

📣 Türkiye expects one ship a day to pass through the “grain corridor” — Reuters

📌 If active hostilities of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine drag on until winter, it will be more difficult to liberate the territories — Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak

❗️ Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the aggressor country's Security Council, pondered on the restoration of Russia's borders, saying that Georgia should be fully occupied because it "did not exist before” 10 hours later, though, his assistant said that Medvedev's account was allegedly hacked.

🔎 What is the current military situation in the south of Ukraine? — Center for Strategic Communications
The Russian command is concentrating significant forces on the right bank of Kherson, in particular airborne units.
The south remains a priority – the Armed Forces of Ukraine has de-occupied 46 settlements in the Kherson region, and the offensive continues.
The Ukrainian command is aware of the concentration of enemy forces and considers this when planning operations.
The "elite" Russian airborne troops have become motorized infantry: slightly better trained than mercenaries and forcibly mobilized.
The civilian occupation structures are quietly fleeing from the right bank of the Kherson region, realizing that Russia will not hold this territory.

⚡️Ukraine did not lose a single HIMARS – Operational Command "Pivden"
This was stated by the commander of the Pivdenna military base, Major General Andriy Kovalchuk.

“We haven’t had a single loss of HIMARS systems yet. It shows how well we quickly learned how to use them. Even the Americans were surprised at how effectively we use these systems. Because every projectile hits the target. Each projectile destroys a bridge or ammunition Our allies have also seen the exceptional cost-effectiveness of how we use shells."

‼️ The UN does not respond to Ukraine's requests about the explosion in the penal colony in Olenivka, where Russian occupants killed and maimed dozens of our prisoners of war — Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets

⚡️Russia's Supreme Court labels Azov ‘terrorist organization.’

⚡️Spain won’t transfer Leopard tanks to Ukraine due to 'unsatisfactory condition.'
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced that the government had decided not to transfer the Leopard tanks to Ukraine after tests had been conducted that found the tanks could not be used, reported El Mundo

⚡️Zelensky, Stoltenberg discuss military aid for Ukraine, grain shipments.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg held a phone call on Aug. 2 to discuss the alliance’s military support to Kyiv.

Official: Up to 100 people leave occupied Mariupol every day.
Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, said on Aug. 2 that around 50-100 people are leaving the Russian-occupied city every day as evacuation continues.

@Ijsbear thanks for the further updates.

Official: Up to 100 people leave occupied Mariupol every day.
Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, said on Aug. 2 that around 50-100 people are leaving the Russian-occupied city every day as evacuation continues.

Why is Mariupol being evacuated, presumably by Russia since it is Russian-occupied? Are these the Russian settlors?

No extra info was given. Im wondering too, and what 'evacuation' means in these circumstances.

I think this is fuzzy, particularly as people were told to return to 'claim' their property.

The person who said they returned (and then subsequently went back to Russia) said two people were still living in her building which had a massive hole in the roof.

It was rendered unliveable. It wasn't clear in the account i was given whether that was by her or the Russian authorities. I got the impression they were trying to clear the building though.

@RedToothBrush it does seem vague what is happening in Mariupol since it was lost to Russia. Not much news coming out of there or fighting. I thought Mariupol was pretty much leveled so not sure who is living there and if some people are, are they Ukraine or Russian and why the need to evacuate.

Still very dismayed by the deliberate slaughter of the Azov POWs in the Olenivka detention facility. Heros all of them - I hope their bodies are returned and the wounded treated. So sad when I think back to the photos in the steelworks.

‘🔎 Partisans have intensified in Crimea, preparing for the return of Ukraine — Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine‘

Does that imply they are expecting Ukraine to try to retake Crimea? Or just that the partisans will be supporting Ukrainian attacks on Russian military infrastructure there?

What an arrogant dickhead. Deliberately obtuse or just thick. Yah, Putin’s right up for someone to help negotiate a ‘settlement’. Hmm, wonder what that would look like?

It's funny how the people pushing for a "peace" settlement always expect Ukraine to make concessions but they never expect Russia to do the decent thing and withdraw

Or put the onus on Russia in any way. I want to know why they think Soviet imperialism should be rewarded but if it was any other country they would be screaming blue murder

What's particularly annoying about public comments like this is that they get picked up and replayed endlessly on Russian state television as "proof" that the west supports them.

Corbyn is a useful idiot for the Kremlin.

Would someone mind explaining the actual need for Nancy's visit. Whilst I'm all for doing as we please to a certain extent, her visit does seem pretty provocative?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-62377353

Good question that.

I wonder ... China is getting more and more assertive and they badly want to take Taiwan over. With Russia invading Ukraine, a lot of people thought China will go for Taiwan soon. This visit is a very clear statement that the USA will back Taiwan up.

China values stability > all but it's got a gigantic axe to grind; their Century of Humiliation has gone deep and as with all humiliated countries there's a profound backlash. They regard Taiwan as theirs and They Want It.

Yeah, its really starting to piss me off all these anti-imperialists who just ignore Russian imperialism because "but the West... but NATO...but the US..."

Key Takeaways

Unconfirmed social media reports suggest that Iran may have sent the first batch of drones to Russia and sent pilots and maintenance personnel to train on the Russian Su-35, potentially suggesting that Iran may seek to use recent aviation agreements to facilitate the acquisition of Russian combat aircraft.

Russian forces conducted unsuccesful offensive operations northeast and northwest of Kharkiv City.

Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks northwest of Slovyansk and east of Siversk.

Russian forces made marginal gains southeast of Bakhmut and continued offensive operations to the northeast and southeast of Bakhmut.

Russian forces made incremental advances around Avdiivka and are continuing attempts to push southwest of Avdiivka.

Russian forces launched two assaults in northern Kherson Oblast and are continuing to redeploy troops to the Southern Axis.

Russian federal subjects are forming new volunteer battalions in Novosibirsk, Saratov, Ulyanovsk, and Kurgan Oblasts, and are changing time periods for enlistment compensations.

Ukrainian civilians are continuing to resist the Russian occupation with acts of civil disobedience and partisan sabotage as the Kremlin considers longer-term methods of population control in occupied Ukraine.

(i think it's clear that HImars has been a huge influence but the Russians are still, slowly, making advances. Many observers' view is that Ukraine need to regain the Donbas before winter, and at this rate that's proving problematic. More heavy weopons, tanks and anti-aircraft stuff is needed).

+++

Security Service busts ‘million-bot’ farm used to discredit Ukrainian leadership, media allege Poroshenko’s involvement (kyivindependent.com/draft/security-service-busts-million-bot-farm-used-to-discredit-ukrainian-leadership-media-allege-poroshenkos-involvement?draft=1659471425)

Ukraine’s military: Russia sustains losses amid tense situation in southern Ukraine.

⚡️ Der Spiegel: Nord Stream turbine still in Germany.
The turbine that was transferred from Canada to Germany despite sanctions on July 18 has not reached Russia, reports Der Spiegel, citing industrial manufacturing firm Siemens.

⚡️ Ukraine’s ‘Army of Drones’ initiative raises over $20 million

⚡️ Institute for the Study of War: Unconfirmed reports suggest Iran may have sent drones to Russia.

The U.S. think tank reported on Aug. 2 that unofficial Iranian sources suggest that Iran may have sent UAVs, pilots, and technicians to train for the use of Russian Su-35 aircraft. This information is not confirmed.

⚡️Ukraine's military liberates 7 villages in Kherson Oblast.
Ukrainian troops had already liberated 53 villages in the Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast as of Aug. 2. Russia is also importing doctors from Russia in the absence of medical personnel as the humanitarian situation worsens, according to the Kherson Oblast Military Administration.

📹Chinese TV airs footage of Chinese army exercises near Taiwan

⚡️Iran's nuclear program grows more ambitious and powerful – IAEA
Iran's nuclear program is "developing very, very rapidly" and is "building ambition and capability," the IAEA said.

Russians shelled several regions overnight - Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Zelenodolsk and Apostolove, Velyka Kostromka

The foto is of Mariupol taken by a street artist. "This is Russia".

@Ijsbear thanks again for the takeaways.

(i think it's clear that HImars has been a huge influence but the Russians are still, slowly, making advances. Many observers' view is that Ukraine need to regain the Donbas before winter, and at this rate that's proving problematic. More heavy weopons, tanks and anti-aircraft stuff is needed).

This concerns me too. Ukraine is just crying out for more weapons. It would be horrific for the Russians to entrench themselves in occupied territories over winter whilst the inhabitants freeze and starve.

The foto is of Mariupol taken by a street artist. "This is Russia".

Just heartbreaking. Ordinary Russians need to see the scale of destruction of this special operation.

Ordinary Russians need to see the scale of destruction of this special operation.

YES. I wish i could shout louder, YES.

(i think it's clear that HImars has been a huge influence but the Russians are still, slowly, making advances. Many observers' view is that Ukraine need to regain the Donbas before winter, and at this rate that's proving problematic. More heavy weapons, tanks and anti-aircraft stuff is needed).

Does anybody think that is realistic?

I am hoping that Zelinsky is right and they can retake Kherson (and hopefully that whole area) by September, and then start pushing maybe towards the Azov sea. But (without any miltary experience whatsoever) it seems to me rather unlikely they could retake the Donbas region before winter.

And - well again no military experience, so what do I know - I do wonder whether if they manage to push the Russians out of Kherson and basically keep going, whether it would make more sense to try and retake parts of Crimea rather than the Donbas. My thinking is this - the Donbas is connected to Russian territory, so much easier for Russia to keep up the supply lines. Crimea is much easier to isolate, especially with HIMARS etc, And psychologically, losing even a small part of Crimea will be much more of a blow to the Russians than losing the parts of the Donbas they have just taken. It would mean that not only has the "special operation" not bought them much except lots of dead soldiers and the loss of lots of expensive weaponry, but it has caused them to lose something they otherwise would have held onto. On that basis, even a sliver of Crimea would be worth quite a lot in terms of morale (now waiting for the experts to shoot me down).

I wonder if they would care. Or believe

@Wannago I dont know about the Crimea strategically, but agreed that it looks pretty unlikely they could take back the Donbas before winter. Hope I'm wrong ...

I think many ordinary Russians would simply be gobsmacked at the quality of the buildings that had been dwellings in Ukraine, rather than horrified by their destruction.

Remember that report early on in this war of the Russian soldier saying disbelievingly "Their houses are all made of brick!"?

A few buildings are a small price to pay to root out those Ukrainian Nazis, don’t you know…

Really tense situation in Taiwanese airspace and waters over Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan now (she has since left). China is furious and playing war games.

They are going to be extremely cross the moment anyone crosses them. It has to be done sooner or later if it's going to be done at all, and unfortunately Putin's invasion has given them ideas.