Ukraine Invasion: Part 44

[MagicFox]

44th thread, all the usual thanks and appreciation

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Apologies for dereliction in duty. Better late than never.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-14-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast and around Bakhmut and reportedly advanced south of Bakhmut on September 14.
• Ukrainian forces struck a Russian air defense system near occupied Yevpatoria, Crimea, on September 14, suggesting that there may be systemic tactical failures with Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea.
• Russian forces conducted another series of Shahed-131/136 drone strikes targeting Ukrainian port infrastructure on September 14.
• The commander of the Russian 247th Guards Air Assault (VDV) Regiment (7th VDV Division) Vasily Popov was reportedly killed in combat in Ukraine.
• Some Russian sources suggested that ongoing tensions between the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Wagner Group are diminishing Wagner’s ability to operate across the African theater.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in some areas on September 14.
• Ukrainian forces also advanced along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line.
• The Kremlin is reportedly trying to censor Russian media coverage of a possible second wave of reserve mobilization in order to prevent protests and voter discontent ahead of the 2024 Russian presidential elections.

UK Ministry of Defence confirms that Russian landing ship Minsk and cruise missile-capable submarine Rostov-on-Don were hit whilst being repaired in dry dock. Now beyond repair <yabu sucks>. Dry dock is also likely to be out of action for months.

Not sure if people will have caught it already so apologies if so but fascinating interview on Ukraine the Latest this week with the Russia lead from the ISW. Talking amongst other things about the responsibility that comes with being a trusted source.

could you link it please @Igotjelly ?

Doh, got it

Oh sorry I’m useless at remembering to link things!

https://spotify.link/6LKICebA7Cb

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1702717155521831010 Khadrov supposed to be in a coma after his health deteriorated

Oh dear what a pity never mind. Tiktok on his way out. Good.

Oh my heart bleeds…

He's young, only 46. Is there any suggestion as to cause?

Had he recenty had some sort of disagreement with Putin, criticised the Russian army, or did I imagine it?

I would imagine a dodgy cup of tea ☕️

I don't know MissConduct, I'm not on TikTok, I saw this on Twitter (I refuse to call it X!) I would think it's Eastern Europe???

@AskingQuestionsAllTheTime i had very vaguely something in my head about him criticising the management of the military. But my "memory" is so vague i don't know if it's even a memory, if that makes any sense. Hopefully, someone here can enlighten us

At the time of the Prigozhin rebellion he put out a number of rather smarmy statements saying he fully supported Putin, and he and Prig had been having public disagreements before the rebellion.

There were rumours he had kidney troubles some months ago and he hasn't looked healthy for quite some time. It could be genuine ill health. Wonder if it's drug-related?

Well they're dropping like flies what ever the reason!

Appreciate the link to the ISW interview. Great example of journalistic integrity (even correcting themselves). So rare these days. A frank admission that the war will drag on and a hope that the West continues to support Ukraine through 2024.

@DancesWithDucks perhaps just ill then. A hardman wouldn't publicly disclose a diagnosis, whether long-term or short. Even if it were plain old disease, given his position speculation will of course abound.

Now that is what I call a good start to the weekend 👏👏

Just to add to it, seems another Russian ship might have been damaged; the Russians claim it wasn't but 'sources' say it was damaged by a Ukrainian Sea Baby near the stern and is listing.

With regard to Khadrov, it's not the first time he has allegedly been near death so I wouldn't hold my breath

Ooo, where was this Russian warship?

Yeah, he is such an attention seeker.

Agreed, and in his case there has been a lot of speculation. As there has about Putin, actually.

Seems like a lot of people think Kadyrov is shortly going to die though.

Question is, what will happen to Chechnya if he is shuffling off to the Great Goat Fields in the sky. I imagine Russia will control the succession but there might be some instability.

A Ukrainian naval drone on Thursday shot down the Russian missile ship Samum off the coast of annexed Crimea, a BBC Ukraine source in the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed.

Copied from AT anno1540 on Twitter tho I don't think he's the originator of the report.

That was a great podcast @Igotjelly thanks for highlighting it.

Thanks @DancesWithDucks The world is a better place with one more Russian missile ship out of action.