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Ukraine Invasion: Part 46

996 replies

MagicFox · 25/11/2023 14:14

With thanks to all keeping these threads going πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦

**
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A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

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336
DancesWithDucks · 25/12/2023 15:46

@heldinadream I'd like to support them too.

These people are almost the bravest of all, because they are going up against an utterly ruthless machine from within and the cost to them and their families can be huge. Children have been taken away from protesting parents. Job losses, risk of prison.

Not only that but they are often fighting their own siblings and parents and risking being outcast.

I have enormous sympathy and admiration for the ones who stand up from within in Russia.

blueshoes · 25/12/2023 16:03

@heldinadream my heart goes out to the Russian women protesting against mobilisation. May their numbers grow and may Putin continue to lay his hands off them for fear of social backlash.

@DancesWithDucks brilliant toy for Christmas! Would the F16 be from the Netherlands?

@notimagain just heartbreaking for Ukrainian soldiers at the front and their families both longing for their return and hoping against hope at a long drawn out war. Thanks for sharing the article that there is no Christmas during war. I just wish for some hope over Christmas for them.

blueshoes · 25/12/2023 16:16

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-24-2023

Key Takeaways:

  • European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in a limited territorial victory in Ukraine and will continue the war β€œuntil the final victory.”
  • Russian forces are reportedly decreasing aviation activity and their use of glide bombs in Ukraine after Ukrainian forces shot down three Russian Su-34s in southern Ukraine between December 21 and 22. [heheh]
  • Russian forces conducted a series of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 23 to 24.
  • Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov further detailed Ukraine’s efforts to establish a sustainable wartime force-generation apparatus and an effective defense industrial base (DIB) during an interview published on December 24.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to portray himself as a gracious leader who cares about the well-being of Russian military personnel, while also presenting himself as an effective Commander-in-Chief of the Russian armed forces.
  • Russia appears to be continuing its efforts to build out a military occupation force in Ukraine separate from its frontline units through the use of its newly formed Rosgvardia units.
  • The Russian Black Sea Fleet’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade edited its acknowledgement that its personnel are deliberately using chemical weapons in Ukraine in a likely effort to hide what could be evidence of an apparent violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is party.
  • Russia’s labor shortage, which is partially a result of the war in Ukraine, reportedly amounted to about 4.8 million people in 2023 and will likely continue to exacerbate struggling Kremlin efforts aimed at increasing Russian economic capacity.
  • Russian forces made confirmed advances near Kreminna and near Avdiivka as positional engagements continue along the entire line of contact.
  • The newly formed 337th Airborne (VDV) Regiment (104th VDV Division) operating in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast near Krynky is continuing to suffer losses.
  • Russian officials claimed that Russia’s handling of the situation at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is sufficient, despite recent unsafe incidents during Russian occupation of the plant.

Still finding the UK Defence Intelligance update on Ukraine elusive. Littledrummergirl, notimagain, others, maybe you have better luck? The last one I could find on twitter is from 23 Dec 2023. Perhaps having a well deserved Christmas break

L1ttledrummergirl · 25/12/2023 17:04

I've had a look but haven't seen today's. I'll look again later.

blueshoes · 25/12/2023 17:23

Thanks, @L1ttledrummergirl. You must reveal your sources...

DancesWithDucks · 26/12/2023 10:31

Isn't it an amazing thing!

There are rumours that it was loaded with Shahads which is why it went up so spectacularly. But would they travel already with explosives attached?

DancesWithDucks · 26/12/2023 10:50

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚑️Ukraine receives $1.3 billion in financial support from World Bank. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-receives-1-3-billion-in-financial-support-from-world-bank/

⚑️Moldovan President Sandu announces she will run for second term https://kyivindependent.com/moldovan-president-sandu-announces-she-is-seeking-reelection/ [may she win!]

⚑️Ukrainian Air Force https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-air-force-destroys-russian-landing-ship-in-occupied-crimea/ reportedly destroyed the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk in Feodosia in occupied Crimea during the early hours of Dec. 26, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk announced.

⚑️ Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed that the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk, docked at Feodosia in occupied Crimea, had been hit by a Ukrainian missile strike in the early hours of Dec. 26, and claimed it was only 'damaged.' https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-air-force-destroys-russian-landing-ship-in-occupied-crimea/

⚑️ISW: Russia reducing aviation activity in Ukraine after losing several Su-34 jets. [Will they stop their ship activity too now? whistles] https://kyivindependent.com/isw-russia-reducing-aviation-activity-in-ukraine-after-losing-several-su-34-jets/

⚑️Military: Battle for Marinka continues https://kyivindependent.com/military-battle-for-marinka-continues/ Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had declared the complete capture of Marinka in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

⚑️Russian Central Bank head says country https://kyivindependent.com/russias-central-bank-head-russia-should-prepare-for-increased-sanction-pressure/ should prepare for increased sanction pressure.
Russia must prepare for increasing pressure from international sanctions, Russia's Central Bank head Elvira Nabiullina said in an interview with the Russian media outlet RBC published on Dec. 25.

⚑️Russian media: Foreign shareholders suspend participation in Russian Arctic LNG-2 project.
Companies from China, France, and Japan suspended participation in Russia's Arctic LNG-2 (liquified natural gas) project due to sanctions, Russian state-controlled media Kommersant reported on Dec. 25, citing unnamed Russian government sources. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-foreign-shareholders-withdraw-from-russian-arctic-lng-2-project/

⚑️Media: Ukrainian refugees fall victim to β€˜sophisticated’ UK visa scams.
Ukrainian refugees in the U.K. often fall victim to targeted scams involving fake visas and false sponsor family promises, according to the charities cited by British media outlet The Independent.
Charities supporting Ukrainian refugees said they saw an increase in cases where scammers trick Ukrainians into paying hundreds of pounds for fake travel documents. https://kyivindependent.com/media-ukrainian-refugees-fall-victim-to-sophisticated-uk-visa-scams/

⚑️Lukashenko claims transfer of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus completed months ago https://kyivindependent.com/lukashenko-says-transfer-of-russian-nuclear-weapons-to-belarus-completed/

⚑️Spokesperson: Navalny found, meets with lawyers. Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is "doing well" and has been located in a penal colony in Russia's far northern Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, spokesperson Kira Yarmysh wrote on X on Dec. 25. https://kyivindependent.com/navalny-doing-well-and-met-with-his-lawyer-spokesperson-says/

⚑️Media: Former RT director hospitalized after alleged poisoning. https://kyivindependent.com/media-former-rt-director-hospitalized-after-alleged-poisoning/ [this delightful man called for the drowning on Ukrainian children in rivers]

⚑️Official: Russia hits third humanitarian aid base in Kherson in 5 days.
Taranenko also referenced the overnight Russian strike on Dec. 20, which "completely destoryed" the humanitarian aid facility ran by the Ukrainian Red Cross in Kherson Oblast and its resources inside. kyivindependent.com/official-russia-destroyed-three-humanitarian-aid-bases-in-kherson/

⚑️Government submits draft law https://kyivindependent.com/cabinet-of-ministers-submits-draft-law-on-mobilization-to-verkhovna-rada/ on mobilization to Verkhovna Rada.

⚑️Zelensky to Russian pilots https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-to-russian-pilots-our-air-defense-will-only-get-stronger/ 'Our air defense will only get stronger.'

Ragnar Gudmundsson

WAR IN #UKRAINE - DEC 26, 2023
β–  Major loss: Warship Novocherkassk hit by Ukrainian airforce
β–  Casualties & landbased equipment losses above 7-day average
β–  More combat engagements but fewer strikes, unchanged number of settlements under artillery fire
β–  Oryx: 513added to records (44:3 after removal of duplicates/corrections), ratio of 3.1x in the last 30-days

Ukraine Invasion: Part 46
DancesWithDucks · 26/12/2023 11:37

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

After wiping out Mariinka from the face of the earth, the Russians began to destroy the neighboring Novomykhailivka.

The Moscow Court arrested the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov in absentia for the second time
Investigative bodies of the Russian Federation accuse the head of Ukrainian intelligence of involvement in "104 acts of terrorism".

General information regarding β€œNovocherkask” large amphibious landing ship.
β€œNovocherkask” (BDK-46) β€” Project 775 (775/II) Ropucha-class large amphibious landing ship, which belongs to the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy.
It is designed for landing amphibious assault on an unequipped coast and for the transfer of troops and cargo by sea.
It can transport various types of armored vehicles, including tanks.
Initially, it had yard number 108; on May 1, 1989, it was assigned number 142.
▫️The ship was built at a shipyard in GdaΕ„sk, Poland. It was launched on April 17, 1987;
▫️Till 1990, it repeatedly participated in various trainings;
▫️From 1990 to 2007, it was undergoing preservation;
▫️At the end of 2008, it made its first sea deployments, returning to the Black Sea Fleet;
▫️From October 1, 2012, to January 15, 2013, it performed tasks in the Mediterranean Sea;
▫️In 2014, it continued to be in the Mediterranean, periodically returning to the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Sevastopol;
▫️At the end of 2014, it was recognized as the best ship of the 2nd rank of the Black Sea Fleet;
▫️In 2015, it took part in the parade on the Day of the Russian Navy in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Sevastopol.
▫️As of December 25, 2023, it remained in service.
Tactical-technical characteristics:
Speed: 18 knots
Range: 6000 miles at 12 knots
Crew: 87 people
Displacement: 4080 tons
Length: 112.5 meters
Beam: 15 meters
Draft: 3.7 meters
Power plant: Two diesels, two screws, power β€”19200 Mah.
Armament: two AK-725 57 mm artillery mounts, launchers of the Strela-2 portable anti-aircraft missile system.
It could carry up to 500 tons of cargo and 225 embarked soldiers.

Now you know β€” a nice ship it was 😎.

Frontline Christmas

The damaged warship.

DancesWithDucks · 26/12/2023 11:53

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

πŸ’₯ The governor of the Belgorod region of Russia announced the shelling of Shebekinsky district. Two men were allegedly wounded by mortar fire. He accused the Ukrainian Armed Forces of the shelling.

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡Ώ Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that the main challenge for Prague is to keep Russia as far away from the Czech border as possible.

The Cabinet of Ministers submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada to improve mobilization and military registration.

The draft law is registered on the Parliament's website under the number 10378.

The draft law, in particular, refers to:

▫️ changing the conscription age from 27 to 25 years;

▫️ improvement of the procedure for military registration of conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists;

▫️ the possibility for military personnel released from captivity to receive a 90-day leave with full pay;

▫️ exclusion of conscript service as a type of military service. All conscripts are proposed to be discharged into the reserve;

▫️ exclusion of the conclusion on limited fitness for military service from the list of conclusions of the Military Qualification Commission;

▫️ introduction of basic general military training of up to 3 months for all citizens aged 18 to 25 at all educational institutions;

▫️ the introduction of optional basic military service up to the age of 25 for those who have not completed basic military training;

▫️ limiting the rights of Ukrainian citizens who evade military registration and military service;

▫️ involvement of administrative service centers, employment centers and recruitment centers in military recruitment activities.

The draft law also proposes that a summons to appear in a military recruiting center may be sent to a citizen through the conscript's electronic office or by e-mail.

This draft law is to be considered by the Parliament. Thus, the proposals are subject to change

Mariinka πŸ’”

The ship again.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 46
Ukraine Invasion: Part 46
AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 26/12/2023 12:05

"Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea, is reported as saying one person has been killed and two injured in the air strike."

If that ship had a crew of 87 it's hard to credit a single death in an explosion like that, unless they were all ashore for some reason.

L1ttledrummergirl · 26/12/2023 12:29

@blueshoes, I think I just got lucky. I can't see anything for yesterday or today, so maybe the person responsible is having couple of days off.

DancesWithDucks · 26/12/2023 12:35

@AskingQuestionsAllTheTime this is a clip from 900m away from the centre of the explosion

https://twitter.com/SanderRegter/status/1739619882793087411

Never mind one person killed and 2 injured - if there aren't tens and perhaps into 3 figures injured / killed I'll be amazed. There must have been housing closer to the dock and that was one hell of an explosion.

https://twitter.com/SanderRegter/status/1739619882793087411

PerkingFaintly · 26/12/2023 13:45

Thanks for the second pic of the ship (on fire), Ducks. I couldn't actually find the ship in the first pic...

That image of the site that was once the city of Mariinka is awful.

blueshoes · 26/12/2023 13:48

No updates from ISW or UK Ministry of Defence. ❄️❄️❄️

TrashedSofa · 26/12/2023 13:52

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 26/12/2023 12:05

"Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea, is reported as saying one person has been killed and two injured in the air strike."

If that ship had a crew of 87 it's hard to credit a single death in an explosion like that, unless they were all ashore for some reason.

Agree. Surely nobody on or next to the boat could've survived that.

Mb76 · 26/12/2023 17:04

Marrinka 😒

I am really struggling with the senseless loss of places close to my home, my neighbourhood. Donetsk itself is Russia now. Bakhmut, Mariinka Avidiivka being wiped off the face of the earth. Olenivka, my childhood paradise turned into torture colony.

Sorry to bring the mood down at Christmas, I’ve been feeling really low recently . It’s coming up to ten years of this war for me and my family and millions more people of Donbas. If this war ever ends and Ukraine regains these territories, what will be left for us to ever come back to?

PerkingFaintly · 26/12/2023 17:15

Flowers Mb76

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 26/12/2023 18:52

TrashedSofa · 26/12/2023 13:52

Agree. Surely nobody on or next to the boat could've survived that.

And yet Classic FM quoted "one killed, two injured" absolutely as fact, not even "a Russian spokesman said".

Greenshake · 26/12/2023 20:10

@Mb76 I don’t have the words to express how sorry I am. Please know I am thinking of you and desperately hoping for better news next year.

Natsku · 26/12/2023 21:59

I'm so sorry @Mb76 there's been too much loss Flowers

L1ttledrummergirl · 26/12/2023 23:27

@Mb76 I am so sorry that this is happening to your home. The Russians are showing their colours, they seem happiest when destroying rather than building and laying waste to land they will not be able to hold on to is symptomatic of this.
It is such a childlike way of thinking- if we can't have it then nor can you.

I really hope that the Russians are pushed out of Ukraine this year, that you can then make use of the rebuild fund and build your country for the future.

blueshoes · 26/12/2023 23:46

@Mb76 I am so sorry at the senseless destruction. I want nothing more than to see the Russian invaders driven from your land and for Ukraine to have a chance to rebuild, also with UK's full support.

Mb76 · 27/12/2023 07:33

Thank you for your kind words and support everyone. What I wish for every day is to stop seeing the names of towns and villages I grew up near, on the news and in the media. Not because they don’t exist anymore but because the war is over and it’s not newsworthy anymore. I hope 2024 may be the year this happens.

DancesWithDucks · 27/12/2023 10:34

@Mb76 I am so sorry for this hell that your family and you are living through. I hope and pray that one day soon it will get better, though honestly, shells and fighter planes would be better than prayers.

Thinking of you.

--

I will be taking a break the next 4 days, we have no less than 11 people in the house atm. @blueshoes will be taking over - thank you so much Blueshoes!

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