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Ukraine Invasion: Part 48

1000 replies

MagicFox · 09/03/2024 10:25

That last one went quickly! Welcome to thread 48. Thanks as usual to all for the information, guidance and solidarity.

**
Agreed thread guidance:

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

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

OP posts:
Thread gallery
342
MissConductUS · 02/04/2024 16:19

The Russian army conducted what Forbes describes as perhaps one of the largest tank offensives of the entire war on Saturday.
"It culminated in one of the largest tank battles of Russia's 25-month war in Ukraine. When the smoke cleared, the Russians had abandoned a third of their tanks on the road west of the ruins of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine," the article states.

The fighting around Avdiivka is still very hot. This article from the War Zone has some great videos of the action. It's good to see that they haven't run out of Javelins. Russian tankers just hate Javelins. 😁

https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraine-situation-report-russian-armor-massacre-at-avdiivka

Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Armor Massacre At Avdiivka

Reports suggest 20 Russian vehicles were destroyed in what may have been one of the biggest single assaults of its kind in the war so far.

https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraine-situation-report-russian-armor-massacre-at-avdiivka

MagicFox · 02/04/2024 18:00

@lauraseligman

The U.S. & other Western countries are considering transferring to NATO a U.S.-led group that coordinates the shipment of weapons to Ukraine, a move that could help maintain the flow of arms to Kyiv If Trump comes back (Politico www.politico.com/news/2024/04/02/allies-consider-moving-ukraine-arms-group-into-nato-to-shield-it-from-trump-00150151)

OP posts:
blueshoes · 03/04/2024 12:16

Sorry for the recent double-posts. Will be more diligent in ISW updates now that things are calmer at my end

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-1-2024

Key Takeaways:

  • A joint investigation by 60 Minutes, the Insider, and Der Spiegel strongly suggests that the Kremlin has waged a sustained kinetic campaign directly targeting US government personnel both in the United States and internationally for a decade, with the likely objective of physically incapacitating US government personnel. [ physically incapacitating = kill / wound? That is outrageous! ]
  • The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) is intensifying efforts to falsely implicate Ukraine in the March 22 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack while denying any Islamic State (IS) responsibility or involvement in the attack.
  • Russian authorities are taking measures to further crack down against migrant communities in Russia following the Crocus City Hall attack.
  • Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka and in the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast amid continued positional engagements along the entire line of contact on April 1.
  • The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) continues to reassure the Russian public that Russian military conscripts will not deploy to most of occupied Ukraine nor participate in combat operations in Ukraine amid the start of the spring semi-annual military conscription call-up that started on April 1.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2-2024

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law on April 2 that lowers the Ukrainian military’s mobilization age from 27 to 25 years of age. [This is sad. These young men are the future of Ukraine]
  • Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed on April 2 that Russian forces seized about 400 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in the first three months of 2024 — a rate of advance not necessarily reflective of wider Russian offensive prospects due to the impact of US security assistance delays.
  • Ukraine conducted long-range unidentified unmanned aerial systems (UAS) strikes against Russian military production and oil refinery infrastructure in the Republic of Tatarstan, over 1,200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address at the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) board meeting on April 2 illustrated Russia’s dissonant response to the March 22 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack as Russian authorities simultaneously pursue law enforcement actions against migrant communities while also baselessly implicating Ukraine. Putin also attempted to address intensified debates about migration that have emerged following the Crocus City Hall attack but continued to express an inconsistent and vague stance on the issue.
  • Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Deputy Chief Major General Vadym Skibitskyi stated on April 2 that the GUR believes that Russian forces will likely temporarily pause strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure in order to replenish low missile stockpiles.
  • US sanctions against Russia continue to impact Russian financial ties to post-Soviet countries, as Kyrgyzstan’s national payment system Elkart announced on April 2 that it would stop processing transactions using the Russian “Mir” payment system to prevent secondary sanctions.
  • NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reportedly proposed a NATO aid package that would send $100 billion of military assistance to Ukraine over five years.
  • Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Kreminna and Avdiivka amid continued positional engagements along the entire line of contact on April 2.
  • Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated on April 2 that the Russian military intends to finish and deploy several newly constructed small missile and patrol ships in 2024.
  • The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) is increasing its law enforcement presence in occupied Ukraine in order to intensify Russian control over Ukrainian civilians and strengthen security over critical infrastructure.
Ukraine Invasion: Part 48
Ukraine Invasion: Part 48
DancesWithDucks · 03/04/2024 12:26

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Bloomberg: Biden calls https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-biden-calls-xi-ukraine-likely-on-the-agenda/ Xi, Ukraine likely on the agenda.
https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-biden-calls-xi-ukraine-likely-on-the-agenda/

⚡️Bloomberg: NATO considers establishing $100 billion fund https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-nato-fund-aid-ukraine/ to aid Ukraine over 5 years.

⚡️ Politico: Allies consider moving Ramstein group under NATO control to shield it from Trump. https://kyivindependent.com/politico-allies-trump/
Washington and its partners are considering moving the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), also known as Ramstein format, under NATO control to maintain weapons supplies to Kyiv even if Donald Trump returns to the White House, Politico reported on April 2, citing four undisclosed sources.

While support among Democrats for arming Ukraine has dropped from 83% to 75% in two years, among Republicans it has plunged from 80% in March 2022 to just 45% in February 2024. https://kyivindependent.com/why-some-far-right-republicans-are-hell-bent-on-ending-further-aid-to-ukraine/
Vocal opposition to continued assistance is rising on the right wing of the U.S. political spectrum. Reflecting broader political dynamics unfolding within the U.S. and around the world, a politics of right-wing populism skeptical of Ukraine aid has become increasingly influential among the U.S. Republican Party and its supporters.

⚡️Blinken hopes Washington NATO summit to be 'highly focused' on roadmap for Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/blinken-believes-nato-washington-summit-to-be-highly-focused-on-roadmap-for-ukraine/

Putin appointed Vice Admiral Sergey Pinchuk as the new commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, state news agency RIA Novosti reported on April 2. https://kyivindependent.com/putin-appoints-new-black-sea-fleet-commander/

Unnamed Ukrainian military officials said there is an unfortunate pattern of the West finally sending weapons when they are "no longer relevant" for the current battlefield dynamics, Politico reported on April 3, citing sources. https://kyivindependent.com/politico-ukrainian-officers-complain-of-pattern-of-receiving-western-weapons-systems-when-theyre-no-longer-relevant/

⚡️Belarus begins https://kyivindependent.com/belarus-begins-military-drills-near-borders-with-eu-ukraine/ military drills near borders with EU, Ukraine.

Lukashenko tightens grip on power https://kyivindependent.com/after-sham-parliamentary-elections-lukashenko-tightens-grip-on-power-in-belarus/ as regime prepares for new elections

⚡️Ruling party in Georgia will again try to pass https://kyivindependent.com/ruling-party-in-georgia-will-again-try-to-pass-foreign-agents-law-withdrawn-following-protests-in-2023/ 'foreign agents' law withdrawn following protests in 2023.

⚡️ Ukraine, Finland sign long-term security agreement. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-finland-sign-long-term-security-agreement/

⚡️CNN: Ukraine reportedly using https://kyivindependent.com/cnn-ukraine-reportedly-using-ai-to-help-target-drones/ AI to help target drones.
Ukraine has begun equipping some of its attack drones with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered targeting capabilities, CNN reported on April 2, citing a source with knowledge of Ukraine's drone program.
The AI-powered drones have reportedly been used as part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign to target the Russian energy industry.

⚡️Border Guard: Polish protesters resume blockade https://kyivindependent.com/polish-farmers-resume-blockade/ at Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv crossing with Ukraine

⚡️Media: Estonia considers joining Czech-led initiative https://kyivindependent.com/estonia-considers-to-join-czech-led-initiative-to-purchase-artillery-shells-for-ukraine/ to buy artillery shells for Ukraine.

⚡️Ministry: Ukraine destroyed record 976 Russian artillery systems https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-destroyed-record-russian-artillery-systems-in-march/ in March.

⚡️Government allocates additional $144 million for fortifications. https://kyivindependent.com/government-allocates-additional-144-million-for-fortifications/

⚡️ Zelensky calls with Japanese PM https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-calls-with-japanese-pm-discusses-economic-cooperation/ discusses economic cooperation.

⚡️ Military intelligence: Ukraine didn't attack facilities in Tatarstan with foreign-made weapons. https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-ukraine-doesnt-attack-facilities-in-tartastan-with-western-made-weapons/

⚡️US not supporting (https://kyivindependent.com/us-not-supporting-enabling-oil/) Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, Blinken says.

⚡️ Latvian government approves $10 million for Ukraine's reconstruction https://kyivindependent.com/latvian-government-approves-10-million-for-ukraines-reconstruction-defense-fund-in-2024/ defense fund.

⚡️ Netherlands allocates $11 million to help Ukraine investigate Russian war crimes. https://kyivindependent.com/netherlands-allocates-10-8-million-to-help-ukraine-investigate-russian-war-crimes/

The Biden administration has rejected an agreement with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to connect Ukraine aid with lifting the Biden administration's pause on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export licenses. https://kyivindependent.com/white-house-dismisses-linking-ukraine-aid-to-reversal-of-natural-gas-policy/

⚡️ US lifts sanctions against former European branch of Russia's VTB Bank. https://kyivindependent.com/us-lifts-sanctions/

Citing unnamed U.S. officials, the Washington Post said that the U.S. specifically identified Crocus City Hall as a possible ISIS target in their briefings to Moscow. The disclosure calls into question the Kremlin's claims that U.S. warnings were too "general" to prevent an attack. https://kyivindependent.com/washington-post-us-warned-russia-that-crocus-city-hall-was-potential-attack-target/

⚡️Ukraine launches (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-launches-digital-war-damages-register/) digital war damages register as basis for future reparations. digital war damages register as basis for future reparations. digital war damages register as basis for future reparations.

⚡️German customs detains https://kyivindependent.com/german-customs-detains-ship-loaded-with-sanctioned-russian-uranium-lumber/ ship loaded with sanctioned Russian uranium, lumber

⚡️NGO: Ukrainian teenager illegally deported by Russia returns home.https://kyivindependent.com/ngo-ukrainian-teenager-illegally-deported-by-russia-returns-home/

Opinion: What's left of Russia's Black Sea Fleet https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-whats-left-of-russias-black-sea-fleet/

⚡️Zara, Bershka, other fashion brands reopen https://kyivindependent.com/zara-bershka-other-fashion-brands-reopen-stores-in-ukraine/ stores in Ukraine.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

  • APR 3, 2024
■ Most 🇺🇦 strikes since late Feb while fewer 🇷🇺 ones reported ■ More engagements but fewer casualties ■ Equipment losses below 7-day avg; 2x MLRS systems & decent artillery losses ■ Warspotting tank data updated for last month
Ukraine Invasion: Part 48
MontBlanc1 · 03/04/2024 12:48

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

DancesWithDucks · 03/04/2024 14:42

Bickering, lack of longer sight and Russian influence that's been quietly percolating away in both political and public realms, to my mind.

DancesWithDucks · 03/04/2024 14:51

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

French President Macron held confidential talks with US President Biden and German Chancellor Scholz in February, urging them to reconsider the West's strategy in Russia's war against Ukraine, as reported by the WSJ.

The head of the European Council, Michel, emphasized that supporting Ukraine and initiating accession negotiations with it are among the EU's top priorities in the near future.

Finland has announced its 23rd package of military aid to Ukraine, totaling 188 million euros. The announcement was made by the country's president, Alexander Stubb. This aid package will include air defense systems and artillery ammunition.

PepsiCo launched the production of Lay's chips near Novosibirsk in Russia, however, due to difficulties with the supply of technological equipment, the plant cannot reach full capacity at the moment

CNN reports that attacks on Russian refineries could have a more significant impact on the aggressor's economy than sanctions. Experts indicate that the strikes targeted distillation plants rather than fuel storage facilities, crucial for processing crude oil into fuel and derivatives.

European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, announced that more than €240 billion worth of Russian assets have been frozen in EU countries. This includes €37 billion of assets belonging to individuals and approximately €200-208 billion of assets belonging to the Russian state.

Ukraine's military-industrial complex produces 8 units of “Bohdana” self-propelled artillery system each month, — The New York Times.

Currently, Russia has approximately 950 missiles, — Vadym Skibitsky.
“Currently, according to our estimate, Russia has approximately 950 high-precision missiles of the operational and strategic level with a range of more than 350 km. We see a pattern that they tend to try to keep their stockpile at a level of at least 900 missiles,” stated Vadym Skibitsky, a representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Russia aims to produce about 40 Kh-101 missiles this April, he said.
The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine predicts that the Russians will be able to conduct 2-3 more massive attacks, and then will be forced to take a break again to accumulate missiles and “Shaheds”. However, some localized attacks may continue.
Skibitsky added that “the aggressor is accumulating a stockpile of 3M14 Kalibr cruise missiles and has at least 260 units at its disposal. Moreover, they plan to produce 30 such missiles in April this year”.
He reminded that Russia is modernizing its Onyx anti-ship missiles, and Russia has 440 standard Onyx missiles in stock.

Russia’s seaborne crude exports jumped in the final week of March to the highest so far this year, even as average shipments in the first quarter were close to the level pledged by Russia to its OPEC+ partners. The rebound came amid an easing of the high winds that repeatedly hampered loadings at Russia’s main Pacific port in recent weeks. - Bloomberg
Most of the backlog of Russia’s Sokol crude that built up after being turned away by Indian refiners has now been discharged. About 9.1 million barrels, half of the total, have been delivered to refineries in China. Another 7 million barrels are finding their way back to India — though almost half of that is still on tankers anchored at Indian ports. One cargo was delivered to Pakistan.

President Zelenskyy personally thanked the Japanese Prime Minister for hosting the Japanese-Ukrainian conference in Tokyo in February, during which over 50 bilateral agreements were signed. Both leaders agreed to expedite the implementation of these agreements.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced the completion of the first underground school in Kharkiv. Terekhov also revealed plans to construct similar schools in other districts of the city.

In Dnipro, one of the educational institutions was damaged by the Russian missile. Fortunately, at the time of the hit, all the children were in shelter, — Serhiy Lysak.

The inside everyone would prefer to never see. [energy production facility] t.me/United24media/20374

UNITED24Media

The inside everyone would prefer to never see.

https://t.me/United24media/20374

DancesWithDucks · 03/04/2024 15:13

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Senior Ukrainian military sources told https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-great-risk-front-line-collapse-war-russia/?fbclid=IwAR0_VseWM9AkpU2dwG5yqhi9ncQWpslOokDsGzu-XQ4O5cRFyCHcVbTkZLw_aem_Aah01FZqDOJvSOAYeGHApdb_8XoXAUEqk0lnlSjD-6qV87YkbSq34gT4FXaa_eXTcfT-MgIVopoE6RP8KaLsI0dE** Politico on condition of anonymity that if the Russians advance again this summer, there is a high risk that the front line will collapse
Ukraine needs drones, howitzers, and hundreds of thousands of shells and missiles.
The officers emphasized that they also needed many more soldiers. Thus, the newspaper writes that Ukraine currently does not have enough men on the front line, and this complicates the problem of insufficient Western support.
In addition, according to the sources, Ukraine is currently facing not only a military crisis but also a political one. They emphasize that while Ukraine is avoiding large conscription, "Russia is now gathering resources and will be ready to launch a major attack around August, maybe even earlier."

🇺🇳 UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric has called https://press.un.org/en/2024/db240402.doc.htm** on Ukraine to stop strikes on Russia's "civilian infrastructure." This is how he answered a journalist's question about the drone attack on the Alabuga facility in Tatarstan, where Shahed kamikaze drones are manufactured. [what a very stupid statement, at so many levels]

British intelligence has published https://x.com/defencehq/status/1775094054444785745?s=46&t=hmPdh3epcvbnoUN2TQsSDw a satellite image from the Kirovskoe airfield in Crimea. It shows a combat helicopter landing on the surface of an airplane silhouette painted on the airfield, which serves as a distraction for Ukrainian strikes.
Intelligence notes that Russian helicopters regularly land on painted fighter jets, which completely disrupts deception attempts. There are similar images at 12 other Russian air bases.

976 Russian artillery systems were destroyed in March 2024

44 countries support https://x.com/dmytrokuleba/status/1775256895369945382?s=46&t=hmPdh3epcvbnoUN2TQsSDw the idea of creating a special tribunal for Russia, - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba

In an interview * with Al Jazeera, Ukrainian politician Petro Poroshenko said that he plans to run for president of Ukraine again
However, according to him, this requires first ending the hostilities.

In Dnipro, the number of victims increased to 13, five of them children.
The children were hit by shards of glass as they ran for cover. Their lives are not in danger.

Russian pro-government propagandist Dmitry Puchkov said that Ukrainians cannot be re-educated, so they all need to be killed without pity
Public calls for genocide of Ukrainians in Russia are now heard almost every day.

Since the first day of the full-scale invasion, Mr. Hryhorii from Ternopil oblast plays the Ukrainian anthem every day in his street https://t.me/liveukraine_media/19745

A bird feeder similar to the Pantsir missile system was installed in the Moscow oblast

Ukraine Invasion: Part 48
Igotjelly · 03/04/2024 15:52

DancesWithDucks · 03/04/2024 14:42

Bickering, lack of longer sight and Russian influence that's been quietly percolating away in both political and public realms, to my mind.

I do think it’s important that we note that, rightly or wrongly, democracies have checks and balances in place that just don’t exist in autocracies and it makes them less able to be quickly responsive to certain types of crisis. It does however also allow us a far better quality of life and access to fundamental rights so…

DancesWithDucks · 03/04/2024 15:59

True!

blueshoes · 04/04/2024 05:19

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-3-2024

Key Takeaways:

  • Russian forces appear to have increased the number and size of mechanized ground assaults on select sectors of the frontline within the past two weeks, marking a notable overall increase in Russian mechanized assaults across the theater.
  • Russian forces may be intensifying the overall tempo of their offensive operations in Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian sources continue to stress that the piecemeal and delayed arrival of new Western systems to Ukraine will allow Russian forces to adapt to and offset the likely operational benefits these systems would otherwise provide to Ukrainian forces.
  • The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that the March 22 Crocus City Hall attack has caused a significant increase in Russian contract service applicants amid reported Russian efforts to increase force generation this spring.
  • Republic of Tatarstan Head Rustam Minnikhanov warned that Russian companies and local authorities must defend themselves against Ukrainian drone strikes and not rely on Russian air defenses following the April 2 Ukrainian strikes on Russian military production and oil refinery infrastructure in Tatarstan.
  • Russian-backed former Ukrainian separatist politician Oleg Tsaryov complained on April 3 that no current Russian political party adequately represents the political interests of Russian ultranationalists, highlighting a possible source of discontent between the pro-Russian ultranationalist community and the Kremlin.
  • Ukraine and Finland signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on April 3.
  • Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Bakhmut and Donetsk City and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.
  • Russian authorities continue to expand social benefits for Russian military personnel.

[ Will post the UK Min of Defence Ukraine update once available ]

blueshoes · 04/04/2024 05:28

This made me cry too. The son died a hero but I bet the father wishes everyday that it should have been me. A senseless war.

blueshoes · 04/04/2024 05:29

The image

Ukraine Invasion: Part 48
Natsku · 04/04/2024 06:02

That is a heartbreaking picture, can't bear to think about how it must feel to lose your loved ones just because Putin wants the Russian fucking Empire back.

DancesWithDucks · 04/04/2024 11:07

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Bloomberg: Top Republicans say Ukraine aid vote weeks away, contradicting https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-top-republicans-say-ukraine-aid-vote-weeks-away-contradicting-johnsons-shorter-timeline/ Johnson's shorter timeline.

NATO's transition to a longer-term commitment to support Ukraine could eventually push Moscow to a peace agreement once Russia realizes "that they cannot win the war," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on April 3 ahead of the NATO meeting in Brussels. https://kyivindependent.com/stoltenberg-long-term-nato-support-for-ukraine-can-show-russia-it-cant-win-the-war/ [So far the evidence is that Russia doesn't have anything to worry about, since NATO isn't getting its act together]

⚡️ Zelensky: Russia prepares to mobilize additional 300,000 troops by June https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-russia-prepares-to-mobilize-additional-300-000-troops-by-june-1/

As Zelensky’s party falters, Ukrainian parliament https://kyivindependent.com/as-zelenskys-party-falters-parliament-stalls/ drifts to standstill
Davyd Arakhamia, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People majority faction in the Verkhovna Rada, warned in January of a “looming crisis” in parliament during a discussion with media groups, citing a lack of unity and a drop in the number of parliamentary seats filled.

⚡️State Bureau of Investigation has investigated https://kyivindependent.com/state-bureau-of-investigation-investigates-over-2-000-cases-of-treason/ over 1,600 treason cases since start of full-scale invasion.

⚡️ Military Intelligence: Russia has about 200 Su-34, Su-35 fighter jets, https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-russia-has-about-200-su-34-su-35-fighter-jets-7-a-50/ 7 A-50 planes.

⚡️ Zelensky: Russia used over 4,000 missiles, Shahed drones, guided aerial bombs https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-russia-used-against-ukraine-over-400-various-missiles-600-shahed-drones-and-3-000-guided-aerial-bombs-in-march/ against Ukraine in March.

⚡️Finland announces $200 million defense aid package https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-finland-sign-long-term-security-agreement/ for Ukraine.

⚡️Romanian Defense Ministry proposes https://kyivindependent.com/law-romania-intervention/ law enabling military intervention to protect Romanians abroad.

⚡️Russian, French defense ministers call https://kyivindependent.com/french-russian-foreign-ministers-call-for-first-time-in-2-years/ for first time since 2022.

French President Emmanuel Macron held confidential calls with U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in February to convince them about the need for strategic ambiguity in their approach toward Russia, the WSJ reported on April 3, citing undisclosed official sources. https://kyivindependent.com/wsj-macron-privately-pushed-biden-scholz-to-adopt-strategic-ambiguity-toward-russia/

⚡️Defense Ministry creates https://kyivindependent.com/new-position-of-military-ombudsman-created/ new role of military ombudsman.
Ukrainian military personnel will soon have access to a military ombudsman, ensuring they can report violations of their rights, the Defense Ministry announced on April 3.

⚡️ Media: German companies involved in Russian 'reconstruction' https://kyivindependent.com/media-german-companies-help-russia-to/ of occupied Mariupol.
German companies Knauf and WKB Systems GmbH are involved in the so-called restoration efforts of occupied Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast, which was destroyed by Russian troops, according to an investigation published on April 3 by journalists of the Monitor program of the German TV channel ARD. Russia uses Knauf company's cement in construction works, among other things. Knauf currently employs 4,000 people in Russia and generates billions in sales in the Russian market.

⚡️Some villages in occupied Kherson Oblast 'no longer exist,' official says https://kyivindependent.com/some-villages-no-longer-exist-in-occupied-kherson/

⚡️ SBU: Ukraine gathers evidence for ICC on Russian GRU hackers https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-russian-hackers-behind-kyivstar/ behind Kyivstar cyberattack.

⚡️Austria provides https://kyivindependent.com/austria-provides-2-2-million-in-humanitarian-aid/ $2.2 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

⚡️Ukrainian photojournalist wins https://kyivindependent.com/julia-kochetova-wpp/ World Press Photo prize.
Ukrainian photojournalist Julia Kochetova was announced as one of the 2024 World Press Photo Contest winners on April 3 for her multidisciplinary project "War Is Personal."

⚡️Ombudsman: 7 more children returned home https://kyivindependent.com/ombudsman-7-more-children-brought-back-home-from-russian-occupied-territories/ from Russian-occupied territories.

Ex-Supreme Court chief suspended https://kyivindependent.com/ex-supreme-court-chief-suspended-from-administering-justice-until-verdict-or-case-closure/ from administering justice until verdict or case closure.

⚡️ Ex-Presidential Office advisor taken into custody https://kyivindependent.com/former-presidential-office-advisor-taken-into-custody-in-ukrainian-railways-corruption-scandal/ in Ukrainian Railways corruption scandal.

⚡️Poll: Fewer than 50% of Ukrainians believe https://kyivindependent.com/poll-fewer-than-50-of-ukrainians-believe-war-will-end-with-restoration-of-1991-borders/ war will end with restoration of 1991 borders.

Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - APR 4, 2024
■ Fewerstrikes but still above average & strike ratios stay relatively low
■ Fewer combat engagements & lower casualties
■ Equipment losses at 7-day average; include good vehicle & special equipment losses

Ukraine Invasion: Part 48
mids2019 · 04/04/2024 11:24

Quick question....

Where do you think this conflict lies in magnitude to the wars in modern history? It is obviously (currently) a smaller war than the world wars. However if we compare the magnitude of Ukraine v Russia are they comparable?

there are obviously a lot of conflicts occurring in this world at any one time but it is obvious the Ukraine - Russia conflict is in terms of both numbers dead, economical impact and advanced weapon use outstanding?

Where does this conflict sit in terms of the history of warfare.

Igotjelly · 04/04/2024 11:38

mids2019 · 04/04/2024 11:24

Quick question....

Where do you think this conflict lies in magnitude to the wars in modern history? It is obviously (currently) a smaller war than the world wars. However if we compare the magnitude of Ukraine v Russia are they comparable?

there are obviously a lot of conflicts occurring in this world at any one time but it is obvious the Ukraine - Russia conflict is in terms of both numbers dead, economical impact and advanced weapon use outstanding?

Where does this conflict sit in terms of the history of warfare.

I can't speak for the military impact (e.g. weapons use etc.) but geopolitically it has the potential to be absolutely monumental. It's a direct conflict between democracy/freedom and autocracy/oppression. It's also a proxy-conflict between NATO and Russia/allies. In terms of it's ability to change the World I would say it's absolutely as momentous as the World Wars (and frankly many other 'smaller' conflicts). If it wasn't for the risk of nuclear escalation I 100% believe that we would see NATO and Russia in direct military conflict.

MagicFox · 04/04/2024 11:54

mids2019 · 04/04/2024 11:24

Quick question....

Where do you think this conflict lies in magnitude to the wars in modern history? It is obviously (currently) a smaller war than the world wars. However if we compare the magnitude of Ukraine v Russia are they comparable?

there are obviously a lot of conflicts occurring in this world at any one time but it is obvious the Ukraine - Russia conflict is in terms of both numbers dead, economical impact and advanced weapon use outstanding?

Where does this conflict sit in terms of the history of warfare.

I think it's too early to say exactly how but I agree with Jelly about the momentousness - and that will likely increase

OP posts:
MontBlanc1 · 04/04/2024 14:40

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DancesWithDucks · 04/04/2024 14:57

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Brazil has reportedly offered to grant immunity from prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to heads of states who do not recognize its jurisdiction, including Vladimir Putin. The country has submitted this proposal to the International Law Commission in Geneva.

Russia has almost completely reconstituted its armed forces, — representative of the US State Department, Kurt Campbell.
Moscow has sharply increased defense spending from 2022 to 6% of national GDP in its 2024 budget. The increase is part of a larger effort by the Kremlin to put its economy, and the defense industry in particular, under martial law.
Part of Russia's success comes from the support of China, as well as North Korea and Iran. This week, both Campbell and another senior administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity that China has helped Russia get through economic and military setbacks over the past two years.

Kuleba, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asserts that Ukraine requires at least 5-7 additional Patriot systems, noting that Western partners possess over 100 of them.

Two advanced groups of Ukrainian pilots are currently stationed in Denmark and the United States, where they are honing their skills on the F-16 aircraft. Air Force spokesperson Ilia Yevlash revealed during a telethon that another group is undergoing ground training in England, with a focus on language study. Proficiency in English is crucial for operating foreign-made aircraft effectively.

Zelenskyy and the new Prime Minister of Portugal have agreed to initiate work on a security agreement.

Peter Szijjarto, the head of Hungary's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared Hungary's opposition to increasing NATO's coordinating role in supplying arms to Ukraine and providing military training. He stated that Hungary would not participate in planning, operations, or financing related to these activities.

The external power line was disconnected at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant due to Russian shelling, putting the plant on the verge of blackout, — Energoatom.

⚡️ russia, represented by russian security council secretary patrushev, continues to blame Ukraine for the terrorist attack in the Crocus.
💬 Ukraine is allegedly sheltering ISIS terrorists and this is "confirmed in Slovakia". According to the Slovak media, the "terrorist" who came from Ukraine as a refugee was actually a Tajik opposition human rights activist who was repressed in his homeland.
❗️The enemy continues its campaign to discredit Ukraine in the context of the Crocus attack, ignoring the fact that it is russia that has ties to ISIS and that thousands of russians are fighting in the ranks of the organization. [it does? they are?]

Latvia is preparing a new package of military aid for Ukraine: €1 million for drones and €10 million for shells.

Investigators have discovered 285 children from Ukrainian Donbas in the All-Russian database of orphans. These children, taken by occupiers during the large-scale war, were unable to be placed in Russian foster families within the first six months of the conflict and were instead sent to various orphanages, boarding schools, and colleges across Russia.

Over the course of the full-scale war, World Health Organization has recorded more than 1,600 attacks on Ukraine's healthcare system. The shelling resulted in 128 killed and 288 injured medical staff and patients.

Kharkiv. A young firefighter cries at the site of a night attack minutes after Russian terrorists killed his father, a 52-year-old rescuer. https://t.me/United24media/20450

UNITED24Media

Kharkiv. A young firefighter cries at the site of a night attack minutes after Russian terrorists killed his father, a 52-year-old rescuer. Vladyslav Loginov devoted his life to working in the fire service. His son, Volodymyr, followed his father's ex...

https://t.me/United24media/20450

DancesWithDucks · 04/04/2024 15:06

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇸🇺🇦 The U.S. House of Representatives will not consider https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-03/us-house-s-ukraine-war-aid-vote-is-likely-weeks-or-more-away** aid to Ukraine until mid-April, as Speaker Mike Johnson is still looking for ways to soften Republican opposition.
This is about $61 billion in support, which has been considered since October 2023.

Rostov on Don, Russia
One of Russia's hubs for the multibillion-dollar theft of Ukraine's grain industry has exploded.

🇩🇪 During NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, Germany initiated search for affordable Patriot air defense systems for Kyiv, Foreign Minister Kuleba says

🇪🇪Estonian President Alar Karis said that Western countries should not impose restrictions on the aid they provide to Ukraine

Russian oil companies struggle to repair refineries due to Western sanctions; problems exacerbated by Ukrainian drone attacks - Reuters.
According to the agency's estimates https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-sanctions-hamper-russian-efforts-repair-refineries-sources-say-2024-04-04/ these attacks forced Russian refineries to close about 14% of their capacity in the first quarter.

A Russian agent who coordinated a missile attack on a cafe in Kramatorsk was sentenced to life in prison
The attack on Kramatorsk took place on June 27, 2023. The attack was coordinated by a resident who was recruited by Russian intelligence before the full-scale invasion.
Then, as a result of a targeted missile strike on a cafe, 13 residents were killed, including 3 children. Another 64 people were injured.

To rebuild Ukraine, we already need an amount that is three times the GDP of Ukraine
And this is based on incomplete and conservative estimates.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 48
DancesWithDucks · 04/04/2024 15:11

Russia has almost completely reconstituted its armed forces, — representative of the US State Department, Kurt Campbell...... This week, both Campbell and another senior administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity that China has helped Russia get through economic and military setbacks over the past two years.

Grrrrr.

MontBlanc1 · 04/04/2024 16:19

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AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 04/04/2024 20:13

Have they, though? When troops have to be threatened with death by their own side if they don't advance into a position where they are almost certain to be killed by their enemy, that doesn't seem much like the will to win to me.

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