Ukraine Invasion: Part 52

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 52. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has aligned with other leaders in advocating for NATO countries to increase their defense spending beyond the current 2% target.

The Wall Street Journal reports that, due to the looming threat of an attack on Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, the staff at Kurakhove TPP dismantled the plant over several months to use its components for repairing other damaged power plants in the DTEK energy holding. Initially, the plant was kept operational despite continuous shelling. However, in the spring, when the bridge transporting coal to the facility was destroyed, the decision was made to deconstruct the station.
The spare parts from Kurakhove TPP enabled the restoration of over 60% of the energy capacity lost due to Russian airstrikes in the spring. This is a significant recovery, considering generation had dropped to just 10% at its lowest point. DTEK's efforts to source parts from countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece often stalled or took too long to materialize.

A Russian court has arrested Ben Mahfoud, an ICC judge, in absentia. Mahfoud was involved in issuing an arrest warrant for Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. Russia has charged him under Part 2 of Article 301 of the Russian Criminal Code for illegal detention, a crime that carries a potential penalty of up to four years in prison.

Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer, and the SAR satellite company ICEYE, which began collaborating to assist Ukraine in September, have reported initial successes, as highlighted by Rheinmetall’s press service.
To meet Ukraine’s demand for SAR satellite imaging, Rheinmetall and Ukraine signed a contract backed by the German government. This agreement extends the SAR data and support Ukraine has received from ICEYE throughout the conflict.
Since early October, Ukraine has been receiving new satellite images from ICEYE’s SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites under this collaboration. These images complement other intelligence data and aid the Armed Forces in decision-making and operational planning. The agreement grants access to the entire ICEYE satellite fleet.
SAR satellites offer significant advantages over conventional ones, producing high-resolution images regardless of weather or time of day. They can capture detailed imagery, allowing identification of even small objects on the ground, providing armed forces with a critical edge in surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, and battlefield positioning.
Rheinmetall, headquartered in Düsseldorf, had announced its participation in the world’s largest radar reconnaissance satellite fleet in June 2024. The company has also secured exclusive rights to sell SAR satellites to military and government clients in Germany and Hungary.

Ukrainian manufacturers have successfully developed UAVs with capabilities comparable to Mavic drones, as reported by the Ministry of Strategic Industry.
Six teams have completed flight missions, achieving a 10 km flight at altitudes exceeding 250 meters and conducting target searches. Currently, eight models are being produced, with two already codified and the others at various stages of development.

The “Parody” UAV is a decoy drone used extensively by Russian forces in air attacks. Unlike the Shahed-136/Geranium-2 drones, these UAVs do not carry a combat payload and are smaller and more cost-effective. Equipped with a Lüneberg lens, the “Parody” can simulate the radar signature of more formidable drones, deceiving air defenses.

The bodies of three children were found from under the rubble of a house in Kryvyi Rih. The house was destroyed during the Russian attack.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️Putin wants to reclaim the Kursk region by Trump’s inauguration on January 20, The Telegraph reports (www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/11/putin-kursk-assault-ukraine-trump-north-korea/), citing British intelligence sources
The publication claims that Russia has already regained control of about half of the territory in the Kursk region previously captured by Ukrainian forces, and that the Russian troop presence in the area now numbers around 50,000 soldiers.

A Russian Shahed drone hit a high-rise building in Belgorod because it “went off course,” according to Russian media.
This incident occurred on November 5.

🇺🇦🇩🇰 Ukraine has signed agreements with Denmark for €535 million to purchase weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukrainian manufacturers, funded by Danish financial support, will supply the Armed Forces with self-propelled artillery systems, strike drones, anti-tank weapons, and missile systems.
Funding sources include the governments of Denmark and Sweden, as well as interest from frozen Russian assets.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russians Train Foreign Mercenaries in Crimea to Use Children as Human Shields
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/42067

In an interview last week with NPR, incoming National Security Advisor Mike Walz offers a dual strategy of finally allowing Ukraine long range strikes coupled with starving the Russian war machine by actually enforcing sanctions and increasing the US output of US petroleum products.
This is music to the ears of many in Kyiv today.

Video of Russia's destruction of Ukraine's Kurakhivska dam with a guided bomb has been published
The water level in the Vovcha River has already risen by approximately 1.2 meters. Several towns are at risk of flooding, people being currently being evacuated.
https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/26566

France Urges Patience on Trump’s Ukraine Policy as EU Leaders Voice Concerns
www.kyivpost.com/post/42041

One of the few Russian economic data points they haven't yet stopped publishing is mortgage issuance.
But looking at these numbers, we can expect this too may also soon be hidden.
Russian mortgage issuance down -52% from a year ago.
Octobers highlighted for comparison.

North Korean Troops in Ukraine: Will They Change the War?
Chuck Pfarrer offers key insights on North Korea’s entry into the Russo-Ukrainian War.

In a nutshell, @DucklingSwimmingInstructress , Welby covered up for the most prolific and horrific child abuser in the CofE, who was moved to Africa where he was able to go on and abuse loads more boys. The accounts are just eye-wateringly horrible. This has all come to light in the last few days due to (I believe) the publication of a report. And he is refusing to resign! Despite calls for him to do so from all over, including within the church itself. He doesn’t seem to think he’s done anything wrong. The bloke has since died of course so got away with it to the end with almost no repercussions (although being challenged on camera in the wild by Kathy Newman for Channel 4 news looks like it was a shock to him, he couldn't think what to say).
He beat children and young adult boys until they bled profusely (probably more than this I can't bear much of it either). He was a sadist and tyrant basically in the name of religion. Sickening.

And Welby seemed like he had integrity.

Ugh. Just ugh.

Yes I confess I thought he was one of the ones worth listening to. I really think the whole edifice of male power needs to go, no exceptions.
Power corrupts. Well it definitely corrupts men. We don't know if it corrupts women because women have never truly had power. Individual women have had power within patriarchal structures, but that's not the same thing.
I know none of this is a new view or argument, I've been a feminist for 55 years! I'm just feeling refreshed horror this morning.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-11-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces are successfully leveraging their recent seizure of Vuhledar to make tactically significant gains south of Kurakhove in support of ongoing Russian offensive operations that aim to level the frontline and eliminate the Ukrainian salient in western Donetsk Oblast.
• ISW is revising its previous assessment that Russian forces would not likely be able to take advantage of the seizure of Vuhledar for further offensive operations in western Donetsk Oblast. That assessment was incorrect.
• Russian forces reportedly continue to advance in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and Russian advances northwest of Vuhledar and south of Velyka Novosilka may begin to pressure Ukrainian positions in Velyka Novosilka.
• Russian forces have advanced in western Donetsk Oblast at a moderate tempo, but Russian forces remain highly unlikely to be able to conduct rapid mechanized maneuver that could successfully encircle Ukrainian forces.
• Ukrainian and Russian sources stated on November 11 that damage to a dam of the Kurakhivske Reservoir is causing limited flooding in nearby settlements.
• Ukrainian and Russian sources disagreed about who was responsible for damaging the dam, but Russian forces reportedly struck the dam in September 2024.
• Russian forces may have struck the dam in order to cause significant, long-lasting flooding west of Kurakhivske Reservoir that could facilitate Russian efforts to envelop Ukrainian forces north and south of Kurakhove.
• Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied on November 11 reports of a recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast. Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Kreminna and Kurakhove.
• Russian regional governments continue to commit large portions of their social budgets towards payments to Russian veterans, likely as part of ongoing efforts to incentivize Russian military service.

Welby has resigned. One down.

So apparently Truss has written in her book that they were so sure in Oct 22 that Putin would use a nuke that she spent hours monitoring satellite and weather data to determine what the fallout would be like for the UK.

I get the sense that woman would say anything to be relevant and I take whatever she says with a huge dose of salt, though does explain why her economics were so shit if she was hidden away in her bunker reading the nuclear tea leaves…..

Looks like Trump has named Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defence, not someone I'm massively familiar with but I get the impression lacks any sort of strategic direction and experience.

In fact hang on isn't he a Fox TV presenter........

Yep he is but TBF if you look at his CV (on wiki so caveat emptor etc) he does appear he was/is a member of the National Guard and has seen service in some interesting hot and sandy places…

Many who have served in an equivalent role in recent years in other governments, certainly the UK one, have had much less time in green/blue…UK side Ben Wallace was a bit of an outlier…more typical here are the likes of Grant Shapps or Gavin Williamson.

Yes it does seem he has at least served so that’s something.

In other news he doesn’t wash his hands as he doesn’t believe in germs 🤢

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-12-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces recently advanced during two company-sized mechanized assaults within and south of Kurakhove in western Donetsk Oblast.
• Geolocated footage confirms reports that an explosion damaged the Ternivska Dam at the Kurakhivske Reservoir on November 11.
• Recent Western and Ukrainian estimates about the size of the Russian force grouping in Kursk Oblast do not represent a significant inflection, as Russian forces have spent several months gathering forces for a future counteroffensive effort to expel Ukrainian forces from Russian territory.
• Ukrainian military officials warned that Russian forces may intensify assaults in Zaporizhia Oblast in the near future.
• Select Russian defense officials appear to be contradicting Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent assertion that Russia is not interested in forming a unified security bloc against the West.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Kurakhove and in Kursk Oblast.
• The Russian military reportedly continues to coerce conscripts into signing Russian military service contracts, likely as part of ongoing crypto-mobilization efforts.

he ... what?

Doesn't believe in germs?

Fox host says he 'hasn't washed hands in 10 years' - BBC News - you couldn't make it up!

Another frighteningly clear-eyed interview with Keir Giles focused on the need for Europe to step up, the stepping back of America, and the short sightedness of EVERYBODY: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-is-not-a-drill-with-gavin-esler/id1593634121?i=1000676645852

🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm about to listen to this podcast which should give us some sense of the new security team: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pod-save-the-world/id1200016351?i=1000676770202

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Russia deploys (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-deploys-trained-assault-groups-to-positions-in-southern-zaporizhzhia-oblast-military-says/) trained assault groups to frontline positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, told the news outlet Suspilne on Nov. 12.

⚡️Trump names (kyivindependent.com/trump-names-fox-news-host-and-veteran-pete-hegseth-as-incoming-defense-secretary/) Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth as incoming US Defense Secretary.
Hegseth previously served as an infantry captain in the Army National Guard doing multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. If confirmed by congress, Hegseth will replace current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Nov. 12 he had chosen Michael Waltz as his national security advisor. https://kyivindependent.com/trump-confirms-nomination-of-waltz-as-national-security-advisor/
Waltz's views on Ukraine have evolved. In 2022 he called on U.S. President Joe Biden's administration to provide more weapons to Kyiv.
However, in October 2024 Waltz said that there must be a reassessment of the United States’ aims in Ukraine. “Is (involvement in Ukraine) in America’s interest, are we going to put in the time, the treasure, the resources that we need in the Pacific right now badly?” Waltz asked.

⚡️ Blinken meets (https://kyivindependent.com/blinken-meets-rutte/) NATO's Rutte, pledges to 'shore up' Ukraine support before Trump transition.

⚡️ Trump picks Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead new government efficiency body (https://kyivindependent.com/musk-ramaswamy/).

⚡️ Trump's plan for Russia's war in Ukraine needs to be taken seriously (kyivindependent.com/trumps-plan-for-russias-war-in-ukraine-needs-to-be-taken-seriously-finnish-president-says/), Finnish president says.
After a call with Donald Trump on Nov. 11, Alexander Stubb said his intentions after taking office in January 2025 are clear.

Orban's hold on Hungary weakens as opposition unites behind unlikely challenger (kyivindependent.com/orbans-hold-on-hungary-weakens-as-opposition-unites-behind-unlikely-challenger/)
Orban's standing at home, practically unchallenged since 2010, has for quite some time allowed the prime minister to dictate his will to Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, with mixed success.
Yet, Orban's grip on Hungary looks weaker than ever, with a formidable challenger, Peter Magyar, set to pose a threat come election time in April 2026.

⚡️Lavrov to lead (https://kyivindependent.com/lavrov-to-lead-russian-delegation-to-g20-summit-instead-of-putin-in-light-of-his-possible-arrest-in-brazil/) Russian delegation to G20 summit instead of Putin in light of his possible arrest in Brazil.

⚡️ US says North Korean troops join combat (kyivindependent.com/us-says-north-korean-troops-join-combat-alongside-russia/) alongside Russia.
North Korea has dispatched 10,000 troops to Russia, with most of them deployed in the western Kursk Oblast and taking part in combat, a Pentagon spokesperson said during a press briefing on Nov. 12.
"Russian forces have trained the (North Korean) soldiers in artillery, in UAV and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for front-line operations," spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

⚡️UK may deploy (kyivindependent.com/uk-may-deploy-forces-to-ukraine-if-future-us-aid-declines-former-uk-pm-boris-johnson-warns/) forces to Ukraine if future US aid declines, former UK PM Boris Johnson warns.

The U.S. has delivered 83% of munitions, 67% of critical air defenses, and 60% of firepower capabilities committed to Ukraine under defense packages between April and mid-October, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder said on Nov. 12. https://kyivindependent.com/us-has-delivered-83-of-munitions-committed-to-ukraine-since-april-pentagon-says/

⚡️Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-budget-for-2025-includes-1-3-billion-for-weapons-production/), minister says.

⚡️ Ukraine receives $1.35 billion (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-receives-1-35-billion-us-grant-for-humanitarian-social-programs/) US grant for humanitarian, social programs.

⚡️Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project has cut (kyivindependent.com/russias-arctic-lng-2-project-has-cut-gas-production-to-almost-zero-bloomberg-reports/) gas production to almost zero, Bloomberg reports.

⚡️ Ukrainian drone strikes oil depot (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-strikes-oil-depot-in-russias-belgorod-region-local-official-claims/) in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, local official claims.

⚡️Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts (kyivindependent.com/1st-ukrainian-legions-volunteers-in-poland-sign-contracts-with-ukrainian-armed-forces/) with Armed Forces.
The first Ukrainian citizens have signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported on Nov. 12

⚡️Moldova protests (kyivindependent.com/moldova-voices-protest-to-russia-over-election-interference-downing-of-russian-drones/) to Moscow over election interference, downing of Russian drones.

⚡️ Russian navy officer allegedly killed in car bombing (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-navy-officer-allegedly-killed-in-car-bombing-in-sevastopol/) in occupied Sevastopol.
The car bombing that killed Russian Navy officer Valery Trankovsky in occupied Sevastopol on Nov. 13 was an operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent

⚡️ Russian state TV airs explicit photos of Melania Trump (kyivindependent.com/russian-state-tv-airs-explicit-photos-of-melania-trump-during-bizarre-us-election-segment/) as they congratulate her husband on election victory.

The car bombing that killed Russian Navy officer Valery Trankovsky in occupied Sevastopol on Nov. 13 was an operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪ NOV 13, 2024
■ Record 7-day casualties (2nd highest daily ones), 5th highest landbased equipment losses
■ Weekly APV losses at their highest for 2024; tank & artillery losses well above average
■ Most 🇺🇦 strikes in close to a month

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The EU is planning to boost its defense and security expenditures by billions of euros, as reported by the Financial Times. The 2021-2027 EU budget, which allocates €392 billion aimed at reducing economic disparities, has seen less than 5% of this funding utilized in recent years.
Journalists indicate that in the coming weeks, EU member states will be permitted to use funds from this budget to bolster the defense sector, marking a significant shift in how these resources can be applied to support security and military initiatives.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that President Joe Biden's administration will provide military assistance to Ukraine at a level that will enable the Armed Forces to sustain combat operations through 2025. This announcement followed Blinken's meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, as reported by Reuters.

Russia is deploying increasing numbers of infantry units into battle, disregarding the casualties. Daily reports of killed and wounded exceed 1,000 soldiers. united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russias-personnel-losses-are-at-their-highest-since-2022-with-700000-killed-and-wounded-3654
UNITED24 Media (united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russias-personnel-losses-are-at-their-highest-since-2022-with-700000-killed-and-wounded-3654)

Donald Trump confirmed statements made by Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating that reports from The Washington Post about a conversation between Trump and Putin were inaccurate.

France has announced it will send six Mirage 2000-5F multipurpose fighters to Ukraine at the start of 2025, doubling the initial plan of three fighters. Additionally, by the end of 2024, France is set to deliver a total of 600 AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) precision-guided bombs to Ukraine. To support this, the French Ministry of Defense will boost production with a target of manufacturing 1,200 AASM bombs by 2025, ensuring Ukraine’s munitions supplies are maintained and replenished.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had a phone conversation with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, focusing on the current state of the war with Russia.

Poland's Chief of the General Staff, Wieslaw Kukula, has called for preparations for a potential conflict with Russia, according to Rzeczpospolita. He emphasized that the threat is genuine, stating, "Whether and when the war will actually break out, in a certain sense, depends on us. An attack on a country that is well prepared for defense and whose society will resist is a huge risk."

Russia has conducted its first combined missile and drone strike on Kyiv in 73 days, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. The attack, which lasted over two hours, involved air-launched cruise missiles, ballistic missiles (such as the KN-23, KN-24, and Iskander-M), and various types of drones, including Shahed/Geran models.

Norway's opposition Conservative Party has proposed a significant increase in aid to Ukraine for 2025, suggesting a rise from NOK 15 billion to NOK 45 billion. This proposal aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities amid the ongoing war.

A video showing the explosion of the Ternovska dam at the Kurakhove Reservoir has surfaced. https://t.me/United24media/26688

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, has declared that if he becomes chancellor, he will issue an ultimatum concerning Ukraine. Merz stated he would demand that Vladimir Putin end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. If this demand is not met, Germany would begin supplying Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles and permit their use for strikes on Russian territory.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️A ceasefire and the lifting of martial law in Ukraine could be announced as (www.economist.com/europe/2024/11/12/volodymyr-zelensky-faces-a-power-struggle-in-2025) early as January 20, 2025, according to The Economist.
The publication also reports that May 25, 2025, is the earliest date for elections in Ukraine currently being discussed among Ukrainian politicians.
Sources indicate that regional campaign offices have already started working on candidate lists.

Marco Rubio is set to become the U.S. Secretary of State, according to American media. Here’s what he says about Ukraine.
In recent interviews, Rubio has said that Ukraine should come to the negotiation table with Russia rather than focus on reclaiming all territories occupied by Russia. He emphasized that “the conflict has reached a deadlock” and “needs to be brought to an end.”
“I’m not on Russia’s side, but unfortunately, the reality is that the war in Ukraine will end through negotiations,” Rubio said in September.

He was also one of 15 Republican senators who voted against the $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

🇲🇩In Moldova, another Russian drone has been found—this is the third drone discovered in the country over the past three days.

Last night, Defense Forces struck a Russian fuel and lubricants depot in the Belgorod region, according to the General Staff.
The targeted depot, “Oskolneftesnab,” is located near the city of Stary Oskol. The results of the operation are still being clarified, but preliminary reports indicate a fire has broken out at the site.

[more info] In Sevastopol, the head of the missile ship headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Valery Trankovsky, was eliminated
Today’s explosion of the car belonging to the head of the 41st Brigade of Missile Ships and Boats of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Valery Trankovsky, was a successful special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). As a result of the explosion, the Russian captain lost his legs and died from blood loss.
Trankovsky was a war criminal who issued orders to launch cruise missiles from the Black Sea targeting civilian sites in Ukraine. Notably, he was responsible for the “Kalibr” missile strike on Vinnytsia in July 2022, which killed 29 civilians. He also repeatedly targeted Odesa and other peaceful cities, causing numerous civilian casualties. According to the laws and customs of war, he was an entirely lawful target.

National Guardsman Jack Teixeira has been sentenced (www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-leaker-teixeira-faces-sentencing-us-seeks-17-year-prison-term-2024-11-12/) to 15 years in prison for leaking classified Pentagon data.
Teixeira served on a U.S. military base, where he was responsible for cybersecurity in transportation systems. He shared intelligence on the war in Ukraine in a Discord chat, leaking Pentagon documents to an audience of 20–30 people. He was arrested in April 2023 and subsequently charged with the intentional retention and transmission of classified national defense information.
Prosecutors stated that Teixeira committed one of the most significant violations of U.S. espionage laws in history. In court, he again pleaded guilty and apologized.

The speech of Russian politician Yulia Navalnaya at the Web Summit was interrupted when protesters took the stage with the slogan “Stop Russia. Stop the war!”

Russian TV is delivering nice news from the Kursk zone claiming that Ukrainian forces have been knocked out of the village of Glushkovo.
The problem is, Ukrainian forces never entered it in the first place.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Adding to the chorus of Russia's top business leaders warning of imminent economic catastrophy, Russia's largest auto manufacturer, AutoVAZ, faces potential bankruptcy without a government bailout, according to Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov.
A day after the Russian government announces its laying off at least 10% of its employees, Russia's most popular car company, the maker of the famed marvel of ingenuity known as the "Lada" signals that it will soon need a government bailout or face bankruptcy.
The Rostec head warns that the company may soon have to allocate all earnings to cover interest payments, pushing it into financial loss.

Overnight, Russia launched 96 aerial targets at Ukraine:
• 2 S-300 surface-to-air guided missiles aimed at Sumy region,
• 2 Kh-101 cruise missiles,
• 2 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles,
• 90 Shahed drones and UAVs of an unidentified type.
Of these, 2 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 2 ballistic missiles, and 37 UAVs were shot down.
47 UAVs are currently unaccounted for, and two are still airborne.

More than ten explosions [were yesterday] reported in Simferopol, Russian-occupied Crimea, reportedly occurring near a gas station.

Previously hidden events within the Biden Administration have come to light, showing catastrophic policies of weakness and naivety at every stage in Russia's invasion, guided only by "fear of Putin"
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/42038

As decaying Russian infrastructure continues to collapse all over the country, the city of Ekaterinburg gets a kilometer long river of boiling water, scalding residents as rusted underground pipes from the Soviet era explode in several locations. t.me/Kyivpost_official/26592

There's been 3 big bits of bad economic data in the last few days; mortgages dropping, the largest auto company potentially facing bankruptcy and there was one other. The Russian economy is struggling.

His credentials as a soldier are first rate. He earned two bronze stars. He also has a master's degree in public policy from Harvard, so he's no dummy.

I think his biggest challenge is going to be running the massive bureaucracy at the DoD. Active duty personnel and civilian employees total about three million people, and then there are the contractors to manage. We'll see. He's going to need a very good XO.

Presumably, his hands get washed when he showers. 😁