For Those Who Might Be Wondering Why We Might Be In Ukraine

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ukraine’s legendary Azov Brigade now has an International Battalion!

Volunteers from the US, UK, Germany, Norway, and beyond are joining and now fighting shoulder to shoulder in Ukraine’s most elite fighting force.

If you still don’t know; Who is Azov?

• The 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov is one of the most elite fighting units in Ukraine.
• They’ve been battling Russia since 2014.
• They held Mariupol against all odds.

And now they’re opening their ranks to internationals. Azov isn’t for everyone. It’s not just a job.

• It’s a brotherhood forged in the crucible of the world’s bloodiest war since WWII.
• It’s a lifestyle of discipline, sacrifice, loyalty and complete defiance in the face of tyranny.

How Azov stands apart:
• 10 years of combat
• Commanders who’ve fought as soldiers
• Modern warfare experts: drones, KAB bombs, Verdun-level trench hell
• Relentless self-mastery
• You’re not taking a job. You’re joining a legacy, a unity, a brotherhood.

Azov didn’t just fight for Mariupol. They created history. While encircled by a 100km frontline, outnumbered & bombed by land, sea, & air, they fought on. With no food, no resupply. They held. The world watched, and their heroism is today a statement of Ukrainian bravery, tenacity, military skill and courage. Today, Azov Corps is fighting in the hellish forests of Donbas, and not only holding the line, but pushing it forward.

The International Battalion is now part of something bigger. Azov’s 12th Brigade has become the backbone of the newly formed First Corps Azov: an elite force made up of Ukraine’s deadliest units. Five brigades of Ukraine's most effective combat units, now operate together as part of a new formation:
• 1st Presidential Operational Brigade Bureviy
• 12th Special Purpose Brigade Azov
• 14th Op. Brigade Chervona Kalyna
• 15th Op. Brigade Kara-Dag
• 20th Op. Brigade Lybart

The international battalion; “we offer modern weapons, quality training, planning & execution in teams of highly motivated military professionals. What we ask of recruits is: will to serve the Ukrainian people & be part of one of the top units of the Ukrainian Army”

• Joining is certainly one way for the international community to help support Ukraine. But understandably that’s not an option for just anyone.
• However, an equally important way is to help support this new battalion get the equipment, drones, med kits, and supplies they need.
• If you can’t fight — please help support those who do.
  • Donate.
  • Share & boost post,
  • Help the fundraisers.
• Because Ukraine’s defenders never asked for this war — but they are determined to win it. And together we can help them achieve just that!

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

US to send refurbished Patriot air defense system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT reports​

A Patriot air defense system based in Israel will be transferred to Ukraine after refurbishment, the New York Times reported on May 4, citing four unnamed current and former U.S. officials. According to the publication, Western allies are also discussing the logistics of supplying additional systems from Germany or Greece as Russia escalates its attacks across Ukraine. The sources declined to go into detail about U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on the decision or clarify whether the move was initiated before he took office, during former President Joe Biden's administration. The move comes amid a sharp increase in Russian strikes that have caused numerous casualties in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv.

https://kyivindependent.com/us-to-reportedly-send-refurbished-patriot-system-from-israel-to-ukraine/

 

[Rightguide]

It appears the Russians are attempting to seize three islands at the mouth of the Dnieper River and are positioning forces along the Dnieper Estuary on the Crimean Peninsula. There seems to be one clear objective, establishing a foothold in the Odessa Oblast with the intent to capture the city of Odessa. This aligns with Putin’s publicly stated goal of "liberating" Russian-speaking populations from Ukrainian governance. Just sayin'.

 

[Politruk]

It appears the Russians are attempting to seize three islands at the mouth of the Dnieper River and are positioning forces along the Dnieper Estuary on the Crimean Peninsula. There seems to be one clear objective, establishing a foothold in the Odessa Oblast with the intent to capture the city of Odessa. This aligns with Putin’s publicly stated goal of "liberating" Russian-speaking populations from Ukrainian governance. Just sayin'.

Odessa is no Russian city.

 

[Rightguide]

Odessa is no Russian city.

It is a Russian speaking city.

 

[Politruk]

It is a Russian speaking city.

Not demographically. It's Ukrainian-majority.

 

[ChloeTzang]

It is a Russian speaking city.

Not anymore.

And as for those islands....they're a contact zone

The battle for control over the islands in the Dnipro River continues to escalate, with daily clashes reported, according to Andrii Chernyak, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. Speaking to RFE/RL’s Krym.Realii project, Andrii Chernyak emphasized the islands' critical role in shaping the broader frontline dynamics, particularly in the Kherson region. "The situation on the islands remains extremely tense," Andrii Chernyak stated. "Controlling this area requires specially trained, highly equipped personnel. Whoever maintains control over the Dnipro islands gains a significant tactical advantage over either riverbank."

The islands, located in the delta of the Dnipro River, sit in a precarious position between the right and left banks of the Kherson region. This area has effectively been considered a gray zone, where neither side has achieved full control. Previously, russian forces have made repeated attempts to seize these islands, aiming to use them as a staging ground to strengthen their positions on the right (western) bank of the river.
Despite the intensity of the assaults, Ukrainian forces have demonstrated resilience. Andrii Chernyak noted that Ukrainian troops are "firmly holding their ground" and are effective in shutting down russian attempts to reclaim any significant territory. The fighting for the islands reflects a broader pattern of operations along the Dnipro. Control over river crossings and adjacent territories has been a key element in both defensive and offensive strategies since the full-scale russian invasion began. With the Dnipro serving as a natural barrier, any side able to dominate these islands can threaten supply routes, launch attacks across the river, and disrupt enemy logistics.

https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/..._islands_in_the_dnipro_river_delta-14336.html

https://censor.net/en/news/3548752/...bridgehead-on-the-islands-on-the-dnipro-river

And if you want the Russian view.....

https://news-pravda.com/world/2025/04/21/1254419.html

 

[ChloeTzang]

We’re being swatted like flies” — 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿

One of Russia’s most prominent war reporters, Alexander Sladkov, has just published a brutally honest reflection on the state of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine.

His words echo not propaganda — but strategic disillusionment.

• “We’re being beaten… I feel sorry for us.”
• “The navy doesn’t even know where to hide.”
• “We’re being hit by boats with BEC drones, UAVs, even from space…”
• “Strike or be struck.”

Tactical paralysis | Strategic dead ends. Sladkov paints a picture of a military overwhelmed by Ukrainian innovation and Russian confusion:

• The “Black Sea Fleet” hides in fear
• The air force is outdated and irrelevant
• Russia’s military-industrial base can’t keep up with drone warfare
• Commanders are trapped in the logic of “keep striking” — with no outcome in sight
• “We must let the war think for us” — a confession of strategic bankruptcy

Sladkov denounces the Kremlin's framing of the war as a swamp of false logic:

• “Strike those who think differently… sentence them to traitors? There’s no end to that.”
• “So let the war think instead. Maybe it will wash away all doubts.”

Why it matters:
When Moscow’s own propagandists abandon the narrative, it’s a signal. Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare — especially its naval and drone strikes — isn’t just inflicting damage. It’s collapsing Russian morale from the inside. This is not just about frontlines — it’s about mindset. Once that breaks, no number of missiles will fix it.

The tipping point to the collapse of Russian military forces and collapse of Russian state power is getting closer every day. Ukraine will cut through the Russian defenses somewhere in the middle this summer. Or effectively by a massive number of drone strikes, cut off the logistics routes. Crimea will not hold much longer after that and it will turn into all out chaotic retreat.

 

[ChloeTzang]

A Ukrainian viewpoint

 

[Lazaran]

We’re being swatted like flies” — 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿

One of Russia’s most prominent war reporters, Alexander Sladkov, has just published a brutally honest reflection on the state of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine.

His words echo not propaganda — but strategic disillusionment.

• “We’re being beaten… I feel sorry for us.”
• “The navy doesn’t even know where to hide.”
• “We’re being hit by boats with BEC drones, UAVs, even from space…”
• “Strike or be struck.”

Tactical paralysis | Strategic dead ends. Sladkov paints a picture of a military overwhelmed by Ukrainian innovation and Russian confusion:

• The “Black Sea Fleet” hides in fear
• The air force is outdated and irrelevant
• Russia’s military-industrial base can’t keep up with drone warfare
• Commanders are trapped in the logic of “keep striking” — with no outcome in sight
• “We must let the war think for us” — a confession of strategic bankruptcy

Sladkov denounces the Kremlin's framing of the war as a swamp of false logic:

• “Strike those who think differently… sentence them to traitors? There’s no end to that.”
• “So let the war think instead. Maybe it will wash away all doubts.”

Why it matters:
When Moscow’s own propagandists abandon the narrative, it’s a signal. Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare — especially its naval and drone strikes — isn’t just inflicting damage. It’s collapsing Russian morale from the inside. This is not just about frontlines — it’s about mindset. Once that breaks, no number of missiles will fix it.

The tipping point to the collapse of Russian military forces and collapse of Russian state power is getting closer every day. Ukraine will cut through the Russian defenses somewhere in the middle this summer. Or effectively by a massive number of drone strikes, cut off the logistics routes. Crimea will not hold much longer after that and it will turn into all out chaotic retreat.

Ultimately:

• Russia MAY (not guaranteed) consolidate their gains of territory and natural resources.

• Russia HAS killed or crippled a yuuuuuge number of their own young men who could have threatened the established oligarchical, authoritarian Russian Kakistocracy.

• The war DID spike the price of oil & inflation for a time, which helped elect DonOld and other authoritarian types, to the benefit of Russia.

• The war was the pretext for the creation of a new axis of evil (Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China - and the U.S.???)

• The war HAS created divisions in NATO, despite President Biden’s magnificent efforts to expand & strengthen the coalition. (I believe President Biden expanded & strengthened NATO enough that it can withstand traitor Trump’s efforts to undermine Ukraine AND NATO.

JMTCW.





Slava Ukraini!!!





Also:

We. Told. Them. So.

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

One of the Russian military trains currently being transferred to the front was spotted carrying up to 70 units of T-62MV and T-62M tanks. These were produced between 1961 and 1975. Apparently they're even low on these now, but essentially, these are scrap metal on tracks — and the crews operating these machines are most likely doomed, heading on a one-way trip.

And it turns out this was from 2022 - Russia spent a lot of money and energy to refurbish those old tanks, which are now history, and in pieces scattered across Ukraine along with their crews.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1919405335145550270

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[Politruk]

One of the Russian military trains currently being transferred to the front was spotted carrying up to 70 units of T-62MV and T-62M tanks. These were produced between 1961 and 1975. Apparently they're even low on these now, but essentially, these are scrap metal on tracks — and the crews operating these machines are most likely doomed, heading on a one-way trip.

Even WWII tanks would be pretty deadly, if you could get them to run.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Even WWII tanks would be pretty deadly, if you could get them to run.

Oh yeah, if you'reup against infantry with no anti-tank weapons.

Russia are doing the same thing Ukraine is now and generally useing them as direct fire artillery

 

[Politruk]

Oh yeah, if you'reup against infantry with no anti-tank weapons.

Are more recently made tanks proof against those?

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

Are more recently made tanks proof against those?

LOL. Nope. Javelins. Drones....the T90 goes down to them all.....

 

[ChloeTzang]

A little post on Ukrainian artillery

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ending the war with Ukraine could spell disaster for the Kremlin.

Putin has driven the country into a dead end: his war goals remain unachieved, the economy survives solely on militarization. Hundreds of thousands of russians make their living off the front — from factories to trenches. Economists warn: without the defense sector, russia is already in a recession. Everything is collapsing — only the military-industrial complex is holding up. But the Kremlin’s biggest fear is the “heroes of the special military operation.” Tens of thousands of wounded, brutalized men, accustomed to easy money will return to impoverished regions with no jobs and no prospects. A surge in violence and crime is expected. Experts are already comparing this looming wave to the return of Afghan and Chechen war veterans in the 1990s. So Putin will fight as long as he can. He only pretends to want "peace" with Ukraine. Because peace means the end — not just of the regime, but of the lies it’s built on.

Also, there's the grift of the war. The Russian Army officers in the right places are raking in their cut. They don't want to stop either and they simply do not care how many soldiers die. Russia is a dog-eat-dog excuse for a country. As for Putin, the man literally came to power by killing Russians and blaming Chechen militants. His entire career depends on him waging wars against perceived enemies. This is hardly a "controversial suspicion".

Putin is acutely aware of what lies ahead. The ongoing conflict has been the sole factor keeping the Russian economy afloat. Without it, the nation’s defense industry could collapse, triggering a recession, a surge in crime, and a burst of social unrest within the Kremlin’s walls. Ceasing hostilities with Ukraine might herald not peace, but the fragmentation of Russia. The economy faces a downturn, millions of disgruntled war veterans would return home, and the war machine that the Kremlin has sustained for years would demand even more resources. Peace could spell disaster for a regime ensnared by its own reckless adventures.

According to an analysis by German outlet Bild, ending military actions could unleash profound internal challenges for Russia. The nation’s economy has become increasingly dependent on military expenditure, with hundreds of thousands of Russians deriving their incomes from the war effort. Ending the conflict might trigger an economic downturn and social upheaval. The signs of a weakening Russian economy are evident. Beyond the defense industry, there’s a marked decline in the production of food, coal, construction materials, metal products, and machinery. The defense sector, fueled by government investment, obscures the actual economic downturn. Yet in sectors like food, coal, and machinery, production is faltering. Only the military industry masks the decline.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Must be getting close to May 9th. Russian Army getting desperate to have something tangible for Putin so the kill #'s are climbing again

 

[ChloeTzang]

Another use for all those old Leopard 1's - fit them with a Rheinmetall Skyranger 35 - 35mm AA turret mounted on a Leopard 1 chassis.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898216434653700277