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

[ChloeTzang]

Rheinmetall to deliver Skyranger counter-drone systems on Leopard chassis to Ukraine​

German defense giant Rheinmetall says it will deliver mobile Skyranger counter-drone systems to Ukraine that can be mounted on Leopard tanks. A contract worth hundreds of millions of euros is expected to be signed Wednesday at the DSEI defense show in London, said Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger in an interview with broadcaster ZDF. Papperger said Ukraine will receive the first systems this year. He stressed that each unit can cover an area of four by four kilometers, providing full protection against enemy drones.

The news comes just days after Russia launched its largest air attack on Ukraine since the start of the war.

Rheinmetall also confirmed the German army is interested in similar systems. Asked whether the company profits from a protracted war, Papperger said he wants the conflict to end as soon as possible. “People in Ukraine are suffering terribly. We all want peace. But to preserve it, you need defensive means,” he said. Rheinmetall has integrated the Skyranger air-defense turret with a 35 mm cannon onto a heavy Leopard tank chassis, instead of the original wheeled Boxer APC platform. The move opens new possibilities for the artillery system, allowing it to maneuver over rough terrain alongside other heavy tracked armor and effectively turning it into a full-fledged ground-based air-defense asset.

According to Rheinmetall representative Björn Bernhard, the company has many Leopard 1 hulls that can take Skyranger turrets. Transferring the 4.5-ton module to a tank chassis can also enable additional equipment for target detection and tracking, as well as a larger number of ready-to-fire missiles in the launcher.

Using the old Leopard chassis will speed up delivery times - Skyranger can also be fitted on Lynx and Fuchs chassis but these are already backlogged.

https://uawire.org/rheinmetall-to-d...-drone-systems-on-leopard-chassis-to-ukraine#

 

[ChloeTzang]

Perhaps bigger in the long run is the damage the Russia's invasion of Ukraine has done to the Russian economic prospects. Before, the big money makers for Russia was gas sales to Europe, arms sales, and agriculture. Europe has gone off of Russian gas, why would anyone buy russian arms given how soundly they have been thumped by western arms, and there are too few men left to harvest the fields.

Oh yeah, absolutely. They are already importing potatoes and the wheat harvest this year is going to be way down. Not to mention the impact of pretrol and diesel shortages on agricultural machinery. The Ukrainia targeting of oil and gas is also having a huge effect and the mapower shortages are hitting all over the economy. "Guest workers" everywhere.

And as for demogrphics, there's a big market for Russian blondes in China. The old Chinese one child policy had its effect, with millions more men than women - and many wealthy young men in China are importing Russian brides. Apparently it's working quite well - Chinese men are not the alcoholic wife-beaters that Russian men are to start with. Russia's losing both ways. Now factor in all the amputees, and released criminals (stats from the Afghan war were that 10% of the Russian vets came back as fully fledged psychopaths with severe mental health issues and we can expect it to be even worse from this war given the annihilation being experienced by Russian military units). The impact is going to be enormous.

 

[astuffedshirt_perv]

And as for demogrphics, there's a big market for Russian blondes in China.

To be fair, there is a market for blondes pretty much everywhere

 

[ChloeTzang]

Russian Air Defenses Completely FAIL​

Ukraine launched a massive overnight drone assault on Russia on September 12, striking multiple regions including Moscow, Smolensk, and Leningrad. Russian officials admitted that 221 drones were intercepted, but many bypassed defenses, setting fires at facilities such as a Lukoil site in Smolensk and a vessel at Primorsk Port near St. Petersburg. Pulkovo Airport, Russia’s second busiest, was forced to shut down, disrupting an estimated 50 flights.

Local residents reported explosions across Moscow and St. Petersburg, marking one of the largest drone attacks inside Russia since the invasion began. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed more than 400 drones were shot down nationwide, yet evidence shows widespread damage. The strikes highlight Ukraine’s strategy of targeting key infrastructure and exposing gaps in Russia’s air defense systems.

 

[ChloeTzang]

PRIMORSK STRIKE: RUSSIAS LARGEST OIL EXPORT HUB ON FIRE​

Primorsk is close to St Petersburg on the Baltic Sea. It's Russia's largest oil transshipment port and heavily used for exports.
Three of its (irreplacable) pumping stations are destroyed along with one tanker on fire. 60 million tons of oil thru Primorsk annually
Will take months to repaue and each day they are out is $41,000,000 less income
Russian air defence cannot stop new Ukrainian cruise missiles

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ukraine Nailed the Big Oil Port |​

Ukraine attacked the port of Primorsk in the temporarily occupied region of Karelia (I love Denys calling it that)
Russia is now struggling to produce eniugh jet fuel
Russians made a penetration near Kupiansk. t sounds like these are thru underground tunnels (water?) - turns out its thru a gas pipeline, takes 4 days to move thru

 

[ChloeTzang]

POKROVSK-DOBROPILLIA Axis: The Enemy is Trapped

On this sector of the front, Ukrainian assault troops are conducting one of the most successful operations in recent months. The enemy is attempting to advance, but AFU are systematically grinding down enemy forces, cutting supply routes, and subjecting them to devastating crossfire

In just two weeks, Ukrainian forces achieved what once seemed impossible. Through the coordinated efforts of the 33rd and 425th Assault Regiments, in cooperation with the 1st Assault Regiment, the 24th and 25th Assault Battalions, as well as the 79th and 82nd Air Assault Brigades, the enemy has found itself in operational — and in some areas, tactical — encirclement

Three major “pockets” are now clearly forming on the map. Russia has deployed some of its most capable units to this area, including special forces, in an effort to prevent the encirclement from closing. Yet even elite formations have failed to halt the advance of Ukrainian assault troops

The fighting is intense, with ongoing engagements. An increasing number of Russian troops, realizing the inevitable, are surrendering. Ukrainian fighters note that the situation is beginning to resemble the Battle of Kursk: the enemy is laying down arms en masse, unable to withstand the pressure

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[Rebel5soul]

The out and out incompetence of the Russians is beyond comprehension. Is Putin trying to micro-manage the war vis-a-vis Hitler or are the general staff just that backward?

No matter what happens going forward Russia is done as a global power, done.

One end game scenario is someone finally getting to Putin and taking him out. In the ensuing chaos China will definitely take Eastern Siberia back. That's a no brainer. What will the new regime in Moscow do? Go nuclear on the Chinese? In the real world they will have no choice. There is no way they'll be able to counter the Chinese in a land battle

The Chinese desperately need the resources in Eastern Siberia, especially the oil and gas. It relieves them of having to deal with the Straits of Malacca choke point. And then the question on the table will be whether we help the Russians keep the Chinese out or not.

This Geo-politics shit can get really twisted at times.

 

[ChloeTzang]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1966430755971575838

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[Rebel5soul]

View attachment 2564207

I question that...............period.

Tanker crew members without a tank are either dead or prisoners. The premise is nonsensical starting out and superficially 'politically incorrect.'

 

[ChloeTzang]

Sounds like it was taken down by Russian air defence

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ukrainian Army Trapped More Ruzzian Forces in Pokrovsk​

Latest update from Denys
- Ukrainian Army contiuing to cut off, trap and eliminate Russia units in Pokrovsk
- Russian moving reserves towards Pokrovsk for another attempt
- Ukraine lost an Su27 pilot somewhere in the southern direction
- Russian drone attack on Poland - POland has closed airspace aling border. FRance has sent 3 Rafaele fighters to reinforce air defences in Poland.
- Poland seeks more air defense systems
- 40k Polish troops being deployed to the Belarus border
= Poland Ukraine have agreed that Ukrainian instructors will train Poland in drone techniques and tactics (only 4 of 20 drones were shot down)

 

[ChloeTzang]

Russia’s Donbas Offensive DESTROYED | Chuck Pfarrer

This report is really informative, first-hand based on Chuck's roaming around the frontline areas - and Chuck is an es-SEAL who knows Ukraine and knows his stuff

Russia promised massive summer gains. Instead, they have suffered heavy losses: 210,000 personnel, 1,200 tanks, 2,100 armored vehicles, and more than 7,000 artillery pieces degraded.
At Pokrovsk alone, reporting indicates tens of thousands of Russian troops rendered combat ineffective.

Chuck Pfarrer joins Jason Jay Smart to report firsthand on what is happening at the front.
Despite propaganda, Russia is not advancing; Ukraine’s defenders are holding the line while drone warfare and mobile tactics reshape the battlefield.
The myth of Russian strength is cracking; the reality is operational failure and erosion of combat power.

Key points from Chuck's report
- Chuck followed the zero line around the entire fron from Sumy to Odessa. Away from the zero line, Ukraine is functioning normally, while the Ukrainian military holds the line
- Soent some time around Pokrovsk - Russia has lost 210k soldiers THIS SUMMER alone. 1200 tanke, 2100 IFVs, 7300 artillery. The equivalent of 520 battalions of men / 14 divisions of infantry, They have lost the equivalent of 4-5 armored Divisions (US has 1 Armored Division). An egregarious defeat for Russia.
- 150k Russians sent to attack Pokrovsk, 89k of these are dead. 70% casualties. A US Army unit that has suffered 20% casualties is withdrawn from combat.
- Autumn offensive now planned by Russia: Another 150k troops may be deployed. Russians keep repeating the same attacks and keep dying the same way. Russian commanders dont count the casualties. They have NO combat training and are losing between 48-84% of their men EVERY time they go into combat. They tried a 2 battalion attack in Kupiansk recently, and lost both battalions to HIMARS.
- They're using WW2 tactics aganst drines, artillery and HIMARS. Russia has not come to grips with modern mobile defenses.
- Drones have extended the the battlefield from 5-600 meters deep to 20kms either side of the contact line. Orders of magnitude broader.
- Ukrainian troops: Quite confidence from Ukrainians. High quality of troops. One example (out of many) Spoke to 2 recce soldiers - private soldiers. Both had masters degrees. Experienced soldiers. Highly skilled. Tight unit cohesion and morale. Determined. Motivated. Patriotic. Everywhere he want.
- Russian expectations are an abolute fairy tale. Russians can't even conduct combined arms on WW2 lines. Example: littlw village in Kherson, held by 300 Ukrainian defenders. An entire Russian Paratroop Division failed to dislodge them for 70 days.
-Widening use of chemical weapons by Russians is occurring. Russians are going to use more chemical weapons as they get more desperate.
- Russian air raids - most Ukrainians ignore them until antiaircraft guns open up. No panic. Very orderly.
CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction from Ukraine - Jason and Chuck reconnect in Odessa and set the stage for the discussion about Russia’s war.
01:30 Traveling the Zero Line - Chuck recounts his journey across Ukraine’s frontlines, describing resilience amid constant air raid sirens.
03:20 Russia’s Summer Offensive - Breakdown of Russia’s massive troop and equipment losses around Pokrovsk.
06:00 Pokrovsk: The Center of the Fight - Details on Russia’s failed push for Pokrovsk and staggering casualty rates.
08:30 Autumn Offensive Plans - Russia’s attempts to regroup with another 150,000 troops and why the strategy is flawed.
11:00 Russia’s Tactics and Failures - Why outdated Soviet-style mass attacks fail against Ukraine’s drones and HIMARS.
14:00 The Drone Revolution - How drones have changed the battlefield, from Bayraktar to FPV and fiber-linked systems.
17:00 Ukrainian Morale and Soldier Quality - Conversations with highly educated Ukrainian soldiers and the quiet confidence across the army.
19:30 Russia’s Unrealistic Goals - Why Russia cannot seize major cities like Kyiv, Odessa, or Mykolaiv with current capabilities.
22:00 Chemical Weapons and Escalation - Evidence of Russia’s increasing reliance on banned chemical agents.
24:00 Air Raids and Civilian Resilience - How Ukrainians respond calmly to daily missile and drone strikes.
26:00 What Russia Really Wants - Chuck reflects on the core of the war: Russia’s desire to seize and, if not possible, destroy Ukraine.
28:00 Closing Thoughts - Jason and Chuck wrap up with reflections on Ukrainian strength and the grim reality of Russia’s aims.

 

[ChloeTzang]

This is Trump's exit strategy and attempt to avoid any personal blame. It is deeply flawed of course.

Telling Europe to stop imports of Russian OIl & Gas - Turkey, Hungary & Slovakia are the 3 remaining importers of Russian oil, so don’t expect compliance soon. As Orban and Erdoghan are very good friends of Trump (as he keeps reminding us, why doesn’t he call them?? The EU has urged them to stop Riussian oil and gas imports multiple times….

Telling NATO countries to put huge tariffs on China, clearly forgetting that when the US did that, China retaliated and the US quickly backed off realising that it would destroy its exports to China alone.

What is very clear is that Russia has no desire to talk to the US anymore as Trump's outburst implies.

Meanwhile what Trump has not mentioned is that since the start of the USA has continued importing uranium from Russia, primarily low-enriched uranium (LEU) used for nuclear reactor fuel. These imports have not been sanctioned due to the US's heavy reliance on foreign suppliers—Russia provided about 12-27% of US uranium needs during this period.

NATO countries aren’t going to put 100% tariffs on China, the same way Trump won't. This amounts to a statement that he does not intend to follow through on any of his threats.

Trump's humiliation at his inability to influence Russia and Ukraine just bought Putin more time. Hw long before Trump takes that USA out of NATO and completely isolates America from our former allies?

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

Well, Russian inspectors fround the mines on the railway lines......Orel region, inside Russia

Wonder how long before we see Ukrainian drones with mines waiting beside railway lines and then moving in just before a train approaches......

 

[ChloeTzang]

Scraping the barrel. This is a junior officer rank for a 24- 25 year old

It's circumstantial evidence like this that tells you how bad things are getting for Russia. This is likely a 50-60 year old Russian who never served but went through service during study in university. Two years of study in military school resulted in the award of a lieutenant or junior lieutenant rank as a reserve officer. Never done any acrtial military service since, and mobilized off the street.

 

[ChloeTzang]

The Russian 70th Motorized Rifle Division is falling apart prior to going into combat...

The 70th MR division has some of the best gear and has been training for over a year in the south of Russia... It's one of the last units of the russian army that has not been sent to the front. As they moved into the DPR area they started to take long range fire from the AFU.. they are already breaking and have not even been in combat yet!!!!!

This is fascinating, if these reports are accurate. This unit has been held back and kept in training status far longer than most, which is highly unusual. Normally, Russian units are rushed back to the front even when understrength, just to fill gaps. For one to be withheld this long suggests real manpower shortages, low morale, or even leadership disputes. It tells us much more than people think—serious cracks are showing in the Russian army’s ability to regenerate combat power. If they can’t rebuild and re-deploy units on schedule, it’s a clear sign their system is breaking down under pressure. If they can't move a unit like this up without it starting to break before it even enters combat, they're in a bad way.

Officers and enlisted are being reported as missing!!!!! Only 0 odd men here but tghose are the ones being reported that we know about. That's likely the tipe of the iceberg, and the units are also likely understrength as well. That officers and senior warrant officers are rported as missing really says somethuing.

- From the 26th Motorized Rifle Regiment (military unit 12267) — 10 servicemen, among them the company commander Senior Warrant Officer Filkin A.A., the battery commander Lieutenant Davydenko D.V., and the platoon commander Lieutenant Klyuev N.V.
- From the 17th Tank Regiment (military unit 12315) — 3 servicemen, including the company commander Junior Lieutenant Kuzovlev V.S., as well as the platoon commander Senior Lieutenant Izokh P.P.

Both units are part of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division. Additionally, from the division headquarters, one serviceman (UAV operator) is also without permit documents in the territory of the DPR and LPR.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Destroyed Russian column in the Donetsk Region

Just a content warning: there are some crispy Russian critters in this one, some of them still smoking, so if you have a weak stomach and don't enjoy charcoal chicken, don't watch it

https://twitter.com/x/status/1966810155800047786

 

[ChloeTzang]

India’s largest port operator bans sanctioned tankers from its harbors

Although India publicly resists the threats of Donald Trump, refusing to officially halt purchases of Russian oil, more and more obstacles are emerging in the way of these supplies. The country’s largest private port operator, Adani Group, has banned any tankers under Western sanctions from entering all of its ports, Reuters reports.

Adani, which manages 14 ports, is expected to deal a blow to shipments carried out in part by Russia’s shadow fleet.

For example, the Indian oil refining company HPCL-Mittal Energy, which owns a refinery with a capacity of 226,000 barrels per day, receives all of its crude through one of Adani’s ports. This port is located in the city of Mundra and is India’s largest commercial port by cargo volume.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Trump's Foreign Policy Idiocy has cost the US a $9 billion sale of Patriots Systems to Denmark

And after dropping the F35, Portugal has now signed to by Rafale's from France. More wins from Trump. He's cost the US defence industry more than any saboteur possibly could.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Whoa. Someone in the US created a battery-powered tactical wheelbarrow. Ukraine are already using tactical robots for this.....

We are so far behind the ball right now with equipment and tactics

https://twitter.com/x/status/1966585334617067870