The War in the Ukraine

[Fwiffo]

Ukraine fires six deputy defence ministers as heavy fighting continues in the east

No explanation was provided for the firings, but the Ukrainian government has been investigating accusations of corruption in the military related to purchasing equipment

www.theglobeandmail.com

"The deputy defence ministers fired included Hanna Maliar, Vitalii Deyneha and Denys Sharapov, as well as the state secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Kostiantyn Vashchenko, were fired, according to the Telegram account of Taras Melnychuk, permanent representative of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Melnychuk provided no explanation of the firings, but the government has been investigating accusations of corruption in the military related to purchasing equipment. Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar lawmaker who took over as defence minister, did not immediately issue a statement.

Reznikov was removed earlier this month after a scandal involving the defense ministry’s procurement of military jackets at three times their cost. Reznikov denied the allegations but resigned."

 

[Fwiffo]

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to visit Canada this week: sources

We don't have any more money nor tanks to give. We don't fly F-16s either.

 

[Fwiffo]

Ukraine Has Gained Ground. But It Has Much Farther to Go

Ukraine’s counteroffensive has breached Russian defenses, but progress has been grueling and slow. Familiar obstacles, fresh troops and worsening weather lie ahead.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Fwiffo]

Poland no longer supplying weapons to Ukraine amid grain row

Mateusz Morawiecki's remarks come as tensions escalate over Ukraine's grain exports.

www.bbc.com

Economic interests over geopolitical commitments.

 

[Fwiffo]

Ukraine Says Downed 36 Out Of 43 Russian Missiles Overnight

Ukraine said Thursday its air defence systems had brought down three dozen Russian cruise missiles overnight in Moscow's latest barrage that left dead and injured throughout the country.

www.barrons.com

Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Well I guess that was 43 x $10M well spent.

 

[Fwiffo]

A shadow of 'Ukraine fatigue' hangs over Polish politics

With an election looming, politicians are grappling with how to support Ukraine and prioritise national interests.

www.bbc.com

"Andrzej Duda compared Ukraine to a drowning man who risks dragging his rescuers down with him.

Moscow seized upon that comment with glee."

 

[Dropbear]

Biden said yes to Attack-ems!

 

[Fwiffo]

Yeah and we announced 650m in military aid in CAD over 3 years. US authorised 375m USD already allocated.

 

[Fwiffo]

 

[Jan Libourel]

Ukraine Has Gained Ground. But It Has Much Farther to Go

Ukraine’s counteroffensive has breached Russian defenses, but progress has been grueling and slow. Familiar obstacles, fresh troops and worsening weather lie ahead.

www.nytimes.com

If those blue spots represent Ukraine's gains in the "Counteroffensive," that's a pretty paltry payoff for the huge losses in men and materiel!

 

[Fwiffo]

If those blue spots represent Ukraine's gains in the "Counteroffensive," that's a pretty paltry payoff for the huge losses in men and materiel!

If they punch through the third line of defence at the biggest blue blob allegedly there is nothing to stop a blitzkrieg advance for another 100km into the sea before the onset of winter at which point the entire southern Russian command will collapse, surrender and/or scatter. This is of course pending the authorisation of 24B of additional aid sitting with Congress.

 

[Dropbear]

If they punch through the third line of defence at the biggest blue blob allegedly there is nothing to stop a blitzkrieg advance for another 100km into the sea before the onset of winter at which point the entire southern Russian command will collapse, surrender and/or scatter. This is of course pending the authorisation of 24B of additional aid sitting with Congress.

It looks like they have pierced the third line and are sending in IFVs to push through and exploit the gap. The potential is there to move a lot faster now, but I think the Russians have a lot more reserve mobility troops than this time last year- so they can put up a meat shield pretty quickly to blunt advances anywhere on the line.

 

[Fwiffo]

It looks like they have pierced the third line and are sending in IFVs to push through and exploit the gap. The potential is there to move a lot faster now, but I think the Russians have a lot more reserve mobility troops than this time last year- so they can put up a meat shield pretty quickly to blunt advances anywhere on the line.

That's not what the western media says. They said they are spread thin across the front lines with troops assigned to Bakhmut and for a failed offensive towards Kupiansk. It was so bad (what's left of?) the Vdv had to be 'parachuted' into Robotyne.

Mark Milley says they only have another three plus weeks of good fighting weather anyway. Whatever that is worth.

 

[Dropbear]

That's not what the western media says. They said they are spread thin across the front lines with troops assigned to Bakhmut and for a failed offensive towards Kupiansk. It was so bad (what's left of?) the Vdv had to be 'parachuted' into Robotyne.

VDV are reinforcing the front lines, acting as an elite mobile reaction force. Definitely within their wheelhouse, though it will sap their potential for offensive use in the future.

I get the sense there are more third-tier mobliks in the rear that could be used to blunt an advance. Hopefully I’ll be proven wrong this week.

Mark Milley says they only have another three plus weeks of good fighting weather anyway. Whatever that is worth.

Three weeks of fast moving fighting. I’m winter things big down to a slow crawl. If Ukraine don’t take ground soon, they have to wait until next year for a blitzkrieg. But the flip side is that if they take ground in the next few weeks, they will have the winter to reinforce and entrench the new line. A quick charge south now would be huge.