Running Newsticker for the War in Ukraine

From Jack Hayes post : “

• The timing of Putin’s reported interest in a ceasefire is more consistent with Russia’s ongoing efforts to delay and discourage further Western military assistance to Ukraine, than with a serious interest in ending the war other than with a full Russian victory.”
• My comment is that Putin is just throwing Schiest into the game to help pro Trump Congresspukes stop aid to Ukraine.
• 
  ps There are Left wing pukes in Congress who are aiming to slow down or stop aid to Israel as Trump pukes are going anti Ukraine.

 

Late but probably still in time.

 

Puke is puke regardless of color.

 

Ukraine Conflict Updates
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 27, 2023

Click here to read the full report
Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian drone footage published on December 27 showed another Russian execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) near Robotyne in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• Russian forces recently advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast and retook positions that Ukrainian forces had captured during the summer 2023 counteroffensive, likely after Ukrainian forces withdrew to more defensible positions near Robotyne for the winter.
• The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (KHPP) dam on June 6, 2023, reportedly postponed a Ukrainian crossing of the Dnipro River that was likely intended to support Ukrainian counteroffensive operations.
• Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Commander Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi described continued Ukrainian battlefield challenges and requirements for future territorial advances during an interview with BBC published on December 27.
• Ukrainian officials highlighted the Ukrainian defense industrial base’s (DIB) increased production in 2023 and offered projections of Ukraine’s domestic drone production capabilities on December 27.
• Russian forces launched another series of Shahed-136/131 drone strikes against Ukraine overnight on December 27.
• Satellite imagery from the successful December 26 Ukrainian strike on a Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) vessel in occupied Feodosia, Crimea indicates that the strike damaged the surrounding port infrastructure.
• Russia maintains its maximalist objectives in Ukraine and is uninterested in good faith negotiations despite reports that Western officials are becoming more amenable to eventual Ukrainian negotiations with Russia to end the war.
• The Russian state-owned Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) found that Russians are increasingly less trusting of Russian state TV and are turning to social media and the internet for news.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on December 27 in a likely effort to maintain Russia’s critical trade relationship with India.
• Russian forces made confirmed advances near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Donetsk City, and Verbove as positional engagements continued along the entire line of contact.
• A Russian insider source claimed that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has created his own private military company (PMC).
• The Ukrainian “Cyber Resistance” movement obtained information about a Russian deputy commander of the 171st Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (51st Air Defense Division) committing sexual crimes against minors in occupied Ukraine. . . . .

 

Between the F16's and Patriot Missile batteries I suspect that Ukraine will be able to establish air superiority over the uncontested areas.

Be interesting to see if they use those F16's as force multipliers in their ground war maneuvers.

 

Motivated human beings tend to discover new ways to overcome obstacles.

BUSINESS INSIDER, MILITARY & DEFENSE, Ukraine says it deployed its 'FrankenSAM' air-defense systems made from stitching together US and Soviet weapons, By Julian Kossoff, Dec 28, 2023, 7:20 AM EST.
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukr...nsam-weapons-fusing-us-soviet-weapons-2023-12

 

Biden Administration Announces New Security Assistance ...

U.S. Department of Defense (.gov)
https://www.defense.gov › Releases › Release › Article


24 hours ago — Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.


US to provide Ukraine with up to $250m in arms and ...

The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com › us-news › dec › us-uk...


23 hours ago — US to provide Ukraine with up to $250m in arms and equipment ... The US announced a $250m (£196m) Ukraine military aid package on Wednesday, the ...

 

Interesting.

 

Last batch of military aid until Congress gets some testicular fortitude and does the right thing.

 

Slava Ukräinii

 

Good for them. Since the beginning of the war, the Ukrainians have proved to be quite resourceful and very innovative.

Would be a shame not to have them with us within NATO!

 

Ukraine Conflict Updates
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 28, 2023

Click here to read the full report
Key Takeaways:

• The New York Times (NYT) published an oped by a member of its editorial board calling for Ukraine to engage in negotiations with and cede territory to Russia after reports emerged that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using backchannels and intermediaries to signal his interest in a ceasefire. The oped largely ignores near-constant Kremlin public signaling of Russia’s continued maximalist goals in Ukraine.
• Russia has officially deployed a battalion formed of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) to the frontline in Ukraine, further confirming a myriad of apparent Russian violations of the Geneva Convention on POWs.
• Recent incidents of apparent Russian violations of the Geneva Convention on POWs likely implicate elements of the now notorious 76th Guards Air Assault (VDV) Division in the abuse of POWs.
• The Russian military command will reportedly disband the "Kaskad" operational combat tactical formation of the Donetsk People’s Republic’s (DNR) Internal Affairs Ministry (MVD) by December 31, 2023, likely as part of Russia's ongoing force formalization campaign.
• Ukrainian military officials revealed that Russian forces launched about 7,400 missiles and 3,900 Shahed drone strikes against Ukraine since launching the full-scale invasion.
• Russian mines continue to threaten civilian vessels in the Black Sea but will likely not deter civilian vessel usage of the Black Sea Humanitarian Corridor.
• The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced a $250 million security assistance package for Ukraine on December 27.
• Imprisoned Russian ultranationalist and former Russian officer Igor Girkin acknowledged the end of his presidential campaign after failing to register with the Russian Central Elections Committee (CEC) on December 27.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) rewarded prominent Russian milbloggers for their contribution to the "military-patriotic" and "military-political" sphere, mirroring previous Kremlin efforts to pander to and co-opt to the wider Russian milblogger community.
• Ukrainian forces made a confirmed advance near Bakhmut, likely within the past week.
• Russian forces made confirmed advances northwest of Avdiivka, near Marinka, and south of Hulyaipole.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on December 28 that Russia has over 640,000 contract servicemen (kontrakniki), the first Russian announcement about the number of kontrakniki in the Russian Armed Forces since the start of the full-scale invasion.
• Russian occupation officials continue to deport Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of medical necessity, despite an apparently growing number of cases of highly infectious diseases being transmitted among Ukrainian children en route to Russia. . . . .

Ukrainian forces marginally advanced near Bakhmut, likely within the past week, and continued positional engagements with Russian forces on December 28. Geolocated footage published on December 20 indicates that Ukrainian forces marginally advanced southeast of Klishchiivka (southwest of Bakhmut).[53] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced north and east of Bohdanivka (northwest of Bakhmut) and toward Ivanivske (west of Bakhmut).[54] Ukrainian Ground Forces Command Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo stated that the intensity of fighting has decreased near Bakhmut but that Russian forces continue attempts to capture Bohdanivka, advance toward Chasiv Yar (west of Bakhmut), and regain lost positions near Klishchiivka and Andriivka (southwest of Bakhmut).[55] Several milbloggers noted that it is difficult for Russian forces to capture Bohdanivka because it is located in a lowland, which allows Ukrainian forces to exert fire control over Russian positions in the lowland area.[56] Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional fighting is ongoing northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka and Khromove; west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske; and southwest of Bakhmut near Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdyumivka.[57] Elements of the Chechen “Shustry” Detachment of “Akhmat” Spetsnaz along with elements of the Russian 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd LNR Army Corps) reportedly continue to operate near Klishchiivka.[58] Elements of the Russian 331st VDV Regiment (98th VDV Division) and 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (150th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Southern Military District [SMD]) reportedly continue to operate near Bakhmut.[59] . . . .

 

Seems that the Ukrainians are taking advantage of their TACTICAL positions given them fire control over the Orcs LOGISTICS.

Destroy the fuel depots and the Orc tanks become stationary TARGETS.

Taking out that Russian ship the day before destroyed a lot of ammunition given the extent of the explosion.

Makes it even harder for the Orcs to fight when they are LOW on munitions.

Something tells me this is going to be a BRUTAL winter campaign.

 

Ukraine Conflict Updates
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 29, 2023

Click here to read the full report
Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces conducted the largest series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion on the morning of December 29.
• The strike package that Russian forces launched on December 29 appears to be a culmination of several months of Russian experimentation with various drone and missile combinations and efforts to test Ukrainian air defenses.
• Russia will continue to conduct strikes against Ukraine at scale in an effort to degrade Ukrainian morale and Ukraine’s ability to sustain its war effort against Russia.
• Current Russian missile and drone reserves and production rates likely do not allow Russian forces to conduct regular large-scale missile strikes, but likely do allow for more consistent drone strikes, which can explain the recent pattern of Russian strike packages.
• The Kremlin's efforts to sufficiently mobilize Russia's defense industrial base (DIB) in support of its wartime objectives, including large-scale strike series, may been more successful than Western officials previously assessed due in part to Russia’s ability to procure military equipment from its partners and the redistribution of Russia’s resources for military production purposes.
• Russian forces have likely routinely attempted to draw and fix limited Ukrainian air defense systems away from the front, and the Russian strikes on December 29 follow recent indications that Ukrainian air defenses may be presenting significant challenges to Russian aviation operations along the frontline.
• Western aid remains vital for Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian strikes, and the end of such aid would likely set conditions for an expanded Russian air campaign In Ukraine.
• Western leaders largely viewed the massive Russian strike as evidence that Putin’s maximalist goals in Ukraine remain unchanged, in line with ISW’s long-standing assessment that Putin is not genuinely interested in a ceasefire or any sort of negotiated settlement in Ukraine.
• Russian forces made recent confirmed advances northeast of Bakhmut and south of Avdiivka as positional engagements continued across the entire line of contact.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on December 29 that it has completed Russia’s autumn 2023 conscription cycle, which began on October 1.
• Russia continues the forced integration of occupied areas of Ukraine into the Russian system using social services and infrastructure restoration projects. . . . .

 

The Muscovites want to awaken France's inner Vichy.

Russia is working to subvert French support for Ukraine, documents show
By Catherine Belton

 

World·The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine launches widespread drone attack on military facilities across Russia

 

The key is my cousins are attacking military targets not civilian as the Russian barbarians are.

 

World·Ukrayinska Pravda
German Foreign Ministry in aftermath of massive Russian attack: We won't move an inch away from Ukraine

 

Ukraine Conflict Updates
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 30, 2023

Click here to read the full report.
Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted a large series of strikes against targets in Russia on the night of December 29 to 30 and on December 30.
• Russian forces conducted a lower number of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on December 30 following the large Russian strike series on December 29.
• Russian officials continued to clearly state that Russia is not interested in negotiating with Ukraine or the West in good faith and intends to achieve its maximalist objectives in Ukraine.
• The Kremlin’s recent public rhetoric about its maximalist objectives and imperial designs in Ukraine are permeating the Russian information space.
• Russia continues to set information conditions aimed at destabilizing Moldova by framing Russia as a protector of allegedly threatened Russian-language speakers in Moldova.
• Russia continues attempts to actively shape the Western information space to support Russian positions and undermine support for Ukraine while portraying these efforts as endogenous to the West.
• The Russian Ministry Foreign Affairs (MFA) emphasized Russia’s improving diplomatic relations with non-Western countries in way that suggests that the Kremlin is insecure about the possibility of diplomatic isolation against the backdrop of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Russian forces made confirmed gains near Kreminna, Bakhmut and Avdiivka as positional engagements continued along the entire line of contact.
• The Russian military command reportedly continued the dissolution of the “Kaskad” operational combat tactical formation of the Donetsk People’s Republic’s (DNR) Internal Affairs Ministry (MVD) to support its efforts to formalize control over Russian irregular forces.
• Russia continues efforts to integrate education systems in occupied Ukraine and expand education programs aimed at eliminating Ukrainian identity in occupied territories. . . . .

 

Ukraine Conflict Updates
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 31, 2023

Click here to read the full report.
Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin used his annual New Year's address on December 31 to concretize Russian ideological priorities for 2024, notably omitting any mentions of the war in Ukraine and instead focusing on setting ideological conditions for the upcoming year.
• Russian forces conducted another series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 29 to 30 and on December 31, underscoring a notable recent increase in the percentage of Russian Shahed-136/131 drones penetrating or avoiding Ukrainian air defenses.
• Russian forces, particularly Russian airborne (VDV) Forces, are reportedly suffering heavy losses in simultaneous infantry-heavy Russian offensive operations on multiple fronts.
• A prominent Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger argued that ethnic Russians do not have enough domestic power in Russia while reiterating a common Russian information operation aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity.
• Russian and Ukrainian forces conducted positional engagements along the entire line of conduct, but there were no confirmed map changes on December 31.
• Russian Presidential Administration First Deputy Head Sergei Kiriyenko is spearheading efforts to consolidate sociocultural control of occupied areas of Ukraine via the information space. . . . .

Ukrainian forces reportedly advanced southeast of Kupyansk and continued positional engagements with Russian forces along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on December 31. A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Orlyanka (southeast of Kupyansk) and achieved partial success, although ISW has not observed confirmation of this claim.[28] Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional fighting continued northeast of Kupyansk near Synkivka, southwest of Svatove near Makiivka, and southwest of Kreminna near Dibrova and the Serebryanske forest area.[29] Ukrainian Ground Forces Command Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo stated that Ukrainian forces are conducting an active defense in the Kupyansk, Lyman, and Bakhmut directions and are conducting ground attacks when possible.[30] . . . .

 

Commenting on the Hayes post # 9246..

“

• Russian forces conducted another series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 29 to 30 and on December 31, underscoring a notable recent increase in the percentage of Russian Shahed-136/131 drones penetrating or avoiding Ukrainian air defenses.
• Russian forces, particularly Russian airborne (VDV) Forces, are reportedly suffering heavy losses in simultaneous infantry-heavy Russian offensive operations on multiple fronts.”
• 
  
  
  My comments follow:
  Ukraine needs to concentrate on destroying Russian missiles and rocket capability including their air defense. Ukraine also needs to entice Russians into using human wave offensive tactics to continue a high level destruction of Russian “human” military resources. That gives Ukraine a practical and psychological boost in the war against the invaders. The continued and hopefully escalating destruction of Russian “ human” resources will eventually cause ripples of doubt for continuing the war against Ukraine. The more dead Russians there are in the War of Russian aggression the better it is for Ukraine.

 

You of course see how much Putin wants Ukraine to stay out of NATO hence that assures Ukraine would not be a force blocking Russian invasion of the rest of Europe obllus.t Putin would prefer the destruction of Ukraine.

 

https://thehill.com/policy/internat...un-security-council-meeting-called-by-russia/

“
Czechs refuse to attend UN security council meeting called by Russia

“ The Czech Republic is refusing to attend an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting that was called by Russia, arguing Moscow was responsible for the nearly two-year war in Ukraine.

“We refuse to be summoned anywhere by Russia. Czechia will not serve the lie-poisoned propaganda of the aggressor,” Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský wrote in a post on X, ….”

“
When Russia wants to discuss the withdrawal of its occupying troops at the Security Council, we will be happy to come,” he wrote, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

My comment: This is the classiest statement of support for Ukraine I have heard ever since the Russian invaders committed the war crime of invading a European neighbor. This statement by Czechia is fundamently the opposite of the words and actions of Oban The Worm of Magyarstan ( Hungary) who begs Putin to whip him senseless while he prostrates himself in the corner of cowardliness waiting for the beating his master will administer.

 

Wow.

 

More Russian folly. How much has Russia invested in its Black Sea Fleet?

Marine Insight
Ukraine Successfully Exports 13 Million Tons Of Goods Via Black Sea Corridor
Ukraine has successfully shipped 13 million tons of goods via the recently constructed Black Sea shipping corridor.
.
8 hours ago
https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/ukraine-successfully-exports-13-million-tons-of-goods-via-black-sea-corridor/

Euromaidan Press
Ukraine exports 13 mn tons by sea since summer defying Russian blockade
By creating a safe maritime corridor, Ukraine has shipped 13 million tons of critical exports on hundreds of vessels since August,...
.
2 days ago
https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/12/31/ukraine-exports-13-mn-tons-by-sea-since-summer-defying-russian-blockade/

The Boston Globe
Ukraine defies Russia with large exports via Black Sea corridor
Ukraine has exported 13 million tons of products through a shipping corridor in the Black Sea it established after Russia pulled out of a...
.
1 day ago
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01...ia-with-large-exports-via-black-sea-corridor/