"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (17 Viewers)

[Thumpalumpacus]

Interesting piece by AP on how the Russian state controls the populace:

The cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens

It's becoming increasingly difficult for Russians to escape government scrutiny. Authorities monitor social media accounts, prosecuting critics of President Vladimir Putin or the war in Ukraine.

apnews.com

Energy, manpower, and resources spent controlling the civilian populace cannot be spent prosecuting the war.

 

[buffnut453]

Ukraine war: Russia says it thwarted major Ukrainian offensive

Kyiv hasn’t responded to the claim, the latest sign an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive may have begun.

www.bbc.com

 

[Glider]

"A weapon unused is a useless weapon."
General Sline

I totally agree and strongly suspect that Ukraine will be 'flexible' around use by dates

 

[Jabberwocky]

Ukraine war: Russia says it thwarted major Ukrainian offensive

Kyiv hasn’t responded to the claim, the latest sign an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive may have begun.

www.bbc.com

View: https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1665375171429924866


View: https://twitter.com/War_Mapper/status/1665515036121374721

Reports are partially contradictory, but elements of at least 2 (likely more) Ukrainian brigades advanced from a line west of Velyka Novosilka, retaking control of a couple of small settlements. Lines of advance were southwest from Novopil towards Novodarivka and south into Neskuchne. Ukrainian forces were concentrated around a small number of T-64s, with some M113s and Humvees supporting.

Combat footage shows UAF forces overrunning some Russian forward trench lines, with geolocated photos purporting to show advances of more than 5 km into Russian lines of control. Ukrainian forces look like they reversed some of their advance late in the day and regrouped along a line recently liberated villages. Ukraine also claims Russian forces at Neskuchne abandoned the line there and displaced to prepared positions a few km south in Storozheve.

Russian MoD and Russian friendly sources claim 6 to 8 Ukrainian brigades attacked on a wide front and then retreated back to the north/northwest after 2-3 hours of combat without penetrating lines. Loss claims vary wildly between sources - some are down at 200 personnel and 8-10 tanks and 15 vehicles. Others are almost 600 personnel, along with nearly 30 tanks and almost 50 other armored vehicles (not sure how you like your salt, but I take mine in the form of very large grains). Russia also claims Neskuchne was at least partially retaken.

Rybar shows advances into the western portion of the Russian salient in the area - looks like a fairly wide but shallow advance.


View: https://twitter.com/JanSuurtoll/status/1665455231642095624/photo/1

This territory had not been firmly held by either side in recent months, with control of a number of villages swapping back and forth (Russia advancing and then Ukraine counter attacking).

I wouldn't classify this as 'the counter-attack', but it looks like a fairly successful reconnaissance in force or probing attack that met with initial success, and then a strong Russian response ensued. Reports are that Ukrainian light infantry remain active in the area, so there will probably be further clashes tomorrow.

I suspect Ukraine would be happy if Russia tries to defend the salient (nothing like having fire coming in from three sides). I also suspect they'd be happy if Russia pulls back and straightens their lines.

 

[GrauGeist]

Interesting - sounds like probing under the label of Force Recon.

While I doubt this is part of the anticipated offensive, I suspect it may be connected.

 

[WARSPITER]

This is what the US is doing with the older Abrams. By the time they are finished
everything that needs to be new is. Interesting also is how many there actually are.

Russian tank refurbishment is not going to keep up with this.

How America Rebuilds And Upgrades The Mighty M1 Tank

 

[buffnut453]

The comedy just keeps on coming:

Ukraine war: Wagner detains Russian officer over 'drunk' attack

In a video posted online, the officer says he fired on a Wagner vehicle because he dislikes the group.

www.bbc.com

 

[Admiral Beez]

Russian tank refurbishment is not going to keep up with this.

How America Rebuilds And Upgrades The Mighty M1 Tank

True for the Russians, but the Ukrainians do what they can with Russian donor tanks.

The Ukraine repair shop: where Russian tanks go to change sides

Western supplies of Leopards and Challengers have made the news, but the biggest donor is the enemy

www.theguardian.com

Gesturing towards a T-72B3, covered in dry leaves, and bearing evidence of battle in the form of warped and battered armour, "It took a direct hit on its turret," says Anatoly. "The firing system was damaged too." They plan to get it back on its tracks in swift time, with added armour. There is little time for sentiment. Did Russian soldiers die in it? "I don't know, I suppose so. There were arms and legs in it. Lots of blood."

I don't imagine the folks at the Abrams refurb plant ever had to scrape arms and legs out before beadblasting.

 

[RogerdeLluria]

There are increasing reports that the offensive might have started. Or at least its initial phase.
Ukraine keeps silence.

On a side note Leopard tanks have reportedly been spoted in combat.

Ukraine war latest: Leopard tanks ‘seen in battle for first time’

Western-built main battle tanks donated to Ukraine have been seen in battle for the first time, a senior Russian separatist official has said.

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Denniss]

And russian MoD claimed all attacks thwarted due to intelligent and competent leadership (by Gerasimov). Stopped reading after "competent leadership" as this would be a fist time in 1.5 years

 

[Admiral Beez]

On a side note Leopard tanks have reportedly been spoted in combat.

I hope that Leo was on the rapid move along that path, otherwise exposing your thinner slide armour to the enemy seems unwise.

As for the traitor Alexander Khodakovsky, he is going to be hung from a tree, I expect.

 

[wlewisiii]

True for the Russians, but the Ukrainians do what they can with Russian donor tanks.

The Ukraine repair shop: where Russian tanks go to change sides

Western supplies of Leopards and Challengers have made the news, but the biggest donor is the enemy

www.theguardian.com

Gesturing towards a T-72B3, covered in dry leaves, and bearing evidence of battle in the form of warped and battered armour, "It took a direct hit on its turret," says Anatoly. "The firing system was damaged too." They plan to get it back on its tracks in swift time, with added armour. There is little time for sentiment. Did Russian soldiers die in it? "I don't know, I suppose so. There were arms and legs in it. Lots of blood."

I don't imagine the folks at the Abrams refurb plant ever had to scrap arms and legs out before beadblasting.

No but American repair teams hosed out and repainted the white internal paint on a lot of battle damaged Shermans in WWII Europe (Despite the reputation, relatively few actually burned). Occasionally there were complaints that they missed something as the refurbished vehicle would have a bad stench for quite awhile.

 

[manta22]

"...Leopard tanks have reportedly been spotted..."

 

[RogerdeLluria]

I hope that Leo was on the rapid move along that path, otherwise exposing your thinner slide armour to the enemy seems unwise.

As far as I know the picture is for ilustrative purposes only and does not show a leo (at least it shows a tank). Looks like a Ukranian T-something, Could be anything upto t-90, either from their arsenal or captured from russians.

 

[RogerdeLluria]

If true Ukrainians are master FUD spreaders.


View: https://twitter.com/mjluxmoore/status/1665704948187668488

 

[RogerdeLluria]

Reportedly Russian troops filmed by a drone. Does anyone have a clue of what are they doing?
Maybe with some Benny Hill music ...


View: https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1665644579754848257

 

[fubar57]

Annual "Chase a Roll of Toilet Paper Down a Hill"?

 

[Admiral Beez]

Ukraine’s counter-offensive appears to have begun

Its armour strikes in the south-east; but there is more to come

www.economist.com

Paywall free: https://archive.is/UP1KU

 

[Denniss]

Looks nice

View: https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1665773785801170948

 

[Denniss]

Russians now seem to see Leos everywhere just like ww2 where every tank spotted was a Tiger

View: https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1665792881603276802