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September 25, 2022
Ukraine Open Thread 2022-157
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In the news much is made of Russia allegedly recruiting convicts.
Can someone confirm you don’t get in the Russian army if you have a conviction?
Posted by: Passerby | Sep 25 2022 12:50 utc | 1
Barflies – please don‘t feed the troll PSYOP operators. ( for example the first comment is clearly intended to derail the conversation )
Posted by: Exile | Sep 25 2022 12:55 utc | 2
This is an excellent Scott Ritter interview.
Putin calls NATO’s bluff.
https://rumble.com/v1lf4dx-president-putin-dares-nato-to-make-a-move.html
Posted by: Ric G | Sep 25 2022 12:57 utc | 3
The recent video of someone recruiting convicts was of the Wagner Group head. I don’t know the exact relationship between Wagner Group and the Russian army, but there is some distinction.
Posted by: Simon | Sep 25 2022 13:00 utc | 4
Dutch observers of the Donbas referendums, fear prosecution when they return home for coming to the Donbas to act as impartial observers.
“Sonia van den Ende, who arrived in the LPR as an observer from the Netherlands, said that she and her daughter fear prosecution in their homeland.
“There may be a lawsuit,” she said when asked about the consequences of her trip.”
https://ria.ru/20220925/nablyudatel-1819315907.html
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Sep 25 2022 13:02 utc | 5
@1
Given mobilisation has swept up half-blind 50 y/o’s with zero military experience, I don’t think the rules matter that much right now.
Also picked up this – ‘GulagU have reported on their telegram channel that Prigozhin’s convicts have been a complete disaster for Russia. Their source claims they have been mostly used to augment decimated VDV units and their combat effectiveness has been “about zero.”
Posted by: Tom UK | Sep 25 2022 13:02 utc | 6
The buffoon Chancellor Scholz complaining that energy costs in Germany are too high, self-inflicted if you ask me.
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article241244013/Energiekrise-Die-Preise-muessen-runter-sagt-Scholz.html?source=puerto-reco-2_ABC-V12.1.A_control#Comments
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Sep 25 2022 13:08 utc | 7
It looks like the Bellingcrap/ 77 Brigade/ Integrity Initiative Lie Machine is out in full force.
Posted by: Paul | Sep 25 2022 13:10 utc | 8
Posted by: Tom UK | Sep 25 2022 13:02 utc | 5
If I want to read Anglo-Saxon talking points/propaganda I can quite easily open the BBC or Daily Mail websites.
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 13:13 utc | 9
Oh look yet another Russo-phobic rant without any supporting links or data.. Oh I see, its “Tom UK”, ah well it’s an outlet for him, God love him.
Posted by: Gabriel in Ireland | Sep 25 2022 13:20 utc | 10
> Russell TEXAS Bentley:
‼️BACK TO WORK – REFERENDUM STARTS TODAY‼️
The results of the referendum were never in question. The results of the results, what happens AFTER the referendum, will remain to be seen.
If Russia finally begins a competent and effective approach to the conduct of the military operation, on some legal or political foundation based upon the referendum, it will be a great improvement., and well worth the effort.
The concern is that the referendums in the liberated territories may be used as an excuse to scale back the original goal of the operation – “the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine”, to “protecting the liberated territories”, which will neither ensure their security or that of Russia. Anything less than Russia’s full military control of Kiev and everything east of a line from Kiev down to the Moldovan border is a military and political failure that threatens Russia’s very existence.
We are fighting the nazis of the 21st century, war criminals and terrorists. Ukraine is a nazi and terrorist state. Russia cannot survive with a functioning terrorist state on its border. Denazification begins with regime change and punishment of the war criminals. We do not negotiate with terrorists. An overwhelming military response is the only appropriate response. Nazis and terrorists only understand force and it is time we make them understand everything.
The people of the Donbass Republics were forced into a military response in order to defend themselves against terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian military and the Kiev regime 8 years ago. The Russian government, after exhausting every diplomatic option, was forced into a military response to prevent genocide of Russian people in Donbass. A military response has been taken, and must be adequately maintained until full victory is achieved, because in this war, just as in the Great Patriotic War, we have only 2 choices – Victory or Death.
To the extent that the referendum justifies and enables the full military victory over nazism in Ukraine, I support it completely.
✊🏻🤠👍
++++++
From his Telegram.
A question for Tom UK:
Given that posting anti-Russia propaganda that even BBC would consider too absurd to sell on a site where you are more than likely to encounter derision and contempt what motivates you to do it? Masochism?
Posted by: ariadna | Sep 25 2022 13:27 utc | 12
Both sides have prepared for this existential struggle for over eight years – asking why Russia didn’t do more in 2014 is foolish: it was a different world, one where Russia did not yet have hypersonics deployed or better depth. It would have been MUCH riskier for Russia to do something like the SMO in 2014. Russia has had eight more years to prepare (but so has NATO). It is now a much more complicated, visceral struggle but Putin did his job in putting the fight off as long as he could. The West did not get the message from the many Kinzhal tests these past few years.
IMHO the whole shooting match was *supposed* to happen in 2016 with the ascesion of Straussian demoness Hillary the First, but she is *so* repulsive to normal people that the Deep State had to fall back to Trump as (((plan B))). After COVID, wokeness, Jan6 and Ukraine perhaps there are no more normal people left in the US and Hillary will be installed in 2024 and finish delivering the world to WEF & Baalzebub (or maybe Bill-zebub Gates??).
In any event, the next month meethinks is critical. Ukraine has a very small window before Russian reinforcements & rejuvenation of DNR/LNR/Chechen/Wagner/Russian troops, and still has some cover in forests before winter. Ukie/NATO may well shoot their wad, suicide counterattacks, false-flags, decap attempts against Moscow, real nukes – anything could happen. Time is certainly on Russia’s side and Ukie/NATO has to “use it or lose it”.
As for Putin shock and awe, and the absurd rationalization that “everything is going to plan for the Russians” I think things are never so simple. More like the tool set used by Putin originally for the SMO was not adequate, the RF forces (like the Navy) were not in a wartime mindset hence the loss of the Moskva. Same with security mindset in locating the Avoz prisoner camp, etc. Darwin is purging the idiots on both sides, which is what happens in wartime.
Its like the SMO started out using a mixture of a really good set of sockets and some cheap junk and discovered that the bolt they were working on was actually a more hardened steel, thanks to NATO intelligence, high tech weapons, and embedded NATO command, control and special ops… so Stavka and Putin now need to use the better tools and stop being so dogmatic – kudos to the Iranian Geran-2/Shahed 136: looks like an excellent weapon. Perhaps the Russians have improved on it w/ electronics, engine tweeks, propeller design what have you, but it looks to work well and will wreak havoc with whatever the Ukies/NATO have hidden in the forests.
Posted by: Simplicius | Sep 25 2022 13:28 utc | 13
I have a question regarding the assumption being made that the 300k partially mobilized troops are going to be deployed to Ukraine. If Russia has in fact deployed only a fraction of it’s regular armed forces to Ukraine – why would these mobilized reserves not be sent to backfill and support sending regular forces versus actually deploying them to Ukraine? This also theoretically allows more than 300k additional troops to be deployed. To me this seems obvious, but I’d like to hear comments.
Posted by: plangner | Sep 25 2022 13:34 utc | 14
The concern is that the referendums in the liberated territories may be used as an excuse to scale back the original goal of the operation – “the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine”, to “protecting the liberated territories”, which will neither ensure their security or that of Russia. Anything less than Russia’s full military control of Kiev and everything east of a line from Kiev down to the Moldovan border is a military and political failure that threatens Russia’s very existence
What I’ve been saying. So, Bentley is a troll too, everyone?
The next “phase” will be Russia trying to back out of the whole thing. This will fail, because the Ukranians will keep attacking them. However, the Russian response may well be more of the same half-assed bullshit we’ve seen already. The gloves are never coming off, and the supply of magical red lines that remain uncrossed even when crossed is inexhaustible.
Posted by: Herr Ringbone | Sep 25 2022 13:42 utc | 15
And to think, I used to be interested in sports.
Every day we seem to have geopolitical Super Bowls.
Posted by: chunga | Sep 25 2022 13:45 utc | 16
plangner
Exactly my question!
Could somebody with the relevant experience shed some light on this?
It sounds to clear to not be happening!
Posted by: petrospapas | Sep 25 2022 13:45 utc | 17
@Passerby #1, the Wagner Group (PMC) is recruiting prisoners. They aren’t being drafted into the Russian armed forces. But Wagner is offering amnesty for those that sign up and survive the war so the effort obviously is supported by the government.
Posted by: Yenwoda | Sep 25 2022 13:50 utc | 18
Plangner, Petrospapas.
From Putin’s speech 21st Sept:
‘As I have said, we are talking about partial mobilisation. In other words, only military reservists, primarily those who served in the armed forces and have specific military occupational specialties and corresponding experience, will be called up.
Before being sent to their units, those called up for active duty will undergo mandatory additional military training based on the experience of the special military operation.’
They are not going to be green recruits and are also to be given the same status and pay of regular contracted personnel.
Posted by: Andy | Sep 25 2022 14:07 utc | 19
Regarding the deployment of the 300,000 ready reserve
Close reading of the official statements coming out of Moscow, I get the sense these ready reserve aren’t combat grunts. appears to be more emphasis on technical specialists – logistics, MPs, Radar, mechanics, truckers, rocketeers, armourers, geez maybe drone operators.
That is very similar to US Army division of MOS for the National Guard and Ready Reserve.
Just my semi-educated guess
Posted by: Exile | Sep 25 2022 14:10 utc | 20
This has been Russia’s best week since the liberation of Severodonetsk.
A relatively smooth election process in the 4 oblasts. Touch wood, there’s still another day for civilians to exercise their democratic rights without provocations or under any duress.
A textbook operational defence of the whole frontline, repelling every UAF counterattack while inflicting Kherson-esque losses on the NATO backed Nationalists/Nazis.
Hopefully, good news comes in 3’s and Bakhmut is Wagnerized soon, the rest of the dregs mopped up quickly and DPR fully liberated.
Posted by: WTFUD | Sep 25 2022 14:14 utc | 21
plangner @ 13
Another question I have is why mobilize now going into winter. There is nobody here or anywhere else in the West than can answer those questions reliably.
This may be a feint of sorts to let the Ukraine know that they really mean business. They can draft another 300,000 next year.
All we can do is apply our Western concepts. In Vietnam the US deployed about 3.4 million out of 8.7 million in the military to Southeast Asia over about 9+ years or so. 2 year tour, 6 months training, 2 months travel time 2 months vacation leaves a year or so actually deployed in the field ready or in operations. It is said that after 5 months of combat a soldier is burnt out mentally.
The whole 3.4 million did not go to Vietnam but some were in regional support roles. Approximately 2.7 million of those served in Vietnam. Aviation resources alone took a massive amount of time, money, and manpower. Crafts like that would be highly needed and taken in a call up of reserves. Civilian contractors played a large role and are not counted in these numbers.
Putin demoted his top logistics general so maybe they did not have enough people in logistic and support roles? Of course, the US did not have the borders that Russia has either.
Posted by: circumspect | Sep 25 2022 14:14 utc | 22
plangner @ 13
Another question I have is why mobilize now going into winter. There is nobody here or anywhere else in the West than can answer those questions reliably.
This may be a feint of sorts to let the Ukraine know that they really mean business. They can draft another 300,000 next year.
All we can do is apply our Western concepts. In Vietnam the US deployed about 3.4 million out of 8.7 million in the military to Southeast Asia over about 9+ years or so. 2 year tour, 6 months training, 2 months travel time 2 months vacation leaves a year or so actually deployed in the field ready or in operations. It is said that after 5 months of combat a soldier is burnt out mentally.
The whole 3.4 million did not go to Vietnam but some were in regional support roles. Approximately 2.7 million of those served in Vietnam. Aviation resources alone took a massive amount of time, money, and manpower. Crafts like that would be highly needed and taken in a call up of reserves. Civilian contractors played a large role and are not counted in these numbers.
Putin demoted his top logistics general so maybe they did not have enough people in logistic and support roles? Of course, the US did not have the borders that Russia has either.
Posted by: circumspect | Sep 25 2022 14:16 utc | 23
People say that the US is being hurt by the sanctions on Russia.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The USA is making out like bandits.
They are getting > 5x normal for their natural gas.
They will take something like one-trillion dollars off the stupid Europeans.
Posted by: Jack | Sep 25 2022 14:18 utc | 24
The Rockefellers are crying allllllll the way to the bank.
Maybe they set it up this way?
Posted by: Jack | Sep 25 2022 14:21 utc | 25
“Russia cannot survive with a functioning terrorist state on its border”.
While I very much admire Russell Bentley and what he has done, this may be a slight exaggeration.
After all, Canada and Mexico have survived for centuries with the world’s most vicious and powerful terrorist state sandwiched between them
Posted by: tom welsh | Sep 25 2022 14:22 utc | 26
“After all, Canada and Mexico have survived for centuries with the world’s most vicious and powerful terrorist state sandwiched between them”.
Although, as I forgot to add, both of them have had very close calls. (One of which cost Mexico half its territory).
Posted by: tom welsh | Sep 25 2022 14:24 utc | 27
I’m very concerned about the Zelensky’s pee tape. If it comes out at the wrong time, everyone will forget about Putin’s nuclear threats and just focus on whether Zelensky’s distinguishing mark is really a deep fake or is real because the difference in the size of Zelensky’s tongue and his penis is just too great to be the same person. So this imminent release of Zelensky’s pee tape is very very concerning. And it should be concerning to all of us who believe in democracy and peace.
Posted by: gottlieb | Sep 25 2022 14:24 utc | 28
Two sides two worlds.
The Western Nazi ukro has a real strategy, which is 14 18.
A strategy that involves the defeat of men.
The trenches and assaults style the Marne or the Somme
for the south and Vimy or Verdun for the north.
The result is referenced and so the corpses pile up
tens of thousands without counting the crippled who
saturate Ukrainian hospitals up to Poland.
Widows and orphans by thousands.
It’s a prescribed atrocity.
Defeat in the hearts of men is powerful but, no.
Westerners are very satisfied with the “advances” better
CNN LCI RTBF all gargle with the blood of their soldiers.
Their defeat is written in their cowardice.
The Russians had military strategies and tactics
that they implement.
Open fire bags on the southern front are tactical.
The withdrawal on the Oskole and the Donets is strategic.
Flying cover is tactical.
Result men are saved through their command they
may see women and children again.
The front is shortened therefore strengthened
The obvious strategic shift to defensive is
a success.
The Western enemy sees in it a retreat and a weakness and in
their usual cowardice sends more men to be slaughtered
on an artillery wall that is on the defensive.
Yet they use defensive strategy in Adviivka and it’s works.
But here are two sides two worlds,the Russians are not going to die in massive and suicidal assaults on Adviivka.
The SMO never worked better.
Going after the Russian bear with the idea of stealing his
resources and his den, it is precisely an idea of the mindless
capitalists supported by owners and their “assets”.
Dehumanized by the generational colonial idea.
The West organizes its own suicide in the name of its “values”,
Which are actually money and personal interest, nothing else.
The Russians and their president are one.
Three hundred thousand men,the stratégie change
Dniepro will be swallowed winter or not.
Some play chess, some play crabs.
Two sides two worlds.
Posted by: la bouteille | Sep 25 2022 14:31 utc | 30
#1:
You want to know if I’m moral enough join the army, burn women,
kids, houses and villages after bein’ a litterbug?
Life imitates art…
Posted by: Arlo fan | Sep 25 2022 14:33 utc | 31
In the news much is made of Russia allegedly recruiting convicts.
Can someone confirm you don’t get in the Russian army if you have a conviction?
Posted by: Passerby | Sep 25 2022 12:50 utc | 1
According to Dima of the Military Summary, it is the Wagner Group who is recruiting convicts from prison.
Posted by: Tedder | Sep 25 2022 14:36 utc | 32
Republicofscotland | Sep 25 2022 13:08 utc | 6
“… energy costs in Germany are too high, self-inflicted if you ask me.”
Hm, you think? 😉
Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | Sep 25 2022 14:49 utc | 33
@ Jack, #22
I don’t know what country you live in but you seem not to make a distinction between the USA elites and the USA common people. I’m a professional (PhD level job) federal employee and I’m certainly not making bank with increased USA natural gas sales to Europe because of this war. Most middle class Americans 401ks are going into the shitter and we pay more for everything at retail places. Some of the elites may be cashing in selling more LNG to the Europeans but not us. But the elites time will be eventually be up. Pitch forks and torches, baby, pitch forks and torches…
Posted by: DakotaRog | Sep 25 2022 14:58 utc | 34
Latest from Andrei Martyanov
https://youtu.be/30wqay0LZf0
Posted by: Down South | Sep 25 2022 15:00 utc | 35
it is the Wagner Group who is recruiting convicts from prison.
Posted by: Tedder | Sep 25 2022 14:36 utc | 30
Yes. I found this in Russia Beyond:
The Russian Armed Forces doesn’t accept in its ranks former convicts and people involved in criminal or any other jurisdictional investigations.
Posted by: Passerby | Sep 25 2022 15:23 utc | 36
It looks like the Bellingcrap/ 77 Brigade/ Integrity Initiative Lie Machine is out in full force.
Posted by: Paul | Sep 25 2022 13:10 utc | 7
Which is why I don’t read the comments anymore.
Just scroll to the end and go backwards for a bit, and that’s it.
Posted by: Michigan Dude | Sep 25 2022 15:24 utc | 37
Jack@22
The Rottenfellers OWN the friggen bank. Last I read, they maintain a 54% interest in the “Federal” Reserve Bank of N.Y. Through that agency, they have full domination of Wall $treet…as they did in October of ’29. Will history repeat itself?
Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 25 2022 15:32 utc | 39
Posted by: Tom UK | Sep 25 2022 13:02 utc | 5
Given mobilisation has swept up half-blind 50 y/o’s … Prigozhin’s convicts have been a complete disaster for Russia. … “about zero.”
I for one applaud Russia’s commitment to equal opportunity employment. We all have something to offer in the workplace!
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 25 2022 15:33 utc | 40
La Bouteille@28
Merci. Well conceptualized and presented.
Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 25 2022 15:36 utc | 41
@ DakotaRog
The US has pushed for sanctions that are making Russia richer (by selling their stuff to others at higher prices).
Even though this is now clear to everybody, they still insist on sanctions, and more sanctions, and more sanctions.
Why is that?
My guess is because the US is making so much money out the stupid Europeans.
The US has its puppets as leaders of nearly all the EU nations.
These puppets tell the Europeans to cut their own throat so that the US (elites) can make trillions and they do.
Amazing isn’t it.
If the US elites were to cut you in on the action, would you agree to go along with the scam?
Posted by: Jack | Sep 25 2022 15:36 utc | 42
@39 “We all have something to offer in the workplace!”
Very true. Their past should not be a factor just because they made a mistake in their lives. Everybody deserves a chance to redeem themselves.
Posted by: dh | Sep 25 2022 15:46 utc | 43
How does Germany get LNG?
– Germany has leased four floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) to quickly start importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) directly and replace Russian volumes. – Two of the FSRUs will be stationed in Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbuettel, able to jointly handle up to 12.5 billion cubic metres a year .Aug 24, 2022
Optimistic?:
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government initially planned for gas storage levels to reach 75% by Sept. 1. The next federally mandated targets are 85% by Oct. 1 and 95% by Nov. 1.
Posted by: Chaka Khagan | Sep 25 2022 15:47 utc | 44
They will take something like one-trillion dollars off the stupid Europeans.
Posted by: Jack | Sep 25 2022 14:18 utc | 22
The US does not have anywhere near the capacity to export that much LNG.
I have said for years the solution to the “sole supplier” problem was to build a pipeline from the Qatari Basin, across Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and under the Med to Greece. A connection to the gas finds around Cyprus could also be made.
Posted by: Opport Knocks | Sep 25 2022 15:47 utc | 45
Jack @ 41
You are not the only one who suspects it:
U.S. Oil and Gas Companies Set to Make Tens of Billions More from Wartime Oil Prices in 2022
Oil and Gas Firms Set to Smash Records in 2022
Posted by: Objective Observer | Sep 25 2022 15:56 utc | 46
dh @ 48
Redemption used to be absolute bedrock of American civic religion. Still a primary concept for right wing Protestants. Ask Hillary what happened to that. Her phrase was “deplorable and unredeemable”. Exact phraseology and the delivery was hers, the idea was not.
The zeitgeist has changed. Once you have been cancelled you are simply consigned to the outer darkness. Criminal record as a juvenile? That used to be sealed and attempting to access such information was by itself a crime. Now two clicks gets that info on anyone. Nice to hear that Redemption is still a thing in RF.
Posted by: oldhippie | Sep 25 2022 15:58 utc | 47
@Objective Observer #45, the other winner would be Asia (China) which gets to buy gas from Russia at a discount, liquify it, ship it to Europe for a huge profit.
Posted by: Yenwoda | Sep 25 2022 15:59 utc | 48
Oops. Should be dh @ 42 above. b has not yet tidied this thread that I know of.
Posted by: oldhippie | Sep 25 2022 15:59 utc | 49
Posted by: Passerby | Sep 25 2022 12:50 utc | 1
Can someone confirm you don’t get in the Russian army if you have a conviction?
Why is this important?
In the West you get to hold government office, even if you have a conviction.
In fact, in some places it’s a pre-requisite …
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 25 2022 16:04 utc | 50
Jake Sullivan said that the US has warned the Russians at a very high level in private over the consequences of using nuclear weapons. Interesting that he admits that back channel discussions still continue.
Threats issued via such channels may potentially explain some of the more inexplicable actions that Russia has failed to take – for example hammering weapons convoys and/or targeting decision making centres.
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 16:06 utc | 51
The news media propaganda is over the top now. Every time I click on a western news site I get another new Russia nuke story. Russia is gonna nuke us. Russia is gonna nuke the EU. Several nuke stories a day. This doesn’t bode well for the world. It means the West is going to pop a nuke and blame Russia. Or the West will blow the nuke plant in eastern Ukraine and blame Russia.
Posted by: Leroy | Sep 25 2022 16:07 utc | 52
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 16:06 utc | 50
… Russia has failed to take – for example hammering weapons convoys and/or targeting decision making centres.
I don’t see the two connected. Russia has been hammering weapons convoys for 8 months now.
Russia has targeted decision making centers twice in my recollection, probably more.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 25 2022 16:08 utc | 53
oldhippie @ 46
There are many roads to redemption. I don’t have any actual background on the convicts being recruited but it occurs to me that people with hacking skills could be very useful for bringing down incoming missiles. Familiarity with weapons and explosives would also be a plus.
Posted by: dh | Sep 25 2022 16:10 utc | 54
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 25 2022 16:08 utc | 52
In terms of decision making centres I guess I am talking about not touching Kiev itself – possibly a US red line and communicated as such? And while weapons convoys have been hit I think this is only once they move into depots? Railroads into the country and infrastructure could have been hit much more. Ukraine could be plunged into darkness.
I am just trying to think logically about the nature of these back channel discussions – frankly I’m surprised they exist at all but maybe would explain some of the reticence to go all in
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 16:14 utc | 55
@Jack, #41
“If the US elites were to cut you in on the action, would you agree to go along with the scam?”
Probably not if it was explained clearly but few typical Americans truly research what’s in their 401ks so I guess the majority of us are guilty by association of the sins done by the multinational corporations with the full blessings of the permanent national politicians and government bureaucracies. I sell locally raised produce at a “farmer’s market” and don’t fuck people over there but I guess I cann’t scale up to what my retirement funds are doing, perhaps I should.
Where’s your retirement funds, perfectly balanced so not to screw other people over…?
Posted by: DakotaRog | Sep 25 2022 16:16 utc | 56
Arch Bungle @ 49 responding to Passerby @ 1
Here’s a link to the video of Wagner recruiting at a prison:Prigozhin Recruiting for Wagner
Generally agree that people convicted of crimes should get second and third chances (as some are convicted of crimes they did not commit or of crimes that are not really crimes). Are there limits as to who should get those chances and when? Yes…every society must decide for itself.
Watch and judge for yourself.
Posted by: Objective Observer | Sep 25 2022 16:19 utc | 57
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 16:14 utc | 54
I am just trying to think logically about the nature of these back channel discussions – frankly I’m surprised they exist at all but maybe would explain some of the reticence to go all in
I think these have been going for decades. In fact, this kind of back channel chatter is exactly what led to the acceptance of the M.A.D doctrine.
In any case, it doesn’t make sense that the USA would threaten nukes against an equally powerful nuclear state in retaliation for convoy strikes.
As Putin would say: “We have the same and in some cases better weapons than those you threaten us with. This is not a bluff …” (paraphrasing)
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 25 2022 16:20 utc | 58
As a longtime observer and well wisher of Russia my main concern at this point is not the Special Operation in Ukraine, nor the Russian leadership, but rather the integrity of the Russian state and territory. One must be frank, neither the Chinese nor the Indians are happy with the evolution of the “Special Operation” and will likely be distancing themselves from Russia more and more in the coming months, because they simply do not trust its leadership going forward.
This means Russia will surely be even more isolated and then what, change of leadership? So many unanswerables, but the stigma has done much to undue the goodwill that the Global South had developed for Russia in the past. Is this the beginning of the end of the Russian empire and following that the ensuing isolation of China in turn? The US has been very lucky with the incompetence of its main European competitors, including the Russians, that it frankly boggles the mind.
Posted by: Nicodemus | Sep 25 2022 16:21 utc | 59
#1:
You want to know if I’m moral enough join the army, burn women,
kids, houses and villages after bein’ a litterbug?
Life imitates art…
Posted by: Arlo fan | Sep 25 2022 14:33 utc | 29<\i>
For those Barflies who missed the reference it’s to the 60’s anti-war song ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ linked here
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM
Posted by: Exile | Sep 25 2022 16:24 utc | 60
@Chaka Khagan 43
There are three obvious issues with that.
Firstly that gas would need to be delivered at a rate that makes up for use over time, and it is not clear from where that gas is supposed to be coming.
Secondly, this is not going to make gas more affordable. Indeed, it is likely to raise prices by increasing demand.
Thirdly, those are immense floating bombs, and when a bomb explodes, it makes no difference to the victims whether the detonation is accidental or deliberate. It’s been awhile since cities in Europe exploded and burned. It does not seem terribly sensible to establish an environment where this is again a possibility.
Posted by: Hermit | Sep 25 2022 16:26 utc | 61
https://t.me/soroka_belaya_en/220
Russian TM channels, from reliable sources in Donbass, mostly comrades qith war experience, are more informative than english-speaking ones but this one contains a brief reminder of the historical moment for russia: unlike Tsarist or soviet Russia, the country’s social and cultural cohesion (not to mention damages on education, industrial potential) has been damaged by internal and external forces of global capitalism. What impacts on the ability to mobilize against the empire of chaos? Will pateiotic segments of the ruling class put the internal front in order? How will the 5th column, already doing damage inside the military and civilian admin, behave? Can partial mobilization be a perfect opportunity for the people to force an end to decades of neoliberal sabotage of the state? May the great russian people succeed in the war against all enemies.
“The current situation for Russia is a historical fork at the level of 1914 or even 1941. The partial mobilization announced by the President is intended to solve several issues, and not only the personnel problems of the army, as many think.
[…]
And what now? Will we see modern deputies, businessmen and writers at the front, in hospitals, in volunteer centers? Are they and their sons ready to join the general ranks? If their families are in Switzerland, Montenegro and London, it is worth seriously thinking about the further presence of these persons in the state bodies and among the recipients of grants and income from contracts with state structures.”
Posted by: Kareem | Sep 25 2022 16:32 utc | 62
dh @ 53
Oh yes. Agree with you there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZBaklS79Wc
To get back on topic. Shoot, can’t get two links in this. On everyone’s Telegram this morning is a vid of captured AFU soldiers appealing to Pushilin to be allowed to fight for DPR and RF. The speaker puts it in terms of redeeming themselves in blood.
Posted by: oldhippie | Sep 25 2022 16:32 utc | 63
The Rottenfellers OWN the friggen bank. Last I read, they maintain a 54% interest in the “Federal” Reserve Bank of N.Y. Through that agency, they have full domination of Wall $treet…as they did in October of ’29. Will history repeat itself?
Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 25 2022 15:32 utc | 38
I’ll challenge that. Here is a fairly recent summary of the shareholders and voting structure of the NY Fed. Obviously Citi and JP Morgan dominate the shares, but not the voting.
https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1kh4p10qysrhv/Conspiracy-Theorists-Ask-Who-Owns-the-New-York-Fed-Here-s-the-Answer
The biggest current shareholders of Citi, the former Rockefeller financial house, are Vanguard and Blackrock. Both own less than 10%.
None of the current Citi Board members are Rockefellers, nor are they representing Rockefeller Trusts, which is where most of the inherited family wealth now resides.
https://www.citigroup.com/citi/about/citibank_na_boardofdirectors.html
You do yourself and everyone else a disservice by focusing on yesterday’s bogeymen.
Posted by: Opport Knocks | Sep 25 2022 16:33 utc | 64
Article about some 75 year old German pensioner getting letter from his natural gas supplier –
monthly cost
before 138€
after 789€
Posted by: Exile | Sep 25 2022 16:34 utc | 65
About the Kamikaze drones,
I was wondering why they have, up to now, targeted Ukrainian assets in Odessa and other far removed points from the front
with the Kamikaze drones.
On one of the Telegram channels, someone explained that these “Geran 2” are not remotely controlled, but set to hit preprogrammed coordinates, which make them suitable to hit fixed assets and impervious to electronic means of capture. They supposedly are cheap cruise missiles with great
explosive power.
However, Ukrainian officials have been complaining about the great rate of attrition to their artillery units. Which would cast doubt about their preordained destination.
Maybe some are fixed and others not? Since their range is over a thousand kilometers, radio control would need auxiliary equipment to increase
control range. Turkiye solved this problem with the TB2 by using business jets flying at high altitude to house the controllers or their repeaters and relays.
At first, I believed the Geran2 were similar to the Israeli Harop, a true loitering munition, that can stay aloft over the theater and hit a target selected by the operator. It can even abort the attack if so directed.
The source said this feature made the Geran2 cheap and reliable. I wonder if an IP based RC satellite relayed control could not be as cheap. after all, a HIMARS is worth its weight in gold.
A swarm of Geran2 over the battle field would yield results similar to what the Harop achieved in Armenia a few years ago.
Of course, the optics can add considerably to the cost of the units.
Actually, the Geran2 remind me of Schtukas because they are very loud with a peculiar sound.
eanwhile, keep em coming on anything that doesn’t move.
Posted by: CarlD | Sep 25 2022 16:35 utc | 66
@Objective Observer 45
Not discussed there is the fact that the US administration has depleted the strategic reserve to levels not seen since the 1970s, and listed has exports permitted by Obama for the first time since Carter banned them, in an attempt to limit the rise in US gasoline and natural gas prices before the mid-term elections. Unfortunately, the oil companies have taken the reserves, refined them, and exported most of the resulting fuel, as this allowed them to increase their profits far above their normal larceny. Then, the administration has already committed to replace the reserves at market and given that the oil companies control the fuel price, we know that this will be at the highest price ever achieved in history. In this way, our politicians continue to enable their owners to make out like the looters they are, as usual, at public expense.
Posted by: Hermit | Sep 25 2022 16:40 utc | 67
Bot/Trolling tactics. Oldie but still popular:
“As a longtime [concern troll] my main concern at this point is [mass media FUD narrative du jour]”
Note how they are always a “longtime” something or another, though you’ve never seen them before.
New and creative bot post:
I just [heard/saw/read] that [intelligence community/imperial mass media daily bullet point]
[Can anyone shed light?/What do readers think?]
This one is so boilerplate formulaic that it is certainly a bot post. Who would actually pay a troll to post something that could be done by a Perl or Python script that would take less than ten minutes to write and then by fired off by a scheduled task on the trollmaster’s workstation?
That the Empire of Delusion is paying overtime this weekend suggests that they are desperate. The Donbass referenda seem to have the Empire’s tools all in a panic.
Posted by: William Gruff | Sep 25 2022 16:45 utc | 68
@CarlD | Sep 25 2022 16:35 utc | 65
Have you heard about the amazing free software OpenCV? It makes pattern matching targets quite trivial to implement.
https://docs.opencv.org/4.x/d4/dc6/tutorial_py_template_matching.html
Posted by: too scents | Sep 25 2022 16:45 utc | 69
@Night Tripper 54
@Arch Bungle 57
The US does not discuss. It hectors, threatens and bloviates. The US oligarchs who control the politicians are fully aware that Russia is likely to do the opposite of what the US demands, and perhaps some of them imagine that they can trigger the nuclear war they seek* in this way. That really is the only way this makes any sense.
*Refer my http://bit.ly/WarsOfDepopulation
Posted by: Hermit | Sep 25 2022 16:50 utc | 70
” Threats issued via such channels may potentially explain some of the more inexplicable actions that Russia has failed to take – for example hammering weapons convoys and/or targeting decision making centres.
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 16:06 utc | 50 ”
However, what kind of threats could make Russia back off like that ?
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Sep 25 2022 16:53 utc | 71
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Sep 25 2022 16:53 utc | 70
Assume threats to hit Russian decision making centres (conventionally) in response resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 16:55 utc | 72
@CarlD | Sep 25 2022 16:35 utc | 65
Of course, the optics can add considerably to the cost of the units.
All they need to know is where they are at any time plus the coordinates of the target. If they can receive coordinates from outside, they don’t all need optics.
Posted by: Norwegian | Sep 25 2022 16:59 utc | 73
Toocents
Very interesting. This would enable the Geran2 to hit selected targets by matching- So, again they would be impervious to highjacking.
Posted by: CarlD | Sep 25 2022 17:00 utc | 74
German energy supplier SEFE (formerly known as Gazprom Germany) is buying LNG around the world, that is now missing in developing nations
https://www.ft.com/content/752b1285-3174-4cf1-83c0-b1151888bf4e
Posted by: Andreas | Sep 25 2022 17:02 utc | 75
Another idiot from Biden’s administration said that Russia will be doomed if it detonates a nuclear bomb in Ukraine.
Russia should say that a massive tidal wave will sweep across UK leaving behind radioactive water and soil, if Nato detonates a dirty bomb or nuke in Ukraine and tries to blame it on Russia.
Posted by: unimperator | Sep 25 2022 17:03 utc | 76
@CarlD | Sep 25 2022 17:00 utc | 73
Yes. Image processing has been commodified. That genie is out of the bottle.
Posted by: too scents | Sep 25 2022 17:03 utc | 77
Why mobilize before Winter? Several reasons, I think.
Russia seems to be getting more and more drones, and that involves not just more operators, but more support teams, and more people to handle the intelligence that goes towards their deployment. That includes communications, and analyzing satellite and aerial video. That data also gets run through computers for analysis and enhancement, and storage so as to be used for later comparison. A ton of negative data is useful for later identifying new data that is significant.
All of that will go on during the winter.
Furthermore it’s to be assumed that Russia will want to expand patrols around towns near the front lines. That can be done during winter, as troops can be rotated back to warm barracks, and also be easily supplied while out in the field. Speaking of supplies, Russia will likely be using more vehicles of all kinds this winter, so as to maintain their forces, and stockpile for the spring. If Ukraine can do the same with their front line forces, and they can’t, they will have yet another enormous disadvantage come maneuvering weather in the spring of 2023. If they have to ration fuel and other resources to their front lines, then Russian forces can more easily encircle them without being countered by Ukrainian mobile forces.
I imagine signal intelligence and electronic counter measures will also be getting ramped up by Russia through the use of those called up with the needed skills. All of that can go on in the winter, as afaik most of that goes on indoors, or at least within fairly comfortable positions just behind the front line.
And finally, even during winter certain parts of the terrain can be navigated by equipment designed for work in snow. Russia afaik has a lot more of that kind of equipment, so in a way winter will be a great time to mount some limited offenses. Ukraine would have to scramble to counter, and the forces it uses will have to burn fuel that would be in scant supply, and on sunny days they would stick out like a slow moving sore thumb to Russian drones and aircraft.
Posted by: Babel-17 | Sep 25 2022 17:04 utc | 78
@unimperator | Sep 25 2022 17:03 utc | 75
Another idiot from Biden’s administration said that Russia will be doomed if it detonates a nuclear bomb in Ukraine.
That’s a threat. Russia would never detonate a nuclear device on its own front door, and the Biden “administration” knows it.
Posted by: Norwegian | Sep 25 2022 17:13 utc | 79
Given there was NO vote to change the govmnt in kiev in 2014, then one must conclude that the current referendums are at least MORE DEMOCRATIC than the violent coup in 2014.
It is noticable that the people who supported the undemocratic coup in kiev are, by and large, the same people calling the current referendums “sham”.
Posted by: Pete UK | Sep 25 2022 17:18 utc | 80
CarlD @ 65
On one of the Telegram channels, someone explained that these “Geran 2” are not remotely controlled, but set to hit preprogrammed coordinates, which make them suitable to hit fixed assets and impervious to electronic means of capture. They supposedly are cheap cruise missiles with great
explosive power.
Iran captured a few US drones by using software similar to what you can find on github. There are a few different versions of software to hijack drones. Commercial versions broadcast an AP which can be hijacked. Military versions are now aware of that threat but they still use RF which can be jammed. I do not think the Ukraine has a good jamming capability and they have asked the US for help. Of course, a jammer can be jammed up with an anti radiation missile.
Iran may have a few different versions. A loitering version controlled by an operator and a version with GPS coordinates uploaded so they only have to launch. I imagine the GPS version would be the easiest to use. Drone handling requires a bit of training.
Unmanned Mystery. Loitering ammunition “Geran-2”
The Shahed-136 is quite impressive or not depending on who is doing the review.
ranian Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drones Already Used By russia
As usual, many unknowns that will become clearer with time.
Posted by: circumspect | Sep 25 2022 17:18 utc | 81
The saboteur of the Armed Forces of Ukraine blew himself up in Melitopol because of his own miscalculation – he carelessly handled explosives, which were probably intended for one of the polling stations. But the investigation is working out other versions. At the place of the death of the Ukrainian military, they found an APU certificate and scattered money, apparently payment for the terrorist attack.
This was announced by the representative of the local administration Vladimir Rogov.
https://t.me/azmilitary11/22074
Posted by: unimperator | Sep 25 2022 17:20 utc | 82
opport knocking @63
Looks all fine and good until you connect with the small print. Like, who owns Blackrock and Vanguard? Try finding out. The Rottenfellers are not “history”. They work through fronts and cutouts, such as foundations and even educational institutions which they have funded for decades.
The whole notion of “conspiracy theories” was developed during the hearings on the assassination of JFK. One of the conspirators in that takedown was LBJ. He chose and selected the members of the Warren Commission. The American people started getting all cynical about the “magic bullet theory”, posited by one of the political stooges on the commission. So the Agency stepped in and informed their “owned” journos that henceforth they would describe all “off message” inputs as “conspiracy theories”.
Dude, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. I don’t give a fat, furry, flying fart as to which “authority” you link. There is NO authority. Most so-called authorities are OWNED. Back in the 60’s we demanded that nobody should trust the Establishment…these days it extends to anyone who habitually wears a goddamn necktie. One night, listening to the “As it Happens” program on CBC radio, the interviewee was an anthropologist who explained that you can easily determine whether or not someone is a slave. They are the ones who are obliged to wear bandings around their necks.
“Yesterday’s Boogiemen” indeed!!! These bassturds are the primary owners of this benighted country. In recent years, ever since Nelson Rottenfeller died of a heart attack while getting head from a woman other than his wife, Happy; the Rottenfeller Crime Clan has maintained a low profile and covered up their tracks. It’s still the same old, same old…or as Leonard Cohen put it “Everybody knows”.
Frankly, Opport, I’m beginning to wonder about just where you happen to be coming from. Perhaps you simply are ignorant as to what goes on behind the scenes.
Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 25 2022 17:22 utc | 83
VOTING TURNOUT AFTER 2 DAYS…..
In the LPR, voter turnout for two days was 45.86 percent, in the DPR 55.05 percent, in the Kherson region, the turnout for Friday and Saturday was 31.79 percent and in the Zaporozhye region 35.54 percent.
Posted by: HERMIUS | Sep 25 2022 17:24 utc | 84
Hermit @66
Thanks. Critical information on the price-gougers in the Big-Oil consortium. The Rottenfellers keep adding to their trillions and so do their unindicted co-conspiritors.
Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 25 2022 17:26 utc | 85
Unimperator@75
It would be far simpler and safer for Russia to merely send a KINETIC hypersonic precisely aimed at the Rottenchild Bank in City of London.
No Nukes is good nukes.
As Russia currently owns the sky with their hypersonic missiles, they can respond kinetically rather than open Pandora’s box once again since the nuclear destruction of Harappa and Mohenjo Dara in the Indus Valley some 6,000 years ago. In an age lost to any historical records, tektites found in the Egyptian southern Sahara region indicates that some currently unknown era, another major nuclear incident occurred.
Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 25 2022 17:32 utc | 86
A summary of the basic subversive tactics available to Russia as part of the SMO or future conflicts which stem from it:
Question:
What are the options available to Russia in terms of strategies of Subversion and Distraction which may be used to distract and confuse NATO and it’s masters?
Assuming the Russian leadership is willing to accept some moral tarnishing and in the grand old style of the CIA dirty tricks department, the following “macro-tactics” may be available
Subversion of EU Political Stability
1. Hold out the permanent offer of *extremely* cheap oil and gas to the peripheral countries of the EU: Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, Albania(!), Macedonia in order to raise the tension between EU countries.
2. Hold out the offer of “resellership” for Russian commodities to some EU countries, with the promise of putting those countries in a position of power to broker oil and gas supplies to the rest of the EU.
The objective of these initiatives would be to set up lines of tension between EU states, introducing a permanent state of frustration between the leadership of countries on either side of these tension lines. As economic conditions get worse, half the EU states will be faced with the fact that a simple agreement with Russia would result in a flood of fuel and food resources, as well as power-broking tools provided by Russia in the same way Russia provided the power-broking tool of Gazprom Deutschland …
Subversion of Turkish Stability (*danger*)
3. Funding and supply of Kurdish (YPG etc.) groups internal to Turkey with weapons and intelligence for attacks inside Turkey
4. Funding and supply of the Kurdish SDF in Syria against Turkish forces
5. Exacerbation of the refugee problem in Turkey, increasing tensions with the EU
The objective of subverting Turkey would be to reduce Turkey’s growing insistence that Russia release control of Crimea as well as the potential for Turkey to overwhelm Russian forces in Syria at a moment of Russian weakness. The potential remains for Turkey to somehow aid NATO at some point in the future to threaten Russia in the Black Sea, therefore it makes sense to retain the option of immediate internal destabilisation.
Subversion of American Allegiances in the M.E
5. Israel: Strengthening of diplomatic relations with israel in order to weaken American influence via israel in the region
6. Support of the SAA in destroying the SDF in the Kurdish Regions of Syria, leaving the US with no Kurdish support.
7. Support of the anti-Kurdish groups in order to destroy the Kurdish Regions of Iraq, leaving the US with no Kurdish support in the region.
8. Lebanon: Financial support of the Lebanese government (perhaps a bailout?)
9. Clandestine support of the Houthi via arms supplies (*risky*)
10. Exacerbation of the refugee problem on the borders of the EU …
The objective of subversion in the middle east is cause massive distractions requiring US resources to resolve. The destabilisation of parts of the middle east against the interests of the USA will keep the US distracted and occupied, less able to interfere further in Ukraine.
Denial of American Military reach in Afghanistan
11. Anti-drone assistance to the Taliban, including provision and training on anti-drone radar and firing systems. This should begin making it difficult for the US to conduct strikes in the region and again distract the US in yet another region of the world.
Denial of Western access to the Arctic Transport routes
12. Preferential access to China, India, NK shipping via the arctic routes
13. Increased conduct of Military exercises with China, India, NK in the arctic routes
The objective of this activity would be to terrify the US financial elite with the specter of Asia having preferential access to new logistics routes, leading them to push the US military establishment to focus resources on yet another distraction far from American shores.
Combined with an effort to build LNG capacity, the newly emerging arctic routes could provide safe, easily insured routes for LNG transport from China to Europe …
Massive enhancement of Syrian State Power
14. Provision of enhanced, hardened Anti-Air systems
15. Clandestine support of Chinese supply of HQ-series AA systems instead of politically sensitive S300 systems
The objective of these subversive activities would be to strengthen the Syrian state in preparation for a potential American attempt to destroy it, which is likely to come sometime in the near future.
Subversion of US political and social structure
16. Provision of study scholarships for Black, Native American, Latino, Asian and other American minorities
The objective of this technique and others like it would be to exploit cultural, ideological and ethnic fractures within western (primarily US) societies, thereby going some way to countering the anti-Russian propaganda these societies are subjected to by their own governments.
(Hello, Yuri Besmenov!)
Extreme pressure on Japan unless they void all sanctions and criticisms of Russia:
17. Threaten to declare the Kuril island chain an eternal and inalienable part of Russia, hold multi-month conferences on planning to do so …
18. Establish new military bases, including missile launch bases on the Kurils
19. Hold out the option of partnerships in the Sakhalin gas projects once again
The objective of this series of measures would be to confuse and neutralise Japan’s position in support of the US’ Ukrain position and set up tension between it and it’s current colonial master. This would
Pressure on the UK in it’s domestic affairs
20. Funding, training and assistance to the New IRA or malcontented remnants of the IRA in order provoke attacks on the British Army in Ireland.
21. Support for Argentina’s claim on “Las Malvinas” … Perhaps military training and supply of anti-air and anti-ship weaponry
22. Establishment of an insurance conglomerate, together with China and India to capture the market share currently held by insurance behemoths of London (e.g Lloyds)
The objective of these measure is to keep the British busy, turn their focus to domestic affairs and away from Russia.
Time has proven that once the British Government gets bored it tends to cause mischief in the world, as its doing now.
Disclaimer:
To be sure, each of these tactics have their own caveats and risks, may work at cross purposes if employed in the wrong combination and with incorrect timing, however if employed with the correct timing and in optimal combination with fortuitous world events, the effect could be devastating when used to set up a “matrix of levers” used to distract and tire NATO and it’s allies.
Observations:
– Despite the sheer number of subversive tactics and strategies available to Russia, it appears that Putin has exercises none of them. Why this is the case would be an interesting discussion.
– None of the tactics listed above are actually focused on Ukraine, despite that being the apparent locus of conflict. Instead, they’re focused on weakening the web of control exercised by NATO *around the locus of conflict*.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 25 2022 17:32 utc | 87
The fact that NATO has has to pump tens of billions of dollars worth of financial , military and technical support into Ukraine (to the point that their own stocks have diminished to dangerously low levels as they have publically admitted) and take direct control of the UAF bypassing UAF high command shows what a resounding success the SMO has been.
The reason for the call up of 300,000 combat veterans is that the nature of the war has changed. Instead of simply facing the UAF which the SMO has capably dealt with, Russia is now facing the combined might of NATO in Ukraine. As the Saker noted about Shoigu’s speech for example:
Shoigu also clearly spelled out that “we are not so much fighting against the Ukraine but against NATO plus the united (collective) West“.
Shoigu also mentioned that all of the NATO satellite capabilities (70 military and 200+ civilian satellites) are used against Russia right now.
Just as the nature of the conflict has changed so has Russia’s response.
This conflict still has a ways to go.
Posted by: Down South | Sep 25 2022 17:33 utc | 88
CarlD @65
“Cheap” is the operative word. That translates to “easy to mass produce”. If they are cheap enough then you can have swarms of Shahed-136/Geran-2 drones loitering over the battlefield and transmitting intelligence while the operator selects one, gives it a target to attack, then switches to another. Rinse lather repeat. That lets the operators hit targets of opportunity.
Yes, the optics will clearly be the most expensive part of the drone. The body of the drone can be a monocoque of mass molded FRP or stamped steel, the engine can be optimized for cheap mass production with all kinds of corners cut because it only has to operate for a couple hours, it needs no landing gear, and the controllers can be a few cheap single board computers that run Linux (Iranians are good at Linux development) and that cost a buck or two each. The optics, though? You need passable quality lenses and sensors, and those will cost more than the rest of the electronics combined. With that said, we are not talking thousands of dollars per unit here. A couple hundred dollars max if they want good high quality video.
Given a decent manufacturing process with a little bit of automation I can’t see why they would have difficulty getting the unit cost below a thousand bucks. That cheap is real game changing drone tech. Of course, launchers and control consoles would be much more expensive, but those are not intended to be disposable.
It does seem the Shahed-136 has a very noisy prop, so there is room for improvement. Maybe a better prop is something the Russians can offer since they have some real aerospace engineering gurus?
Posted by: William Gruff | Sep 25 2022 17:35 utc | 89
@Arch Bungle | Sep 25 2022 17:32 utc | 86
Africa exists.
Posted by: too scents | Sep 25 2022 17:36 utc | 90
Is German energy….without a pipe sustainable?
As posted by: Andreas | Sep 25 2022 17:02 utc | 74
Germany is buying “um herum” at any price.
But…
There seem to be a lot of people in the German Federal Ministry of Economics who have no idea!
Simply lost in conversion !
In 2019, 471 LNG tankers transported about 75 million cubic meters of LNG to all corners of the planet. Worldwide
Newspaper are claiming.
Russia supplied 60 billion cubic meters of gas per year (gaseous state) in recent years.
In fact, 8.33 million cubic meters of LNG can be converted into 5000 million cubic meters of gas at one terminal!
Conversion factor 600.
In order to move (if somewher available….) those 60 billions cm of gas, you need nearly a new bunch of 400 tankers
Who shot the buck here, the Journallit or the ministry of economics? What do these people do full-time?
Oh yes, they give advice on how to save gas.
Kalt duschen oder nasse Lapen zu nutzen. Not anymore 1984 sondern 1945
Posted by: La Bastille | Sep 25 2022 17:38 utc | 91
@81 unimperator
At the place of the death of the Ukrainian military, they found an APU certificate and scattered money, apparently payment for the terrorist attack.
Always a reminder to pack the essentials for a terrorist attack. Explosives, pistol (optional), ID, and the fat bundle of cash that you got paid to do the job, just in case you fancy a shopping spree in occupied territory after the mission.
Posted by: Tom UK | Sep 25 2022 17:38 utc | 92
Russia should hurry up, on a Telegram channel they speak of a Ukrainian success on the Liman front:
https://t.me/Rot_Okt/3731
I wonder when Russia will get its act together in the East…
Posted by: Nico | Sep 25 2022 17:41 utc | 93
” Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Sep 25 2022 16:53 utc | 70
Assume threats to hit Russian decision making centres (conventionally) in response resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 16:55 utc | 71 ”
However, Russia has no defense against this and cant respond in kind ? Doesnt seem logical. There must be something else at play.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Sep 25 2022 17:43 utc | 94
@56 ObjectiveObserver
The way the MSM reports the ‘Russians recruiting convicts’ story is designed to be another example of Russian barbarism. There are no details about the actual convicts. Do they volunteer? Are they forced? Obviously the RF will weed out drug addicts and psychopaths.
Posted by: dh | Sep 25 2022 17:46 utc | 95
Alexander Mercouris mentioned the recently leaked threats by Sullivan to the Kremlin. He interpreted the threats as the reason Putin issued the warning to the west, including London, Brussels and Washington, DC. that if they used nuclear weapons Russia would respond.
I doubt that US threats stop Russia from hitting certain targets.
Posted by: wagelaborer | Sep 25 2022 17:49 utc | 96
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Sep 25 2022 17:43 utc | 93
However, Russia has no defense against this and cant respond in kind ? Doesnt seem logical. There must be something else at play.
Hang on – you are saying hitting Kiev but losing thousands of Muscovites or St Petersburg civilians and then subsequent escalation beyond that wouldn’t make Russia at least pause for thought?
Posted by: Night Tripper | Sep 25 2022 17:53 utc | 97
… Or the West will blow the nuke plant in eastern Ukraine and blame Russia.
Posted by: Leroy | Sep 25 2022 16:07 utc | 51
An attack on the ZNPP spent fuel seems like a more “reasonable” scenario but how to square that with these Russia’s-gonna-nuke-us scare stories? Everything coming out of the west is in utterly bad faith so these scare stories are almost certainly a threat, perhaps trying to get RF to stop at the current lines rather than break AFU and take Odessa.
RF has stepped things up with these Iranian attack drones, especially with hits on Odessa, which suggests it’s still on the todo list rather than the wish list! If the increased nuke scare has coincided with the drone escalations, that’d be interesting.
Also interesting would be RF putting hundreds of those drones in the air per day.
Sullivan mentioning private, high level discussions with RF is yet more evidence of western pathology. It’s all in bad faith.
Posted by: anon2020 | Sep 25 2022 18:03 utc | 98
@unimperator | Sep 25 2022 17:20 utc | 81
The DPR showed documents of terrorists who planned explosions in the republic during the referendum, all of them were trained in Poland and the Czech Republic
It is high time to recognize Europe as accomplices of terrorists.
https://t.me/intelslava/37908
Posted by: Norwegian | Sep 25 2022 18:05 utc | 99
Fascinating anti-NATO argument :
….The reason I support Russia is that I want the US empire to collapse. The reason I want the US empire to collapse is that I do not believe that the US empire is compatible with freedom in the US, and believe that we can only reestablish freedom in this country when the empire falls…..
Link to long and detailed article
https://www.unz.com/aanglin/the-situation-in-the-ukraine-is-an-historical-event-of-immense-magnitude/
Posted by: Exile | Sep 25 2022 18:06 utc | 100