According to our data, in the Zaporozhye direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine went on the offensive in order to try to shift the informational focus, as well as to recapture at least some land from the Russians in order to declare victory and try to raise morale in the army against the backdrop of the Bakhmutov meat grinder and huge losses.

But as you can see, it got even worse. Lost armor and soldiers in the open field. Therefore, the Office of the President and rear military officials deny the attack attempt, so as not to run into another wave of negativity from the public.

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:08 utc | 1

⚡️🇷🇺🇺🇦⚔️ Situation in the #Orekhov Section until 13:00 on 19 Mar 2023; pub. 13:43⚡️

🔹About two Hours ago, two assault groups of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces' 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, reinforced by Territorial Defence units, conducted a reconnaissance battle on the position of 291st Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division of the RF Armed Forces near #Rabotino.

▪️ Ukrainian formations attempted to bypass the RF Armed Forces' strongholds from two sides. The movement of the enemy was detected by UAV crews, and the advancing AFU groups were attacked by artillerymen from the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division, destroying the equipment on which the AFU were moving.

▪️ This attack is not likely to be the last one today. There are now concentrations of AFU armoured vehicles, including tanks, in the area around #Novodanilovka.
➖ At least 15 units of equipment have been deployed near the suburb of #Orekhov. Ukrainian units use a smoke screen before almost every offensive.

▪️ In addition, the AFU attempted to storm the positions of the RF Armed Forces from the line between #Belogorye and #Charivnoye. A column was formed in the vicinity of #Belogorye, which was instantly hit by artillery. Now the Ukrainian equipment has returned to its initial position.

📌 The Ukrainian Command is preparing for a major offensive. Regular essentially suicidal attacks are aimed at assessing the state of Russian defences and adjusting the overall offensive plan in #Zaporozhye region.

At the same time in the south the AFU concentrates reserves not only near #Zaporozhye. In #Kherson and #Nikolayev regions from #Ochakov to #Nikopol 10 to 15 thousand men are active, mainly Territorial Defence and mobilised men.

Yesterday the AFU unsuccessfully attempted to land a SRG on Bolshoy Potemkin Island. And in #Maryanskoye, on the border of the #Dnepropetrovsk and #Kherson regions, on the banks of the #Kakhovka reservoir, assault groups are trained daily, including landing on the left bank of the #Dnieper.

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:13 utc | 2

⚡️🇷🇺🇺🇦⚔️ Battle for #Avdeyevka - Situation until 14:00 on 19 Mar 2023⚡️

🔹 After the Liberation of #Krasnogorovka, Russian units continued their offensive further westward with the task of bypassing the #Avdeyevka stronghold from the north. Over the past few days, control of the hill next to the railway line near #Petrovskoye has been established.

▪️ At the moment there are positional battles with the active use of artillery and attack aviation. Advancement further towards #Petrovskoye will make it possible to cut off #Avdeyevka's supply lines by rail.

▪️ The RF Armed Forces were also able to expand their zone of control west of #Vesyoloye, entrenching themselves in positions by the reservoirs and fully occupying the road to #Krasnogorovka.

🔹 To the South, Ukrainian formations attempted an offensive against Russian positions near #Vodyanoye and #Opytnoye. Fighting continued for several days, but the RF Armed Forces repulsed the attack and the assault troops of the 147th Battalion of the 116th Territorial Defence Brigade retreated to #Severnoye. The 116th Brigade's losses were seven killed, 14 wounded.

📌 The Successes in the #Avdeyevka sector were made possible by the massive engagement of artillery together with aviation. Targeted high-precision shelling of rear facilities and ammunition depots resulted in significant damage to the enemy and provided a bridgehead for the offensive of ground forces.

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:15 utc | 3

Thank you b.

OUN-B Nazi irrational illogical brand of racism on display. Is costing & will more so, Ukrainians dearly. Did not have to be ...

@ Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:08 utc | 1

As if it was not foreseen, will likely regroup & rinse & repeat within 24 hrs. :(

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 19 2023 15:15 utc | 4

🇷🇺 In general, on Putin's visit to Mariupol.

1. The construction of a four-lane road from Donetsk to Mariupol has been completed.
2. The restoration and reconstruction of Mariupol is going according to plan. By the end of 2023, the city center should be completed.
3. Planned demolition of the destroyed high-rise buildings is underway (according to the plan, everything should be demolished by the end of 2023)
4. The Mariupol Sea Port is being actively restored, the capacities of which are being used to speed up the restoration work.
5. The work of public transport is being activated, 110 buses have already been launched in the city. The tram will probably run in the summer.
6. There is an active construction of new residential microdistricts (on the model of those already built).
7. The restoration of the Mariupol airport is proceeding at a rapid pace. The RF Armed Forces have already begun using it after mine clearance.
8. Local entrepreneurs are given interest-free loans in a simplified form when new jobs are created.
9. From 2023, Mariupol will start shipping various products through the port - coal, grain, rolled metal, etc. made in the DNR.
10. The population of the city continues to increase. Active restoration processes attract people to return to the city.

In general, Mariupol will obviously repeat the fate of Grozny. Being badly damaged during the fighting, it was quickly restored and reconstructed at the expense of federal transfers for restoration. Mariupol is waiting for the same path.

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:16 utc | 5

Orthodox icons stolen from churches in Artyomovsk, Soledar and Chasov Yar are being sold on the dark web.

Beggars and thieves, that's all the ukraine has.

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:21 utc | 6

University of Chicago Professor John Mearsheimer: I think that In the rivalry between us (the Americans) and the Russians, the Russians will win. Now you're probably going to say, "Why does he say that?" Think about it: who has more determination? Who really cares more about this situation, the Russians or the Americans? The Americans don't care that much about Ukraine. The Americans have made it clear. They're not even willing to fight and die for Ukraine. So for us, they don't care that much.

For the Russians, they've also made it clear, it's an existential threat.  So the balance of resolve, I think, is in their favor. And as we move down the escalation ladder, I think—and this is just my assumption—that the Russians will win, not the Americans. I don't think it matters much to the U.S. if we lose in the sense that the Russians prevail in Ukraine. I think the real losers in this war are the Ukrainians. And I think what has happened here is that we have guided the Ukrainians down the path of Primrose. We pushed very hard to encourage the Ukrainians to become part of NATO. We pushed very hard to make them part of NATO.

We pushed very hard to make them a Western bastion on Russia's borders, even though the Russians made it clear that this was unacceptable to them. We, as a result, and here I am talking about the West, took a stick and poked the bear in the eye. And as you all know, if you take a stick and poke a bear in the eye, the bear probably won't smile and laugh at what you're doing. The bear will fight back. And that's exactly what happens. And this bear is going to tear Ukraine apart. This bear is in the process of tearing Ukraine apart.

And again, we're back to where we started. Who is responsible for this? Are the Russians responsible for this? I don't think so. There is no doubt that the Russians are doing the dirty work. But the question is, "What made the Russians do it?" and I think the answer is very simple: the United States.

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:25 utc | 7

Interesting update from Black Mountain Analysis

https://bmanalysis.substack.com/p/operational-update-68c

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:29 utc | 8

Related comment from Scott Ritter (in the beginning, up to about 7:00):
One of the points: it is hard to re-train pilots from Mig to F16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiOhYTXxZwE

Posted by: Network Admin | Mar 19 2023 15:36 utc | 9

Larry Johnson makes the point that no real effective military would constantly blather on about their upcoming “counter offensive “ as Ukraine and NATO have:

https://sonar21.com/western-propagandists-have-trouble-reading-the-tactical-situation-in-bakhmut/

Not that it won’t happen, but I also suspect this is a narrative shaping move.

Posted by: Chris | Mar 19 2023 15:36 utc | 10

Clearance Sale in progress -
Gotta sell those F-16s!

Posted by: Elmagnostic | Mar 19 2023 15:40 utc | 11

Today’s ‘clobber list’ from the Russian Defence Ministry: https://eng.mil.ru/en/special_operation/news/more.htm?id=12458088@egNews

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (19 March 2023)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the 'Zapad' Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) close to Dvurechnaya, Timkovka, Olshana (Kharkov region), and Novoselovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

Up to 50 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles were eliminated.

In Krasny Liman direction, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the 'Tsentr' Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and military hardware close to Nevskoye, Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Yampolvka and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has suffered losses of over 90 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and D-20 and D-30 howitzers in this direction in the past 24 hours.

In Donetsk direction, the units of the 'Yug' Group of Forces conducted a complex fire attack to annihilate over 80 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, four pick-up trucks, three Grad MLRS vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and AN/TPQ-36 radar system in the past 24 hours.

In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Operational-Tactical Aviation and artillery of the 'Vostok' Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on the AFU units close to Novomikhailovka, Ugledar, Prechistovka, Privolnoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy's losses have amounted to over 50 Ukrainian troops, three pick-up trucks, and one D-30 howitzer in this direction during the day.

In Kherson direction, Russian troops have neutralised up to 20 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and two Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers during the day.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 92 artillery units at their firing positions, enemy manpower and hardware in 114 areas during the day.

Two hangars storing armaments and military hardware of the 122nd Territorial Defence Brigade have been neutralised close to Otradokamenka (Kherson region).

Fighter aviation shot down a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force near Kupyansk (Kharkov region).

Air defence forces have intercepted nine HIMARS and Olkha MLRS projectiles during the day.

Moreover, seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down close to Kotlyarovka (Kharkov region), Chernopopovka, Golikovo (Lugansk People's Republic), Blagodatnoye, Kirillovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Staraya Zburyevka (Kherson region).

In total, 402 airplanes and 222 helicopters, 3,464 unmanned aerial vehicles, 414 air defence missile systems, 8,338 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,069 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,388 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 9,011 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Posted by: West of England Andy | Mar 19 2023 15:44 utc | 12

Haven’t drones and cheap missiles made manned fighters a tiny niche military product ?

Posted by: Exile | Mar 19 2023 15:47 utc | 13

Guess it doesn't matter much anyway. When was the last time any Ukronazi pilot sat in a military jet with the engine running? Just cannot imagine Ukronazi pilots being of much use at this stage.

Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | Mar 19 2023 15:50 utc | 14

I love how every thread begins with about 10 long comments of propaganda and readers welcome the BS. Gotta keep those barflys brainwashed.

Posted by: Longhorn | Mar 19 2023 15:52 utc | 15

All here at the bar seem agreed "the Ukraine" is finished.
What will be left in its place?
There´ll probably be a rump republic of six oblasts: Kiev, Zhitomir, Xmelnitsky, Vinnitsa, Cherkassy and Yelizavetgrad. Chernigov and Poltava might be added, but unlikely. It would also not be called "the Ukraine" (= "borderland") because that was the toxic creation of the Prussians and Austrians after WW1 (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk). It´ll probably be Chornarus or Malorus, with a status similar to Belarus.
In the West, not even Putin wants the toxic Galicia (nor Wolyn).
It´ll probably be the neutral (really neutral), demilitarized zone acting as the new buffer between NATO and Russia.
Bessarabia will probably go the same way and unite with Moldova, provided Moldova agrees to genuine neutrality and demilitarization. It will not include Transdnistria, which will be become part of Odessa oblast, Russia.

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 15:59 utc | 16

I read an interesting article quoting a now-deceased Ukrainisn fighter pilot trained to fly F-16 saying how he preferred the heavier Su-27 which was superior in every respect. Those were the old version Su-27 as opposed to VKS models

I was under the impression F-16 was for developing countries and lightweight. It is hardly going to be a match for Russian systems

Really this is Ukraine wanting Western involvement to fight their war

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 19 2023 16:00 utc | 17

I love how every thread begins with about 10 long comments of propaganda

Posted by: Longhorn | Mar 19 2023 15:52 utc | 15

Well, it makes a refreshing change from the 10 long comments of propaganda I have to put up with at the start of every MSM ̣̣̣̣‘news’ bulletin in my country.

Posted by: West of England Andy | Mar 19 2023 16:00 utc | 18

Posted by: Longhorn | Mar 19 2023 15:52 utc | 15

I love it too when the TrollTeam gets beaten to those first ten precious slots.

Posted by: SwissArmyMan | Mar 19 2023 16:00 utc | 19

Minimum, incomplete, low-ball KIA(only)(FEBA only) 290+ ... Translated:

Summary of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of a special military operation (19.03.2023)

◽️ In the Kupyansk direction, operational and tactical aviation strikes, artillery fire and heavy flamethrower systems of the "Western" grouping of troops hit Ukrainian armed forces units in the areas of Dvurechnaya, Timkovka, Olshana in the Kharkiv region and Novoselovskoye in the Luhansk People's Republic. Up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen, two armored fighting vehicles and two vehicles were destroyed.

💥 In the Krasno-Limanskoe direction, artillery and heavy firing systems of the Group of Forces (Forces) "Center" defeated enemy manpower and equipment in the areas of Nevskoe, Belogorovka of the Luhansk People's Republic, Yampolovka and Hryhorovka of the Donetsk People's Republic. Over 90 Ukrainian servicemen, three armored fighting vehicles, three vehicles, a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers were destroyed in this direction during the day.

💥 In the Donetsk direction, as a result of active actions of Southern Group of Forces units, more than 80 Ukrainian servicemen, three armored combat vehicles, four pickup trucks, three Grad MLRS combat vehicles, Msta-B howitzer, as well as a US-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station were destroyed during the day.

💥 On the South Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya directions, strikes by tactical aircraft and artillery fire of the Vostok Group of Forces hit AFU units in the areas of Novomikhailovka, Ugledar, Prechistovka, Privolnoye of the Donetsk People's Republic and Orekhov of the Zaporizhzhya region. The losses of the enemy in these directions during the day amounted to more than 50 Ukrainian servicemen, three pickup trucks, as well as a D-30 howitzer.

◽️ In the Kherson direction, up to 20 Ukrainian servicemen, three vehicles, as well as two self-propelled howitzers "Gvozdika" were destroyed in the course of the day.

💥 Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery of groups of troops (forces) of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hit 92 artillery units in firing positions, manpower and equipment in 114 areas. Two hangars with weapons and military equipment of the 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade were hit near the village of Otradokamenka, Kherson Oblast.

◽️ A Ukrainian Air Force Mi-8 helicopter was shot down by fighter aircraft near the town of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast.

◽️ Nine HIMARS and Olha MBRLS rockets were intercepted by air defense assets during the day. In addition, seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed in the areas of Kotlyarovka (Kharkiv Region), Chervonopopovka, Holikovo (Luhansk People's Republic), Blagodatne, Kirillovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Staraya Zburyevka (Kherson Region).

📊 In total, since the beginning of the special military operation destroyed (losses over previous 24hrs(+?)):
402 aircraft, (Daily avg 1.1)
222(+1) helicopters, (Daily avg 0.6)
3,464(+7) unmanned aerial vehicles, (Daily avg 8.9)
414 surface-to-air missile systems, (Daily avg 1.1)
8,338(+8) tanks and other armored combat vehicles, (Daily avg 21.8)
1,069(+3) multiple rocket launchers, (Daily avg 2.8)
4,388(+7) field artillery and mortars, (Daily avg 11.4) and
9,011(+15) special military vehicles. (Daily avg 23.3)

Comment:

Sustained comparative reduced OP tempo over last 72hrs. Equivalent to average effort over Jan/Feb period. Current 72hr RF main effort concentrated & focused. Adviika double envelopment continues to develop.

Apparent AFU Air Defense Systems are now marginal/ineffective to non-extant, operationally & tactically on the battlefield & throughout Theater, other than limited Strategic, politically sensitive, Urban city centers.

Highly probable AFU no longer has adequate manpower, combat effective reserves, combat power & logistics train sufficient to successfully relieve Bahkmut or Adviika or forestall Adviika's envelopment, let alone succeed against numerically & combat power superior forces in prepared entrenched fortified multiple defensive lines, in depth, with RF mass uncommitted reserves forward deployed re a notional 'counter-offensive' re Zaporische region.

Exhaustion of remaining reserves & materiel in a failed 'counter-offensive' likely to trigger AFU structural/organizational collapse as a consequent result therefore through inability to continue to sustain & effectively resist, hold the Line, along the length of the FEBA.

Previous summary comments applicable, unchanged, here.

Note: An Army does not ultimately maintain & retain urban defense fortifications by relentlessly reinforcing forces inside an envelopment. It actually defends said works by deploying sufficient capable maneuver combat power to support & hold the flanks to prevent envelopment & where necessary counter-attacks to retrieve them to ensure security of MSRs. AFU repeatedly demonstrates it lacks both the capacity & capability to do so.

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 19 2023 16:03 utc | 20

Paul Greenwood 217 "Really this is Ukraine wanting Western involvement to fight their war."

Right. Getting direct Western involvement is the only strategy they have. They say the MIG aren't enough. Got to have F-16s. Then it will be F-35s (with NATO pilots of course). They are deluding themselves.

Posted by: dh | Mar 19 2023 16:11 utc | 21

@ West of England Andy | Mar 19 2023 15:44 utc | 12

Apologies for double post. Cheers.

@ SwissArmyMan | Mar 19 2023 16:00 utc | 19

Indeed, community effort. Sure beats trolls deliberate fatuous inanities re AH et al to deliberately derail threads. Cheers

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 19 2023 16:13 utc | 22

@ Outraged | Mar 19 2023 16:03 utc | 20

Thanks for the effort you put into summarizing these reports.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 19 2023 16:15 utc | 23

AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎@AZgeopolitics
🇫🇷🇵🇱🇺🇦🇷🇺Polish Ambassador to France Jan Emeryk Rościszewski: "Either Ukraine will defend its independence today, or we will be forced to enter into this conflict."

Subtitled video in Tweet

Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 16:23 utc | 24

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 15:59 utc | 16

All here at the bar seem agreed "the Ukraine" is finished.
What will be left in its place?

It’ll be whatever Russia decides, perhaps in conjunction with referendums of the remaining populations about whether or not they want to fully integrate, or have some level of autonomy.

In the West, not even Putin wants the toxic Galicia (nor Wolyn).
It´ll probably be the neutral (really neutral), demilitarized zone acting as the new buffer between NATO and Russia.

Whether or not Russia wants to take the westernmost oblasts I believe they will need to take them to fully meet their security objectives. There may well be a demilitarised ‘strip’ of some kind, no more than a few km’s wide and very heavily monitored by both sides, but I think the rest of the region will pretty much become a military district, with large bases and posts established. I can’t see any other outcome that doesn’t leave scope for a festering sore, nourished and nurtured by continued poisonous antagonism towards Russia.

Posted by: West of England Andy | Mar 19 2023 16:25 utc | 25

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 19 2023 16:13 utc | 22

No probs, you add undoubted value and insight with your commentary on the MoD summaries. My shout...

Posted by: West of England Andy | Mar 19 2023 16:28 utc | 26

Interesting update from Black Mountain Analysis
Posted by: Down South | Mar 19 2023 15:29 utc | 8

The text says: "It is the time where a commander-in-chief is obliged to realize that is has no purpose to keep on fighting anymore and to start negotiating the best possible surrender conditions. When the army is defeated entirely, then this window is over and there is only a unconditional surrender possible, which I expect until Summer 2023."

But "Truce in Ukraine is unacceptable at the moment" said White House, today or yesterday, and the daily kills, from the official Russian list, are so small there is no way something will change as result of their actions in 2023. 2025 maybe, 2030 more likely. In theory this strategy can be changed in a day if the government accepts that Gerasimov is too dumb to stop war in Donbass in the current configuration of a 5 soldier army with 5 missiles a month. So change the general staff or send more soldiers (if they exist, not only on paper) or prepare for many years of this type of war. There is no leverage Russia can use for peace and their tiny army is stuck in Donbass, making billions for US MIC. Why would anyone in the West want to stop the war? Why would China or India want to stop war when they also profit greatly at this moment? US and China are milking EU and Russia.

Posted by: rk | Mar 19 2023 16:30 utc | 27

#14 I am under the impression that Ukranian pilots have to be ready to fly when the drones, etc start to come. They do not want to lose them on the ground, if the main runway is damaged, well they do a lot of landing on inspected sections of
highways.
Still, with the JDAMS for actual usage, the distance the JDAM can "fly" is very dependent on how high the MIG is. Survival time for the MIG itself when within range of S-(3)(4)OO RF systems is also dependent on how high the MIG is.
What would be nice to know is what changes have occurred in RF aircraft usage, what gets dropped, what areas, what heights? That info is held quite tightly I believe.

Posted by: kramgort | Mar 19 2023 16:32 utc | 28

@ too scents | Mar 19 2023 16:15 utc | 23

Most welcome. Prost!

@ Down South | Mar 19 2023 16:23 utc | 24

I'd pay more attention if it was the Polish Prime Minister or Defense Minister officially stating such, as opposed to the ambassador to France with considerable 'lee-way'. Does confirm their OUN-B Bandera like self-destructive nation State death-wish. Poles are majority catholic are they not, why would they rationally seek to join Ukies in Valhalla ?

@ West of England Andy | Mar 19 2023 16:28 utc | 26

Thank you kindly. Posts intermittently 'vanishing', site not reliably 'refreshing'. Ah, I'll have a Guinness with a raw muscle plopped in the glass (Since Bevin's on furlough ...). Salut!

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 19 2023 16:40 utc | 29

To me, a quite serious escalation looms about, as two US aircraft carriers strike groups are to be deployed to Turkey. It is claimed in this video.

In the comments below the video, a retired marine finds the rather sizable amphibious element to this group as very interesting.
Apparently, the usual use of ships like that to enforce open skies over international water seems strange.

A few questions might be asked if all this is true.

Is this the prep for a land invasion?
Is Türkiye going to allow US landing ships through Bosphourous? Really?
Are they aware that if they try to attack anything in Russia, they will all be dead?

Or is it just a lame power projection with no reason for concern?

If this is true, I can understand recent RF behaviour on the field, as for sure they know this and follow it.
How close RF will let them close it remains to be seen.

Posted by: whirlX | Mar 19 2023 16:42 utc | 30

Break in diplomatic relations could be next.

Germany is now Poland. Those leaders in Berlin truly are well compensated for the harm inflicted on its citizens.
(Good question: are the accounts held with Credit Suisse? Hurry.)

Russia reacts to German stance on Putin arrest warrant

Moscow’s top investigative authority will “give a legal assessment” of the justice minister’s readiness to comply with the ICC order

Russia’s Investigative Committee will look into claims made by a high-ranking German official, who stated that Berlin will enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin if he enters Germany.

In a statement on Sunday, the committee said that its chairman, Aleksandr Bastrykin, issued instructions to “give a required legal assessment of the German Justice minister’s statements about the arrest of Russian citizens,” while describing the ICC demands as “illegal.”

Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechayev, said Berlin’s position on the ICC warrant “gives cause for extreme concern” and serves as further proof of Germany’s desire for escalation.

On Friday, the ICC issued warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the presidential commissioner for children’s rights, claiming that the two were involved in the “unlawful deportation” of children “from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.” [.]
RT

R2P: Saving mothers and children is a war crime. Saving the children of the kipah Chosens during WW2 was heroic.

What about the Palestinians? Monkey see nuting.

The death of western civilization is certified.

Posted by: Likklemore | Mar 19 2023 16:47 utc | 31

The BMA analysis is interesting. Ukraine is cannibalizing logistics personnel from the rear and territory defense brigades from Belarus border (Luftwaffe Feld divisions, anyone?). Everything basically committed holding Ugledar, Bakhmut and Maryinka. It signals the collapse process ongoing. Zelensky will soon be presented an offer (albeit merely for PR reasons). Unfortunately, West succeeded well in its scorched earth policy of Ukraine.

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 19 2023 16:52 utc | 32

Keeping killing other Slavs and getting killed yourself Russians, the new " Russians " are patiently waiting in the wings to replace you.

https://twitter.com/PeImeniPusha/status/1637271076320481284

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 16:53 utc | 33

F-16s are not a standalone warfighting machine. There is a need for NavCom, war fighting electronics, ordnance, supplies, maintenance, ground support, including operational while in the air, and last, but not least, long, clean, uncluttered, not pock-marked runways.

Air superiority increases the duration of survival.

NATO Mig29s operational requirements, including onboard electronics and hardpoints conform to NATO standards. Keeping the airplane in the air is one thing. Using them as-is requires some mods. Taking them back to Ukie Mig-29 standards will also take work.

The politicians are not in touch with these tiny military items. Wunderwaffe, some more, please.

Posted by: Acco Hengst | Mar 19 2023 17:09 utc | 34

Agree with a previous comment, that manned aircraft would seem to be of little use in the current conflict.

Still, a note about comparing the specifications of modern military systems. It's not like WWII when you could evaluate aircraft on the basis of speed, range, firepower, and roll rate. The age or even agility of a modern jet fighter is largely irrelevant. It's all about the actual capability of their electronic systems (sensors, missiles, communications, etc) in real combat, plus of course pilot skill (and maybe stealth).

And on this note: anyone can say they have a planar phased array radar with such and such tracking capability, but those are just words. How well does it actually function in combat, against opposing systems? That you simply cannot get from the spec sheets.

I am reminded of the Iran-Iraq war. Iraq had a LOT of soviet era aircraft that on paper should have overwhelmed the Iranians. The Iranians had a handful of American F14's that they barely kept flying. Those American F14's had sufficiently capable radars and missiles that they completely shut down the Iraqi Air Force, which couldn't even begin to become a factor until they got some more modern French fighters. Now, that was then and this is now: modern Russian equipment is very capable. Only saying that you can't just look at the numbers and total firepower etc. and make a judgement.

Posted by: TG | Mar 19 2023 17:15 utc | 35

The biggest problem for the Ukrainian Air Force was and is the superior radar detection and missile capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Force.

Extreme Range Kill on Ukraine’s Top Fighter Was a Su-57, Not an Air Defence System - Reports
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/extreme-range-su57-su-27-kill-reports

The Su-35s and IRRC Su-30SMs can do similar. One Ukrainian pilot even said this - alongside some bravado - the Ukrainian pilots are already locked upon and have a hypersonic missile flying in their direction before they even note that there is an enemy.

You’re Dead! Loaded On Su-57 Stealth Fighters, Ukrainian Pilot Calls Russia’s R-37M Missile ‘Most Dangerous’
https://eurasiantimes.com/youre-dead-loaded-on-su-57-stealth-fighters-ukrainian-pilot-calls-russias-r-37m-missile-most-dangerous/

Ukraine fighter pilot: I could learn to fly western jet within three months
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/ukraine-fighter-pilot-i-could-learn-to-fly-western-jet-within-three-months-vadym-voroshylov

Posted by: CM of Berlin | Mar 19 2023 17:23 utc | 36

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 16:53 utc | 33

Keeping killing other Slavs and getting killed yourself Russians, the new " Russians " are patiently waiting in the wings to replace you.
https://twitter.com/PeImeniPusha/status/1637271076320481284

Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 17:26 utc | 37

From a non-expert point of view both versions of the fighter jets must have their own pros and cons. But what is more important, in my opinion, the fact that history is squarely on Russia's side which means that Russians enjoy vastly superior moral power versus NATO whose weird moral narrative about Wokeism including gender nonsense, gay, transsexual bullshits have no place in the future of vast majority of peoples worldwide. NATO is at the end of its road if they believe their version of LGBTQ+ culture is going to become the next global religion with a written Hollywood-style Holy Book. Of course the globalist will try to buy more time promoting corrupt petrodollar bribery sham via MSM. да здравствует Россию - Long Live Russia.

Posted by: maskazer | Mar 19 2023 17:31 utc | 38

The Ukrainian argument is that the F-16 is better than the MIG at shooting down cruise missiles because of its powerful radar and modern missiles, and could offer vastly more protection from Russian bombardment.

The important factor is this:

Mig29 -> Ukrainian pilot -> Ukrainian pilot gets killed very quickly
F16 -> NATO pilot -> NATO pilot gets killed very quickly -> Ukrainian pilot survives

Very easy choice for any Ukrainian pilot - F16 preferable every time.

Posted by: BM | Mar 19 2023 17:32 utc | 39

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 15:59 utc | 16

This is the map of the Ukrainian presidential election of 2010. It's probably a good indication as any which regions may become part of Russia.

The Hungarian minority also stands out - the small blue dot in the west of Ukraine, 150.000 people.

Posted by: Passerby | Mar 19 2023 17:32 utc | 40

My take on partition of Ukraine is that it will be shaped more by geography than by ethnicity. Soviet Union had a lot of experience in keeping openly hostile populations pacified. I don't think the top brass in Russia forgot how to do that.

Besides, no matter where the boundary is drawn, Russia will still have rabidly hostile Poland close by, essentially blocking all land routes between Russia and core Europe.

Posted by: averros | Mar 19 2023 17:51 utc | 41

" Hell Yeah!
Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 17:26 utc | 38 "

When he says " Crimea is ours, we are Russian. ", it doesn't mean what most people think it means.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 17:52 utc | 42

Bill Smith | Mar 19 2023 17:14 utc | 35

"Ukraine has been long reported to fly about 20 sorties a day."

Seriously? And also jets on combat missions, not just transport helicopters?

Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | Mar 19 2023 17:54 utc | 43

@ Westof England Andy, §25:
Agreed Andy.
The Russians certainly will need to occupy Galicia and Bessarabia to avoid worse.
The Russians would also be wise to make Chornarus (or whatever it gets called) land-locked like Belarus. That means annexing the Black Sea coast up to Odessa (inc. Transdnistria) to Russia.
I forgot Transcarpathia, long sympathetic to Russia and hostile to the Ukrainian takeover of their "Rusinsko". Maybe it would be a civil oblast of Russia, a second exclave like Kaliningrad.

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 18:09 utc | 44

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 17:52 utc | 44

> When he says " Crimea is ours, we are Russian. ", it doesn't mean what most people think it means.

Can you elucidate that please?

Btw, good job with the translation, you got it almost right.

Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 18:15 utc | 45

Someone was earlier mentioning JDAM (and JDAM-ER). To achieve maximum distance (of 70km, something like 25km for "normal" JDAM), it must be released from a height of 10-12km which is perfect for S-300 systems and patrol fighters. I really doubt Ukraine's air force will get a chance to use them too often, or very high chance of losing a plane every time they do it.

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 19 2023 18:17 utc | 46

@ West of England Andy, §26:
Seconded, Andy. Outrage more than earns his pint.

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 18:30 utc | 47

Putin has claimed (on TASS) that Russia has not used hypersonic weapons in Ukraine. He also said that "we have other systems as well but don't use them."

@Bill Smith | Mar 19 2023 17:27 utc | 39

I have looked over a few of the articles (BMA) as well. As for the overall assessment of Russian strategy and considerations I think they are generally correct and helpful. I don't think anyone's predictions of how events would play out on the ground, and especially the pace of operations, have been particularly astute. Too many unknowables, including the political calculations on both sides, that affect combat operations.

The general consensus on the 'pro-Russian' side is that Ukraine cannot sustain the current level of combat for another year, perhaps even for another 3 or 4 months. Perhaps they can muster another offensive push, but if it isn't clearly and demonstrably a success I doubt they have the resources for another. If such a UAF offensive were to recapture strategic territory then that would obviously be a big failure for the Russian side, especially given that they have had plenty of time to prepare. For that reason I would guess that they will go to considerable lengths to make sure that it doesn't succeed including the willingness to tolerate high casualties and perhaps use some weapons systems that they have held back.

We will see.

Posted by: the pessimist | Mar 19 2023 18:31 utc | 48

I find rather perplexing to mention the old generation Sparrow (as opposed to the AMRAAM) for the F-16, whilst the MiG-29 is credited with the later R-77 (as opposed to the old generation R-27)

By the way, early Soviet and export models only support R-27 variants (IR or SARH).

Posted by: MoaMetal | Mar 19 2023 18:36 utc | 49

America wants to send some of those fearsome F-16s to Ukraine so that they can be on the receiving end of a "Golden Shower" from some Russian interceptors just like the USA's vaunted Reaper drone just got.

Maverick of Pop Gun fame and the Immortal Ghost of Kiev will be among the pilots.

Posted by: ak74 | Mar 19 2023 18:41 utc | 50

Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | Mar 19 2023 17:54 utc | 45

most of the missions by the Ghost of Kiev.

Posted by: pretzelattack | Mar 19 2023 18:46 utc | 51

When he says " Crimea is ours, we are Russian. ", it doesn't mean what most people think it means.

Crimea has been part of Russia about as long as the USA has been a country.

"Crimea was part of Russia from 1783, when the Tsarist Empire annexed it a decade after defeating Ottoman forces in the Battle of Kozludzha"

In 1954, it was transferred from one soviet to another.
We wouldn't be having this conservation except for that.

Posted by: Duncan Idaho | Mar 19 2023 18:53 utc | 52

The best weapon Russia has got is Vladimi Putin himself.
Given the choice between Putin, Biden, Trump, Sunak, Macron or Sholtz who in all honesty putting bias aside, would choose anyone else.
I would bet there's another hundred people in Russia of his caliba and stature.

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 19 2023 18:54 utc | 53

@ Passerby, §42:
Thanx a packet for that very helpful link, Passerby. Have one on me.
That suggests Chornarus (or whatever) will be the six oblasts I mentioned in §16 plus Chernigov and Poltava.
Odessa and Transdnistria and all the Black Sea coast eastwards would be Russian, plus also Rusinsko (Transcarpathia).
That leaves the two usual suspects, Galicia-Wolyn and Bessarabia (Chernovtsy oblast) that´ll be military districts, occupied until they learn how to join the human race.
Galicia (Lwow, Tarnopol and Stanislaw oblasts) and Wolyn (Wolyn and Rowne oblasts) will be the most difficult with, maybe chronic guerrilla warfare (like northern Ireland). Moldova, if it´s friendly to the Russians, maybe willing to administer Chernovtsy.

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 19:00 utc | 54

" Can you elucidate that please?

Btw, good job with the translation, you got it almost right.

Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 18:15 utc | 45 "

I base my statement on a well established precedent. When extremely foreign groups reach a certain percentage of the total population they inevitably start creating social disruption by demanding extra rights and privileges, accusing the indigenous population of racism / ethnic discrimination, and claiming ownership of the areas where they are a dominant majority. For real life examples of this please see: France, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, the USA, Canada ...... If Russia wants to get involved in such " harmonious " interactions I wish them much luck, because based on current reality, the Russians will lose just like the other indigenous Europeans are at the moment.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 19:00 utc | 55

I don't know whether I have enough tenure around here to have earned a rant, but better to ask for forgiveness in advance. Also, please forgive me for the language.

I recently learned a new term that describes the west's tactics perfectly: Shitfuckery.

Whether it is bribing off Iraqi generals not to fight, blowing up the energy infrastructure of a fellow NATO member, or getting a kangaroo court to file ridiculous war crimes charges against a head of state, it seems that this is their primary means of waging war.

It demonstrates the emotional level of a 13-year-old, who thinks themselves quite clever but is not, kind of like responding to a new school policy by throwing rotten eggs at the principal's car.

So we should expect more of it, particularly during Xi's visit to Russia. What kind of prank should we expect?

Posted by: Chris | Mar 19 2023 19:02 utc | 56

@Mark2 | Mar 19 2023 18:54 utc | 53

DPA has posted some panel discussions recently including one on Africa (including commentators from Angola, Algeria, Morocco, and Portugal). If you are interested in how these people view Russia, Putin, and the SMO you could give it a listen. It is in two parts and, despite some technical issues, I found it quite interesting.

Posted by: the pessimist | Mar 19 2023 19:03 utc | 57

Oh, and I should have added, running psy-ops on your own citizens and propaganda in general show that the only theater of war the west is winning is the theater of the mind. Meanwhile, back in the physics-based world, Ukraine is getting pounded.

Posted by: Chris | Mar 19 2023 19:04 utc | 58

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 19:00 utc | 55

what extremely foreign group claiming special rights are you talking about. Crimea has been Russian for hundreds of year.

Posted by: pretzelattack | Mar 19 2023 19:06 utc | 59

Chris @56 "What kind of prank should we expect?"

Well they've already started floating stories about Putin swapping Siberia for Chinese support.

Posted by: dh | Mar 19 2023 19:07 utc | 60

" what extremely foreign group claiming special rights are you talking about. Crimea has been Russian for hundreds of year.

Posted by: pretzelattack | Mar 19 2023 19:06 utc | 59 "

By "extremely " foreign, I mean a group that is so distant from the host population through race, religion, and culture as to make them functionally incompatible. You can extrapolate your answer from there.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 19:12 utc | 61

@pretzelattack, §59:
It would only really apply to Galicia (Lwow, Tarnopol and Stanislaw oblasts) and Wolynia (Wolyn and Rowne oblasts).
That would be a northern Ireland - type exercise.

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 19:14 utc | 62

All here at the bar seem agreed "the Ukraine" is finished.
Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 15:59 utc | 16

Yes, there's a lot of that. Generally speaking, Russia v. Ukraine is extremely asymmetric. There's that basic match-up one-sidedness. The US evens the odds as most grant for argumentative purposes.

When you factor in a country like the US losing all moral bearings and fighting on the side of Nazis (what the US has been mortally doing for this last year (and years longer actually) it seems to be the inevitable conclusion to draw that if you disgrace yourself by siding with Nazis what else won't you do to win?

So rational arguments are often the best if they allow for extreme, irrational forces and outcomes. Tragically, clear thinking people have a problem with believing in human devils. Not me.

So I don't agree "All here at the bar seem agreed 'the Ukraine' is finished."

The worst does happen.

Posted by: Elmagnostic | Mar 19 2023 19:15 utc | 63

" I recently learned a new term that describes the west's tactics perfectly: Shitfuckery.

Whether it is bribing off Iraqi generals not to fight

Posted by: Chris | Mar 19 2023 19:02 utc | 56 "

Defeating your enemy without firing a shot is considered one of the greatest military virtues. Sun Tzu would be proud.

The bigger question is, why cant Russia or China do this ? Or are NATO generals not bribeable ?

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 19:16 utc | 64

@ Deplorable Commissar, §61:
There are no such territories anywhere in the Ukraine.
Most that are hostile to Russia have been brainwashed by such as BBC Media Action, an evil organization.

Posted by: John Marks | Mar 19 2023 19:17 utc | 65

It's curious to see the word 'Wunderwaffe' used to scoff at hopes of a technological solution to the failure of military fundamentals on the ground. The term refers—we all know this—to the too-little-too-late German tech that was hoped would turn the tide.

But let's not forget that this new tech was not without its effect and would eventually find itself embedded in all post-war hardware. They were not miracle weapons but bloody good gear. What was missing was a chance to integrate them into the conventional order of battle. But a quick survey of the better known stuff (the experimental list is also impressive) should remind us that (Nazis or not) this gear was extraordinary, and even more so given the conditions under which Germany was producing them:

-the first cruise missiles (V1) and ICBMs (V2)
-Main battle tanks never really outclassed by the allies (PzKfw V and VI), with very sophisticated Zeiss optic sighting systems. If they'd been able to solve the displacement problem, forget about it.
-Me262——do we need to state that the Germans invented the jet fighter? It was no concept plane either, but a stone cold masterpiece of engineering. Had they had more and the pilots to fly them just a few months earlier the whole allied strategic bombing campaign would have been interdicted. Blue Oyster Cult even wrote a very cool song about it.
-highly effective infantry AT weapons (Pf, Pschk)
-forerunner of the AK-47 (Stg 44)
-A support MG with a RoF still unmatched (MG42)
-Rockets, AA systems, etc etc.

My point is that the original Wunderwaffe did deserve the name because they were used, changed their battlefields and were very very promising—even when the military fundamentals were in disarray. F-16s and Abrams are not Wunderwaffe. In fact they are the opposite (Scheisswaffe?) because they have never been deployed against a conventional opponent with their own Wunderwaffe. The cult of technology is no match for well-organised, well-commanded, highly motivated ground forces. In the end you have to blow shit up, so whatever gets the job done, eh?

Posted by: Patroklos | Mar 19 2023 19:21 utc | 66

@ whirlX | Mar 19 2023 16:42 utc | 30

A cursory review of the sites posted videos renders the claim false, without further investigation. There is ZERO credibility or reliability of the sites content given the breathless assertions contrary to reality & known facts of past product. It's product is fantastical propaganda war porn clickbait. Worthless.

Peace

@ Likklemore | Mar 19 2023 16:47 utc | 31

We may well be headed to a Situ in Empire where not only trade, resources, raw product, financial & travel embargoes are imposed against USA & vassals, the golden billion, yet progressive severance of diplomatic ties to suborned non sovereign vassal States, non recognition, over time, to send a very clear message. This may be taken up beyond the short term over time by RoW. A reverse of the propaganda version of status relations in Cold War I.

As it is, major diplomatic, trade & flight/travel contacts/routes in ME re Iran, as well as RoW re RF have occurred virtually instantly post KSA-Iran rapprochement.

IIRC as a consequence Diplomatic recognition of ROC Taiwan has concurrently dropped from 11 holdouts down to 9 ...

One can also see a similar approach re China re relations with NZ & lesser extent Australia for example. As the US squeezes ever tighter & is forced to cannibalize it's vassals & their resources merely to survive, the more likely those vassals may slip through their fingers, seek to defect, in their own national interests.

US conduct, impositions & imperial reactions accelerating the process. Star Wars Space Opera scenario re flailing failing Empire vs Rebellion.

@ TG | Mar 19 2023 17:15 utc | 36

Indeed so. 'Tis not that simple at all, not by a long shot.

@ CM of Berlin | Mar 19 2023 17:23 utc | 37

And Iran now in receipt of 30 SU35s & R-37Ms(Terminal hypersonic, ~400km) including already pre-trained pilots & instructors. Oops.

@ unimperator | Mar 19 2023 18:17 utc | 46

RF ADS out to 400km+, on station standing Theater RuAF CAP with hypersonic terminal phase AA same range, AWACS & ISR at altitude that can detect/target/track/direct from above nullifying NOE, especially so post launch, able to guide terminal hypersonic R-37s as well as S-300-/400 AD missiles, from a bird's eye view then release control for onboard terminal tracking engagement interception. Terminal hypersonic phase of r-37Ms is claimed undetectable by conventional sensor/radar alarms. Boom!

Where have all the AFU airframes & pilots gone since Feb24'22 & the hundreds scrounged up & 'donated' since ? Boom.

AFU Airforce remnants = Suicide Squad.

PS. BS asserts endless counter-factual BS.

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 19 2023 19:22 utc | 67

@Deplorable Commissar

The bigger question is, why cant Russia or China do this ? Or are NATO generals not bribeable ?

That is a very good question, as is the converse:

Why hasn't the US been able to bribe Russian generals?

My guess is the west has the advantage in materialism, i.e. they have more worldly pleasures to peddle, such as yachts, sex tourism, skilled prostitutes, and retirement villas in Miami. What similar spoils can Russia or China offer the west? Note that spiritually, China and Russia have plenty to offer, but the typical western citizen is spiritually dead.

As for the US strategy of bribing generals, they likely tried but failed, perhaps due to Putin's success in weeding out the oligarchs. However, some stories of Russian ineptitude or poor performance on the battlefield (outside of the Wagner group) could be evidence of partial success. We should look through the real estate records in Miami and the French Riviera and see if any new transactions involving Russian generals have been noted.

Posted by: Chris | Mar 19 2023 19:29 utc | 68

Re ICC warrant:
Madeleine Albright thought the death of 500000 Iraqi children was 'worth it'.

Posted by: digital dinosaur | Mar 19 2023 19:42 utc | 69

Here is a topical example of Anglo-American values and the Rule of Law in action:

The brother of Karim Khan--the Imperialist Criminal Court judge who has charged Vladimir Putin with "war crimes"--was recently released with a slap on the wrist after serving 9 months of his 18-month prison sentence for trying to sex up an underage teenage boy. Khan's pedophile brother, Imran Ahmad Khan, was a former conservative Tory Party MP no less.

I'm sure that Karim Khan did not pull any strings or use his influence to get his pedo bro released:

"Have your mind blown: International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan who charged Putin with war crimes for evacuating children from a Warzone had his convicted pedophile brother Imran Khan released from a UK prison on a reduced sentence one month ago."

https://mobile.twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/1636999997639254019

Posted by: ak74 | Mar 19 2023 19:54 utc | 70

The fact that the brother was released early on a reduced sentence speaks to potential blackmail of the ICC prosecutor by US interests.

See what I posted above - this sounds like more shitfuckery.

Posted by: Chris | Mar 19 2023 20:06 utc | 71

Does anyone remember the US triumphal procession thru Fallujah?

Since today is Girl Scout Day in the US...and Putin is a Caesar claiming his conquests in Mariupol. Steal some kids while you are there! America cares about children!

Posted by: Rjb1.5 | Mar 19 2023 20:07 utc | 72

The Iraqi generals who the US bribed also double crossed the US a fair amount. The bribes worked for the initial invasion but didn’t stop a long running insurgency. The pay cash for victory didn’t work out very well with the Kurds in the north nor was it ever terribly successful with the afghan warlords beyond the initial push against the Taliban.

Bribes aren’t sustainable and the people you bribe know exactly what sort of person/nation you are. Not to mention the people willing to take such bribes aren’t usually the most reliable and upright types.

Posted by: Lex | Mar 19 2023 20:13 utc | 73

@Chris

You seriously believe that there is a shortage of sex, drugs rocknroll and villas on the black sea coast in Russia?

Let me take a guess: You have never been there, right?

Posted by: Orgel | Mar 19 2023 20:15 utc | 74

Posted by: Longhorn | Mar 19 2023 15:52 utc | 15

And yet, given that it's all just see-through propaganda, all you have to offer in rebuttal is meta commentary. Regardless, you are aware, one hopes, that propaganda isn't by definition false. So if you do happen to spot some false propaganda, maybe in the future you could enlighten us all by correcting it factually, quantitatively and qualitatively?

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 19 2023 20:20 utc | 75

Posted by: Lex | Mar 19 2023 20:13 utc | 73

Bribery was literally the entire MO during the 20 year attempted occupation and spreading-of-dumbocrazy in Afghanistan. Thinking about it makes my head spin. Suitcases, nay, pallets of cash simply air dropped onto the ground and delivered to the Vichy Afghan government in trunks of Mercedes. I wonder if Ukraine's puppet-proxy government can hold out nearly that long.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 19 2023 20:22 utc | 76

@ Chris | Mar 19 2023 19:29 utc | 68

ROFL. LOL :)

IMO, rant away ...

@ Orgel | Mar 19 2023 20:15 utc | 74

Have seen/heard on TikTok shorts that satirical rhetorical flourish was quite a thang way back in antiquity ... maybe not so much today ...

Peace

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 19 2023 20:27 utc | 77

Really this is Ukraine wanting Western involvement to fight their war

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 19 2023 16:00 utc | 17

Exactly. I mean seriously, given the data provided by b, it's obvious there's an ulterior reason for Ukraine's insistence on F-16s. For one thing, it's unlikely that they have enough pilots and sufficient time to train them to fly the things. Thus, bring in "western" pilots! Could the USA or Poland get away with sending pilots wearing Ukrainian uniforms and flying western F-16s with Ukrainian logos painted on them? It's a desperate, transparent attempt - one in a long string of them - to draw NATO and the US into the war even more directly.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 19 2023 20:29 utc | 78

" Thus, bring in "western" pilots! Could the USA or Poland get away with sending pilots wearing Ukrainian uniforms and flying western F-16s with Ukrainian logos painted on them? It's a desperate, transparent attempt - one in a long string of them - to draw NATO and the US into the war even more directly.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 19 2023 20:29 utc | 78 "

I guess your not familiar with the Korean, certain Arab -Israhelli, and Vietnam wars. Something about Soviet pilots dressed in another country's uniforms. I guess they were desperate also.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 20:36 utc | 79

deploying the f-16 requires huge support baggage!

i doubt that any eu f-16 force can support deployed f-16's

the cost per flying hour in usaf is $27,000 per flight hour (not including ordnance expended), a very large part of that is "unit level" personnel, that is skilled technicians that must touch the airplane to keep it flying for the next sortie! in case of ukraine that would be contractors as usaf would have to backfill the volunteers sent to ukraine. more in gao 23-106217.

and flying hour cost only accounts for "depreciation and repair of maintenance assets" needed on the field to generate sorties.

the aircraft would be based in poland? that and loiter time for meeting cruise missiles would insist on air refueling over or near the territory to be defended, added cost and slow moving aerial tankers are in range of rf s-300 and s-400.

further, the f-16 targeting radar would need fix from a look down radar, putting nato/usaf e-3 in range as well.

last the rate of sortie generation is difficult to achieve due to shortages of line replaceable spare parts, which are integral to usaf unit capability which would be drawn down to pay for ukraine sorties, the eu f-16's are not spared to level usaf has. usaf f-16's rarely achieve the funded goal for aircraft availability, gao 23-106375.

and usaf f-16 aircraft "availability" is declining reflecting scarce spare parts, difficulty in finding repair needs (trouble shooting) and lack of technicians. f-16 is aging, their support is declining and f-35 will not replace f-16 anytime soon.

but send f-16 to draw in more nato assets!

the attrition is both ongoing and expanding!

Posted by: paddy | Mar 19 2023 20:42 utc | 80

I guess your [sic] not familiar with the Korean, certain Arab -Israhelli, and Vietnam wars. Something about Soviet pilots dressed in another country's uniforms. I guess they were desperate also.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 20:36 utc | 79

Completely irrelevant to the current war, but so what? Even if true in all mentioned cases, I'm sure the armed forces of North Vietnam or North Korea *were* desperate to kick the US, British, French, what have you, out of their countries. And the USSR was more than happy to chip in and help. The analogy breaks down when you consider world geography and the actual situation on the ground in Ukraine today. More than a reply to my comment, however, I get the sense that you're really just looking for reasons to shit on the former USSR as though you think I'm somehow invested in it? Or is it just to continue the narrative and false hope that Ukraine has in reversing the current situation? Yes, the Ukros are desperate. And they will not "win" this war in the manner that they would hope for - and which the western media continues to push as a real possibility. Period. End of story.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 19 2023 20:44 utc | 81

I see this as Biden burying evidence. Ukraine was nothing but a big money laundering scheme, with a side dose of "let's badger the Russians." In essence the US has gotten Russia to do the deed; AND, the US got to pump up military spending once again (and do so w/o full-on involvement [as in official deployment of troops]), in addition to "opening up" energy markets in Europe (suckers).

What happens to/with Ukraine is less the issue than that of what happens to the "collective West." All western globalist institutions are crumbling and will collapse. People of these countries has been programmed to accept the failures as being due to Russia's actions. Of course, China is also a punching bag: why is it now OK to discuss the "lab leak theory"? - it's because it is now leveraged as saber-rattling: I am just stating that the "theory" is now OK to discuss.

US will shift away from Ukraine (the area), leaving Poland to be the "bulwark" (and sell it a lot of weapons- cha-ching!).

Posted by: Seer | Mar 19 2023 20:49 utc | 82

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 19:12 utc | 61

1. Not clear what you are trying to convey. Are you suggesting Russia has less legitimacy to the Crimea than the Ottomans ? Or the Ukes?
2. 100% of Eastern Europe is some Military or Diplomatic compromise of dirt claimed by multiple parties, anointed by the blood of their ancestors. Russia offered a compromise. Ukraine, to the embarrassment of Khrushchev, told Russia to fark off.
3. The United States, always over-reaching, like some Comic Book Character, is unwinding itself as fast as it can. Are you not entertained.

Posted by: kupkee | Mar 19 2023 20:55 utc | 83

" Completely irrelevant to the current war, but so what? Even if true in all mentioned cases, I'm sure the armed forces of North Vietnam or North Korea *were* desperate to kick the US, British, French, what have you, out of their countries. And the USSR was more than happy to chip in and help.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 19 2023 20:44 utc | 81 "

But the Ukrainians arent desperate ? Thats some selective reasoning you got there. Whether you like it or not, the Soviets did fly covertly for other nations, why is it such a big deal if NATO does it ?

Also, you obviously dont read my comments if you think I want NATO / Ukraine to win. So sad.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 20:59 utc | 84

Posted by: Chris | Mar 19 2023 19:04 utc | 58

Oh, and I should have added, running psy-ops on your own citizens and propaganda in general show that the only theater of war the west is winning is the theater of the mind. Meanwhile, back in the physics-based world, Ukraine is getting pounded.

This alone suggests that, although the means may appear virtual, the results are very real. Could you think of a more strategic goal than to successfully impose national policies on the whole Western bloc?

Psyops operations and propaganda aren't about fixing the perception of who's winning and who's losing. This would serve no strategic purpose other than satisfy (or frustrate) the fragile ego of your aforementioned 13-year old emotional midget who follows the war like a mindless sports fan.

Posted by: robin | Mar 19 2023 21:03 utc | 85

the aircraft would be based in poland? that and loiter time for meeting cruise missiles would insist on air refueling over or near the territory to be defended, added cost and slow moving aerial tankers are in range of rf s-300 and s-400.

further, the f-16 targeting radar would need fix from a look down radar, putting nato/usaf e-3 in range as well.
.
What is fulfilled with operating from Poland?
Or the Poles then bathe the reaction to at least their airfields themselves!
Accessing the fighting from the NATO state, even as far as Russian territory..... the others CANNOT be drawn into the war!
Even if the USA would probably like to see it 6000 km away....
Ergo:
Only stationing on Ukrainian territory would remain ..... how long would such a place still exist ??

Posted by: mo3 | Mar 19 2023 21:09 utc | 86

Warsaw will enter into a direct military conflict with Moscow in the event of the defeat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was stated by the Ambassador of Poland to France, Jan Emerik Rosciszewski. "If Ukraine fails to defend its independence, we will have no choice, we will be forced to enter into a conflict," the diplomat said on the air of the LCI TV channel.

Actually, only nuclear weapons keep Poland from direct entry into the war at the current stage. And the less confidence there is that Russia will use nuclear weapons, the more confidence there will be in NATO countries that it is possible to risk a direct conventional war against Russia.

If you look at the pace and volume of the purchase of modern weapons and a multiple increase in the size of the army, this looks like an attempt to hastily achieve certain quantitative and qualitative indicators by a certain period and ensure an overall superiority in people and conventional weapons over the current groupings of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Armed Forces of Belarus, when the Polish army should be ready for a direct conventional war against Russia and Belarus with actions on the Belarusian border, on the territory of Ukraine (where the Polish army is already operating under the guise of mercenaries) and against Kaliningrad.

In the same piggy bank and voiced plans of NATO to have a deployed group of 300,000 people on the border with Russia, where 100,000 should have a constant level of combat readiness, and the rest should act as an operational reserve, ready to act as a second echelon within 7-10 days.

Of course, if they are sure that nuclear monoblocks will fly into them immediately upon entering the war, then in this case the grouping on the borders with the Russian Federation will be used to tie down part of the Russian forces by the very threat of attack (Russia will be forced to spend part of its forces on defensive measures and building up the grouping in Belarus and Kaliningrad to avoid critical imbalances), as well as for the systematic transfer of weapons and military equipment to continue operations in Ukraine.

This scenario looks just as "incredible" as the scenarios of the Nord Stream explosion, putting Putin on the wanted list, deliveries of Western armored vehicles to Ukraine, etc., were still considered "incredible". and so on. In any case, no matter what the war with Poland will be, direct or indirect, you need to be prepared for it, so that later, in which case, you won’t be surprised, just as our military in Ukraine, who are killing Polish soldiers there, are no longer surprised by this.

(c) https://t.me/boris_rozhin

PS. By the way, back in 2017, the monster wargame Next War Poland modeled https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/5189896.html scenarios of a direct clash between the Russian Armed Forces and NATO on the territory of Belarus, Poland and Kaliningrad.

https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/8235463.html

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 19 2023 21:10 utc | 87

Posted by: Patroklos | Mar 19 2023 19:21 utc | 66

I’m not familiar with German language or culture but I always admired them since I use German gear which of course is the best in its class, solid, reliable, simple and designed for the user to use his brain together with a fantastic tool. But that was it, I really cannot understand the degree of servitude embedded in their conscience, nor how can they tolerate those politicians. Look at the French, they revolt and take it even if their efforts are not being rewarded, the Yellow Vests have been going at it for years and the place is boiling right now, I’m sure the Germans know perfectly well who blew the pipes and their well being with them, and no reaction at all, a minimum degree of dignity is necessary for a culture to survive.

Posted by: Paco | Mar 19 2023 21:12 utc | 88

" But that was it, I really cannot understand the degree of servitude embedded in their conscience, nor how can they tolerate those politicians.

Posted by: Paco | Mar 19 2023 21:12 utc | 87 "

WW2 ? Induced collective low self esteem ? Constantly reinforced guilt trip from the Holoscam ?

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 21:17 utc | 89

" 3. The United States, always over-reaching, like some Comic Book Character, is unwinding itself as fast as it can. Are you not entertained.

Posted by: kupkee | Mar 19 2023 20:55 utc | 83 "

I'd be more amused if ZioAmerica wasn't actively engaged in killing my people. As far as the US goes, its also slated for destruction by the same forces that want to take out Iran, Russia, and others. Hence its insane actions. Shocking to ponder isnt it ?

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 21:21 utc | 90

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 21:17 utc | 88
.
.
Well as it turns out mostly in "Old" Germany (West Germany)
They have learned egoism for 40 years.. "First me then the rest"
As a politician said, "The new federal states are actually the old ones"
Because in the East it boils enormously....only the media DO NOT broadcast it nationwide!
Bild Zeitung, for example, has 21 regional editions....heist in Frankfurt/Main, no one finds out what the Leipzig edition says on the cover page...so the Frankfurter learns NOTHING about demos and the use of mounted police in Leipzig....although both reading the newspaper from the same day...
It is not to be concealed regionally....ergo it is printed regionally...nationwide....no one finds out!
Editors ARD ZDF and & can say it was in the newspaper....yes in Leipzig in Dresden NOT anymore!
.

Posted by: mo3 | Mar 19 2023 21:26 utc | 91

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 19:00 utc | 55
> I base my statement on a well established precedent....
Well Russian Federation has a system to incorporate and accommodate different ethnic groups. Those groups are titular nations in their respective Republics: Chechnya, Tatarstan, Buryatia and many others, where their languages are co-official with Russian.
But all of that has nothing to do with that guy from the video. He says he is Russian, not something else. You don't need to be Slavic in racial/ethnic/tribal sense to be Russian.
Here are examples of well known people who are Russian, but they are not Slavic: Gary Kasparov, Margarita Simonyan and Lex Fridman :-D.
The same thing for Ukrainians too: Vlad Zelensky is not a Slav but he is an Ukrainian.

And btw precedents are more things in common law countries. The rest of the world works out the stuff from principles.

Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 21:27 utc | 92

Polish ambassador to France said that in the event of UAF showing collapse, Poland will have no choice but enter the conflict (whatever that means).

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 19 2023 21:32 utc | 93

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 21:21 utc | 89
> I'd be more amused if ZioAmerica wasn't actively engaged in killing my people.
What people are that?

Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 21:38 utc | 94

" He says he is Russian, not something else. You don't need to be Slavic in racial/ethnic/tribal sense to be Russian.
Here are examples of well known people who are Russian, but they are not Slavic: Gary Kasparov, Margarita Simonyan and Lex Fridman :-D.
The same thing for Ukrainians too: Vlad Zelensky is not a Slav but he is an Ukrainian. "

Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 21:27 utc | 91 "

You're engaged in some very ZioWest thinking and thats how the virus always begins.

You dont need to be Swedish to be Swedish. You dont need to be French to be French. and soon to arrive, You dont need to be Russian to be Russian. " Additionally, you dont need to be female to be a woman. You dont need to be a woman to be pregnant so on and so forth.

I'd wager you missed my point entirely.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 21:39 utc | 95

re: ...what Kyiv really wants are F-16s.
from Real Clear Defense
Why Sending F-16s to Ukraine Would Be a Mistake
. . .On the surface, the idea of giving Ukraine F-16s is noble, but sending even our best fourth-generation fighters to face a fifth-generation SAM threat would be a very costly mistake – one that some well-informed members of Congress even recognize. During a recent House Armed Services Committee meeting, Rep. Adam Smith said the F-16 is “not the right system” to send to Ukraine because it would “face of a ton of air defense.” He added: “A fourth-generation fighter in this particular fight is going to struggle to survive.”. .here

Posted by: Don Bacon | Mar 19 2023 21:40 utc | 96

" It is not to be concealed regionally....ergo it is printed regionally...nationwide....no one finds out!
Editors ARD ZDF and & can say it was in the newspaper....yes in Leipzig in Dresden NOT anymore!
.

Posted by: mo3 | Mar 19 2023 21:26 utc | 90 "

I'm assuming you're German, so let me say that I feel sorry for your people as they dont deserve whats been happening to them for decades now.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 21:41 utc | 97

" What people are that?

Posted by: hopehely | Mar 19 2023 21:38 utc | 92 "

The Slavs.

Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Mar 19 2023 21:42 utc | 98

Posted by: Don Bacon | Mar 19 2023 21:40 utc | 94

"Fourth generation fighter against fifth generation air defense". They think "Fifth generation fighter F-35" will fare any better against "Fifth generation air defense"?

Kind of makes you wonder what generation US air defense is on, 1 or 2?

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 19 2023 21:44 utc | 99

@ Paco | Mar 19 2023 21:12 utc | 87

As far as national involvement in the Ukraine conflict is concerned, I see no difference between the German and French public's position. The ongoing clash and demonstrations in the streets of France do not suggest any form of awareness, let alone resistance, to the servitude you mention.

In fact, the political discourse itself has been thoroughly sanitized in France and, for the last year, opposition parties once critical of Western belligerence, now completely shy away from the issue or have been browbeaten into subservience.

Posted by: robin | Mar 19 2023 21:46 utc | 100