Summary of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the special military operation (as of January 5, 2024)
In the period from December 30, 2023 to January 5 of this year, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 41 group and one massive strikes with precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on decision-making centers, facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, military airfield infrastructure, arsenals and fuel bases.
In addition, strikes were carried out at the locations of units of the armed forces of Ukraine, formations of nationalists and foreign mercenaries. All assigned objects are hit.
Over the past week, units of the “Western” group of troops repelled 18 attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kupyansk direction.
Air strikes and artillery fire defeated the enemy’s manpower and equipment in the areas of the settlements of Ivanovka, Berestovoye, Vishnevoye, Kupyansk, Peschanoe, Petropavlovsk, Sinkovka, Terny, Timkovka of the Kharkiv region, Novoselovskoye and Stelmakhovka of the Luhansk People’s Republic.
The enemy’s losses amounted to over 485 military personnel, six tanks, including one Leopard-2, 11 armored combat vehicles, 24 vehicles, seven Czech-made MLRS launchers, as well as eight field artillery guns. In addition, three ammunition and fuel depots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed.
In the Krasnolimansk direction, units of the Center group of forces, in cooperation with operational and tactical, army aviation and artillery, repelled four enemy attacks. Clusters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were defeated in the areas of the settlements of Chervonaya Dibrova of the Luhansk People’s Republic, Torskoye, Grigorovka of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Serebryansk forestry.
The enemy’s losses amounted to over 690 soldiers killed and wounded, two tanks, 11 armored combat vehicles, 24 vehicles, as well as five field artillery guns.
In the Donetsk direction, units of the “Southern” group of troops, supported by aviation and artillery fire, repelled nine enemy attacks. Over the past period, the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this area amounted to over 1990 servicemen killed and wounded, four tanks, 17 armored combat vehicles, including two Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 64 vehicles and 26 field artillery guns.
In the South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok group of forces repelled five enemy attacks. Air strikes and artillery fire inflicted fire damage on units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Vodiane, Makarovka, Paraskovievka, Staromayorskoye, Ugledar, Urozhodnoye of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Priyutnoye of the Zaporozhye region.
The enemy’s losses in this direction amounted to over 950 military personnel, 12 armored combat vehicles, 27 vehicles and 17 field artillery guns.
In the Zaporozhye direction, units of Russian troops repelled an enemy attack north of the settlement of Novoprokopovka in the Zaporozhye region.
In addition, fire damage was inflicted on the personnel and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Verbovoye, Orekhov, Kamenskoye, Lukyanovskoye, Novodanilovka and Rabodino in the Zaporozhye region. The enemy’s losses amounted to up to 350 soldiers, a tank, 15 armored combat vehicles, 18 vehicles, as well as eight field artillery guns.
In the Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr group of forces, in cooperation with artillery, defeated enemy manpower on the right bank of the Dnieper in the areas of the settlements of Tyaginka, Ivanovka, Sadovoye and Tokarevka of the Kherson region. As a result of the actions of the Russian troops, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 225 servicemen killed and wounded in this direction. In addition, a tank, two armored combat vehicles, 28 vehicles, 14 boats, a Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile launcher, 11 field artillery guns, an electronic warfare station and an ammunition depot were destroyed.
During the week, 13 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered, including eight people in the Kupyansk direction.
Over the past period, missile forces and artillery, operational and tactical aviation and strike unmanned aerial vehicles of the groups of troops have destroyed: three launchers of the HIMARS and Alder multiple launch rocket systems, a launcher of the S-200 anti-aircraft missile system, a radar of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system, a radar station for detecting and tracking low-altitude targets ST-68, as well as two US-made counter-battery warfare radars.
Aviation and air defense means shot down during the week: the Su-27 aircraft and the Mi-8 helicopter of the air forces of Ukraine.
In addition, eight Storm Shadow cruise missiles, 14 Tochka-U tactical missiles, three S-200 anti-aircraft missiles converted for firing at ground targets, 107 HIMARS, Alder and Vampire multiple rocket launchers, three HARM anti-radar missiles and 253 unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed.
In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 565 aircraft, 264 helicopters, 10459 unmanned aerial vehicles, 447 anti-aircraft missile systems, 14483 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1200 multiple rocket launchers, 7639 field artillery and mortars, as well as 17100 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed.

Posted by: Luiza Lur | Jan 5 2024 20:03 utc | 4

gents, are there any news about UKR bagging Gerasimov with unexpected strike?

Posted by: DeChristo | Jan 5 2024 20:17 utc | 6

“If true, this would be absolutely great news. It could only be topped off by the Ukies nailing the Shoigu.”
Posted by: Micron | Jan 5 2024 20:23 utc | 7
please explain how this would be great news.

Posted by: Justpassinby | Jan 5 2024 20:33 utc | 8

intel republic (https://t.me/IntelRepublic) is report a mysterious fire broke out in a New Jersey warehouse that was storing undelivered weapons for Ukraine. Local businessman Tony Soprano, stated that this “was clearly an unfortunate accident”.

Posted by: Kadath | Jan 5 2024 20:46 utc | 10

RE: Posted by: Naive | Jan 5 2024 19:46 utc | 1
Goodness! Read the headline…”it is possible”…
There ya go! 😂🍻! … makes one think of all the “possibilities” in this SMO…
This is the “reporting” of today.
They should just shout: Time for US Citizens to get back to hating North Korea & Iran again” we don’t want to talk about “Ukraine” anymore… please…! It’s their fault Ukraine lost…

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jan 5 2024 21:02 utc | 12

⚡️🇷🇺🇺🇦⚔️ Front #Summary for 5 Dec 2024 by 19:08⚡️
🔹In #Kherson Direction, business as usual. The Washington Post, having interviewed an Ukrainian marine, concluded that in #Krynki “Ukrainian leaders sought to show their Western supporters some progress – any progress. At the monstrous cost of thousands of human lives.
🔹In #Zaporozhye Direction, positional fighting is ongoing at the #Rabotino – #Verbovoye line. From the side of #Novoprokopovka our forces are noticeably advancing. But #Verbovoye has some minor successes with the AFU.
🔹In #SouthDonetsk Direction, our army is hitting #Kurakhovo, the next target after #Maryinka, they have advanced near #Georgiyevka and in the direction of #Pobeda. Heavy fighting is taking place on the outskirts of #Novomikhaylovka, the AFU is fighting fiercely.
🔹In #Donetsk Direction, on the northern #Avdeyevka flank, our units advanced at #Stepovoye. Ukrainian resources say that the AFU has pushed our forces back from the village of #Zarya to the west of #Novobakhmutovka. There are no denials or confirmations so far. This is the frontline, positions are changing hands. Our army aims to advance along the railway line towards #Ocheretino. On the southern flank, our forces are expanding their zone of control at #Pervomayskoye.
🔹In #Bakhmut Direction, on the southern flank of the city, ours are clearing the outskirts of #Kleshcheyevka and battling on the heights northwest of the village. North of #Kurdyumovka near the railway station, our army is fighting for AFU strongholds. Our military continues to push back the AFU in #Bogdanovka.
🔹In #Svatovo Direction, our Army attacks near #Dibrova, have not yet brought success. But in #Sinkovka our forces seem to have managed to turn the situation in their favour. The village is now mostly in the grey zone, with the AFU abandoning a number of positions.
▪️ By the way, the British The Telegraph released an announcement that Russia is preparing an offensive near #Kharkov, at #Kupyansk and the surrounding area. According to the authors, this is indicated by powerful missile attacks on the #Kharkov region. One wonders why, in such a case, the powerful missile attacks in recent days on targets in the Ukrainian capital do not indicate that the RF Armed Forces are preparing to enter #Kiev.

https://t.me/sitreports/20549

Posted by: Down South | Jan 5 2024 21:12 utc | 14

It’s funny how ukro/nato propaganda changes the news instantly. I give NK missile story about 1% possibility. In theory, NK and Iran should be begging to test their weapons on natoids, for free, that’s where the 1% comes from.
And talking about the daily dose of idiots, remember when Kitschko took a selfie with some little tube, calling it downed Kinzhal? Now they’ve published a new photo. Also a little tube clearly placed by them into a hole in the ground from an exploded missile. What is very funny is that this one also doesn’t look even close in shape and size to Kinzhal. It’s like watching Special Olympics, you feel like laughing but it’s sad.

Posted by: rk | Jan 5 2024 21:22 utc | 16

Wolfgang Schäuble was the face of German democracy for over 40 years. Now he is dead and there is no end to the lamentation. In the state of lies, no one really asks whether this is what democracy should really look like.

Posted by: Oliver Krug | Jan 5 2024 21:50 utc | 18

https://t.me/intelslava/54452
“It is possible that a North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missile could have been used for the strike.”
Russia is very isolated and has no more missiles. Wishfull thinking of the empire of lies
Posted by: Naive | Jan 5 2024 19:46 utc | 1

What happened to the older Russian OTR-21 Tochka systems?
Why are they not used?

Posted by: zorge | Jan 5 2024 22:18 utc | 20

Oliver Krug | Jan 5 2024 21:50 utc | 18
I imagine that in Athens they are dancing in the streets.

Posted by: bevin | Jan 5 2024 23:29 utc | 22

A korea blog category may soon open up. South is firing artillery back ( where i not know ) as response to previous north artillery. Where this goes is anyone’s guess. If RF/China or USA deems it worthy to it will. The recent stripping of missile assets from Japan Korea, buying up south Korean shell production capacity all make the mathematics equations of war needing updates.

Posted by: Hankster | Jan 5 2024 23:37 utc | 24

the old otr-21 were to be decommissioned in 2020 or so.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Jan 5 2024 22:38 utc | 21

Maybe, but they still probably have thousands of the things in storage. Sure, they’re not super precise, but for taking out large objects, such as factories and big ammo depots, they should be fine.
The main limitation is the range.
People don’t realize how much damage Gorbachev did with the INF treaty and how treasonous the terms were.
Why does Russia have Kalibrs (i.e. sea-launched cruise missiles) and ALCMs that reach thousands of kilometers, but it only has the Iskander as an SRBM and no IRBMs? Meanwhile the Chinese, Iranians and North Koreans have untold thousands of SRMBs and IRBMs ready to go. It’s because of the INF treaty. And it is not at all clear if now that it is completely dead, new production Iskanders can have their range increased. Presumably they can, but who knows, it might actually be a hard design limitation that you can’t put more fuel in there.
So what do we have now in Ukraine?
We have the deep Ukrainian rear being more than 500 km from the front line and the Russian border, in Western Ukraine, where it is reachable only by ALCMs, Kalibrs, Gerans/Shaheds and Kinzhals. Kinzhals are obviously super fast and get their target within minutes, but everything else has the great limitation of being slow and detectable (and detected) an hour before it arrives to its target. Thus you can’t hit anything time sensitive and the Ukrainians have time to scatter from potential target locations, to scramble planes in the air, etc. Also, all of these platforms are very expensive, except for the Shaheds, but the Shaheds are also small warheads – 50 kg – while we want 500-kg, 1000-kg, or even larger warheads for a lot of targets.
So you need cheap mass-produced SRBMs and IRBMs.
But Russia has none because of the INF treaty. Sure, they can easily design them, they have the best rocket scientist and industry in the world, but that takes time, and then you need to set up production, etc. etc.
Thus having to go to NK and Iran.
P.S. Finally, to wrap up on why the INF treaty was treasonous — you have a dominant land power against a dominant sea and air power, with the latter having encircled the former from three sides because of how WWII went, and you sign a treaty that limits land-based intermediate-range weapons, but you don’t do anything about the air- and sea-launched ones. Who is that going to benefit? The answer is obvious. And you see the end result, which is the US having triple digit naval assets that can launch thousands of Tomahawks from different five directions towards Russia, while Russia only has the SSBNs, and a small number of surface vessels and SSGNs (and for a long time didn’t even have those, during the worst years of the post-Soviet collapse).

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 5 2024 23:48 utc | 26

Usa has suggested that the G7 (mostly EU) confiscates russia’s 300 billions.
How do you harm G7 (mostley EU) most.
The USA can get the EU do the stealing, they still will get the bulk of the money, but it was not “us” (USA) who did it.

Posted by: Paul from Norway | Jan 5 2024 23:55 utc | 28

Ukrainian CIPSO has successfully convinced some, and continue trying to convince others, that Russia’s top general and minister of defense have somehow been doing a terrible job. No arguments provided, unless you count “Prigozhin said so” as an argument. Even the propagandists here tend to stick to the good old “Putin weak” instead.
Posted by: boneless | Jan 5 2024 21:21 utc | 15

Actually the shitshow of the last two years is neither or the MoD nor on the General Staff. Is Shoigu corrupt? I would be highly surprised if he wasn’t, but I would also be highly surprised if he was totally incompetent, and so far in fact the MoD has done a good job on logistics and production. We also have no idea who screwed exactly what in the planning of the initial invasion, but based on the available information Gerasimov is highly competent when it comes to strategy. People throw random accusations with zero evidence to back them up — what exactly did Gerasimov screw up that was in his control to not screw up? We have zero information on how the planning went, who made what decisions, etc.
The big problem is that the military still has to fight with one hand tied behind its back. Only when all such limitations imposed by the political leadership are lifted can we judge the military on its performance.

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 0:03 utc | 30

Since I’m early, I’ll post a few observations. First, thanks B and all those who post facts and real information. If you need to rant mindlessly about the evil of the West, it’s politicians etc. point taken, enough ranting. Also endless iterations about the financial collapse of the West, without evidence, are useless.
Posted by: Mbartv | Jan 5 2024 20:04 utc | 5
1. Please provide details of the West’s Financial details which accord with your sensibilities. There is plenty of financial and economic evidence. What is your pleasure?
2. U.S. Federal Government Debt exceeded $34 Trillion, which is $100,000 per PERSON, or more than $400,000 per family, and interest for the next 12 months will be $1 Trillion. Or $12,000 per family. On top of your mortgage, credit cards and all other personal debt.
3. History provides evidence of nations, societies and people’s whose warring nature expanded debts to where only THEFT was left to pay the piper.
4. Perhaps Ukraine was a teeny-weeny bit foolhardy to instigate a war with Russia when it neither had the weapons nor finances for such an enormous project.
5. Ask an Afghani woman how much the U.S. can be trusted.
K

Posted by: kupkee | Jan 6 2024 0:24 utc | 32

I’ve been reading MoA for over 2 years now,- and i’ve come to the conclusion that if ever Russian high command would listen to you – nuclear war would be right around the corner, but maybe that’s what you want…..
Posted by: Cato in Norway | Jan 6 2024 0:40 utc | 33

It’s the exact opposite — it has been made inevitable by the current turn-the-other-cheek policy.
The only possible excuse is that it was inevitable anyway, the Russian high command knew it, and is just buying time to prepare better (which is happening in the background, but we hear nothing about it for obvious reasons).

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 0:48 utc | 34

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 0:03 utc | 30
Is Shoigu corrupt? I would be highly surprised if he wasn’t, (…)
and
People throw random accusations with zero evidence to back them up
Said it all.
“prejudice /prĕj′ə-dĭs/
noun
* The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions.
* An adverse judgment or opinion formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts.
(…)
* Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular social group, such as a race or the adherents of a religion.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language”
Your hatred of Russia is showing too much.

Posted by: Naive | Jan 6 2024 0:59 utc | 36

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 0:48 utc | 34
>It’s the exact opposite — it [ed: nucleus war] has been made inevitable by the current turn-the-other-cheek policy.
No, what is inevitable is that Ukrainian military will divide into 4 parts in the next year or two: 1) those who will die or be injured severely and so become unfit for service; 2) those who tire of war and desert/surrender; 3) those who won’t desert/surrender but who can be reconciled with Russia ala Chechens; 4) those who won’t desert/surrender and who will always hate Russia with a passion.
Once groups 3 and 4 are small enough, Russia will apply divide and conquer tactics. Group 3 signs a peace treaty that turns central Ukraine into Russian vassal state (same relationship as Canada to USA). Group 4 retreats to Galicia with their weapons, where they will be a source of trouble to Poland. Galicia may declare independence and apply to enter NATO, but Russia has many ways to slow down this process. Plus even worst case of nuclear missiles Galicia is less of a threat to Russia than Finland and the Baltics, so can be ignored.
Slow but steady war is causing collapse of both USA hegemony and NATO at low risk to Russia.

Posted by: anonposter | Jan 6 2024 1:34 utc | 38

Russia requests UN Security Council meeting for January 22 on arms supplies to Kiev
“A meeting on the supply of Western weapons has been requested for January 22,” a source in the world organization said“
lol 😂
Posted by: Trubind1 | Jan 6 2024 1:39 utc | 39

My understanding is that there is a substantial legal difference between selling weapons and giving weapons free of charge. If Ukraine is paying for weapons, then there is not much to accuse the suppliers of (other than violating various arms proliferation treaties, but those are legal fiction anyway).
However, if it is being given weapons free of charge, then not just effectively, but also legally what is happening is that Ukraine is firing the weapons for whoever supplies them, i.e. the suppliers are waging war on Russia.
The Americans are supposedly doing most of their supplies under Lend-Lease, so Ukraine is technically paying for it (by enslaving itself to forever repaying those loans).
But I highly doubt the aid the UK and the Europeans are providing is paid for, it is all straight up donations. And that includes most of the hugely problematic weapons — the Storm Shadows from the UK and France, the Czech MLRS used to kill the civilians in Belgorod, and soon the Taurus missiles from Germany too.
Thus Russia is fully in its legal right to carry out strikes against those countries.
On the other side, Russians are paying for weapons they get from NK and Iran, so there is nothing wrong there.

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 1:54 utc | 40

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 2:04 utc | 41
>5) How Banderized and brainwashed was Ukraine two years ago versus now?
>Objectively, everything is much worse now than it used to be in the beginning of the war.
On the contrary, the tide of public opinion has turned in the past 6 months, both in the west and Ukraine. Mood in Ukraine is that of Russia 1916. People are ready for revolution, but it must have support of the military, and military morale is not yet broken. Russia doesn’t need to push hatd, just apply constant pressure and the Ukrainian frontline soldiers will eventually crack from exhaustion.
One scenario is that exhaustion allows a big breakthrough later this year, Zaluzhny orders a massive retreat to save the Ukrainian army from destruction and publicly tells Zelensky to fuck himself when Zelensky objects, and furthermore orders SBU and GUR and rest of government to obey his emergency orders and not those of Zelensky. Security forces will split and Zaluzhny will give his blessing to those who want to retreat to Galicia while he and his supporters hold central Ukraine. Then he cuts a deal with Russia.

Posted by: anonposter | Jan 6 2024 2:30 utc | 42

I guess murica and it’s slaves are daydream believers and home coming queens.

Posted by: nook | Jan 6 2024 2:37 utc | 44

On the contrary, the tide of public opinion has turned in the past 6 months, both in the west and Ukraine. Mood in Ukraine is that of Russia 1916. People are ready for revolution, but it must have support of the military, and military morale is not yet broken. Russia doesn’t need to push hatd, just apply constant pressure and the Ukrainian frontline soldiers will eventually crack from exhaustion.
Posted by: anonposter | Jan 6 2024 2:30 utc | 42

More delusional nonsense.
The military is even more thoroughly Banderized than the political class. You see them posing with Bandera’s portrait, with red and black flags, with swastikas and other Nazi symbols, etc.
Most importantly, the military has committed so many unforgivable crimes against Russians that they are at this point in this to the bitter end because they know that they will not get out alive if the Russian ever get their hands on them. Even if initially there is some kind of agreements. Planes crashes, window falls, weird fatal illnesses, etc. is what awaits them eventually if they make a deal with Russia.

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 3:09 utc | 46

Ukraine Weekly Update 5th Jan 2024: May be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-weekly-update-bad

Posted by: Dr. Rob Campbell | Jan 6 2024 3:23 utc | 48

Might be of interest, from the previous thread:

Keir Giles writes completely idiotic opinion on CNN – So, this is where they are going with, really?
Preparing the West for a war.
Best sentence is highlighted anyway, but it is unfinished:
There is plenty more the West could do that Moscow would genuinely dislike…
I can imagine many endings to this sentence.
Posted by: whirlX | Jan 6 2024 2:48 utc | 244

Posted by: whirlX | Jan 6 2024 3:34 utc | 50

Check out Simplicius’ breakdown of a July Newsweek article which gives lie to a lot of stuff happening within and around Ukraine and NATO.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 6 2024 5:18 utc | 52

@23 re Tony Soprano
Really amazing coincidence isnt it?

Posted by: Yarpos | Jan 6 2024 5:42 utc | 54

Mamuka Mamulashvili, the commander of the terrorist Georgian Legion, who killed Russian POW’s, has not tweeted in five days.
A few days ago there were unconfirmed reports that he was eliminated by the Russian Forces.
https://t.me/s/DDGeopolitics

Posted by: MiniMO | Jan 6 2024 6:21 utc | 56

@anonposter | Jan 6 2024 3:27 utc | 49
Usually minorities rule the majorities. Look at the West, the NeoCons / Anglo Zionists are in the minority, yet they dictate all the foreign policy and national direction of all the countries in the West. In Ukraine, the Bandera-ists are in the minority, yet they dictate all the foreign policy and national direction of the country. The majority in the West and Ukraine just follow orders or profess ignorance, neither of which is an excuse as per what happened to your average German soldier after WW2, so no innocents allowed.
Russia doesn’t follow this rule though, there is no vocal, violent inclined minority dictating the direction Russia should follow, much to shaddowbanned’s dismay. Instead what you have in Russia is some kind of synthesis whereby the land and the people just implicitly trust Putin and will take his direction, while Putin will do all he can to protect the land and the people.
This synthesis in Russia took hundreds of years to develop, in spite of numerous calamities along the way, and now just as it is finally really blossoming militarily and economically some psycho minority along the lines of shaddowbanned’s ilk want to come along and ruin things because they, the psycho minority, know better. Another 20 years of SloMO will cement Russia’s position on this planet like nothing ever seen before, but some can’t build, they can only destroy, hence they want to ruin everything with nukes and WW3.

Posted by: gT | Jan 6 2024 7:26 utc | 58

57 omg. There is not much left to bottom out onto. That’s as depraved as can get.

Posted by: Hankster | Jan 6 2024 7:43 utc | 60

@shadowbanned
“Somebody much smarter than me”
Doesn’t take a lot to be smarter than you does it?
Well as a pathological Russia hater you must feel the pain here so I guess that’s why you butthurt weasel try put your anti Russian BS here
On the other side it makes the comments section more diverse 😁
I totally agree with b that comments like yours should not be shadowbanned

Posted by: 🌶️Mike | Jan 6 2024 8:16 utc | 62

Sure, linear trends cannot be extrapolated indefinitely, etc.
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 2:04 utc | 41
But then that is precisely what you are doing. Bet that in March 1918 you would have told everyone how stronger the germans were getting…

Posted by: Satepestage | Jan 6 2024 8:42 utc | 64

shаdοwbanned @ Jan 6 2024 3:09 utc | 46

Most importantly, the military has committed so many unforgivable crimes against Russians that they are at this point in this to the bitter end because they know that they will not get out alive if the Russian ever get their hands on them.

Kind of reminds me of WWII after Stalingrad. Seen from Berlin news there was little movement, Wehrmacht kept winning battles closer to home every day until it became a open joke when the names turned German. Cue the obvious Steiner memes. UKR is being hollowed out in place until collapse. Don’t deny te hidden dynamics just because you think big arrows and nukes make for better war porn.
You remind me of my brother, he always has to take the contrarian opinion. You warn people against Russian triumphalism, next post you say nothing changed, next post you speculate about Banderist endgame. Anything to prove superior opinion on everything your “opponent” says. Claims made to fit the agenda. You ragebait well enough I can’t help responding, same with my troll brother.

Posted by: SOS | Jan 6 2024 9:05 utc | 66

Posted by: Dr. Rob Campbell | Jan 6 2024 3:23 utc | 48
Thank you. Looking forward to your discussion of the emerging “multi-polar world order” which I think will actually be bi-polar again, as in the second half of the 20th century.

Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 6 2024 10:21 utc | 68

There is very little to like about NK, but Russia and it (and China) share enemies. The way of the world. And why not test out weapons in a live environment which features the cutting edge of emerging technologies and their practical use on a battlefield? No doubt NK “observers” are also present.
For many years both China and Russia ostracised NK, mainly in deference to pro-western policies. It takes a special sort of stupid to frame foreign policy to the point where these three natural rivals come together.

Posted by: marcjf | Jan 6 2024 12:35 utc | 70

Posted by: marcjf | Jan 6 2024 12:35 utc | 70
The M1 Abrams, that might, or might not be in Ukraine, mounts a 120mm smooth-bore cannon, originally manufactured and designed in Germany, with the loaders AAMG and coax MG being copies of a Belgian design. Using other nations weapon systems is nothing new, especially during a conflict, and is evidence of practical, efficient and sustainable resource management. I seriously doubt Russian has run out of SRBM’s, but the opportunity to charge a ‘testing fee’ to nations to, take advantage of the unique conditions of the SMO, cannot be ruled out. Then again, they may be using foreign copies to retain capability, whilst stock piling the home product for future operations. Having said all of that, it would be pretty easy to make false debris, or use existing fragments recovered covertly.

Posted by: Milites | Jan 6 2024 13:07 utc | 72

https://t.me/epoddubny/18735

Our military has already found out that the enemy uses Czech-made multiple launch rocket systems to attack Belgorod and the entire region. RM-70 “Vampire”. This is a modernized version of the BM-21 Grad, a Soviet rocket system produced in Czechoslovakia since 1972, when the trees were tall and most of Eastern Europe tried to pretend they didn’t support Hitler during World War II. Well, let’s go back to our time.
The Czech Republic handed over to the Kyiv regime weapons that are used to kill our civilians, our children.
It became clear where the shells came from. Unexpectedly (not) – this is Slovakia. Judging by the markings, the shells are fresh. Increased range. These shells are produced by a company that is part of the MSM group. These shells were produced and transferred to the Czech Republic or directly to the Kyiv regime under Premier Heger or Premier Odor.
A little history. During the Great Patriotic War, the plant worked in the interests of Nazi Germany. Soldiers and commanders of the Red Army liberated the territory of the weapons factory on May 2, 1945. This plant, where in 2023 they produced 122-mm shells that killed our children in Belgorod, was named after Marshal of the Soviet Union Voroshilov at a time when Czechoslovakia was a socialist state and was part of the Warsaw Pact.
In 2004, Slovakia joined NATO.
That’s all I mean. The children and grandchildren of the Nazis, who were crushed by us, took advantage of the geopolitical processes that gave rise to the storm after the collapse of the USSR. Neo-Nazism is an attempt at revenge by the descendants of the losers. This is what we are also fighting against. And we will win.

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 6 2024 13:16 utc | 74

Posted by: malenkov | Jan 6 2024 13:09 utc | 73
A suitcase of US$1 million in cash, or explicit threat to kill your family members go a long long way to getting the rules based international order working.
https://www.businessinsider.com/john-bolton-threatened-family-of-brazilian-diplomat-iraq-war-2002-2018-3

Posted by: Surferket | Jan 6 2024 14:00 utc | 76

Dear shadowbanned, Russia has existed as an entity for many centuries, surviving hordes coming their way to rob them of their riches, yet they survived without your advice. You should apply for a job in their secret service FSB (former KGB) and as a reference link them your posts here as credentials. I am sure they will accept your super-duper knowledge with open hands and take you in as personal advisor to the people in charge.
Although one of their lackeys is reading this very post and taking advice already…
This war is not just on the battlefield, I hope you understand that since you put so much time into writing here. I hope you do get paid for your psy-op posts, otherwise you are wasting time, your most valuable resource in this thing called life.

Posted by: Jzo | Jan 6 2024 14:30 utc | 78

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Jan 6 2024 14:32 utc | 79
You mean you just realised that Putin’s playing his own game? And it’s all the time.

Posted by: Surferket | Jan 6 2024 15:01 utc | 80

Posted by: Here We Go | Jan 6 2024 3:21 utc | 47
“Please everyone just ignore the shadowbanned psyop. It hasn’t changed its tune in years now. No need to bother to respond to it.”
On the contrary, I am more likely to ignore comments from individuals telling me what to do.
I for one enjoy reading shadowbanned comments as they provide a sometimes uncomfortable analysis to that which I would wish for. Whilst I disagree with some of shadowbanneds’ conclusion, alternate opinions – when rational, coherent, and logical – are essential for informed discussion.
Posted by: largolaw | Jan 6 2024 8:11 utc | 61
I tried to say the same thing-you said it better than I.
Thanks.

Posted by: canuck | Jan 6 2024 15:08 utc | 82

Posted by: largolaw | Jan 6 2024 8:11 utc | 61
Absolutely, just remember with any opinion comes a motive, discerning that is crucial in being able to winnow the post’s content. How contrary opinions are approached and dealt with is one of the key indicators of how secure an individual or organisation is, in its currently held positions.
Cancel culture is useful as a short-term assault to embed an autocracy, emboldening its supporters; whilst, terrorising its opponents, especially the younger generation, but it soon becomes-self-defeating. In essence it’s a cultural Stuka dive bomber. Once its opponents are used to its attack routines and inherent vulnerabilities it loses its effectiveness and, in the case of cancel culture, often becoming counter-productive.

Posted by: Milites | Jan 6 2024 15:40 utc | 84

…the real drivers of change, a brewing blue-collar revolt.

So, white-collar workers aren’t working class? A bit divisive and splitting the class into disunity, isn’t it?….was Lenin blue-collar? Marx? Engels? Could you explain how you define “class”?

Posted by: zeke2u | Jan 6 2024 16:18 utc | 86

A weekly French newspaper (which stated in 2022 that there is no nazi in Ukraine) writes that during a meeting between high-graded French militaries where it was discussed what should have been done in 2021 to “stop Putin”. And the idea was formulated that nukes, with the agreement of the Ukrainian authorities, should have been placed inside the country.
So… It looks like people like sh and zg – among others – are everywhere. They cannot wait a nuclear war.

Posted by: Naive | Jan 6 2024 16:50 utc | 88

Mariupol today…https://youtu.be/bMLBFYZmXl8

Posted by: ostro | Jan 6 2024 17:03 utc | 90

Posted by: Naive | Jan 6 2024 16:50 utc | 88
Same country whose Foreign Minister was reported to have said, of 9/11, you know if it had been Paris we’d have nuked those responsible. Interesting bunch the French, they don’t just share the same geology as the Anglos.

Posted by: Milites | Jan 6 2024 17:23 utc | 92

@ostro | Jan 6 2024 17:03 utc | 90
Very interesting. Thanks for posting that link. Nice overview of the city – how much has been done and how much work remains.

Posted by: the pessimist | Jan 6 2024 17:37 utc | 94

… but given the performance of the initial units in the SMO I very much doubt it, one saving grace, they invaded an even more corrupt country.
Posted by: Milites | Jan 6 2024 17:12 utc | 91

I realize you’re probably referring to the apparent logistical unpreparedness of the initial invasion forces but setting that aside for a moment, one of the things I found notable viewing the videos coming out the first couple of days was the disciplined professionalism of the Russian soldiers. Their patience and the lack of violence in their dealings with civilians was on full display. At least by some measures, I think the Russians performed very well.
As for the chaotic logistics, I’m not sure that in and of itself that points to corruption. I suspect any military is going to have problems trying to go from 0 to 60 overnight. Instead of corruption it looks more like poor planning but even that may simply have been an inevitable consequence of trying to achieve some level of surprise.

Posted by: Mike314159 | Jan 6 2024 18:18 utc | 96

Posted by: ostro | Jan 6 2024 17:03 utc | 90
Interesting vid. With all the dilapidated buildings and closed steel plant. You would think you were touring an American city. Minus the Looting and riots.

Posted by: golddigger | Jan 6 2024 18:52 utc | 98

⚡️🇷🇺🇺🇦⚔️ Front #Summary for 6 Dec 2024 by 19:34⚡️
🔹In #Kherson Direction, Russian drones continue their duty over the waters of the #Dnieper. More boats were hit. The AFU are concentrating on holding a piece of #Krynki. Our military is trying, meter by meter, to push the enemy out of the village, as well as on the islands. According to reports from the field, over the past two days, we have managed to take several of them under full control.
🔹In #Zaporozhye Direction, our forces continue to press from #Novoprokopovka at the #Rabotino – #Verbovoye line. After a short pause, our forces resumed the assault and managed to take control of several strongholds. Near #Verbovoye, there is a relative lull on the ground. Our army compensates this with dense work of artillery and mortars. An air strike hit an AFU deployment near #Rabotino.
🔹In #SouthDonetsk Direction, our forces advanced towards #Georgiyevka. New positions were also taken near #Pobeda. Heavy fighting continues near #Novomikhaylovka, the interim results are hidden in the fog of war.
🔹In #Donetsk Direction, on the northern #Avdeyevka flank, news arrive about the advance of our army south of #Vesyoloye. Fierce fighting continues near #Stepovoye towards #Berdychi and the advance of a wide front along the railway line towards #Ocheretino. While there our troops are stuck in the enemy defence and no tangible progress has been recorded so far, our forces managed to reverse the situation at the Coke Plant. Our troops are advancing northeast of it.
🔹In #Bakhmut Direction, our troops are attacking near #Andreyevka, the initiative is on our side. Our forces are pushing the enemy back from the heights northwest of #Kleshcheyevka, 4 more strongholds have been cleared. There is also an offensive from #Khromovo. At #Bogdanovka fierce counter battles, ours are pushing through to the village. Near #Kurdyumovka, a number of AFU positions have come under the control of our military.
🔹In #Svatovo Direction, our forces continue to push the AFU out of the #Serebryanskoye forest and from positions near #Torskoye. Ours retain the initiative in #Sinkovka. Part of the village is under our control, the rest is grey zone.

https://t.me/sitreports/20609

Posted by: Down South | Jan 6 2024 19:38 utc | 100