Ukraine Strikes Back

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‘Spectacular Explosion’: Footage Shows Ukraine Destroying Russian Big ‘Gun’​

The war in Ukraine is perhaps Putin's most significant national security mistake ever.

He has lost perhaps as many as 280,000 troops (killed or wounded), and it will take decades, perhaps to rebuild those forces into any shape that could take on NATO.

For now, Putin seems stuck in a war he can't ever hope to win - and social media videos will capture his losses for as long as he continues to fight.

Recorded in the village of Klishchiivka near Bakhmut, it showed the destruction of a Russian 2S9 Nona 120mm self-propelled mortar that had taken position behind a row of houses.

The Russian vehicle was successfully targeted by troops of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces – the volunteer militia units created during the war in Donbas and which continue to serve on the frontlines.

The caption suggested the unit was the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade, but in fact, the insignia seen overlaid on the video is actually from the 112th Independent Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces. The confusion could lie in the fact that the 128th Battalion is a unit of the 112th Brigade – and has been fighting in the Donbas region since last summer.
Normally a Kyiv-based formation, the brigade was moved to the east after taking part in the successful defense of the capital, The Times of Israel reported last year.

Klishchiivka, a settlement south of Bakhmut, was the scene of heavy fighting back in the speing. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed in January that its forces had taken control of the village. According to reports, the settlement, which had a pre-war population of around 400, was actually taken by Wagner Group forces and Russian proxy militia based in Donetsk.

As seen in the recent video, there may be little to nothing for the former residents to ever return if and when the fighting ends.

The small community has been all but razed to the ground and continues to take fire.

It appeared that the 2S9 Nona had taken up position behind a ruined house, but was spotted by a Ukrainian drone, which then provided the coordinates to 128th Battalion's artillery.

Designed as a self-propelled and air-droppable 120mm mortar, the tracked 2S9 Nona entered service with the Soviet Army in 1981 and approximately 1,000 were produced. The vehicle, which was not widely exported, was first employed in combat operations in the Soviet-Afghan War and later was used in the Russo-Georgian War. The platform has also been deployed with Russian units to Syria.

Operated by a crew of four – including a commander, driver/mechanic, gunner, and loader – the 2S9 Nona could be mistaken for a light tank with a welded steel turret located in the middle of the vehicle's lightly armored hull, which is 15mm maximum. The mobile mortar platform’s interior is separated into a command compartment, a fighting compartment, and an engine compartment.

It is armed with a smoothbore 120mm 2A51 gun that is a hybrid of a mortar and howitzer that has a rate of fire of 10 rpm, an effective range of 8.8 km with conventional rounds, and 12.8 km with extended ordnance. Though resembling a tank, its turret only allows for a limited traverse left and right.

Putin rocked as 'dozens of Ukrainian cluster bombs' rain down on Russia​

Dozens of Ukrainian drones attacked three Russian regions overnight, according to Russia's Ministry of Defense.

Moscow claimed its air defenses shot down 31 of the drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions.

Writing on Telegram, it said: "On the night of October 4, the demands of the Kyiv regime were suppressed and terrorist attacks were carried out on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation.

"31 Ukrainian unmanned aircraft of the airplane type were intercepted and destroyed by air defense units on duty over the territory of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions."

Although Russia claims to have shot down the drones, damage has been reported in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

He said: "An administrative building in Belgorod, a house in the village of Shishino, Belgorod district, and three cars were damaged."

The state-run TASS News Agency claimed 19 drones were shot down over the region.

In addition, the regional governor of Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, claimedUkraine's forces fired cluster munitions into the region.

He said no one was injured but several houses were damaged. The claims of these overnight attacks have not been verified.

Russian officials in bordering regions have long accused Ukraine of indiscriminate shelling, which Kyiv denies.

Ukraine has promised only to use the controversial munitions to dislodge enemy soldiers - their use is banned by more than 100 countries but not the US, Ukraine or Russia.

Both sides have used cluster munitions throughout the war.

 

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Ukraine says Russian missile strike on village grocery store kills at least 49 civilians​

Ukraine said Thursday that at least 49 people were killed in a Russian strike on a grocery store in the Kharkiv region, reflecting one of the worst attacks on civilians since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion last year. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “demonstrably brutal” and said “Russian terror must be stopped.” In other news, the Kremlin refused to answer questions about Russian naval operations Thursday after the Wall Street Journal reported that Russia had withdrawn the bulk of its Black Sea Fleet from its main base in annexed Crimea. The WSJ said the move had been a response to Ukrainian attacks but the Kremlin’s press secretary directed questions on the matter to the defense ministry.

 

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Putin’s Bombshell: Breaking Through U.S. Defense with a New Nuke?​

New Generation Nuclear-Powered Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Successfully Tested
Putin: “Withdrawal from Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Also Possible”

Russian President Vladimir Putin is speaking at the plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club held in Sochi, Russia, on the 5th (local time)./AFPBBNews=News1

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test of the new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile.

According to CNN and others, on the 5th (local time), Putin announced at the Valdai International Discussion Club plenary session held in Sochi, Russia, that the final test of the Burevestnik strategic cruise missile had been completed. The Valdai International Discussion Club is an international expert body known as Russia’s Davos Forum.





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Ukraine live briefing: U.S. mulls joint funding package for Israel and Ukraine; Zelensky in Romania​

The White House is considering attaching a request for Congress to approve additional funding for Ukraine to a separate request for urgent aid to Israel, The Washington Post reported, citing several people familiar with the deliberations. One official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, said such a move could make sense because it “jams the far right” in Congress, where some Republican lawmakers oppose more Ukraine aid but support aid to Israel. Russian President Vladimir Putin, making his first comments Tuesday on the war between Israel and Hamas, blamed Washington. “Many will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of U.S. policy,” he said. The Kremlin has stopped short this week of condemning the Palestinian militant group Hamas, referring instead to the developments as “a spiral of violence. ” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday: “We have long-standing ties with the Palestinians. We continue our contacts. … But at the same time, we have our relations with Israel.”

 

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Ukraine war: Russia attacks Avdiivka stronghold in eastern Ukraine​

The General Staff of Ukraine says they have managed to repel dozens of attacks in Avdiivka and nearby areas since Tuesday. "They launched their offensive on a wide front," Serhiy Tsekhovsky, an officer from the 59th brigade, told the BBC. "Since the beginning of the invasion, we haven't dealt with such an intensive attack [in the area near Avdiivka]. They are using multiple rocket launchers, artillery, tanks and infantry - all at the same time." Avdiivka is described as a gateway to the city of Donetsk, the capital of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Although Russia and its proxy forces have occupied Donetsk city since 2014, they have been unable to use its resources as a key military communications hub because it is too close to the front line. By capturing Avdiivka, the occupying force could push the front line away. But Avdiivka is important not just because of its strategic role. This town has been right on the front line since Moscow annexed Crimea nine years ago and the conflict in eastern Ukraine began. As a result, the town of Avdiivka has turned into a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and resilience. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has shared photos of Avdiivka on social media saying: "We are holding our ground. It is Ukrainian courage and unity that will determine how this war will end."

 

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Escalating Tensions: Russia and US Face-off in Eastern Europe​

The world watches with bated breath as the situation in Eastern Europe intensifies, marked by a surge of attacks by Russian forces, referred to as a ‘new offensive’ by both Russia and the United States. The escalating tensions between these two global powers pose a threat to international peace and stability, with potential consequences that could reverberate globally.

The East has become a ground zero for a show of force between Russia and the US. The recent attacks by Russian forces have been met with strong condemnation from both parties, with accusations of aggression heightening the strain on their already fragile relationship. There is a growing fear of potential military confrontation, a situation that could not only affect the immediate region but also destabilize global peace and security.

Russian forces have launched an aggressive military operation in the east, a move that is seen as a direct challenge to the US and its allies. The motives behind this offensive remain unclear, but it has brought Russia’s intentions into question. It has also underscored the country’s readiness to assert its power and influence, even if it means provoking international tensions.

The US has responded to the Russian offensive by deploying additional troops and military equipment to the region. This is a clear demonstration of its commitment to protect its interests and those of its allies. However, the situation raises concerns about a possible wider conflict. Given the existing flashpoints between the two countries, any miscommunication or miscalculation could lead to a dangerous escalation. The international community watches closely, urging both parties to exercise restraint.

The recent events in the east bear significant geopolitical implications. The region serves as a strategic transit route for energy supplies and a buffer zone between Russia and NATO, making the outcome of this conflict pivotal to the balance of power in the region and beyond. Furthermore, the attacks have triggered a humanitarian crisis, displacing thousands of people and causing civilian casualties. The international community calls for an end to the violence and provision of aid to the affected populace.

Despite the escalating tensions, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict continue. The United Nations and other international organizations are pushing for a peaceful resolution, encouraging both sides to engage in dialogue. However, given the deep-rooted differences between Russia and the US, the prospects for a diplomatic solution remain uncertain. As the international community remains hopeful for a de-escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the world continues to watch and wait.

 

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Slaughter of the Russians. HIMARS showed itself in all its glory​

 

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Well, the great summer offensive didn't have any big breakthrough.

 

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Those new missiles we sent them are pretty cool

 

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Those new missiles we sent them are pretty cool

Frankly, I blame Biden for not sending those a year ago. Biden is dripping stuff out giving just enough for Ukraine to hold on but never enough to actually win. That is a major problem.

 

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Biden's a bag of dicks. I get that. Still better than the alternative. It's a mess. Hopefully we all won't die in a fiery holocaust.

Trying to figure it out. Nothing makes sense anymore.

 

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Video Shows How Ukraine Used a Cheap Drone To Kill Putin’s ‘Vacuum Bomber’​

Russia’s Ukraine invasion is often referred to as a “drone war,” which is apt considering the prevalent role unmanned aerial vehicles have played.

Since February 2022, Kyiv has relied on a combination of foreign-supplied and domestically produced drones to support its defensive efforts.

Moscow has also manufactured its own UAVs, although Russian forces largely depend on continuous influxes of Iran-designed drones.

These relatively cheap and easily manufactured aerial weapons have grown to symbolize modern warfare.

This week, open-source intelligence group Ukraine Weapons Tracker published a video showing one of these drones at work. In the footage, a Ukrainian first-person view loitering munition appears to strike a Russian TOS-1A thermobaric multiple rocket launcher. The short clip culminates in a powerful detonation of the rockets on board.

Since the onset of the invasion, Ukrainian engineers have been working hard to design more advanced and capable drones that can be manufactured right in Kyiv. Over the summer, the New York Times identified two new drones used by Ukraine in the war — the Bober and the UJ-22 Airborne.

Although little information is available about these drones, both were used in barrages targeting Russian territory. The box-like Bober UAV was identified in several videos of attacks on Moscow. Named after the Ukrainian word for Beaver, this UAV is likely being deployed amid Kyiv’s counter-offensive efforts.

According to state sources, Ukraine’s UJ-22 UAV can fly for six hours at a range of 500 miles.

In the video shared by Ukraine Weapons Tracker on X, a Russian TOS-1A appears to be destroyed by the Ukrainian-launched UAV. Often referred to as a “vacuum bomb,” this weapon disperses gaseous clouds of chemicals in the air, which creates a vacuum that can ignite a powerful ripping effect on soft materials when reversed. This horrifying system dates back to the Cold War and was first used by the Russian Army in Chechnya. It is typically fitted onto a T-72 main battle tank, which is capable of holding up to two dozen unguided thermobaric rockets.

As detailed by The Drive,“Once the target is hit, the first explosive charge allows the fuel container to open and disperse a cloud of fuel, and the second charge ignites the incendiary fuel cloud which results in the fiery explosion and a subsequent oxygen-sucking vacuum. The detonation of the rockets causes such a rapid and drastic change in air pressure that taking shelter within a trench or cave, behind a reinforced barrier, or, in some cases, even inside of an armored vehicle would fail to protect a human.”

The destruction of the TOS-1A in the footage above is a win for Kyiv. In recent days, Russian Forces have been trying to retake the offensive in the war, which is proving to be a painful feat. While Kyiv managed to breach Russia’s main line of defenses back in August, it has struggled to expand that gap into a major breach that would enable its troops to advance forward.