re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict

What in the frick is going on in that link?

I guess the question now is what happens when Kosovo/NATO rejects the request? Does Belgrade go in anyways?

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1st taking Bakhmut won’t rupture Ukraine supply lines

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Yeah, that's just plain stupid. Bahkmut is at the very end of the line.

Lots of explosions in Tokmak, Nova Khakovka, and Melitopol. Here's a video from Melitopol where the Russian soldier talks about HIMARS hitting their base (with flames in the background): LINK

There have been lots of strikes in Melitopol and Tokmak in the last week. Either Ukraine is planning to attack Russian forces there, or they want Russia to think that they are.

But the forecast for the next few days is rain and mud, so it would seem to be an inopportune time for offensive operations.

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Melitopol

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I think this has been the prize all along. Once things freeze we will see.

Man imagine getting your arse kicked by that

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Many #Wagner mercenaries are reported dead after #HIMARS missile(s) smashed in to the Zhdanov hotel in #Kadiivka

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There are several reports of a HIMARS attack on a Russian/Wagner facility in Melitopol...with 200+ casualties. All are unconfirmed at this point.

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There are several reports of a HIMARS attack on a Russian/Wagner facility in Melitopol...with 200+ casualties.

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Wonder if the boss was there?

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The idea people are standing around filming with WIAs laying around is disgusting even if they are Russians.

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Maybe the warriors had been drinkin?

Isw Update

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An unnamed US defense source told The Times that the Pentagon is no longer insisting that Ukraine should not strike military targets within Russia.[1] The source noted that the Pentagon has changed its perspective on this matter following the recent intensification of Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure over the last few months and that the Pentagon has become less concerned regarding the risk of escalation, including nuclear escalation, with Russia

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Russian forces conducted attacks against critical infrastructure targets in southern Ukraine using a significantly higher number of Iranian-made drones than in previous weeks. Ukrainian Air Force Command reported on December 10 that Russian forces conducted 15 attacks with Shahed-136 and 131 drones in Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa oblasts and that Ukrainian air defenses shot down 10 of the drones

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is risking the loss of support from former proxy republic leaders and veterans due to Russian forces’ failure to push Ukrainian forces further west of Donetsk City and to “defend” Donbas. A former Defense Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR), Igor Girkin, who had also led the siege of Slovyansk in 2014, directly criticized Putin for failing to push Ukrainian forces near Donetsk City out of artillery range even though Putin had identified the protection of Donbas civilians as one of the objectives of the Russian “special military operation.”[11] Girkin specifically criticized Putin’s December 9 statement, which characterized the progress of the special military operation as “stable,” stating that only Putin and the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) see the war as successful. Former DNR Security Minister Alexander Khodakovsky noted emerging criticism of Putin, observing that Putin’s long reign has not completely been successful.”...Girkin’s and Khodakovsky’s critiques are unprecedentedly direct compared with their previous attacks on the Kremlin. These explicit attacks on Putin may reflect a rift between the pro-war DNR and veteran communities and Putin. The Russian veteran and proxy community had long warned the Kremlin about the design flaws of its military campaign but had rallied behind Putin in the belief that his war – at the very least – would lead to the Russian occupation of Donbas.

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Russian authorities are increasingly importing Chechen elements into occupied Ukraine to shape administrative regimes of occupied areas. Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov stated on December 8 that a Chechen delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ibragim Zakriev visited Kherson Oblast and met with Kherson occupation Head Vladimir Saldo.[16] Saldo praised the Chechen Republic for being an example of economic well-being, resilience, and growth following years of devastating conflicts and stressed that he hopes to learn from the Chechen experience in developing a model of administration for Kherson Oblast.[17] Ukrainian Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov similarly noted that Kadyrov appointed a Chechen official to “share the experience of the formation of the [Chechen] republic.”

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Key Takeaways

The Times reported that an unnamed US Defense source stated that the Pentagon is no longer insisting that Ukraine refrain from striking military targets in Russia given the ongoing Russian campaign of systematically destroying Ukrainian critical infrastructure.

Russian forces conducted attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure using a higher number of Iranian-made drones than in previous weeks.

Putin risks losing support from proxy leaders in Donetsk Oblast due to Russian forces’ failure to push Ukrainian forces out of artillery range of Donetsk City.

Russian authorities are increasingly importing Chechen officials and forces to man administrative regimes of occupied areas.

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations toward Svatove, and Russian and Ukrainian forces conducted ground attacks near Kreminna.

Russian forces continued attempts to advance toward Bakhmut and in the Avdiivka-Donetsk City area and to defend their positions in western Donetsk Oblast.

Russian authorities plan to launch programs in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories to prepare children for military service.

Russian forces in occupied Donetsk Oblast are reportedly commandeering civilian utility equipment to construct defensive structures.

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