re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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But I’ve watched a lot of videos in this thread. In most cases there is no way to tell who took the video or who’s getting blown up the video other than taking the video’s word for it.

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This is a good point, any footage should be treated as suspect on it's own.

Video footage, especially that taken from drones, has largely become the first visual evidence we see and is a fairly simple form to manipulate now. As Tboy already said in response to you, it's a process of looking at footage and then referencing it against other sources along with confirmed movements and geolocation, which as the war has gone on has become faster and faster, but still has some lag time in being added.

Using reliable sources helps in assessing footage, the good ones don't make wild bombastic claims in their tag lines and back the footage up with geo-location if/when available. During my reading of the thread there have been many instances where formerly used sources have fallen by the way side as evidence built up on them using bad information or blatantly manipulated data.

The trolls and instigators in the thread generally use sources with a long history of making wild claims about footage that has no geolocation or context, cherry picking them to get a reaction here rather than inform. If someone wanted to show information confirming Russian success then the thread would likely have no problem with that if was offered at least somewhat objectively and backed up.

Edit: Fixed old brain moment.

Russians doing Russian things

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1684643816781889536

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??In ????Yakutsk, the world's largest Russian Mi-26 transport helicopter of border guards came too close to a lighting mast with a natural result on video.

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I think I've been pretty spot on with my analysis six weeks ago. Since then, Ukrainian forces have now managed to push Russian troops out of Staromaiorskoye (yellow circle). The next "phase" of the offensive still won't become strategically relevant until Staromlinovka.

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Not trying to detract from your great post, but I saw this as soon as I saw the original image - I blame growing up watching "Mr Squiggle"

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This technology already exists, really, but necessity had not yet poised itself to force mass production and efficiency. Probably will end up with entire squads dedicated to anti-drone activity.

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I’m absolutely positive everything you said is true.

Though the assessment is accurate, this is a good example of how far behind traditional media is when offering assessment of the war.

The impact of the Russian defensive positions, and mines in particular, on the Ukraine offensive have been reported and discussed in various online social media networks and discussion boards, including here, for well over a month.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66306150

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The general in charge of Ukraine's stuttering counter-offensive in the south has said Russian defences are making it difficult for military equipment, including Western tanks and armoured vehicles, to move forward.

Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskyi says his forces are struggling to overcome multi-layered minefields and fortified defensive lines.

"That is why most of the tasks have to be performed by troops."

He says Russia's military has displayed "professional qualities" by preventing Ukrainian forces from "advancing quickly".

"I don't underestimate the enemy," he adds.

Latest unconfirmed reports from the US suggest the main thrust of the counter-offensive has begun. The Institute for the Study of War says Ukrainian forces appear to have broken through "certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions".

But so far there's little evidence that Western supplied tanks and armoured vehicles have been able to tip the balance decisively in Ukraine's favour.

Several Leopard tanks and US Bradley fighting vehicles were damaged or destroyed in the first days of the offensive, near the city of Orikhiv.

Ukraine's 47th Brigade, which had largely been trained and equipped by the West to try to break through Russian lines, were soon stopped in their tracks by mines and then targeted by artillery.

Russia released multiple videos of the incident claiming Ukraine's offensive had already failed. In reality it was an early setback rather than a decisive blow.

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Edit: Clarity

Interesting article regarding Ukraine's innovation with drones, primarily regarding how they are using AI to thwart Russia EW.

Yes Washington Post, take it as you will.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/26/drones-ai-ukraine-war-innovation/

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Go put a T-90 against an Abrams or Challenger or Leopard in an open field 1 on 1 and watch what happens. Same for the Bradley and their BMP. You’d have a big bond fire of Russian armor.

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I’d say that if you put a T-90 against an Abrams or Bradley with a well trained and supported American crew you’d have a Russian bonfire. I’m he Ukrainians just aren’t there

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drones

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using AI

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Definitely no chance this could end badly.

The military coup in Niger is a significant victory for Wagner -- this kind of thing is why Putin still needs Prigozhin: LINK

Prigozhin:

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"What happened in Niger is the struggle of the people of Niger with the colonialists who tried to keep them in a state that was in Africa hundreds of years ago
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This is actually gaining independence and getting rid of the colonialists."

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Coup supporters waving a Russian flag.



I'm not sure how to follow Prigozhin's logic. Apparently, Niger getting support from its French former colonial power is "colonialism"; but Niger getting support from and becoming dependent on Russia is "freedom."

I'm quite sure that Prigozhin is correct, though, about Wagner's effectiveness in Africa compared to Western peacekeepers. Wagner will go into a village that hosts some rebels and simply kill everyone in the village to ensure that they kill the rebels there. It's like the effectiveness of the Mafia in the loan-collection business.

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As long ad our drones are smarter than their drones.

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Eh...we sure that's good?