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Started By
Message
re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Posted on 10/28/23 at 7:21 am to TBoy
Posted on 10/28/23 at 7:21 am to TBoy
You need to put Ukraine’s corruption into an appropriate context. They have a government that generally has problems with corruption, but the same could be said about many aspects of state and local governments in the United States. It would be reasonable to demand best efforts to avoid diverting funds and supplies due to corruption, but it would be unreasonable to expect that we can prevent all of it. Not because of anything particular about Ukraine’s corruption, but just because corruption in government procurement is basically a problem that has existed since times primordial.
The problems are compounded by competing goals to provide supplies and aid quickly, which reduces the ability to institute a high degree of oversight. You can’t do both very fast and perfect.
The problems are compounded by competing goals to provide supplies and aid quickly, which reduces the ability to institute a high degree of oversight. You can’t do both very fast and perfect.
2
Posted on 10/28/23 at 8:59 am to Athanatos
quote:
The problems are compounded by competing goals to provide supplies and aid quickly, which reduces the ability to institute a high degree of oversight. You can’t do both very fast and perfect.
Whatever -- provide the aid with as much tracking/AML/forensics/audits available. Corruption should be found, exposed... and then keep arming them.
There are a lot of people who want to see Russia succeed. IDK why, but they do.
This post was edited on 10/28/23 at 3:01 pm
Posted on 10/28/23 at 12:32 pm to TBoy
quote:
I thought we had made this shift and that everything was being tracked.
We did. We're spending $15 million to put military accountants in Kyiv to track military aid. We're spending additional millions to track the energy aid, the agricultural aid, etc.
So, why did Mike Johnson just say that House Republicans will approve additional aid to Ukraine, but that we need better accounting and that we have a responsibility to the American people to ensure that their money is being spent appropriately?
It's simple. No one -- literally no one -- in DC actually thinks that we need to do more accounting of Ukraine aid.
But Mike's job as Speaker is to represent the entire GOP conference, and that group contains a sizeable group of Republicans in the Gaetz/MTG/Politard camp who are pro-Putin and say that Zelensky is a sleazeball, money laundering, we can't trust them, blah, blah, blah.
So, the only thing that can be said in response is to say, "Well, we'll track the aid more carefully, then." So, that's what Mike Johnson says.
And that still serves the interest of the pro-Putin Politards, because it still amplifies the message that the Ukrainians can't be trusted, which is the lie that they are pushing.
So, we'll end up wasting a few million dollars more by hiring double the beancounters to keep track of Ukraine aid. Because politics.
Posted on 10/28/23 at 1:08 pm to TBoy
You think Johnson only says extreme things “to get noticed in a large crowd”?
He says those things because he believes them.
They are, indeed, as extreme as you think.
He says those things because he believes them.
They are, indeed, as extreme as you think.
Posted on 10/28/23 at 1:11 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
, we'll end up wasting a few million dollars more by hiring double the beancounters to keep track of Ukraine aid. Because politics.
What they ought to do is single out some of these war profiteering oligarchs. Like the guy who bought the 300,000 winter coats for $30 each and sold them to the military for $120 each. And execute them in public.
That's literally what martial law is for. No due process. No trial. Just shoot two or three of them a month.
A lot of that shite will vanish with the quickness.
Posted on 10/28/23 at 1:13 pm to nitwit
quote:
You think Johnson only says extreme things “to get noticed in a large crowd”? He says those things because he believes them. They are, indeed, as extreme as you think.
Please define what you say is extreme because he didn’t sound extreme to me on Hannity.
He sounded practical and level headed.
Posted on 10/28/23 at 7:06 pm to doubleb
He's speaking in a standard trope of communism. That is, any statement that does not conform with typical communist positions is "extreme". Any idea that does not align with their position is "extremism" or "far right".
Posted on 10/28/23 at 8:21 pm to Redstick Tigah
ISW Update
quote:
Remnants of the Wagner Group appear to be fighting in the Avdiivka direction subordinate to Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) controlled formations. A Russian military correspondent published an interview on October 25 with the commander of the Russian “Arbat” Separate Guards Special Purpose Battalion that is serving the Avdiivka direction, who claimed that an element of the Arbat Battalion is almost entirely composed of former Wagner personnel.[1] The commander claimed that the Avdiivka direction is the Arbat Battalion’s “main direction” because the unit is part of the “Dikaya Division of Donbas” and the “Pyatnashka” Brigade — a Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) formation that is responsible for the defending Donetsk City.[2] The commander noted that the Wagner-staffed unit sends drone operators, electronic warfare (EW) specialists, and other fighters to other units in different frontline sectors as needed. The correspondent also indicated that the Arbat Battalion is part of the Russian Armed Forces, and it is likely that the brigade consists of former Wagner personnel who signed military contracts directly with the Russian MoD following Wagner financier Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion and or his death.
A Ukrainian military observer also stated on October 25 that Wagner Group remnants are fighting near Avdiivka.[3] Ukrainian and Russian sources have previously stated that small groups of former Wagner personnel, possibly under Russian MoD-controlled formations, are deployed to the Bakhmut area.[4] It is too early to determine what role former Wagner personnel may play in Russian offensive operations against Avdiivka. The Arbat Battalion’s commander noted that the battalion’s situation on the front line is “good but not great” due to heavy personnel losses near Avdiivka.[5] Ukrainian military observers expressed concern about continued Russian operations in the Avdiivka direction, however.[6]
Commander of the “Akhmat” Spetsnaz forces Apty Alaudinov confirmed that Rosgvardia is recruiting former Wagner fighters into Chechen “Akhmat” Spetsnaz units. Alaudinov stated in an interview published on October 28 that a “massive” number of Wagner soldiers have joined various detachments of the “Akhmat” forces and are operating in several unspecified sectors of the front in Ukraine.[7] Alaudinov claimed that former Wagner soldiers are following their former commanders to the “Akhmat” units. Alaudinov noted that Wagner fighters have “always spoken very respectfully about [‘Akhmat’],” likely in an attempt to stifle discussions of possible tension between the Wagner and Chechen forces after the feud between deceased Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov.[8] ISW continues to assess that former Wagner forces fragmented between the Russian MoD and Rosgvardia Chechen units across various sectors of the front are unlikely to reemerge as an effective military organization as they will lack the strength Wagner had drawn from being a unitary organization under clear and coherent leadership.[9] They may be tactical combat power multipliers for the units they embed with in some circumstances, however.
Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on October 28. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations south of Bakhmut and in the Melitopol (western Zaporizhia Oblast) direction.[10] Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces attacked near Robotyne, Nesteryanka (12km northwest of Robotyne), Kopani (6km northwest of Robotyne), Rivne (8km west of Robotyne), Novoprokopivka (3km south of Robotyne), and Verbove (9km east of Robotyne).[11] A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed on October 27 that Ukrainian forces achieved “minor successes” during attacks near Robotyne.[12]
Russian forces conducted a series of missile strikes against Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of October 27 to 28. Ukrainian military sources reported on October 28 that Ukrainian air defenses downed three of four Iskander-K cruise missiles that Russian forces launched from Crimea.[13] The fourth missile reportedly did not reach its target.[14] Russian sources claimed that Russian forces struck Ukrainian infrastructure in Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro City, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and Izmail, Odesa Oblast
Russian forces are reportedly using a new version of the “Lancet” kamikaze drone that can autonomously identify targets. Russian sources claimed that Russian forces began using the new “Izdeliye-53” kamikaze drone as of October 21.[16] The sources claimed that the “Izdeliye-53” drone reportedly has an automatic guidance system that can distinguish types of targets and increase strike success rates.[17] Russian forces are reportedly not using the “Izdeliye-53” drones on a wide scale yet, but Russian sources claimed that Russian forces are currently testing the drones for mass synchronized swarm strikes.[18] ISW previously reported on October 24 that Russian forces also allegedly recently used the new “Italmas” (also known as “Izdeliye-54”) drones during a drone strike on Kyiv Oblast.[19] ISW also previously assessed that the Russian command may believe that a large number of strike drones will allow Russian forces to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, although the payload of the “Izdeliye-53” drones, which is reportedly between three and five kilograms, may not be sufficient to significantly damage most critical military targets.[20]
Russian authorities are capitalizing on domestic ethnic tensions by increasing public coercion of Central Asian migrants into Russian military service, likely to appeal to Russian ultranationalists ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected presidential campaign announcement. The Moscow Investigative Committee announced on October 27 that it began 12 criminal investigations against naturalized migrants for evading military service and claimed that this number rose on October 28 to 22 opened investigations with 80 migrants already sent to military service.[21] Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and Rosgvardia agents detained 40 migrant taxi drivers during a raid at the Norilsk airport in Krasnoyarsk Krai on October 27 for allegedly failing to register with Russian military registration and enlistment offices.[22] These announcements are part of a series of recent measures and statements that highly publicize Russian intent and efforts to mobilize Central Asian migrants likely aimed to appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ultranationalist constituency, which has long expressed hatred for Central Asian migrants and increasingly called for these migrants to serve in the Russian military.[23]
The Kremlin maintains a relatively measured stance on alleged migrant crimes against ethnic Russians, likely unintentionally establishing a cycle that keeps these ethnic tensions in frequent Russian ultranationalist dialogue. Russian ultranationalist milbloggers expressed anger on October 28 over criticisms of footage that shows a Russian man insulting migrant children while breaking up an alleged fight between 10 migrant children and an ethnic Russian child in Rostov-on-Don.[24] The milbloggers insulted the children and the wider migrant community, with some even claiming that the migrant children intended to kill the ethnic Russian child, but largely praised the Russian man for intervening.[25] The milbloggers claimed that such incidents are commonplace and that no one cares or steps in to mitigate the incidents.[26] Russian Investigative Committee Head Alexander Bastrykin announced an investigation into the Rostov-on-Don incident on October 27 as well as claims of separate incidents in Chelyabinsk Oblast on October 25 and Novosibirsk and Novgorod oblasts on October 28
Posted on 10/28/23 at 8:21 pm to StormyMcMan
quote:quote:
Key Takeaways:
Remnants of the Wagner Group appear to be fighting in the Avdiivka direction subordinate to Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) controlled formations.
Commander of the “Akhmat” Spetsnaz forces Apty Alaudinov confirmed that Rosgvardia is recruiting former Wagner fighters into Chechen “Akhmat” Spetsnaz units.
Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on October 28.
Russian forces conducted a series of missile strikes against Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of October 27 to 28.
Russian authorities are capitalizing on domestic ethnic tensions by increasing public coercion of Central Asian migrants into Russian military service, likely to appeal to Russian ultranationalists ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected presidential campaign announcement.
Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, in western Donetsk Oblast, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in some areas.
A prominent Russian milblogger claimed that he personally heard Russian President Vladimir Putin express his decision to send Russian conscripts to serve in the Russian Border Service.
Pro-Ukrainian actors reportedly conducted a cyber attack against Russian telecom operators in occupied Ukraine.
Posted on 10/28/23 at 8:23 pm to Athanatos
Look, we are at a stage where all government spending needs to be audited. Our voting system needs to be audited. The unfortunate part about that is that it makes everything more expensive. If you want to get money out fast it often has to be less controlled. Once it’s out there is no recovering the mistakes. The juxtaposition is that to spend tax money efficiently and effectively is that you have to spend more to keep it accountable.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 6:25 am to Cypdog
British Defence Intelligence
INTELLIGENCE UPDATE
UPDATE ON UKRAINE 29 October 2023
In mid-October 2023, Russia's Ministry of Education and Science reportedly instructed universities to avoid open discussion of any "negative political, economic and social trends" in Russia during academic activities.
This constitutes a further restriction of the information space in wartime Russia, making it more difficult to openly discuss policy issues. In the longer term, this will likely further the trend of Russian policy-making taking place in an echo-chamber of politically acceptable, pro-Kremlin perspectives.
It is highly likely that the Kremlin wishes to further suppress negative perspectives on the 'special military operation' in the run up to President Vladimir Putin's anticipated bid for re-election in March 2024.
INTELLIGENCE UPDATE
UPDATE ON UKRAINE 29 October 2023
In mid-October 2023, Russia's Ministry of Education and Science reportedly instructed universities to avoid open discussion of any "negative political, economic and social trends" in Russia during academic activities.
This constitutes a further restriction of the information space in wartime Russia, making it more difficult to openly discuss policy issues. In the longer term, this will likely further the trend of Russian policy-making taking place in an echo-chamber of politically acceptable, pro-Kremlin perspectives.
It is highly likely that the Kremlin wishes to further suppress negative perspectives on the 'special military operation' in the run up to President Vladimir Putin's anticipated bid for re-election in March 2024.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 7:50 am to cypher
I always find it odd when things like this are still going on (Russia paying Ukraine to transit gas)
LINK
LINK
LINK
LINK
quote:
Ukraine will not extend the contract on the transit of Russian gas to Europe, which expires at the end of next year, Naftohaz head Oleksiy Chernyshov has said.
LINK
quote:
Ukrainian special services cannot yet confirm the information about the alleged death of putin.
Andriy Yusov, the representative of the MDI of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, stated this.
"_Ukrainians should be restrained in reacting to such things. Of course, we all want this event to happen as soon as possible, but still better after the tribunal. However, it is not worth learning this from anonymous russian sources," Yusov said.
LINK
quote:
In a pro-Palestinian rally in Istanbul today, Turkish President Erdogan lamented for the loss of Ottoman territories.
He was equating cities in Greece, Macedonia, Syria, Iraq, & Palestine to Turkish cities, claiming they were forcibly taken away from Turkish homeland.
LINK
quote:
Avdiivka - From radio intercepts it is clear that the pidors are preparing a full-scale offensive. Reserves are taken from another section of the front and transferred to Avdiivka. Their task of surrounding the city does not change.
LINK
Posted on 10/29/23 at 1:16 pm to StormyMcMan
Going to cross post this one in the Israel thread
LINK
LINK
LINK
LINK
LINK
LINK
ETA
LINK
quote:
Btw im assuming protesters are mostly Daghestanis.
There’s massive protests ongoing at Makhatkala airport in Daghestan.
Demonstrators look for Jews in the area to arrest them (if not worse)
It's a bit wild in Russia lately
LINK
quote:
Rally in russia in support of palestine. Protesters shout: “kill, kill, Jews”
It’s interesting that, as we all know, rallies are prohibited in russia, but as you can see... they are not prohibited for everyone
LINK
quote:
In this video demonstrators arrested a man they believe to be Jewish.
They seized his passport.
On telegram, Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev recommends "making him curse Israel on camera".
It seems that part of Russia has become completely historical, and that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is being exported beyond the West.
LINK
quote:
A crowd shouting "Allahu Akbar" bursts into Makhatchkala airport in search of Jews according to local reports.
Some airport employees try to hide in their offices
LINK
quote:
The crowd broke through the runway of Makhachkala airport and is looking for a “plane with Jews.”
Security forces have arrived, and the mobile connection in the airport area is reportedly jammed, hindering the crowd's ability to coordinate their actions.
LINK
quote:
The Russian National Guard and Hundreds of additional Security Forces have now been Deployed to Makhachkala International Airport in Dagestan, in an attempt to gain Control of the Muslim Rioters who have now Flooded into the Airport searching for Israeli Passengers.
LINK
ETA
quote:
Flights inbound to Makhachkala airport in the Dagestan region of Russia appear to be holding after a crowd stormed the airport searching for "Jews". A flight from Tel Aviv landed at the airport approximately 2 hours ago.
LINK
This post was edited on 10/29/23 at 1:28 pm
Posted on 10/29/23 at 1:30 pm to StormyMcMan
I think the whole PUTIN IS DEAD thing is just a headfake to root out dissidents in his administration. Kim Jong Un did the same thing.
Would be a very boring way to go out
Would be a very boring way to go out
Posted on 10/29/23 at 2:24 pm to PrecedentedTimes
Reports of continued Ukrainian success in South Kherson: LINK
quote:
After days of hard fighting, the central section of the strategically important settlement of Krynky, has been liberated.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 3:29 pm to GOP_Tiger
LINK
This is the guy who ordered the dam to be blown up.
quote:
Various pro-Russian channels report that the Russian commander of the Dnipro front in Kherson, Colonel General Oleg Makarevich, has been relieved from his post.
They claim that he failed to report an accurate picture of the situation on the ground.
This is the guy who ordered the dam to be blown up.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 4:39 pm to GOP_Tiger
So, in Nazi Ukraine, there is a huge riot at the airport after a plane from Tel Aviv landed, with giant mobs rampaging and searching for Jews to kill.
Oh, no, wait ... it's actually in the Dagestan region of Russia.
One wonders if/when any Russian Jews such as Solovyov will have the light come on. Prigozhin was also Jewish -- pity he's not still around.
EDIT: video
Oh, no, wait ... it's actually in the Dagestan region of Russia.
One wonders if/when any Russian Jews such as Solovyov will have the light come on. Prigozhin was also Jewish -- pity he's not still around.
EDIT: video
quote:
Makhachkala airport pogromist: “I came for the Jews. Yes, to kill them.”
This post was edited on 10/29/23 at 4:42 pm
Posted on 10/29/23 at 6:31 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
One wonders if/when any Russian Jews such as Solovyov will have the light come on. Prigozhin was also Jewish -- pity he's not still around.
I moreso wonder if the US factions that openly support Russia would still be okay with Putin if he isn't upholding Israel's security.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 7:18 pm to RuLSU
quote:
Ukrainian-Russian war. Day 613:
Situation on Kherson front: During the last week #UkrainianArmy expanded the area of control around Krynky/??????. #RussianArmy unability to recover the lost areas and the big casualties during the last days led to the destitution of Commander of Dnieper General Makarevich which was replaced by Colonel General Teplinsky.
Situation on Zaporizhia front: #UkrainianArmy took advantage over a failed #RussianArmy attack launched a counterattack and made small advances west of Robotyne/????????.
Situation south of Avdivka: #RussianArmy made small advance south of Sjeverne/???????. During the last days both #UkrainianArmy and Russian Army berought reinforcements to this front as battles are expected to be very tough in the coming days where it will be difficult to make changes in the terrain.
Situation south of Bakhmut: #UkrainianArmy continue making small advances around the railway south of Andriivka/?????????.
Situation on eastern front: As a result of the positional battles #UkrainianArmy managed to recover some parts of the forest area west of Shypylivka/?????????.
Ukrainian-Russian war. Day 613:
Situation on northeastern front: Recent video footage shows Russian tank attacking Ukrainian Army positions north of Syn'kivka/????????? which confirms all the Russian advances northeast of the town were reversed.
LINK
Posted on 10/29/23 at 8:52 pm to StormyMcMan
ISW Update
quote:
Ongoing antisemitic demonstrations in the Republic of Dagestan and elsewhere in the North Caucasus are highlighting heightened interethnic and interreligious tensions in Russia. Hundreds of demonstrators in Dagestan broke into Makhachkala airport, blocked the runway, and attempted to board a plane arriving from Israel on the evening of October 29 following the circulation of rumors that Russian authorities were planning to resettle “Israeli refugees” in Dagestan and elsewhere in the North Caucasus.[1] Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at a hotel in Khasavyurt, Dagestan on the evening of October 28 to look for suspected “Israeli refugees” based on similar rumors.[2] Unknown actors reportedly set fire to a Jewish cultural center under construction in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic on the night of October 28 to 29.[3]
The rumors appear to have originated with a local Dagestani Telegram channel, which claimed that “Israeli refugees” were staying at the hotel in Khasavyurt, Dagestan on October 28 and proceeded to announce plans for demonstrations that took place several hours later in the center of Makhachkala.[4] The Telegram channel called on Makhachkala residents to demonstrate at the airport on the night of October 28 and on October 29 and posted flight tracker data for the plane from Israel ahead of its arrival on the night of October 29.[5] Demonstrations are currently ongoing at the Makhachkala airport, where demonstrators temporarily blocked all individuals at the airport from leaving. Demonstrators also checked identification documents in search of Israeli citizens, although there are no reports of demonstrators finding any Israeli citizens.[6] Demonstrators have chanted “death to Jews” and have also occasionally gotten physical with security personnel at the airport.[7] Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) elements have removed demonstrators from the premises of the airport, but crowds are still present outside of the airport.[8] The Telegram channel that spread the rumors is currently down, which may be the first indicator that Russian authorities are actively trying to suppress the continuation of the antisemitic demonstrations.
The Kremlin has yet to respond and appears to have left regional authorities to make an official response to the demonstrations. Dagestani Republic Head Sergei Melikov, Karachay Cherkess Republic Head Rashid Temrezov, and Kabardino-Balkarian Republic Head Kazbek Kokov called on residents of the North Caucasus earlier on October 29 to refrain from aggressive actions and to suppress attempts to incite interethnic hatred.[9] The Coordination Center for Muslims of the North Caucasus specifically denounced antisemitic actions following the initial demonstrations on the evening of October 28.[10] Dagestani Minister of National Policy Enrik Muslimov and Minister of Youth Kamil Saidov later arrived at the airport on October 29 to speak with demonstrators but appeared unable to dissuade them from breaking into the premises.[11] Melikov later called the demonstration a violation of the law and the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of the North Caucasus Federal District warned about the illegality of holding demonstrations without prior government approval.[12]
The Kremlin will likely struggle to reassure constituencies that the situation is under control and convince Jewish audiences that Jewish minorities are safe in Russia despite its efforts to present Russia as a religiously tolerant country. Spokesperson for Russia’s Chief Rabbinate in Dagestan Ovadya Isakov stated on October 29 that hundreds of Jewish families in Dagestan should leave Dagestan and Russia altogether because “Russia is not salvation” as “there were pogroms in Russia too.”[13] Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded Russia as a beacon of religious harmony at a meeting with leaders of several Russian religious organizations, including Jewish and Islamic faith leaders, on October 25.[14] The Kremlin likely aims to present Russia as protecting its religious minorities to curry favor with Muslim and Jewish audiences against the backdrop of the Israeli-Hamas war and to downplay tensions caused by the increasingly ultranationalist Russian Orthodox Church.[15]
Russian ultranationalists expressed concerns that antisemitic demonstrations will spread from Dagestan and the North Caucasus to elsewhere in Russia. Select Russian ultranationalists blamed the initial rumors on a Ukrainian information operation, but others expressed deep concerns that antisemitic activities may spread and that anti-Russian activities could begin.[16] One Russian milblogger rhetorically asked if there would be “pogroms" in Moscow and claimed that the demonstrations may lead to a situation reminiscent of the murders of ethnic Russians in Tajikistan and the Republic of Chechnya in the 1990s.[17] Russian ultranationalists may also begin to heavily criticize Russian authorities' response to the demonstrations, as several Russian sources bemoaned what they described as a lax official response so far
Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Head Alexander Bortnikov and Russian Investigative Committee Head Alexander Bastrykin may be attempting to capitalize on heightened ethnoreligious tensions in Russia to regain favor with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian milbloggers observed that Russian officials failed to implement Putin’s 2012 policies incentivizing migration to Russia to fix Russia’s demographic issues.[19] The milbloggers complained that Putin’s policies, while well intended and correct, failed to increase the birth rates or reduce mortality rates to necessary levels and failed to properly integrate the migrants into Russian society and identity.
Russian milbloggers claimed on October 29 that Airborne Forces (VDV) Commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky replaced Colonel General Oleg Makarevich as the commander of the Russian “Dnepr” Grouping of Forces operating in the Kherson direction. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has not announced or confirmed reports of Makarevich’s dismissal at the time of this publication and is unlikely to do so given its tendency to regularly conceal high-profile military command changes.
Makarevich’s reported dismissal indicates that the Kremlin or the Russian military command may be sufficiently worried and skeptical of his ability to repel recent larger-than-usual Ukrainian ground operations in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast. The Kremlin-affiliated milblogger claimed that a small Ukrainian “bridgehead” in Krynky (a settlement on east bank Kherson Oblast) likely triggered Makarevich’s removal
Makarevich’s opponents, alternatively, may have been successful in convincing Russian President Vladimir Putin of Makarevich’s failure to command the Kherson direction against the backdrop of intensified Ukrainian ground attacks. A select group of Russian mibloggers previously accused Makarevich of failing to adequately command and equip Russian forces to respond to Ukrainian raids on east bank Kherson Oblast in summer 2023
Ukrainian forces advanced near Bakhmut amid continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on October 29. Geolocated footage published on October 29 indicates that Ukrainian forces advanced over the railway line south of Andriivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut).[36] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces continued assault operations south of Bakhmut and continued offensive operations in the Melitopol (western Zaporizhia Oblast) direction.[37] A prominent Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces established control over unspecified positions in the Zaporizhia direction (western Zaporizhia Oblast) over the past week.
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