Russia's War Against Ukraine

[GDS_Starfury]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1631189395356131332

[JasonPratt]

Explosions near Kolomna, 30 miles southeast of Moscow:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/11gdjdq/a_raging_fire_after_a_loud_blast_in_kolomna/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/11gcdcx/cctv_cameras_in_the_russian_city_of_kolomna_in/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Hat tip to the Enforcer.

[Boggit]

I don't know if any of you follow History Legends strategy updates on the current war?
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLyrWXxpwLyXqTJqExB4w4whnDm-GIDL6

Obviously there is a real problem in getting current reliable data, fog of war etc. All the same anecdotally from other sources he appears to be fairly accurate so far in his reporting of this horrible war.

This is his latest podcast on the battle of Bakhmut:

It's not a done deal yet, but this does look very similar to a Ukrainian Stalingrad if they get totally isolated as with Mariupol. If he is right that the distance to the main supply route is just 1.3km, then resupply and options for withdrawal are very difficult for the Ukrainians.

Short of the Ukrainians getting substantial reinforcements and equipment, ammo etc it seems a difficult task for them to regain the strategic initiative.

[JasonPratt]

The Hill's update this morning (plus a CNN reporter on the ground for flavor):

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/bakhmut-on-the-brink-as-ukraine-signals-retreat/ar-AA189xNK?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=2222ad1225344a79a5033b52a4ae55b5&ei=61

[JasonPratt]

The ISW report from yesterday, including several other topics of interest (like the apparent border incursion which may have allowed a subtle terminology change from "special operation" to "war".)

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-2-2023

The Bahkmut update analysis (which may be outdated by now if Wagner has scooted along effectively, for once ;) ), can be found about half-way down the page. No way to link directly to it.

The ISW suggested yesterday that Russian forces lacked the logistic capability to truly cut off and reduce Bahkmut, and so may be simply trying to pressure Ukrainian defenders to withdraw along an open highway.

[ArizonaTank]

Commercialization was bound to happen. Own a piece of a Russian Su-25 shot down outside of Kyiv in 2022.

https://roncole.net/collections/new-releases/products/russian-federation-su-25-ukraine-combat-loss-relic-display-by-ron-cole

I don't really endorse this site, and not trying to pimp them (although I do have a very nice WW-II Me262 / P-51 display from them)

I just thought it interesting and inevitable.

[JasonPratt]

On a somewhat different but related note (to the thread topic): about a year ago, the "Wartime Stories" channel (which is an offshoot of the "Bedtime Stories" channel, mostly featuring historical creepypasta reports with some analysis -- obviously this channel takes a military angle), released a production of a story from 2015 Ukraine's fight against Russian invaders. This was paired with a Youtube charity event raising cash for Ukrainian supplies.

One key point of the video, which has nothing to do with the story (which for all I know is fictitious, but I know the producers of the main channel never make up material themselves, just videos about legendary topics which may or may not be fictional), suddenly explained to me why Russian state media can get away with claiming there are tons of US troops in Ukraine fighting against them: Uk troops often wear infrared patches bought from the US, which naturally are US flags!

Anyway, a well-produced video (as usual for them), and I wanted to give them some exposure, maybe some new fans:

The Sabaton faintly blasting out the windows of the lead BTR as it goes past, was a slight joke inspired by this clip:

[GDS_Starfury]

[MengJiao]

 It looks like the Ukrainians are going to pull out.  The attack at Klischiivka would be to make that work better.  if they intended to stay in Bakhmut, they would be attacking along the M-03 or further north to cut off that northern thrust by the Russians.

[GDS_Starfury]

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1632047727616851968

[Crossroads]

 

Yes, this is a Maxim machine gun with a sight, a muzzle attachment, a butt and a cooling system (look closely, there the hose goes away from the barrel). 120 years in service!

https://twitter.com/ian_matveev/status/1632441230389903366

[Gusington]

^Wow 

[Gusington]

Similar to the Maxim post above, say hello to the Russian MPL-50 shovel, designed in 1869 with little change since then.

Ukraine war: Russian reservists fighting with shovels - UK defence ministry
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64

[JasonPratt]

Not a good day to be an Ork in Melitopol...!

https://twitter.com/Miguel_L71/status/1632533827766693889?s=20

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1632527954201698304?s=20

Hundreds of Russian troops bite the dust, actual tally unclear yet. Don't know about civilians.

[JasonPratt]

Fashion trends in the world's second-largest army supposedly!

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/11it0ha/i_present_to_you_the_fashion_trends_of_the_worlds/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3