Offshoot

Hopefully the start of a new crack, or the widening of an existing one. ‘We’re tired of being good girls’: Russia’s military wives and mothers protest against Putin

I don't know, sounds more like a load of old tripe to me

A long and intelligent interview/discussion with Ben Hodges, particularly on scaling up armament production. It covers much of what has been discussed here. At one point he says the west seems to have lost it's "strategic backbone". From about the 40 minute mark they discuss wargaming in preparation of the Ukrainian summer offensive.

An interesting BBC documentary that uses social media posts and other sources to see what happened to Russian marines (155th brigade) around Vuhledar. It is useful as it directly contradicts with evidence what the Russian authorities are saying about the offensive and losses.

Here's a rare view of a mechanized assault from the Russian side. It doesn't seem particularly organised, especially after one of their BMPs gets blown up, but I have no experience to say one way or another.

What does the Ukrainian fire here (at 21s) because something hits the ground and bounces a fair way in front of them and, according to the video time (which looks normal speed), there are about 4 seconds between firing and the explosion that takes out the tank?

The AA guys were probably relieved it wasn't them, until they got back and were blamed for not shooting down the drone. Wiki lists Russia as having ~45 TOS-1As and as of late November there were reportedly 18 verified losses. Adding in captured ones, losses since then and possible unverified losses, Russia could have lost around half of what they originally had.

An article on Izyum now and the social repercussions post-occupation. ‘I’m not sure I fully trust anyone who stayed’: Ukrainian city split by suspicion a year after Russian retreat - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/16/izium-ukrainian-city-russia-collaboration-putin-retreat

A Ukrainian FPV takes out a Russian UGV reportedly used for carrying ammo near Avdiivka

The Russians have worked out how to manoeuver in the grey zone - Flintstone turtle mechs Russian infantry uses ‘cocoons’ to covertly move across the terrain - https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russian-infantry-uses-cocoons-to-covertly-move-across-the-terrain/

Perhaps he means in the specific context of Ukraine. A former economic advisor to Putin in the early days contends that, in terms of actual delivered military aid, Russia is outspending Ukraine, the US, European countries, etc. by 3 to 1 (discussion on this point starts at 6:25).

Putin orders Russian military to boost troop numbers by 170,000 - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/02/putin-orders-russian-military-to-boost-troop-numbers-by-170000

If they are testing it in its designed role, we have to assume they have solved for this. The article says "Fortem "adapted" their product so it could intercept Shahed-136, which weighs about 200 kg, though specific improvements remain undisclosed." It's also a hexacopter designed to intercept drones, so it's probably faster than a quadcopter. And it has onboard radar for target tracking but the range isn't stated. If they are used to protect important infrastructure (their current stated purpose), they also wouldn't have to chase targets all over the countryside and the "built-in artificial intelligence optimizes interception efficiency by calculating the best position and angle of attack" - they could be the last line of defence. It could all just be marketing of course, but the testing will hopefully determine if it is fit for purpose.

It depends on what they have been using to bring most Shaheds down. We have seen videos of them being taken out with small arms or older anti-air kinetic weapons, but do these account for most of the downings? A re-usable drone that is at very little risk of being lost if it is being used to cover infrastructure a long way from the front lines could be one of the most cost-effective methods and free up systems that could be employed elsewhere.

The use of DroneHunter drones in Ukraine, which fire nets to catch enemy drones. These are made by a US company but are being tested and refined in Ukraine. The article says they can even intercept Shahed-136 drones ( https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/ukrainians_buy_dronehunter_a_predator_uav_to_catch_shahed_136_zala_and_orlan_10-8620.html ).

Ukraine is developing and testing a drone they claim is very resistant to electronic warfare - https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3789361-ukraine-develops-ewresistant-drone.html

I don't recall seeing this posted before and there has been a lot of discussion here about AI-controlled drones. This is a turret that uses AI being developed by a Ukrainian company. The AI is for target (personnel) acquisition, identification and tracking and determining firing solutions, so could possibly be incorporated into other platforms as well. The article says, however, that an operator still gives a command to fire so it is not completely autonomous. https://mil.in.ua/en/news/tgp-turret-with-artificial-intelligence-was-developed-in-ukraine/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04PatGZ1prk

The Reporting from Ukraine (RfK) channel is saying that the Russians call the Ukrainian heavy "assault" drones Baba Yaga and dislike them so much they try to use their own drones to crash into them. An example is shown at 3:08 in the following video (it's from a Russian source so I couldn't find the original). The problem with this is that they would never know if it worked or not - RfK says usually not.

This video from the 53rd shows some ground level views of the area to the south of Avdiivka as they do a tour of taken Russian positions. From about 21 min they show views across wide open fields to the coke plant and slag heap (Terrikon). Unfortunately the closed captions are not good.

This was in Amsterdam and referencing Israel and Gaza. What has it got to do with Ukraine? Given your wording, it sounds like you are just trying to shoehorn a personal bugbear.

Russia deployed all available reserves, military expert says - https://english.nv.ua/nation/russia-deployed-all-available-reserves-military-expert-says-50367158.html

Yeah, the obvious design limitation was that it had to fit on a landing craft.

A long, recent and good interview with Lt General Ben Hodges that seems appropriate given the current discussions on stalemate in Ukraine. Check the chapters for topics covered.

The first report I saw said it was HIMARS. I'm guessing the small arms sound is ammo going off in burning vehicles, of which there were a few.

A recent and interesting interview with Illia Vitiuk, the head of the cyber department at Ukraine's top counterintelligence agency. The cyber war doesn't get covered as much here but I think awhile ago there was a short discussion after someone asked about it. Meet the man leading the front-line effort in Ukraine's cyber war with Russia - https://www.npr.org/2023/09/06/1196975759/ukraine-cyber-war-russia-sbu-illia-vitiuk A recent example of a claimed hack: Ukrainian hackers and intel officers partner up in apparent hack of a top Russian bank - https://www.npr.org/2023/10/25/1208352887/ukraine-russia-bank-hack