Haiduk

You can recall dozens Russian planes and choppers, which were "shot down" in first several months. Indeed these were either "morale boosting", or mistaken reports (target just dissapeared from radars for many reasons, but crew reported about downing), or it could be E95M aerial target jet drone, which Russia actively used during first months as false targets and our radar crews could think they lock on real aircraft or cruise missile and then to report about downing, or it could by cruise missiles. So, from there is derived "340 destroyed planes", but in real in five times less.

I doubt this is real number. Now we have next: - two confirmed Su-35 and A-50U from Russian side - the video of falling down unknown combat aircraft near Dyakove (presumably Su-34, this is mathes with COSPAS information about eject signal from this area - Su-35 was shot down significantly west from this place) - COSPAS ejection marks on the map allegedly from three Su-34 (including the one, mentioning above) - bad quality of something falling down on the screen of some SAM (StarStreak?) claimed as Su-34 - just a claims of shot down jets. So, we have 3 100 % confirmed, 2 with high probability confirmed, 2 allegedly confirmed by COSPAS marks and rest 4 just unverified claims

Russian milbloggers write two UKR HIMARS hit the ceremony of awarding of 155th naval infantry brigade personnel in Olenivka (near Volnovakha). Reportedly 19 KIA, 12 WIA. Among killed three high-ranked officers, including deputy commander of brigade. The commander of brigade was wounded.

Interesting thread from UKR serviceman from engineer-position building unit of engineer brigade (these units subordinated to Support Troops Command, not to Ground Forces Command) about why unlike Russians UKR forces have so poor fortifications (if they were built after the big war started), which often dig hastily with shovels and limided engineer means of brigades instead to be prepared beforehand by engineer troops of Support Command. 1. Why we have so small number of useful fortifications. According to General Staff directive of Marh 11 2016 the infantry unit, seizing area of defense is a disposer of defense lines, and the performer of works of building and equipping of this defense line is Support Forces, which have to do it according to requests of infantry brigades engineer service chiefs. 2. Many of chiefs of infantry brigade engineer services do not know how to plan ahead and send requests to Support Command untimely. When I arrive on the place, I have neither a map nor enginner justification of positions. As a rule I hear some sort: "Dig here from the stump to tree-plant". But this is not work in this way. The defense must be continous. Ше must have a depth and the enemy hadn't to bypass it. But infantry engineers in stupid way don't know how to plan this and we have to do it themselves or even to shut up and to gig there, where they to tell, because your business is to shut up and execute. 3. Why is thete no concrete? According to the order of Engineer Troops Chief and a resolution of Chief-in -Command of July 4 2017, the character of defensive positions determinates by Operative Tactical Groupment Commands - OTU (wood cladding) and Operative Strategical Troops Groupment Commands - OSUV (pouring with a concrete) after appropriate request of the infantry unit, seizing defense area. Wood is provided by Engineer seervice of OTU, and concrete and technic are provided by OSUV. The second defense line have to be cladded with a wood and the thired defense line with a concrete. Why there is no this, because, again, brigade's engineer services have no will to denand this and OTU have no money, because deals (author used a word more corresponding to "frauds") with a wood is a separate theme. 4.Concerning a concrete - I report. There is no one engineer unit doesn't supply with corrwsponding technic (like and NATO too). These works performs civilian technic, but this is contracts with business. Moscovites just rob technic for works, but we can't do in such way. And again - where is third defense line should be? No one infantry brigade on East didn't provide a project. 5. Where are the tractors? According to numerous directives, orders, normative documents to maintain the defense line have to a units of Support Forces with a supply of infantry units. Alas, an excavator doesn't work on the water - it needs a diesel, and soldier, who works in it have to rest somewhere and to eat something, 6. As result - with all my respects to engineer services of 110th, 47th, 53rd brigades, you guys are guilty themselves, that your troops hadn't proper trenches. And to all other collegues in Twitetr I recommend to study documents and contact the proper address. 7. Concering to our work. We work from 6:00 to 17:00 and build continuosly, having more poor funding and more vulnerable technic. Pay attantion, there are many fundrising requestes, but no one engineer unit doesn't ask about a tractor or excavator. Because we undcerstand - the needs of infantry is more important. But instead the infantry for some reasons considers us as useless appendage

Russians continue own offensive in Donetsk oblast. Heavy clashes in Orlivka village west from Avdiivka. Our soldiers report about numerous Russian infantry, accumulating on eastern outskirt of the village and clashes in the center. Russians have small, but steady advance in Bohdanivka and Ivanivske north from Bakhmut. Though, reportedly Russians already threw in the battle own reserve - elements of 31st air-assault brigade have been beginning to involve additionally to 98th airborne division, operating there in full composition. Russian artillery and aviation are striking Chasiv Yar. Russian troops (mosltly DNR units) could to seize small SE part of Krasnohorivlka town north from Maryinka. They had a time to gain foothold there, but 3rd assault brigade later counter-aatcked them by elements of 1st and 2nd assault battalions and in fierce house-to-house clashes restored positions. 3rd brigade press-service say Russian soldiers rejected to surrender and were all eliminated or wounded. Total number of Russian losses there about 100 KIA/WIA. On the map are Russian gains in Krasnohorivka before 3rd assault brigade attack.

Not only S-400. Russians have super-long-range AA missiles R-37, carring by MiG-31BM with 200 km of range and R-37M with 300 km of range for Su-35 and Su-57. There were several episodes, that these missiles have been shooting down UKR planes and helicopters far from frontline.

On press-conference Zelenskyi told Ukraine lost 31 000 soldiers KIA. But he rejected to say how much soldiers were wounded and missed. Also according to January information about 6400 servicemen were POWs and about 2700 were exchanged. He also told Russia lost 180 000 KIA and their total losses with wounded is about 500 000. The number 31 000 is corresponding with November 2023 information from "Memory book" initiative, claimed about 23500 of KIA, whose names could be established. Also 15 000 MIA was claimed by this initiative and more than 4600 POWs

Budanov said today the operation planning of A-50 hunting has took about two weeks. If Russia lost the third A-50 they will be forced to stop 24 hours flights, when one plane substitute other in the air. Thus, we can make conclusion, next step will be hunting for the third A-50.

Yesterday I posted Russian video, how Russians of 70th MRR disembark infantry from two BMP-3 near ruined post office in Robotyne. Many people became to share a panic "Robotyne is lost" (Julian Roepke in the first flight as always) But morning is coming and here UKR video of aftermath of this disembarking (first part of video is Russian, then - Ukrainian with backround song "I'm Russian" as a mockery) Serviceman of probably 65th mech.brigade writes from there: Robotyne is under AFU control We drove out pidors at the morning

Especailly interesting, knowing that Sweden is handing over 10 Stridsbåt 90 armored assault landing boats ... and 20 Gruppbåt By the way Stridsbåt 90 was a specimen for Russian Raptor class and BK-16 class boats of different purpose - assault landing, patrol, anti-sabateur. Probably Sweden gave production license, or Russia bought a boat to develop own project on its base.

There was no Il-22 in this time. The story about it was shot down too was shared through social media because of confused information issue from Air Force Command. They meant incident of Jan 14, when first A-50 was destroyed and Il-22 damaged, but this has sounded like incident of Feb 23, especially on background of reports from locals, that two planes fell down (but this turned out A-50, teared off on two burning parts). Officially UKR claimed only one A-50U in that day

Oleksandr Kamyshyn (on the photo below), the minister of strategic branches of industry has made a statement, that in past year Ukrainian military began to work on Russian territory with a missiles of Ukrainian production. In particular, Ukrainian missile hit a target on the range in 700 km. This is a misisle program, but I don't tell more about this, than president. But now we have long-range missile system, which capable to strike on 700 km. In past year The Defense Forces began to work on strategical targets on Russian territory with Ukrainian produced weapon. You have seen drones in the air and on the sea, working on these targets. This year will become a year, when we will see them on the ground [means we will see targets being hit from the ground] - said minister. In own turn, Mykhailo Fedorov (on the photo above), the minister of digital transformation claimed from a million of drones, which will be produced by state program, 90 % will be produced in Ukraine. Also he told now Ukraine actively develops own manufacturing of drone components, to avoid dependense from China. About 70 % of parts for state progtrm drones already produce in Ukraine

Some details of shot down A-50

Russians activated assaults in Robotyne-Verbove zone. Unlike on other directions here Russians attack mostly directly from south, south-east and south-west, because terrain and strуnghthen flanks prevent Russians from flank pressure. So far about a week main clashes are in southern and south-eastren parts of Robotyne and large stronpoint south of village. UKR here has flexible defense. Russians are assaulting both with small infantry groups and platoons on armor, which mostly used for delivering infantry close to the village. Russians already several times were seizing strongpoint and some houses in Robotyne, but when night was coming UKR forces eliminating and capturing enemy attackers, sitting in basements without support. Here is next probe of Russians to take control over the village - two BMP-3 of 70th MRR of 42nd MRD disembark infantry near ruines of post office. Reportedly this is yesterday attack

Russians continue a pressure in Donetsk oblast. They began to assault Krasnohorivka town north from occupied Maryinka, repeating the Avdiivka way - bombs, artillery, meat columns in MTLB. UKR troops keep positions. Thoug, we need more AD systems, Russian aviation despite rised risks continue to conduct gliding bomb strikes. Here is ODAB-1500 thermobaric bomb hit on the factory in Krasnohorivka 3rd assault brigade announced they withdrew from Lastochkyne village west from Avdiivka - despite they kept most part of village, sitauation on flanks became worth and threatened to cut off supply routs. Russian VDV trops slightly expanded control zone over part of Ivanivske village

Lipetsk metallurgical plant was hit by UKR drones "Liutyi" (has two means - "Fierce" and "February"). This is UKROBORONPROM drone design (though based on UKRSpetsSystems PD-2), anounced as far as in October 2022. Allegedly it can fly on 800-1000 km and carry 75 kg of payload, but there is no verified data about it

770 000$ was raised in two days for 35 naval drones "Sea Baby" - fundrising campaign "Sea battle" was announced by top UKR fundrisers Ihor Lachenkov and Serhiy Sternenko with support of Monobank and United24 initiative and was successfully finished in two days. "Sea Baby" is not kamikadze only so far, like previous version, but multirole unmanned naval platform, which capable to execute different tasks. So, prepare to new videos with sinking Russian ships. Exactly "Sea Baby" succussfully attcked Crimea bridge in second time. This drone can carry 850 kg of payload

UKR armor withdraws from Avdiivka. At 0:06 you can see AT-105. It's increadible, but they still in service since 2014, I didn't hear about new supplies. They mostly used as HQ staff, comunication and evacuation vehicles.

-1 TOS-1A, eastern outskirt of Avdiivka

Two years ago. How it begins. Hostomel

Again one UKR soldier of 8th mountain assault battalion of 10th mountain assault brigade against 10 orcs. Russian comamnder advices to the squad that one of them to throw in UKR soldier, sitting in the drain a grenade with tear gas (that he calls in radio chat "Cheryomukha" - "bird charry" - known name for series of different tear gases) and the second to shoot him from other side of the drain. But UKR soldier keeps Russians with a fire and Russian commander starts to moke up over own personnel "You have to throw him with grenades! Then you can hide in this positions and a "bird" (drone) can't reach you. You have 10! Can you at last to finish with a one, who keeps your all! Outflank him! But Russians likely see the drone and don't risk to attack decisevely. In last moment Mavic dropped the grenade and teared off one Russian. One more body nearby has seen. Also during the skirmish one Russian soldier was hit with a rifle fire.

Today's post of Kostiantyn Mashovets and some opinions in comments (some simplified by me) - he also hints this can be S-200. Mashovets is retired AD officer and practices on S-200 in early years of own military studying. As a variant. 5V28 missile - far limit of engagement zone for loitering AWACS plane is 255 km. Upgraded variant - 5V28M - all 300 km. And there is a strory among AD servicemen that on maneuvers this missile flew away on 340-350 km [like in similar way Russian Tu-154 was accidentally shot down by UKR S-200 in times of Kuchma much further of declared engagement zone - my comment]. Yes this old-school system, bulky, but according on number of features it still unique system. And AWACS planes are its "firm", highly specialized targets. Despite S-200 has semi-active homing, it can homes in passive mode, but the target have to be very bright source of radio-emmiting, and AWACS radar for S-200 seeker is a like firework. There was information S-200 misisles were recieved from Poland or Bulgaria. Also some of our missiles can be repaired. In Ukriane S-200 system was decomessioned long time ago and all launnchers were scrapped. But since S-200 was upgraded as erzats-ballistic missiles and some of them were used in this role I can assume we have some mobile launcher for them, not a stationery like in Soviet Union. And I think, we could upgrade some equipmemt in this missile. Some people in comments under post of Mashovets pointed out in USSR S-200 could by deployed on railway carts. One problem with S-200 is its toxic liquid fuel, demanding special chargng procedures, so even mobile launcher is not simply drove here - shot - ran away. On background of video with Russian S-400 launches here is my version: 1. Two UKR S-200 launched in A-50 2. Operators in the plane see imcoming missiles and in desperation launched all what they can do - chaffs, flares, turned on EW equipment and gives targeting to incoming missiiles for S-400 to shot them down. PS. Flight time for S-200 is about 2 minutes. 3. S-400 crews launches missile(s) on incoming S-200 and: a) they failed to intercept them - one missile is distracted by EW equipment of A-50 (but on video it looks like a flare repelled the missile), The second hit the plane b) missile, launched at approaching S-200 mistakingly has locked on A-50. BOOM. c) S-400 intercepted one missile (visible as if a flare did it), but the second S-200 hit A-50

The video of UKR kamikadze drone takes off to hit Novolipetskiy metallurgical plant One more video of the strike on the plant SBU and GUR made a statement this was their combined operation. As result was took out freezing equipment and coke battery. Novolipetsk metallurgical plant is a main manufacturer of armored steel for Russian army. This strike will make problems in technology cycle for at least a month. The owner of the plany is Vladimir Lisin, Russian oligarch, close person to Putin.

I read Multicam is officially allowed in Russian army as an option (but not as a statutory uniform), which serviceman can buy for own money. So, some people of spetsnaz, different volunteer units, PMCs, who can buy this camo, use it

This is a video of A-50 burning. At least UKR General Staff confirmed A-50 only for yesterday. There was just information about Su-34 has disappeared from radars over Henichesk district of Kherson oblast, when it launched two Kh-59 on Kropyvnytskyi city.