Teufel

Speaking of Robotyne direction and the progress made there. We have discussed this at length previously, including my own wall of text about probable directions of advance on Mariupol. It will not go through settlements but across the hills to the west of them. Kicking in open doors we did but interesting segment and article that is well worth reading in full, but short extract;
“With this new combination of the 82nd and 47th, Ukraine is now attempting to break through Russia’s defense line between Novoprokopivka and Verbove. It is here that Ukraine has an opportunity to finally fight past all of Russia’s counter offensive defenses on higher ground, and start fighting downhill for a change
…
Once Ukraine is able to wrest that height advantage away from the Russians, it could be Ukraine that advances downhill upon enemy positions—perhaps in a battle that might make “hill” history.“
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/8/19/2188117/-Ukraine-Update-Ukraine-is-about-to-reach-the-downhill-part-of-the-Tokmak-offensive-literally
Tom Coop has one of his extensive updates in long time and weighs in also about this direction per;
”Confirmed by two sources (so far): Ukrainian troops are on northern and eastern edges of Novoprokopivka ('that village south of Robotyne').  I'm only not sure since when: it's possible that they've reached it already 3-4 days ago, actually.  As mentioned in my earlier updates, the place is defended by the 55 (or is it 58th?) and 108th VDV Regiments of the 7th VDV Division.  The 201st MRR was rushed east, in attempt to retain/recover the Hill 166 - where, me thinks, the actual 'crucial battle' of this campaign is going on for some 4-5 days now.”
See full post here; https://xxtomcooperxx.substack.com/p/ukraine-war-21-august-2023-hill-166

This one goes without subtitles but in short, these civilians were trapped for the last 1,5 years behind enemy lines. Needless to say they suffered lack of water, electricity and “bread”. Taken out of the village before being able to call relatives from safety after evacuation. Again, their emotions speak more than their words.
 

While surely irritating, this sort of squabbling and second guessing is both entirely normal in a large cooperative military effort and likely has little effect on the outcome. There are a lot of interests, a lot of money and a lot of people involved. It is only to be expected that some take their gripes to the media. 
And the actual people in power weigh in: 
 

The Ukrainian response to all of this "advice" should consist of one sentence. "The U.S. Air Force is welcome to show up any time." 

Stockpile of TM-62 AT-mines was hit with a grenade from the drone. Huge shockwave likely damaged Russian light armor in several meters from the mines dump.
 

This one goes without subtitles but in short, these civilians were trapped for the last 1,5 years behind enemy lines. Needless to say they suffered lack of water, electricity and “bread”. Taken out of the village before being able to call relatives from safety after evacuation. Again, their emotions speak more than their words.
 

This one goes without subtitles but in short, these civilians were trapped for the last 1,5 years behind enemy lines. Needless to say they suffered lack of water, electricity and “bread”. Taken out of the village before being able to call relatives from safety after evacuation. Again, their emotions speak more than their words.
 

This one goes without subtitles but in short, these civilians were trapped for the last 1,5 years behind enemy lines. Needless to say they suffered lack of water, electricity and “bread”. Taken out of the village before being able to call relatives from safety after evacuation. Again, their emotions speak more than their words.
 

This one goes without subtitles but in short, these civilians were trapped for the last 1,5 years behind enemy lines. Needless to say they suffered lack of water, electricity and “bread”. Taken out of the village before being able to call relatives from safety after evacuation. Again, their emotions speak more than their words.
 

This one goes without subtitles but in short, these civilians were trapped for the last 1,5 years behind enemy lines. Needless to say they suffered lack of water, electricity and “bread”. Taken out of the village before being able to call relatives from safety after evacuation. Again, their emotions speak more than their words.
 

This one goes without subtitles but in short, these civilians were trapped for the last 1,5 years behind enemy lines. Needless to say they suffered lack of water, electricity and “bread”. Taken out of the village before being able to call relatives from safety after evacuation. Again, their emotions speak more than their words.
 

Air defense did it’s work according to the Russians. I guess they haven’t seen these satellite images.
Not seen this type of discussion before but nothing surprises me on the topic of China. Not one bit.
Speaking of fresh troops for the Russian trenches, even less surprising than the Chinese. Good to have something to back up assumptions of forced mobilization. 
Last but not least, the numbers are not the important part but fact that it’s actively happening is.

Not going to suggest vote, and this is really off topic and as many opinions as there are shooters out there. If you ever had opportunity to fire AR-10 chambered in .308/7.55 NATO (don’t nobody tell me there is difference), and had the privilege to follow up by AR-15 chambered in .223/5.56 NATO. That’s my opinion right there, recoil is much better on the AR-15, follow up faster due to low recoil, and for discussion important much lighter round. Given combat situations and distances not being longer than 150-300 yards. Even 100 yards is probably far in most cases the .223 will have flat trajectory and pack enough punch to trash Russian so called body armor.
Even better option that is not yet available in volume would be the 6.8mm NGSW round. That’s going to be something else if and when used by military forces. Composite round, or if you so wish, “plastic”. Case is brass on early prototypes but can see entire round being composite in future. Now we are talking light weight!
Edit: forgot to add that the 6.8mm was actually developed in response to the “Ratnik 3” program Russians had. Guess what, it was just BS propaganda that got owned by General Dynamics and Beretta. Almost like talking smack and following up by swinging at professional boxer, without knowing that dude actually knows how to fight.

It's claimed Russian Tu-22M3 bomber in fire after yesterday attack on Soltsy-2 airfield in 680 km north from Ukriane.


 

As per Haiduk’s post, the truck wasn’t Molotov cocktail. The laws of nature do however apply, although not used as speculated if lost in translation. HE is obviously much better choice than hexane, interesting if they used HE straight up. Simple approach but inherently sensitive to mechanical shock. Can’t argue with choice given the execution.

Those retreating from Urozhaine receiving “welcome gift” at Statomlynivka.
 

Not heard even speculations about such discussions anywhere. The 21st mechanized “Swedish” brigade was trained for 6 weeks in Sweden without anyone knowing until training was finished. Ministry of Defense publicized the training on the website after concluding.
These Swedes some sly and sneaky bastards, wouldn’t surprise me if this “already started” been ongoing for some time. The SAAB 39 Griffin is available in around 100-120 units across friendly countries of Sweden, Czech Republic and the UK. Let’s exclude South Africa, Brazil and Hungry that also have these but unlikely to transfer to Ukraine.

Speaking of lacking confidence…
In other events elsewhere we have violation of 🚭 in Crimea…
…and across the strait in Krasnodar kraj, Russian Federation. One of the most important, if not the most important Russian port in the Black Sea.
Edit: Bonus entry from Ben Hodges.
Sovjet being Sovjet, it maybe reflects all of the above and all at once?

Yes, this is a terrible tragedy.  All this money should've been flowing into the bank accounts of needy oligarchs and corrupt politicians, and is instead being lost in this war.  Ohhhhhh, you mean the money should've helped regular people?  Ha ha ha that's a good one, Comrade!

Not heard even speculations about such discussions anywhere. The 21st mechanized “Swedish” brigade was trained for 6 weeks in Sweden without anyone knowing until training was finished. Ministry of Defense publicized the training on the website after concluding.
These Swedes some sly and sneaky bastards, wouldn’t surprise me if this “already started” been ongoing for some time. The SAAB 39 Griffin is available in around 100-120 units across friendly countries of Sweden, Czech Republic and the UK. Let’s exclude South Africa, Brazil and Hungry that also have these but unlikely to transfer to Ukraine.

Steve had some suggestions few pages back about “bomber drones” loaded with different types of explosives depending on targets.
@Battlefront.com Could you please ask that crystal ball of yours about next weeks Mega Jackpot numbers?

Time to go to IKEA to pick up some Swedish meatballs, and re-watch some Dolph Lundgren movies.
You rock Sweden! 🇸🇪

Swedes for the win!

More about how drones with thermal camera can help to detect minefields in hot summer
 

Ukraine has developed a Shaheed equivalent. It needs the help to build THOUSANDS of them, perhaps tens of thousands. When they can credibly threaten to knock out every power plant in Russia west of the Urals, some Russians might reconsider. As always it is Moscow and St Petersburg that really matter. No power in Moscow on Orthodox Christmas when it is -20C might get some peoples attention