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Greece “Almost Certain” To Arm Ukraine With 32 Fighting Falcons As HAF ‘Loaded’ With F-35, Rafale & F16

Ukraine is likely to receive 32 F-16 fighters from Greece, given its air force’s rapid modernization that will allow it to part with older platforms.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/greece-alm...e-f16/amp/

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There is a will there is a way, will to stop been bully is very strong, is with the Ukrainian folks, is going stronger by day.

☆》 @Follow Will. Follow way the will go. It will match Putin/Russian halfway

If there is a will....Ukraine will not give up halfway, to protect their sovereignty against invaders and aggressors.

Putin is though, he think as a mad man till year..., then can wake up in 2027 to talk & make peace with Ukrainian folks. 


Note: Israel / Hamas Terror and War...
what next, for this young Indian boy this is saying for 2024 & year 2029 - 2032.

https://youtu.be/QvPzJe11E38?si=wwJ69RZadJe8J0iR

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Greece “Almost Certain” To Arm Ukraine With 32 Fighting Falcons
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/greece-alm...e-f16/amp/

Norway to Transfer 22 F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine in a critical, large-scale donation of modern weaponry to Ukraine’s hard-pressed armed forces, Oslo will hand over to Kyiv 22 F-16 fighter jets, a major Norwegian news platform reported on Thursday.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/31010

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Norway will transfer total 22 F-16s to Ukraine, of ,22, 12 are fully combat-capable.10 that may or not still be airworthy, and some airframes might require substantial overhauls, engines, auxiliary materials, simulators, spare parts & other relevant equipment would be included in n the
donation, Other reports said planes would be a mix of single-seat jets & twin-seat fighter/trainer jets, online newspaper Nettavisen reported.

The Norwegian Air Force, in January 2022, retired its fleet of Lockheed Martin-manufactured F-16 fighters after 30 years of operation. Oslo, in 2023, sold 32 of its old F-16s to the Romanian Air Force, and in late 2023, it transferred two F-16 trainers to Denmark for Ukrainian pilots

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Ukrainian Air Force said it hit an “enemy facility” in Russian-occupied Luhansk region with air-launched missiles. General Staff said the target was a Russian command ctr.

The 🇺🇦Ukrainian military launched a missile attack on 🇷🇺Russian targets in temporarily occupied Luhansk. Several Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles are believed to have been used in the strike.

Strikes on Russian logistics centers behind the front lines as soon as Ukraine receives MORE missiles from its Western partners.” Commander says, missiles used is Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles provided by UK & France, most likely air-launched missiles in Ukraine’s arsenal. Kyiv received a batch of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles from UK. May 2023.

In August 2023, France confirmed that similar SCALP missiles had been transferred to Ukraine.
However, since Ukraine does not field any NATO aircraft, adjustments were needed to resolve the incompatibility issue. 

As a work around, Ukraine equipped its Su-24Ms and Su-24MRs supersonic bombers with Storm Shadows decommissioned pylons from RAF Tornado GR4 fighters.

With a imminent arrival of US-made F-16 fighter jets, Ukraine’s air-to-surface strike capability will be enhanced.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/31083

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Russians take industrial equipment out of occupied part of Donetsk Oblast under guise of scrap metal. Ukraine's National Resistance Center (NRC) has reported that the Russian occupying administration is taking industrial equipment out of facilities in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast to Russia under the guise of scrap metal.

Source: NRC "The next wave of industrial enterprise audits is taking place in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast.

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Russian Lancet drone was caught by EW system, goes for research. April 16, 2024

Social media platforms are abuzz with posts from Ukrainian soldiers boasting about their latest achievement – capture of a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle or an anti-tank kamikaze missile, administered by a particular type of electronic warfare system.

🇷🇺Russian kamikaze drone "Lancet" shot down by an electronic warfare complex. 
https://bulgarianmilitary.com/amp/2024/0...-research/

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There is a will there is a way, will to stop been bully is very strong, is with the Ukrainian folks, is going stronger by day.

☆》 @Follow Will. Follow way the will go. It will match Putin/Russian halfway

If there is a will....Ukraine will not give up halfway, to protect their sovereignty against invaders and aggressors.

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This $14 billion US aid package for Israel crafted with eye to ‘multi-front war,’ not just Gaza

Most of the funds in hotly debated bill would go to Ukraine, about US$60 billion and some to Taiwan and others,  though it also proposes spending billions to bolster Israeli air defenses, ammo stockpiles and weapons systems

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This $14 billion US aid package for Israel crafted with eye to ‘multi-front war,’ not just Gaza

Most of the funds in hotly debated bill would go to Ukraine, about US$60 billion and some to Taiwan and others,  though it also proposes spending billions to bolster Israeli air defenses, ammo stockpiles and weapons systems

Mike Johnson sticks by Ukraine aid plan, setting up showdown with conservatives while his job's at risk. 

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced on Wednesday morning that he's sticking by his original plan to provide foreign aid to key U.S. allies, a move that's already inciting conservative fury.


The House is slated to take up three national security-focused bills that include funding for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific on Saturday. A fourth bill is set to include other GOP priorities – such as provisions to seize Russian assets to distribute them to Ukraine and to force TikTok's Chinese parent company to sell it or face a practical ban in the United States.

The lower chamber is expected to vote on all four bills on Saturday evening.

Johnson’s decision comes after a day of dithering on Tuesday as conservatives pressured the speaker to change the plan surrounding the four bills to include spending cuts and changes to border and migrant policy. 

The speaker met with GOP lawmakers for over three hours late Tuesday evening to discuss the path forward.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/poli.../?tbref=hp

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Greece “Almost Certain” To Arm Ukraine With 32 Fighting Falcons
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/greece-alm...e-f16/amp/

Norway to Transfer 22 F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine in a critical, large-scale donation of modern weaponry to Ukraine’s hard-pressed armed forces, Oslo will hand over to Kyiv 22 F-16 fighter jets, a major Norwegian news platform reported on Thursday.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/31010

Recent video has revealed MiG-29s in Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) fleet, even its Sukhoi Su-27s are dropping the French-made AASM-250 Hammer air-to-ground guided munitions on Russian ground targets. It Suppression Destruction on Enemy Air Defense (SEAD/DEAD) tactic, same jets are also releasing AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), seen in publicity videos, possibly to hit Russian ground radars that are used to shoot down the AASM Hammers.

Russian Defense (RuMoD) has been publicizing rising shoot-downs of French-made Hammers since appeared on battlefield between February & March this year, first visual confirmation of AASM Hammer came in March this year it was seen on a MiG-29 in March,  followed by both Ukrainians and Russians reporting several successful hits and interceptions of the bomb.

Bombs expected to aid Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) effort to hit Russian ground targets at greater distance & lower danger to its pilots and planes.

AASM-250 Hammer
The AASM Precision-Guided Munition (PGM) comprises a guidance kit and a “range augmentation unit” fitted to standard 250-kg bombs. It is offered in three versions: SBU-38 (inertial and GPS guidance), SBU-54 (GPS-inertial and laser guidance), and SBU-64 (GPS, inertial, and infrared guidance).

The driving principle of a “kit” converts unguided, free-falling bombs into PGMs is similar like American Paveway or Russian Universal Module for Planning and Correction (UMPC) systems. The latter has been installed on nearly all FAB-500 bombs released fm Su-34 Fullback fighter bomber.

French defense firm Safran also offers the AASM on 125, 500, and 1,000-kg bombs. Fired at stand-off distance day or night, the AASM can be launched at low altitudes and highly off-axis and perform high-precision vertical strikes under all weather conditions. It has a range of 15 km when released from low altitudes and 50 km when dropped from high altitudes.


In the week leading up to April 5, Russia claimed to have shot down three Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft, two Su-27 fighters and one MiG-29, Russia TV (RT) said on its Telegram channel.

On April 6, the Russian Ministry of Defense (RuMoD) said its air defenses “eliminated” five Hammer and the US-made Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) “aerial guided bombs,” in addition to the Su-27s and MiG-29s mentioned previously.

Video Showing Su-27S Firing Hammers & HARM
Assuming the claims about shooting down the Ukrainian fighters are true, and given the fact that UAF Su-27s are appearing in publicity material after a long time, it can be assumed that Kyiv is diversifying its aerial platforms for air-to-ground missions.

Even more interestingly, the video that showed the Su-27S dropping the Hammer also showed two shots of the Su-27s firing what appears to be an air-to-air missile. This can be concluded to be the AGM-88 HARM, as it has been clearly seen being fired from UAF Su-27s in other official publicity material and social media pages. 

Grab from an official video from Ukrainian Air Force showing AGM-88 HARM. Missiles is marked in a red box. Source: X (formerly Twitter).
The video, posted on X, claimed the variant was the Su-27S belonging to the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade. It is seen releasing the AASM Hammer from the port (left-side) wing. A video from inside a cockpit also showed a missile leaving the starboard-side (right) wing and the aircraft banking hard right. Another in-cockpit video shows a missile leaving the port (left) wing, and the plane banking left.

These missiles are the AGM-88 HARM, as they appeared in another video on the official account of the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) on March 15. That video of the 831st Tactical Brigade showed a cockpit video of it releasing a missile from the starboard wing, which can be clearly identified as the HARM, from its distinctive shape.

Another video on an Instagram account identified as ‘ua_military24’ showed the same shots of the Hammer in action but also a cockpit video of the Su-27’s payload, where the HARM can be seen on the middle pylons of both the wings. HARMs are slightly hidden by airspeed probes on both sides of the cockpit in foreground but can still be made out by front fins. Su-27s were spotted flying with the HARMS in September 2022 after they were integrated into UAF’s MiG-29s. 

Tactics. Latest video showing Su-27S-Hammer ops, it certain there is a pair of two jets, one Su-27 is recorded on video dropping bomb. While it appears the Su-27S releasing Hammer is not the one firing HARM too, it nevertheless represents an intriguing tactic.

🇺🇦Ukraine's 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade demonstrates its Sukhoi Su-27S jets delivering strikes with 🇫🇷French-provided AASM-250 Hammer precision-guided bombs. If only we could have them (as well as many other weapons) at least a year ago. Based on proximity of ground & fields captured in video, planes are operating from low to medium altitudes for their bomb release runs. Flying higher might lead them to be easily detected by Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) Su-35 and Su-30SM patrolling 24×7.

Ukraine is trying to exploit Russian enthusiasm of shooting down Hammers by using bomb as bait for its air defenses – possibly Buk-M1-2 medium-range or the Tor-M2 short-range AD platforms.The gap time-lapse between Hammer & HARM release is not very long. Upon firing, HARM’s homing head is expected automatically pick up radar emissions from Russian SAM sites & guide itself there.

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What significance does object have on Kremlin, and what is there concerning bombers?

On April 17th, Ukrainian long-range drones struck Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO), manufacturer of strategic bombers such as Tu-22M & Tu-160, info about results of this attack, but regardless, fact of Ukrainian UAV strikes on KAPO is significant. The aircraft factory in Kazan is located over 1000 kilometers from the border of Ukraine,to russian military defense industry that was even used as a "decoration" for one of the propaganda events involving putin.

Partially built Tu-160s in Kazan Aircraft Plant, Over past 2 years, only two Tu-160 strategic bombers have been modernized at KAPO, another 2 have been manufactured from Soviet-era under "reproduction" program. nly two new Tu-160s from old were rolled out of the factory workshops as far back as 2022, the customer, represented russian Ministry of Defense, has not yet accepted them. March 2023, KAPO unveiled another modernized Tu-22M3M, rolled out from factory workshops.

This was only bomber of this type in the last 5 years, there is no other info available about work on Tu-22M3 aircraft at facilities at plant in Kazan. Russians announced rather ambitious plans for expanding production at the facilities of KAPO.
https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/wha...10212.html

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Mike Johnson sticks by Ukraine aid plan, setting up showdown with conservatives while his job's at risk. 

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced on Wednesday morning that he's sticking by his original plan to provide foreign aid to key U.S. allies, a move that's already inciting conservative fury.

The House is slated to take up three national security-focused bills that include funding for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific on Saturday. A fourth bill is set to include other GOP priorities – such as provisions to seize Russian assets to distribute them to Ukraine and to force TikTok's Chinese parent company to sell it or face a practical ban in the United States.

The lower chamber is expected to vote on all four bills on Saturday evening.

Johnson’s decision comes after a day of dithering on Tuesday as conservatives pressured the speaker to change the plan surrounding the four bills to include spending cuts and changes to border and migrant policy. 

The speaker met with GOP lawmakers for over three hours late Tuesday evening to discuss the path forward.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/poli.../?tbref=hp

The lower chamber is expected to vote on all four bills on Saturday evening.

Mike Johnson sticks by Ukraine aid plan, setting Sat for House to vate and up his showdown with conservatives about his job's, at risk.  
https://youtu.be/8i63VZw216k?si=qCYsq6mkfe32Iin_

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The lower chamber is expected to vote on all four bills on Saturday evening.

Mike Johnson sticks by Ukraine aid plan, setting Sat for House to vate and up his showdown with conservatives about his job's, at risk.  
https://youtu.be/8i63VZw216k?si=qCYsq6mkfe32Iin_

“We did our work here, and I think history will judge it well,” said a weary Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who risked his own job to marshal the package to passage.

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“We did our work here, and I think history will judge it well,” said a weary Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who risked his own job to marshal the package to passage.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said he was “grateful” to both parties in the House and “personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.


“Thank you, America!” he the U.S. President thk all.

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Kyrylo Budanov, head of Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) Ministry of Defense in an interview with BBC. Ukraine will soon face a challenging situation but ensured Armageddon is not on the horizon.

“Our assessment, anticipating a rather difficult situation shortly, it is not catastrophic, this must be understood,” Budanov told BBC.

“Armageddon will not happen, despite what many are starting to claim. But we anticipate problems from mid-May,” he added.

Budanov clarified “we talking about everything,” saying challenges will encompass various aspects, not just front or domestic politics, he did not disclose specific details, he indicated Russia would employ a comprehensive approach.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/31469

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After 2-years war on Ukraine, Denmark Confirms Transfer of Entire F-16 Fleet to Ukraine, April 21, 2024. Denmark's Ambassador to Ukraine, Ole Egberg Mikkelsen confirmed Denmark's intention to transfer remaining fleet of F-16 jets to Ukraine following sale of 24 F-16s to Argentina, decision is part of Denmark's broader shift for F-35 model, it's aligning similar moves by other European nations group that recently included Portugal.

Delivery is coordinated effort by NATO countries to committed providing Ukraine with 65 F-16s total by Denmark MoD. 2023, Denmark's F-16 fleet includes 34 F-16AM & 10 F-16BM jets, 30 of 44 jets operational. Not all F-16 will go to Ukraine reported Army Recognition April 17, 2024, portion has sold to Argentina 24 jets. Sale addresses Argentina's longstanding need to replace Mirage jets that retired in 2015 due to UK embargo on military equipment components.

If a rapid deployment of large number of jets, is can hindered by insufficient infrastructure and support equipment at Ukrainian air bases .F-16 is developed by General Dynamics to served as superiority fighter jets. Began in 1976, over then 4,600 units has be manufactured. It's to handle both air-to-air & air-to-surfacc roles in various weather includes design features, a frameless bubble canopy for increased visibility, a side-mounted control stick for maneuverability & reclined seat to reduce effects of G-forces on pilot. F-16 has elements designed to decrease radar visibility is fitted advanced avionics capable of supporting range of weapons & equipment.

Used, F-16 fulfills multiple functions like tactical air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. It utilizes AN/APG-68 radar enhances capability to detect and track multiple targets simultaneously, performance of F-16 is supported by a high-performance turbofan engine, facilitating various combat maneuvers & continuous updates to allowed compatible requirements of all airforces around world to maintain operational capabilities.
https://armyrecognition.com/defense_news...ition.html

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Biden admin is preparing larger-than-normal aids package of military to Ukraine include armored vehicles, addition urgently needed artillery and air defenses, according to U.S. officials. Defense Dept are still putting finishing touches on potential new tranche, they want to be ready to go soon after President Joe Biden signs off on a bill, tens of billions of dollars, said the officials, who along with others were granted anonymity to speak ahead of announcement. Senate once again is expected to pass legislation as early as Tuesday, sending it to Biden’s desk.  

https://youtu.be/8YkGrKQXZxE?si=t4kEbwvWtoDcoO2q

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Zelensky: US 'finalized' agreements on ATACMS armed forces for Ukraine Army. U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint exercise between U.S. & NATO army.

It's "finalized" agreement on long-range Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles by President Zelensky after a call  to his American counterpart in U.S. Joe Biden on April 22. U.S. House of Representatives passed on April 20 a $61 billion aid bill for Kyiv, ending mths of deadlock.

Bill also requires Biden admin to deliver long-range ATACMS missiles when practicable "after the date of enactment of this Act." The U.S. first delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in October 2023, following mths of deliberation,  package included only older models with a range of 165 kilometers. Newer variants of ATACMS have a maximum range of around 300 kilometers and have so far not been provided to Ukraine.

Late February, NBC News said White House is ready to provide Kyiv with longer-range ATACMS missile variants if Congress approves a new funding package. After meeting with a bipartisan U.S. delegation, 

Zelensky named four priorities for Ukraine, including air defenses, modern artillery, long-range capabilities, and quick aid deliveries.

"Today's result on agreements, on ATACMS for Ukraine, details have been finalized. Thank you, to Joe. Mr. President, thank you, Congress, thank you, America," Zelensky said in an evening address.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner said on April 21 that shipments include long-range missile systems could be ready to be delivered within days. As
Ukraine continued to press its Western allies for longer-range weapons, including new ATACMS, but hesitation about delivering arms potentially be used to strike within Russian territory.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed concern in 2022 delivering ATACMS could increase tensions between U.S. / Russia to point that it could lead to another world war.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is against sending Germany's Taurus missiles to Kyiv b'cos move will draw Germany into war. Ukraine has received other long-range missiles, such as Storm Shadow from U.K. & French-made SCALP.

https://kyivindependent.com/swedish-defense-minister/

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said he was “grateful” to both parties in the House and “personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

“Thank you, America!” he then go for President thk all.

Russians are facing non-stop losses on Ukrainian soil. About 461,940 aggressor’s troops were eliminated, 12,229 air targets of invaders were shot down, thousands of tanks, armored vehicles c& istrucks were destroyed by the defenders of Ukraine.

General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine has published a new summary of total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 24.04.24. Find them in the infographics by Defense
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/791_days_...10281.html

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President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law. So what weapons might Ukraine receive & what difference could they make in trying to stem Russian advances?. 

Most pressing weaponry needed falls into 3 categories: Here is where US aid could go in these areas.1) air defence systems, 2) mid to long-range missiles and 3) artillery shells

Air defence -- Repelling Russian threat from skies is vital for protection of cities & critical infrastructure such as energy plants.

Last week Ukrainian President Zelensky said his country had been attacked almost 1,200 Russian missiles, more than 1,500 drones & 8,500 guided bombs this year alone.

Noted: Nato pledges more advanced air defences to Ukraine. 50,000 Russian soldiers confirmed dead by BBC

Ukraine has western-supplied systems ranging from shoulder-launched Stinger short range missiles & all the way up to the advanced & extremely expensive - Patriot system. Zelensky said at least seven more Patriots, or their equivalent, were needed.

Russia's cruise & ballistic missiles, including converted S-300 & S-400 surface to air missiles with hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones are difficult to counter b'cos of sheer volumes launched.

A classic tactic to overwhelm air defences is to swamp them with targets, thereby occupying their acquisition and tracking radar systems and depleting missile stocks.

Mid to long-range missiles
War lose on the ground, since Oct. Ukraine has lost nearly 583 square kilometres (225 square miles) in east territory to Russian because of a lack of artillery. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) played a crucial role by delivering guided munitions from mobile platform.

Once arrive at local stn, set-up & fire quickly move on b4 Russian forces locate & attack. US this time is expecting more HIMARS coming to Ukraine perhaps commitment to more tanks & Bradley infantry fighting vehicles too.

Significantly, long-range version of US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) has recently arrived in Ukraine. Older ATACMS systems have been in the country since late last year, but newer version double ranges to 300km (186 miles), can takes fight deep into annexed Crimea, Russia uses as major naval base & protected by air.

Artillery shells
And let's not forget bread-and-butter weapons. M777 howitzers need to be fed a continuous diet of 155mm artillery shells. US has sent 2,000,000 such shells to Ukraine since February 2022 & more will likely be sent in this latest package.
...and F-16 fighter jets

These pre-date this tranche of cash are notable now because they are close to coming into service. Ukrainian pilot & crews continue conversion training western F-16 jets, in Romania. These multi-role aircraft provide a stronger air-to-air & air-to-ground capability, thereby potentially improving Ukrainian air defences. Denmark, the Netherlands and the US expect to deliver the first of dozens of "Vipers" to Ukraine within months. Jets won't be a game-changer, but another significant arrow in the quiver for Kyiv.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68872783

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putin Wagner  is hitler Erwin Rommel

hitler last and only capable field marshal

Here...There's a will there is a way, will can stop been bully is very strong, is for the Ukrainian folks, is going stronger by day.


☆》 @Follow Will. Follow way will go. It will match Putin / Russian halfway

If a will come. Ukrainians will not give up halfway, to protect their sovereignty against invaders and aggressors.

[Tee tiong huat]

Here...There's a will there is a way, will can stop been bully is very strong, is for the Ukrainian folks, is going stronger by day.

☆》 @Follow Will. Follow way will go. It will match Putin / Russian halfway

If a will come. Ukrainians will not give up halfway, to protect their sovereignty against invaders and aggressors.

As Russian Troops Broke Through Ukrainian Lines, Panicky Ukrainian Commanders Had No Choice But To Deploy One Of Their Least-Prepared Brigades

The situation in around Ocheretyne is desperate for Ukraine...

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Romania is bolstering its air force capabilities by replacing Soviet-era MiG-21s with advanced F-35 and F-16 fighters. In 2023, Romania committed to acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, with plans to add 16 more to form three full squadrons by the decade's end.LS..ummary: Romania is bolstering its air force capabilities by replacing Soviet-era MiG-21s with advanced F-35 and F-16 fighters. In 2023, Romania committed to acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, with plans to add 16 more to form three full squadrons by the decade's end.

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Romania is bolstering its air force capabilities by replacing Soviet-era MiG-21s with F-35 & F-16. In 2023, Romania acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, plans to add 16 more to form three full squadrons by decade's end. 

Summary: Romania is bolstering its air force capabilities by replacing Soviet-era MiG-21s with advanced F-35 and F-16 fighters. In 2023, Romania committed to acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, with plans to add 16 more to form three full squadrons by the decade's end. First batch F-16 landed in Nov joined another 17, F-16AM/BM jets purchased from Portugal.
They already operated, remainder 26 jets, along with parts n services set to be delivered by 2025.

"The sale of the F-16 will strengthen and modernize the defenses of Romania, an allied nation along NATO's eastern flank that is also a neighbor of Ukraine," Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said at the official handover of the aircraft last year.

The Fighting Falcons operated by 48th Fighter Squadron from Air Base 71 at Campia Turzii in central Romania will take part in missions under Permanent Combat Service – Air Police under NATO command.
"Through the gradual arrival, throughout this year & next, of 32 multi-role F-16 aircraft, will endow two more squadrons Romania is strengthening its capabilities of air defense at a level adapted to the security challenges in the region," said Romanian Minister of National Defense Angel Tilvar. "These aircraft will play an important role in maintaining a credible Allied defense posture and deterrence of any aggression on the eastern flank and, just as importantly, will ensure the transition for our air forces towards the fifth generation era – the endowment with F-35 aircraft."

Since it first entered service in 1979, the F-16 has engaged in more than 400,000 combat hours, has logged more than 19 million flight hours. F-16 has been adapted for several missions, including air-to-air fighting, ground attack, and electronic warfare. It has proven to be a highly maneuverable combat fighter, and its combat radius exceeds that of its potential threats.

While U.S. Air Force is no longer acquiring aircraft, Lockheed Martin continues to build the F-16 for foreign customers around the world. F-16 remains most successful, combat-proven multi-role jet fighter ever produced, with more than 4,600 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976.

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Russian president Vladimir Putin is known to have an explosive temper and thin skin. Few would likely want to be the bearer of bad news these days, especially given how Putin’s war in Ukraine is going. Still, someone likely drew the "short straw" and had to deliver the news that the Ukrainian military destroyed a Russian armored column and killed the unit's commander outside of Kyiv.

Ukrainian Ministry of Defense statement released on far, "show commander of the occupier's, Colonel Zakharov, was liquidated. Battle in Brovary district for Kyiv. Battalion tactical 6th tank regiment of 90th tank div of Central Command suffered significant losses of personnel and equipment."

Video footage of attack. Bellingcat says was located eastern Kyiv suburb of Brovary, show about twenty armored vehicles are under heavy fire, subsequently retreated. Multiple media outlets, included CNN, have verified video’s authenticity, it show some destroyed vehicles, including T-72 main battle tank & BTR-82 armored carrier. 

Video was shared on social media  received a million views. "Very poor tactics displayed be Russian armored so close to Kyiv well within range of Ukrainian artillery in Kyiv, they're obvious approach & decided to bunch up leaving them more vulnerable to indirect fire," tweeted reader's, a fellow at Foreign Policy Research Institute. 

Strike on Russian armored column came days met logistical failures, it forced crews to sleep in freezing temperatures. Eastern European media says commander of Russian tank regiment, had personally received Order of Courage from Putin in 2016. He is now just the latest high-ranking high profile—officer to be killed by Ukrainian forces.

Indicated killed is Maj. Gen. Vitaly Gerasimov, 1st Deputy Commander of the 41st Army, a decorated military veteran had taken part in 2nd Chechen war, Russia's military ops in Syria & the 2014 annexation of Crimea. He 2nd Russian general from the 41st Army to die in war on Ukraine conflict. 

Just days prior, death of Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky, deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army, had been confirmed by Russian Putin. Sukhovetsky, a highly decorated combat veteran, was killed by a sniper near Mariupol on February 28. 

While Col. Dmitry Safronov, Commander of 61st Separate Marine Brigade, was killed in Chuhuiv. Additionally, Lt. Col. Denis Glebov, Deputy Commander of the 11th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, was also killed

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Ukraine-Russia war live: Kyiv starts using US long-range missiles as Moscow sends nuclear warheads to Belarus. The missiles were supplied to Ukraine under a secret deal agreed in March ahead of the £76bn US security package. News The Independent live. (7 minutes ago)

News (World/Europe) Ukraine-Russia war live: Kyiv starts using US long-range missiles as Moscow sends nuclear warheads to Belarus

The missiles were supplied to Ukraine under a secret deal agreed in March ahead of the £76 billion US security package bill.

Ukraine is set to step up long-range missile attacks on Russia with the help of Western military aid, the UK’s defence chief has admitted. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said long-range weapons would help Kyiv shape the war in “much stronger ways”, after US officials said long-range missiles used by Ukraine were “already hitting” Putin’s forces in Crimea under a secret deal secured by Joe Biden earlier this year.

The Army Tactical Missile System, or Atacms, arrived in Ukraine last week under a secret deal agreed in March before the £76bn US security package was passed by congress on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko claimed “several dozen” Russian tactical nuclear weapons had been deployed in Belarus, Russia’s Tass news agency said, under an agreement jointly announced last year with Putin 
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world...34425.html

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Russia Attempts to Storm Chasiv Yar with Approximately 20-25 Thousand Troops

April 23, 2024. Attempts be Putin's soldiers to Storm Chasiv Yar with Approximately 20-25 Thousand Troops. Currently, more than 20,000 russian military personnel are engaged in trying to storming the city of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region as russian forces concentrate their offensive actions in the area

Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson Operational for Strategic Group of Forces, has reported that approximately 20,000–25,000 russian paratroopers are currently endeavoring to seize the city of Chasiv Yar and nearby settlements.

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/russia_at...10266.html

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Russia Attempts to Storm Chasiv Yar with Approximately 20-25 Thousand Troops

April 23, 2024. Attempts be Putin's soldiers to Storm Chasiv Yar with Approximately 20-25 Thousand Troops. Currently, more than 20,000 russian military personnel are engaged in trying to storming the city of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region as russian forces concentrate their offensive actions in the area

Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson Operational for Strategic Group of Forces, has reported that approximately 20,000–25,000 russian paratroopers are currently endeavoring to seize the city of Chasiv Yar and nearby settlements.

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/russia_at...10266.html

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"russian paratroopers from the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment of the 98th Airborne Division are fighting against us on the frontline segment opposite Chasiv Yar" Voloshyn said.

He noted that in this direction, only 32 mortar and artillery shelling incidents were recorded over the past day. This is half as many as the previous day.

"The adversary is forming assault groups systematically for future assaults. They conduct raids without holding positions. In other words, they do not consolidate but rather raid and then retreat," explained Voloshyn.

According to him, the adversary conducts reconnaissance in this manner and identifies Defense Force locations to strike.

Voloshyn said that despite personnel and technological losses, the russian army persists in its attempt to capture the city; nevertheless, the situation remains under the control of Ukraine's Defense Forces.

On April 18, Voloshyn reported that russian soldiers persist in their attempts to capture the city, launching attacks with guided bombs and destroying civilian infrastructure. It was also revealed that the enemy uses ammunition manufactured by the DPRK for shelling Chasiv Yar.

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/russia_at...10266.html

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Putin Miscalculated is not only a self-inflicted, it also to kill Ukraine

https://youtu.be/8YkGrKQXZxE

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Ukraine`s troops defend each piece of their land, Defense Express news, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Earlier, Defense Express reported Russia's objective is to seize Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region b4 the so-called Victory Day on May 9th. 

But, if Ukrainian forces manage to maintain their hold and their position, the Russian soldier commanders and even Putin plans for a counter offensive for June will be foiled...