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

https://youtu.be/8YkGrKQXZxE

Finally Blinken, he himself saying it to Ukraine, he offer 'strong reassurance' as US weapons reach front line.

New American weapon aid package begin arriving at the front line.

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Finally Blinken, he himself saying it to Ukraine, he offer 'strong reassurance' as US weapons reach front line.

New American weapon aid package begin arriving at the front line.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-69006673

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Russians struck territory in Kupiansk district in Kharkiv for first time with modified FAB-1500 glide bombs, destroying an entire street. Source: Serhii Bolvinov, Head of Investigation Dept Main Directorate of Ukraine's National Police in Kharkiv Oblast, said on Facebook. "Everything around shook like earthquake with one strike, 1 entire street destroyed. 

Residents village of Monachynivka had a feel & see such devastation unleashed a tremendously powerful weapon – a high-explosive bomb weighing one & half tonnes.

For a long time, US Army assumed US Air Force can protect it from enemy aircraft. Which is why, in the 1990s, the Army shuttered many of its short-range air-defence, or SHORAD, units process only accelerated during counterinsurgency campaigns in Iraq / Afghanistan, where Army fighting an enemy with no aircraft.

By the time Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, the Army was down to just 300 or so aging Avenger air-defence vehicles, each firing infrared-guided Stinger missiles out to a distance of three miles. This to protect a million troops, if you count active and reserve forces.


The Army didn’t anticipate that 9 years into Russia-Ukraine war, both sides weaponise tiny, cheap first-person-view (FPV) drones – & fling them at each other at a rate of tens of thousands per month.

This 100,000 FPV drones the Ukrainians launch every mth account for a significant proportion of roughly 1,000 casualties the Russians suffer every 30 days, consider: Russian army never divested its SHORAD forces the way US Army did. It went to war in Ukraine with a thousand short-range air-defence vehicles and is still getting overwhelmed by FPV drones.

Imagine? what can happen to US Army on a battlefield buzzing with tiny drones. It should go without saying that US Air Force isn’t going to send a $100-million F-35 stealth fighter to try, & probably fail, to shoot down $500 FPV drone flying 10 feet above ground directly over front line.

Air-defence calculus has changed ,  the US Army now finds itself all but defenceless against one of its most serious threats. 

If Army leaders are beginning to internalize the scale of their air-defence problem. But are they doing it fast enough?.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05...r-defence/

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Russian defense spending could reach 8.7% of its GDP, Putin says. Russia’s defense & security spending could rise 8.7% or more in gross domestic product this year, Putin said Wed in a meet with military commanders, state agency RIA Novosti reported, this is a big resource we are obliged to use it very efficiently & effectively,” Google-translation of quotes published by state news agency.

Social obligations to citizens, education and healthcare must continue despite added expenses, Putin said increasing amount of funds used for defense was a key reason for he appointing Andrei Belousov as new defense minister, appointeded earlier this week, replacing former defense minister Sergei Shoigu, who has in turn been made Secretary of Russia’s security council.

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Probable Mass ATACMS Missile Strike Hits Russian Airfield in Crimea. Kremlin said all US-made long-range missiles were shot down, claim was debunked by big fires burning for days at Belbek airfield, official warnings of cluster munitions.

Ukraine's aiming ATACMS Rockets at Russia’s most fearsome MiG-31 Interceptors. A recent ATACMS raid may have damaged a MiG-31 in Crimea. U.S.  fresh consignments of Army Tactical Missile rockets reached Ukraine backyard in April, Russian commanders knew what was coming....

Those two-ton rockets—each scattering hundreds of grenade-sized submunitions can blow up helicopters & air-defense batteries @airfields near or inside front line. As first more than 100 newly-shipped ATACMS rained down last mth on Russian air force, navy too as they began pulling many of their warplanes away from bases near the front line of wider war on Ukraine & redeploying them to bases beyond the reach of the precision-guided ATACMS, range of 100 - 190 miles, pending on model.

Not all jets left. Tues night, Ukrainian ATACMS batteries took aim get MiG-31 interceptors & Su-27 fighters at Belbek air base, outside Sevastopol Russian occupied Crimea, 150 miles away @south front line.

According to one Russian military blogger, 10 ATACMS streaked toward Belbek. Air-defense radars detected rockets two minutes b4 it struck, blogger claimed. As thousands of submunitions peppered the base, reportedly destroying a radar, two launchers belonging to S-400 air-defense battery, damaging MiG-31 & three Su-27s & killing several Russian troops. There are photos wrecked air-defense equipment too.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/20...f2364e3345

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The pre-dawn hours of May 16 Raid on
Belbek Arsenal Hit: Russian Bomber Weapons Depot Reportedly Destroy.
Depot stored most air-to-surface missiles for Su-27, Su-30, and MiG-31 fighter-bomber aircraft that have been targeting Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/32726

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The pre-dawn hours of May 16 Raid on Belbek Arsenal Hit: Russian Bomber Weapons Depot Reportedly Destroy.
Depot stored most air-to-surface missiles for Su-27, Su-30, and MiG-31 fighter-bomber aircraft that have been targeting Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/32726

Explosions rock Sevastopol, Belbek military airfield under attack, not by F-16 but by Mass ATACMS Missile Strike Hitting Russian Airfield in Crimea. Kremlin said all US-made long-range missiles is coming 

https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-r...er-attack/

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Russian defense spending could reach 8.7% of its GDP, Putin says. Russia’s defense & security spending could rise 8.7% or more in gross domestic product this year, Putin said Wed in a meet with military commanders, state agency RIA Novosti reported, this is a big resource we are obliged to use it very efficiently & effectively,” Google-translation of quotes published by state news agency.

Social obligations to citizens, education and healthcare must continue despite added expenses, Putin said increasing amount of funds used for defense was a key reason for he appointing Andrei Belousov as new defense minister, appointeded earlier this week, replacing former defense minister Sergei Shoigu, who has in turn been made Secretary of Russia’s security council.

War Update War, ANTONY BLINKEN, US Aid.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces stabilize situation in Kharkiv, 'partially' push Russian troops out of Vovchansk. 

6 min ago - Zelensky: Ukraine stabilizes situation in Kharkiv Oblast amid Russian offensive

General Staff: Russian forces 'partially pushed out' from Vovchansk. Ukraine deploys more forces to Kharkiv Oblast

Blinken: US giving additional $2 bil in military financing. Putin's launched a new offensive with 30,000 troops on May 10, targeting Kharkiv.

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Explosions rock Sevastopol, Belbek military airfield under attack, not by F-16 but by Mass ATACMS Missile Strike Hitting Russian Airfield in Crimea. Kremlin said all US-made long-range missiles is coming 

https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-r...er-attack/

Putin talk ‘It’s Going Quite Well. He’ tells Xi – 

Ukraine at War Update for May 17
‘It’s Going Quite Well,’ Putin Tells Xi – Ukraine at War Update for May 17 (2h ago)

Putin thanks Chinese autocrat for help in Ukrainian “crisis”; Moscow accuses Kyiv of civilian deaths in Donetsk is make up by Ukraine and in Belgorod he said Zelensky used country’s western gas, but infrastructure is now his target.

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Ukraine is ramping up domestic arms production as troops face weapons shortage on battlefield
Ukraine will be spending up to US$6 billion on weapons production this year to meet urgent needs on the frontlines.

KYIV: Ukraine is rushing to manufacture more arms domestically, as its troops & weapons face Shortages Will be spending US$6 billion on weapons production this year to meet urgent need, after long delays in western military aids.

SCRAMBLING TO PRODUCE MORE WEAPONS
Ukraine no choice but to pump out more weapons, faster than ever b4, from big factories, even homes being used in the country’s fast-expanding military industrial complex.
When CNA visited one factory in an undisclosed location in Kyiv region, armoured infantry vehicles were getting their final touches on the assembly line.

Ukrainian Armor, defence industry company operating it, said production has increased significantly since Russia continue war into 3rd year. Firm is behind multi-purpose armoured vehicle Novator, built to protect troops from shrapnel and small arms fire.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/uk...ar-4343506

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Ukrainians Destory Converse Already at the Border, is ABLAZE of Fire.. 

https://youtu.be/hi_mMG9Bdwk?si=0zpTc_9AmqX6OG1F

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Ukrainians Destory Converse Already at the Border, is ABLAZE of Fire.. 

https://youtu.be/hi_mMG9Bdwk?si=0zpTc_9AmqX6OG1F

https://youtu.be/hi_mMG9Bdwk?si=KYC9eJV12pUjeVz4

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The pre-dawn hours of May 16 Raid on
Belbek Arsenal Hit: Russian Bomber Weapons Depot Reportedly Destroy.
Depot stored most air-to-surface missiles for Su-27, Su-30, and MiG-31 fighter-bomber aircraft that have been targeting Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/32726

Coming June 2024. Hundreds of French AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs to Ukraine F-16, Ukrainian Defense Express Jan 2024.

AASM system includes a frontal guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension modification that can be fitted to conventional, it's allows bombs to be guided by satellite, via thermal imaging, or with a semi-active laser guidance system. An airburst detonation bomb. French AASM Hammer is a conventional bomb specially modifications to significantly enhances its range and accuracy.

Read also: German opposition seeks Bundestag vote on supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine

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Early April, a plane resembling an Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat civilian plane could be seen hitting Russia’s drone plant and oil refinery in Tatarstan alongside a UJ-22 Airborne drone, 1,265 km away from Ukraine. DRONES AVIATION WAR IN UKRAINE

Slow and Steady: How Ukraine’s Sophisticated ‘Flying Bricks’ Pound Russia’s Drone Factory
Experts have jokingly called the A-22 a “flying brick,” but it has successfully delivered payloads deep inside Russia while retrofitted with advanced technology inside an unassuming aircraft.
Ukraine’s Sophisticated ‘Flying Bricks’ Pound Russia’s Drone Factory
 
In early April, a plane resembling an Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat civilian plane could be seen hitting Russia’s drone plant and oil refinery in Tatarstan alongside a UJ-22 Airborne drone, 1,265 km away from Ukraine the improvised A-22 is a “rather complex weapon system” with the need to incorporate explosives and guidance technology into the existing airframe.

A-22 Foxbat: Background information

Developed in the 1990s, the A-22 Foxbat is a two-seat, high-wing, tricycle landing gear ultralight aircraft manufactured by Aeroprakt in Kyiv.

“Aeroprakt-22 is an aircraft of classic aircraft layout. The design goal was to create an aircraft maximum level of safety, comfort and rugged construction. It [has a] pleasant appearance, pilot seats situated side-by-side (preferred by many) and steerable nose wheel (for easier ground handling),” Aeroprakt’s website.

There are multiple variants available, but none of their top speed exceeds 200 kph – a number that is no match for S-300 missiles flying at Mach 6 (7,409 kph). Speculations on military conversions

It’s not clear how the Ukrainian military converted the drones, but it can be assumed that the plane was equipped with remote flight control or self-contained guidance systems and explosives.

Some sources claim the civilian versions can carry a “useful load of over 600 pounds (272 kg),” which is not substantial in terms of firepower, but still more than five times higher than Shahed’s 50 kg warhead. This is slightly more weight than a US/NATO-standard general-purpose Mk-82 (500 pound/227 kg) aerial bomb used by many combat aircraft worldwide.

Some of the payload capacity would be used for the equipment converting it to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), reducing the amount of explosives that could be added in its conversion to a kamikaze drone.

It’s also possible the Ukrainian military modified the airframe and engine to increase the payload capacity during its single one-way operational flight, though this would be speculation at best.

As for controlling the drone, some Russian sources have speculated that Starlink satellite communication devices were used, though SpaceX’s official geofencing policies would likely render the service unavailable in Russia unless circumvented.

Again, it would not be possible to know for certain how Ukraine communicated with the remote control system believed to be on board the converted A-22, but it could be as simple as using a Russian SIM card, similar to how Moscow used Ukrainian SIM cards in their Shahed drones.

Why the A-22?

The fact that the drone flew more than 1,000 km to Tatarstan unhindered has demonstrated its effectiveness, but it also begs the question – how did it fly without being detected and downed by Russia?. According to a former F-16 pilot employed by Kyiv Post, the A-22’s slow speed could ultimately be its greatest advantage in sneaking through radar detections.

“Drone would be able to fly below velocity of the pulse-doppler filter speed makes the reduction of ground clutter or radar returns,” he Meanwhile, Fabian Hoffmann told Business Insider drone's presumed low attitude when flying could also help it avoid radar detection – while it could still be identified visually, fact that it got through more than a thousand kilometers showed Russian air defense has a capacity issue. “Once you have countermeasures in place, it should be really easy to shoot this thing down,” said Hoffman.

Last, perhaps most probable explanation, as Kyiv Post posited – Russia might have simply thought it was an ordinary civilian plane. This may be its biggest advantage as a commercially available civilian aircraft, it may mistaken for a Russian oligarch/private pilot out for a joy ride. A-22’s innate stealth is that it hides in plain sight.

FACT-CHECKING

“Last week, an aircraft that looks similar to the A-22 was spotted in an attack on an oil refinery in the Republic of Bashkortostan,” the report read.
Upon reviewing footage of the Bashkortostan strike, Kyiv Post believed the drone resembled the UJ-22 Airborne drone due to the lack of a thinning tail-end spotted on A-22 Foxbats.

Screenshot of a video depicting the drone used on May 9’s Bashkortostan strike. The silhouette of the drone does not possess the thinning tail-end found on A-22 Foxbats. Photo: Telegram/Mash
For reference, here’s a picture of the UJ-22 drone.

However, Kyiv Post has managed to confirm visually that a drone resembling the A-22 Foxbat was indeed used in April’s strike on Tatarstan, where the plane’s silhouette corresponded to that of an A-22, from footage of April’s Tatarstan drone strike. To date, it is not clear on how many occasions Ukraine deployed the converted A-22 drones against Russian targets.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/32834

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Ukrainian strikes already reach deep into Russian territory. Domestically made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have carried out dozens of successful missions, hitting Russian oil refineries and dumps, and thus inflicting serious damage to Russia’s economy. Gas & diesel price hikes have further add to Russia’s huge losses. Ukrainska Pravda, says 80% of attacks, has used its long-range kamikaze UAV drone “Liutiy”.

Liutiy (“fierce”) a Ukrainian long-range strike UAV capable of hitting upto distances up 1,000 km, a efficiency UAV proven by a series of successful attacks on Russian refineries, fuel depots, helicopter bases other strategic facilities in Sochi, Adler, St. Petersburg, Novolipetsk, Ryazan, Nizhniy Novgorod and also on

Tatarstan (Ukraine eg: first used a UJ-22 first) 1,265 km away from Ukraine

A prototype: Liutiy 1st developed by enthusiasts invested own money project. In initial for long-range drone, test flown April 2023, launched from Odesa aimed@Zmiiny, occupied island northwestern of Black Sea. Mid-flight, it malfunctioned lost connection with operator, so automatically made a U-turn back to launch site, imagine since it kept secret at all stages, including testing by military command did not give air raid alarm in the 1 million folks in the city. Fortunately, the drone was 30 km from city, operators managed to restore connection & avert imminent disastrous accident. That followed several failed, a case it reach & hit, but warhead did't explode. Russians photos unexploded Liutiy warhead.

Despite initial failed attempts. Liutiy gained trust with Ukrainian command. A boom of orders followed after spectacular strike at a major oil refinery in St. Petersburg. Its proved able to reach & destroy targets far across border. Since then, Liutiy drones in sufficient numbers have been supplied to, & used by, Ukraine’s Security, the Military Intelligence and even the Air Force.

Liutiy drones most commonly attack in swarms: several drones approach and hit target one by one. This raises chances for success & testifies fact that the domestic production of UAVs is gaining momentum. So, such attacks may well become even more massive and frequent.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/32898

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Ukrainian strikes already reach deep into Russian territory. Domestically made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have carried out dozens of successful missions, hitting Russian oil refineries and dumps, and thus inflicting serious damage to Russia’s economy. Gas & diesel price hikes have further add to Russia’s huge losses. Ukrainska Pravda, says 80% of attacks, has used its long-range kamikaze UAV drone “Liutiy”.

Liutiy (“fierce”) a Ukrainian long-range strike UAV capable of hitting upto distances up 1,000 km, a efficiency UAV proven by a series of successful attacks on Russian refineries, fuel depots, helicopter bases other strategic facilities in Sochi, Adler, St. Petersburg, Novolipetsk, Ryazan, Nizhniy Novgorod and also on

Tatarstan (Ukraine eg: first used a UJ-22 first) 1,265 km away from Ukraine

A prototype: Liutiy 1st developed by enthusiasts invested own money project. In initial for long-range drone, test flown April 2023, launched from Odesa aimed@Zmiiny, occupied island northwestern of Black Sea. Mid-flight, it malfunctioned lost connection with operator, so automatically made a U-turn back to launch site, imagine since it kept secret at all stages, including testing by military command did not give air raid alarm in the 1 million folks in the city. Fortunately, the drone was 30 km from city, operators managed to restore connection & avert imminent disastrous accident. That followed several failed, a case it reach & hit, but warhead did't explode. Russians photos unexploded Liutiy warhead.

Despite initial failed attempts. Liutiy gained trust with Ukrainian command. A boom of orders followed after spectacular strike at a major oil refinery in St. Petersburg. Its proved able to reach & destroy targets far across border. Since then, Liutiy drones in sufficient numbers have been supplied to, & used by, Ukraine’s Security, the Military Intelligence and even the Air Force.

Liutiy drones most commonly attack in swarms: several drones approach and hit target one by one. This raises chances for success & testifies fact that the domestic production of UAVs is gaining momentum. So, such attacks may well become even more massive and frequent.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/32898

Hello ‘Liutiy’ UAV – Goodbye Russian Oil Refineries...Ukrainian strikes already reach deep into Russian territory. Ukrainian technology has prevailed in delivering an efficient and distinguished UAV with a proven capability for striking high value enemy targets.

During its second combat flight, the Ukrainian Liutyi long-range drone hit a base of Russian helicopters in the Adler district of Sochi; the day before, Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev there.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda’s article Sanctions from 1,000 kilometres away: the story of the Ukrainian drone Liutyi (Fierce) burning Russian oil refineries (English translation coming soon).

https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-avoids-...32438.html

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"We hit their helicopter landing site and damaged several helicopters. But we didn't know at first that the day before we hit Adler, Putin had met with Tokayev there. Putin was 12 kilometres away from the place where the second strike of Liutyi took place. This was confirmed to us later," intelligence sources tell Ukrainska Pravda.

At the same time, the Russians did not even know what hit them.

"When it struck Sochi, they assumed it was from a ship or from the mountains in Georgia. They had no idea it came from Ukraine, then all of a sudden it hit St. Petersburg – practically opp end of country. It was evidently a shock for them", a person involved in the launches recalls in a conversation with Ukrainska Pravda.

Read article from Ukrainska Pravda to find out how Ukrainian kamikaze drone Liutyi went the way from a single model to main arsonist of Russian factories & airfields, a context full-scale war, why Ukrainian operators is afraid launching & how competition between special services gave drone a chance to become a truly serial weapon.

‘Impressive appetite to innovate’The initial analysis of the Liutyi little notes that its with a very low flight. It does not appear designed to support high tempo or prolonged flight operations. But this drone live on. 

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Russian invaders are stealing property of civilians in temporarily occupied part of the Kharkiv region. The Rozvidka noem Telegram channel published the video & published footage, taken in Vovchansk, they captures a large group of looters taking loot from a private house and loading it into a UAZ-3303 truck.

It was reported Ukraine aviation launched a powerful strike on building central district hospital in Vovchansk, where units of Russian troops were based, trying capture this city. On a accuracy of hit, jets of Ukrainian Air Force used high-precision bombs used by Ukraine Western  aid to counter Russian invasion. These may be US JDAMs or French AASM 250 HAMMERs, adapted for use by Ukrainian aviation.

Battles for Kharkiv region
Russian assault, relatively & partially stopped by Ukrainian Defense units that were sent to sector,
with prompt actions of Ukrainian soldiers some units were defeated & Russian soldiers were captured tobe exchanged for Ukrainian soldiers in future. So those Russian has not made significant progress, individual settlements in border area & urban battles in Vovchansk continue, where Russian invaders are trying to gain a foothold.

https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russian-invade...iv-region/

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Russian invaders are stealing property of civilians in temporarily occupied part of the Kharkiv region. The Rozvidka noem Telegram channel published the video & published footage, taken in Vovchansk, they captures a large group of looters taking loot from a private house and loading it into a UAZ-3303 truck.

It was reported Ukraine aviation launched a powerful strike on building central district hospital in Vovchansk, where units of Russian troops were based, trying capture this city. On a accuracy of hit, jets of Ukrainian Air Force used high-precision bombs used by Ukraine Western  aid to counter Russian invasion. These may be US JDAMs or French AASM 250 HAMMERs, adapted for use by Ukrainian aviation.

Battles for Kharkiv region
Russian assault, relatively & partially stopped by Ukrainian Defense units that were sent to sector,
with prompt actions of Ukrainian soldiers some units were defeated & Russian soldiers were captured tobe exchanged for Ukrainian soldiers in future. So those Russian has not made significant progress, individual settlements in border area & urban battles in Vovchansk continue, where Russian invaders are trying to gain a foothold.

https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russian-invade...iv-region/

Continue above...

On May 17, Militarnyi reported that volunteer soldiers of the (Ukraine side) those Russian Volunteer Corps demonstrated the combat performance of a trophy BTR-82A armored personnel carrier against the Russian invaders in Vovchansk.

The released footage shows an APC maneuvering through the streets of the settlement and firing a 30-mm 2A72 autocannon at the meat processing plant where the Russian soldiers were trying to gain a foothold. 

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Zelensky: 'Our partners fear that Russia will lose this war'. President Zelensky believes Ukraine's partners "are afraid of Russia losing the war" and would like Kyiv "to win in such a way that Russia does not lose," Zelensky said in a meeting with journalists attended by the Kyiv Independent.

Kyiv's allies "fear" Russia's loss in the war against Ukraine because it would involve "unpredictable geopolitics," according to Zelensky. "I don't think it works that way. For Ukraine to win, we need to be given everything with which one can win," he said.
His statement came on May 16 amid Russia's large-scale offensive in Kharkiv Oblast and ongoing heavy battles further east. In a week, Russian troops managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, according to Zelensky.

Washington has not changed its negative position on potential Ukrainian strikes with U.S.-supplied weapons on Russian territory even after Russia had launched its offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, the Pentagon said on May 16. He commented on this statement during meeting, saying "there should be no bans b'cos this is not a Ukrainian offensive using Western weapons on Russian territory. This is for and for defense."

In an interview with AFP on May 17, the Ukrainian president said that the Kharkiv Oblast offensive could be the first of several waves, and Russian forces may try for the regional capital of Kharkiv.

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-our...-this-war/

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Ukraine AirForce needs F-16 simulators.

Ukrainian Air Force has recently demonstrated the first full-fledged F-16 simulator in Ukraine. It should be noted that it was received from the Czech Republic by one of the tactical aviation brigades as well as specialists are already preparing the main module for operation. The hydraulics and cockpit will be installed later. It is also noted that there are prospects for further batches of such simulators for Ukrainian pilots.

Monday, May 20, Ukrainian Air Force released footage of new simulator, experts shared their impressions of equipment. Its obviously that it will help Ukrainian pilots to better destroy targets on ground & in the air with future F-16 aircraft. Ukrainian Air Force notes pilots were already practicing combat missions on this simulator.

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian...10573.html

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Ukraine’s desperate struggle to defend Kharkiv
It is holding off Russia’s attack — for now.

Russia Prioritizes Destruction of US and European Combat Vehicles Targeting Another Ukrainian PzH 2000 Howitzer. Russian Lancet drone has successfully damaged a German PzH 2000 artillery system incident, captured on video and posted on the social media on May 17, 2024, underscores priority of Russian forces to target & destroy modern military equipment received by Ukraine from European and US allies.

According to video, crew of PzH 2000 howitzer abandoned vehicle, appears not to have been completely destroyed could be an opportunity for troops to capture most modern German-made artillery system for first time. The attack of the German-made PzH 2000 artillery howitzer is not an isolated event but part of a strategic approach by Russian military. This approach specifically targets modern combat vehicles and equipment supplied to Ukraine by European countries and the US, with aim of neutralizing these advanced systems & shifting balance of power in conflict.

The PzH 2000, a state-of-the-art German self-propelled howitzer, offers significant advantages over older Soviet-made 2S1 & 2S3 artillery still in service with Ukrainian army. Compared to 2S1 & 2S3. PzH 2000 boasts a superior range, firing up to 40 kilometers with standard ammunition, even more with specialized rounds. 

In contrast, 2S1 & 2S3 have maximum range of around 15 - 18 kilometers. The PzH 2000 features a much faster rate of fire, capable of delivering multiple rounds in rapid succession thanks to advanced autoloader. In contrast, 2S1 & 2S3 rely on slower, manual loading mechanisms. 

The PzH 2000 also benefits from modern targeting systems & enhanced mobility, providing better accuracy, ability to quickly reposition on battlefield, thus offering a substantial upgrade in offensive and defensive capabilities for the Ukrainian forces.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/focus-an...howitzer-2

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Ukraine AirForce needs F-16 simulators.

Ukrainian Air Force has recently demonstrated the first full-fledged F-16 simulator in Ukraine. It should be noted that it was received from the Czech Republic by one of the tactical aviation brigades as well as specialists are already preparing the main module for operation. The hydraulics and cockpit will be installed later. It is also noted that there are prospects for further batches of such simulators for Ukrainian pilots.

Monday, May 20, Ukrainian Air Force released footage of new simulator, experts shared their impressions of equipment. Its obviously that it will help Ukrainian pilots to better destroy targets on ground & in the air with future F-16 aircraft. Ukrainian Air Force notes pilots were already practicing combat missions on this simulator.

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian...10573.html

"F-16s in the sky. Carrying US missiles. Targets destroyed!" : how pilots of Ukraine's Armed Forces train on simulator. The head of the simulator maintenance team notes that receiving this modern platform was a real "breakthrough".

"I've been involved in flight simulator maintenance of Su and MiG fixed-wing aircraft for more than 20 years now, and all these years, we have had a difficult time, to put it mildly. The situation with the supply of new equipment was close to critical for a long time.

No, we never gave up. We did everything possible – repaired, modernised, updated the software and engaged Ukrainian manufacturers... The oldest simulators became donors for their slightly younger "colleagues".

We often heard about the "lack of funds" or "no time for this", but thanks to the efforts of specialists who are ready to run around the equipment day and night with a soldering iron in their hands, we managed to keep the equipment.

But everything has its time and its resources. The vast majority of our flight simulators have long since reached the end of their useful life. Given the current situation, the Air Force is analysing technical possibilities in search of efficient and cost-effective solutions. One of them is the transition to flight simulators that employ virtual or fixed reality, which gives the pilot a sense of flight reality and a wider viewing angle. Developed countries have been using such simulators for the past five years.

F-16s will soon be in service with our brigades, so there is no other option but to switch to the new simulators."

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/20/7456654/

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Continue from above...
Quote: "I've been involved in flight simulator maintenance of Su & MiG fixed-wing aircraft for more than 20 years now, & all these years, we have had a difficult time, to put it mildly. Situation with new equipment, we close to critical for a long time. No, we never gave up. 

We did everything possible – repaired, modernised, updated software & engaged with Ukrainian manufacturers...Oldest simulators isto donors for slightly younger "colleagues".

We heard about "lack of funds" or "no time for this", but efforts of specialists are ready to run around the equipment day & night with soldering iron in their hands, managed to keep going. But everything heat up time & its resources, majority of our flight simulators have long since reached the end of their life. 

Given current situation, Air Force analysing & technical possibilities is in search of efficient & cost-effective solutions. Transition to flight simulators employ virtual or fixed reality, gives pilot a sense of flight reality, a wider view angle. So developed countries have been using such simulators for the past many years. F-16s soon be in service with our brigades, is here is no option but to switch to the new simulators."

[Tee tiong huat]

A week after Russian Putin dismissed longtime defense minister Sergei Shoigu, Tuesday, he gave axe to deputy defense minister. Putin replaced Col. Gen. Yuriy Sadovenko with Oleg Savelyev, an accountant. Sadovenko, 52, who was born in Zhytomyr, then Soviet Socialist Republic of Ukraine, was a decorated combat veteran who graduated from Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School. He has been replaced with an administrator who served most recently as an auditor for the Federation Council.
@Kyivpost_official.
This shift from a military officer to a business-minded accountant mirrors Putin’s move to replace Shoigu with an economist with no military experience, Andrey Belousov.

Analysts from Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observed: “Savelyev’s appointment is consistent with Kremlin’s effort to improve the wartime economy, given that Savelyev has an extensive background in economics, has experience in overseeing audits of defense, national security, and law enforcement activities.”

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[Tee tiong huat]

A week after Russian Putin dismissed longtime defense minister Sergei Shoigu, Tuesday, he gave axe to deputy defense minister. Putin replaced Col. Gen. Yuriy Sadovenko with Oleg Savelyev, an accountant. Sadovenko, 52, who was born in Zhytomyr, then Soviet Socialist Republic of Ukraine, was a decorated combat veteran who graduated from Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School. He has been replaced with an administrator who served most recently as an auditor for the Federation Council.
@Kyivpost_official.
This shift from a military officer to a business-minded accountant mirrors Putin’s move to replace Shoigu with an economist with no military experience, Andrey Belousov.

Analysts from Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observed: “Savelyev’s appointment is consistent with Kremlin’s effort to improve the wartime economy, given that Savelyev has an extensive background in economics, has experience in overseeing audits of defense, national security, and law enforcement activities.”

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The think-tank added Russian bloggers have noted that Belousov is beginning to form his team within the ministry. Also this week, Putin also fired presidential advisor Alexandra Levitskaya. ISW said the reasons for this move were “unclear.”
In an inaugural speech last week, Belousov described his plans for “optimization” of military budgets, so that “every ruble... will have a maximum effect.”

[Tee tiong huat]

EC gave green-lights, a €3 bil first tranche of frozen Russian asset fund for Kyiv. Brussels (Tues-today) approved 1st installment fund would draw on the profits of hundreds of billions of euros in seized Russian assets is send (money) to Kyiv.

“Speed remains essence, the Commission will continue making all efforts to allow the first payment made already in July,” said a European Commission’s Executive Vice-President. EU will allocate all funds received from Russian assets to Ukraine Facility, this is a 4 yrs economic aid program. EC said the first payment will be between €2.5 billion and €3 billion. Meanwhile
Zelensky emphasizes that elections will not  happen during martial law. A media outlet says (Ukrinform), President Zelensky reiterated, his presidential term expired on May 20, elections will not be held while due to country at war. “My 5 years are not over yet, continue due to martial law,” he quoted (news agency referenced his exclusive interview with Reuters (Monday).

The president added he was glad that “he is the President of such a people who did not turn their back, did not run a where, but defended everything they could… “Independence doesn’t just happen without trials. It’s a shame that they are so challenging,” Zelensky said.

[Tee tiong huat]

From Ukrinform news: Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of Ukraine’s parliament, said next presidential elections would be held within 60 days after martial law is lifted. Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), in Sept 2023, about 80% of citizens believed it was not right time for elections,” recent opinion piece from Ukrinform reads. “Civil society shared same opinion: more than 100 NGOs & movements signed the relevant statement on Civil Network OPORA platform. 

A consensus also formed among political forces: in Nov 2023, heads of parliamentary factions, including opposition, signed a memorandum agreeing, a free and fair national elections should be held in the post-war period.”

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33037

[Tee tiong huat]

Russian MiG-35: How Fighter Jet Compares To Ukraine's Incoming F-16s (May 22, 2024)

MiG-35, developed by Mikoyan, is evolution of MiG-29M/M2 & MiG-29K/KUB fighters first introduced in 2007 has been marketed as a 4++ generation jet, boasting advanced avionics, weapons systems, and reduced radar cross-section. MiG-35 is designed for both air superiority and multi-role missions.

MiG-35: Features a top speed of approximately Mach 2.25, range about 2,000 k/m without external fuel tanks, equipped with two Klimov RD-33MK engines, thrust & maneuverability, aircraft also boasts advanced fly-by-wire controls and a Zhuk-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhancing its target detection and tracking capabilities.

F-16: Fighting Falcon, produced by General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin), first took to skies in 1974. it undergone numerous upgrades, latest versions incorporating advanced avionics, radar, & weapons systems. F-16 is renowned for its versatility, having been used by more than 25 countries for a wide range of combat roles.

F-16 has a top speed of around Mach 2 and a combat radius of approximately 550 kilometers. Its single Pratt & Whitney F100 or General Electric F110 engine offers reliable performance & agility. F-16's AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar provides superior situational awareness and target tracking. a sophisticated avionics package, including a HMDS, a modernized glass cockpit, & advanced data link capabilities. Its AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar significantly improves its detection tracking range, a formidable opponent in both air-to-air & air-to-ground engagements.

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-mig-35-f...on-1903434

[Tee tiong huat]

Ukraine Mobilizing Tens Of Thousands Of New Troops. They Need a Lot More Armored Vehicles.
New brigades are infantry brigades—not mechanized. There’s a reason for that.

After mths of contentious debate in Kyiv, a new mobilization law finally came into effect Saturday. Law lowers age at men can be drafted from 27 to 25 & create penalties for men who flee to foreign countries to avoid conscription, confident that reforms will add tens of thousands of people to its rolls, Ukrainian military is expanding—by a lot. But there aren’t enough heavy vehicles for all these new troops.

There is problem. Just ask Russians, who lost more than 15,000 armored vehicles in Ukraine are struggling to replace them. It’s not for no reason more Russians are riding into battle in open-top golf carts and 1950s-vintage military tractors with paper-thin armor. The de-mechanization Russian mechanized units “likely to result in slower & more limited advances, hampering overall progress of Russian forces,” Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight explained.

Ukrainian forces are risking same devolution as they grow. Defense ministry in Kyiv is forming 10 new 2,000-person brigades, expanding battalions into brigades, shifting a lightly-equipped territorial brigade into marine corps & adding an artillery brigade to national guard, the changes could boost 100-brigade Ukrainian ground forces by around 10%. As largest armed forces, the army benefits the most. The army is standing up five new infantry brigades.

Note: 156th, 157th, 158th & 159th Infantry Brigades are not mechanized infantry brigades—they lack tracked armored vehicles mechanized troops ride into battle. Ukraine’s shortage of heavy vehicles is severe, one recently-formed mechanized brigade, 153rd, actually downgraded from a mechanized unit to an infantry unit. Since Russia widened war on Ukraine 27 mths ago, Ukraine has received around 7,500 armored vehicles from its foreign allies, also restored, from long-term storage, thousands of older vehicles dating from Soviet era. This 10,000-plus vehicles joined thousands of vehicles already in service.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/20...d90b151fe5