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Ukrainian army is forming five new mechanized brigades. On paper, the 150th, 151st, 152nd, 153rd and 154th Mechanized Brigades represent a significant force—a five-percent expansion of the Ukrainian ground forces. Dec 7, 2023.

In reality, they may end up riding in thinly-armored vehicles—with an obvious effect on their combat power. The brigades reportedly are drawing their cadres of experienced officers and non-commissioned officers from existing brigades, while filling out their 2,000 or so other billets with new recruits.

What’s unclear is where the brigades are getting the equipment that makes them mechanized brigades rather than light infantry brigades: their infantry fighting vehicles.

The Ukrainian military hasn’t exactly been shy about the new brigades’ formations. Several of the brigades have social-media accounts, and there have been a few official photos depicting the units’ new recruits in training.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/20...-vehicles/

White House scrambles in last-ditch effort to salvage border talks. As Zelenskyy visits Washington, Dems race to find common ground as Ukraine aid remains in limbo. Top Biden admi officials are scrambling to keep border talks alive as a deal with Senate Republicans over Ukraine funding has grown increasingly elusive, four people familiar with the talks said.

Among ideas under consideration to two of the people, is a version of Title 42-like expulsion authorities and a nationwide expansion of the process known as expedited removal, which allows govt to deport anyone unable to establish a legal basis. In addition, conversations have centered on including a mandatory detention policy until migrants can be placed into expedited removal proceedings, as well as changes to the credible fear standard, which would ultimately deny more migrants the opportunity to apply for asylum.

People both on the Hill and the administration cautioned that talks were fluid. They also warned that no specific policies have been agreed to and simply because an idea was under consideration didn’t mean it would be included, let alone presented, as a Democratic-authored proposal.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/12...s-00131421