136 Kaput.

This is coolbert:

Back to the topic - counter-measures the Shahed-136 kamikaze drone.

From the Internet web site Strategy Page and thanks to same.

Extracted the first paragraph of an article discussing the various means and methods already being used to counter the Shahed-136. [devoted readers to the blog are strongly encouraged to read the entire article. I highly recommend without qualification or reservation.]

"Air Defense: Ukraine Innovates to Defeat New Threats"

"October 30, 2022: Ukraine is currently detecting and intercepting [destroying] nearly 90 percent of the Iranian-made Shahed 136 UAVs serving as cruise missiles. The 200 kg (440 pound) Shahed 136 has a flight endurance of four or five hour at about 180 kilometers an hour [about one-hundred miles per hour] carrying explosive warheads with 25 kg (55 pounds) of explosives. Shahed 136s are believed to cost about $50,000 each, with most of that ($30,000) being their gasoline engine. Both versions of Shahed (one is a bit larger) use GPS navigation with a crude INS (inertial navigation system) backup. Russia replaced the GPS guidance with one dependent on Russian GLONAS[S] satellite navigation in an effort to increase reliability and effectiveness. Shahed 136 operates at low (a few hundred meters at most) altitude to avoid radar detection. These missiles are launched either individually using a portable launch rail or from a truck mounted system carrying four or five missiles in a box type storage/launch container. A small rocket is attached to the bottom of the missile to get it airborne and the engine running. The rocket is then supposed to fall away. GPS locations have to be entered into the GPS system before launch."

Comments:

* Iranian Mado 550 engine as used to power the Shahed costings $30,000? A knock-off version of the German Limbach L550E.

* Ukrainians using ground-based personnel to detect, observe and report sightings of the Shahed to a filter center using a smart phone customized app. The Ukrainian adept, resourceful, responding to threat with a keen resolve admirable.

* Behind-the-scenes Israeli experts contributing their bit to the kamikaze drone problem? I might suggest that be so with some confidence.

See my previous blog entries the topic the Shahed-136 drone:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/09/shahed-136.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/10/checkmate.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/10/stuka-2.html

coolbert.

Ishmuratov.

This is coolbert

“'My first childhood memory was my father’s funeral. I still remember the red coffin and the red square of glass on top. I remember the GAZ-53 that carried the coffin and the military who carried it.'”

"Son of Kursk submarine sailor killed in Ukraine war"

"25-year-old Danis Ishmuratov was the son of Fanis Ishmuratov, one of the 118 sailors killed when the "Kursk" submarine exploded in the Barents Sea in August 2000."

From thebarentsobserver.com the story by Thomas Nilsen October 29, 2022.

Danis Ishmuratov having now perished the Ukraine Conflict. 

"He died in the war in Ukraine, the press service of the administration of his hometown in the Baismaksky district of Bashkortostan told Kommersant."

"Like thousands of other Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, the circumstances of his death are not disclosed."

"The 25-year-old man was in Ukraine as a contract soldier."

Volunteers the Russian army referred to as "contractors". Danis did his duty as he saw fit and his choice. Regrettably his life cut short. 

coolbert.

Potemkin.

This is coolbert:

“We have moved the remains of His Serene Highness Prince Potemkin from St. Catherine’s Church and the monument itself to the left [east] bank,” - RIA Novosti.

Strange but true? You must understand within the historical context and the current Ukraine Conflict.

The earthly remains of Prince Potemkin exhumed and removed from Kherson to a more secure location.

Prince Potemkin as commander and instrumental in the Crimea becoming a part of Imperial Russian during the rule of Catherine the Great.

"Russia removes bones of 18th-century commander revered by Putin from occupied Ukrainian city [Kherson]"

By Anna Chernova and Rob Picheta, CNN October 28, 2022.

"Pro-Russian officials say they have removed the bones of famed 18th century Russian commander Grigory Potemkin from the [Russian] occupied Ukrainian city of Kherson."

"Potemkin’s bones were taken from St. Catherine’s Cathedral and moved across the Dnipro River and further into Russian-held territory, along with a statue of the military leader, the region’s pro-Russian proxy governor Vladimir Saldo told Crimean TV.

"Potemkin played a critical role in the annexation of Crimea from the Turks in 1783, and his memory is central to those within Russia intent on restoring the country’s former imperial reach. Putin largely leaned on his legacy for justifying the annexation of Crimea in 2014."

As goes Potemkin so goes the Crimea is the thought in Moscow? Vlad has gambled and now has seen the dice roll not in his favor? Potemkin as a symbolic figure even several centuries after his death possible defilement of his final resting place not permissible.

coolbert.

Unreliable.

This is coolbert:

With regard to my last three blog entries and the original Ukrainian reporting sources as linked:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/10/mosquitoes.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/10/seized.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/10/panicky.html

As extracted from the latest blog entry of the esteemed Israeli professor Martin van Creveld his observations probably 90 % if not closer to 100 % TRUE.

MvC: "You must realize that practically everything you, I, and most Westerners—who know no Russian and have no access to the original sources in the original language–learn about the conflict must pass through a series of lenses first. They are, 1. Ukraine’s own intelligence services and propaganda apparatus; 2. The West’s intelligence services; and 3. The West’s news agencies. Personally I would not consider any of these as particularly reliable; in any war, the first casualty is always the truth."

I would add that we also have a great tendency each and everyone of us to believe what we want to believe. Hardly are anyone of us cool and dispassionate observers UNSWAYED by our own beliefs and what want to believe is so.

There more than likely is an element of truth that emanates from strictly Ukrainian sources [or Russian for that matter] but in almost all cases not 100 % accurate.

Stories that in most cases also make good gist for a blog entry. Maat the Egyptian goddess of truth judges.

coolbert.

José.

This is coolbert:

GRU = Russian military intelligence.

No way José. Academic hardly his chosen and real profession.

1. "Suspected Russian spy arrested in Norway spent years studying in Canada"

From www.theguardian.com 

"Man posing as Brazilian academic José Assis Giammaria thought to have used his time in the country to build up a deep-cover identity"

Additionally from our good friends at the "Barents Observer".

2. "Spy suspected Tromsø researcher José is GRU-linked Mikhail" 

By Thomas Nilsen October 29, 2022.

"Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has charged Mikhail Mikushin with gathering illegal intelligence while working under fake identity at UiT Arctic University of Norway."

"The suspected man said he was Brazilian. At the University in Tromsø, he worked for free with a research group named Grey Zone, focusing on hybrid threats and warfare. The university has now removed his name from the group of 33 listed Norwegian and international researchers on the project."

Those two nations most vital to American intelligence interests during the Cold War 1. Norway and 2. Australia. Norway and the vicinity the Barents Sea vital to watching and monitoring the Soviet naval bastion of the  Northern Red Banner Fleet. In particular that naval bastion the Barents Sea with the preponderance of the Soviet missile-firing submarine force a great danger to the USA.

NOT hard to imagine the Russians during a time of crisis with the USA having now an elevated concern with the Barents Sea and environs. Intelligence as to be gleaned from human sources such as José vital at this exact moment.

coolbert.

Seized.

This is coolbert:

Battlefield equipment of the Russian as captured intact and in good working order by the Ukrainian being put to good use.

"'Honestly seized': National Guard of Ukraine uses trophy equipment that belonged to Russians for counteroffensive"

Hardly merely trophies. Numbers of intact and quite usable Russian combat vehicles captured and totally serviceable.

From www.yahoo.com the original story TETIANA LOZOVENKO – 28 OCTOBER 2022, Ukrainska Pravda.

"The trophy equipment of the Russians makes it possible to carry out offensive actions during the autumn rains more effectively; the 'Russian Lend-Lease' [a sarcastic way to call trophy military equipment left by the Russians – ed.] even includes Russian-made most modern equipment."

Quote: "Considering the supply of armored vehicles from the Main Administration [presumably, of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry – ed.] and the lend-lease from the Russian Federation, the [fire]power [of the National Guard] has increased at least twice. Their feasibility is great, because due to the rains, offensive actions can only be carried out if you have 'goosenecks' [caterpillar tracks on military vehicles – ed.]."

"We [Ukrainian National Guard formations] didn't have infantry fighting vehicles at all; we didn't have tanks, either. Ukraine’s Armed Forces had the tanks, which performed tasks together with us. The newest example is the T-80 tank, the BMP-3 is also in full working condition, [made in] 2021, even with the documentation – they left everything at our disposal."

See this Internet article [archived] the Israeli army capturing and use of hundreds of Soviet era armor in distinct formations.

See also a previous blog entry the German during World War Two making good use of captured Soviet -T34 tanks. Imitation the highest form of flattery.

Whatever the circumstance, the Russian military abandoning intact and in perfectly serviceable condition valuable armored vehicles, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles such as that of the BMP variety not a good sign.

coolbert.

Mosquitoes.

This is coolbert:

As it was in Korea seventy years ago as it is now in the Ukraine 2022?

American bio-warfare waged against the Russian surreptitiously using mosquitoes as vectors? 

From www.pravda.com.ua the article by ALONA MAZURENKO – FRIDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2022.

"Combat mosquitoes" follow 'dirty bomb': Russian representative to UN tells more frenzied lies"

American drones carrying disease carry biting mosquito insect vectors being used to wage bio-warfare the Ukraine Conflict? Bio-warfare agents presumably a product of the "American" bio-labs Ukraine being release via drone. 

"Vasily Nebenzya, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, has said that the Russian occupiers allegedly discovered drones in Ukraine that can 'spread mosquitoes infected with dangerous viruses.'"

Details: "the Russian diplomat claimed that in March, Russian troops who were stationed in Kherson Oblast discovered 'three drones equipped with 30-litre containers that can be used to spray biologically active substances'."

[....]

Quote from Nebenzya: "According to the description, such a drone transports a container with a large number of mosquitoes, the carriers of infections, to a targeted area and releases them."

See from the wiki allegations of the American military waging bio-warfare during the Korean Conflict.

See also from the wiki the Japanese infamous Unit 731 and their actual use of biological agents and deadly pathogens during World War Two. Insects as vectors for delivery of plague pathogens delivered by ceramic bombs over Chinese civilian populations.

coolbert.

Panicky.

This is coolbert:

More combat action Crimea? Panicky Russians using S-300 surface to air missiles [SAM] as used to engage Ukrainian combat drones cause massive explosions Sebastopol?

From www.yahoo.com the original story from Ukrainska Pravda VALENTYNA ROMANENKO —  29 OCTOBER 2022.

"South forces on explosions in Sevastopol: There are consequences if you shoot 'combat mosquitoes with S-300 missiles"

South forces = Ukrainian military I reasonably infer.

"South defensce forces suspect that failed launches of air defense missiles by the Russian invaders could be a reason for explosions in the occupied city of Sevastopol on Saturday."

[....]

"'These missiles have large destructive power, and they [Russian] are destroying what is truly at fault in creating this situation. Therefore, failed launches of air defense missiles may well be this reason'"

S-300 surface to air missile [NATO code name Grumble] as used to intercept attacking Ukrainian drones as the use of a sledge-hammer to swat an annoying insect. In this sense [combat mosquitoes] = Ukrainian combat drones.

Warheads of Grumble actually do contain a lot of bang-stuff! Over one-hundred kilograms [about two-hundred pounds] of high explosive.

Comrade! What goes up must come down.

coolbert.

USV.

This is coolbert:

HOT off the presses. The Ukraine Conflict. Ukraine strikes back. Black Sea combat.

"Shocking video shows 'massive' attack by drone boats targeting Russia's Black Sea Fleet"

From www.yahoo.com the article by Kenneth Niemeyer October 29, 2022.

Unmanned surface vessel [USV] combat style. Ukrainian unmanned and evidently remotely-controlled fast-mover boats laden with an enormous weapons charge attack Russian naval warships the Black Sea.

* "Video shows drone boats attacking Russian ships on the coast of Crimea on Saturday."

* "The Russian Defense Ministry said after the attack that it paused its grain deal with Ukraine."

* "The Defense Ministry called the attack a 'terrorist act.'"

NO comrade, this is not a terrorist attack. Military men fighting other military men on the high seas not terrorism as the word and term terrorism normally defined.

Naval warfare with only rare exceptions "clear"! Civilians all clear, generally if not almost exclusively so military man versus military man. Clean and fair.

See also the embedded videos. Attacks not successful but they do not necessarily have to achieve all goals. Russian must now beware all the time and dissipate valuable assets in defense. 

I await the news from the H. I. Sutton Internet web site "Covert Shores" on the this particular incident.

coolbert.

Stunning.

This is coolbert:

Stunning? Not so fast comrade!

From www.zerohedge.com the article by Tyler Durden OCT 27, 2022.

"In Stunning Strategy Reversal, Pentagon Will No Longer Rule Out Use Of Nuclear Weapons Against Non-Nuclear Threat"

"Moments ago, as part of his closely-watched speech, Vladimir Putin appeared to talk down the likelihood of a nuclear attack in Ukraine"

"*PUTIN: NO POLITICAL, MILITARY REASON IN NUKE STRIKE IN UKRAINE"

[....]

“'By the 2030s the United States will, for the first time in its history face two major nuclear powers as strategic competitors and potential adversaries,' the Defense Department said in the long-awaited document issued Thursday. In response, the US will 'maintain a very high bar for nuclear employment' without ruling out using the weapons in retaliation to a non-nuclear strategic threat to the homeland, US forces abroad or allies."

Neither STUNNING or a REVERSAL? At least to my scant knowledge the USA has always reserved unto itself the option to use atomic munitions in a situation where American military personnel during a time of conflict were in grave danger with no possible alternative to a dire situation.

Two situations that might warrant the use of USA atomic weapons in a non-nuclear environment to include:

1.  A massive and overwhelming conventional North Korean attack [prior to Kim having acquired nuclear weapons] resulting in another Pusan Perimeter scenario where the American military force was on the verge of annihilation.

2. An adversary resorting to a weapons-of-mass-destruction type of warfare non-nuclear in nature. I am thinking here chemical and biological agents being used.

But NO, not STUNNING or a REVERSAL!

coolbert.

Infuriate.

This is coolbert:

Here with several atomic items as relevant to the Ukraine Conflict.

"one-for-the-money-two-for-the-show-three-to-make-ready-and-four-to-go

1. "Finland Will Allow NATO to Place Nuclear Weapons on Border With Russia"

Newsweek ^ | 10/26/22 | JAMES BICKERTON the tip from Freeper.

"In a move that could risk infuriating Russia, nuclear weapons could possibly be positioned in Finland if the country's application to join NATO is approved . . . this means NATO nuclear weapons could transit through, or be based on, Finnish territory. Additionally, there are no restrictions on establishing NATO bases in the country."

Undoubtedly this infuriate the Russian greatly. Positioning atomic munition so close to the Russian border maybe a military prudent move but will instantly be seen in Moscow as a provocation not to be ignored.

2. "The Russians Are Building Bomb Shelters - This Is Getting Real"

andmagazine.substack.com ^ | 10/26/2022 | Sam Faddis again the tip from Freeper.

"In Moscow, authorities are inspecting the bomb shelters in the city’s schools. This is not a routine or academic exercise. The officials involved have been directed to get the shelters in working order. Right now. Notifications have gone out in Moscow to inform residents that bomb shelters are being prepared. The Education Department has issued instructions to all institutions under its control to outfit new shelters in addition to those in existence."

Watch also for mass digging of graves in advance, storing of blood products, skinning of cadavers, practice air raid drills. That subway system of Moscow as being place in a state of instantaneous readiness if the situation warrants.

And go-cat-go!

coolbert.

Stuka-2.

This is coolbert:

Consider this You Tube video so apropos when in context of my recent blog entry.

"Kamikaze drone Iran Shahed 136 | How it Works"

"But in this content, we will look at how this drone works, the Moped engine behind it, and The basic step-by-step process of how this works."

"It wouldn't be fair if the pros and cons are not analyzed and how they are being tackled and how to counter the drones with old and new Weapon."

Comments:

* GLONASS than GPS for guidance. GLONASS the Russian analog system to GPS.

* Rapid-fire German anti-aircraft gun Gepard or Soviet era ZU-23-2 a dual-barrel autocannon the preferred weapons of choice. USA VAMPIRE system not mentioned.

* Shahed always [?] as part of a swarm, not individually?

* In countering the Shahed the less sophisticated the defending weapon system the better?

coolbert.

Checkmate.

This is coolbert:

A counter for the much vaunted Iranian Shahed-136 combat kamikaze drone has been found?

"Ukraine shoots down 19 of 20 Iranian drones launched by Russia overnight"

From warisboring.com October 27, 2022.

"Kiev — Russian air strikes targeted the area surrounding Kiev early on Thursday, according to Ukrainian authorities."

[....]

"In southern Ukraine, the Russian army launched more than 20 Iranian Shahed-136 combat drones of the type in the two hours before midnight, the Ukrainian air force said on Thursday."

"Nineteen of the drones had been shot down, most of them over the Odessa region, it [Ukrainian air force] said."

"The information could not be independently verified.

Comments:

* Shahed-136 greatly related to the previous Shahed-131 Iranian combat drone. According to the wiki:

"The Shahed 131 has a simple inertial navigation system (INS) and a GPS with some electronic warfare protection, which the Shahed 136 may also have."

* These combat kamikaze drones are susceptible the American VAMPIRE anti-drone system? VAMPIRE supposedly have been sent to Ukraine and are now in the field.

* These combat drones are fire-and-forget weapons? You program them to strike a target and launch? No piloting or control from the ground necessary after the drone takes to the air?

* Critical installations and infrastructure can be guarded with on-call localized jammers, nullifying the on-board GPS guidance of the drone?

* You will have a situation where massive numbers of all available conventional anti-aircraft weapons [every ancient and venerable but still fire-able Soviet era anti-aircraft gun of the ZPU variety] will be massed at critical installations and infrastructure, placing an enormous "wall" of steel into the air upon the approach of the drone. As it was during the Second Indo-China war for American airmen so will it be now for the Shahed-136?

Checkmate! Shahed-136 now has to run the gauntlet. This all remains to be seen!

coolbert.

Erasure.

This is coolbert:

Devoted readers to the blog and those merely perusing in a much more casual manner I recommend this You Tube video without reservation or qualification.

"Russia Analysis by Finnish Intelligence Colonel [English subtitles]"

"Martti J. Kari (former intelligence colonel in the Finnish Defense Forces): Russian strategic culture - Why Russia does things the way it does? Presented on December 3, 2018"

As germane and relevant [if even not more so] in 2022 as it was in 2018!!

Key points and takeaway in the nutshell:

* Russia has a "holy mission".

* Russians have a paranoia about foreign dominance/intrusion.

* Russians prefer autocracy. Chaos and instability abhorred.

See further from the Internet web site [as most favorable to Russia] an extract from this article "PUTIN’S WINTER OFFENSIVE" 26.10.2022:

"I [Putin] want to underscore again that their [NATO] insatiability and determination to preserve their unfettered dominance are the real causes of the hybrid war that the collective West is waging against Russia. They do not want us to be free; they want us to be a colony. They do not want equal cooperation; they want to loot. They do not want to see us a free society, but a mass of soulless slaves….I would like to remind you that in the past, ambitions of world domination have repeatedly shattered against the courage and resilience of our people. Russia will always be Russia. We will continue to defend our values and our Motherland.

We have never agreed to and will never agree to such political nationalism and racism. What else, if not racism, is the Russophobia being spread around the world? What, if not racism, is the West’s dogmatic conviction that its civilization and neoliberal culture is an indisputable model for the entire world to follow?…

Today, we are fighting so that it would never occur to anyone that Russia, our people, our language, or our culture can be erased from history. Today, we need a united society, and this unification can only be based on sovereignty, freedom, creation, and justice. Our values ​​are humanity, mercy and compassion.” - Vladimir Putin.

Need anyone say anymore! It need not matter whether any of what Vlad says is true or not. Just that he believes it to me true!

coolbert.

Replenish III.

This is coolbert:

Continuing and concluding an extract from a pdf document dated 1990 an interview of a very senior Soviet career military officer [Gen.-Col. (Ret.) Andrian A. Danilevich.

Portions as extracted an assessment [rather somber] of the Soviet economy to mobilize for war during a time of protracted conventional war. A "protracted conventional war" such as the continuing Ukraine Conflict.

Consider remarks at the time [over thirty years later] within context of the decision of the Russian to withdrawal from mothballed stockpile rather ancient T-62 tanks, refurbish and upgrade same for the Ukraine Conflict.

"The mobilization capacity of the U.S. military industries was estimated to be very high, according to our intelligence sources. Of course you have a very different structure: you have private firms and government firms that produce military technology. Furthermore you [USA] have tested mobilization and shifting to war production many times. Because we have always bad economic difficulties, we could never conduct a test of the mobilization readiness of our whole industry. There was one such attempt in which four small plants were tested, and even that experiment was stopped quickly because it hurt production. Therefore the real mobilization readiness of military industry, not to mention the civilian industry, was never tested We could only estimate this capacity on paper. You [USA], on the other hand, had exercises, and detailed tests, so there were some big differences in this respect."

THREE YEARS TO REFURBISH AND UPGRADE EIGHT-HUNDRED T-62 TANKS? RUSSIAN ECONOMY MOBILIZED FOR WAR THE RESPONSE HARDLY TO SEEN AS BETTER THAN WHAT THE SOVIET WOULD HAVE BEEN?

coolbert.

Replenish II.

This is coolbert:

As extracted from a pdf document dated 1990 an interview of a very senior Soviet career military officer [Gen.-Col. (Ret.) Andrian A. Danilevich.

Portions as extracted an assessment [rather somber] of the Soviet economy to mobilize for war during a time of protracted conventional war.

Consider within context of the decision of the Russian to withdrawal from mothballed stockpile rather ancient T-62 tanks, refurbish and upgrade same for the Ukraine Conflict.

"How did we assess the economic situation in analyzing a prolonged conventional war? Take the rates of attrition. Today, with the highly accurate weapons and specific anti-tank weapons, the rate of attrition would be five to six times higher than in the last war. In other words, the rate of attrition per operation was estimated at 120 %. This means that if we had 1,000 tanks at the beginning of an operation, we would lose 12,000. This seems absurd. But the fact is that in the course of an operation there is 25% rate of attrition due to repairable mechanical failure. In the course of an operation these tanks would be repaired and put back into action. They would fail a second time, and again be repaired, and the total would be 120%. But now this rate would rise to 200 - 300%. So you needed a tremendous repair capacity within the formations themselves. But even a tremendous repair capacity could not replenish these losses, so you need a huge industrial capacity. But the tanks are much more complex now. To produce a T-34 you needed four plants: one for engines, one for the main body, one for the control systems . . . . Now you need 340 plants to build a medium tank, say a T-64A . You need all of the above, plus night vision systems, laser sights, stabilization systems for fire-on-the-run, fire control systems, anti-radiation systems, various kinds of armor, etc. 340 plants ! Try doing all of this during a war. And you cannot use low tech. Well, you can, but if the other side has high-tech, it will be a rout. So you need high-tech tanks."

Those T-62 tanks removed from "mothballed stockpile" going to take three years for goodly numbers of them to appear on the battlefield of the Ukraine Conflict and make a difference? Exactly how long is the Russian expecting the Conflict to continue it is reasonable to ask?

coolbert.

Replenish I.

This is coolbert:

With regard to the Soviet era tanks T-62 being removed from mothball storage, refurbished and upgraded, see this item from the wiki:

"Concerns of 3-man & 4-man maintenance" [T-62 a four man crew]

"While having smaller tank crews (three vs. the usual four) is advantageous since more tanks can theoretically be fielded using the same number of soldiers, there are also serious downsides. Tanks require frequent maintenance and refueling, and much of this is physically demanding work that several people must work together to accomplish. Most of the time, these duties are also performed at the end of a long day of operations, when everyone in the tank is exhausted. Having one less crewman for these tasks increases the strain on the remaining three men and increases the frequency of botched or skipped maintenance. This problem worsens if the tank's commander is also an officer who must often perform other duties such as higher-level meetings, leaving only two men to attend to the tank. All of this means that tanks with three-man crews are more likely to suffer from performance-degrading human exhaustion, and mechanical failures that take longer to fix and that keep the tank from reaching the battlefield. These problems are exacerbated during prolonged time periods of operations."

That fourth man [T-62] a loader. Soviet/Russian tanks subsequent to the T-62 having an autoloader and three man crew. That autoloader now seen as a serious battlefield danger for Russian tankers, massive internal detonation and damage occurring with total fatalities!

Measures as taken a little late now comrade!

coolbert.

Fervor.

This is coolbert:

Russian reservists the far north mobilized for war duty the Ukraine Conflict celebrate prior to their departure.

"With patriotic songs about holy Russia and glorious death for the motherland, reservists from northern Russia prepare for battle"

"The concert hall in Zapolyarny was packed with mobilized soldiers as the Northern Fleet and the local Youth Committee organized a farewell program."

From thebarentsobserver.com the story by Atle Staalesen October 19, 2022.

"At least 200 reservists were in the room when a local group staged a music show ahead of the men’s departure to Ukraine."

"On the stage were three singers accompanied by dancing soldiers in uniform, and on the concert repertoire was the song 'Donbas is with us.'”

Verse:

“Again Russian power is in our hands,

Both life and death for the Motherland is beautiful.

Our unconquerable country

stands and holds the heavenly sky for centuries,” 

Chorus:

“Half the sky is in flame,

Half in smog,

Donbas is with us,

Russia is with us,

And with us God.”

Seems like a rather sullen and somber bunch of soldiers. Knowing full well what may be ahead for them nothing to trifle about. Enthusiasm rather lacking? Appeals to God a forced religiosity more than anything else?

To what extent the attitude of the mobilized soldiers in Zapolyarny a microcosm of all Russia I just cannot say.

coolbert.

Marker.

This is coolbert:

Danger if red. Danger if white. Take your pick.

"Wagner Group recruits large number of prisoners with HIV and hepatitis, marking them with wristbands"

Russian Wagner Group private military contractor recruiting convicts for combat the Ukraine Conflict a percentage of those released as contracted having been found to be infected with highly contagious and lethal blood-borne disease.

From Ukrainska Pravda the article by STANISLAV POHORILOV — 25 OCTOBER.

"The Russian private military company Wagner has started to recruit large numbers of prisoners who are suffering from serious infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C for the war in Ukraine. The phenomenon has already become widespread."

"Source: press service of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence"

"Details: The fact that more than a hundred prisoners with confirmed HIV or hepatitis C have been recruited at Penal Colony No. 5 in Metalostroy (Leningrad Oblast, Russia) alone shows that this phenomenon is widespread."

Phenomenon widespread and requiring those infected individuals to carry a special wristband marking?

"The Wagner Group command 'marks' the infected soldiers by forcing prisoners to wear red wristbands if they are HIV-positive and white ones if they have hepatitis."

As is obvious battlefield wounding of such individuals might produce a profuse flow of infected blood that can pose a danger to those medical personnel treating the wounded.

Normally individuals infected with blood-borne disease would be precluded from any sort of military service and combat duty. In the case of mercenary cut-throat convicts this evidently is not so.

See too this dailymail.co.uk article the Wagner PMC boss Prigozhin and his relationship to Vlad Putin.

coolbert.

Yuck!

This is coolbert:

Perhaps in this instance you would be better off NOT knowing the source of the problem.

"yuck: interjection - Used to express rejection or strong disgust.

"The US Navy now knows why the water on an aircraft carrier looked and smelled strange. It had wastewater in it."

From yahoo.com the story by Jake Epstein October 24, 2022.

* "The US Navy found last month that the water on an aircraft carrier had an 'odor and cloudy appearance.'"

* "The service said early last week it didn't know why the water looked and smelled strange."

* "An inspection has since concluded that wastewater had entered the system."

"A month after sailors on the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln first noticed their water looked and smelled strange, the service has finally determined that it was polluted with wastewater that leaked into the water supply.

Read further from the same article:

"Navy and Marine Corps veterans told Insider that sailors on Navy flattops, aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, have been drinking and bathing in water contaminated by jet fuel for decades."

DECADES comrades. Fancy that. Military service even during a time of peace can be fraught with danger, and from unexpected sources.

coolbert.

Camera.

This is coolbert:

 “We are aware of rumors that the equipment is being used in Russian home-built drones, but cannot go into detail about our intelligence work,” -  Säpo Swedish national security service.

This story definitely needs to be placed in the strange but true category.

"‘Swedish speed cameras stolen, possibly for Russian drones’"

From ukrainetoday.org Ⓒ  VIA REUTERS OCTOBER 20, 2022.

"STOCKHOLM – The Swedish authorities have been finding vandalized speed cameras for months, writes the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. It is suspected that Russia uses this flash equipment in drones that the country is deploying during the war in Ukraine. On Wednesday, according to local media, camera equipment was stolen from two speed cameras in an area north of Stockholm."

"Since the end of August, more than a hundred speed cameras have been vandalized and looted in various Swedish regions, Aftonbladet reports. The Swedish police confirm the thefts and say they are investigating them."

Ивану очень стыдно? Ivan should be!

coolbert.

Dneprostroi.

This is coolbert:

As it was in 1941 so too shall it be in 2022? The Russian waging scorched-earth Eurasian steppe-land warfare in the traditional manner. 

Kakhovka dam vicinity Kherson mined and ready for demolition?

"Zelensky warns Russia is planning to blow up hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine"

 From warisboring.com October 21, 2022.

"Kiev — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is planning to blow up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in the Kherson region where Ukrainian troops are making advances."

”'Russia is deliberately creating the basis for a large-scale disaster in the south of Ukraine,' Zelensky said in a video address at the EU summit on Thursday."

"Kiev had information that Moscow had mined the site and was [is] planning a false-flag attack"

Read from the wiki the World War Two demolition of the Dniepropetrovsk dam.

2022 the Ukrainian accuse the Russian of making preparations to demolish the dam. The Russian accuse the Ukrainian of making preparations to attack the dam. And if such events transpire, HOW are we to know who the real malefactor is?

See here also from the Daniel Pipes Internet web site the destruction of "waterworks" during a time of war used as a military weapon.

Normally an invader if all going according to plan would want to capture intact as much critical infrastructure as possible. 

coolbert.

Model 351.

This is coolbert:

See from the Internet web site "The Aviationist" some video the Roc aircraft practicing for the flight and test drop of an American hypersonic missile. 

"‘This is the Real Darkstar’: We Talked With Stratolaunch Ahead of Talon-A Test"

From theaviationist.com the article by TOM DEMERLY October 21, 2022.

"Mojave Spotters Get Thrilling View of Stratolaunch Preparing for New Flights."

"The only thing faster than a Thunderbird sneak pass at a big airshow is a rumor about what 'might' be on the flying schedule. And rumors at the recent Aerospace Valley Air Show at Edwards AFB in California proved to be hypersonic when a few lucky photographers at the nearby Mojave Air and Space Port got to see actual taxi testing of the world’s largest flying aircraft, the Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch or “Roc” and its hypersonic passenger, the Talon-A. We’ve got video…"

Merely taxi on the tarmac type testing at this point. All must be made readiness and flawless before the actual test. Prudence a virtue. Go watch the various video!

Artists conception of the Stratolauncher in action: "Stratolaunch was funded by Microsoft Billionaire Paul Allen to perform aerial launches of orbital rockets." Up to three such missiles and orbital rockets can be carried at a single time.

coolbert.

Ancient.

This is coolbert:

Yet more discussion the Soviet/Russian mothballed T-62 tanks being refurbished and upgraded for the Ukraine Conflict. 

Herewith the first paragraph of a Strategy Page article the topic an ancient and venerable weapon system with new life.

"ARMOR: Why Ancient T-62s Survive"

[not only survive but seem to thrive]

"October 22, 2022: Modern Russian T-90 and T-72 tanks suffered such high losses during the first months of the Ukraine War that Russia was eventually forced to replace them with T-62s. Those that had been modernized in the 1980s by adding more powerful engines, upgraded fire control systems, and ERA (Exploding Reactive Armor) tiles. Thousands of stored T-62s were upgraded like this and then returned to storage. The success of these T-62s in Ukraine led Russia to take 800 more out of storage and add further upgrades, using items that do not require any imported components. This included a more effective fire control system with improved thermal imaging. Improved EAR is also added, including more on the top of the turret to provide protection against Western top-attack missiles. The T-62 does not have an auto-loader for its 115mm gun, which makes the tank less vulnerable to total destruction from any turret penetration, especially by top-attack missiles. The T-62 was the last Russian tank built without an autoloader and that means the tank has a four-man crew. This provides more personnel to maintain the tank, which three-man crews were not always able to do adequately."

T-62 have been used previously in the Donbass War both during the actual fighting and stalemated seven-year long trench warfare stand-off. Used subsequently by the militia of the breakaway republics beholden to the Russian.

Devoted readers to the blog are encouraged to read the entire Strategy Page article.

coolbert.

POLARIS 21.

This is coolbert:

Crimean War II? French/NATO invade Crimea? Not however 1853. Think 2021.

NATO multi-nation amphibious exercise a notional war-game opponent designated “Mercure”.

"notional: adjective - Of, containing, or being a notion; mental or imaginary. Speculative or theoretical."

"Debunking the 'Russian Aggression' Canard: Was Nato Actively Rehearsing for an Amphibious Assault on the Donbass?"

By Arnaud Develay October 15, 2022 courtesy the LewRockwell.com Internet web site.

"On November 18-December 3, 2021, a NATO maritime exercise was organized by the French Navy (Marine nationale) off the Mediterranean coast and along France’s Atlantic seafront."

"Code-named POLARIS 21, the large-scale simulation aimed to 'mobilize all components of the French Navy, including its latest-generation assets, land and air assets from the French Army and Air Force, as well as combat ships and aircraft from France’s partner nations: the United States, Spain, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom.'…"

Consider too with hindsight 20/20 as to the notional opponent of the NATO exercise [and as well understood I imagine by all participants]:

"The technical file goes a long way in describing a fictitious geopolitical environment which describes 'Mercure' (the Russian Federation) as the main threat in this war-game simulation."

“Mercure is a huge country straddling North Asia and Europe that forms a federation of 16 autonomous regions with no direct access to the Mediterranean. The legislative power is represented by a parliament of 400 deputies elected by direct universal suffrage for 5 years. There are several political parties all represented in parliament. The executive branch headed by the head of government appointed by the president. The president elected for 6 years. Current president Virgo Medvetine has managed to stay in power for 20 years and has silenced his main opponents. He advocates a strong Mercure and exacerbates the nationalist feeling of the Catharist people…

POLARIS 21 evidently went off without a hitch. My fear at the time would have been that the paranoid and mistrustful Russian would have inferred that this NATO military exercise was a REHEARSAL for an INVASION of Crimea. 

Historical events provides examples of such conclusions being drawn by the Soviet/Russian and THOUGHT to be correct. Think Proud Prophet and Able Archer from the era of the Cold War.

coolbert.

Skywalker.

This is coolbert:

Yet one more American actor to the rescue, the Ukraine Conflict.

Luke Skywalker [Mark Hamill] does his bit.

"Mark Hamill sent 500 drones to Ukraine in past month"

From The Hill ^ | October 20, 2022 | OLAFIMIHAN OSHIN the tip from Freeper.

"Veteran actor Mark Hamill said in an interview that he has sent at least 500 drones to Ukraine through the country’s fundraising platform, as Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia enters its ninth month. During an appearance on Bloomberg Radio’s 'Sound On', Hamill, widely known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the acclaimed 'Star Wars' film franchise, told host Joe Mathieu that he only sent the equipment to Ukraine because they desperately need it. 'Very simply: Ukraine needs drones. They define war outcomes, they protect their land, their people, they monitor the border, they’re eyes in the sky,'” 

Within context of the Ukraine Conflict we haven't heard anything from the famous American actor Sean Penn in a while. For a short while Sean was in the news almost constantly his pronouncements provocative.

See previous blog entries Sean Penn:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/04/500m.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/03/s-penn.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/02/penn.html

coolbert.

Deniers.

This is coolbert:

What the Russian hates to have done to them they do unto others.

"Monument to Holodomor Victims of Stalin's Famine Removed by Russian occupiers in Mariupol {occupied Ukraine}"

From the Moscow times ^ | 21 October 2022.

"The Moscow-installed authorities of the port city of Mariupol, which fell to Russian forces after a devastating siege earlier in the year, took down a monument to Ukrainian victims of Stalin's famine on Wednesday. Kyiv has been calling the 1930s man-made hunger under Josef Stalin a 'genocide,' while Moscow has been downplaying it as an episode of famine all over the Soviet Union. The state-run RIA Novosti news agency published a video of a truck uprooting the monument in Mariupol."

Read of the Holodomor. Manufactured famine resulting in the deaths millions of Ukrainian during the rule of Joseph Stalin. 

Memorials to the Red Army all over eastern Europe targets for removal. Memorials to the Red Army troop also often defaced or vandalized. See previous applicable prior blog entries the topic:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/11/prank.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/11/plovdiv.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/10/good-bye.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/12/memorials-i.html

The Russian in Mariupol attempting to obliterate all instances of a distinct Ukrainian nationality and ethnicity as separate from the Russian. See destruction of the library Mariupol. The burning of books as earliest expression of a distinguishable Ukrainian literary tradition as should be condemned by all  righteous thinking persons.

coolbert.

Explicit.

This is coolbert:

Follow-up to a story as previously was the subject of a blog entry from recent memory.

Thanks to blazingcatfur.ca October 21, 2022.

"Fighter Squadron Commander Removed From Post After Probe Into Sexually Explicit Pilot Call Sign"

"The commander of one of Canada’s frontline fighter jet squadrons has been removed temporarily from his post, CBC News has learned."

End of career I am afraid for a distinguished officer.

"It’s part of the fallout from a military police investigation into the decision to assign an allegedly derogatory, sexually explicit call sign — a military nickname — at an informal social gathering on June 23, 2022."

"The police investigation resulted in administrative charges against three officers on Thursday, according to a statement from the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal."

WE ARE NEVER TOLD WHAT THE "EXPLICIT" CALL SIGN IS! YOU ARE JUST SUPPOSED TO KNOW.

coolbert.

SM U-9.

This is coolbert:

"She [U-9] fired four of her torpedoes, reloading while submerged, and sank all three in less than an hour. 1,459 British sailors died. It was one of the most notable submarine actions of all time."

Submarine attack the Great War. For the first time naval history, major warships sunk by an enemy submarine using torpedoes.

German submarine SM U-9 with Otto Weddigen commanding.

Three major British warships sunk in less than a hour with great loss of life.

As was gleaned from an Internet web site that loss of life from the sinking of the three warships greater than the number of Royal Navy [RN] personnel killed at Trafalgar. This was a surprise to me.

Even STARTLING figures of which confirmation required.

"The Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805) was a naval engagement between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French and Spanish Navies during the War of the Third Coalition (August–December 1805) of the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815)."

As listed and obtained from the wiki RN dead and wounded Trafalgar: "458 killed - 1,208 wounded."

Losses combined the HMS Hogue, HMS Cressy, HMS Aboukir:

"The combined total from all three ships was 837 men rescued and 62 officers and 1,397 ratings lost. Hogue lost 377 men."

About THREE TIMES the number of RN personnel lost in 1914 than 1805. Trafalgar seen within historical context as one of the most [perhaps the most storied] famous naval battles in history.

After the sinking of the Hogue, Cressy and Aboukir the capabilities of the submarine to cause massive damage and function as a vital component of naval warfare undeniable.

Each of those British warships sunk each discharging all their guns just once having the same firepower approximately so according to my calculations as a British army of about 30,000 men firing their Brown Bess muskets once!!

coolbert.

K-Pop BTS.

This is coolbert:

Not shirking their military service as mandated by law. South Korean celebrities! Elvis Presley lives and he is a Korean!

See previous blog entry as relevant: https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/09/bones.html

"K-Pop stars BTS will be forced to serve in South Korea’s military after all—and reconvene as a group ‘around 2025’"

From fortune.com the original story from the AP October 17, 2022.

"The members of K-pop band BTS will serve their mandatory military duties under South Korean law, their management company said Monday, effectively ending a debate on exempting them because of their artistic accomplishments."

"Big Hit Music said the band’s oldest member, Jin, will revoke his request to delay his conscription at the end of the month and undertake the required conscription steps. The six other members also plan to serve in the military, according to the company’s notice to financial regulators, which it described as management-related information that could possibly affect investment decisions."

"That other Korean 'celebrity' in 2010 having his front teeth yanked to avoid conscription and military service. That individual must now feel shamed and big time! Jin in contrast setting the standard for which he can stand proud!

About $1 billion USD in contracts are to be lost for a period of time! It can be reasonably expected too that K-Pop  BTS might not recover their luster ever? Honor however takes precedent over the won! I should hope so.

coolbert.

Disruptions.

This is coolbert:

An act of war? Or an American military test of troop ability to conduct wartime operations in a hostile environment where GPS systems [Global Positioning Systems] are degraded?

Interference with civilian navigational signals of whatever sort usually the type of activity as associated with piracy on the high-seas. Could be a crime punishable with death.

"Mysterious GPS Disruptions Spread In Texas Near Fort Hood"

From www.zerohedge.com the article by TYLER DURDEN OCT 18, 2022.

"GPS interference in Texas has spread from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area to now east and west regions of Waco, Texas."

"One area west of Waco with high levels of GPS interference is butting up against America's third-largest military base, Fort Hood." 

"One Twitter user said: 'Can't wait until someone figures out the source.'" 

"GPS interference is being reported around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area airports, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The first reports of signal degradation occurred about 24 hours ago."

Hardly are such tests of the American military to successfully operate in a GPS denied environment new. See prior blog entries as relevant:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/02/gps-jam.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/07/gps-mojave.html

Normal procedure would entail a NOTAM in advance of an American GPS denial operations? Jam USA forces permissible but interference with civilian GPS usage such as commercial airlines a no-no

coolbert.

Emaciated.

This is coolbert:

"emaciated: adjective - having become so thin that the bones noticeably protrude under the skin."

More prisoner-of-war exchange between the Russian and the Ukrainian.

1. "Ukraine returned 108 women from captivity, including 37 evacuees from 'Azovstal'. VIDEO"

Thanks to Censor.NET 17.10.22.

"Ukraine conducted another large-scale prisoner exchange and returned home 108 women, most of them military personnel."

"Another large-scale exchange of prisoners was carried out today. It was particularly emotional and truly special - we freed 108 women from captivity. It was the first all-female exchange. The prisoners were mothers and daughters, who were very much awaited by their relatives. 37 evacuees from 'Azovstal', 11 officers , 85 - privates and sergeants," 

AN ALL-FEMALE EXCHANGE! UNIQUE IN THE HISTORY OF WARFARE?

2. "Azov" prisoners released from captivity are in state of critical anorexia"

Also from Censor.NET 24.09.22.

"The soldiers released from captivity are in a shocking state - almost all 215 people have an extreme degree of anorexia."

Normally anorexia defined as an unwillingness to eat when food presented to. Hardly would I consider that the Azov battalion personnel anorexic. They have been purposefully denied food as a deliberate policy.

British Indian army troops during the Second World War prisoners-of-war of the Japanese suffering from starvation. Not anorexia as that word normally defined. Persons not refusing to eat but having nothing to eat.

"The condition of our soldiers is simply shocking. There are cases when relatives cannot recognize their relatives. Our boys are exhausted, contused, there are many hidden fractures and exacerbations of various degrees of chronic diseases,"

See previous blog entries the Azov battalion captives of the Russian receiving maltreatment:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/10/mykhailo.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/09/dianov.html

coolbert.

T-62 Ukraine.

This is coolbert:

Modern Russian tanks the Ukraine Conflict found to be defective? Out with the new, in with the old? Auto-loader a culprit from too many advanced Russian tanks being destroyed in entirety, hard-to-replace crews incinerated or blown to bits as a result. 

Solution the refurbishment of ancient [and previously mothballed] Soviet era T-62 tanks with upgrades!

See this You Tube Video the Russian tank repair facility. Hard at work, are we comrades! All audio in Russian unfortunately.

"Russia is modifying 800 T-62 tanks for the war in Ukraine."

T-62 tanks part of a series of armor designs the Soviet era original development of which began in the years immediately in the aftermath of World War Two! T-62 not having the auto-loading mechanism.

See additionally:

"Deputy Gurulev: 800 T-62 tanks will replenish the Russian army within 3 years"

Thanks to the Internet web site anna-news.info the story by Dmitry Valyuzhenich 12.10.2022. Translation from google translate.

"The deputy Gurulev [member of the Russian parliament] also said that the 103rd armored plant [refurbishment and upgrade facility] located in Atamanovka near Chita was loaded with orders for three years."

"It is during this period that these 800 T-62 tanks should return to service. He explained the need for their return to service by large losses in equipment in the initial period of the special military operation in Ukraine."

Goo luck Mr. Russian. Even eight-hundred improved T-62 going to make a big difference? And the tanks are going to be operated by older and out-of-shape reservists whose last active duty military service was decades ago! Good luck with that too.

coolbert.

Roc.

This is coolbert:

"the aircraft [Roc] is being prepared for an upcoming test flight that is reported to include the separation drop-test of an unmanned Talon-A hypersonic mock-up that is being referred to as 'Talon-0' for this reported upcoming test."

Roc! Paul Allen. Business partner of the world famous Bill Gates. Paul for a long time always among the top half-dozen to dozen richest persons on the planet.

Roc = "The roc is an enormous legendary bird of prey in the popular mythology of the Middle East."

"World's Largest Airplane Prepares For Reported In-Flight Drop Test Of Hypersonic Vehicle"

From www.zerohedge.com the article by TYLER DURDEN | OCT 15, 2022.

"The aerospace venture established by late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is preparing to fly the world's largest airplane in an upcoming flight test that is reported to include a separation drop-test of a hypersonic vehicle." 

Roc actually two large-sized commercial type airplanes joined by a section of wing. Click on image to see an enlarged view. See the inset the mock-up a hypersonic missile ready for test.

Further:

"TA-0, unfortunately, is not a full-fledged implementation of the Talon-A type device. The TA-0 does not have a hypersonic jet engine, and its purpose is to test a system that will hold the device under the wing of the Roc aircraft and release it into free flight at high altitude. At the moment, Stratolaunch has not yet published enough information about the features of the TA-0, it is not yet known whether it will be able to glide and land on the runway itself, or descend using a parachute."

Consider this only an in-flight evaluation and drop test? Free-flight of the hypersonic missile even if not a "full-fledged implementation" of a fire-able weapon system.

coolbert.

Intuition.

This is coolbert:

Seems my intuition was right! See item # 1 my previous blog entry.

Shooting incident a Russian military training camp with several dozen casualties, dead and wounded both done by Russian citizens but recruits from an ethnic minority. Not Great Russians as they are referred to.

"Great Russian: n. - A Russian. Used formerly in distinguishing ethnic Russians from other constituent peoples of the Soviet Union or the Russian Empire."

 From the MailOnline ^ | 16 October 2022 | David Averre and Will Stewart the tip from Freeper.

"Russia opens criminal probe after gunmen 'shot dead at least 11 troops and wounded 15 others at military training ground near the Ukrainian border in row over Putin's war'"

"The gunmen who shot dead 11 Russian soldiers and wounded 15 at a training camp near the Ukrainian border had their Islamic faith 'insulted' by their commander, as authorities opened a criminal probe into the incident."

"RIA said the gunmen, referred to as 'terrorists', were shot dead and Russia's defense ministry said they were from a former Soviet republic, without elaborating."

"Independent news ASTRA spoke to one man wounded who alleged the shooters were Muslims from the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan and turned on the group when the commander described Allah as a coward."

According to the Soviet era defector Suvorov brawls of an ethnic nature between troops of the Red Army did occur. Were not common but not so uncommon either. Fighting sometimes involving thousand of troops at a time.

coolbert.

54160.

This is coolbert

Trials and tribulation of both the physical and mental variety. Russian army style.

Russian army and before that  the Red Army of the communist era barracks hazing and abuse of recent conscripts. The old men [having served a year of service] mistreating and abusing the new men.

"Why Did a Russian Soldier Shoot and Kill 8 Fellow Recruits?"

From wwwthemoscowtimes.com Oct. 31, 2019.

"A Russian conscript killed eight fellow soldiers in the country’s Far East last Friday in a mass shooting the Defense Ministry quickly attributed to the shooter’s nervous breakdown."

"The conscript has been detained at military unit 54160 in Russia’s Zabaikalsky region, where he and the victims served, and charged with murder."

"The Defense Ministry did not say why private Ramil Shamsutdinov, the alleged shooter, had suffered a nervous breakdown."

Why? Here is why! Nervous breakdown from continual debasement and maltreatment. Dedovshchina. See the You Tube. Adjust the settings to see the sub-titles in the language of your choice.

The Russian army ordeal as recent recruits have to endure without murmur or protest. It will make a men of them! Behavior tacitly approved of by the officer class complicit by silence. Pranks, stunts, games of an unseemly nature that could cause a troop to "snap" and retaliate against those that torment him. Lots of physical abuse, kicks, punches, elbows, slaps, etc.

coolbert.

MOB.

This is coolbert:

Russian mobilization the Ukraine Conflict not going well?

1. "At least 11 killed, 15 wounded in attack at Russia military training ground, RIA reports"

From Reuters ^ | 10/15/2022 | that tip from Freeper.

"At least 11 people were killed and 15 more wounded at a Russian military training ground on Saturday when two attackers opened fire on a group of volunteers who wished to fight in Ukraine, RIA news agency said. The deadly incident is just the latest in a series of high-profile setbacks for Moscow's forces since the Feb. 24 invasion. RIA, citing the defense ministry, said the two assailants had been shot dead after the attack in the southwestern Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. It said they were nationals from a former Soviet republic but did not give any details."

My intuitive sense is that these are Russian citizens but not of the Great Russian ethnicity. Ethnic Russian citizens to include Dagestani, Chechen, Buryat, Komi, etc. The Russian cause in the Ukraine now seen as NOT their cause. Much resentment and hatred resulting in these shootings.

2. "Russian army 'mutiny' as troops 'kill commander and surrender' as morale plummets"

From www.express.co.uk the story by John Varga |  Oct 15, 2022.

"The Russians had virtually no ammunition and some even had to share one assault rifle between two. VIDEO: Ukraine: Russian soldiers appear to 'surrender' Russian troops killed their commander after he tried to stop them from surrendering to Ukraine's army, it has been reported. The soldiers were part of the recently mobilized reserve and had just arrived at the front."

MASS SURRENDER OR DEFECTION TO THE ENEMY OF ENTIRE UNITS USUALLY A SIGN OF A BIG BREAKDOWN! MORALE AND DISCIPLINE GONE TO ZERO!

coolbert.

Viagra.

This is coolbert:

To war with Viagra. Sex drug! Russians create an army of rapists! It does make for lurid headlines, does it not?

"Russia is giving soldiers Viagra to rape Ukrainians: Says UN official"

From the NY POST ^ | October 15, 2022 | Matthew Sedacca the tip from Freeper.

"A UN official claimed Russia is using rape as its 'military strategy' in Ukraine — providing soldiers with drugs to sexually assault civilians. 'When you hear women testify about Russian soldiers equipped with Viagra, it’s clearly a military strategy,' Pramila Patten, UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict, told the AFP. Patten added that the UN has verified 'more than a hundred cases' of rape or sexual assault since the invasion began in February. Victims have largely included girls and women, but boys and men have been raped, too."

NO SO FAST COMRADE! CONSIDER WITHIN CONTEXT AS WAS REPORTED IN 2011.

As in 2011 as it is now in 2022? Disturbing allegations of a salacious nature designed to arouse strong emotions! And does so! Accusations however as made without foundation?

Rape of course can be a weapon of war. Rape a demonstration of domination and power over an adversary. Violation of the women of your enemy a strong indication of WHO is in charge. "Your men are weak and we are strong!"

coolbert.

Fabs.

This is coolbert:

“'TSMC needs to integrate global elements before producing high-end chips' . . . 'Without components or equipment like ASML’s lithography equipment, without any key components, there is no way TSMC can continue its production. […] Even if China got a hold of the golden hen, it won’t be able to lay golden eggs.'" - Chen Ming-tong.

Within context of a very recent previous blog entry, the vital nature of the Taiwanese semi-conductor manufacturing industry. 

"Taiwan Security Bureau: No Need to Destroy TSMC's Fabs If China Invades"

From "Tom’s Hardware" ^ | 10.12.2022 | the article by Anton Shilov 10/13/2022. The tip from Freeper.

"Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturing prowess might be one reason for China to invade the island and seize fabs belonging to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., United Microelectronics Corp., and Micron. One of the potential responses to such a plan could be evacuating personnel and destroying the fabs, suggested Parameters, a top U.S. army publication recently. But this might be unnecessary"

Correct. That was my intuitive response to the situation. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would necessitate the fabrication machinery [fabs] to be pre-wired in advance with explosives. Detonate immediately if and when the Chinese tried to capture intact by coup de main the micro-electronic semi-conductor industry of Taiwan.

Overwhelming control of the micro-electronic semi-conductor industry would place the whole world in the position of having to conduct normal business and technological development only at the sufferance of the Chinese for any time into the foreseeable future.

coolbert.