[RD] Russia Invades Ukraine: Eight

[EvaDK]

Russian Military Official Is Held on Bribery Charges
BY MATTHEW LUXMOORE

A Russian deputy defense minister responsible for the armed forces’ most ambitious construction projects was arrested on bribery charges, in the highest-profile corruption scandal Russia has seen in years and at a time when the war in Ukraine is at a critical juncture. Timur Ivanov, a stalwart ally of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, was placed in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo jail Wednesday, facing up to 15 years in prison for allegedly receiving payoffs while processing defense contracts, according to the country’s Investigative Committee. At least one other alleged accomplice of Ivanov’s also was detained.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Shoigu was told in advance that authorities were going to arrest Ivanov, who served under him for years. Ivanov was responsible for the construction and maintenance of military infrastructure across Russia, and arranged the billeting of troops at army bases in Russia and in occupied Ukraine. He has been sanctioned by the U.S. and European Union since 2022. Ivanov couldn’t be reached to comment.

They are all unfathomably corrupt and they flaunt their uber-wealthy lifestyle on social media. There are photos of Ivanov at social events with both Shoigu and Peskov. Everyone knows.

Therefore Ivanov isn't arrested because he's corrupt, but probably as part of a power struggle going down in the Kremlin and Putin has just removed one of Shoigu's pawns. That's imo the context you need to see this arrest in. It could signal the beginning of the end of Shoigu himself aka Ukraine's 'best friend' in the Kremlin.

 

[Verbose]

They are all unfathomably corrupt and they flaunt their uber-wealthy lifestyle on social media. There are photos of Ivanov at social events with both Shoigu and Peskov. Everyone knows.

Therefore Ivanov isn't arrested because he's corrupt, but probably as part of a power struggle going down in the Kremlin and Putin has just removed one of Shoigu's pawns. That's imo the context you need to see this arrest in. It could signal the beginning of the end of Shoigu himself aka Ukraine's 'best friend' in the Kremlin.

Could be the beginning of the end of Shoigu. And it might even be that corruption is now becoming seen as a significant enough problem for Putin's unwinable war that the Kremlin is actually trying to do something about. Whether that will actually help against corruption as such, or just clear the way for new men to enrich themselves (until they fall in turn), is another matter. But probably not, since corruption IS the system.

 

[Yeekim]

Happy anniversary!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1783505211169923166

 

[red_elk]

Reports that Solovyovo and Semenovka were liberated today.

ВС РФ освободили Соловьево и Семеновку.

ВС РФ освободили сегодня Соловьево и Семеновку. Есть сообщения, что также противник отступает из Бердычей. Фронт ВСУ к югу от Очеретинского прорыва прогибается.

colonelcassad.livejournal.com

In addition to Ocheretino and Novobakhmutovka in last few days.
UA is also being pushed back in Berdychi and Krasnogorovka.

 

[saamohod]

British man accused of arson plot after alleged recruitment as Russian spy​

The 20-year-old is accused of organising and paying for an arson attack on two units on an industrial estate in Leyton, east London.

A British man is accused of masterminding an arson plot on London businesses linked to Ukraine after allegedly being recruited as a Russian spy.

Dylan Earl is alleged to have engaged in conduct targeting the businesses in order to benefit the Russian state.

He has been charged under the National Security Act 2023 - the first case to involve alleged offences under the new legislation.

Earl is accused of undertaking fraudulent activity, research and reconnaissance of targets, and attempting to recruit individuals to materially assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out UK-related activities, prosecutors say.

The 20-year-old is accused of organising and paying for an arson attack on two units on an industrial estate in Leyton, east London, on 20 March.

The blaze required 60 firefighters to bring it under control.

Four others have also been charged in connection with the case, it can now be reported.

British man accused of arson plot after alleged recruitment as Russian spy

The 20-year-old is accused of organising and paying for an arson attack on two units on an industrial estate in Leyton, east London.

news.sky.com

 

[Birdjaguar]

Ukraine needs Flying Tigers in F-16s

 

[red_elk]

Ukraine pulls US-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines over Russian drone threats​

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because Russian drone warfare has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press.

The U.S. agreed to send 31 Abrams to Ukraine in January 2023 after an aggressive monthslong campaign by Kyiv arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10 million apiece, were vital to its ability to breach Russian lines.

But the battlefield has changed substantially since then, notably by the ubiquitous use of Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones. Those weapons have made it more difficult for Ukraine to protect the tanks when they are quickly detected and hunted by Russian drones or rounds.

Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks.

Ukraine pulls US-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines over Russian drone threats

Two U.S. officials say Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia.

apnews.com

This has been for a while already. Ukraine deployed them briefly about a month ago, trying to stop Russian advance west of Avdeyevka, but pulled back after losing at least 5 of them.

 

[Gedemon]

This has been for a while already. Ukraine deployed them briefly about a month ago, trying to stop Russian advance west of Avdeyevka, but pulled back after losing at least 5 of them.

indeed, that article is just a confirmation.

and from the article

They also taught the Ukrainians how to use them in combined arms warfare — where the tanks operate as part of a system of advancing armored forces, coordinating movements with overhead offensive fires, infantry troops and air assets.

which can be translated by

Here are the 30 tanks, 5 months late for the offensive, but hey, we needed to teach you how to use them in a way you can't use them, because the offensive fires is drying out and the air assets will come next year. So good luck... and... what ? mines ? what do you mean by mines ? it's not in the book !

 

[red_elk]

They were lost mostly to drones and ATGMs, like other tanks provided by NATO, including the ones lost during offensive. Ukrainians deployed them hoping they would fare better than Leopards or Challengers, only to see that's not the case.

 

[Akka]

It's funny how five tanks lost over month seems to be some sign of great Russian victory, when there are more than that number of visually confirmed destroyed Russian tanks every day but that is so common as to not even being talked about.

 

[Gedemon]

It's funny how five tanks lost over month seems to be some sign of great Russian victory, when there are more than that number of visually confirmed destroyed Russian tanks every day but that is so common as to not even being talked about.

And prepare yourself for V-day.

Kremlin to Showcase Captured Western Weapons in Moscow Ahead of Victory Day

Leopard tanks, Marder and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and various other Western military equipment are reportedly among the exhibits.

www.kyivpost.com

 

[red_elk]

And prepare yourself for V-day.

Few days ago there was a video posted by milbloggers, "Convoy of NATO vehicles is heading towards Moscow. But there are nuances."

 

[thetrooper]

 

[red_elk]

And 31k Ukrainian losses, right. I remember

 

[Thorgalaeg]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1784066671503659347

More Russian refineries burning. Funny how according to Russian officials all UAVs are always downed, however the refineries always end burning.

 

[Crezth]

Funny how according to Russian officials all UAVs are always downed, however the refineries always end burning.

? Source?