Ukraine war mega thread

See them here: The first Danish 'leopards' on Ukrainian soil


Ukrainian soldiers have now put 10 Danish leopard tanks into service.

Emma Amalie Oxenbøll

Danish 'leopards' are noticed in Ukraine, and it is not because a predator is on unfamiliar terrain.

No, the Danish leopards denote a type of tank that the Danish government has sent 10 pieces of to Ukraine for use in the war against Russia.

Before Christmas, the government launched an aid package of seven billion kroner, and as part of this, a total of 100 tanks will be delivered in cooperation with Germany and the Netherlands.

DR is the first to see the newly arrived Leopard 1 tanks in Ukraine.

The tanks are received with outstretched arms in brigade 44, which has received several of the tanks and earlier this year was also trained by Danish instructors.

"We must use all weapons, and if another country can help us, we will take them," squadron commander Nikolai Taranhenko said.

• https://asset.dr.dk/imagescaler/?pro...70&w=900&h=506
  
  
  
  Aleksander is a tank commander in the 44th bigrade and preparing one of the Danish leopard 1 tanks. (Photo: © Dr)
• https://asset.dr.dk/imagescaler/?pro...70&w=900&h=506
  
  
  
  The Leopard 1 tanks are many years old, and although they are a big plus for the Ukrainian soldiers, they also have minuses. (Photo: © Dr)
• https://asset.dr.dk/imagescaler/?pro...70&w=900&h=506
  
  
  
  Therefore, the Ukrainians put extra armor on the Danish tanks. (Photo: © Dr)

At war for two years


The Leopard tanks arrive at a time in the war when Ukraine is short of manpower.

According to DR's Russia and Ukraine correspondent Matilde Kimer, there are soldiers who have been at war for almost two years without being able to leave their positions.

"All the brigades I talk to tell me that there is no one to come and change in when someone is injured or people are killed. So they are understaffed in virtually all positions, she explains and elaborates:

"That is why we also hear both the Ukrainian military and the government talking about the need to get half a million more soldiers here in 2024, and the government presented late Monday a whole legislative package to make it easier to recruit soldiers.

This will be done, among other things, by lowering the age of men who can be drafted into the military from 27 years to 25 years.

2024 should go differently than 2023


The popular and outspoken army commander, General Valery Zalushny, held a press conference yesterday in which he explained that the military has calculated how many soldiers will be needed.

"The number we have arrived at takes into account the current position that we need to create new military units and also takes into account the losses we may have in 2024," Zalushny said.

At the same time, Zalushny insists that technological development and more soldiers are what is needed to ensure that the coming year is not the same military disappointment as 2023, when many Ukrainians had high expectations for the declared counteroffensive.

"2024 must be different from 2023, otherwise it will go as I wrote in the article," Zalushny explained, referring to a hotly debated article about whether the war has reached a stalemate in which neither side can move.

26 Dec, 2023 19:12

HomeWorld News

Ukraine confirms retreat from key Donbass town

Kiev’s top general has acknowledged Russia’s capture of Maryinka, saying his forces pulled back to the outskirts

"Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny has confirmed the retreat of his troops to the outskirts of Maryinka, a key Donbass town, where Russian forces claimed victory on Monday after months of fierce fighting for the stronghold.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Zaluzhny acknowledged the pullback of Ukrainian troops from Maryinka, located to the west of Donetsk. He likened the heavy fighting for the town in recent months to Ukraine’s loss earlier this year of Artyomovsk (known as Bakhmut in Ukrainian).

“This is exactly the same as it was in Bakhmut – street by street, block by block, and our soldiers were being targeted – and the result is what it is,” Zaluzhny said. “This is a war, so the fact that we have now retreated to the outskirts of Maryinka and set up positions behind Maryinka in some areas is nothing that can cause any public outcry. Sadly, this is what war is like.”

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced on Monday that Moscow’s forces had fully liberated Maryinka. Ukrainian troops had dug in for nearly a decade, using the town as a key hub in their battles with Donbass separatists and later the Russian Army. President Vladimir Putin said the victory pushed Ukrainian units further away from Donetsk and would provide Russian troops wider operational freedom in future maneuvers.

Ukrainian officials have denied Russia’s claim of capturing Maryinka, saying that fighting for the town continued. However, Zaluzhny said Kiev’s troops remained only on the northern outskirts of the town. He added that although every inch of territory is important to Ukraine, “the lives of our soldiers are even more important to us.”

Kiev’s top general has clashed increasingly in recent months with President Vladimir Zelensky, whose office rebuked Zaluzhny in November for telling a Western media outlet that the conflict with Russia had reached a “stalemate.” Zelensky repeatedly hyped a long-awaited summer counteroffensive that cost Ukraine around 160,000 casualties and failed to make any significant battlefield gains.

Russian forces achieved their main 2023 goal by thwarting the counteroffensive, Shoigu said on Tuesday. He added that the Russian military was steadily making strides toward overall victory in the conflict, “constantly taking more advantageous positions and expanding territories under its control in all directions.”

Ukraine confirms retreat from key Donbass town — RT World News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR5PGawa1aY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0FZy6buh9M&t=1s[/VIDEO]

DECEMBER 29, 2023 BY M. K. BHADRAKUMAR


Putin lifts the fog of war in Ukraine


"Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine is entering a new phase. President Vladimir Putin lifted the fog of war and hinted at what can be expected going forward in a landmark speech at the National Defence Control Centre while addressing a meeting of the Russian Defence Ministry Board on December 19.

Russia has gained the upper hand in the proxy war while the United States is struggling to recreate a new narrative. For Putin, this is a moment of triumph where he has no reason to take advantage of the fog of war in Ukraine, whereas, for President Biden, the fog of war continues to serve a useful purpose of dissimulation in the crucial election ahead where he seeks a second term.

Putin’s speech exuded a buoyant mood. The Russian economy has not only regained its pre-2022 momentum but is accelerating toward a 3.5% growth rate by the yearend, marked by rising incomes and purchasing power for millions of its citizens and an increase in living standards. Unemployment is at an all-time low and Russia has beaten back the Western sanctions and the attempts to isolate it in the international arena.

The leitmotif of Putin’s speech is that this is a war that Russia never sought but was imposed on it by the US. Putin had listed last year in February five clear-cut objectives of the Russian military operation — security of the Russian population; de-nazification of Ukraine; demilitarisation of Ukraine; striving for a friendly regime in Kiev; and, non-admission of Ukraine into NATO. These are of course interlocked objectives. The US and its allies know it but continue to pretend otherwise with their focus in the proxy war has been a military victory and regime change in Russia.

Putin’s message is that any new Western narrative on the war is doomed to meet with the same fate as the previous one unless there is realism that Russia cannot be militarily defeated and its legitimate interests are recognised.

The heart of the matter is that the West all along perceived Ukraine as a geopolitical project targeting Russia. Today, even with defeat staring at its face, the West’s priority lies in forcing Russia to agree to a ceasefire on the basis of the existing line of contact without any geopolitical or strategic obligations on the part of Washington or the transatlantic alliance — which, de facto, would mean leaving the door for the rearmament of the battered Ukrainian military and for Kiev’s accession to NATO through the back door.

Suffice to say, the discredited agenda of using Ukraine as a pawn to pursue the West’s anti-Russian policy is still very much around. But Moscow will not fall for the US’ trap a second time, risking another war that may erupt at a time that suits NATO.

Unsurprisingly, Putin’s speech paid great attention to revving up Russia’s defence industry to meet any military exigencies that might arise. But towards the end of his speech, Putin also dwelt on Russia’s politico-military options under the circumstances.

On the military side, clearly, Russia will press forward the attritional war to its logical end of pushing the Ukrainian military into a strategic dead-end, which would mean seeking tactical improvements along the frontline, undermining Ukraine’s economic potential, inflicting military losses, and boosting Russia’s own defence industry on a scale that tips the balance of forces to weigh against any military adventures by the NATO.

In the final analysis, Putin asserted, Russia is determined to reclaim the “vast historical territories, Russian territories, along with the population” that the Bolsheviks transferred to Ukraine during the Soviet era. However, he drew an important distinction as regards the “western lands” of Ukraine (west of Dnieper) that are a legacy of World War II over which there could be territorial claims from Poland, Hungary and Romania, which at least in the case of Poland is also linked to the transfer of “eastern German lands, the Danzig Corridor, and Danzig itself” following the defeat of the Third Reich.

Putin took note that “people who live there (western Ukraine) – many of them, at least, I know this for sure, 100 percent – they want to return to their historical homeland. The countries that lost these territories, primarily Poland, dream of having them back.”

That said, interestingly, Putin simply washed his hands off any territorial disputes that may arise between Ukraine and its eastern neighbours(all of whom are NATO countries.) Looking ahead, this is going to be a can of worms for the US. Recently, Russia’s intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin used a powerful metaphor, warning that the US may face a “second Vietnam” in Ukraine that will come to haunt it for a long time.

The bottom line, as Putin framed it, is as follows: “History will put everything in its place. We (Moscow) will not interfere, but we will not give up what is ours. Everyone should be aware of this –- those in Ukraine who are aggressively disposed towards Russia, and in Europe, and in the United States. If they want to negotiate, let them do so. But we will do it only based on our interests.”

Putin concluded saying that if the final arbiter is military prowess, that explains why Russia is focusing on a “strong, reliable, well-equipped, and properly motivated Armed Forces” backed by a strong economy and “the support of the multi-ethnic people of Russia.”

There is a strong likelihood of Russian military operations moving further westward toward the Dnieper in the coming months, well beyond the four new territories that joined the Russian Federation last year — Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhia, and Kherson. In the absence of any negotiated settlement, Russia may choose to unilaterally “liberate” those southern regions of Ukraine that were historically part of Russia, which would presumably include Odessa and the entire Black Sea coast, or Kharkov to the north of the Donbass region.

Russia is expecting that the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian forces will sharply diminish in the near future and the army faces difficulty already to get new recruits. That is to say, through the year ahead, the balance of forces at the front will shift due to the Ukrainian military’s heavy losses and the drop in Western aid, and, at some point, Ukraine’s defences will begin to crumble.

Russia’s recent gains in military operations — eg., Soledar, Artyomovsk (Bakhmut), Avdeevka, Maryinka, etc. — already testify to a shift in the balance of forces between the two armies. This shift will further accelerate as Russia’s military-industrial complex is functioning optimally and Russia is massively deploying new types of weapons, such as gliding aviation bombs, which have altered the role of the Russian Air Force in the conflict.

Dozens of heavy aerial bombs are dropped every single day and similarly, there is increase in the use of modern barrage ammunition and some other systems, including precision-guided munitions. T-90M tanks and new types of light armoured vehicles have also appeared on the battlefield.

In comparison, Ukraine faces a decrease in arms supplies due to limited production capacities in the West where sustainable production growth on an industrial scale is not attainable in the near term. Meanwhile, the Middle East crisis and the tensions around Taiwan become major distractions for the US.

All these factors taken into account, a decisive shift in the balance of forces against Ukraine is entirely conceivable by the end of next year, leading to an end of the conflict on Russia’s terms."

Putin lifts the fog of war in Ukraine - Indian Punchline

Good bit of spin there. I particularly like the bit about low unemployment levels.

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Originally Posted by Troy

I particularly like the bit about low unemployment levels.

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I suspect the military requirements will require plenty of workers to be employed to produce all sorts of necessities.

^ Did anyone bother to tell Putin that food in Russia has gone up in prive significantly over the last year. And it isn't just eggs!

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Originally Posted by Troy

food in Russia has gone up in prive significantly over the last year

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Some other countries:

Northern Hemisphere.

Russia Federation: from Dec 22, 10.3% to Nov 23, 7.2%

Canada: from Jan 23, 10.4% to Nov 23, 5.0%.

UK: from Dec. 22, 16.8% to Nov 23, 9.2%.

USA: from Nov 22, 10.1% to Oct 23, 3.3%.

Southern hemisphere:

Australia: from Q1, 8.0% to Q3, 4.3% .

Thailand: from Jan 23, 7.7% to Nov 23, 0.2% .

https://www.fxempire.com/macro/russi...food-inflation

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Originally Posted by OhOh

Southern hemisphere

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Originally Posted by OhOh

Thailand

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...:rolleyes:...

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Originally Posted by Troy

Good bit of spin there. I particularly like the bit about low unemployment levels.

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I noted no mention of the 340,000 Russian casualties which must be helping the unemployment figures. There are no winners in war.

The Global South, nowadays

Australia doesn't belong there

Ohno's sources don't get any better.

31 Dec, 2023 09:32

HomeBusiness News

Egypt-Russia trade soaring – official

The trend should continue once Cairo finalizes a free trade deal with the Eurasian Economic Union, Aleksey Tevanyan says

"Trade between Russia and Egypt is set to top $7 billion by the end of the year, Aleksey Tevanyan, Russia’s trade representative in the North African country, told RIA Novosti in an interview published on Saturday. According to Tevanyan, the surge is due in large part to increased exports to Egypt.

“The positive dynamics in mutual trade continued in 2023... By the end of this year, we expect that trade turnover will increase by a quarter [against last year],” the official stated, adding that the trend will likely continue next year. In 2022, trade turnover between Moscow and Cairo jumped by 30% year-on-year to over $6 billion.

Tevanyan noted that with economic cooperation growing, Egyptian companies are increasingly eager to switch from Western to national currencies in trade transactions with Moscow.

“Over the past few years, dollars and euros have become scarce in Egypt, which is why problems periodically arise with payments for goods already delivered. In this regard, Egyptian partners have expressed great interest in switching to payments in national currencies,” he said.

The trade representative noted that agricultural goods and equipment are the most promising areas for trade growth. He went on to say that Russia has been among the major suppliers of grain to Egypt, one of the world’s top wheat importers, throughout 2023, shipping more than 8 million tons to the country.

“Our vegetable oil and steel are also popular. The developed local cable industry has a significant demand for copper, and the furniture and construction industry for wood,” he added.

Moscow and Cairo have also been working on a free trade agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which is expected to contribute to further diversification in trade. According to Tevanyan, talks on the deal are in the final stage.

“The conclusion of a free trade agreement between Egypt and the EEU will simplify access for our goods to the Egyptian market,” he added."

Egypt-Russia trade soaring – official — RT Business News

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Originally Posted by Norton

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:tieme:

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Originally Posted by cyrille

Ohno's sources don't get any better.

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:kma:

31 Dec, 2023 08:17

HomeBusiness News

Russian factory activity humming – survey

Manufacturing has surged to its highest level in seven years, according to S&P Global

"Data on manufacturing activity in Russia during December has shown the fastest pace of growth in almost seven years, spurring job creation to a three-month high, a survey by S&P Global published this week reveals.

Data based on the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) compiled by S&P Global showed that factory activity in Russia rose to 54.6 in December from 53.8 in November in the highest reading since January 2017. The reading of the index, which reflects manufacturing and services activity, stood well above the mark of 50 which separates expansion from contraction.

The growth in the manufacturing sector has been driven by strong customer demand and increased output, lifted by an inflow of new orders as industry bounces back from the impact of Western sanctions, data showed. The survey linked overall expansion to a growing number of customers, the release of new products and better-quality items on sale.

“Confidence stemmed from planned investment in new products and machinery,” S&P Global said. “The level of positive sentiment was historically elevated despite dropping to a three-month low.”

Despite labor shortages, unemployment in Russia hit a record low of 2.9% in October, the lowest level since the early 1990s, as firms increased staffing numbers in a bid to reduce backlogs of work, the analysis also noted.

According to the survey, Russia’s services sector also expanded in December, driven by new sales as well as stronger domestic and foreign demand."

Russian factory activity humming – survey — RT Business News

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Originally Posted by helge

See them here: The first Danish 'leopards'

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KKKK KALTKRIEGKRAUTKAMPFPANZER

The Kampfpanzer Leopard 1 is a main battle tank designed by Porsche and manufactured by Krauss-Maffei in West Germany, first entering service in :smileylaughing:.
Twice as old as ukraine:deadhorsebig:

Suppose saves wiley Danes from storage an upkeep.

Tankss for the memories!

Leopard 1
These 1965 weapons were not protected from Cyboh Ohho nor drones

31 Dec, 2023 14:04


HomeBusiness News


Russia’s gas production soars – data


Output rose by 6.4% in November year-on-year, official statistics show

"Russian natural gas production has continued to grow in annual terms for the fourth month in a row in November, reaching nearly 60 billion cubic meters, business daily Kommersant reported this week, citing official data.


Statistics by the Energy Ministry, seen by the newspaper, reportedly show that the figure was up 6.4% compared to November 2022. Analysts attributed such growth dynamics to the low base effect of last year.


Last month’s output growth was due to increased production by the state-run energy company Gazprom, Kommersant wrote. In addition, statistics showed an increase in the output at the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project in Russia’s Far East.


In general, the total volume of the country’s gas production decreased by 3% in January-November in annual terms to almost 595 billion cubic meters.

Gazprom projected recently that Russia could become the world’s third biggest producer of liquified natural gas, after the US and Qatar."

Russia’s gas production soars – data — RT Business News

31 Dec, 2023 12:59


HomeBusiness News


Iran and Russia officially ditch dollar – media


The sanctioned countries have agreed to trade in their national currencies

"Iran and Russia have officially abandoned the US dollar for mutual settlements after the countries finalized an agreement to trade in the ruble and the rial, Iranian news agency IRNA reported this week. The agreement was sealed during a meeting in Russia between the heads of the central banks of the two countries, the outlet said.


“The establishment of new financial and banking platforms has opened a ‘new chapter’ in relations between Iran and Russia,” IRNA reported, citing the Iranian central bank. The arrangement allows banks and entrepreneurs to use alternative financial and banking platforms, such as non-SWIFT money-messaging systems, and also involves the establishment of bilateral brokerage relations in national currencies.


Iran and Russia, both subject to US sanctions, first announced plans to use their respective national currencies instead of the US dollar in mutual trade in July 2022. Earlier this week, members of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) signed a full-fledged free trade agreement with Iran.


In July, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called for the dollar to be abandoned in global trade, saying that the US currency has been used as an instrument of Western hegemony.

Over the past year, Moscow and Tehran have significantly bolstered economic cooperation in the face of Western economic sanctions. Bilateral trade turnover has nearly tripled from $1.6 billion in 2019 to $4.6 billion in 2022, according to official data."

Iran and Russia officially ditch dollar – media — RT Business News

What hemisphere is Thailand in, Ohno?

He is busy spamming the thread with his usual horseshit propaganda. Pretty pathetic that someone would swallow all that fantasy.

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Originally Posted by cyrille

What hemisphere is Thailand in, Ohno?

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Noted previously.

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Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by OhOh
Thailand
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:tieme:

A short nap may ease your headache.

How long is it you've been here now? :D

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Originally Posted by OhOh

Join Date
Jul 2010

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Originally Posted by cyrille

How long is it you've been here now?

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:rofl: