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*** Official Russia vs. Ukraine Discussion - Invasion has begun *** (2 Viewers)

French Mirage fighter jets land in Ukraine​


“With Ukrainian pilots on board who have been trained for several months in France, they will now participate in defending the skies of Ukraine,” he wrote without specifying the exact number of aircraft.

On June 6, President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris would transfer Mirage fighter jets and train Ukrainian pilots in France.

Later, the newspaper Le Monde reported that the French Air Force had pledged to train 26 Ukrainian military pilots over two years.

On Oct. 8, Lecornu said that the first jets would be delivered to Ukraine by March 2025.

The Mirage 2000 fighter jets could form a new brigade in the Ukrainian Air Force, which would fight alongside the battle-hardened 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that France plans to equip the Mirage 2000 jets in a way that ensures Ukrainian forces gain aerial superiority over Russian aviation.
 

Russia begins withdrawal of air defense units from occupied Crimea, says guerrilla group​


“The decision is driven not only by Ukrainian Defense Forces' strikes on oil depots and military infrastructure but also by internal public pressure within Russia,” Atesh said.

Partisan data indicates that some systems, including those of the 31st Air Defense Division, are being redeployed from the occupied peninsula to new positions within Russian territory.

"The occupiers understand that this move creates critical gaps in Crimea's defense, but they have no other choice," the guerrillas stated, noting that Russians are forced to take risks.

“As a result, airfields, military depots, and the Kerch Bridge remain vulnerable.”

Ukrainian drone strikes in enemy territory demonstrate that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's regime cannot protect military targets in Belgorod, Kursk, and Voronezh oblasts, and other Russian regions, Atesh added.

Due to Ukrainian strikes, "losses of oil depots and logistical hubs in Russia are reaching critical levels," which could lead to the Putin regime's inability to supply fuel to its troops, inevitably reducing their combat effectiveness on the front lines.

Overnight on Feb. 5, the 14th Separate Drone Regiment of Ukraine, in coordination with other Defense Forces, successfully struck the military infrastructure of the Primorsko-Akhtarsk airfield in Russia's Krasnodar Krai.

This airfield is actively used by the Russian military for storing, preparing, and launching drones against Ukraine, as well as servicing tactical aircraft that target the Zaporizhzhya and Kherson oblasts.
 

Ukraine’s Kursk offensive disrupts Russian military plans for Donetsk Oblast​


Russian dictator Vladimir Putin praised Russia’s elite Airborne and Marine Corps units, which are engaged in combat in Kursk Oblast at a meeting with acting governor of Kursk Oblast, Alexander Khinshtein.

According to Putin, forces in the area include marines from the 155th Brigade of the Pacific Fleet and the 810th Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet, as well as paratroopers from the 106th Division, the 76th Division, and other units.

Analysts pointed out that Putin’s statement suggests that Ukraine’s offensive has kept elements of these elite Russian formations locked down in Kursk for six months, preventing their redeployment to more strategically important frontlines in Donetsk Oblast.

The Russian military command has amassed approximately 78,000 troops, including 11,000 North Korean personnel, along with elements of most elite Russian Airborne and Marine units, in an effort to drive Ukrainian forces out of Kursk. However, analysts highlighted that Putin has not prioritized liberating the area, while Russian forces continue their offensive in Donetsk.

Despite growing domestic discontent, the Russian dictator is delaying efforts to reclaim the border areas of Kursk Oblast, ISW analysts emphasized.

On Feb. 6, 2025, Ukraine marked six months since it launched offensive operations in Kursk Oblast in August 2024. According to Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Kursk operation remains one of the army’s top priorities.

Over six months, Russian forces have suffered approximately 40,000 casualties on this front alone, including over 16,000 killed, Ukraine’s General Staff data indicated.
 

Electric Independence: Three NATO Countries Cut Ties with Russia​


Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, three small countries in northern Europe, are about to make a major step in cutting ties with Russia. These countries, which were once part of the Soviet Union, have relied on Russia to manage their electricity grid for many years. But after almost two decades of preparation, they are now ready to break free from Russian control.

On February 8, these three countries will disconnect from Russia’s grid. This means that for the first time in decades, they will be managing their electricity entirely on their own. It’s a historic move, but it comes with risks. These countries will briefly function like an “island” of electricity, relying solely on their own energy sources, before they connect to the European grid just a day later.

This disconnection marks the end of the so-called BRELL agreement, a shared power grid system that included Belarus, Russia, and the three Baltic states. The agreement, which allowed Russia to control the flow of electricity and maintain its energy influence in the region, is officially over. Starting on February 9, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will become part of the European electricity grid, ending their dependence on Russia.

A Long Time in the Making​

The process of becoming energy independent from Russia didn’t happen overnight. For the past 20 years, the Baltic states have been building new infrastructure to ensure they could one day break free. They’ve connected power lines to other countries, including undersea cables to Finland and Sweden, and an important link to Poland. This effort has cost the European Union over $1.2 billion in grants to help fund the new infrastructure.

The Baltic states’ decision to cut ties with Russia is more than just a technical change. It’s deeply symbolic. It represents the end of Russian influence over these countries, which were once controlled by the Soviet Union. For many people in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, this step marks a final break from their past under Soviet rule.

The Risks of Disconnecting​

While the Baltic countries are excited about their newfound energy independence, there are concerns about the risks involved. One of the biggest fears is that Russia could try to sabotage the process. In the past, Russia has used energy as a weapon, cutting off electricity to countries or threatening to do so for political reasons.

Security has been stepped up in the Baltics to protect energy facilities during this sensitive time. Extra police officers and volunteer guards have been assigned to watch over critical infrastructure, and NATO has even created a new mission to protect undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. These cables are vital for the new energy connections, and any disruption could cause serious problems.

Ongoing Security Concerns​

There have also been reports of incidents involving damaged cables in the region. For example, last December, a power cable was damaged, and investigators are looking into whether a ship carrying Russian oil caused the damage by dragging its anchor. These incidents raise questions about whether Russia could be trying to create instability during the crucial period of disconnection.

Even more concerning is the situation in Kaliningrad, a small Russian region located between Lithuania and Poland. Kaliningrad, which was once part of the Soviet Union, will now be forced to rely on its own electricity sources, just like the Baltics. Russia has tested its ability to survive without power from the grid, but experts warn that Russia might use this situation to stir up tension and create trouble in the region.

Despite the risks, the Baltic countries are determined to move forward with their plan. They have spent years preparing for this moment and believe that it is essential for their security and independence. For them, cutting ties with Russia is not just about energy; it’s about securing their future as part of the European Union and NATO.
 
Really it isn't very "mysterious"

I am telling you, if I was Russian and ever crossed Putin... you would not be able to get me into a building that had more than one story period.
 

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