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

[Chadstroma]

Russia to import gasoline from Asia as nearly 40% of refining capacity shuts down, media reports https://share.google/p6Xq6A4cZJJ9u6EoP

This is a death spiral for the Russian economy. Russia is out of tricks to keep the economy moving. The EU needs to apply the maximum pressure in sanctions now even if it hurts them with their reliance on Russian energy. With the escalations that Russia has been focused on with violations of NATO airspace with both drones and aircraft, they needed to grow a backbone and do it. Russia's economy is on the verge of collapsing.

 

[Chadstroma]

Explosive-Packed Ukrainian Drone Boat Found 900 Miles Away In Turkey https://share.google/dyCkPkMc3s9SWXpBd

 

[fatness]

French military boards Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of launching drones

French military personnel have boarded an oil tanker named on a list of Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels and suspected of being a launchpad for mystery drone flights that forced the closure of airports in Denmark last week. Photos showed navy personnel on the deck of the tanker, known as the Boracay, which has used numerous identities and was one of four Russia-linked vessels in the seas near Denmark at the time of the drone sightings on 22 and 24 September, which so far have not been fully explained.
The tanker was sailing from the Russian oil terminal in Primorsk near St Petersburg, carrying 750,000 barrels of crude oil, to Vadinar in India, but was intercepted by a French naval vessel on Sunday and diverted towards Saint-Nazaire in western France while inquiries continue.

 

[Chadstroma]

Ukraine's army chief reveals details of counteroffensive in Dobropillia direction

Read more

newsukraine.rbc.ua

 

[fatness]

'No membership at all,' Hungary's Orbán says as he continues to block Ukraine's accession talks

“The Hungarians would not like to belong to the same integration format, even a military one like Nato, [or] a political economic one like European Union, with the Ukrainians. So my proposal, the Hungarian proposal is to have [a] strategic agreement [with Ukraine], not [a] membership,” he said. “Ukraine is a heroic country. We have to support them. No question of that. The question is the form how we do that. Membership is too much,” he said.
Orbán stressed that it wasn’t his view, but “a decision of the Hungarian people.”

Screw Orban, by the way.

 

[fatness]

Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries spark fuel shortages, export bans, and price hikes

Ukraine's sustained campaign of strikes on refineries is now causing mild havoc at gas stations in Russia and occupied Crimea, with prices skyrocketing and short-term shortages widely reported.
While, for now, these strikes are unlikely to cause massive disruptions to global supply chains, market experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent say Russia's highly profitable diesel and gasoline exports are still taking an unprecedented hit. A domestic energy crisis is also at play.

 

[fatness]

G7 vows to 'maximize pressure' on Moscow by targeting Russian oil buyers

The finance ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries pledged to take measures against states that continue to increase purchases of Russian oil, according to a joint statement published on Oct. 1. The move builds on earlier warnings by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Sept. 13 that Washington would impose sanctions on Russia if all NATO members stopped importing Russian oil.
The G7 ministers said they had agreed to "maximize pressure" on Moscow to undermine its warfighting capacity and strengthen support for Ukraine's self-defense. "We will target those who are continuing to increase their purchase of Russian oil since the invasion of Ukraine and those that are facilitating circumvention," the statement read.
The ministers added that G7 countries are working on "significant and coordinated measures" to reduce, and eventually phase out, their remaining imports of Russian hydrocarbons.

 

[fatness]

Why are US Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine a ‘red line’ for Russia?

Russia says it is carefully monitoring Ukraine’s request to the United States for long-range “Tomahawk” missiles that could boost Kyiv’s ability to strike deep inside Russia. The request comes as US President Donald Trump appears to be shifting his stance on support for Ukraine against Russia because of his growing frustration with President Vladimir Putin’s war push despite a meeting to discuss peace in Alaska in August.

Speaking to media on Monday, Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov maintained that the weapons, if delivered, would not be a game-changer in the war. He suggested, however, that the US could be crossing a red line that Moscow had previously set over what it sees as direct interference by Ukraine’s allies in the ongoing war. “The question, as before, is this: who can launch these missiles? … Can only Ukrainians launch them, or do American soldiers have to do that?… Who is determining the targeting of these missiles? The American side or the Ukrainians themselves?” Peskov asked.

Moscow has previously said that it will consider the provision of targeting data or intelligence to launch attacks as crossing the line. It has repeatedly suggested that Russia could restart production of intermediate-range nuclear weapons and station similar missiles within striking distance of the West. In a Monday post on Telegram, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned that such interference could result in a war with “weapons of mass destruction”.

 

[fatness]

US to give Ukraine intelligence on long-range energy targets in Russia

The United States will provide Ukraine with intelligence on long-range energy infrastructure targets in Russia, two officials told Reuters on Wednesday, as it weighs whether to send Kyiv missiles that could be used in such strikes. The U.S. is also asking NATO allies to provide similar support, the U.S. officials said, confirming details first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The decision represents the first known policy change that President Donald Trump has signed off on since hardening his rhetoric toward Russia in recent weeks in an attempt to end Moscow's more than three-year-old war on its neighbour.

 

[fatness]

Photos show an F-35 flaunting a fresh kill marking after the stealth fighter made NATO history by downing Russian drones

Dutch military photos showed an F-35 stealth fighter sporting a fresh drone-shaped kill mark after the advanced jet was used to shoot down Russian drones that violated alliance airspace. The images from the Netherlands' defense ministry show the marking on the fuselage, just below the cockpit. The marking, not displayed on other F-35 fighter jets, distinctly resembles the triangular Delta-wing one-way attack drones Russia uses. The Dutch Ministry of Defense told Business Insider that the marking was added "after taking out multiple drones in Polish Airspace in September."

And the financial part:

Taking down cheap drones far below the kind of high-end hostile threats that the F-35 was built for has raised questions about sustainable defense. Meeting inexpensive threats with high-value platforms and munitions puts the defenders on the wrong side of the cost curve, making the development of low-cost defenses increasingly a priority.

 

[Chadstroma]

Photos show an F-35 flaunting a fresh kill marking after the stealth fighter made NATO history by downing Russian drones

Dutch military photos showed an F-35 stealth fighter sporting a fresh drone-shaped kill mark after the advanced jet was used to shoot down Russian drones that violated alliance airspace. The images from the Netherlands' defense ministry show the marking on the fuselage, just below the cockpit. The marking, not displayed on other F-35 fighter jets, distinctly resembles the triangular Delta-wing one-way attack drones Russia uses. The Dutch Ministry of Defense told Business Insider that the marking was added "after taking out multiple drones in Polish Airspace in September."

And the financial part:

Taking down cheap drones far below the kind of high-end hostile threats that the F-35 was built for has raised questions about sustainable defense. Meeting inexpensive threats with high-value platforms and munitions puts the defenders on the wrong side of the cost curve, making the development of low-cost defenses increasingly a priority.

NATO is trying to change to the new warfare. I have invested in a few companies in my 401k (investment accounts have been drained) in AVAV and KTOS not too long back which have been huge wins and more recently RCAT and UMAC. I have been trying to find small cap European companies in this area to invest in but the ones that I have come across seem to be privately owned. A lot of investment is being done. In the US, they are trying to reform the ridiculous acquisition process to streamline and make it more efficient. NATO countries are increasing military spending and they have a long way to go because many of them, like Germany, have to rebuild the traditional conventional military and at the same time add the capabilities of drone and anti-drone warfare that is such an important part of new war. The important thing to remember, I think, for NATO is that yes, warfare is and has changed but we can't over correct on the lessons learned from Ukraine. The way that Ukraine fights is not the way we would fight as NATO. For example, Ukraine can not ever gain air superiority while if we went to war with Russia, it would be gained in the early stages of the war. That is a huge game changer. That all said, we can not expend million dollar missiles on $500 drones and NATO needs to adjust to add that capability in strength.

 

[Dezbelief]

Ukraine Increases Drone Strikes On Russian Military And Oil Trains

The pace of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian trains has accelerated in recent months, having a direct impact on both the Russian military and the broader economy.

www.forbes.com

Explosion Hits Russian Chemical Plant 1,700 km From Ukraine Amid Drone Strike Claims

Explosions were reported at a chemical facility in the Urals during Putin's Valdai Club speech, raising concerns about industrial safety and drone activity.

united24media.com

Russia ‘using deadly new missile upgrade’ to bypass Ukrainian air defence systems

A former Ukrainian official described it as a ‘game-changer for Russia’

www.independent.co.uk

Ukraine’s missile interception rate has dropped sharply in recent months, from 37 per cent in August to just 6 per cent in September, the FT reported, citing Ukrainian Air Force data.

 

[fatness]

‘Immediate Boost’ – Trump Clears $51M in Arms Sales for Ukraine, Allies

The Trump administration this week notified Congress of a high-value arms sale for Ukraine while simultaneously weighing the provision of long-range targeting intelligence against Russian energy infrastructure, congressional sources told Kyiv Post. The dual-track policy, as officials put it, gives Kyiv an immediate boost and signals a more hawkish posture from the White House following stalled diplomatic efforts.

The State Department formally notified Congress Wednesday night of $51 million in potential arms exports to Ukraine and its allies, two sources confirmed to Kyiv Post. This key procedural step, a requirement under the Arms Export Control Act, signals a sustained US commitment to supplying Kyiv, one official insisted. The Department transmitted two certifications just before federal funding lapsed: one for the export of firearms, parts, and components for Ukraine valued at over $1 million, and a second, larger package covering $50 million or more in defense articles, including technical data and defense services, for a trilateral group including Ukraine, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

Crucially, this hardware push is being paired with high-level consideration of providing Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, once again, hinted at the possibility of acquiring longer-range weapons after meeting with Trump.

 

[fatness]

FSB Ties Found Among Thousands Producing Shahed Drones in Russia

Ukrainian journalists have traced more than 2,000 employees at Russian factories producing Shahed drones, widely used in attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.

The investigation, published by Slidstvo.Info in partnership with the KibOrg community, also revealed links between some factory personnel and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). Two factories are identified as central to Shahed drone production: Alabuga in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, with roughly 1,200 workers, and Kupol in Izhevsk, Udmurtia, employing over 1,100 people. Leaked internal databases provided the information.

 

[fatness]

‘A Deliberate Strike’ – Zelensky Accuses Russia of ‘Global Threat’ After Blackout at Chornobyl Nuclear Plant

President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of initiating a “global threat” after it shelled an energy facility in the town of Slavutych, causing a blackout at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant on Oct. 1.

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said that a blackout had been caused by voltage surges at the New Safe Confinement after the strike. The New Safe Confinement is a key facility that isolates the destroyed Reactor 4, ensuring that radioactive materials are not leaked into the surrounding environment.

 

[Chadstroma]

China provides Russia with satellite data for missile strikes on Ukraine — intelligence https://share.google/lx9lYVfQHpLeiNwrT

 

[The Z Machine]

China provides Russia with satellite data for missile strikes on Ukraine — intelligence https://share.google/lx9lYVfQHpLeiNwrT

One would think that Russia has significant satellite resources of their own.

 

[Chadstroma]

China provides Russia with satellite data for missile strikes on Ukraine — intelligence https://share.google/lx9lYVfQHpLeiNwrT

One would think that Russia has significant satellite resources of their own.

One constant in military. Russia, China and friends overstate their capabilities. The US understates it. Since the end of WWII to now.

 

[Dezbelief]

Ukraine Strikes Russian Missile Corvette 1,000 km Inside Homeland in Bold Lake Assault

Ukrainian SSO reported a strike on the Russian missile ship Grad in Lake Onega, impacting its combat readiness and reducing maneuverability.

united24media.com

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) have struck a Russian Buyan-M class missile ship named Grad in the internal waters of Karelia, according to the SSO on October 4.

The operation reportedly took place at 04:31 a.m. in Lake Onega—a large inland body of water located within the Republic of Karelia in northwestern Russia.

The strike hit the starboard side of the vessel’s engine compartment, causing critical damage and significantly reducing its maneuverability and combat capability, the SSO said.

According to Ukrainian military reports, Grad was moving from the Baltic Sea toward the Caspian Sea, likely to reinforce the southern fleet of the Russian Navy. The route crosses Russia’s internal waterways, linking the Baltic and Caspian basins through lakes and canals.

 

[Dezbelief]

Ukraine Destroys Russia’s “Lena” and “Sopka-2” Radars in Deep Drone Strike

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces targeted Russian radar systems in the Voronezh region, successfully striking the P-14F and Sopka-2 installations.

united24media.com

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) have carried out precision drone strikes against two Russian radar installations—identified as the P-14F “Lena” long-range detection system and the “Sopka-2” tracking radar complex—in Russia’s Voronezh region.

According to the official Telegram channel of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the two radar systems were located near the villages of Buturlinivka and Garmashivka.

Both stations were part of Russia’s integrated airspace surveillance network designed to monitor activity along the Ukrainian border and to provide coverage over nearby military airbases.

The P-14F “Lena” radar was part of the airspace control system surrounding the Buturlinivka airbase, which hosts Russian Air Force assets operating in western Russia.

The “Sopka-2” complex, located in Garmashivka, was an element of Russia’s continuous radar chain aimed at detecting and tracking low-flying targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles.

According to the SSO, both radar systems had been deployed to counter Ukrainian drone operations.

Earlier, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces reportedly struck the Russian Buyan‑M class missile corvette Grad in Lake Onega, deep inside Russia’s Karelia region. According to the SSO, the drone attack hit the starboard engine compartment, critically damaging the ship’s maneuverability.

 

[Chadstroma]

The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic propose the transfer of their last modernized T-72 tanks to Ukraine https://share.google/1k8QRa2XiSMxOTUJP

 

[Chadstroma]

Ukraine’s Drone Blitz Plunges Russia Into Worst-Ever Fuel Crisis, Knock Out 38% of Refining Capacity — UNITED24 Media https://share.google/klyunmt7xcTArjtRp

 

[Dezbelief]

Ukraine claims drone strikes on Russian ammo plant, oil terminal and weapons depot

The Ukrainian military claims its long-range drones have hit key Russian targets, including an ammunition plant, an oil terminal, and a weapons depot

abcnews.go.com

The Ukrainian military said on Monday that its long-range drones hit a major Russian ammunition plant, a key oil terminal and an important weapons depot behind the front line, cranking up recent pressure on Moscow’s military logistics.

The Ukrainian General Staff said it struck the Sverdlov ammunition plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region of western Russia overnight, causing multiple explosions and a fire. It said the plant supplies Russian forces with aviation and artillery ordnance, aviation bombs, and anti-aircraft and anti-tank munitions.

Ukrainian drones also hit an oil terminal in Crimea, starting a blaze, and an ammunition depot of Russia’s 18th Combined Arms Army, the General Staff said.

Drone Raid on Russia’s Major Explosives Factory—Ukraine Targets Heart of Kremlin’s Shell Production

Ukrainian forces successfully targeted a key Russian explosives plant, disrupting munitions production vital for Moscow's military capabilities.

united24media.com

Ukraine’s General Staff has confirmed a successful strike on one of Russia’s most critical defense industry sites—the Zavod im. Ya. M. Sverdlova explosives plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region, some 750 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, on October 6.

The attack triggered “numerous explosions and a fire in the target area,” according to the official statement.

The Sverdlov plant, located outside the city of Dzerzhinsk, is Russia’s largest producer of explosives used to fill everything from artillery shells to ballistic missiles.

It is also, by Moscow’s own declarations, the country’s only industrial-scale manufacturer of octogen (HMX) and hexogen (RDX), key compounds that underpin almost the entire range of Russian ammunition.

The attack follows previous Ukrainian strikes on facilities supplying the Sverdlov plant, including the Sibur-Kstovo oil refinery, which provides essential raw materials. This time, however, Ukraine hit the production site itself, marking a direct blow against Russia’s munitions manufacturing chain.

 

[Dezbelief]

Ukraine hits largest oil terminal in Russian-occupied Crimea, General Staff confirms, sparks massive blaze

The terminal can hold up to 250,000 tons of fuel, which supplies Russian forces.

kyivindependent.com

Ukrainian drones struck Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on Oct. 6, hitting the Feodosia oil terminal, General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Oct. 6.

The terminal, located about 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Ukraine-controlled territory, is the largest oil storage facility in Crimea. It can hold up to 250,000 tons of fuel, which supplies Russian forces.

Pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind said the explosion sparked a fire visible from tens of kilometers away, while additional blasts were reported near the Saki and Kacha airfields.

According to the General Staff, the terminal serves as a multifunctional facility for transferring oil and petroleum products between rail, sea, and road transport.

Ukrainian forces also struck an ammunition depot belonging to a logistics battalion of Russia's 18th Combined Arms Army in Crimea, though the results of that strike are still being assessed.

Russian Kirishi Oil Refinery Halts Largest Processing Unit After Drone Strike, Recovery to Take a Month

The Kirishi oil refinery in Russia will restore CDU-6 operations in a month, following a drone attack that disrupted productivity.

united24media.com

The Kirishi oil refinery, one of Russia’s largest, is expected to take about a month to resume full operations of its most productive crude distillation unit, CDU-6, following a drone attack and fire on October 4, two industry sources told Reuters on October 6.

CDU-6, with a processing capacity of 8 million metric tons per year (around 160,000 barrels per day), makes up roughly 40% of the refinery’s total output. The temporary shutdown may lead to a modest decline in oil product production amid ongoing fuel shortages in Russia.

Ukraine confirms drone strike on one of Russia's biggest, most modern oil refineries near St. Petersburg

Drones struck the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia's Leningrad oblast overnight on Oct. 4, sparking a fire that was later extinguished, officials and local media reported.

kyivindependent.com

Drone Strike Targets Russian Oil Refinery in Siberia, Over 2,000 km From Ukraine

Drones were intercepted over the Antipinsky Oil Refinery in Russia's Tyumen region, with reports of explosions and emergency responses following the incident.

united24media.com

An oil refinery in the city of Tyumen in western Siberia was reportedly targeted by drones, The Babel reported on October 6.

Local authorities confirmed the interception of three drones (UAVs) over the facility. Despite these claims, residents reported hearing explosions and observed multiple fire trucks in the area.

There were also unconfirmed reports of two explosions.

The facility is believed to be the Tyumen Oil Refinery, located over 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported no fires at the site, though local Telegram channels circulated videos showing emergency vehicles heading toward the area.

On the same day, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed a successful strike on one of Russia’s most critical defense industry sites—the Zavod im. Ya. M. Sverdlova explosives plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region, some 750 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

 

[fatness]

Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery 1,400 kilometers from front, SBU source says

Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) drones struck a Russian oil refinery in the Bashkortostan Republic on the morning of Oct. 11, resulting in explosions and a fire, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent. The news comes as Ukraine escalates attacks against the Russian gas and oil industry, a key source of revenue helping Moscow sustain its all-out invasion.

The strike targeted the Bashnafta-UNPZ plant in Ufa, a city that is one of Russia's largest centers for the refining industry, supplying fuel and lubricants to the Russian Armed Forces, according to the source. Preliminary reports suggest that after several explosions, a fire broke out in the area of the crude-oil processing unit ELOU-AVT-6. The source reported that a plume of black smoke was visible rising in the vicinity of the plant, and fire trucks were en route to the site. The extent of damage remains unclear.

Map showing location of Bashneft'-Unpz. It's a long, long way from Ukraine.

 

[fatness]

Estonia closes border crossing with Russia over unusual military activity

According to Kunter Pedoski, operational commander of Estonia's Southern Prefecture, border guards observed an unusually large presence of Russian military personnel near the crossing on the evening of Oct. 9. "Russian border guards routinely patrol the area near Saatse, as it lies within their territory. However, today we noticed significantly more movement than usual," Pedoski told ERR.

Initially, Estonian patrols were stationed on both sides of the road to inform drivers and advise them to avoid the area due to the increased Russian military presence. Despite the warnings, some individuals still attempted to proceed through the zone. Pedoski emphasized that the road in question crosses Russian territory and therefore always carries a certain level of risk, but the current situation has made it more dangerous than usual. "We've made the decision to temporarily close the crossing to prevent any escalation," he said.

I think this is the border crossing.

 

[fatness]

Fires reported in Russia's Belgorod oblast amid suspected power plant attack, local officials say

Falling debris from downed missiles sparked fires and caused damage in the city of Belgorod, Russia, the regional governor said Oct. 11. "Garbage caught fire as a result of falling debris in Belgorod," regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported. "Fire crews are working to extinguish the blaze."

Local Telegram channels claimed that the Luch thermal power plant in Belgorod may have been targeted again. Those reports have not been independently verified. The governor also reported on the possibility of "short-term rolling power outages."

Ukrainian officials have not commented on the attack. However, earlier this week, nearly 40,000 Belgorod residents were left without electricity after a Ukrainian attack damaged energy facilities and disrupted power supplies in the city.

 

[fatness]

Zelensky discusses air defense with Trump after Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy grid

President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 11, discussing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid and U.S. peace efforts in the Middle East, Zelensky said. The conversation follows a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Oct. 10 that caused blackouts in Kyiv and across Ukrainian regions. "I informed President Trump about Russia's attacks on our energy system — and I appreciate his willingness to support us," Zelensky said on X, praising the discussion as "very positive and productive."

The White House has not yet commented on the conversation.

 

[fatness]

This is how Putin fights back.

Putin blasts Nobel Peace Prize decision, wins thanks from Trump

 

[Orange&Blue]

i haven't been paying attention.

is the front still frozen, basically?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

i haven't been paying attention.

is the front still frozen, basically?

The last I checked the surge / bulge Russia created prior to Anchorage has been pushed back & even in some places wiped out. I think in general the front can be pretty fluid, it’s not trench warfare.