WW3? Ukraine/US vs. Donbass/Russia

[Ravenlocke]

Hell in the center of Gorlovka: the wounded and the dead in the very heart of the long-suffering city as a result of another strike from Ukraine with the use of MLRS. This time they covered the area of the central market, aiming at a place of mass congestion of people. One girl died on the spot, another person - in the hospital. Nine more are being treated by doctors. News Front also came under fire, filming the first minutes after arrivals.
Военкор ре🅉ервист

https://twitter.com/DAVID_STOIC1/sta...14525222588419

[Ravenlocke]

https://twitter.com/tretter50001/sta...24112890003458

[atman]

This is a tweet about the Nova Kakhovka dam by Mikael Valtersson — Former officer Swedish Armed Forces/Air Defence, former defence politician and chief of staff Sweden Democrats. Current political and military analyst.

In the tweet he states: "That's an clear indication that Ukraine on purpose worsen the situation and are also a clear indication that Ukraine was the original culprit."

______________________________

text:

NEWS UPDATE NOVA KAKHOVKA EVENING JUNE 7
I don't know who's responsible for destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam, but if you do what you can to worsen the situation and destroy the remnants of the dam, you're the prime suspect, not the victim. Ukraine keeps the gates at Dnipro HDD open (video) and the water streams southward. The already undermined remnants of the Novo Kakhovka dam risk to totally collapse from the water pressure and later on, the flooding of Kherson oblast are worsened.

That's an clear indication that Ukraine on purpose worsen the situation and are also a clear indication that Ukraine was the original culprit. The fact that the ukrainians also increased the level of water in the reservoir before the destruction of the dam are not an proof of their guilt. They couldn't know that the russians wouldn't open the gates of the Novo Kakhovka dam. There could be some natural cause for opening the gates at Dnipro HDD before the destruction of the Novo Kakhovka dam, but afterwards nothing could be more important than to lessen the flooding in Kherson oblast.

https://twitter.com/MikaelValterss1/...10530444402708

[ExomatrixTV]

• RT News - June 8th 2023

Ukraine released massive amounts of water into the Dnepr River on purpose, according to Moscow - doing so prior to an attack on a key dam in the Kherson region - to guarantee the staggering levels of flooding now being seen. Leaked Twitter emails reveal the FBI apparently conspired with Ukrainian Security Services to block users with a pro-Russian stance on the platform, with Kiev seeking the details of the users too. The US special climate envoy claims the world will no longer be sustainable in less than 30 years due to ever-growing populations, saying Africa is a particular problem. But not everyone agrees. Smoke from Canadian wildfires casts a sickly pallor over the US East coast, with New York air quality for periods topping the charts, as the most polluted city in the world.

• source

[ExomatrixTV]

• Ukraine Blows Up Dam – Corporate Media Blames Russia!

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=hnwi5cziyoI

The U.S. government has claimed it has intelligence that suggests Russia was responsible for the destruction of Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric power plant in the early hours of June 6. Yet it makes little logical sense for Russia to have blown up the dam and effectively flooded a region controlled by the Russian military.

Jimmy and Americans’ Comedian Kurt Metzger discuss the upside down world where Russia repeatedly bombs, sabotages or otherwise attacks its own critical infrastructure.

[Bill Ryan]

Having scanned all the English-language telegram channels I can access, in my own words here's the most basic, simple summary — as of this morning US time.

Ukraine's counter-offensive has continued night and day, but the Russian lines are all holding solidly and Ukraine hasn't even reached the most heavily fortified defensive lines that are several km away. Dozens more Ukrainian tanks (including German Leopards) and other armored vehicles have been destroyed by drones, ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles) and helicopter gunships. There are many videos.

This can only really go on for a few more days. The reasons this is all particularly important right now are:

1) As Politico wrote:

US officials are convinced that Biden's global reputation depends on success. Failure would undo one of the White House's landmark international achievements.

2) This is an all-or-nothing last try by the Ukrainian forces. They're throwing everything they have left at this, but it's not working. When this finally peters out, as it will, there'll be nothing else for Ukraine to do except (a) continue sporadic small-group attacks on (e.g.) Belgorod civilians, and/or (b) beg the US for even heavier weapons.

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
Dozens more Ukrainian tanks (including German Leopards) and other armored vehicles have been destroyed by drones, ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles) and helicopter gunships. There are many videos.

With thanks to Tintin who forwarded me this update from Simplicius the Thinker, here are just a few extracts. It's a long, detailed article (as they all are), featuring videos which aren't possible to embed here.

~~~

Ukraine Strikes Hard, But Leopards Get Spayed

Of course, the biggest indicator was also the big news of the day, that Ukraine has finally thrown its mythical, vaunted Leopard tanks into battle as part of their assigned ‘special’ 33rd NATO-trained brigade.

Recall, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense warned us to be prepared:




Well, the Leopards lasted about as long as we expected. (the first image is a closeup for reference)




German BILD proudly trumpeted the advance of their mighty Germanic armor:



~~~

... and following this, the western media are hastily retreating (like the undestroyed remaining tanks), explaining that "Russian resistance is stronger than expected".

The whole article, also citing reports from Ukrainian correspondents who are clearly having trouble hiding their disappointment, is well worth reading as a comprehensive update on exactly what's been happening.

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

"German tanks encountering fierce Russian resistance..."

Who would have imagined those six words would be referring to the present, as in happening right now.

[Bill Ryan]

Another update. This shows still images of a whole bunch more destroyed vehicles. The text reads:

~~~

In total, during the "probing attack" failed attack in the Orekhov in Zaporozhye direction, AFU lost at minimum at least:

— 5 German Leopard 2A6 and 2A4 tanks (2 destroyed, 1 shot down and abandoned, 3 abandoned)
— 6 American M2A2 Bradley ODS-SA infantry fighting vehicles (all shot down and abandoned)
— 3 American MRAP M1224 MaxxPro (all shot down and abandoned)
— 1 Dutch YPR-765 armored personnel carrier (shot down and abandoned)
— 1 Czech T-72M1 (destroyed)
— 1 BRM-2 mine clearance vehicle (broken and abandoned)
— 1 French VAB armored car (hit and abandoned).
— several burnt-out trucks

For the first time, Leopard 2A6 tanks and M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed.

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/68165

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
News from Zaporozhye afternoon 9th:

1) For more than a day now, intense fighting has been going on at the Rabotino-Verbove line. Assault groups of the 65th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been trying to break through the defenses of the 291st regiment of the RF Armed Forces since late at night.
Ukrainian formations concentrated their efforts specifically on one area, sending reserves and manpower to capture one strong point.
Because of this, the fighters of the RF Armed Forces retreated to reserve positions. However, after that, artillery and aviation worked out against the enemy, who was trying to gain a foothold on the lines taken. As a result, the AFU retreated with heavy losses.

2) Toward morning, the enemy resumed attacks on Rabotino with the forces of 65 mechanized brigade. At the same time, an armored group of 47 mechanized brigade on Leopard 2A4 tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles began an assault on strongholds between Rabotino and Verbov.
The strike group of the 65th brigade was able to squeeze out the Russian units from the first position: at the moment, artillery is actively working on the Ukrainian formation. To the right of that, the servicemen of the RF Armed Forces destroyed one Leopard tank and three Bradley tanks, knocking the forces of the 47th mechanized brigade back to the starting lines.

3) At the Kamensky Armed Forces, they tried to dig in the village of Lobkove, pulling armored vehicles there. The reconnaissance groups of the RF Armed Forces discovered the accumulation of the enemy and called for fire on him. As a result, the 2nd company of the 128th Guards Rifle Brigade retreated, and Lobkovoe itself again found itself in the “gray zone”.

NOTE: it’s 2nd or 3rd time the first line in Lobkovoe changed hands in the past 5 days. First line of defense changes hands sometimes. For now not a single position was taken and being held by the AFU for longer half a day.

Source: ZA_FROHT

https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/statu...65834496671744

[Ravenlocke]

https://twitter.com/Sprinter99880/st...90381803339776

[Bill Ryan]

Another video clearly showing a whole bunch of destroyed (or maybe just abandoned) Ukrainian tanks.
(Edit to add: this is the same video as in the above post)

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/68189

[Ravenlocke]

https://twitter.com/Alex_Oloyede2/st...48366516572161

¤=[Post Update]=¤

https://twitter.com/200_zoka/status/1667191046764212225

[Ravenlocke]

https://twitter.com/ArthurM40330824/...81657495502848

¤=[Post Update]=¤

https://twitter.com/ArthurM40330824/...84886237216768

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
One longer video, with new losses

It's actually rather astonishing to see. I'm no expert here, but it does seem at first sight that many of the vehicles are undamaged and have just been abandoned.

If so, that could be very understandable given that some of the Ukrainian crews must have been very under-trained on the new European and US vehicles. They might have realized very quickly (to their self-preserving credit) that they had little chance of survival in the situation they had been ordered to be in.

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
⚡️⚡️⚡️The Ukrainian TG channel " Resident " writes:
Our source in the OP said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been trying to storm the Russian first line of defense for the third day, but there was no result. Our equipment does not even have time to enter the battle when it is covered with artillery, which leads to heavy losses and a return to their positions. In three days we have lost more than ten Leopard tanks, which have not fired at the enemy⚡️⚡️⚡️

https://twitter.com/simpatico771/sta...77932043714568

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
One longer video, with new losses

It's actually rather astonishing to see. I'm no expert here, but it does seem at first sight that many of the vehicles are undamaged and have just been abandoned.

If so, that could be very understandable given that some of the Ukrainian crews must have been very under-trained on the new European and US vehicles. They might have realized very quickly (to their self-preserving credit) that they had little chance of survival in the situation they had been ordered to be in.

It might also be that they deserted equipment because they don’t want to die in the meat grinder given that there’s a lot of them being conscripted against their will and sent to their deaths?

¤=[Post Update]=¤


Text:

‼️🇷🇺 The Russian Army destroyed the German IRIS-T air defense system worth about 17 million euros, - Bild deputy editor Julian Röpke.
The well-known German Russophobe continues to disappoint Germany and the entire West by publishing Russian videos of the destruction of advanced NATO equipment transferred to Ukraine.
http://t.me/RVvoenkor

https://twitter.com/djuric_zlatko/st...72778011656192

¤=[Post Update]=¤

https://twitter.com/djuric_zlatko/st...75723981840384

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
‼️🇷🇺Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles with a simulated nuclear warhead, - VVSU

▪️The RF Armed Forces allegedly used a nuclear launch vehicle, but without a warhead, the X-55 missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead, military propagandist Yu. Ignat of the Air Force said,

▪️Such empty shells should force Ukraine to spend air defense missiles and ammunition. Or check the ability of Ukrainian air defense to shoot down such missiles.

▪️The Russian army regularly attacks Ukraine with such missiles.
http://t.me/RVvoenkor

https://twitter.com/djuric_zlatko/st...26265801854976

¤=[Post Update]=¤

https://twitter.com/ArthurM40330824/...74612813873153

[Ravenlocke]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
One longer video, with new losses

It's actually rather astonishing to see. I'm no expert here, but it does seem at first sight that many of the vehicles are undamaged and have just been abandoned.

If so, that could be very understandable given that some of the Ukrainian crews must have been very under-trained on the new European and US vehicles. They might have realized very quickly (to their self-preserving credit) that they had little chance of survival in the situation they had been ordered to be in.

Here’s another explanation,

https://twitter.com/cpimentel986/sta...98282563563521

¤=[Post Update]=¤

https://twitter.com/Jeff21461/status...91073884737536

[Ravenlocke]

Text:

🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦Putin gave the first assessment of the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

▪️We can say for sure that it has begun, this is evidenced by the use of strategic reserves.

▪️Ukrainian troops did not achieve their goals in any sector - thanks to the courage of the soldiers and the proper organization of the troops.

▪️Over the past few days, we have seen significant losses in Ukraine, they exceed the "classic indicator".

▪️"It can be stated that all counteroffensive attempts made so far have failed, but the offensive potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has still been preserved."

▪️Russian troops really assess the situation and will proceed from this.

https://twitter.com/djuric_zlatko/st...00754132697090

[Ravenlocke]

https://www.rt.com/russia/577790-put...nteroffensive/

Putin comments on Ukrainian counteroffensive

The much-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive has started, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. He cited the deployment of Kiev’s strategic reserves as a telltale sign of the operation.

“We can state with absolute certainty that this Ukrainian counteroffensive has begun, and the use of strategic reserves points to it,” Putin said at a press conference on Friday.

The president noted that particularly heavy fighting has been ongoing for five days, with Russian troops managing to hold their positions.

He also claimed that the Ukrainian military has suffered far heavier casualties than the “classic” three-to-one ratio often expected during an offensive.

However, Kiev has still retained its offensive capabilities, Putin said. He added that he expected Russian commanders to “assess the situation realistically” and act accordingly.

The Russian leader also acknowledged that Moscow’s troops are facing shortages of modern weapons, and expressed hope that the country’s military industry will soon be able to satisfy growing demand.

Putin attributed the purported failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive to the effectiveness of the armaments already at the disposal of Russian forces.

On Thursday, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu revealed that the Ukrainian military had tried to break through Russian defenses in Zaporozhye Region. However, this attempt was thwarted by pre-emptive artillery and aerial strikes, the official claimed.

According to the minister, Kiev’s forces suffered losses running into the thousands as a result.

On Friday, Moscow stated that Ukraine had lost up to 1,240 troops and 39 tanks in just 24 hours. Dozens of armored vehicles and artillery units, including ones provided by Western countries, were also destroyed, Russian military officials claimed.

Citing anonymous senior US officials, CNN also reported that the Ukrainian military had sustained “significant” casualties this week.

The outlet’s sources described “greater than expected resistance from Russian forces.”

¤=[Post Update]=¤

https://www.rt.com/russia/577758-vor...eskov-ukraine/

Kremlin reacts to ‘drone attack’ on Voronezh

The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of carrying out a deliberate attack on civilian infrastructure after a drone crashed into an apartment block in the Russian city of Voronezh, some 300km from the two countries’ border, on Friday. The incident resulted in three people being injured, as well as damage to property.

“The Kiev regime continues attacks on civilian infrastructure [and] residential buildings. They continue acting, and we continue to counter this activity,” Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The official added that the Kremlin had seen reports that the drone collided with the building after being downed by air defenses, but noted that a full investigation was underway.

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal probe into what it described as a suspected terrorist act. It alleged that the perpetrators “acted in the interest of the military-political leadership of Ukraine.”

The incident happened in western Russia, in a region located close to Ukrainian-controlled territories.

According to local governor Aleksandr Gusev, the three victims were injured by glass shards and received first aid at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment. The area of the building struck by the drone was empty at the time, he added.

READ MORE: ‘Ukrainian drone’ injures civilians in Russia’s Voronezh
Purported footage of the crash circulating online indicated that the unmanned aircraft was carrying explosives.

Moscow witnessed similar drone incidents last week, with three kamikaze UAVs hitting buildings at various locations in and around the Russian capital. Moscow blamed Kiev for the incident.