(Image by NEIVANMADE)
I see that John’s telehealth consultation with my nutritionist went well… I can honestly tell you that whatever eating plan she has created for him is not going to be anywhere close to what he described based on personal experience. And she radically remade my diet to optimize my metabolism and get me to where I want and need to be. Is he going to have to make some changes? Without a doubt. And stick with them until he hits whatever target goal they’ve set and she moves him into maintenance. I had my initial consult with her on Labor Day 2022. I’ve lost 45 lbs on the scale/body composition scanner, but I’ve also added about 12 lbs of muscle. So I’m closer to 50 plus pounds of weight loss. None of my dress trousers fit, nor my jeans, nor my belts. But I’m not having anything taken in or tailored or replacing anything until we hit the target goal, which is somewhere between 10 to 20 lbs away. In my case it isn’t precise because of the amount of muscle I have and will continue to add given my workout regimen. Basically we’ll know it when we get there. This week I wore trousers I couldn’t get closed three weeks ago and that I’ve not worn since 2012! Anyhow, before anyone decides to sound off in the comments with advice: DON’T!!! Unless you’re going to mail me a masters in science in the appropriate discipline and your state licensure certificate, just save us all the headache. I know you all mean well, but I went to a professional for a reason. And I referred Cole to the same professional when he asked how I’d lost all the weight I told him I lost.
As I wrote last night, I had a long day. Got in around 9:45 PM EDT. Left this morning at 6 AM EDT. So this is going to be short, sweet and to the point.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump:
Today, I approved a comprehensive strategic plan for reforming our law enforcement system – address by the President of Ukraine
11 May 2023 – 22:41
Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, I have an honorable and very pleasant task for this address – I have the honor to thank our warriors and units who have distinguished themselves in the defense of the state since the beginning of this week.
Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops – the 3rd and 5th separate assault brigades and the 28th separate mechanized brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign… I thank all of you guys – every soldier, sergeant and officer – for the extremely successful actions on destroying the occupiers. A very good result!
Tavria operational and strategic group of troops – the warriors of the 44th separate artillery brigade named after Hetman Danylo Apostol, Zaporizhzhia Sich 55th separate artillery brigade, our glorious “Fifty-niners” – the 59th separate motorized infantry brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk and the 79th separate airborne assault troops brigade – I thank you all for your firmness in positions, for your strength in battles, for the inspiration to win that you give to the whole of Ukraine with your precision and courage.
Odesa operational and strategic group of troops – thanks to the warriors of the 406th separate artillery brigade named after Brigadier General Oleksiy Almazov for their excellent results in destroying enemy concentration points!
Today I would also like to celebrate the artillery crews of the 63rd separate mechanized brigade – the guys know how to “subtract” the enemy equipment on the battlefield. Each of your accurate strikes, our heroes, means saved lives of Ukrainians. Thank you!
This week, the units of our National Guard also deserve to be recognized. In particular, the warriors of the 1st and 14th operational brigades of the National Guard, who, together with all the defense and security forces of Ukraine, are defending our country in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. I thank you, national guardsmen, for your resilience and for your ability to push the former “second army of the world” lower and lower in the list of military forces with the help of your intelligence and artillery.
Today, I also signed a new decree on honoring our warriors with state awards.
These are exemplary brave servicemen of our Airborne Assault Troops. 134 warriors… The 25th separate airborne Sicheslav brigade, the 46th separate airmobile brigade, the 95th separate air assault brigade, the 132nd separate reconnaissance battalion, the 148th separate artillery division and the 199th training center of the Airborne Assault Troops.
Each of these titles, each of these units is an honor, a pride of Ukraine, a heroism of our people. The heroism that makes Ukraine free forever. By standing up now, by liberating our land now, by giving Ukraine victories now, each and every one of those who fights for Ukraine gives freedom to all new generations of our people.
Foreign flags will never reign on our land, and our people will never be enslaved. The resilience in the battles now, the power in our active actions, the bravery and precision of our warriors every day and every night is the independence of Ukraine that will be permanent. Independence we are strengthening and will continue to do so.
Today, as always, I was in touch with the commanders and intelligence.
I held several meetings on our international efforts. Soon I will be able to announce very important news for our defense, for our relations with partners.
I had a meeting with the Special Advisor to the President of Brazil on Foreign Policy. We discussed the possibility of holding a summit in the Ukraine – Latin America format. I reiterated my invitation for the President of Brazil to visit our country and see with his own eyes the heroism of Ukrainians, our real commitment to peace for the entire Ukrainian land, for all our cities and communities that are now under attack by Russian terrorists.
Our Peace Formula, which Ukraine offered to the world last year, has only become more relevant today. This is the only comprehensive and realistic plan to restore peace not only to our people, but also to all the peoples of the world who strive for life without aggression.
And one more thing.
Today, I approved a comprehensive strategic plan for reforming our law enforcement system – all law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor’s office. This is a detailed document designed until 2027.
To put it simply, we have to provide a system of guaranteeing justice and law and order for our country that will also meet our goal of Ukraine’s rapid accession to the EU – we add our readiness to realize this goal, and, no less importantly, we guarantee the foundations of a new social contract that are obviously being outlined now in the defense of our state.
Every element of the state system – law enforcement agencies, first and foremost – must work in such a way that people really feel safe and secure, that people really feel justice, that it is guaranteed at the level of institutions by the daily work of those by whom people judge the state. Trust within the state and trust in the state are built on trust in those who act on behalf of the state. Law enforcement and the prosecution system are key to this. Of course, along with everyone else who works in the state apparatus.
Ukraine should become and has already become a place of strength for Europe and the entire free world. We have to ensure maximum security, maximum freedom, maximum respect for the law and for people in Ukraine.
And this is the answer to the question of what kind of Ukraine we are building after the war. A state that respects its people and is respected in the world. A state whose example of life is respected by everyone. The path to this begins now. It begins in the actions and personal decisions of each and every person who fights and works for Ukraine and for all Ukrainians.
Glory to all our warriors who are now in combat! Glory to our beautiful people!
Thank you to everyone in the world who helps us, Ukrainians!
Glory to Ukraine!
A lot of news coming out of Bakhmut.
Bakhmut holds, muthafukas pic.twitter.com/fHhNpwzZmN
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) May 11, 2023
Specifically panicked news via Russian telegram channels.
The Bakhmut map from a Wagner Telegram channel shows territory taken in recent days by Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade. https://t.co/kBwHs0B886 pic.twitter.com/qcbCIMxMbr
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 10, 2023
The map from that same Russian/Wagner war correspondent shows additional gains made by Ukrainian forces to the NW and SW of the city today.https://t.co/Y9snCDuRgr https://t.co/gYJRJnJlHm pic.twitter.com/JrUEecDQ4p
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 11, 2023
Plenty of criticism from Wagner-linked accounts of the retreats by Russian MoD units. Of course, poor MoD-Wagner coordination is one reason why a counterattack in the Bakhmut area makes sense. 2/https://t.co/wRACNPYY03https://t.co/IKDIel7pn0https://t.co/uIFXUDAKJh pic.twitter.com/Bngjo3oMv1
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 11, 2023
Rybar say that Ukraine made gains on the flanks of Bakhmut in Klishchiivka and Bohdanivka, taking several strongpoints held by Russian military units, and that Wagner forces had to stop these advances. They claim Wagner made gains in the city center. 4/https://t.co/VQTTwiY4yo pic.twitter.com/tkTPiZmjD3
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 11, 2023
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 11, 2023
Russian T-90M tank destroyed in Bakhmut. https://t.co/dVsQHPzK8r pic.twitter.com/r2f3mPTxtd
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 10, 2023
IMHO, what’s happening now near Bakhmut is not The Big One We All Wait For.
More likely a limited operation to secure Ukrainian ground lines of communications running into the city.
However, let’s wait and see.
There’s nothing that can surprise me at this point.— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) May 11, 2023
Long story short, Z-channels have crapped their pants altogether from the slightest perspective of a Ukrainian offensive.
Pathetic.— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) May 11, 2023
“Honey, let’s go to bed, it’s 3 am.”
“I can’t, Russian Telegram propagandists are scared shitless because of Bakhmut flanks.”— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) May 11, 2023
Not sure the Russian government has thought through the implications if Wagner channels are seen as a more credible source of information on the war than the Russian military and other government sources. https://t.co/rdqWh6LA6u
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 11, 2023
Not sure if this was in Zaporizhzhia where the previous convict to mobik video Lee posted was filmed:
Another Russian MoD Storm Z unit composed of convicts. 3/https://t.co/d1gcsJsrfo
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 11, 2023
The Brits have sent Storm Shadows to Ukraine:
UK Def Min Ben Wallace has now confirmed our story in parliament: "The donation of these weapon systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves against Russia's continued brutality, especially the deliberate targeting of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.” https://t.co/CFbvWczKH4
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) May 11, 2023
Here’s an excellent detailed and extensive thread explaining what they are and why they are going to be excellent munitions for the Ukrainians. First tweet in the thread, rest from the Thread Reader App:
Thread 🧵on the Storm Shadow land-attack cruise missile delivered by the UK that provides Ukraine, in principle, with an extremely potent long-range strike capability against hardened targets at operational and strategic depth. 1/12 pic.twitter.com/Jcm179wAOZ
— Fabian Hoffmann (@FRHoffmann1) May 11, 2023
Storm Shadow entered into service in 2002 and is manufactured by the European missile manufacturer @MBDAGroup. The French equivalent is known as SCALP-EG. Comparable cruise missiles include the American AGM-158 JASSM and the German-Swedish KEPD 350 Taurus. 2/12Storm Shadow is equipped with a TR60-30 Turbojet engine, providing it with a range of 250-400 km. The variant delivered to Ukraine is likely to be at a lower end of this spectrum, similar to the Black Shaheen export version (290 km range) delivered to the UAE. 3/12The warhead is where it gets interesting. Storm Shadow is equipped with a 400 kg BROACH warhead. This is a two-stage warhead, made up from an initial shaped charge, which cuts a passage through concrete, earth, etc., allowing a follow-on warhead to penetrate the target. 4/12This warhead design allows cruise missiles to achieve the degree of hard-target penetration formerly only possible using laser-guided gravity bombs. As such, Storm Shadow constitutes an incredibly effective weapon against hardened targets, if it can be brought to its target. 5/12The video below of the Taurus cruise missile (@MBDADeutschland) which uses a similar warhead design to BROACH (named MEFISTO) offers a great illustration of how multi-effect warheads can threaten deeply buried targets, like command-and-control bunkers. 6/12For midcourse guidance, Storm Shadow employs a triple navigation system using inertial navigation, GPS, & Terrain Reference Navigation. For terminal guidance, it uses an imaging infrared seeker & automated target recognition software for pin-point accuracy (in theory). 7/12However, given that the electromagnetic spectrum is contested, access to satellite navigation cannot be taken for granted. In addition, Storm Shadow may be susceptible to interception by Russian air defense capabilities. 8/12So far, this war has demonstrated that low-flying, subsonic vehicles can be intercepted, perhaps more easily than priorly assumed. If this S-300 has indeed shot down 22 Kalibr cruise missiles, there is no reason to assume that Russian S-300s cannot intercept Storm Shadows. 9/12While I assume that Storm Shadow has better active & passive countermeasures than Russian equivalents, it is not invulnerable. The system is, after all, more than 20 years old. Engaging heavily defended targets, like Kerch bridge, therefore remains a challenge. 10/12Talking about Kerch Bridge: The combination of pinpoint accuracy and hard-target kill capability renders Storm Shadow a much more potent weapon against the bridge than ATACMS could, in principle, ever be. See the thread below on ATACMS’ shortcomings. 11/12In general, the good news is that command posts, logistical facilities, ammunition depots and other high-value targets outside of HIMARS range are no longer invulnerable. This will likely exacerbate Russian planning and logistics. 12/12
That’s all I’ve got time for, back tomorrow with a proper update.
Your daily Patron!
A new video from Patron’s official TikTok:
@patron__dsns Цю дитячу фотографію Тома ви ще точно ніде не бачили🥹 #песпатрон
Here is the machine translation of the caption:
This is a childhood photo of Tom that you have not seen anywhere else 🥹 #песпатрон
Open thread!
The Pale Scot
Before I forget, have ya’ll seen this from a decade ago, it’s been running thru my head
Winner of “Ukraine’s Got Talent” – Sand Art “You are always near”
(Kseniya Simonova)
PJ
Congrats on your weight loss, Adam, and thanks again for putting the time and effort into these daily posts, which cover a lot more ground than you can get from most news sources out there.
strange visitor (from another planet)
a pair of those storm shadow missiles were stolen by SPECTRE in never say never again.
Jerzy Russian
I can relate to having all of your clothes and belts being too big. My size 36 jeans from last summer are way too large. The newer size 34 jeans are also becoming too large. I need to make a run to the local AmVets thrift store for a drop off.
Jerzy Russian
@strange visitor (from another planet): It looks like the picked up a few torpedoes from an old submarine and gave them a new coat of paint.
Baud
Get a load of this guy, doubting the expertise of the Internet.
strange visitor (from another planet)
@Jerzy Russian: those bulges on the top are extendable wings that unfold after the cruise missile is deployed.
Another Scott
(via https://twitter.com/ukraine_world )
Cheers,
Scott.
coin operated
@The Pale Scot:
I have seen that video before and highly recommend it. Kseniya is one talented artist.
satby
@The Pale Scot: I shared that here probably around then. Intensely moving.
Freemark
@Baud: Google is a much more reliable source than any nutritionist ‘expert’. Lamestream nutrition science can’t be trusted.
Carlo Graziani
This thing is subsonic (Mach 0.8), but it apparently flies very low, 30m altitude, according to Wikipedia. This is considerably lower than the Kalibr altitude floor (50m), so presumably distinguishing even one of them from ground clutter presents a considerable challenge to Russian air defenses. And 10:1 they don’t target the Kerch bridge supports with one missile at a time. They’ll want to overwhelm those defenses. And the Russians don’t have nearly the amount of practice defending against waves of cruise missiles that the Ukrainians do. So the Kalibr/Storm Shadow comparison is quite misleading.
dmsilev
Those are air launched missiles, right? I’m sure the UK and the Uk have figured out a way of getting compatibility between the missile and available launch platforms, but I confess to some curiosity as to what the bodged together solution looks like. We can only assume that several rolls of duct tape are involved.
Chetan Murthy
@dmsilev: And a backlevel, out-of-support Android phone.
Carlo Graziani
As to “Bakhmut is the beginning of the offensive”: no. It’s almost certainly a short-time-horizon opportunistic exploitation of Russian military malpractice driven by their disunity of command.
It is interesting to observe that last year’s opportunistic exploitation—the Kharkiv attack on a Russian “economy of force” theatre to recapture Izyum and Kupyansk, developed into a full offensive when the Russians ran away. So should a rout develop at Bakhmut, I suppose that events could drive another opportunistic offensive. But I’m dubious about that, because the reserves that the UA has husbanded for the offensive don’t seem to be at Bakhmut.
Chetan Murthy
@Carlo Graziani: I follow Denys Davydov and Georgi (“Ukraine Matters”). Both believe that this is an attempt by ZSU to get the Russians to commit whatever reserves they have, to Bakhmut. That is, to really, really get RU buried up to their necks in Bakhmut, so that when the real counteroffensive happens, they won’t be able to rapidly respond.
YY_Sima Qian
@Carlo Graziani: The Storm Shadow has some stealthy features to reduce radar detection, the Kalibr does not.
Kelly
@dmsilev: I read the earlier work to adapt NATO HARM missiles was a big help.
Czar Chasm
Adam, could I get the info for your nutritionist? I’m struggling to shake off some weight that’s starting to get in the way of me keeping up with my kids.
Inventor
It seems that the Bakhmut operation has been one big “Rope-a-Dope” for Ukraine.
Carlo Graziani
@Inventor: I like it. “The Military Wisdom of Muhammad Ali”. And IMO it fits pretty well.
Jackie
@Jerzy Russian: Same with me! We eat with our plates on our lap because no dining room or table. My son and DIL are 6’ tall. I’m 5’2”. They also have two large dogs who don’t have manners – forcing me to hold my plate up with one hand while trying to eat and shush away dogs with the other hand. And DIL’s dinnerware is HEAVY – causing me to resort using salad plate – which is lighter and makes for smaller portions. Without consciously trying, I lost almost 30 lbs. I hadn’t been on a scale in years, and because of Covid closing everything down, had been wearing sweatpants/sweatshorts for a year plus. When I finally had an occasion to wear my jeans they literally fell down after I fastened them. I jumped on the scales and weighed 127 lbs from the 154 prior to Covid and eating on lighter (smaller) plates. I had to telecommute with my PA to be reassured I wasn’t dying of whatever. BP, blood work and vitals were great, so I heartily recommend eating with smaller plates held up high to lose a few pounds!
way2blue
@The Pale Scot:
Sand Art. That was astonishing. Thanks for the link & the prompt!
VeniceRiley
Zelenskyy’s invitation to Brazil sounds like “Why don’t you come over here and say that to my face.”
I love that guy.
Mallard Filmore
Interesting report over at https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017827719 about action around Bakhmut, It includes a link to a YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD-ODf5vkSY
The democraticunderground article has some of the video transcript: “… It was reported that Ukrainians opened two lines of attack: from the northern part of the forest and from Ivanivske. The engagements were light because Ukrainians understood that Russians were cut off from supplies. As a result, closer to the second half of the day, Russians started running low on ammunition, and with no prospect of improvement of the situation, several detachments from the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade abandoned multiple positions in this region.
After seeing that their fellow men abandoned their positions, soldiers from the same 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade left a huge trench network north of Klischiivka. This is the biggest and the most fortified position south of Bakhmut. Prigozhin reported that he had to send his men from Bakhmut to plug this hole in the flank.
Today Ukrainians also launched a huge counterattack on the northern flank. In a similar fashion, Ukrainians started undermining Russian defense from the corner between Bohdanivka and a small river. After initial success, the scale of the attack was increased, and Ukrainians opened two vectors of attack directed towards each other. As a result, the Russian 9th Motorized Rifle Brigade started abandoning their positions, which resulted in even bigger first-day penetration than to the south. …”
None of the YouTube channels I watch, a biased selection I am sure, talk about how the Russians will attack. All the chatter is about the coming Ukrainian offensive.
Amir Khalid
@Mallard Filmore:
The YouTube videos I see are all about how Russian troops’ morale is collapsing and their doodz are deserting in droves.
Matthew
You might consider wearing a continuous glucose monitor for a bit. I also recommended in a comment to Cole. I’m diabetic and wearing a CGM led me to seriously revamp my diet. It’s amazing to see what your food is doing to you on a minute by minute basis! Also, once you hit your goals, consider how your metabolism is different around exercise. That’s when you can indulge a bit and then “pay” with exercise.
zhena gogolia
Missed this last night. Congratulations on the weight loss / muscle gain! Cole’s post must have been frustrating.
MinuteMan
@Jackie: If you held your little plate down low you might lose even more weight although at the expense of the canines.