Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

The fight for our country is always worth it. ~Kamala Harris

When they say they are pro-life, they do not mean yours.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Just because you believe it, that does not make it true.

Bark louder, little dog.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Human rights are not a matter of opinion!

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. keep building.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

You are either for trump or for democracy. Pick one.

Every decision we make has lots of baggage with it, known or unknown.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Sometimes the world just tells you your cat is here.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / War for Ukraine Day 885: The Butcher’s Bill from Last Night’s/This Morning’s Russian Attacks

War for Ukraine Day 885: The Butcher’s Bill from Last Night’s/This Morning’s Russian Attacks

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Painting by NEIVANMADE. The background is black. There is a white cross in a broken window frame. In front of it is a hispital bed with an IV stand falling across it. Wires from a broken monitor on the right are strewn on the floor with a yellow basketball on the right and teddy bear on the left. In the foreground are fragments of a Russian cruise missile, which are red, and have the "Z" war symbol. In the top of the painting in grey is written "Children's Hospital." Below that in red "Is Just Another Target for Russia" is written.

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Quick housekeeping note: Rosie is still doing excellent. She has another week off and then her next treatment is a week from Monday. Thank you all for the good thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and donations.

As of 7:45 PM EDT/2;45 PM local time in Ukraine, air raid alerts are spreading across Ukraine. At 7:30 they were up over southern and eastern Ukraine. Now they’re also up over central Ukraine. I’ll keep an eye on it, but remember, if we get an all Ukraine alert, then it means Russian missiles and drones are inbound.

Sister Golden Bear asked this last night (after I’d gone to sleep):

Question regarding the French rail sabotage, do the Russian have a history of emulating the MO of other groups/security services/intelligence agencies for kinetic actions like these to throw suspicion elsewhere? Given their ratfucking activity in the States via sock puppet groups, to me it seems quite possible that it was done by the Russians, who attempted to make it look like leftist/environmentalist militants—both to divert attention and to create schisms. But obviously that’s pure speculation on my part.

I don’t know off the top of my head. However, there are three things to keep in mind while we wait for more information. The first is that the MO of the previous attacks by what the French refer to as leftist extremist groups is well known. So even if the Russians did not have a history of doing so, it shouldn’t be hard to replicate. The second is that the Russians do work through local proxies. They have teams of illegals – those are not for cover espionage positions – in every EU member state, as well as Britain, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Moldova, Japan, South Korea, Israel, almost all of the African states, almost every state in Central and South America and the Caribbean. So plenty of folks to organize locals and pay them. Third, as I’ve documented here a number of times over the past six months, the Russians have a well organized, ongoing sabotage and assassination program running in the EU member states. Which is why many immediately made the linkage back to Russia. I honestly have no idea who is responsible for these attacks, but the reason everyone thought Russia is because Russia’s past behavior makes it a prime suspect. Even if, this time, it has nothing to do with these attacks.

Here’s some of the butcher’s bill from Russia’s attacks on Ukraine overnight/this morning.

Sumy Oblast:

Today is Ukrainian Medical Workers Day.

Today, Ukraine celebrates Medical Worker’s Day.

We are grateful to Ukrainian doctors, combat medics, and nurses for every life saved by their hands.

In this difficult time of war, their work is extremely important. The professionalism and dedication of 🇺🇦 medics allow our soldiers to return to their families and continue to defend our country.

President Zelenskyy and First Lady Zelenska both addressed the inaugural annual Conference on Military Medicine and Mental Health. Here is President Zelenskyy’s address. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

Speech by the President at the First Annual International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health “Warrior: Life, Health, Combat Capability”

27 July 2024 – 16:15

Dear participants, dear guests, dear ladies and gentlemen!

First of all, I congratulate everyone on the Day of the Medical Worker of Ukraine! All our doctors, nurses and all those who have dedicated themselves to the very noble mission of helping, treating, saving Ukrainians, saving our warriors, saving our people.

Our medical workers are people of great distinction, our medical workers with big hearts, doing a tremendous job. Throughout the years of Independence, in times of various challenges and hardships, in times of countering Covid-19, and of course now, during the full-scale invasion.

Today, since the very morning, I have had the honor to see such people, to recognize them with state awards. We have been to the Institute of Traumatology, which as of today has the status of a National Institute. We have also been to our legendary Okhmatdyt, which we will certainly rebuild, and now I am here with you at this significant Congress, which is dedicated to a very important, significant topic.

Usually, in public discourse or in private conversations, the topic of the country’s defense capability is associated primarily with weapons, machinery and equipment. And all this is indeed extremely important. But at the same time, there is something that plays a no less significant role in the context of war. Something that is also a weapon, but of a different nature. This is the physical and mental health of our warriors. That is why this event is especially important; that is why military medicine should always be the focus of the state’s attention.

After all, this is about people. After all, this is for people. For our warriors, their families and loved ones, combat medics and all those involved in this field, our volunteers, our partners, in short: everyone who understands that each defender, their life and health are the highest priority for Ukraine.

On February 24, 2022, the state faced large-scale threats that were often out of balance with the resources and experience available at the time. Military medicine was no exception. But thanks to the will and coordinated work, we managed to withstand and overcome many challenges since then. I welcome all the real steps that have already been taken. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that there are still many tasks on this path. They are a priority. Building a medical system that meets the challenges of today, creating a single medical space where every specialist knows and fulfills their role is a priority.

In particular, we are talking about the efficient use of resources, the supply of first-aid kits and tourniquets of adequate quality, and the provision of mobile hospitals. Paying more attention to the wounded, paying more attention to those who have returned from the Russian hell – we are talking about the mechanisms of reintegration of fighters released from captivity, establishing a Reintegration Center and ensuring the rehabilitation of military personnel.

Everything that can be digitized should be digitized. The Ministry of Defense, together with the General Staff, should deploy a medical information system in military units by the end of the year to make the route of the wounded transparent, to make it clear. This is what every military medic and every warrior expect.

An effective rehabilitation system should be implemented, which should include the mental recovery of the military along with their families.

Separately, I want to commend our military surgeons and the absolutely unique surgeries they perform, some of which have no analogues in the world. Today, our doctors restore lost limbs, perform surgeries even when the heart is damaged, when it seems impossible, they bring a warrior back to life.

In my opinion, the class and dedication of our medical workers have brought the most important success of military medicine in this war. Despite all the challenges and hardships, we have maintained a high casualty survival rate and a significant return to duty rate.

This certainly deserves applause.

Dear audience, ladies and gentlemen! The military medicine system still faces many challenges to overcome. As the Head of State, I promise you comprehensive support in this field. I have signed the decree “Regulations on Military Service”, which regulates the service of persons with medical education and the assignment of the primary officer rank to doctors who have not studied in the military department.

In addition, I have instructed the Government to fully fund the creation of a modern rehabilitation hospital with a reintegration module for military personnel released from captivity. And stabilization centers for continuous medical care in the combat zone.

Defending the state is definitely a two-way movement. And those who defend the state must know, must feel that the state defends them. This is the difference between us and the enemy. Russia neglects its people and does not fight for their survival. Instead, Ukraine must do everything to protect the lives, primarily the lives and health of its warriors.

Our army has proved its modernity and strength, which are capable of establishing the desired peace in Ukraine. When we rightly talk about our need for weapons, we must not forget that the support and protection of our warriors is also a weapon. Every commander must remember that people are not expendable. Their strength, their knowledge and their skills are of immense value to our state.

Today, as I honor many medical professionals, including military ones, with state awards, I can say once again that our Independence is firmly based on our people. And with this understanding, we must create a proper rehabilitation system with the highest level of necessary personnel training and rehabilitation centers.

This is our task, this is our goal, this is our way.

I thank you for the invitation, thank you for your attention! I wish you productive discussions, which is important, and effective decisions.

I congratulate everyone involved on the Day of the Medical Worker!

Glory to Ukraine!

Here is First Lady Zelenska’s address. Video followed by the English description of her participation.

Olena Zelenska: Our “Thank You” to the Military Should Be Expressed in Concrete Actions and Support

27 July 2024 – 18:03

Olena Zelenska, the wife of the President of Ukraine, took part in the First Annual International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health “Warrior: Life, Health, Combat Capability”.

During the event, leading medical experts, military personnel, state officials, representatives of international organizations and civil society discussed issues of military personnel’s health, rehabilitation, evacuation, medical care on the battlefield, scientific and technological innovations in military medicine. Special attention was paid to the mental health of Ukrainian defenders.

“In various surveys, only a third of the servicemen say they would go to a psychologist. The answers of the defenders show a nationwide trend: the prejudice that psychological help is a ‘manifestation of weakness’. And the task of the whole society is to overcome this stigma, to explain and realize that the ability to accept help is, on the contrary, a demonstration of strength,” the First Lady emphasized.

She noted that one of the most important tasks of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program is to support the fighters. Olena Zelenska pointed out that along with the military, their loved ones should also receive such assistance.

“Every warrior is not just a part of the army. They are fathers, husbands, mothers, daughters. That is why it is important that families learn self-help skills and know how to support their loved ones who are defending our country on the frontline,” the First Lady said.

She noted that there are many practices in the world that Ukraine can and should adopt.

“During a recent trip to the United States, I was greatly impressed by the Walter Reed Center, the most powerful medical complex for the military in the country. Every paramedic learns the skills to support mental health. This helps them make the right decisions and helps those around them. I am glad that soon a delegation of our specialists, headed by the Minister of Health, will visit the center to study everything in detail,” Olena Zelenska said.

The First Lady thanked the international partners for their willingness to share their experience and urged Ukrainian officials to take care of the mental well-being of Ukraine’s defenders.

And here are President Zelenskyy’s remarks to Ukrainian medical workers on their professional day. Video below, English description after.

Even after the Russian Attacks, We Do Not Lose the Ability of Our Medicine to Save Lives – the President Congratulated Medical Workers on their Professional Day

27 July 2024 – 12:38

On the occasion of the Day of the Medical Worker of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine and informed that the institution has been granted national status.

“I have signed the corresponding decree. This is not only a legal status, not only recognition of your professionalism and contribution to the capacity of Ukrainian medicine, but also a real gratitude of all of us, our state, for your work. 300 surgeries every week, most of them of the highest complexity. This is your absolutely worthy work, which adds dignity to our entire state. Thank you for that!” the President emphasized.

He noted that there is no hospital in Ukraine that has not felt the consequences of the war. All medical institutions receive the wounded from the frontline or suffer from shelling by the Russian army.

“Even after such brutal Russian attacks as against Okhmatdyt and hundreds of other hospitals destroyed or damaged by Russian shelling, we do not lose the ability of our medicine to save lives. It is exclusively your professionalism, your strength, your character that work for the sake of the entire Ukraine. Thank you!” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The participants honored the memory of all doctors and military medics whose lives were taken by the war with a minute of silence.

The Head of State congratulated the medical staff of the institution and military doctors on their professional day and presented them with state awards.

The President handed awards to medical personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, the Main Military Clinical Hospital, the National Specialized Children’s Hospital “Okhmatdyt”, the Center for Emergency Medical Care in the Kharkiv Region, the Hospital of Velyka Oleksandrivka in the Kherson Region and the Chernihiv City Hospital #2.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with the military personnel undergoing treatment at the facility, thanked them for defending Ukraine and honored them with state awards.

Iurii Poliachenko, Director of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, spoke about his experience in treating war casualties, including work with combat injuries since 2014. During the full-scale war, the capacity in this field was increased, and now the conditions for treatment and rehabilitation are being improved.

The Zelenskyys also visited Okhmatdyt National Specialized Children’s Hospital.

Today, Olena @ZelenskaUa and I visited the National Specialized Children’s Hospital “Okhmatdyt”. We spoke with the children who are undergoing treatment.

Despite everything, the institution is resuming its normal operations and rebuilding its strength after the Russian attack. I thank everyone who is helping the hospital, those who were on site after the Russian missile hit, clearing the rubble, and supporting the children. I also extend my gratitude to everyone around the world who has sought solutions to support Ukrainians.

We will definitely restore everything and prove that life is stronger than its enemy.

The reason:

President @ZelenskyyUa in Okhmatdyt💪

The reason 2:

The Ukrainian MOD appears to be taking credit for the destruction of three different Russian rotary wing aircraft.

-3 russian helicopters 🔥 🔥 🔥

As reported by @DI_Ukraine, on July 24, 2024, a military multi-purpose Mi-8 helicopter burned down at the Kryazh airfield in the city of Samara. A few days earlier, on July 21, 2024, in the village of Tomilino near Moscow, two more helicopters of the aggressor state were damaged by fire – an attack Mi-28 and a multi-purpose Ka-226.

As claimed by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine:
“On July 24, 2024, Russian Mi-8 military helicopter was burned down at the airfield “Kryaz” in Samara, Russia.”

Also a low resolution satellite imagery of what appears to be remainings of a burned helicopter was published.
(53.1170868, 50.0908119)
https://t.me/DIUkraine/4158

Also as was claimed- “a few days earlier, on July 21, 2024, two more Russsian helicopters- Mi-28 and a multi-purpose Ka-226 – were hit by fire in the Tomilino settlement near Moscow.”

P.S: Hopefully we will see more, better quality, satellite imagery or other confirmations.

/2. Attached thread with the geolocation of fire, based on published footages, on the territory of «National Helicopter Manufacturing Center Named After M.L. Mil and N.I. Kamov» where Russian Ka-226 and Mi-28 helicopters were allegedly set on fire.

Image with estimated geolocation by @PowerPigeon2

For you flying turret enthusiasts.

The Pokrovsk front:

The Times Maxim Tucker, just back from an embed with Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade, provides us with several parts of the explanation for what is going on in Pokrovsk.

I spent a week for @thetimes with Ukraine’s elite 47th Mechanised Brigade, equipped with M1 Abrams, M2 Bradleys and Paladin artillery. They told me they’re in “deep shit” in the Pokrovsk sector, where the Russians have advanced 6km towards the Donbas town in just over a week.Image
Gulf War era US Bradleys have proved perhaps the most effective fighting vehicle of the war, their armour saving hundreds, if not thousands of lives, and chewing up Russian BMPs and infantry with their Bushmaster 25mm autocannon.

But Ukraine doesn’t have enough, so relies on the brigade that lead the summer counteroffensive and held defensive lines at Avdiivka to hold at Pokrovsk. They are thinned out by casualties and exhausted, and they keep having to pull back when flanks held by weaker units collapse.Image
The Russians changed tactics to fight smarter, using intel to attack weak units rather than weak fortifications. They began the offensive by bringing in highly 100s of trained FPV drone operators using a new frequency Ukrainian ECM was not designed to jam and hitting logistics. 
They attack in small groups of 3-4 infantry, using treelines to hide from drones, probe positions and call in artillery or drone strikes. If they can sneak a platoon size forward, the infantry assault Ukrainian positions. They have taken several villages this way. 
I met some incredibly brave crews, including Dzvinka, a 28 year old architect turned Bradley commander from Lviv. They love their vehicles but need replacements, upgrades and spare parts. They are desperate for other brigades to get the Bradleys to reduce dependence on them.Image
Dzvinka’s vehicle has been hit six times by Lancets, FPVs and a mortar. She says the Bradley saved her life and the troops inside. Last hit set the vehicle ablaze and shrapnel through her arm. She was trapped in the burning vehicle and said her life flashed in front of her eyes…Image
Before she escaped through the gunner’s hatch. The US has given 300+ M2A2 Bradleys to Ukraine, mostly ahead for its counteroffensive last summer. Yet after more than a year of intense combat, many have had to be cannibalised to repair others. 93 have been counted lost. 

The Bradleys are now being used in surgical fire missions and troop rotations to try to hold the Russians back. You can read my full dispatch from the Donbas with the 47th here:

US combat vehicles keep the Russians at bay — but for how long?

Here are the three tweets with the videos, as I’m not sure they actually embed properly with the Thread Reader App.

What the Ukrainians need in Pokrovsk is fresh forces to provide relief in place for the 47th, as well as fresh Bradleys. This is both a lack of personnel issue and a need for more material problem.

Vovchansk:

Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast:

Polevaya, Russia:

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron tweets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

8Comments

  2. 2.

    KatKapCC

    Oh my word, that video of President Zelenskyy with the child in the hospital is just so sweet. It’s so nice that he makes time for visits like that. I have a tough time imagining Putin doing the same.

  6. 6.

    Jay

    @Anoniminous:

    The difference is that the ruZZians are not using Strosstrupp tactics, quite.

    In Strosstrupp tactics you go for the weak fortifications, by pass strongpoints and get into the rear, then wreak havoc.

    The ruZZian current tactics are to go after the “weak” units and it’s not a numbers thing, defense thing or a weapons thing,

    They are targeting units that don’t have cohesion, good command and control, poor weapons control and are likely to retreat.

    One of the ways they are doing this is by sending meat cubes out into a portion of the lines, and drones monitor the Ukrainian response. Open fire too soon, not have overlapping fields of fire, no drone coordination, poor coordination with mortars and artillery, confused response to the attack,  3 out of 20 meat cubes survived, weak unit,

    Send another meat cube out at a different portion of the lines, and they are all dead from precision attacks before they are halfway across the field, strong unit, even if they are understrength and exhausted.

    So they are probing not for theoretical defenses and theoretical unit strength, they are probing a unit’s commitment to fight well and hold ground.

  8. 8.

    Bill Arnold

    Adam may cover this. (Note: email security for most orgs is poor, e.g. the domain involved could have been hacked or otherwise subverted by e.g. Russians.)
    Anonymous email links Paris rail attacks to far-left group – Message about arson attacks is being analysed for links to domestic and international extremists (David Chazan, Sunday July 28 2024, “The Sunday Times” (UK), archive.ph link)

    Investigators are looking into an anonymous email apparently sent by a mysterious ultra-leftist group claiming responsibility for arson attacks on France’s rail network that caused transport chaos hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
    The email was sent to French and international media organisations from an address with the domain name “rise up”. The domain name has been used by violent groups in France in the past, including ultra-leftists, anarchists and radical environmentalists, according to security sources.
    However, Gérald Darmanin, the interior minister, said in an interview on Saturday that he could not rule out foreign involvement. He did not name any country but was apparently alluding to Russia, which has allegedly orchestrated arson attacks in several European countries including the UK.

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