Three quick housekeeping notes. First, Rosie is doing great, but she’d like the daily/multi-times a day thunder monsoons would stop. Thank you all for the good thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and donations.
Second, why is it still not Friday?
Third, I want to make an additional point above the fold. The strategic incoherence, inconsistency, and malpractice we’ve spent the past 31 months watching Biden’s senior natsec appointees demonstrate in regard to Ukraine and the past 11 months in regard to Israel, Hamas, and Gaza is because this natsec team was not put together to deal with any of this. They were put together to repair the foreign policy and national security damage created by Trump and his team of misfits, oddballs, amateurs, and weirdos. A lot of them were people that President Biden had worked with for decades, in some cases their whole careers were the result of working for and/or with him when he was in the Senate and/or the vice president. Others had been the junior to mid-level Obama appointees and their next stop were the senior level appointments in the next Democratic administration regardless of which Democrat was elected. There’s a club. They’re all in on that the major, ongoing threat to the US is a form of great power competition with the PRC. Which is why all of the US’s strategic documents give the PRC pride of place as an ever emerging threat despite the actual reality of the ongoing, enduring threats from Russia and the never ending, and unlikely to end in my lifetime, destructive volatility of the entire Middle East. A fair amount of which we’re responsible for because of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney’s stupid idea to invade Iraq in 2003.
What this team was not put together to do was serve as the senior natsec staff for a major, and frankly genocidal, interstate war in Europe, which is part of Russia’s ongoing world war against the US, the EU, and NATO, as well as Bibi Netanyahu’s megalomaniacal narcissism, his extremist coalition, Yahya Sinwar’s nihilism, and Hamas. Personnel is policy and these personnel were put into place to do something else. They are the wrong makes, models, and types to manage what the US and our allies and partners are currently facing and will continue to face for years to come. The result is that Putin and Russia, Bibi and his extremist partners, and Sinwar continually wrong foot the US. President Biden’s failure was not in appointing these people, they are all eminently qualified. His failure was not replacing them with the right makes, models, and types to handle the crises the US is currently and will continue to face.
President Zelenskyy and First Lady Zelenska both addressed the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen today. Video of First Lady Zelenska’s address is below followed after the jump by the video and English transcript of President Zelenskyy’s address.
Children’s Safety Is Everyone’s Concern Today – President’s Speech at the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen
12 September 2024 – 19:54
Dear First Ladies and Gentlemen!
Dear Guests!
Ladies and Gentlemen!
First of all, I want to thank all of you, the First Lady of Ukraine, and all participants and guests of this Summit. Thank you for this productive day, for this extremely important event. Thank you for coming to Ukraine during these challenging times and for standing with us as we overcome them together. Now and in the past years, over the course of which this global platform has proven that it is a necessary venue where important voices from around the world are heard, an effective platform where crucial solutions are found and then implemented. It brings more protection to life and more justice to the world.
Thanks to your activity, dialogue and initiatives, and the fact that you act today as true ambassadors of the bright side of history, promoters of human values, and ambassadors of life.
And I congratulate all of you on holding this year’s Summit, the fourth one already. Despite the war, all the challenges, threats, and difficulties, Ukraine once again brings together First Ladies and Gentlemen from around the world. This is very important. We must not shy away from challenges but overcome them, we must not look away from threats. We must address difficult and pressing issues, seek out answers, and find them. We must keep the world’s attention on Ukraine and ensure the world does not forget, because it’s not just Ukraine under attack today, but the values of freedom and life globally. This year’s topic is children’s safety.
It’s hard to imagine two more polar, more opposite concepts than “war” and “children.” Unfortunately, in today’s world, there are those who have chosen the former – war. Aggressors, dictators – whatever you call them – they have chosen destruction over development. Ruthless and constant violations of children’s rights instead of protecting and caring for future generations.
This is the most painful aspect of war. The fact that children are the most vulnerable during war is not just words. It’s a fact. Nothing tugs at the heart more or sounds more terrifying than a child saying, “I’m scared.”
You can rebuild destroyed homes, restore the economy, rebuild infrastructure capacities, and clear territories scattered with enemy mines – you can do all that. But how do you give back a stolen childhood? Is there a “compensation mechanism” for taking away children’s peace and safety?
Recently, I was told a story. It was about a conversation between our warriors in a trench on the frontline. An experienced fighter who has been defending Ukraine since the very beginning of the occupation in 2014 praised his brother-in-arms for his bravery. They had just returned from a combat mission. Then he expressed regret that they hadn’t met earlier, as those qualities would have been very useful. He asked, “Where were you in 2015?” The brother-in-arms replied, “In 10th grade.”
I think this story is a tragedy. It’s reality. And I think there are many such stories among us: on the front lines, in civilian life. Unfortunately, far too many, because of this war that Putin has brought. Yesterday’s children are today’s warriors, defending their homeland and sacrificing their lives.
Some were in school, some had just entered university, and each of them had their childhood, youth, and part of their life stolen.
This is what happens if evil is not put in its place immediately. This is what happens when the world spends years thinking about red lines and searching for diplomatic solutions in dealing with those who have been undiplomatically killing, burning, and raping for years. For years, annexing, waging wars, and fighting them for as long as they need. And they will continue doing so. As long as the world is asleep. As long as some pretend to care. As long as some believe in the narrative that Putin is fighting Nazism in Ukraine or neo-Nazis of some kind. Which Nazis exactly? Today, in Kyiv, we are saying goodbye to our warrior, a fallen Ukrainian defender, the son of Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi, Moshe Azman. I want to express my condolences to him and to all those who have lost loved ones. Today, war affects everyone. It affects all of us in Ukraine, in Europe, and around the world. All of us: men, women, our parents, but above all, our children.
Ten days ago, Ukraine celebrated Knowledge Day – the start of the new school year. But the war has brought completely different kinds of knowledge to our country and our children. Knowledge that no child on this planet should have. Going to the first lesson to the sound of sirens, learning not just language, history, and math but also short routes to the bomb shelter, adapting to online education, adapting to studying in another country, in another language. This is difficult, too.
And the worst thing is not seeing your mother or father, when our families are separated because of a full-scale war that has been going on for almost three years. Our children born after February 24th have already learned to walk. They’ve already learned to speak. Unfortunately, war has taught them words like “alarm,” “attack,” “missiles,” “shelling,” “strikes,” “danger.”
These are challenges not meant for children. And that’s why today, our children ask questions of grown-ups: “Is it flying again?” “When can we go outside?” “Was that a hit or our air defense?” “When will dad come home?” “Why doesn’t God punish and take away this Putin?” And the most important question: “When will this war end?”
And this question comes from every child in Ukraine, from every single one. And it is a question for all of us, for all the adults on Earth. And it requires honest answers. It requires that we all be honest, especially with ourselves.
Because it’s easy to condemn a Russian missile hitting our school. But it’s not so easy to admit that the missile might contain parts made in America, Europe, Asia, or any other part of the world. There is a saying, “The devil is in the details.” Unfortunately, the example of these missiles proves this, in every sense of the phrase.
How is this possible? Why is this possible? And while it may be hard to admit, is it really that hard to fix, to stop, to resolve?
This Summit, in particular, and all the efforts of Ukraine and our allies in general, prove that the safety of children today concerns all of us: each and every one of us.
It should unite us, and it is uniting everyone today, regardless of any political levels. Leaders of nations, First Ladies and Gentlemen, international organizations and institutions, active, brave, and caring people from around the world. In general – adults, who must overcome challenges not meant for children.
Ukraine is determined to solve this issue. Ukraine knows the answers to all these questions. We offer our solutions to the world. Our Peace Formula, our victory plan, the Peace Summit – all contain just answers for a just end to the war. This is what should happen when the one who has encroached on the safety of children is held accountable for their actions, and when repeating such crimes in the future becomes impossible.
So that children in Ukraine and all over the world can have a happy childhood, so that loved ones are nearby, and families are not torn apart by this shameful war Russia has brought. So that the world never again sees pictures of a child’s room hit by a shell or a child being pulled out of the rubble after a missile strike. This war, and all wars, must become a thing of the past. This war, and all wars, must become a thing of the past.
Ukraine strives for this. Ukraine unites the world for this. Ukraine and the world must achieve this.
Once again, I thank all of you for organizing this Summit, for participating, for coming to Ukraine, and for fighting with us. We will surely win. We must.
Thank you for your attention!
Glory to Ukraine!
The cost:
У Центральній синагозі Києва попрощалися з Матітьягу Самборським — сином головного рабина України, який загинув на фронті.
Прощальні слова сказали його батько, головний рабин України Моше Асман, інші родичі та посол Ізраїлю в Україні Михайло Бродський. pic.twitter.com/oofQcMekxo
— Радіо Свобода (@radiosvoboda) September 12, 2024
Here’s the (machine) translation:
In the Central Synagogue of Kyiv, they said goodbye to Matityagu Samborsky, the son of the chief rabbi of Ukraine, who died at the front.
Farewell words were said by his father, the chief rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Asman, other relatives and the ambassador of Israel to Ukraine Mykhailo Brodskyi.
Matityahu Samborskyi, son of the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Azman, died defending Ukraine. On September 12, his funeral took place in the central synagogue of Kyiv.
The rabbi shared that he and his wife adopted Matityahu in 2002. At that time, he was 11 years old and had the… pic.twitter.com/pbizT26dTq
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 12, 2024
Matityahu Samborskyi, son of the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Azman, died defending Ukraine. On September 12, his funeral took place in the central synagogue of Kyiv.
The rabbi shared that he and his wife adopted Matityahu in 2002. At that time, he was 11 years old and had the name Anton. The new family gave him a Jewish name – Matityahu. In May of this year, the Defender’s daughter was born.
Eternal memory and eternal glory to Ukrainian Hero.
📷: Suspilne
May his memory be a blessing.
Lithuania:
Another round of M113 armored vehicles & SUVs from our Lithuanian friends.
We are grateful for your unwavering support!
Together until Victory!
🇺🇦🤝🇱🇹 https://t.co/E8nMDnqZnr— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 12, 2024
Romania:
I had a fruitful phone conversation with the Minister of National Defense of Romania, @AngelTilvar.
The main topic is strengthening Ukrainian skies’ protection from russian missiles and drones.
Ukraine will soon receive a new Patriot air defense system from our Romanian…
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) September 12, 2024
I had a fruitful phone conversation with the Minister of National Defense of Romania, @AngelTilvar.
The main topic is strengthening Ukrainian skies’ protection from russian missiles and drones.
Ukraine will soon receive a new Patriot air defense system from our Romanian partners.
There will also be more F-16s in Ukrainian skies. A group of our pilots is already undergoing training in Romania.
I thanked my Romanian colleague, people, and government for supporting and strengthening our air defense.
We agreed to continue cooperation.
Together, to victory! 🇺🇦🇷🇴
Turkey:
Russian missile against a wheat cargo bound for Egypt. Tonight, Russia launched a strike on an ordinary civilian vessel in the Black Sea right after it left Ukrainian territorial waters. Fortunately, there were no casualties, according to preliminary reports.
Ukraine is one of… pic.twitter.com/nNCqNDVfJV
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 12, 2024
Russian missile against a wheat cargo bound for Egypt. Tonight, Russia launched a strike on an ordinary civilian vessel in the Black Sea right after it left Ukrainian territorial waters. Fortunately, there were no casualties, according to preliminary reports.
Ukraine is one of the key global food security guarantors. Domestic stability and normal life in dozens of countries around the world are dependent on the normal and unhindered operation of our food expert corridor.
Ukraine’s food deliveries to African and Middle Eastern countries are critical. We will continue to make every effort to safeguard our ports, the Black Sea, and food exports to global markets. This is Ukraine’s true priority—to protect life—and it should be the priority of all countries.
We are waiting for the world to react. Wheat and food security should never be targets for missiles.
Bulk carrier “Aya”, struck by a Russian missile earlier, now has a Romanian military/SAR plus another Romanian SAR vessel assisting it. https://t.co/T25brO5lkG pic.twitter.com/7xGcyXVNqw
— Andy Scollick (@Andy_Scollick) September 12, 2024
Now watch Erdogan taking revenge.
Unlike Scholz and Biden, Erdogan knows that putin will fold instantly if confronted militarily. https://t.co/WYLIpoOsrE
— Thomas C. Theiner (@noclador) September 12, 2024
Naval News has the details:
A Turkish operated merchant vessel, the MV Aya, has been hit by a Russian Kh-22 missile launched by a Tu-22M Backfire bomber. The Belize-owned, St. Kitts & Nevis flagged ship was sailing from the port of Chornomorsk, carrying 26,550 tons of grain for Egypt.
According to people familiar with the incident, the ship was hit by the missile at around 23:05 on September 11, 75km (46 miles) south of Snake Island. This places it in Romanian EEZ.
The Kh-22 missile, known by the NATO reporting name AS-4 Kitchen, is a very large anti-ship missile. It flies at Mach 4.6 (5,600 km/h; 3,500 mph) and carries a 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) warhead. This makes it much larger, and harder hitting, than Harpoon or Exocet class missiles. The missile was launched from a Russian Tu-22M Backfire bomber. Only Russia operates this aircraft or missile.
The missile was developed during the Cold War to attack aircraft carriers and other high-value targets. While old, it remains formidable. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine Russia has employed it against ground targets, including Snake Island.
Modern merchant ships have proven very resilient to missiles, although the risk to the vessel and crew remains high. Context is everything. This is demonstrated by the Houthi Movement who have struck a number of vessels with ballistic missiles in the Red Sea, resulting in broadly similar damage.
More at the link!
My source with knowledge of this Russian missile attack on a grain ship that had left a Ukrainian port yesterday said that the attack occurred in Romania’s maritime economic zone. @FT https://t.co/C3aIbLWcE0 pic.twitter.com/zfphSvWwUC
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) September 12, 2024
So we’ve got a bulk grain carrier operated by a crew from Turkey, a NATO member, attacked in the territorial waters of Romania, also a NATO ally.
The US:
This would seem to reinforce the idea that the problem is with US targeting data required for certain sorts of Storm Shadow strikes. “A British defence source said that the UK did not need the support of other countries in Nato to go ahead.” https://t.co/1AMTbUIJD6
— Shashank Joshi (@shashj) September 12, 2024
The Times has the details: (emphasis mine)
President Putin has warned Britain and the United States that they will be “at war” with Russia if they allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike targets across the border.
Sir Keir Starmer and President Biden will hold talks on Friday in the White House about allowing Ukraine to use British-made Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia.
They are expected to reach an agreement within weeks after accusing Moscow of a “significant escalation” in the conflict as Russia bought more than 200 ballistic missiles from Iran for use against Ukraine.
But before the meeting, Putin told Russian state television on Thursday that the move would “change the very nature of the conflict” in a “significant” way forcing Moscow to respond. “It would mean that Nato countries are at war with Russia,” he said. “We will take the appropriate decisions based on the threats that we will face.”
Starmer immediately dismissed his warning. “Russia started this conflict,” he said as he travelled to Washington. “Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia can end this conflict straight away. Ukraine has the right to self- defence, and obviously we’ve been absolutely fully supportive of Ukraine’s right to self-defence, providing training capabilities. But we don’t seek any conflict with Russia, that’s not our intention in the slightest. But they started this conflict, and Ukraine’s got a right to self-defence.”
In a significant shift in tone, Starmer and Biden are expected to hold talks on how to bring Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to an end.
Starmer will use a two-hour meeting in the White House with Biden to discuss how to bring about a “long-term solution” to the war, as well as the conflict in Gaza. The discussions represent a shift from the present policy of staying the course to one where there is some form of end to the conflict.
The UK and US are expected to agree to allow Ukraine to use British-made long-range Storm Shadow missiles and their French equivalent, Scalp missiles, against targets in Russia. However, Biden may stop short of allowing Ukraine to use US-made ATACMS — ballistic missiles — in Russia, according to two sources, amid concern about Putin’s response. Starmer confirmed that today’s meeting would address the “nature of that capability” but refused to be drawn on details.
The prime minister said: “We will, of course, be talking about many things in the round, but this is not a sort of a series of individual decisions that we want to arrive at. It is making sure that all the decisions we made are within the strategic context.”
Biden is understood to have been more reluctant than Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, who has become more aligned with Britain on the use of long-range missiles on Russian targets.
A western official said they believed the discussion in Washington would centre on “how do we use the remaining months of the Biden administration to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position by the end of the year”.
By increasing western support for Ukraine and relaxing rules around missile use, the UK hopes to give Zelensky a stronger hand in the build-up to any future deal with Putin. Areas of discussion on Friday are likely to include how to bring Putin to the table and whether Ukraine will accept a deal that agrees to relinquishing chunks of its territory in return for peace.
If Biden decides to go ahead with the option of just allowing Ukraine to fire British and French missiles inside Russia then he may disappoint his Ukrainian allies.
One Ukrainian military source criticised the idea of discussions rumbling on and the prospect of Biden allowing only certain long-range weapons to be used inside Russia.
The source said: “I think this war can’t be won or stopped by half measures. Every day costs us a number of human lives and destruction and we are always begging for obvious things needed for our survival. It’s not fair to buy time with human lives.”
More at the link.
It is this strategic incoherence and repeatedly demonstrated hesitance and cowardice that empowers Putin.
The list of things russia struck today include: a Red Cross vehicle, a wheat shipment bound for Egypt, the home of an 86-year-old woman in Borova, along with other houses and civilians there, and an apartment building in Konotop.
The list goes on, growing every day. The pressing…
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) September 12, 2024
The list of things russia struck today include: a Red Cross vehicle, a wheat shipment bound for Egypt, the home of an 86-year-old woman in Borova, along with other houses and civilians there, and an apartment building in Konotop.
The list goes on, growing every day. The pressing question remains: When will the world finally muster the courage to help us stop these terrorists?
Perfectly fair to raise escalation risks. My view: yes there is risk of Russian backlash to Ukr deep strikes with Western weapons. But 1/ there are costs to Russia enjoying blanket sanctuary on its soil & 2/ Ru attack on NATO risks full-scale war & risk of worse outcome for Ru. https://t.co/A43OtbZhCt
— Shashank Joshi (@shashj) September 12, 2024
Russia has increased pressure on West for last 18 months via sabotage & subversion in Europe. Partly but not wholly an effort to coerce end to Ukr aid & deter escalation of aid. Ru response to deep strikes surely likelier to be intensification of this campaign, not direct attack.
— Shashank Joshi (@shashj) September 12, 2024
Putin, like the Russian leaders before him with the exception, perhaps, of Gorbachev, look for weakness and then exploit it wherever it is found.
Russia wouldn’t stand a chance.
Which is why they would not do this.As Kennan said back in ‘47, the “towers of the Kremlin cast long shadows that move the hearts & sway the deeds of statesmen” “rather than the substance of things.”
Don’t fall for Putin’s BS bluff. https://t.co/2KZV49viZS
— Benjamin Tallis 🇺🇦 (@bctallis) September 12, 2024
Kennan’s Long Telegram is still prescient and spot on.
The Black Sea:
Last flight of the russian Su-30SM jet.
A video released by @DI_Ukraine shows the destruction of a russian plane over the Black Sea. The cost of an aircraft is $50 million. pic.twitter.com/mtH3eC6JcS
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 12, 2024
Russian Su-30SM was downed from MANPADS during one of the operations in the Black Sea, official statement from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine:
“During the operation in the waters of the Black Sea, the soldiers of the special unit of the Main Directorate of… https://t.co/tF8PmAxbxt pic.twitter.com/JPsoiPND78
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) September 12, 2024
Russian Su-30SM was downed from MANPADS during one of the operations in the Black Sea, official statement from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine:
“During the operation in the waters of the Black Sea, the soldiers of the special unit of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine destroyed a Russian Su-30SM combat aircraft with a MANPADS hit.
The fighter that fell into the sea belonged to the 43rd Independent Naval Attack Aviation Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces, which is based at the airfield of the city of Saki in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
The Russians lost contact with their battleship on September 11, 2024 around 5 am. Roughly three hours later, Russians launched a search and rescue operation involving the An-26 aircraft, as well as Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters.
At lunchtime, Russians reported to the command about a characteristic stain from aviation fuel discovered in the sea, 70 kilometers northwest of Cape Tarkhankut, and soon they also saw the wreckage of the destroyed Su-30SM.”
Kharkiv:
With two glide bombs.
— Iryna Voichuk (@IrynaVoichuk) September 12, 2024
Earlier today, russia struck Kharkiv with glide bombs, destroying or damaging 15 households. https://t.co/YPtAi1jdNG pic.twitter.com/e73kcbXMVm
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) September 12, 2024
Borova, Kharkiv Oblast:
Rescuers have freed an 86-year-old woman from the rubble of a residential building in Borova, Kharkiv region, that was hit by a russians tonight.
The injured woman has been hospitalized, according to the State Emergency Service pic.twitter.com/SObjtzEMzf
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) September 12, 2024
Konotop, Sumy Oblast:
14 people were injured in last night’s russian attack on an apartment building Konotop, Sumy region. https://t.co/4sjcyHuF8S pic.twitter.com/5zqOU6aKgx
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) September 12, 2024
Kreminna:
The combat operations of the Azov brigade in the Kreminna direction from a first-hand perspective.
Our warriors are performing truly heroic missions. pic.twitter.com/iMzNbJkAXz— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 11, 2024
Pokrovsk:
❗️Pokrovsk was left without gas and water.
A filtration station ceased operating due to combat, and it’s impossible to get it working again. Drinking water is brought to people.
Russian troops also destroyed a gas distribution station.
Today, Russians destroyed a bridge… pic.twitter.com/Umd7htGDEY
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 12, 2024
❗️Pokrovsk was left without gas and water.
A filtration station ceased operating due to combat, and it’s impossible to get it working again. Drinking water is brought to people.
Russian troops also destroyed a gas distribution station.
Today, Russians destroyed a bridge between Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.
People continue evacuating from a city to which a war has approached.
Virolyubivka, Donetsk Oblast:
Three citizens of Ukraine, employees of the ICRC, were killed and two injured in artillery shelling by the Russian Federation on the village of Virolyubivka in Donetsk region!
The @ICRC must officially recognize Russia’s violation of the norms of the Geneva Conventions! pic.twitter.com/ovyqQU8EL3
— Dmytro Lubinets (@lubinetzs) September 12, 2024
I don’t even know why the Red Cross refuses to name the aggressor, who killed 3 of their staff in Ukraine today. Out of fear to lose the access to prisoners of war held in russia, who they never visited anyway? Spineless cowards https://t.co/D54uXi4jHR
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) September 12, 2024
Speaking of cowardice, the ICRC has not covered itself in glory in Ukraine. Nor in Gaza. Nor Sudan. Nor anywhere else lately.
Not quite sure where in Ukraine this is:
46th Brigade of Ukraine repulsed the biggest assault on the Brigades position. 46 units of Russian AFVs were used in the assault:
“On September 12, Russians attacked with four waves of assaults from 5:45 a.m. to noon on the positions of the battalions of 46th Brigade. A total… pic.twitter.com/2isXk2j665
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) September 12, 2024
46th Brigade of Ukraine repulsed the biggest assault on the Brigades position. 46 units of Russian AFVs were used in the assault:
“On September 12, Russians attacked with four waves of assaults from 5:45 a.m. to noon on the positions of the battalions of 46th Brigade. A total of 46 units of armored and not so armored vehicles fell on us.
And the record was set! Such a number of destroyed and damaged enemy equipment in one day in the direction of responsibility of the 46th Brigade has never really happened. With effective fire from all available means of destruction 15 units (9 BMPs, 2 tanks, 2 APCs and 2 motorcycles) were destroyed and 11 BMPs were disabled.”
The Kursk cross border offensive:
So after five weeks, Russia has launched its counteroffensive in Kursk. Key takeaways:
– Ukrainian troops made early gains, but it was always a question of when and what reserves Russia would deploy.
– Kursk showcases Ukraine’s ability to effectively wear down Russian forces.
-… pic.twitter.com/MiM17AwC12— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) September 12, 2024
So after five weeks, Russia has launched its counteroffensive in Kursk. Key takeaways:
– Ukrainian troops made early gains, but it was always a question of when and what reserves Russia would deploy.
– Kursk showcases Ukraine’s ability to effectively wear down Russian forces.
– Ukrainian forces are experiencing increased pressure as Russia brings in more reinforcements.
– Cross-border raids will likely continue to be effective for exposing weak points in Russian defenses.
– It’s too early to make a clear assessment of how large or fast the Russian counteroffensive might be.
More from Estonian reserve Soldier Artur Rehi:
After the loud announcement of the Russian counteroffensive in the Kursk region, the news from the Russian side has died down. The Russian Defense Ministry reports “the destruction of 12,000 Ukrainian soldiers,” but there is no video, no photos, no statements about regaining
1/11control over major settlements. Putin gave the order to recapture the Kursk region by October 1, but the counteroffensive is stalling. Ukrainian soldiers write in Telegram that heavy fighting is underway, not without losses, but the counterattack was expected and
2/11the Russians were expected. Russia has now switched from bombing to frontal attacks, which allows for greater resource losses. Ukraine expected and prepared for this step and to inflict serious damage on the advancing troops. Apparently, Syrskyi plan has begun to work and
3/11Russia has transferred resources to the Kursk region and will transfer more to fulfill Putin’s decree. If this becomes a priority for the Russian army, then we can expect a decrease in the intensity of Russia’s offensive in the Donetsk region. The offensive on Pokrovsk has
4/11already started to stall, but this is compared to August. Russia is still storming there every day and there are very difficult battles. Autumn has come and soon it will be more difficult to conduct military operations. Especially to conduct an offensive. If Russia does
5/11not recapture the Kursk region before the rains start, it will be more difficult for it to do so. It will be even more difficult to do so if Ukraine starts to strike deep into Russia. Apparently, Great Britain is lifting restrictions on the use of Storm Shadow deep into
6/11Russian territory and there is talk of the United States making the same decision. Most likely, the missiles supplied will have a range of about 250 kilometers, because this is an export version, but within this radius there are many juicy targets for Ukrainian missiles.
7/11Logistics, airfields in Rostov-on-Don, Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod, Bryansk, troop columns – this is only a small list of targets that Ukraine can hit first. If talk of lifting restrictions turns out to be true, it will be another problem added to the huge list of difficulties
8/11in Russia. The red lines are over, the nuclear scarecrow does not work, the economy is at the limit and is about to collapse, resources are depleted. The equipment is running out, but there are still people. But in 2 years there is no longer a professional army and the army
9/11consists of cripples, alcoholics, criminals and old men with conscripts. But this army also causes colossal damage. It is precisely because of this composition that it has no morality and leaves behind a trail of war crimes and scorched earth. Although the “professional
10/11army” in Russia is not much different from this. But the crisis in the Russian army and management is growing. This is a downward spiral that cannot be stopped and sooner or later Russia will fall into a free fall to the bottom.
11/11
More detailed video of the destruction of the Russian Zemledelie remote mine-laying system by the 78th Separate Battalion of Ukraine. https://t.co/BXfozemur8 https://t.co/ZPdUiB0lqL pic.twitter.com/yaWhm4ovwL
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) September 12, 2024
Captured Russian T-72B3M obr.2022, somewhere in the Kursk region. https://t.co/UbmqDKDpH7 pic.twitter.com/QC2ezd5ded
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) September 12, 2024
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
Here is some adjacent material from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
Don’t hang your nose!
All will be great.📷: 117th Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/UTZaTnPcBd
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 12, 2024
And a new video from Patron’s official TikTok.
@patron__dsns ❤️
Open thread!
