Map from DroneBomber 👀
https://x.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1915137894127456316
Posted on 02/24/2024 5:59:01 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
At the prices that mercs are paid, I doubt that the price of a plane ticket is a showstopper.
I am wondering if China is unable to contribute money to build a pipeline for Russian gas, or if they have decided to let Putin drown in his own ambition? Also I wonder how the Mongolians feel about hosting a pipeline? The Colombians no doubt are happy that Venezuela is not getting help from Gazprom, and the Colombian veterans now fighting with Ukraine should be happy too.
The Colombian troops don’t receive their salaries until they arrive in Ukraine from what I read. These Volunteers may come from poor families and be the main source of income as long as they are in Colombia. Who knows once they are in Ukraine if they get paid immediately, or after working for a month?
Why on earth would you promote a GoFundMe trying to recruit Columbian mercenary to fight in the Ukraine?
Reporting From Ukraine:
https://www.youtube.com/@RFU/videos
The complete transcript.
—
[ 50 Tanks And BMPs, And Hundreds of Soldiers Shredded in 1 Day! ]
Today [ Apr 23, 8 pm ], there are a lot of interesting updates from the Zaporizhia direction.
After failing to make ground west of Orikhiv, Russian forces gambled on something bigger, a massive mechanized assault launched from the south and east. But what began as their boldest push in Zaporizhia in years ended in disaster, as nearly an entire battalion was shredded by Ukrainian artillery, drones, and anti-tank fire before reaching its objective.
The goal of the Russians is to achieve a longstanding operational objective and take the town of Orikhkiv before a ceasefire can freeze the frontlines. Orikhiv is a relatively small town of nearly 14 thousand people pre-war, but it is the largest and most strategically important settlement in this sector due to the many open fields here. Therefore, it is of high importance to both sides for its ability to accumulate a large number of forces.
The Russians previously tried to achieve a breakthrough near Stepove and Mali Shcherbaky to flank and approach Orikhiv to the west, but did not achieve further gains than their initial element of surprise had given them. So instead, they are now trying to approach the city from the south and east by conducting the largest mechanized assault seen in Zaporizhia in years.
The main advantage of the Russian forces is to the east of Orikhiv, which consists of an interconnected line of settlements from the town of Polohy to the prefrontal village of Novokarlivka, that is 16km away from the town. This allows Russians to conceal soldiers and armored vehicles relatively close to the frontline, and use the urban layout as a cover for movement, until they reach Ukrainian positions.
However, while Polohy serves as a vital logistical hub just behind the frontline, the town sits dangerously close to Ukrainian artillery guns. This proximity places Russian staging areas within range of Ukrainian artillery, rocket systems, and accompanying reconnaissance drones. Furthermore, Ukrainian forces hold robust defenses in Mala Tokmachka, enforcing lethal fire control on any advancing Russian units.
South of Orikhiv, Russian troops around Kopani, Novoprokopivka, and Robotyne have virtually no cover to conceal their advance. The terrain, made up of open fields and settlements completely reduced to rubble during Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive, along with dense minefields, makes any assault costly from the start.
Additionally, Russian assault groups must gather all the way in Tokmak, 23 kilometers from the front, stretching Russian logistics and allowing for easy detection by Ukrainian drones. The moment those columns roll into the open, Ukrainian artillery and drone crews stand at the ready to cut them down.
Russians initiated their mechanized assault with over 40 armored vehicles, dozens of buggies and motorbikes for reconnaissance, and a total of 320 soldiers, making up almost a full battalion combined with rear support elements. They launched their assaults from two pincers, from Kopani to Novodanylivka in the south and from Polohy towards Mala Tokmachka to the east.
Geolocated footage from the southern axis shows tanks spearheading Russian assaults, using their heavy armor and mine rollers to clear a path through the minefields, with the BMP’s spaced out around 30 meters apart to avoid becoming bunched up targets.
However, in the open fields, Ukrainian drones were able to detect the first wave already 8km behind the front line, directing drones and artillery to dismantle the vehicles one by one. Subsequent waves did not fare much better, as Russian armor detonated on landmines, got hit by FPV’s and anti-tank-guided missiles, while the infantry on top was eliminated by the intense artillery barrages following the convoy all along the way.
On the eastern axis at Mala Tokmachka, Russian mechanized units drove into concealed Ukrainian anti-tank missile emplacements, while being immobilized in minefields along the roads and fields. Eventually, some BMP’s came close enough to engage Ukrainian positions with their auto-canons, however, as soon as they became stationary, precise artillery fire tore the vehicles apart, killing anyone still inside or near the vehicle.
Overall, the Russians launched the largest mechanized assault seen here in years, losing over a battalion of forces, without even coming close to their objective of advancing towards Orikhiv. Ukrainian soldiers on the ground report that the assault captured no new positions, and that Russians sustained a casualty rate of over 70%, meaning Russians won’t have the necessary forces nearby to launch an effective follow-up assault with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bwqVq1tLL4
Map from DroneBomber 👀
https://x.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1915137894127456316
Kalibr cruise missile launches from the Black Sea just now. Putin having a temper tantrum.
Russian strategic bombers airborne and heading to their launch lines for mass cruise missile attack on Ukraine right now. Putin temper tantrum.
If they can get 50 and I wonder. With transportation and production costs would imagine they are not making much profit, and since Russia taxes based on gross not net, the company is doing even worse
Pitin remains a master economist
“attack on Russia and occupied Crimea!”
Sure looks like something is going to get debris on it. Look forward to hearing just what.
“Russian strategic bombers airborne and heading to their launch lines for mass cruise missile attack on Ukraine”
Kyiv Independent reported:
“At least two people have been killed and another 54 injured, including six children, in Russia’s mass attack on Kyiv overnight on April 24, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
A round of explosions occurred in Kyiv around 1:00 a.m. local time on April 24, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground. Additional explosions were later heard around 4 a.m. local time.
Russia fired attack drones, as well as guided and ballistic missiles on the Ukrainian capital, the Kyiv City Military Administration said.
At least 38 people have been hospitalized, Klitschko said, adding that a rescue operation is ongoing to retrieve victims stuck under rubble.
Klitschko added that six children as well as a pregnant woman were among the injured.
Fires have been reported in residential buildings, Kyiv City Military Administration chief Tymur Tkachenko said, adding that cars and commercial buildings have been impacted as well. Fallen debris has been found around the city, Tkachenko said, who described the attack as “Russian peace in all its glory.”
The Shevchenkivskyi, Holosiivskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Podilskyi neighbourhoods of Kyiv were directly impacted by the attack.”
Ukrainian officials reiterated Ukraine's continued commitment to the United States’ March 2025 proposal for a full ceasefire as part of efforts to achieve a lasting peace. Zelensky recalled on April 22 that Ukraine supported and continues to support Trump's March 18 unconditional ceasefire proposal.[12] Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to hold discussions “in any format” after the implementation of a ceasefire.[13] Ukrainian Presidential Administration Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov similarly stated on April 23 that the Ukrainian delegation in London discussed ways to achieve a full and unconditional ceasefire as a “first step” toward a peace settlement and that Ukraine is committed to Trump's peace efforts.[14] Ukrainian Economic Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated on April 23 that Ukraine is ready to negotiate and that a full ground, air, and sea ceasefire is a necessary first step toward peace.[15]
Zelensky stated on April 22 that Ukraine does not legally recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea in accordance with the Ukrainian Constitution, which ensures Ukraine's territorial integrity and recognizes the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as part of Ukraine.[16] Svyrydenko also noted that Ukraine cannot agree to a settlement that grants Russia a “stronger foundation” to regroup and renew its aggression in the future. ISW continues to assess that freezing the front along the current lines enormously advantages Russia and increases the risks and costs to Ukraine and the West of deterring and defeating future Russian aggression.[17] Russia's occupation of Crimea and Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts will continue to threaten Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa cities, the Ukrainian southwestern coast, and Ukrainian ships attempting to transit the western Black Sea.
Russian officials rejected aspects of Trump's reported peace plan. Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matvienko stated on April 23 that Russia will “never participate” in any negotiations that discuss the possible deployment of European troops to Ukraine and that such a deployment is “unacceptable” to Russia, regardless of whether the peacekeeping forces deploy under the NATO framework or another “flag.”[18] Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov gave an interview to French news magazine Le Point published on April 23 and similarly rejected the prospect of European peacekeepers in Ukraine.[19] Peskov stated that Russia rejected the full ceasefire that Trump previously proposed because the ceasefire failed to meet all of Russia's demands, including that Ukraine cede all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia oblasts — all of which Russia has illegally declared annexed. Peskov claimed that the entirety of these four oblasts were “enshrined in our [Russian] Constitution as an integral part of Russia” and that the “war will end immediately” if Ukraine withdraws from these oblasts. Russian state-run and pro-Kremlin media outlets amplified Peskov’s statements, as well as statements from other pro-Kremlin mouthpieces calling on Russia to refuse to give up any part of the four Ukrainian oblasts included in the Russian Constitution — in violation of international law and numerous treaties Russia previously signed with Ukraine.[20]
Russian officials continue to give no indication that the Kremlin is willing to make any concessions of its own. Peskov has reiterated multiple times in the past weeks — including on April 23 — that details about peace proposals should not be publicly available, likely as part of efforts to keep the precise terms obfuscated in hopes of further delaying negotiations and extracting concessions.[21] Russian officials have reiterated the Kremlin's demands in recent weeks, including Russia's rejection of European peacekeepers deploying to Ukraine, refusal to withdraw from any parts of occupied Ukraine, and territorial claims over areas of Ukraine that Russia does not currently occupy.[22] Russian state media recently amplified Kherson Oblast occupation head Vladimir Saldo’s call for additional Russian territorial control along the Dnipro River in Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts — including areas that Russian forces would have to withdraw from under the reported US proposal.[23]
Russia continues to use chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces and civilians in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), of which Russia is a signatory. Ukrainian Deputy Head of the Main Department of Anti-Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety Colonel Valeriy Veber reported on April 23 that Ukrainian forces recorded 767 cases of Russian forces using chemical weapons in March 2025 and 7,730 cases since February 2023.[42] The Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported on April 14 that Russian forces are dropping RG-Vo hand grenades with a type of riot control agent (RCA) onto Ukrainian positions near Shcherbaky in western Zaporizhia Oblast.[43] Russian sources openly acknowledged that Russian forces were dropping RG-Vo grenades containing tear gas from drones as early as December 2023.[44] Ukrainian military officials also reported on April 16 and 17 that they identified a capsule with concentrated chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) gas, a type of RCA banned under the CWC, on Russian Shahed drones and that Russia may be using these drones to disperse poisonous substances among the civilian population.[45]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-23-2025
Syrian President Ahmed al Shara will very likely fail to secure weapon supplies from Russia as part of an emerging deal for military basing rights in Syria because Russia cannot spare military equipment for Syria. Shara alluded to procuring weapons from Russia or additional countries as part of developing new military basing agreements in an interview with the New York Times published on April 23.[23] Russia is currently facing a serious materiel shortage over the medium term, and its commitment to fighting in Ukraine will take priority over shipping arms and other military equipment to Syria. Russia will likely already face materiel shortages in 2026 and 2027 if Ukrainian forces continue to inflict damage on Russian forces on the battlefield at the current rate, and many of these assets will be difficult to replace.[24] Russia and the Syrian transitional government have engaged in months-long talks over the future of Russian bases in Syria.[25] These talks have thus far not resulted in an agreement about Russian basing rights in Syria. Syrian and Western media have reported that Russian forces remain present at three military bases in Syria: Hmeimim airbase in Latakia, the naval base at Tartus, and Russia's former helicopter base in Qamishli, Hasakah Province.[26]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-april-23-2025
Error in the text: It’s not “Pause in warfare”. That was a few days ago.
Chuck Pfarrer, a seasoned military analyst and Kyiv Post Special Correspondent, offers a critical assessment of this pivotal moment in the conflict through his conversation with colleague Jason Smart, a political scientist specializing in Russia. Drawing from extensive experience advising U.S. national security agencies, Pfarrer sharply analyzes Russia's weakening strategic position and highlights key military developments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCMKH7MglSc
24 min video, but increase the speed
So, there is already at least one gas pipeline from Russia to China, called the Power of Siberia Pipeline, and it supplies about 6% of China's gas consumption -- 24 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year of China's roughly 400 bcm/year total consumption.
Russia's first Power of Siberia Pipeline is designed to deliver nearly 40 bcm/year, or about 10% of China's total needs, but is currently operating at only around 60% of rated capacity.
Chinese invested heavily in that Power of Siberia Pipeline -- at least $25 billion in loans as part of a $400 billion multi-year gas delivery contract.
So, the Chinese are nobody's fools -- they are most reluctant to invest in yet another Russian pipeline venture until they've seen full completion of their first Power of Siberia Pipeline.
The proposed new Power of Siberia 2 pipeline would more than double Russia's gas exports to China, making China dependent on Russia for over 20% of its total consumption.
In round numbers, China consumes 400 bcm/year of natural gas, of which it produces 230 bcm/year (58%) domestically.
The remaining 170 bcm/year China imports -- 100 bcm in the form of LNG from many different countries and the balance of 70 bcm from pipelines out of countries like Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan.
Chinese recently discovered another 100 bcm of natural gas in the South China Sea.
For comparisons, US natural gas production is around 1,200 bcm/year, of which we export about 140 bcm/year in the form of LNG.
Bottom line: China has many different sources for natural gas, and has already invested heavily in the first Power of Siberia pipeline, which still only produces 60% of the promised ~40 bcm/year.
They may well insist on seeing full production from the first Power of Siberia pipeline before they are willing to invest in a second one.
Power of Siberia gas pipeline:
The world will be in Ukraine’s debt for putting Russia back in foreclosure!
And China just waits patiently, ready with cash on hand for the soon to be Russian bankruptcy sale.
Zelensky is making pedophilia great again!
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