Posted on 02/24/2024 5:59:01 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
Since the ruble is not traded worldwide to any great extent, what does the ruble to dollar comparison actual mean?
Reporting From Ukraine:
https://www.youtube.com/@RFU/videos
Reporting From Ukraine Uncensored Combat Footage (from this and past Reports) is found on Telegram:
https://t.me/RFUEnglish or @RFUEnglish
[ You need to have the Telegram app to view the larger videos. ]
The complete transcript.
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[ Russian Factory Assault Turns Into a Bloodbath! ]
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Today [ Oct 03 ], there are a lot of updates from the Kharkiv direction.
Here, in a desperate bid to shift the momentum in Vovchansk, Russian command deployed brutal Chechen “Akhmat” forces to pressure exhausted troops into launching a counterattack to reclaim the Aggregate Plant. What followed exposed just how dire the situation had become for the Russians, with consequences that would decisively shape the battle for Vovchansk.
Recent developments in Vovchansk have dramatically shifted the tactical landscape. The focal point of these operations was the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant, which Ukrainian forces successfully recaptured after an intense week-long assault.
This operation, which employed some of Ukraine’s most elite units, marked a critical milestone in the battle for Vovchansk, as the Aggregate Plant represented the last major fortified position within the city.
The fall of the Aggregate Plant has revealed the desperate conditions under which Russian forces were operating. Captured Russian soldiers have disclosed that they were forced to dig wells in the Plant’s basements to access drinking water - a testament to the severe supply issues they faced during the siege.
Moreover, it has come to light that Russian commanders maintained terror control through a regime of deception and intimidation, compelling their forces to hold these untenable positions at great cost.
In the wake of this setback, the remnants of the broken Russian forces started to retreat towards the northern parts of the city, transitioning to a defensive posture. To cover this retreat, they had intensified artillery attacks and bombardments targeting Ukrainian logistical elements within the city.
Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces Spokesperson Vitaliy Sarantsev reported that Russian forces are now digging tunnels and underground passageways between buildings in Vovchansk to conceal troop movements. This shift in tactics indicates a clear attempt to delay Ukrainian advances and facilitate a defensive realignment.
Further complicating the situation, Russian sources claim to have disabled the bridge over the Vovcha River on Soborna Street continuation. While this claim is yet to be independently verified, such an action would align with their apparent strategy of hindering Ukrainian progress and buying time for their defensive preparations.
In a significant development, reports indicate that Russian command has redeployed Chechen “Akhmat” elements to the Kharkiv direction to serve as blocking units. These “blocking units” are reportedly tasked with compelling Russian troops to advance, enforcing punishments, and even executing Russian soldiers who refuse to fight.
As you may recall, elements of the “Akhmat” forces were already pulled out from the Kharkiv direction in August to deploy them as an emergency solution after the start of the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk. Now back again, this drastic measure suggests a severe crisis in morale and combat effectiveness among regular Russian units.
After the redeployment of Chechens was complete, the Russian soldiers were forced to attack the Aggregate Plant and restore the recently lost positions. The operation involved numerous MT-LB vehicles from the 82nd Motorized Rifle Brigade, fully loaded with infantry on top. Unfortunately for Russians, this attempt proved to be disastrous. Ukrainian forces, particularly their drone operators, effectively repelled the attack.
The 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade reported inflicting heavy losses on the Russian forces, claiming the elimination of approximately 100 Russian personnel, wounding about 25 more, and destroying 17 MT-LB and BMP-2 armored vehicles.
Geolocated footage from this failed counterattack reveals the brutal efficiency of Ukrainian drone warfare. Russian soldiers were caught off-guard, often unable to dismount from their vehicles before being engaged by FPV drones.
In other instances where infantry did manage to disembark, they found themselves relentlessly pursued by grenade-dropping drones, with little effective cover due to the extensive destruction of building roofs in the area.
The absolute disregard for the lives of their soldiers continues to drive Russian commanders to order what can only be described as “meat wave” assaults. Ukrainian forces have capitalized on these tactics, further weakening Russian units operating in the region.
Overall, as the situation in Vovchansk continues to evolve, it appears increasingly favorable for Ukrainian forces. The capture of the aggregate plant, the last remaining fortress in Vovchansk, has significantly improved the Ukrainian position in the area.
The coming days may see further Ukrainian advances as they exploit their recent gains, while Russian forces grapple with the challenges of maintaining cohesion and mounting an effective defense with their increasingly exhausted forces.
The Zalensky propaganda machine lives.
“SBU drones attacked the “Borisoglebsk” military airfield in Voronezh region. Warehouses with cockpits, parking lots for SU-35 and SU-34 aircraft, and aviation fuel storage facilities were hit.
The Russians reported air defense activity, numerous drone flights, and explosions at the airfield, where satellites recorded four fires.”
https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1841807424837001585
“The General Staff of Ukraine announced that the Defense Forces struck the Russian “Nebo-M” radar station with ATACMS ballistic missiles.
The General Staff noted that the destruction of the station would facilitate the effective use of Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG cruise missiles. It will also reduce the ability of the Russian army to detect and intercept aerodynamic and ballistic targets.
According to the military, the Russians have 10 systems of this type left, each costing more than $100 million.”
https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1841771742944985331
“Saudi Arabia could destabilize Russia’s war funding by causing an oil price drop. Traders suggest that Saudi Arabia may increase oil exports to gain more market share, even at lower prices. This strategy could severely impact Russia’s economy, which heavily relies on oil revenues, posing a significant risk to its budget. Additionally, other unpredictable factors, like the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, could further complicate the situation for Russia.”
https://x.com/NOELreports/status/1841831751590490326
“A Patriot air defense system from Romania has already arrived in Ukraine, according to Romanian Ministry of Defense representative Constantin Spinu.”
https://x.com/NOELreports/status/1841829481041789136
“More of Putin’s “red lines” found to be meaningless as Israel bombards Russia’s Khmeimim airbase in Syria with 30 missiles, detonating for hours.
The attack lasted for 45 minutes in today’s early morning hours.”
https://x.com/KyivPost/status/1841745034804150675
“RF AFB and adjacent weapons/ammo dumps and SAM defenses in Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast. Left are the main targets for any attacker. Right what was destroyed by Ukraine’s SBU drones tonight. Apparently significant, although not 100%. But BDA is still ongoing.”
https://twitter.com/nrogeiro/status/1841838062327799939
“Israel says it did not strike neither Syrian nor Russian military installations inside the Hmeimim AFB/Bassel al Assad International airport, but only Hezbollah warehouses. In this image you can see several RF, Syrian military and civilian, Hezbollah and IRGC facilities.”
https://twitter.com/nrogeiro/status/1841828800960540754
BUT, Israel may have hit RuZZian AD ???
“Israel carried out airstrikes against Russian and Syrian AD systems around Hmeimim airbase and an ammunition depot in Jableh”
“West Texas Intermediate soared as much as 5.5% to approach $74 a barrel after President Joe Biden was asked if he would support Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities. “We’re discussing that,” Biden responded”
And your sources?
“Since the ruble is not traded worldwide to any great extent, what does the ruble to dollar comparison actual mean?”
When Russians do have to buy something from the West, it costs them more rubles, and when they sell something, they get less rubles.
I cited the dollar because it is a familiar benchmark, but the ruble is declining against most major currencies - euros, yen, yuan, rupees, dirham, etc..
Russians have to pay more for everything they buy abroad (they can afford less), and they are making less on what they sell.
In addition to their weakening currency, financial transaction costs are through the roof for Russians now. In just a few months, Russian import/export companies have likely seen their profit margins slashed or eliminated; and/or have had to pass on double digit price rises to their customers.
We are talking about a 20-25% total change in one quarter. If that was happening here, we would be freaking out.
Your posts, comrade.
“Russians have 10 systems of this type (Nebo-M radar station) left”
... Also down into their last 30 TOS-1A Thermobaric “Flamethrowers”.
The long countdown grinds on toward its conclusion.
Today is Rosh Hashanah in Judaism, the Day of Judgement, when the wicked are “blotted out of the book of the living forever.”
“Saudi Arabia could destabilize Russia’s war funding by causing an oil price drop.”
Do it.
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