Replies

Hush. Do not tell the Usuals.

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Ukraine Eyeing Expansion Of Kursk Invasion Despite Russian Reinforcements
Despite Russian efforts to contain Ukraine’s eight-day-old invasion of Kursk, Kyiv’s forces are still seeking ways to capture more territory.
https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraine-eyeing-expansion-of-kursk-invasion-despite-russian-reinforcements

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Russia’s Aspirational Grom Combat Drone’s Design Totally Changes, Ditches Stealth For Speed
The design of the original Grom ‘loyal wingman’ was a very different animal than what was just unveiled outside of Moscow.
https://www.twz.com/air/russias-aspirational-grom-combat-drones-design-totally-changes-ditches-stealth-for-speed

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New target:

Pantsir Packed With Drone-Intercepting Mini Missiles Unveiled By Russia
Russia says the gunless Pantsir-SMD-E is ideal for shielding critical sites against drone attacks like the ones Ukraine routinely launches.
https://www.twz.com/land/pantsir-packed-with-drone-intercepting-mini-missiles-unveiled-by-russia

Kremlin snuff box, 08/14/24
https://t.me/s/kremlin_secrets

Important information about conscripts

The tense situation in the Kursk region showed an unwillingness to solve the problem with conscripts and their participation in hostilities. Long before the Kursk breakthrough of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, we directly said that conscripts must be removed from the border areas. They didn’t hear us. As a result, more than fifty conscripts were captured, and at least 20 died.

What’s happening now?
After the arrival of the reserves, some of the conscripts were withdrawn from the combat zone. Now the commanders are actively holding conversations and trying to conclude contracts with them. Of course, not everyone wants to sign a contract, but many do. Some are facing outright pressure, and this is frankly inappropriate against the backdrop of an improving situation with reserves.

What effect might this situation have?
he authorities are considering the option of increasing the number of conscripts with an increase in service life to 24 months as early as 2025. However, there are questions about the motivation of the soldiers. Now the Ministry of Defense has received the task of increasing the number of contracts concluded with current conscripts.

What is important to do right now?
The authorities at the highest level must decide to withdraw conscripts from the border areas of the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions. This would be a sensible and logical decision in the current situation.

It is worth noting that the corresponding petition, which is distributed by relatives of employees, can have a negative impact - both on society and on the conscripts themselves. However, so far the military command has not demonstrated its readiness to withdraw all conscripts.

Kremlin snuff box, 08/14/24
https://t.me/s/kremlin_secrets

Ukraine attacked three of our airfields at once. Lost MiG-31K

Last night, the enemy launched a massive drone attack on our airfields. came under attack. In particular, Baltimore, Borisoglebsk (Voronezh region) and Savasleika (Nizhny Novgorod region)

According to our information, the attack was carried out using dozens of drones. Some interlocutors say that there were at least a 100 of them. Part of the UAVs, unfortunately, reached its targets.

The strike seriously damaged the MiG-31K supersonic fighter. The interlocutors doubt that it can really be restored; after the hit, an explosion occurred with further fire. Fuel and lubricants warehouses and 2 radar stations were also damaged.

Sources in the Aerospace Forces cannot explain why the planes were parked in an open area during the attack. The air defense forces were not enough to destroy the UAV.

“The shortage of air defense is having an impact, especially on facilities that are located deep in the rear,” a source at the Ministry of Defense tells us. He did not comment on the transfer of air defense to our Iranian allies.

Intelligence sources report an increase in the number of drones being used by the enemy for strikes. It is likely that accumulated reserves are being used.

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 13, 2024
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-13-2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly appointed Russian Presidential Aid Aide Alexei Dyumin to supervise Russia’s “counterterrorism operation” in Kursk Oblast on August 12.

Russian State Duma Deputy from Kursk Oblast Nikolai Ivanov claimed that his unnamed sources confirmed that Putin entrusted Dyumin with overseeing the counterterrorist operation in Kursk Oblast after inviting him for an evening meeting on August 12.

Dyumin was the only non-cabinet member not connected with the military or security services who was present at Putin‘s meeting with Russian military, security, and federal and regional government officials about the situation in Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk Oblasts on August 12.

Kremlin-affiliated milbloggers and Russian insider sources similarly claimed that Dyumin assumed full powers to address the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast, but the Kremlin did not publish an official confirmation of Dyumin’s assignment.

One insider source claimed that Putin directed Dyumin to coordinate all agencies involved in repelling Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast.

One Kremlin-affiliated milblogger claimed that he had seen a state media report announcing that Dyumin became the commander of the Russian Sever (northern) direction in Ukraine, but later claimed that he received information to the contrary.

Dyumin is a trusted official within Putin’s close circle who is Putin’s former bodyguard and former Tula Oblast governor and reportedly played a decisive role in negotiations to end the Wagner Group armed rebellion in June 2023.

Dyumin’s appointment is not inherently noteworthy as it is likely part of Putin’s efforts to ensure that his agencies are actively working in a coordinated fashion and under the direct control of his presidential administration to address the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast and that he remains apprised of the situation.

Dyumin’s alleged appointment sparked widespread speculation among Russian milbloggers and political commentators about Putin’s disappointment in Russian security agencies and speculations about an upcoming military-political reshuffling. Several Kremlin-affiliated milbloggers claimed that Dyumin’s appointment was a sign that “Putin’s team” was taking full control over the situation in Kursk Oblast after Russian security forces failed to resolve the situation without Moscow’s direct intervention over the past week.

Several milbloggers also suggested that Dyumin’s appointment means that Putin seeks to find out why and how he was deceived about the real situation in Kursk Oblast, and many speculated that Dyumin’s report will determine the fate of several high-ranking Russian officials and commanders.

Some milblogggers and political commentators continued to speculate that Dyumin is preparing to become the next defense minister.

This speculation is not new, however, given that some Russian milbloggers have long advocated for Dyumin’s to become defense minister.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksey_Dyumin