Drones to Capture Drones
“A Utah-based drone system developed and manufactured by Fortem Technologies is helping Ukrainian forces capture drones used by Russia on the battlefield.
The counter-unmanned aerial system, dubbed Drone Hunter F700, was initially donated to Ukrainian forces at the start of the war and then made its combat debut on the battlefield in May.
In Ukraine, Drone Hunter, as its name implies, captures Russian surveillance and reconnaissance drones by shooting a net around them to either ground or tow the system away from the battlefield.
“The Ukrainians love the system because they are able to reuse some of the drones that they capture. They are actually getting additional assets out of this,” Jon Gruen, chairman and CEO at Fortem Technologies, told CNBC.
Warren Brown, Fortem Technologies vice president of marketing, echoed Gruen and said that in some cases, Ukrainian forces have been able to fingerprint the captured drones.
“If you explode the drone then you don’t have any reconnaissance of where it came and what it’s mission is,” Brown added.“
Next they’ll be “reporting” losses the same way “market makers” report their numbers: 1000 Russian tanks of any type destroyed but not yet built. 1000 artillery pieces destroyed but not yet built. 100,000 men KIA but not yet trained. I hope you and the other Zelenskiites wake up and realize the TV is lying to you.
Ukraine: military situation update with maps - Mar 22, 2023
(’Orc’ is associated with the various hoards of 13th century Mongol invaders, as well as LOTR evil villains)
War in Ukraine Explained/Reporting from Ukraine:
https://www.youtube.com/@RFU
Artillery (key to success in this war), Fuller explanation of Orc military structure, Other Bonus articles - see previous postings in “Attack on Europe” (FR title search).
(Numbered printed material below - Some of the items below may be out of date, and not updated yet)
••Denotes Transcribed Dialogue. The entirety of the analysis is from a Ukrainian guy named Reporting from Ukraine’s daily video - I only transcribe it. Extras are just that - from other sites, or my comments marked (Edit: .... ) or { } or [ ].
-—> Current to date and past MAPS: <——
https://militaryland.net/
-—> The True State of Russian Army <——
posted 2 months ago, 21.13 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KiII_2qabk
-—> Combined Arms Breach, what UA will have to master to smash Orc Lines <——
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ-sCT_maAQ
———————————————————————————————————————
Extras:
-—> Ukraine Situation Report: Sevastopol Attacked By Drones From Sea And Air <——
The multi-domain attack 140 miles from the front lines shows Ukraine still has the means to threaten Sevastopol.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-sevastopol-attacked-by-drones-from-sea-and-air
Excerpts:
Two Russian sailors were honored by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for firing at the aerial drones attacking Sevastopol today.
“’From 4:00 am to 5:56 am today, there was an attempt to hit Russian facilities in Sevastopol by drones,” Shoigu said Wednesday in Moscow at a Defense Ministry Board Session.
“All three aerial vehicles have been neutralized. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that two aerial vehicles were shot down by Senior Sailor Marina A. Faleeva and Chief Starshina Tatyana V. Tseluiko [the blond, attn: Laz]. I would like to give instructions to present the women with awards and, in accordance with our decisions, to give money reward for destroying enemy vehicles.”
[They got lovely bouquets of flowers for their bravery (sic).]
—
And this is the second USV and aerial drone combined attack on Sevastopol in six months. The city was hit by a similar large-scale attack in October. You can read more about that operation here.
Russian media outlets also claimed there was a Ukrainian ‘kamikaze’ drone attack on Sheskharis Harbor in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in November. This was supported by video evidence.
Regardless of the success of these attacks, they are “a demonstration of how Ukraine can start making Crimea untenable ... the precursor to liberating it from Russia,” Ben Hodges, a retired Army lieutenant general who commanded U.S. Army Europe, told The War Zone.
—
“I don’t know of another military in the world air force in the world that would award a pilot for smashing into a drone,” Kirby told reporters Wednesday afternoon. “If that’s bravery then I guess they got a different definition of it.”
“It’s ludicrous,” said Kirby. “It’s insulting. We don’t know whether that pilot was trying to intentionally ram that drone or not, but he did. The video evidence was pretty conclusive. Either way. I mean, in the Navy I grew up in, you don’t want to hit anything.”
“I mean, I’m sorry, I have to throw the flag on this one. I have no clue why they would give a bravery award to a pilot who was at worst, was maliciously putting himself and U.S. property at great risk. And at best, just an idiot.”
—
“To date, the scientific and medical research continues to disprove any link between Depleted Uranium and the reported negative health effects,” NATO reported in 2005. “Furthermore, the present evidence strongly suggests that NATO troops serving in the Balkans are not suffering negative health effects different from those suffered by their colleagues who have not served in the Balkans. Nevertheless, NATO is not complacent about this matter, and will continue to share information about this issue.”
—
The United States has offered Slovakia 12 AH-1Z Viper (also referred to by it’s legacy name, ‘Cobra’) attack helicopters as compensation for the MiG-29 fighter jets the European country is giving to Ukraine, Slovakia’s defense minister said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press.
“Under the offer, Slovakia would pay $340 million for the Bell AH-1Z attack choppers in a deal worth about $1 billion that also includes 500 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles and training, Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said,” according to AP.
“U.S. foreign military financing would cover the other $660 million, he said. The European Union also would send Slovakia 200 million euros ($213 million) in additional compensation, Nad said.” The Slovak government still needs to accept the offer.
Excerpts:
Photos and video of a train carrying T-54B/55 series tanks appeared recently and the probable origin of these fighting vehicles has been identified by the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) on Telegram, which specializes in open-source intelligence.
According to this Russian-language source, the tanks in question were being transported from Arsenyev, in Primorsky Krai, in the Russian Far East. Arsenyev is to the 1295th Central Tank Reserve and Storage Base, which is the likely source.
It’s not entirely clear whether the tanks comprise T-54s and T-55s, with CIT positively identifying T-54s, while other tanks accompanying them could either be late-model T-54s or T-55s.
The two tanks are generally considered part of the same broad series anyway, with the T-55 differing chiefly in introducing more protection against radiation, for fighting on the anticipated nuclear battlefield of the Cold War.
Superficially, the T-54/55 and T-62 are broadly similar in appearance, although distinguishing features of the two earlier tanks include a characteristic gap between the first and second wheels. Other key recognition features of the T-54/55 are the muzzle compensator at the end of the main gun barrel and a dome-like radiator cover on the turret roof.
—
Among other things, Ukraine has claimed that Russian tank resupply efforts are being particularly hard hit by sanctions. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency has stated that Uralvagonzavod, which makes T-72s, among others, “is facing rising interest rates on loans, rising prices on materials and components (including armored steel),” according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Under these circumstances, the 1295th Central Tank Reserve and Storage Base would appear to be a key part of Russia’s ability to regenerate tank forces, albeit ones that are now receiving much older equipment. According to analysis from CIT, the depot holds “a significant number of T-62M(B) tanks” in addition to T-55/54s and more modern T-72B and T-80BV types.
Furthermore, satellite images of the facility that have been analyzed by CIT reportedly show that at least 191 tanks were left there between June and November 2022, most of these assessed as being T-62s, although that can’t be confirmed. “In reality, this number could be much higher, since most of the combat-ready vehicles are usually in buildings and it is impossible to record their departure,” CIT adds.
—
It’s also worth noting that if the T-54/55s do make it as far as Ukraine, and find themselves being used in their original combat role, they would be at a huge disadvantage in virtually every way, from armor to sensors. Especially if they are expected to face the plethora of modern anti-tank weapons, not to mention advanced Western main battle tanks that are now starting to be delivered to Ukraine.
Western armored fighting vehicles are also a big threat to these tanks. The Bradley, which Ukraine is getting, among other types, gained a reputation for being killers of early Soviet-era tanks during Operation Desert Storm, for instance.
The basic armor in the T-54/55 was designed to offer protection against early Cold War NATO adversaries like the U.S. M48 Patton and the British Centurion ... Similarly, the D-10T 100mm rifled gun used on the T-54/55 was superior to those found on the M48 and Centurion but became obsolescent once the U.S. M60 tank arrived in Europe in 1960, with its new 105mm gun.
Another possibility, raised by the Ukrainian Military Center, is that the T-54/55s will be refurbished and delivered to Syria ...
Uses dinitrogen tetroxide as a primary fuel
———————————————————————————————————————
Reporting from Ukraine:
https://www.youtube.com/@RFU
Via Telegram: He was wounded in the leg and was evacuated from the front.
••Day 392: March 22
[They were too low to react: Russian tanks crushed.]
Today there is a lot of news from the Donetsk region. Here, Russians conducted a massive mechanized assault on all Ukrainian positions south of Avdiivka in an attempt to draw Ukrainians’ attention to this line and breach the Ukrainian defense to the north of Avdiivka. However, despite the initial partial success, Russian forces were too slow to react to new developments on the ground, which led to the inevitable defeat.
Last time I told you that Russian forces abruptly reinforced the Avdiivka direction with heavy equipment, fixed Ukrainian troops in the south, and then delivered their main blow to the north of Avdiivka, entering the village of Stepove. I also told you that Ukrainians urgently engaged their reserves in Berdychi and sent a tank unit to push the Russians out.
The freshest reports suggest that the battles here were extremely difficult. Avdiivka Mayor reported that Russian forces were employing a greater number of aviation units in the area to support these operations and were also increasingly using S-300, Kh-59, and other missiles. Some sources started reporting that Russians have already consolidated control over Stepove and are assaulting Berdychi.
Some sources amplified these claims and said that Russians are also advancing in the direction of Orlivka. However, in reality, Russians were just engaging on the territory of Stepove with Ukrainian forces that were sent from Berdychi and Orlivka.
Russians had a very limited time to establish full control over this settlement because of the difficulties of sustaining the offensive on the other side of the railway embankment and under the fire from the hills. Judging by the latest reports, Russians failed to provide the necessary reinforcements timely, which allowed Ukrainians to get closer to the railways and establish fire control over the area, which they used for getting across the rails.
Today, a Russian military-affiliated source confirmed that the fights are taking place east of Stepove. The footage was also released today, showing how a Ukrainian RPV squad sneaks close to the enemy positions, quickly unloads their man-portable thermobaric rocket launchers, and takes cover behind the houses.
Geolocated footage also shows that Russians are trying to get closer to Avdiivka from the northeast because Ukrainian drone operators from the 110th mechanized brigade started spotting and destroying Russian in the tree lines in front of Terrikon. However, for now, it is clear that Russians are not prioritizing frontal assault on Avdiivka and are just conducting relatively light reconnaissance.
When it comes to the southern part of the region, after an unsuccessful attempt to move around Ukrainian positions and attack them from the flanks, Russian forces were once again forced to attack Ukrainian positions on the hills in front of Vodiane. Geolocated footage shows that Russians engaged at least 3 tanks. The video shows that after 2 tanks were quickly destroyed, the third tank immediately started to back down.
Yesterday, a Ukrainian military spokesman stated that over the preceding 2 days, Russian forces lost about 3 companies worth of infantry in assaults on Avdiivka. The southern part of Avdiivka is primarily stormed by the DPR forces, more specifically, 1st Slavic Brigade. And a few days ago, one of the soldiers from this brigade effectively confirmed these claims and said that the formations had suffered heavy losses and conducted assaults without artillery support.
The Institute for the Study of War evaluated the situation and stated that the rapid increase in the tempo of Russian operations has likely led to major losses, which will result in a rapid culmination of the Battle for Avdiivka, with a subsequent loss of initiative in this direction.
Overall, Russian forces prepared a sophisticated plan of how to capitalize on their recent gains around Krasnohorivka and try to immediately take Avdiivka into a pocket. The first stages of implementation were reasonably successful, as Russians did manage to breach several Ukrainian lines of fortifications in front of Opytne and draw Ukrainian attention to the south, however, they failed to establish full control over Stepove at once, failed to timely reinforce the assault units, which is why they lost the bridgehead and were pushed back east of the settlement.
••Sevastopol Bay Naval Attack:
Denys’s home town. In the video, the ship on the left is a large commercial ferry. Naval ship is the dark blob on right and is the same size as the ferry on the right.
It looks like the drone struck the ship’s [port side] stern - perhaps at or below the water line. City is closed and very difficult to get information on what happened. Rumors spread and that’s how we will find out what took place. The bay is closed for commercial shipping today.
Sea-going drone attacked and damaged the Admiral Makarov, the [2nd] Flagship of the Black Sea a few months back. Denys shows a satellite image of ships in the bay - all military ships are docked stern to, while the footage of the attack seems to show a ship docked bow on. There were several drone craft and Russia got at least one near the entrance.
==
T-54/55 tanks:
One DU shell could, in the proper circumstances, penetrate several at once. They are so old it’s not worth wasting a DU shell on. Basically these tanks are a metal shell and an instant death trap for the crew. Next move will be T-34s and after that, horses!
Russia’s upgraded T-62 tank blurb says they have the advantage over Western made tanks - from American Military Watch Journal.
==
UA uses 4,000-7,000 shells per day; even 1 million shells per year is not enough.
==
J. Kirby says Russia is getting ready for more attacks, probably on the Eastern front.
==
Smersh rocket hits civilian apartment buildings in Zaporizhzhia, many wounded. The most powerful rocket artillery system they have continues to be used agains civilians.
==
Apparently, Xi Jinping left Russia early even though meetings were scheduled that day. Denys refers to Russia as Xi’s Colony.
==
Shows picture of the smiling, very heavy set, double-chinned, bemedalled pilot who collided with the MQ-9 drone. He got a new medal from Shoigu. Denys says he grew up with some very strange guys who went on to be Russian pilots, so this reckless flying is not unexpected.
==
Bakhmut:
8th Regiment of Special Purpose protects UA supply routes. UA may have started a small counterattack, but outcome is currently unknown.
==
UA has a lot of forces far away from the front in training or in reserve. Most Russian forces are concentrated in the East from Bakhmut to Adiviika, with some forces around Polnny and Tokmak. Forces around Nova Kakhovka are few and scattered.
Attacking Adiviika area forces are RGF, LNR/DNR. Russians are unable to penetrate Adiviika’s eastern defenses since the beginning of the war.
Support for Ukraine's EU and NATO accession among Ukrainians has increased to a record high 82% and 85%, respectively.
According to the all-Ukrainian survey of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Ukrainians show record high support for Ukraine's NATO membership - 82%. The number has gone 10% up since the last survey in June 2022 and 23% up since the April 2022 results.
Joining NATO is most supported in the West (87%) and the Center (85%). The lowest support is in the East - 72%. 80% in the South support this idea.
https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2023/03/22/7158465/
Update on Russian military operations in Ukraine for March 23, 2023:
- Russian forces continue encircling the fortified cities of Bakhmut and now Avdeevka, two major points along Ukraine's defense line in the Donbass;
- Ukraine is gearing up for its upcoming offensive, carrying out drone strikes on Crimea and reconnaissance by force along the line of contact in Zaporozhye;
- the stated goal of Ukraine according to Western reports is to cut the land-bridge between Crimea and the rest of Russia, though that would hardly isolate Crimea entirely;
- Ukraine would suffer immense losses, just as they did during the Kharkov /Kherson offensives last year, with the addition of many more Russian troops and extensive defensive works created months in advance;
- The US and EU are surging remaining stockpiles of artillery ammunition to Ukraine ahead of the offensive to sustain 2-4 months of intense fighting. Once depleted it will take years for the West to restore these stockpiles;
- Russian shell production appears to have exceeded Western output as early as 2014-2015 and has continuously increased since meaning Russia's ability to regenerate combat power exceeds the West's at this moment;
@visegrad24 1h
Finland has decided to double the number of Leopard 2 armoured mine-clearing vehicles it will send to Ukraine from 3 to 6.
Mine-clearing vehicles are vital in the initial phase of counter-offensives.
Ukraine is getting ready for a major spring offensive.
@visegrad24 5h
Ukraine has sent Finland an official request for the supply of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
Ukraine is asking for trilateral talks between Finland, USA and Ukraine.
@ZelenskyyUa (Ukraine government official) 1h
Grateful to President @niinisto & Government of Finland for approving the 14th package of defense support to 🇺🇦 worth €161 million. Heavy weapons, ammunition & tanks for demining are an effective contribution to our common victory! We appreciate 🇫🇮 unflagging solidarity with 🇺🇦.
There it is, President @niinisto has historically signed Finland off to NATO. Now we wait. We’re expecting good news from Budapest and Ankara soon.
@HenriVanhanen 3h
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament has approved Finland’s NATO membership. Next stops: ratification, President Erdogan’s signature and deposition to Washington.
@ChuckPfarrer 7h
BAKHMUT AXIS/ 1200 UTC 23 MAR/ Wagner continued piecemeal attacks along the North [M-03] axis, where stubborn UKR defense broke up attacks at Bohdanivka. RU forces are reported to have sustained heavy losses in positional fighting in the northern and riverfront areas of Bakhmut.
@bayraktar_1love 7h
A fire is reported on the territory of the Yaroslavl Motor Plant in Russia, before the fire there were reports of an explosion. - Russian media.
P.S: The plant manufactures engines that are used in many types of Russian military equipment.
@NOELreports 27m
The US will supply Ukraine with Abrams tanks from its stocks, and not produce them, as previously announced, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin clarified.
"23 March 2023, Vice Admiral Dan Dwyer, Commander JFC Norfolk welcomed General Timo Kivinen, @Finnchod (Finnish MoD) and his delegation for discussions on #Transatlantic & #Arctic security." Finland has some serious backup now:
@NOELreports 1h
“”Ukraine is preparing a powerful counteroffensive that will shock the whole world,” said Dan Rice, adviser to the Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi. Rice is an American combat veteran who last spring was appointed special adviser to the Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.”
“Shock the whole world.”
(Desert) Storm on the Steppe...
But first, Shock and Awe Artillery and Air prep.
@visegrad24 4h
It’s poetic justice that the former Warsaw Pact states, from Estonia in the north to Bulgaria in the south, are now turning their full Soviet-era weapon arsenals against the Kremlin.
They were built to be used against the West, but Moscow became their end target.
It is official, winter is over. This means that Russia's long awaited winter offensive came and went and was smashed by Ukraine's defenses. The map on the left is 3 months ago (12/21) and the map on the right is today (3/21). Russia's military is just incompetent.
@ChuckPfarrer 5h
OFFENSIVE? UKR General Oleksandr Syrsky says that Kyiv will launch a long-awaited counterassault “very soon” now that Russia’s winter offensive has lost steam. Sources report that RU continues to lose men and materiel in fruitless assaults on Bakhmut.
https://msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-says-russias-bakhmut-assault-loses-steam-counterstrike-coming-soon/ar-AA18YRqF
