Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 5, 2024
Russian sources are trying to preempt possible issues between Russia and India by alleging that Western countries are purposefully supplying Indian-produced artillery ammunition to Ukraine. The Indian branch of Russian government media outlet Sputnik claimed on January 3 that an Indian Air Force veteran accused Slovenia of purchasing Indian 155mm artillery ammunition under false pretenses and supplying the ammunition to Ukraine to damage the Russian-Indian bilateral relationship.[66] Sputnik India stressed India's neutral position on the war in Ukraine and its close strategic partnership with Russia.[67] Indian outlet Economic Ties reported that Russian officials contacted the Indian government about Indian-made ammunition reaching Ukraine through European intermediaries.[68] ISW has not observed confirmation that any belligerent has used Indian-made artillery ammunition in Ukraine. Russian sources and officials are likely trying to frame the issue as a Western provocation to diffuse possible tensions with India. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on December 27 likely to maintain Russia's critical trade relationship with India.[69]
A Russian milblogger amplified a claim that “terrorists” can easily enter Europe due to the war in Ukraine likely in an attempt to undermine Western support for continued aid to Ukraine and discussions on Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU). The milblogger amplified an article from the German outlet Bild that claimed that Islamic State Khorasan Province terrorists from Tajikistan are easily entering Europe by posing as refugees from Ukraine.[70] The milblogger amplified a map showing the alleged route the terrorists take to reach Germany, which indicates that the path goes through Russia.[71] ISW has observed nothing to verify any of Bild’s claims. The milblogger likely amplified the claim in an attempt to link European fears of terrorist attacks and debates about migration with continued support for Ukraine.
full report: https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-5-2024
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 6, 2024
Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) continues efforts to incentivize service with the Russian military by advertising support for housing. The Russian MoD announced on January 6 that it resolved issues of poor housing conditions for 56,000 military families and reimbursed over 100,000 individuals for rent.[38] The MoD stated that it provided military personnel over 73 billion rubles (roughly $802 million) of housing subsidies. The MoD stated that it provided over 5,000 military personnel with housing assistance in 2023, including providing 4,100 with subsidies and roughly 900 with permanent housing, and that over 18,000 military personnel enrolled in the Russian savings-mortgage system (NIS) housing support program.
full report: https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-6-2024
This picture was not taken 100 years ago:
https://www.rferl.org/a/siberian-woman-photographing-forgotten-heartland/32452179.html