Posted on 05/23/2023 9:18:07 AM PDT by Kazan
After the defeat in Artemovsk (Bakhmut), where they are believed to have lost between 30k-60k troops, the Ukrainians staged this Sunday (May 22) an incursion into the Belgorod Oblast, pre-war Russian territory, in what can best be described as a publicity stunt or a ‘psy-op’.
While the Discord Leaks have revealed that Zelensky has plans to take and hold Russian border towns to gain some leverage in future peace talks, that was not it.
The incursion consisted of a DRG (Diversion and Reconnaissance Group) with 2 tanks, an infantry support vehicle and about 9 troop-carrying cars, with a number of troops that have initially been estimated not to have surpassed one battalion.
Belgorod has been known to be a weak spot and a soft-target for long. Governor Gladkov has been begging people to evacuate border settlements since September 2022.
Ukraine Watch reported:
“At the beginning of their operation, Ukrainian hackers took over computer control of many areas of the region, as well as some radio frequencies.
They gave messages to civilians in the villages and throughout the region with the intention of spreading panic, as well as promulgating messages inciting civilians to rebel against their government.
Ukrainian troops stopped civilians on the roads and then used their vehicles as roadblocks.”
A legal regime of a counter-terrorist operation was introduced in the Belgorod Oblast (region), and the ‘Special Military Operation’ has been Extended into the area to ‘Liquidate Terrorist Elements that have entered the Region from Ukraine’.
The DRG penetrated the Russian territory by attacking the Graivoron border checkpoint. Russian border guards withdrew to fortified line and took up the fight.
The Ukrainians divided their troops, and proceeded to the shelling of settlements in the area.
On the wall of the building in the Grayvoron checkpoint they left the inscription “Greetings from Bakhmut”, highlighting the propaganda nature of the attack, designed to shift the focus from the loss of Artemovsk.
The American ‘sponsors’ of Kiev were quick to respond. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller explained how the US does not encourage attacks on Russian territory, but immediately proceeded to justify it: “We’ve made it very clear to Ukrainians that we don’t allow or encourage attacks outside Ukraine’s borders. But I really think it’s important to take a step back and remind everyone and remind the world that Russia started this war.”
With the arrival of the Rapid Response Forces from the Russian Military, the main Ukrainian forces and equipment are said to have fled the settlement.
But a substantial group of Ukrainian troops took positions in Kozinka, where they have occupied a church building, with weapons that including anti-tank missiles. There is a concern that they may be hiding in houses, using civilians as human shields.
Russian sources say there are still up to a hundred militants in the vicinity of the church, in addition to an enemy platoon.
Russian armored vehicles and special forces have surrounded them, as assault aviation had been seen is working on the dug position of militants.
Donbas Devushka reported:
“As of 10:00 [on Monday], a cleanup of the settlement is underway. Kozinka, the enemy left engineering charges both on the roads and on the roadsides.
[…] Night is a special condition for combat, there are civilians in settlements, Ukrainians do not disdain to use civilians as a shield, the history of the SMO [Special Military Operation] has already proven this, in order to reduce the minimization of victims and there were no active actions at night.”
While this unfolds, Ukrainian reinforcements are concentrating in other sections of the border in order to sow panic.
While this can’t possibly result in any meaningful military or strategic gain, Ukrainians online are creating the narrative of the ‘liberators’ of the ‘Belgorod People’s Republic’. A classic Psy-op to distract from the Artemovsk (Bakhmut) defeat, the destruction of the Patriot Air Defense system in Kiev by the Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and the ‘disappearance’ of the Commander in chief Zaluzhni.
Russian Federation Ministry of Defense:
“The Kiev regime, having suffered a defeat in the city of Artemovsk, switched to the implementation of terrorist actions against the civilian population.
Yesterday, after intensive artillery shelling of the Kozinka international checkpoint, as well as a number of other civilian facilities in the Graivoronsky district of the Belgorod region, a unit of a Ukrainian nationalist formation invaded the territory of the Russian Federation.
In the course of the counter-terrorist operation, the nationalist formations were blocked and defeated by air strikes, artillery fire and the active actions of the cover units of the State Border of the Western Military District.
The remnants of the nationalists were driven back to the territory of Ukraine, where they continued to be hit by fire until they were completely eliminated. More than 70 Ukrainian terrorists, four armored fighting vehicles and five pickups have been destroyed.”
Rommel was of the opinion that the Allies would at Normandy, but was overruled by Hitler.
NurembergII
the pee dossier rats
all get tried - hung
I stand for what’s right and I mostly respond to the idiots who make outlandish statements in support of Russia.
Reminds me of John Brown’s raid to free the slaves. That went no where fast too.
I wouldn’t say the raid is especially significant as yet, but it has the potential to make Russia think twice about its rear position.
Plus it’s an embarrassment. A Ukraine that has been subdued is not available as a launching pad for freedom fighters to enter Russia and seize towns, especially relatively near a nuclear weapons storage depot.
Therefore, Ukraine has not been subdued.
I think the Doolittle Raid was to deter Japanese bombers from visiting AMerica again - at the time, no one was certain they wouldn’t return and repeat their efforts. Bombing Tokyo certainly put them on notice that they weren’t too distant to be reached in key geographical regions.
Bakhmut has military significance - the region has transportation supply lines. The Ukrainians insist it’s worthless and then they continued to send soldiers to fight there until they ran out of soldiers. The Russians used it to lure soldiers into the fight - no need to chase Ukrainians when you can have them come to you. The Russians wanted to eliminate the Ukrainian army or ‘demilitarize’ the Ukraine, and Bakmut served their purpose. Also, they disrupted the supply/transport lines the Ukrainians wanted.
NATO’s stupid war is their plan for regime change in Russia. Hillary began working on it in 2010 and by 2014, our CIA working with others in NATO staged a coup and inserted a puppet. NATO began building a 600,000 troop army for the purpose of provoking Russia into war, effecting regime change, and then NATO gains another pawn in its plan to rule the world.
Yes, literally.
And you have some people here, in the Free Republic, pridefully condoning such acts which (((LITERALLY))) amount to terrorism.
It really just boils down to this: one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter.
Because some here sympathize with Ukraine, such acts suddenly aren’t so bad.
Because some here sympathize with Ukraine, suddenly Nazi’s aren’t so bad.
Because our government backs Ukraine, our DOJ will do zero regards anything like this and you could have the guy behind blowing up a blogger in St. Petersburg Russia on holidays in the US right now.
Zelensky is brilliant! This move will start the Civil War in Russia that will topple Putin’s dictatorship and bring democracy and western values to backward Ruzzia. Armies sent to battle the “invaders” will change sides and begin the march on Moscow. The Russian White Army will flatten the Ruzzias and cause Putin to with draw all his troops to Moscow to defend his palace. This one move will win the war for the Ukraine People. Ukraine will become a NATO Member (it is almost anyway) and an EU member as well—Biden will insist. Once Moscow has fallen to the Russian Democrats, Putin charged with war crimes, all mercenaries and soldiers who were involved can be hung as the war criminals they are. Belgorod given to Ukraine as a war prize and Hunter Biden made ambassador to Kiev.
LOL - Russians rape and execute civilians in Ukraine, loot, use incendiary bombs, bomb hospitals and and schools then cry when their own people and some Polish volunteers make a foray into their country. Russians are so soft in the head.
Because Putin's Russia, on a whim, launched the bloodiest land war in Europe since WWI, Ukraine is entirely justified in defending itself, including taking the war to the aggressor.
Regards,
Thise were Russian freedom fighters. No Ukraine was involved!
This almost 15 minute long youtube report, for which unfortunately I have inadequate audio, gives a number of fascinating facts and thoughts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67a7OqWvb4Q
1) The Russian rebel force has apparently taken 4 villages between Ukraine and Belgorod. These villages have Ukranian names and the Russians there speak Russian with a Ukraine accent. I suspect the residents are not fighting and are being left alone.
2) There is a river on the north side of a line between the Ukraine border crossing point and Belgorod. Beyond the 4 villages taken already, a branch of the river turns south which puts the 4 villages in a somewhat defenseable pocket. This will make it hard for Russian troops in Russia to attack the Russian rebels. Map shown with strategic notations. With apotentially neutral or friendly population, and a defensible location. This area was a good choice for a tactical probe.
3) A term was mentioned, something like “Belgorod Peoples Republic.” I’m not sure if I remember it exactly, but the point was suggested of an independent small Russian people’s republic, like the ones in the Donbass, but on real RUssian soil. A possible negotiating point/position if we can just get peace talks moving?
4) The point was made that Putin does not use the internet/email, so receiving information and giving orders by him is slowed down. Meanwhile the front line Russian troops, without orders, cut and run leaving their equipment behind for the Russian rebels to add to their supply. They may also be picking up volunteers in the invaded territory to use this extra equipment.
I only watched half this long video, but will return to it later after work today. Others made good points about the tremendous damage possible to do in Belgorod as a prime Russian logistics base. It has also been pointed that Russia will now have to consider basing more troops at many other border locations. How about that 800 mile Finish border and all those nukes in the Kola (Cola?) Peninsula? From this long youtube link, I get the impression the Belgorod region is as vulnerable to outside influences as was the Donbass region. Nice to see the shoe on the other foot.;-)
Did it, really?
What happened again, six years later, in 1865?
It is very nice of the Ukrainians to step in and to help liberate parts of Russia from the oppressive Russian regime.
Next up they need to hold a referendum on whether or not the people of the Belgorod Oblast wish to secure sovereignty or perhaps even formally annex themselves into Ukraine.
“Anybody here has any guess how this thing is going to end?”
Yes. Putin will get shot in the back of his head by someone he trusts.
Don’t look at Bahkmut look here, look look.
True, but you do know Patton’s nickname..........Blood and Guts.
Russia can neither protect its own territory or conquer Ukraine.
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Well to be honest, Russia is 12 time zones large. Huge. Add to that it is chocked full of of every known resource and commodity the West needs.
Anybody here has any guess how this thing is going to end?
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Ukraine is carved up to it’s historical past, Poland, Hungary, Romania each regaining some portion…..what will be left is a “ rump” of a nation….would be my guess….
Time will tell.
“Gives Putin a reason to escalate.”
Escalate to what? All he has left are nukes and chemicals.
L
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