Russia hits Ukraine's power grid with a 'massive' attack on a day marking the WWII defeat of Nazism

https://www.yahoo.com/news/rus...inian-071838071.html

Russian forces unleashed a nighttime barrage of more than 50 cruise missiles and explosive drones at Ukraine’s power grid Wednesday, targeting a wide area in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a “massive” attack on the day the country celebrates the defeat of Nazism in World War II.

The bombardment blasted targets in seven Ukrainian regions, including the Kyiv area and parts of the south and west, damaging homes and the country's rail network, authorities said. Three people, including an 8-year-old girl, were injured, according to officials.

Russia has repeatedly pounded Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the war that is stretching into its third year and has claimed thousands of lives. By taking out the power, the Kremlin’s forces aim to rob Ukrainian manufacturing of its energy supply, especially military plants, and crush public morale.

Russian attacks have damaged nearly half of Ukraine’s power infrastructure since the start of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, officials say. The damage is estimated at $12.5 billion, with $1 billion inflicted during the past two weeks, according to the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Energy and Housing Services, Andrii Herus.

The mass barrages also drain Ukrainian air defenses of ammunition as Kyiv’s depleted forces await delivery of the latest batch of promised Western military support. Ukrainian officials have been pleading for more NATO-standard air defense systems, such as Patriots.

Zelenskyy noted that Wednesday’s attacks occurred on the day that Ukraine observes the end of European fighting in World War II and equated Ukraine’s current struggle with that conflict, saying on social platform X that “only a united free world” can stop Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine last year changed the date of the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism to avoid it coinciding with Russia's own Victory Day commemorations on May 9.

Russia pummeled Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the “blackout winter” of 2022-23. In March, it launched a new wave of attacks, one of which completely destroyed the Trypilska power plant near Kyiv, one of the country’s biggest.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries. On Wednesday, a Ukrainian attack hit an oil terminal, injuring five workers and starting a fire, Russia-appointed authorities in the partially occupied Luhansk region said.

Russian bombardments, though frequent, have become less regular in recent weeks, and Ukrainian officials suspect Moscow is stockpiling resources ahead of a major battlefield offensive that could come within weeks.

The 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line has changed little since the early months of the war, but Russia has recently made small but steady gains in some areas as Ukraine battles with a lack of manpower and a shortage of weapons.

National electrical grid operator Ukrenergo said facilities were hit in the Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

Two energy facilities were hit in the Lviv region, which is in the country’s far west and distant from the fighting’s front lines, according to regional Gov. Maksym Kozytskyi.

DTEK, Ukraine’s biggest private energy supplier, said the attack “seriously damaged” equipment at three of its thermal power plants.

The attack was the fifth in the last six weeks targeting the company’s facilities, DTEK said. Overall, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the company’s assets have come under attack nearly 180 times, injuring 51 workers and killing three, it said.

Russia launched 55 missiles and 21 Shahed drones overnight, the Ukrainian air force said. Air defenses downed 39 of the missiles and 20 of the drones, Ukrainian air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said.

More at link


Ukraine warns of outages as 'massive' Russian strikes target power plants

Ukraine on Wednesday warned of possible power shutdowns across the country after a "massive" wave of Russian missiles and drones targeted the country's battered energy system.

https://www.france24.com/en/eu...-target-power-plants

The best money we've ever spent...

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
The best money we've ever spent...

Yep. Slaughtering the Rooooooskies for pennies on the dollar. They’re on the ropes. Pulling tanks out of mothballs. Sixty days from done.

Russian vehicle losses are minimal with most being lost to mechanical failure. The Russians are wisely using T55 and T62 tanks pulled from storage as there's little need to put wear and tear on more modern equipment given how incompetent the Ukrainians are.

Yes, the Russians could not find their 10mm socket to tighten down turrets and track bolts. They come loose when hit by American, German, Swedish, French and soon, Turkish 155mm artillery shells. The FPV drones give the same results. Many Ukrainian drones just fly over a open hatch and drop a home brewed or American grenade inside. The crews get the frag, the fire lights up all those tank rounds and the turrets 10mm bolts give way. Turrets have gone as far as 200 feet in the air. Russian IFVs and APCs litter the Ukraine land scape by the thousands. Such a cool pile if free scrap metals. Advanced Russian electronic warfare equipment get blasted. TOR missle launchers get blasted. Advanced radars get blasted. Infantry, hiding in the ground gets blasted. Oh, Ukraine has suffered big time damages, even by today's missle strikes. But they aren't giving in. Waiting now to see what becomes of Shoigu. The raping of defense money for years by the Putin gang is why the Russians are warring with old kit. They've got nothing new.

quote:

Originally posted by Carpentermaass84:
Russian vehicle losses are minimal with most being lost to mechanical failure. The Russians are wisely using T55 and T62 tanks pulled from storage as there's little need to put wear and tear on more modern equipment given how incompetent the Ukrainians are.

Normally when the boss makes a statement on how you conduct yourself in the forum, it’s wise to listen.

Just as us dumping money into the morass that is Ukraine is asinine, your continuous drumbeat that Russia is some powerful juggernaut is similarly obtuse.

A military that can’t push more than a few dozen km against freaking Ukraine isn’t worth a damn.

quote:

Originally posted by reloader-1:

quote:

Originally posted by Carpentermaass84:
Russian vehicle losses are minimal with most being lost to mechanical failure. The Russians are wisely using T55 and T62 tanks pulled from storage as there's little need to put wear and tear on more modern equipment given how incompetent the Ukrainians are.

Normally when the boss makes a statement on how you conduct yourself in the forum, it’s wise to listen.

Just as us dumping money into the morass that is Ukraine is asinine, your continuous drumbeat that Russia is some powerful juggernaut is similarly obtuse.

A military that can’t push more than a few dozen km against freaking Ukraine isn’t worth a damn.

It isn't that simple.... Yes, the initial push was dissorganized but at this point Russia is facing waves and waves of equipment transfered from NATO, the US, and many other nations (Japan, South Korea, etc). This isn't the military of Yeltsin and $10,000 MIG29 rides. My point is this; we play into Democrat myths of Biden's foreign policy genius by pushing the narrative that Ukraine has degraded the Russian military with the help of Western aid. This is Biden's war and it's not in my interests or that of the Republican party to see Ukraine win.

^^^One thing's for certain, it's in EVERYONE's interest to see this thing end...Too bad our side (NATO & the Biden Clown Show!) doesn't have that goal!

quote:

Originally posted by Carpentermaass84:
It isn't that simple.... Yes, the initial push was dissorganized but at this point Russia is facing waves and waves of equipment transfered from NATO, the US, and many other nations (Japan, South Korea, etc). This isn't the military of Yeltsin and $10,000 MIG29 rides. My point is this; we play into Democrat myths of Biden's foreign policy genius by pushing the narrative that Ukraine has degraded the Russian military with the help of Western aid. This is Biden's war and it's not in my interests or that of the Republican party to see Ukraine win.

You are all over the place. You have posted that “Russia could reach the UK by next week”, “there’s nothing stopping Russia from defeating NATO with conventional weapons”, “Russia intentionally dragged out this conflict” etc etc.

Now poor Russia can’t deal with Ukraine and some military equipment delivered by other countries? Which is it?

Listen, Russia isn’t exactly a friend of the US, so cheering for them isn’t an ideal scenario. Opposing US aid to Ukraine, while still desiring a Russian defeat has nothing to do with politics. We can all draw the line at refusing to send money to Ukraine, but at least be logically consistent in how you approach the conflict.

Four minute snippet. ANDREW BRIDGEN MP

https://www.bitchute.com/video/gwExoG5hB9oR/

I am certain, somewhere back in these pages, there has been a Col. Douglas MacGregor video posted. I have been viewing him some and the man lays out reality of Russia vs Ukraine quite aptly. Much in ways hard to accept when one is hoping the best for Ukraine. I have come to agree we should get out of this. The dangers, debt, our economy, the current state of NATO and our military. It does not look good. I still feel Putin is a monster who should be hanged. You were right Para, we shouldn't be involved. The incompetent people who want this and those who are leading the charge in DC need to chart a new corse. We need out before this gets too out of control.

I simply don't think we can afford this. Seems illogical we are borrowing billions upon billions only to give it away. Often when I read about this kind of stuff I think "There goes my entire lifetimes worth of tax "contributions" plus my whole extended family and everyone we know past and present... not even scratching the surface"

I would have maybe a little leeway if the government at least said: "OK we're cutting back on [x] BS spending and cutting other foreign aid ~20% to cover this". Not just another log on the fire

Thread Drift, sorry: I really wish the federal budget and all these BS omnibus emergency spending bills spelled it out per tax payer AND we had time and the ability to have OUR elected officials to edit the way OUR tax dollars and borrowings are spent.

example: Congress approved another 61 BILLION for Ukraine in Apr. 61B divided by ~271 million adults in the USA = $225 per person. OK, this is what we want/need? EVERYONE send your cash, check or money order to...

From the New York Times 5-13-2024

Facing Russian Advance, a Top Ukrainian General Paints a Bleak Picture

Ukraine’s forces are stretched thin and have minimal reserves to draw on, the chief of military intelligence said, in addition to shortages of weapons.

https://www.nytimes.com/articl...ukraine-kharkiv.html

Ukraine’s military is confronting a “critical” situation in the country’s northeast, facing troop shortages as it tries to repel a Russian offensive that has been advancing for several days, a top Ukrainian general said on Monday.

Russian troops surged across the border last week to open a new line of attack near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city after Kyiv, capturing at least nine settlements and villages and forcing thousands of civilians to flee.

“The situation is on the edge,” Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said in a video call from a bunker in Kharkiv. “Every hour this situation moves toward critical.”

His bleak assessment echoed those of other Ukrainian officers in recent days, that the country’s military prospects were dimming. In addition to being outnumbered, the Ukrainians face critical shortages of weapons, especially artillery ammunition, and $60.8 billion worth of arms from the United States — approved three weeks ago after months of congressional gridlock — has barely begun to arrive.
Like most Ukrainian officials and military experts, General Budanov said he believes the Russian attacks in the northeast are intended to stretch Ukraine’s already thin reserves of soldiers and divert them from fighting elsewhere.

Ukraine’s military is confronting a “critical” situation in the country’s northeast, facing troop shortages as it tries to repel a Russian offensive that has been advancing for several days, a top Ukrainian general said on Monday.

Russian troops surged across the border last week to open a new line of attack near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city after Kyiv, capturing at least nine settlements and villages and forcing thousands of civilians to flee.

“The situation is on the edge,” Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said in a video call from a bunker in Kharkiv. “Every hour this situation moves toward critical.”

His bleak assessment echoed those of other Ukrainian officers in recent days, that the country’s military prospects were dimming. In addition to being outnumbered, the Ukrainians face critical shortages of weapons, especially artillery ammunition, and $60.8 billion worth of arms from the United States — approved three weeks ago after months of congressional gridlock — has barely begun to arrive.

Like most Ukrainian officials and military experts, General Budanov said he believes the Russian attacks in the northeast are intended to stretch Ukraine’s already thin reserves of soldiers and divert them from fighting elsewhere.

That is exactly what is happening now, he acknowledged. He said the Ukrainian army was trying to redirect troops from other front line areas to shore up its defenses in the northeast, but that it had been difficult to find the personnel.

“All of our forces are either here or in Chasiv Yar,” he said, referring to a Ukrainian stronghold about 120 miles farther south that Russian troops have assaulted in recent weeks. “I’ve used everything we have. Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone else in the reserves.”

General Budanov assessed that Ukrainian forces would be able to shore up their lines and stabilize the front within the next few days. But he expects Russia to launch a new attack further north of Kharkiv, in the Sumy region.

More at link

My sentiments exactly

https://twitter.com/saintlysin.../1790429316750147623

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8byQGSfbcU

https://x.com/vicktop55/status...589541914460489?s=46

^^^ Can't be much of a war zone if it's safe enough for a top cabinet secretary to go over there and play gee-tar.

That way, as soon as Ukrainians agree that conditions allow, all Ukrainians – all Ukrainians, including those displaced by Russia’s aggression – can exercise their right to vote.

So... no election until we win the war...

'So Much For Democracy'? Blinken Justifies Ukraine Canceling Elections

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Tuesday and delivered a speech where he justified President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to postpone elections.

Presidential elections were due to be held in March, but they weren’t, and Zelensky will remain in office after his term ends on May 20. Ukrainian parliamentary elections were scheduled to be held last year in October, but they were also canceled.

Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have justified the decision by pointing to Ukraine’s constitution, which prohibits elections during martial law. Martial law was first declared when Russia invaded and has been extended since. However, at one point, Zelensky made it clear that he could hold a vote if he wanted to.

Last year, Zelensky said that he could hold elections if the US and other Western countries paid for them and if Ukrainian legislators agreed to amend the constitution.

He later ruled out the idea and there’s been no pressure from Ukraine’s Western backers to hold a vote despite the claims that the proxy war is a fight for democracy.

In a speech at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Blinken said the US and Europe had been helping Ukraine build "democratic pillars," including "free and fair elections," but said a vote can only happen when the "conditions" are right.
"That’s why we’re working with the government and civil society groups to shore up Ukraine’s election infrastructure. That way, as soon as Ukrainians agree that conditions allow, all Ukrainians – all Ukrainians, including those displaced by Russia’s aggression – can exercise their right to vote. People in Ukraine and around the world can have confidence that the voting process is free, fair, secure," Blinken said.

Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief who was recently appointed ambassador to the UK, has long been rumored to be a potential presidential candidate in a future election, although he hasn’t announced his intention to run.

Earlier this year, a poll in Ukraine found Zelensky would lose to Zaluzhny in a presidential election. The poll found that 41% favored Zaluzhny in a first-round election, while only 23.7% would vote for Zelensky.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geop...-canceling-elections

https://twitter.com/JackPosobi.../1790209370648637851


Details of her assertion here:

https://www-pravda-com-ua.tran...hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp



https://twitter.com/JackPosobi.../1790357280413655546

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
^^^ Can't be much of a war zone if it's safe enough for a top cabinet secretary to go over there and play gee-tar.

I guess James Taylor was busy.