Russia Ukraine Update Thread - part 2

NATO says rumors American commander was captured in Ukraine are false

The rumors that an American NATO officer was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine are false, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Command Operations, said.

Some social media users spread a rumor that U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Roger Cloutier Jr., commander of NATO Allied Land Command, was captured in Mariupol, and it’s “completely false,” a NATO spokesperson told the Washington Examiner on Friday................

.......NATO also posted on Facebook on Tuesday from the 46th Land Operations Working Group, which met in Izmir, Turkey, and it included a photo of the commander.

click link for article...

So another lie by Russian media...

* - 6665 people were evacuted today to safe areas, including 5158 from Mariupol and Zaporizhiye region

* - The 5th EU sanctions package in response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine is now in force. The relevant legal acts were just published in the Official Journal of the European Union

* - Explosions audible in Kherson city

* - Ukrainian military downed "Orlan-30" UAV today in Luhansk region

* - National Security Council staff discussed military aid with the Ukrainian delegation today, a White House official tells. They also discussed economic/ humanitarian aid, sanctions, export controls, & holding Putin to account for war crimes

* - Governor of Belgorod region says that explosion near Novy Oskol at 18:45 today is "a sound of defensive event"

* - Ukrainian military repelled 4 Russian attacks today at Donbas

* - Russia mobilizing 60,000 reservists to join the war in Ukraine: U.S. senior defense official

* - Russia has lost up to 20% of its 'combat power' (soldiers, aircraft, tanks and other vehicles) since launching invasion of Ukraine Feb. 24: U.S. senior defense official

* - Wagner Group is about at 1,000 people "focused in the Donbas, particularly in and around Donetsk" per a senior US defense official

* - France calls strike on Ukraine rail station a 'crime against humanity'

* - Russia's sortie count in past 24 hours - 240-250 with "overwhelming weight and focus" of strikes in Mariupol and eastern Donbas, per a senior US defense official

* - U.S. 'not buying' Russia's denial about launching SS-21 short-range ballistic missile strike at train station in eastern Ukraine killing dozens: U.S. senior defense official

* - Russian forces have launched over 1,500 missiles into Ukraine: senior defense official

* - The Pentagon: Russia used a short-range ballistic missile to target the Kramatorsk station

* - President Biden:The attack on a Ukrainian train station is yet another horrific atrocity committed by Russia, striking civilians who were trying to evacuate and reach safety

* - Russian naval rocket artillery fire targeting Mariupol

* - Borrell: We hope that in the coming days we will allocate an additional 500 million euros to support the armament of Ukraine

* - EU @vonderleyen handed over a questionnaire to UA President - a step in granting EU candidate status. According to her, it's an accelerated procedure, as "we know a lot about each other. The filling will take weeks, not years". @ZelenskyyUa: "we will be ready in a week"

* - The UK will provide a new delivery of military aid to Ukraine, the Prime Minister has announced at a Downing Street press conference alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

* - Explosions in Northern Kharkiv

* - The US will reposition one Patriot missile system in Slovakia to backfill the Russian-made S-300 air defenses sent to Ukraine today, SecDef Lloyd Austin said. The US battery in Slovakia will be manned by US troops. The US has Aegis Ashore in Romania and soon in Poland

* - .@SecDef Lloyd Austin salutes "the generosity of the Slovak government in providing an S300 air defense system - a critical defensive capability - to Ukraine". US "will continue to coordinate with our Allies and partners to support the needs of the Ukrainian military and people”

* - With #Slovakia sending #Ukraine #S300 air defense system, @US_EUCOM "will reposition one Patriot missile system, manned by US service members, to Slovakia" per @SecDef

* - 2 wounded as Kharkivoblenergo team hit a landmine while on assignment to repair power line in Derhachi

* - PM Johnson says UK will supply Ukraine with a new batch of weapons

* - Ukraine calls for extraordinary OSCE meeting after Russian missile strike at Kramatorsk railway station

As a reminder -

Just so people know and understand. Information from war zones can become confusing as there will no doubt be info released from the players (on both sides) involved that might not necessarily be true.

As such take everything as a possibility and NOT as absolute truth.

The very first casualty in a war is the truth and all warfare is based on deception

* - Russian army shelling Zolote in Luhansk region, several houses on fire, at least 5 wounded

* - Speaker of Odesa regional administration confirmed explosions in the city

* - Johnson: Putin is responsible for the escalation of the conflict and the targeting of Ukrainian civilians

* - Emergency evacuation declared in Kramatorsk, authorities looking for drivers

* - Croatia has joined the initiative of 38 countries to have the International Criminal Court open an investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine, the government said on Friday

* - President of the @EU_Commission @vonderleyen, Foreign Affairs High Representative @JosepBorrellF and PM of Slovakia Eduard Heger visited Bucha

* - NATO SecGen @jensstoltenberg: Ukraine can win this war on the battlefield

* - Death toll of missile strike at railway station in Kramatorsk increased to 50, 5 of them - children. 86 more wounded

* - More missiles launched from Shakhtarsk

* - 132 bodies of people shot dead were found in Makariv, 40% of buildings destroyed - town head Vadym Tokar

* - Mayor of Chernihiv Vladyslav Atroshenko says about 700 civilians killed during Russian attack on the city

* - Spanish Foreign Minister: The attack on the Kramatorsk station is a flagrant violation of international law aimed at punishing civilians

* - Damage in Derhachi town in Kharkiv region after Russian army shelling in last 24 hours

* - Slovakia PM: I would like to confirm that Slovakia has provided Ukraine with an air-defence system S-300. Ukrainian nation is bravely defending its sovereign country and us too. It is our duty to help, not to stay put and be ignorant to the loss of human lives under Russia's agression

* - Death toll of missile attack on Kramatorsk railway station increased to 39, including 4 children

* - Foreign Secretary Liz Truss: Appalled by the horrific reports of Russian rocket attacks on civilians at Kramatorsk railway station in Eastern Ukraine. The targeting of civilians is a war crime. We will hold Russia and Putin to account

* - Occupation authorities in parts of Donetsk region of Ukraine decided to close SMM OSCE office in Donetsk

* - There are casualties as result of Russian missile strike in Odesa region - head of regional administration

* - Craters resulted from Russian army shelling on Northern Kharkiv today. At least 7 houses damaged

* - Gas pipelines damaged in Huliaipole and Orikhiv district of Zaporizhiye region as result of shelling

As a reminder -

Just so people know and understand. Information from war zones can become confusing as there will no doubt be info released from the players (on both sides) involved that might not necessarily be true.

As such take everything as a possibility and NOT as absolute truth.

The very first casualty in a war is the truth and all warfare is based on deception

* - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced new sanctions on Russia, including a coal ban, slamming Moscow for violations of international law in Ukraine

* - This event is known propaganda, displayed for awareness
Russian Ministry of Defense claims that Tochka-U missile complexes used only by Ukrainian army

* - Authorities confirmed explosions in Volokonovsky district of Belgorod region, but denied shelling

* - President Zelensky on missile attack in Kramatorsk: if the evil goes unpunished, it will never stop

* - Another angle of the Tochka-U missile used in today railway station attack, with the words "For the (our) Children" written on the side

* - Video of a missile that targeted railway station in Kramatorsk

* - Russian Telegram channel claimed that “missile attack on Kramatorsk railway station targeted gathering of troops”

* - German President Steinmeier calls for war crimes tribunal against Putin and Lavrov - Spiegel

* - At least 30 killed, 100 wounded in the Russian missile strike into Kramatorsk railway station – Official

* - Missile launches from Shakhtarsk at about 10:20 this morning

* - There are casualties as result of Russian missile strike at railway station in Kramatorsk

* - Due to Russian army intervention into work of Novopskov gas pumping station, transit of gas via this line could be stopped

* - Ukraine forces control Sumy region bordering Russia: governor

* - Heavy shelling in Kramatorsk, there are fires in the city

* - This is results of carpet bombing of Novoselovka village near Chernihiv. Houses have been destroyed by russian aerial bombs to the ground. Many civilians was killed

* - Adviser to the Ukrainian president rejects any temporary truce with Russia

* - Ukrainian Presidency: Negotiations with Russia continue via video, but there are changes after the Bucha events

* - Russian troops seized evacuation buses with humanitarian aid to Melitopol' - head of regional administration

* - Vuhledar and Sloviansk were attacked with helicopters, and at least 1 killed and 5 wounded in Adviyivka in shelling

* - Josep Borrell Fontelles with other top EU officials: Going to Kyiv

* - The President of the European Commission left for Kyiv

As a reminder -

Just so people know and understand. Information from war zones can become confusing as there will no doubt be info released from the players (on both sides) involved that might not necessarily be true.

As such take everything as a possibility and NOT as absolute truth.

The very first casualty in a war is the truth and all warfare is based on deception

Russia has lost 15-20% of combat power, US says

Russia has lost 15-20% of combat power, US says

The Pentagon is "not buying" Russia's denial of responsibility for the Ukraine train station attack that killed at least 50, a senior U.S. defense official said Friday.

"They originally claimed a successful strike and then only retracted it when there were reports of civilian casualties," the official said. "It's our full expectation that this was a Russian strike -- we believe they used a short-range ballistic missile, an SS-21."

As Russian troops retreat from some Ukrainian cities, some of the Russian battalion tactical groups (or BTGs, with roughly 800-1,000 troops each) that have withdrawn back across the Belarusian and Russian borders have been essentially "eradicated" from the fighting in Ukraine, according to the senior defense official.

In terms of total losses -- counting troops, tanks, aircraft and missile inventory -- Russia has lost between 15-20% of the combat power it originally had arrayed against Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion, according to the official.

From wikipedia

As of 2014, they possessed 220 launchers. Russian missile systems have been upgraded since 2004 (replacing the onboard automated control systems) and were scheduled to be replaced by the 9K720 Iskander missiles. The Russian TASS agency reported that they had all been replaced by Iskander systems by late 2019. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, due to BAZ-5921 trucks being spotted in a convoy with Russian markings, their use in the 2021-2022 military exercise, and their use in the war in Ukraine it is assumed Tochka-U launchers have been returned to service, although this claim was disputed and denied by the Russian army.

click link for multiple updates

Russia isn't telling most families who've lost sons in war: US official
A senior U.S. administration official told ABC News that Russia isn't informing the majority of families when someone is killed in the war.

The official said mothers and spouses are starting to show up outside military bases to try to get information but are told to leave.

The official said mobile crematoriums are being used to burn the bodies of some Russian soldiers.

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

a reply to: Xcathdra


So russia claims they did it, then say Ukraine did it when russia found out civilians died, then russia says russia did it because troops were gathering there, but there were only civilian casualties and it was a pre designated humanitarian evacuation area for that day and time?

And people still believe russia about anything?


Crazy times.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News the Ukrainian military will be given Mastiff heavily armoured patrol vehicles, which weigh 23 tonnes and carry eight troops plus two crew.

The Mastiff was designed to withstand Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during the Afghanistan conflict.

Speaking at a NATO ceremony in Constanta, Romania, Mr Wallace refused to be drawn on whether the UK would commit anti-ship missiles such as the Harpoon, as requested by Mr Zelenskyy.

S tory

As part of the Ukrainian Naval Capabilities Enhancement Programme (UNCEP) agreement signed with the UK government in October 2020, Babcock will build at least one, probably two Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) for Ukraine at their Rosyth facility. Here we look at this programme and Babcock’s other moves in the naval export market.

Story

Strategically, preventing the Russians from seizing the remainder of Ukraine's coastline and ports is imperative. In the medium term, the construction of Fast Inshore Attack Craft in UK shipyards is the soundest way to support the Ukrainian navy. Will the US permit Harpoon missiles to enter service with the Ukrainians?

The UK supplying Mastiff vehicles brings them into line with Australia, which dispatched Bushmasters. Moreover, Ukraine isn't concerned with comparing the merits of those two platforms, and they are eager for both of them to enter service. So the number of vehicles supplied will count for the most.

a reply to: xpert11


Ukraine will likely use these differently from the Bushmasters, the Mastiffs will likely be a lot closer to the eastern front and less long distance or off road mobile IMO.

The Mastiffs will be road bound in Ukraine this time of year.

originally posted by: PatriotGames4u
Ukraine will likely use these differently from the Bushmasters, the Mastiffs will likely be a lot closer to the eastern front and less long distance or off road mobile IMO.

They might use the Mastiffs in less rough terrain and on unsealed roads. Apart from assessing 4WD capabilities, the main difference is the Bushmaster's versatility. Ukraine received an ambulance version of the vehicle (not to be confused with the later model in service with the Dutch).

The Mastiffs will be road bound in Ukraine this time of year.

We don't know if the Mastiffs and Bushmasters will serve in the same Ukrainian Army units.

Reports that Russian troops abandoned serviceable tanks and artillery when they pulled out of northern Ukraine. Trying to find a source, take it FWIW. If true, it sounds more like they fled the area vice conducted an orderly withdrawal.

Re: Russian employment of older reservists. Those guys won't be up for risky operations. That is one reason why armies prefer their infantrymen to be young (and bold).

With wetter weather coming on, the front in the south may look more like the Western Front in World War One than anything else for a couple of months, at least.

Thinking now that Putin may go for a frozen conflict at some point, and use captured Ukrainian territory to barter for absorption of the two "people's republics" into Russia proper. Then he claims victory. OTOH, I don't think Ukraine will be up for that. Their tone has noticeably hardened following the discovery of the massacres north of Kiev.

Cheers

a reply to: PatriotGames4u

Not a peep so far, like it never happened, or they didn't just spend 6 weeks calling us liars every day.

It is an indication of how much Moscow perceived the Bucha massacre as a public relations disaster. The priorities for narrative sliding were changed. They'll be back.

Cheers

originally posted by: PatriotGames4u
a reply to: Xcathdra


So russia claims they did it, then say Ukraine did it when russia found out civilians died, then russia says russia did it because troops were gathering there, but there were only civilian casualties and it was a pre designated humanitarian evacuation area for that day and time?

And people still believe russia about anything?


Crazy times.

It is the same thing Russia did when they shot down MH17... and yet people still believe their propaganda.

originally posted by: xpert11

originally posted by: PatriotGames4u
Ukraine will likely use these differently from the Bushmasters, the Mastiffs will likely be a lot closer to the eastern front and less long distance or off road mobile IMO.

They might use the Mastiffs in less rough terrain and on unsealed roads. Apart from assessing 4WD capabilities, the main difference is the Bushmaster's versatility. Ukraine received an ambulance version of the vehicle (not to be confused with the later model in service with the Dutch).

The Mastiffs will be road bound in Ukraine this time of year.

We don't know if the Mastiffs and Bushmasters will serve in the same Ukrainian Army units.

Agreed.

My assumptions on usage plans is based on the Mastiff being so much heavier and the ground being so soft, other than that I don't know much about that model.

a reply to: F2d5thCavv2

I believe it started out as an organized withdrawal but quickly turned into a route when Ukrainian forces advanced faster than the Russians could retreat. The videos showing Russian soldiers being left behind by their own people, intentionally, should have been a red flag.

* - Tochka-U missile, launched from Belarus was shot down in Chernihiv region

* - Video of missile launches this morning from Shakhtarsk

* - Video from Zuhres of missile launches

* - Explosions audible in Odesa

* - Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Kramatorsk(10:04). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Missile launches from Makiivka, near Donetsk

* - Russia's ambassador to the US warns that West's actions may lead to a military confrontation between Moscow and Washington

* - Kharkiv, Kharkivska Oblast(09:54). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Russian air strikes on Novozvanivka and Troitske

* - Cherkaska Oblast, Kirovohradska Oblast(09:53). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Poltavska Oblast(09:53). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Ukrainian railways company Ukrzaliznytsa scheduled 6 evacuation trains today from Pokrovsk and 4 evacuation trains from Sloviansk

* - Ukrainian army on 7th April shot down Russian Orion drone

* - Residential apartments block caught fire as result of shelling in Severodonetsk

* - Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovska Oblast, Zaporizka Oblast(09:07). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Dnipro(09:06). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Velyka Novosilka(09:03). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - 2 wounded as result of Russian missile strike in Myrhorod, Poltava region overnight

* - Russian army conducted missile strike in Chornomorsk this morning- mayor

* - Donetsk Oblast(07:53). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Kramatorsk(07:51). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Chornomorsk(07:37). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Velyka Novosilka, Vuhledar(07:01). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Pokrovsk(06:59). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Donetsk Oblast(06:23). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Kharkiv, Kharkivska Oblast(06:04). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Kramatorsk(06:02). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Pokrovsk(04:56). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Kramatorsk(04:44). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Kharkiv, Kharkivska Oblast(04:41). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - President Biden has signed into law the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act

* - Pokrovsk(00:56). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Poltavska Oblast, Cherkaska Oblast(00:54). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Kramatorsk(00:51). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Tochka-U missile, launched from Belarus was shot down in Chernihiv region

* - Donetsk Oblast(23:38). Red Alert: aerial threat. Sirens sounding. Take cover now!

* - Russian ships from Black Sea launched missiles into Kirovohrad region. No casualties

As a reminder -

Just so people know and understand. Information from war zones can become confusing as there will no doubt be info released from the players (on both sides) involved that might not necessarily be true.

As such take everything as a possibility and NOT as absolute truth.

The very first casualty in a war is the truth and all warfare is based on deception

The Ukrainians are running out of 152mm ammunition. Where are they going to get it?” Chris Donnelly, an adviser to four former Nato secretaries-general on the Soviet and Russian military told the Financial Times. “No one in the West uses it or makes it apart from the Serbs — and they’re on Russia’s side

However, the issue is whether to try to source weaponry compatible with Ukraine’s ageing systems, or provide newer weapons used by Nato countries that Ukrainian forces may be unfamiliar with and that may require weeks of training.

Some military experts question whether the level of weaponry supplied will be seen as a provocation by Russia.

“Donbas is going to be a big reveal of western intentions,” Mathieu Boulègue, senior research fellow at Chatham House in London, said. “As the West expands the types of weapons it supplies, it will stress-test Russian thresholds of tolerance.”

Article

How many of the so-called experts dismissed the possibility of Russia outright invading Ukraine? The idea of not sending artillery systems/artillery shells and other military platforms to Ukraine is insane. Nor are there any signs of western countries expanding their industrial bases to meet the Ukrainian demand for war material.

If Russian industry is converted to wartime production, and that status quo remains concerning international aid to Ukraine, the strategic picture turns in their favour.

Both sides would require three years to upskill their workforces, build new factories and convert existing ones.

The Ukrainian military training in Australia and Canada would prevent the Russians from "accidentally" targeting those areas in Poland or the Baltic states. In addition, Canada provides a colder climate for realism, and outback Australia provides space for manoeuvre during exercises.

Flightradar24

* - LAGR292 - Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker / USAF - Circles over Romania
* - LAGR125 - Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker / USAF - Circles over Poland
* - SPAR13 - Boeing C-40C / USAF - Over Poland heading to Rzeszow
* - LAGR270 - Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker / USAF - Southern Poland heading southeast - relief for one of the other LAGR
* - RPB01 - Schiebel Camcopter S-100 (Dro0ne) / Private owner - Black sea near Romania
* - SVF631 - Gulfstream TP 102D / Swedish air force - Heading southeast over Slovakia
* - MMF18 - Airbus A330-243MRTT / NATO (Netherlands) - Over Poland near Ukraine/Belarus border
* - NO CALLSIGN - Tupolev Tu-154M / Russian air force - Near Vologograd
* - MITY846 - Lockheed C-130H Hercules / Swedish air force - Near Baltic heading towards Gotland

With all these claims of War Crimes, perhaps we can meet common ground by agreeing to a swap of Putin for Blair and Bush?

It would make me feel comfortable to address any perceived hypocrisy in the UN and then perhaps reset the clock?

a reply to: Forensick

Better yet, respectfully, you can start your own thread to discuss that.

originally posted by: Forensick
With all these claims of War Crimes,

Interesting piece on the radio about war crimes. The key is for impartial investigations can start and evidence collated from all the various sources (intel, comms, smartphone, testimony et al). The fact that these investigations will start should get a few Russians at the top worried. There should be no hiding for those who order war crimes, and those who carry them out.