Ukraine - Russia Conflict

Footage of a strike by a Russian Iskander 9M723-K5 missile with a cluster warhead on a Ukrainian Buk-M1 air defense system in the Sumy region of Ukraine. The Buk-M1 air defense system was covering the entry of a Ukrainian armored group into the territory of the Kursk region of Russia. The first strike by an Iskander missile did not destroy the Buk-M1 air defense system, but the missiles launched spontaneously in the system. After the abnormal launch of the missiles, the crew of the Buk-M1 air defense system decided to hide in the forest. The start of the Buk-M1 air defense system movement can be seen after the spontaneous launch of the second missile. The movement of the air defense system was tracked by a Russian drone, after which a second strike was carried out at the location of the Ukrainian Buk-M1 air defense system, but with an Iskander missile with a conventional warhead. As a result of the strike by the Iskander missile, the Buk-M1 air defense system was destroyed.

 
Looks like the Ukrainian took control of the Sudzha nuclear power plant. I wonder if the russians will attempt to demolish it with KAB-3000?

I hope this is true because it's very funny.

Exchange fund replenished.

One possible explanation for the Ukrainian move: damaging russian logistics.
 
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Meanwhile, in russia:
Gotta admit, this is more original than the tired old "fallen from a window" method.

russian national wealth fund continues to shrink:
What's amusing is that they tried to take advantage of the ruble's declining value to make it look like the fund was actually increased:

Also, they sold bonds again, and again failed to raise as much money as they need.

Back to Ukraine, it seems that FPV drones have found a new type of victim:
 
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Ukrainian Kursk offensive after 1 day vs Russian Kharkiv offensive after 100 days.

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Remember fighterbomber complaining about air force technicians and even pilots being used as infantry?
2/ The Russian blogger Anastasia Kashevarova says there is a "huge problem" with the "transfer of fighters with rare specialities to the [assault units of] the motorised riflemen."​
3/ Kashevarova writes: "We receive letters with tragic stories about talented UAV operators, RPG operators, tankers, who were transferred to the storm troops on the same day and died on their very first mission.​
4/ "And the problem is not that they failed to complete the assault mission, but that due to this practice, the number of soldiers with specialities is decreasing, and it takes time to train a new tanker or drone operator.​
5/ "At the same time, it is obvious that there is not an oversupply of servicemen with such specialities.​
There are also more egregious cases. For example, we had to deal with a situation where an anaesthesiologist was sent to the front lines, where he was digging trenches.​
6/ "Although you don’t have to be a doctor to understand that he would be much more useful in a military field hospital."​
Calling this "a talentless and irresponsible waste of personnel", Kashevarova attributes this to "a shortage of stormtroopers on some parts of the front".​
7/ She says that is "not uncommon for commanders to remove highly qualified specialists from their posts and send them into assaults."​
8/ This is likely the result of two related issues. First, the Russians are suffering huge casualties in their assault, which the Ukrainians call "meat waves". Commanders likely find themselves needing to scrape up whatever troops they can find to man fresh assaults.​
9/ Second, other Russian commentators have said that field commanders are lying to their superiors about the losses they are sustaining. For nearly 2 years, Russian sources have repeatedly said that manpower is far more depleted than the General Command recognises or admits.​
10/ According to Kashevarova, "Without prior training and, often, without the necessary physical qualities, such servicemen, as a rule, are quickly killed in offensive actions.​
11/ "At the same time, it is also problematic to find replacements for them at their previous place of service - you need people trained in specific specialities and with experience."​
12/ Kashevarova writes that "such situations can be resolved" through the military prosecutor's office. She cites the example of "a grenade launcher soldier who was transferred to the stormtroopers" but had his transfer cancelled following an appeal.​
13/ However, Kashevarova cautions, it is impossible to file appeals for every case. It takes "no less than thirty days" for an appeal to be processed.​
14/ "During this time, the soldier can die three hundred times, without waiting for the Motherland to recognize him as a valuable specialist." /end
Source:​

Some more econ news:
 
Ukraine is already reportedly in control of 150km^2 in the Kursk reason and has pushed through two lines of anti-vehicle ditches. This takes Russia ~25 days.