An episode of the use of the Russian BMP-3 in combat operations in Ukraine. The location of the shooting is not reported. In the video, the Russian BMP-3 delivers an assault group and provides cover for it during landing. After the assault group lands, the BMP-3 retreats to its original positions. In this version, the BMP-3 is equipped with homemade protection like the Tsar-mangal. At the end of the video, an episode with the storming of one of the houses is added.
Ukraine - Russia Conflict
- Thread starter randomradio
- Start date
Russia's objectives are not being understood by a large section of the collective West.
As Russia has stated from the outset:
They want to liberate /occupy, 4 provinces (plus Crimea). They have got most of that.
There is some territory in those 4 provinces that are negotiable (like the city of Zaparozhye, or Kherson province west of the Dnieper).
Russia also occupies some territory in other provinces it can swap.
Under Minsk 2.0, the Donbass was an autonomous part of Ukraine. In the 2022 Istanbul talks, Russia would have got the Donbass. Now 2 provinces have become a demand for 4. Each day is going to be worse than the previous one for Ukraine.
Either Ukraine leaves those provinces ,or it is pushed out. If they fight for it, they get into a battle of attrition - which is what they have been fighting
since late 2023 and which they cannot win. Russia has been losing few men than Ukraine since 2023 and has 6 times the manpower reserve. Thus
Russia meets their main objective : de-mititarisation of the Ukraine army.
The other objective is de-Nazification, which really means elections in Ukraine, repealing of anti Russia legislation and disbanding of pro Nazi
organizations (which the EU would require too).
I think Russia is fighting at a pace they are comfortable with. They have to balance fighting the war, with running the economy and keeping a reserve for a possible conflict with NATO.
Looks like Ukraine is preparing to gamble some additional bits of it's land...
amp.cnn.com
Russian forces are creating ‘buffer zone’ along Russia-Ukraine border, Putin says | CNN
Russian armed forces are creating a “security buffer zone” along the border between Russia and Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
Footage of strikes by Russian kamikaze drones "Geran" and ballistic missiles Iskander on Kyiv, on the night of May 24. The video also shows the work of the Ukrainian air defense Patriot, made in the United States. As reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, 245 drones out of 250 were shot down. But Ukrainian journalist and video blogger Anatoly Shariy published a video recording 20 strikes by Geran drones, shown in an accelerated version. The strikes by Geran drones were aimed primarily at the Antonov plant, where, among other things, UAVs are assembled. A representative of the command of the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ignat, reported that Russia had modernized the Iskander missiles, now the Patriot air defense cannot effectively work against them. According to him, the Iskander missiles now fire off radar decoys and attack the target along a quasi-ballistic trajectory. That is, now the missile maneuvers and does not approach the target in a straight line. As a result, Patriot air defense systems cannot effectively calculate the missile's interception point.
Looks like sanctions are going to the dogs, trumps tariff policy has unintended consequences.
Footage of a mid-air collision between two Ukrainian, presumably An-196 "Lyuty" drones. The video was filmed in the Lipetsk region of Russia. The "Lyuty" kamikaze drones were developed by the Ukrainian company Ukroboronprom in 2023, we previously wrote about them. The supposed reasons for the collision of the drones are incorrect routing to the target, or automatic maneuvering upon detection of air defense system radiation, which led to the collision.
Footage of the attack of the Russian drone "Orion" on the Ukrainian 155-mm self-propelled howitzer "Bogdana". The video was filmed in the vicinity of the village of Petrovskoye, Sumy region of Ukraine. The self-propelled howitzer "Bogdana" is currently one of the most common in the Ukrainian army, it is produced in Ukraine and is mounted on many different chassis. Technical information about the UAV "Orion" in the link to the video in the comments to the video. The strike on the self-propelled howitzer "Bogdana" was carried out by the Russian missile "X-UPLA", as a result of which the Ukrainian howitzer "Bogdana" was destroyed.
Sarvam AI - Russia Ukraine Air Power Analysis, Pretty Okay as of now. Liked the conclusion. Russian members do comment on how accurate this thinking model is (data dated to Mid 2024):
PROMPT :
Please provide a detailed analysis of the russia ukraine air forces
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly impacted both nations' air forces, with each side leveraging distinct strategies, technologies, and external support. Below is a detailed analysis of their capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, and evolving dynamics as of mid-2024:
1. Russia's Air Force
Composition and Strengths
Fighter Aircraft: Russia maintains a large inventory of modern and legacy fighters, including:Su-35S (4th/4.5th-gen, air superiority, long-range missiles).
Su-34 (multirole, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare).
MiG-29 (older but effective in dogfights).
Su-25 (ground-attack, widely used in close air support).
Strategic Bombers: Tu-95MS and Tu-160 (long-range cruise missiles, nuclear-capable).
Air Defense: S-400, S-300V4, and Pantsir-S1 systems (capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and drones).
Drones: Shahed-136 (Iranian-made loitering munitions), Lancet, and geranium drones (used for saturation attacks).
Weaknesses
Maintenance Issues: Sanctions have disrupted access to Western-made components (e.g., microelectronics), affecting repairs and production.
Losses: Over 200 aircraft lost since 2022 (per Oryx), including Su-34s and Su-35s, often due to Ukrainian air defenses or drones.
Overreliance on Older Systems: Many aircraft (e.g., Su-24, Su-25) are Soviet-era, with limited stealth or modern avionics.
Tactical Limitations: Struggles with precision strikes in contested airspace due to Ukrainian air defenses and electronic warfare.
Role in the Conflict
Air Superiority: Dominates in numbers but faces challenges in contested zones due to Ukraine’s layered air defenses.
Ground Attacks: Focuses on strikes against infrastructure (e.g., power grids, railroads) using cruise missiles (Kh-59, Kh-31) and drones.
Electronic Warfare: Jamming and spoofing Ukrainian radars to degrade air defense effectiveness.
2. Ukraine's Air Force
Composition and Strengths
Legacy Fighters: MiG-29s (air-to-air), Su-24s (ground attack), and Su-25s (close air support).
Western Support:Air Defense: NASAMS, Patriot, IRIS-T, and HAWK systems (enhanced air defense networks).
Drones: Bayraktar TB2 (loitering munition), Switch UAV (reconnaissance), and Western-supplied drones (e.g., Switchblade).
Missiles: HIMARS, Storm Shadow (long-range cruise missiles), and Western-supplied air-to-air missiles (e.g., AIM-7M).
Air Defense Networks: Integrated systems with real-time data sharing (e.g., NATO radar networks).
Weaknesses
Limited Fighter Fleet: Only ~100 operational combat aircraft (pre-war), with no modern fighters (e.g., F-16s expected in 2024).
Dependence on Imports: Critical reliance on Western weapons and ammunition, which face supply delays.
Anti-Aircraft Gaps: Limited long-range SAMs (e.g., S-300s) until recent Western deliveries.
Role in the Conflict
Defense: Prioritizes air defense to protect critical infrastructure (e.g., downing Shahed drones, Russian missiles).
Counterstrikes: Limited but impactful strikes using HIMARS and drones (e.g., targeting Russian command centers).
Electronic Warfare: Leverages Western jamming systems to disrupt Russian communications.
3. Key Technologies and Tactics
Drones: Both sides use drones extensively. Ukraine’s Bayraktar TB2 has destroyed over 300 Russian targets, while Russia employs Shahed-136s for saturation attacks.
Air Defense: Ukraine’s Patriot systems have intercepted Russian missiles, but Russia adapts with glide bombs (e.g., S-70 Okhotnik) and electronic warfare.
Precision Strikes: Ukraine’s Storm Shadow missiles (range 250+ km) target Russian logistics, while Russia uses Kalibr cruise missiles against Ukrainian cities.
4. Impact of International Support
Ukraine: Western aid (US, EU) provides critical air defense (e.g., Patriot), drones, and missiles. F-16s (expected in 2024) may bolster air-to-air capabilities.
Russia: Sanctions limit access to semiconductors and aviation tech, forcing reliance on Iran/North Korea for drones and components.
5. Current Situation and Outlook
Russia: Faces attrition and maintenance challenges but retains numerical superiority. Likely to focus on attrition tactics and drone swarms.
Ukraine: Effective defense but needs more long-range SAMs and fighters. F-16s could shift dynamics if deployed effectively.
Wildcards: Potential escalation (e.g., Russian nuclear threats), Western arms deliveries, and Ukraine’s counteroffensive success.
6. Conclusion
The air forces reflect broader war dynamics: Russia’s brute force vs. Ukraine’s agility and Western support. While Russia holds advantages in numbers and strategic assets, Ukraine’s integrated air defense and drone warfare have mitigated the imbalance. The conflict’s outcome will hinge on technology, logistics, and international aid.
PROMPT :
Please provide a detailed analysis of the russia ukraine air forces
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly impacted both nations' air forces, with each side leveraging distinct strategies, technologies, and external support. Below is a detailed analysis of their capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, and evolving dynamics as of mid-2024:
1. Russia's Air Force
Composition and Strengths
Fighter Aircraft: Russia maintains a large inventory of modern and legacy fighters, including:Su-35S (4th/4.5th-gen, air superiority, long-range missiles).
Su-34 (multirole, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare).
MiG-29 (older but effective in dogfights).
Su-25 (ground-attack, widely used in close air support).
Strategic Bombers: Tu-95MS and Tu-160 (long-range cruise missiles, nuclear-capable).
Air Defense: S-400, S-300V4, and Pantsir-S1 systems (capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and drones).
Drones: Shahed-136 (Iranian-made loitering munitions), Lancet, and geranium drones (used for saturation attacks).
Weaknesses
Maintenance Issues: Sanctions have disrupted access to Western-made components (e.g., microelectronics), affecting repairs and production.
Losses: Over 200 aircraft lost since 2022 (per Oryx), including Su-34s and Su-35s, often due to Ukrainian air defenses or drones.
Overreliance on Older Systems: Many aircraft (e.g., Su-24, Su-25) are Soviet-era, with limited stealth or modern avionics.
Tactical Limitations: Struggles with precision strikes in contested airspace due to Ukrainian air defenses and electronic warfare.
Role in the Conflict
Air Superiority: Dominates in numbers but faces challenges in contested zones due to Ukraine’s layered air defenses.
Ground Attacks: Focuses on strikes against infrastructure (e.g., power grids, railroads) using cruise missiles (Kh-59, Kh-31) and drones.
Electronic Warfare: Jamming and spoofing Ukrainian radars to degrade air defense effectiveness.
2. Ukraine's Air Force
Composition and Strengths
Legacy Fighters: MiG-29s (air-to-air), Su-24s (ground attack), and Su-25s (close air support).
Western Support:Air Defense: NASAMS, Patriot, IRIS-T, and HAWK systems (enhanced air defense networks).
Drones: Bayraktar TB2 (loitering munition), Switch UAV (reconnaissance), and Western-supplied drones (e.g., Switchblade).
Missiles: HIMARS, Storm Shadow (long-range cruise missiles), and Western-supplied air-to-air missiles (e.g., AIM-7M).
Air Defense Networks: Integrated systems with real-time data sharing (e.g., NATO radar networks).
Weaknesses
Limited Fighter Fleet: Only ~100 operational combat aircraft (pre-war), with no modern fighters (e.g., F-16s expected in 2024).
Dependence on Imports: Critical reliance on Western weapons and ammunition, which face supply delays.
Anti-Aircraft Gaps: Limited long-range SAMs (e.g., S-300s) until recent Western deliveries.
Role in the Conflict
Defense: Prioritizes air defense to protect critical infrastructure (e.g., downing Shahed drones, Russian missiles).
Counterstrikes: Limited but impactful strikes using HIMARS and drones (e.g., targeting Russian command centers).
Electronic Warfare: Leverages Western jamming systems to disrupt Russian communications.
3. Key Technologies and Tactics
Drones: Both sides use drones extensively. Ukraine’s Bayraktar TB2 has destroyed over 300 Russian targets, while Russia employs Shahed-136s for saturation attacks.
Air Defense: Ukraine’s Patriot systems have intercepted Russian missiles, but Russia adapts with glide bombs (e.g., S-70 Okhotnik) and electronic warfare.
Precision Strikes: Ukraine’s Storm Shadow missiles (range 250+ km) target Russian logistics, while Russia uses Kalibr cruise missiles against Ukrainian cities.
4. Impact of International Support
Ukraine: Western aid (US, EU) provides critical air defense (e.g., Patriot), drones, and missiles. F-16s (expected in 2024) may bolster air-to-air capabilities.
Russia: Sanctions limit access to semiconductors and aviation tech, forcing reliance on Iran/North Korea for drones and components.
5. Current Situation and Outlook
Russia: Faces attrition and maintenance challenges but retains numerical superiority. Likely to focus on attrition tactics and drone swarms.
Ukraine: Effective defense but needs more long-range SAMs and fighters. F-16s could shift dynamics if deployed effectively.
Wildcards: Potential escalation (e.g., Russian nuclear threats), Western arms deliveries, and Ukraine’s counteroffensive success.
6. Conclusion
The air forces reflect broader war dynamics: Russia’s brute force vs. Ukraine’s agility and Western support. While Russia holds advantages in numbers and strategic assets, Ukraine’s integrated air defense and drone warfare have mitigated the imbalance. The conflict’s outcome will hinge on technology, logistics, and international aid.
We publish an episode of a battle between a Russian assault group and two Ukrainian FPV drones, the location of the shooting is not reported. As a result of the battle, both drones were shot down. Some sources report that there was only one drone.
Footage of an attempt by a Ukrainian mechanized group to break through from the Sumy region of Ukraine to the Kursk region of Russia. The composition of the Ukrainian group - ATVs, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers - could not be determined. Russian artillery and drones were used against the Ukrainian group. The video is shortened, showing active moments of the battle
Ukraine currently has 113 CESAR, but most of them are 6X6 CESARs. In 2023 Denmark gave Ukraine 19 CESAR 8X8 and a French newspaper reports on their use:
The 19 CAESAr 8×8 delivered to Ukraine have fired more than 40,000 shells since April 2023.
In September 2021, the Czech Republic confirmed an order for fifty-two CESAR [trucks equipped with a 155mm artillery system] in the 8×8 version from Nexter [now KNDS France], worth 335 million euros. The contract called for local industry [Tatra in particular] to contribute 40%.
‘By selecting the eight-wheel-drive version of the CESAR, the Czech Ministry of Defence has chosen a system that is perfectly suited to high-intensity combat’, the French manufacturer was pleased to say at the time.
Then, just over a year later, in the light of feedback from the war in Ukraine, the Czech Ministry of Defence signed a second contract for ten additional CESAR 8×8s, worth €73 million.
The choice of the CESAR 8×8 was intended to enable the Czech army to replace its 152mm Dana ZTS self-propelled howitzers, which had been in service for more than forty years. This was to be achieved relatively quickly, since the deliveries of the components ordered from KNDS France were due to be completed in 2026.
However, KNDS France's workload was disrupted by the war in Ukraine, with France having promised to deliver 6×6 CESAR to Kiev. This has necessitated an increase in the production rate, from two units per month in 2022 to the current six. The aim is now to increase production to twelve units per month by 2025.
This effort will enable KNDS France to deliver the 8×8 CESAR ordered by the Czech Republic on schedule.
"The sixty-two CESAR 8×8s will join the ranks of the Czech army as replacements for the DANAs from 2026. The first two prototypes are ready. They will take part in an operational test phase in the Czech Republic this summer. Parts teams and maintainers have already received training in France", announced KNDS France on 26 May.
At the same time, the Czech group Excalibur Army will start assembling the first CESAR 8×8s.
‘Our partner's teams have come to the KNDS site in Roanne on several occasions for training, so that they can start final assembly of the CESAR 8×8 in the Czech Republic, in line with the contractual timetable and industrial cooperation commitments’, explained the French manufacturer.
More specifically, Excalibur Army will be responsible for final assembly of the CESAR 8×8, with Tatra Defense Vehicles and Tatra Trucks in charge of the cab and chassis respectively. STV will also have to certify the 155mm shells, which will be produced in the Czech Republic.
During the presentation, KNDS France gave some details of the nineteen CESAR 8×8s sold by Denmark to the Ukrainian army when they were about to enter service with the Danish army. The Danish army has since replaced them with Israeli ATMOS.
Operational since 28 April 2023, these Ukrainian CESAR 8×8s have fired more than 40,000 rounds. That's an average of 2,100 shots per unit. One of them has been destroyed.
With a combat weight of 32 tonnes, the CESAR 8×8 is equipped, like the 6×6 version, with an inertial navigation and gun aiming system, a muzzle radar and a ballistic computer. It can fire all NATO-standard ERFB ammunition as well as BONUS shells against targets 50 km away.
The 19 CAESAr 8×8 delivered to Ukraine have fired more than 40,000 shells since April 2023.
In September 2021, the Czech Republic confirmed an order for fifty-two CESAR [trucks equipped with a 155mm artillery system] in the 8×8 version from Nexter [now KNDS France], worth 335 million euros. The contract called for local industry [Tatra in particular] to contribute 40%.
‘By selecting the eight-wheel-drive version of the CESAR, the Czech Ministry of Defence has chosen a system that is perfectly suited to high-intensity combat’, the French manufacturer was pleased to say at the time.
Then, just over a year later, in the light of feedback from the war in Ukraine, the Czech Ministry of Defence signed a second contract for ten additional CESAR 8×8s, worth €73 million.
The choice of the CESAR 8×8 was intended to enable the Czech army to replace its 152mm Dana ZTS self-propelled howitzers, which had been in service for more than forty years. This was to be achieved relatively quickly, since the deliveries of the components ordered from KNDS France were due to be completed in 2026.
However, KNDS France's workload was disrupted by the war in Ukraine, with France having promised to deliver 6×6 CESAR to Kiev. This has necessitated an increase in the production rate, from two units per month in 2022 to the current six. The aim is now to increase production to twelve units per month by 2025.
This effort will enable KNDS France to deliver the 8×8 CESAR ordered by the Czech Republic on schedule.
"The sixty-two CESAR 8×8s will join the ranks of the Czech army as replacements for the DANAs from 2026. The first two prototypes are ready. They will take part in an operational test phase in the Czech Republic this summer. Parts teams and maintainers have already received training in France", announced KNDS France on 26 May.
At the same time, the Czech group Excalibur Army will start assembling the first CESAR 8×8s.
‘Our partner's teams have come to the KNDS site in Roanne on several occasions for training, so that they can start final assembly of the CESAR 8×8 in the Czech Republic, in line with the contractual timetable and industrial cooperation commitments’, explained the French manufacturer.
More specifically, Excalibur Army will be responsible for final assembly of the CESAR 8×8, with Tatra Defense Vehicles and Tatra Trucks in charge of the cab and chassis respectively. STV will also have to certify the 155mm shells, which will be produced in the Czech Republic.
During the presentation, KNDS France gave some details of the nineteen CESAR 8×8s sold by Denmark to the Ukrainian army when they were about to enter service with the Danish army. The Danish army has since replaced them with Israeli ATMOS.
Operational since 28 April 2023, these Ukrainian CESAR 8×8s have fired more than 40,000 rounds. That's an average of 2,100 shots per unit. One of them has been destroyed.
With a combat weight of 32 tonnes, the CESAR 8×8 is equipped, like the 6×6 version, with an inertial navigation and gun aiming system, a muzzle radar and a ballistic computer. It can fire all NATO-standard ERFB ammunition as well as BONUS shells against targets 50 km away.
Footage of a Russian Kh-38 missile hitting a Ukrainian bridge. The location of the shooting is unknown, it was previously reported that Ukrainian units were stationed near the bridge. The Kh-38 air-to-surface missile was presumably launched by a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber. Technical information about the Kh-38 missile is in the link to the video in the comments to the video.
Unique footage of an air battle between two drones in Ukraine. In the video, a Russian DJI Mavic drone cuts the fiber optic cable of a Ukrainian FPV drone with its propellers. As a result of losing contact with the operator, the Ukrainian drone falls.
The first footage of a Russian kamikaze drone "Lancet-51" striking a Ukrainian checkpoint. This has not been observed before, usually "Lancet" drones only attack military equipment. The video was filmed near the village of Glybnoe in the Sumy region of Ukraine.