Where Do Things End With Vlad? (h/t romad1)

[digitalpigsmuggler]

Just One Thing Is Keeping Russian Warplanes From Rampaging Across Ukraine—Kyiv’s Dwindling Ground-Based Air-Defenses

If there’s a big potential spoiler, it’s the Russian air force. For most of the first 14 months of Russia’s wider war on Ukraine, Soviet-vintage Ukrainian air-defenses have kept at bay Russia’s hundreds of modern fighter-bombers.

if Ukraine’s SAM systems cannot be kept resupplied, augmented, and ultimately replaced by Western partner nations, then the [Russian air force] could credibly threaten to overpower the Ukrainian air force’s remaining fighters and gain control of the air space over the frontlines in key areas.”

But after firing scores of missiles from its best, Soviet-made S-300 and Buk air-defense batteries every day for more than a year, Ukraine is running out—and replacement missiles all are made in Russia.

Buks and S-300s would run out of missiles in April and May

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/04/28/just-one-thing-is-keeping-russian-warplanes-from-rampaging-across-ukraine-kyivs-dwindling-ground-based-air-defenses/?sh=13a060a51fc4

[romad1]

I know this is a propaganda number but it is astounding.  Ukraine's general staff say that Russian KIA in the past year are 190,000.    Also, the existence of the KIA automotive company makes searching for KIA numbers harder.

https://liveuamap.com/en/2023/29-april-general-staff-of-armed-forces-of-ukraine-estimate

[romad1]

Fun videos from this one

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-crimea-drone-29218ed006a79c4b0629688ce4820cc8

[romad1]

Fun video of the orcs having a BBQ in their backyard which they will soon lose to the rightful owners.

 

[romad1]

I guess this is a good way to handle genociders

 

[digitalpigsmuggler]

Stretching from the Russian city of Voronok down through eastern Ukraine and southwest to the Crimean Peninsula, new trenches, anti-vehicle barriers and revetments for equipment and material have appeared, said Brady Africk, an open-source intelligence researcher and an analyst at the American Enterprise Institute.

The Ukrainian military’s counter-attacks in 2022 came largely against Russian forces that had not dug in, and were more widely dispersed than in 2023 because they were occupying more territory.

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/COUNTEROFFENSIVE/mopakddwbpa/index.html

[romad1]

 

[romad1]

Fun meme

 

[romad1]

we are within a few days of this

 

[romad1]

Impressive fortifications, no?

[romad1]

works for me

 

[digitalpigsmuggler]

Saudi-led OPEC turns deaf ears on oil cuts amid global slowdown

Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/04/saudi-led-opec-turns-deaf-ears-oil-cuts-amid-global-slowdown#ixzz80TYaOXUY

 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies on Wednesday to stop cutting oil production so that oil prices do not burden global economic growth and further drive inflation.

the Saudi-led OPEC+ alliance deciding earlier this month to cut oil production by 1.66 million barrels per day from May until the end of 2023.

 

 

[digitalpigsmuggler]

Ukraine can’t join NATO now – Member State’s President

Ukraine’s aspirations of joining NATO cannot be realized while the country remains locked in a military conflict with Russia, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has insisted.

Last week, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius asserted that “this is now not the time to decide” on Ukraine’s possible future within NATO.

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/ukraine-cant-join-nato-now-member-states-president/

[romad1]

 

I'm going to watch later.  

[gehringer_2]

49 minutes ago, digitalpigsmuggler said:

Saudi-led OPEC turns deaf ears on oil cuts amid global slowdown

Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/04/saudi-led-opec-turns-deaf-ears-oil-cuts-amid-global-slowdown#ixzz80TYaOXUY

 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies on Wednesday to stop cutting oil production so that oil prices do not burden global economic growth and further drive inflation.

the Saudi-led OPEC+ alliance deciding earlier this month to cut oil production by 1.66 million barrels per day from May until the end of 2023.

 

 

for evey million EV's sold, about 20 million barrels/yr are removed from world oil demand (as reference that's about one day's US consumption). OPEC is trying to maximize the value of their day in the Sun, because for them the clouds on the horizon are dark.

[mtutiger]

Clearly another sign of Russian success...

[romad1]

2 hours ago, mtutiger said:

Clearly another sign of Russian success...

The value of this Verdun in the Donbas perhaps is that it bled out the attackers and broke the back of Prigozhin.   One can hope. 

[romad1]

awww

 

[gehringer_2]

If you haven't used your monthy free article on 'the Atlantic', use to read Ann Applebaun and Jeff Goldberg on why Ukraine matters.

[romad1]

 

well done Vlad 

[Jim Cowan]

Vlad plays chess at a different level.  He's pulling strings we can't even see.

[digitalpigsmuggler]

Warsaw wrath: Polish protesters urge end to support for Ukraine war, ‘Ukranization’ of Poland

 

Thousands of protesters in Poland have taken part in rallies to oppose their government’s sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees and demanding an immediate halt to funding them at the expense of the country’s taxpayers.

https://www.europereloaded.com/warsaw-wrath-polish-protesters-urge-end-to-support-for-ukraine-war-ukranization-of-poland/

[digitalpigsmuggler]

Russia hit something big

 

https://imgur.io/q1X2KGS?r

[digitalpigsmuggler]

4 minutes ago, digitalpigsmuggler said:

Russia hit something big

 

https://imgur.io/q1X2KGS?r

Apparently it’s Ukraine ammo depots and manufacturing structure is being hit.

[Jim Cowan]

3 hours ago, digitalpigsmuggler said:

Russia hit something big

 

https://imgur.io/q1X2KGS?r

You mean like maybe a maternity hospital?  No wait, a kindergarten?  No wait, a day care centre?