Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #14

[PommyMommy]

MAR 7, 2025

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 7, 2025

Russian forces conducted one of the largest ever missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of March 6 to 7 as Russian forces continue to adapt strike packages to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense umbrella by increasing the total number of Shahed and decoy drones in each strike.

understandingwar.org

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces conducted one of the largest ever missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of March 6 to 7 as Russian forces continue to adapt strike packages to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense umbrella by increasing the total number of Shahed and decoy drones in each strike.
• Russian forces began increasing the number of Shahed and decoy drones in strike packages in Fall 2024, likely to adapt to successful Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) innovations.
• Russia will likely take advantage of the suspension of US military aid to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine to intensify its long-range strike campaign and deplete Ukrainian air defense missiles.
• Russian forces are further intensifying offensive operations in select frontline areas likely in order to capitalize on any immediate and longer-term battlefield impacts of the cessation of US aid to Ukraine.
• Russian forces recently advanced into northern Sumy Oblast for the first time since 2022 – when Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces from significant swathes of Ukrainian territory following the initial months of Russian advances. Russian forces likely intend to leverage limited advances into Sumy Oblast to completely expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast among other objectives.
• Russian forces also recently intensified offensive operations aimed at seizing Chasiv Yar and attacking Kostyantynivka – the southernmost settlement of Ukraine's fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast.
• Russian officials continue to explicitly reject making any concessions in future peace negotiations or accepting any US, European, or Ukrainian peace proposals.
• Lithuania's intelligence services assessed that Russia may have the capabilities to conduct a limited campaign against one or several NATO countries within three to five years, an assessment that is consistent with ISW's assessments about Russian efforts to restructure and prepare its military and society for a future conflict with NATO in the medium to long-term.
• The United Kingdom (UK) issued Ukraine's first tranche of revenue generated from frozen Russian assets. Russian forces recently advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Borova, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk.
• The Kremlin continues to leverage its "Time of Heroes" program to fill government positions with veterans of its war in Ukraine as part of a long-term effort to militarize Russian society and form a new cadre of loyal Russian officials.

 

[keek]

I watched the video. It's reality. Zelensky is seen clearly rolling his eyes and making faces throughout.

Donald Trump threw Zelensky out of White House for rolling eyes and shrugging​

​

MSN

That colored perception. t didn't plan on the public display /meeting/ambush not going his way in 'front of' p and the rest of his ilk. There are men of honor and integrity and then there are those that repeatedly show they are not. Felonies etc etc etc etc etc.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 7, 2025

Merz seeks to quickly push through $3.2 billion in German aid for Ukraine

Speaking at a press conference, Friedrich Merz said he is discussing the issue with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has opposed the package unless funded by additional government borrowing.

kyivindependent.com

Germany has allocated 4 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in military support for Ukraine this year, and the additional package would raise this to 7 billion ($7.2 billion).

The defense articles contained in the new assistance include three IRIS-T air defense systems, three Skyranger air defense systems, 10 howitzers, surface-to-air missiles, 20 protective vehicles, artillery shells, and drones, the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported.

According to Merz, the additional aid "can be approved now as off-budget expenditure." The CDU chairman has also unveiled plans for a massive defense spending boost, establishing a 500-billion-euro ($535 billion) special development and defense fund and exempting defense spending above 1% of GDP from debt break rules.

 

[Stella123]

I watched the video. It's reality. Zelensky is seen clearly rolling his eyes and making faces throughout.

Donald Trump threw Zelensky out of White House for rolling eyes and shrugging​

​

MSN

That rather minimises the situation to silly gossip. Zelensky did raise his arms at one point when the press had asked him a question and Trump talked over and moved on and Zelensky wasn't given chance to answer. Very discourteous. JMO

 

[Stella123]

There is a lot of backstory / history behind the events going on in the US and world today (I don’t mean just Trump, but that’s obviously part of it), and America’s (or to some, just the current administration’s) changed / changing views in our role in global politics, conflicts and trade ((so again, I don’t mean just Trump, but that is obviously part of it). Some of it might (might) inform (didn’t say justify) re: ceasing aid and intelligence. Each person decides what they believe to be the truth; the why

This includes what happened between Trump and Zelensky in the White House recently. There is a lot to it (jmo)

Not only is there significant backstory that I think might be helpful to advocates of any viewpoints when it comes to America’s new posture (outside and inside the country), but a lot that explains (or at least informs) some of the individuals and personalities involved in the current situation in Ukraine, EU, US and Russia - that might (or might not!) help infirm re: viewpoints and actions. It’s obviously up to the reader to decide.

I’m not claiming that any of it answers who is right or wrong. But imo the more each side (or viewpoint) is able to see things from the other side, the more reasonable and productive discussions are in finding a solution between parties - in anything, not just global politics

For those interested and with an open mind who wish to know more (even if they disagree with it all vehemently), I would offer up two recent articles I’ve read - one that describes a jaw dropping tale of what has happened over the past 4 US presidential elections (and the administrations and deep state politics of the last 18 years) written by a well-résumé’d lawyer and author up in PA; and one re: Trump’s recent decisions re: Ukraine today (right or wrong) written by a well known conservative historian at Brookings and Stanford. One is titled ‘Trump v. Atlanticism’, and the other ‘Five Ukrainian Myths’. One is long, one is short, but they both provide background on what’s happening (again, not saying it’s right)

There is also a lot online if you dig hard enough that helps one learn about personal backstories and the relationship dynamics specifically between individuals: Trump and Zelensky and Putin going back to at least 2012. Some of the pertinent backstory includes events in Ukraine, Washington DC, and Russia during previous Ukrainian governments/administrations and their respective leaders (and their backers). There’s a lot for me to learn.

Doing such research is just a look at what happened (even if each article you read has some bias). That’s my opinion anyway. Regardless of viewpoint, I think it helps to have read as much as you can, and be as informed as possible about what has happened in the past - to better understand what is happening today.

Again, I’m not saying any of it is right or wrong, or 100 percent accurate, or justifies any behavior or decisions we are seeing today. I am willing and interested in reading any articles (not just a link to some politician’s remarks tho) or other info that others think might better hrlp inform me.

Just encouraging all interested parties (on WS and not on WS) to read and learn as much as they can. Be as informed as you can be. There’s a lot to it imo (though I’m sure some will say none of it matters to some things). I don’t pretend to know more than just a little. Everybody is welcome to their own opinion.

All jmo

Do you have links to those reports please? Unfortunately I clicked on "report" at the end of your post, thinking it was a link to a report - dur! But I cancelled it again straight away

 

[keek]

Reports out of the WH cite Zelenskyy’s 'demeanor' as part of the reason Trump and US officials felt disrespected —
— “shrugging and rolling his eyes" during the conversation.
It was non stop.

Key words: out of the white house.

 

[Stella123]

MAR 7, 2025

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 7, 2025

Russian forces conducted one of the largest ever missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of March 6 to 7 as Russian forces continue to adapt strike packages to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense umbrella by increasing the total number of Shahed and decoy drones in each strike.

understandingwar.org

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces conducted one of the largest ever missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of March 6 to 7 as Russian forces continue to adapt strike packages to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense umbrella by increasing the total number of Shahed and decoy drones in each strike.
• Russian forces began increasing the number of Shahed and decoy drones in strike packages in Fall 2024, likely to adapt to successful Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) innovations.
• Russia will likely take advantage of the suspension of US military aid to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine to intensify its long-range strike campaign and deplete Ukrainian air defense missiles.
• Russian forces are further intensifying offensive operations in select frontline areas likely in order to capitalize on any immediate and longer-term battlefield impacts of the cessation of US aid to Ukraine.
• Russian forces recently advanced into northern Sumy Oblast for the first time since 2022 – when Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces from significant swathes of Ukrainian territory following the initial months of Russian advances. Russian forces likely intend to leverage limited advances into Sumy Oblast to completely expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast among other objectives.
• Russian forces also recently intensified offensive operations aimed at seizing Chasiv Yar and attacking Kostyantynivka – the southernmost settlement of Ukraine's fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast.
• Russian officials continue to explicitly reject making any concessions in future peace negotiations or accepting any US, European, or Ukrainian peace proposals.
• Lithuania's intelligence services assessed that Russia may have the capabilities to conduct a limited campaign against one or several NATO countries within three to five years, an assessment that is consistent with ISW's assessments about Russian efforts to restructure and prepare its military and society for a future conflict with NATO in the medium to long-term.
• The United Kingdom (UK) issued Ukraine's first tranche of revenue generated from frozen Russian assets. Russian forces recently advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Borova, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk.
• The Kremlin continues to leverage its "Time of Heroes" program to fill government positions with veterans of its war in Ukraine as part of a long-term effort to militarize Russian society and form a new cadre of loyal Russian officials.

"Russian officials continue to explicitly reject making any concessions in future peace negotiations or accepting any US, European, or Ukrainian peace proposals."

This is what this war is about. Zelensky was right - there is no peace proposal that will work with Putin. Russia rejects any proposals from Europe, Ukraine AND US!

So Trump doesn't have anything to negotiate. It's there in black and white. Trump says both sides need to get round a table. Well nobody has managed to get Putin to do that all along.

The last thing I read was Russia were putting forward their 2022 proposals again - which are basically - surrender and let us put a puppet President in, remove anyone we don't like and run Ukraine. JMO

All this attacking Zelensky for not making peace and the whole point is, it is Russia who won't make peace!

Trump keeps saying he's talked to Putin and he's easier to deal with than Zelensky. I bet he is! Putin is playing Trump like he plays everyone. Trump has just allowed Putin to get stronger in this war. JMO.

I understand some people just want the war to end. But with Putin the way he is, no-one, surely, can just expect Ukraine to surrender. If that happened then all Ukrainians would have to be airlifted out of Ukraine and found another country to live in - for their own protection and to preserve the Ukrainian identity and culture. It would be like the displaced Jews all over again.

Of course Zelensky wants security assurances. Unfortunately I don't think he's going to get them from Trump - or anybody. Because even a peacekeeping force won't be accepted by Putin.

What so many people seem to forget is that this "war" is being led by a murderous evil man - Putin. Who doesn't want to compromise or negotiate. He is probably loving all the drama and division between the US and Europe and especially the Us withdrawing aid and intelligence from Ukraine. JMO

 

[keek]

Reports out of the WH cite Zelenskyy’s 'demeanor' as part of the reason Trump and US officials felt disrespected —
— “shrugging and rolling his eyes" during the conversation.
It was non stop.

HER

 

[Stella123]

This is how other countries treat their visiting Presidents

"When he arrived at the Elysée, US President-elect Donald Trump said that the world was "a little crazy" as he met Macron. The two men embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honor."

"An actual red carpet was rolled out for Trump as Macron bestowed the kind of full diplomatic welcome that France offers sitting American presidents, complete with trumpets blaring and members of the Republican Guard in full uniform."

Did Zelensky get that treatment in the US? Absolutely not - it was shocking. He was a guest President in the US and ridiculed on TV. I'm afraid that made most British people think Americans are rude and crass (but we know it's not all of you). MOO

Trump, Zelensky meet in Paris as Macron hosts three-way talks

The meeting is taking place at the Elysée Palace, ahead of Notre-Dame Cathedral's grand reopening, after five years of reconstruction.

www.lemonde.fr

 

[Deleted member 352484]

Did Zelensky get that treatment in the US?

Trump had good meetings with both Macron and Starmer in the Oval Office. Zelensky came in just a day or two later and attempted to sabotage Trump. That's on him. He'll pay the price.

 

[keek]

HER

Lefty, righty, MAGA..whatever pays the most. Such an cringy history.

 

[Stella123]

I feel a little sad that Trump's claim to end the war in days may come true - if he's knobbled Ukraine, then Russia could wipe them out in a few days. I really hope they are getting intelligence via France now. MOO

 

[HmmMysterious]

Zelensky came in just a day or two later and attempted to sabotage Trump. That's on him. He'll pay the price.

Putin approves this message.

 

[Stella123]

Trump had good meetings with both Macron and Starmer in the Oval Office. Zelensky came in just a day or two later and attempted to sabotage Trump. That's on him. He'll pay the price.

Erm no he didn't actually! He lied in both meetings and both Macron and Starmer were very uncomfortable. But neither of them was in the situation of being the President of a war-torn country. MOO

 

[keek]

Erm no he didn't actually! He lied in both meetings and both Macron and Starmer were very uncomfortable. But neither of them was in the situation of being the President of a war-torn country. MOO

These are two polished and intelligent men, Macron corrected t at one point, both these men are wellll aware of who they are 'in the room with'.

 

[Rush4087]

Do you have links to those reports please? Unfortunately I clicked on "report" at the end of your post, thinking it was a link to a report - dur! But I cancelled it again straight away

I didn’t provide links as I didn’t know which links are allowed. None were MSM, but I wasn’t claiming the content to be factual, just opinion writing. Both are on multiple sites. There is a list that mods put out, but from what I saw, neither article was on any list. One article was by political commentator and historian Victor Davis Hanson (Hoover, Stanford ) and the other was by a guy I’ve never heard of, Thomas Farnan who apparently used to write for Forbes and several PA newspapers.

Jmo

 

[Vern]

Trump had good meetings with both Macron and Starmer in the Oval Office. Zelensky came in just a day or two later and attempted to sabotage Trump. That's on him. He'll pay the price.

"He'll pay the price"

No accountability at all for anything Trump did in the lead up to this meeting? No accountabiity for the President who called this man a dictator? Who called for this democraticly elected leader of a nation at war to "have immediate elections" when he called for no such thing from the actual dictator? Who told this leader to just 'end this war' and 'give up his sovereign territory' because "a lot of Russians died taking that territory'. Who had 'peace deal talks' in Saudi Arabia but decided that Zelinski didn't have to be there because the victim didn't 'need' a voice at the table until he signed over his minerals? Who had told him "sign the deal or we're out"? All before this White House meeting even happened??

Yeah, Trump has never and never will 'exemplify' good behaviour. He hasn't in real life as a civilian and he certainly hasn't done it in office. "Insult, insult, insult" world leader after world leader; threaten to annex them and their nations ... except if they actually are dictators. Not a role model that I want for my children.

Just excuses, excuses and more more excuses. But, what about ...

Swell - It's actually Zelinski AND Ukrainians who'll pay the price for the President being given yet another pass for an being an ultra-crass, extremely undiplomatic 'makes for good television', international agreement breaking man-child. That's on the members of the other governing branches who are sitting back and keeping silent while their President's international temper tantrums continue and absolutely destroy the US' credibility and image on the world stage.

That's some 'golden age'. Fool's gold. IMO.

.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 6, 2025

‘He betrayed every one of us’ – US soldiers in Ukraine speak out after Trump’s military aid halt

Editor’s note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. American volunteer soldiers fighting in Ukraine say that they feel “betrayed” by their own country after the U.S. halted military...

kyivindependent.com

“(U.S. President Donald Trump) betrayed every one of us,” a U.S. Army veteran, who goes by the callsign Goldfish, told the Kyiv Independent.

With many of them fighting in Ukraine since 2022, they say watching their country take a major U-turn in Ukraine policy and soften toward Russia has been hurtful and deeply offensive, especially after losing comrades one after another to the war, including many Americans.

“Never have I ever thought that I would be listening to any U.S. public figure — let alone the president — openly declare support for an aggressor,” Goldfish, a 33-year-old Alaskan currently serving with the 25th Airborne Brigade, said.

The most terrifying part is seeing how the U.S.’ next steps will impact Ukraine and its people, because “Ukrainian people are incredible,” according to a fellow American soldier, who goes by the callsign Gimli.

 

[PommyMommy]

Poland to introduce large-scale military training for all adult males, PM Tusk announces.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans on March 7 to implement large-scale military training for all adult men to strengthen the country’s reserve forces."We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year so that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war, so that this reserve is comparable and adequate to the potential threats,” he said.https://kyivindependent.com/poland-to-introduce-large-scale-military-training-for-all-adult-males-pm-tusk-announces/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898204967787446678

'Slovakia is Europe' — thousands of protestors take to the streets against Fico's pro-Kremlin agenda.Thousands of demonstrators gathered on March 7 in more than 40 cities across Slovakia, in protest of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s agenda, Slovak media Aktuality reported.https://kyivindependent.com/slovakia-is-europe-thousands-of-protestors-take-to-the-streets-against-ficos-pro-kremlin-agenda/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898224935123743131

Hellish photos: Russian occupiers struck Dobropillya in Donetsk regionAt least 11 killed and 30 injured.

Residential buildings and dozens of apartments are on fire. While firefighters were extinguishing the blaze, Russia launched a repeat strike, damaging a fire truck.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898256042275840445

 

[LovesPeace2]

Poland to introduce large-scale military training for all adult males, PM Tusk announces.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans on March 7 to implement large-scale military training for all adult men to strengthen the country’s reserve forces."We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year so that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war, so that this reserve is comparable and adequate to the potential threats,” he said.https://kyivindependent.com/poland-to-introduce-large-scale-military-training-for-all-adult-males-pm-tusk-announces/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898204967787446678

'Slovakia is Europe' — thousands of protestors take to the streets against Fico's pro-Kremlin agenda.Thousands of demonstrators gathered on March 7 in more than 40 cities across Slovakia, in protest of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s agenda, Slovak media Aktuality reported.https://kyivindependent.com/slovakia-is-europe-thousands-of-protestors-take-to-the-streets-against-ficos-pro-kremlin-agenda/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898224935123743131

Hellish photos: Russian occupiers struck Dobropillya in Donetsk regionAt least 11 killed and 30 injured.

Residential buildings and dozens of apartments are on fire. While firefighters were extinguishing the blaze, Russia launched a repeat strike, damaging a fire truck.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898256042275840445

I feel sick seeing this. Putin isn't going after soldiers or war targets . Now he's out to cause as many civilian deaths as he can . He's a inhumane monster a murderer and Trump's friend ally. Just my very angry opinion