When Russia admits it’s in trouble, you can believe it
Russia is not always transparent, but it admits it has run up against swarms of Ukrainian drones that it can’t stop. It must devise a way to deal with these drones recently supplied by the West.
(articles on daily air strike update for Feb 1, 2024 follow this one)
Translation with my notes in bold and in [brackets]
https://tsargrad.tv/news/gorjat-kolonny-v-nebe-roj-dronov-chto-proishodit-na-frontah-svo_954442
Excerpts
Problems in Zaporozhye
Not everything is going well in the Zaporozhye direction. The enemy is snarling with all his might, and he still has a lot of reserves here. Attempts to advance Russian troops are stopped by the “non-brothers” by any means necessary: NATO artillery, drones, and cluster munitions are used.
“On the Zaporozhye front north-west of Verbovoe, the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to take control of the western forest plantation, paratroopers report. The enemy is attacking our positions with artillery, cluster munitions, and drones. At night, Baba Yaga agricultural drones scatter mines to make logistics as difficult as possible,” writes “Two majors."
Nearby, on the Vremevsky ledge, Russian troops are trying to advance. They are fighting north of Priyutnoye, while attacks are also going on south of Donetsk - at Novomikhailovka and Georgievka. But everything is very complicated. The enemy posted a video of the defeat of a Russian armored column advancing near Novomikhailovka on January 30. About ten units of Russian equipment were burned by a raid of missiles and drones.
“Where is the experience from the summer counter-offensive attempt of the Armed Forces of Ukraine? How can you afford to lose so much equipment in a day, so many people?... The RF Armed Forces currently DO NOT have any mass protection against enemy drones, everything that they install is long outdated and does not cover new enemy frequencies. Only volunteer projects are on the way, large factories have not been able to develop small electronic warfare and are sitting with gravy in their pants in front of the minister and ZMO. The problem requires emergency measures,” lament “Two Majors.” [Ukraine announced not too long ago that the West was sending large amounts of new drones, and apparently, these are now being used to swarm Russian air defenses. Swarms are hard for air defenses to deal with. The Russians have long used them to defeat Ukrainian defenses.]
What do we have in the way of electronic warfare?
“The issue of electronic warfare is especially acute - there is an endless dynamic confrontation here. The enemy quickly adapts, and if the anti-drone system worked perfectly 2-3 months ago, today enemy drones simply fly by. Well, the issue of individual protection of equipment from drones has not gone away - “This is a completely new class of protection,” writes blogger and military expert Sergei Kolyasnikov as a commentary on that same video.
Until now, the main focus in the fight against FPV drones and quadcopter drones has been on anti-drone guns. The problem, however, is that such products, despite their effectiveness, have little power and, accordingly, limited range.
In addition, the enemy monitors their use on the front line and adapts their drones. Therefore, a “gun” that worked perfectly six months ago may not be able to cope with the recently appeared drones. And the price of just one failure is the life of the operator, or even a whole group of fighters.
On the other hand, large electronic warfare stations produced by our defense industry have enormous power and a wide range of overlapping frequencies, but at the same time they are an excellent target for enemy artillery, and therefore do not last long near the front line. Their task is to cover important objects in the rear.
The front needs electronic warfare equipment that combines relatively high power with compactness and low weight. Military expert Alexey Levoshko, in an interview with Tsargrad, noted that such a station should cover the frequency range from 400 MHz, at which the drone transmits a video stream, to 6 GHz, at which it receives control commands.
Now such devices are available for equipment, for example, the Volnorez electronic warfare station, but such installations are not produced for infantry and, as far as one can judge from open sources, they are not supplied to the troops.
Soldiers also need drone detectors - small devices that detect radiation characteristic of UAVs and warn of approaching danger. Since a radio signal travels faster than a drone (or indeed any physical body) flies, fighters with drone detectors have several tens of seconds to hide from the approaching danger.
Shotguns should also be used. In general, the idea of using a shotgun to fight drones, as they say, lies on the surface.
Kalashnikov-based shotguns have significant size and weight, but an anti-drone gun should be an additional weapon, and not a replacement for a standard machine gun.
An anti-drone shotgun should be as light as possible and convenient for shooting at air targets. And in this capacity, the expert believes, the MP-155 looks like the best candidate. The small capacity of the under-barrel magazine is not a problem, since the drone’s attack is fleeting and the fighter will not have much time to shoot anyway.
**
ADDENDUM
The following 2 articles were added on Feb 2, 20234
02/01/2024
Dmitry Nevzorov
“Iskander” dismantled the “fat German” into atoms. SVO summary for the morning of February 1
Information has been confirmed that the Russian Iskander-M missile destroyed a launcher of the German IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile system near Kharkov along with a radar station. Footage of the destruction of the “German” has already spread across the Internet. They clearly show that the Ukrainian military tried to camouflage the launch site so it could not be noticed from the air. But the reconnaissance groups of the Russian special forces worked well, confirming the aerial reconnaissance information and giving the exact coordinates of the target. The blow was not long in coming. The Russian Iskander hit the target, atomizing the German air defense system worth 90 million euros.
...
More from Feb 1
Strikes were inflicted across Ukraine on the night of February 1, 2024: explosions were heard in several areas
Strikes were carried out across Ukraine on the night of February 1, 2024: explosions were heard in several areas
02/01/2024
Strikes were carried out on Ukraine on the night of February 1, 2024: explosions were heard in several areas. Thanks to high-precision strikes carried out by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (RF Armed Forces) using missiles and drones, it is possible to hit Ukrainian military targets located even in the deep rear.
Several powerful explosions occurred in Kharkov
Several explosions were heard tonight in the city of Kharkov in eastern Ukraine. Eyewitnesses reported the destruction of several military and infrastructure facilities, without providing additional details.
TASS writes about the night explosions with reference to the Strana publication. However, local authorities have not yet commented on anything.
Information about the explosions is confirmed by the Ukrainian TV channel “Public”, which RIA Novosti refers to.
From 23:37 Moscow time, an air raid alert was declared in the Kharkov oblast.
In Ukraine, explosions were reported in Nikolaev
The Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported about explosions in the city of Nikolaev.
“Two explosions were heard in Nikolaev,” the message says.
The city also sounds an air raid warning.
Damage to an infrastructure facility in the Dnepropetrovsk oblast was reported
The Dnepropetrovsk oblast came under fire, and infrastructure was damaged. This was announced by the head of the local regional council Nikolai Lukashuk on Wednesday.
It is alleged that as a result of the strikes in the Marganets and Pokrovsk communities, outbuildings, an enterprise and an infrastructure facility were damaged. It does not specify what object was hit.
Earlier in the day, an air raid alert was in effect throughout Ukraine. According to Ukrainian media, explosions occurred in the city of Krivoy Rog in the Dnepropetrovsk oblast of Ukraine.
Since October 2022, the Russian armed forces began to strike military command and control facilities and related energy and communications facilities of Ukraine. As Russian President Vladimir Putin explained, this was a response to the terrorist actions of the Kyiv regime, in particular to the terrorist attack that was carried out on the Crimean Bridge.
**
CNN runs Gaza coverage past bureau operating under shadow of IDF censor
Like all foreign news organizations operating in Israel, CNN’s bureau is subject to the rules of the IDF censor, which dictates subjects that are off-limits for news organizations to cover, and censors articles it deems unfit or unsafe to print...
…
30 handcuffed, blindfolded Gazans found in body bags – Day 116
Apparent mass execution of Gazan men; triple assassination of Palestinians in Jenin hospital; NYTimes caught red-handed; Israel ignores ICJ ruling; the neglected residents of northern Gaza; Israel says No to early openings of aid checkpoints; pregnant Gazan women grossly underserved; disturbing uptick in detention, torture of Gazan men; drone footage confirms massive devastation; Israeli and US reactions to Jenin assassinations; Canada pledges humanitarian funding, but not to UNRWA; speaker of Knesset coming to Congress; Harvard sued for non-protection of Palestinian students
More
30 handcuffed, blindfolded Gazans found in body bags – Day 116 (israelpalestinenews.org)
**
They’re not duplicating the Holocaust, they’re refining it
Chicago ER Doctor Just Back from Gaza Says Patients, Medical Staff Face Catastrophic Conditions
“This can’t be real”
“You see health care workers digging mass graves”
We haven’t heard the half of it yet.
**
Our thanks to CL for this:
Injustice has prevailed among nations.
Why?
Because we have allowed Israel to be an exception to all laws. Nothing will ever change until they are forced to change. Only small courageous entities have had the courage to do what needs to be done. And how have we rewarded them?
By calling them terrorists and attacking them with enormous military machines and weapons.
WE are the terrorists!
**
The four of us, all Friends of Crimea-Friends of Russia; are back together for another in-depth and interesting show: Steadfast Defender 2024; Israeli genocide and global fallout; ICJ ruling against both Israel and Ukraine; backlash in EU and USA from sanctions on Russia; complex situation in Ukraine.
https://rumble.com/v4ar1a6-costas-isichos-hendrik-weber-bruce-gagnon-top-news-stories.html
https://www.bitchute.com/video/dTKqnDnGTXGj/
Regis
**
ICJ rules against Ukraine!
Surprise: The ICJ has some of the last sane Westerners on its staff. It rules that Russia’s aid to the Russian speakers of Donbass was NOT aiding terrorism!
ICJ rules against Ukraine v Russia on terrorism (newagebd.net)
BUT the ICJ also rules against Russia!?
Says Russia must end war in Ukraine. I am pretty sure Russia will ignore this ruling.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114052
**
Translation with my notes in bold and in [brackets]
ON THE AMERICAN NEEDLE. THE BOOMERANG FOR THE NORD STREAM EXPLOSION HIT THE HEART OF EUROPE
[It seems the author is comparing the European reliance on gas to an addiction to a drug needle]
The rejection of Russian energy resources and the undermining of the Nord Streams could not but affect the European economy. Now the American LNG needle is turning into new problems.
Over the past year, Washington has remained the leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Europe. In 2023, the share of the United States of America in the European market was more than 50%, while Russia's share barely exceeded 10%. However, this year the situation may take a completely different turn.
Recently, Joe Biden suspended all new projects to build liquefied natural gas terminals. Jennifer Granholm, US Secretary of Energy, commenting on the president's decision, noted that it was adopted as a response to the concerns of environmental organizations concerned about the growing production of LNG. In addition, Granholm added that LNG exports will be temporarily suspended to those countries that have not entered into a free trade agreement with Washington. Europe, by the way, is not on this list.
For the latter, this is a serious blow. After all, having abandoned Russian energy resources, Europe has become hooked on the needle of American liquefied gas. Meanwhile, European countries, especially Germany, are already quite clearly feeling the consequences of abandoning inexpensive Russian gas.
Between 2006 and 2017, the German economy was a role model - the country outperformed other major economies and was on par with the United States. The coronavirus and the special operation have radically changed the situation, and now Germany is experiencing an economic recession. [The author is suggesting that the German de-industrialization process is due to the coronavirus epidemic, but that is hardly the case. The German economy started going downhill immediately after Biden’s sabotage to Nord Stream. Of course, all national economies were impacted by Covid, but that’s not the point of this article, which is focused on the lack of Russian pipeline gas].
Explosion at Nord Stream
One of the main problems that led to the decline in indicators is deindustrialization. Industrial production in the country began to decline in such areas as, for example, steel and aluminum. [both of which require massive amounts of energy, once supplied by cheap Russian pipelined gas. The more expensive Russian LNG is no substitute] The chemical fertilizer sector was also hit hard. In fact, all of the above are the consequences of Germany’s refusal of inexpensive Russian gas, which until recently entered the country through a pipeline. [
More recently, large-scale farmer protests have unfolded in Germany. The policies pursued by Olaf Scholz's government do not suit the vast majority of Germans. Social polls showed that almost 70% of the country's residents support farmers who protested against the abolition of fuel benefits [eg, subsidies].
But the architect of the German “economic miracle,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is in no hurry to admit his “authorship.” [This is a very funny joke. The father of the economic miracle (Wirtschaftswunder) in Germany was recognized as Ludwig Erhard, who was Minister of Economic Affairs under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer from 1949 to 1963. The author is poking fun at the inept and unpopular Scholz, who has done more to wreck the German economy than any other Chancellor]. According to Scholz’s version, voiced during the pre-New Year’s address, it was Russia that supposedly “turned off the gas tap” after the start of the special military operation. [Scholz is not only a buffoon but also a shameless liar. Russia never refused to sell gas to anyone]
Meanwhile, after the start of the special operation, the decision to refuse energy supplies from Russia was made by Berlin. In the fall of 2022, sabotage occurred on the Nord Stream pipeline, which supplied gas to the country. The [2] branches were blown up. At the moment, the investigation into the international terrorist attack has reached a dead end. [Actually, the investigation by Seymour Hersch was the most believable and is widely accepted as fact. Hersch interviewed numerous individuals involved in the plot or close to such people. It concluded that the Biden team had executed the planned sabotage using Navy Seals. After all, Biden had said publicly that he would eliminate the Nord Stream if Russia invaded Ukraine] At first, as usual, the West wanted to accuse Russia of undermining its own infrastructure, however, later, due to the obvious absurdity of the statements, it began to offer other options. [very absurd options that almost could not have been scientifically possible]
**
UN Security convenes over ICJ ruling on provisional measures in Gaza (wafa.ps)
UN Security Council meeting shows the world stands against Israel but US only pretends to care
**
The following critical analysis of the ICJ ruling shows that the court has no intention of changing anything. It hews to the US pro-Israel line.
“Fake Justice” at The Hague: The ICJ “Appoints” Netanyahu to “Prevent” and “Punish” “Those Responsible for “Genocidal Acts”
The Criminalization of International Law. Part I
MICHEL CHOSSUDOVSKY
JAN 31
Excerpt
What the ICJ judgment intimates is that the “Constitutionally Responsible Rulers (CRRs)” (identified in Article IV), namely Netanyahu’s Cabinet are Innocent.
Me
The ruling is a sneaky way to hew to the US’ pro-Israel line. The court is bowing to Biden while pretending to be intervening. Naming Netanyahu as disciplinarian is asking the fox to guard the henhouse.
No institution, including the UN, has ever dared seriously deviate from the US’ pro-Israel line.
See my commentary Most US Federal officials are foreign agents.
**
Israel’s campaign in Gaza ‘plausibly’ amounts to genocide, US court finds
But federal judge in California says lawsuit aimed at stopping US military support for Israel is outside court’s jurisdiction
More: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/01/genocide-gaza-israel-california-court
**
Iran did NOT order the killing of US troops but Neocons want war with Iran
Why do we allow these foreign agents (Israeli pawns in the US regime) to order us around?
Because our government is constituted of essentially ALL government agents – working for Israel using US taxpayer funds and gambling with the lives of US troops. On behalf of a state that is committing genocide in Palestine.
Me
Let’s not forget: Russia is Iran’s most trusted strategic partner. Iran supplies Russia with the Shehad drones critical to the Russian defenses in Ukraine.
Will Russia stand idly by as Iran’s existence is threatened?