#tu-95 strategic bombers

[tomorrowusa]

Yes, Russia is using old tires to protect its strategic bombers from Ukrainian drones.

Russia is covering aircraft with car tires, potentially to protect them from Ukrainian drones

This is the same sort of technology that gave us the recent Luna-25 lunar lander. 😝

All Ukraine has to do is use infrared cameras – if they're even really needed. The burning tires will only make the fires harder to put out.

If the Russians ever need to use those planes in a hurry, they're going to fall behind schedule by having to remove those tires.

[captain-price-unofficially]

US Air Force F-4C Phantom intercepting a Russian Tu-95 (Bear) strategic bomber. F-4C belonged to the 57th FIS at Keflavik NAS. 1970s

[alcestas-sloboda]

all i want in this life is for russian strategic bombers to bomb the fuck out of russia. i want to delete that monitor channel, I don’t want to get the "6 tu-95 strategic bombers are airborne, they are expected to reach their launching points at 03:00-04:30" message. I know that fucking text by heart. I hate it so much.

[usafphantom2]

US, Canadian Fighters Intercept Russian, Chinese Bombers Off Alaska

July 25, 2024 China, Russia

Five of the six fighters that escorted the Russian and Chinese bombers off Alaska are visible in this screenshot from the video released by the Russian MOD and published by Zvezda.

At least six NORAD fighters, including F-35, F-16 and CF-188 jets, intercepted Russian and Chinese bombers inside the Alaska ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone).

On July 24, 2024, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian Tu-95 and two Chinese H-6 aircraft operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The intercept was conducted by NORAD fighter jets from both the United States and Canada.

According to the Russian MOD, the Russian and Chinese bombers were involved in a joint air patrol lasting more than 5 hours:

“An air group consisting of Tu-95ms strategic missile carriers of the Russian Aerospace Forces and H-6K strategic bombers of the PLA Air Force carried out air patrols over the waters of the Chukchi, Bering Seas and the North Pacific Ocean,” a news release says.

“During the flight, Russian and Chinese crews worked out issues of interaction at all stages of air patrol in the new area of ​​joint operations. Fighter air cover was provided by Su-30SM and Su-35S aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.”

One of the Chinese H-6 bombers.

The mission of the Russian and Chinese bombers comes as the U.S. and allied forces are involved in RIMPAC 2024, a large exercise in the Pacific region near Hawaii, that this year sees the involvement of 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.

Several interceptors

“At certain stages of the route, the air group was accompanied by fighters from foreign countries.”

In fact, footage filmed from aboard a Russian Tu-95 Bear show that at a certain point during their trip in international airspace within the Alaska ADIZ, the bomber was escorted by two F-16s of the 18th FIS (Fighter Interceptor Squadron), including one sporting the aggressor paint scheme; two U.S. F-35A stealth jets and two RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) CF-188 Hornets.

It is unclear whether all three pairs of fighters were scrambled to carry out a Visual Identification (VID) of the Russian and Chinese aircraft. Considering that at least one of the Canadian Hornets does not appear to be carrying any Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs), it is possible that the two CF-188s were already airborne for a training mission and were then diverted to shadow the Tu-95s and H-6s.

For sure, the number of NORAD fighters visible in the clip released by the Russian MOD is unusual, if compared to other similar “close encounters” in the same area.

“During the execution of their missions, aircraft from both countries operated strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law. There were no violations of the airspace of foreign states,” the Ministry said. “Upon completion of the joint air patrol, all involved aircraft returned to their home airfields. The event was held as part of the implementation of the military cooperation plan for 2024 and is not directed against third countries.”

According to NORAD, the Russian and PRC aircraft stayed within international airspace and did not breach American or Canadian sovereign airspace. “This Russian and PRC activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence.”

NORAD is a unique bi-national command between the United States and Canada. It utilizes a layered defense network composed of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft, all operating seamlessly together to detect, track, and determine appropriate actions for aircraft. NORAD remains prepared to deploy various response options in defense of North America.

An ADIZ is a designated area of international airspace, extending beyond sovereign airspace, where the identification of all aircraft is required for national security purposes.

Air Defense Identification Zone

As explained in other articles, here at The Aviationist, there’s a significant difference between territorial sky and ADIZ.

The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is a designated airspace surrounding a nation or part of it where strict identification, tracking, and control of aircraft are enforced for national security reasons. Aircraft flying within these zones without proper authorization may be intercepted by fighter aircraft on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA). ADIZ boundaries often extend beyond national airspace covering territorial waters, and while not defined by international law, any civil aircraft entering these zones is closely monitored and required to provide flight details for identification. Military aircraft not intending to enter national airspace are generally exempt from ADIZ procedures, but foreign military planes within ADIZ may be intercepted, identified, and escorted.

Alaska ADIZ detail

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

@TheAviationist.com

[ghostwarriorrrr]

🔴The Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bomber belonging to the Russian army

[darkmaga-returns]

Russian Offensive Accelerates

10 November 2024 by Larry C. Johnson 126 Comments

Remember all of the folks claiming that Russia was locked into a stalemate with Ukraine? I was one of the few — along with Scott Ritter, Doug MacGregor, Larry Wilkerson and Danny Davis — who challenged that false narrative. The Western media apparently believed that if they did not report accurately on what was transpiring on the ground, then it did not exist. The facts on the ground tell a brutal tale of the destruction of the Ukrainian military.

Russian forces have entered Kurakhove through the eastern fortification. Russian forces have advanced along the fortifications southeast of Kurakhove and have approached the village of Dalnje from the east.

Russian forces have entered Zorya and control 50% of the locality.

Russian forces have reentered and have capture most of Makarivka.

Russian forces have advanced along the E50 towards Pokrovsk.

There are reports tonight in the Eastern Time Zone that Russia has launched eight TU-95 strategic bombers, which carry FABs and air-launched cruise missiles, and a swarm of drones.

Those who insist that Russia is suffering massive casualties are lost in a delusion. Russia handed over 563 dead to the Ukrainian side while Ukraine transferred 37 dead to the Russians. That is 15 dead Ukrainians for a single dead Russian. The following video illustrates the horrific carnage on the Ukrainian side. This was filmed in Kursk.

[mariacallous]

It was a revelation that astounded the Irish parliament — and prompted suspicions, accusations, denials and calls for inquiries among members and observers.

The Sunday Times told last week how Russian intelligence had recruited a politician to act as an agent for the Kremlin during the Brexit talks and that, remarkably, they are still at large.

The bombshell reverberated all week with some parliamentarians getting to their feet to deny they were the agent nicknamed Cobalt. But while the question for the tearooms and the pubs was “who is Cobalt?”, the more important question is “what does Russia want with Ireland?”

“It shouldn’t come as any surprise to any of us that Russia seeks to influence public opinion, distort facts, and is active in relation to that across the world — and Ireland is not immune,” Simon Harris, the taoiseach, said.

“We have seen a significant increase in that level of activity since the brutal illegal invasion by Russia of Ukraine over the last number of years. The gardaí and our security services take all of this extremely seriously.”

Yet it was not always thus. Historically neutral, Ireland is now facing the stark realities of Russian espionage, underscoring a new heightened awareness of the threats posed by the Kremlin and the malign activities of its intelligence services.

Ireland has quietly evolved into a strategic hub for Russian intelligence operations. Its geopolitical position on the western periphery of Europe, neutral stance and open economy have made it an attractive base for Russian spies to engage in active measures or covert actions targeting the UK and the EU.

“Russia’s interest in Ireland is the same as that of many multinationals. It’s an English-speaking country that serves as a backdoor into Europe, with weaker regulatory frameworks, meaning it doesn’t take foreign threats seriously,” said Professor Neil Robinson, an expert on Russian and post-communist politics at the University of Limerick.

“Ireland always thought of itself as neutral, not entangled in many of the world’s problems. It didn’t really see itself as part of the Cold War,” he said. “So the Russians were effectively given a free pass by the Irish state, and they used Ireland as a conduit for agents, intelligence and strategic information from its position as a gateway for technology and companies into Europe.”

For Ireland’s under-resourced military and security agencies, the writing has been on the wall for years. Russia has become increasingly active in Ireland’s air, sea, land and cyber domains, much to its embarrassment.

Russian military Tupolev TU-160 Blackjack bombers and anti-submarine patrol aircraft have buzzed Irish airspace to see how quickly Nato responds, as Ireland lacks its own fighter jets. The first publicised incursions were in 2015 when Tu-95 bombers crisscrossed important civilian airline traffic lanes. In 2017 the RAF scrambled Typhoon combat aircraft from its Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations to respond to a sortie by Russian strategic bomber aircraft that skirted close to Irish sovereign airspace. A pair of high-profile incursions in 2020 involving six Russian aircraft prompted Ian Paisley Jr to raise the matter in the House of Commons.

Russian warships, submarines, and more recently ghost ships — disguised as research vessels and fishing trawlers — have become frequent visitors to Ireland’s exclusive maritime zones off the south and west coast.

Russian warships regularly converge in Irish-controlled waters, causing concern on both sides of the Atlantic. But more recent Russian tactics fall firmly into the realm of hybrid warfare, which involves everything short of firing a shot.

Russia regularly mounts influence and disinformation campaigns to sway public opinion across Ireland. Russian compatriot groups, supported by its Dublin embassy, organise anti-Ukrainian demonstrations on the streets of Dublin in conjunction with fringe republican groups. Footage of the protests are later broadcast on Russian TV as propaganda.

In April 2022 a convoy of cars waving Russian flags and marked with the pro-war Z symbol paraded down the M50 in Dublin, Ireland’s busiest motorway. The Ukrainian embassy slammed the “disgusting disrespect” against the “Irish people who stand against Russia’s war on Ukraine”.

Most worryingly, Russia has begun to foster connections with loyalist, republican and ultra-left groups in Ireland, further deepening concerns.

Last month the Russian embassy in Dublin hosted a deputation led by John Connolly, a convicted Real IRA bomber, who now leads the Truth and Neutrality Alliance, an ultra-left group which campaigns to defend Irish neutrality and resist entry into military alliances such as Nato. Connolly is a hardline dissident who was sentenced to 14 years in jail after being caught with a large “barrack buster” mortar bomb in Fermanagh in 2000. His Truth and Neutrality Alliance has participated in protests against the use of Shannon airport in Co Clare by the US air force, often waving Ukrainian separatist flags.

Russian services have exploited all these factors to use the country as a platform for mounting broader operations across Europe and beyond.

Russian agents have also been found living long-term double lives in Dublin. It is not known when Russia first began sending these deep cover agents — known in the intelligence world as legends — to Ireland to create false identities and background stories but cases have come to light.

One involved Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, a Russian military intelligence officer who spent four years studying at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) using a false identity.

Cherkasov purported to be a Brazilian named Victor Muller Ferreira, when he studied political science at TCD between 2014 and 2018 before moving to the United States to undertake a master’s at Johns Hopkins University, where he specialised in American politics. He was unmasked as a spy as he attempted to take up a post at the International Criminal Court in the Hague in 2022.

Dublin is also used as a staging ground for Russian intelligence operations in the UK and Europe. As a neutral and accessible European capital, it provides a convenient base from which intelligence activities are coordinated and launched, targeting both Ireland and neighbouring countries including the UK. Much of this activity is directed from the federation’s embassy complex on Orwell Road, a half-finished eyesore in the suburbs of south Dublin.

A massive expansion of the complex was halted when the government introduced emergency legislation to stop the project in 2018 after The Sunday Times revealed how the Kremlin was using its diplomatic post in Dublin to run a network of spies in Europe.

An analysis of the architectural plans had revealed a self-contained structure, the tell-tale sign of a signals base used to transmit and intercept secret communications. The embassy was already being used to assess intelligence collected by Russian spies across Europe before its transmission to Moscow by cypher clerks in Dublin, all working under diplomatic cover.

“Russian spies have always been a problem in Dublin,” said Liam Smaul, a retired Special Branch detective who worked in counterintelligence and spent much of his career monitoring the embassy.

“They came here to enter the UK during the Cold War. It was made worse because, at one stage, Aeroflot used to fly into Shannon. They had means and ways of getting their people in Ireland. Counter-intelligence was never a priority for the garda or the military.”

Declan Power, a defence analyst, said Ireland’s inability to understand the threat made the problem worse.

“No one in the government ever asks where the threats are coming from. We don’t act well on intelligence as policymakers don’t have a good understanding of the threat environment and where the problems are coming from,” he said.

The nature and complexity of the Russian threat now facing Ireland cannot be overstated. The Irish military and the garda intelligence division know the SVR, Russia’s foreign intelligence service, and the GU, the military intelligence branch of the Russian armed forces, are both operating in Ireland. They also suspect the FSB, Russia’s principal security agency, is spying on multinationals based in Ireland, deploying vans full of equipment that can intercept private communications or planting agents inside the companies themselves. More recently, Ireland has been warned that Unit 29155, an elite GU unit that conducts sensitive foreign operations including assassinations and targeted attacks, might have members travelling through the Republic to enter Britain and France.

Of all the security and defence issues that could cause a problem for the government, the Russian threat to the undersea fibre optic cables that carry communication data and internet traffic between Europe to North America is top of the list. The geopolitical consequences if something were to happen are profound. Ireland has an important, often underappreciated, value as a central node in the network of communications cables that criss-cross the globe.

The first signs of Russian interest in the cables in Irish-controlled waters emerged in 2021 when Yantar, an intelligence collection ship, arrived unexpectedly off the northwest coast and began searching the area in a zigzag fashion, suggesting it was mapping the seafloor. The vessel belongs to Russia’s directorate of underwater research, which is part of the defence ministry. It is also capable of mounting underwater sabotage operations using submersibles. This is why Nato continually monitors its movements to assess if it is targeting European or American subsea communications infrastructure. GU agents have also been observed mapping the landing points of subsea cables that come ashore on the west coast, presumably should they ever want to damage them.

The revelation of Cobalt’s existence comes as Ireland swiftly enhances its defence capabilities and further aligns itself with European security frameworks — steps likely to attract the ire of Putin’s Russia. The department of foreign affairs in Dublin has already cut Russian diplomats in the capital from 30 to just five. Dublin has also boosted its defence budget, investing in maritime patrol aircraft, naval vessels, a new primary radar system and missile defence. Last week’s disclosures are expected to drive even more substantial actions.

Keir Giles, a Russian expert at Chatham House, the international affairs think tank, said: “Russia has always found it easier to operate in environments where it was not viewed as a threat.” Ireland, he continued, has now realised that neutrality provides no safeguard against a determined aggressor.

Giles expects Russia to remain a persistent threat in Ireland but foresees a shift towards using proxies to pursue its goals.

This type of action can include organising anti-Ukrainian protests and fomenting opposition to initiatives such as Brexit. By influencing, at times unwitting, factions to campaign against issues such as a border on the Irish Sea or land post-Brexit, Russian actors can cause maximum disruption behind the scenes, but with no attributable blame.

“Russia has demonstrated that it can extend its influence through various means, including organised crime, disaffected individuals and other proxies,” Giles said. “These agents are capable of carrying out espionage, spreading disinformation, and even executing acts of sabotage and arson across Europe. Ireland may yet face similar hybrid threats.”

[dertaglichedan]

American and Canadian fighter jets were scrambled to see off the incoming planes hours before Joe Biden addressed the nation about his presidency.

The Russian TU-95 'Bear' turboprop strategic bombers and Chinese H-6 jet bombers were spotted by North American Aerospace Defense Command.

NORAD detected and tracked the aircraft as they entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Wednesday, the command said.

[pretordh]

The Russians showed how they launched missiles from Ukraine's energy infrastructure today

This is how the Kh-101 missile was launched from the Tu-95 strategic bomber.

Video proof of war crimes of the Russian army for The Hague!

[all-devouring-history-hub]

Official Intro.

The Cold War as we know lasted a long time from 1945 to 1991. A time when the world was split between the yoke of East and West. No Matter where you came from, You were living in two different worlds, one of freedom and one of oppression.

After the end of WW2, With the Nazis and Imperial Japan defeated, The only two powers that were in the strongest position to be superpowers were The United States of America

And the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, better known as the Soviet Union.

These two now knew that once the war was over, the guns would now be pointed at each other. The Cold War had begun.

For the duration of the 40s and 1950s decades just like our own timeline, The American and Soviets never fought one another, instead deciding to spread their influence on the global stage through proxy wars, Like Korea or the wars between Israeli and the Arab states.

All the while attempting to solidify their control over the spheres of influence. Thus they began the arms race with both sides developing atomic weapons. The Americans had a head start due to the Manhattan Project and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively.

For a bit, they were the sole nuclear power in the world. However, things changed in 1949 when the Soviets detonated their first Atomic bomb, The Rs. Now the balance had turned.

Mutually assured Destruction (MAD for short) became adopted by both sides as neither wanted to fight the other without getting destroyed. Yet this didn't stop the two from increasing the number of bombs and Military equipment.

The Americans, Under the administration of President Dwight D Eisenhower and Brainstormed by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, adopted a massive retaliation strategy, which was to threaten severe retaliation on the Soviets, Including Nuclear weapons.

The Soviets, under the new leadership of Nikita Khrushchev, Who came to power after Stalin died, Tried to build up the nuclear forces while also pursuing Detente.

The invention of ICBMs in the late 50s as well as the production of strategic bombers like the B52 Stratofortress and the Tupolev Tu 95 And Tu 16 respectfully, Combined with repeated nuclear tests, Only escalated the tension further.

Now It's the 1960s, and the Cold War was at its hottest. The new US President, John F Kennedy is reeling back from the failed Bay of Pigs invasion.

The Landing, which was supposed to complete the objective of overthrowing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Had failed miserably with all members of Brigade 2506 ( The Brigade made up of Cuban exiles) imprisoned or killed. It was a humiliation for The Kennedy administration.

The Us had once tried to place missiles in Turkey as a one-up over the Soviets in 1959, However, Turkey refused to authorize the installation of Jupiter missiles in their homeland, fearing retaliation by the Soviet Government.

Plus, The missiles would have been Obsolete by the time they were installed. They would have been useless in the event of a war. So after a lot of meetings and discussions, The US eventually decided to not put the missiles in Turkey.

Meanwhile, In Cuba, Castro slowly started to get paranoid. The Cia had first tried to assassinate him, and now they had tried to do a covert ops mission involving Cuban exiles to bring him down. For Castro, his position was in jeopardy. The Americans were proving to be the aggressor as he had believed. Thus the only way to preserve Cuban sovereignty was to have Soviet troops protecting him.

So in late 1961, He asked the Soviets to give him more Sa 2 Anti-air missiles, which generally looked like this.

The Politburo ( The Soviet equivalent to the Us Congress, although different from Congress) was At first hesitant to give the missiles to Castro and Cuba. But they knew that If they did not comply, they would risk ruining relations with Cuba and they would probably go to the Chinese Instead.

Also, Cuba was nearly 90 miles from the Us. That would serve as a perfect spot for naval bases, where the Soviets could position a fleet of ships there. they were also mostly obligated to help since Castro had come to them and requested aid. It would look bad on them if they were to abandon a fellow socialist brother country.

The Discussion between the members of the Polltiburo lasted almost the whole day. It was divided between pro-war members who wanted to send the Aa missiles to challenge the Americans and those who protested against the action, fearing war.

Eventually, a decision was made: the Soviets would send the Sa 2s plus a huge amount of guns, tanks, and aircraft to the island under a defense pact treaty. In return, the Cubans would have to pay them back in sugar exports and cotton. They presented this to the Cubans, who came to accept the deal (though there were those that protested against it)

Thus what would become known as the Cuban- Soviet Mutual Treaty of Defense and Friendship was born and put into effect on December 18th, 1961, with deliveries starting in February of 1962.

Meanwhile, Kennedy was planning another invasion of Cuba, But not with Cuban exiles. This time, It would be American boots on the ground. He began laying the groundwork for Operation Ortsac( Castro spelled backward) All the while unaware that Soviet supply ships were reaching Cuba.

The Clock ticks a second more to Midnight.

[cyberbenb]

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russian oil depot, command post; Moscow bombs civilians in Zaporizhzhia

Key developments on Jan. 8:

Ukraine strikes Russian oil depot supplying fuel to Engels-2 airbase, military confirms

Ukraine strikes Russian command post in Donetsk Oblast, military reports

Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia industrial site kills 13, injures at least 63

French-trained brigade had ‘systematic shortcomings,’ Ukraine’s top general reports to Zelensky

Zelensky addresses Trump’s comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees

Biden’s final $500 million Ukraine military aid to be announced on Jan. 9, VOA reports

Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian oil depot in Engels, Saratov Oblast, overnight on Jan. 8, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said after reports of drone attacks.

The operation, carried out jointly by Ukraine’s military intelligence, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other units, targeted the Kristal Plant used to supply fuel to the nearby Engels-2 airbase, the military said.

The statement comes shortly after Russian authorities reported a drone attack in the area, with footage of the burning oil facility circulating on social media.

The city of Engels lies around 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine.

Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin said Ukrainian drone debris struck an unspecified “industrial facility” around 5:30 a.m. local time amid a “massive” drone attack on the city.

No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage caused. Busargin said that there were no injuries as a result of the attack. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that 11 Ukrainian attack drones were downed over Saratov Oblast.

“The depot’s destruction creates significant logistical problems for Russian strategic aviation and reduces its ability to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian facilities,” the General Staff said.

The Engels-2 base hosts the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, operating Tu-160 bombers, and the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with the Tupolev Tu-95 MS planes.

Russia uses these aircraft to launch mass strikes on Ukraine, often resulting in heavy damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties. Ukrainian forces have previously launched drone strikes targeting the airbase itself.

Source: Ukraine hits Russia’s Engels air base. Can it change how Russia attacks?

Russia’s Engels air base has once again come under attack on April 5 after what the Kyiv Independent’s sources in the military intelligence claimed was a drone strike on one of the Kremlin’s most strategically important military installations, deep inside Russia. According to a source in the milita…

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Ukraine strikes Russian command post in Donetsk Oblast, military reports

Ukrainian forces carried out a precision strike against a command post of Russia’s 8th Combined Arms Army in Russian-occupied Khartsyzk in Donetsk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on Jan. 8.

The military said that Russia has seized the facility to coordinate attacks against Ukrainian forces and civilians, especially near Kurakhove. After weeks of heavy battles, Russia announced earlier this week it had fully captured Kurakhove.

“All necessary measures were taken to limit the risk to civilians,” the General Staff noted. Khartsyzk lies around 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of the Russian-held Donetsk and has been occupied by Russia since the start of its war in 2014.

The General Staff did not specify what weapon was used in the attack or the extent of the damage inflicted. Ukraine fields homemade missiles and long-range drones as well as Western-supplied arms like HIMARS, ATACMS, or Storm Shadow missiles.

Similar attacks were reported in recent days, including a precision strike against a Russian command post in Kursk Oblast on Jan. 7 and another one in the same region on Jan. 2.

Hackers claim to have breached Russia’s real estate database, Moscow denies

A hacker group named Silent Crow has claimed to have hacked and obtained data from Russia’s official cadastre and cartography agency, the independent Russian news outlet Agentstvo reported on Jan. 7.

The Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori

Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia industrial site kills 13, injures 63

Russian forces targeted an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8, killing 13 people and injuring 63, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

The attack was conducted using two FAB-500 gliding bombs, National Police reported.

The attack damaged apartment buildings, an industrial facility, and other infrastructure. A tram and a minibus carrying passengers were also hit, as reported by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Aftermath of Russian attack on industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8. (Governor Ivan Fedorov / Telegram)

Zaporizhzhia, home to approximately 710,000 residents before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, is frequently targeted by Russian forces.

The attack is part of a broader wave of Russian assaults across Ukraine. Regional authorities reported at least two civilian deaths and 13 injuries nationwide over the past day.

Overnight, Russia launched 64 Shahed-type attack drones and various dummy drones across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Air defenses intercepted 41 drones over nine oblasts. Of the remaining drones, 22 dummy drones were lost in Ukrainian airspace, three returned to Russia, and one flew to Belarus.

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 13 over past day

Russia launched 64 Shahed-type attack drones and various dummy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported. Air defenses shot down 41 drones over nine different oblasts, while 22 dummy drones were lost in the airspace, three flew to Russia, and one to Belarus, according to the statement…

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Zelensky addresses Trump’s comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for caution in interpreting U.S. policy following President-elect Donald Trump’s comments linking Ukraine’s NATO aspirations to Russia’s invasion during a Jan. 8 meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

The Ukrainian president argued that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russia’s decision to launch the full-scale invasion.

“Putin realized no one would stand up for Ukraine. He thought he could destroy us, but the Ukrainian army proved him wrong,” Zelensky said.

Trump had criticized President Joe Biden for provoking Russia’s invasion, claiming Ukraine’s potential NATO membership had long been a significant concern for Moscow.

“That’s been like written in stone. And Biden said, ‘No, they should be able to join NATO.’ Then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep,” Trump said.

Zelensky dismissed conclusions about NATO, referencing Ukraine’s recent access to Patriot missile systems and other NATO-standard weapons.

“Do you remember when Ukraine was told that Patriot systems are only available to NATO countries? Either we have been in NATO for a long time, or we should not jump to conclusions,” he said.

Finnish foreign minister emphasized that Ukraine’s NATO membership poses no threat to other countries. “This narrative is similar to the one Russia has long used, blaming NATO and its so-called ‘enlargement’ for its own aggression,” Valtonen said.

Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest Trump’s team may propose delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership by at least 20 years in exchange for Western arms supplies and European peacekeepers to monitor a potential ceasefire.

While Ukraine’s NATO membership remains a long-term goal, Zelensky reiterated the need for robust security guarantees in the immediate term. Ukrainian envoy Andrii Melnyk echoed this sentiment on Dec. 27, emphasizing that diplomatic efforts currently center on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities rather than immediate NATO accession.

Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about working with the incoming U.S. administration, reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a diplomatic resolution to the war by 2025.

Garry Kasparov: ‘You never hear Russian opposition actually say Ukraine must win’

The Russian opposition is an odd bunch. While not supporting Russia’s brutal all-out war against Ukraine and its people, the leaders of the so-called opposition don’t want their country to lose. A number of those who oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime have petitioned for the Wes…

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

Biden’s final $500 million Ukraine military aid to be announced on Jan. 9, VOA reports

The final military aid package from the Biden administration to Ukraine, amounting to $500 million, is set to be officially announced on Jan. 9, Voice of America correspondent Carla Babb reported on Jan. 8 from Ramstein Air Base.

The package, drawn from the Pentagon’s existing stockpile under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) program, is expected to be the last from the outgoing administration before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

Despite previous commitments to exhaust the remaining PDA funds, approximately $3.8 billion will remain unused, according to the Pentagon, leaving the funds at the disposal of the incoming administration.

Trump and his team have been vocal critics of U.S. financial support for Ukraine. Michael Waltz, Trump’s incoming National Security Advisor, said on Dec. 15 that “a blank check… just isn’t a strategy."

In a Jan. 5 interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to work with the incoming U.S. administration. He proposed that Ukraine purchase U.S. weapons using $300 billion in frozen Russian assets.

Despite previously criticizing U.S. aid for Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 21, citing undisclosed sources, that Trump may not halt U.S. military support for Ukraine.

While Zelensky remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution by 2025, the incoming Trump administration’s approach to the conflict and its impact on military aid remains unclear.

Finland to host NATO Baltic summit, address Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ sabotage threats

The meeting, co-organized by Finland and Estonia, will focus on enhancing NATO’s presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to risks posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a group of tankers allegedly used for sanction evasion and espionage.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

French-trained brigade had ‘systematic shortcomings,’ Ukraine’s top general reports

General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine’s Ground Forces chief, reported to President Volodymyr Zelensky on the roots of the problems facing the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Brigade and presented solutions, Drapatyi said on Jan. 8.

The general’s remarks followed a media investigation that claimed soldiers of the unit, currently deployed near Pokrovsk, have suffered losses and gone AWOL (absent without leave) in large numbers due to poor command and organization within Ukraine’s military leadership.

“Most of the systemic shortcomings were committed by the Ground Forces Command, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Operational Command,” the commander wrote on social media. Drapatyi was appointed to lead the Ground Forces last November, months after the brigade was formed.

Without revealing all the details before “all the circumstances are established,” Drapatyi acknowledged “inadequate management,” “mistakes in recruitment,” and “imperfect training planning” within the unit.

The commander said the biggest challenge was the “low efficiency and motivation of mid-level commanders who directly manage people."

Relevant solutions are already being implemented, with a focus on “recruiting experienced officers and commanders at all levels,” the general said, adding that the 155th Brigade’s soldiers will receive additional training.

‘Negative lesson’ — Ground Forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade

Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization, during a Jan. 6 press conference.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

[acnewsworld]

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson, left, speaks during a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, right, at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

Earlier this week, two Russian Tupolev TU-95 (“Bear”) strategic nuclear bombers flew over the Bering and Chuki Seas near the Alaska coastline. The Russian Defense Ministry disingenuously described their activity as “a scheduled flight over neutral waters.”

The Bear is an ancient bomber, originally put into use seven decades ago, and is hardly a real threat to the U.S. — or, for that matter, to Canada. Nevertheless.....

Read More

[head-post]

HP Insight

Implications of Budapest Memorandum’s rejection for Ukraine after 30 years

The UK, Russia, the US and Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum on December 5, 1994. Kyiv claims that the memorandum guaranteed Ukrainian security in return for the country’s renunciation of nuclear weapons. What did the document actually say and who could actually give Ukraine real security guarantees?

Budapest Memorandum 30 years later

On Tuesday, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine was not satisfied with the guarantees provided by the memorandum and therefore demanded credible guarantees in the form of NATO membership and no other alternatives would be considered.

What were these guarantees, which, according to Kyiv, were given to them jointly by Russia, Washington and London 30 years ago – and in exchange for what exactly? After the collapse of the USSR, the “zero option” was adopted, under which the units and formations of the USSR Armed Forces located on the territory of the former Soviet republics were transferred to their subordination. The former Ukrainian SSR received a completely incongruous troop grouping, the number of which could not even be accurately determined.

On the territory of a country of 52 million people there were based troops with a total number of 680 to 980 thousand people (from 1.3 to 1.88 per cent with the conventional maximum of the peacetime army of 1 per cent of the population). Difficulties with the calculation were explained by the uncertainty at the time about the status of the Black Sea Fleet and the withdrawal of troops from Eastern Europe to Ukraine (some were in transit to other regions of the former USSR).

Among other things, Ukraine received part of the Soviet nuclear potential – the 43rd Army of the Strategic Missile Forces armed with 176 intercontinental ballistic missiles, 38 strategic bombers the Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-160, in total – up to 4.4 thousand nuclear charges of various purposes. Formally, they were placed at the disposal of the command of the CIS Armed Forces.

De facto, Ukraine could not use this arsenal. There were no control and target designation systems (they were all closed to Moscow), no maintenance infrastructure, and the maintenance of the grouping itself was extremely expensive.

Dreaming of a nuclear war with Russia

Nevertheless, there was a discussion in the country about the future of nuclear capabilities from the point of view of defence against external aggression. Not only nationalists, who were already dreaming of a nuclear war with Russia, but also professional military officers were in favour of retaining nuclear weapons. The leader of this group was the former commander of the 46th missile division, Volodymyr Tolubko, who now heads the State University of Information and Communication Technologies in Kyiv.

Ukraine’s political leadership, represented by former President Leonid Kravchuk, was manoeuvring. On the one hand, Kravchuk signed the Alma-Ata Agreement, which removed tactical nuclear weapons from Ukraine, and then the START-1 treaty through the so-called Lisbon Protocol, which set out the intention to abandon nuclear weapons altogether. On the other hand, it was hesitant to withdraw strategic nuclear capabilities, expecting to use them to bargain with Russia.

The US clarified the situation by offering the Ukrainian leadership a choice between imposing sanctions if it retained nuclear weapons and compensation if it gave up nuclear capabilities. Naturally, Ukraine chose the second option.

The US motivation was obvious – it was very afraid of the spread of nuclear weapons in general and of terrorists getting them in particular. These risks were even reflected in cinema. For example, in the 1994 film True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger, a nuclear charge from Kazakhstan falls into the hands of terrorists.

On January 14, 1994, a three-point agreement was made. Ukraine would transfer nuclear charges to Russia for disposal, as well as some nuclear weapon carriers; Russia would transfer $160 million worth of fuel for nuclear power plants to Ukraine as compensation; and the United States would provide Ukraine with about $500 million under the Co-operative Threat Reduction Programme (Nunn-Lugar programme) to carry out weapons disposal work.

On February 3, 1994, the Ukrainian parliament ratified the START-1 Treaty. On November 16, 1994, Ukraine acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a nuclear-weapon-free state. On December 5, 1994, at the summit of the Council for Co-operation in Europe in Budapest, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia and Ukraine (later joined by France and China) signed a Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The participants in the memorandum pledged to respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and existing borders, not to use force or economic coercive measures against it, not to use nuclear weapons, and to provide assistance if Ukraine “becomes the victim of an act of aggression or the object of a threat of aggression.” It would seem that what could have gone wrong?

Firstly, the status of the document is a memorandum. If we translate it literally – a memorandum to remember, so as not to forget something by accident.

Of course, in reality the meaning of this word is different, it is a normal form of an interstate agreement, but it really does not imply any actions and even less sanctions for their absence. Accordingly, it does not require ratification. That is, strictly speaking, a memorandum does not guarantee anything. Even if it is a memorandum of guarantees.

Secondly, the devil, as always, lies in the details. In the details it was written that the guarantors undertake to use force against Ukraine only within the framework of the UN Charter (within the framework of the military conflict in Ukraine, Russia does not violate the UN Charter).

NATO-Ukraine relations

Moreover, they even reserve the right to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine if Ukraine turns out to be an ally of a nuclear-weapon state (in fact, any NATO member). In other words, this is a memorandum on the security not only of Ukraine, but also of other states, including its neighbours.

How was it supposed to work? It is known. On March 5, 2014, a meeting was held between the foreign ministers of Ukraine, the US and the UK (Russia abstained from participation because it did not understand who represented Ukraine after the coup d’état) to discuss the implementation of the Budapest Memorandum. The outcome of the meeting was an incomprehensible document, the meaning of which was that the Western allies did not approve of Russia’s actions in Crimea, but would do nothing.

The sanctions imposed later were not related to the implementation of the memorandum. So the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s complaints are unfounded – all the guarantor countries have already fulfilled their obligations under the memorandum.

Now Kyiv is demanding that Ukraine be admitted to NATO. Let us look at the text of the North Atlantic Treaty (the NATO Charter, which is sometimes referred to). Article 5 states that in the event of an attack, each NATO country individually responds “by immediately taking such individual or joint action as it deems necessary.”

Paradoxically, NATO countries are now responding to the Ukrainian conflict as if Ukraine were a NATO member – “take such individual or joint action as they deem necessary.” In particular, telling everyone that Russia is behaving badly, imposing sanctions against it, and providing Ukraine with military aid.

Trump and slap in the face to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry

Trump’s plan to actually (not legally – let’s not expect too much from Trump) recognise the inclusion of part of Ukraine’s former territory into Russia does not contradict the North Atlantic Treaty guarantees either – the US acts as it deems necessary. While declaring that it supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

In this respect, the recent information that Trump’s plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine no longer envisages granting Ukraine NATO membership does not fundamentally change the situation. Rather, it is a slap in the face to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry – are you going to dictate terms to Russia? No problem. You can do without the prescribed guarantees. However, the current support was initially provided without such guarantees (now the relevant agreements have been signed).

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out that there is an alternative – if not NATO, then nuclear weapons. Including obtaining them directly from NATO. And indeed, there have been leaks that such a discussion in the US and NATO is already underway.

Most interestingly, the US has responded to these leaks in the craziest of all possible ways. On December 1, the president’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said that the US administration was not considering the possibility of providing nuclear weapons to Ukraine. In other words, he did not deny the very fact of discussion on this topic.

Based on the experience of providing Ukraine with various weapons earlier, Sullivan’s negative answer does not mean that the answer was indeed negative or will be negative from now on. Recall how many times the US administration denied that Ukraine had received permission to strike Russian territory within the 1991 borders with US weapons. However, even the hypothetical acquisition of nuclear weapons by Ukraine would not make it a safe territory – quite the opposite.

The conclusion is obvious: the only country that could provide Ukraine with real security guarantees is Russia, but Ukraine has refused Russian guarantees.

Sigmund Huber for Head-Post.com

Send your author content for publication in the INSIGHT section to headpost.social@gmail.com

[alcestas-sloboda]

it’s tu-95 strategic bomber time in 4 hours again.

[usafphantom2]

Russia is trying to protect its bombers with car tires

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 03/09/2023 - 17:22 in Military, War Zones

New satellite images suggest that Russia is trying to protect its Tu-95 bombers from Engels Air Base in Saratov Oblast with car tires.

The images, taken on the first day of September, show that Russian forces covered the wing and the central part of the aircraft with tires, according to military blogger Tatarigami_UA.

These tires are strategically positioned along the entire length of both wings and a small segment of the upper part of the fuselage, providing a supposed defense mechanism against potential drone attacks.

"Get ready, because the Russians have once again demonstrated an incomparable innovation. What you are seeing is a satellite image of a TU-95 strategic bomber covered with car tires. According to them, this should protect strategic bombers from drones."

"This doesn't seem to be just a single occurrence. In the satellite images, it seems that the Russians are still in the process of installing tires in the bomber - a new and economical version of the ERA replacement for the Russian air force?" said the blogger.

The idea is that the tires absorb the impact of a drone, preventing it from causing significant damage to the aircraft. The tires are made of rubber, a highly elastic material. When a drone collides with the tires, the rubber will absorb the energy of the impact and deform, reducing the force that is transferred to the aircraft. This can help prevent damage to the wings and other critical components of the plane.

However, it is important to note that this is not an infallible defense against drone attacks. The effectiveness of the tires will depend on several factors, including the size and speed of the drone, as well as the angle and location of the impact. In addition, there is a risk of the tires catching fire or exploding with the impact, which may pose a danger to the aircraft and the crew.

Satellite image of Engels Air Base, with Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers. (Photo: Maxar Technologies)

Engels Air Base, located about 400 km southeast of Moscow and about 700 km from the border with Ukraine, operates the strategic bombers Tu-160M Blackjack and Tu-95M Bear of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The airfield was used to launch many of the Moscow air strikes with Kh-101 cruise missiles in the past: at certain times, up to 8 Tu-95 and 4 Tu-160M were stationed side by side on Engel-2.

Previously, a Ukrainian attack on a Russian airfield in the Pskov region destroyed two and damaged up to seven IL-76 planes. The attack was probably conducted on Russian territory with drones made of cardboard, hardly visible to radar.

Overall, although the use of car tires in a bomber may seem like an unconventional approach to defense, it is proof of the ongoing efforts to find new and innovative ways of protection against emerging threats. It remains to be seen to what extent this strategy will be effective in practice, but it is an interesting development in the field of aviation security.

Tags: Military AviationDronesRFSAF - Russian Federation Aerospace Force/Russian Aerospace ForceTu-95 BearWar Zones - Russia/Ukraine

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Daytona Airshow and FIDAE. He has work published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work throughout the world of aviation.

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[andronetalks]

Russia launches massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine: Kyiv

New York Post By ReutersPublished Aug. 26, 2024Updated Aug. 26, 2024, 7:15 a.m. ET The sound of explosions rang out in central Kyiv on Monday morning during rush hour as Ukraine’s military warned of a massive Russian missile and drone attack following waves of drone attacks in the early hours. The air force told Ukrainians Russia had 11 TU-95 strategic bombers in the air and confirmed the launch…